Moves on the Board: Week of May 5 - 9, 2025
♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
Mayor Parker announced the appointment of Karen Fegely as the Acting Commerce Director for the City of Philadelphia. In this important role, Fegely will oversee all aspects of the Commerce Department, which includes economic development initiatives, business support services, and key strategic policies designed to foster inclusive economic growth across the city. The appointment was effective May 1, 2025. The administration will provide updates on the transition at the Commerce Department, including a comprehensive search for a permanent Commerce Director.
On Wednesday, the Mayor joined The Philly Service Award to present Eagles wide receiver, AJ Brown, with the first ever "Making a Better Philly Changemaker Award." The award recognizes Brown for his ongoing commitment to supporting Philadelphia youth and communities. The Philly Service Award is a client of Bellevue Public Affairs. Also on Wednesday, the Mayor attended the annual City of Philadelphia Living Flame Memorial Service to honor police officers and firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
On Thursday, Mayor Parker hosted another budget town hall meeting in Logan to share her “One Philly 2.0” budget with residents.
City Council
Budget Hearings: April 5 - 9:
The Register of Wills testified to support its budget, highlighting efforts to expand estate planning education, support title clearance for property ownership, and stabilize and digitize historical archives. The department will also continue offering virtual probate services and outreach across diverse communities to guide residents through the probate process. They also plan to replace their outdated legacy system in response to audit findings and preparation for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The Department of Public Health testified in support of its budget priorities, including expanding access to healthcare through renovations and new health centers, enhancing infectious disease response, and promoting food safety and environmental health. Key initiatives also focus on maternal and child health, lead prevention, HIV testing expansion, and IT infrastructure upgrades to improve service delivery and emergency preparedness. Additionally, the department will support air quality improvements, address substance use prevention, and prepare for major events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Semiquincentennial.
The Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHIDS) highlighted advances in crisis response (including mobile teams, the 988 hotline, and a new urgent care center), culturally responsive provider expansion, and cross-agency partnerships to support vulnerable populations. The department emphasized ongoing workforce challenges, youth trauma programs like Trauma to Triumph, and DBHIDS’s role in supporting the Mayor’s goals for a safer, cleaner, and more equitable Philadelphia.
The Defenders Association testified in support of Mayor Parker’s budget priorities by investing in long-term public safety, equitable justice, and staff stability. With increased funding from the city, the Defenders Association aims to expand defense for immigrants, reduce prison population, and expand the pool of social workers.
Bellevue Strategies client Mural Arts Philadelphia testified before Council, urging an increase of $1.5 million to their proposed budget to maintain a strong organization and ensure its community-centered core programming continues without interruption. Click here to read the report from The Inquirer.
Additional Hearings on May 6 & 7 included: Sheriff, Law, and District Attorney.
City Council Voting Legislative Session
New Legislation We’re Watching
Councilmember Driscoll introduced bill No. 250495 that establishes a new Mobile Services Overlay District in specific Northeast Wards. The bill prohibits non-emergency mobile medical services such as treatment vehicles operating in those areas, while exempting crisis response, public health, and specialty services.
Legislation Passed This Week
Bill No. 240665-AA, sponsored by Councilmember Lozada, aims to regulate how mobile service providers serve people with addiction in the Kensington neighborhood by creating a system sponsored by the city. This bill aims to reduce the quality of life concerns from residents, such as nuisance crime and trash, while still allowing services to continue under stricter guidelines. Under this bill, groups that fail to comply could face fines or lose their permits. The bill passed with three councilmembers voting in opposition.
Bill No. 250065, also known as the POWER Act (Protect Our Workers, Enforce Rights), sponsored by Councilmember Brooks, passed. The legislation strengthens enforcement of Philadelphia’s worker protection laws by increasing penalties for wage theft and retaliation, authorizing broader workplace investigations, and establishing a database to track repeat violators. The business community voiced many concerns to the legislation and will continue to monitor the implementation of the legislation.
Next Week’s Moves
If you’d like to keep up with City Budget hearings, check out City Council’s Budget Center for the full schedule and relevant documents. The following departments will testify during the last week of budget hearings next week:
Tuesday, May 13
Public Testimony
Wednesday, May 14
Public Testimony
Coming Up:
The Committee on Public Health and Human Services will meet on Friday, May 16, to discuss bill number 250213 relating to the sale of electronic smoking devices and unapproved nicotine delivery products.
The Special Committee on Kensington will also meet on Friday, May 16, regarding bill number 240760 to examine best practices in substance use disorder outreach and evaluate the effectiveness of current approaches employed by the City of Philadelphia and its partners.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones met with recipients of the student loan repayment grant program in substance use disorder services, as part of the Governor’s initiative to invest more funding to recruit health care professionals in rural communities.
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Acting Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe joined students in K-8 for Farm City Day, to gain hands-on agricultural career exposure. This is a part of Governor Shapiro’s continued commitment to growing the agricultural industry in Pennsylvania.
Representatives from the Department of Revenue and Department of Aging visited the West Shore Senior Center in Cumberland County to discuss the impact of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program to support older adults.
To celebrate National Student Nurses Day, officials from the Department of Health, Labor & Industry, and Human Services met with leaders at the HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, to highlight the Governor’s proposal of investing in recruitment and retention initiatives for nurses in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger joined leaders from SoWe Pocket Park in Lancaster to highlight the administration’s efforts to create long-term solutions for affordable housing. The Governor’s budget includes $50 million for the statewide housing repair program.
📰 Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
As part of this investment, $30,000,000 was awarded to Philadelphia County to develop new manufacturing and commercial space in the Navy Yard.
♟️PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
House Action:
On Wednesday, May 7, House Bill 1200 sponsored by Representative Rick Karjewski (D-Philadelphia), which will legalize recreational marijuana to be sold through a network of state-run dispensaries operated by the Liquor Control Board, passed the House along party lines, with all Democrats voting in favor of the bill. The bill will now head to the Senate.
Press Conferences:
On Tuesday, May 6, Representative Lindsay Powell (D-Allegheny) joined Bellevue Strategies’ client, Habitat for Humanity, for a press conference advocating to eliminate the barriers to creating new affordable housing units throughout the Commonwealth. This was part of their annual Advocacy Day where 12 Habitat Affiliates came to Harrisburg to meet with their legislators.
On Wednesday, May 7, Senator Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), Representative Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne), and Representative R. Lee James (R-Venago, Crawford) joined educators and students to celebrate Arts Education Advocacy Day. The press conference supported continued investments into arts education programs based on research showing the benefits it has on students’ academic performance and overall health.
Next Week’s Moves
Coming Up:
The Senate will reconvene for a voting session next week from Monday, May 12 to Tuesday, May 13.
The House will reconvene for a voting session next week from Monday, May 12 to Wednesday, May 14.
Following next week’s voting session, both Chambers recess until the first week of June.