Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Philadelphia public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
13 issues with medium priority
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.
Sheriff's Office oversight hearings
Following reports of $20 million found, Council authorized hearings into the Sheriff's Office operations to restore transparency and accountability.
Academy of Natural Sciences closure
Drexel and Academy boards announced in September that the museum would close and the Parkway building could be sold. Council adopted Ahmad's resolution creating a task force to study reopening it, backed by former staff, educators and the Save the Academy coalition.
Vision Zero traffic safety hearings
Landau's World Day of Remembrance resolution was adopted; Families for Safe Streets members who lost children testified, citing 110 deaths this year and calling for speed bumps and traffic calming.
Public Art Funding
The Philadelphia Portal—the live-video art link to other cities at City Hall—was about to get pulled, but an anonymous donor stepped in to save it. If you like free weird stuff downtown, it’s staying for now.
Automated Services Displacement Tax introduced (Harrity)
Harrity introduced a bill to tax services performed by machines that replace human workers, with revenue earmarked for the Zero Fare transit program.
FOP contract public hearings (Resolution 260932)
Council authorized the hearings required before executing a labor agreement with the police union — a step in the police contract bargaining process.
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.
Victory Gardens/Emerson Landfill remediation and training facility
An ordinance would let the City lease the Victory Gardens and Emerson Landfill site to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for environmental cleanup and a training facility.
Police forensics laboratory financing
Council advanced a service agreement with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to finance a new state-of-the-art police forensics lab in West Philadelphia — a $40 million bond Councilmember Ahmad said will speed crime clearance.
Disability access: personal care attendant fees
A 13-year advocacy fight paid off: state human relations guidance now says venues can't charge people with disabilities for a second ticket for their personal care assistant. Council honored advocate Michael Anderson of The Arc of Philadelphia.
Tobacco retailing zoning regulation
A bill would treat selling tobacco to minors and unlicensed tobacco sales as nuisance behaviors, with training required before a cease-operations order is lifted.
Sheriff's office accountability
Activist Jeremy Blatstein demanded Council hold a hearing on the Sheriff's Office, citing roughly $20 million in unaccounted funds, and called for disbanding the office — speaking during comment on the Child Welfare Commission charter bill.