Government Relations Updates
This week, Mayor Parker made headlines by announcing a new partnership with Ring to provide 1,000 doorbell cameras to senior citizens, and launching the Breathe Philly Network, deploying 76 air quality monitors across the city. At the state level, Governor Shapiro secured over $1 billion in private investment from Johnson & Johnson to build a new cancer-fighting manufacturing facility in Montgomery County, creating more than 500 jobs. With the General Assembly on recess until late March, Appropriations Committee hearings on the FY26-27 budget are set to take center stage in the weeks ahead.
The Bellevue Compass
This week in Washington, we’re covering the ongoing DHS shutdown and the fallout, with TSA officers working without pay and negotiations between Senate Republicans and Democrats described as 'not close.' The Munich Security Conference drew significant attention, with Secretary of State Rubio striking a more conciliatory tone with European allies than his predecessors. Eyes are now turning to the President's State of the Union address, slated for February 24.
In Case You Missed It
In an upset for the president, the Supreme Court rejected Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs on nearly every country the United States trades with in a 6-3 ruling. If you haven’t yet, follow The Bellevue Compass—we’ll be talking about this and more federal news on Wednesday.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Duke of Edinburgh, was arrested in the UK on suspicion of misconduct in public office due to his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Americans are now wondering when there will be arrests for those named in the files here.
Former President Barack Obama said on a podcast last week that he believes aliens are real—but was quick to clarify he doesn’t have proof. President Trump is running with that, and now plans to direct the government to release files on so-called extraterrestrials and proof of their existence.
Capping off a busy month of diplomacy, the India AI Impact Summit concluded with discussions of important topics and unexpected pop-culture moments, including a robo-dog, an awkward photo op, and the French president’s sunrise jog.
It’s hard not to miss the Olympic coverage, but in case you’re behind: Norway leads in most medals so far—by 9—with the United States and Italy neck and neck following.
Go Phillies! ⚾️
See you next week, and keep your eye on the ball at the first game of spring training tomorrow.
The Bellevue Team