Philadelphia · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Philadelphia public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
FOP contract public hearings (Resolution 260932)
Council authorized the hearings required before executing a labor agreement with the police union — a step in the police contract bargaining process.
Victory Gardens/Emerson Landfill remediation and training facility
An ordinance would let the City lease the Victory Gardens and Emerson Landfill site to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for environmental cleanup and a training facility.
Public Art Funding
The Philadelphia Portal—the live-video art link to other cities at City Hall—was about to get pulled, but an anonymous donor stepped in to save it. If you like free weird stuff downtown, it’s staying for now.
Hilton Garden Inn labor dispute
Council backed Unite Here Local 274 workers at the only unionized Center City hotel without a new contract. POWER Interfaith members packed the chamber in support, tying it to a broader affordability agenda.
Automated Services Displacement Tax introduced (Harrity)
Harrity introduced a bill to tax services performed by machines that replace human workers, with revenue earmarked for the Zero Fare transit program.
Academy of Natural Sciences closure
Young reported a hearing on the announced closure of the museum; Ahmad introduced a task force resolution; the administration drew criticism for not sending a representative.
Tobacco retailing zoning regulation
A bill would treat selling tobacco to minors and unlicensed tobacco sales as nuisance behaviors, with training required before a cease-operations order is lifted.
Police forensics laboratory financing
Council advanced a service agreement with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to finance a new state-of-the-art police forensics lab in West Philadelphia — a $40 million bond Councilmember Ahmad said will speed crime clearance.
Vision Zero traffic safety hearings
Controller's findings question whether traffic calming near schools was built and inspected as designed; Council will hold hearings to find out.
Sheriff's office accountability
Activist Jeremy Blatstein demanded Council hold a hearing on the Sheriff's Office, citing roughly $20 million in unaccounted funds, and called for disbanding the office — speaking during comment on the Child Welfare Commission charter bill.
Disability access: personal care attendant fees
A 13-year advocacy fight paid off: state human relations guidance now says venues can't charge people with disabilities for a second ticket for their personal care assistant. Council honored advocate Michael Anderson of The Arc of Philadelphia.
Charter school transparency hearings
Council authorized hearings on charter school funding, authorization, and renewal practices. Councilmember Lozada said roughly 64,000 traditional charter students and 14,000 cyber charter students deserve answers about uneven renewal terms.
Indigenous Peoples' Day recognition
Council recognized October 12, 2026 as Indigenous Peoples' Day, but a long line of Indigenous residents and allies urged Council to go further and make it a permanent city holiday by ordinance, citing a 1,300-signature petition and a Commonwealth Court ruling that the decision rests with Council.
City-supported grocery stores and food access
Council authorized hearings on whether Philadelphia should establish city-supported grocery stores through public-private partnerships to expand access to affordable, nutritious food — part of a broader food and nutrition security package introduced the same day.