Moves on the Board: December 15 - 19, 2025
Denotes a Bellevue Strategies client.
♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
Mayor Parker's public engagements were highlighted by her second annual State of the City address.
On Sunday, Mayor Parker attended the American Jewish Committee Awards Gala to present the 2025 Community Leadership Award to Jerry Sweeney, CEO, Chairman and Trustee of Brandywine Realty Trust, who was honored for his contributions to the business community.
On Tuesday, Mayor Parker attended the funeral of Philadelphia Highway Patrol Officer Andy Chan, who died on December 2, 2025, from injuries sustained in a collision while riding his motorcycle seven years ago.
To close out the year, Mayor Parker delivered her second annual State of the City address at Temple University, where she reflected on the administration's achievements over the past year and provided updates on preparations for the eventful year ahead. The administration also released a report outlining progress on key initiatives. The report highlighted Mural Arts’ initiatives, including Restorative Justice and Color Me Back, which address graffiti and highway beautification.
Philadelphia City Council
City Council has officially adjourned for the year and is now out of session. Council will reconvene when members return to City Hall on January 22, 2026, marking the start of the new legislative session in the new year.
Next Week’s Moves
City Council is recessed until January 22, 2026.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
Governor Shapiro held a ceremonial signing reception for House Bill 923, sponsored by Representative Nikki Rivera. This new law ensures older adults can access the prescription assistance they depend on by extending the eligibility for current enrollees in PACE and PACENET through 2027 regardless of Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. Bellevue Public Affairs Client, the Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging, was invited to attend the event and meet with the Governor and Representative Rivera.
The Governor visited Harrisburg Bureau of Fire’s Station #1 this week to highlight his investment in firefighters and emergency response services in the state budget. The FY2025-26 budget adds an additional $2 million per year to these services, for a total of a $7 million investment annually.
Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives were in Harrisburg this week for a non-voting session on Monday, December 15, and for a voting session on Tuesday, December 16 and Wednesday, December 17.
Committee News:
House:
The House Finance Committee convened on Wednesday, December 17 to consider HB 1450 (Davidson). HB 1450 would establish the Homebuyer Rebate Program, which provides a $2,500 rebate for first time homebuyers in the Commonwealth. Amendments were adopted to update the bill language to be in alignment with Department of Revenue procedure, ensure repayment of the rebate should the home be sold within five years of the initial purchase, and establish a first-come first serve provision. HB 1450 was voted out of Committee with Rep. Rossi, Rep. Stambaugh, and Rep. Gaydos voting in the negative.
Senate:
The Senate Democratic Policy Committee met on Wednesday, December 17 at Alvernia University in Reading to discuss housing affordability. Secretary Rick Siger discussed the Commonwealth’s first housing action plan. Furthermore, testimony was provided by representatives from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, the Pennsylvania Home Lending Collaborative, the Community Action Lehigh Valley, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, and others. The Committee discussed impediments to constructing new housing stock, permitting, and home repair.
Next Week’s Moves
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is on recess for the remainder of the year. The House of Representatives and the Senate will both return to Harrisburg on Tuesday, January 6 for a voting session.