PHILADELPHIA – Today, public safety officials, Clean & Green community leaders, business executives, housing advocates, and public education supporters joined a growing list of people supporting Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s $6.37 billion One Philly budget for FY25 that advanced in City Council. Their statements of support for Mayor Parker’s budget follow.

Business, Labor & Government Leaders

Gabe Morgan, Vice President and 32BJ PA/DE State Director of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU): “Mayor Parker has always been a strong advocate for economic opportunity in this city, and we are excited to see that passion reflected in her first budget. Philadelphia is a city of hard-working fighters who deserve fair wages, benefits, and dignity. 32BJ SEIU knows that Mayor Parker shares those beliefs, and we are thrilled she has created a budget with a pillar focused on uplifting Philadelphia’s workers.”

Leslie S. Richards, CEO and General Manager of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA): “We are grateful that Mayor Parker made funding for SEPTA a priority in her historic first budget. We share the Mayor’s vision for a Philadelphia that is safer, cleaner and greener, with a strong SEPTA at its core. With support from the Parker administration and City Council, SEPTA is making great strides in growing ridership, while enhancing safety, security and reliability for riders.”

U.S. Congressman Dwight Evans: “I’m encouraged by the progress being made in several areas of this budget, particularly the increase for public safety. I look forward to continuing to work with my good friend Mayor Parker and her administration on public safety and other shared priorities.”

Gerard H. Sweeney, President and CEO of Brandywine Realty Trust: “Mayor Parker’s One Philly Budget prioritizes initiatives that stimulate growth and development, laying the groundwork for a thriving real estate market that benefits both investors and communities. I look forward to continued collaboration with the Parker Administration to bring these plans to fruition, driving prosperity and progress for all Philadelphians.”

Angela Val, President and CEO of VISIT Philadelphia: “We at Visit Philadelphia are thrilled to see the City’s budget reflect a multi-year investment in quality-of-life and cleaning and greening programs. This commitment by the Parker Administration and City Council demonstrates that Philadelphia is a city that not only values its residents’ well being but also recognizes that enhanced beautification efforts and safety is essential to city vibrancy, a thriving economy, increased civic pride and positive visitor sentiment.”

Public Safety Leaders

Kevin J. Bethel, Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department: “Mayor Parker has made it clear since even before taking office that Public Safety matters in Philadelphia. Homicides, shootings, and other violent crimes are down, and the men and women of the PPD are working hard to keep us moving in the right direction. However, there is still much more work to be done, and this One Philly Budget provides the investment and resources we need to make our communities safer. I am grateful for Mayor Parker’s leadership, and I also want to thank and acknowledge City Council for approving the mayor’s budget, which supports the PPD and our mission to protect and serve the people of Philadelphia.”

Clean and Green Leaders & Stakeholders

Patricia Crosby, President of the Yorktown Community: “From day one, Mayor Parker has shown an unwavering commitment to cleaning up our streets. The investments to Clean and Green within her One Philly Budget show that our mayor is making good on her promise to make Philadelphia a cleaner and greener city with economic opportunity for all.”

Sherita Glenn, Logan Civic Association and Block Captain: “Thank you to the Mayor for her vision and insight in allocating funds to Clean and Green. This will help change the narrative of Filthadelphia, so we can become one of the cleanest and greenest large cities in the world. I’m grateful to the Mayor, Carlton Williams, Sanitation Commissioner Jacobs Shipman and Streets Commissioner Del Rossi, because our streets and neighborhoods will be cleaner because of Clean and Green and the monies appropriated by Council and approved by Mayor Parker.”

Kensington Leaders & Stakeholders

Casey O’Donnell, President & CEO of Impact Services: “Mayor Parker knows that Philadelphia needs to meet certain fundamental needs for all Philadelphians to prosper. She’s focused on creating a message of cohesion and action and this budget reflects that mission.”

Pastor Buddy Osborn, Rock Ministries: “We support Mayor Parker and her vision of restoring Kensington. Her One Philly budget includes funding not only for public safety, but for outreach workers doing the hard work of encouraging people to come off the streets to receive care, treatment and housing for their many needs. Mayor Parker’s budget gives us hope for a better future for Kensington.”

Economic Opportunity Leaders & Stakeholders

Della Clark, President of the Enterprise Center: “I am fully supportive of Mayor Parker’s historic One Philly Budget. With more than $20 million in new investments targeted directly at Black and brown business owners, including $1 million in the Innovate Capital Growth Fund, we are ready to usher in a new era for minority entrepreneurs in the City of Philadelphia. I also applaud the Parker administration for placing economic equity at the center of its entire budgeting process.”

