Good morning, Philadelphia! To my friend, Council President Kenyatta Johnson, and your leadership team – Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Majority Whip Isaiah Thomas, Deputy Majority Whip Cindy Bass, Minority Leader Kendra Brooks, Minority Whip Nicholas O’Rourke, and to every dedicated Member of City Council,

To our Philadelphia delegation in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and every statewide leader present,

To Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, House Appropriations Chairman Jordan Harris, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chairman Vincent Hughes,

To our cherished Faith Leaders, the Men and Women of Organized Labor, Community, Business and Civic Leaders,

To my Cabinet, led with excellence by my Chief of Staff, Tiffany Thurman, Chief Deputy Mayors Vanessa Garrett Harley and Sincere Harris, as well as every Cabinet member here in the room today …

And to every Philadelphian watching online, listening on WURD, or tuning in on television,

Our Third Year is underway and I am more energized, hopeful and determined than ever to lead us forward as your 100th Mayor. Today, I am proposing for your consideration my “One Philly, One Future” Fiscal Year 2027 Budget, Five-Year Plan and Recommended Capital Budget and Program.

This $7 Billion FY 2027 Budget is not just a ledger full of numbers — it’s a bold set of strategic investments and a roadmap to a Safer, Cleaner and Greener Philadelphia, with Access to Economic Opportunity for All.

Before we chart the path ahead, I want to pause and honor those who embody the spirit of service and sacrifice that define our city. To the Men and Women and Individuals of our Philadelphia Police and Fire Departments  and all of our City workers– your courage, dedication and resilience are the heartbeat of our city.

When you see my Cabinet and I wearing Blue, Red and White ribbons today, know that each color carries a story – a story of sacrifice and service to the people of Philadelphia.

Last December, we lost Philadelphia Police Highway Patrolman Andy Chan — a husband, a father, a protector. To Mrs. Chan and your children, our blue ribbons are a small symbol of the gratitude and respect of an entire city. Please rise.

Back on March 2nd, as flames rose in the Wynnefield community, Nine brave Philadelphia Firefighters ran towards the danger and ended up hospitalized as a result.

Lieutenant Julius Sanders from Ladder 24 was there that night. So were eight other Firefighters. I want you to hear their names:

And from Ladder 24, Firefighters:

Peter Turck

James McCaffery

Steven Bolling

Justin Easley

And from Engine 41, Firefighters:

Justin Heger

Jonathan Garofolo

Lieutenant Joseph Ryan

And Brian Collins from Engine 16

Lt. Sanders, please rise on behalf of you and your colleagues. The red ribbon is for you and all your fellow Firefighters who put their lives on the line that night.

And to the family of Timothy Sapp, a longtime employee of the Streets Department who passed during one of the recent winter storms. Mr. Sapp had just finished his plowing shift when he suffered a fatal medical emergency. His widow, Corine, is here with us today, and I would ask her to please rise as we recognize Mr. Sapp’s decades of service and commitment to the City of Philadelphia.

And to the families of several other City employees who have passed recently – Kenneth King from the Sanitation Department, Christopher Thompson from Fleet, Dawn Hallow from the Medical Examiner’s Office, and Darryl Brown from Parks and Recreation, thank you for your loved ones’ service to our great City.

The White ribbons we are wearing today honor the memory of Mr. Sapp and all of our other departed city colleagues.

As we head into FY 2027, let’s look first briefly at where we’ve been and where we’re going. Philadelphia, we are making real and measurable progress. Our city is safer, cleaner, and greener – and the data proves it.

We are safer under the leadership of Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and Public Safety Director Adam Geer.

Through their leadership and our wholistic P.I.E. strategy – Prevention, Intervention and Enforcement — and our community anti-violence groups across our City — homicides and shootings are at their LOWEST LEVELS in over 50 years!  Council President Johnson, we are on our way!

Don’t just take my word for it – Pew Charitable Trusts confirms: our progress outpaces 20 other major U.S. cities.

That is why I am proud to affirm that we are proposing $25 Million in Community-based Anti-Violence grants in FY27, because these investments work! My friend, Pastor Carl Day can attest to that fact.

People like Taj Murdock of Men of Courage, Chante Love from Every Murder is Real,  Manny215 and Tone Barr. Please rise and be recognized!

Councilmember Jones, the author of our Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia– we have MORE work to do, but these investments ARE WORKING!

Can I also hear applause for the Men and Women of our Philadelphia Police Department, our Commissioner Bethel – the best commissioner in the United States, and for Chief Public Safety Director Geer and everyone on his team!

