Legislative Updates: A Weekly Roundup of Federal, State, and Local Actions – February 3

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 February 3, 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.

Bills and Resolutions Introduced 

Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson introduced a resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black-owned businesses and the disparities in business closures. 

Councilmember Curtis Jones introduced several resolutions authorizing the City Council Committee on Education to hold hearings to examine student learning loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to examine top-performing magnet schools, to evaluate the tracking of post-graduation pathways, and to examine the progress of the Safe Corridors Program. 

After several speakers expressed support for and opposition against the redevelopment of the Cobbs Creek Golf Course, the Cobbs Creek Golf Course Overlay District bill (220918-AA) was approved unanimously by City Council. 

Odds and Ends 

The City of Philadelphia’s Board of Ethics (BOE) and the Office of Innovation and Technology’s (OIT) CityGeo team have launched an interactive dashboard for the city’s campaign finance data. Access the dashboard here. 

The City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) announced the creation of a Targeted Financial Assistance (TFA) component of the city’s Eviction Diversion Program (EDP).  

Join the Chamber on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, for our virtual City Hall Connectors: Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington program.  

Senate Special Election 

On Tuesday, January 31, 2023, the 27th District in Pennsylvania held a special election to fill the state Senate seat vacated by former Pennsylvania Senator John Gordner (R), who resigned last year to become counsel to Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward. The winner, State Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver (R) Northumberland County, is currently serving her seventh two-year term and represents all of Montour County and part of Northumberland County.  

In western Pennsylvania, there are special elections for the 32nd, 34th, and 35th House District seats on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. 

Easing Licensing Wait Times 

This week, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order to reduce long wait times for professional applicants seeking to enter their fields in Pennsylvania. Under the order, state agencies will be given timelines to review license applications or repay applicants for the costs of fees. The measure aims to get frontline workers like teachers and nurses into the field faster and lower barriers for small business owners such as barbers and cosmetologists. 

Join the Chamber on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, for our virtual State Advocacy Update with Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman program and on Monday, March 27, 2023, for our in-person County Leadership Reception. 

Budget 

No specific details have emerged from President Biden and Speaker McCarthy’s Wednesday, February 1, 2023, meeting on addressing the national debt, but statements from both participants signal that they will continue the conversation over the coming months.   

President Biden’s budget will be released on Thursday, March 9, 2023, and is expected to highlight three priorities: support for the safety net, deficit reduction, and lowering costs.   

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

Bills and Resolutions Introduced 

Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson introduced a resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black-owned businesses and the disparities in business closures. 

Councilmember Curtis Jones introduced several resolutions authorizing the City Council Committee on Education to hold hearings to examine student learning loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to examine top-performing magnet schools, to evaluate the tracking of post-graduation pathways, and to examine the progress of the Safe Corridors Program. In addition, Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson introduced a resolution authorizing the Education Committee to hold hearings on the District’s Career and Technical Education programs. 

After several speakers expressed support for and opposition against the redevelopment of the Cobbs Creek Golf Course, the Cobbs Creek Golf Course Overlay District bill (220918-AA) was approved unanimously by City Council. 

Upcoming City Council Meetings 

On Monday, February 6, 2023, the City Council Committee on Law and Government will hold a hearing on several proposed amendments to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter related to the Budget Stabilization Reserve; the creation of a Division of Workforce Solutions within the Department of Commerce; and civil service exemptions for staff of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission. The Committee will also hear testimony on a bill to revise prohibited activities for members of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission. 

Tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2023, the City Council Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless plans to hold a public hearing on protections against rent increases in the City of Philadelphia. The Committee intends to examine the use of rent control to lower rising housing costs and increase neighborhood stability and safety. Although this resolution calls for public hearings to explore rent control, Councilmember Kendra Brooks does have legislation in Bill 200301 that could be introduced at any time.    

On Monday, February 13, 2023, the City Council Committee on Streets and Services will hold a hearing on various bills related to the establishment of parking regulations and the authorization of street paving, line and grade revisions, and abandonment of certain rights-of-way for drainage and other public utility purposes. 

New Regulations 

New regulations must be approved by the Law Department, then filed with the Department of Records and advertised publicly for 30 days before becoming law. During this period, members of the public who are affected may request a hearing through the Department of Records. Note: Some regulations pertain to older legislation and processes already in place but not yet formally adopted. 

Department of Labor: Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces
Third Supplemental Regulation regarding COVID-19 and Chapter 9-4100 of the Philadelphia Code. Filing date: Thursday, January 19, 2023  

Streets and Licenses & Inspections: Streeteries
The joint regulation regarding the licensure and operation of streeteries on authorized portions of the right-of-way. See the city’s blog post and Outdoor Dining Program Guide for more details. Updated regulation was published on Wednesday, October 19, 2022.    

Department of Licenses & Inspections: Permit and License Fee Schedule
This regulation increases permit and license fees by the rate of inflation and will apply to all new applications filed on or after Sunday, January 1, 2023. The 2020 fees will continue to apply to applications filed before Sunday, January 1, 2023. Filing date: Monday, August 8, 2022.    

Employee Commuter Benefits Law
The City of Philadelphia and Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) are interested in improving the Employee Commuter Benefits Law website. The most important tool for businesses is the site’s Resources page. The goal is to make this page clearer and add an FAQ section.  

