Moves on the Board: Week of April 7 - 11, 2025

♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

Parker Administration

Last weekend, the Mayor celebrated the 18th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup at sites across the city. Mayor Parker kicked this week off by delivering remarks at the Main Street Now Conference on Monday, April 7, at the Kimmel Center. Main Street Now is the largest national conference that convenes leaders to address economic development in downtowns and commercial corridors. On Tuesday, April 8, the administration announced a new element to Philly Stat 360 to track the city’s housing initiatives. Philly Stat 360 launched earlier this year and regularly updates data points demonstrating the Parker administration’s progress in key policy areas. After much discussion in City Council budget hearings about the future of the city’s investment in the SEPTA Key Program, the Mayor announced on Wednesday, April 9, that the administration would continue this benefit for municipal workers. 

On Thursday, April 10, Mayor Parker met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Bellevue Strategies client Philadelphia Soccer 2026 at Lemon Hill, the site of the FIFA Fan Festival celebrations during the 2026 World Cup. Earlier today, President Infantino announced a $1 million legacy donation to grow soccer in Philadelphia. Also, on Thursday, the Mayor held another community budget town hall at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center in Fairhill.

City Council

City Council continued budget hearings this week focusing on the Philadelphia Police Department, Office of Public Safety, Managing Director’s Office, and Prison Department.. 

The Committee on Appropriations was scheduled to meet on Thursday, April 10, to discuss the FY25 Transfer Ordinance introduced in March. However, that meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, April 21. 

The Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development & The Homeless met on Monday, April 7, to discuss two bills (Bill Numbers 250044 and 250045) related to the Philadelphia Code entitled “Landlord and Tenant.” These bills address security deposits and rental requirements.  

The Committee on Streets & Services met on Monday, April 7, to discuss fifteen bills addressing topics such as revising lines and grades, using an automated speed enforcement system, handicap parking, and sidewalk cafes.

City Council met for their legislative session on Thursday, April 10.  

New Legislation We’re Watching

• Councilmember O’Rourke introduced the Safe Healthy Homes Act, a package of bills that would create a property inspection program, strengthen tenant protections, reform lease termination requirements, and establish an anti-displacement fund. The bills reflect the priorities of the Safe Healthy Homes platform, championed by OnePA Renters United Philadelphia and Philly Thrive.

• Councilmember Squilla introduced bill No. 250332 on behalf of Council President Johnson to extend tax benefits for specific properties under the Keystone Opportunity Zone program. The bill adds specific parcels, such as sites on Constitution Avenue, Rouse Boulevard, and Huntingdon Street, to the list of eligible properties that can receive exemptions from various state and local taxes. These extensions will only take effect if the state’s Department of Community and Economic Development approves. 

• Councilmember Gauthier introduced bill No. 250324 to expand a tax credit program that supports businesses contributing to nonprofits focused on community development and healthy food initiatives. The bill allows more businesses to participate and designates specific nonprofits working on healthy food access as eligible recipients. These changes aim to increase funding for efforts that bring nutritious food to underserved communities.

• Councilmember Gauthier also introduced bill No. 250325 to permit Mobile Food Vendors to remain parked overnight in certain sections of the City.

Ceremonial: Council President Kenyatta Johnson welcomed FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who addressed the City Council regarding the upcoming 2025 Club World Cup and 2026 FIFA World Cup, both of which will include matches in Philadelphia. Infantino also announced that FIFA would donate $1 million to support local soccer programming and mini-pitches development across the city. Here is the Inquirer article covering the FIFA visit to Philadelphia.

Next Week’s Moves

If you’d like to keep up with City Budget hearings, check out City Council’s Budget Center for the full schedule and relevant documents. The following departments will testify during budget hearings next week:

• Planning & Development

• Public Property

• Fleet Services

• Free Library of Philadelphia

• Philadelphia Parks & Recreation

• SEPTA

Coming Up: 

• The Committee on Legislative Oversight will meet on Monday, April 14, for its second hearing on the the city’s preparations for events in 2026 including the FIFA World Cup, Semiquincentennial, and MLB All-Star Game. Bellevue Strategies clients Visit Philadelphia and Philadelphia Soccer 2026 will testify. 

