The mayor of CHELELLE L. Parker said she was convinced that her plan for Philadelphia outlined during her annual budget proposal on Thursday, initial a fresh era of better safety, quality of life and business development.
But the mayor stares in months of uncertainty. There are potential federal financing cuts. There is an upcoming fight for taxes. And he intends to present a plan in 10 days, which, he claims, will process a housing landscape in the city.
Here is six to take out of the mayor’s 90-minute speech.
1. A great fight for taxes is chosen
Parker’s budget proposal represented her opening Salvo in the upcoming fight for how the city taxes companies, and before the budget agreement by the city council there will probably be aggressive negotiations.
And it can get complicated. The faction strictly consistent with business interests probably strives for deeper cuts than what Parker has proposed, while the progressers will almost certainly challenge tax reductions for companies that may have any impact on city expenses and services.
Parker proposed stern changes in business income and tax on inflows or Birt. He wants to reduce the tax rate from company profits by half and eliminate the tax on gross revenues to 2039. The cut would be incremental in 13 years and cost the city USD 9.2 million next year.
Her plan is not as aggressive as the one recently proposed by Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission, which was convened by the Council and called for the complete elimination of Birt within a decade.
»Read more: No tax on companies? The Tax Reformation Commission in Philadelphia calls for a stern change
Some members of the pro-business council praised Parker’s proposal, but said they could press on deeper cuts. Meanwhile, progressors, including a member of the Rue Landau council, a democrat who represents the city, said they had questions.
“Namely,” she said, “How does the city intend to balance the proposed revenues at the time when we stand in the company in anticipation of federal financing cuts that will lead to loss of services? “
The President of the City Council Kenyatta Johnson said he was convinced that the duel fractions would reach an agreement, and his goal is unanimously transferring the budget in June.
2. Parker referred to the Trump’s administration “Uncertainty” – vague
Parker tried to avoid direct criticism of President Donald Trump from the time he took the office in January, even among the pressure from activists, who demanded that the city would protect marginalized groups, including immigrants and LGBTQ people.
It lasted Thursday. However, during the speech, Parker for the first time referred to the second Trump administration at the main forum and said that “uncertainty” coming out of Washington “can breed fear.”
“I want the inhabitants of Philadelphia and employees of our city to hear me: Your city is here to ensure you safety and secure basic rights,” said Parker. “Our diversity makes us one Philly, a united city and we will never compromise.”
Parker probably awarded the extensive changes in Trump’s administration, including controversial policies regarding immigration and diversity, equality and inclusion, as well as cutting financing and cancellation of contracts throughout the Federal Government.
Rob Dubow, the city’s financial director, told reporters on Wednesday that the city lost a federal subsidy related to sustainable development, but did not provide further information. Dubow said that the city intends to spend $ 95 million on a fresh reserve that would compensate for potential additional cuts.
3. Continuous focus on public safety
Taking up to crime and public security was Parker’s priority in the first year, and she began his speech, marking the efforts of the fight against administration crime, including an increased number of policemen walking on the rhythms of the feet and millions of dollars for funds for social organizations.
Violence indicators using weapons were at a record -breaking level in the preceding years, when she took office, but fell sharply last year in accordance with wider national trends.
»Read more: Philly saw a historic decline in murders in 2024. What has changed?
Parker said she was not satisfied, heading to the second year.
“Nobody screams the” mission “here,” she said. “Every murder, every incident with violence, is a loss for Philadelphia and a stain of the soul of our city … We have much more work.”
To this end, Parker announced several fresh investments in the fight against crime, in particular announcing that the city has chosen the location of a fresh criminal laboratory in which the police can process and test evidence. Officials have long stated that replacing the current laboratory of a criminal city, which is indulgence and dated, would allow law enforcement authorities to resolve crimes faster and build stronger cases.
The fresh laboratory, which is located at 4101 Market St., “will mark a gigantic step forward in the field of forensic technology and the ability to solve crimes for our police department,” she said.
»Read more: The fresh Philly Police Forensics Lab will be at University City, says Parker Administration
Parker also announced further funds for the equipment of police officers in cameras worn in the body and reasons, which have been financed in city budgets over the past eight years. However, the equipment of every officer was pending – Parker said that every policeman would have a body camera by the end of the year.
