Episode 2–Fund our Schools–Tax Abatement and PILOTs Healthy Schools Coffee Shop

In this episode of Healthy Schools Coffee Shop, Vietlead's youth organizers Quynh and Christina will talk about tax abatement and PILOTs, two factors that greatly impact Philadelphia schools funding...or lack thereof. Philadelphia's 10-year tax abatement was installed to incentivize new construction–rewarding developers and gentrifiers at the cost of our communities and students. Organizers and community members have pushed to #endtheabatement, to which the city gave stalled responses, half solutions, then delayed promises. Developers aren't the only ones benefitting off of our city's expense–mega non-profits like UPenn and Drexel also play their part. PILOTs, or Payment In Lieu of Taxes gives these megan-nonprofits the opportunity to redistribute their billion dollar funds to our city and schools, but it only works if they pay it. 

Quynh and Christina interviewed City Councilmember Helen Gym and community organizer Aiden Castellanos to discuss their thoughts on the tax abatement, PILOTs, it's impact on our schools, and what we can do about it,

So, as always, enjoy the tea that about to be spilled.