Mayor Cherelle Parker’s “One Philly” Budget Address

On Thursday, March 14, Mayor Cherelle Parker delivered her first annual Budget Address to City Council, where she unveiled her $6.29 billion FY25 Budget proposal — an approximately $1 million increase over the FY24 budget approved by City Council last June. Her speech echoed her campaign promises of making Philadelphia “safer, cleaner, and greener,” as well as ensuring all residents have economic opportunity through the crafting of innovative policy, nurturing cross-departmental and interagency collaboration, and utilizing data-backed strategies to achieve the city's vision. Read the full transcript of the mayor’s speech here. Below are some of the highlights of the Mayor’s budget proposal.

Public Safety

Mayor Parker highlighted improving public safety — particularly reducing gun violence and addressing the opioid crisis in Kensington — as her top priority. Her proposed budget includes $33 million in new investments in public safety, including the following:

• $877 million Philadelphia Police Department budget for: $24 million for anti-violence community-based organizations.
  • Staffing and recruitment efforts.
  • Increased community policing efforts.
  • Upgrades to equipment and technology, including $45 million for a state-of-the-art forensics lab.
• $3 million investment in the Citizens Police Oversight Commission.
• $100 million+ in new investments for long-term care, treatment, and housing for those suffering from addiction, homelessness, and mental health challenges in Kensington.
• $3.2 million to support youth sports as a means of violence reduction.

Cleaning & Greening

Mayor Parker highlighted the proposed $36 million in new funds for Clean and Green initiatives as the single largest new operating investment in her budget, pointing to the establishment of a new Office of Clean and Green Initiatives headed by Director Carlton Williams, who will be spearheading the multi-agency approach. This portion of the budget includes:

• $18 million for a new Residential Cleaning Program and dedicated cleaning crews for each Councilmanic district.
• $11 million+ to pilot twice-weekly trash collection in neighborhoods most challenged by trash and litter.

Economic Opportunity

Mayor Parker's highlighted public transit and safe roads as a critical means for residents to access economic opportunity, and capital to fund local businesses and spur innovation. This portion of the proposed budget includes:

• $117 million in operating funds for SEPTA to address its fiscal challenges.
• $500 million capital program investment proposed to double the rate of street repaving.
• $20 million in new operating investments for economic opportunity, including:$10 million investment to establish a groundbreaking City College for Municipal Employment in partnership with the Community College of Philadelphia.
  • $1 million to the Accelerator Fund to provide access to capital for developers from historically disadvantaged groups.
  • $1 million to the Innovate Capital Growth Fund to offer diverse entrepreneurs access to equity investments.
• $10 million to support workforce development and apprenticeship programs, focusing on industries such as labor, logistics, life sciences, and biotech.
• $14 million allocated to the "PHL Open for Business" initiative to streamline regulations, facilitate business growth, and provide navigator services for entrepreneurs.

Housing 

Mayor Parker highlighted so-called “middle neighborhoods” as crucial for providing opportunities for low- and moderate-income families to achieve the American Dream. The proposed budget would initiate the creation of 30,000 housing units through a collaboration between the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative (NPI) and the Building Trades. The proposed budget would also facilitate the application system for City-funded home repair programs — including the Basic Systems Repair Program and Restore Repair Renew — through the creation of a "one-front-door" approach, allowing people to apply for multiple programs simultaneously. 

Mayor Parker also stressed the importance of utilizing parcels in the City’s Land Bank, particularly unoccupied and tax delinquent ones. Her administration is working closely with the Sheriff's Office and the Law Department to resolve the issue of tax sales within four weeks — with the goal of the first sale occurring before July 1, 2024 — to generate revenue for the City and School District and transform blighted neighborhoods.

Education

Mayor Parker underlined the importance of prioritizing education in order to provide a world-class education for students of all ages and backgrounds. She proposes implementing a full-day, year-round schooling pilot program in 20 schools beginning in the fall of 2024. She also considers modernizing existing schools and building new ones to be crucial. Her proposed budget includes:

• $24 million+ in new operating investments for education.
• $129 million allocated for the School District of Philadelphia.