The Mayor's veto is overridden. Thirteen to 3, the Mayor's veto is overridden. Two-thirds majority of all members of Council have voted in the affirmative, the Mayor's veto is overridden. I'll say it again for the record. That completes our Calendar for today. I'm sorry. You have resolutions. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution authorizing the Committee on Rules to hold public hearings to examine the City's intent to contract with Corizon Health, Inc. to provide healthcare services to inmates in the Philadelphia Prison System, introduced by Councilman 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution calling on the City Council of Philadelphia Committee on Education and all of City Council to recognize and support President Barack Obama's plan, Now is the Time, which aims to ensure the safety of our children and our communities by reducing gun violence, 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution calling on the City Council of Philadelphia to support, advocate, and recommend a moratorium (suspension -(Applause.)
-- (suspension of action) for the School District of Philadelphia's Facilities Master Plan 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING recommendations concerning grade changes, school closures, program co-locations, and program mergers/relocations, introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
Is it appropriate to speak or do you want to continue? 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
Yeah, Councilwoman, because I missed the light.
I agree that there are many unanswered questions regarding Dr. Hite and the SRC's plans. We asked the SRC and Dr. Hite to make very tough decisions. This year alone they borrowed $300 million to pay the bills. I am prepared to discuss additional funding in a responsible way and then ask for a moratorium. We cannot act like Congress and say that we are going to kick the bucket and not deal with our fiscal cliff. Dr. Hite and the SRC have responded -- have to respond to every single issue and legitimate questions that our parents have put forth to them. How were the decisions made, do they make sense, what is the public safety plan. But let's remember over 100,000 kids get on some sort of public transportation because their parents are making a choice 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING about where they go to school. Meetings are being held, continue to be held, and I continue to encourage parents and the students to come forth and speak about the impact of any decision on their school. I have personally visited most of my schools and will continue to visit the schools that are being closed and the receiving schools, and I continue to talk with staff, parents, and students. My problem with this resolution and the way that it's crafted is that it says a moratorium that to me equals a zero-sum game, and that to me right now is irresponsible. We are all right that all roads lead to Harrisburg and the funding cuts that we've experienced. I am the most passionate supporter of public education. My son attends public schools. But we cannot tell the District to right-size itself and at the same time not give it money and at the same time interfere in every single decision. 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING I am prepared to shape some of these discussions and I want to continue the dialogue, but it is irresponsible without additional money to tell the School District they cannot do anything. I think the conversation should continue to happen, and I think what this Council should be asking Dr. Hite and the SRC is to answer the questions, the legitimate questions, students and parents have put forward around public safety. But I cannot vote, because of the crafting of the wording of this resolution, for it. I think that unlike Congress, we don't have the luxury of time and we have to make tough decisions, and I'm willing to work towards them. Thank you.
Thank you. (Audience members yelling "save our schools.")
We have some additional speeches. Hold up 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING for a second. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I know half as much as my colleagues on Education such as Councilwoman Blackwell, Councilwoman Sanchez, Councilwoman Brown. They've spent a considerable amount of time on the Education Committee delving into this. But what I do know is that we cannot make whole decisions on half information. And there are so many questions that have come out, and I've taken the time to talk to my colleagues, talk to Dr. Hite, talk to members of the SRC, talk to educators, talk to parents, talk to students, all of whom are going to be impacted by this. This decision is probably the most important decision we will make for the next ten years when it comes to the future of this city, not just our kids, but this city. 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING So I applaud Councilwoman Blackwell for pushing the pause button so that we don't -(Applause.)
-- that we don't make whole decisions on half information. I mentioned in this Chamber about a guy named Ray-Ray. Well, I met him on the school yard of Beeber Junior High School in on overcrowded situation that caused all kinds of public safety issues. When it comes to our kids, we can ill-afford for kids who really, some of whom, some of whom, don't want to go to school anyway, for them to have to take a march into danger without us as adults, as us as elected officials, as us as parents weighing in on this to make sure every aspect of their safety, their transportation is dealt with before we send them into a situation. (Applause.)
And, again, 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING I kept an open mind about this. I respect, I respect Councilwoman Sanchez's point of view, having run a school, having dealt with kids. But having listened to the parents of Gompers, having listened to the parents of Lamberton, having been a parent in those schools, we cannot, as a famous Councilperson said, act in haste and repent in your leisure. I'm going to go for the resolution to hold it. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. President. I will be brief. For clarity of the record, this Council did not ask Dr. Hite or the School Reform Commission to come up with a plan. Governor Corbett asked the School Reform Commission to come up with a plan. 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Governor Corbett asked for a plan because he has deliberately underfunded the schools. That's what put us in this situation. So this Council has had to ask residential taxpayers and other taxpayers to look at local revenue for schools. The state still hasn't stood up. And so this is not our plan. We do not have control of the situation. This is about the time we begin to talk about local control. So not only are we calling for a moratorium, but we're calling for local control again. (Applause.)