We are not stopping there. Lower homicide numbers are only the beginning.

The Philadelphia Police Department is also helping to address quality of life issues in our neighborhoods.  A new team of Quality-of-Life Assurance officers will be deployed to every police district in the city. Many of you have already seen them in action with the Market East Revitalization Project.

These officers are addressing nuisance properties and problem establishments that disrupt the peace of our residential blocks.

Here’s one more important update: Body-worn cameras are now issued to every officer in every patrol district, as well as our front-line personnel. We promised this to the People of Philadelphia, and we are delivering on that promise!

We are Cleaning up and Greening up our city.

Under Clean and Green Director Carlton Williams and Sanitation Director Crystal Jacobs Shipman, we executed 94,000 actions last year. Cleaner streets. Illegal dumping tackled. Twice-a-week trash collection restored. No more “Filthadelphia.” We are trying!! …

At the same time, we are advancing environmental justice through our Urban Forestry Unit, because we know neighborhoods with higher poverty often have fewer trees.

In partnership with the Department of Commerce, we trained 40 “Taking Care of Business” ambassadors to care for 460 newly planted trees on commercial corridors. In FY27, we will focus on 3,600+ trees and shrubs planted last year, with a focus on Cobbs Creek and Tacony Creek Park.

Cleaner, Greener. And Stronger. A promise made. A promise kept.

Let me be clear: we ALWAYS fact-check our Promises to the People of Philadelphia.

We fact-checked 26 Promises that I made in last year’s Budget Address. And, in a document that’s on all of your desks today, we’re letting you know exactly how we did.

We do not promise perfection; we’re doing the best we can with what we have. Take a look. Check out our progress! Let us know what you think.

Now, Philadelphia, it’s time to dream bigger. Let’s roll up our sleeves and dive into the $7 Billion Budget Proposal that I offer for Council’s consideration today.

First, nothing will shake me from my core belief that fiscal stability is the foundation upon which we build everything else, and I am proud to announce: The state of the City’s fiscal health remains Strong, but faces rising challenges.

We continue making contributions to the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund – also known as the “Rainy Day Fund”. It will have $344 million by the end of the proposed Five-Year Plan, the most ever. That fund will be especially important as we face economic and federal policy uncertainties. I want to thank Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for everything she’s done on this issue.

Our City’s Pension Fund also continues to move in the right direction. We’ve surpassed the 67 percent funding level – the highest in decades! That’s a 20 plus percentage increase in just 10 years. AND, the Fund’s actuary projects that it will reach 80 percent in FY29 and 100 percent by FY33. It happened because of shared sacrifice!

Because of our collective discipline and determination——Philadelphia has secured its highest combined credit rating in decades.

I want to thank the Members and staff of the Pension Board, our Municipal Unions, City Council, and our PHL delegation to the General Assembly.

Once these pension obligations are fully funded, our annual General Fund costs will drop by HUNDREDS of MILLIONS of DOLLARS. That’s real money we can use for our biggest priorities.

We still face fiscal challenges ahead. As I’ve noted previously, the City borrowed $1.3 billion in the 1990s to shore up our pension fund. We’re STILL paying for it today. From now through FY29, the General Fund will pay almost $550 million in debt service on our Pension Obligation Bonds – including a $64 million balloon payment in FY29.

We also are facing limited job growth and persistent inflation. And the lifeline of our $1.4 billion in COVID relief money – ARPA — is gone.

Despite that we’ll meet our obligations as we always do. I will NEVER allow anything to compromise our fiscal stability!

Ok, now let’s get into the meat of the Budget. In my first and second budgets – One Philly, a United City and One Philly 2.0, my Administration set out on a bold course: Making Philly a Safer, Cleaner and Greener city for every Philadelphian.

Now, in this third year, my focus sharpens on a goal that touches every family and every neighborhood: Economic Mobility for ALL … and Self Sufficiency for All.

Because what good is a Safer, Cleaner and Greener City –– if our people don’t have access to good-paying jobs, quality health care, and a real shot at raising a family, owning a home, and building a pathway to a better, more affordable life?

THAT’S what my Economic Mobility Agenda is all about!

If you were like me, a product of humble beginnings, first generation college graduate, first-generation Ivy League graduate, you may need some direction.

I am introducing what I call Philadelphia’s ECONOMIC “GPS” — Growth, Prosperity, and Security. It’s a roadmap to self-sufficiency, a path that makes it easier for every Philadelphian to move up, not just get by.

