🌍 How Gaza fits into Philly’s Congressional race

PA Treasurer Rejects $1.1 Million for Shapiro’s Security Upgrades

State Treasurer Stacy Garrity – the Republican running for governor – said that the Pennsylvania Treasury lacks “the legal authority to use taxpayer funds for improvements to private property.” Approximately $1.1 million worth of public funds were originally approved to cover security upgrades to Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s private home in Abington, following an assassination attempt in Harrisburg last year. [Politics PA]

• Related: Perhaps not coincidentally, Shapiro and Garrity will face off in November’s election. And big bucks are pouring into the race. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

Gaza, ‘Genocide,’ and the Contentious Campaign for Congress

Philadelphia is weeks away from choosing a new representative for the Third Congressional District. And while the three frontrunners in the Democratic primary are in agreement on most issues — like universal healthcare and taxing the rich — the Israel-Gaza conflict and the use of the word “genocide” have split front-runners State Rep. Chris Rabb, Dr. Ala Stanford, and State Sen. Sharif Street.

Jefferson Einstein Health To Close North Philly Pediatric Centers

The health system plans to shutter its Fern Rock, Buck Road, Frankford, and Bustleton offices by June 30, while three others will fold into a new regional group. Nurses and staff warn that the closures will leave vulnerable patients behind. [WHYY]

L&I Shuts Down Renowned Queen Village Restaurant

The Michelin-approved Roxanne operated without a food-prepping and serving license or liquor license since it opened in 2024, and no health inspectors had ever visited the site before its closure. Owner Alexandra Holt claimed to have “two or three” pieces of paper proving proper licensing, but declined repeated requests to present documentation. [🔒 The Inquirer]

• Related: Here are other Michelin-recommended Philly restaurants (that are licensed). [🎧 City Cast Philly]

Breaking Down Mayor Parker’s Budget

Budget hearings for several city departments, including public health and law enforcement, continue in the coming weeks, and the city is asking for the public’s participation in the decision-making process. Here’s a visual explainer comparing this year’s proposed budget to last year’s. [📝 City Cast Philly, Philadelphia Citizen]

Each election cycle, you’re likely to see questions on your ballot asking you to vote on changes to the Home Rule Charter. Similar to the federal government, which has the U.S. Constitution guiding its functions, Philadelphia has its own document setting the rules for how our government operates.

Jennifer Clendening, manager at Pew Charitable Trusts, broke down how the powerful document is working out 75 years after its creation and why Philadelphians should recognize its importance.

What functions of the city’s charter impact our day-to-day lives?

“When the charter was adopted…it really shifted a lot of authority from state to local government. It established a strong-mayor form of government in the city, allowing our mayor to have two terms, allowing our mayor to appoint department heads, and to propose the city's budget.

“The Home Rule Charter dictates the powers that the mayor has, the powers that the city council has, and it actually defines a lot of the roles and responsibilities for different departments, different positions, and how some of our government bodies operate.”

In the first 50 years, only four charter changes were passed. Since 2000, we have seen a dramatic increase. What were the initial changes in those early stages, and why did changes increase in the modern era?

“The Home Rule Charter really outlines pretty much everything for city governance. So if you want to make small changes to certain things, it likely needs to be done through an amendment process. The types of amendments have covered a pretty wide range of things that include creating or modifying offices. It includes providing details for certain city positions, the fiscal health of the city, and creating various funds.

“But it also includes things such as non-binding amendments, like referendums on public opinion, using gender-neutral language within the charter itself when referring to council members. The types of amendments have really run the gamut in recent years. And because the charter covers so much about city operations, if you're gonna change anything, you're likely going to have to go through a process to amend the charter in order to do it.”