Hite Wants 320 Million to Start, Smoking Ban at NJ Beaches, Philly Ranks 2nd in Taxation

Philadelphia Superintendent William R. Hite has put a price tag on his plan to fix the city school system. $320 million. And that's just to start on his ambitious blueprint. The full plan could cost twice that amount. Hite's request for the 2014-15 school year is above and beyond the $120 million the system is hoping for from the extra 1 percent city sales tax.

New Jersey lawmakers are considering a law that would ban smoking at the beach and public parks. The proposal is designed to eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke and to cut down on litter and to improve fire safety. Now, there are trees in the park that are flammable, but not the beach. And interestingly, smoking would still be permitted in parking areas at beaches and parks.

Philadelphia is among cities with the highest tax burden in the country. Philly is number 2 on the list overall behind only Bridgeport, Connecticut. In Philadelphia a family earning $25,000 will owe $4,000 in taxes. Higher income earners making $150,000 will owe Uncle Sam $25,000 in taxes.