PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Kenney today proposed the FY20 Budget and Five Year Plan that make key investments in education, youth development, job creation, and City services. The budget and Five Year Plan also includes significant levels of additional funding to address core issues facing Philadelphia, including gun violence and opioid addiction.
The funding package, which will now be reviewed by City Council, is being praised by a diverse group of leaders:
Governor Tom Wolf: “I commend Mayor Kenney for his continued focus on education, public safety, infrastructure and government reform. This budget proposal lays out a bold agenda to improve Philadelphia for residents and make the economy and schools both stronger and more inclusive. I look forward to continuing to partner with the City of Philadelphia and Mayor Kenney to move our largest city and vital economic engine forward.”
PA State Representative Jason Dawkins, Chairman of Philadelphia House Delegation: “The Philadelphia House Delegation applauds Mayor Kenney’s budget proposal that puts all Philadelphians first. As a delegation, our members are striving to reduce the 26 percent poverty rate that plagues our great city by reducing violence in our neighborhoods, boosting education funding while improving our school buildings, and strengthening our workforce. The mayor’s budget will move the city in that direction, and we look forward to working with him to achieve these goals.”
Estelle Richman, Former City Managing Director and Former PA Dept. of Public Welfare Secretary: “Developing a responsible budget that balances both the urgent needs of a large city with strategic investments that will create inclusive growth over time is not easy. But that’s exactly what’s reflected in Mayor Kenney’s FY20 Budget and Five-Year Plan. I commend the Administration for its efforts to: increase funding to the School District by over $700 million; expand quality pre-K and Out-of-School-Time programming for youth; take a public health approach to curb gun violence; continue much-needed investments in the Health and Human Services departments to combat the opioid crisis and reduce homelessness; and improve the delivery of core city services like road repairs and street sweeping. Combined, these efforts will tackle some of our biggest challenges and build a stronger Philadelphia for us all.”
Sharmain Matlock-Turner, President, Urban Affairs Coalition: “The future of Philadelphia hinges on our ability to ready our youth for the workplace. So I applaud the Mayor’s proposed spending plan, particularly for his commitment to boosting funding to support summer jobs for youth in the City, crucial increased funding for the Community College, and the sort of economic development that will bring new employment opportunities. I knowing crafting a budget often means choosing among numerous important priorities. But this effort — growing jobs and getting our children ready for those jobs — is paramount, and I’m pleased that the Mayor’s budget reflects that.”
Ensuring Quality Schools in Every Neighborhood
Dr. William R. Hite, Superintendent of The School District of Philadelphia: “The School District of Philadelphia is proud to work with Mayor Kenney, whose unwavering commitment to providing a quality public education to our students remains a focal point in his vision for the city. Mayor Kenney’s bold budget plan would allow the District to continue the progress we have made to improve facilities, strengthen our hard-fought fiscal stability, and expand access to valuable learning opportunities to all students. Our District is on the rise, having recently celebrated three consecutive years of improvement among District-led and charter schools, and will continue to advance with sustainable investment. We all must work together to provide our students the safe and healthy school communities they deserve.”
Jenny Bogoni, Executive Director, Read by 4th: “Mayor Kenney’s proposed budget creates new opportunities for young learners through expanded investments in quality pre-K and afterschool programs, and an increase in local funding for the School District. Early literacy – and specifically grade-level reading by 3rd grade – is key to our students’ success and our city’s future. This comprehensive funding proposal will help us build a stronger educational foundation and support the future academic success our children deserve.”
Robin Cooper, President, Commonwealth Association of School Administrators (CASA): “CASA supports Mayor Kenney’s proposed budget, which embodies the vision and promise of local control by expanding the City’s support for student success. With increased local investment in the School District and more quality partnerships that align with schools’ goals, our city can accelerate its progress towards an excellent and equitable school system.”
Beth Divine, Executive Director, Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative (PYSC): “PYSC and its partners know that high-quality, sports-based youth development programs engage children in healthy activities that boost confidence and provide mentoring. With Mayor Kenney’s proposed budget, this Administration has assured that Out of School Time (OST) curriculum which supports holistic growth through physical literacy will continue to thrive and expand.”
Justin Ennis, Executive Director, After School Activities Partnership (ASAP): “ASAP supports Mayor Kenney’s dedication to fund the Out of School Time (OST) initiative and develop resources for parents to find high-quality programming. OST is a critical opportunity for young people to build skills, discover passions and complement their classroom learning. It’s imperative that we, as a City, support and develop new programs and partnerships so that working families have access to safe and enriching places for their children after school.”
