City Hall

City Council Considers Prohibiting Certain Establishments from Offering Skill Games

Philadelphia City Council is considering prohibiting certain businesses — particularly convenience stores and corner shops — from hosting casino-style skill games due to concerns about their proliferation, lack of regulation, and association with crime. Legislation is currently being considered by the Committee on Public Safety and could be put to a full Council vote later this month.

City Council Chief Clerk Michael Decker Passes Away at 58

Michael Decker, the longtime chief clerk of Philadelphia City Council, passed away unexpectedly this week at the age of 58, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to public service and procedural expertise that earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues and city residents alike. Following the announcement of his passing, City Council canceled its weekly meeting.

City Positions for Takeover of East Market Street from PennDOT

Philadelphia officials are renewing talks to convert a stretch of East Market Street from a state route to a city street, which would give more control over the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)-regulated roadway to the City. The move could be a boon for the potentially transformative Center City 76ers arena development project.

Upcoming Committee Hearings

Philadelphia City Council holds several public hearings throughout the legislative calendar year. Watch here.

• A Committee on Licenses and Inspections hearing on Friday, February 23 at 10 a.m. will include testimony regarding a proposed curfew for businesses along the Kensington Avenue corridor.
• A Committee on Rules hearing on Tuesday, February 27 at 10 a.m. will include testimony on several zoning and planning ordinances.

Around Town

Philadelphia Tourism Leaders Outline Priorities, Expectations for 2024 Following Year of Expansion

Following a year of significant growth — which saw an estimated $12.4 billion in economic impact and $7.6 billion in visitor spending — tourism industry leaders in the Greater Philadelphia area outlined their strategies for sustaining momentum in 2024, which include focusing on leisure travel recovery and extending visitor stays. Experts expect the region to return to pre-pandemic levels by late 2024 or early 2025.

SEPTA Rolls Out Multi-Rider Payment Functionality for Key Card Holders

Starting Monday, SEPTA riders will be able to use a single Key card to pay for up to five riders on the same trip by tapping their card on the validator for each rider across all SEPTA services. Riders will need to activate the autoload function in their Travel Wallets.

PHL to Receive $20.4M Grant Through Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

Last week, Mayor Cherelle Parker — along with U.S. Senator Bob Casey and U.S. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon — announced $20.4 million in federal infrastructure funding for terminal upgrades at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), as part of a larger federal grant distribution benefiting airports across Pennsylvania.

Northeast Philadelphia Public Health Centers Face Development Delays

Plans for two new city health centers in Northeast Philadelphia — set to remedy what advocates deem a “health care desert” — are facing delays due to potential opposition from some residents and an overall slow development process.