Philly Taxes, Economy On The Rise (Except for the Friggin’ Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, and Flyers)

Philadelphia Business Journal:

Philadelphia general fund tax revenues for the 2013 fiscal year totaled more than $2.7 billion, an increase of $200 million over the 2012 fiscal year.

City Controller Alan Butkovitz released the latest economic report on Monday.

This 8 percent increase in tax revenue over last year’s $2.5 billion is reflective of an increase in almost every city tax revenue this year. This could be a signal of higher economic and business growth in Philadelphia.

One tax that went down: The amusement tax. Why? Apparently because Philadelphia teams don’t go to the playoffs anymore. Hard to charge that tax for games that aren’t being played. Perhaps somebody ought to tell Ruben Amaro Jr.: Every time Jonathan Papelbon blows a save, 100 teachers lose their jobs. No pressure, guys.