Broad Street Brief: June 11, 2026

City Hall

Mayor Parker, Council Move to Restore 340 School-Based Jobs

Mayor Parker announced the city found enough money in the existing budget to prevent 340 school‑based job cuts, noting her administration made “tough decisions” to save positions. She and Council President Johnson pledged 216 million dollars over five years to keep the jobs funded, saying the 48 million dollars added for the 2026–27 school year is a floor rather than a one‑time fix. They said they are working to identify a recurring revenue source to support the commitment, and Parker added that if none is found, the money would come from the city’s capital budget and other areas  The announcement came after Superintendent Watlington warned last week that the district could not restore positions without predictable long‑term funding. The district must now determine how to restore jobs after schools budgeted for cuts lost staff members who transferred or left.

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Philly Delegation Still Pushing to Close Online Sales‑Tax Loophole

Philadelphia’s state lawmakers will continue backing Mayor Cherelle Parker’s request to close a loophole that lets out‑of‑city online retailers avoid collecting the city’s 2% sales and use tax, a change expected to bring in about $1.5 million, even after City Council rejected most of her proposed tax hikes. Delegation chair Representative Morgan Cephas said lawmakers will revisit the measure once Council finalizes its budget, calling it a “technical amendment” and the most viable of Parker’s revenue ideas in Harrisburg this year. The push comes as the city looks to fill budget gaps without new local taxes, and as state leaders weigh which Philadelphia priorities, including school funding and tax‑credit expansions, might make it into the final state budget.

Philly Democrats Poised to Order Rerun of Cindy Bass’ Contested Ward Election

Philadelphia’s Democratic Party is expected to order a redo of the 22nd Ward leader election after Councilmember Cindy Bass declared herself the winner during a voice vote that ignored calls for a roll‑call tally. Party chair Bob Brady confirmed challenger Octavius Price has formally contested the results, and a party committee will hear both sides Sunday before recommending next steps, with a rerun seen as the most likely outcome. The move would mark a rare and public rebuke of Bass, a party vice chair who narrowly won reelection to Council and has clashed with progressives in her district. Bass said she’ll support whatever the party decides and is confident she has the votes if the election is repeated, while Price said he simply wants “a fair vote” and transparency in the process.

Mayor Parker, Council Seek Answers After Police Use of Force at Pride

Mayor Cherelle Parker says her administration is investigating the police response that led to 15 arrests during Sunday’s Pride celebrations in the Gayborhood, after videos showed officers on motorcycles, horseback, and foot using force to disperse crowds. Parker said she has been meeting with Commissioner Kevin Bethel, LGBTQ+ Affairs Director Tito Valdes, and community leaders, telling residents “I hear you, I see you,” and stressing that public safety and accountability “are not mutually exclusive.” Protesters gathered in Center City on Monday demanding transparency, while Councilmember Rue Landau,who said “police brutality has no place at Pride,” pressed for answers on who ordered the dispersal and why some officers wore face coverings in violation of policy. Bethel said two simultaneous Pride gatherings created safety challenges and led to the decision to clear parts of the neighborhood, and he has ordered a full after‑action review.

Council Advances Ban on Horse‑Drawn Carriages

City Council moved a step closer to banning all horse‑drawn carriages in Philadelphia, unanimously approving an amendment to expand a bill introduced by Councilmember Squilla. The legislation originally targeted commercial carriage operations but was broadened after advocates raised concerns about recent non‑commercial rides. Philly’s last carriage company closed in 2023, but supporters of the ban told Council the law is needed to prevent the practice from returning. A final vote is expected at Council’s last session before summer recess.

Parker to Open New Center City Public Safety Hub

Mayor Parker plans to open a new Joint Public Safety Hub in Center City that will house coordinated operations for Philadelphia Police, SEPTA Police, and Jefferson security. The administration says the hub is intended to improve communication among agencies and strengthen safety efforts in the city’s busiest commercial district.

Parker Declines DA Krasner’s Request for Additional Funding

District Attorney Larry Krasner delivered an open letter to Mayor Parker requesting $5.5 million above the funding level included in next year’s budget, citing needs for investigators, attorneys, and victim‑services support. Mayor Parker declined the request, noting that the District Attorney’s Office budget has increased 55% over the past five years, rising from $40 million in 2022 to $62 million in the FY27 budget approved by City Council last week. Parker said her administration is prioritizing identifying a recurring $50 million for the School District. Krasner said he made the request publicly to draw attention to what he views as unmet operational needs.

