NEW YORK — New York City plans to send geese captured around its airports to a slaughterhouse in Pennsylvania, where the high-protein, free-range meat will be sent to food banks.

The decision by the city Department of Environmental Protection was made following criticism that the gassed geese were dumped into landfills.

A department spokesman tells The New York Times that it wanted to enhance public safety but also help those in need. He says Pennsylvania was chosen because it has a protocol for processing and distributing slaughtered geese.

Goose eradication was authorized after U.S. Airways Flight 1549 made a miraculous landing in the Hudson River in 2009 after geese were caught in its engines.

The agency says that next year the meat will probably be fed to needy New Yorkers.

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia's City Council will discuss options including a tax on sugary drinks to fill a $102 million funding request from the city's schools to avoid cuts including the layoffs of thousands of district employees.Options for filling the district's request also include a property tax hike.The district faces a $629 million budget deficit, partly due to a projected $292 million loss in state funding under Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed budget.The district's $2.8 billion budget calls for bigger classes and reduced funds for programs including early childhood education, sports and music.Mayor Michael Nutter's office says a 2-cents-per-ounce tax on soda and other sugary drinks would generate $60 million for the schools this year. But opponents say it would end up costing the city jobs.