Moves on the Board: Week of February 17-21, 2025
Moves & Maneuvers
30,000 Housing Units
Mayor Parker’s new H.O.M.E. Executive Order aims to build or preserve 30,000 units by the end of her first term.
30-Day Advisory Report
The H.O.M.E. initiative mandates its advisory committee to deliver an initial report in 30 days and every six months thereafter.
$17 Million for 2026
City Council’s Appropriations Committee advanced a legislative package providing $17M for events and neighborhood preparations ahead of 2026.
$5 Million for Vision Zero
Advocates urged City Council to allocate $5 million in the FY26 Budget for infrastructure and programs to eliminate traffic fatalities.
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A game-changing investment in Pennsylvania’s future. You’ll have to read on to reveal the answer!
♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
Mayor Parker unveiled her administration’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) initiative on Wednesday, February 19. Housing policy will be a core focus of the Mayor’s second year in office, with the administration working to build or preserve 30,000 units by the end of Mayor Parker’s first term. The H.O.M.E. Executive Order establishes an advisory committee of intergovernmental agencies and private stakeholders who will report their findings in 30 days and then every six months. Overseeing the initiative will be Angela Brooks, Chief of Housing & Urban Development, who joins the Parker administration from the Illinois Office of the Corporation for Supportive Housing. Brooks will report to Jessie Lawrence, Director of Planning and Development. Mayor Parker was expected to announce a significant financial investment with the H.O.M.E. Executive Order, but that announcement is now expected to be made at the Mayor’s Budget Address scheduled for March 13.
Mayor Parker was scheduled to unveil her proposed FY26 budget on March 6. This week, the administration announced she is postponing her presentation to March 13. Postponement by a week or two is not unusual.
Philadelphia City Council
City Council held two public meetings this week in addition to its regularly scheduled voting session on Thursday, February 20.
The Committee on Legislative Oversight met on Tuesday, February 18, to discuss the city’s Vision Zero goals and preventing traffic fatalities. Agency leaders from the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) and Philadelphia Parking Authority provided testimony detailing how their agencies are working to meet Philadelphia’s Vision Zero goals and the necessary funding to improve traffic safety projects. Advocates, including the Bicycle Coalition, Philly Bike Action, AARP, and family members of deceased traffic victims, spoke passionately to fund the Vision Zero office with a $5 million investment in the upcoming FY26 Budget. Mayor Parker signed an Executive Order 4-24 in March 2024, recommitting Philadelphia to eliminating all traffic deaths. Advocates mobilized this past summer after a CHOP physician cycling to work was tragically killed in Rittenhouse Square
The Committee on Appropriations met on Thursday, February 20, to review the Parker administration’s transfer proposal related to capital and operational investments for 2026 preparations. The legislative package provides approximately $17M to organizations planning large-scale celebrations and neighborhoods for preparedness, attraction, and beautification. Council amended and favorably reported the ordinances out of committee. They will receive first consideration next Thursday, February 27, with final passage expected on March 6.
The Parker administration is expected to propose necessary and additional funding for 2026 activities in her FY26 budget.
Here are the highlights from City Council’s Thursday, February 20 voting session.
📜 Legislation We’re Watching
Councilmember Cindy Bass introduced Bill No. 250123 to provide for the suspension of licenses for businesses not in compliance with applicable state regulations and/or whose physical layout significantly differs from the initially approved floor plan.
NEXT WEEK’S MOVES
City Council’s meeting schedule.
The Committee on Streets & Services will hold a hearing on Monday, February 24, reviewing several pieces of legislation establishing parking regulations, streeteries, bike lanes, and more. Add it to your calendar.
The Special Committee on Kensington will meet on Tuesday, February 25, to review its year-end report on the Kensington Community Revival Plan and on Wednesday, February 26, to discuss the city’s current processes and treatments for individuals suffering from substance abuse. Add it to your calendar.
The Committee on Fiscal Stability & Intergovernmental Cooperation will hold a quarterly hearing on Wednesday, February 26, to analyze the City’s fiscal health. Add it to your calendar.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
Shapiro Administration
Shapiro Administration
On Thursday, the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger joined local leaders to tour businesses in Coatesville to highlight proposed investments in Governor Shapiro’s budget. The Governor’s budget aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in economic innovation by including $50 million for the new PA Innovation program. This includes a one-time investment of $30 million for life sciences job growth and $20 million for startup and incubator support.
Pennsylvania Auditor General Tim DeFoor released findings from an audit of five state cyber charter schools. The audit found that the School District of Philadelphia’s Charter School Office was in compliance with the law for reviewing existing and new charter school applications.
📰 Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
♟️PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees kicked off their hearings this week on Governor Shapiro’s FY 2025-2026 budget. The following agencies participated in the hearings.
Department of Revenue
Department of Community & Economic Development
PASSHE and PHEAA
State Police
Department of Transportation
Department of Health
Department of State
State-Related Universities
Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs
Emergency Management Agency
Office of Fire Commissioner
Next Week’s Moves
The General Assembly’s Appropriations hearings continue next week for the following agencies:
Department of Education
Department of Environmental Protection
Department of Aging
Department of Agriculture
Office of the Attorney General
Department of Community & Economic Development
Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
Follow the links below to view each chamber’s hearing schedule with state agencies.
The House of Representatives will reconvene for a legislative session the week of March 17. The House and Senate will be in session the week of March 24.
Did you guess the next move? It’s $50 Million for PA Innovation.
Governor Shapiro’s budget proposes a $50 million PA Innovation Program to boost life sciences job growth and startup incubators.