Legislative Updates: A Weekly Roundup of Federal, State, and Local Actions – January 20

Your Chamber advocacy team is working to share legislative updates and continue to advocate for your business in Washington, D.C., Harrisburg, and Philadelphia. We’ve created a round-up of recent activity including Key Takeaways for Your Business and a Detailed Legislative Update. This represents our best knowledge of the situation as of 9:00 a.m. on January 20, 2023.

Chamber members are invited to join weekly legislative update calls hosted by our Advocacy team to hear the latest legislative matters concerning our community.

Updates from City Hall 

Councilmember Curtis Jones introduced a bill that would amend the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide exemptions to civil service requirements for the staff of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission. 

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier introduced a bill to expand the boundaries of the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and Mixed Income Neighborhood (MIN) overlays. The MIN overlay requires 20% affordability in all new residential construction of ten or more units. 

On Monday, January 23, 2023, the City Council Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities will hold a hearing to examine the approach and expected impacts of SEPTA’s Bus Revolution service reconfiguration. 

2023 Mayoral Race
There are ten declared Democratic candidates running to be Philadelphia’s next Mayor. Former Lt. Governor Mike Stack is the latest Democrat to announce intentions to join the crowded race. It is also rumored that City Councilmember David Oh intends to resign from City Council soon to throw his hat in the ring. If he declares his candidacy, Councilmember Oh will be the first Republican candidate in the race. 

Join the Chamber on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, for our virtual City Hall Connectors: Councilmember Michael Driscoll program, on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, for our in-person Mayoral Luncheon, and on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, for our virtual City Hall Connectors: Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington.  

Shapiro Takes Office
On Tuesday, January 17, 2023, Josh Shapiro was sworn in as Pennsylvania’s 48th Governor. As one of his first official acts, Gov. Shapiro signed an executive order announcing that 92% of state government jobs, roughly 65,000 positions, do not require a four-year college degree.  

Special Elections to Be Held on Tuesday, February 7, 2023
The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has ruled that the special elections to fill state House vacancies left by U.S. Representative Summer Lee and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. Writs to schedule the special elections had previously been issued in December by House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, then challenged in court by House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler.   

Primary Date Measure Introduced
Legislation was introduced in the General Assembly proposing to move Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary up to Tuesday, March 19, 2024, from Tuesday, April 23, 2024. 

Both the Senate and House were on recess this week and will be back in session on Monday, January 23, and Tuesday, January 24, 2023, respectively. 

Debt Limit Reached
On Thursday, January 19, 2023, the government reached its $31.4 trillion debt ceiling, resulting in the Treasury Department taking “extraordinary measures” to prevent payment lapses. 

Join the Chamber on Friday, March 17, 2023, for our in-person Congressional Staff Reception.  

City Council Stated Meeting
Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson was granted leave from the Thursday, January 19, 2023, Council session. 

Bills and Resolutions Introduced
Councilmember Curtis Jones introduced a bill that would amend the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide exemptions to civil service requirements for the staff of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission. 

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier introduced a bill to expand the boundaries of the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and Mixed Income Neighborhood (MIN) overlays. As a reminder, the MIN overlay requires 20% affordability in all new residential construction of ten or more units. 

Councilmember Jim Harrity introduced a bill to impose additional requirements on construction contractors related to public rights-of-way – streets and sidewalks. 

During the Public Comment portion of the Thursday, January 19, 2023, Council session, several speakers spoke for and against the Cobbs Creek Golf Course project, Bill 220918. Opponents cited downstream flooding, cutting down trees, and the need to repurpose golf course funding into anti-violence initiatives as reasons they oppose the project.  Proponents argued that the golf course would provide much needed educational and recreational activities for the city’s youth. The bill was ultimately amended on the floor to address the steep slope exemption. More information can be found here.   

Legislation Introduced Authorizing Council Appeals To L&I Decisions On Zoning Or Permits
City Councilmembers’ right to represent their constituents by taking legal action to appeal decisions of the Department of Licenses & Inspections (L&I) on zoning or building permits is the subject of a Resolution introduced by Councilmember Brian O’Neill (10th District) and co-sponsored by Council President Darrell L. Clarke (5th District).  The Resolution spells out a clear legal process for Councilmembers to take when they seek to take action either in opposition to a decision by L&I on a development project in a neighborhood, or in support of L&I when the matter is headed to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.  It authorizes the Law Department to represent City Council in appeals from decisions of the Department of Licenses and Inspections to the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment or the License and Inspection Review Board and, if the Law Department declines to render such services to Council will be able to attain outside counsel to provide such services.

City Council Accepts A Report From The Philadelphia Music Industry Task Force
The Music Industry Task Force, an initiative led by Councilmember David Oh (At Large), has worked for several years, including through the pandemic, to examine the state of the growing music industry in Philadelphia and recommend solutions to improve the climate for the industry.

Among the Task Force’s recommendations:

• Create a central Philadelphia Music Office or Commission to continue the work of the industry task force.
• Promote Philadelphia music in the city’s transportation hubs, such as Philadelphia International Airport and 30th Street Station.
• Develop an awareness campaign for fair compensation for working musicians.
• Establish Performance Arts Loading Zones (temporary parking at concert venues so artists and groups can quickly load and unload their equipment without parking tickets).
• Identify funding sources for sustained, dedicated funding to help grow Philadelphia’s music economy.

