Nov 20, 2008 11:00 pm US/Eastern
City Council Members Search Own Pockets For Money
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
As Philadelphia City Council debates Mayor Nutter's proposed budget cuts, some council members are taking a look at their own books to find places to save money.
Council President Anna Verna says she will cut 10 percent of council's $17.8 million budget beginning January 1. She will also take a 5 percent pay cut off her $140,864 salary.
"I think it's a symbolic move," Verna said. "I think this crisis is very real."
So far, two other council members have formally notified Verna's office they will also take 5 percent pay cuts. Councilmen James Kenney and Frank DiCicco will give up $5,611 of their $112,233 salaries.
There are 17 representatives on City Council. Each member makes at least $112,233 and has access to a city-funded car. The Council President's office says only four council members currently do not use city cars: Kenney, DiCicco, Wilson Goode, Jr. and Bill Green.
It was Councilman DiCicco who first raised questions about city council's cost-saving measures Wednesday. He criticized Councilman Frank Rizzo for using a city car while asking all of his colleagues to cut $12,000 out of their individual budgets. DiCicco wanted to pool that money to pay for a study of Mayor Nutter's plan to close seven city fire companies.
DiCicco withdrew his request Thursday.
"There are some council members who don't have $12,000," DiCicco said. "They've exhausted – and they're entitled to exhaust – all their employee salary allotment."
As for taking a pay cut, DiCicco and Verna said that decision is up to each council member.
"I don't know what my other colleagues' expenses are at home. We all have different needs," DiCicco said.
"I think we should do what we can to help in this time," Councilwoman Donna Miller told CBS 3.
But Miller says she does not know if she will take a cut.
Councilman Wilson Goode, Jr. is not taking a pay cut but is cutting the salaries of his staff 5 percent.
Goode declined an on-camera comment.
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