Broad Street Brief: March 12, 2026

City Hall

Mayor Parker Delivers FY27 Budget Address

Mayor Cherelle Parker presented her $7 billion FY27 budget proposal to the Philadelphia City Council today, outlining new hotel and gig‑economy taxes alongside a $200 million, five‑year investment in the Riverview Wellness Village recovery facility. The proposal also includes $900 million in SEPTA funding over five years, and new investments in workforce development, anti‑violence grants, parks, recreation, and library infrastructure. The address launches three months of budget negotiations, with FY27 budget hearings scheduled to begin Tuesday, March 24th.

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City Council Majority Leader Introduces Bills Targeting Intoxicating Substances and Illegal Smoke Shops

City Council Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson introduced two bills aimed at cracking down on illegal smoke shops and the sale of unregulated intoxicating substances. One bill would create new rules for products like Delta‑8 and kratom, including definitions, a retailer license, a 21+ age limit, and a requirement that intoxicating products cannot be sold unless deemed safe by the FDA. The second bill would hold commercial landlords accountable if they knowingly allow illegal smoke shops to operate on their properties.

Chief Deputy Mayor Resigns from Parker Administration

Philadelphia Chief Deputy Mayor Sinceré Harris, a top adviser to Mayor Parker and the architect of her 2023 campaign, is leaving the administration for a new job in private practice. Harris previously served as executive director of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, held roles in Governor Tom Wolf’s administration, and worked in intergovernmental affairs under President Joe Biden.

Around Town

Philadelphia Receives Federal Support to Expand Transit During World Cup

Philadelphia received $8.47 million in federal funding to boost public transit service ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Senator John Fetterman announced the funding will help SEPTA increase service and ensure safe, reliable transportation as more than 500,000 visitors arrive for six matches in the city. SEPTA leaders said the investment will not only support the World Cup operations, but the nation’s Semi quincentennial celebrations later this year.

Communities Push Back on School Closures Tied to Masterman & Bodine Expansions

School communities are pushing back against district proposals to close their neighborhood schools, making way for selective magnet expansions. Under the plan, Laura W. Waring Elementary would shut down and its building converted into a new Masterman middle school, while Penn Treaty would phase out to allow campus renovations for Bodine High School. Families and staff at both schools say the plans would displace neighborhood Black and Latino children, send students to already‑crowded or less supportive environments, and contradict the School District’s stated goal of strengthening neighborhood high schools. They argue that Waring’s small classes and improving enrollment and test scores, along with Penn Treaty’s diverse student body, strong relationships, and high percentage of students with special‑education needs, show that both schools provide crucial stability and support that would be lost under the closures.

Rally Pushes City Hall on SEPTA Funding

As city budget talks begin, a rally outside City Hall brought together transit advocates, riders, and local officials urging Philadelphia leaders to increase SEPTA funding and preserve the Zero Fare and Key Advantage programs. The combined $29 million programs currently provide free transit to more than 20,000 low‑income riders and 13,000 city workers, but advocates worry they could face cuts in the upcoming budget. Speakers, including transit advocates, and union leaders, emphasized that free‑ride programs are essential for low‑income residents, workers, and people with disabilities, helping them access jobs, medical care, and daily needs. Supporters argued that reliable, affordable transit strengthens the regional economy and called on both the city and state to commit to long‑term, stable funding for SEPTA.

Cobbs Creek Restoration Receives New City Funding

Philadelphia is adding $9 million to the ongoing Cobbs Creek flood‑mitigation and restoration effort, a project designed to reduce chronic flooding in neighborhoods such as Eastwick, Overbrook, and Kingsessing. The investment supports the Cobbs Creek Foundation’s existing work, which includes rebuilding sections of the creek and a tributary, creating 25 acres of floodplain wetlands, installing new stormwater infrastructure, and planting 49,000 native plants and trees. The Foundation plans to spend an additional $30 million on creek improvements, with major construction set to continue through the spring and summer.

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