This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
by Holly Otterbein for NewsWorks
Philadelphia’s Mayor Nutter wants to raise money for the cash-strapped School District, mostly through tax increases on alcohol and cigarettes. But he needs Harrisburg to pass legislation to make that a reality.
At an editorial board meeting with NewsWorks on Tuesday, Nutter said some Republican state lawmakers have been talking to him about joining forces. He said that they, too, are concerned about funding for their local schools.
"I was in a meeting with some House Republicans who were lamenting issues related to school funding, having nothing to do with Philadelphia," Nutter said, "and asked if we would join in a coalition about this particular issue."