Peter Gonzales, President and CEO, Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians: “I hear every day from families who are encouraged by the progress of the Philadelphia School District, but who are concerned about the City’s ability to properly fund the schools. Nearly one year after the establishment of a new, locally-controlled Board of Education, parents and students can be confident that with his new budget, the Mayor is continuing his commitment to the School District, and investing in their future.”
Jerry Jordan, President, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers: “We applaud Mayor Kenney’s commitment to ensuring that Philadelphia schoolchildren have more of the opportunities and supports they need and deserve. In this new and promising era of local control, we are excited to see the City and School District coordinating closely to ensure that children are prepared for success in the classroom and beyond. We look forward to working with the Mayor and City Council towards a budget that expands quality pre-K, community schools, out-of-school-time opportunities, and career readiness. These efforts will improve students’ well-being, engagement, and attendance, giving teachers more time and energy to educate and prepare our city’s future leaders.”
Maureen May, RN, President, Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP): “Time and time again, Mayor Kenney has shown his commitment to supporting working Philadelphians, and this budget is the latest example. Additional investments in preK-12 education and the Community College will help prepare more of our residents for good careers that can support families. Good schools lead to healthy communities.”
Ivy Olesh, Philadelphia Public School Parent: “All kids deserve to learn and thrive in quality schools. Mayor Kenney’s proposed budget will move our city closer to realizing that vision by providing an additional $700 million in public school funding over the next five years while also expanding access to pre-K, community schools, and out-of-school-time programs. With these investments, Philadelphia can support the School District’s continued progress and secure a better future for more children and their families.”
Chekemma Fulmore Townsend, President and CEO, Philadelphia Youth Network: “The Philadelphia Youth Network appreciates the Mayor’s commitment to youth and young adults, which includes new investments in education and youth workforce development. We know that an investment in today’s young people is really an investment in our future workforce and a brighter future for our city.”
Growing an Inclusive Economy that Works for All Philadelphians
Stephen Bradley, Chairman, African American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ, and DE: “Mayor Kenney has fiercely advocated for policies and programs that support Philadelphia’s neighborhoods and small businesses. We’re happy to see that his latest budget includes a continued focus on neighborhood-based economic development through increased funding for commercial corridors and important projects like Rebuild, as well as resources for workforce development to help prepare Philadelphians for the jobs of today and tomorrow. The African American Chamber is dedicated to ensuring economic opportunity for all Philadelphians, and we are glad to see the Kenney Administration making investments that match our vision.”
Ryan Boyer, Business Manager, Laborers’ District Council of Metropolitan Philadelphia & Vicinity and Laborers Local Union 57, 135, 332, and 413: “Mayor Kenney’s priorities in this year’s budget show a continued commitment to increasing equity and driving resources to every corner of Philadelphia. With projects like Rebuild and increased investment in workforce development, I am confident that the Kenney Administration, in partnership with organized labor, will be able to move the needle on tough issues like diversity in the trades.”
Todd Carmichael, CEO and Co-founder, LaColombe: “La Colombe wouldn’t have succeeded without Philadelphia – both our company and our city and have grown and flourished since we opened our first cafe 25 years ago. I love that Mayor Kenney’s policies prioritize programs that support both small business and working Philadelphians. I also love that the Mayor knows that the fight isn’t over; he understands that Philadelphia needs more jobs, and those jobs need to pay at least $15 an hour. I am proud to stand beside the Mayor and look forward to working with him and his Administration to make the city better than it has ever been.”
H. Patrick Clancy, President and CEO, Philadelphia Works: “Philadelphia Works is proud to partner with Mayor Kenney and the City as we continue to build a workforce development system that benefits Philadelphia’s employers and residents. Additional investments in workforce programs and education will help prepare more Philadelphians for family-sustaining careers and drive economic mobility.”
Patrick Eiding, President, Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO: “As Mayor, Jim Kenney has been a leader on labor issues — increasing cooperation and serving as a fierce advocate. He is a true champion of our values, and his latest budget reflects that. Investments in education, projects that will support good union jobs, and a $15 minimum wage for City contractors are all essential to building a stronger future for the working People of Philadelphia.”
Dan Fitzpatrick, President, Citizens Bank with Patrick Eiding, President, Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO as Co-chairs of Youth Workforce Committee of Philadelphia Works: “Investments in work opportunities for youth are critical to the long term success of our city. By increasing support for paid work experiences, the City is demonstrating a clear investment in the careers of Philadelphia’s young people. As a business leader in the Philadelphia region, I want to see an economy that is not only thriving, but inclusive; and these opportunities will help make that a reality. Engaging more young people in career pathways early on will ensure a robust talent pipeline for our business community and a bright economic future for our residents.”
