CITY HALL

City Council Set to Undergo Once-in-a-Generation Transformation

With six members of City Council resigning to run for mayor, as well as council president’s upcoming retirement, City Council will continue to change significantly as new members come into office and others transition to leadership positions. Read our detailed run-down of the current state of the at-large and district City Council races, as well as the behind-the-scenes race to become council president. 

Mayor Kenney to Give Final Budget Address in Office

This morning, Mayor Jim Kenney is set to propose a $6.1 billion budget during his address to City Council — the last he will give during his term. Modest city wage and business tax cuts, property reassessments freezes, and a new Transportation Fund are expected to be included. Once Mayor Kenney’s budget proposal has been introduced, the proverbial ball will be in City Council’s court, and council members will have until June to negotiate amendments as they see fit and approve the final budget. Read the Public Strategies’ team summary of the budget here.

PIDC Names Jodie Harris As Next President

Last week, the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) announced that Jodie Harris has been selected as the organization’s next president — the first African American woman to serve in the role in the organization’s 65-year history. With experience gleaned from her time as director of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund — as well as other public, private, and nonprofit organizations — she will be responsible for leading PIDC’s mission to help drive economic growth throughout the city. She will officially assume the role in June, taking the reins from Executive Vice President and Interim President Sam Rhoades.