That's what the majority of this Council is saying and that's what the citizens are saying and that's what the taxpayers are saying. Thank you, Mr. President.
The 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I thank my colleagues for their remarks on this issue, and we note, sure, there are many issues. We have schools in Councilman Johnson's area in Southwest where they want to relocate young people to University City. What sense does that make? We have one school in my area, we built brand new housing, PHA, Mantua Square, the school to service them right across the street, McMichael School, they want to close. We're talking about not only turf areas, not only transportation, we're talking about a plan that should be thought out with the community involved in those discussions, not being told afterwards and saying that's community inclusion. Certainly -(Applause.)
Certainly no one is saying that a 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING moratorium means it has to be forever, and no one is saying -- we carefully crafted this resolution. We were careful about how we worded moratorium, and certainly we were careful about many issues dealing with closing, like time. We've learned that -- studies show that if there's a notice for schools to close, that year the scores go down. When they move to the next school, the first year of the new school scores go down. The second year the scores go back to where they were before changes occur. So we believe and we were very careful, because we did not even say that all 37 schools wouldn't close. I've been to many, many meetings and have many, many discussions on this. In Southwest they have 23 organizations in the area who have come together on this. And what all groups are saying in every meeting I've been to, they're not saying that some schools shouldn't close, but not 37 schools should close. 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING (Applause.)
I think that the students -- it's ironic that in all the meetings, the largest group of people who protest are students, which is very, very sad. Second is parents and third are teachers. Teachers have even come forward and stood up for their schools, their students, and their environment. So we're not saying we're not willing to talk about it. We're saying we need inclusion on major decisions like this. So let's hold up. Let's try to get it right so that the majority of our citizens, students, parents, teachers, community members are satisfied, so we can have a plan that makes sense, not a plan that doesn't. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'm going to be brief because I know a lot of what I wanted to cover has already been covered. But I just really want to echo what Councilwoman Blackwell just said. Let's do it right. Let's get it right the first time, because I believe that if we don't make sure that we are doing things in a manner that makes sense, next year come January of 2014 will we be here asking the exact same questions and trying to figure out which young people should now go to a different school? There are turf battles. There are various issues. You know, in my district I know that there are a number of issues that I'm greatly concerned about. I think we need to be much more thoughtful about the distance that we're asking some of our young people to go, particularly elementary school students. 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING I want to just take a second and recognize that Jerry Jordan is here from the PFT and that he -(Applause.)
-- actually was in the, I think it was, the Philadelphia Tribune where he actually walked the distance from one of the closed schools to two of the schools that those students would then be transferred to and the distance and the time, and we're talking about elementary school students. I know in my district the idea of closing the Peirce School at 23rd and Cambria and then having those students walk to Rhoads at 29th and Clearfield is quite a distance. And so we've all seen very small, very young children walking to school in the mornings by themselves, and it makes me want to cringe when I see a young person, their backpack is sometimes bigger than they are, walking themselves quite a distance to school. It's very troubling. I think we need to 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING think about that. I think we need to think about some of the turf battles, which are real, which should not be -(Applause.)
-- which should not be minimized. And I don't think any one of us thinks that we want to keep all of these schools open. Some of these schools will have to close. It's just a fact. But let's just slow down for one moment, take our time and do it right the first time so that we're not at this place again in the future. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Mr. President. I feel like at the entrance to Council today there must have been a reality distortion field and we've all walked through it to be in this 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Chamber today. I just -- I cannot understand how we are forgetting the fact that there are 70,000 empty seats in the Philadelphia public schools. To create a moratorium for another year will cost the School District $25 million that they do not have and we have not provided. (Audience members yelling.)
Please. Please let the Councilmember speak, please.
The fact of the matter is, there are not additional resources. The School District has to make tough decisions, and last year at this time, the Public School Notebook published a list of many of these same schools that were potential for closing. This body, as part of our negotiations with the School District in the context of providing additional resources, asked the District not to act last year on 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING school closings in the context of having to raise taxes and do all the other things that we had to do. And so there has been a one-year moratorium, and now is the time for the District to act. Thank you, Mr. President.
Ron, Ron, Ron. Hey, Ron. Ron, come on. Councilwoman Tasco.
