Moves on the Board: Week of July 14 - 18
♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
Mayor Parker and her team, led by Chief Deputy Mayor Sinceré Harris, secured their second significant labor agreement this week with the white-collar union District Council 47. The agreement now awaits approval from DC47 members. This comprehensive three-year deal delivers substantial benefits for city workers: a solid 13.5% salary increase over Mayor Parker's first term, a one-time bonus, a 1% enhancement to the City's health care contribution, and improved longevity pay provisions. The administration continues to advance contract negotiations with Police, Fire, and Prison unions, while the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers remains engaged in ongoing discussions with the School District of Philadelphia.
Mayor Parker rounded out her weekend by celebrating the Philadelphia Police Department's newest recruits at their graduation ceremony and joining the Phillies to launch the official one-year countdown to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Dilworth Park.
Philadelphia City Council
Even during the summer recess, City Council members are staying active in their communities and beyond. Several members traveled to Chicago for the Local Progress National Convening—a national gathering for Democratic leaders
Back in Philadelphia, Councilmembers are celebrating milestones in neighborhood improvement projects. Councilmember Jeffrey “Jay” Young and Councilmember Mike Driscoll each celebrated ribbon cuttings of new parks in their districts—Napa Street Playground and Robert Borski Park, respectively—bringing fresh spaces for recreation and community connection to local families.
Meanwhile, Councilmember Cindy Bass kicked off her beloved Jazz Funk Soul Concert Series this month, with concerts scheduled for July 22 and 29. The series invites residents to enjoy live music and good company in the heart of summer, continuing her tradition of enriching Northwest Philadelphia’s cultural life.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Pittsburgh Energy Summit
Pennsylvania’s junior U.S. Senator, Dave McCormick, hosted the Inaugural Pittsburgh Energy Summit on July 15. The event showcased more than $70 billion (and counting!) in AI and energy investments across the Commonwealth, while promoting the future of energy technology nationwide. An impressive lineup of panelists included President Donald Trump and members of his administration, alongside leaders from academia, the private sector, and state government, including Governor Josh Shapiro and Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward. Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija was also in attendance. Building on Amazon's recent $20 billion commitment to establish multiple high-tech cloud computing and AI innovation campuses across Pennsylvania, both Senator McCormick and Governor Shapiro underscored the critical importance of collaboration in positioning the state as the nation's AI leader and creating a more business-friendly environment.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.
Shapiro Administration
Broadband Infrastructure continues to make way throughout the Commonwealth in neighborhoods that lack high-speed internet. Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger and Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority’s Executive Director Brandon Carson both visited Slippery Rock University for the groundbreaking of Armstrong Telecommunications’ Fiber Optic Broadband Expansion in Butler County. This initiative will provide 100% wireline fiber optic broadband to more than 1,500 locations in the area.
The Shapiro Administration highlighted the MY Work, a program that pairs high school students with disabilities with job opportunities in their community. Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy Walker toured the Philabundance Community Kitchen. This tour demonstrates the Governor's commitment to his proposed budget, which invests $5 million to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. This program is particularly an important initiative for First Lady Lori Shapiro.
As Governor Shapiro and his administration celebrated the 2025 Urban Agriculture Tour this week. Bellevue Strategies’ client, Bartram’s Gardens, hosted Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, Labor Secretary Nancy Walker, Senator Sharif Street, Rep. Jason Dawkins, and Rep. Regina Young to highlight urban agriculture programs. The visit showcased the Commonwealth’s investment in workforce development and apprenticeship programs at Sankofa Community Gardens.
📰 Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
♟️PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The House of Representatives moved several pieces of legislation early in the week, including the General Appropriations (GA) bill, a core component of the state budget. President Pro Tempore Kim Ward called the Senate into session on Wednesday and Thursday to respond to the House’s budget proposal. Check out more on the GA bill below.
House Bill 1330, the Commonwealth’s General Appropriations (GA) bill, was amended to total $50.6 billion for the upcoming fiscal year and passed by the House of Representatives early this week. Three Republicans joined House Democrats in passing the legislation 105-97. HB1330 cut $900 million from the Governor’s proposed budget, but Senate leaders still want to see additional spending eliminated. After Monday’s House vote, Senate leaders rejected the House’s proposal and gutted the legislation in committee and then on the Senate floor. A budget deal remains out of sight, and negotiations will continue in the coming weeks. Several revenue generators, including skilled games and cannabis legalization, are still being negotiated.
House Bill 564, sponsored by Rep. Tarah Probst, passed the House with near-unanimous support in a 201-1 vote. Bellevue Strategies’ client Asian Pacific Islanders Political Alliance, (API PA), has championed this legislation for two years. House Bill 564 will expand public awareness of the mental health crisis response lifeline through a 988 education and marketing campaign. It now advances to the Senate, where it awaits a committee referral.
Next Week’s Moves
The House and Senate are not scheduled to be in session next week, but remain on standby should a budget deal be reached. If lead negotiators reach a deal, members will be called back to Harrisburg to vote.
♟️On The Trail: Pennsylvania’s 2026 Elections
Activity ahead of the 2026 Congressional midterms is beginning to heat up in the Keystone State. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee targeted four races in Pennsylvania in its effort to flip control of Congress next November. Those four races span Central PA (District 10), Northeast PA (District 8), the Lehigh Valley (District 7), and Philadelphia suburbs (District 1). News about two of these races is highlighted below:
Pennsylvania Congressional District 1
Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick is expected to face a tough reelection battle. Bucks County Commissioner Chair Bob Harvie announced that he will run in the Democratic primary to fill the seat. A former school teacher and local government worker, Harvie has deep roots throughout the district. Fitzpatrick has represented this Bucks County district since 2017 and has a notably high popularity rating among constituents. Recently, Congressman Fitzpatrick has taken tough votes in Washington against President Trump’s priorities, as one of the two “no votes” on the administration’s reconciliation package and appropriations clawbacks.
Pennsylvania Congressional District 10
On Wednesday, Governor Josh Shapiro joined Janelle Stelson as she kicked off her campaign to unseat Congressman Scott Perry in the 10th Congressional District. Janelle ran against Congressman Perry in the 2024 General Election but lost by 1%.