No Vote on Soda, Property Taxes For Schools Today

As expected, today's Council hearing concluded without a vote on any of the revenue measures before them to raise funds for schools. After more than six hours of testimony, Council recessed their hearing with plans to come back next Thursday, which basically buys them several days.

And there seemed to be no more consensus at the end of the day on what to do. Mayor Nutter is asking Council to consider a 10 percent property tax hike, a 2 cents per ounce soda tax and a hike on parking meter fees to raise money for the schools, which face a $629 million deficit in the coming fiscal year. But there don't appear to be nine votes yet for any of the options.

Council heard from numerous opponents of the soda tax today. Lobbyists, union workers and business owners packed the chambers, arguing that the measure would cost jobs.