Governor Josh Shapiro for the first time visited on Wednesday in Philadelphia in the Asian month of consciousness Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) with an eye for the future of the district.
With a flood of tourists expected in the city this year and the next for several FIFA World Cup matches, the game All-Star All-Star 2026 MLB and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, said that he wants to make sure that the cultural sizzling philadelphia points will benefit from the wave.
During his visit, the democratic governor raised various topics from How to attract business to Chinatown after the long -term plan of the city center is falling apart President Donald Trump as Philadelphia is waiting for the immigration policy for a possible fight for federal funds if a sanctuary is considered to be a city.
When Shapiro asked Debbie Law, the owner of Asia Crafts, what his administration can do to facilitate local business owners prepare for arriving tourists, initially focused on the recent past of the district.
The law said that she and other owners of companies who opposed the non -existent Arena proposal were too busy with what they perceived as a threat to their cultural center to think about the future.
Asia Crafts, a store with collector’s items and souvenirs, as well as the only authorized Sanrio seller in the area, was opened in Chinatown in 1991 and moved to a recent location in the area last year.
Law said that she and other activists breathed a “sigh with relief” when the project was canceled and recovered after intensity. The committee is now working on embellishing Chinatown, attracting more people to visit and make it more accessible, she said, and Shapiro said that his tourist team wants to facilitate. Local officials also said that Visit Filadelphia plans to promote Chinatown and other districts in the city.
Shapiro, who swore that no state financing would go to the arena, praised the right for involvement in spokesman against the controversial project. He said that the local engagement surrounding the arena “showed that this community really celebrates its districts” and “its quality of life.”
“Regardless of what position he took, the fact that you got engaged, got to the game, it is a big deal. This is how our system should work,” Shapiro added.
The stock exchange was a somewhat awkward list with one of the guests of Shapiro on the route: councilman Mark Squilla, who introduced the provisions that enabled the contract in the arena and was the main negotiator of the project. The opponents of the project tried to convince Squilla, who represents the district to rotting the plan and criticize him as “Squilla sale” when he voted for the act.
The law expressed concern about the loss Business income and tax revenues (Birt) Tax exemption It is a debate in budget negotiations in the city, and Squilla pointed to the proposal to compensate for costs for diminutive companies.
Shapiro learned about emotions about blind boxes-combed packages with figurines that were not disclosed until the purchase of which collections are the most sought after, and bought Unicorn figurine on Phillies For his office and key Hello Kitty for a member of the staff. He joked about how an anime poster on the wall terrified him, because one brother of his wife in his room reminded him when he was still in high school.
He also talked to the right to improve communication with immigrants who do not speak English, and about the impact of Trump tariffs. Law said that distributors warn, that they would add fees for goods due to tariffs. Her husband, Eric Law, said that he has not yet transferred these costs to clients, but he can do it soon.
The initial Trump tariff 145% for Chinese goods was reduced to 30% at the beginning of this month For a period of 90 days as commercial talks.
Shapiro said that Trump’s tariffs and “reckless fiscal policy” create “economic uncertainty” throughout the state.
Culture of fear and policy of the city sanctuary
In Vivi Bubble Tea Shapiro had Matcha bubble tea – according to the recommendations of the owner of the Rongyan Lin store – and sat with the leaders of the AAPI’s state community. Shapiro asked them if Trump’s attacks on immigrants discourage people from leaving.
Mohan Seshadri, executive director of the Asian American Community Fund in Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Asian alliance of the Pacific of the Pacific Island, said that he witnessed the “climate of fear” not only among immigrants in Philadelphia. He said fear was Universal among green card holders, visa owners and undocumented people.
“It is much wider and more expansive in terms of pulling people into this network and are the purpose of how they look and who they are than ever before,” Seshadri said.
Trump is expected to publish a list of so -called sanctuary cities, for which he will try to stop federal funds. Shapiro did not rule out legal proceedings against Trump’s administration if Philadelphia is on the list.
“Listen, let’s see what he actually does at the end of the day,” Shapiro said. “I was very clear throughout my career as a general prosecutor and I continued the governor to defend the rights of people and defend the interests of our community of nations.”
He pointed out many times that he took Trump to court.
“I want to make sure that the rule of law is protected here in the Commonwealth, our communities are protected and I will not hesitate to take action to do it if necessary,” he added.
