Moves on the Board: Week of November 10 - 14, 2025
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♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
Philadelphia hosted the Marine Corps' 250th Homecoming Birthday Ball early this week, and Mayor Parker sent a message celebrating this significant milestone. The ball was held in the same ballroom at The Bellevue Hotel where the Marine Corps' inaugural celebration was held 100 years ago. Ahead of America’s 250th Birthday next July, all eyes are on the Parker administration’s Market East Advisory Group. The 60-member committee released its initial recommendations on Monday to revitalize the historic corridor ahead of 2026. This public-private partnership is led by the Department of Planning and Development and Jerry Sweeney, President & CEO of Brandywine Realty Trust and Chair of the Mayor’s Center City Revitalization Business Roundtable. The group put forth short-term and long-term recommendations anchored by investments from Comcast, Macerich, and National Real Estate Development.
After the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed the long-awaited state budget on Wednesday, Mayor Parker issued a statement celebrating investments that will have a meaningful local impact. The state budget appropriates additional funding for the School District of Philadelphia, violence prevention, and more. Keep reading for our team’s analysis of the state budget below.
Mayor Parker let Councilmember Mark Squilla’s 10-cent paper bag fee become law yesterday without her signature. The fee will take effect after the holiday season in early 2026. Mayor Parker signed several pieces of legislation passed by City Council last month. The Mayor spread joy this week by attending Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence’s 110th Anniversary Celebration, honoring the organization's transformational impact in the lives of young Philadelphians, and welcoming Philadelphia’s Christmas Tree to City Hall. Mark your calendars for the official tree lighting ceremony on December 4 at 7 pm, which will feature a special performance by Ashanti.
Philadelphia City Council
City Council had a busy week of hearings as the body approached the one-month countdown until winter recess on December 11. The Committee on Public Health and Human Services met on Monday to discuss legislation sponsored by Councilmember Nina Ahmad that would protect employees from discrimination based on menopause, perimenopause, and menstruation. The committee reported the bill out with a favorable recommendation.
The Committee on Rules met on Wednesday to discuss six bills ranging from a “Development Impact Tax” for rental housing, zoning in the Seventh District, and regulating the theft of catalytic converters. These six bills were all reported with a favorable recommendation.
The most significant and longest hearing of the week was the Committee of the Whole’s meeting to consider the budget for Mayor Parker’s signature H.O.M.E. policy. Chief of Staff Tiffany Thurman, Chief Housing and Urban Development Officer Angela Brooks, and Director of Planning and Development Jessie Lawrence testified on behalf of the administration. Council postponed a final vote on the legislation until Monday, November 17, after much debate in the hearing. The discussion was driven by more progressive members of the legislative body who expressed concern about the plan’s spending to support the middle-class, without a greater emphasis on poor Philadelphians who are most at-risk for homelessness and lack of housing. An amendment sponsored by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier seeks to address these concerns.
City Council met on Thursday for a routine legislative session. Highlights from the session are listed below:
Ordinances
Bill 250980 (Councilmember Anthony Phillips) - This bill would require non-resident landlords to provide verifiable contact information and a designated local contact person to manage property maintenance with means of enforcement.
Bill 250981 (Councilmember Gilmore-Richardson on behalf of the Council President) - This bill establishes a service agreement between the City and The Philadelphia Energy Authority related to the financing of construction and implementation of energy conservation improvements.
Bill 250988 (Councilmember Young) - This bill would add restrictions for certain commercial businesses in the Fifth Councilmanic District between 11 pm and 6 am.
Bill 250989 (Councilmember Cindy Bass) - This bill would impose a temporary moratorium on the breeding and transfer of puppies to incentivize Philadelphians to adopt animals from the City’s Animal Control Agency, ACCT Philly. ACCT shelters have been overpopulated since the pandemic and have seen little reprieve. Adopt a puppy today!
Bill 250990 (Councilmember Nina Ahmad) - This bill would establish protections against employment discrimination for victims of human trafficking.
