Moves on the Board: Week of October 6 - October 10, 2025
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♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
Mayor Parker returned to The Bellevue Hotel this week for the African American Chamber of Commerce's electrifying 32nd Anniversary Awards Ceremony, where the city's thriving Black-owned businesses took center stage — just one highlight in a dynamic week packed with celebrations honoring small businesses, dedicated public servants, and our city's proud naval heritage.
The week kicked off on Monday with City officials and business leaders launching Philadelphia's 41st Annual Micro Economic Development (MED) Week, igniting five days of powerful workshops and networking events designed to fuel small business growth. The Office of Economic Opportunity within the Department of Commerce orchestrated this vital initiative to empower local entrepreneurs.
Fire Prevention Week brought well-deserved recognition to Philadelphia's bravest, as the Fire Department honored its 2025 Firefighter and EMS Providers of the Year. Mayor Parker joined the celebration to applaud their outstanding service and champion the critical importance of fire safety awareness.
In a testament to community investment, Mayor Parker and fellow elected officials joined the Free Library and Rebuild to unveil the beautifully renovated Wynnefield Library Courtyard. The $40,000 transformation—made possible through DCED's Keystone Communities Grant Program—reinforces the library's essential role as a vibrant neighborhood gathering place.
Thursday delivered a spectacular moment as Mayor Parker attended the Parade of Ships commemorating the U.S. Navy's remarkable 250th Anniversary. Navy vessels sailed majestically along the Delaware River before docking at the Navy Yard in an impressive display of maritime tradition.
Capping off this eventful week, Mayor Parker provided a significant update on contract negotiations and agreements with labor unions representing our dedicated municipal workforce.
Philadelphia City Council
The Committee on Rules met on Tuesday to discuss overlay districts and other zoning measures in the 5th, 6th, 9th, and 10th Councilmanic Districts.
The Committee on People with Disabilities and Special Needs, chaired by Councilmember Kendra Brooks, met on Tuesday afternoon to discuss accessibility for the city’s 2026 preparations. The committee heard from event organizers and disability advocates about accessibility measures to ensure next year’s milestone events are as inclusive as possible.
The City Council met for a legislative voting session on Thursday. Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke received a warm welcome back from his colleagues as he returned to his first session following paternity leave. Mayor Parker transmitted the Rebuild Program’s 2026 Project Statement and a land transfer to resolve litigation with Tinicum Township near the Philadelphia Airport. Lastly, the Mayor signed Councilmember Rue Landau’s Fair Chance Criminal Records screening into law this week. The Streets Committee reported 19 bills, and the Committee on Rules reported four bills for first consideration and final passage in the weeks ahead.
Here are the highlights of new legislation introduced during the Council session:
Ceremonial Resolutions
Resolution 250850 (Councilmember Phillips) - Honoring Graduate Philadelphia for 20 years of impact, supporting adult learners entering the workforce.
Resolution 250866 (Councilmember Landau) - Recognizing National Coming Out Day on October 11, 2025, in the City of Philadelphia
Resolution 250865 (Councilmember Landau) - Recognizing October 2025 as LGBTQ+ History Month in the City of Philadelphia and honoring the movement for LGBTQ+ rights, providing visibility for an often-erased history, and raising awareness for the ongoing fight for civil rights and equality
Resolution 250867 (Councilmember Landau) - Recognizing October 19, 2025, as National LGBTQ Center Awareness Day in the City of Philadelphia and highlighting the vital role of LGBTQ+ community centers in serving as crucial lifelines and hubs for LGBTQ+ communities, fostering a sense of belonging and community, and advocating for equal rights
Hearing Resolutions
Resolution 250862 (Councilmember Thomas) - Authorizing the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold hearings considering how Philadelphia will handle over half a million extra visitors during 2026, and the feasibility of allowing short-term rental rules (which include Airbnb) for holidays as other cities have done around large-scale events
Resolution 250861 (Councilmember Thomas) - Authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold hearings to determine the current state of planning and readiness for the transportation and traffic for the 2026-related events.
Resolution 250863 (Councilmember Jones) - Authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold a hearing to examine whether death by suicide for first responders should be considered as occurring in the line of duty, and to explore mental health initiatives aimed at preventing suicide and supporting the overall well-being of first responders
Resolution 250879 (Councilmember O’Rourke) - Authorizing the Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to create a Cost of Living Task Force and to hold hearings on the cost of living in Philadelphia to study conditions and advance recommendations that ensure Philadelphia is a city where all residents can afford to live and thrive.
Ordinances
Bill 250837 (Councilmember O’Rourke) - Amending the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to establish perpetual City ownership and operation of the City’s water and sewage systems and facilities
Bill 250838 (Councilmember O’Rourke) - Providing real estate rebates for low-income residents
Bill 250833 (Councilmember Lozada) - Establishing a new chapter requiring the Philadelphia Land Bank to submit an annual report to City Council detailing the disposition of all land subject to the Land Bank.
