Moves on the Board: March 9 - 13, 2026
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♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
On Thursday, Mayor Parker unveiled her third budget—dubbed “One Philly, One Future”—a $7 billion proposal that shifts the administration's focus toward economic mobility. The plan includes roughly $52 million in new spending to expand economic opportunity: $10 million for workforce training, $14.7 million to add 1,000 summer job opportunities for youth, and $7 million to support graduates of the Community College of Municipal Employment pipeline into city jobs. The mayor also addressed moving Philadelphia beyond its “eds and meds” identity, citing the need to expand into shipbuilding and defense industries while maintaining wage and business tax cuts and holding property tax rates steady. The budget also preserves $25 million for the SEPTA Zero Fare transit program for low-income residents and sets aside $10 million for a modular housing manufacturing initiative aimed at lowering housing costs. For a deeper analysis of Mayor Parker's economic mobility agenda and its implications, join us at our event on March 17.
Mayor Parker was recognized as a Hall of Fame inductee at the opening session of the National Public Leadership Conference, hosted by the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA). The award honors distinguished individuals in public service.
The mayor announced investments in Cobbs Creek for restoration and flood mitigation, supporting three miles of the creek and creating 25 acres of wetland to help reduce flooding in surrounding neighborhoods.
Mayor Parker held a proclamation reading for Saint Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal Daniel J. Hilferty, commemorating 250 years of Irish contributions to America.
Philadelphia City Council
The Committee on Finance held a hearing on the state of the economy for Black women in Philadelphia, with testimony highlighting economic challenges, workforce trends, and opportunities to support entrepreneurship and career advancement.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Rules met to consider four bills addressing technical updates to the city code and zoning. The legislation included measures to remove expired provisions related to outdoor entertainment at sidewalk cafés, revise outdated language in the Philadelphia Zoning Code, and amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps in the Sixth Council District. All bills considered were reported out with a favorable recommendation.
City Council held a lively session this week as members introduced a range of legislation and honorary resolutions while advancing early discussions around the City’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget. In the middle of the meeting, Mayor Cherelle Parker delivered her annual budget proposal, formally outlining her administration’s spending priorities and policy initiatives for the coming fiscal year. Several bills introduced during the session reflected themes from the proposal, signaling Council’s early alignment with key elements of the Mayor’s budget as the body prepares for weeks of hearings and negotiations ahead.
A few bills and resolutions of note are listed below.
Ordinances
Bill 260209 (Councilmember Landau) Amending the Philadelphia Code to establish a tax on orders for the delivery in Philadelphia of retail consumer and other tangible goods.
Bill 260208 (Councilmember Landau) Authorizing the Board of the School District of Philadelphia to levy a tax upon the use by a passenger of a transportation network company for a prearranged ride that originates in Philadelphia
Bill 260205 (Councilmember Landau) Clarifying the imposition of the Realty Use and Occupancy tax on the use or occupancy of real estate with respect to cell towers.
Bill 260213 To amend the Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2026-2031 inclusive.
Bill 260214 To amend the Fiscal 2026 Capital Budget.
Bill 260215 Authorizing transfers in appropriations for FY26 from the General Fund, the Water Fund, the Transportation Fund, and the Grants Revenue Fund, to the General Fund, the Water Fund, the Special Gasoline Tax Fund, the Grants Revenue Fund, the Aviation Fund, and the Transportation Fund.
Resolutions
Resolution 260222 (Councilmember Landau) Authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold hearings on the status, operations, and economic impact at the Port of Philadelphia (PhilaPort).
Resolution 260220 (Councilmember Thomas) Recognizing March 2026 as “Creative and Nighttime Economy Month”
Next Week’s Moves
Coming Up:
On Monday, March 16, the Committee on Labor and Civil Service will discuss one bill regarding the compensation of the Director of the Office of Prison Oversight and members of the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board.
On Monday, March 16, the Committee on Streets will meet to consider various bills related to street renaming, traffic direction, and right-of-way encroachments.
On Thursday, March 18, the Committee on Commerce & Economic Development will discuss the state of job creation and the workforce in Philadelphia as strategies to eliminate poverty.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger and Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced a recent $132.9 million investment by Schreiber Foods to expand its Shippensburg manufacturing facility. The Shapiro Administration announced it will invest $1 million in the project, which will support 47 new jobs over the next three years.
Governor Josh Shapiro held a press conference in Berks County this week at the Douglass Village manufactured home community to discuss the affordable housing reforms in his FY 2026-2027 budget proposal. The Governor discussed that rent increases have had a significant impact on thousands of Pennsylvanians and that they need to be addressed. He referenced the need for legislation that recently passed the House and is in the Senate now, that would address the large lot rent increases for manufactured home communities.
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Siger also announced an investment of $3.32 million over the next six years to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP). The funds will help the community development organization continue its efforts to revitalize downtown Pittsburgh.
Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The House Appropriations Committee concluded its budget hearings this week, focusing on several state departments. Hearings took place from Monday, March 9, to Thursday, March 12.
Appropriations Hearings:
The House Appropriations Committee held budget hearings this week with the following departments: Department of Transportation; Department of Revenue; Department of Aging; State-Related Universities; Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and Community Colleges; Pennsylvania State Police; Governor’s Office of the Budget; Department of Health; and Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
Next Week’s Moves
The Pennsylvania Senate is scheduled to return to Harrisburg for a voting session next week from Monday, March 16, to Wednesday, March 18.
♟️ON THE TRAIL
State Races
Pennsylvania House District 130
Republican State Representative David Maloney announced this week that he will not be seeking reelection at the end of this term. Representative Maloney has been in the House for 16 years and currently serves as the Minority Chair of the Game and Fisheries Committee. The district covers parts of Berks County. Representative Maloney has endorsed Republican candidate Melissa Brewer, the former Berks County Superintendent, to fill the seat. Brewer will be running against Mitch McHale, an elementary school teacher, in the primary.