Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Philadelphia public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
11 issues in business jobs
Paid family leave (Family Care Act, SB906)
Council urged Pennsylvania to pass statewide paid family medical leave. One resident testified against it as a small-business tax; Rev. Dr. Mary Al Wade and a Power Interfaith leader spoke in favor.
Hilton Garden Inn labor dispute
Council backed Unite Here Local 274 workers at the only unionized Center City hotel without a new contract. POWER Interfaith members packed the chamber in support, tying it to a broader affordability agenda.
City-supported grocery stores and food access
Council authorized hearings on whether Philadelphia should establish city-supported grocery stores through public-private partnerships to expand access to affordable, nutritious food — part of a broader food and nutrition security package introduced the same day.
Grocery industry surveillance and pricing hearings
Council authorized hearings on surveillance, algorithmic, and dynamic pricing systems in grocery stores and their impacts on consumers and retailers.
Starbucks workers' boycott endorsement
Council formally backed the Workers United-SEIU boycott of Starbucks until the company signs a fair union contract. Baristas testified about 89-day unpaid transfers, lost health insurance, understaffing, and sudden store closures. It's a symbolic but high-profile stand with the city's unionized workers.
Black labor legacy and temp worker protections
Bill 250990 makes it illegal to deny someone a job because they're a trafficking survivor. Advocates from the Salvation Army, Women Against Abuse and Delta Sigma Theta testified that stable work is the backbone of recovery. It passed unanimously.
$25 Minimum Wage Advocacy
Council adopted a resolution urging the General Assembly to let first-class cities raise the minimum wage to $25 an hour. It's symbolic — Harrisburg would have to act.
Living Wage for Musicians Act
Council joined New York and Detroit in calling on Congress to guarantee streaming royalties for working musicians.
Ancestry.com vital records digitization
The city will partner with Ancestry.com to digitize and make searchable Philadelphia's historical vital records, approved 17-0.
PhilaPort oversight hearings
Council authorized hearings on the Port of Philadelphia's operations and economic impact to ensure it positions the city as a 21st-century commerce hub.
Driverless rideshare vehicles
Council authorized joint hearings on how autonomous rideshare vehicles arriving in Philadelphia could affect labor, the local economy, and public safety.