House bill 1828, which was approved 112-85, would clear the path for the city to raise the sales from 7 percent to 8 percent for five years and defer a portion of its pension payments for fiscal years 2010 and 2011. Without the changes, Mayor Michael Nutter said the city will be forced to make $700 million in cuts. The cuts would include the elimination of 3,000 positions, including 929 police officers, 200 fire department staff, and the closure of all libraries and recreation centers.