On May 4, 2016, Philadelphians came to City Hall to voice their opinion about Mayor Kenney’s proposed budget. In the next few weeks City Council will vote on the budget — including whether or not to pass the Mayor’s sugary drink tax, often called the “soda tax.”
The money from the tax would expand access to quality pre-K, create 25 community schools, rebuild our parks, rec centers, and libraries as well as invest in our pension fund and the Council President’s green jobs plan.
If you support the Mayor’s budget proposal, we want to hear from you: Get involved today!
Many Philadelphians have already made their voices heard, sharing why they support these critical investments in our neighborhood infrastructure and our children’s future.
Here’s what some of them had to say.
Kate’s a teacher who said that poor conditions at parks, rec centers, and libraries are so common, her students accept them as normal.
“These conditions have been like this for so long that somehow our students believe they are fair and right. It is morally reprehensible to provide our students with less when we have the tools to provide them with more. Do what’s right for our students and adopt this tax.”
Jeff volunteers at his local rec center and testified to give a voice to the kids he works with.
“This should be about the kids. The ones who have no safety net. When I think about the soda tax, I think about the kids it will help. Those who want to win a national championship. I want the kids to have a seat at the table. I want their voices to be heard.”
Eric is 13 years old and talked about the conditions he encounters every day — and how improving those conditions can help improve the future for students like him.
“The park is not in great condition, the basketball courts have no nets. If you pass the tax, we’ll have more money for our parks. [Participating in rec center programs taught me] how to work in the workforce. It made me a better person and a better student.”
Dean coaches at Palumbo Rec Center. He said that they do the best with what they’ve got, but our communities need help.
“All the rec centers do a phenomenal job with their limited resources. The one thing we cannot control is the quality of the field we play on. It’s deplorable. Regularly, we have two, three, four players leave because we have no grass [and the fields are covered in] rocks, glass.”
Dwayne’s a local dad who expressed that his number one priority was the future of our city’s kids.
“It’s a sad day when a dollar and a soda is being put before our children.”
Steve is a local ER doctor, and he said investing in the future of our children is good policy for public health.
“The city has long-term problems, and [fixing them] starts with our children. I don’t want to see these kids in my ER. I want these kids to go into kindergarten knowing their alphabet.”
George visited City Council to give a voice to the kids who would benefit most from the programs the sugary beverage tax funds, like pre-K.
“No matter their zip code or what their parents make, all kids should be given the opportunity: The benefits of quality pre-K are clear and compelling.”
Minister Rodney Muhammad is president of the NAACP’s Philadelphia chapter, and he insisted that this was the time to invest in our kids, our parks, our rec centers, our libraries, and all of our neighborhoods. He also had a message for the soda industry.
“We cannot squander this precious period in our kids’ development. In this fight to save our children, be a protector — don’t be a parasite.”
Steve is a local economist who pointed to the sound fiscal sense of providing access to quality pre-K for Philly’s children.
“Investing in high quality pre-K will give every three and four-year-olds the opportunity to learn and it will provide a better trained workforce for city employers.”
JoAnne said that bringing access to quality pre-K to Philadelphia for all was an opportunity for our kids and the city.
“It’s Philadelphia’s turn to lead the way as a model for quality pre-k.”