Legislative Updates: A Roundup of State and Local Actions – November 15

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, November 15, 2024.

• Councilmember Kendra Brooks submitted a bill on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson to include stadium workers on the city’s prevailing wage list for consideration. 
• For consideration, Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke submitted a resolution calling on Governor Josh Shapiro and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) to combat impending fare hikes to Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and service cuts by addressing and increasing transportation funds. 
• Councilmember Nina Ahmad introduced legislation to expand and democratize Philadelphia’s electric vehicle (EV) charger infrastructure.  

• Election results in state level legislative races ultimately maintained the status quo, with no net change in the balance of power across the Pennsylvania General Assembly. 
• The General Assembly returned for a brief period this week to hold leadership elections with several notable changes. 
• SEPTA announced this week that it had no other choice but to begin plans for painful fare increases and service cuts due to state lawmakers' inaction on a funding solution for mass transit. 

Join us on Thursday, January 16, 2025, to forge new relationships, strengthen ties, and engage with Philadelphia City Councilmembers at our City Council Reception. Register now for this annual reception.

City Council Stated Meeting 

Introduced by Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, a resolution was passed to propose an amendment to Philadelphia’s Home Rule Charter to create a Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board and an Office of Prison Oversight. 

Introduced by Councilmember Mark Squilla, an ordinance was passed to revise disability parking space standards and procedures and create an application process for residential disability parking spaces.  

Legislation Introduced 

For consideration, Councilmember Kendra Brooks submitted a bill on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson to include stadium workers on the city’s prevailing wage list. 

For consideration, Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke submitted a resolution calling on Governor Shapiro and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) to combat impending SEPTA fare hikes and service cuts by addressing and increasing transportation funds. 

For consideration, Councilmember Mark Squilla submitted a bill that would create a Philadelphia Chinatown Overlay district.  

For consideration, Councilmember Nina Ahmad introduced legislation to expand and democratize Philadelphia’s electric vehicle (EV) charger infrastructure. It would change the requirement of EV chargers to any new development with parking lots that support 10 or more vehicles. In a statement the councilwoman said – “To support the smooth transition to electric vehicles, electric vehicle chargers need to be operational across city parking lots and accessible to all Philadelphians. This bill is another step toward meeting that goal.” 

Updates from City Council Committees 

Passed Out of Committee 

Introduced by Councilmember Nina Ahmad, Resolution #240997 was approved and calls on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass legislation prohibiting the sale of large capacity magazines in Pennsylvania and is going to Council for consideration. 

Introduced by Councilmember Rue Landau, Bill #240662 involving the City’s Consumer Protection Ordinance was passed, which requires the Philadelphia Code to clarify the statute of limitations and provide for retroactivity is going to Council for consideration. 

Upcoming Hearings 

On November 18, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., the Committee on Legislative Oversight will hold a public hearing at the Independence Visitor’s Center (599 Market Street), to review Philadelphia’s preparedness for the 2026 celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary and Philadelphia’s role in America’s founding. 

On November 19, 2024, November 20, 2024, November 26, 2024, and December 3, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., as well as November 21, 2024 and December 2, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., the Committee of the Whole will hold a legislation hearing and public testimony on the potential 76ers Arena in Room 400, City Hall. 

Note: Amidst the negotiations around the potential 76ers Arena, Council has created a website to provide up-to-date information.

On November 21, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., the Committee of the Whole will hold a public hearing in Room 400, City Hall, to fulfill the requirements of Chapter 17-2300 of The Philadelphia Code, which mandates a public hearing before the execution of a labor agreement concerning police employees represented by the Fraternal Order of Police.   

On November 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., the Joint Committees on Public Safety and Public Health and Human Services will hold a public hearing in Room 400, City Hall, to assess the effectiveness and potential expansion of mobile mental health units managed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services. 

On November 26, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., the Committee of the Whole will hold a public hearing in Room 400, City Hall, to discuss an ordinance amending the Gallery at Market East Tax Increment Financing District, removing specific portions of the district and approving the amended project plan for redevelopment. 

Other News 

City Payments to Nonprofits: Mayor Parker recently shared a directive to senior leaders in her administration that they must confirm and approve every remaining overdue contract by November 8, 2024, and pay all due invoices by November 29, 2024. These remaining contracts total $389,303,503.  The Chamber continues to advocate for streamlining the city’s contracting process with non-profit and for-profit organizations that do business with the city and provide services to residents. 

SEPTA 

SEPTA has delayed its “Bus Revolution” plan as it faces a “transit death spiral” that may bring about historic fare hikes of 29% and service reductions of 20% starting January 1, 2025. 

The transit agency explained that these drastic measures are necessary after the Pennsylvania state budget—which would have provided $161 million in funding—was rejected by legislators in Harrisburg. 

In addition to these potential cuts and fare increases, SEPTA is currently negotiating with Transit Workers Union Local 234 and SMART Local 1594 to avert a strike. 

 Update from Commerce Department 

The Skills Game Ban is being enforced by the Philadelphia Police Department. 

