Moves on the Board: April 27 - May 1, 2026
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♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
Mayor Parker opened the week by joining the Office of Children and Families to announce the return of “It's a Summer Thing,” the city's annual initiative to keep Philadelphia's youth safe, active, and employed during the summer months. The 2026 program includes more than 130 summer camps, 150 recreation centers with hundreds of free activities, 200 play streets, and an estimated 10,000 summer jobs across the city. The initiative brings together multiple city departments — including Parks & Recreation, the School District, the Free Library, and the Philadelphia Police Department — to provide coordinated support for young people citywide.
On Tuesday, Mayor Parker and city leaders launched Philadelphia's first-ever Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Campaign. With major international events drawing millions of visitors to the city this summer, the administration is moving to address the conditions that enable traffickers to exploit residents and tourists alike. Councilmember Nina Ahmad secured $500,000 for the campaign, which will fund survivor-informed training for city workers and stakeholders, coordinated public awareness efforts, and data collection to inform ongoing prevention work. The city will finalize its strategy in May, with public-facing campaigns set to launch in June ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Also this week, the city announced a series of short-term activations aimed at revitalizing the Market East corridor ahead of this summer's 250th anniversary and World Cup celebrations. Beginning May 6, six locally owned small businesses will occupy previously vacant storefronts on the 900 block of Market Street in a program called Meantime on Market, implemented in partnership with the Center City District. The retail spaces are in buildings owned by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, Comcast, and the Fashion District Philadelphia, which have been privately upgraded for use by the pop-up retailers. The effort is funded through a $1.85 million grant from the city's Commerce Department.
On Tuesday, Mayor Parker joined the Philadelphia Parking Authority to mark the reopening of the intercity bus terminal at 1001 Filbert Street — the site of the former Greyhound station that had been shuttered since 2023. The $5 million renovation yielded over 13,000 square feet of interior space, including 189 seats, updated ADA-compliant restrooms, baby changing stations, and a private lactation space. The terminal is set to begin operations May 1, timed to welcome the wave of visitors expected for the city's 2026 celebrations.
On Thursday, the city launched the Paid Public Service Fellowship to expand economic mobility and create career pathways for Philadelphians. The fellowship is designed to equip residents with the skills needed to attain sustainable, long-term employment and bridge the gap into municipal careers.
Philadelphia City Council
This week’s City Council hearings focused on property management, public space regulation, public safety within the legal system, and economic development priorities. On Monday, the Committee on Public Property and Public Works convened to review a series of bills related to deeds and lease agreements, addressing how the City manages, transfers, and utilizes public assets. That same day, the Committee on Streets and Services examined legislation tied to parking regulations, sidewalk café encroachments, and the expansion and designation of bicycle lanes, reflecting ongoing efforts to balance mobility, business activity, and public space usage.
On Tuesday, budget hearings centered on Public Safety & Justice within the legal system. The morning session featured testimony from the Law Department and the Defenders Association, with discussion focused on legal services, caseload pressures, and resource allocation. The afternoon session continued this theme, with the First Judicial District and the Sheriff’s Office providing insight into court operations, system capacity, and law enforcement responsibilities tied to judicial processes.
On Wednesday, hearings shifted toward planning and economic priorities. The morning session included testimony from Planning & Development, focusing on land use, zoning, and long-term growth strategy. In the afternoon, the Department of Commerce outlined its economic development initiatives, highlighting priorities related to business support, job creation, and overall economic growth within the City.
City Council held a regular session on Thursday, starting with many presentations honoring a variety of people and organizations. A few resolutions of note are listed below.
Resolutions
Resolution 260440 (Councilmember Jones) Authorizing the Committee of the Whole to hold public hearings to assess the potential establishment of an independent fiscal oversight agency to perform independent fiscal audits of The School District of Philadelphia’s annual budget.
