Moves on the Board: January 19 - 23, 2026
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♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
To start the week, Mayor Parker honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by giving remarks at the Barristers Association. The mayor highlighted local leaders and organizations carrying forward Dr. King’s legacy in the city. Parker later visited Frances E. Willard Elementary School in Kensington to join students who painted murals on literacy and academics.
The H.O.M.E. program remains central to Mayor Parker's agenda. The major legislative development this week came during the first council meeting of the new session, when City Council unanimously approved the amended version of the H.O.M.E. bill, authorizing the administration to issue $800 million in bonds to fund the initiative. The bill required reapproval after progressive Councilmembers amended the legislation late last year to lower the income thresholds. Housing remains the salient negotiating point where the administration and council must work together and balance priorities.
Parker also announced a public-private partnership with the building trades to redevelop affordable housing, in which the building trades will loan $50 million toward the renovation of Brith Shalom House, to be repaid by the Philadelphia Housing Authority over 15 years.
Mayor Parker signed the Philadelphia Retirement Savings Program (also known as Philly Saves) into law. The program allows workers without employer-sponsored retirement plans to build long-term security. The measure aims to support jobs and provide greater financial stability to the working class.
Philadelphia City Council
This week, City Council returned to session with a packed City Hall and an agenda focused on illegal trash dumping in Chester and the Mayor’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) initiative. Council voted to approve Bill 251065, authorizing the execution of a Service Agreement between the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to support financing for the H.O.M.E. Plan. The agreement advances a comprehensive housing strategy that includes housing production and preservation, affordability initiatives, homeowner and renter assistance, contractor training and support, blight and vacant property reduction, urban beautification, neighborhood infrastructure improvements, and related programs.
Next Week’s Moves
Be on the lookout for meeting cancellations with the upcoming weather.
Tuesday January 27, The Committee on Public Safety will meet to authorize hearings to examine the potential establishment of the Office of Freedmen Affairs within the City of Philadelphia.
Wednesday January 28, The Committee on Global Opportunities & Creative/Innovative Economy will meet to authorize hearings exploring globally equitable public budgeting practices as a hallmark of Philadelphia’s emergence as a leading global City.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger, and Pennsylvania Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy Walker announced a $3.5 million investment for the skilled trades industry. The money, which is being funded by the Manufacturing Training to Careers Grant, will expand programs with schools and organizations to expose students to opportunities in the trade industry and the skills they need to be successful.
Lt. Governor Austin Davis was in Allentown this week to highlight the administration’s investment of $70 million in state tax credits to businesses through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP). This program offers tax credits to businesses who contribute to nonprofit organizations that support low-income individuals and revitalize communities. The current investment from the Shapiro Administration is supporting 405 projects across the Commonwealth.
Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania General Assembly was in recess this week, though several committee meetings and policy hearings took place.
Committee News:
House:
The House Energy Committee and the House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee met for a joint informational hearing on Tuesday, January 20th. The subject of the informational hearing was energy affordability in the Commonwealth. Testimony was provided by PUC Chairman Stephen DeFrank, a representative from the Energy Association of PA, a representative from PJM, as well as energy producers, and consumer advocates. The committees discussed grid reliability, energy affordability, and the impact that data centers will have on the Commonwealth and the PJM grid, as a whole. Other members discussed matters such as long term power purchase agreements and the need have diversified base of power generation in the Commonwealth.
The House Republican Policy Committee met for an informational hearing on Friday, January 23rd to discuss education choice and affordability. The committee heard testimony from the American Federation for Children, the Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia, and the Commonwealth Foundation. The committee discussed the federal scholarship tax credits as implemented in the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), as well as the Commonwealth’s EITC and OSTC tax credit programs. The committee members analyzed the impact of school choice in the Commonwealth and discussed how to best advocate for school choice when support and opposition is mainly along party lines.
Next Week’s Moves
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives have cancelled their voting session on Monday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 27 due to the impending snow storm this weekend. The House is expected to reconvene on Wednesday, January 28. The Senate is expected to be in a voting session next week, and has not given a final decision on if it will be cancelled.
Governor Josh Shapiro is expected to deliver his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2027-2028 in Harrisburg on Tuesday, February 3.
♟️ON THE TRAIL
State Races
Pennsylvania Lt. Governor
State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who is the favorite to win the Republican primary for Pennsylvania Governor, has met with potential candidates for her running mate. As of now, three candidates have expressed their interest in the position including state Senator Cris Dush, businessman Brian Thomas, and former gubernatorial candidate John Ventre.
Pennsylvania House District 193
A special election to fill the vacant seat previously held by state Representative Torren Ecker is scheduled for March 17. The Republican party has unanimously selected Catherine Wallen as their candidate for the election. Wallen is the owner of Orchard Views LLC Farm, and previously worked as Ecker’s District Director and has an extensive career in healthcare. Democrats are expected to choose their candidate later this weekend.