Broad Street Brief: City Council to Consider Tenant Protections Bills

April 10, 2025

City Hall

Mayor Parker Announces Continued Support for SEPTA Fare Subsidies

Mayor Cherelle Parker announced plans to maintain funding for SEPTA fare subsidy programs that provide City employees and low-income residents with free rides following feedback during budget hearings.

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City Council to Consider Tenant Protections Bills

During Thursday’s City Council meeting, Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke (At Large) introduced the Safe Healthy Homes Act, which aims to protect tenants from retaliation when reporting poor living conditions and provide support for relocation efforts if needed. Also this week, Councilmember Kendra Brooks (At Large) highlighted Black Maternal Health Week and Councilmembers Cindy Bass (District 8) and Nina Ahmad (At Large) called for hearings on child welfare system issues.

Budget Hearing Update

The Philadelphia Police Department’s staffing shortage and $872 million budget request took center stage during this week’s public safety budget hearings. On Tuesday, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel highlighted crime reduction successes and discussed plans to develop a drone program, while Public Safety Chief Adam Geer faced Council skepticism regarding the effectiveness of ongoing Kensington initiatives. On Wednesday, Managing Director Adam Thiel discussed efforts to fill the vacant executive director position at the Office of Immigrant Affairs and funding for immigrant legal services, while Prisons Commissioner Michael Resnick discussed the potential creation of a Prison Community Oversight Board and highlighted improvements in jail conditions due to increased staffing and enhanced operational processes.

Next week’s hearings will shed light on various aspects of City infrastructure, services, and public transit. The full schedule of FY26 budget hearings and a link to watch them can be found here. The following hearings are coming up next week:

  • Planning & Development and Commerce on Tuesday, April 15 at 10 a.m.
  • Public Property and Fleet on Tuesday, April 15 at 1:30 p.m.
  • Free Library and Parks & Recreation on Wednesday, April 16 at 10 a.m.
  • SEPTA on Wednesday, April 16 at 1 p.m.

OHS, PHDC Launch FreshStartPHL to Cover Renters’ Up-Front Costs

The Office of Homeless Services (OHS) and the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) launched FreshStartPHL, a pilot program to cover three months’ rent and moving expenses for eligible renters. The City Council is also considering bills to cap rental application fees and allow security deposit payments to be spread out over four months.

City Council Committee Advances Mobile Speed Cameras for School Zones

The City Council Streets & Services Committee advanced legislation Monday to introduce mobile speed cameras in school zones, aiming to enhance safety by ticketing drivers exceeding speed limits. The pilot program will rotate five cameras among seven schools.

City Council to Seek Millage Rate Increase for Schools

City Council Education Committee Chair Isaiah Thomas (At Large) announced plans Friday to increase the City’s millage rate to 56.5% this budget cycle instead of waiting for FY30.

City Council Considers Zoning Changes for Turn the Key Projects

During last week’s meeting, City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (District 3) introduced legislation to exempt Turn the Key housing projects from certain zoning requirements, streamlining development and promoting affordable housing in fast-developing areas.

Upcoming Committee Hearings

The Philadelphia City Council holds several public hearings throughout the legislative calendar year. Watch here.

  • The Rules Committee will meet on Monday, April 14 at 10 a.m. to discuss and hear testimony regarding proposed zoning changes and the repeal of Center City arena-related regulations and authorizations.
  • The Legislative Oversight Committee will meet on Monday, April 14 at 1 p.m. at the Museum of the American Revolution to assess Philadelphia’s preparations for the events celebrating America’s 250th birthday in 2026.

Around Town

Tiger Woods’ Learning Lab Opens at Cobbs Creek

The TGR Learning Lab, part of a $175 million restoration project at Cobbs Creek Golf Course, offers free educational programs to local students and marks a significant milestone in the course’s transformation. Additional facilities, including a driving range and a par-3 short course, are set to open later this year.

SEPTA Expands Contactless Fare Payments to Regional Rail

SEPTA introduced contactless fare payments to its Regional Rail system, allowing riders to tap their credit cards or mobile wallets at faregates or platform validators, making it the first commuter rail system in the U.S. to offer this service.

Trump DEI Threat Endangers 10% of Schools Budget

President Donald Trump’s threat to cut funding over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives would eliminate about 10% of the School District’s total budget, endangering financial aid for high-poverty schools and severely impacting resources for vulnerable students.

City’s Largest Refugee Agency Faces Funding Crisis

The Nationalities Service Center is struggling with severe budget cuts and job losses due to the Trump administration’s halt on the refugee resettlement program, impacting its ability to support new and existing refugees.

Temple Receives Record $27.5M Gift

Philanthropists Sidney and Caroline Kimmel donated $27.5 million to Temple University, the largest gift in its history, to fund a new arts and communication pavilion, marking a significant boost for the university’s development.

New Drug Replaces Xylazine in Philly’s Drug Supply

As xylazine use declines due to a statewide crackdown, the emergence of medetomidine, a more potent sedative, complicates the City’s fight against the opioid crisis by introducing new, severe health risks and making the local drug supply even more unpredictable.

Historic Artifacts Coming to Philly in 2026

The Museum of the American Revolution will display artifacts from Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and suffragists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton as part of its major exhibition celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday.

Authors

About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

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About Cozen O’Connor

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