Moves on the Board: December 1 - 5, 2025
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♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
On Monday, the Parker administration, along with the Office of Innovation and Technology, Councilmember Phillips, United Neighbors of West Oak Lane, and Penn Asian Senior Services hosted the Power Up Tour. This laptop distribution event marked the halfway point of an initiative aimed at closing the digital divide in the city and continuing Mayor Parker's commitment to economic opportunity for all.
Mayor Parker delivered remarks at City Year Philadelphia's 11th Annual Women's Leadership Luncheon on Monday. The event brought together women leaders to support City Year Philadelphia's AmeriCorps members and Student Success Coaches while celebrating women's empowerment.
On Tuesday, the administration announced its second major long-term solar project, a plan to purchase clean electricity from Abes Solar for 20 years through the new 20-Megawatt Abes Run Solar project in Clearfield County. The agreement will enable the city to acquire electricity at a fixed rate for two decades. Beyond providing clean and renewable energy, the initiative advances the mayor's goal of a cleaner Philadelphia by creating jobs and stabilizing energy costs.
On Wednesday, Mayor Parker attended the tree lighting celebration alongside other city officials and Welcome America, Inc., in partnership with the Office of the City Representative. The event also featured performances by award-winning artists Ashanti and Lalah Hathaway.
Philadelphia City Council
Several Council committees met this week to advance a range of legislative priorities across the city. The Committee on Public Property and Public Works reviewed proposals to equip all City-owned vehicles with basic first aid kits, considered updates to Land Bank procedures, approved the renaming of several libraries, and examined a partnership with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to support a new health center.
The Committee on Appropriations, recessed until Tuesday, December 9, discussed an FY25 transfer ordinance that would shift funds across multiple City operating and enterprise funds to ensure departments are adequately resourced. The Committee on Streets and Services discussed legislation related to sidewalk cafés and changes in traffic direction.
The Committee of the Whole focused on the administration of amendments to the HOME Program. The Committee on Finance considered a new fee structure for bus loading zones, a partnership with the Philadelphia Energy Authority, and amendments to the fiscal year capital budget for Gas Works. Finally, the Committee on Rules reviewed zoning and planning measures, including updates to district overlays.
City Council met on Thursday for a routine legislative session. Highlights from the session are listed below:
Ordinances
Bill 251066 (Councilmember Gilmore Richardson): Authorizing the Commissioner of Records and the Procurement Commissioner to execute an agreement with Ancestry.com to digitize the City of Philadelphia Department of Records vital records.
Bill 251068 (Councilmember Jones): Implementing an automated red light violation enforcement system at the intersection of School House Lane & Henry Avenue.
Bill 251070 (Councilmember Young): Confirming Center City parking regulations.
Resolutions:
Resolution 251072 (Councilmember Gilmore Richardson): Authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings on the economic impact of cruising in the City of Philadelphia
Resolutions 251083 (Councilmember Young): Authorizing the Council Committees on Legislative Oversight and Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs to hold hearings to investigate the current conditions and future of Philadelphia’s public libraries.
Amendments:
(Councilmember Gauthier on behalf of Council President Johnson): Amending Bill 250568 authorizing an agreement between The City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority relating to the financing of the H.O.M.E. Plan.Next Week’s Moves
City Council is not in session next Thursday. They reconvene on Thursday, November 13.
Coming Up:
Monday, December 8, at 2 PM: The Committee on Public Health and Human Services will meet to discuss Bill 250990, which protects employees against unlawful discrimination based on human trafficking victim status.
(Previously Recessed) Tuesday, December 9, at 9:30 AM: Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025 from: the General Fund, the Water Fund, the Water Residual Fund, the Grants Revenue Fund, the Aviation Fund, and the Transportation Fund, all from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions; to: the General Fund, the Water Fund, the Water Residual Fund, the Aviation Fund and the Transportation Fund
Tuesday, December 9, at 10:00 AM: The Committee on Public Safety will meet to discuss Bill 250927, which allows for discussions of the City of Philadelphia’s strategies for protecting victims of abuse and domestic violence.
Wednesday, December 10, at 10:00 AM: The Committee on Fiscal Stability and Intergovernmental Cooperation will convene to discuss Bill 240886, which authorizes the committee to hold quarterly hearings. These hearings will include monthly reports on the fiscal position and overall social impact goals related to the Five-Year Plan.
Thursday, December 11, at 9:15 AM: The Committee on Public Property and Public Works will discuss Bill 250807, which authorizes the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire certain parcels of land located between Vine Street, Fairmount Avenue, 8th Street, and 12th Street.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
On Tuesday, November 25, Governor Shapiro signed the Pennsylvania CROWN Act into law. The legislation, sponsored by Representative La’Tasha Mayes this session, and previously sponsored by Speaker Joanna McClinton in past sessions, will prohibit discrimination against an individual’s hair type, hair texture, and hairstyle. The Governor hosted a ceremonial signing for this law at Island Design Natural Hair Studio.
Governor Shapiro and Lt. Governor Austin Davis held a press conference this week to celebrate the recent passage of the 2025-2026 state budget, which includes an expansion of affordable childcare. The state budget introduces a new Child Care Contribution Tax Credit, which will benefit over 22,000 families with $136.5 million in savings, and offers $20 million in retention and recruitment for childcare workers.
The Chesapeake Bay Executive Council unanimously elected Governor Josh Shapiro as the Chair. This is the first time in 20 years that Pennsylvania will lead the Executive Council, which is responsible for the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Senior Managing Director for BusinessPA Brent Vernon announced that the Commonwealth will receive an $8 million investment from Farm Plast to benefit the manufacturing and agriculture industries. The Shapiro Administration has received more than $32.4 billion in private investments since he first took office.
Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania General Assembly was not in session this week. The Pennsylvania Senate will return to Harrisburg for a voting session on Monday, December 8, and continue through Wednesday, December 10. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives will be in a voting session the following week, from Tuesday, December 16, to Wednesday, December 17.
♟️ON THE TRAIL
State Races
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 143
Dublin Borough Council President Tim Hayes has announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination to represent the 143rd Legislative District in the State House, which makes up parts of Bucks County. Hayes is a veteran of the Army National Guard and is currently the State Policy Manager for an environmental advocacy group. Hayes was the youngest person elected to the Dublin Borough Council, and in 2023, it flipped blue when he was elected as the President. He plans to focus his efforts on combating high energy and food costs, as well as investing more in local police, fire, and EMS. Republican State Representative Shelby Labs currently holds the seat.
Federal Races
Pennsylvania 14th Congressional District
Democrat Alan Bradstock has announced his candidacy for the party’s nomination to challenge Republican Incumbent Congressman Guy Reschenthaler in 2026. Congressman Reschenthaler has held the seat since 2019, which encompasses several counties in the southwestern region of the Commonwealth. A Fayette County native, Bradstock served as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot and then later worked at the FBI and as a financial advisor.