Broad Street Brief: FY25 Budget Will Not Include Wage, Business Tax Cuts
May 30, 2024
May 30, 2024
City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (At Large) confirmed Thursday that Philadelphia’s FY25 budget will not include cuts to wage or business tax rates. This decision comes after plans to reduce these rates were abandoned to align with Mayor Cherelle Parker’s budget priorities. City lawmakers await recommendations from the new Tax Reform Commission, which are expected next fall.
Mayor Parker, pivotal in the decision on the 76ers’ proposed Center City arena, is exploring successful arena developments like Atlanta’s Battery, hinting Philadelphia could benefit from a similar project that maximizes economic opportunities. Meanwhile, some Philadelphians have proposed transforming the struggling Market Street East into a “Welcoming District” for immigrants to centralize services and support for newcomers while potentially revitalizing the struggling commercial corridor.
City Council voted today to remove the end date for its nationally recognized eviction diversion program (EDP), making it permanent. Council also voted to put the creation of an Office of the Homeless Services Ombudsperson on the ballot during a special election, investigate existing barriers to treatment bed access in Kensington, and allow interested parties — including prior owners — to request open bidding when the Land Bank seeks to acquire property.
Philadelphia City Council holds several public hearings throughout the legislative calendar year. Watch here.
Last week, SEPTA’s board approved a comprehensive bus-route overhaul following years of research, extensive public input, and revisions to address equity concerns raised by City Council members. The agency aims to fully implement its “Bus Revolution” by 2025. Learn more about the proposed changes here.
Hilco Redevelopment Partners is developing a major warehouse district and life sciences campus on the 1,300-acre former oil refinery site in South Philadelphia. The emerging Bellwether District is poised to reconnect long-inaccessible land to the rest of the city, facilitating economic mobility for surrounding neighborhoods and addressing the region’s booming demand for warehouse space driven by online shopping.
Kensington residents are working to shift the neighborhood’s negative reputation — due to perineal challenges including drug use, homelessness, crime, and violence — by fostering community pride and focusing on positive programs and resources like the Kensington Soccer Club and Kensington Library.
The debate over designating entire Philadelphia neighborhoods as historic reignited when an advisory group recommended the historic status of Washington Square West, raising concerns about increased costs and stunted development versus preserving architectural and cultural heritage.
Philadelphia School District (PSD) teachers are protesting a controversial “3-5-7-9” policy that penalizes them for using their contractually guaranteed sick days, arguing it is unfair and discourages necessary absences. Superintendent Tony Watlington has indicated that changes are on the table.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited Girard College in Philadelphia this week to unveil a campaign strategy aimed at regaining support among Black voters through community engagement and an eight-figure investment.
Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.
September 5, 2024
September 5, 2024
September 4, 2024