PITTSBURGH, August 3, 2026 — Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced the addition of Martell Covington as government relations associate in its Pittsburgh office.
City Council President Kenyatta Johnson has directed City Controller Christy Brady to conduct a performance audit of the Philadelphia School District. All 17 Council members signed onto the request, which calls for an examination of management practices, budgeting methods, administrative and consultant costs, use of reserves, and the financial implications of planned school closures. The move follows tensions over a $300 million structural deficit and the school board’s vote to begin closing 17 schools. The audit is expected to be completed before next year’s budget season and is intended to give city officials a clearer understanding of how the district manages its $4.6 billion budget and the billions in city funding it receives.
Mayor Cherelle Parker says the city is working on a plan to preserve nearly 1,000 subsidized rentals owned by Neighborhood Restorations as federal tax credits expire and the owner considers selling. About 3,000 residents live in the properties, and a city steering committee has recommended $36 million in city spending over five years as part of a larger preservation effort that could total $280 million. The administration is first focusing on 225 units with expired affordability restrictions while assessing capital needs across the full portfolio.
The Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement held its inaugural State of Opportunity summit at Girard College, bringing together Black men and boys for a day centered on resources, mentorship, and expanding pathways to opportunity. The event featured sessions on health, reentry, artificial intelligence, homeownership, education, and community support. Organizers said the summit grew out of ongoing conversations about challenges facing Black men and the need for stronger connections to opportunity. Attendees described the gathering as a chance to build networks, access resources, and engage with mentors, aligning with the office’s goal of helping participants leave with relationships that can support them beyond the event.
City Controller Christy Brady says the city’s recent effort to remove ineligible homeowners from property tax relief programs may have identified only part of the issue, noting that tens of thousands of additional properties warrant further review. Her office’s findings suggest the city could potentially recover more revenue, while officials emphasize that compliance checks are ongoing and that many flagged cases prove legitimate. The homestead exemption remains the city’s most widely used tax break, and any expanded review could affect both the city budget and the Philadelphia School District.
Mural Arts Philadelphia has appointed arts educator and curator Emily Mello as its next executive director, marking the organization’s first leadership change since 1996. Mello, who begins September 1st, brings more than two decades of experience from institutions in Chicago, New York, and Miami, including her most recent role as senior director of education and public programs at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. She succeeds founder Jane Golden, who helped build Mural Arts from its origins as the Philadelphia Anti‑Graffiti Network into a nationally recognized public‑art program responsible for more than 4,300 works across the city. Golden will remain in an advisory role through the end of the year as the transition continues.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority is adding 30 new smart loading zones across Center City after an analysis found that the initial 22 zones installed in 2025 increased curb turnover, reduced double parking, and raised average travel speeds on Chestnut and Walnut Streets by 28% to 32%. The system uses cameras and the Curb Pass app to track time spent in the zone, charge a per‑minute fee, and issue citations when vehicles exceed limits. The PPA says the zones have created space for hundreds more daily deliveries and reduced congestion, and the new blocks will begin with a monthlong warning period before ticketing starts.
SEPTA’s AI‑equipped bus cameras have captured more than 212,000 parking and stopping violations since enforcement began last year, and violations have steadily declined as drivers adjust to the rules. In the first year, no‑stopping violations in enforcement zones were cut in half and blocked‑stop violations dropped by more than a quarter. Median bus travel times in monitored areas improved compared with the year before cameras were installed, and the Philadelphia Parking Authority has issued $14.5 million in fines based on camera evidence that is verified by human reviewers. The program now includes cameras on trolleys as well, though officials say additional policy changes may still be needed to keep lanes consistently clear.
A Philadelphia firefighter’s discrimination lawsuit over the department’s grooming policy is now moving ahead in court, bolstered by Pennsylvania’s newly enacted CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination based on hairstyle, texture, or type. The suit, filed by Bariq Fluellen, argues that the city violated both state and local law by disciplining and harassing him over his locs, which he says are tied to his religious practice and do not interfere with safety gear or job performance. His attorneys say the new state law strengthens the case as they seek compensation and changes to the department’s policy, and legal experts note the lawsuit could help shape how Pennsylvania courts interpret the CROWN Act going forward.