Regina A. Hairston, President and CEO of the African-American Chamber of Commerce, PA, NJ, DE: “Mayor Parker and her administration remain dutifully committed to advancing economic opportunity for all Philadelphians. The investments made within this historic One Philly Budget not only strengthen our economic landscape but also empower Black and brown communities throughout the city, opening the door to much-needed inclusive growth within the business sector.”

David Oh, President and CEO of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce: “I applaud Mayor Parker for her bold One Philly budget, a pivotal step towards realizing economic opportunity for all. The dedicated investments in minority-owned and small businesses are particularly significant for the Asian American community, empowering entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute to our city’s economy. This budget signifies a commitment to equity and inclusivity, ensuring that every member of our community has equal opportunity to thrive.”

Housing Leaders & Stakeholders

Kelvin A. Jeremiah, CEO of the Philadelphia Housing Authority: “Mayor Cherelle Parker’s first budget is clear evidence that her administration recognizes and prioritizes the importance of keeping housing affordable and accessible to Philadelphia. We applaud the mayor and City Council in working together on this important spending plan. It is paramount that we always strive to increase opportunities for affordable housing. The expansion of the Homestead Exemption saves residents from high property tax increases. And we particularly welcome a new relief program to freeze property taxes for low-income homeowners, which showcases support for the preservation of families building generation wealth. The inclusion of rental assistance to families struggling to pay rent and the investment in new affordable rental housing is a good sign of what is coming under the Mayor’s plan to preserve and expand affordable housing in Philadelphia. I wholeheartedly support this plan and am eager to see what’s next on the mayor’s housing agenda.”

Mo Rushdy, Managing Partner of The Riverwards Group: “The mayor’s budget reflects the priorities on which she ran as a candidate and won. It reflects an understanding of what the average Philadelphian wants to see. A bold investment in her Kensington plan, cleaner city-wide streets, and strengthening trust between law enforcement and the community is exactly what our city desperately needs now.”

Ira Goldstein, Senior Advisor of Policy Solutions for The Reinvestment Fund (TRF): “It is truly exciting to see the contours of Mayor Parker’s One Philly Budget. She is funding those things she values in furtherance of promises she made as candidate Parker. President Biden, quoting his father recently said: “Don’t tell me what you value. Show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value.” Mayor Parker is showing us what she values, and her budget will move us toward being the safest, cleanest, greenest, big city in America with opportunity for everyone.”

Education Leaders & Stakeholders

Dr. Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia: “I would like to thank members of Philadelphia City Council for approving Mayor Cherelle Parker’s aggressive and comprehensive ‘One Philly’ budget for the School District of Philadelphia that will assist us in collectively accelerating student achievement. The future of Philadelphia relies on the fiscal health of our school system, including new investments and providing students with extended day, extended year enrichment and career development opportunities. Thank you for your dedication in supporting Philadelphia’s youth and helping us to become the fastest improving, large urban school district in the nation.”

Dr. Stacy Holland, Executive Director of Elevate215: “I applaud Mayor Cherelle Parker and the City Council for a budget that boosts education funding and supports progress toward increasing the quality of our schools; modernizing facilities and student-learning environments; and creating a diverse and effective teacher workforce.”

Dr. Robin P. Cooper, President of the Commonwealth Association of School Administrators: “The significant investments directed towards upgrading and enhancing public education in Philadelphia are a testament to Mayor Parker’s unwavering commitment to our students and educators alike. The impact of this One Philly Budget on education across Philadelphia will be profound, paving the way for a brighter and more equitable future for generations to come.”

Jerry Jordan, President of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers: “Mayor Parker and members of City Council have, in many ways over many years, shown up for public education. Every child in our city and commonwealth is entitled to a thorough and efficient system of public education that meets their needs. Mayor Parker has, rightfully, deemed education as a top priority for her administration, and her budget reflects that commitment. We can, and must, stop at nothing to ensure that our young people have access to well-resourced public schools in every neighborhood. As we continue to fight for equitable state funding that once and for all addresses the commonwealth’s decades of unconstitutional and immoral disinvestment, I commend Mayor Parker for her commitment of city funding that continues to move our system of public education forward. Our students and staff deserve nothing less.”