John Grady, President and CEO, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC): “Mayor Kenney continues to make investments in economic growth, namely continued reductions in wage and business tax rates, that have generated budget surpluses and additional funds for important city investments. These investments help drive that growth to every corner of the city, including in schools, public safety, affordable housing, neighborhood commercial corridors, community health, social services, and pension payments. Supporting the job growth that generates revenues to create a high quality of life for city residents and workers; connects that growth to the people and places that need it most; and supports stable and growing neighborhoods is essential to Philadelphia’s continued resurgence as a place for everyone to live, work and play.”
Julie Coker Graham, President and CEO, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau: “Investments in our streets, neighborhoods and commercial corridors make Philadelphia an even more desirable destination for global visitors as well as meetings, conventions and marquee events. We appreciate Mayor Kenney’s thoughtful budget as it will strengthen the PHLCVB’s extensive efforts to attract visitors from all of our key markets. Infrastructure and social investments designed to improve the quality of life for residents will benefit visitors too.”
Jeff Guaracino, President and CEO, Visit Philadelphia: “Mayor Kenney’s spending plan will help create a more vibrant and welcoming city. More than 43 million people come to our city and region each year for a visit. Investing in our city is also an investment in sustaining our friends and family who work in our growing tourism and hospitality industry. Every dollar that improves our city sends a strong message that Philadelphia is a good place to live, to work and to play.”
Maria Gonzalez, President and CEO, HACE CDC: “For Philadelphia to continue to grow it must have housing that meets the needs of all its residents. “We support the City’s Housing Action Plan and the funding plan laid out in Mayor Kenney’s budget. Not only does the plan set targets for homeless, affordable, workforce, and market rate housing, but it also provides the funding to make these plans a reality.”
Daniel J. Hilferty, CEO of Independence Blue Cross and Chairman of the Board of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia: “I applaud Mayor Kenney’s focus on neighborhood-based economic development and advancing our workforce. Investments in commercial corridors and workforce development, paired with continued reductions in the City’s wage and business taxes, will go a long way to drive job growth throughout Philadelphia. We share the Administration’s commitment to promoting economic opportunity across the city’s many neighborhoods, and we look forward to working with Mayor Kenney and his team to build a better Philadelphia for all residents.”
Yael Lehmann, President and CEO, The Food Trust: “Mayor Kenney has been a strong champion of efforts to increase access to healthy food in Philadelphia. The Food Trust has partnered with the City to operate 22 farmers’ markets located throughout the city to provide high quality, fresh produce to 60,000 Philadelphians at markets that accept SNAP and Senior and WIC coupons. The City has also supported our city-wide Food Bucks program which provides free fresh produce to food stamp participants at farmers’ markets, grocery stores, and bodegas.”
Pete Matthews, President, AFSCME Local DC 33: “Mayor Kenney has been a great supporter of our members. We are proud to support him and his budget priorities, which will help more Philadelphians access family-sustaining jobs like those held by our members. Through investments in education and workforce development, the Administration is setting the stage for a brighter future for all Philadelphians.”
Gabe Morgan, Vice President and 32BJ SEIU PA/DE State Director: “Philadelphia’s success is driven by its people, and Mayor Kenney has once again proven his commitment to the the working class of Philadelphia. His most recent budget includes much-needed investments in both education and workforce development to move more Philadelphia residents into family-sustaining jobs.”
Sakinah Rahman, COO, Philadelphia Parks Alliance: “The prospect of Rebuild’s investment has energized volunteers at our partner recreation centers. This investment is a wonderful example of a private-public partnership revitalizing neighborhood community centers.”
Siobhan Reardon, President and Director, Free Library of Philadelphia: “We are pleased that Mayor Kenney is proposing an increased investment in the Free Library’s operating budget and are eager to put these additional resources into our neighborhood libraries. We know the increase will go a long way to improve service and access, especially when coupled with the capital improvements that are a part of the Rebuild initiative.”
Rick Sauer, Executive Director, Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations (PACDC): “PACDC applauds Mayor Kenney for boosting his commitment to the Housing Trust Fund over the next five years. The need for affordable homes is enormous, and every extra dollar helps serve more families desperate for a safe, affordable home. These additional funds will help advance innovative and effective strategies proposed in the Mayor’s Housing For Equity Plan that will reduce homelessness, prevent evictions, and increase the production and preservation of affordable and workforce homes.”
