Philadelphia City Council will begin its Fall session on Thursday, September 17. Typically, Fall sessions are heavier on new council initiatives and legislation, as council offices have the entire summer to prepare. It would be understandable if this upcoming session is even busier than usual, as several outstanding issues from the Spring remain unresolved, and 2027 is an election year. Councilmembers will be busy throughout 2027, so they should raise any specific initiative they want to use as a campaign issue now.
A major consideration will be how Council intends to handle its dispute with the School District. Relations between the two bodies have become, at best, strained because the recently passed School Facilities Plan calls for closing several schools throughout the city. Council has been steadfast in its opposition to the plan, particularly the closure of Lakenau and Robeson high schools. However, it remains unclear what Council can do to stop the plan from being implemented. Members of the Education Committee held a press conference over the summer, imploring the district to reverse, or at least reconsider, the closings. But with little leverage, the School District predictably dismissed the request immediately. It seems unlikely that Council would restrict funds or otherwise affect the School District’s budget next spring during budget negotiations, as depriving schools of funding plays poorly with the public, especially in an election year. Regardless of what Council can or cannot do, it would be reasonable to expect some legislation or a series of hearings dedicated to school funding and district operations.
Council held a rare summer hearing to address the conduct of the Philadelphia Police Department at June’s Pride Parade. The hearing was called at the behest of Councilmember Rue Landau and left many Councilmembers, including Landau, and members of the public unsatisfied with the Police Department’s answers. It’s still unclear how Council will proceed, but solutions to at least some of the issues will need to occur before the end of the fall.
Beyond schools and police, City Council will likely have to address affordability. With the costs of property taxes, water rates, and other essentials continually rising, it would be reasonable to expect Council to consider new programs, or improve currents ones, to help Philadelphians in the current economic environment.
Hall Monitor will, as always, attend all Philadelphia City Council meetings this fall. We’ll provide our weekly review of each week’s council events.
The Stated Meeting of Philadelphia City Council takes place each Thursday (unless otherwise noted) at 10:00 AM. Meetings usually begin at 10 sharp, so arriving early is best.
All council meetings are broadcast on channel 64 (Comcast) or channel 40 (Fios). The radio broadcast, hosted by Denie Clay Murray and Lawrence McGlynn, begins promptly at 10 AM and airs until the end of the meeting.
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