The Nation : Philadelphia Bars Hirings

Philadelphia Mayor W. Wilson Goode, citing a projected $44-million budget shortfall, ordered a hiring freeze and tightened spending until the end of the fiscal year on June 30. Under his order, city departments cannot fill vacancies, buy supplies and equipment or hire outside consultants without approval from Finance Director Carlo R. Gambetta. Goode said the projected deficit resulted primarily from the loss of federal revenue sharing. The city has had an informal hiring freeze in effect since July 1, and is offering delinquent taxpayers a 65% discount on penalties if they pay up before Jan. 31.