Just like the GPS in your car, this budget charts the course. From early childhood to school age, from graduation to career, all the way to retirement – my Economic Mobility Plan is designed so there is a pathway for everyone, at every stage of life, to move up that ladder.

But first, Growth must be inclusive and dynamic. Whether you run a small business on a neighborhood corridor or a manufacturing plant, you deserve to grow, hire, and compete. Prosperity must be shared and accessible, with every resident able to afford a home, gain a quality education, and get the skills training they need.

If we get this right – by making value-driven, data-informed investments – Philadelphia can become the national model for economic mobility. This is our moment, our chance to do what no city has done before.

So, Philadelphia, let’s get to work and move up from being last in economic mobility –let’s show the world what “One Philly, One Future” really means!

We are working to reduce barriers to Economic Mobility, and provide ACCESS to Capital, workforce development, transportation, and here’s a big one – Housing Affordability.

We see HOUSING as a GATEWAY to Economic Mobility – and I know City Council does too!

Ask any economist – liberal, moderate, conservative – do we have a Housing crisis in our Nation? Everyone will agree: YES, we do! It’s rooted in two things: Supply and Production.

That is why my Administration is proposing SPECIFIC solutions.

A $2 Billion investment in building, restoring, and repairing 30,000 units of housing through our H.O.M.E. Initiative – Housing Opportunities Made Easy – the largest housing initiative in Philadelphia’s HISTORY!

Kelvin Jeremiah at PHA – 20,000 deeply affordable units equals 50,000 units of housing overall – COLLABORATION!

H.O.M.E. programs like One Philly Mortgage … Basic Systems Home Repair… Renter Protection … Adaptive Modification … Turn the Key – ALL of these programs and others are designed to help Philadelphians buy their own homes, obtain grants to repair their existing homes, or help with the high costs of rental housing – THAT’s Economic Mobility, Councilmembers!

And while I know there were some differences around who should benefit from some of these programs, Councilmember Gauthier, we can all agree that we need to ensure we’re serving both renters and homeowners.

The proposed Five-Year Plan I offer here today, includes debt service for two $400 million borrowings under H.O.M.E. Councilmember Jones, the first borrowing goes to market very shortly! Help – and more HOUSING – are on the way!

We can do so much with this borrowing – and we will! Philadelphia is stepping up! Doing the hard work! However, this is not just a Philadelphia problem.

Our Governor has made housing a priority in his budget, and we want to work with him and our legislative delegation to ensure that Philadelphia gets its fair share of that new state housing funding.

Next … let’s talk about our Philadelphia Building Trades, investing $50 Million to completely renovate an affordable apartment building for senior citizens! Ryan Boyer, the Building Trades, Kelvin Jeremiah and PHA! I see you! This is how we achieve success together.

Here’s another Investment in Economic Mobility: Building factories to create Modular Housing – build the SUPPLY to meet the DEMAND – and not just in one neighborhood, Philadelphia!

Supply and Production, Councilmember Thomas!! Thank you for your partnership and seeing this vision before it was embraced by others.

Factories with employees working around the clock, 24/7 – family-sustaining Union jobs – to build affordable and workforce homes for Philadelphians who need housing NOW.

We propose investing $10 million in this Budget to move this forward! And guess what? We put out an “RFI” – a Request for Information – and there is REAL interest coming in ALREADY, isn’t that right Jessie Lawrence and Angela Brooks?

Stay with me! … Let’s talk about Access to Workforce Development as part of our Economic Mobility agenda.

We propose adding $10 million to our budget to support workforce development training.

In my last budget, we made this same commitment and invested in organizations like the Center for Black Educator Development, UNITE Here, the Black Brain Campaign, and SEIU. These investments are already making a difference.

In ADDITION, thanks to philanthropy led by Comcast, the William Penn Foundation, the Philadelphia Foundation and others, another $10 million has been invested to provide workers in emerging industries with the support and skills training that people NEED. THAT’S ECONOMIC MOBILITY!

Layla Bibi, Omar Nelson, and Sherman McLeod, I SEE you! The skills training that you do at the Carpenter’s Union, the Sam Staten Sr. Apprenticeship program and the Philadelphia Technical Training Institute is just what we need to move forward with economic mobility.

This budget allows us to invest in you- with public awards coming soon!

All our work on EDUCATION is designed to increase Economic Mobility. Every day, we’re focused on increasing pathways for our children AND adult learners.

For our youngest learners, we propose adding 100 new, high-quality seats to the PHLpreK program for a total of 5,350.

Parents of children in the program can work with peace of mind while knowing that their children are receiving a free high-quality education. ECONOMIC MOBILITY!

