Moves on the Board: Week of March 2-7
Who Sponsored That Bill?
A. Bill No. 250174 – Extends the deadline for low-income taxpayers to apply for a refund or forgiveness of Real Estate Taxes.
B. Resolution on Illegal Dumping – Seeks stronger enforcement and public transparency measures for known dumping offenders.
C. Public Safety & Legislative Oversight Resolution – Targets reduction of Philadelphia’s prison population with the goal of closing the Detention Center.
D. Vaping Legislation – Aims to curtail youth e-cigarette use and strengthen enforcement against underage sales.
E. Resolution No. 250194 – Honors A. Bruce Crawley for his leadership in Philadelphia’s business and civic sectors.
♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
On Tuesday, March 4, Mayor Parker was joined by Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Jamie Gauthier, in addition to other city leaders for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of new housing that is part of the city’s Turn the Key initiative. Programs like Turn the Key are core tenants of the Mayor’s H.O.M.E. policy with a goal to build or restore 30,000 housing units in the city. This ribbon cutting celebrated homeowners like Shakeda Gaines, Councilmember Kendra Brook’s Chief of Staff, who recently purchased her first home through the Turn the Key program. Congratulations, Shakeda!
Mayor Parker celebrated City Council’s passage of the 2026 appropriations package (contained in a transfer ordinance) on Thursday, March 6. The Parker administration will invest close to $60 million for event execution, public safety preparedness, tourism marketing and readiness, and capital improvements ahead of a monumental year for Philadelphia. The package recognizes and invests in Bellevue Strategies’ clients Philadelphia Soccer 2026, Visit Philadelphia, and Mural Arts Philadelphia. The Parker administration is expected to include even more investments to support 2026 events in her forthcoming proposed budget.
On Thursday, March 6, the National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report about the tragic plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia. The report did not include information about the cause of the crash, which will not be shared until the final report expected in 2026. The Parker administration has continued to uplift mental health services for victims of the crash and resources for local businesses as they recover from this traumatic incident.
The Parker administration announced a $3.6 million grant fund to support communities disproportionately impacted by the opioid epidemic on Friday, March 7. The funding will be administered by the Office of Public Safety led by Director Adam Geer and awardees to be named later this year. The grant awards will be directed to organizations in Kensington and North Philadelphia that are serving the community and working to combat the opioid epidemic. Our client, Impact Services, had this to say about the announcement:
““Mayor Parker and her team are showing up for Kensington. They are taking responsibility for deploying resources to simplify processes and align solutions to these complex problems. This is the Mayor being accountable to Philadelphians.””
Philadelphia City Council
This week Philadelphia City Council held multiple hearings on issues ranging from illegal dumping to youth vaping.
The Committee on Streets & Services met on Monday, March 3, to analyze illegal dumping and steps taken by the Parker administration to combat this pervasive issue. The legislation was sponsored by Councilmember Anthony Phillips, who represents the Ninth Councilmanic District. Carlton Williams, Director of the Office of Clean & Green, testified on behalf of the administration. Community activists called for the city to publicize the names of illegal dumping perpetrators and that the city withhold contracting opportunities from illegal dumpers. Director Williams led the Mayor’s block-by-block cleaning effort that kicked off last year and acknowledged that the city is working to accelerate enforcement efforts.
The Joint Committees on Public Safety & Legislative Oversight met on Tuesday, March 4, to examine necessary actions to reduce the Philadelphia prison population with the goal of closing the Detention Center. Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke, an At-Large member of the legislature, sponsored this legislation. Philadelphia Department of Prisons Commissioner Michael Resnick, Deputy Commissioner Xavier Beaufort, and District Attorney Larry Krasner testified before the committee. Testimony indicated that the prison population had been reduced by 20% since July 2024.
The Committee on Public Health & Human Services met on Tuesday, March 4, to analyze the prevalence of e-cigarettes and vaping among children in Philadelphia and enforcement efforts. This legislation was sponsored by Councilmember Nina Ahmad (At-Large). The panel heard from public health experts and collected recommendations, which ranged from implementing a public health campaign for young people and their parents to enforcement measures.
The Committee on the Environment met on Wednesday, March 5, to evaluate the progress toward implementing the Philly Tree Plan to improve the city’s tree canopy. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson, Deputy Commissioner of Operations Susan Buck, and Deputy Commissioner for Planning, Property & Strategic Engagement Leigh Ann Campbell provided testimony on behalf of the administration. Commissioner Slawson indicated that the city is taking a proactive approach to the Philly Tree Plan to plant trees in priority neighborhoods and has collaborated with the PHL Taking Care of Business (TCB) to plant trees in commercial corridors. The Philly Tree Plan will release its three-year program report card in Spring 2026.
