Moves on the Board: Week of February 3-7
Can you unscramble the emojis to get this week’s major headlines?
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♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
The Parker Administration held a series of public events this week to respond to the tragic plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday, January 31. The administration established the One Philly Fund to support victims of the accident and disasters that occur in the city. The National Board of Safety and Transportation is the lead investigative agency on the plane crash. Over the course of the past week, Mayor Parker and her team put an emphasis on mental health services, insurance claims, business relief, and housing support for victims impacted by the crash.
Mayor Parker was in Harrisburg on Tuesday, February 4 for Governor Josh Shapiro’s budget address. Council President Johnson and other elected officials throughout the Commonwealth also attended the address.
On Wednesday, February 5, the Commerce Department announced its Small Business Catalyst Fund. This $5 million opportunity will award eligible businesses with annual budgets of $2M or lower with grants up to $50,000. The Fund intends to accelerate the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs in the city. In April, eligible businesses can complete an expression of interest form. The Commerce Department will invite businesses to complete full applications in May with the intent of announcing the awards during Summer 2025.
The Parker Administration transmitted operational and capital transfer ordinances (spending bills) to the City Council during a voting session on Friday, February 7. More details on that below.
Philadelphia City Council
Philadelphia City Council did not hold any public committee hearings this week. The Council body convened on Thursday, February 6, for a 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 Kendra Brooks introduced Bill No. 250065, dubbed The Power Act. The bill would provide additional protections for domestic workers, empowers the Department of Licenses & Inspections with additional measures of enforcement to investigate abusive employers, among other protections. This bill will be reviewed by the Committee on Labor and Civil Service.
As Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Councilmember Squilla introduced a transfer ordinance package on behalf of Council President Johnson & the Parker administration. These bills include:
Bill No. 250072 - Authorizing operational appropriations from the Grants Revenue Fund to the General Fund
Bill No. 250073 - Amendments to the Fiscal 2025 Capital Budget
Bill No. 250071 - Amendments to the Six-Year Capital Plan
Councilmember Harrity introduced Bill No. 250066 to impose additional penalties on violators of underground permitting requirements.
Councilmember Jeffery “Jay” Young introduced Bill No. 250064 to clarify the deadline for filing certain actions under the Lead Paint Disclosure and Certification.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. introduced Resolution 250078 authorizing the Joint Committees on Children and Youth and Education to review the Parent University 2.0 website. Parent University is an annual initiative of Councilmember Jones that assimilates resources to promote healthy family habits and educational development.
NEXT WEEK’S MOVES
The Committee on Housing and Neighborhood Development and The Homeless will meet on Wednesday, February 11 at 1:00 PM to discuss housing affordability. Click below to add it to your calendar!
🗓️ City Council is in session on Thursday, February 12. Add it to your calendar.
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♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
Shapiro Administration
On Tuesday, Governor Shapiro gave his second budget address in front of the General Assembly. Overall, the proposed budget is over $51 billion and focuses on continuing the progress of the Governor’s prior administrative goals around economic and business reforms while expanding and supporting the care economy (childcare, healthcare, education, housing). As he did in last year’s budget address, Governor Shapiro continued to call on the General Assembly to pass legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis and skilled games, bringing in new revenue for the Commonwealth. Further, he advocated for increasing the minimum wage to $15.
This is a starting point in negotiations with the General Assembly and outlines the legislative and budgetary agenda for the Shapiro Administration. House and Senate Democrats will champion it throughout the budget process. Overall, the plan represents an increase of $3.57 billion, or 7.5%, over the current fiscal year’s spending.
The Governor’s proposed budget makes targeted investments in central issue areas felt across the geographic landscape of the Commonwealth. Some of the highlights include:
Economic Development - Strengthening Pennsylvania’s economic development through programs like PA SITES, CNIT rate cuts, closing the Delaware loophole, and investing in marketing and promotion ahead of events in 2026;
Education - Deepening the Commonwealth’s investment in Basic Education Funding for public schools, expanding the student-teacher stipend, and increasing pay for childcare providers;
Energy - Launching the “Lightning Plan” to reduce consumer costs, create jobs, and solidify Pennsylvania’s position as a national energy leader. This plan aims to ignite energy development projects in Pennsylvania;
Public Health - Strengthening hospital accessibility in rural Pennsylvania, increasing wages for direct care workers;
Transportation - Increasing mass transit subsidies while supporting infrastructure investments critical to rural communities.
Housing - Releasing the Commonwealth’s Housing Action Plan findings in the coming months and providing financial support for first-time home buyers.
2026 Funding - Investing $64 million across multiple programs to support the planning, safety, and administrative efforts of major events coming to the Commonwealth in 2026.
Password: Budget
📰 Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
Gov. Josh Shapiro proposes nearly $65 million for state Semiquincentennial celebrations - The Philadelphia Inquirer
♟️PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Republican leaders responded to Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal by questioning its overall feasibility as Pennsylvania currently faces a structural deficit with spending out-pacing revenue. Senate Republican Leadership expressed frustration with the overall level of spending and Shapiro’s reliance on potential revenue from skilled gaming and recreational adult-use cannabis, which have not yet become law. They continued that Shapiro's budget proposal would create a $27.3 billion deficit in five years.
Democrats in the House and Senate praised the budget for its priorities, focused on supporting working families and creating economic opportunities. Democratic leaders pledged to work with the Governor to ensure that Pennsylvania remains economically attractive to businesses and not to raise taxes on residents.
Senate Updates:
The Senate passed several bills this week related to energy protections, veteran support services, vehicle emission maintenance programs, and public transit interference laws. These bills were all sent to the House for consideration.
House Updates:
The House passed several bills this week related to updating insurance law language, allergy and food awareness, parking regulations, intermediate unit facilities, and protecting healthcare workers. These bills were all sent to the Senate for consideration.
Committee Updates
Bellevue Public Affairs client, Pennsylvania’s Association of Area Agencies on Aging (P4A) testified at the House Aging & Older Adult Services committee on Monday. Executive Director, Rebecca May-Cole highlighted the important role AAAs serve in supporting critical needs for Pennsylvania’s aging population and the need for increased funding in the upcoming budget.
Bellevue Strategies client, Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) testified at the House Energy Committee on Tuesday. President and CEO, Emily Schapira spoke in support of HB362, legislation that would unlock existing federal funding for the Solar for All Program.
Governor’s Desk
Two bills were sent to the Governor’s desk this week and signed into law.
Caucus Updates & Interest Groups:
The Pennsylvania Animal Protection Caucus (APC) announced its leadership team and legislative priorities for the 2025-2026 session. Co-Chairs Rep. Melissa Shusterman, Rep. Kathleen C. Tomlinson, Sen. Rosemary Brown, and Sen. Nick Pisciottano highlighted their goals forroving animal protection tackling animal cruelty and imp.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) released its “No Hate in Our State” report for 2024. Leaders from the group joined state leaders in the Capitol to discuss discrimination statistics in the Commonwealth from the last two years, and their goal to reduce hate crimes.
State Leaders gathered with criminal justice reform advocates at the Capitol to discuss HB443, legislation that would end life without parole for felony murders.
NEXT WEEK’S MOVES
The Governor’s Budget Address kicks off a series of House and Senate Appropriations Committee meetings throughout the remainder of February and March to review individual department and agency budgets.
The Appropriation Committee’s hearing schedules can be found at the following links:
The House and Senate return to voting session the week of March 24.