Broad Street Brief: November 05, 2026

City Hall

Council Subpoenas Drexel Leadership Over Academy of Natural Sciences Museum Closure

City Council’s Committee on Oversight issued subpoenas for Drexel University President Antonio Merlo and officials from the Parker administration after Deputy Mayor Trish Wellenbach submitted written testimony instead of attending an October 26 hearing on the closure of the Academy of Natural Sciences’ public museum. Board Chair Suzanne Biemiller testified that Drexel presented trustees with an option to either merge operations fully or separate the institutions. Drexel representatives attributed the closure to annual operating deficits and deferred facility maintenance, while hearing testimony indicated that public museum operations generated $2.7 million in revenue against $3.6 million in operating costs, leaving a $900,000 deficit. The committee scheduled the hearing to resume on November 16.

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Philadelphia Appoints Rat Abatement Manager

The Parker administration appointed Department of Public Health veteran Adrian Jordan as the city’s rat abatement manager to lead municipal rodent control efforts. The appointment follows a unanimous City Council resolution identifying severe rat infestations in lower Northeast Philadelphia neighborhoods as a public health priority caused by improperly stored trash, vacant lots, and abandoned vehicles.

Councilmember Harrity Proposes Tax on Driverless Taxis and Delivery Robots

Councilmember Jim Harrity introduced the Automated Services Displacement Tax. Under the proposed bill, companies operating driverless taxis would pay $1 per trip or 5% of the fare, sidewalk delivery robots would face a 50-cent fee or 5% per delivery, and driverless freight operations would pay a 3% mileage tax. If passed and signed, the tax would start in January 2028, with the collected money used to help fund Philadelphia’s Zero Fare program for low-income SEPTA riders.

Council to Hold Hearings on Unspent Funds in Mayor Parker’s H.O.M.E. Initiative

City Council approved a resolution by Councilmember Kendra Brooks for Finance Committee hearings into Mayor Cherelle Parker’s $2 billion Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) plan. The decision follows a report by City Controller Christy Brady showing the city spent $37.7 million of the $277.5 million allocated for the program’s first 16 months, leaving nearly $240 million unspent. Expenditures were restricted to four pre-existing home repair and eviction diversion programs, prompting Council inquiry into program timelines and communication, while administration officials maintained that high demand for existing services will ensure full allocation toward the goal of 30,000 housing units.

Around Town

Federal Court Upholds Philadelphia’s New Renter Protections

U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone dismissed a lawsuit brought by local landlords aimed at blocking Philadelphia’s newly passed tenant protection laws. Landlords argued the rules unconstitutionally restricted property rights and hurt small property owners, but the judge ruled that the city acted within its rights to prevent displacement and improve housing stability. The decision allows the legislation to take effect, expanding “good cause” eviction requirements to all leases, prohibiting landlord retaliation against tenant organizing, and clarifying back-rent rules for unlicensed properties.

City Plans Speed Camera Network Expansion Pending State Approval

Philadelphia plans to double its automated speed enforcement network by adding three new zones across major corridors to slow drivers and reduce pedestrian fatalities. Under the program, automated cameras will issue $100 fines to drivers traveling more than 10 mph over the posted speed limit, expanding on enforcement models currently active along corridors such as Roosevelt Boulevard and Broad Street. City officials noted that driver speed directly impacts crash survival rates, as striking a pedestrian at 30 mph carries a 50% fatality risk compared to 10% at 20 mph. The installation of the new enforcement zones remains subject to state legislative approval before a final timeline is established.

Philadelphia School District Expands ‘Breakfast After the Bell’ System Wide

The School District of Philadelphia expanded its universal free breakfast program by shifting meal service to after classes begin across all 216 district schools. While all students have long qualified for free meals, participation previously lagged because many students arrived after pre-bell breakfast service ended or due to social stigma. Under the “Breakfast After the Bell” model, by utilizing classroom delivery and hallway grab-and-go carts, the district reports serving over 65,000 additional meals citywide, with pilot locations like Potter-Thomas Elementary seeing student participation rise from 19% to nearly 70%.

Election Update

Democrats Secure State Trifecta

On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Pennsylvania held its general elections with races including the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, all 17 U.S. Congressional seats, all 203 state House seats, and 25 of the 50 (even numbered districts) state Senate seats. Democrats were able to gain a Democratic trifecta in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and won a majority in the U.S. House and Senate. Democrats are expected to have an expanded 113-90 in the state House and a 26-24 majority in the state Senate. Governor Shapiro was also re-elected Governor. All four U.S. House races in Pennsylvania that were considered competitive in the 1st, 7th, 8th, and 10th congressional districts went to Democrats. Members of Congress will be sworn in on Sunday, January 3, 2027, and Pennsylvania state legislators will assume office on the first day of December 2026. Click here for the full 2026 general election recap.

Voters Pass Charter Amendments for Small Business Contracting and Permanent Arts Office

Philadelphia voters passed two Home Rule Charter changes that will amend the city’s Home Rule Charter to prioritize local commerce and the arts. The first change allows the city to give bidding preferences and reserve specific contracts for local small businesses. Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration pushed the plan to keep city contract money going to economically disadvantaged companies after recent federal court decisions ended traditional race- and gender-based contracting goals. The second change makes Creative Philadelphia, the city’s arts and culture office, a permanent part of the city charter, requiring future mayors to keep the office and appoint a Chief Cultural Officer to run local art programs.

Chris Rabb Wins Race for Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District

Democratic State Representative Chris Rabb won the election to represent Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating independent candidate Dennis Mahoney. Rabb, a self-described democratic socialist who ran on a platform emphasizing affordable housing, Medicare for All, universal basic income, and a living wage, will take office in January. He succeeds retiring U.S. Representative Dwight Evans, following a primary election victory earlier in the year over state Senator Sharif Street, Dr. Ala Stanford, and Shaun Griffith.

Democrat Bob Harvie Defeats Incumbent Brian Fitzpatrick to Flip Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District

Democratic Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie defeated five-term Republican incumbent U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District. The win marks the first time a Democrat will represent Bucks County in Congress since 2011. Harvie, a former teacher and local official, focused his campaign on economic affordability and middle-class living costs, overcoming early fundraising gaps with support from Governor Josh Shapiro in the key suburban swing district.

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