The Task Force’s Report will be delivered to the Mayor’s Office, and considered further by City Council in the months ahead.

Upcoming City Council Meeting
On Monday, January 23, 2023, the City Council Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities will hold a hearing to examine the approach and expected impacts of SEPTA’s Bus Revolution service reconfiguration. 

Odds and Ends
Every Voice, Every Vote is a $1.5 million investment in news coverage and voter engagement projects managed by the Lenfest Institute for Journalism with support from the William Penn Foundation, the Wyncote Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and others. Every Voice, Every Vote recently awarded 52 grants to news media and community organizations to complete a range of projects related to the election, including voter guides translated into 13 languages, listening sessions, debates, and polling and research. 

2023 Mayoral Race
There are ten declared Democratic candidates running to be Philadelphia’s next Mayor. Current candidates include: 

• Pastor Warren Bloom, Sr. 
• State Representative Amen Brown 
• Supermarket Magnate Jeff Brown 
• Retired Municipal Court Judge James DeLeon 
• Former Councilmember Allan Domb 
• Former Councilmember Derek Green 
• Former Councilmember Helen Gym 
• Former Councilmember Cherelle Parker
• Former City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart 
• Former Councilmember Maria Quiñones Sánchez 

Former Lt. Governor Mike Stack is the latest Democrat to announce intentions to join the crowded race for Mayor. If Stack declares, his entrance into the race will bring the Democratic field to 11 candidates. It is also rumored that City Councilmember David Oh intends to resign from City Council soon to throw his hat in the ring. If he declares his candidacy, Councilmember Oh will be the first Republican candidate in the race. 

While several people have declared that they are running, we will know by mid-March who makes the May primary ballot. The first day to file nomination petitions is Tuesday, February 14, 2023. 

Upcoming Local Advocacy Events 
City Hall Connectors: Councilmember Michael Driscoll
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Virtual   

Mayoral Luncheon
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 | 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM | Philadelphia Marriott Downtown 

City Hall Connectors: Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Virtual 

Questions? Contact William Carter (wcarter@chamberphl.com) for more information about local legislative affairs.

Shapiro Takes Office
On Tuesday, January 17, 2023, Josh Shapiro was sworn in as Pennsylvania’s 48th governor. The address touched upon policy issues such as climate change, gun safety, reproductive rights, investment in public schools, and job training programs.  

As one of his first official acts, Gov. Shapiro signed an executive order announcing that 92% of state government jobs, roughly 65,000 positions, do not require a four-year college degree.  

The new Lieutenant Governor, Austin Davis, a former legislator from Allegheny County, took the oath of office during a ceremony in the Senate chambers.  

Special Elections to Be Held on Tuesday, February 7, 2023
The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has ruled that the special elections to fill state House vacancies left by U.S. Representative Summer Lee and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. Writs to schedule the special elections had previously been issued in December by House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, then challenged in court by House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler.  

The outcome may further complicate the already complicated leadership struggles in the House. Committees have yet to be named, and legislative action is at a standstill.   

Primary Date Measure Introduced
Legislation was introduced in the General Assembly proposing to move Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary up to Tuesday, March 19, 2024, from Tuesday, April 23, 2024. 

Questions?  Contact Anselm Sauter (asauter@chamberphl.com) for more information about state legislative affairs.

Both the Senate and House were on recess this week and will be back in session on Monday, January 23, and Tuesday, January 24, 2023, respectively.   

Debt Limit Reached
On Thursday, January 19, 2023, the government reached its $31.4 trillion debt ceiling, resulting in the Treasury Department taking “extraordinary measures” to prevent payment lapses.  

The White House has stated the debt limit must be raised without conditions. At the same time, Speaker McCarthy made a handshake deal in his bid to become the majority leader that the House would not raise the debt limit without significant cuts in federal spending next fiscal year. These differing approaches are expected to cause months-long deliberations to solve the budget deficit. 

No specific date has been identified for when payments are expected to start lapsing, but recent speculation has determined the “X Date” could occur as early as June 2023.  

Committee Membership
As reported in last week’s update, House leadership made several changes to the makeup of what are frequently considered the “top 4” committees, Appropriations, Energy & Commerce, Financial Services, and Ways & Means, including the addition of Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania to Ways and Means.  

House leadership has also determined the new ratios of membership for these committees, though ratios for the remaining committees and Democratic appointees to the committees will not be named until next week at the earliest when Congress is back in session.  

Odds and Ends
Speaker McCarthy has invited President Biden to give the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.  

Upcoming Federal Advocacy Event
Congressional Staff Reception
Friday, March 17, 2023 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Citizens Bank Park Pass & Stow

Questions? Contact Renee Androckitis (randrockitis@chamberphl.com) for more information about federal legislative affairs.

We invite you to reach out to our advocacy team directly with your questions: 

• Renee Androckitis, Federal Affairs – randrockitis@chamberphl.com
• Anselm Sauter, State Affairs – asauter@chamberphl.com
• William Carter, Local Affairs – wcarter@chamberphl.com

Chamber members are invited to join weekly legislative update calls hosted by our Advocacy team.