Publications
April 25, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
April 24, 2024
DETROIT — Newlab Startups Ignite Detroit's Tech Renaissance
One year in, the members-only shared workspace, research lab, and venture platform in the former Book Depository building next to Michigan Central Station is driving innovations and creating a pipeline for new businesses to come into the city.
April 18, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
April 11, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
April 10, 2024
CHICAGO — Gov. JB Pritzker Announces Plan to Make Chicago Quantum Technology Capital
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced a plan to make Chicago a quantum technology capital at M-Hub, a business incubator on Chicago’s Near West Side that plays home to prototype shops and laboratories.
April 08, 2024
In Episode 3 of State AG Pulse, Meghan Stoppel and Siran Faulders dive into the AG and other Pennsylvania races with Jim Davis and Joe Hill of Cozen Public Strategies and consider how voter demographics in PA and other swing states will play into the outcomes in November.
April 04, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
March 28, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
March 27, 2024
LOS ANGELES — How Tech Sector Downturn has Hurt L.A. Office Market
The Los Angeles tech office space saw fourth-quarter leasing drop to 2.2 million square feet from nearly 3 million square feet the year before.
March 21, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
March 18, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
March 14, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
March 13, 2024
CHICAGO — CTA Calls on Private Companies to Submit Tech Solutions to Improve System
Last week, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) launched the CTA Innovation Studio — calling on private-sector companies to submit ideas that could solve some of the transit agency’s problems.
March 07, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
February 29, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
February 28, 2024
Joseph Hill and Lauren Fox discuss new legislation in Philadelphia that would implement new protections for building service workers who are displaced when the properties where they are employed are sold or closed.
February 28, 2024
CHICAGO — Uber, Lyft Drivers Join Valentine’s Day Strike with Thousands Across Country
Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash drivers gathered at O’Hare Airport’s rideshare waiting lot on Valentine’s Day to kick off a strike that was held across multiple cities across the country, including in Philadelphia, Miami, and Los Angeles.
February 22, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
February 15, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
February 14, 2024
BOSTON — City Leading AI Industry
Boston-area companies are leading in the development of new artificial intelligence (AI) and managing data for AI use. A new report estimates that Boston’s expertise in tech and health industries and proximity to universities will allow it to make strides in lesser-known areas of AI.
February 08, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
February 01, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
January 31, 2024
CHICAGO — Chicago Rideshare Drivers Looking for Safety Solutions
Chicago Gig Alliance organizer Lori Simmons is leading the charge in demanding city officials take action in response to a rash of recent rideshare driver robberies on the city’s West Side.
January 26, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
January 18, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
January 17, 2024
Gig Economy & Technology
CHICAGO — After Latest Shooting, Rideshare Drivers Protest Outside Midway Airport for Change
January 11, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
January 04, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
January 03, 2024
BALTIMORE — Mayor Scott, BDE Introduce Free Public Wi-Fi Network
In December, Mayor Brandon Scott and the City’s Office of Broadband and Digital Equity (BDE) launched FreeBmoreWiFi, a citywide free public Wi-Fi network. Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the initiative marks a significant milestone in the City’s commitment to digital equity and inclusive access to technology for residents.
December 21, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
December 15, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
December 13, 2023
BALTIMORE — New UpSurge CEO Bets on Baltimore, Tech
Tech entrepreneur Kory Bailey — who was recently named CEO of UpSurge, a nonprofit, professional ecosystem-building organization — spoke about his efforts to build a vibrant tech ecosystem in the city.
December 07, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia.
November 30, 2023
DETROIT — Electric Delivery Startup BrightDrop Becomes Part of GM
BrightDrop, a General Motors (GM) commercial electric vehicle startup formed in 2021, will no longer operate as a subsidiary and is now becoming part of GM itself.
November 30, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
November 17, 2023
Gig Economy & Technology
CHICAGO — Harris School Introduces New Technology, Society Initiative
November 16, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
November 10, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
November 03, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
November 01, 2023
The bill does not specify how exactly the city should indemnify and defend RCOs on zoning-related matters that wind up in court, leaving exact details to the law department to create.
November 01, 2023
Gig Economy & Technology
BALTIMORE — Baltimore Selected as Federal Tech Hub for AI, Biotechnology
October 26, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
October 19, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia.
October 18, 2023
Gig Economy & Technology
BALTIMORE — AI to Help Baltimore Agencies Bridge Language Gaps
By year’s end, the City of Baltimore will be deploying a new AI-backed service to help 911 dispatchers communicate with callers in their native language without waiting for an interpreter.
October 13, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia.
October 06, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
October 05, 2023
Gig Economy & Technology
CHICAGO — Chicago Government’s IT Infrastructure Inefficient to the Point of “Barely” Working, Consultant Tells City Council
September 28, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
September 22, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia.
September 13, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
September 07, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
September 01, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
August 24, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
August 23, 2023
Gig Economy & Technology
CHICAGO — Chicago City Council to Consider Regulating Rideshares
August 18, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
August 10, 2023
Gig Economy & Technology
CHICAGO — Google Plans to Open in Thompson Center by 2026; Will Tech Giant Help Revitalize the Loop?