Kensington Wellness Center Opens First‑of‑Its‑Kind Community Courtroom

City officials opened a new courtroom inside the Kensington Wellness Support Center, creating a single hub where residents can access medical care, substance‑use treatment, social services, and same‑day hearings. Mayor Cherelle Parker said the goal is to bring services “into one centralized hub” in the heart of the neighborhood, which has already seen about 5,000 people use the center since it opened in 2025. The courtroom began operating this week, with Judge Joffie C. Pittman III noting the model is designed to remove barriers for people facing complex challenges. Officials say the center is open 24/7 and is already drawing interest from other cities looking to replicate the approach.

Around Town

DOJ Opens Inquiry Into PPD’s Gun‑Permit Revocations

The Justice Department has launched an investigation into whether Philadelphia police improperly revoked gun permits, notifying Mayor Cherelle Parker that federal officials will review the department’s policies after several members of the Black armed‑citizens group the Panthers had their licenses pulled with little explanation. The probe arrives as Parker and City Council continue a decades‑long push for stronger local gun regulations, efforts repeatedly struck down by state courts, and comes just months after Parker’s administration sued Glock, accusing the company of targeting young people through deceptive marketing.

Sheriff Bilal Announces Office Reorganization After Council Testimony

Sheriff Rochelle Bilal announced a reorganization of her office on Monday to address ongoing delays in processing deeds after sheriff sales. The update comes weeks after she told City Council during budget hearings that sales were running smoothly and that remaining delays were due to buyer issues. Court filings and interviews later showed the backlogs continued, and a May 13 court order directed the sheriff to produce a plan to speed up deed delivery. Bilal’s plan includes hiring a new undersheriff, adding sales technicians, and creating a public “deed tracker.”

Surprise Biden Appearance at 2026 Stonewall Awards

Former President Biden made an unannounced appearance at Philadelphia’s 2026 Stonewall Awards on Sunday, delivering a 20‑minute speech recognizing regional LGBTQ advocates and reflecting on ongoing civil‑rights challenges. The event, founded by Philadelphia Gay News publisher Mark Segal, honored leaders advancing LGBTQ rights, with Biden introduced by State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta and greeted by a standing ovation from attendees. This year’s honorees included Councilmember Squilla, the Philadelphia Visitor Center, and Alex Niedbalski‑Sykes of the Philadelphia Sisters, alongside community figures such as Philly Black Pride president Jacen Bowman, who received his second Stonewall Award.

SEPTA Transit Police Union Raises Strike Threat Ahead of World Cup

The Fraternal Order of Transit Police Lodge 109 says it may strike during Philadelphia’s World Cup events unless SEPTA agrees to binding arbitration to resolve stalled contract talks; officers have been working without a contract since March 31. Union president Omari Bervine said the union would give up its right to strike if SEPTA accepts arbitration, while SEPTA says it is reviewing the proposal and remains ready to negotiate with the state mediator. The union delivered a new written proposal Thursday that Bervine said moves closer to SEPTA’s position on wages and benefits.

Election Update

Senator Anthony Williams Says This Will Be His Final Campaign

State Senator Anthony H. Williams says November will be his last reelection bid, though he would not commit to serving a full four‑year term, a decision that could trigger a special election and allow ward leaders to choose his successor if he retires early. Williams, 69, said he wants to use his remaining time to focus on economic equity for Black Philadelphians and to bridge divides within the Democratic Party, even as he continues to face criticism for his long‑standing support of school choice. Over nearly four decades in Harrisburg, Williams has mentored many of the city’s top Democratic leaders, including House Speaker Joanna McClinton and Council President Johnson, who credit him with shaping their political careers.

Suburban Spotlight

Bucks DA Expands Child‑Protection Lawsuit Against Major Tech Platforms

Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan has expanded the county’s child‑protection lawsuit to include X, Meta, Roblox, and Discord, arguing the companies continue to fail to protect children from online predators. Khan said the amended complaint was filed the same day a Bucks County man was sentenced for using Roblox to pose as a teen and solicit nude photos, calling the platform’s design a tool that allowed him to “hide in plain sight.” The updated suit alleges the companies have defective reporting systems, weak parental controls, and algorithms that expose minors to grooming and exploitation. Bucks County first sued Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube three years ago, and Khan said his office is now joining the county in pursuing action under Pennsylvania consumer‑protection laws.

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