by KYW’s Mike Dunn
Even with a warning that the city can’t afford it, Philadelphia City Council has given an initial green light to the mayor’s plan to borrow millions for local arts institutions.
The mayor wants to borrow $150 million, with $65 million for the capital needs of arts groups, from the Art Museum to small dance companies.
But the state agency that oversees the city’s finances warned that the city has already borrowed far too much. And city councilwoman Marion Tasco, an opponent, says more basic needs are going unmet:
“We have not been able to maintain the infrastructure of fire stations, police stations, rec and ball fields.”
Commerce director Stephanie Naidoff argued that investing in the arts should be a top priority:
“We wish we had an endless supply of money to do everything, but we have to make hard choices, and in our view, this kind of investment will have great payoffs down the line.”
And the council committee agreed, approving the plan and sending it on to the full Council.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
