Moves on the Board: February 23 -27, 2026
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♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
This week's big announcement was the launch of the Homicide Victim Funeral Assistance Program, which will provide up to $2,000 in burial costs to families seeking support after the loss of a loved one. The City emphasized the community's need for assistance and to reduce the financial burden following such a tragic event.
Mayor Parker joined the Office of Homeless Services to kick off the City's 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. This federally mandated annual census helps identify how many people across the country are experiencing homelessness. The data will be used to understand how to address the issue and implement programs and services aimed at ending street homelessness.
Mayor Parker attended the "Meeting of the Mayors: Celebrating Pennsylvania's Black Women Executives," recognizing the role women have played in executive leadership and showcasing a masterclass in executive achievement. She was joined by fellow mayors Sandie Walker, Ciera Dent, Lillian L. DeBaptiste, and Wanda R. D. Williams.
Mayor Parker also joined the Free Library to announce the 24th One Book, One Philadelphia selection (Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng), an initiative that aims to promote literacy and civic discourse throughout the city, where the selected author will speak about the book and the honor. She also participated in at the 50th Anniversary Celebration for Philadelphia Gay News.
Philadelphia City Council
Due to inclement weather earlier this week, two City Council hearings were cancelled. The Committee on Public Safety did convene, with members discussing mental health initiatives for first responders and considerations surrounding the classification of deaths by suicide.
Council chambers were filled with youth organizations and athletic teams recognized for their achievements. Several ceremonial resolutions were introduced, and a selection of notable bills and resolutions is highlighted below.
Ordinances
Bill 260134 (Councilmember Squilla on behalf of Council President) Authorizing the city to create Smart loading zones.
Bill 260133 (Councilmember Young) Amending the Philadelphia code to address lapse of permit concerns without proper construction documentation.
Resolutions
Resolution 260146 (Councilmember Young) celebrates Public Schools Week and the essential role of public schools, educators, students, and families.
Resolution 260150 (Councilmember Ahmad) Authorizing the committee on Public Health & Human Services to examine the impact of gaming platforms on youth, particularly as it relates to grooming and trafficking.
Next Week’s Moves
Coming Up:
On Monday, March 2, the Committee on Public Health and Human Services will meet to examine the current state of Philadelphia’s reproductive health care system, the current federal landscape affecting reproductive policy, and the City’s response to protect reproductive freedom.
On Tuesday, March 3, the Committee on Finance will meet to discuss five bills related to compensation of members of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, authorizing the Commissioner of Records to enter an agreement with Ancestry.com, and discussions around the Philadelphia Gas Works.
On Wednesday, March 4, the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and The Homeless will discuss two bills focused on tenants’ rights.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding attended a roundtable in Lancaster County to discuss their response to the surge in Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which has led to the loss of over 7.6 million birds in 2026. Pennsylvania is the only state in the country with a dedicated HPAI Recovery Fund, and has provided 302 poultry businesses with $15.6 million in grants. Shapiro emphasized the intergovernmental partnership with the USDA in providing resources to businesses in Pennsylvania when addressing this issue.
Governor Shapiro took action against the Trump Administration by filing a multistate lawsuit challenging the federal government’s overhaul of the national childhood immunization schedule. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, led by RFK Jr., has removed the “universally recommended” status from seven childhood vaccines. The lawsuit states that this action is unlawful and attempts to confuse the general public from making informed health care decisions.
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger and Governor Shapiro announced an investment of more than $31 million to seven projects through the PA SITES grant program. This program provides funds to help build more “shovel-ready” industrial sites, with the aim of attracting more businesses to the Commonwealth. This round of funding has awarded projects in Allegheny, Columbia, Luzerne, Northampton, Northumberland, and Schuylkill Counties.
Governor Shapiro attended the ribbon-cutting to unveil the Philly Pride Visitor Center in the Gayborhood. This new center, in collaboration with the Philadelphia Visitor Center, will help tourists navigate historical and cultural attractions in the city, with an emphasis on the LGBTQ+ community. The Governor also attended the 50th Anniversary Celebration for the Philadelphia Gay News, the first weekly LGBTQ+ news publication in the country, and spoke to the crowd about the organization's importance.
Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees kicked off their budget hearings this week with several state departments. Hearings took place from Tuesday, February 24, to Thursday, February 26. Due to weather conditions on Monday, February 23, hearings scheduled for that day were postponed.
Appropriations Hearings:
House:
The House Appropriations Committee held budget hearings this week with the following departments: Department of Community and Economic Development; Department of Agriculture; Department of Insurance & Pennie; Department of Emergency Management Agency & Office of the Fire Commissioner; and the Department of Corrections & Board of Probation and Parole.
The Senate Appropriations Committee held budget hearings this week with the following departments: Pennsylvania State Police; Department of General Services; Department of Human Services; Department of Corrections & Board of Probation and Parole; and the Department of Environmental Protection.
Committee News:
House:
The House Health Committee and the Communications & Technology Committee held a joint public hearing on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the health care industry. The joint Committee heard testimony from several health policy professionals on the impacts of AI on the workforce and spending. Legislators discussed the need to regulate AI and make it more transparent to protect patients and the healthcare system. House Bill 1925, sponsored by Representative Arvind Venkat (D), was proposed as one legislative solution. The bill provides a regulatory framework for how AI can be used in healthcare to increase transparency, improve accountability for its application, and eliminate bias and discrimination.
The House Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2100, sponsored by Representative Ryan Bizzarro (D), which would regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in counseling services. The legislation aims to ensure that a human therapist is the primary provider of counseling services and that any use of AI in the industry is held to the same standards and qualifications as a certified human therapist. Testifiers stated that the legislation provides a strong framework for regulating the use of AI in counseling and emphasized that AI counseling apps should not be used in place of licensed professionals.
Next Week’s Moves
The House and Senate Appropriation Committees will return to Harrisburg next week to continue budget hearings with state departments. To see the House Appropriations schedule, click here. To see the Senate Appropriations schedule, click here.
♟️ON THE TRAIL
Pennsylvania House Special Elections
Pennsylvania House District 22
Ana Tiburcio (D), an Allentown School Board member, has been elected to serve House District 22 in Lehigh County after winning a special election on February 24. Tiburcio defeated Republican candidate Robert Smith by a slim margin. The district includes parts of Salisbury Township, East Allentown, and Center City in Lehigh County, and was recently left vacant after state Representative Josh Siegel (D) resigned at the end of last year. Tiburcio has made history in becoming the first Latina elected to the state legislature from Lehigh County. Tiburcio was first elected to the Allentown School Board in 2023, and owns a tax preparation business in the community. She has stated that her main priorities will be fighting for affordability, fair education, and housing. Tiburcio will serve until the end of this term and intends to run again in November for a full two-year term.
Pennsylvania House District 42
Jennifer Mazzocco (D), a school teacher and Dormont Borough Councilperson, has been elected to serve House District 42 in Allegheny County after winning a special election on February 24. Mazzocco defeated Republican candidate Joseph Leckenby by a large margin. The district includes Baldwin Township, Castle Shannon, Dormont, Mt. Lebanon, and part of Upper St. Clair, and was recently left vacant after state Representative Dan Miller (D) resigned at the end of last year. Mazzocco will serve until the completion of this term, and intends to run again in November for a full two-year term. Mazzocco has been a long-time advocate in her community, fighting for issues on behalf of students and against food insecurity. She has served as the President of Allderdice Staff Association, and a member of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers serving as a Secondary Schools Representative on the Executive Board. Mazzocco resides in Dormont with her husband and two daughters, and holds an undergraduate degree and Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Pittsburgh.