Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies (CPS), the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced the addition of Donovan W. Pepper as principal and director of national strategic partnerships.
Governor Josh Shapiro (D) and legislative leaders met in person for the first time since June last week amid a four-month impasse that has delayed billions in funding for schools and services. While details remain scarce, the inclusion of minority leaders suggests any deal will require bipartisan support, with education funding and energy policy among key sticking points. Spotlight PA has more.
Three Democratic justices on Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court face a retention vote which has attracted more than $15 million in advertising and national attention, with Democrats outspending Republicans 4-1. The outcome could potentially leave the court deadlocked if vacancies persist through 2027.
After years of heated debates and high spending, this year’s suburban Philadelphia school board contests center on local issues like taxes and kindergarten, with far less outside money and partisan rhetoric, though some districts still see lingering disputes over policies on transgender athletes and parental rights. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.
The Commonwealth Court will hear arguments on whether Pennsylvania’s limits on Medicaid-funded abortions violate the state constitution and Equal Rights Amendment, a case that could reshape reproductive rights protections statewide. WESA has more.
Gov. Shapiro and governors of three other states that receive service from PJM are backing a proposal to fast-track data center projects that commit to generating electricity equal to their consumption, aiming to strengthen grid reliability and control costs while raising questions about fuel sources and permitting processes. Inside Climate News has more.
A new study shows people with intellectual and developmental disabilities face systemic obstacles including inaccessible facilities, limited provider training, and low Medicaid reimbursement rates. Advocates call for reforms in education, communication, and funding to improve equity and health outcomes. WESA has more.
State officials report more than 50 million doses of fentanyl have been seized so far in 2025, surpassing last year’s total and underscoring its dominance over heroin as the most common opioid in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.
The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO), the state agency responsible for providing revenue projections and impartial analysis for state legislators, has released its monthly revenue update for the month of October, showing that October General Fund collections totaled $3.46 billion, coming in 1.3% below estimate but 2.4% higher than last year. View the report here.
Philadelphia’s free transit pilot has delivered millions of rides to low-income residents, though its lottery-based enrollment has raised concerns about prioritizing those with the greatest need, and its continuation depends on securing permanent funding. WHYY has more.
With incumbent Ed Gainey (D) out after losing the primary, Democrat Corey O’Connor and Republican Tony Moreno face off Tuesday, offering contrasting views on immigration and priorities like public safety and economic growth as the city confronts budget shortfalls and declining property values. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has more.
The federal government shutdown has stretched into its sixth week with stalled negotiations and growing economic strain, prompting two judges to order the Trump administration to fund food assistance. Officials announced plans for only partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments for 42 million Americans, leaving uncertainty over timing and benefit levels as the impasse threatens to break records and disrupt other safety-net programs. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Shapiro signed a disaster declaration and released $5 million in state funds to food banks after November SNAP benefits were suspended.
President Donald Trump (R) announced plans to share nuclear propulsion technology with Seoul for building a nuclear-powered submarine at Hanwha Philly Shipyard, a move aimed at strengthening U.S.-South Korea security ties amid regional tensions with China and North Korea. Politico has more.
A bipartisan proposal would restore funding for Pennsylvania farmers to supply fresh food to food banks after a U.S. Department of Agriculture program was cut, aiming to include the measure in the next Farm Bill to address hunger and support local agriculture. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.
Democratic candidates across the nation are emphasizing cost-cutting and public safety over democracy messaging, aiming to appeal to voters more concerned about economic issues than President Trump’s rhetoric, marking a pivot from 2024’s approach and testing whether linking opponents to Trump on pocketbook concerns resonates more effectively. Axios has more.
All eyes are on Virginia. As the election nears, our political insiders unpack the campaigns, candidates, and key issues driving the race—and what these contests could reveal about the nation’s political trajectory heading into 2026. Listen to the latest episode featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Julia Hammond, and Heidi Hertz, along with Jerry Kilgore, former Virginia Attorney General and co-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s state attorneys general practice here.
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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.
November 24, 2025
November 20, 2025
November 20, 2025
