Moves on the Board: March 13 - 17, 2026
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♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
Mayor Parker had a full week of public engagements. On Sunday, she attended the 39th Annual All-Star Labor Classic, hosted by the Philadelphia Building Trades Council, which raised $260,000 for the Superhero Project to benefit families in the neonatal intensive care unit. She then honored Yom HaShoah, joining survivors and community leaders at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's annual Holocaust remembrance ceremony. The event paid tribute to the six million Jews killed by the Nazis during World War II.
Monday brought a somber update on the collapse of the Grays Ferry parking garage. Parker announced that the bodies of the two missing men had been recovered from the site and ordered flags on all Philadelphia city buildings to be flown at half-staff in their honor through April 17 to honor the three men who passed. She also signed an executive order directing the city's law department to conduct a full investigation into the incident.
On Tuesday, the mayor joined the Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee to unveil the Red, White & Blue To-Do 2026 celebration plans, marking the nation's founding in what the city bills as America's most historic square mile. Later that afternoon, she attended the opening of the seventh annual Career Fest to celebrate high school seniors participating in the Municipal Employment program. This initiative exposes students to career pathways and hands-on public service experience.
Wednesday's focus was on economic development. Parker joined public and private sector leaders to advance the Lower South District through a package of job creation initiatives and $10 million in infrastructure improvements. She also hosted a roundtable examining how the investment would support long-term growth in the corridor. At the event, Parker announced the first cohort of PHL PRIME, the administration's new initiative designed to cut red tape and accelerate support for high-impact businesses citywide.
Thursday was the week's most active day. The mayor attended the investiture of Antonio Merlo as the 16th President of Drexel University before joining the Philadelphia Housing Authority to mark the grand opening of the Harlan Sharswood Townhouses and the completion of the surrounding community renovation. She then joined PhilaPort and Norwegian Cruise Line to celebrate the cruise line's return to the city — a partnership projected to generate 2,100 jobs and $295 million in economic impact. The day closed with Parker joining city officials and Philadelphia250 to announce 20 corridors designated under the “Ring It On!” initiative, the city's latest beautification effort ahead of the nation's semiquincentennial.
Philadelphia City Council
City Council continued Week 4 of budget hearings, focusing on public safety, transportation, and key quality-of-life investments. On Tuesday, April 14, morning testimony from the Police Department and Office of Public Safety centered on staffing challenges, recruitment and retention efforts, and strategies to address crime trends across the city. In the afternoon, the Fire Department and Department of Prisons highlighted operational pressures, including facility conditions, staffing shortages, and the need for sustained funding to support emergency response and inmate services.
On Wednesday, April 15, the Committee turned to transportation, with SEPTA outlining ongoing funding constraints, ridership recovery, and capital needs critical to maintaining service reliability. Later that day, hearings on arts, culture, and energy featured updates from Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Energy Authority, focusing on community investment, workforce development, and initiatives to advance sustainability and reduce energy costs for residents.
City Council activity this week also included action outside of standard budget hearings. On Monday, the Committee of the Whole advanced the ICE Out legislative package, reporting it out favorably and moving it forward in the legislative process. On Thursday, the Committee on Appropriations convened to consider the mid-year transfer, focusing on adjustments to the current fiscal year budget; however, the hearing was recessed and is scheduled to continue on Monday, April 20.
Council held its regular session on Thursday, which primarily featured the passage of honorary resolutions and several street renamings. A few resolutions of note are listed below.
Resolutions
Resolution 260346 (Councilmember Phillips on behalf of Council President) Authorizing the Committee on Parks to hold hearings for applicants seeking nomination to serve on the Commission of Parks and Recreation.
Resolution 260358 (Councilmember Harrity on behalf of Council President) Authorizing the establishment of a special investigative committee of construction to investigate the collapse of the CHOP garage and other construction sites.
Next Week’s Moves
Coming Up:
On Monday, April 20, the Committee on Appropriations will reconvene to continue its recessed hearing on the mid-year transfer.
On Monday, April 20, Council budget sessions continue with a morning session on the Managing Director’s Office, including the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS). In the afternoon, the focus will shift to homeless services, with testimony from the Office of Homeless Services.
On Tuesday, April 21, the Committee will hold a morning hearing on tax bills and the Office of Property Assessment (OPA), followed by an afternoon session dedicated to public testimony on the proposed tax measures.
On Wednesday, April 22, budget hearings will turn to education, beginning with testimony from the School District of Philadelphia in the morning, followed by public testimony in the afternoon.
♟️ COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
The King and Queen of the Netherlands began their visit to the United States in Philadelphia this week, with a tour of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro met with the King and Queen in a roundtable, along with the CEOs of multinational corporations, to discuss the economic relationship between Pennsylvania and the Netherlands. The two have had a long-standing trade relationship, most recently totaling $3.7 billion in 2025.
