City Hall

Mayor Kenney Signs Executive Order Protecting Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender People

On Tuesday, Mayor Jim Kenney issued an executive order prohibiting the city from using any resources to investigate or punish someone for providing or receiving gender-affirming care.

Upcoming Committee Hearings

Philadelphia City Council holds several public hearings throughout the legislative calendar, view here.

• The Committee on Rules hearing on Monday, October 23 at 10 a.m. will discuss several proposed zoning ordinances.
• The Committee on Public Safety hearing on Tuesday, October 24 at 2 p.m. will discuss regulating certain facial coverings in particular areas and explore solutions to ongoing challenges facing 911 dispatchers in the wake of the Kingsessing mass shooting.
• The Committee on Finance hearing on Wednesday, October 25 at 10 a.m. will discuss a proposed addition of $163,204,000 in Community Development Block Grants for disaster recovery funding.
• The Committee on the Environment hearing on Wednesday, October 25 at 1 p.m. will evaluate the environmental justice impacts of the city’s waste management practices.

Election Update

WFP Target of New Attack Ads

On Tuesday, the Coalition for Safety and Equitable Growth began airing ads criticizing incumbent Councilmember Kendra Brooks and her Working Families Party (WFP) running-mate Nicolas O’Rourke for their stances on supervised injection sites and public safety.

Inquirer Releases Voter Guide

The Philadelphia Inquirer released its voter guide, sharing candidate information and what voters can expect on their election day ballots.

How Can Philadelphia’s Next Mayor Promote Private-Sector Job Growth

According to a Center City District report, Philadelphia’s private sector job growth lags behind other U.S. cities because of its unique tax structure, which relies heavily on the wage tax. Philadelphians are hoping the post-pandemic shift towards remote work will force the next mayor to reduce business income and receipts tax (BIRT), which both mayoral candidates have considered to varying degrees.

Around Town

How Federal Hydrogen Hub Investment Will Benefit Philadelphia Region

Last week during his eighth visit to Philadelphia this year, President Joe Biden announced a $7 billion investment in hydrogen hubs across the country, two of which will be located in the commonwealth. In the Philadelphia region, this investment will create 20,000 union jobs and power 1,400 SEPTA buses and 300 garbage trucks.

Transformation of Bellwether District Into Logistics Complex, Life Sciences Campus Begins

Construction began on the $4 billion project to transform the Bellwether District in Southwest Philadelphia from a 2019 ruptured oil refinery into an industrial logistics complex and life sciences campus. The endeavor is expected to take 10-15 years to complete and bring in upwards of 19,000 workers.

Free Library Rolls Out Standardized Schedules Across Branches

This week the Free Library of Philadelphia rolled out new operating schedules with extended hours to the main branch and more standardized schedules across the system. Funding increases included in the last two city budgets are helping the library address pandemic-related understaffing and improve service.

City, PPD Ask State Legislators to Relax Reading, Fitness Requirements

City and Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) officials urge state legislators to relax reading and fitness requirements for police recruits in order to remedy ongoing staffing issues.