Nicolas O'Rourke
About
Nicolas O'Rourke's platform centers heavily on economic justice, making Philadelphia more affordable for working-class residents, and addressing the rising cost of living through progressive policy proposals. Running as a Working Families Party candidate, his campaign emphasized championing the needs of everyday workers over entrenched political interests.
Campaign promises (2)
- transparencyNicolas O'Rourke campaigned to make Philadelphia more affordable for working-class residents and tackle the rising cost of living.
- infrastructureHe proposed an affordability package aimed at addressing economic pressures faced by residents in Philadelphia.Related votes
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 5
- Total speaking time
- 2:17
- Avg per meeting
- 0:27
- Segments
- 30
Want every word O'Rourke has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has O'Rourke said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Zero Fare Program and Transit Access Fund
Families could save hundreds of dollars a year on student transit costs if the program expands.
Incineration of Philadelphia's trash in Chester
Unknown; tied to the city's waste hauling contracts.
Child Welfare Commission charter amendment
No dollar figure attached yet, but Phillips' resolution requires monthly DHS reports for two years and hearings could reshape agency funding and contracts.
School District meal quality
No direct city cost — it's a call for the School District to act.
Academy of Natural Sciences closure
Unknown; the task force will study long-term funding options.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month and survivor services
Speakers warned federal funding cuts are straining domestic violence services; no city dollar figure was given.
Vision Zero traffic safety hearings
Not specified; commenters call for investment in speed bumps and traffic calming.
Center City park land acquisition and Love Park concession
Acquisition costs and concession revenue terms are not detailed in the agenda.
Fifth District Overlay zoning change
Could reshape redevelopment economics on neighborhood commercial corridors.
PGW residential shutoffs
Potential relief for customers facing shutoffs; cost to PGW ratepayers not yet quantified.
Land Bank property dispositions
Dispositions transfer city-held vacant property, typically at low or nominal cost, for redevelopment.
Automated Services Displacement Tax introduced (Harrity)
Could raise new revenue for the Zero Fare program; cost falls on companies deploying automation.
Tobacco retailing zoning regulation
Could restrict where smoke shops open; no fiscal estimate given.
Indigenous Peoples' Day recognition
Starbucks workers' boycott endorsement
No direct city cost; the resolution is a moral and political endorsement of a consumer boycott.
Police forensics laboratory financing
A roughly $40 million bond financing for the lab, per Councilmember Ahmad.
Sheriff's office accountability
Speaker cited roughly $20 million in questionably accounted funds in the last year.
Affordable housing at risk at Neighborhood Restoration
Advocates and Gauthier are calling for at least $36 million in city financing over three to six years.
Resign-to-run repeal and the special election
A special election would carry public costs, though no figure was given.
H.O.M.E. housing plan oversight (Resolution 260934)
Nearly $1 billion in bond-funded housing investment is under scrutiny.
Decisions during term (470)
Recorded while O'Rourke was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Consent agenda — eleven zoning and land-use bills passed
Resolution 260872 — School District healthy school meals
Resolution 260938 — Land Bank disposal, 1306 South 28th Street
Resolution 260939 — 'Richard Saadiq Jones Way'
Resolution 260941 — 'Family Care Act' paid family leave
Resolution 260942 — Land Bank disposals, 8th District
Resolution 260944 — Academy of Natural Sciences task force
Bill 260690 — Southwest Center City NCO overlay amended, continued
Bill 260695 — adult cabaret definition revised
Bill 260702 — sound amplification devices on waterways
Bill 260703 — self-service storage facility zoning limits
Privileged resolutions adopted — hearings and honors
Adoption of the journal of the October 22, 2026 meeting
Motion on unlisted legislative matters
Resolution 260903 — Land Bank disposition, 5415 Florence Avenue
Resolution 260904 — Land Bank disposition, 322 N. 41st Street
Resolution 260905 — Land Bank disposition, 5228-5230 Chester Avenue
Resolution 260906 — Land Bank disposition, 4th District vacant properties
Resolution 260907 — Support for Unite Here Local 274 / Hilton Garden Inn workers
Resolution 260908 — Land Bank disposition, 5th District properties — HELD
Voting record (103)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Consent agenda — eleven zoning and land-use bills passed
Bill 260695 — adult cabaret definition revised
Bill 260702 — sound amplification devices on waterways
Bill 260703 — self-service storage facility zoning limits
Bill 260567 — Rename Girard Fountain Park as Janet Kalter Park
Bill 260638 — Dorothy Emanuel Playground Building renamed Marlene Trice Neighborhood Center
Bill 260763 — Victory Gardens / Emerson Landfill lease with PAID
Bill 260798 — Penrose Recreation Center renamed Shirley M. Kitchen Recreation Center
Bill 260799 — Love Park food and beverage concession (Saucer)
Bill No. 260692: An Ordinance Amending Section 9-208 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Sidewalk Cafés,” to authorize additional locations for sidewalk cafés, all under certain terms and conditions.
Bill No. 260693: An Ordinance Authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café in the vicinity of 4201 Manayunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA, under certain terms and conditions.
Bill No. 260706: An Ordinance Authorizing an encroachment in the nature of a staircase in the vicinity of 319-25 N 11th St, Philadelphia, PA, under certain terms and conditions.
Bill No. 260707: An Ordinance Authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café in the vicinity of 544 E. Girard Ave., under certain terms and conditions.
Resolution No. 260898: Resolution Honoring and congratulating Wayne Miller on his more than five decades of service to Sprinkler Fitters Local Union 692 and the Philadelphia Building Trades.
Bill 260692 — Sidewalk café locations
Bill 260693 — Sidewalk café at 4201 Manayunk Ave.
Bill 260706 — Staircase encroachment at 319-25 N 11th St.
Bill 260707 — Sidewalk café at 544 E. Girard Ave.
Bill No. 260691: An Ordinance Authorizing and approving the execution and delivery of a Service Agreement between The City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Devel
Bill 260691 — Police forensics laboratory financing
Bill 260429 — Frankford zoning map change passes 14-0
Bill No. 260381
Bill No. 260508
Bill No. 260381 — mural notice requirement
Bill No. 260465-A, as amended: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 10-100 (“Animals”) of The Philadelphia Code to restrict the operation of carriage horse businesses and to provide for penalties for violati
FY2027 Operating Budget adopted
Carriage horse ban passes 16-1
Out of respect for the bill's author, he nonetheless voted no on the carriage horse restriction