Pennsylvania Perspective for Thursday, April 28, 2022

April 28, 2022

Pennsylvania

Business Tax Cut Passes Pennsylvania House

State representatives voted overwhelmingly to approve a bill that would reduce the corporate net income rate from 10% to 9%; if the Commonwealth’s revenues are sufficient, it could even be reduced down to 8% by 2025. These potential cuts would be contingent on state budget surpluses of at least $500 million. CBS News Pittsburgh has more.

Four GOP Gubernatorial Candidates Debate on Television

GOP candidates for Governor — Mastriano, McSwain, Barletta, and White — participated in a debate broadcast across the state yesterday. Major topics included abortion and voting rights, as well as support for former President Trump’s policies. The Post-Gazette has more.

Gubernatorial Candidates Excluded from Televised Debate Criticize Format

Yesterday’s multi-market televised debate between some GOP candidates for governor is being criticized by excluded candidates for what they believe is unfair selection criteria. Criteria set for the debate was decided by Texas-based NexStar Media, which owns many television stations across the state. Read more from PennLive.

Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Shapiro Raised More than GOP Candidates Combined

Lone Democratic candidate for governor and current state Attorney General Josh Shapiro raised over $18 million dollars in 15 months, more than all GOP candidates combined. The massive donations come from across Pennsylvania as well as other states, and is largely going unspent due to a lack of a primary challenger. Spotlight PA has more.

Lawmakers and Reform Advocates Unite to Oppose Senate Bill

Organizations such as the ACLU and Straight Ahead say they oppose a bill which would reform Pennsylvania parole system, saying it would make an already bad situation worse. The bill, which already passed the Senate, creates a mandatory probation review conference as well as a new type of probation. Read more from the Capital-Star.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia Police Ask for $24 Million Increase In Budget

On Tuesday, the Philadelphia Police Department requested that City Council allocate an additional $24 million to the department. Most of this funding would go towards payroll increases. PlanPhilly has more.

City Is Revising Streetery Rules That Faced Opposition from Restaurant Industry

New regulations regarding streeteries could be established as soon as May 12th. These new regulations are significantly less onerous than the previous iteration that faced stiff opposition from the restaurant industry. Billy Penn has more.

Rail Service Between Reading and Philadelphia Could Be Restored

Commissioners in Berks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties voted to authorize the creation of the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority, which would restore passenger rail service between the localities. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

City Greenhouse Gas Emissions Down 20 Percent Since 2006

New data reveals a significant over drop in Philadelphia’s carbon emissions, down 20 percent since 2006, but still a long way away from net zero emissions, which the City hopes to reach by 2050. Read more from WHYY.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Presents Plans for Making Smithfield Street Better for Pedestrians

The City has released a preliminary plan to reduce and narrow traffic lanes using $9 million in funding. During a virtual hearing yesterday, it received mostly positive feedback. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has more.

Pittsburgh Schools Make Masking Optional For First Time Since Start of Pandemic

Most Pittsburgh Public School students will be able to unmask for the first time since 2020. Fine details of the plan are still in the works, but the new policies will go into effect next week. Read more from the Post-Gazette.

Shell and Archaea Energy Take Early Steps Toward Underground Carbon Storage

Shell will begin operating a petrochemical plant in Beaver County this year. It is also considering putting a carbon sequestration well in either Beaver County or Ohio. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has more.

Federal

Senate Race Polls: Fetterman Leads Lamb, Tight Race for GOP Nomination

The latest Monmouth University poll in the Pennsylvania U.S. Senate Race shows a very close race on the GOP side, with Mehmet Oz at 16 percent, David McCormick at 11 percent, and Kathy Barnette at 8 percent. On the Democratic side, John Fetterman has a 34 percent share, followed by Conor Lamb at 12 percent and Malcolm Kenyatta at 4 percent. 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.

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