City Works To Avoid 'Devastating' Cuts

PHILADELPHIA - The clock is ticking for state lawmakers to decide whether to bail out budget-challenged Philadelphia.

Little progress was made over the weekend.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter began another day of feverish lobbying Monday at the police department's 15th District headquarters. Then, he went back to Harrisburg.

It's his third trip to the state capital in less than a week as he gets closer to being forced to put his dire "plan C" budget into place.

Nutter has said that to avoid layoffs the state needs to make a decision by Aug. 15 whether to allow the city to raise its sales tax and delay payments to the pension fund.

However, Republican Senate Leader Dominic Pileggi told "Good Day Philadelphia" Monday morning no debate or votes are coming on the requested budget relief until a final budget is passed. So those decisions could be months away.

"Right now we're pretty far apart," Pileggi said about the overall budget negotiations.

Nutter's fallback spending plan would hit Philly's police and fire departments the hardest. Up to 900 police officers and 200 firefighters could be jettisoned if the city doesn't get more money. All libraries and recreation centers would also be closed.

Overall, some eight to 10 city agencies could be impacted.

"It is certainly not good news for Philadelphia," Nutter said Monday outside the 15th district headquarters in Northeast Philadelphia. "... We will be forced to lay off hundreds of fine public servants in an effort to deal with a budget crisis."

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said, "It would devastating to us as a department. You've got to think about not just the cuts but all of the consequences that happen as a result of cuts as you reorganize and reshape the department. So, it would affect every corner of Philadelphia. There's no doubt about that."

Fire Commissioner Llyod Ayers added, "Losing six additional engine companies, three ladder companies and five medic units would have a devastating impact."

Union leaders said on the record for the first time Monday that, if the city does have to make big cuts, there is no way they or residents will allow it.

One union leader said there would be a total uprising if the mayor tries it.

"We're going to bring it right to the people. It's about safety. It's all about safety," said Bill Gault of the firefighters' union. "We've already cut seven companies. Two hundred people will decimate us. They've got to find the money somehow."

Gault said if Nutter tries to put "Plan C" into effect, "Then I need the citizens to revolt. They're the ones that are going to suffer. One house will become three, left and right. It's all about response times in our biz."