Through our Extended Day/Extended Year partnership with the School District, we’ve opened pre- and after-school enrichment programs with over 14,000 slots now in 40 schools – District AND charter-operated. Winter, Spring, Summer Breaks – our Families cannot afford to pay for these programs – we’re providing them!

It’s going so well that we propose investing $1.9 million to EXPAND ED/EY to 47 Schools in FY27 – that’s 35 District operated and 12 charter schools.

Take a bow – Dr. Tony Watlington, our tremendous Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Deb Carrera, my Chief Education Officer, and Chief Deputy Mayor Garrett Harley!

Parents of two ED/EY students are here with us today. Quill and Tish Camera, whose children, attend Solis-Cohen Elementary, please rise and be recognized!

When I was on the campaign trail in 2023, I always heard the question: how can you help me gain access to a good-paying city job?  What are you going to do about all of those vacancies in our City?

Through our City College for Municipal Employment – CCME – we’ve educated hundreds of students about career opportunities in City Government. Thanks to a strong collaboration among the Community College of Philadelphia led by Dr. Alycia Marshall, the School District of Philadelphia led by Dr. Tony Watlington, Philadelphia Works – led by the amazing Pat Clancy and our Chief Administrative Office under Camille Duchaussee, CCME is working! Pat, Dr. Marshall, Dr. Watlington, thanks for everything you’re doing to make CCME a success!

As a next step, we propose investing $7 Million to establish a CCME Fellows program for recent graduates transitioning to municipal employment.

Two recent CCME graduates who now work for the City of Philadelphia are here today. Inga Figetola is an Information Security Analyst with the Office of Innovation and Technology and Tynae Robinson is a Clerk with the Sanitation Department. Please stand!

Our Economic Mobility agenda has another super exciting development on the Education front.

Higher education has been a proven pathway to high wage jobs and entry into the middle class for generations of Philadelphians.

As the cost of higher education has risen, many Philadelphians have taken out loans to pay for undergraduate and graduate studies.

Today, more than 231,000 Philadelphians have student loan debt, and 14 percent of them are over the age of 65.

Changes to the federal student loan program approved by Congress in 2025 threaten to increase costs for most borrowers.

That’s why as a part of my economic mobility agenda we propose investing $850,000 to start a STUDENT LOAN HELP CENTER to assist borrowers as they try to navigate the confusing and frequently changing landscape, while at the same time seeking public service loan forgiveness, putting tens of thousands of dollars back in the pockets of Philadelphians.

The Mayor’s Office of Education will lead this effort with the Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity and the Chief Administrative Office.

Helping Philadelphians get rid of their student debt is economic mobility!

Now- before we leave Education, we are all aware that the School District is facing a financial crisis.

The Parker administration is committed to ensuring that our schools are adequately funded and students have a thorough and effective public education. In my first two budgets, I made significant steps toward fulfilling my promise to shift the millage percentage from 55 percent to 58 percent. So far in our five-year plan, we have invested $131 Million more in our Schools through our changes to the millage rate.

We’re halfway to my promise in just two years!

Today we are adding even more revenue to support the ongoing operations of the District.

Through the implementation of two new taxes, we propose to generate $12 Million annually Mayor Parker Delivers Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Address to City Council will go directly to the School District.

The Transportation Network Company Tax is a 20 Cents per ride tax on rideshare rides that originate in Philadelphia. Beginning July 1 of NEXT year, this tax is expected to generate $9.6 million per year – and all the revenue will go to our School District. Councilmember Landau, we look forward to working with you on this!

We are also proposing to modify the tax calculation for cell towers under the Use & Occupancy Tax. Think about those metal antenna “contraptions” on tops of buildings scattered across the city. You may rarely notice them, but that’s how the big telecom companies try to make sure you get a good signal wherever you are. They’re leasing that rooftop space, and it makes good sense to ensure that business activity is taxed to help support our schools. We estimate this would generate an additional $2.4 Million annually for the School District.

We still need more! Board President Reginald Streater, I hear you!

We will work hard to support our Governor and our State legislators to help Philadelphia fix our crumbling school facilities and give our children the learning spaces they deserve. We will help Harrisburg — help Philadelphia. It’s the State’s responsibility to deliver a thorough and efficient education, and we’ll be watching their appropriations closely.  Our kids deserve it!

We’re also supporting Small and Local businesses and encouraging Innovation in our City economy as part of our Economic Mobility agenda.

When a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court made it clear that Philadelphia’s program for ensuring diversity in contracts would have to change, my Administration did not wait for another adverse court ruling. We acted Proactively and Decisively.