The mayor also said that “she was often criticized for being too pro-political” and said that she did not agree.
“Philadelphills want to be safe and feel safe, and they deserve the basic human right,” she said, “and I can’t support our police department.”
4. Sobility of Kensington strategy
Parker proposed the main fresh investment in one of the key purposes of its administration: the end of the outdoor drug drug in Kensington. He wants the Council to approve almost $ 300 million in financing in the next five years to continue construction and activity in Riverview Wellness Village, a fresh rehabilitation administration in the city for people recovering after drug addiction.
The building, adjacent to the city prison intricate, was opened in January after the mayor secured $ 100 million to start construction last year. Parker formulated the extension of the treatment options as a key way of dealing with extensive homelessness and open drug utilize in Kensington.
»Read more: How the fresh Philly Recovery House will serve hundreds of people with substance utilize disorders
“There were some who said it couldn’t be done. That it was too much, too fast. “Where would the object be? Where was the plan? ” – said Parker. “We didn’t have time to wait. We are in the process of humanitarian crisis and we acted with urgency, focus and plan. “
According to city officials who testified the city council members, at the end of February less than 50 people were in a 336-person facility, because the administration still builds their abilities.
The mayor also proposes to extend the redirect programs for people arrested for low -level crimes, including a new “neighborly court of biological renewal” based in Kensington.
»Read more: City leaders advertise progress in Kensington, but some residents remain skeptical
Currently, the court operates only one day a week. Parker proposed $ 2.7 million expenses that would open five days a week.
Although Parker and its administration claim that Kensington’s plan has improved safety in the area, some residents are skeptical and claim that the drug movement in the area remains continuous. In addition, supporters criticized the Biological Renewal Court, saying that people in addiction are asked to make critical decisions under the influence of alcohol or in retirement.
5. The upcoming “D-Day” apartment
Parker said that her administration proposes to borrow $ 800 million on “as soon as possible”, the initiative will be the basis of her second year of office.
But despite advertising the purpose of building or rehabilitation of 30,000 houses since the office in January, the details remain scanty. She promised that within 10 days she would reveal more during a special session of the City Council on March 24, which she called “D-Day for Housing”.
»Read more: Mayor of Parker with a value of 800 million USD to start moving “as soon as possible”
A member of the city council of Jamie Gauthier, a progressive democrat and one of the most vocal supporters of housing at an affordable price, praised this plan in a statement on Thursday, saying that “our opportunity to improve the course – to make sure that those who need our assist the most, will finally receive a fair participation.”
The mayor also emphasized that he was trying to eliminate tax on the impact on the construction, which was created in 2019 to finance community development programs. Administrative officials claim that the tax brings only $ 3.7 million a year and that it suppresses development.
6. Parker claims that Market East is a priority after the Sixers’ “Shock and Awe” decision
Parker said that after the “shock and admiration” of the unexpected decision of Philadelphia 76ers about staying in southern Philadelphia will prioritize the revitalization of East Market Street.
For a long time and highly controversial efforts to build the basketball arena at East Market Street have been cited by city officials as the key to the renewal of the fortune of the besieged trade district.
During her speech, Parker said that “in the following month” she would establish a “market task group for Eastern Revitalization”, run by Jerry Sweeney, General Director of Brandywine Realty Trust, the largest owner of the office building in Philadelphia.
»Read more: The mayor of Cherielle Parker called the Sixers decision to stay in the southern Philly “Curveball”. Some say she just wrapped.
Parker said that the city is undergoing a study to “determine our course in the future.” She also said that representatives of Chinatown, a neighborhood, which borders the East Market and the former proposed side of the arena, will be included in the task group, together with 76ers and Comcast, which undertook indefinite obligations towards the corridor.
In an interview on Thursday, she said that she had committed herself to “restore her life to the first commercial corridor in Philadelphia.”
“When people say,” What do you think about East Market Street? “Let me tell you what I don’t think about,” she said. “He continues that it’s okay with the status quo … I hope. I feel fine. My spirit feels good with the potential of our city. “
