Gov. Shapiro Launches “Deliberative Polling” to Foster Bipartisan Dialogue -Governor Josh Shapiro (D) launched a three-day deliberative polling event in Philadelphia aimed at encouraging informed, cross-partisan discussions...more
6/10/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Charter Schools ,
Climate Change ,
Mail-In Ballots ,
Mayors ,
Medicaid ,
Pennsylvania ,
PFAS ,
Pharmaceutical Industry ,
Political Campaigns ,
Public Schools ,
RGGI ,
School Vouchers ,
State Budgets ,
State Legislatures
On the evening of Thursday, June 5, the Philadelphia City Council granted preliminary approval to several bills related to Mayor Cherelle Parker’s $6.8 billion FY26 City Budget with minimal changes to the initial proposal,...more
6/9/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Business Taxes ,
City Councils ,
Economic Development ,
Housing Market ,
Infrastructure ,
New Legislation ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Safety ,
Public Transit ,
State and Local Government ,
State Budgets ,
Tax Reform
FY26 Budget Negotiations Entering HOME Stretch -
Thursday marks the final opportunity for the City Council to advance bills—including those tied to Mayor Cherelle Parker’s $6.7 billion proposed budget and Housing...more
6/6/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Budgets ,
Charter Schools ,
City Councils ,
Committee Meetings ,
Community Development ,
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ,
Housing Market ,
Mayors ,
New Legislation ,
New York ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Transit ,
Real Estate Development ,
State and Local Government ,
State Budgets ,
Strike ,
Unions
Gov. Shapiro Counters Federal Cuts with $50M Innovation Push -
As the Trump administration slashes federal research funding, Governor Josh Shapiro (D) is proposing a $50 million state investment to boost Pennsylvania’s life...more
5/30/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Artificial Intelligence ,
Education Reform ,
Federal Budget ,
Life Sciences ,
Marijuana ,
Mental Health ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Campaigns ,
Proposed Legislation ,
State and Local Government ,
State Budgets ,
Trump Administration
Mayor Parker Signs POWER Act Into Law -
On Wednesday, Mayor Cherelle Parker signed the POWER Act into law, expanding protections for City workers by increasing penalties for employer retaliation, extending sick leave to...more
5/30/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Anti-Retaliation Provisions ,
Committee Meetings ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employee Rights ,
Housing Market ,
Labor Reform ,
Landlords ,
New Legislation ,
Paid Leave ,
Penalties ,
Pennsylvania ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Sick Leave ,
State and Local Government
PA’s 2025 Primary Elections Run Smoothly-
Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt called the 2025 primary elections “relatively calm and successful,” with only minor issues reported statewide. Despite the...more
City Council Advances Bill to Hold Developers Accountable for Affordable Housing Promises -
The City Council Rules Committee advanced legislation Wednesday that would require developers to formalize their commitments to...more
PA Public Transit, Facing Funding Challenges, Looks to Harrisburg for Solution -
Governor Josh Shapiro (D) warns of severe cuts to bus and rail services across Pennsylvania due to financial challenges, with debates over...more
Mayor Parker Transmits First HOME Initiative Bills to City Council-
During Thursday’s meeting, City Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr. (District 5) introduced a bill that would eliminate specialized zoning overlays in his...more
Dems Propose “Transit For All PA” Funding Package-
Democratic state lawmakers have introduced the “Transit For All PA” Funding Package to provide dedicated funding for public transit systems in order to prevent service cuts...more
5/2/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Healthcare Facilities ,
Marijuana ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Candidates ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Transit ,
Reproductive Healthcare Issues ,
State and Local Government ,
State Budgets ,
State Legislatures
Hospital Closures Renew Push to Limit Private Equity in Health Care -
The closure of Crozer Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital, resulting in over 2,600 job losses, has prompted Pennsylvania legislators to push for...more
4/29/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Health Care Providers ,
Healthcare ,
Hospitals ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Campaigns ,
Private Equity ,
Proposed Legislation ,
SCOTUS ,
State and Local Government ,
State Legislatures