Philadelphia’s chief paramedic, Jason Centofanti, has filed a lawsuit alleging he was reassigned and stripped of leadership responsibilities after raising concerns about favoritism within the fire department. According to the complaint, Centofanti escalated a report involving a captain who was accused of being lenient with a subordinate and later came to believe an official document had been altered during the investigation. The suit says that after bringing those concerns to department leadership and the inspector general, Centofanti was transferred from an administrative role back to field duty, losing his office, staff, and schedule flexibility. It also describes transfers affecting others involved in the initial report and notes that some colleagues have made disparaging remarks since his reassignment. The city declined to comment on the pending litigation.
The Philadelphia Portal, the video installation that streams live connections to countries around the world, will leave City Hall this fall as its permit expires and the space is needed for other events. Portals.org is seeking a public or private sponsor able to provide a publicly accessible location and cover relocation and maintenance costs and says the Portal could move to another city if a new site isn’t secured by the end of September. The installation, previously located in LOVE Park, is currently the only Portal in North America and has continued expanding its international livestreams, including recent connections to the Philippines and Brazil.
The Philadelphia Housing Authority is moving forward with an 85‑unit development in Strawberry Mansion after securing zoning approvals for its rental components. The project, located around 28th and York Streets, will include a mix of affordable rental units and for‑sale homes, along with new open space and parking improvements. Supporters say the development will replace long‑vacant land with needed housing and neighborhood investment, while others have asked for additional discussions about density and long‑term community impact. Construction on the homeownership units is expected to begin this fall, with rental construction planned for next year.
Dozens of Haitian residents and supporters marched through Center City to call for renewed temporary protected status (TPS), saying the expiration has left many families fearful and uncertain. Participants gathered outside the offices of Pennsylvania U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick, urging support for legislation that would extend protections for Haitians who have lived, worked, and contributed to communities across the region. Speakers described the impact of losing legal status while emphasizing the role temporary protected status has played in allowing people to build lives in the United States. Community leaders said the demonstration aimed to show solidarity and encourage federal action as similar protections are set to lapse for other immigrant groups in the coming months.
Immigration advocates say U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increased arrests at Philadelphia International Airport, detaining at least 10 people since mid‑July as part of a broader national push to target travelers with limited or expired documentation. One advocate said, “They’re trying to threaten people,” describing the stepped‑up presence as intimidation on city‑owned property. Federal officials say the arrests reflect a policy shift aimed at preventing undocumented travelers from flying, while critics argue the increased coordination between TSA and ICE blurs security and immigration enforcement and exposes mixed‑status families to heightened risk.
Philadelphia‑area districts that used COVID‑era Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) dollars to finally give students laptops are now struggling to keep those devices in circulation as a global computer‑memory shortage drives Chromebook prices sharply higher. With costs rising from $400 to more than $600 per device, districts face multimillion‑dollar replacement bills each year and can no longer guarantee that every student will have a working laptop both in class and at home. Pennsylvania’s shift to fully online standardized testing adds pressure, and school officials warn that without new federal support, rising technology costs could erase the progress made during the pandemic.
The race for Philadelphia’s 5th District seat is becoming competitive, with several Democrats preparing to run against first‑term Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. in next year’s primary. Cybersecurity attorney Jalon Alexander has formally launched his campaign, former Council staffer Curtis Wilkerson has formed an advisory committee to consider a bid, and other potential candidates are weighing runs. Councilmember Young won the 2023 primary uncontested after other candidates were removed from the ballot. The 5th District is heavily Democratic, so the candidate who wins the primary typically goes on to hold the seat in the general election.
Mayor Cherelle Parker’s campaign has reported an overall rise in legal expenses over the last two years, with spending increasing compared with both her election year and her first year in office. The campaign has said its legal team supports a variety of strategic and administrative needs, though it has not offered further details about what is contributing to the higher costs.
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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.
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August 13, 2026
August 13, 2026
August 12, 2026
