Moves on the Board: Week of June 2 - 6, 2025(Copy)
♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
The major takeaway this week is that the Parker administration and City Council reached an agreement late Thursday afternoon on the FY26 City budget and related initiatives, including her H.O.M.E. legislative package. The budget and other related ordinances will receive final passage at next week’s Council session on June 12. You can read more about the budget package below.
The Mayor emphasized public safety through several events, including a prayer vigil at Lemon Hill after the Memorial Day shooting and a press conference highlighting the city’s gun violence prevention efforts.
The administration also announced a new partnership offering high school students free summer access to Planet Fitness, raised the rainbow flag to mark the start of Pride Month, and celebrated the reopening of Creative PHL’s renovated art gallery in City Hall.
Committee Meetings:
The Committee on Public Safety met on June 2 to discuss Councilmember Rue Landau’s Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards (Bill No. 250373), which establishes new guardrails to protect individuals with criminal records from unfair employment and licensing discrimination. The bill was amended to address many concerns raised by the business community. While not all business concerns were addressed, this legislation is expected to pass next Thursday, June 12.
The Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless met on Tuesday, June 3, to consider two bills sponsored by Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke. Bill No. 250330, which seeks to protect tenants from landlord retaliation and harassment, was held in committee. However, Bill No. 250331, which creates an Anti-Displacement Fund to support tenants who are forcibly vacated, advanced out of committee. The legislation did not include appropriated funding for implementation.
The Committee on Finance met on Wednesday, June 4, to discuss several pieces of legislation. Here are a few highlights:
Bill No. 250332, sponsored by Councilmember Squilla, extends tax relief to four developments in Keystone Opportunity Zones (KOZ). Final amendments were adopted in committee.
Bill No. 250568, sponsored by Councilmember Gilmore-Richardson, authorizes the City and Redevelopment Authority to finance the Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) Plan. The bill enables $800 million in bond issuance for housing and neighborhood projects and requires the administration to submit a detailed expenditure plan for Council approval. It was amended following extended negotiations.
Philadelphia City Council Voting Legislative Session
New Legislation We’re Watching
Councilmember Jones introduced Resolution No. 250614, calling on the Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings on the reinstatement of the Fairmount Park Police. This bill is in response to the recent mass shooting on Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park on Memorial Day and other gun violence incidents. Since the Park Police merged with the Police Department, residents have expressed concerns about the unresponsiveness and lack of safety. The bill would give the committee authority to evaluate the reinstatement of the Fairmount Park Police.
Legislative Activity
After a “Recess-O-Rama” in Council, a flurry of committee hearings, and a packed Council session, the Parker administration and Council President Kenyatta Johnson finalized an agreement on the FY26 City Budget and H.O.M.E. legislative package on Thursday, June 5. The $6.8 billion budget focuses on housing and public safety. After debate, Council adopted the Mayor’s proposed changes to the Business Income & Receipts Tax (BIRT) and wage taxes (resident and non-resident) without amendments. Council also authorized the administration’s $800 million bond request to fund H.O.M.E. initiatives and affordable housing development, marking an unprecedented citywide investment.
Councilmember Landau’s Landlord & Tenant package (Security Deposit Payment Plan - Bill No. 250044 & Rental Application Fee Cap - Bill No. 250045) was subject to unexpected debate on the Council floor. Initially held for fall, the security deposit payment plan legislation was considered Thursday evening after Councilmember Landau provided amendments to respond to concerns raised by Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson. It is expected to pass next Thursday, June 12.
Point of Information: Councilmembers may introduce new legislation at next week’s legislative session, but any new legislation will be considered in the fall session. City Council concludes its FY25 Q3 & Q4 legislative session next Thursday, June 12.
Next Week’s Moves
Coming Up:
Tuesday, June 10th: The Joint Committees on Labor and Civil Service & Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs will hold a hearing to discuss Resolution No. 250397 authorizing the committees to hold joint hearings investigating the City’s enforcement of the Healthy Outdoor Public Spaces (HOPS) Law.
Thursday, June 12th: The Committee on Rules will convene to consider Bill No. 250333 amending the zoning code to allow religious assembly in certain “Special Purpose” districts in the First Councilmanic District.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
Governor Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Bellevue Strategies’ client, Share Food, in Philadelphia on Wednesday to meet with farmers and food bank leadership. The Governor expressed his support for the farming industry and his intent to sue the United States Department of Agriculture amid discussions of cutting the Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) program, which is critical to keeping food banks stocked with fresh produce.
Governor Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll made two visits this week to promote the administration’s commitment to transit funding. On Monday, they visited Rabbittransit in Harrisburg, followed by a stop at the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hecktown Oaks in Easton. The Governor’s budget calls for an increase of $292 million to support 52 transit systems in urban, rural, and suburban communities throughout the Commonwealth.
📰 Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
♟️PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly met for its legislative session on Monday, June 2, through Wednesday, June 4. As the June 30 budget deadline approaches, advocacy groups continued their outreach efforts in Harrisburg. The House passed several pieces of legislation, but one bill Bellevue is keeping its eye on is House Bill 1332, which authorizes the Commonwealth’s debt limit for the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). This legislation, which must originate in the House, is a precursor to future RACP rounds. It now heads to the Senate for additional markups. HB1332’s companion bill, House Bill 1331, which adds projects eligible for RACP, is still in the House Appropriations Committee and has not been reported with amendments. The Senate companion bill is SB 292.
This week, the Pennsylvania Senate unanimously confirmed two key appointments.
Stephen M. DeFrank as Chairman of the Public Utility Commission for a second term. Chairman DeFrank was initially appointed by Governor Tom Wolf, and his reappointment by Governor Shapiro extends his term of service through April 1, 2030.
Darryl Lawrence was confirmed as Pennsylvania’s Consumer Advocate. The Office of the Consumer Advocate is housed within the Attorney General’s Office and serves consumers’ interests in public utilities and pricing matters.
Next Week’s Moves
The House and Senate will remain in session for most of June to negotiate and pass the state budget and its related bills. Voting sessions for both chambers are scheduled from Monday, June 9, to Wednesday, June 11.