Philadelphia's mayor has unveiled his first budget and is asking for a soda tax to help fund initiatives like universal pre-K, rehabbed recreation centers and better-equipped police and fire departments.Mayor Jim Kenney told the city council Thursday that his 3-cents-per-ounce tax on sugary beverages would provide $400 million to be split among several initiatives, including pre-K.Kenney also wants $600 million to repair and reorganize city recreation centers, parks and libraries. He also wants $550,000 annually for five years to help pay for 800 police body cameras and two $50 million bonds to cover an energy efficiency campaign.Kenney's proposed spending plan is $4.17 billion. That's $100 million more than last year's budget.The budget in now in the hands of the city council, which has opposed similar sugary drinks taxes twice before.

Philadelphia's mayor has unveiled his first budget and is asking for a soda tax to help fund initiatives like universal pre-K, rehabbed recreation centers and better-equipped police and fire departments.

Mayor Jim Kenney told the city council Thursday that his 3-cents-per-ounce tax on sugary beverages would provide $400 million to be split among several initiatives, including pre-K.


Kenney also wants $600 million to repair and reorganize city recreation centers, parks and libraries. He also wants $550,000 annually for five years to help pay for 800 police body cameras and two $50 million bonds to cover an energy efficiency campaign.

Kenney's proposed spending plan is $4.17 billion. That's $100 million more than last year's budget.

The budget in now in the hands of the city council, which has opposed similar sugary drinks taxes twice before.