A regular feature of the Kenney Administration, #PhillyMayorThisWeek highlights five moments that happened in the past week.

This week, the Mayor stood up for immigrants and refugees at Philadelphia International Airport, asked Philadelphians to contact their state legislators about PA-SB10–a bill jeopardizing millions in grants to the City, visited students at Swenson to celebrate Career and Technical Education Month, urged Philadelphians to participate in Black History Month, and delivered his second annual address to the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia.

1. Philadelphians and Mayor Kenney went to the Philadelphia Airport to make it clear all are welcome in our city.

President Trump’s executive order caused two Syrian families to be denied entry at the Philadelphia Airport early Saturday morning. Philadelphians and Mayor Kenney gathered at the airport Saturday evening, and again on Sunday, to stand up for the rights of immigrants and refugees. Later in the week, the Mayor thanked local legislators, the ACLU, and immigration advocates for helping local families affected. He also provided action steps that Philadelphians could take to help protect immigrants in our city and across the country.

2. Mayor Kenney asked Philadelphians to contact their state legislators to voice objection to Pennsylvania Senate Bill 10, the “Anti-Sanctuary Cities” bill.

Pennsylvania’s Senate Bill 10 would attempt to withhold state grants to places deemed “sanctuary cities” or “sanctuary counties.” In Philadelphia, these grants totaled $790 million last fiscal year; SB10 would put at risk many critical programs and projects, including HIV prevention, bridge design and inspection, SEPTA operations, childhood lead poisoning prevention, programs combating homelessness, voter registration, library programs, and many others. The proposal “is an extreme reaction to a policy that hundreds of localities, including 19 in Pennsylvania, have been forced to adopt as a result of our broken national immigration system,” the Mayor explained. Later, a vote on the bill was delayed; the Mayor urged Philadelphians to continue to call the Governor and their state legislators voicing their objection to the proposal; you can find your legislator online.

I urge statehouse colleagues who disagree with our sanctuary policy to recognize defunding cities is not a solution https://t.co/N1h18BBq7o

— Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) January 31, 2017

3. The Mayor kicked off Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month at Swenson Arts and Technology High School.

February is CTE Month, so Mayor Kenney visited Swenson Arts and Technology High School in Northeast Philadelphia. While there, the Mayor talked with students and teachers; some of the students showed off skills they learned, too. “It was awesome to see the students sharing what they’re learning,” the Mayor said. “Skills that’ll lead to family sustaining careers, like future #RebuildPHL jobs!” KYW1060 Newsradio’s Mike Dougherty reported on the Mayor’s visit, saying that “the school’s graduation rate is 96%. Many students leave with professional certifications and each student leaves with skills for a lifetime.”

4. Celebrating the start of Black History Month, Mayor Kenney is encouraging every Philadelphian to find a program to participate in!

February is Black History Month, an annual celebration and observance of the contributions African Americans have had on politics, art, culture, and history. For his part, Mayor Kenney urged residents to participate. “A critical part of celebrating our diversity is learning about where we come from,” he said, “and how far we have yet to go.” Take a minute to find an event that celebrates African American culture or that explores what that history means here in Philadelphia!

5. The Mayor delivered his annual address to the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia’s Mayoral Luncheon.

This year, the Mayor thanked Philadelphia’s business community for its forward-thinking support of anti-poverty measures; he pointed to the fact that the Chamber did not opposed the Philadelphia Beverage Tax, which pays for an historic expansion of pre-K, community schools, and rebuilding our parks, rec centers, and libraries. “Over the last year, I’m pleased to say that I watched government and business repeatedly come together in the interest of Philadelphia,” Mayor Kenney said. Throughout his speech, the Mayor pointed to massive investments in infrastructure across Philadelphia, the Administration’s plan to dramatically improve the City’s pension fund, and his commitment to Philadelphia’s business community. “I will propose to Council in my upcoming budget address that the City not levy any new taxes,” he explained, “and that we continue to lower wage and business taxes.” The Mayor also outlined 7 actions businesses can take to help create a Philadelphia that works for all.

By lowering wage taxes, reforming business taxes & expanding access to capital, our work to make Philly more biz friendly is paying off. pic.twitter.com/tJW8u8pj27

— Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) February 2, 2017

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