Resources for the Fair Work Week Ordinance are available here. 

Election Results 

Heading into Election Day, the Pennsylvania House was evenly split at 102-101 in favor of Democrats, while Republicans held a 28-22 advantage in the Senate. Both parties were optimistic about potential seat gains while aiming to defend their existing strongholds. However, the election results ultimately maintained the status quo, with no net change in the balance of power across the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Both legislative chambers will retain their previous margins, though there were some notable races: 

 Democrat Patty Kim won the 15th Senate district in Dauphin County, replacing retiring Republican John DiSanto. 

• Republican challenger Joe Picozzi unseated incumbent Democrat Jimmy Dillon in the 5th Senate District. 

• Democrat Sean Dougherty won over Aizaz Gill by little more than 500 votes in the open 172nd House District race to replace Rep. Kevin Boyle. 

Leadership Elections  

The General Assembly returned for a brief period this week to hold leadership elections among other business. Arguably the most significant changes occurred in the House Republican Leadership. Current Leader, Rep. Bryan Cutler announced that he would not seek re-election to the position. Additionally, Rep. Seth Grove was unsuccessful in his bid to retain his seat as Republican House Appropriations Chair. The House Democratic Caucus remains largely intact with one exception: Rep. Dan Miller announced he would not run for Whip while he considers running for Common Pleas Court judge. 

 In the Senate Democratic Caucus there were several changes due to contested races for Caucus Chair, Secretary, and Policy Chair. The Senate Republican Caucus remains unchanged, however the Administrator and Policy Chair seats have not yet been filled. 

 A full list of leadership teams is as follows: 

 Senate Republican Leadership Team 

Interim President Pro Tempore: Sen. Kim Ward (Westmoreland) 

Leader: Sen. Joe Pittman (Indiana) 

Whip: Sen. Ryan Aument (Lancaster) 

Appropriations Chair: Sen. Scott Martin (Lancaster) 

Caucus Chair: Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (York) 

Secretary: Sen. Camara Bartolotta (Beaver) 

Senate Democratic Leadership Team 

Leader: Sen. Jay Costa, Jr. (Allegheny) 

Whip: Sen. Tina Tartaglione (Philadelphia) 

Appropriations Chair: Sen. Vincent Hughes (Philadelphia) 

Caucus Chair: Sen. Maria Collett (Montgomery) 

Secretary: Sen. Steve Santarsiero (Bucks) 

Administrator: Sen.  Judy Schwank (Berks) 

Policy Chair: Sen. Nick Miller (Lehigh) 

House Democratic Leadership Team 

Speaker-designate: Rep. Joanna McClinton (Philadelphia/Delaware) 

Leader: Rep. Matt Bradford (Montgomery) 

Whip: Rep. Mike Schlossberg (Lehigh) 

Appropriations Chair: Rep. Jordan Harris (Philadelphia) 

Caucus Chair: Rep. Rob Matzie (Beaver) 

Secretary: Rep. Tina Davis (Bucks) 

Administrator: Rep. Leanne Krueger (Delaware) 

Policy Chair: Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (Erie) 

House Republican Leadership Team
Leader: Rep. Jesse Topper (Bedford/Fulton) 

Whip: Rep. Tim O’Neal (Washington) 

Appropriations Chair: Rep. Jim Struzzi (Indiana) 

Caucus Chair: Rep. Martina White (Philadelphia) 

Secretary: Rep. Clint Owlett (Bradford/Tioga) 

Administrator: Rep. Sheryl Delozier (Cumberland) 

Policy Chair: Rep. David Rowe (Snyder/Union/Juniata/Mifflin) 

 SEPTA Proposes Additional Fair Increases 

SEPTA announced this week that it has no other choice but to enact painful fare increases by an additional 21.5% in addition to the 7.5% fare increase previously proposed.  SEPTA expects that the total of these two far increases – an almost 30% jump – would take effect January 1, 2025. At the beginning of next year, SEPTA expects to release a plan that would cut service by 20% including the elimination of dozens of routes or significantly less frequency. SEPTA projects that these painful changes will reduce ridership by 22%, which will undoubtedly lead to more service cuts and fare increases. 

For nearly two years, SEPTA has warned these measures would be implemented without action from state lawmakers. This week’s announcement demonstrates that SEPTA can no longer wait for a state funding solution. 

House Democrats passed HB2625 on October 22, 2024, which provides funding for mass transit agencies across the Commonwealth as proposed by the Governor in this year’s budget request. Senate Republicans have reiterated that there is room for compromise on this issue, but they believe it should be advanced through a broader transportation package that invests in roads and bridges, in addition to mass transit.  

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.

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

• Shannon Williams, Senior Vice President, Advocacy – swilliams@chamberphl.com
• Renee Androckitis, Federal and State Affairs – randrockitis@chamberphl.com
• Anselm Sauter, State Affairs – asauter@chamberphl.com
• William Carter, Local Affairs – wcarter@chamberphl.com
• Ashley Miscevich, Local Affairs – amiscevich@chamberphl.com

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