Mayor Cherelle Parker unveiled details about the programs to be funded by her signature Housing Opportunities Made Easy (HOME) Initiative on Monday. More than 75% of the $800 million bond amount will be allocated to seven key...more
Gov. Shapiro Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Pope Francis-
Governor Josh Shapiro (D) has ordered U.S. and Commonwealth flags to be flown at half-staff across Pennsylvania in honor of Pope Francis, who passed away...more
4/23/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Artificial Intelligence ,
Budget Cuts ,
Federal Budget ,
Healthcare ,
Marijuana ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Candidates ,
Proposed Legislation ,
State and Local Government ,
Trump Administration ,
USDA
Gov. Shapiro Addresses Arson Incident -
During a press conference following the opening of the Hershey Corporation’s new manufacturing plant, Governor Josh Shapiro made his first public comments since the arson at the...more
4/18/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Clean Energy ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Campaigns ,
Political Candidates ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Transportation ,
State and Local Government ,
State Budgets ,
Tariffs ,
Trump Administration
Mayor Parker's Housing Plan Relies on $800M in Bonds-
Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy (HOME) Initiative aims to build or preserve 30,000 housing units in Philadelphia, primarily funded through $800...more
4/18/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Bonds ,
Budget Cuts ,
City Councils ,
Housing Market ,
Interest Rates ,
Mayors ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Campaigns ,
Real Estate Development ,
State and Local Government
Mayor Parker Announces Continued Support for SEPTA Fare Subsidies -Mayor Cherelle Parker announced plans to maintain funding for SEPTA fare subsidy programs that provide City employees and low-income residents with free rides...more
Last week, Mayor Cherelle Parker announced the appointment of Tyrell Brown as Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs, Andy Toy as Director of the Home Appraisal Program, Robin Torrance as Director of Pan Hellenic & HBCU Engagement, and...more
Gov. Shapiro Fights USDA Funding Cuts for PA Farmers, Food Banks -Governor Josh Shapiro is challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to cancel $13 million in funding for Pennsylvania farmers who supply...more
During her speech outlining details of her proposed $2 billion Housing Opportunities Made Easy (HOME) Initiative on Monday, Mayor Cherelle Parker urged the City Council to streamline redevelopment processes and consider...more
Governor Josh Shapiro announced that Pennsylvania’s Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Pilot Program—in partnership with OpenAI and Carnegie Mellon—saved employees an average of 95 minutes per day and improved efficiency...more
3/26/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Artificial Intelligence ,
Energy Sector ,
Healthcare ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Machine Learning ,
Pennsylvania ,
State and Local Government ,
Technology Sector ,
Transportation Industry ,
Trump Administration
On Thursday, March 13, Mayor Cherelle Parker delivered her second annual Budget Address to the Philadelphia City Council, unveiling her $6.77 billion FY26 Budget proposal—an approximately $400 million increase over the FY25...more
3/18/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Business Taxes ,
Environmental Policies ,
Infrastructure ,
Public Safety ,
Real Estate Development ,
Renewable Energy ,
State and Local Government ,
State Budgets ,
Tax Reform ,
Urban Planning & Development
Mayor Parker Delivers FY26 Budget Address-
Mayor Cherelle Parker presented her $6.7 billion FY26 budget proposal to the Philadelphia City Council today, highlighting an $800 million housing plan, significant business tax...more
Gov. Shapiro Announces $5M Investment to Address Nursing Shortage -During a visit to Temple University Hospital last week, Governor Josh Shapiro announced a $5 million investment to strengthen Pennsylvania’s nursing pipeline...more
3/11/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Environmental Justice ,
Grants ,
Healthcare ,
LGBTQ ,
Nurses ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Candidates ,
State and Local Government ,
Voting Rights ,
Water Quality
City Council Green Lights Bike Lane Expansion-
During Thursday’s meeting, the City Council approved legislation introduced last week by Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr. (District 5) to add bike lanes to high-traffic streets...more
Tax Reform Commission Recommends Eliminating BIRT, Reducing Wage Tax -
The Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission released its interim report this week, proposing that the City eliminate the Business Income & Receipts Tax...more