Moves on the Board: Week of August 4 - 7

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♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

Parker Administration

Mayor Parker’s administration highlights this week include:

• Creative PHL launched Shape Philly: Idea CoLABs, a pilot grant program that funds creative leaders across all ten City Council districts to translate Mayor Parker's priorities for a safer, cleaner, and greener Philadelphia into community-based art projects.

• The Department of Revenue shared new information about the city’s updated Business Income & Receipts Tax (BIRT) since the elimination of the $100,000 exemption effective July 1. The Department of Revenue is easing the transition for businesses by not requiring estimated payments for the 2026 filing, providing the option to pay the 2027 filing in quarterly installments, and full filing to begin in 2028. The gradual transition is part of the city’s business assistance program, which includes grants up to $50,000 for tax preparation services and other means of support. 

Philadelphia City Council

On August 5, the Office of Veterans Affairs partnered with city leaders to host its annual Vet Fest at City Hall, celebrating the service, sacrifice, and resilience of Philadelphia's veterans. Council President Kenyatta Johnson offered remarks at the awards ceremony, which also provided resources for veterans and their families.

On August 6, Council President Johnson hosted a rally in support of increased state funding for SEPTA. He was joined by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, State Senators Nikil Saval, Sharif Street, Amanda Cappelletti, and other elected officials. Philadelphia Federation of Teachers’ (PFT) President Arthur Steinberg also participated in the event. For additional coverage on SEPTA, please see the General Assembly section below. 

♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Shapiro Administration

Governor Shapiro made additional efforts this week to highlight the My Work Initiative through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. This program helps students with disabilities enter the workforce. The Governor and Secretary of Labor and Industry, Nancy Walker, held a press conference at Overlook Park in Lancaster County to highlight the program's significant impact. Since taking office, 2,400 students have benefited from the My Work Initiative. 

In efforts to make government work at the speed of business, Governor Shapiro and Secretary of Environmental Protection Jessica Shirley visited the Keystone Trades Center in Falls Township, Bucks County, to highlight their work in speeding up the permitting process in Pennsylvania. This follows Amazon’s recent announcement of a $20 billion investment to establish high-tech cloud computing and AI innovation campuses across the Commonwealth. The Keystone Trades Center will serve as a site for development. 

Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and Deputy Secretary of Community and Economic Development Rick Vilello highlighted the Shapiro Administration’s $459,000 investment in the Helping Harvest Community Kitchen. The organization helps returning citizens learn culinary skills and accepts bulk food donations for families in need. The investment comes from the DCED’s Neighborhood Assistance Program and further demonstrates the administration’s priorities of feeding Pennsylvanians. 

Governor Shapiro joined 16 other states in suing the Trump Administration for stopping gender-affirming care for minors. The plaintiffs are saying that the federal government is depriving transgender youth of essential care they need. 

📰 Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom

• Governor’s Advisory Commission on Next Generation Engagement Announces 2025-27 Commissioners

• Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women Announces 2025-27 Commissioners

• In Philadelphia, Governor Shapiro Highlights Investments in Violence Intervention and Prevention Program to Reduce Crime and Create Opportunities for Young Pennsylvanians

• In Lancaster County, Governor Shapiro and L&I Secretary Walker Highlight Summer Employment Program for Students with Disabilities and the Administration’s Commitment to Expanding Opportunity for all Pennsylvanians

♟️PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The Philadelphia House Delegation hosted a press conference on Monday, August 4, to urge Senate Republicans to return to Harrisburg and pass funding for mass transit throughout the Commonwealth. Delegation Chairwoman Morgan Cephas discussed the impact that failing to fund mass transit would have on the City of Philadelphia, from increased SEPTA fares to reduced service. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jordan Harris emphasized the number of times the House has passed mass transit funding legislation, only for these efforts to be met with inaction in the Senate. Representatives Rick Krajewski, Mary Isaacson, Ben Waxman, and Sean Dougherty shared personal anecdotes about SEPTA and discussed the impact these service reductions, fare increases, and other changes would have on their districts.

Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa and Senate Appropriations Minority Chairman Vincent Hughes hosted a press conference on Wednesday, August 6, emphasizing the necessity for mass transit funding. Minority Leader Costa detailed that if public transit funding is not passed by SEPTA’s deadline of August 14, there will be severe economic repercussions for the Commonwealth. Furthermore, reinstating SEPTA’s normal operations would take at least a month, if funding were passed after August 14. Chairman Hughes stressed that 42% of Pennsylvania’s economy is derived from the communities SEPTA serves.

Next Week’s Moves

The House will hold a rare August voting session beginning Friday, August 8 through Monday, August 11 to consider a legislative package sponsored by Rep. Sean Dougherty (D-Philadelphia) focused on funding public transit, roadways, and bridges. 

While state budget negotiations continue, both chambers are utilizing upcoming committee meetings to highlight their legislative priorities. It’s worth noting that – in a rare show of bipartisanship – the House and Senate Committees on Agriculture and Rural Affairs will hold a joint meeting next Wednesday to discuss The State of the Livestock Industry in Pennsylvania: Producer Perspectives.

Check out the links below for other state committee meetings next week.

• House Committee Calendar

• Senate Committee Calendar

♟️On The Trail: Pennsylvania’s 2026 Elections

Federal Races

• PA Congressional District 1

• Another Democrat has entered the primary for Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District to challenge Republican Incumbent Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. Tracy Hunt, an attorney and former Republican from New Hope, entered the Democratic primary, joining Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvey and Buckingham Township resident Rob Strickler. 

• PA Congressional District 3

• The race to succeed retiring Congressman Dwight Evans is gearing up to be a competitive primary, as Karl Morris becomes the sixth Democrat to enter the field. Morris is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at Temple University. He joins the primary with other notable names in the community, including State Senator Sharif Street and State Representative Chris Rabb. 

• PA Congressional District 7

• Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley has entered a crowded Democratic primary to challenge Republican Incumbent Congressman Ryan Mackenzie. Pinsley has been active in politics since 2017, having previously run for Auditor General and State Senator. He is joined by Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure, former aide to U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Carol Obando-Derstine, and former federal prosecutor Ryan Crosswell. Congressman Mackenzie is in his first term in Congress after defeating Democrat Congresswoman Susan Wild in 2024.