August 10, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
August 03, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
July 27, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia.
July 26, 2023
Throughout the country, large municipalities are laboratories of democracy. New and innovative policies introduced in one market are often exported to others, and ultimately replicated at the state and federal level. This newsletter highlights emerging local policy and regulatory discussions that impact industries, businesses, and organizations across the nation.
July 20, 2023
In early August, the City Council’s Committee on Education will hold a public hearing investigating if Philadelphia should use an independent authority to bond and manage the City’s school facilities modernization project.
July 13, 2023
Although the upcoming November City Council elections are just around the corner, experts have already changed gears and are looking ahead to the January 2024 council president race eager to see who will succeed the outgoing Council President Darrell Clarke.
July 12, 2023
The article discusses a variety of topics regarding tech, labor, policy and politics, public health, real estate, taxes, and transportation happening in major cities across the U.S.
July 06, 2023
One in five city jobs still sits vacant, forcing the city to pay out historic amounts in overtime pay as Philadelphia’s persistent understaffing problem shows no sign of abating. Overcoming this multi-departmental shortage is no small feat, and city officials are already hard at work finding solutions, including making needed improvements to recruitment and hiring practices.
June 29, 2023
DETROIT — Detroit Program Teaches Residents Tech Fundamentals, How to Find High-Paying Jobs
June 29, 2023
City Council is officially on summer recess, but there are plenty of high-profile issues that are sure to be front and center when the legislative body reconvenes in the fall, including continued discussions about policies to address violence and improve public safety, potential decisions regarding the fate of the proposed Center City Sixers arena, and the race for council president.
June 23, 2023
Philadelphia City Council is expected to adopt the final $6.2 billion FY24 budget. This budget funds additional cameras outside of recreational centers and playgrounds, cleaning vacant lots and business corridors, and upgrades to recreational centers throughout the city.
June 08, 2023
City Council Members Back $72 Million Budget Amendment to Address Quality-of-Life Issues; $40 Million in Anti-Violence Programs Also on the Table
June 01, 2023
City Hall Upcoming Committee Hearings Philadelphia City Council holds several public hearings throughout the legislative calendar. You can watch the hearings here.
May 31, 2023
BOSTON — Running List of Layoffs in Boston Tech Sector
The Boston Globe has begun tracking layoffs at tech companies in the region.
May 19, 2023
Chicago Mayor Lightfoot Announces Apprenticeship Program to Create, Grow Technology Talent in City Government, Improve City Services
Now former-Mayor Lori Lightfoot and various city departments announced an apprenticeship program to develop and maintain a pipeline of technology talent for the City of Chicago.
May 17, 2023
Joseph Hill & Brianna Westbrooks breakdown the Philadelphia primary results.
May 11, 2023
With a little more than half a year left in his final term in office, Mayor Jim Kenney announced the formation of a transition committee to ensure a seamless transfer of power to the city’s yet-to-be-determined 100th mayor without holding up city services. The transition team will include representatives from the offices of the Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Integrity Officer, Human Resources, Innovation & Technology, and the Department of Records, and will work closely with designated coordinators from each city department.
May 05, 2023
On Tuesday, City Council heard testimony from School District of Philadelphia officials regarding the city’s proposed FY24 budget allocations, which included updates on recent asbestos-related closures, details about an unanticipated decline in enrollment, and Superintendent Tony Watlington’s vision for creating financial incentives to attract qualified teachers and staff to Philadelphia.
May 04, 2023
Baltimore District 8 City Councilmember Kristerfer Burnet has introduced legislation that would limit the use of facial recognition technology. The goal of the two bills is to protect privacy and promote transparency and accountability.
April 27, 2023
On Monday, City Council’s Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development & The Homeless held a public hearing about two components of District 3 Councilmember Jamie Gauthier’s signature “People’s Preservation Package.” The proposed legislation would implement restrictions on the sale of properties whose owners contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide low-income renters with affordable housing, including mandating a right of first refusal for potential buyers who would continue to provide affordable housing, extending the time frame for the mandatory advance notice of intent to sell, and expanding the list of parties that would need to be notified. The legislation would also require the City to maintain a current list of affordable housing providers and resources.
April 20, 2023
Philadelphia City Council holds several public hearings throughout the legislative calendar. You can watch the hearings here.
April 19, 2023
The New York Police Department (NYPD) recently announced a series of high-tech security, including a robotic “digidog” to be used in life-threatening situations.
April 13, 2023
In light of Philadelphia’s ongoing gun violence crisis and the recent high-profile disorderly gathering of hundreds of local teenagers in Center City during their spring break, much of City Council’s Tuesday budget hearing with the Managing Director’s Office and Philadelphia Police Department focused on the city’s extracurricular offerings to teenagers, as well as how the police can best prepare for the upcoming summer season, which typically results in higher rates of crime and disorderly conduct. The police department has requested an additional $55.7 million over last year’s budget in order to address ongoing staffing issues.
