Broad Street Brief: How the Federal Shutdown Is Impacting Philly

City Hall

Mayor Parker Reaffirms Use of Project Labor Agreements on City Projects

Mayor Cherelle Parker (D) signed an executive order requiring City agencies to consider project labor agreements for publicly funded work, reinforcing union-backed standards on pay and hiring while sparking debate over potential impacts on nonunion contractors and project costs.

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Mayor Parker Outlines $195M Housing Plan for First Year of HOME Initiative

Mayor Parker’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy (HOME) Initiative will allocate funds for home repairs, affordable housing, and mortgage assistance to address housing needs across income levels, according to a budget resolution recently obtained by The Inquirer. The City Council will review the proposal as part of a broader effort to build and preserve 30,000 housing units over the next few years.

Council Proposes Oversight for University Land Sales in West Philly

During last week’s meeting, City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-District 3) introduced a zoning overlay bill that would require public review of large university property sales in University City. The proposal follows recent campus property transactions and seeks to involve community input in future land use decisions.

Upcoming Committee Hearings

Philadelphia City Council holds several public hearings throughout the legislative calendar year, which can be streamed here.

• The Rules Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 7 at 10 a.m. to discuss and hear testimony regarding proposed amendments to the Philadelphia zoning maps for several areas in North and Northwest Philadelphia.

Around Town

Independence Hall Closes as Federal Shutdown Begins

The U.S. government shutdown has closed Independence National Historical Park, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, while thousands of federal workers in Philadelphia face furloughs or unpaid work. Essential services like air travel and Social Security continue, but many agencies are cutting staff and delaying programs.

Philadelphia Driving Equality Policy Upheld by PA Appeals Court

A divided Commonwealth Court ruled that Philadelphia can limit enforcement of eight minor traffic violations under its “driving equality” policy. The majority said the mayor has discretion over police resources, while dissenting judges argued the policy conflicts with state law.

Philly Scientists Secure $6M for Autism Research from RFK Jr.’s Initiative

Researchers at CHOP, Penn, and Drexel will receive more than $6 million from the Autism Data Science Initiative to study genetic and environmental factors linked to autism, with projects focusing on prenatal exposures, maternal diet, and predictive modeling to better understand the condition.

Hunting Park Church Launches Solar Project to Aid Neighbors’ Energy Costs

One Hope Community Church installed a 27-kilowatt solar array that will generate surplus energy and fund annual grants for nearby households’ utility bills, creating a community-focused workaround to Pennsylvania’s lack of community solar programs.

Week Without Driving Spotlights Transit Gaps

Transit Forward Philly kicked off a national campaign urging residents to avoid driving for a week to spotlight barriers faced by non-drivers and push for sustainable SEPTA funding amid ongoing budget uncertainty.

Phlow Philly to Provide Free Period Products in Schools, Public Spaces

The City of Philadelphia is partnering with period products company Aunt Flow to launch Phlow Philly, an initiative to install free-vend dispensers in schools, libraries, and recreation centers while distributing thousands of period kits as part of a citywide effort to combat period poverty and advance menstrual equity.

Temple Partners with PAFA to Expand Art Programs, Studio Access

Temple University signed a 10-year agreement to lease space at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), giving Temple’s Tyler School students access to PAFA’s collection and new programs while providing studio space for recent MFA graduates. Leaders say the partnership could deepen over time, though no merger is currently planned.

1Philadelphia Fund to Boost Founder Visibility at National Events

1Philadelphia’s Incline Fund will help local entrepreneurs attend conferences and pitch competitions to increase exposure and attract investment, as Philadelphia climbs to number 23 in tech talent rankings and Team PA unveils an AI and energy roadmap.

Election Update

Philly DA Race Sees Low Activity Ahead of Election

With a month until the general election, the contest between Democratic incumbent Larry Krasner and Republican nominee Patrick Dugan has seen limited fundraising, minimal advertising, and no major joint events, reflecting a relatively quiet campaign season.

Dr. Stanford Enters Race for PA-03 with Support from Rep. Evans

Dr. Ala Stanford, founder of the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, has entered the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s 3rd congressional district, with an endorsement from retiring U.S. Representative Dwight Evans. She plans to focus her campaign on health equity and community issues.

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