Under Nadir Jones, our Director of Business Impact & Economic Advancement, and Chief Deputy Mayor Garrett Harley – with expert legal advice from our Solicitor Renee Garcia – we immediately began building a new program emphasizing SMALL and LOCAL businesses in how the City awards contracts.

We’re proposing $3.3 Million in FY27 to support this critically important new initiative.

I am confident our new Small and Local initiative will not just succeed, it will EXCEED the previous program in the QUANTITY and QUALITY of contracts awarded to small and local businesses.

At the same time, we’re going to close a loophole in the City’s sales & use tax which would require remote sellers outside the city to charge a two percent local sales tax beginning July 1.

Right now, any business located outside Philadelphia only has to charge the state’s six percent sales tax on something you buy online, while our local businesses have to collect the full eight to six percent for the state and two percent for the City.

It’s long past time we level the playing field, so no matter where a business is located, whether that be elsewhere in Pennsylvania or anywhere across the country, EVERY seller is subject to the same sales tax. It’s only fair, and we estimate this will generate $1.5 million for the City.

Our agenda supports INNOVATION and GROWTH in our local economy as well.

We support the commercial and industrial base of South Philadelphia called “Lower South” in becoming a new, thriving economic hub, located in Council President Johnson’s district.

Councilmembers, we are talking about the potential for tens of thousands of good-paying, family sustaining jobs at the Bellwether District, the Navy Yard and PhilaPort!

See this Vision of Economic Mobility with me!

We all know Philadelphia is home to some of the finest educational and medical institutions in the Country – our ‘Eds and Meds’ help drive growth and we’re PROUD of them!

But now, some folks are catching up to what I’ve been saying through my first two years as Mayor –these MARITIME, SHIPBUILDING and DEFENSE industries can and should be essential parts of our efforts to growour Economy.

WE CAN, SHOULD and MUST COMPETE FOR THE WORK, PHILLY!

Consider this: $5 Billion in planned infrastructure investment by Hanwha Philly Shipyard! Hanwha has already grown its workforce here, but there’s the potential for thousands of additional jobs

Rhoades Industries is investing $100 million to expand its work with the U.S. Navy and expects to double its workforce to 1,000. The shipbuilding and defense industry need welders and with partners like CCP and PTTI, Philadelphia can supply them! That’s ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, Councilmembers!

Stay with me!

I’m an optimist – the glass is always half full. Out of challenge comes opportunity. … And just as exciting is the prospect of a new, first-in-class arena that will be home to our Philadelphia 76ers and Flyers – and soon, our own WNBA team! – ALONG WITH an opportunity to drive towards a larger vision for the Stadium Complex.

Want to see the vision? You don’t need to squint! How many people attended the Unrivaled Tour women’s two pro basketball games in Philadelphia? 21,000 people per game! Wait till the WNBA gets here! The Philadelphia Sisters- Alex and Wanda Sykes! Ashley Lunkenheimer and Starla Crandall! —— Councilmember Thomas!

The Stadium Complex now supports around 300 events per year, attracting residents and visitors to see our championship teams.

Now imagine if our Complex expands into an Entertainment venue – like Atlanta’s “Battery” – that draws crowds and becomes a Destination in and of itself – no matter if there’s a sports event there or not!

We can do this… John Middleton, Mike Harris, Jeff Lurie, Don Smolenski, Brian Roberts, Dan Hilferty, Josh Harris and David Adelman – let’s work TOGETHER with my administration, Council President Johnson and Governor Shapiro and make this vision a reality!

More jobs! More pathways! More crowds! And more tax revenues to help as we deliver vital state and city services! That is how you increase Economic Mobility!

There’s MORE to our Economic Mobility Agenda, and it requires COLLABORATION and CONNECTEDNESS.

For years there’s been a Career Connected Learning program that supports summer and academic year jobs for our young people.

In our Five-Year plan, I am proposing $14.7 million to create an additional 1,000 new summer job slots. This will bring our total to 9,000 opportunities.

But this is not enough – the demand far exceeds our supply. This is why I am issuing a challenge to our business community – to all of our business chambers – help us add another 1,000 jobs!  We want to get to 10,000 Summer jobs for our young people – the highest amount we can remember in one Summer!

There’s MORE on our Economic Mobility Agenda in this Budget, folks!

Philadelphia, another powerful way we are increasing economic mobility is by financially empowering our residents.

For far too long, too many Philadelphians have been fending for themselves and subjected to unfair and even predatory financial practices. But that is changing on our watch.

