Pennsylvania Perspective for Thursday, October 16, 2025

October 16, 2025

Pennsylvania

PA Commits $39M to Redevelop Industrial Sites for Data Centers  

Governor Josh Shapiro (D) announced $39 million in Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites Program (PA SITES) funding to transform former coal mines and industrial properties into hubs for logistics and data centers. The initiative supports 11 projects statewide and underscores Pennsylvania’s role as a net energy exporter amid growing demand from tech companies. Technical.ly has more.

PA House Bills Target Data Center Oversight Amid Rapid Growth  

Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced five bills to regulate data centers, proposing measures on energy and water reporting, prevailing wages, efficiency standards, and emergency preparedness. Sponsors say transparency and sustainability are critical as development accelerates statewide. Center Square Pennsylvania has more.

PA Bill Would Require Naloxone in All High Schools  

A proposed law would mandate every Pennsylvania high school to stock naloxone, making the state one of few with such overdose-prevention requirements. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Schools Plead for Budget Deal as $3B in State Aid Stalls  

Pennsylvania’s budget impasse has left 500 districts without over $3 billion in funding, forcing loans, layoffs, and depleted reserves. Education leaders warn schools cannot sustain operations much longer and urge lawmakers to compromise immediately. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Penn State Trustees Approve WHYY Takeover of WPSU

Penn State will transfer control of its public media station WPSU to WHYY, ending a $17.6 million subsidy and ensuring continued service in central PA. The revised deal includes commitments to retain staff and operate the station for at least three years. WHYY has more.

Philadelphia

Council Tackles Reservation Scalping, Street Rules, School Facilities

On Thursday, the Philadelphia City Council introduced a bill to ban third-party reservation resales without restaurant consent, debated amendments to loading zone regulations following a court ruling, and called for hearings on school facilities planning. Members also honored advocates for women’s sports, including comedian Wanda Sykes, for efforts to bring a WNBA team to the city. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Council Advances Security Guard Training Proposal for Further Review

The Philadelphia City Council moved a bill forward that would require employer-funded training for private security guards, while incorporating amendments such as exemptions for guards with state lethal weapons certifications and signaling openness to additional adjustments to balance safety goals with stakeholder concerns. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Pittsburgh

City Council Rewrites Affordable Housing Plan, Extending Debate  

The Pittsburgh City Council voted 5-4 to replace Mayor Ed Gainey’s (D) mandatory inclusionary zoning proposal with a voluntary program offering tax incentives for affordable units. The measure now heads to the Planning Commission, delaying resolution of the citywide housing policy and continuing Pennsylvania’s broader debate over affordability. WESA has more.

Council Member Considers Spending Freeze to Address Budget Strains  

City Councilmember Theresa Kail-Smith (D-District 2) plans to propose a bill pausing non-essential city spending and hiring to help stabilize Pittsburgh’s finances and avoid potential tax hikes amid declining revenues and recent court rulings. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has more.

Federal

New Federal Tax Credit Sparks PA School Choice Debate  

A new federal education tax credit, co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA), will fund scholarships for private and public school services starting in 2027, prompting discussion over whether Pennsylvania will opt in amid ongoing disagreements about school choice policies. WESA has more.

Congressional Stalemate Triggers Premium Surge for PA Marketplace Plans  

Nearly 500,000 Pennsylvanians face staggering health insurance hikes as lawmakers fail to renew pandemic-era tax credits, with partisan gridlock over spending priorities leaving families scrambling to afford coverage. PennLive has more.

Authors

About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

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.

About Cozen O’Connor

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.

Explore Articles and News

See All News