Resolution 260441 (Councilmember Landau) Authorizing the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to hold hearings examining the status of transit mobility and access for Philadelphia’s students and the expansion of the SEPTA Student Fare Program.
Next Week’s Moves
Coming Up:
On Monday, May 4, the morning budget hearing will focus on Health & Behavioral Health, featuring testimony from the Department of Public Health and the Department of Behavioral Health & Intellectual disAbility Services.
On Monday, May 4, the afternoon budget hearing will center on the District Attorney, with testimony from the District Attorney’s Office.
On Tuesday, May 5, the Committee will hold a full-day callback session to revisit outstanding questions and requests for additional information from prior hearings.
On Wednesday, May 6, the Committee will host a full-day public testimony session, allowing residents and stakeholders to provide input on the proposed budget.
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
The Shapiro Administration announced thirty-one recipients of the Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) Program, totaling an investment of more than $267 million. These grants support projects that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs, and strengthen the industrial sector. Given this investment, it is expected to save more than 1.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents within the first year.
Governor Shapiro and Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) Executive Director Brandon Carson announced the approval of more than $711 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grants to help connect parts of the Commonwealth that lack high-speed internet access. This investment is part of the $1.16 billion in BEAD funding appropriated to the Commonwealth by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives was in Harrisburg this week for a voting session from Monday, April 27 to Wednesday, April 29. The chamber passed many bills, which most are now headed to the Senate for consideration.
Legislative Movement:
The following bill was signed in the House and presented to the Governor for approval:
SB848 (Adds PEMA and PHMC to the State Planning Board)
The following bills were signed in the House and now awaiting a signature from the Senate before being sent to the Governor for approval:
HB797 (Closing the Firefighter Pension Loophole)
HB1251 (Expanding Midwifery Access and Authority for Healthier Communities)
HB2163 (Easing Restrictions on Dental School Faculty)
The following passed the House and are not sent to the Senate for consideration:
HB41 (Playoff Reform for the PIAA)
HB72 (Protecting Tenants in Cases of Violence)
HB344 (Making Parking Fees Transparent for Renters)HB830 (Parental Notification of Bullying in Schools)
HB1104 (Capping the Fees for Obtaining Electronic Medical Records)
HB1970 (Allowing for Electronic Driver’s Licenses and ID Cards)HB2003 (American-Made Flags)
HB2042 (Safety in Youth Sports)
HB2103 (Preventing White Nationalist Housing Developments)
HB2118 (Museum Unclaimed Loaned Property Act)
HB2176 (Social Media Literacy)
HB2177 (Municipal Code Amendments)
HB2179 (Municipal Code Amendments)
HB2210 (Allowing for Digital Vehicle Registration Cards)
HB2218 (Increasing Student Success with More School Counselor Support)
HB2246 (Water Usage Reporting Requirements for Data Centers)
HB2401 (Capital Budget)
HB2403 (General Fund)
HB2404, HB2405, HB2406, HB2407, HB2408, HB2409, HR423 (National Work Zone Awareness Week)
HR431 (Berks County 274th Anniversary Day)
HR452 (Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month)
HR469 (Delta Day)
HR479 (Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Resolution)
HR483 (National Police Week & Peace Officers Memorial Day)
SB375 (AEDs at Interscholastic Athletic Events)
SB507 (Midwifery Modernization in Pennsylvania)
SB867 (Resolving Pennsylvania’s Accessibility Code Dilemma)
Committee News:
Senate: The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a public hearing on electricity reliability, affordability, and how to bring more power generation online amid rising demand from data centers. Testifiers warned that the regional grid is facing tightening supply, higher prices, and potential risks as older plants retire and new generation struggles with permitting, supply chain, and interconnection delays. Lawmakers on the committee emphasized solutions that balance reliability, cost, and environmental goals while ensuring new infrastructure is built quickly.
Next Week’s Moves
The Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives will be in Harrisburg next week for a joint session from Monday, May 4 to Wednesday May 6.