April 06, 2023
Budget hearings continued this week, with officials from the Streets Department addressing ways to combat illegal dumping and continue to improve trash collection — the current on-time collection rate is at a 15-year high of 97% — on Monday, and officials from the District Attorney’s Office, including DA Larry Krasner himself, discussing the pertinent issue of crime on Tuesday, with a notable exchange on the recent rise in retail theft. DA Krasner requested an additional $7 million to address council’s concerns about increased shoplifting and carjacking incidents.
April 05, 2023
The city will be providing paid sick and safe leave for most gig workers, who will accrue a day of paid sick leave for every 30 days they do work in Seattle.
March 30, 2023
This week marked the beginning of a weeks-long series of public hearings to finalize Philadelphia’s budget for next year. Tuesday afternoon saw testimony from various department and agency heads that fall under the purview of the Office of the Mayor, during which, Councilmember Kendra Brooks criticized the proposed reduction in budget for the Department of Labor, which was created by the Kenney Administration in 2020 to create and implement citywide employment policies.
March 23, 2023
This week, the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development & the Homeless heard testimony on housing voucher-based discrimination and potential legislation on rent control, during which tenants, housing providers, and local affordable housing advocates and policy leaders weighed in on existing challenges within the city’s current affordable housing system and potential solutions to improve access for low-income Philadelphians.
March 22, 2023
Chicago will begin testing parking enforcement technology and smart loading zones following an ordinance the City Council passed March 15. The technology will automatically issue tickets for parking or standing violations in areas with posted signs, such as bike lanes and commercial loading zones.
March 16, 2023
Philadelphia City Council is considering reinstating a previous 1% discount for early payment of property taxes, which would apply to residents who pay next year’s full tax bills by the end of February 2024. The discount was suspended in 2021 in order to mitigate a COVID-19 pandemic-related revenue shortfall. If the measure moves forward, it would be the latest in a trend of attempts by city officials to provide tax relief for Philadelphians who may be experiencing undue financial burden.
March 10, 2023
Concessions workers at the United Center staged a one-day walkout Sunday that affected food and beverage service during the afternoon’s Chicago Bulls game.
March 02, 2023
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.
March 02, 2023
On March 2, Mayor Kenney presented his final budget proposal to City Council. Throughout his address, he stated that he would like to prioritize short and medium-term violence prevention and quality-of-life initiatives. The proposed budget has $6.1 billion in revenue and $5.6 billion in expenses, which leaves $524 million unspent.
March 02, 2023
Council President Darrell L. Clarke (District 5) announced last week that he would not be seeking reelection, while several seats set to turn over.
February 23, 2023
On Wednesday, the Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council announced that it will be throwing its weight behind former City Councilmember and State Representative Cherelle Parker. The endorsement by the council — which comprises 30 different unions across the city — ended up being instrumental during the 2015 and 2019 mayoral elections that saw the victory of current mayor, Jim Kenney, though it remains to be seen how the endorsements that have been made thus far will ultimately impact such a crowded mayoral race. To date, other unions have rallied behind grocery store proprietor Jeff Brown and former Councilmember At-Large Helen Gym.
February 22, 2023
On the evening of February 2, Chicago rideshare drivers gathered outside the Copernicus Center on the city’s Northwest Side, braving extremely cold and windy weather, to demand better working conditions, wages and benefits.
February 10, 2023
Rideshare and delivery drivers in Chicago are calling for an ordinance that guarantees their right to appeal before being permanently kicked off the app they use for their jobs. The proposed ordinance would offer a means for app drivers accused of misconduct to tell their side of the story and recoup lost income if they were found to be unfairly deactivated.
February 09, 2023
Earlier this week, Councilmember David Oh resigned his at-large seat and officially announced that he is running to become the 100th mayor of Philadelphia. Though he is the 11th candidate to enter the race, he is the first Republican to do so. Philadelphia’s next mayor is very likely to be a Democrat, but former Councilmember Oh hopes that his qualifications and the city’s current political atmosphere will help him overcome the 7-to-1 voter registration advantage enjoyed by the city’s majority party.
February 09, 2023
As Pennsylvania’s largest city, Philadelphia also has the state’s largest — and poorest — public school system. When news broke on Tuesday afternoon that the Commonwealth Court had ruled that the state’s “outdated” funding distribution model to be unconstitutional, many local proponents of system reform celebrated, as the ruling will likely have a significant impact on the School District of Philadelphia. The current formula ties school funding primarily to property taxes, which plaintiffs argued creates an inherently inequitable system in which low-wealth districts were perpetually underfunded.
February 02, 2023
A coalition of local organizations under the umbrella of Philadelphia’s progressive Working Families Party announced Monday that it would be endorsing former Councilmember Helen Gym for mayor in the upcoming primary. The Working Families Party has risen in prominence as a legitimate third-party contender in recent years, with At-Large Councilmember Kendra Brooks being the first member from the party to be elected to City Council in 2019 and Larry Krasner’s candidacy for district attorney having been bolstered by the party’s support twice.
