Mayor Michael Nutter last Thursday introduced his proposed 2016 fiscal budget for the city. In it, departments that oversee LGBT-related programs mostly saw modest gains compared to last year.
The proposed $4.5-billion budget, an increase of about $800,000 over the current budget, must be approved by City Council. It largely focused on public safety and workforce development, which the mayor said were part of key investments to strengthen Philadelphia communities.
The Human Relations Commission, which handles discrimination cases, will receive a proposed additional $30,473, for a total of $2.1 million.
The Mayor’s Office, under which the Office of LGBT Affairs operates, would gain $146,685 under the proposed budget, bringing the total to $5,206,625.
The Office of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability would see a decrease in funding, as the budget proposes a cut of about $91,780, for a total budget of $13.9 million. However, the Public Health Department, which oversees HIV/AIDS services, would gain $30,776, for a total of $116.2 million.
