Mayoral candidates debate major issues

The city's wage tax and Frank Rizzo's legacy were key points of discussion. With little more than a month remaining before the May 18 primary, the five candidates vying for the Democratic nomination in this year's mayoral race squared off in a televised debate last night at Drexel University. Panelists from four local media organizations sparked conversation about issues ranging from crime prevention to reduction of the city's wage tax to the controversial legacy of the late Mayor Frank Rizzo. As in most political debates, nearly all of the candidates claimed afterwards that they were the victor. "I feel excellent, while others are fighting amongst themselves," said State Rep. Dwight Evans, who lags behind most of his opponents in recent polls. "I wanted people to hear a clear difference. I think I got that message across." John White, also an underdog in the race, said he was also satisfied with the conduct of the participants. "I think we all conducted ourselves well," the former top city housing official said. Frontrunner John Street -- who probably had the most to lose last night -- put in a somewhat lackluster performance, at one point stumbling over a question about former City Council aide Michael Youngblood, who was convicted last week of embezzlement. Afterwards, he explained the difficulties of cramming a lifetime of experience into one-minute soundbites. "How can you say it all?" Street said. "You end up giving snippets.? I knew this was going to happen. You can only say what you can say." During the hour-long debate, attorney and former Rizzo associate Marty Weinberg received criticism for racially charged comments made by Fraternal Order of Police President Richard Costello when he announced his union's support for Weinberg. The heated wage tax issue also came up. With Republican Sam Katz, who is running unopposed for his party's nomination, already declaring his intentions to significantly lower the city's wage tax -- which critics say is driving jobs out of the city by forcing employers to pay their workers more in Philadelphia just so they can earn the same as they would in the suburbs -- the five Democratic challengers last night took a variety of stances on Katz' proposal. "We have to be careful not to fool the voters," said Street, who described such a strong reduction as "not realistic." Since announcing his candidacy -- which is endorsed by outgoing Mayor Ed Rendell -- Street has stressed the importance of maintaining the Rendell administration's fiscal responsibility. "If Ed Rendell and John Street couldn't [lower the tax so greatly], I don't think any of these people can do it," Street said in regards to some of his fellow candidates. While White called such a reduction "one of the most ridiculous proposals I have ever heard," Weinberg disagreed, explaining that Rendell -- who inherited annual deficits of over $200 million and turned them into six consecutive budget surpluses -- helped prove that seemingly insurmountable tasks can often be accomplished. And former City Council member Happy Fernandez refused to take a definitive position on tax reduction before being elected. "I will not be making any budget promises based on a lot of ifs," Fernandez said, adding that factors like the economy and the state of welfare must be considered before making any large-scale tax breaks. One thing Fernandez did commit to was the implementation of after-school programs and summer school -- two methods of improving public education she has continually targeted during the campaign. Panelist William Bunch of the Philadelphia Daily News brought up a source of heated debate when he asked Weinberg why he has generally avoided discussing his connection to the mayor that many associate with Philadelphia's racial discord and economic woes in the 1970s. "Frank Rizzo did a lot of good things for the city of Philadelphia," Weinberg said. "He wasn't perfect but not many of us are." Evans, Fernandez, Street and White are all scheduled to be on campus tonight at the Palladium for a 6 p.m. candidate's forum sponsored by several Penn graduate student groups.

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