Moves on the Board: September 28 - October 2, 2026
Denotes a Bellevue Strategies client.
CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
On Monday, Mayor Parker marked her 1,000th day in office at the groundbreaking for the $21.7 million renovation of McPherson Square Library and Park in Kensington — a deliberate choice of venue. Once defined by open-air drug markets and violence, McPherson Square Park became a symbol of the opioid crisis in the mid-2010s. According to Philadelphia Police Department data, the Kensington Police District has seen a 48% decrease in violent crime, a 63% decrease in shootings, and a 47% decrease in homicides since Parker took office. The library renovation is part of a broader strategy that includes the Riverview Wellness Village and the Neighborhood Wellness Court program, and signals the administration's continued investment in the neighborhood's recovery.
On Wednesday, Parker delivered remarks at Women Against Abuse's 19th annual iPledge initiative at City Hall — a public awareness campaign that convenes residents and more than 150 elected officials to take a public stance against domestic violence.
Parker closed the week at the Department of Aviation's 14th Annual Business Opportunity Forum, where she highlighted contracting opportunities at Philadelphia International and Northeast Philadelphia Airports for local, minority- and women-owned businesses — part of the administration's broader push to connect diverse firms to city procurement.
Philadelphia City Council
City Council had a busy week, with hearings focused on affordability, zoning, diversity/economic opportunity, and environmental issues, while Thursday’s stated meeting included a number of bills and resolutions moving through the legislative process. The Academy of Natural Sciences closure continues to be an important oversight matter.
Council introduced a variety of honorary resolutions regarding street renaming as well as bills regarding Philadelphia Zoning Maps. Other relevant bills and resolutions can be found below.
Ordinances
Bill 260799 (Councilmember Young) Authorizing the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation to enter into a multiyear agreement with Broad Street Love Park, LLC for the design, construction, management and operation of a food and beverage concession in Love Park.
Resolutions
Resolution 260803 (Councilmember Thomas) congratulating PS2026 for their successful planning and execution of the FIFA World Cup.
Next Week’s Moves
Coming Up:
Monday, October 5, The Committee on Streets and Services will discuss designation of bicycle lanes and sidewalk cafe encroachments.
Tuesday, October 6, The Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities is meeting to examine the state of transit mobility as well as the SEPTA Student Fare Program.
Wednesday, October 7, The Committee on Finance will discuss authorizing and approving the execution and delivery of a Service Agreement between The City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development relating to the financing and development of a forensics laboratory for the Philadelphia Police Department.
Wednesday, October 7, The Committee on Streets and Services will cover one bill relating to a truck loading zone on 1716 Frankford Avenue between Palmer Street and E. Columbia Avenue.
Wednesday, October 7, The Committee on Legislative Oversight will investigate the closure of the Academy of Natural Sciences and the impact this closure will have on the city of Philadelphia.
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
The Governor’s office announced progress on several earlier Administration commitments to revitalize Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. As part of the 10-year Downtown Pittsburgh Revitalization Plan, the Governor announced on Monday a groundbreaking on new affordable housing units. Overall the Pittsburgh plan will add 327 new housing units to the city and preserve nearly 1,000 more residential units, with a third reserved for affordable housing. Also on Monday, the Governor, Harrisburg officials and local business leaders unveiled the Harrisburg Works for All of Us revitalization plan, developed with input from more than 4,400 residents. The plan commits $64 million in new public and private investment — with the Commonwealth contributing $22.7 million of that total, including $11 million for a new Marriott Hotel and funding for ADA improvements, among other projects.
On Tuesday, First Lady Lori Shapiro, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, and Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis hosted a roundtable to discuss the growing threats to patients and providers at reproductive health care clinics across Pennsylvania, including the federal government's efforts to weaken the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. Since taking office, the Shapiro Administration has invested nearly $343,000 through the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund to support increased safety measures at Planned Parenthood facilities.
On Thursday, Governor Shapiro announced a $152 million investment from Bell & Evans, a fifth-generation Pennsylvania family business, to expand its operations in Lebanon County. The expansion, backed by $2 million in state support through a Pennsylvania First grant, will create at least 382 new jobs over the next three years and retain more than 2,500 existing positions — the latest in a string of major agriculture-sector investments that includes Chobani, Tandem Foods, and Schreiber Foods.
Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The biggest House development was House Bill 280, which passed the chamber 115–88. The bill would establish semi-open primaries, allowing voters registered as unaffiliated/independent to choose either a Democratic or Republican primary ballot while maintaining closed primaries for voters registered with a party. The legislation now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate.
The Senate moved legislation involving senior protections, aging services, EMS, transportation, fire-safety tax incentives and specialty license plates. The minimum wage increase remains stalled in the Senate.
Next Week’s Moves
The Pennsylvania General Assembly returns to Harrisburg October 5–7, with both chambers scheduled for session days. The House has committee activity on environmental legislation, judicial matters, energy reliability, education, human services, and state government, while the Senate’s agenda includes consideration of cannabis regulation, consumer data privacy, REAL ID, and employee ownership legislation.
Lawmakers are approaching the October 14 deadline surrounding skill-game regulation, keeping the issue on the legislative radar.