Moves on the Board: Week of September 22 - 26, 2025
Denotes a Bellevue Strategies client.
♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
Mayor Parker engaged in a series of public initiatives this week, from touring construction sites, celebrating tech investments, and hosting diplomatic events. The activities ranged from advancing the administration’s housing and sustainability goals to hosting dignitaries and addressing women’s leadership.
On Monday, Mayor Parker and Senator Vincent Hughes toured four housing construction sites in Mantua as part of the mayor's H.O.M.E. initiative, which aims to create 30,000 housing units over the next four years. The following day, Parker joined local elected officials and business leaders for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating Dell Technologies' nearly $1 million investment in artificial intelligence at the company's Hopeworks Kensington office. The Mayor also toured the facility and met young adults participating in AI and workforce development programs.
On Wednesday, the city filed a lawsuit against two companies, alleging they deceived consumers about the recyclability of plastic products, including plastic and Ziploc bags. The suit claims the recycling symbols on these bags mislead consumers since the products cannot be recycled as expected and typically cannot be processed through the city's municipal recycling system, ultimately ending up in landfills.
Mayor Parker addressed attendees at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women's 22nd annual meeting, highlighting the contributions of women in business, government and leadership roles throughout the city. Later Thursday, President of the Republic of Namibia Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited Philadelphia, where she was hosted by Parker and other officials at an informal reception at City Hall. The president received a proclamation and citation before delivering remarks to attendees.
Philadelphia City Council
City Council met on Thursday with many members on leave to attend the Congressional Black Caucus conference in Washington, D.C. Most of the legislation that was introduced consisted of honorary resolutions as well as land bank property transfers. Two notable actions include: the passage of Councilmember Rue Landau’s Fair Chance Criminal Records Screening Standards Bill 250373, which Bellevue has been tracking closely on behalf of a number of clients, and Councilmember Rue Landau introduced legislation on behalf of Councilmember Jamie Gauthier to add additional restrictions for colleges and universities in the Third District prior to selling and/or developing specific-sized properties.
The highlights for new legislation introduced at Thursday’s session are listed below:
Ordinances and Resolutions
Bill 250804 (Councilmember Landau on behalf of Councilmember Gauthier) - This bill would impose new zoning restrictions on the development of properties in University City. This legislation targets all colleges or universities located in the Third District as well as specific uses affiliated with those organizations. This bill seeks to add additional requirements to the existing zoning process.
Resolution 250813 (Councilmember Jones) - Recognizing Philadelphia MED week, October 6 through October 10, 2025, and the contribution to the business community.
Next Week’s Moves
Coming Up:
Monday, September 29, the Committee on Streets and Services will meet to discuss sidewalk cafes, parking regulations, and the designation of bike lanes.
Tuesday, October 1, the Committee on Public Health and Human Services will discuss Bill 250362 regarding child welfare protections.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
In Philadelphia, Governor Shapiro spoke at the 13-State Summit on the importance of this gathering in tackling challenges related to energy reliability and affordability. Governor Shapiro stated that PJM, which coordinates electricity in 13 states serving over 67 million Americans, has been failing its consumers due to rising costs and lack of accountability. He urged the group to work together on energy reform and to get PJM to make improvements to their services.
State Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced that her office will create a $500 million fund to give grants to county governments and pre-K programs across the Commonwealth negatively impacted by the prolonged state budget impasse. The parameters include short-term loans with a 4.5% interest that recipients must agree to pay back within 15 days of the state budget being enacted. Garrity is currently running for the Republican nomination for Governor in 2026, and has been vocal about her critiques against Shapiro.
Lt Governor Austin Davis held a press conference with local district attorneys’ offices, calling on Pennsylvania’s members of Congress to provide additional federal funding to the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). This program provides services to nearly 150,000 people in Pennsylvania each year. The Lt Governor also called for the passage of a state budget and funding for state programs that support victims with funds to cover expenses such as medical bills, counseling, and relocation costs.
Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich announced the expansion of a free legal service and referral helpline to support older adults raising their grandchildren. This resource will support approximately 83,000 grandparents who are full-time caregivers and expands on the administration’s efforts to help senior citizens.
📰 Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
♟️PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
As we move into October, there is still no state budget in place for FY26.
Committee News:
House:
The House Judiciary Committee held a voting hearing on Monday, September 22nd. Of the eleven bills the Committee listed in the agenda, nine bills were voted out of committee. Of note, HB 706, which allows for license to carry firearm fees to be waived by a county for an honorably discharged veteran or an individual 65 years of age or older; HB 728, which requires the Department of Corrections to assist people who are transitioning from incarceration with obtaining identification; HB 1099, which bans ghost guns; HB 1593, which closes the loopholes associated with the sale of long guns; HB 1859, which establishes extreme risk protective orders (ERPO) in the Commonwealth; and HB 1866, which bans “glock switches” and other machine gun conversion devices, were all voted out of committee.
The House Education Committee held a public hearing on Monday, September 22nd. The Committee discussed school facilities and HB 1701. HB 1701 would establish the Public School Facility Advisory Committee to oversee the state of public school buildings throughout the Commonwealth. HB 1701 is scheduled for a vote in the House Education Committee on Tuesday, September 30th.
The House Consumer Protection, Technology, & Utilities Committee held an information hearing on Tuesday, September 23rd to discuss Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in consumer products and how the General Assembly can address these concerns.
The House Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing on Thursday, September 25th discussing technology accelerators and how the Commonwealth can ensure equitable access to its services through the use of technology.
Senate:
The Senate Game & Fisheries Committee held a public hearing on Thursday, September 25th to discuss the land acquisition policy of the Commonwealth. Specifically, the Committee discussed how the Pennsylvania Game Commission determines which land to purchase and how that purchase subsequently impacts the surrounding community.
Next Week’s Moves
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives will return to Harrisburg for a voting session next week on Monday, September 29 to Wednesday, October 1. The Senate is currently scheduled to return to voting session the following week.
♟️On The Trail: Pennsylvania’s 2026 Elections
Local Races
Philadelphia City Council District 5
Jalon Alexander, a lawyer from North Philadelphia, has announced that he has formed an exploratory committee to consider running in the Democratic Primary for Philadelphia’s 5 City Council District to challenge Councilmember Jeffrey “Jay” Young. Alexander is the grandson to former City Commissioner Maurcie Floyd, and previously ran unsuccessfully for an at-large seat in 2023.
State Races
Pennsylvania Governor
The Pennsylvania Republican Party has officially voted to endorse State Treasurer Stacy Garrity for Governor. Garrity announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination a few weeks ago and has yet to see any public challengers. She hopes to defeat Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in the 2026 primary, who has yet to formally announce his bid for reelection.
Federal Races
Pennsylvania Congressional District 10
Karen Dalton, a former staff attorney for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, has announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination in Pennsylvania’s 10 Congressional District. Dalton hopes to unseat Republican Incumbent Congressman Scott Perry, whose seat is seen as a top target for Democrats to flip in 2026.
Pennsylvania Congressional District 14
Former FBI agent and veteran, Alan Bradstock, has announced his candidacy to run for the Democratic nomination in hopes to unseat Incumbent Republican Congressman Guy Reschenthaler. Bradstock became a U.S. Army aviation officer after graduating from college. At the conclusion of his service, he joined the FBI and later became a supervisor in the Counterterrorism Division. .