Minority Leader Kendra Brooks

My statement with Minority Whip Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke on yesterday's violent ICE arrest.

SAVE THE DATE! This year, Wingohocking Neighbors Day is Saturday, October 11 on the 1500-1700 blocks of W. Wingohocking St. Come for live music, food trucks, a kids' play street, resources, and much more! If you live in Nicetown or neighboring communities (Logan, Tioga, Germantown), you’re invited!

The number of federal labor investigators hit a 52-year low in the U.S. The U.S has 611 federal labor investigators — roughly half of what it had some 50 years ago, per new data.

As the federal government scales back labor enforcement, working families are losing billions of dollars in stolen wages. The POWER Act empowers local governments to hold employers accountable and win direct financial compensation for workers.

www.inquirer.com/jobs/labor/f...

📣 PHILLY! It’s time to celebrate Disability Pride!
Join us for a FREE Parade & Celebration 💙💚❤️

🗓 Saturday, June 7, 2025
📍 Parade starts at 11AM at City Hall
🎉 Festival from 12–4PM | 1600–1800 Ben Franklin Parkway

🔗 More info at www.DisabilityPridePA.org

My team and I had a ball at The Philadelphia Citizen's 2025 Integrity Icon Awards, celebrating Ms. Charlene Samuels, our constituent services representative. Ms. Charlene serves constituents with integrity, excellence, and compassion every day. We're so lucky to have her in our office!

The POWER Act is Philly's response to Trump's attacks on workers nationwide. Yesterday, it officially became law, creating new rights and more power for over 750,000 workers in our city.

Hall Monitor

This Wednesday at 6:
⭐️ Councilmember @kendraphlcouncil.bsky.social on the POWER Act
⭐️ Consumer reporter @lancehaver.bsky.social on the water rate hike
⭐️ Mark Dial trial update with @newsjawn.bsky.social
bit.ly/hallmonitoryt

The POWER Act is now law! Yesterday, Mayor Parker signed my bill to protect over 750,000 workers - domestic workers, restaurant workers, temp workers, and more - from retaliation, wage theft, and other labor violations. As federal labor enforcement grinds to a halt, Philly is stepping up!

On Monday, we celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Emma Chappell by renaming the 700 block of Market Street in her honor. Emma Chappell was the founder of the United Bank of Philadelphia, the first bank to be owned and run by a Black woman in Philadelphia. She was also a dear friend and mentor!

Tune in to Evening WURDs tomorrow for my conversation with Dr. James Peterson.

Philadelphians set to receive more workplace retaliation protections as City Council passes the POWER Act The act will empower the city's Department of Labor to enforce existing worker protection laws on wage theft, paid sick leave, and domestic worker rights.

The POWER Act passed unanimously! This legislation is the first of its kind in the nation, with sweeping protections for over 750,000 workers in Philly. This is a victory for every worker who has ever had to stand up for their rights at work! www.inquirer.com/business/phi...

Take a three minutes to complete the People's Budget Office survey:
👉 peoplesbudgetoffice.org/survey

Your feedback will directly help inform advocacy and conversations with City leaders. Thank you for helping us reimagine Philly’s future.

The POWER Act is for every worker who has ever been told to sit down and be quiet | Opinion The act, which will come to vote in City Council on May 8, creates critical protection for workers who face retaliation and holds accountable employers who have repeatedly violated workers' rights.

On Thursday, we vote on the POWER Act!

The POWER Act is more than legislation — it’s a message to Philly workers that we will have their back, and it’s a model for every city that’s ready to stand up to Trump to protect workers locally.

www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...

Every Friday through June 20th, these two stores in North Philly will be hosting nutrition lessons with giveaways, recipes, and food coupons. Check it out!

My heart is still SO full from Friday's hearing on the POWER Act. Philly workers - domestic workers, gig workers, restaurant workers, and labor leaders - showed up for their rights and for each other. I am in awe of their organizing, their solidarity, and their fierce courage. 💜🧡💜

I'm looking forward to celebrating one of my local sheroes on Monday, May 17th. Join us!

To survive decades of disasters, Nicetown developed its tight-knit culture Highway construction, the crack cocaine epidemic, and gentrifying efforts threatened to destroy a community that soldiers on despite the odds.

Nicetown’s “tight-knit culture,” and the neighborhood heroes featured in this article, shaped me into who I am today. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories to help capture and preserve this history of Nicetown.

www.inquirer.com/news/philade...

Calling all small business owners! Councilmember Kendra Brooks wants to hear from you! Complete the survey at bit.ly/brookssurvey and we will be in touch!

Starting this Friday, come by Courtland Grocery on Fridays between 10am and noon for healthy recipes, kitchen giveaways, and a $5 for fruits and veggies!

#standupnicetown #healthyfamiliesphl

Join us to celebrate Emma Chappell, founder of United Bank of Philadelphia, the first bank owned and run by a Black woman. Her bank stood at 7th and Market, where the street sign will commemorate her legacy and contributions for generations to come. #sheroesphl

You can dispose of sensitive documents safely and securely at this FREE event with State @repandrecarroll.com on May 17th. We hope to see you there!

About 50,000 Philadelphians could get their city wages taxes back, but few apply The average income-based wage tax refund for eligible Philadelphia workers is between $300 and $400, but less than 1% of residents apply for it.

Apply for the wage tax refund! The refund could put several hundred dollars of your hard-earned money BACK In your pocket.

The city charges a 3.4% tax on wages, and many low-wage workers are eligible for a refund worth hundreds of dollars.

whyy.org/articles/phi....

This Friday is the start of Black Maternal Health Week! My office is partnering with Oshun Family Center to host a day of advocacy in City Hall to raise awareness and highlight the importance of community-based care. For more information, visit oshunfamilycenter.org.

#BMHW25

You might be eligible for hundreds of dollars through the wage tax refund for low-income Philadelphians. You can file online at tax-services.phila.gov/_/?mc_cid=b5...

Join me this Wednesday for a panel discussion with Center 1968. We’ll be talking about tariffs, student loans, and how we're meeting this political moment. I’m looking forward to it!

Our schools should be places of joy and community where kids and families actually want to spend time. How do we get there? This Friday, we’ll hear from parents, young people, and school staff about what it will take. Join us!

“Small businesses keep the neighborhoods alive, create jobs, and put money back into the community,” said Nija Wiggins, a small business owner. “Taking away the BIRT tax waiver would hit us where it hurts, making it even harder to grow, hire, and keep our doors open."

“Philadelphia cannot afford to keep taxing poverty while calling it progress,” said Dr. Nikia Owens, President and CEO of the Campaign for Working Families. “Reducing Philadelphia’s City Wage Tax for low-income residents is more than a tax policy – it is an act of righting financial inequality."

The plan reintroduces the Wealth Tax, which proposes a 0.4% tax on stocks and bonds. The new version excludes the first $100k of taxable assets, as well as owner-operated small businesses, education savings accounts, retirement savings accounts, and mutual funds.

Instead of eliminating the BIRT exemption and requiring an estimated 80,000 small businesses to pay the BIRT tax, our plan proposes raising the BIRT exemption to $200K. This will provide tax relief for small businesses and set them up for success ahead of 2026 festivities.