2 weeks Ago By Michael Taylor
Even without a formal City Council Session this week, Philadelphia's political machine didn't idle. City Council kept up the momentum, diving into the proposed $6.7 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026 presented by Mayor Cherelle L.
Parker. These sessions, intricately detailed by the City Council of Philadelphia , canvassed a broad scope of municipal departments, raising both prospects of development and concerns over potential fiscal hurdles. Amid budget hearings, a contentious proposal to eliminate a tax break for small businesses emerged as a key talking point, one that previously exempted the first $100,000 of business income.
Predictably, Council members bristled at the idea, foreseeing the tribulations it would bring to 75,000 businesses. However, according to the city’s Commerce Department head, Alba Martinez, the mayor has plans for a $30 million fund to mitigate these ripples. The specter of a threat to SEPTA's services gave a grim overtone to budget talks.
While a dire proposal from SEPTA posited both service cuts and fare increases, City Council officials rallied, pressing SEPTA’s Interim General Manager Scott Sauer to engage with state legislators for support. As reported by the City Council of Philadelphia , Council President Kenyatta Johnson, representing the 2nd District, was among those pushing for a meaningful dialogue between Sauer and State Senate Republican Majority Leader Sen. Joe Pittman.
In preparation for the historical cavalcade of events scheduled for 2026, the Legislative Oversight Committee held a hearing focusing on Philadelphia's readiness. Overlaid with testimonials from key city figures, the discussions encapsulated the city's grand ambitions for its 250th birthday. Meanwhile, the Council also deliberated on a series of bills that could potentially strike down legislation related to a new arena for the Philadelphia 76ers, highlighting shifting sands in infrastructure strategies.
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