We propose investing $13.9 Million over the Five Year Plan to break through these cycles and open new pathways to economic opportunity.

Through programs like our Financial Empowerment Centers, the BankOn Philadelphia Coalition, and ClaimYourMoneyPHL, we are providing real, tangible support:bFree, expert financial counseling,
Expanding access to safe, low-cost banking options, and helping people collect the tax refunds they’ve earned. [Allan Domb!]

Councilmember Brooks – We’re putting dollars back into the pockets of Philadelphians. Through ClaimyourMoneyPHL, we’ve brought $19 million in tax refunds back to families and into our local economy.

These types of services are essential, and we’re going to develop a One Philly Economic GPS app to put them in the palm of your hand. The City gets credit ratings from Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P; and Philadelphians get credit reports from Equifax, Experion, and TransUnion.

With this app, we’re going to ensure you can get help to check your credit, manage your debt, and keep your financial house in order – just like the City!

OUR intention is that you can get access in a one-stop shop – whether that be at your District Councilperson’s Office, or one of our Neighborhood Community Action Centers, or on your phone.

This is about making sure that every Philadelphia household has its own solid financial footing and can build generational wealth and move up the socioeconomic ladder – rung by rung. THAT’S the path to self-sufficiency and greater economic opportunity for all!

Get your own fiscal house in order and your City is going to help you.

In Philadelphia, upward economic mobility shouldn’t be the exception. It must be the Expectation!

That’s why, to do this within City government – ALL of our efforts around Economic Mobility must remain coordinated, collaborative and strategic.

To spearhead this endeavor, I propose establishing a new Economic Mobility Cabinet to oversee our City College for Municipal Employment and Workforce portfolio as well as the Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity that leads our financial empowerment initiatives.

This Cabinet will lead across City government and with the business and philanthropic community that’s committed to making Philadelphia a place where hardworking people enjoy the quality of life they deserve.

Hiring and adding to our City’s municipal workforce is economic mobility too!

Since January 2024, when I became Mayor, we have added over 2,000 net new City jobs – and that’s not by accident!

This is the result of tireless coordination to find and hire talented people who want to serve Philadelphia, with good jobs, strong salaries, and real benefits.

And let’s talk about access to opportunity. Safe, reliable transit is the bedrock of economic mobility. That’s why the “One Philly, One Future” budget delivers an historic almost $900 Million investment in SEPTA over the five-years.

Public Transit is ESSENTIAL to our Region’s future and to Economic Mobility for our Residents and businesses!

Councilmember O’Rourke, for the 3rd year in a row, we are proposing to continue our investment in the Zero Fare program – $25 million to help low-income Philadelphians by providing them with free SEPTA passes.

We’re also proposing $10 million to cover fares for City employees through Key Advantage, because economic GPS starts with something simple: A reliable ride to work. That’s economic mobility in action.

Every Philadelphian deserves a city that delivers for them in the everyday moments of life – the streets we drive on, the blocks we walk down, the parks where our children play.

Because improving quality of life starts with the basics – and I know Councilmembers like Cindy Bass, Anthony Phillips, and Brian O’Neill know exactly what I’m talking about.

That’s why this budget proposes a $7.1 Million investment to launch the “ONE PHILLY POTHOLE SQUAD.”

Now, I know some folks might be thinking, “Mayor Parker, what’s a Pothole Squad?” I’m glad you asked!

Last year alone, the Streets Department repaired more than 60,000 potholes across our city—but that wasn’t enough.

The Pothole Squad is simple – more crews, more equipment, and more action to keep our roads in good repair. With dedicated maintenance teams in each of the city’s six highway districts, the Pothole Squad will respond faster and proactively patrol neighborhoods to fix potholes and roadway defects. Philadelphians, I hear you! That’s worthy of applause!

Fixing our streets and patching potholes costs money. So in this budget, we are proposing a new Retail Delivery Tax of 25 cents per order on certain goods delivered in Philadelphia, beginning July 1, 2027. The tax will be charged to retailers.

Essential delivery items would be excluded, including food, baby products, medications, and medical devices.

The tax is expected to generate $15 million annually, with the revenue dedicated to improving road conditions across our city. In other words, businesses that rely on our streets for deliveries will help pay to maintain them. Makes sense, right?

Traffic safety is just as important. Through our capital program, we’re again committing a $30 Million investment  for Vision Zero strategies to make our streets safer for everyone.

Now, let’s talk about another issue residents raise all the time: Illegal Dumping.

Dumping on neighborhood blocks isn’t just an eyesore – it damages quality of life and disrespects communities.