The Committee on Rules will meet on Monday, April 14, to repeal the 76Place legislative package and return proposed zoning to its former state.

♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Shapiro Administration

On Tuesday, Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Valerie Arkoosh visited Penn Highlands Healthcare to highlight the Governor’s proposed budget which invests in the rural healthcare workforce. The budget includes $10 million to support rural hospitals on the brink of closures and budget cuts. It also aims to expand the Primary Care Loan Repayment Program. 

Governor Shapiro spent Tuesday delivering remarks at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s State Legislative Conference Luncheon, further highlighting his administration’s priority for the agricultural industry. 

On Wednesday, Governor Shapiro visited small businesses in Lancaster to highlight his support for main streets across Pennsylvania. His administration announced an investment in 81 community projects through its Main Streets Matter program, which aims to strengthen local economies. 

Bellevue Strategies’ client, The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, hosted its annual Governor’s Reception at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. The Governor joined business and community leaders to discuss his legislative priorities, including protecting Pennsylvania farmers, preserving food access, and increasing funding for public transportation.

On Thursday, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and the Office of Victim Advocates joined victim service organizations to highlight the Governor’s proposed investment of $9 million in the Victim Compensation Assistance Program. During the past five years, PCCD has paid over 67,000 victims through the Assistance Program. 

📰 Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom

• Governor Josh Shapiro Announces 81 New Main Street Matters Investments to Create Economic Opportunity for Small Businesses and Strengthen Communities Across Pennsylvania

• Governor Shapiro Announces Key Investment in Hitachi Energy to Create Jobs and Economic Growth in Westmoreland County

• Governor Shapiro Delivers Keynote at Pennsylvania Farm Bureau State Legislative Conference in Harrisburg, Highlighting His Administration’s Historic Investments in Agriculture to Support the Commonwealth’s Farmers, Growers, and Producers

• Main Street Matters: Governor Shapiro Visits Downtown Lancaster Businesses to Highlight His Administration’s Historic Investments in Main Streets and Small Businesses All Across Pennsylvania

♟️PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The House of Representatives met in Harrisburg for a voting session Monday, April 7 through Wednesday, April 9. 

• Committee News:

• House:

• The House Tourism, Recreation & Economic Development Committee held an informational meeting on Monday, April 7, to discuss the United States Semiquincentennial Celebration. Philadelphia’s 2026 Director, Michael Newmius, joined other counties’ 2026 leadership to share information about the City of Philadelphia’s plans. 

• On Tuesday, April 8, the House Commerce Committee met to discuss several pieces of legislation and reported HB722 out of committee, which amends the definition of cremation to include alkaline hydrolysis. Bellevue Strategies is advocating for our client Laurel Hill Cemetery to pass this legislation into law. 

• Press Conferences:

• House Speaker Joanna McClinton and fellow House Democrats held a press conference on Monday to support House Bill 670, which aims to protect reproductive rights in Pennsylvania. The bill's sponsor, Representative Lindsay Powell, explained that this legislation, known as the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, aims to criminalize obstructing access to a reproductive health care clinic. 

• On Wednesday, House Speaker Joanna McClinton joined elected officials and gun violence advocates for a press conference on legislation that deters gun violence. Advocates highlighted legislation including extreme risk protection orders, universal background checks, and banning ghost guns, which would help make our communities safer. 

• On Friday, Philadelphia House and Senate Democrats held a rally at Philadelphia City Hall calling for investments in SEPTA. This comes after SEPTA announced their proposed budget would include substantial price increases and drastic service cuts starting this fall and January 1, 2026. SEPTA and impacted constituencies continue to seek funding from the Commonwealth to close a $213 million annual structural deficit.

Next Week’s Moves

The House returns to Harrisburg for a voting session on Tuesday, April 22, through Thursday, April 24 

The Senate returns with the House for a voting session on Monday, May 5, through Wednesday, May 7