Yes. I will be very brief. Councilman Green talked about last year we asked the School District for a moratorium. I believe about two years ago there were rumblings about closing schools and we asked at that time what schools would be closed. And then, of course, through all the upheaval around the Superintendent and the change, everything was put on hold and we heard nothing else. And then when Dr. Hite came in, I mean, certainly 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING he walked into a hornet's nest, not of his making, but we get this study of these schools. And so we in the Northwest in my area are asking how did you make the decision, how did you come to the determination which schools would be closed. So we're asking for the data. We attended the community meetings, and we want to know who did the study, how did they determine which schools should be closed. And our parents and students have been very vocal about their school. And certainly we are not losing a lot of schools in my district. However, we're getting children from schools from Pulaski Avenue coming up to Cheltenham. So how do you come to a decision to take 5th graders, 4th graders and transport them to Sedgwick, Thouron Avenue. It just doesn't make sense. So I think that we -- and we are working with Enon and Reverend Waller in our community to look at the data to 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING see how they came to the determination of which schools to close. And I think -there's a March deadline, and what these parents are saying, that's not a lot of time to get all of this together. So I think that -- I don't know what the timeline is, but certainly we can't get it all done by March. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Again, Mr. President, I recognize the sincere comments of my colleagues who have spent a lot of time on this issue, care greatly about the future of our young people. I do not doubt their motivation is not one that -- and I want to say that for the record. However, the reality check is 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING something that we've also heard in these Chambers. The reality is if an urban young man -- I remember this from Wilson Goode, Councilman Goode's inquiries -does not read up to standard by the 4th grade, we know how many prison cells to build by the time they're 18. We know. We know that violence -- the bean counters of the world can draw maps, but if you don't know the difference between Parkside and Parkway and you don't know crossing those two can cause public safety, you are putting our children in danger. And I'm saying to you that these things can be dealt with, but I need to hear how they're dealt with. It's like build it, they shall come. But don't say go and we'll figure it out. You're not going to do that to our kids. So I would urge us to move cautiously. The realities of the budget are true. I'm a person who in this Chamber, Mr. Chairman, along with you, stood up for increased revenues for the 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING School District, not afraid to do it, because our kids mean that much to me. But I also know they will not be the victim of poor planning by other Administrations. It's just not going to happen. (Applause.)
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I too want to thank Jerry Jordan for his leadership, all the PCAP groups, all of them, from Philly Fight, Anne Gemmell to SEIU, to everyone who has been involved, and certainly we want to reiterate that on February 12th, Lincoln Day, we will have hearings in here at 11 o'clock dealing with this issue, school closures, and we hope that all those who can and who have an opinion 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING will come forward so that we may have a full airing of this whole school closure and all that that involves. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Again, I want to reiterate the fact that we all agree that we want to be responsible, that they need to be thoughtful, that there are questions that are unanswered, that there is going to have to be an investment by the City around public safety around these issues. What I cannot say is an absolute no. Every one of my colleagues has mentioned the fact that they know that some schools will have to close, and I agree, we need to shape the criteria by which that happens, but I don't want to give anybody the false impression. When you say moratorium, you say totally stop, 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING and we need to move some tough decisions so that we can go back to basics, which is what Mr. Jordan talks about every single time he testifies here. We need nurses, we need gyms, we need a healthy lunch, we need reading specialists, we need all of those things. And if we're going to be able to go to provide those back-to-basics in all those schools, the conversation is how do we create the highest number of high achievement seats all over the district, in every neighborhood, in every part of the City. We cannot get there if every single time we need to make tough decisions we say no. I agree, we need to pause. Every one of the folks involved need to sit down and we need to look at every single decision. I do not agree with all the 37 closures. I will not pretend to know the ones that are not in my district, but what I do know is that this is an opportunity. This is the perfect 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING storm for us to deal with the full funding of public education. We need to go to Harrisburg, but then we also need to have a reality check that this Council has done heavy lifting. And I have prodded and probed all of my Council colleagues every single budget season to try to get as much money for public education as I possibly can, but we need to be responsible. And so I think all of the parents have legitimate concerns and I think all of us in Council who have a voice in this Council should provide some leadership and shape this, but we can't tell the District, no, don't do nothing. We need to shape how that happens. So I just think that we agree on too many things for us to make this important debate contentious, because we all agree on the same things. High quality education, high quality slots, and choices for children everywhere. So let's keep our eyes on that point of 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING agreement as we continue to talk about this. As Councilwoman Blackwell says, Dr. Hite will be in here for hearings. We will have an opportunity during the budget discussion. No final decision will be made. And the SRC can have a March deadline. No final decision can be made until we make a budget decision, and that is going to help determine what stays open and what stays closed. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. This important debate and the remarks shared and perspectives shared by colleagues was triggered by the resolution introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell, and I too read it very, very, very carefully and was initially quite -wanted to push the pause button on moratorium. In further speaking with 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilwoman Blackwell, we all agree and it says in here that we do not oppose the closing of some schools. So though moratorium literally suggests stop action, I would submit that we need to use whatever time this designated period means and continue the important debate, continue to listen to the issues raised at these community meetings, which are exceedingly important, and keep in mind two things. We've raised taxes consecutively for the last three years, and that's a problem. Councilman Goode has made it clear that the inaction, non-action, and some would say benign action in Harrisburg has forced us to do that. The other fact is there's 70,000 fewer seats in our Philadelphia public schools. So given those facts and given the healthy, heated debate that is going on in the trench level with our schools and parents who care, I would ask that we use this period, working with the School 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING District, in figuring out what that ultimate number should be. So in talking with Councilwoman Blackwell, I feel better now about supporting the resolution, because, again, on the other -- I was on the other side. (Applause.)
