City Hall Roll Call: March 13th, 2025
Mayor unveils $6.7 Billion FY26 Budget
Welcome to Thursday’s City Hall Roll Call, powered by The Committee of Seventy.
Subscribe to the Committee of Seventy's newsletter for weekly news and insights on local elections, redistricting, and efforts to improve our state and local government, all delivered directly to your inbox.
Welcome to City Hall Roll Call, a summary of City Council’s weekly Stated Meeting. Reminder, the information provided below is not an official or complete record. City Council’s official legislative database can be accessed through Legistar.
For a full play-by-play of the Council session, including speeches and public comment, be sure to Blue Sky.
Session Recap:
Mayor Cherelle Parker (D) delivered her term’s second budget address to Council and guests at yesterday’s Stated Meeting. The Mayor’s budget address typically serves as a “State of the City” where the Mayor provides updates on ongoing policy and program initiatives and lays out spending and policy priorities for the upcoming fiscal year (July 1-June 30). In a ninety minute speech to Council, Parker unveiled what she called her “One Philadelphia 2.0” budget proposal, a $6.7 billion operating budget. Below are the highlights from her proposal.
“Don’t just listen to what I say, watch what I do”
Before getting to next year’s spending plan, Mayor Parker “fact-checked” a variety of promises she had made in last year’s budget address. In 2024, she stated that her Administration would be laser focused on improving public safety and touted a 37% reduction in homicides and a 36% reduction in shootings citywide. The Mayor pointed to the 200 officers doing community policing as a key part in the ongoing strategy to reduce crime in the city.
Cleaning and greening Philadelphia has also been a focus for the Parker Administration and the Mayor announced that in her first year in office that the city had cleaned 67,187 streets and neighborhood corridors.
The Mayor also provided an update regarding her plans for year round education. Last year the city opened 25 extended day and extended year pre- and after school programs, consisting of 7000 new slots for “educational enrichment.”
Touting her Administration’s commitment to accountability and transparency, the Mayor urged people to visit the Philly Stat 360 Hub, which features data tracking of the various programs run by the city.
“The city’s fiscal health remains strong”
The Mayor also provided an update regarding the city’s fiscal stability, stating that “the city’s fiscal health remains strong.” The city continues to make contributions to its “Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund” also sometimes called a “Rainy Day Fund.” The Mayor stated that the fund is expected to reach $280 million by the end of the proposed five-year plan.
Parker also addressed the fiscal status of what has long been a financial albatross around the city’s neck - the city Pension Fund. The Mayor stated that, “the trajectory of the city’s pension fund continues to move in the right decade,” reporting a current funding level of 65%. This means that the city pension fund has $0.65 available for every $1.00 it is committed to pay past and current employees. While still well short of its obligations, the Mayor stated that the pension fund funding level has increased “twenty (20) percentage points in just eight years, and it’s due to reach 80% in FY2029 and 100% by FY33.” The health of the pension fund is a key factor in how much it costs the city to borrow money.
Having a fully funded pension fund frees up a lot of operating revenue for the city. An easy way to understand how this works is to think of a personal credit card. When your credit card balance is very high (a lot of debt), the minimum payment you have to make on that card is going to be a lot more than if you aren’t carrying a big balance. The same goes with the pension fund. The higher the funding deficit of the pension fund, the more the city is required to put into the pension fund to meet its Minimum Municipal Obligation, or MMO. In this case, the Mayor noted that once the pension fund is fully funded, “our annual general fund costs will drop more than $430 million.”
Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget Highlights
After reviewing the fiscal health of the city, as well as her progress on past promises, the Mayor turned to the upcoming year’s spending proposal.
Public Safety: Prevention, Intervention and Enforcement
The Mayor stated that public safety would remain her top priority, focusing on what she referred to as the “PIE” strategy — prevention, intervention and enforcement.
$2.7 million to expand the one-day a week Wellness Court to five days a week. “In addition to a judicial hearing and warrant clearance, defendants can receive same day medical and behavioral health assessments, treatment intake and other services all in one setting.”
$2.8 million to expand Police Assisted Diversion (PAD) - a pre-booking diversion program for drug related cases.
$67 million over the Five Year Plan for a new forensics lab to be located at 4101 Market Street which “will mark a giant step forward in forensics technology and crime solving ability for our police.”
All officers will be outfitted with a body worn camera by the end of 2025.
City is also “moving towards installing dash cam cameras on every police patrol car.”
$5 million for Vision Zero in FY26 to advance safety projects across the city to help reach the goal of zero traffic deaths.
$30 million in capital dollars over the next six years for “speed cushions, line striping and other traffic safety measures.”
Expansion of red light camera program to additional locations on the high injury network.
Clean and Green
New 10 point cleaning and greening plan and new anti-litter task force
Increased fines and penalties for illegal dumping
Additional surveillance cameras on illegal dumping hot spots
$2.4 million over three years for anti-graffiti / Mural Arts programming
$4.2 million in planters along neighborhood commercial corridors for beautification and traffic safety
Expansion of twice weekly trash collection to North Philadelphia
Housing: “More Housing Now”
$800 million in bonds over FYP to support housing pan with goal of creating or preserving 30,000 units of housing
March 24th Special Session on Housing to unveil specifics of proposed housing plan
Elimination of the Construction Impact Tax
Tax Rate and Fee Changes
Elimination of the $100,000 Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) exemption (due to legal challenge)
Gross Receipts Portion of BIRT: 1.415 mills FY2025 dropping to 1.410 mills for FY2026, moving to 1.380 mills by FY2030, with goal of eventual elimination after 2039.
Net Income Portion of BIRT: 5.81% on net income in FY2025 dropping to 5.5% by 2030, 2.80% after 2039
Wage tax reductions of 3.7% for Residents and for Non-Residents to 3.39 percent by FY2030.
Increase in realty transfer tax
Increase in parking meter fees for Center City from $3 to $4 an hour
Increase in document recording fee increase to support Housing Trust Fund
Education
Small, revenue neutral shift in real estate millage split rate in favor of School District of Philadelphia, generating $12 million annually ear marked for teacher salaries
Expansion of extended day and extended year programs to an additional 15 schools (10 district operated, 5 charter)
Miscellaneous
$216 million over the Five Year Plan to support and expand Riverview Wellness Village to provide, food, shelter, medical care, behavioral health care, job training and other services.
$716 million in operating support to SEPTA over FYP and $76 million capital match over the capital program
Funding support for readying the city for 2026 celebrations
The Mayor said the details of her housing plan and $400 million FY2026 investment will be revealed at a special session of City Council to be held on March 24th. Budget hearings will kick off on the 25th, with Administration representatives to testify on the Five-Year Plan and Capital Program scheduled in the morning, and representatives from the Mayor’s Office to testify in the afternoon.
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, March 20th at 10 AM.
Bills and Resolutions Introduced Today (By Subject Matter)
Due to the volume, ceremonial resolutions introduced by Councilmembers that honor or memorialize individuals or organizations will not be listed below, but can be found on Legistar.
🏗️ Construction / Zoning
Bill No. 250207, to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Federal Street, 13th Street, Wharton Street, and Broad Street. (Squilla)
🏥 Public Health
Bill No. 250213, Amending Section 9-633 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sale of Electronic Smoking Devices and Unapproved Nicotine Delivery Products," to update definitions and to provide for additional penalties, enforcement, and compliance options. (Ahmad)
🚦Streets
Bill No. 250208, Amending Section 12-1117 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Physically Handicapped and Disabled or Severely Disabled Veteran Parking," as it will take effect pursuant to Bill No. 240613-AA (approved December 18, 2024), by revising the definition of disability parking space and further amending The Philadelphia Code by updating cross-references to Section 12-1117 that now appear in Title 9, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," and Title 12, "Traffic Code." (Squilla)
Bill No. 250209, Amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," to clarify penalties and procedures associated with smart loading zone parking enforcement. (Squilla)
Bill No. 250203, Establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Ogden street between N. 13th street and Camac street; Wood street between N. 18th street and N. 19th street; N. 21st street between Hamilton street and Pennsylvania avenue; Franklin Town boulevard between Callowhill street and Wood street…in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Young)
💸 Finance / Budget
Bill No. 250195, Amending Chapter 19-1500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Wage and Net Profits Tax,” by revising certain tax rates.
Bill No. 250196, Adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2026.
Bill No. 250197, To adopt a Fiscal 2026 Capital Budget.
Bill No. 250198, To adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2026-2031 inclusive.
Bill No. 250199, Amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Business Income and Receipts Taxes," to revise tax rates and end certain exclusions from the tax on receipts.
Bill No. 250200, Amending Chapter 12-1000 The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," to revise the fee for the use of parking meters.
Bill No. 250201, Amending Chapter 19-1800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "School Tax Authorization," to provide for an increase in the tax that the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia is authorized to impose on real estate; and amending Chapter 19-1300, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," to establish an equivalent reduction in the tax rate for the City real estate tax.
Bill No. 250202, Amending Section 19-1806 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Authorization of Realty Use and Occupancy Tax," to eliminate certain exemptions.
Bill No. 250204, To amend Bill No. 240182 (approved June 14, 2024), entitled "An Ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2025-2030 inclusive," by revising various appropriation amounts and totals to conform to amendments to the FY2025 Capital Budget Ordinance.
Bill No. 250205, To amend Bill No. 240181 (approved June 14, 2024), entitled “An Ordinance To adopt a Fiscal 2025 Capital Budget,” by revising various appropriation amounts and totals.
Bill No. 250206, Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Water Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Transportation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
Bill No. 250210, Amending Section 10-1001 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Fees of Commissioner of Records," to increase the portion of fees for the recording of deeds and mortgages and related documents to be used for Housing Trust Fund purposes.
Bill No. 250211, Amending Chapter 19-1400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Realty Transfer Tax," by revising the rate of the tax.
Bill No. 250212, To amend Chapter 19-4400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Development Impact Tax," to end imposition of the tax.
Resolution No. 250214, Providing for the approval by the Council of the City of Philadelphia of a Revised Five Year Financial Plan for the City of Philadelphia covering Fiscal Years 2026 through 2030, and incorporating revisions with respect to Fiscal Year 2025, which is to be submitted by the Mayor to the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority pursuant to an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement by and between the City and the Authority.
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution No. 250215, Authorizing the Committee on Children and Youth to hold hearings on the implementation of Bill No. 220654-A and the success of Community Evening Resource Centers. (Gilmore-Richardson)
Resolution No. 250221, Condemning the Trump Administration for its reprehensible actions to drastically defund the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which will have a devastating effect on the enforcement of fair housing laws, damage communities, and escalate the affordable housing crisis. (Landau)
Bills and Resolutions Introduced Today (By Member)
Due to the volume, ceremonial resolutions introduced by Councilmembers that honor or memorialize individuals or organizations will not be listed below, but can be found on Legistar.
Councilmember Mark Squilla (D-1st)
Bill No. 250207: To amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Federal Street, 13th Street, Wharton Street, and Broad Street.
Bill No. 250208: Amending Section 12-1117 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Physically Handicapped and Disabled or Severely Disabled Veteran Parking," as it will take effect pursuant to Bill No. 240613-AA (approved December 18, 2024), by revising the definition of disability parking space and further amending The Philadelphia Code by updating cross-references to Section 12-1117 that now appear in Title 9, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," and Title 12, "Traffic Code."
Bill No. 250209: Amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," to clarify penalties and procedures associated with smart loading zone parking enforcement.
Council President Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
Bill No. 250195: Amending Chapter 19-1500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Wage and Net Profits Tax,” by revising certain tax rates.
Bill No. 250196: Adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2026.
Bill No. 250197: To adopt a Fiscal 2026 Capital Budget.
Bill No. 250198: To adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2026-2031 inclusive.
Bill No. 250199: Amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Business Income and Receipts Taxes," to revise tax rates and end certain exclusions from the tax on receipts.
Bill No. 250200: Amending Chapter 12-1000 The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," to revise the fee for the use of parking meters.
Bill No. 250201: Amending Chapter 19-1800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "School Tax Authorization," to provide for an increase in the tax that the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia is authorized to impose on real estate; and amending Chapter 19-1300, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," to establish an equivalent reduction in the tax rate for the City real estate tax.
Bill No. 250202: Amending Section 19-1806 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Authorization of Realty Use and Occupancy Tax," to eliminate certain exemptions.
Bill No. 250204: To amend Bill No. 240182 (approved June 14, 2024), entitled "An Ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2025-2030 inclusive," by revising various appropriation amounts and totals to conform to amendments to the FY2025 Capital Budget Ordinance.
Bill No. 250205: To amend Bill No. 240181 (approved June 14, 2024), entitled “An Ordinance To adopt a Fiscal 2025 Capital Budget,” by revising various appropriation amounts and totals.
Bill No. 250206: Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Water Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Transportation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
Bill No. 250210: Amending Section 10-1001 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Fees of Commissioner of Records," to increase the portion of fees for the recording of deeds and mortgages and related documents to be used for Housing Trust Fund purposes.
Bill No. 250211: Amending Chapter 19-1400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Realty Transfer Tax," by revising the rate of the tax.
Bill No. 250212: To amend Chapter 19-4400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Development Impact Tax," to end imposition of the tax.
