Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, September 19, 2022

September 19, 2022

Pennsylvania

Attorney General Shapiro Expresses Conceptual Support of “Lifeline Scholarships”

During a campaign tour of four Republican-majority counties on Saturday, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro confirmed that he supports the concept of “lifeline scholarships” — a policy typically advocated for by school-choice proponents — a version of which passed in the Pennsylvania House in April. Throughout his campaign, the Attorney General has more frequently voiced his support for funding traditional public schools. PennLive has more.

How Pennsylvania’s Gubernatorial Candidates Plan to Address Crime

Crime and public safety have been hot-button issues for candidates running for all levels of government across the country, with the Pennsylvania gubernatorial election being no exception. It is no surprise, then, that Attorney General Josh Shapiro and State Senator Doug Mastriano — the Democratic and Republican candidates for governor, respectively — have proposed very different approaches to the issue. WHYY has more.

Skill Games Company Treated Select Pennsylvania Lawmakers to All-Expenses-Paid Trip to Wyoming Festival

In July, Georgia-based skill games company Pace-O-Matic treated a select group of  Pennsylvania state legislators to an all-expenses-paid trip to Wyoming’s Cheyenne Frontier Days festival, which bills itself as “the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration.” Whether or not the slot machine-like games developed by Pace-O-Matic are legal in Pennsylvania is still currently open to interpretation. Spotlight PA has more.

 

Philadelphia

A Profile of One Weekend of Gun Violence in Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s epidemic of gun violence shows no sign of abating — in fact, the rate of shootings in 2022 has already outpaced last year’s. In the later days of the city’s deadliest summer on record, reporters at the Philadelphia Inquirer pulled together a profile of a tragically typical weekend of gun violence and the ensuing incalculable loss. See more.

Former Quiñones-Sánchez Chief of Staff Quetcy Lozada Rising to Prominence in Philadelphia’s Seventh Councilmanic District

After stepping down to officially launch her mayoral bid a few weeks ago, former City Councilmember María Quiñones-Sánchez is passing the torch to her political protégé and former chief of staff Quetcy Lozada. Lozada is expected to win the special election in November to finish Quiñones-Sánchez’s term as the councilmember for District Seven, which encompasses a predominantly Latino community in Kensington. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

“Drexel Promise” Program to Cut Tuition for Area Community College Transfers

Drexel University has announced its “Drexel Promise” program, which, beginning in fall 2023, will halve tuition for Pennsylvania and New Jersey students who choose to transfer to the school upon completion of their community college program. The program is intended to make bachelor’s degrees more accessible. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

Penn Students Call on the University to Divest From Fossil Fuel Industry

Last week, students affiliated with the campus group Fossil Free Penn camped out on a campus green at the University of Pennsylvania in protest of the institution’s continued investment of its endowment dollars in the fossil fuel industry. WHYY has more.

 

Pittsburgh

Contract Negotiations for Allegheny County Prosecutors, Public Defenders at a Standstill

Unionized prosecutors and public defenders in Allegheny County are demanding fair pay in ongoing contract negotiations with the office of County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

Barb Warwick Chosen as Democratic Nominee for District Five of Pittsburgh City Council

In a 58-to-34 vote by members of the district’s Democratic Committee, Barb Warwick was chosen as the Democratic candidate in the upcoming November special election race for Pittsburgh City Council District Five. The position was vacated by Corey O’Connor in July when he resigned to become Allegheny County Controller. Warwick is best known for organizing opposition against the proposed Mon-Oakland Connector transit project, which has since been shelved. WESA has more.

 

Federal

Beltway Briefing: How Will the “Trump Effect” Play Out in Upcoming Midterm Elections?

With all eyes on the upcoming 2022 midterms in November, it remains unclear precisely how much of an impact former President Donald Trump and his various endorsements will have on the outcome of elections across the country — especially when considering other potential influencing factors such as abortion, inflation, and who will be running for president in 2024. Listen to the latest Beltway Briefing here.

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