Governor Shapiro signed three executive orders this week that strengthen protections for Pennsylvanians with disabilities. The orders will reaffirm the disability nondiscrimination policy, create data privacy protections, reauthorize the Developmental Disabilities Council, and develop a new Governor’s advisory commission focused on people with disabilities. This action further demonstrates the Governor’s continued commitment to protecting the rights of Pennsylvanians with disabilities.
Lt. Governor Austin Davis visited the Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County in Norristown to kick off his “Putting More Money Back in Your Pockets” tour. The Lt. Governor is expected to host several events throughout the Commonwealth with businesses, seniors, and working families to highlight how the Administration is cutting taxes and the cost of living. He specifically is promoting the expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program and the new Working Families Tax Credit.
The Shapiro Administration has announced an investment of $284.2 million through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to support drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint-source projects. The funding will supply 33 projects across 20 counties in Pennsylvania.
Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives was in Harrisburg this week for a voting session from Monday, April 13, to Wednesday, April 15. The two new Republican representatives who recently won their Special Election in March were sworn into office this week. Catherine Wallen (Adams/Cumberland) and Andrea Verobish (Blair) have officially taken office, bringing the current party breakdown in the House to 102 Democrats to 99 Republicans.
The House passed Governor Shapiro’s budget plan through the general appropriations bill, HB2400. Five suburban Republicans joined all Democrats in a vote of 107 yeas to 94 nays. The bill now heads to the Senate, and will most likely be amended and further negotiated.
Legislative Movement:
The House passed several other bills and resolutions this week. The majority of these bills now head to the Senate, except for one, which awaits the Governor’s approval. The House passed the following bills:
HB586 (Residual Food Processing Waste & Certifications for FRP Haulers & Brokers)
HB980 (Membership of the State Board of Pharmacy)
HB1139 (Adding Water Bottle Refill Stations in Commonwealth Buildings)
HB1278 (Clarifying Nomination Requirements for Candidates)
HB1522 (Natural Gas Safety Recommendations)
HB1541 (Anti-Indemnity in Construction Contracts)
HB1558 (Providing Baby Diaper Changing Tables in Public Restrooms)
HB1706 (Mental Health Awareness)
HB2087 (Updating Worker’s Compensation for Firefighters and EMTs)
HB2150 (Data Centers: Accountability & Transparency)
HB2151 (Community Standards for Data Centers)
HB2333 (Navigating A Return to Ratepayer Protections)
HR403 (Pennsylvania 8-1-1 Safe Digging Month)
HR404 (Limb Loss Awareness Month)
HR405 (World Asthma Day)
HR408 (Financial Literacy Month)
HR428 (Diabetic Eye Screening)
HR432 (Donate Life Month)
HR434 (Recognizing Civic Learning Week)
HR390 (National Women’s History Month)
HR451 (Black Maternal Health Week)
HR465 (Local Government Day and Local Government Week)
HR477 (Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month)
SB848 (Adding PEMA and PHMC to the State Planning Board)
Committee News:
House:
The House Judiciary Committee held an informational meeting on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency's Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program. The program has awarded over $216 million since 2021 to organizations that focus on violence prevention, youth mentorship, and trauma-informed services. Officials from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency had stated that homicide rates have declined throughout the Commonwealth. Sustained funding for violence prevention is a necessity for local communities.
The House Education Committee held an informational meeting on educational tax credits. The committee heard testimony from the Department of Revenue, the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Independent Fiscal Office, and other entities involved in education tax credit programs in the Commonwealth. The focus of the hearing was that the education tax credit programs needed more oversight and transparency.
The House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee held an informational hearing on the Living Independent for the Elderly (LIFE) program. The committee heard testimony from the Department of Human Services and several LIFE providers. LIFE is a comprehensive, integrated care model that combines Medicare, Medicaid, and other services to help seniors live independently at home. The committee discussed the need to expand access, improve data reporting and enrollment, and adjust reimbursement rates to serve older adults better.
Next Week’s Moves
The Pennsylvania Senate will be in Harrisburg next week from Monday, April 20, to Wednesday, April 22.
♟️ ON THE TRAIL
Federal Races
Pennsylvania Congressional District 3
This week, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker endorsed state Senator Sharif Street in the race for Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District. This district, which covers a majority of the City of Philadelphia, is currently a tight race between Street, state Representative Chris Rabb, and Dr. Ala Stanford. Mayor Parker made this announcement at a press conference outside City Hall, joined by state Senator Vincent Hughes, Councilmembers Curtis Jones, Jr., and Katherine Gilmore Richardson, and state Representative Morgan Cephas, who recently dropped out of the race.