As long as we understand that the debate for conversation, the discussion, the listening to be responsible does not end, or else we will end up back here next year debating the same issues again, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode -- I'm sorry; Councilman Green.
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to echo the words of my colleague Maria Quinones-Sanchez who spoke passionately about what the dollars that would be saved from closing 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING some schools would be used for. Maybe art instruction, maybe music instruction, other things like that. They are projected to save $25 million a year. But this problem, this entire issue, is created by a simple thing. It is created because when the School Reform Commission was created, they decided to make Philadelphia one of the nation's experiments in charter schools. State law allows charters to open. Ten years ago, the Philadelphia public school students were about 200,000 in Philadelphia public schools. Today it's about 145, with 55,000 in charter schools, and in ten years it will be closer to 100,000 in charter schools and 100,000 in our public schools. In that context, the School Reform Commission, not just this year but every year, has a plan that they have stated publicly to close down schools and bad seats for the forecoming foreseeable future, and that will be true as long as state law allows 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING charter schools. And there are many great charter schools and I support them, but that will be true as long as that is the case. And so this is something that we will be discussing every year, and I think it's time for us to understand that it is time for the School District to start acting to right-size itself given the realities that it will continue to lose students to charters for the foreseeable future.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. President. Every year we end up in the same trap. We are not deciding today how many schools should close or which schools should close. That decision is not up to us. That decision is up to the School Reform Commission, which is controlled by Governor Corbett. 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING We should be reminded of two things, as I do have a very good memory. One, at the beginning of Governor Corbett's administration, he appointed the Education Secretary, who stated very quickly money doesn't matter, one of the most ridiculous statements that could be made. There are people at the School District who came in here last year who said if you don't give us X amount of money, the schools won't even open in September. So it's time to stop playing games. Point the finger where it should be pointed. It should be pointed at Governor Corbett and his School Reform Commission. (Applause.)
This whole issue of being able to negotiate with the School Reform Commission, the whole issue of working with the School Reform Commission, the whole issue of them supposedly listening to us all, aside 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING from just coming here for their money, is a joke. I mean, so this is what we have to do. You have to take a stand at some point and say we want local control; yes, we stand for a moratorium; and realize that it's a symbolic stance. We're not passing a law here today. We're passing a resolution that simply says this is the intent of Council. This is the intent of Council because you left us out of the decision of how many schools and which schools, and we should not be left out of that decision. Thank you, Mr. President. (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to echo Councilman Goode here, because one of the things that I think we really need to focus on a little bit more is that this 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING is a financial decision, and we get it. We understand, and we want to be responsible. And so in making a financial decision, we want to also underscore that -- I feel like we're getting somewhat of a sales pitch. The parents and the students are getting this pitch from the District that this is in your best interest. And so my question then is, if this is in the best interest of parents and students across Philadelphia, then what sort of baseline increase and results are we going to see? Is there some sort of guarantee? What kind of scores, test scores, are we going to see in terms of increases? What kind of new services are we going to see? I don't believe that that's been laid out, but there is this continuous pitch that this is in your best interest, and I don't believe anyone is buying that.
Thank you, Councilwoman. 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING (Applause.)
