Moves on the Board: Week of May 12 - 16, 2025
♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
While Philadelphians know that the city’s culinary scene is world-class, culinary tourists will soon know as well, with Mayor Parker and Governor Shapiro welcoming the MICHELIN Guide to Philadelphia. The Guide’s anonymous inspectors have already begun making reservations and exploring Philadelphia’s renowned culinary scene. The full 2025 restaurant selections will be revealed at a later date, during the annual MICHELIN Guide Northeast Cities Ceremony. The guide’s arrival is expected to boost tourism and place Philadelphia on the world culinary map.
With college graduation season in full swing, Mayor Parker delivered the Commencement address at Rosemont College on Thursday and received an honorary degree.
Mayor Parker continues to promote her proposed budget by hosting another budget town hall meeting to share her “One Philly 2.0” budget with residents. This week’s town hall took place in Tacony.
City Council
On May 13 and 14, the Committee of the Whole welcomed the public to comment on the Mayor’s proposed budget. Speakers stayed in their seats for hours to demonstrate their support of funding for all things included and not included in the proposed budget such as more money for Mural Arts Philadelphia, reforms to the Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT), elimination of the U & O tax on parking, the Mayor’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) initiative, funding for the Office of Homeless Services and countless other services.
On May 14 at City Hall, Councilmember Rue Landau was joined by art leaders to advocate for dedicated city funding for the arts, citing reduced federal support. The advocates highlighted the importance of the arts’ role in economic development and violence reduction, requesting a $3 million increase to offset lost federal grants. Bellevue Strategies client, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, attended the rally and highlighted the arts sector’s $3.3 billion impact on the local economy.
City Council Voting Legislative Session
New Legislation We’re Watching
Councilmember Thomas introduced Bill No. 250531, which amends the sick leave law to make employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement eligible for paid and unpaid leave under the “Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces” ordinance. This amendment extends benefits to unionized workers who were previously excluded from the law’s protections.
Councilmember Gauthier introduced the following bills during the City Council session, which are part of the Mayor’s H.O.M.E. initiative:
Bill No. 250524, which amends the zoning code to remove the minimum parking requirements for residential buildings in the CMX-4 and CMX-5 commercial mixed-use zoning districts. These changes make it easier to build residential housing without being required to provide off-street parking, adding to the continued downward trend of available parking in the city.
Bill No. 250525, which creates a new zoning district called RTA-2, Residential Two-Family Attached.
Bill No. 250523, which makes technical changes to the zoning code.
Next Week’s Moves
Coming Up:
The Committee on Public Property and Public Works will meet on Monday, May 19, regarding expanded healthcare access in Northeast Philadelphia, acquiring land for a health center on East Roosevelt Boulevard, and a multi-year agreement to continue operating the Christmas Village at LOVE Park.
The Committee on Licenses and Inspections will meet on Monday, May 19, to hear testimony Bill No. 240666, which sets limits on the capabilities of electrical contractors, and Bill No. 250292, which adds business hour restrictions in Council Districts 1, 7, and 8.
The Committee on Rules will meet on Wednesday, May 21, to discuss seven bills regarding zoning maps, overlay, and use requirements for above-ground garages.
The Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities will meet on Wednesday, May 21, to consider Bill No. 250109 to hold hearings to examine potential sites for new intercity bus terminals within the City of Philadelphia.
Additional Meetings:
The Committee on Public Safety will meet on Monday, June 2, regarding Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards (Bill No. 250373).
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
Governor Josh Shapiro continued to demonstrate his administration’s support for the agriculture industry this week during a visit to Sterman Masser Potato Farm in Schuylkill County. The Governor highlighted his efforts to expand agriculture innovation and support farmers through an additional $13 million investment in the Agriculture Innovation Grant Program as part of his recent budget proposal.
Governor Shapiro stood with members of the Delaware County legislative delegation to urge the General Assembly to pass the Health System Protection Act — newly introduced legislation that would stop exploitative private equity practices and empower Pennsylvania’s Attorney General to block bad deals that threaten access to care.
Additionally, Governor Shapiro announced $1 million in new funding, in coordination with the Delaware County delegation, to maintain emergency medical services (EMS) in Delaware County and ensure they remain available and responsive to the community's needs.
This week, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency announced a new statewide Crisis Intervention Team Technical Assistance Center initiative to support community safety. Pennsylvania is the first state in the nation to introduce this type of program.
Lt. Governor Austin Davis was in Cumberland County this week to promote the administration’s investment in creating new jobs and shovel-ready business sites. As part of the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) program, the administration has awarded $64 million to development projects across the Commonwealth.
Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Executive Deputy Secretary Kristen Rodack, joined first responders in Blair County to promote a new initiative to recruit more EMS professionals. Pennsylvania Regional EMS councils and agencies will hold career fairs throughout the Commonwealth to support this initiative. The Governor proposed an additional $6 million per year towards the EMS Operating Fund over the next three years.
📰 Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
♟️PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Committee News:
House:
Election reform efforts remain a hot topic depending on “party perspective”. The House passed House Bill 1396, sponsored by Speaker Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia, Delaware), which aims to expand election access and streamline the administration process throughout the Commonwealth. The bill passed along party lines, with all Republicans voting negatively.
The House was expected to vote on House Bill 771, sponsored by Representative Thomas Mehaffie (R-Dauphin), which would require residents to present an identification card every time they vote. However, House Republican Leader Jesse Topper requested that the bill not be brought up for a vote, as the caucus wanted more time to negotiate the language.
Senate:
The Senate Law & Justice Committee met on Tuesday, May 13, to vote down House Bill 1200, which would legalize the recreational use of cannabis through the state-owned model. The bill passed the House last week but failed to pass through committee by a vote of 7 Nays to 3 Yays, Senator Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh, Northampton) joined Republicans to vote against the bill. This vote puts on hold, for the time being, a desire by the Governor to legalize the use to raise additional revenues that are included in his budget.
Press Conferences
On Tuesday, May 13, legislators joined transportation representatives and union groups for a rally in the Main Rotunda to call on the legislature to increase funding for mass transit in Pennsylvania. Legislators and local leaders advocated on behalf of SEPTA, emphasizing the importance of the Governor’s budget to fund transit systems.
Next Week’s Moves
The Senate and House are in recess for Primary election day, May 20, and the Memorial Day holiday. They reconvene for a voting session Monday, June 2, through Wednesday, June 4.