Mayor-elect Parker unveils ‘kitchen cabinet' roundtable effort

Cherelle Parker, Philadelphia's Mayor-elect, is looking to get more state and federal support for the city through, what officials called a "first of its kind" effort -- a new "intergovernmental roundtable" made up of local, state and federal officials, that was announced on Tuesday.

During the morning, Parker -- a Democrat who defeated Republican David Oh in this year's mayoral election -- unveiled the new initiative and named officials that will make up this roundtable.

Calling the new roundtable her "kitchen cabinet," the 51-year-old Parker, said that, when she takes office, she hopes to work with this roundtable on all legislation that lands on her desk.

"A Parker administration does not attempt to move forward with a legislative effort without it coming through this intergovernmental roundtable," she said. "This is how we will deliver the results -- working together."

It will be led by State Senator Vince Hughes (D-7th dist.), she said.

"If we do this on a regular basis and it's our standard operating procedure, this is how our muscles get stronger," said Parker.

Hughes will be joined by longtime councilmember Darrell Clarke -- as a chief senior advisor -- along with a number of elected officials including members of City Council, several state senators and state representatives, officials from city agencies as well as, Pennsylvania senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman.

"One Philadelphia!" shouted Hughes in repetition to start his comments. "Collectively one team, working for one Philadelphia, on one mission -- safer, cleaner, greener with access to economic opportunity for all."

Hughes talked about how the new roundtable is something "that has never been done before" and he hopes that the body can make "transformational" changes for the people of Philadelphia.

"We are one Philadelphia. We are working together," said Hughes.

Parker said that members of the roundtable will be assigned to different committees "so no one is tripping over each other" and that some of these committees will include workforce development, clean and green initiatives as well as "affordable luxury housing."

Yet, NBC10's Lauren Mayk, pointed out that there were no Republican members of this intergovernmental roundtable mentioned at the morning event.

Parker responded that bipartisan support is "extremely essential" to her administration and noted that before announcing Kevin Bethel as Philadelphia's new police commissioner, her office reached out to local Republican leaders.

Also, Parker said, she talks regularly with Republican State Representative Martina White (R-170th dist.) and that White "is a part of any room."

"I can't function without structure," said Parker. "Everybody does it differently, but for me, I can't do it without structure."

However, Parker said people are talking about her choices for staff and, she promised, staffing announcements are around the corner.

"Personnel announcements will be coming soon, but not yet," said Parker.

Last month, Parker discussed how she is planning to transition into the role atop the city's highest office, and named a number of members of her transition team.

At that time, the former city councilwoman who served for 10 years as a state representative for northwest Philadelphia, said she was putting together a team made up of people who have been with her every step of the way as she secured the Democratic nomination, and eventually, the election.

"This process is to set the foundation for how we want to bring hope back to our city and we begin that today," she said then.

Parker is set to take office, replacing the term-limited Jim Kenney, at the start of the new year.