Chris Woods, Executive Vice President, District 1199C National Union for Hospital and Healthcare Employees: “1199C is proud to be a partner of the Kenney Administration on several of their priority initiatives, from PHLpreK to expanding apprenticeships. We’re excited to see continued investments in education and workforce development as part of the Mayor’s budget, and look forward to working with his team to build a better Philadelphia that works for all.”
Creating a Safe and Just City
Jose Benitez, Executive Director, Prevention Point: “This budget is about meeting people where they’re at and finding solutions that work for everyone, including longtime neighborhood residents and our city’s most vulnerable. And the municipal ID program is something that will be breaking down barriers and making sure that we continue to make progress building a Philadelphia that’s inclusive and accessible to everyone.”
Rev. Bonnie Camarda, President, Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia: “The Mayor’s continued commitment in this budget to combating the opioid epidemic is vital to eliminating this scourge, particularly in communities like Kensington where the crisis is most destructive. Every tool is needed — enhanced outreach, short- and long-term recovery housing, and community services for residents of these neighborhoods. I’m confident that the funding levels proposed in this spending plan through the Philadelphia Resilience Project will make a huge difference in saving lives, and restoring pride in these neighborhoods.”
Ed Marks, President, Philadelphia Fire Fighters’ & Paramedics’ Union Local 22: “This budget represents a wholesale affirmation of the important work of the members of the Philadelphia Fire Department. By proposing 120 additional firefighters, the re-opening of five engines and two ladders that fell victim to the Great Recession, the replacement of other aging Fire Department vehicles, and the addition of five medic units, the Mayor has drafted a budget that places the safety of Philadelphia’s residents and first responders as a top priority.”
Anton Moore, President and Founder, Unity in the Community: “Every day I witness a sense of hopelessness in Philadelphia neighborhoods that struggle because of pervasive poverty and gun violence. I’m pleased to see that Mayor Kenney’s proposed budget speaks to many of the root causes of this despair – the need for affordable housing, summer youth employment and workforce development, for example. What works will be solutions that bring people out of the offices of government and into the neighborhoods. This budget is a good start, and I’m hoping that these resources reach the neighborhoods that need it most.”
Dr. Jeanmarie Perrone, Professor, Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine and Director, Division of Medical Toxicology, Perelman School of Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania; Mayor’s Task Force to Combat the Opioid Epidemic in Philadelphia: “Our efforts to guide patients into addiction treatment from the Penn Emergency Departments have been in close partnership and guidance with city health leadership, who have been innovative in developing interventions to prevent further escalation of this tragic crisis. This work would not be possible without Mayor Jim Kenney’s support.”
Sister Mary Scullion, Executive Director, Project HOME: “These historic investments show Mayor Kenney’s commitment to ending homelessness in Philadelphia. This budget increases our ability as a city to help people experiencing homelessness get help they need. We are proud to be partners with the City in making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring”
Anthony Smith, CEO, Cities United: “For far too long, cities have underfunded and/or cut programming that keep those most at risk from falling off the ledge. Philadelphia has an opportunity and an obligation to do things different by supporting the violence prevention (public safety) work outline in Mayor Kenney’s proposed budget. Our city budgets show our citizens who and what we value; let’s show our children we value them.”
Mel Wells, President and CEO, One Day at a Time (ODAAT): “When you look at the investments made so far and the plans for the future, this budget will help provide those suffering with addiction a real road to recovery, living life on life’s terms by choice, not by chance, motivated, making changes, not excuses, and ‘Existing Above The Noise!’”
Ensuring our Government is Effective and Efficient
Kae Anderson, Director of Development, New Kensington CDC: “If residents are the heart of our communities, then commercial corridors are the arteries and small businesses are the lifeline. With almost half of all working Philadelphia citizens employed by a small business, every dollar invested in capital improvements on the corridor like street cleaning, sidewalk paving, parklets, and bike lanes or spent on hands-on corridor management and technical assistance for entrepreneurs, is a direct investment in creating jobs, economic mobility and generational wealth within Philadelphia.”
Jeff Hornstein, Executive Director, Economy League: “The Mayor’s budget includes a notable commitment to investing in talent development, through both the School District and workforce development programs—a critical step to driving inclusive growth across our city.”
The Mayor’s Budget Address, Operating and Capital Budgets, and Proposed FY19-24 Five Year Plan are available here.