City Hall
Mayor Parker Bans Bump Stocks
In response to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that lifted a federal ban on such items, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker swiftly enacted local legislation prohibiting rapid-fire gun devices like bump stocks and switches.
City Council Investigates Mayor Parker’s Return-to-Office Policy
During a public hearing on Monday, Philadelphia City Council members expressed skepticism over Mayor Cherelle Parker’s plan to require all City workers to return to in-person work full-time by July 15, citing concerns about the impact on working parents and recruitment, and arguing that the decision should have involved union negotiations.
City Tax Reform Commission Holds First Meeting
Philadelphia's Tax Reform Commission, convened by City Council President Kenyatta Johnson (District 2), held its first meeting Monday to address the City’s unusual tax system and is expected to produce recommendations by fall, potentially leading to significant changes in wage and business taxes.
City Credit Ratings in the Green
Philadelphia’s recent credit rating increase has left officials who oversee the city’s infrastructure borrowing optimistic. Fitch Ratings raised Philadelphia’s rating from an A to an A+, indicating a stable financial future ahead and giving the city its highest combination of credit ratings in decades.
Officials Eye Possibilities for Traffic-Safety Funding Despite Vision Zero Cuts
Mayor Parker’s FY25 budget reduces funding for the Vision Zero traffic-safety program by $1.5 million, despite advocacy from pedestrians, cyclists, neighborhood groups, and some City Council members aiming to restore the funds.
Around Town
Kensington Police Force Nearly Triples
Kensington’s police force will nearly triple this week with the arrival of 75 rookie officers to patrol the area and enforce stricter drug laws as part of the City's campaign to dismantle the neighborhood’s open-air drug market.
PA-NJ Bridge Tolls Could Increase 20%
To address inflation concerns and optimize infrastructure safety, the Delaware River Port Authority Board is considering a 20% toll hike for the Betsy Ross, Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, and Commodore Barry Bridges, the most-used Delaware River crossings in the Philadelphia region. If approved, automobile tolls could increase from $5 to $6, marking the first increase since 2011.
Philly Shootings on the Downturn
After three record years of unprecedented gun violence, 2024 shootings in Philadelphia have fallen to their lowest levels in nearly twenty years, despite ongoing challenges and uncertainty about the reasons for the decrease.
Philadelphia OHS Calls “Code Red” Due to Soaring Temperatures
A heatwave has settled over the northeast region of the United States, pushing Philadelphia temperatures into the 90s this week. As a result, the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) has declared a “Code Red” alert for the city.
Rep. Bullock Named CEO of Project HOME
State Representative Donna Bullock (D-Philadelphia) will succeed founders Sister Mary Scullion and Joan Dawson McConnon as CEO of Project HOME, a nationally renowned anti-homelessness nonprofit.
Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger to Close
The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger announced that it will close on June 28 after 28 years of operation, impacting its 12 employees and the food assistance services it provides to more than 500,000 people annually.
Historic SS United States Must Find a New Home
A judge ruled in favor of Penn Warehousing, the landlord that owns the SS United States’ dock. When Penn Warehousing raised the ship’s dockage rates to $1,700 per day in 2021, the conservancy refused to accept the price hike, resulting in a lawsuit between the two entities. Judge Anita Brody ultimately ruled that the conservancy's failure to pay the rent gives Penn Warehousing the grounds to terminate the berthing contract.
Election Update
Temple to Host Trump Campaign Event
Former President Donald Trump will make his fourth trip to Pennsylvania and second visit to Philadelphia in the 2024 cycle during a June 22 campaign stop at Temple University. A Marist poll found Trump outpolling President Joe Biden by two points in the Keystone State, opening the door for the former president to capitalize in Philadelphia, one of Pennsylvania’s Democratic strongholds.
Suburban Spotlight
Bucks County Community College Reaches Out to UArts Students
Hosting a Tuesday information session for University of the Arts (UArts) first- and second-years, Bucks County Community College seeks to make its art curricula available for students who intend to continue their education after UArts’ unanticipated closure. Bucks intends to quell students’ angst and help them navigate a seemingly ambiguous academic future.