[VT Philadelphia, PA], March 13, 2025, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s proposed $6.77 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026 presents significant implications for Philadelphia’s AAPI American communities and immigrant populations. As the only Chinese-language media outlet in the region focusing on government affairs, CUS/VT – ChineseinUS provides an in-depth analysis of how this budget will affect our communities and explores the unprecedented opportunities presented by two major events coming in 2026: America’s 250th anniversary and the FIFA World Cup.
Budget Highlights and Impact on AAPI Communities
Mayor Parker’s “One Philly 2.0” budget proposal focuses on five key areas: public safety, cleaning and greening, economic opportunity, housing, and education. These investment priorities closely align with the core concerns of AAPI American communities.
Economic Opportunity and Tax Reform: The budget proposes over $451 million in economic opportunity investments, including $210 million in business and wage tax reductions and $150 million over five years for a new Jumpstart Business Program. According to CUS ChineseinUS’s frontline reporting, approximately 6,000 Chinese-owned small businesses operate in Philadelphia（AAPI）. These tax reductions will directly benefit business owners in our community, particularly those in the restaurant, retail, and service sectors.
Housing Initiative: The budget includes $800 million for the Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) Initiative to produce, preserve, and stabilize 30,000 housing units. According to ChineseinUS’s understanding, housing concerns are a high priority for Philadelphia’s Chinese community, especially for newly arrived immigrant families facing housing pressures. This investment will help alleviate these challenges within the community.
Public Safety Investments: The budget allocates $746 million in new operating funds and $289 million in capital funding for public safety. ChineseinUSis closely monitoring these investments, which will help improve safety throughout the city, including areas with significant Chinese American populations, potentially reducing hate crimes against AAPI Americans.