District-specific traffic direction, zoning changes, and overlay districts.
Resolutions
Resolution 250999 (Councilmember Harrity on behalf of Councilmember Lozada) - This resolution recognizes November as National Restorative Justice Month and honors the collaborative efforts of The Barnes Foundation, Mural Arts Philadelphia, and Creative Philadelphia.
Next Week’s Moves
City Council is not in session next Thursday. They reconvene on Thursday, November 13.
Coming Up:
Monday, November 17, at 1 PM: The Committee on the Environment will meet to discuss Councilmember Jamie Gauthier’s Bill 250768 to prohibit contractors providing solid waste, recycling or composting services to the City from incinerating discarded matter.
Tuesday, November 18, at 10 AM: The Committee of the Whole is meeting to consider Resolution 181014, to review the School District of Philadelphia’s administration, management, operations, and finances, and to develop coordinated plans among the Board of Education, the Mayor, and City Council to improve and advance public education in Philadelphia.
Wednesday, November 19, at 10 AM: The Committee on Labor and Civil Service will convene to consider Bill 250607 to establish minimum workforce training requirements and documentation standards for contractors and subcontractors on public works projects.
Wednesday, November 19, at 1 PM: The Committee on Law and Government will review multiple pieces of legislation that would amend the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, the city’s constitutional document.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
FY25-26 Commonwealth Budget Updates
After months of stop-and-start negotiations, the legislature moved swiftly this week to pass a state budget for Fiscal Year 25-26, which was immediately signed by Governor Shapiro. The total spending of $50.1 billion is a 4.7% increase over the previous fiscal year and is seen as a victory for the Democrats, who sought to increase investments in several key areas, including education. Republicans, following a several-year battle, cheered that the Governor and House Democrats agreed to withdraw from the multi-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
Republicans also ensured that no dollars were expended from the $7 billion Rainy Day Fund, saving that funding for another day. Interestingly, the budget contains $1.186 billion in new dollars that come from the following sources:
$100 million of interest earned from special funds
$416 million of general fund resources rather than depositing the money into the Rainy Day Fund
Transferring $670 million from underutilized restricted accounts and special funds.
Touted as a bipartisan budget, the increased spending includes:
An additional $526 million in new funding for K-12 public education and $40 million for special education. This investment continues the Commonwealth’s progress towards meeting the funding commitments required under the Commonwealth Court ruling mandating adequate and equitable funding for public schools.
$30 million for student teacher stipends
$193 million for the creation of a new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit aimed at supporting working families by establishing a new, refundable state-level tax credit linked to the federal earned income tax credit.
Increased investment in the State Food Purchase Program
$52.5 million for 2026-related activities, broken down as follows: $2.5 million for America250; $10 million for the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh; and $40 million for promotion and marketing, infrastructure, and safety and security. How the $40 million will be distributed remains to be determined.
Extends the 9-1-1 surcharge of $1.95 through February 1, 2029. Funding helps support 988 service, which provides support to individuals experiencing mental health issues.
Allows for $25 million of federally appropriated funds towards Solar for All program to be used for projects approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority
$61 million for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD) Violence Intervention and Prevention Program.
Providing $25 million for the creation of the Child Care Recruitment and Retention Program
$8.8 million for a new DCED program, BusinessPA, focused on attracting and retaining businesses in PA
Other important investments and policy changes include:
$54 million to DCED’s Marketing to Atrract Tourists line item that specifies $19 million for the state Tourism Office;
Flat funding for PA Council on the Arts, Grants to the Arts, and the Pennsylvania Historic & Museum Commission.
Expansion of KOZ at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia and clarifies parcels within the Bellweather property in Philadelphia.