January 26, 2023
With 110 days left until the May 16 mayoral primary, Democratic candidates have been hard at work campaigning, with many of them participating in a litany of forums for the opportunity to present their platforms to voters. Recent forum topics have included advancing economic opportunity in Philadelphia’s Black and brown communities, how best to address the city’s gun violence epidemic, and LGBT+ issues.
January 12, 2023
Earlier this week, the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) announced that it would be accepting new applications for its Housing Choice Voucher Program for the first time in more than a decade. The waiting list was closed in 2010 when the number of applications — 55,000 — surpassed the number of available vouchers. Applications will be accepted from January 23 at 6 a.m. to February 5 at 5:59 p.m., and the new waitlist will be capped at 10,000 applications.
January 11, 2023
The University of Chicago is stepping up its efforts to create more startups, committing more than $20 million to launch three new accelerators focused on deep technology such as data science, artificial intelligence, clean technology and life sciences—areas where the university excels but for which funding often is hardest to find.
January 05, 2023
Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court concluded last Friday that none of the seven articles of impeachment filed by state House Republicans against Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner constitute “misbehavior in office.” DA Krasner has held firm since the House approved the articles in November that his actions and policy decisions do not amount to impeachable offenses, and that he believes the proceedings to be partisan witch hunt, going so far as to appeal directly to the Commonwealth Court to have the articles declared “legally baseless.” It is not immediately clear whether the impeachment trial in the Senate — which is currently scheduled for January 18 — will be moving forward as planned in light of the recent court filing.
December 22, 2022
Last week, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced that Philadelphia law enforcement will be receiving an influx of $25 million to assist in current efforts to quell the city’s persistent rates of gun violence. The funding comes from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and is part of two larger statewide grant programs administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency — the Local Law Enforcement Support Program and the Gun Violence Investigation & Prosecution Program. While many have celebrated the monetary assistance to help address this dire problem, some critics would like to have seen more of the funding allocated to community-based violence reduction programs rather than just to police departments and district attorney’s offices. Philadelphia recently recorded its 500th homicide this year, surpassing the milestone for the second consecutive year.
December 21, 2022
For more than a year, the California voter-approved gig economy law known as Proposition 22 has hung in the balance after a judge invalidated the ballot initiative allowing giant ride-hailing and delivery companies to classify their workers as independent contractors rather than employees. On Tuesday, a California appeals court heard oral arguments in San Francisco on whether it should uphold the lower court ruling that deemed Proposition 22 unconstitutional and unenforceable.
December 15, 2022
On Monday, city workers and elected officials broke ground on a new development project that will bring more affordable housing units to Grays Ferry and Point Breeze. The development is part of City Council President Darrell Clarke’s signature Neighborhood Preservation Initiative, which aims to address the city’s affordable housing crisis by increasing the number of available affordable housing in pockets of rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia, thus helping to revive commercial corridors and improve neighborhood infrastructure. The three-bedroom homes will be listed under the Turn the Key program for $230,000 — less than half the median sale price in the neighborhood — with soft loans available up to $75,000.
December 14, 2022
Massachusetts’ Energy Facilities Sitting Board approved a special permit for a controversial electrical substation in East Boston. The permit allows the project to circumvent 14 final environmental permits. 84% of Boston voters voted against the substation in a non-binding ballot question last year.
December 08, 2022
Last week, West Philadelphia State Representative Amen Brown announced his intention to run for mayor at a Pennsylvania Society satellite event in New York, hosted by real estate developer — and likely super PAC supporter — Marty Burger. Rep. Brown is expected to make a formal announcement of his candidacy on Thursday, which will make him the tenth candidate to enter the race. Unlike the many former Philadelphia City Council members who have thrown their hats in the ring, Rep. Brown would not have to resign his position in order to run.
December 01, 2022
For a brief window of time, Philadelphia City Council returned to its normal 17-member roster as Quetcy Lozada, Anthony Phillips, Jimmy Harrity, and Sharon Vaughn were sworn in Monday as the new 7th District, 9th District, and at-large councilmembers, respectively. All four members were elected earlier this month in special elections to serve out the remaining 13 months of the current legislative term following the resignations of former Councilmembers Maria Quiñones-Sánchez, Cherelle Parker, Allan Domb, and Derek Green — all of whom are currently running for mayor. Helen Gym has joined her former colleagues in the race, as she announced her resignation from City Council Tuesday morning and her run for mayor Wednesday afternoon.
November 17, 2022
On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania State House voted 107-85 to impeach Democratic Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner in an ongoing effort to remove him from office, marking the first time the House has impeached an officeholder in nearly 30 years — and perhaps the first time in history the action has been taken against an officeholder whose “misbehavior in office” does not amount to actual criminal activity. The vote comes the day after the House Judiciary Committee’s approval of two articles of impeachment against DA Krasner, which collectively accuse him of directly causing the city’s increase in violent crime by shirking his duties as DA and obstructing the House Select Committee on Restoring Law and Order’s investigation of his Office by defying a subpoena issued by the House in August.
November 11, 2022
On Tuesday, Philadelphians turned out in droves to participate in the highly anticipated midterm election. The state’s highly competitive U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races drew much national attention, and while ballots are still being counted — due in large part to the last-minute reinstatement of a policy that requires counters to institute a time-consuming process that is intended to identify double votes — Philadelphia voters also made several important decisions at the city level.
