An approaching spring means it’s budget season!
Along with the budget, though, many other things happened this week, so #PhillyMayorThisWeek looks at five moments you might’ve missed.
Check it out and get updated!
Bonus: The Mayor celebrated Read Across America Week in his trademark style.
1. Mayor Kenney announced news of hundreds of new jobs in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods thanks to PHLpreK and Adaptimmune, a biopharmaceutical company now headquartered in The Navy Yard.
This week, plans for hundreds of new jobs rolled into Philadelphia. PHLpreK, the no-cost quality pre-K initiative funded by the Philadelphia Beverage Tax, added over 250 new jobs; Adaptiummune, a British biopharmaceutical company, also celebrated the grand opening of its U.S. headquarters at The Navy Yard in South Philadelphia. Adaptimmune says it will bring over 110 high paying jobs to the new location.
#PHLpreK is creating hundreds of jobs in #earlyed and allowing parents the childcare stability to reenter workforce https://t.co/bmkeePgmGI
— Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) March 1, 2017
2. The Mayor released the City’s Immigration and Sanctuary Cities Action Guide, laying out the facts that immigrants have made Philadelphia safer and its economy stronger.
The Office of Immigrant Affairs drafted the City’s Immigration and Sanctuary Cities Action Guide, a comprehensive fact sheet to inform residents about the positive impact immigrants have had on public safety and Philadelphia’s economy. Following President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, Mayor Kenney shared the guide on social media, urging Philadelphians to review the site so they could support the city’s many immigrant communities.
Mr. President, we are proud so many immigrants call Philly home. They helped reduce decades of population & economic…
Posted by Mayor Jim Kenney on Tuesday, February 28, 2017
3. Mayor Kenney assisted the Harlem Globetrotters with a trick shot at City Hall.
Mayor Kenney proved he could at least assist the best of them when he helped West Philadelphia’s own Bria “Swish” Young, now a player with the Harlem Globetrotters. The trick started inside City Hall, with the Mayor passing the ball to Young who then shot the ball into a hoop located far down in the building’s courtyard. “Sometimes,” the Mayor observed, “we have a little fun at City Hall!”
4. The Mayor presented his proposed FY18 budget to City Council, asking for their help building a city where every neighborhood was strong.
The Mayor’s annual budget address to City Council happened this week. Business and labor leaders, local elected officials, and experts praised the Mayor’s proposed budget for its focus on boosting Philadelphia’s economy and its commitment to health and human services. Specifically, the budget strengthens Philadelphia’s child welfare system and combats lead poisoning, opioid addiction, and homelessness. The Mayor’s budget also includes significant dedicated funding to Vision Zero for the first time, $174M in road repaving, and other infrastructure projects — including a noteworthy I-95 capping project that will unite Philadelphia with its waterfront and generate an estimated $1.6 billion in economic activity along with advancement of Rebuild, the City’s $500M plan to revitalize neighborhood parks, rec centers, playgrounds, and libraries. You can read more about the proposed FY18 budget online.
"If we want to build a city where every neighborhood is strong," writes Mayor Jim Kenney, "we must provide our residents…
Posted by City of Philadelphia Government on Friday, March 3, 2017
5. Mayor Kenney attended a Stand Against Hate rally and released information on how to support Philadelphia’s Jewish community.
On February 26, 2017, Philadelphians saw a hateful event occur at Mt. Carmel Jewish Cemetery, with the desecration of a hallowed resting place in the city’s Northeast section. In response, many residents asked how they could support their neighbors. Mayor Kenney wrote a blog post defending Philly’s diversity and its Jewish community while also providing resources on how to help. On Thursday, he joined hundreds of other Philadelphians at a Stand Against Hate rally on Independence Mall. “We are all members of the Jewish community today,” the Mayor said. “We are all members of the human race today. I love you all. Peace.”