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 Friday, May 17, 2024.

Chamber members are invited to join weekly legislative update calls hosted by our advocacy team to hear the latest legislative matters concerning our community. Note: Our next call will be on Friday, May 31, 2024. There will be no call on Friday, May 24, 2024, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Local

  • THE TIME IS NOW TO LOWER WAGE AND BUSINESS TAXES: City Council will vote on the FY25 budget in the coming weeks, and the business community’s advocacy is more crucial than ever in this pivotal moment for our city.  
  • Join the Chamber and the Inclusive Growth Coalition (IGC) in our lobbying campaign to #EndTheDoubleTax as we advocate for continued budget reductions to improve the ease of doing business in our city. Use our one-click campaign to send letters of support directly to Councilmembers or contact Ashley Miscevich, Manager, Local Government Advocacy, at amiscevich@chamberphl.com for more information. 

Join the Chamber on June 11, 2024, for our virtual City Hall Connectors: Public Safety and Clean & Green Initiatives forum and June 25, 2024, for our virtual City Hall Connectors: Commerce Director Alba Martinez forum. YPC members are invited to attend our YPC Exclusive: Unplugged with the Mayor, featuring a candid discussion with Mayor Cherelle Parker in person on June 26, 2024.

State

  • Two major infrastructure improvement projects were announced this week, both aimed at improving service access and reliability across the Commonwealth: Essential Utilities has committed to investing in critical infrastructure enhancements across its 9-state service area, while the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority announced the approval of its proposal to construct broadband infrastructure in un- and under-served areas. 
  • This week, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Executive Order 2024-01 to establish the Hire, Improve, Recruit, Empower (HIRE) Committee to “expand opportunity for Pennsylvanians seeking a career in public service, continue to build a more competitive Commonwealth workforce, and make state government the best place to work in the Commonwealth.” 
  • When legislators return to session early next week, budget discussions will begin in earnest on a number of the Chamber’s highest priorities including business friendliness, education, and transportation funding. The Chamber continues to urge members of our regional business community to contact your state lawmakers in support of transit funding to avoid SEPTA service cuts and fare increases. 

Market your business: sponsor one of the Chamber’s advocacy events. Gain exposure and build promising relationships with top-level business professionals, civic leaders, and elected officials. Learn more about our upcoming local, state, and federal advocacy sponsorship opportunities here or contact Tara Orio, Senior Vice President, Membership and Member Engagement, at torio@chamberphl.com. 

DETAILED LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Local: Updates from Philadelphia’s City Hall

FY25 Budget Update 
As we enter the final weeks of the City’s FY25 Budget, Philadelphia is at a pivotal moment where the business community’s insight and leadership are more crucial than ever. The Chamber and Inclusive Growth Coalition (IGC) continue to advocate for increased reductions in the city wage and Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) through our #EndTheDoubleTax lobbying campaign.  

City Council will vote on the FY25 budget in the coming weeks, and the Chamber urges your support. You can take these simple steps to make your voice heard:  

  • Send Letters of Support to City Council: Utilize our one-click campaign to send direct emails to all Council members in support of continued Wage and BIRT reductions in the FY25 budget.  
  • Share Your Story: Please take a moment to complete this brief survey to engage more deeply in our advocacy efforts. Your stories are powerful tools for change, and we are eager to hear how our city’s core issues resonate with you and impact your business. We seek your continued participation in a storytelling project highlighting the real-world impact of our three core issues impacting local companies.  
  • Stay Informed and Engaged: Visit the IGC website to join, register to receive email communications, and follow us on social media. 

The IGC is a collaborative and united partnership of stakeholders from the city’s diverse Chambers of Commerce, business leaders, and organizations advocating for the interests of Philadelphia’s businesses. We are dedicated to creating a safe, clean, and vibrant business environment in our city. 

To join the Chamber and the IGC in our advocacy efforts, please contact Ashley Miscevich, Manager, Local Government Advocacy and Engagement, at amiscevich@chamberphl.com.  

City Council Stated Meeting 
Councilmember Nina Ahmad was granted leave from the Thursday, May 16, 2024, City Council session. 

The next City Council Stated Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024. 

Bills and Resolutions 
Councilmembers Anthony Phillips, Cindy Bass, and Mike Driscoll introduced bills to regulate the hours of operation of certain establishments in their respective districts. 

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier introduced a bill amending Philadelphia Code, entitled “Keystone Opportunity Zone, Economic Development District, and Strategic Development Area,” to provide for additional extensions of certain benefits. 

Councilmember Curtis Jones introduced a bill to clarify provisions related to Section 906 of the Property Maintenance Code, the Necessary Urgent Repair Program, and a resolution authorizing hearings to examine the program, the impacts if the program were fully funded, and further exploring partnerships and programs that could assist in executing this initiative. Councilmember Jones is looking for a way to save Brith Shalom, a senior housing complex located in the 4th Councilmanic District that was recently placed into receivership after years of deferred maintenance and deteriorating building conditions. A sheriff’s sale is set for the property in June 2024, potentially displacing more than 150 senior residents. 

Councilmember Jeffery Young introduced a resolution authorizing hearings on illegal street racing meetups in the city. 

Councilmember Cindy Bass introduced a resolution authorizing hearings on the efficiency and efficacy of recovery homes and transitional housing programs. 

Councilmember Bass, on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson, introduced a bill to change the number of board members needed to reach a quorum in Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) hearings from 3 to 4 to align with the increase in total number of ZBA board members from 5 to 7, as approved by voters last year. 

