Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies (CPS) announced that Jessica I. Monahan — a transportation policy expert who has secured federal funding for a range of nonprofits, local governments, Fortune 100 companies, emerging businesses, and government contractors — has joined its Washington D.C.-based lobbying team as a senior principal.
Philadelphia’s political landscape has shifted to embrace law enforcement, with Mayor Cherelle Parker rejecting progressive drug policies, supporting low-level crime arrests, and unveiling a plan to combat the open-air drug market in Kensington. The strategy aligns with a broader trend of Democrat-majority jurisdictions adopting tougher stances on public safety and drug policy.
City services in Philadelphia, including trash pickup, streetlight maintenance, and illegal dumping enforcement, have suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting City Council to push for increased funding to address these quality-of-life issues, particularly in neighborhoods impacted by violent crime. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier’s (District 3) “Just Services PHL” campaign seeks to allocate additional resources to tackle blighted properties, abandoned vehicles, and other persistent problems, emphasizing the need for more effective personnel assignments and better resource allocation to improve responsiveness.
This morning, City Council voted to approve eight of nine of Mayor Parker’s School Board appointees.
The full schedule of FY25 budget hearings and a link to watch them can be found here. The following hearings are coming up next week:
Philadelphia City Council holds several public hearings throughout the legislative calendar year. Watch here.
Former public defender Sean Dougherty defeated incumbent state Representative Kevin Boyle in Tuesday’s high-profile Democratic primary race for Pennsylvania’s 172nd House District (HD). He will face Republican nominee Aizaz Gill in the general election. Meanwhile, a Democratic primary for HD-10 in West Philadelphia is still too close to call, with incumbent Representative Amen Brown leading his closest opponent by less than one percentage point as of Thursday at 2 p.m.
During Tuesday’s primary election, Philadelphia voters approved a ballot question requiring the City to indemnify Registered Community Organizations (RCOs), allowing legal protections for neighborhood groups involved in zoning matters.
District Attorney Larry Krasner is reportedly considering a run for a third term in 2025 — an unorthodox move, as few Philadelphia district attorneys have pursued this path. Former City Councilmember Derek Green is said to be considering a run as well.
SEPTA unveiled new Metro colors and nomenclature on its website, marking the beginning of a two-year transition plan to communicate name changes for subway, elevated train, and trolley lines, aiming to simplify wayfinding and improve rider experience. SEPTA also announced that, starting Monday, Key cards will allow up to five riders to share the same card across all modes of transportation.
The Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia Zoo, and Mann Center for the Performing Arts are collaborating to host a Children’s World Fair in 2026, drawing inspiration from Philadelphia’s 1876 Centennial Exposition. The Fair will engage children in topics like science, technology, the environment, and cuisine.
The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) unveiled the first phase of its Bartram Village redevelopment in Southwest Philadelphia — featuring 64 mixed-income rental housing units including townhouses, apartments, and amenities — with the goal of providing affordable housing options and deconcentrating poverty.
Intercity bus carriers in Philadelphia may be relocating from their current spot in Northern Liberties by Labor Day, marking the third move in less than a year. A final location has not been confirmed yet, though a parking lot near Front and Spring Garden Streets has been suggested as a potential site.
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Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.
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