Transfer of revenues from the Cigarette Tax to the Tobacco Settlement Fund and distribution of Tobacco Settlement Funds to nine health research and related programs and purposes
Expands Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development Program
The devil is in the details. In addition to the state budget spending bill, several pieces of legislation accompany the budget to provide details on how the money will be spent. While these pieces of legislation, referred to as “budget trailer bills,” do not detail every line item in the budget, they delineate many. Below are links to those bills:
The Governor and leaders of all the caucuses celebrated the final passage of the budget.
Governor Josh Shapiro:
On Wednesday, Governor Josh Shapiro hosted a press conference with Lt. Governor Austin Davis and other legislative leaders for a ceremonial signing of the 2025-2026 state budget. Shapiro emphasized the bipartisan manner in which this balanced budget was passed and the significant impact it will have on the Commonwealth. During his speech, the Governor highlighted core aspects of the budget that would support families in Pennsylvania and strengthen the fiscal stability of the government. He mentioned that the budget will cut taxes, protect the Rainy Day Fund, maintain an $8 billion reserve, and make major investments in education, workforce development, agriculture, public safety, and environmental protection. Additionally, he referenced his goals moving into next year, including supporting mass transit funding and pushing for energy policies, like his Lightning Plan, now that Pennsylvania has pulled out of RGGI.
To read Governor Shapiro’s full remarks from the signing ceremony, click here.
Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton on the budget:
“This budget represents a compromise that invests in many of the programs I’ve championed for our communities. First, the budget continues Pennsylvania’s commitment to equitable school funding for districts like William Penn and Philadelphia. With more than $500 million directed to historically underfunded districts, schools can continue to reduce class size, offer more learning opportunities for students, provide free breakfast, and make sure every child has the tools they need to succeed. This plan also provides relief to Pennsylvania families struggling to pay their bills as costs climb under the Trump Administration’s economic policies. Our plan puts Pennsylvanians first by offering working families a 10% tax credit when filing their state taxes – savings they can use to pay for childcare, food, or any other household expense. I also secured record funding to help combat food insecurity and increase affordable housing projects across the state. Finally, this budget continues to strengthen public safety with an increase for violence prevention grants and by renewing funding for BOOST – or the Building Opportunity through Out of School Time program, and for school safety and security grants.
House Minority Leader Jesse Topper on the budget:
“The process that led to the passage of this year’s budget was not perfect, but the result is significant progress for the people of Pennsylvania and this Commonwealth’s future well-being. From the beginning of this session, House Republicans have emphasized that no budget will truly balance unless we prioritize our economic growth in ways that capitalize on what we have, prepare our students for the future and make necessary government reforms particularly relating to benefit integrity. I am proud to say this budget has major accomplishments in all these areas.”
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman:
“The closing of the 2025-26 state budget process marks a new beginning for this commonwealth, filled with economic growth and opportunity. This budget moves, monumentally, to increase the promise of Pennsylvania. This is a pro-family and pro-job creator plan, and we have protected taxpayers by making sure the Rainy Day Fund stays intact. Above all, we have removed the anvil of the RGGI electricity tax, which has been hanging over the heads of every consumer of electricity in this commonwealth. This budget is a product of divided government, and while it may have taken more time than any of us would have preferred, we have brought a divided government together to move our commonwealth forward.”
Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa:
“Pennsylvania Senate Democrats have long fought for a budget that makes life more affordable for every Pennsylvanian, and I am pleased that we have adopted a budget that delivers on this critical priority. This plan directly addresses many of the challenges facing Pennsylvania’s families: rising costs, expensive care, and inequitably funded education. I am especially proud of the Earned Income Tax Credit, which puts money directly into the pockets of those trying to make ends meet. While this was a lengthy negotiation process, it yielded a responsible deal that positions Pennsylvania as a model for a government that works for working people. This budget not only meets many of our immediate needs of today, but it also makes key investments from which all Pennsylvanians will benefit for many years to come.”
Next Week’s Moves
The House of Representatives and State Senate will return for a voting session in Harrisburg next week, from Monday, November 17, to Wednesday, November 19.