November 11, 2022
Driverless car company Waymo, owned by Google parent Alphabet, said October 19 that it plans to add autonomous taxi fleet operations to Los Angeles. “L.A. is in the top three ride-hailing markets in the United States and globally,” said Saswat Panigrahi, the company’s chief product officer. “The commercial opportunity is huge.”
November 03, 2022
Last Friday, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited Philadelphia to speak at a Pennsylvania Democrats fundraiser in Center City, where they each highlighted their party’s commitment to leveling the economic playing field for working Americans. The strategic visits were intended to shore up the campaigns of Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman — the Democratic nominees for governor and U.S. Senate, respectively — the latter of whose poll numbers have continued to tighten with his Republican opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz, in the final days of their extremely high-profile and competitive race in the crucial battleground state. This won’t be the last visit for President Biden, as he and former President Barack Obama will be visiting Philadelphia again the Saturday before the midterm elections.
November 02, 2022
Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke introduced legislation that would institute mandatory inclusionary zoning in a portion of his district.
October 28, 2022
On Tuesday, Rebecca Rhynhart formally submitted her resignation letter to Mayor Kenney as Philadelphia’s City Controller. She launched her mayoral campaign at a news conference in West Philadelphia that afternoon. She has been very critical of the Kenney administration throughout her tenure as controller, and she plans on using the results of her audits and recommendations to improve city services.
October 26, 2022
In yet another pre-election sweetener, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that the city is expanding its parental leave policy, effective Jan. 1, to allow all 32,000 city employees up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave whether they are the “birthing or non-birthing parent.”
October 13, 2022
Public safety has long been a topic of concern for Philadelphia officials and residents alike. With the recent uptick in gun-related and other violent crimes — a recent high-profile example being the tragic death of a high school football player during a scrimmage at Roxborough High School — all eyes are on the city’s current and potential future officials to solve the city’s most pressing issue.
October 05, 2022
Multinational aerospace and defense technology company Northrop Grumman has expanded its presence in the Baltimore area with its new, 55,000-square-foot Maryland Space Assembly and Test 2 facility.
September 29, 2022
Leaders inside and outside of City Hall have been steadfastly searching for solutions to Philadelphia’s recent dramatic uptick in violent crime. On Tuesday, Mayor Jim Kenney signed an executive order banning firearms and other deadly weapons from the city’s recreation centers. The action comes weeks after the fatal shooting of Mill Creek Recreation Center employee Tiffany Fletcher and is intended to address the nearly 300 incidents of gun violence that have occurred at recreation centers across the city since 2019. The order is expected to face legal challenges at the state level.
September 23, 2022
Jim Engler, the Chief of Staff to Mayor Jim Kenney, has announced that he will be resigning at the end of the month to accept a position as Executive Director of the Office of the President and Chief of Staff at Delaware-based health care provider ChristianaCare. He will be replaced by First Deputy Chief of Staff Christina Pastrana Hernandez. Engler has worked with Mayor Kenney since 2015 and is leaving 15 months before the end of the mayor’s term.
September 21, 2022
Throughout the country, large municipalities are laboratories of democracy. New and innovative policies introduced in one market are often exported to others, and ultimately replicated at the state and federal level. This newsletter highlights emerging local policy and regulatory discussions that impact industries, businesses, and organizations across the nation.
September 15, 2022
This morning, City Council will be reconvening with 13 members following the resignation of four members over the past month. On Friday, City Council President Darrell Clarke announced that special elections would be held in November to fill the City Council seats in Districts Seven and Nine, which had been held by Maria Quiñones-Sánchez and Cherelle Parker, respectively. The former councilmembers recently stepped down in order to officially launch their respective mayoral campaigns. While former At-Large Councilmembers Allan Domb and Derek Green also recently resigned — the former to explore a potential mayoral run and the latter to launch his mayoral campaign — there are currently no plans for special elections to fill these vacancies.
September 01, 2022
After several months in quarantine, some of the Philadelphia Zoo’s most famous feathered residents — including penguins, flamingos, hornbills, and emus — have finally returned to their outdoor exhibits. The Philadelphia Zoo has been keeping its birds in quarantine to protect them from, and prevent the spread of, a particularly virulent outbreak of avian flu that has impacted birds across the country.
August 25, 2022
Last week, the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) officially opened its groundbreaking Career and Advanced Technology Center at 48th and Market Streets. The new building will host several of CCP’s short-term certificate and associate’s degree programs in fields such as advanced manufacturing, health care, and transportation technology. The CCP intends for the center to serve as a resource for Philadelphia’s small business community.
August 18, 2022
On Monday, City Councilmember Allan Domb announced that he is resigning, citing his intent to evaluate a 2023 mayoral run. In an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer, the councilmember said that he is weighing a run because Philadelphia is a “city in crisis” in need of a “champion.” Councilmember Domb is the first of potentially many city elected officials to step down due to the resign-to-run rule in Philadelphia’s city charter. Domb made a name for himself as Philadelphia’s “condo king” before serving two terms as an at-large councilmember.
