Kenney’s somewhat dented crowning achievement

It’s a jolly time of the year and the holiday spirit infuses the Philadelphia Inquirer’s series evaluating Jim Kenney, Philadelphia’s 99th mayor.

Cherelle Parker thinks she’s Philadelphia’s first female mayor.

Some think Kenney, that oft-blubbering mass of emotion, beat her to it. 

The Friday Inquirer reported the “highlight” of Kenney’s reign, but didn’t do the best job of it, because the reporters share his world view. It was largely cheerful, until you dug into the details, which were not so la-de-dah.

“He was celebrating PHLpreK, the free pre-kindergarten program funded by his signature tax on sweetened beverages that he considers to be his crowning achievement,” the Inquirer reported. I thought hiring Danielle Outlaw as police commissioner would be a crowning achievement. 😉

[Regular readers know I opposed the “soda tax” as it was known, not because I hate pre-K, but because I did not feel an education tax should fall heavily on a single business — especially since that business had been driven out of public schools.] 

But the plan fell short of its own stated goals.

In 2017, officials expected to offer 6,500 pre-K seats by 2023. There are currently only 5,250 seats “due to challenges including lower-than-expected tax revenue. . . .”

What the Inquirer does not detail was the sharp drop in the purchase of heavily taxed items. Which was predicted by many observers. 

The more you tax something, the less desirable it becomes. That’s one reason Philadelphia is less desirable for new business and residents — we have one of the highest tax burdens in the nation. 

For the mathematically challenged, the 5,250 is 80% of 6,500 — meaning a 20% shortfall of pre-K seats, which ain’t nothing.

Another embarrassing admission: The pre-K is far from “universal,” which is how Kenney promoted it.

There are about 40,000 3- and 4-year-olds in Philly and an estimated half attend no pre-K, or  are in one that doesn’t meet state standards, the Inquirer said. Translation:  It is a babysitting service. 

Now we are down to 50% of all kids.

OK, you can say that is better than nothing, and it is, but 50% was a failing grade when I went to school. 

Crowning achievement? My foot.

The soda tax was also supposed to be an elixir that would rebuild parks, recreation centers, libraries, and more.

When he began his tenure, Kenney touted his signature Rebuild program as a once-in-a-generation chance to remake as many as 200 of the city’s recreation centers, parks, and libraries.

Only 17 have been completed. In eight years.

One more point, and not insignificant: In his eight years as mayor, Kenney increased the city budget by 51%, from $4.1 billion to $6.2 billion. Has your budget increased 51% in the last eight years? 

Do city residents feel 51% better? I doubt it. 

So, in a few days he will leave Room 215 in City Hall, take a breather, and in May he will marry Letitia Santrelli, and I do believe that is a scoop.