Money on minds of 9 GOP candidates

Money was on the minds of the nine Republican candidates running for City Council's at-large seats during a debate hosted by WHYY-FM and the Philadelphia Tribune.

An issue that was seemingly unresolved by the end of the session, however, was how the city could make more money in the near future.

Nearly every candidate said that Philadelphia needs to make itself more business-friendly by lowering, and eliminating, certain business taxes.

Malcolm Lazin, executive director of Equality Forum, said that there are more than 20 taxes levied against businesses in the city - higher than both New York and Boston - and that makes the city one of the nation's least attractive to do business in, for its size.

"We don't need more taxes, that's evident," said Joe McColgan, a financial manager. "We need more taxpayers."

Steve Odabashian, a political newcomer and attorney, said that fiscal irresponsibility at the city level is what motivated him to enter the race.

"If I ran my house the way the city has been running its own checkbooks, I would be living on the street, and deservedly so," he said.

Others said that the city should cut its budget by 10 percent in every department.

"Philadelphia's families are reducing their budgets every day, it's time for the city to do the same," said Al Taubenberger, head of the Greater Northeast Chamber of Commerce.

- Phillip Lucas