Moves on the Board: Week of February 10-14
Two Truths and a Lie
1. Mayor Parker delivered a speech at the Chamber of Commerce Luncheon highlighting improvements to public safety and city cleanliness.
2. The Commerce Department launched the “Liberty Bell Safe Certification Program” to help nightlife businesses address challenges during late operating hours.
3. Mayor Parker’s upcoming executive order will ban all late fees for residential tenants in Philadelphia.
Which one do you think is a lie? You’ll have to read below to find out!
♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
Mayor Parker kicked off the week by celebrating the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory. On Wednesday, February 12, she delivered an address at the Annual Mayoral Luncheon hosted by The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. Her speech highlighted her administration’s successes, which include improvements to public safety in Philadelphia and the city’s cleanliness.
The Mayor also outlined her priorities for the administration’s second year in office with their top priorities being a fiscally sound FY26 Budget and an audacious housing policy. Mayor Parker revealed that the administration will unveil a new executive order to tackle the housing crisis in Philadelphia next week. Bellevue Strategies will break down that executive order in next week’s Government Relations Update. Additionally, the administration will negotiate four major municipal contracts in conjunction with the FY26 Budget negotiations. The Mayor indicated her desire to implement tax code changes but is waiting on the highly anticipated Tax Reform Commission report and recommendations. The Commission convened by Council President Kenyatta Johnson, is expected to release recommendations in the coming weeks. The significance of 2026 in our nation’s birthplace and the opportunity of 2026 to paint a positive future for the City of Philadelphia permeated her speech.
The Commerce Department continued its stream of initiatives to make the city more business-friendly with an announcement on Thursday, February 13, unveiling the Liberty Bell Safe Certification Program. This new, interagency program managed by the Office of Nighttime Economy provides training for businesses to respond to specific challenges faced during nighttime business hours. Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, who spearheaded the creation of the Nighttime Economy Office, was recognized for his role and leadership on this front.
Philadelphia City Council
Philadelphia City Council met on Thursday, February 13 for its regular voting session.
📜 Legislation We’re Watching
These bills were referred to committee. Committee meetings for newly introduced legislation have not been scheduled at this time.
Councilmember Jeffrey “Jay” Young introduced Bill No. 250101 to limit the late fees that may be charged to residential tenants.
Councilmember Jeffery “Jay” Young introduced Resolution No. 250109 authorizing the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to hold a hearing to investigate the potential locations of a new intercity bus terminal.
Councilmember Squilla introduced legislation on behalf of the Parker administration authorizing the administration to enter into an agreement with the Philadelphia Energy Authority for an energy savings contract at specified city properties.
Councilmembers Curtis Jones, Jr. & Mark Squila introduced legislation to make zoning changes in their respective districts.
NEXT WEEK’S MOVES
City Council’s calendar is packed next week with several hearings scheduled. Council will meet on Thursday, February 20, for its regularly scheduled voting session. More details on next week’s hearings can be found below.
The Committee on Legislative Oversight will meet on Tuesday, February 18, at 1:00 PM (add it to your calendar) to discuss Resolution No. 240700 and analyze the City’s progress towards achieving its Vision Zero goals. Councilmember Isaiah Thomas introduced this resolution.
The Committee on Appropriations will meet on Thursday, February 20 (Add it to your calendar) at 1:00 PM to discuss the 2026 transfer ordinance legislative package (spending bills) which includes the following bills: Bill No. 250071, Bill No. 250072, and Bill No. 250073.
Several hearings have been scheduled for the week of February 24 - 28. To view the City Council calendar, click here.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
Shapiro Administration
On Wednesday, February 12, Lt. Governor Austin Davis and Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis convened with business leaders, parents, and care providers to discuss Governor Shapiro’s proposed FY25-26 Budget investments in childcare and early learning services. The Lt. Governor specifically highlighted the Administration’s efforts to address the childcare workforce shortages through innovative recruitment and retention strategies.
📰 Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
♟️PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The House and Senate were not in session this week. Both chambers will return to session at the end of March, after the conclusion of the Appropriation Hearings on Governor Shapiro’s proposed FY 2025-2026 budget.
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees will begin hearings next week on Tuesday, February 18, and will conclude on Thursday, March 6. Follow the links below to view the full schedule of each chamber’s hearing with state agencies.
The House will return to session on Monday, March 17, and the Senate will return to session with the House on Monday, March 24.
Two Truths and a Lie:
And the lie is….statement number 3!
While Mayor Parker is issuing an executive order on housing, it’s not specifically about banning late fees. Instead, there’s separate Council legislation proposing limits on late fees (Bill No. 250101), but that’s different from the Mayor’s planned executive order.