Philly Mayor's Last Budget Address Reveals Millions for Education, SEPTA and Violence Prevention

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney on Thursday unveiled his over a billion-dollars operating budget for the 2024 fiscal year in-person to the Philadelphia City Council, which will allocate funding to public education, safety, transportation, and economic growth.

“This year’s budget reflects the priorities shared by residents and my administration around public safety, educational opportunity, neighborhood investments and services, and inclusive growth. With this budget we will build on our success and finish with energy, momentum, and a strong foundation for our city's next chapter,” Mayor Kenney said.

In his final budget address, he also laid out a five-year plan for Philadelphia that will be implemented throughout the rest of the current administration and into the next.

Among the public education areas highlighted in Kenney’s FY24 budget are investing $282 million to the Philadelphia School District in FY24 and a total of $1.4 billion over the life of the five-year plan.

$11.6 million will be dedicated to the city’s scholarship program for the Community College of Philadelphia, Catto Scholarships, and an additional $270 million will go to the city’s community college through FY28.

The budget will also create an additional 950 free pre-K seats for young learners.

To ensure quality of life and well-being in every neighborhood, over $130 million will be invested in transforming neighborhood parks, libraries and playgrounds. Tangibles of these investments look like city recreation centers offering weekend hours, six-day service at neighborhood library branches, expanding eviction prevention and creating more supportive housing units.

To further the city’s violence prevention plan the city is committing an additional $233 million to make communities safer and reduce violence. Included in these investments are a new forensic lab and additional police resources.

Other areas Kenney plans to address in the upcoming fiscal year are transportation and businesses. $80 million will go toward piloting two SEPTA programs to provide free ridership to those near or below the poverty level and city employees.

"I am dedicating each day of the remainder of my term to a brighter, safer, more sustainable future for this city. Just as I have each day since 2016," Kenney said, ending his final budget address to the City Council. "It is an incredible honor to serve this city and to be a part of its progress. And it is also an honor to work alongside a City Council as dedicated to service as each of you."

The mayor's budget presentation, operating budget and proposed FY24-29 Five Year Plan can be found online.