Please send your feedback or any questions you may have on this new regulation to Ashley Miscevich at amiscevich@chamberphl.com; the Chamber will share your comments and questions with the city’s commerce department.  

Odds and Ends 

On Tuesday, January 31, 2023, the City of Philadelphia’s Board of Ethics (BOE) and the Office of Innovation and Technology’s (OIT) CityGeo team have launched an interactive dashboard for the city’s campaign finance data. This tool will make it possible for the public to explore open data during elections. The city also created a video tutorial on how to use the dashboard, along with metadata and technical documentation. The data and dashboard include filings from 2019 to the present. Access the dashboard here. 

On Tuesday, January 31, 2023, the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) announced the creation of a Targeted Financial Assistance (TFA) component of the city’s Eviction Diversion Program (EDP). Eligible landlords and tenants participating in the EDP may be selected to apply for a one-time payment from the city to a landlord to cover a tenant’s rent arrears. EDP helps landlords and tenants resolve disputes, avoid going to court, and facilitates satisfactory and sustainable landlord-tenant agreements through mediation or supported direct negotiation. 

2023 Mayoral Race 

There are eleven 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 Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack

It is expected that City Councilmember David Oh will resign from City Council in the coming weeks and 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 February 14, 2023. 

Upcoming Local Advocacy Events 

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.

Senate Special Election 

On Tuesday, January 31, 2023, the 27th District in Pennsylvania held a special election to fill the state Senate seat vacated by former Pennsylvania Senator John Gordner (R), who resigned last year to become counsel to Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward. The district covers all of Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, and Snyder counties, and parts of Luzerne County. The winner, State Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver (R) Northumberland County, is currently serving her seventh two-year term and represents all of Montour County and part of Northumberland County. 

Republicans have a 2 to 1 voter registration advantage in the district, and Gordner won re-election in 2020 by 51,000 votes. 

In western Pennsylvania, there are special elections for the 32nd, 34th, and 35th House District seats on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. Democrats won 102 seats last November, but Republicans, who have 101 seats, are claiming the majority now after the three seats in question became vacant. With the three House districts solidly Democratic, Democrats are expected to win those races. 

Easing Licensing Wait Times 

This week, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order to reduce long wait times for professional applicants seeking to enter their fields in Pennsylvania. Under the order, state agencies will be given timelines to review license applications or repay applicants for the costs of fees. The measure aims to get frontline workers like teachers and nurses into the field faster and lower barriers for small business owners such as barbers and cosmetologists. 

Agencies throughout the state will have 90 days to review all licenses, certificates, and permits and submit recommendations for timelines to the governor’s office.  

Republican Senator President Pro Tempore Kim Ward highlighted efforts by her caucus to address various licensing issues, including: 

• Act 41 of 2019 allowed those licensed in other states to get the license in Pennsylvania using equivalent standards or allowing for temporary licenses until they finish the requirements. 
• Act 53 of 2020 allowed those with criminal convictions to get a license and provided a list of convictions that ban people from getting a license. 
• Act 100 of 2021 made it easier for certain applicants to get their license using virtual supervision requirements and allowed for virtual continuing education for those already licensed. Other individual bills helped with this as well under the COVID-19 waiver packages. 
• Act 35 of 2022 allowed veterans and their families to receive expedited licensure, licensure without fees, and a military crosswalk to incorporate their military experience in Pennsylvania. 

Upcoming State Advocacy Events 

State Advocacy Update with Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman 
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Virtual 

County Leadership Reception 
Monday, March 27, 2023 | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Location TBD 

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

The House and Senate were both in session this week to consider legislation and hold committee hearings.   

Budget   

President Biden and Speaker McCarthy met on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, in their first one-on-one meeting of McCarthy’s tenure to discuss plans to address the national debt. No specific details have yet emerged from the discussion. However, statements from both participants reflected that they will continue the conversation in additional meetings over the following months. Speaker McCarthy also noted that, after the initial discussion, he sees the possibility for common ground between his approach and that of the President. The White House released a statement noting President Biden “welcomes a separate discussion with congressional leaders” on reducing the deficit, controlling the national debt, and growing the economy.   

Also related to federal spending, the White House announced that President Biden’s budget will not be released after the Monday, February 6, 2023, deadline and will instead be released on Thursday, March 9, 2023. The President is expected to use his budget to highlight three priorities: support for the safety net, deficit reduction, and lowering costs. While there is no penalty for missing the deadline, the delayed release of the budget will likely mean that the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations process will start later than usual. 

Odds & Ends   

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced this week the availability of $1.7 billion in funding to support state and local efforts “to buy or modernize buses, improve bus facilities, and support workforce development,” per the Federal Transit Administration. This competitive grant program funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will “enable communities nationwide to support transit worker training and create clean transit systems.” More information about the program and available resources can be found on the Federal Transit Administration’s website.    

The Chamber continues to focus on attracting the newly established Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) physical location to the Greater Philadelphia region. ARPA-H announced this week that their hiring efforts are ramping up. They plan to announce additional hires and two new initiatives around Wednesday, March 15, 2023, marking the first anniversary of the agency’s authorization.   

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.