Moves on the Board: September 21-25, 2026
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CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
It was a quieter week for Mayor Parker. On Friday, she attended the presidential inauguration of Dr. Brian McCloskey, the eighth president of Chestnut Hill College.
Parker also joined Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones at the Kensington Wellness Support Center for a ribbon-cutting highlighting a joint state-city collaboration expanding access to opioid use disorder treatment. The initiative dispatches a mobile RV-style unit offering methadone, medication maintenance, wound care, and counseling to reach individuals in underserved communities across the city.
Philadelphia City Council
City Council met this week for its second stated meeting of the fall session, with discussion focused on zoning and land use, neighborhood development, public spaces, and several broader policy issues. Council considered legislation addressing solid-waste incineration, the development of public park space in Center City, and the disposition of vacant properties through the Philadelphia Land Bank. Members also introduced resolutions addressing automatic license plate reader technology, property-tax relief, child welfare, and other city and state policy matters.
Ordinances
Bill 260763 (Councilmember Lozada) Authorizing Public Property to enter into a lease agreement with PAID for premises that include land known as Victory Gardens /Emerson Landfill, for remediation, development of a facility, and uses as a training ground.
Resolutions
Resolution 260768 (Councilmember Gauthier on behalf of Council President Johnson) Authorizing streets and services to study the implementation of the Vision Zero Program.
Resolution 260779 (Councilmember O’Rourke) Standing with unionized workers by encouraging residents to boycott Starbucks.
Next Week’s Moves
Coming Up:
Monday, September 28, the Special Committee on City and Private Sector Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies will meet to examine policies affecting minority-, women-, and disabled-owned businesses and consider recommendations to improve their effectiveness.
Tuesday, September 29, the Committee on Rules will consider six bills proposing changes to the City’s zoning maps, including legislation affecting properties in Northwest Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, and along the Frankford Creek corridor.
On Wednesday, September 30, the Committee on Global Opportunities & Creative/Innovative Economy will consider legislation to create a Cost of Living Task Force and authorize hearings on affordability and the cost of living in Philadelphia.
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
On Monday, the Shapiro Administration announced a $42 million investment by Tandem Foods in Allegheny County, for a new food production line for cold-form bar manufacturing. The Administration is investing $420,000 in the project, which aims to create 83 new jobs over the next three years and retain 446 existing positions. This highlights the Governor's priority of putting agriculture at the center of his economic development agenda, which brings innovation and stimulates growth in the Commonwealth.
On Wednesday, Governor Shapiro, First Lady Lori Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, and Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis hosted the third annual State Dinner at the Governor's Residence, honoring 17 Pennsylvanians with the Governor's Keystone Award for their contributions to their communities. Honorees ranged from two original “Rosie the Riveters,” a young woman who created the Holocaust Education Girl Scout Patch, and the parents of a 15-year-old boy who tragically passed away — his parents, with the support of then-State Representative Josh Shapiro, completed, in his honor, the skate park he had begun planning before his death.
Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
Pennsylvania General Assembly
State lawmakers returned to several policy issues this week, with hearings and legislative activity focused on education, Pennsylvania’s growing Latino population, veterans’ services, and cannabis policy.
The House Majority Policy Committee held a hearing on Tuesday examining the state of Pennsylvania’s Latino community, co-hosted with the PA Legislative Latino Caucus. The discussion focused on data and trends related to the Commonwealth’s Latino population, including social, economic, educational, and civic conditions. Rep. Cepeda-Freyitz concluded by reminding everyone to pressure elected officials to begin enacting change regarding Latino representation in the state.
The Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing on Friday, September 25, on adult-use cannabis, examining criminal justice, public safety, enforcement, and the potential economic impacts of legalization.
Next Week’s Moves
Both chambers return to session on Monday, September 28. The House has several committee meetings scheduled throughout the week, including an Appropriations Committee voting meeting on Monday, a Children & Youth Committee meeting, and a Communications & Technology public hearing on HB 2637. The Health Committee will meet on Tuesday to consider several bills and resolutions, while the Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday.
In the Senate, the Law & Justice Committee is scheduled to consider SB 1035 on Tuesday, September 29. On Wednesday, September 30, the Senate Majority Policy Committee will hold a public hearing focused on combating antisemitic hate.
Lawmakers also continue to circulate new legislative proposals, including measures addressing municipal impact fees for data centers, artificial intelligence, economic development, community choice aggregation, and other policy areas.