August 11, 2022
After weeks of occupying the lawn of the University City Townhomes complex, the encampment protesting the impending sale of the property was evacuated by law enforcement officials on Monday in accordance with a court order. The majority of residents and activists demonstrated peacefully, with only one protester being issued a citation.
August 04, 2022
While no one has officially thrown their hat in the ring for Philadelphia’s upcoming election for its milestone 100th mayor, teams are beginning to coalesce around suspected mayoral candidates. The race is expected to garner much attention throughout the region and attract campaign veterans and high-profile campaign operatives from Philadelphia and beyond.
July 28, 2022
Data company Placer.ai, which works frequently with organizations like the Center City District, recently released a white paper detailing trends in population movement. They found that while Philadelphia’s population decreased during the first year and a half of the pandemic, it has since begun to increase again, and at a faster rate than other comparable cities. Notably, many millennials are choosing to relocate from New York to Philadelphia, as well as from surrounding suburbs. The study was conducted using cell phone location data.
July 21, 2022
Approximately one in seven municipal jobs in Philadelphia are currently vacant — from librarians and social workers to police and corrections officers — causing severe service interruptions for people across the city. This stems largely from the relatively large turnover over the course of the pandemic. While there has been a national increase in municipal governments’ hiring rate over the past year, Philadelphia’s has not kept pace with the number of resignations and retirements.
July 14, 2022
Giraffe Encounter, the Philadelphia Zoo’s newest exhibit that opened last Thursday, allows the public to get up close and personal with its three resident giraffes. For an additional $6, or $5 for members, guests are able to feed the giraffes acacia browse, the same plant the long-necked animals eat in the wild.
July 08, 2022
On Monday evening, two police officers were shot near the Philadelphia Museum of Art as the annual Wawa Welcome America Party on the Parkway — the first since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic — drew to a close. Both officers were treated at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and have since been released. The search for the shooter is ongoing, and any motive remains unknown.
July 01, 2022
In 2023, the city of Philadelphia will elect its 100th mayor. Because of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter’s resign-to-run rule — which requires that any city employee or officer who intends to run for office resign their position prior to announcing his or her candidacy — if every one of the rumored candidates decides to run for mayor, there could be as many as five vacancies on City Council, which could lead to significant changes in City Hall even sooner than the historic election.
June 23, 2022
Today is City Council’s last voting session before summer recess begins. The legislative body is expected to pass a budget that will invest additional money into public safety and quality-of-life programs. City Council will also vote to lower the net profits portion of the Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) and the Wage Tax. For more information, read the Public Strategies team’s policy alert.
June 16, 2022
te last night, Philadelphia City Council passed a budget deal out of committee that invested additional money into public safety and quality-of-life programs. They also voted to lower the net profits portion of the Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) and the Wage Tax. For more information, read the comprehensive analysis below.
June 13, 2022
With budget negotiations ongoing, there is still significant disagreement on how the city should handle generating revenue moving forward, with some criticizing the city’s historic reliance on the wage tax as stymying economic growth while others asking if taxpayers should get a reprieve after properties were reassessed for the first time in three years. Others are pushing for a wealth tax and increased real estate tax allocations to the School District. However, with strong divisions between members of City Council and activists, a significant change for the upcoming fiscal year would be challenging.
June 02, 2022
The United Way is hosting free legal clinics that will help eligible Philadelphians expunge their records of certain offenses; this could help open up employment and educational opportunities. Pennsylvania’s clean slate law allows for convictions to be cleared after 10 years and non-convictions after 60 days. However, the process requires legal assistance that can be costly. The clinics will be hosted in different locations across Philadelphia.
May 26, 2022
Council President Darrell Clarke and Mayor Jim Kenney presented a new bill to address “prison gerrymandering” — when incarcerated people are counted in their prison’s district for the purposes of legislative districting. The Clarke and Kenney proposal would reapportion the inmates into their last address, with each district netting between 500 and 1,000 residents. In this plan, district lines do not need to be redrawn. If the proposal passes council, it will go to voters for final approval in 2023.
May 19, 2022
Despite infighting between progressive and establishment Democrats, incumbents were largely victorious in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for State House and Senate seats. Progressive incumbents secured commanding victories, despite not receiving the Philadelphia Democratic Party endorsement. To review a detailed analysis of election results across the Commonwealth, read Pennsylvania's Public Strategies Team’s alert.
May 18, 2022
Prepared by the Pennsylvania Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies Team
May 05, 2022
On Tuesday, the Kenney administration announced the value of the average residential property increased 31 percent. Non-residential real estate increased 9 percent. It is clear that the administration and City Council have some disagreements over how to offset this drastic tax increase on residents and how to spend the additional revenue.
April 28, 2022
Councilmember Helen Gym introduced a bill last week that would require businesses with 50 or more employees to establish a commuter benefit program for employees’ public transit and bike commuter costs. Payment would come from pretax income and could save participants an average of $200 a year in federal income tax.
