Philadelphia City Council

A federal judge temporarily blocked Philadelphia from enforcing a law that would have restricted federal officers from wearing masks, concealing identification, or using unmarked vehicles. The judge ruled the law unconstitutional under the Supremacy Clause, siding with the Justice Department, which argued the measure improperly regulated federal agents.

A federal judge ruled that Philadelphia cannot ban U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing masks or using unmarked vehicles. The city council had passed a law requiring ICE agents to display badges, but Judge Chad F. Kenney stated the legislation violated the Constitution by interfering with federal agency operations.

Philadelphia City Council passed legislation to provide death benefits to families of first responders who died by suicide linked to job-related trauma, despite opposition from Mayor Cherelle Parker over cost concerns. The law classifies such suicides as in-the-line-of-duty deaths, offering lifetime pensions to qualifying families, including those of police and fire personnel.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker signed a $7.1 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2027 into law after City Council approved it, despite rejecting her proposed ride-share, hotel, and retail delivery taxes. The budget includes an additional $48 million for the School District of Philadelphia.

Philadelphia City Council rejected proposed hotel and rideshare taxes aimed at funding pothole repairs and homelessness prevention. Fifty-two schools transitioned to virtual learning due to high temperatures, and new data shows rising PFAS contamination in the Delaware River, affecting over 14 million people.

Philadelphia City Council approved a $7.1 billion preliminary budget but rejected most of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s tax proposals, including a $1 tax on Uber and Lyft rides and increases to hotel and delivery service taxes. The rejected tax was intended to generate $48 million annually for the School District of Philadelphia, which will instead receive a one-time payment. A final budget vote is scheduled for June 11.

Philadelphia City Council approved a $7.1 billion budget excluding a proposed $1 rideshare tax on companies like Uber and Lyft that would have funded schools. Instead, a one-time $48 million allocation from other sources and a $2.4 million annual tax on cell phone towers will support the school district. The decision follows school closures, staff cuts, and enrollment declines, with advocates criticizing the funding as insufficient to address a $300 million deficit.