Broad Street Brief: City Council Passes FY26 Budget, HOME Bills

City Hall

City Council Passes FY26 Budget, HOME Bills

During their final meeting before summer recess, the City Council passed a staggering 58 bills, including the FY26 Capital and Operating Budgets, business and wage tax cuts, and several bills critical to Mayor Cherelle Parker’s $2 billion Housing Opportunities Made Easy (HOME) Initiative. These included an $800 million bond authorization to fund more than 30 housing-related programs and four zoning bills designed to reduce construction costs and streamline development.

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City Council Presses Parks Department Over Use of Banned Herbicides

During a joint hearing Tuesday, City Council’s Committees on Labor & Civil Services and Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs criticized the Parks & Recreation Department for continuing to use chemical herbicides in violation of a 2020 law, citing health risks and demanding a shift to safer alternatives.

Dog Ban in Parks Faces Criticism Over Enforcement

A proposed Philadelphia law would impose $2,000 fines for bringing dogs into designated animal-free parks, but critics argue it lacks effective enforcement and may do little to change behavior.

Around Town

Philadelphia Residents Optimistic About City; Crime, Costs Still Top Concerns

A 2025 Pew survey shows Philadelphians feel more positive about the city’s direction and Mayor Parker’s leadership, with growing confidence in public safety and civic life. However, concerns about crime, poverty, housing affordability, and financial insecurity—especially among women and renters—remain significant challenges.

Eagles Owner Donates $50M to Launch Autism Institute with Penn, CHOP

Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie is donating $50 million to establish the Lurie Autism Institute in partnership with Penn Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to advance research, diagnosis, and treatment for individuals across the autism spectrum.

DA Krasner Backs Lawsuit Against $500M Federal Public Safety Cuts

DA Larry Krasner joined a federal lawsuit opposing the Trump administration’s $500 million cuts to public safety programs, arguing the move undermines effective anti-violence efforts and reflects a broader political agenda to stoke urban unrest.

Former Mayor Defends Philadelphia’s Sanctuary City Policy

In an op-ed published in The Washington Post on Tuesday, former Mayor Jim Kenney explained that declaring Philadelphia a sanctuary city in 2016 was a practical and moral decision to protect public health, safety, and due process for undocumented residents. He criticized federal immigration policies and urged fellow Democrats to promote compassionate, common-sense immigration reform.

One Year Out: City Gears Up for 2026 FIFA World Cup

With exactly one year to go until Philadelphia hosts six matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, City officials unveiled a countdown clock at Dilworth Park and launched community celebrations to build excitement and boost local engagement. While excitement is building, some key issues remain, including SEPTA funding uncertainties and evolving federal immigration policies that could influence planning and attendance.

Suburban Spotlight

Delco Hospitals Strained After Crozer ER Closure

The closure of Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Delaware County’s busiest emergency room, has overwhelmed nearby hospitals already strained by years of rising emergency visits. Facilities like Riddle and Mercy Fitzgerald are seeing sharp patient increases and longer wait times, while scrambling to expand services amid growing gaps in mental health and primary care.

Amazon to Build Bucks County Data Center

Amazon’s $20 billion investment in two Pennsylvania data centers, including one in nearby Bucks County, could bring thousands of jobs and position the Philadelphia region as a key player in the nation’s growing AI and cloud infrastructure sector.

Election Update

Ward Endorsements Gave Candidates a Boost in DA Primary

Analysis by The Philadelphia Inquirer shows that ward endorsements significantly influenced voter turnout and candidate performance in Philadelphia’s 2025 Democratic district attorney primary, with both candidates outperforming their citywide averages in wards that backed them. While DA Krasner ultimately won reelection decisively, the race demonstrated the strength of local party structures in low-turnout elections.

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