Broad Street Brief: April 9, 2026

City Hall

Council Pulls Resign‑to‑Run Ballot Question from May Primary

City Council’s Committee on Law and Government advanced legislation Monday to remove a proposed Home Rule Charter amendment from the May primary ballot, halting the latest effort to let Council members run for state or federal office without resigning their seats. Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, who initially championed the change, said he withdrew the measure after receiving feedback about its limited scope and amid concerns about advancing a controversial proposal during a high‑stakes election year. The move marks the fourth unsuccessful attempt in recent years to revise Philadelphia’s resign‑to‑run rules, which voters rejected in 2007 and 2014 and which stalled in Council in 2020.

Subscribe

Councilmember Jones Questions Timing of Falls and 59th Street Bridge Projects

During a budget hearing Tuesday, Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. asked transportation officials whether rehabilitation work on the Falls Bridge and 59th Street Bridge could be delayed, noting the projects would create significant traffic disruptions in his district next year. City officials said the Falls Bridge must move forward due to its deteriorating condition, while the 59th Street Bridge timeline has more flexibility. Both projects are expected to involve multiyear detours through 2029, and the city is holding public outreach meetings as planning continues.

Clean and Green Budget Highlights Camera Expansion, Waste‑Disposal Review

Philadelphia’s Office of Clean and Green Initiatives outlined a proposed $190 million budget Tuesday that includes higher sanitation labor costs, continued expansion of twice‑weekly trash collection, and plans to add 100 more surveillance cameras to monitor illegal dumping. Much of the Council hearing focused on whether the city will renew its contract with the Chester waste‑to‑energy incinerator, which currently handles about 37% of Philadelphia’s trash. Officials said an independent environmental review is underway and will inform any new agreement. The office also reported increased dumping‑enforcement activity, ongoing legal actions, and continued investment in cleanup crews and corridor‑maintenance programs.

Around Town

Advocates Press Council to Advance ICE Out Legislation Without Changes

Dozens of immigrant‑rights advocates rallied outside City Hall on Saturday, urging City Council to pass the pending ICE Out bill package as written ahead of an April 13 hearing. The legislation, introduced by Councilmembers Rue Landau and Kendra Brooks, would place new limits on ICE operations in Philadelphia, including requiring agents to show identification and restricting data sharing by city agencies. Speakers from No ICE Philly, CAIR‑Philadelphia, and allied groups framed the bills as essential protections for immigrant communities and called on Council to resist efforts to weaken the proposals.

Streetscape Upgrades Begin as Philly Prepares for 2026

Philadelphia is adding new bike racks, benches, planters, and neighborhood banners across 20 commercial corridors as part of a $1.7 million investment to prepare for major 2026 events, including the FIFA World Cup, the MLB All‑Star Game, and July 4th celebrations. The installations feature a “250” bell design and are intended to be permanent, while other beautification efforts — such as graffiti removal, landscaping along key highways, and temporary murals and pop‑up businesses on Market East — are part of broader citywide improvements. Additional upgrades include new ADA ramps and traffic‑calming measures at Lemon Hill ahead of FIFA’s fan festival, as well as tree plantings and transit‑station refurbishments in Market East.

City Resumes Street Cleaning in 14 Neighborhoods

Philadelphia’s mechanical street‑cleaning program returned Monday for its fifth year, bringing weekly sweeping and parking restrictions to 14 neighborhoods with high litter scores, including Frankford, Germantown, Kensington, Nicetown, Point Breeze, Port Richmond, Southwest Philadelphia, and West Philadelphia. Crews will operate Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Oct. 29, with expanded coverage in eight areas and “no parking” signs posted beginning April 13.

SEPTA Adds 24 Canadian Coach Cars to Bolster Regional Rail Reliability

SEPTA has purchased 24 used coach cars from Montréal’s Exo transit agency, using emergency state funding to supplement its aging Regional Rail fleet and reduce service disruptions. The additional cars follow earlier acquisitions from Maryland’s MARC system and are intended to ease pressure on the 50‑year‑old Silverliner IV fleet. Officials say the new cars will help maintain capacity and prevent cancellations as SEPTA works toward a full fleet replacement over the next five years, with the Canadian coaches expected to enter service later this spring.

PECO, United Way Expand Relief Fund to Help Low‑Income Households Manage Rising Energy Costs

PECO and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey have expanded the utility’s Customer Relief Fund, adding $2.5 million in one‑time $750 grants for low‑income households as rising energy prices strain family budgets. The program, funded by Exelon, now totals $12.5 million and is designed to support customers facing severe energy burdens amid higher supply costs, infrastructure upgrades, and growing regional demand. The expansion broadens eligibility to households at or below 150% of the federal poverty level and supplements existing assistance programs as PECO continues long‑term grid investments and advocates for structural market reforms.

Election Updates

Race for Philly’s 3rd District Enters Final Stretch

With six weeks until the May 19 primary, the race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans has narrowed to three leading Democrats: State Sen. Sharif Street, State Rep. Chris Rabb, and Dr. Ala Stanford. Stanford is getting a major boost from more than $2 million in spending by the 314 Action Fund, while Street is backed by the building trades and the Democratic City Committee’s field operation. Rabb is leaning on progressive organizers as all three look for potential national endorsements and wait to see whether Mayor Cherelle Parker weighs in.

Share

Share this...

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Linkedin