April 22, 2022
Joseph Hill and Brianna Westbrooks discuss Councilmember Gym's proposal that would require private-sector employers with more than 50 employees to offer a transit tax benefit to their employees.
April 21, 2022
Philadelphia elected officials are pushing to extend oversight of the city’s budget by the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) to at least 2047, a bipartisan effort joining politicians in the state capitol and city hall. After poor finances nearly led to a municipal bankruptcy in the 1990s, state officials created PICA — which has members appointed by the governor — to approve the city’s long-term financial plans. Current PICA oversight will expire next year, and some local unions oppose an extension, arguing it prevents them from getting more favorable contracts.
April 15, 2022
Two weeks ago, Mayor Jim Kenney released his proposed 2022-2023 budget, which totals $5.6 billion in spending.
April 07, 2022
Facing low recruitment numbers, the city is in talks with budget officials and the police to offer bonuses of up to $10,000 for people who serve at least one year after completing training. The program would be triggered when the Police Department has 5 percent fewer officers than included in the city’s budget.
April 05, 2022
Joe Hill, Joe Bright, and Brianna Westbrooks discuss Councilmember Brooks' proposed tax on certain intangible property, including direct holdings in stocks and bonds, at 0.4 percent.
March 31, 2022
Today, Mayor Kenney will outline his vision for the upcoming fiscal year’s budget, which will officially kick off budget season. His proposal does not include tax increases, but it assumes real estate tax revenue will increase 4.5 percent due to new property assessments. If the reassessments increase by more than the projected 4.5 percent, the administration has committed to working with City Council to provide relief to property owners. The mayor’s budget would only spend $335 million of the $1.4 billion from the American Rescue Plan this year. City Council will host hearings over the next few months and must approve a budget before their summer recess. Mayor Kenney must sign the approved budget before July 1.
March 28, 2022
On March 3, 2022, Council amended Philadelphia’s Public Health Emergency Leave Ordinance and created a specific COVID-19 sick leave protection.
March 24, 2022
On Tuesday, Mayor Kenney appointed Anne K. Nadol to lead the Commerce Department. She has been an executive at Temple University for more than 20 years.
March 17, 2022
Councilmember Helen Gym is proposing a bill that would require all Philadelphia public schools to install modern water filters wherever school water can be tapped by 2025. The push comes after reports emerged that some schools have water with levels of lead far higher than the legal limit.
March 10, 2022
Philadelphia City Council voted last week to pass a paid COVID-19 sick leave requirement for companies with more than 25 employees. Although the bill passed 12-4, there was extensive debate amongst councilmembers about the impact this legislation could have on small businesses. Once signed, this ordinance will be in effect until the end of 2023.
March 03, 2022
Yesterday, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health announced that the indoor mask mandate ended. Two weeks ago, the city established benchmarks that would determine COVID-19 safety restrictions, and conditions have been met that allow mandated masking indoors to cease. However, if the spread of COVID-19 rises, restrictions can be mandated again.
February 17, 2022
For the third time in two years, a proposal for emergency paid sick leave for those affected by COVID-19 is moving out of a City Council committee. The latest proposal, authored by Councilmember Kendra Brooks, is similar to laws passed in 2020 and 2021. Brooks said that the recent spike in local COVID-19 cases from the Omicron variant shows the continued importance of encouraging people to stay home and recover from infection.
February 10, 2022
At a press conference, Mayor Kenney and Councilmember Gilmore-Richardson announced the appointment of 17 Philadelphians to the Environmental Justice Advisory Commission, which was created in 2019 by then-Councilmember Reynolds Brown. The commission will be responsible for examining and proposing changes to city policy that impact environmental justice. At the same time, Councilmember Gym introduced a bill, which would “protect communities against the adverse health effects caused by pollution.”
February 03, 2022
Ward leaders in the 6th Council district selected State Representative Mike Driscoll to run in the special election to replace former Councilmember Henon. Council President Clarke has not yet selected a date for the special election.
January 27, 2022
A new district map for City Council was introduced by President Darrell Clarke, which makes some small adjustments to districts based on population changes.
January 20, 2022
Due to city vaccine requirements, one will no longer be able to enter a restaurant for indoor dining with only a negative COVID-19 test.
January 13, 2022
Twenty-two percent of city employees are not in compliance with the vaccine mandate going into effect on Friday, according to local officials.
January 06, 2022
As Philadelphia continued to grapple with the pandemic, both City Council and the Kenney administration implemented policies and ordinances that will impact several industries.
December 16, 2021
Monday morning, Mayor Kenney and other top-ranking officials announced that beginning January 3, 2022, establishments that sell foods and/or drinks for consumption on-site will have to enforce a phased vaccine mandate.
December 09, 2021
On Tuesday, the Committee on Law and Government unanimously approved a measure that would allow Philadelphia voters to decide if the Zoning Board of Adjustment’s composition and procedures should change
December 08, 2021
Joe Hill and Brianna Westbrooks discuss Council President Clarke’s proposal to alter the composition and processes of the Zoning Board of Adjustments.
