Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies (CPS) announced that Jessica I. Monahan — a transportation policy expert who has secured federal funding for a range of nonprofits, local governments, Fortune 100 companies, emerging businesses, and government contractors — has joined its Washington D.C.-based lobbying team as a senior principal.
This week, Philadelphia City Council embarked on its first round of hearings on Mayor Cherelle Parker’s $6.3 billion FY25 budget, which featured discussion about police response to youth gun violence and the lack of a funding increase for the Department of Labor, as well as logistical questions about proposed triage centers to address crime, drug use, and homelessness — which the administration hopes to begin opening within weeks. The budget for the Mayor’s Office would increase by 151% primarily due to personnel costs and the creation of new positions aligned with Mayor Parker’s campaign promises.
The full schedule of FY25 budget hearings and a link to watch them can be found here. The following hearings are coming up next week:
Mayor Parker’s inaugural budget plan breaks a three-decade tradition by proposing no changes to Philadelphia’s wage or business tax rates, though the mayor has suggested a major overhaul of the City’s tax structure may be on the horizon pending state-level reforms.
During a Commerce & Economic Development Committee hearing on Monday, City Council members heard testimony about how to help Philadelphians — especially those without college degrees — access employment opportunities in the city’s growing life sciences industry, particularly in cell and gene therapy. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (District 3) emphasized the potential for economic uplift and the need for local workforce training initiatives.
A South Philly 7-Eleven franchise owner filed a lawsuit challenging the ban on casino-style “skill games” in convenience stores passed by City Council last week.
Philadelphia City Council holds several public hearings throughout the legislative calendar year. Watch here.
North Philadelphia’s 22nd police district is aiding students who witness trauma through a new initiative called “Handle With Care,” made possible by a $1 million federal grant. Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel hopes to eventually expand the program citywide.
Philadelphia’s summer jobs program for youth is being revamped as Career Connected Learning PHL (C2L-PHL). The program will expand to offer year-round, work-based opportunities in partnership with the School District and Philadelphia Works, replacing the City’s WorkReady program.
The number of apprenticeships in the Philadelphia region — which allow individuals to receive customized education while being compensated, with a guarantee of employment on training completion — has almost doubled since 2014. Construction remains the dominant field, though other sectors like finance, insurance, and healthcare are also seeing significant growth.
The suspension of maritime traffic through the Port of Baltimore following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge may end up rerouting cargo ships to nearby ports, including Philadelphia’s. The Delaware River Port Authority has expedited a planned review of safety features of the four bistate bridges it oversees.
Philadelphia Behavioral Health Commissioner Jill Bowen is stepping down from her position to serve as Vermont’s commissioner of the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living after leading the department for more than three years. Chief of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons Blanche Carney is also stepping down.
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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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April 25, 2024
April 25, 2024
April 24, 2024
