Philadelphia city workers owing taxes may face garnishment

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

Mayor Nutter yesterday said the city would reluctantly withhold up to 20 percent of the wages of city workers who are behind on their property taxes unless they pay up or enter into payment agreements.

"We have been working on this initiative since December of 2008. We are very serious about this initiative," Nutter said in a phone interview last night. "Everyone, private citizens and public employees both, must pay their taxes."

But Nutter was also careful not to bash city workers who are behind in their payments, and on several occasions he observed that City Hall cannot ruthlessly collect what is owed, regardless of the consequences.

"Government should not be some heartless, soulless place that lacks any kind of understanding," Nutter said, referring to the case of a city employee with a history of grave medical problems who is 25 years and $96,868 behind on his taxes. "I think whether a person is a regular citizen or a public employee, life at times can be rather harsh for some people."

One wonders if Mayor Nutter has "compassion" from real taxpayers. Anyway, real the article and notice that a certain political party that has run Philadelphia for decades isn't mentioned. Can you name that party?