“This Senate bill, that represents $700 million in relief for the City of Philadelphia, is critical to our future," said Nutter. "If there are amendments attached to it, and there have been, that I neither asked for or advocated for, but if that is part of the process here, my focus and my goal is making sure we get our financial relief. ”

The changes to the bill include steep penalties if Philadelphia fails to pay back delayed pension contributions, freezes benefits for current city workers, and reduces benefits for future hires. It will also eliminate the controversial DROP program for elected officials. These amendments were added by the Senate Finance Committee and then altered again by the Senate last night.

Up to this point, Mayor Nutter has repeatedly said that he didn't want any amendments to the bill.

Posted by Ben Waxman @ 3:08 PM - It's Our Money, Wednesday, August 26, 2009

He Does!!!

Sen. Dominic Pileggi just told a group of reporters that Mayor Nutter supports the pension amendments made to the legislation to help balance the city budget. The original bill has been modified to include sweeping changes to the pension plan for municipal employees, including a freeze on current benefits and a reduction for future hires.

“Mayor Nutter has been in the building all day and has been working with us in crafting the amendment and moving the bill,” said Pileggi. “It is my understanding that he is supportive of the bill with the amendment we just adopted.

Posted by Ben Waxman @ 2:06 PM - It's Our Money, Wednesday, August 26, 2009