Philadelphia Mayor Defends $1 Rideshare Tax to Avert School Cuts
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Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker has defended a proposed $1-per-ride rideshare tax in Philadelphia, saying the levy is necessary to close a school district budget gap and avert cuts that would otherwise cost roughly 340 at-risk school-based jobs. City leaders say the shortfall stems from the end of federal pandemic relief funds combined with rising teacher salaries, benefits and charter school costs, and the mayor has pushed back against a high-profile ad campaign by Uber and Lyft that urges Philadelphians to oppose the measure.