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MAYOR'S BUDGET ADDRESS - JOHN F STREET - JANURY 2006
DELIVERED 1-24-2006 TO CITY COUNCIL
Good morning President Verna, Majority leader Blackwell, Majority Whip Tasco, Minority Leader O'Neill, Council members, distinguished guests, and friends -
I am truly honored to stand before the distinguished legislative body of the next great city in America - The Philadelphia City Council.
I am here today to present for your consideration my proposed __________ General Fund operating budget, my proposed capital budget and program along with my proposed Five Year Financial Plan for FY 07 through 11.
In its October 2005 edition, the prestigious magazine National Geographic Traveler called Philadelphia the next great city in America, saying: "After decades of relative obscurity, Philadelphia, a classic American city, is ready to step back into the national limelight." Philadelphia has recovered from the economic distress that held this city hostage when Ed Rendell became Mayor and I became President of City Council in 1992, a partnership that provided strong cooperative political leadership at a critical juncture in this city's history. That recovery gained an identity with the opening of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the Marriott Hotel in 1993. These and other investments transformed Philadelphia into a top tier destination city. A city where visitors stay in first class hotels, eat at some of America's finest restaurants, see live performances at World Café or Rotunda, and enjoy the museums and public art along the Parkway. We also flawlessly hosted the Republican National Convention, the X-Games and the Live 8 concert attended by hundreds of thousands of people from throughout the country. No doubt our City has the capacity to host the international Olympics games. (By the way, March Madness returns to the Wachovia Center as the Atlantic 10 Conference hosts the 2006 NCAA Division 1 men's basketball to...
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