Moves on the Board: Week of Jan 20-24, 2025
♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
On Tuesday, January 21, Mayor Parker signed an executive order establishing the Wellness Court Program in Kensington, a pillar of the Parker administration’s public safety strategy for combating the opioid epidemic in Kensington. Individuals arrested through the Wellness Court Program are transported to the Riverview Wellness Center for services. The Riverview Wellness Center opened earlier this month, and Mayor Parker held her first cabinet meeting of the year at the site.
On Wednesday, January 22, Mayor Parker announced the resignation of Amy Eusebio, Executive Director of Immigration Affairs. Her office will conduct a nationwide search to determine a new director for the Office of Immigrant Affairs.
Philadelphia City Council
City Council returned from their holiday recess to their first voting session of 2025.
Committee Meetings: The Law & Government Committee met yesterday to discuss Philadelphia’s preparedness to protect immigrants and marginalized communities during the incoming Trump Administration.
The Legislative Oversight Committee met to discuss Philadelphia’s gaming economy. University professors, game developers, and other community members highlighted the challenges hindering Philadelphia’s gaming sector. They provided a variety of policy solutions for lawmakers to consider to foster development and push Philadelphia to become a leader in the industry. Establishing Philadelphia as a center for gaming is a priority of Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.
Voting Session: City Council was back in action for a voting session this week. Liz McCollum, who has been serving as Interim Clerk since the unexpected passing of Chief Clerk Michael Decker last year, was officially sworn in as the Chief Clerk for Philadelphia City Council yesterday. The Chief Clerk plays a vital role in the administration and operation of City Council. City Council passed X bills, X resolutions calling for a committee hearing, and several ceremonial resolutions.
📜 Legislation We’re Watching
Committee hearings continue to be scheduled to review legislation introduced during the fall session. We are watching the following legislation introduced at yesterday’s Council session (and others):
Councilmember Jim Harrity introduced Resolution No. 250028 authorizing the Committee on Labor to hold a hearing to discuss Philadelphia’s soda tax.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas introduced Bill No. 250017 to provide technical amendments to the previously passed Prison Oversight Commission legislation. Because this legislation amends the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter (i.e., the city’s constitution), it must be passed in its new form by City Council and signed by the Mayor before being placed on the ballot for a city-wide vote in the next election.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas introduced a resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings to examine the practice of reassignment rooms within the School District of Philadelphia.
Councilmember Kendra Brooks introduced Bill No. 250027, authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold a hearing on detainer policy in the City of Philadelphia and calling on the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania to provide an overview of its policies and practices regarding detainer issuance for individuals with post-trial probation and parole sentences.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. introduced Bill No. 250020 authorizing the Committee of the Whole to conduct hearings to assess the implementation of a mandatory millage rate adjustment review in response to city-wide property assessments conducted by the Office of Property Assessment to maintain revenue neutrality to alleviate increasing tax burdens on Philadelphia taxpayers.
NEXT WEEK’S MOVES
Philadelphia City Council has one committee meeting and voting session next week.
Coming Up
The Committee on Streets and Services will meet on Wednesday, January 29, at 10 AM to hear requests for sidewalk cafes and parking regulations. The committee will also discuss illegal dumping and practices to end this activity as the Parker administration works to make Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, and greenest big city in the nation.
🗓️ City Council is in session on Thursday, January 30, 2025. Add it to your calendar.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
Shapiro Administration
Governor Josh Shapiro released a short video spotlighting the accomplishments of his first two years in office. Here are a few highlights of the Shapiro administration’s first two years in office:
On Tuesday, January 21, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, incumbent State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, and incumbent State Auditor General Tim DeFoor were all sworn into their respective offices for four-year terms.
Bellevue Strategies’ Julie Platt interviewed Auditor General Tim DeFoor this week to discuss his accomplishments in the role from previous sessions and what he is looking forward to as he enters a new term. To read the full interview, check out the Bellevue Compass.
📰 Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
Statement from Governor Josh Shapiro on the Inauguration of President Donald Trump
Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy Walker highlighted a $400K investment to expand Early Childhood Education Pre-Apprenticeship Programs.
♟️PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
On Sunday, January 19, 2025, Representative Matthew Gergely (D-35), passed away after suffering from a medical emergency on New Year’s Eve. Rep. Gergely represented part of Allegheny County and was elected in February 2023 in a special election to replace Lt. Governor Austin Davis.
“My heartfelt thoughts and condolences go out to the Gergley family and the McKeesport community during this difficult time. Rep. Gergley’s passing is a deep loss to the Commonwealth and House of Representatives,” said Mustafa Rashed, President and CEO of Bellevue Strategies.
Due to Representative Gergely’s passing, the House majority is tied, with Democrats and Republicans having 101 members each. Despite the tie, House Democrats retain their position as the majority party.
Special Elections:
House: A special election has been called for March 25, 2025, to replace the late State Representative Matt Gergely (D-35). District 35 covers part of Allegheny County. Currently, neither party has chosen a candidate to fill the vacancy.
Senate: A special election has also been scheduled on March 25, 2025, to replace former State Senator Ryan Aument (R-36) who resigned to join U.S. Senator Dave McCormick’s office. District 36 covers Lancaster County. Democrats have chosen East Petersburg Mayor James Andrew Malone as their party nominee. The Republican Committee will meet on January 25 to select their nominee. The current two leading Republican candidates are Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons and State Rep. Brett Miller.
Committee News: House and Senate committees will resume session next week from Monday, January 27th, to Wednesday, January 29th. The list of committee hearings for both chambers can be found at the following links.
NEXT WEEK’S MOVES
The General Assembly will be in session next week, from Monday, January 27th to Wednesday, January 29th.
🗓️ Coming Up: Governor Josh Shapiro will deliver his budget address on Tuesday, February 4 at 12:30 PM. Add to Google Calendar