Moves on the Board: March 2 - 6, 2026
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♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
This week's major announcement from Mayor Parker marked a significant milestone in the city's progress toward fully funding its pension fund by 2032. Back in 2015, Philadelphia’s pension fund was just 45% funded, creating a significant long-term liability for the City. A series of reforms spanning the Nutter, Kenney, and Parker administrations helped stabilize the system — including contributions above the state minimum, higher employee retirement contributions, reduced investment fees, and dedicating a portion of the City’s 1% local sales tax to the pension fund. Today, the pension fund stands at approximately 68% funded and is projected to reach full funding by 2032.
Mayor Parker joined Gov. Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) CEO Kelvin Jeremiah, and other state officials to mark the groundbreaking of 327 new homes as part of the first phase of the Westpark Apartments redevelopment in West Philadelphia. In addition to the residential units, the project includes retail space for local businesses and improved connectivity to the nearby SEPTA station at 46th and Market Streets.
The mayor also attended the Philadelphia Fire Department's graduation ceremony alongside Managing Director Adam Thiel and Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson, where officials announced the addition of 30 new paramedics and EMTs. The new Emergency Medical Services providers completed their training at the Philadelphia Fire Academy, one of the busiest EMS systems in the nation.
Philadelphia City Council
Several City Council committees met this week to discuss key policy issues. On Monday, the Committee on Public Health and Human Services examined the state of reproductive health care in Philadelphia and how federal policy changes may impact access to services in the city. On Tuesday, the Committee on Finance discussed five bills related to compensation for members of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, an agreement between the Commissioner of Records and Ancestry.com, and matters concerning Philadelphia Gas Works. On Wednesday, the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless considered two bills focused on tenants’ rights. The hearing featured contentious public comment, with landlords and Council members debating the potential impacts of the legislation.
City Council held a busy session this week, featuring many honorary resolutions and two presentations recognizing Women’s History Month. A few bills and resolutions of note are listed below.
Ordinances
Bill 260162 (Councilmember Gilmore Richardson) Amending code to establish requirements for commercial landlords to take remedial action against commercial tenants regarding tobacco sales.
Bill 260163 (Councilmember Gilmore Richardson) Establishes restrictions and regulations related to the sale of certain intoxicating substances.
Bill 260167 (Councilmember Squilla) Revises certain towing requirements relating to the issuance of a ticket on certain private property.
Bill 260168 (Councilmember Bass) Amending code 9-605 related to towing by regulating the use of barnacles.
Next Week’s Moves
Coming Up:
On Tuesday, March 10, the Committee on Rules will meet to discuss four bills: removing expired provisions regarding outdoor entertainment at sidewalk cafés, revising expired text in the Philadelphia Zoning Code, and amending the Philadelphia Zoning Maps in the Sixth Council District.
Mayor Cherelle Parker will deliver her Fiscal Year budget address on Thursday, March 12. The proposal will outline the administration’s spending priorities and policy initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year. More details will be provided following the address.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the next round of funding for the Agricultural Product Promotion, Education, and Export Promotion Matching Grant Program. Since taking office, the Shapiro administration has awarded nearly $500,000 to projects that work on market research, development, and promotion of agricultural products grown and produced in Pennsylvania.
Governor Josh Shapiro announced a $5.7 million investment through the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) program to develop an over-100-acre pad-ready industrial site in Point Township, Northumberland County. The project is being led by DRIVE Industry, which will fund the construction, engineering, and infrastructure improvements to prepare the site for businesses. The industrial site will soon be “shovel-ready” to attract businesses and create jobs in Central Pennsylvania.
Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees continued their budget hearings this week, focusing on several state departments. Hearings took place from Monday, March 2, to Thursday, March 5.
Appropriations Hearings:
House:
The House Appropriations Committee held budget hearings this week with the following departments: Office of the Attorney General; Department of Environmental Protection; Department of Conservation & Natural Resources; Pennsylvania Judiciary; Department of Labor & Industry; Department of Education; Department of Human Services; Department of State; and Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
The Senate Appropriations Committee held budget hearings this week with the following departments: Department of Transportation; Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission; State-Related Universities; Department of Labor & Industry; Department of Community and Economic Development; Department of Revenue; Office of the Budget; and Department of Education.
Committee News:
House:
The House Energy Committee met this week for a vote on House Bills 2150 and 2151. These two bills aim to regulate the development of data centers in Pennsylvania by increasing accountability and transparency. It would require data centers to disclose the nature of their work and report energy and water usage to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and provide guidelines to improve the quality of life for the surrounding communities. Both of the bills passed out of committee with amendments that clarify the definition of data centers.
The House Energy Committee held an informational hearing this week on Pennsylvania’s Net Metering Policies, which provides customers who generate their own energy with bill credits for any excess power they send back to the grid. The committee heard testimony from several industry professionals and advocates who cautioned that abrupt changes could impact the grid’s reliability and long-term infrastructure savings. Other testifiers argued that recent court decisions have allowed merchant-scale solar projects to receive full retail-rate credits, thereby shifting costs onto residential and small-business owners.
The Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 46, which would expand access to universal pre-K in Pennsylvania. Witnesses and lawmakers focused on the long-term impacts high-quality early education has on students’ futures, including school readiness, workforce participation, and public health and economic outcomes. However, childcare in Pennsylvania can cost between $13,000 $20,000 annually, creating a barrier for low-income families. Supporters of the bill argued that a holistic approach to early education is essential to support systems, including a mixed-delivery model, strong business engagement, and recruitment and retention efforts for early childhood educators.
The House Commerce Committee held a vote on House Bill 2175, which would prohibit artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots from selling or sharing consumer information to third parties. It would also prohibit suppliers from using AI chatbots to advertise specific products or services to consumers. The bill was voted out of committee with the request to re-refer it to the House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee.
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.