Philadelphia City Council passes 2027 budget

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia finalized its $7.1 billion budget for 2027 on Thursday, wrapping up several unresolved issues before City Council heads into its summer recess.

The spending plan passed without several revenue measures proposed by Mayor Cherelle Parker, including a retail delivery tax of 0.25 cents per delivery intended to fund road repairs. A hotel and Airbnb tax increase aimed at supporting homeless services was also scrapped.

Council also declined Parker's proposed $1 tax on rideshare trips, which the administration estimated would have generated $50 million annually for the School District.

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With that tax off the table, the mayor and councilmembers are now pledging to find an additional $50 million each year for the next five years to support the district.

Arthur Steinberg, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, called the outcome "a great day for the students and community of the School District of Philadelphia."

Councilmember Rue Landau introduced a resolution Thursday calling for a hearing on the police response to Pride festivities in the Gayborhood last Sunday. Fifteen people were arrested, and some officers were seen wearing masks as interactions became physical.

"There were reports of excessive police force," Landau said. "Lots of people were corralled on the sidewalks with barriers. There seemed to be a lack of planning."

Council also voted to officially ban horse-drawn carriages in the city, a win for animal rights advocates.

"They were introduced for the bicentennial, these carriages, 1976," said Janet White of Carriage Horse Freedom. "And now 50 years later, for America 250, finally, this is going to end."

Council's fall term begins in September.