That’s why this budget continues to strengthen our One Philly Illegal Dumping Task Force. Since launching this effort, we’ve issued 105 violation notices, cleared 88 enforcement cases, and secured $3.5 million in judgments against illegal dumpers.

Councilmember Lozada, we are sending a clear message: illegal dumping will not be tolerated in our city!

And as we clean up our neighborhoods, we’re also investing in how Philadelphia looks to the world. As winter fades, you’ll notice something else disappearing—the trash and debris that lined our expressways.

We are getting our own House in Order!

Through our Gateways to Philadelphia Initiative, we’re transforming I-76 by planting more than 85 trees and over 96,000 bulbs. Backed by $11.5 million in city, state, and philanthropic support, those plantings are paired with a new mural replacing decades of graffiti near 30th Street Station.

Our “One Philly, One Future” budget prioritizes proposed spending of $179 million in capital investments in parks and recreation – led by the beloved Sue Slawson.

One example is Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park, where this summer, thousands will gather for the regions’ only free FIFA fan festival.

But this work is about more than just one summer.

Led by Parks & Recreation and the Department of Streets, we’ve investing to improve accessibility and upgrade public spaces in that area. And thanks to public-private partnerships, Philly Soccer and FIFA will contribute another $3 million to help transform Lemon Hill even further!  We will benefit from this investment long after 2026 is over.

Investments like these aren’t just about hosting global moments – Councilmember Young – they’re about strengthening the places where families gather, young people play, and communities come together every day.

Because when neighborhood amenities are strong, our residents are better positioned to pursue economic opportunity.

Today, I also want to talk about something every Philadelphian sees. People sleeping on our streets.

Back in December, I pledged that this administration would confront street homelessness with urgency.

Through the One Philly Plan to End Street Homelessness, we committed to creating 1,000 new beds across our system.

Then winter hit hard. With Philadelphia enduring a historic 25-day stretch of brutally cold temperatures.

But the capacity we’re building became lifesaving. Thanks to our dedicated City employees, during Code Blue we provided nearly 2,500 nightly stays.

Because we focused on higher quality shelters, people did not just come inside. They stayed. When people stay, we can help them move forward.

We won’t do this alone either – With the help our city leadership and advocates like Donna Bullock at Project HOME; Sharita Glenn and Cecil Hankins from Logan – we can do this together!

On Tuesday, as we opened the Hope 220 Homeless Service Center on Broad Street, I was proud to announce that Philadelphia has now identified the full capacity needed to meet our first goal: 1,000 new Beds.

HOPE 220 is more than a shelter. It is a solution center. It connects Philadelphians to housing, healthcare, and the support they need to move toward long-term stability.

I want to thank Crystal Yates Gale and Cheryl Hill for their vision, along with John McNichol and PHL Cares for their leadership and $500,000 investment to help launch this center, and Jefferson Health for providing free on-site healthcare to residents.  We want to continue this success.

In this budget, my administration is proposing $22 million in FY27 and $110 million over the Five Year Plan to support our goal of ending street homelessness in Philadelphia.

And we have a plan to pay for it. We are proposing a two percent increase in the hotel tax beginning in August, generating an additional $20 million annually to support these efforts.

We will work with our partners at every level of government to pass the legislation needed to enact this hotel tax and help our fellow Philadelphians live with safety and dignity.

But bringing people inside is only the first step.

For many people living on the streets, addiction and recovery are part of the challenge.

At Riverview Wellness Village, we launched a recovery-based model built on the foundations of Housing, Medical Care, Recovery Services, Economic Opportunity and Social Support.

I’m proud to tell you that today Riverview is operating at 95 percent capacity, with more than 220 residents on site, and over 400 individuals served since its opening.

Next year, we will expand workforce training, financial counseling, and aftercare so that residents leave Riverview with housing, income, and stability.

I want to give a special acknowledgment to Councilmember Driscoll, who ensured that the community has had a voice regarding Riverview, and who has helped ensure this successful model is a win for residents and Northeast Philadelphia.

We are seeing similar success at Philly Home at Girard, serving residents experiencing homelessness and addiction.

Councilmember Ahmad and Councilmember Harrity, as you know, when housing, treatment, and support come together, people stabilize and move forward.

That’s why we propose investing $211 Million in Opioid settlement funds in the Wellness Ecosystem over the next Five Years, continuing our operations at Riverview and Philly Home at Girard, in our Kensington Wellness Support Center, our Wellness Court and other programs.