December 02, 2021
Al Schmidt, the lone Republican City Commissioner and the target of direct attacks from former President Trump during the 2020 election, said that he will resign from his position in January to become president and CEO of the Committee of Seventy, a good-government group based in Philadelphia.
November 18, 2021
A plan intended to protect the ability of low and moderate-income Philadelphians to live in their neighborhoods despite increases in property values took one step forward this week.
November 11, 2021
A City Council committee advanced legislation to make some “streeteries” a permanent part of the city’s dining and zoning landscape.
November 04, 2021
Philadelphia’s new public buildings may soon be held to a higher environmental standard than before.
October 28, 2021
Sponsored by the Philadelphia Energy Association, U.S. Department of Energy, and PECO, city leaders unveiled a new solar lab at Frankford High School. The lab is designed to train students on the skills required for jobs in solar and clean energy.
October 21, 2021
City Council passed Councilmember Isaiah Thomas’s driving equality bill with a 14-2 vote, which will prohibit Philadelphia police from stopping vehicles for certain low-level driving code infractions.
October 14, 2021
With a historic surge in gun violence continuing through the start of the fall, City Council is now aiming to take proactive measures to reduce the risk of gun violence.
September 30, 2021
After nearly 10 years on the job, Philadelphia School District Superintendent William Hite said he will step down from his position when his contract expires in August 2022.
September 23, 2021
On Friday, Council President Darrell Clarke introduced legislation that would borrow nearly half a billion dollars in an effort to increase affordable housing and improve the quality of life for low-income Philadelphians.
September 09, 2021
Although City Council was planning on returning to in-person meetings later in September, Council President Clarke announced that City Council will continue to meet virtually due to the spread of the Delta variant. Its first fall legislative session is on Friday, September 17.
August 12, 2021
As the Delta variant continues to spread, governments and businesses across the country are considering changing their COVID-19 protocols.
July 29, 2021
Philadelphia’s elected officials continue to spar over the city’s gun violence epidemic, resulting in dueling press conferences and high tensions.
July 15, 2021
Philadelphia’s eviction diversion and rental assistance programs will stay in effect until at least August 31, thanks to a favorable ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The city reports that over 35,000 have applied for rent relief, and that the city is on track to distribute $37 million in aid by September 1.
July 01, 2021
Philadelphia’s latest budget goes into effect today, containing $5.2 billion in spending and a host of programs designed to curb Philadelphia’s increasing gun violence rates.
June 25, 2021
Joseph Hill & Brianna Westbrooks discuss Councilmembers Quiñones Sánchez and Gauthier's legislation that would institute mandatory inclusionary zoning in select areas of the city.
June 24, 2021
Philadelphia City Council is slated to give final approval to the city’s $5.2 billion budget today, capping a marathon of negotiations on a variety of different issues and funding streams.
June 18, 2021
After extensive debate and negotiations, City Council approved an amended version of Mayor Kenney’s budget proposal late last night.
June 18, 2021
On June 17, Philadelphia City Council approved amendments to the budget that Mayor Kenney initially presented in April.
June 10, 2021
City Council and Mayor Kenney are still working towards reaching a consensus around tax policy and key city investments. Changes to the wage tax, business and receipts tax, and the parking tax are still being debated.
June 03, 2021
Members of City Council will review two proposals to incentivize vaccines citywide. The first proposal would give residents a $50 credit to use on Philadelphia Gas Works and Water Department bills, and the other would create $50 vouchers that can be used “in a manner to be determined by the City.” Both proposals would be capped at 100,000 vouchers.
May 27, 2021
New legislation proposed by Councilmembers Maria Quiñones-Sánchez and Jamie Gauthier is taking aim at how the city requires developers to support affordable housing.
May 20, 2021
On Thursday, City Council passed legislation that authorized $400 million in bonds to finance the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative (NPI).
May 13, 2021
On Tuesday, the Kenney administration announced that it would be lifting pandemic related restrictions on businesses. Restaurants, offices, casinos, museums, and other indoor venues will have increased capacity limits beginning May 21.
May 06, 2021
On Monday, budget season officially began as City Council asked questions of the Kenney administration. Gun violence, racial equity, proposed tax reductions, and economic recovery were the main topics councilmembers raised during their questioning.
April 29, 2021
On Thursday, City Council introduced a resolution to form a special committee that would create and recommend strategies to ensure equity and inclusion in city infrastructure projects.
April 22, 2021
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April 21, 2021
Joseph Hill and Brianna Westbrooks discuss Mayor Kenny's budget proposal.
April 13, 2021
Joseph Hill & Brianna Westbrooks discuss three bills introduced to City Council that lower certain business taxes in an effort to spur economic recovery.
February 17, 2021
Joseph Hill, Michael Henlon, and Brianna Westbrooks discuss legislation introduced in Philadelphia City Council that would significantly expand required paid sick leave for individuals at companies with more than 50 employees.
November 02, 2020
Joe Hill was quoted in an Associate Press article discussing Joe Biden’s campaign efforts to appeal to Black supporters to vote in-person during a pandemic that has disproportionally affected their communities, betting that a strong turnout will boost his chances in states that could decide the election.