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PHILADELPHIA COUNCIL PRESIDENT KENYATTA JOHNSON AND MAYOR CHERELLE PARKER SEND LETTER TO PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR JOSH SHAPIRO SEEKING MORE FUNDING FOR SEPTA |
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Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson (Second District) and Mayor Cherelle Parker sent a joint letter to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro this week urging for financial help for SEPTA. Read the joint letter here. SEPTA is working on its budget for the 2025 fiscal year, which includes a $240 million deficit. It is important for SEPTA to keep operating since 750,000 residents of Southeastern Pennsylvania use SEPTA every day. If the agency doesn’t come up with the money, the joint letter to the governor stated that fares could go up and services could be cut. As a result of the letter, Governor Shapiro announced that he will propose a $282 million increase in state funding for public transit systems in Pennsylvania in his upcoming budget that he will announce on Tuesday, February 6. Johnson said the funding announcement for public transit is a good start, but he is hopeful that the governor and the Pennsylvania Legislature will contribute even more money to mass transit when the final state budget is approved. |
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COUNCILMEMBERS ANNOUNCE THE CREATION OF THE KENSINGTON CAUCUS DURING THE FEBRUARY 1 COUNCIL SESSION |
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Councilmembers Quetcy Lozada (7th District), Mike Driscoll (6th District), Jim Harrity (At-Large), and Mark Squilla (1st District) gathered in Lozada’s City Hall office to announce the creation of the Kensington Caucus. They stood in unison along with Council President Johnson in front of a map of the Kensington neighborhood that highlighted the borders shared by the 7th, 6th, and 1st Councilmanic Districts. “The Kensington Caucus” is a coalition of Councilmembers who represent and reside in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. Their goal is to work as a unit to improve the quality of life and address challenges facing the Kensington community. The Caucus will prioritize community engagement and ensure that the voices of families, schools, businesses, and nonprofits in Kensington are reflected in the legislation they produce. Through unity and a coordinated legislative response, they will work to execute the Kensington Marshall Plan, which will provide clear goals and a pathway forward for working with leaders at the local, state, and federal levels. Councilmember Lozada spoke on the needs of the community in Kensington and the importance of their input. She highlighted the success and positive feedback from the community regarding the 24-Hour Cleaning Pilot, an initiative that was launched after convening with the community during the Kensington Stabilization and Recovery Marshall Plan hearings last summer. Each councilmember talked about specific community needs and strategies that they plan to bring to the table when they meet and craft legislation as a caucus. Councilmember Harrity spoke on the importance of increasing pathways to long term treatment. Councilmember Squilla gave remarks about the importance of engaging the business community. Councilmember Driscoll spoke on the importance of collaboration with transportation and legislation he plans to introduce in the near future. Council President Johnson said that he was excited to see this enthusiasm about Councilmembers coming together to focus on a neighborhood shared between their districts and is looking forward to supporting the caucus. Councilmember Lozada introduced Resolution #240074 formally recognizing the Kensington Caucus during the Council session. The resolution was co-signed by each member and will be voted on at the February 8 Council session. |
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COUNCILMEMBER JAMIE GAUTHIER INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO COMBAT HOUSING INSECURITY, ANNOUNCES PHASE ONE OF HER ‘DEFYING DISPLACEMENT’ CAMPAIGN |
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Also, during the February 1 Council session, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) introduced a package of bills that make up phase one of her new “Defying Displacement” campaign. As the Chair of Council’s Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless, she will be taking a series of legislative and budgetary actions this legislative term, under the “Defying Displacement” umbrella, to achieve housing justice. If enacted into law, the legislation introduced by Councilmember Gauthier will:
The package of legislation is also supported by Councilmember Rue Landau (At-Large), Vice Chair of Council’s Committee on Housing. The bills introduced yesterday will be assigned to a Council committee for further consideration. For an update on all bills and resolutions introduced and being considered by City Council, go to the City Council’s Legislative Information Center. The site provides quick and easy public access to information concerning Philadelphia City Council bills and resolutions. Once you locate a bill or resolution, you will be able to review its legislative history and to view or download a full text copy. |
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COUNCIL APPROVES RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING HEARINGS AND MEETINGS INVESTIGATING “STOP AND GO” ESTABLISHMENTS IN PHILADELPHIA |
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Resolution 240080 allows Council to hold hearings to investigate “stop-and go” establishments that violate restaurant liquor license requirements and further diminish the health, safety, and well-being of the surrounding community. Stop-and-go’s are commonly referred to as delis where patrons commonly purchase alcoholic beverages including beer, malt liquor, and shots of alcohol. These delis also offer other items that can be converted into narcotics. These stop and go’s are concentrated in minority and lower-income neighborhoods in Philadelphia, becoming a haven for criminal activity and adversely affecting the health, safety, and well-being of the surrounding community. The prime sponsor of the resolution is Councilmember Cindy Bass (8th District). She is calling on the City of Philadelphia to ensure that any establishment selling alcoholic beverages comply with the guidelines put in place by the Pennsylvania Liquor Code and the Liquor Control Board. A date for a hearing on this resolution has not been scheduled. |
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LIST OF CITY COUNCIL’S STANDING COMMITTEES IS NOW AVAILABLE |
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The Rules of Philadelphia City Council for the 2024-2027 term states that Council President Johnson, after consultation with Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At-Large), Majority Whip Isaiah Thomas (At Large) and Majority Deputy Whip Cindy Bass (Eighth District), known as the “Majority Leadership”, shall appoint all standing committees and the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of each committee. The Council President, as well as the Majority Leader, are members of every committee. The Standing Committee list is available here. |
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LISTEN TO “SATURDAYS WITH CITY COUNCIL” ON WURD RADIO THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3 FROM 10 AM-11 AM |
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Philadelphia City Council has a show on WURD Radio (900 AM/96.1 FM) twice a month called “Saturdays with Council.” The show features City Council members discussing issues impacting Philadelphia. The next show is Saturday, February 3 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and it will feature interviews with Councilmember Lozada and Councilmember Jeffery Young (5th District). Listen to the show at 900 AM/96.1 FM in Philadelphia or online here. |
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The next Meeting of City Council is scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 10 a.m. The Meeting will take place in person in Council’s Chambers on the 4th floor of Council. It will also air on Xfinity Ch. 64, Fios Channel 40, and stream at www.PHLCouncil.com/watch. |
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