Thank you, Mr. President. The last thing I'll say on the issue is, I hope that citizens around the City will not buy into when all else fails, then let's fight one another. Let's have charter schools fight traditional public schools and then we can talk about renaissance academies and promise academies. Let's not get into that fight and have students and schools fighting one another. We didn't create this model. They created it at the state level. So let's keep that in mind, that we all have an interest, that we want to survive. I associate myself with Councilman Goode's comments and hope that we can move forward together. Let's take the high road.
Thank you. 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING (Applause.)
I think we left it off in the middle of the vote, but why don't we start by reading the resolution and then call for the vote. Mr. Decker, read it one more time.
A resolution calling on the City Council of Philadelphia to support, advocate, and recommend a moratorium (suspension of action) for the School District of Philadelphia's Facilities Master Plan recommendations concerning grade changes, school closures, program co-locations, and program mergers/relocations.
And recognize Councilwoman Blackwell for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
It has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
Is there a call for a roll call? Roll call, Mr. Decker.
The ayes are 14; the nays are two. The resolution passes.
And a resolution recognizing January as "National Human Trafficking Awareness Month" in Philadelphia, introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown for a 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, hold on a second. Folks, we're going to ask that when you leave, please hold down your voices. We still have to conduct a few more pieces of business. We'll try it again, Mr. Decker.
And a resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Rules to hold hearings on the issue of charitable exemptions from property taxes, and use of land subject to such 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING charitable exemptions for commercial purposes, introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown for a motion.
I move for the adoption, Mr. President. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution calling for the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings on the status of the City's Surveillance Camera Program, introduced by Councilman Jones for Council President 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Clarke.
That was also co-sponsored by Councilwoman Bass and Councilman Greenlee. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution recognizing and honoring the 2012 Fox Rok Ravens for winning the American Youth Football National Division I Cadet Championship, introduced by Councilman O'Neill.
The 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Streets and Services to hold hearings to examine the current specifications for street lighting products and the Streets Department's adherence to the current specifications, introduced by Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution declaring and recognizing February 2013 as "Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month," introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? 1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
And a resolution recognizing and honoring Rock Ministries on their tenth anniversary of providing a unique combination of sports and faith based programs for at-risk youth in Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
1/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
And a resolution recognizing and honoring the Special Forces Association for its outstanding work and advocacy on behalf of the U.S. Army Special Forces community and for providing a network of brotherhood for those soldiers who served our nation in the U.S. Army Special Forces, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you so much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our Calendar. Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
Are there any speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Mr. President. I wish our colleague Councilman Kenney were still here. I was going to commend him on the introduction of the bill creating -- or the Charter change creating an Inspector General. I too was working on such a Charter change amendment, and I want to let him know publicly that I'll be happy to work with him on that. We have had a lot of discussion here today about taxes and resources and other things, and I think there's one thing that we all have to recognize. Over the past few years, I have identified and proposed over $350 million in spending reductions in connection with not being willing to vote for various real estate tax increases. I thought I had to pay for those decisions. I think that when we're talking about asking people to spend money or forcing them to spend money they're not planning to spend, you have to be able to come up with cuts or with revenue measures to do that. And so we are going to have, I think, a very difficult spring. The one thing that I'm pleased to report is that the AVI debate is over. I keep reading and hearing in different places that we have to set a millage rate, that we have to have a discussion about AVI, what's the rate going to be. The rate is 1.44 percent, if the Administration's estimates that they came out with last week are true. AVI passed last year. It goes into effect automatically this year -- or next year by action that we took last year. So unless there are 12 votes to change the rate from something other than 1.44, either by lowering the homestead exemption to a lower number -- by the way, 15,000 I think is 1.39. No homestead exemption is 1.3. We need -as long as the Administration -- and the Mayor has already said he's not going to raise real estate taxes this year. So we have 1.44 or less, unless there are 12 votes to make that kind of change. So I don't know why we're spending a lot of time handwringing about what the AVI rate is. It's the law, and all we're going to be able to do without 12 votes and only with the Mayor's support is lower it. you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today is the 10th anniversary of the passing of the late and great Lucien E. Blackwell. I'm proud to have succeeded him. We were the first couple in the country ever elected on the same day when he went to the Congress in '92 and I succeeded him to come here after working for him nearly some many, many years. So I am proud to acknowledge him today. I think he would have been proud of the lively debate, and we're sure he's looking down and hope he is proud for all that we attempted to do. We brought into the vision and the mission, and we're doing our best to serve the people we represent. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. And I'm sure he is very proud of the way you are continuing to carry the torch as it relates to your fighting for the people and the citizens of Philadelphia.
Thank you. There are no other speeches. At this time, I recognize Councilwoman Brown.
Surely, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, January 31st, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (No response.)