Audio: Will a Cigarette Tax Really Save Philly Schools?

Yesterday, radio talk show host Dom Giordano talked to CF’s Nathan Benefield about the proposed cigarette tax to fund Philadelphia schools.

Dom asked why we care so much about whether another tax is piled on Philadelphia residents. Nate responded, “It’s a very temporary solution … that doesn’t solve the long-term crisis in Philadelphia.” Indeed, another $80 million won’t solve the problems that still exist even after the School District of Philadelphia added more than $1 billion in revenue in the last ten years.

The real victims of this crisis—school kids and their families—won’t be helped by another year of stop-gap measures as costs continue to skyrocket and performance keeps plummeting.

Listen to the conversation here:

See our policy points Philadelphia School Trends, 2002-03 to 2012-13 for more details.

The Dom Giordano Show can be streamed live daily here.