Moves on the Board: Week of March 17 - 21, 2025
♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
Mayor Parker was interviewed by NBC10 Philadelphia on Sunday, March 16, to discuss her FY26 City Budget, also known as One Philly Budget 2.0. The Mayor is expected to announce her administration’s budget town hall series later this spring.
On Thursday, March 20, a Philadelphia Police Officer was shot in the line of duty but is in stable condition. Mayor Parker quickly released a statement praising the officer’s heroism.
Mayor Parker announced seven new department appointments on Friday, March 21.
Bills Signed by the Mayor
This week, Mayor Parker signed several pieces of legislation authorizing an appointment to the Old City Special Services District and bike lanes.
City Council
Philadelphia City Council held four committee hearings on public safety, 311 effectiveness, and mobile health crisis units this week.
Legislation Considered
The Committee on Rules met on Wednesday, March 19, to update zoning overlay maps to reflect recent redistricting changes in the Seventh Councilmanic District.
Informational Meetings
The Joint Committees on Public Safety and Public Health & Human Services, led by Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr., met on Monday, March 17, to investigate the expansion of mobile health units to respond to mental health crises in Philadelphia. Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility testified to their goals of improving providers’ response time, expanding barriers, and breaking down pre-existing mental health stigmas.
The Joint Committees on Housing, Neighborhood Development & the Homeless and Licenses & Inspections met on Tuesday, March 20, to discuss landlord accountability for rental living conditions and expanded enforcement through the Department of Licenses & Inspections.
The Committee on Technology and Information Services met on Wednesday, March 19, to discuss Bill No. 250059 sponsored by Councilmember Mike Driscoll to analyze 311 and identify solutions to service delivery challenges. Jocelyn Jones, Executive Director of Philly311, led testimony on behalf of the Parker administration.
City Council met for a legislative voting session on Thursday, March 20.
New Legislation We’re Watching
Councilmember Mark Squilla, on behalf of the Council President, introduced a legislative package to repeal the 76ers legislative package on behalf of the Parker administration. This legislative package to repeal legislation related to the 76Place development has been referred to committee and a hearing date has not yet been scheduled.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. introduced a legislative package to appoint the Citizen’s Police Oversight Commissioners. City Council will consider the following nominations: Haakim Peay, LaTanya Whitehead, Gilberto Gonzalez, Malika Rahman, and Michelle Enix-Kenney.
Councilmember Thomas introduced Resolution No. 250248 authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to analyze preparations at the Philadelphia Museum of Art ahead of major events coming to Philadelphia in 2026.
Legislation Passed This Week
Councilmember Jeffery Young’s non-conformities legislation, Bill No. 240427, was passed yesterday in a 15-2. The Councilmember sponsored this legislation last year in response to the Parker administration’s desire to build a health and wellness center in the Fifth Councilmanic District.
Next Week’s Moves
Mayor Parker will give a speech detailing her administration’s housing policy in a special Philadelphia City Council session on Monday, March 24.
Budget hearings kick off on Tuesday, March 25. 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:
Mayor’s Office
Department of Finance
Board of Pensions
City Treasurer & Sinking Fund
Department of Revenue
Office of Property Assessments
The Committee on Public Health and Human Services will meet on Friday, March 28, to discuss Bill No. 250213 sponsored by Councilmember Nina Ahmad to expand regulation and enforcement of electronic smoking devices.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
The Shapiro administration hosted several press conferences this week highlighting investments in Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget to tackle issues including the opioid epidemic, long-term care facilities, and support programs for victims of crimes. On Friday, March 21, Governor Shapiro unveiled the results of his administration’s Generative AI Pilot Program developed in partnership with the Office of Administration, OpenAI, and Carnegie Mellon University. Utilized in alignment with the administration’s ethics and values, the pilot program saved Commonwealth employees an average of 95 minutes per day. The Shapiro administration will expand the use of AI in government operations and test AI to address customer service challenges.
📰 Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
♟️PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The House of Representatives was in session Monday, March 17, through Wednesday, March 19. House Democrats held several press conferences highlighting Equal Pay Day, juvenile justice reform, and workplace abuse. During this week's session, the House held 21 committee hearings on various issues and passed 17 bills that now move to the Senate.
House Democrats held a Policy Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 19, on sustainable long-term care and industry challenges in the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania’s long-term care providers rely on Medicaid reimbursements to provide core services to older adults. Should the federal government freeze or cut Medicaid funding, it would cause significant disruption to the state’s long-term care economy and older Pennsylvanians in need of services.
While the Senate was not in Harrisburg for legislative session, the Senate Republican Policy Committee held two informational meetings on veterans workforce initiatives and ways to improve healthcare through technology advancements. House Republicans held a policy hearing on Friday, March 21, to discuss the economic competitiveness of Pennsylvania’s energy sector.
Next Week’s Moves
The General Assembly will be in voting session Monday, March 24, through Wednesday, March 26. After next week’s legislative session, the House & Senate will not be in session at the same time until Monday, May 5. Because there is not a joint session week in April, next week is expected to be particularly busy at the State Capitol. Click here to view next week’s House floor schedule to view legislation that will be considered by the House of Representatives. Click here to view the Senate’s legislative calendar.
To view the committee schedule for the House & Senate, click the links below: