ROLL CALL

PRESENT:

17 - Councilmembers Bass, Brooks, Driscoll, Gauthier, Gilmore Richardson,

Harrity, Jones, Lozada, O'Neill, Phillips, Squilla, Thomas, Ahmad, Landau,

O'Rourke, Young and Council President Johnson

INVOCATION

Council met, a quorum being present.

BISHOP J. LOUIS FELTON, PRESIDENT OF THE BLACK CLERGY OF PHILADELPHIA & VICINITY

AND SENIOR PASTOR OF MOUNT AIRY CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, was introduced and offered

an appropriate prayer.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL

COUNCILMEMBER BASS MOVED TO APPROVE THE JOURNAL

of the meeting of Thursday, March 5, 2026.

THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO.

LEAVES OF ABSENCE

There were no leaves of absences requested.

COMMUNICATIONS

The Sergeant-at-Arms presented messages from the Mayor as follows:

March 11, 2026

TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY

OF PHILADELPHIA:

I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your Honorable Body the following

proposed Ordinance:

AN ORDINANCE

To amend Bill No. 250197 (approved June 13, 2025), entitled “An Ordinance To

adopt a Fiscal 2026 Capital Budget,” by revising various appropriation amounts

and totals, all under certain terms and conditions.

I hereby recommend your favorable consideration of this proposed Ordinance.

Respectfully,

Cherelle L. Parker

Mayor (File No. 260183)

March 11, 2026

TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY

OF PHILADELPHIA:

I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your Honorable Body the following

proposed Ordinance:

AN ORDINANCE

To adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2027-2032 inclusive.

I hereby recommend your favorable consideration of this proposed Ordinance.

Respectfully,

Cherelle L. Parker

Mayor (File No. 260184)

March 11, 2026

TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY

OF PHILADELPHIA:

I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your Honorable Body the following

proposed Ordinance:

AN ORDINANCE

To adopt a Fiscal Year 2027 Capital Budget.

I hereby recommend your favorable consideration of this proposed Ordinance.

Respectfully,

Cherelle L. Parker

Mayor (File No. 260185)

March 11, 2026

TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY

OF PHILADELPHIA:

I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your Honorable Body the following

proposed Ordinance:

AN ORDINANCE

Adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2027.

I hereby recommend your favorable consideration of this proposed Ordinance.

Respectfully,

Cherelle L. Parker

Mayor (File No. 260186)

March 11, 2026

TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY

OF PHILADELPHIA:

I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your Honorable Body the following

proposed Ordinance:

AN ORDINANCE

To amend Bill No. 250197 (approved June 13, 2025), entitled “An Ordinance To

adopt a Fiscal 2026 Capital Budget,” by revising various appropriation amounts

and totals, all under certain terms and conditions.

I hereby recommend your favorable consideration of this proposed Ordinance.

Respectfully,

Cherelle L. Parker

Mayor (File No. 260187)

March 11, 2026

TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY

OF PHILADELPHIA:

I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your Honorable Body the following

proposed Ordinance:

AN ORDINANCE

Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026 from: the General

Fund, the Water Fund, the Transportation Fund, and the Grants Revenue Fund,

all from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions; to: the

General Fund, the Water Fund, the Special Gasoline Tax Fund, the Grants

Revenue Fund, the Aviation Fund, and the Transportation Fund, all to certain or

all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.

I hereby recommend your favorable consideration of this proposed Ordinance.

Respectfully,

Cherelle L. Parker

Mayor (File No. 260188)

March 11, 2026

TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY

OF PHILADELPHIA:

I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your Honorable Body the following

proposed Ordinance:

AN ORDINANCE

Amending Subcode “A” (The Philadelphia Administrative Code) of Title 4 of The

Philadelphia Code (The Building, Construction and Occupancy Code), by adding

and revising Zoning Board of Adjustment fees and provisions regarding hearing

scheduling, all under certain terms and conditions.

I hereby recommend your favorable consideration of this proposed Ordinance.

Respectfully,

Cherelle L. Parker

Mayor (File No. 260189)

March 11, 2026

TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY

OF PHILADELPHIA:

I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your Honorable Body the following

proposed Ordinance:

AN ORDINANCE

Amending Chapter 6-600 of The Philadelphia Code (“Asbestos”), by adding and

revising provisions related to various fees, all under certain terms and

conditions.

I hereby recommend your favorable consideration of this proposed Ordinance.

Respectfully,

Cherelle L. Parker

Mayor (File No. 260190)

March 11, 2026

TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY

OF PHILADELPHIA:

I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your Honorable Body the following

proposed Ordinance:

AN ORDINANCE

Amending Section 19-1806 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Authorization of

Realty Use and Occupancy Tax,” to clarify the imposition of the tax on the use

or occupancy of real estate with respect to cell towers; all under certain terms

and conditions.

I hereby recommend your favorable consideration of this proposed Ordinance.

Respectfully,

Cherelle L. Parker

Mayor (File No. 260191)

March 11, 2026

TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY

OF PHILADELPHIA:

I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your Honorable Body the following

proposed Ordinance:

AN ORDINANCE

Amending Title 3 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Air Management Code,” to

modify the amounts of license and permit fees, under certain terms and

conditions.

I hereby recommend your favorable consideration of this proposed Ordinance.

Respectfully,

Cherelle L. Parker

Mayor (File No. 260192)

March 11, 2026

TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY

OF PHILADELPHIA:

I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your Honorable Body the following

proposed Ordinance:

AN ORDINANCE

Amending Chapter 19-2400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Hotel Room

Rental Tax,” by providing for an additional excise tax on hotel room rentals, all

under certain terms and conditions.

I hereby recommend your favorable consideration of this proposed Ordinance.

Respectfully,

Cherelle L. Parker

Mayor (File No. 260193)

March 11, 2026

TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY

OF PHILADELPHIA:

I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your Honorable Body the following

proposed Ordinance:

AN ORDINANCE

Amending Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Finance, Taxes and

Collections,” to add a new Chapter 19-4800, entitled “Retail Delivery Tax,” to

establish a tax on orders for the delivery in Philadelphia of retail consumer and

other tangible goods, all under certain terms and conditions.

I hereby recommend your favorable consideration of this proposed Ordinance.

Respectfully,

Cherelle L. Parker

Mayor (File No. 260194)

March 11, 2026

TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY

OF PHILADELPHIA:

I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your Honorable Body the following

proposed Ordinance:

AN ORDINANCE

Amending Chapter 19-1800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “School Tax

Authorization,” to a add a new Section 19-1808, entitled

“Authorization of

Rideshare Use Tax,” to authorize the Board of the School District of

Philadelphia to levy a tax upon the use by a passenger of a transportation

network company for a prearranged ride that originates in Philadelphia; all

under certain terms and conditions.

I hereby recommend your favorable consideration of this proposed Ordinance.

Respectfully,

Cherelle L. Parker

Mayor (File No. 260195)

March 11, 2026

TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY

OF PHILADELPHIA:

I am transmitting for the consideration of your Honorable Body a draft of a Resolution

entitled:

RESOLUTION

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 2027 through 2031, and incorporating revisions with respect

to Fiscal Year 2026, 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.

This Resolution has my approval and therefore I respectfully request that this

Honorable Body give it your favorable consideration.

Respectfully,

Cherelle L. Parker

Mayor (File No. 260196)

March 10, 2026

TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY

OF PHILADELPHIA:

I am pleased to advise you that on March 10, 2026, I signed the following bill, which

was passed by Council at its session on February 26, 2026:

Bill No. 241056

Respectfully,

Cherelle L. Parker

Mayor (File No. 260197)

FY2027 Budget Address: MAYOR CHERELLE L. PARKER

Good morning, Philadelphia! To my friend, Council President Kenyatta

Johnson, and your leadership team - Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore

Richardson, Majority Whip Isaiah Thomas, Deputy Majority Whip Cindy

Bass, Minority Leader Kendra Brooks, Minority Whip Nicholas O’Rourke,

and to every dedicated Member of City Council,

To our Philadelphia delegation in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and

every statewide leader present,

To Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, House Appropriations Chairman

Jordan Harris, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chairman Vincent Hughes,

To our cherished Faith Leaders, the Men and Women of Organized Labor,

Community, Business and Civic Leaders,

To my Cabinet, led with excellence by my Chief of Staff, Tiffany Thurman,

Chief Deputy Mayors Vanessa Garrett Harley and Sincere Harris, as well as

every Cabinet member here in the room today ...

And to every Philadelphian watching online, listening on WURD, or tuning in

on television,

Our Third Year is underway and I am more energized, hopeful and determined

than ever to lead us forward as your 100th Mayor. Today, I am proposing for

your consideration my “One Philly, One Future” Fiscal Year 2027 Budget,

Five-Year Plan and Recommended Capital Budget and Program.

This $7 Billion FY 2027 Budget is not just a ledger full of numbers - it’s a bold

set of strategic investments and a roadmap to a Safer, Cleaner and Greener

Philadelphia, with Access to Economic Opportunity for All.

Before we chart the path ahead, I want to pause and honor those who embody

the spirit of service and sacrifice that define our city. To the Men and Women

and Individuals of our Philadelphia Police and Fire Departments and all of our

City workers- your courage, dedication and resilience are the heartbeat of our

city.

When you see my Cabinet and I wearing Blue, Red and White ribbons today,

know that each color carries a story - a story of sacrifice and service to the

people of Philadelphia.

Last December, we lost Philadelphia Police Highway Patrolman Andy Chan -

a husband, a father, a protector. To Mrs. Chan and your children, our blue

ribbons are a small symbol of the gratitude and respect of an entire city. Please

rise.

Back on March 2nd, as flames rose in the Wynnefield community, Nine brave

Philadelphia Firefighters ran towards the danger and ended up hospitalized as a

result.

Lieutenant Julius Sanders from Ladder 24 was there that night. So were eight

other Firefighters. I want you to hear their names:

And from Ladder 24, Firefighters:

Peter Turck

James McCaffery

Steven Bolling

Justin Easley -

And from Engine 41, Firefighters:

Justin Heger

Jonathan Garofolo

Lieutenant Joseph Ryan

And Brian Collins from Engine 16

Lt. Sanders, please rise on behalf of you and your colleagues. The red ribbon

is for you and all your fellow Firefighters who put their lives on the line that

night.

And to the family of Timothy Sapp, a longtime employee of the Streets

Department who passed during one of the recent winter storms. Mr. Sapp had

just finished his plowing shift when he suffered a fatal medical emergency. His

widow, Corine [Cur-IN], is here with us today, and I would ask her to please

rise as we recognize Mr. Sapp’s decades of service and commitment to the

City of Philadelphia.

And to the families of several other City employees who have passed recently -

Kenneth King from the Sanitation Department, Christopher Thompson from

Fleet, and Darryl Brown from Parks and Recreation, thank you for your loved

ones’ service to our great City.

The White ribbons we are wearing today honor the memory of Mr. Sapp and

all of our other departed city colleagues.

As we head into FY 2027, let’s look first briefly at where we’ve been and

where we’re going. Philadelphia, we are making real and measurable progress.

Our city is safer, cleaner, and greener - and the data proves it.

We are safer under the leadership of Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and

Public Safety Director Adam Geer.

Through their leadership and our wholistic P.I.E. strategy - Prevention,

Intervention and Enforcement -- and our community anti-violence groups

across our City -- homicides and shootings are at their LOWEST LEVELS in

over 50 years! Council President Johnson, we are on our way!

Don’t just take my word for it - Pew Charitable Trusts confirms: our progress

outpaces 20 other major U.S. cities.

That is why I am proud to affirm that we are proposing $25 Million in

Community-based Anti-Violence grants in FY27, because these investments

work! My friend, Pastor Carl Day can attest to that fact.

People like Taj Murdock of Men of Courage, Chante Love from Every

Murder is Real, Manny215 and Tone Barr. Please rise and be recognized!

Councilmember Jones, the author of our Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia--

we have MORE work to do, but these investments ARE WORKING!

Can I also hear applause for the Men and Women of our Philadelphia Police

Department, our Commissioner Bethel - the best commissioner in the United

States, and for Chief Public Safety Director Geer and everyone on his team!

We are not stopping there. Lower homicide numbers are only the beginning.

The Philadelphia Police Department is also helping to address quality of life

issues in our neighborhoods. A new team of Quality-of-Life Assurance

officers will be deployed to every police district in the city. Many of you have

already seen them in action with the Market East Revitalization Project.

These officers are addressing nuisance properties and problem establishments

that disrupt the peace of our residential blocks.

Here’s one more important update: Body-worn cameras are now issued to

every officer in every patrol district, as well as our front-line personnel. We

promised this to the People of Philadelphia, and we are delivering on that

promise!

We are Cleaning up and Greening up our city.

Under Clean and Green Director Carlton Williams and Sanitation Director

Crystal Jacobs Shipman, we executed 94,000 actions last year. Cleaner

streets. Illegal dumping tackled. Twice-a-week trash collection restored. No

more “Filthadelphia.” We are trying!! ...

At the same time, we are advancing environmental justice through our Urban

Forestry Unit, because we know neighborhoods with higher poverty often have

fewer trees.

In partnership with the Department of Commerce, we trained 40 “Taking Care

of Business” ambassadors to care for 460 newly planted trees on commercial

corridors. In FY27, we will focus on 3,600+ trees and shrubs planted last

year, with a focus on Cobbs Creek and Tacony Creek Park.

Cleaner, Greener. And Stronger. A promise made. A promise kept.

Let me be clear: we ALWAYS fact-check our Promises to the People of

Philadelphia.

We fact-checked 26 Promises that I made in last year’s Budget Address. And,

in a document that’s on all of your desks today, we’re letting you know exactly

how we did.

We do not promise perfection; we’re doing the best we can with what we

have. Take a look. Check out our progress! Let us know what you think.

Now, Philadelphia, it’s time to dream bigger. Let’s roll up our sleeves and dive

into the $7 Billion Budget Proposal that I offer for Council’s consideration

today.

First, nothing will shake me from my core belief that fiscal stability is the

foundation upon which we build everything else, and I am proud to announce:

The state of the City’s fiscal health remains Strong, but faces rising challenges.

We continue making contributions to the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund -

also known as the “Rainy Day Fund”. It will have $344 million by the end of

the proposed Five-Year Plan, the most ever. That fund will be especially

important as we face economic and federal policy uncertainties. I want to thank

Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for everything she’s done on

this issue.

Our City’s Pension Fund also continues to move in the right direction. We've

surpassed the 67 percent funding level - the highest in decades! That’s a 20+

percentage increase in just 10 years. AND, the Fund’s actuary projects that it

will reach 80 percent in FY29 and 100 percent by FY33. It happened because

of shared sacrifice!

Because of our collective discipline and determination--Philadelphia has

secured its highest combined credit rating in decades.

I want to thank the Members and staff of the Pension Board, our Municipal

Unions, City Council, and our PHL delegation to the General Assembly.

Once these pension obligations are fully funded, our annual General Fund costs

will drop by HUNDREDS of MILLIONS of DOLLARS. That’s real money

we can use for our biggest priorities.

We still face fiscal challenges ahead. As I’ve noted previously, the City

borrowed $1.3 billion in the 1990s to shore up our pension fund. We’re

STILL paying for it today. From now through FY29, the General Fund will

pay almost $550 million in debt service on our Pension Obligation Bonds -

including a $64 million balloon payment in FY29.

We also are facing limited job growth and persistent inflation. And the lifeline of

our $1.4 billion in COVID relief money - ARPA -- is gone.

Despite that we’ll meet our obligations as we always do. I will NEVER allow

anything to compromise our fiscal stability! ...

Ok, now let’s get into the meat of the Budget. In my first and second budgets -

One Philly, a United City and One Philly 2.0, my Administration set out on a

bold course: Making Philly a Safer, Cleaner and Greener city for every

Philadelphian.

Now, in this third year, my focus sharpens on a goal that touches every family

and every neighborhood: Economic Mobility for ALL ... and Self Sufficiency

for All.

Because what good is a Safer, Cleaner and Greener City -- if our people don’t

have access to good-paying jobs, quality health care, and a real shot at raising

a family, owning a home, and building a pathway to a better, more affordable

life?

THAT’S what my Economic Mobility Agenda is all about!

If you were like me, a product of humble beginnings, first generation college

graduate, first-generation Ivy League graduate, you may need some direction.

I am introducing what I call Philadelphia’s ECONOMIC “GPS” - Growth,

Prosperity, and Security. It’s a roadmap to self-sufficiency, a path that makes it

easier for every Philadelphian to move up, not just get by.

Just like the GPS in your car, this budget charts the course. From early

childhood to school age, from graduation to career, all the way to retirement -

my Economic Mobility Plan is designed so there is a pathway for everyone, at

every stage of life, to move up that ladder.

But first, Growth must be inclusive and dynamic. Whether you run a small

business on a neighborhood corridor or a manufacturing plant, you deserve to

grow, hire, and compete. Prosperity must be shared and accessible, with every

resident able to afford a home, gain a quality education, and get the skills

training they need.

If we get this right - by making value-driven, data-informed investments -

Philadelphia can become the national model for economic mobility. This is our

moment, our chance to do what no city has done before.

So, Philadelphia, let’s get to work and move up from being last in economic

mobility -let's show the world what “One Philly, One Future” really means!

We are working to reduce barriers to Economic Mobility, and provide

ACCESS to Capital, workforce development, transportation, and here’s a big

one - Housing Affordability.

We see HOUSING as a GATEWAY to Economic Mobility - and I know

City Council does too!

Ask any economist - liberal, moderate, conservative - do we have a Housing

crisis in our Nation? Everyone will agree: YES, we do! It’s rooted in two

things: Supply and Production.

That is why my Administration is proposing SPECIFIC solutions. ...

A $2 Billion investment in building, restoring, and repairing 30,000 units of

housing through our H.O.M.E. Initiative - Housing Opportunities Made Easy -

the largest housing initiative in Philadelphia’s HISTORY!

Kelvin Jeremiah at PHA - 20,000 deeply affordable units = 50,000 units of

housing overall - COLLABORATION!

H.O.M.E. programs like One Philly Mortgage ... Basic Systems Home

Repair... Renter Protection ... Adaptive Modification ... Turn the Key - ALL

of these programs and others are designed to help Philadelphians buy their own

homes, obtain grants to repair their existing homes, or help with the high costs

of rental housing - THAT’s Economic Mobility, Councilmembers!

And while I know there were some differences around who should benefit

from some of these programs, Councilmember Gauthier, we can all agree that

we need to ensure we’re serving both renters and homeowners.

The proposed Five-Year Plan I offer here today, includes debt service for two

$400 million borrowings under H.O.M.E. Councilmember Jones, the first

borrowing goes to market very shortly! Help - and more HOUSING - are on

the way!

We can do so much with this borrowing - and we will! Philadelphia is stepping

up! Doing the hard work! However, this is not just a Philadelphia problem.

Our Governor has made housing a priority in his budget, and we want to work

with him and our legislative delegation to ensure that Philadelphia gets its fair

share of that new state housing funding.

Next ... let’s talk about our Philadelphia Building Trades, investing $50 Million

to completely renovate an affordable apartment building for senior citizens!

Ryan Boyer, the Building Trades, Kelvin Jeremiah and PHA! I see you! This is

how we achieve success together.

Here’s another Investment in Economic Mobility: Building factories to create

Modular Housing - build the SUPPLY to meet the DEMAND - and not just in

one neighborhood, Philadelphia!

Supply and Production, Councilmember Thomas!! Thank you for your

partnership and seeing this vision before it was embraced by others.

Factories with employees working around the clock, 24/7 - family-sustaining

Union jobs - to build affordable and workforce homes for Philadelphians who

need housing NOW.

We propose investing $10 million in this Budget to move this forward! And

guess what? We put out an “RFI” - a Request for Information - and there is

REAL interest coming in ALREADY, isn’t that right Jessie Lawrence and

Angela Brooks?

Stay with me! ... Let’s talk about Access to Workforce Development as part

of our Economic Mobility agenda.

We propose adding $10 million to our budget to support workforce

development training.

In my last budget, we made this same commitment and invested in

organizations like the Center for Black Educator Development, UNITE Here,

the Black Brain Campaign, and SEIU. These investments are already making a

difference.

In ADDITION, thanks to philanthropy led by Comcast, the William Penn

Foundation, the Philadelphia Foundation and others, another $10 million has

been invested to provide workers in emerging industries with the support and

skills training that people NEED. THAT’S ECONOMIC MOBILITY!

Layla Bibi, Omar Nelson, and Sherman McLeod, I SEE you! The skills

training that you do at the Carpenter’s Union, the Sam Staten Sr.

Apprenticeship program and the Philadelphia Technical Training Institute is just

what we need to move forward with economic mobility.

This budget allows us to invest in you- with public awards coming soon!

All our work on EDUCATION is designed to increase Economic Mobility.

Every day, we’re focused on increasing pathways for our children AND adult

learners.

For our youngest learners, we propose adding 100 new, high-quality seats to

the PHLpreK program for a total of 5,350.

Parents of children in the program can work with peace of mind while knowing

that their children are receiving a free high-quality education. ECONOMIC

MOBILITY!

Through our Extended Day/Extended Year partnership with the School

District, we’ve opened pre- and after-school enrichment programs with over

14,000 slots now in 40 schools - District AND charter-operated. ... Winter,

Spring, Summer Breaks - our Families cannot afford to pay for these programs

- we're providing them!

It’s going so well that we propose investing $1.9 million to EXPAND ED/EY

to 47 Schools in FY27 - that’s 35 District operated and 12 charter schools.

Take a bow - Dr. Tony Watlington, our tremendous Superintendent of

Schools, Dr. Deb Carrera, my Chief Education Officer, and Chief Deputy

Mayor Garrett Harley!

Parents of two ED/EY students are here with us today. Quill and Tish Camera,

whose children, attend Solis-Cohen Elementary, please rise and be recognized!

When I was on the campaign trail in 2023, I always heard the question: how

can you help me gain access to a good-paying city job? What are you going to

do about all of those vacancies in our City?

Through our City College for Municipal Employment - CCME - we've

educated hundreds of students about career opportunities in City Government.

Thanks to a strong collaboration among the Community College of Philadelphia

led by Dr. Alycia Marshall, the School District of Philadelphia led by Dr. Tony

Watlington, Philadelphia Works - led by the amazing Pat Clancy and our Chief

Administrative Office under Camille Duchaussee, CCME is working! Pat, Dr.

Marshall, Dr. Watlington, thanks for everything you’re doing to make CCME a

success!

As a next step, we propose investing $7 Million to establish a CCME Fellows

program for recent graduates transitioning to municipal employment.

Two recent CCME graduates who now work for the City of Philadelphia are

here today. Inga Figetola is an Information Security Analyst with the Office of

Innovation and Technology and Tynae Robinson is a Clerk with the Sanitation

Department. Please stand!

Our Economic Mobility agenda has another super exciting development on the

Education front.

Higher education has been a proven pathway to high wage jobs and entry into

the middle class for generations of Philadelphians.

As the cost of higher education has risen, many Philadelphians have taken out

loans to pay for undergraduate and graduate studies.

Today, more than 231,000 Philadelphians have student loan debt, and 14% of

them are over the age of 65.

Changes to the federal student loan program approved by Congress in 2025

threaten to increase costs for most borrowers.

That’s why as a part of my economic mobility agenda we propose investing

$850,000 to start a STUDENT LOAN HELP CENTER to assist borrowers

as they try to navigate the confusing and frequently changing landscape, while

at the same time seeking public service loan forgiveness, putting tens of

thousands of dollars back in the pockets of Philadelphians.

The Mayor’s Office of Education will lead this effort with the Office of

Community Empowerment and Opportunity and the Chief Administrative

Office.

Helping Philadelphians get rid of their student debt is economic mobility!

Now- before we leave Education, we are all aware that the School District is

facing a financial crisis.

The Parker administration is committed to ensuring that our schools are

adequately funded and students have a thorough and effective public education.

In my first 2 budgets, I made significant steps toward fulfilling my promise to

shift the millage percentage from 55 percent to 58 percent. So far in our

five-year plan, we have invested $131 Million more in our Schools through our

changes to the millage rate.

We’re halfway to my promise in just two years!

Today we are adding even more revenue to support the ongoing operations of

the District.

Through the implementation of 2 new taxes, we propose to generate $12

Million annually that will go directly to the School District.

The Transportation Network Company Tax is a 20 Cents per ride tax on

rideshare rides that originate in Philadelphia. Beginning July 1 of NEXT year,

this tax is expected to generate $9.6 million per year - and all the revenue will

go to our School District. Councilmember Landau, we look forward to

working with you on this!

We are also proposing to modify the tax calculation for cell towers under the

Use & Occupancy Tax. Think about those metal antenna “contraptions” on

tops of buildings scattered across the city. You may rarely notice them, but

that’s how the big telecom companies try to make sure you get a good signal

wherever you are. They’re leasing that rooftop space, and it makes good sense

to ensure that business activity is taxed to help support our schools. We

estimate this would generate an additional $2.4 Million annually for the School

District.

We still need more! Board President Reginald Streater, I hear you!

We will work hard to support our Governor and our State legislators to help

Philadelphia fix our crumbling school facilities and give our children the learning

spaces they deserve. We will help Harrisburg - help Philadelphia. It’s the

State’s responsibility to deliver a thorough and efficient education, and we’ll be

watching their appropriations closely. Our kids deserve it!

We’re also supporting Small and Local businesses and encouraging Innovation

in our City economy as part of our Economic Mobility agenda.

When a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court made it clear that Philadelphia’s

program for ensuring diversity in contracts would have to change, my

Administration did not wait for another adverse court ruling. We acted

Proactively and Decisively.

Under Nadir Jones, our Director of Business Impact

Economic

Advancement, and Chief Deputy Mayor Garrett Harley - with expert legal

advice from our Solicitor Renee Garcia - we immediately began building a new

program emphasizing SMALL and LOCAL businesses in how the City awards

contracts.

We’re proposing $3.3 Million in FY27 to support this critically important new

initiative.

I am confident our new Small and Local initiative will not just succeed, it will

EXCEED the previous program in the QUANTITY and QUALITY of

contracts awarded to small and local businesses.

At the same time, we’re going to close a loophole in the City’s sales & use tax

which would require remote sellers outside the city to charge a 2% local sales

tax beginning July 1st.

Right now, any business located outside Philadelphia only has to charge the

state’s 6% sales tax on something you buy online, while our local businesses

have to collect the full 8% - 6% for the state and 2% for the City.

It’s long past time we level the playing field, so no matter where a business is

located, whether that be elsewhere in Pennsylvania or anywhere across the

country, EVERY seller is subject to the same sales tax. It’s only fair, and we

estimate this will generate $1.5 million for the City.

Our agenda supports INNOVATION and GROWTH in our local economy

as well.

We support the commercial and industrial base of South Philadelphia called

“Lower South” in becoming a new, thriving economic hub, located in Council

President Johnson’s district ...

Councilmembers, we are talking about the potential for tens of thousands of

good-paying, family sustaining jobs at the Bellwether District, the Navy Yard

and PhilaPort!

See this Vision of Economic Mobility with me!

We all know Philadelphia is home to some of the finest educational and

medical institutions in the Country - our ‘Eds and Meds’ help drive growth and

we’re PROUD of them!

But now, some folks are catching up to what I’ve been saying through my first

two years as Mayor -these MARITIME, SHIPBUILDING and DEFENSE

industries can and should be essential parts of our efforts to growour Economy.

WE CAN, SHOULD and MUST COMPETE FOR THE WORK, PHILLY!

Consider this: $5 Billion in planned infrastructure investment by Hanwha Philly

Shipyard! ... Hanwha has already grown its workforce here, but there’s the

potential for thousands of additional jobs ...

Rhoads Industries is investing $100 million to expand its work with the U.S.

Navy and expects to double its workforce to 1,000. The shipbuilding and

defense industry need welders and with partners like CCP and PTTI,

Philadelphia can supply them! That’s ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY,

Councilmembers!

Stay with me!

I’m an optimist - the glass is always half full. Out of challenge comes

opportunity. ... And just as exciting is the prospect of a new, first-in-class

arena that will be home to our Philadelphia 76ers and Flyers - and soon, our

own WNBA team! - ALONG WITH an opportunity to drive towards a larger

vision for the Stadium Complex.

Want to see the vision? You don’t need to squint! How many people attended

the Unrivaled Tour women’s two pro basketball games in Philadelphia?

21,000 people per game! Wait till the WNBA gets here! The Philadelphia

Sisters- Alex and Wanda Sykes! Ashley Lunkenheimer and Starla Crandall! --

---- Councilmember Thomas!

The Stadium Complex now supports around 300 events per year, attracting

residents and visitors to see our championship teams.

Now imagine if our Complex expands into an Entertainment venue - like

Atlanta’s “Battery” - that draws crowds and becomes a Destination in and of

itself - no matter if there’s a sports event there or not!

We can do this... John Middleton, Mike Harris, Jeff Lurie, Don Smolenski,

Brian Roberts, Dan Hilferty, Josh Harris and David Adelman - let's work

TOGETHER with my administration, Council President Johnson and Governor

Shapiro and make this vision a reality!

More jobs! More pathways! More crowds! And more tax revenues to help as

we deliver vital state and city services! That is how you increase Economic

Mobility!

There’s MORE to our Economic Mobility Agenda, and it requires

COLLABORATION and CONNECTEDNESS -

For years there’s been a Career Connected Learning program that supports

summer and academic year jobs for our young people.

In our Five-Year plan, I am proposing $14.7 million to create an additional

1,000 new summer job slots. This will bring our total to 9,000 opportunities.

But this is not enough - the demand far exceeds our supply. This is why I am

issuing a challenge to our business community - to all of our business chambers

- help us add another 1,000 jobs! We want to get to 10,000 Summer jobs for

our young people - the highest amount we can remember in one Summer!

There’s MORE on our Economic Mobility Agenda in this Budget, folks!

Philadelphia, another powerful way we are increasing economic mobility is by

financially empowering our residents.

For far too long, too many Philadelphians have been fending for themselves

and subjected to unfair and even predatory financial practices. But that is

changing on our watch.

We propose investing $13.9 Million over the Five Year Plan to break through

these cycles and open new pathways to economic opportunity.

Through programs like our Financial Empowerment Centers, the BankOn

Philadelphia Coalition, and ClaimYourMoneyPHL, we are providing real,

tangible support:

Free, expert financial counseling,

Expanding access to safe, low-cost banking options,

and helping people collect the tax refunds they’ve earned. Allan Domb!

Councilmember Brooks - We're putting dollars back into the pockets of

Philadelphians. Through ClaimyourMoneyPHL, we’ve brought $19 million in

tax refunds back to families and into our local economy.

These types of services are essential, and we’re going to develop a One Philly

Economic GPS app to put them in the palm of your hand. The City gets credit

ratings from Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P; and Philadelphians get credit reports

from Equifax, Experion, and TransUnion.

With this app, we’re going to ensure you can get help to check your credit,

manage your debt, and keep your financial house in order - just like the City!

OUR intention is that you can get access in a one-stop shop - whether that be

at your District Councilperson’s Office, or one of our Neighborhood

Community Action Centers, or on your phone.

This is about making sure that every Philadelphia household has its own solid

financial footing and can build generational wealth and move up the

socioeconomic ladder - rung by rung. THAT’S the path to self-sufficiency and

greater economic opportunity for all!

Get your own fiscal house in order and your City is going to help you.

In Philadelphia, upward economic mobility shouldn’t be the exception. It must

be the Expectation!

That’s why, to do this within City government - ALL of our efforts around

Economic Mobility must remain coordinated, collaborative and strategic.

To spearhead this endeavor, I propose establishing a new Economic Mobility

Cabinet to oversee our City College for Municipal Employment and

Workforce portfolio as well as the Office of Community Empowerment and

Opportunity that leads our financial empowerment initiatives.

This Cabinet will lead across City government and with the business and

philanthropic community that’s committed to making Philadelphia a place

where hardworking people enjoy the quality of life they deserve.

Hiring and adding to our City’s municipal workforce is economic mobility too!

Since January 2024, when I became Mayor, we have added over 2,000 net

new City jobs - and that’s not by accident!

This is the result of tireless coordination to find and hire talented people who

want to serve Philadelphia, with good jobs, strong salaries, and real benefits.

And let’s talk about access to opportunity. Safe, reliable transit is the bedrock

of economic mobility. That’s why the “One Philly, One Future” budget delivers

an historic almost $900 Million investment in SEPTA over the five-years.

Public Transit is ESSENTIAL to our Region’s future and to Economic

Mobility for our Residents and businesses!

Councilmember O’Rourke, for the 3rd year in a row, we are proposing to

continue our investment in the Zero Fare program - $25 million to help

low-income Philadelphians by providing them with free SEPTA passes.

We’re also proposing $10 million to cover fares for City employees through

Key Advantage, because economic GPS starts with something simple: A

reliable ride to work. That’s economic mobility in action.

Every Philadelphian deserves a city that delivers for them in the everyday

moments of life - the streets we drive on, the blocks we walk down, the parks

where our children play.

Because improving quality of life starts with the basics - and I know

Councilmembers like Cindy Bass, Anthony Phillips, and Brian O’Neill know

exactly what I’m talking about.

That’s why this budget proposes a $7.1 Million investment to launch the “ONE

PHILLY POTHOLE SQUAD.”

Now, I know some folks might be thinking, “Mayor Parker, what’s a

Pothole Squad?” I’m glad you asked!

Last year alone, the Streets Department repaired more than 60,000 potholes

across our city-but that wasn’t enough

The Pothole Squad is simple - more crews, more equipment, and more action

to keep our roads in good repair. With dedicated maintenance teams in each of

the city’s six highway districts, the Pothole Squad will respond faster and

proactively patrol neighborhoods to fix potholes and roadway defects.

Philadelphians, I hear you! That’s worthy of applause!

Fixing our streets and patching potholes costs money. So in this budget, we are

proposing a new Retail Delivery Tax of 25 cents per order on certain goods

delivered in Philadelphia, beginning July 1, 2027. The tax will be charged to

retailers.

Essential delivery items would be excluded, including food, baby products,

medications, and medical devices.

The tax is expected to generate $15 million annually, with the revenue

dedicated to improving road conditions across our city. In other words,

businesses that rely on our streets for deliveries will help pay to maintain them.

Makes sense, right?

Traffic safety is just as important. Through our capital program, we’re again

committing a $30 Million investment for Vision Zero strategies to make our

streets safer for everyone.

Now, let’s talk about another issue residents raise all the time: Illegal Dumping.

Dumping on neighborhood blocks isn’t just an eyesore - it damages quality of

life and disrespects communities.

That’s why this budget continues to strengthen our One Philly Illegal Dumping

Task Force. Since launching this effort, we’ve issued 105 violation notices,

cleared 88 enforcement cases, and secured $3.5 million in judgments against

illegal dumpers.

Councilmember Lozada, we are sending a clear message: illegal dumping will

not be tolerated in our city!

And as we clean up our neighbo (File No. 260198)

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

Councilmember Gilmore Richardson Introduced and Referred the following Bill for Council

President Johnson, Sponsored by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson:

Bill No. 260199: An Ordinance Adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year

2027.

THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.

Councilmember Gilmore Richardson Introduced and Referred the following Bill for Council

President Johnson, Sponsored by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson:

Bill No. 260200: An Ordinance To adopt a Fiscal Year 2027 Capital Budget.

THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.

Councilmember Gilmore Richardson Introduced and Referred the following Bill for Council

President Johnson, Sponsored by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson:

Bill No. 260201: An Ordinance To adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years

2027-2032 inclusive.

THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.

Councilmember Gilmore Richardson Introduced and Referred the following Bill for Council

President Johnson, Sponsored by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson:

Bill No. 260202: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 19-2400 of The Philadelphia

Code, entitled “Hotel Room Rental Tax,” by providing for an additional excise tax on

hotel room rentals, all under certain terms and conditions.

THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.

Councilmember Gilmore Richardson Introduced and Referred the following Bill for Council

President Johnson, Sponsored by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson:

Bill No. 260203: An Ordinance Amending Subcode “A” (The Philadelphia

Administrative Code) of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code (The Building, Construction

and Occupancy Code), by adding and revising Zoning Board of Adjustment fees and

provisions regarding hearing scheduling, all under certain terms and conditions.

THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.

Councilmember Gilmore Richardson Introduced and Referred the following Bill for Council

President Johnson, Sponsored by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson:

Bill No. 260204: An Ordinance Amending Title 3 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled

“Air Management Code,” to modify the amounts of license and permit fees, under

certain terms and conditions.

THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.

Councilmember Gilmore Richardson Introduced and Referred the following Bill for Council

President Johnson, Sponsored by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson:

Bill No. 260205: An Ordinance Amending Section 19-1806 of The Philadelphia

Code, entitled “Authorization of Realty Use and Occupancy Tax,” to clarify the

imposition of the tax on the use or occupancy of real estate with respect to cell towers;

all under certain terms and conditions.

THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.

Councilmember Gilmore Richardson Introduced and Referred the following Bill for Council

President Johnson, Sponsored by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson:

Bill No. 260206: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 6-600 of The Philadelphia Code

(“Asbestos”), by adding and revising provisions related to various fees, all under

certain terms and conditions.

THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.

Councilmember Gilmore Richardson Introduced and Referred the following Bill for Council

President Johnson, Sponsored by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson:

Bill No. 260207: An Ordinance To amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing

the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by

I-76, the Schuylkill Expressway Ramp, Hartranft Street, and the Conrail

Right-of-Way.

THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES.

Councilmember Landau Introduced and Referred the following Bill for Council President Johnson,