Resolution No. 250214: Providing for the approval by the Council of the City of Philadelphia of a Revised Five Year Financial Plan for the City of Philadelphia covering Fiscal Years 2026 through 2030, and incorporating revisions with respect to Fiscal Year 2025, which is to be submitted by the Mayor to the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority pursuant to an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement by and between the City and the Authority.
Councilmember Jeffery Young (D-5th)
Bill No. 250203: Establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Ogden street between N. 13th street and Camac street; Wood street between N. 18th street and N. 19th street; N. 21st street between Hamilton street and Pennsylvania avenue; Franklin Town boulevard between Callowhill street and Wood street…in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Nina Ahmad (D-AL)
Bill No. 250213: Amending Section 9-633 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sale of Electronic Smoking Devices and Unapproved Nicotine Delivery Products," to update definitions and to provide for additional penalties, enforcement, and compliance options.
Councilmember Katherine Gilmore-Richardson (D-AL)
Resolution No. 250215: Authorizing the Committee on Children and Youth to hold hearings on the implementation of Bill No. 220654-A and the success of Community Evening Resource Centers.
Councilmember Rue Landau (D-AL)
Resolution No. 250221: Condemning the Trump Administration for its reprehensible actions to drastically defund the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which will have a devastating effect on the enforcement of fair housing laws, damage communities, and escalate the affordable housing crisis.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🗣️ 250183 (Thomas): Opposing any attempts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education or slash federal funding for public school programs that support low-income students and students with disabilities.
🏆 250216 (Gauthier): Honoring Officer Jesse Woodhouse for his outstanding service to the 16TH Police District in West Philadelphia on the occasion of his retirement.
🏆 250217 (Thomas): Honoring the members of Commonwealth Association of School Administrators as they have made significant contributions to their community, advocating for the rights and interests of staff and students in the school district.
🏆 250218 (Jones): Honoring and recognizing the career of Tumar Alexander, a dedicated public servant, on the occasion of his retirement from city government.
🏆 250219 (Jones): Honoring and recognizing Trey Howard for his heroic response to the plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia.
🏆 250220 (Landau): Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the civil rights marches across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama to Montgomery on March 7, 1965, also known as “Bloody Sunday.”
🏆 250222 (Brooks): Recognizing March 20, 2025 as Children First Day in the City of Philadelphia.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Monday, March 17th
Joint Committees on Public Safety and Public Health and Human Services, 10:00 AM - the committees will investigate the effectiveness and potential expansion of mobile mental health units administered by the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services.
Committee on Public Property and Public Works, 2:00 PM - the committee will hear bills authorizing the city’s acquisition of rights in various properties.
Tuesday March 18th
Joint Committees on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless and Licenses and Inspections, 10:00 AM - the committees will examine the conditions of rental housing, rental code enforcement, and the need for rental repairs throughout the City of Philadelphia.
Wednesday, March 19th
Committee on Technology and Information Services, 10:00AM - the committee will hold hearings regarding the operation of the Philadelphia 311 non-emergency hotline and its engagement with City departments
Committee on Rules, 2:00 PM - the committee will consider a bill to update the Mixed Income Neighborhoods Overlay District maps to reflect recent redistricting changes.
Monday, March 24th
Joint Committees on Education and Children & Youth, 12:00PM - the committee will hold hearings exploring the creation of a School District of Philadelphia Chief of Joy and the prevalence of the usage of exclusionary school discipline and the use of collective punishment practices in public schools across Philadelphia.
Tuesday, March 25th (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Five-Year Plan & Capital Program (10:30-12:30)
Mayor’s Office (1:30-4:30 PM)
Wednesday, March 26th (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Finance Group (10:00-12:30)
Department of Finance
Board of Pensions
City Treasurer & Sinking Fund
Department of Revenue
Office of Property Assesments
Tax Bills
Public Testimony (1:30-4:00)
Tax Bills
Monday, March 31st
Joint Committee on Licenses & Inspections and the Committee on Public Safety, 10:00 AM - the committees will hold hearings on enforcement against drug paraphernalia stores.
Tuesday, April 1st (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Chief Administrative Office Group (10:00-12:30)
Chief Administrative Office
Office of Human Resources
Office of Innovation & Technology
Procurement
Children and Families Group (1:30-4:00)
Human Services
Mayor’s Office of Education
Wednesday, April 2nd (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Office of Clean and Green Group (10:00-12:30)
Sanitation
Office of Clean and Green
Philadelphia Energy Authority
Transportation Group (1:30-4:00)
Streets
Water
Aviation