We have a Resident from Riverview here with us today. Lawrence Nichols, please rise and be recognized, along with Isabel McDevitt, our Director at Riverview, and Crystal Yates Gale, our Deputy Managing Director who does such a superb job for this Administration!

All of this requires a hard-working dedicated workforce to make it happen.

As for the City workforce – our greatest asset – the prior FY26-30 Five Year Plan set aside a record $550 million for collective bargaining with our unionized employees.

In this past year, we successfully executed multi-year contracts or received arbitration awards with five municipal unions and are now in interest arbitration process with the remaining three. Sometimes these are not easy discussions, but I must continue to be unwavering in my commitment to both support our hardworking employees AND maintain fiscal responsibility to protect the City’s future.

And having exhausted the prior funding for the labor agreements and awards to date, this Proposed Plan reestablishes the Labor Reserve with a new record of $615 million allocated through FY31. This is a substantial investment, but our city workers are worth it!

Market East is America’s first commercial shopping corridor, anchored by Independence Mall, the Liberty Bell, and the President’s House – making it central to our America 250 celebration.

Our Market East Revival Advisory Committee, chaired by Jerry Sweeney of Brandywine Realty Trust, is helping chart a new path for this historic corridor.

To help bring new energy to the corridor, the City of Philadelphia will support retail pop-ups, local artist collaborations, and streetscape improvements along Market East ahead of this summer’s 2026 celebrations.

I want to thank First District Councilmember Mark Squilla for his strong partnership in advancing this work.

But that is not it… we have so much more … we are making more investments throughout the City that will enhance the quality of life for Philadelphians.

Everyone knows our libraries are one of our greatest assets. Libraries serve as a lifeline after school for many children and their parents.

I am proud to say that the Parker Administration is proposing $33 Million over the capital program dedicated to HVAC upgrades at our libraries.

That’s not all!… we are also investing in our City’s amazing cultural institutions. Spurred by the leadership of former Council President Darrell Clarke, we are continuing the City’s $50 million investment to support the relocation of the African American museum.

Let’s not forget equity in entertainment. For the music fans. For the real music fans.

This budget boosts operating support for the Dell Music Center by $500,000 a year and adds $1 million in capital funding.

When a city chooses who to honor in its monuments, it chooses who is elevated into history.

Under the leadership of Chief Cultural Officer Val Gay, Philadelphia has approved new statues honoring Philly boxing legend Joe Frazier and educational trailblazer Sadie T. M. Alexander. And Rocky will live at the top of the Art Museum steps! And, this budget invests in the implementation of Philadelphia’s first Cultural Master Plan.

We’ve been waiting and building toward this moment for 250 years!

From America’s 250th Birthday to the FIFA World Cup, MLB All Star Week, and the NCAA’s March Madness, Philadelphia will welcome the world.

On July 2, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, led by CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran and incoming President Mayor Todd Gloria of San Diego will bring America’s mayors to Philadelphia. We will march from City Hall to Independence Mall, and we will celebrate ALL of our history. You don’t want to miss this moment!

Then, on July 4th, we will create a unique legacy concert and experience that no one will want to miss here in Philadelphia.

These events build on more than $120 million in investments we made through FY 2026 to prepare the city for this historic moment.

Including the soon-to-launch Access Philly app, our 2026 event discovery tool directing visitors to headline events and community celebrations.

The eyes of the World are on Philadelphia, and as people come, they will see, touch and feel a City that is READY.

RING IT ON, Philadelphia!

Throughout my Address, I’ve outlined how we’re going to pay for all these new investments.

I don’t take lightly any proposal to raise any tax or fee. We’ve taken VERY few such actions during my first two years in office. And, these proposed taxes will be paid by companies doing business in Philadelphia.

But I also know we’ve done BIG, BOLD things by working together, thinking creatively and acting decisively.

These new revenues will continue to make the big things possible. From improving economic mobility and creating good-paying jobs, to building and restoring 30,000 units of housing, to improving the quality of education in our Schools, to keeping our streets safer, cleaner and greener for every resident of our great City.

My name is Cherelle L. Parker and I am the 100th Mayor and first Woman to lead Philadelphia in 341 years.

I’ve proposed this One Philly, One Future budget to the City Council of Philadelphia and I approve this message!

Today is the beginning of this process. I’m coming soon to a Neighborhood near you for a Budget Town Hall!

Let’s work together with collaboration, diligence and purpose towards this Budget’s passage and implementation for Philadelphia.

Let’s show the nation what Philadelphia is made of. Let’s build a city that is safer, cleaner, greener, and more affordable with economic opportunity for all.

We are One Philly, a United City!

And One America, a United Nation!