City Hall

Mayor Parker Unveils Public Safety Plan, Signs Several Executive Orders

Mayor Cherelle Parker marked her 100th day in office by unveiling her administration’s highly anticipated comprehensive plan to enhance public safety citywide, which includes measures to increase police presence across the city, address drug-related issues in Kensington, and improve school safety. The mayor also signed several executive orders in the past week, including the implementation of new anti-discrimination policies for City workers, the re-establishment of the City’s Capital Program Office, and the streamlining of City permit and licensing processes, to name only a few.

City Council Votes to Expand Worker Protections

This morning, Philadelphia City Council passed an expansion of worker protections aimed at providing job security for Center City office building workers. The bill, which was pocket vetoed by former Mayor Jim Kenney in December, now heads to Mayor Cherelle Parker's desk for approval.

Budget Hearings Update

Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services faced scrutiny from City Council members during this week’s budget hearings due to its overspending of nearly $15 million the previous year. Council members demanded further accountability measures and further investigation into the finances of OHS. Last week’s hearings wrapped up with a deep dive into the new Office of Clean & Green Initiatives.

The full schedule of FY25 budget hearings and a link to watch them can be found here. The following hearings are coming up next week:

• SEPTA, Department Callbacks (Wednesday, April 24 at 10 a.m.)
• Public Testimony (Wednesday, April 24 at 1:30 p.m.)

Upcoming Committee Hearings

Philadelphia City Council holds several public hearings throughout the legislative calendar year. Watch here.

• A Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Committee hearing on Thursday, April 18 at 1 p.m. will include testimony regarding a proposed multiyear agreement with Bennett Compost, Inc., for food scrap collection and management of a compost facility on City property.
• A Committee of the Whole hearing on Friday, April 19 at 11 a.m. will include testimony on the confirmation of Mayor Parker’s School Board appointees.

Around Town

Philadelphia School District to Discontinue “Leveling”

On Tuesday, Superintendent Tony Watlington, Sr. announced that the Philadelphia School District will allocate $8.8 million to hire more teachers for overenrolled schools, thereby permanently discontinuing the controversial practice of “leveling” — shifting teachers to reflect actual enrollment weeks into the school year.

Pew Publishes 2024 State of the City Report

Philadelphia has made great strides in the past year, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts’ 2024 State of the City report, which found that the city has experienced a decline in poverty rates, violent crime, and the number of uninsured residents — who are now more educated than ever. However, the city still faces a number of challenges, including the ongoing opioid epidemic, a surge in property crime, and institutional struggles pertaining to the impending expiration of federal relief aid.

Wawa Celebrates 60th Birthday

Delaware County-based Wawa celebrated its 60th anniversary this week with festivities across its stores nationwide. Celebrations at its Philadelphia flagship store included free coffee from retro '60s cups and hoagies wrapped in '60s-themed paper, as well as the unveiling of a Wawa exhibit at the National Constitution Center.

Philadelphia Among Cities Considered for WNBA Expansion

On Monday, Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced plans to expand the league to 16 teams by 2028, naming Philadelphia among the cities being considered for a franchise. The Bay Area is set to receive a team for the 2025 season.

Election Update

President Biden Visits Philadelphia Ahead of PA Primaries

Ahead of Pennsylvania’s primary elections next Tuesday, President Joe Biden accepted an endorsement by the Kennedy family during a speech in Philadelphia today, capping a week full of campaign stops throughout the Commonwealth.