Even if the city is, somehow, saved at the last minute (unlikely), we gotta make some changes

1359822

The state legislation that would save our bacon (temporarily) is stalled in the Senate.  On Friday, 3,000 pink slips will go out and we’ll in the express lane to Shitsville.  At this point, it does not look like there will be an eleventh hour compromise.

This catastrophe did not happen overnight.  A recent article on whyy radio highlighted a study by our local political watchdog group, The Committe of Seventy.  The study outlines a lot of issues that hold back city government and contribute to situations like the current mess.  One of the issues is one-party rule.  Even though it’s my party, I still see how the lack of options contributes to the intractable corruption.

I just hope that, should we somehow dodge this bullet, a bullet, by the way, that most people don’t seem to care much about, then we, as a city, must look these recommendations and others and get our heads out of the mud, before we stop breathing altogether.

This town is a sealed tuna sandwich

fundaberg_flag_philadelphia

September 18 is the deadline for the doomsday budget known as Plan C.  If that goes into effect, as I’ve mentioned before, it will fundamentally change Philadelphia.  It will be the systematic dismantling of a large part of city government, along with about 3,000 layoffs, including 1,000 police officers.

There has been progress in Harisburg, and I continue to be optimistic that, at least in the short term, disaster can be averted.  I think it’s a good sign that everyone is upset – governor, mayor, unions – that’s the hallmark of a decent compromise.  the ball is still in Harrisburg’s court as the state legislature tries to reconcile different plans.

In the meantime, Philebrity has a compendium of the ominous letters that are starting to circulate about how the city is, to a large extent, getting ready to shut down.  *gulp*