Councilmember Katherine Gilmore-Richardson, on behalf of Council President Johnson, introduced a bill amending Philadelphia Code to revise provisions relating to hospital assessments and authorizing the Department of Public Health to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Commonwealth, Department of Human Services, relating to such hospital assessments; all under certain terms and conditions. 

Councilmember Jones introduced a bill amending Philadelphia Code, entitled “Unlawful Manufacture of Firearms,” to add restrictions relating to rate-of-fire acceleration devices. 

Bill 240087-A was approved by the City Council at the Thursday, May 16, 2024, session. When Councilmember Rue Landau originally introduced this bill, it required tax preparation services (e.g., H&R Block) to provide information about free tax preparation services to and receive written acknowledgment of receipt of that information from customers before providing services to them, as well as disclose fees for their services. 

Through the Chamber’s engagement with the sponsor and testimony during the hearing on the legislation, the bill was ultimately amended to remove the requirement of providing information about other free services. 

Upcoming City Council Committee Hearings 
On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, the City Council Committee on Rules will hold a hearing on bills to establish use regulations on medical facilities in the 4th Councilmanic District, to change steep slope protections, and to create a Chestnut Hill Lower East Neighborhood Conservation Overlay. 

On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, the City Council Committee in Public Property and Public Works will hold a hearing on bills to authorize the Department of Public Property to acquire real estate interests in certain areas of land located in the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th Councilmanic Districts, to enter into a cable television franchise renewal agreement with Verizon, and to allow interested parties to require open bidding when the Land Bank seeks to acquire property at a Sheriff’s sale. Councilmember Jeffery Young’s Bill 240428, to prohibit the city from entering into or extending a lease agreement at 2100 W. Girard Avenue, will also be heard. On the evening of Tuesday, May 14, 2024, a community meeting was held in Fairmount to discuss the City’s plan to establish a “wellness center” at that location. 

On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, the City Council Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and The Homeless will hold a hearing on a bill to modify requirements and authorizations related to the city’s residential eviction program. This bill would seek to make permanent the city’s eviction diversion program, which was created during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Upcoming Local Advocacy Events 

City Hall Connectors: Public Safety and Clean & Green Initiatives
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Virtual Event

City Hall Connectors: Commerce Director Alba Martinez
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Virtual Event

YPC Exclusive: Unplugged with the Mayor
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM | City Winery

State: Updates from Harrisburg

Transit Advocacy Continues
When legislators return to session on Monday, May 20, 2024, budget discussions will begin in earnest on a number of the Chamber’s highest priorities including business friendliness, education, and transportation funding. In this spirit, the Chamber continues to urge members of our regional business community to contact their state lawmakers and ask them to ensure adequate funding for transit systems across Pennsylvania remains a critical point of emphasis among House and Senate leadership throughout the state budget negotiations. 

Investments in Utility Infrastructure 
Two major infrastructure improvement projects were announced this week, both of which aim to improve service access and reliability across the Commonwealth. 

Essential Utilities, led by Chamber Board member Christopher Franklin, has committed to a capital improvement program that will result in investments of over $1 billion in infrastructure enhancements annually through 2028. Approximately $1.3 billion will be invested in 2024, with expected annual investments of $1.4 billion over the next five years. According to Essential’s announcement, the investments will “address the pressing need for modernization and sustainability” within Essential Utilities’ service area. 

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) announced this week that their Initial Proposal – Volume II Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) submission was approved by the federal Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. This approval follows the $1.16 billion BEAD funding awarded to PBDA last summer for the Initial Proposal – Volume I “draft” proposal that identified unserved and underserved areas across the state. With the Volume II approval, PBDA can identify a set of sub-awardees to construct the broadband infrastructure that will serve the 276,000 private and public entities – including houses, businesses, schools, and libraries – that currently lack access to high-speed, reliable, and affordable internet services. 

Governor Shapiro Creates Hire, Improve, Recruit, Empower Committee
This week, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Executive Order 2024-01 to establish the Hire, Improve, Recruit, Empower (HIRE) Committee to “expand opportunity for Pennsylvanians seeking a career in public service, continue to build a more competitive Commonwealth workforce and make state government the best place to work in the Commonwealth.” 

According to the Shapiro Administration, attracting “the next generation” of talent is an especially critical goal of this committee as approximately 24% of employees in agencies under Governor Shapiro’s jurisdiction will be eligible for retirement in the next five years. Additional goals of the HIRE Committee include the Commonwealth becoming a model for practices in other states and the private sector, expanding childcare options in state-owned buildings, and promoting pathways for employment for hard-to-fill roles and citizens returning to the workforce after time in the criminal justice system or military service. 

Market your business: sponsor one of the Chamber’s advocacy events. Gain exposure and build promising relationships with top-level business professionals, civic leaders, and elected officials. Learn more about our upcoming local, state, and federal advocacy sponsorship opportunities here or contact Tara Orio, Senior Vice President, Membership and Member Engagement, at torio@chamberphl.com.  

ChamberPHL Political Action Committee
Help us advance the business community’s agenda by contributing to support state and local candidates in key elections who share our commitment to a healthier business climate.

Support Our PAC

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

Chamber members are invited to join weekly legislative update calls hosted by our advocacy team to hear the latest legislative matters concerning our community. Note: Our next call will be on Friday, May 31, 2024. There will be no call on Friday, May 24, 2024, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.