WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2026 — Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced that Sean Clerget has joined as senior principal in its Washington, D.C., office.
Mayor Cherelle Parker defended her governing style as disciplined and effective during a Black History Month speech Friday February 19th, stating she has restrained herself from speaking candidly about the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown to preserve bipartisan relationships and protect critical federal funding for city services and vulnerable residents.
Philadelphia City Council is considering creating an Office of Freedmen Affairs to guide potential reparations initiatives for descendants of enslaved people, including scholarships, tax relief, and other remedies. Supporters said the office would move the city toward practical, historically grounded remedies and align Philadelphia with similar efforts in states like California. Although the committee intends to advance legislation to establish the office, the city currently has no formal plan or dedicated funding for reparations.
As the Philadelphia School District moves to close six standalone middle schools, shut down West Philly’s small magnet, Parkway West, and eliminate neighborhood schools like Pennypacker as part of a 20‑school restructuring driven by enrollment declines, 70,000 empty seats, and a shift toward a K‑8 model, fourth‑grade students at Pennypacker have presented handwritten pleas urging the district not to close their school. Officials say consolidating grade spans and under‑enrolled programs will help distribute limited resources more efficiently, but families and local leaders argue the plan dismantles valued programs, reduces high‑quality options in Black neighborhoods, and threatens long‑standing community anchors.
Philadelphia’s federal courthouse has been flooded with lawsuits filed by undocumented immigrants challenging the government’s attempts to detain them, as the Trump administration’s mandatory‑detention policy applies to nearly all undocumented immigrants encountered by authorities. The Eastern District logged 168 filings in the first six weeks of 2026, compared with 115 in all of last year. Judges have rejected the government’s position in nearly every case, even as federal attorneys appeal in an effort to create a path to the Supreme Court. Attorneys say the policy has driven the national detention population to nearly 70,000 and forced long‑term residents into custody with no chance for bond.
Vote That Jawn works to boost youth voter turnout by amplifying student voices through writing, poetry, and art. Founded in 2018 by author Lorene Cary and student leaders, the organization trains young people to create civic‑minded content, engage their peers in the political process, and build a community that sparks a “ripple effect” of engagement ahead of local and national elections. Programs include workshops, arts‑based voter‑education projects, and the annual Erinda Shendo Memorial Prizes honoring young writers speaking out on issues that matter to them.
City Commissioners Chair Omar Sabir launched a school tour on Feb. 19 to encourage youth voting, beginning the effort at the Philadelphia Theatre Company, emphasizing Pennsylvania’s role as a key swing state and urging vigilance about protecting democracy.
Beginning Monday, March 2, SEPTA will start deploying AI-cameras on 30 trolleys to identify and ticket drivers who block trolley lanes and stops. The Philadelphia Parking Authority will issue warnings through March before $51 fines begin April 1. The expansion builds on a similar system already used on more than 150 buses, which SEPTA says has improved speeds and reduced illegal parking along key routes. The cameras, installed by Hayden AI and authorized under 2023 City Council legislation, automatically detect obstructing vehicles and transmit license plate information to the PPA.
Philadelphia has opened the new Philly Pride Visitor Center at 1130 Locust Street, one of the nation’s few LGBTQ+ dedicated visitor centers and the first of its kind in Pennsylvania. The center offers itinerary planning, attraction ticketing, and travel information with a focus on LGBTQ+ affirming destinations, along with souvenirs from LGBTQ+ owned businesses. Governor Josh Shapiro, City Councilmembers Rue Landau and Mark Squilla, and advocate Mark Segal joined tourism leaders for the ribbon‑cutting, describing the center as both a practical resource and a visible statement of inclusion.
At a virtual forum for the Democratic primary in Philadelphia’s 3rd Congressional District, candidates used a round of direct questioning to highlight differences in their records and approaches. Dr. Ala Stanford asked State Sen. Sharif Street to cite specific accomplishments for constituents, while Street questioned State Rep. Chris Rabb on his stance on hate‑crime legislation. State Rep. Morgan Cephas, in turn, questioned Stanford about government contracts tied to her pandemic‑era work. The exchanges exposed substantive disagreements in a race where candidates otherwise share similar policy positions.
Senator Dave McCormick cited Chester County’s November poll book error while advocating for national voter‑ID and proof‑of‑citizenship requirements, as a part of the GOP-backed SAVE Act, but county officials say his account of the incident was inaccurate. The county mistakenly omitted more than 70,000 third‑party and unaffiliated voters from Election Day poll books, forcing thousands to cast provisional ballots. However, investigators found no evidence that voters were turned away or that ineligible voters cast ballots. Officials attributed the issue to human error and insufficient oversight, and critics note that the SAVE Act would not have prevented the mistake. The proposal faces opposition from Democrats, including Governor Shapiro, who argue it would unnecessarily burden eligible voters and nationalize election administration.
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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.
February 26, 2026
February 26, 2026
February 25, 2026
