Broad Street Brief: March 26, 2026

City Hall

City Council Opens Hearings on Parker’s $6.9B Budget

Philadelphia City Council held its first two budget hearings on Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s proposed $6.9 billion FY27 budget, opening seven weeks of departmental testimony and review. Tuesday’s session covered the Five‑Year Plan and Capital Program, with testimony from chief of staff Tiffany Thurman, chief deputy mayor Vanessa Garrett Harley, finance director Rob Dubow, budget director Sabrina Maynard, and planning commission executive director Octavia Howell, along with leaders from the Department of Labor. Wednesday’s hearing focused on finance, featuring Rob Dubow and senior staff from the Department of Finance, the Board of Pensions and Retirement, the City Treasurer’s Office, and the Department of Revenue. Officials outlined investments in economic mobility, housing, public safety, and expanded performance metrics through Philly Stat 360. Council also questioned the administration about the revised $1 rideshare tax and the timing of updated School District deficit figures, as broader budget deliberations begin.

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Parker’s $1 Rideshare Tax Proposal Draws Mixed Reaction in City Council

Mayor Parker proposed raising the rideshare fee to $1 per trip, projecting $48 million a year to help offset the School District’s $225 million in planned cuts and preserve 240 school‑based positions. The plan is part of a broader package that includes free SEPTA fares for some staff. Several councilmembers—Bass, Driscoll, Harrity, and Council President Johnson—questioned the impact on rideshare company customers, the jump from the original 20‑cent proposal, and the timing of the district’s revised deficit estimate, with some also tying their concerns to 18 school closure plans. The administration says the fee is progressive, while rideshare companies argue it would burden low‑income neighborhoods. Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. voiced support, calling it a creative revenue option.

Two Efforts Advance to Prevent West Philly School Closures

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier outlined a counterproposal to keep Parkway West, Blankenburg, and Martha Washington schools open by relocating them to a single K–12 campus, and separately introduced zoning changes for five schools facing closure to limit their redevelopment to civic uses. She argues both steps are needed to remove real‑estate pressures from the district’s facilities decisions. The district has not commented on the counterproposal and is expected to oppose the rezoning legislation at upcoming hearings.

Around Town

CCP Graduates First Class From New Navy‑Supported Welding Program

The Community College of Philadelphia on Monday celebrated the first graduates of its new naval welding program, created to prepare workers for shipbuilding and other maritime careers. The Navy invested $2.7 million to renovate the college’s welding lab, expanding it from eight to 20 booths as part of a broader effort to address national workforce shortages. CCP also graduated its first cohort trained in nondestructive testing, a method used to assess the strength of welded materials. The college expects up to 75 students to complete the two programs this year, with many aiming for jobs at the Philadelphia shipyard.

ICE Agents at PHL as Shutdown Drives TSA Shortages; Local Officials Respond

Earlier this week, ICE agents were stationed at Philadelphia International Airport as part of their national deployment to 14 airports amid the federal shutdown. Agents were observed at the Terminal D TSA checkpoint, monitoring security lines, and assisting with basic functions, such as guarding exit lanes and checking IDs while TSA faces high call‑out rates and multiple checkpoint closures. Councilmember Rue Landau criticized the decision, stating ICE’s presence heightens immigrant fears, and urged an end to the shutdown, so TSA operations can resume. District Attorney Larry Krasner also cautioned agents to follow constitutional and local legal requirements, saying his office would prosecute any violations. Airport officials report no immigration‑enforcement arrests connected to the deployment. DHS said the deployment is intended to help minimize travel disruptions.

Drexel to Launch Three‑Year Medical School Track

Drexel University will introduce a three‑year medical school program in 2028–29 to address physician shortages and reduce student debt. The accelerated track, supported by a $400,000 Independence Blue Cross Foundation grant, will focus on primary care and other high‑need specialties, while maintaining Drexel’s traditional four‑year M.D. program.

Protesters in Philadelphia Call on U.S. Senators to End Iran War

Protesters marched through Center City on Saturday, urging U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick to push for an end to the ongoing U.S. and Israeli military operations in Iran. Demonstrators gathered outside the senators’ Philadelphia offices before rallying at City Hall, citing concerns about civilian casualties and the financial strain of war as Americans face rising costs at home. State Senator Nikil Saval and State Representative Chris Rabb spoke at the event. Both McCormick and Fetterman previously voted against advancing a war powers resolution that would have required congressional approval for further military action.

Sweep of South Philly Encampment Delayed

A planned sweep of “Camp Chloe,” a homeless encampment on private property along Christopher Columbus Boulevard, was postponed Friday until Councilmember Mark Squilla had an opportunity to meet with residents and advocates about their concerns. About 20 people live at the site and are asking the city to consider sanctioned outdoor sleep areas and expanded access to permanent housing. City officials say outreach teams continue to offer shelter placements and services.

Election Updates

Progressive Groups Endorse Rep. Chris Rabb as Oxman Exits Race

A coalition of progressive organizations and elected officials — including the Working Families Party, Democratic Socialists of America, Reclaim Philadelphia, and OnePA — has endorsed state Rep. Chris Rabb in the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District, citing his legislative record and refusal to take corporate PAC money. The race narrowed after Dr. Dave Oxman dropped out and endorsed physician Ala Stanford, who has also drawn major outside support, with the national super PAC 314 Action Fund spending $1.4 million in ads and an endorsement from retiring Congressman Dwight Evans. State Sen. Sharif Street and state Rep. Morgan Cephas remain leading contenders, and recent polling shows Stanford, Street, and Rabb closely grouped at the top.

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