Philadelphia City Council met for a speedy voting session on Thursday, March 6. The following new legislation was introduced yesterday:
Councilmember Ahmad introduced Resolution No. 250194 on behalf of Council President Johnson, recognizing A. Bruce Crawley for his leadership and contributions to Philadelphia’s business, hospitality, and political communities. Crawley is the founder of the African American Chamber of Commerce and a founding member of Visit Philadelphia.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier introduced Bill No. 250174 to extend the deadline for low-income taxpayers to apply for a refund or forgiveness of Real Estate Taxes.
Councilmembers introduced district-specific legislation pertaining to zoning and sidewalk cafes.
Legislation Passed This Week
The 2026 Appropriations transfer package was passed by the City Council to support the planning and preparation of global events in Philadelphia in 2025 and 2026.
NEXT WEEK’S MOVES
Mayor Parker will deliver her Budget Address & Proposed FY26 Budget on Thursday, March 13. The Mayor’s Budget Address will be streamed live on her official Facebook page.
City Council has one committee meeting next week and its regularly scheduled voting session before the Committee of the Whole begins its marathon of budget hearings examining every City department’s proposed budget.
The Committee on Streets & Services will hold a hearing on Tuesday, March 11, reviewing several pieces of legislation establishing parking regulations, streeteries, automated speed enforcement in school zones, and more.
The City Council announced its budget hearing schedule, which will begin on Tuesday, March 25, and conclude on Wednesday, May 14.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
On Monday, Lt. Governor Austin Davis highlighted the Shapiro administration’s investment in community safety. He announced the distribution of $45 million in the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime Delinquency (PCCD) Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) grants awarded to multiple community organizations focused on reducing crime. The Lt. Governor additionally highlighted the proposed $10 million increase in the Governor’s proposed FY2025-2026 budget to both VIP and the Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) programs.
On Wednesday, Governor Shapiro signed an executive order aimed at streamlining the hiring process for recently laid-off federal employees to find employment with the Commonwealth. The Governor is looking to fill approximately 5,600 state job openings. Other Democratic Governors in neighboring states are also taking steps to support federal employees transitioning to the state level.
On Thursday, Governor Shapiro visited Temple University Health System, where he highlighted his administration’s efforts to grow the nursing and health professional workforce. His proposed budget includes $5 million for workforce development initiatives specifically for nursing professionals.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs joined maternal health leaders in Allegheny County to highlight the administration’s proposals to identify and support postpartum depression more efficiently. Shapiro’s budget proposal for FY 2025-2026 includes a $5 million investment to study and prevent maternal mobility and mortality.
📰 Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
♟️PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees concluded their hearings this week on Governor Shapiro’s FY 2025-2026 budget. The following agencies participated in the hearings:
Department of Corrections
PA Parole Board
Public Utility Commission
Department of Human Services
PA Emergency Management Agency
Office of Fire Commissioner
Department of Insurance and PENNIE
PA Treasury
Governor’s Budget Office/Executive Offices
Office of Auditor General
Committee News
House:
The House Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing on Wednesday, March 5, in Philadelphia to discuss “Keeping PA’s Economy Moving,” at the new Local 98 Training Facility located in the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Bellevue clients, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, and The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia each provided testimony on the needed state investments in public transportation and infrastructure. Testifiers called on the Shapiro Administration to prioritize these investments in the budget and highlighted the positive impact that increased funding for SEPTA and key infrastructure projects would have on the City of Philadelphia.
The House Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs held a public hearing on Thursday, March 6, to discuss reducing food insecurity and waste. Bellevue Strategies client, Share Food Program, provided testimony on the critical role the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture plays in the fight against food insecurity and the vital link organizations such as Share provide in ensuring individuals facing food insecurity do not go hungry.
Next Week’s Moves
Upcoming Hearings:
The House Democratic Policy Committee is hosting a public hearing on Monday, March 10, to discuss healthcare accessibility and hospital closures.
The House Finance Committee is hosting a public hearing on Wednesday, March 12, to discuss new legislation on the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, which would provide taxpayers a percentage of what they receive from the federal Earned Income Tax Credit.
The House of Representatives will reconvene for a legislative session on March 17. The House and Senate will both be in voting session the week of March 24.
Game Answer Key
Councilmember Anthony Phillips (Ninth District)
2. Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke (At-Large)
3. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (Third District)
4. Councilmember Nina Ahmad (At-Large)
5. Council President Kenyatta Johnson (introduced “on behalf of,” but recognized as sponsor)