Phila. Council passes Mayor Nutter’s first budget

For Philadelphia's newly-minted mayor, Michael Nutter, one of his first political tests proved to be a breeze when his first budget easily passed the City Council on Thursday.

Passage had been expected, and came after amicable negotiations that stood in stark contrast to the heated battles between lawmakers and former Mayor John Street. Difficult decisions remain, particularly looming contract negotiations with municipal employees.

But while some had criticized elements of Nutter's budget proposal, the former councilman who was swept into office on promises of reform continues to enjoy a honeymoon with voters and lawmakers alike. That popularity has even spread beyond city lines, thanks in part to Nutter's frequent TV appearances while he was stumping for U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) before last month's primary.

Council President Anna Verna told The Inquirer that budget talks were all about "the art of compromise, which had been missing in the past." Nutter praised lawmakers for "improving" his original budget proposal.