On July 14th, Mr. Mayor, you announced new cuts to the city budget that directly impact our neighborhoods, including a 35\% reduction to the Philadelphia Cultural Fund (or $1,120,000), the Recreation Fund, and the Community Land Care Program run by the Horticultural Society (or $840,000). These cuts will impact cultural groups that directly support our communities and contribute to the long-term health, vitality, and sustainability of our region, serving thousands of city residents and visitors.

I encourage you to fully restore funding for the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, the Recreation Activities Fund, and the Community Land Care program. This funding is an investment in the growth and future of our city and its neighborhoods.

Arts and culture is a $1.3 billion sector that generates 40,000 jobs - core to attracting the best and brightest to our region and supporting the tax base. Philadelphia's identity as the birthplace of democracy, the engine of new ideas, and a city with a quality of life that is the envy of others cannot be separated from what these programs support.

Neighborhoods across the city benefit from this funding. Green spaces are created and restored, cultural organizations and artists bring people together around common goals and ideas, and all residents have access to recreational activities and programs where they live.

As a supporter of my city's future, I hope you will seek ways to restore funding to the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, the Recreation Activities Fund, and Community Land Care program.