Bill 250849 (Councilmember Ahmad) - Amending the “Fair Fair Practices Ordinance: Protections Against Unlawful Discrimination," to explicitly protect employees from discrimination based on menstruation, perimenopause, and menopause.
Bill 250843 (Council President Johnson) - Requiring locking dumpsters
Several pieces of legislation authorizing zoning changes, sidewalk cafes, and traffic regulations were also introduced.
Next Week’s Moves
Coming Up:
Wednesday, October 15: The Committee on Technology and Information Services will meet at 10:00 AM at PhillyCAM to discuss the current state of Artificial Intelligence and its overall impact on various sectors in Philadelphia.
Wednesday, October 15: The Committee on Commerce & Economic Development will meet to discuss Bill 250646, which would establish requirements for private sector security officer training, and Bill 250654, which would add two members to the Economic Opportunity Review Committee.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
Governor Shapiro traveled to Québec City, Canada, for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers (GSGP) Leadership Summit. The summit brought together leaders from states and Canadian provinces surrounding the Great Lakes to discuss their critical trading partnership in one of the world's most economically significant regions. Shapiro was elected as the new GSGP Chair for the next two years and will host the 2027 Leadership Summit in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Governor Shapiro joined a multi-state lawsuit against the Trump Administration over National Guard deployments in cities across the United States. Shapiro stated his intent in filing the amicus brief is to protect public safety and the rule of law. Twenty-three other states and the District of Columbia have also joined the lawsuit, including Washington, Maryland, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Kentucky.
In Lackawanna County, Governor Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger announced new awards through the PA SITES Program. The administration awarded $39 million across 11 projects statewide. PA SITES helps create "shovel-ready" construction sites to strengthen Pennsylvania's economy. Since taking office, Shapiro has invested $113.6 million in 29 projects through the program.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced the state's first-ever glamping accommodations in eight state parks. The state is partnering with Timberline Glamping Company to increase outdoor tourism throughout Pennsylvania.
📰 Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
♟️PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The State House and State Senate were both in legislative session this week. No meaningful negotiations have been conducted towards a FY25-26 Commonwealth Budget deal, but there has been a lot of fiery rhetoric from both sides of the aisle.
On Wednesday, October 8th, the House and Senate Democrats held a press conference to mark 100 days of delay for the Commonwealth’s budget. House Majority Leader Matt Bradford, Speaker Joanna McClinton, and House Appropriations Committee Chair Jordan Harris all discussed their chamber’s willingness to advance bipartisan budget proposals for consideration in the Senate. Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa and Senate Appropriations Committee Minority Chair Vincent Hughes criticized the inaction of Senate Republicans. The speakers insinuated that Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman does not have the votes within his own caucus to pass a budget and urged him to work with the 23 Senate Democrats to come to a budget compromise.
Committee News
House: The House Appropriations Committee met on Wednesday, October 8th, to amend and vote on SB 160, the Senate Republican budget bill. The original draft of SB 160 would provide a “flat-funded” budget for the Commonwealth. This iteration would’ve kept the Commonwealth funded at the levels of the previous year, approximately $47 billion. On a party-line vote, Chairman Harris amended SB 160 to reflect a $50.25 billion budget, $1.3 billion less than what Governor Shapiro initially proposed.
The House then proceeded to bring SB 160 for third consideration. The vote saw all Democrats voting in favor, all but three Republicans voting against, and the measure passing 105-98.
Senate leadership has already indicated that the newly amended SB 160 will not receive consideration when the chamber reconvenes later this month.
Senate: The Senate Appropriations Committee met on Monday, October 6th, to consider SB 1040, Sen. Ward’s bill that authorizes the State Treasurer to waive interest on budgetary impasse loans. The bill was voted out of committee on a party-line vote, with Republicans voting in favor of the bill.
On Wednesday, October 8th, the Senate brought SB 1040 for third consideration. The vote saw all Republicans voting in the affirmative, two Democrats voting for the bill, and the measure passing 29-20. Democrats have expressed concerns over the constitutionality of the bill.
Next Week’s Moves
The House of Representatives and Senate are not in session next week. The Senate is scheduled to return to Harrisburg for a voting session from Monday, October 20, to Wednesday, October 22.
♟️On The Trail: Pennsylvania’s 2026 Elections
State Races
Pennsylvania House District 148
State Representative Mary Jo Daley, Democrat, announced that she will not seek reelection in 2026. Representative Daley has served in this seat since 2012, which is part of Montgomery County. She is currently the Chair of the House Tourism, Recreation, and Economic Development Committee, and has been a champion for women’s rights and public schools while in Harrisburg.