WASHINGTON, September 28, 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 Alex Calabro as principal in its Washington, D.C., office.
Mayor Parker marked her 1,000th day in office by announcing the second phase of a $21.7 million renovation for the McPherson Square Library and park in Kensington. Parker said quality of life is improving in the neighborhood, while noting that more work remains to be done. Funding for the project includes $1 million from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, $800,000 from the state’s Local Share Account, and $1.85 million from two federal Economic Development Initiative Community Project Funding grants. The Mattleman Family Foundation and the William Penn Foundation are also providing funds for the space.
Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke convened a committee hearing to review “Affordable Philly Now,” a 40-page cost of living report compiled by a task force over the past year. Testifying stakeholders highlighted regional inflation alongside new federal work requirements that contributed to a 59,000-person drop in local SNAP enrollment over the past year. The report outlines several municipal policy proposals, including locally funded SNAP and Medicaid supplements, municipal grocery stores, a summer air conditioning subsidy for low-income households, and a ballot initiative to establish a dedicated Transit Access Fund to finance SEPTA passes for low-income residents.
City Council’s Special Committee on Early Childhood Development met at City Hall to discuss rising childcare costs and low wages for workers. Convened by Council President Kenyatta Johnson alongside Councilmembers Katherine Gilmore-Richardson, Anthony Phillips, Nina Ahmad, and Kendra Brooks, the hearing highlighted that some local daycare centers continue to pay workers the $7.25 per hour minimum wage. Early childhood educators and advocates called for provider representation in municipal decision-making and recommended structural funding adjustments, including compensating workers for full daily shifts and shifting daycare funding models from daily attendance to total facility capacity.
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel defended the department’s use of automatic license plate readers (ALPR) following a unanimous City Council resolution urging state lawmakers to ban or strictly regulate systems like Flock cameras. Bethel cited ALPR technology as a key crime-fighting tool that enables officers to locate stolen vehicles and track automobiles associated with shootings across the city. Responding to Council concerns regarding potential privacy violations and misuse, Bethel stated that the department maintains internal auditing procedures and access controls to ensure the technology is restricted to legitimate criminal investigations.
Philadelphia leaders unveiled the city’s first mobile methadone program, operated by Merakey at the Kensington Wellness Support Center, to expand access to low-barrier treatment for opioid use disorder. The mobile unit allows walk-up patients to complete health evaluations, addiction consultations, and receive initial doses of liquid methadone in under an hour before connecting to outpatient care, housing, and social services. Having served over 500 individuals during its early phase, Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Latika Davis-Jones highlighted the unit as a key step in reducing statewide barriers to addiction treatment.
The School District and the Philadelphia Police Department are expanding the Handle With Care program citywide beginning October 5, following an initial launch in the 22nd Police District that supported about 70 students. Funded by a $1 million grant from the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance and a $200,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the program enables police officers to send a notification containing only the phrase “Handle With Care” to school officials when a child encounters a traumatic incident outside of school. Officials noted that training has been completed for 15,000 school staff members and 3,000 police officers ahead of the citywide expansion.
200 people gathered outside the Academy of Natural Sciences on September 27th for a candlelight vigil and march to City Hall to protest the museum’s closure. Organizers from Save The Academy, along with Philadelphia City Councilmembers Jeffery Young Jr. and Nina Ahmad, called for an investigation into Drexel University and the Academy’s finances following the site’s abrupt closure announcement. The rally comes as City Council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing hearings and subpoenas into the closure, and after the William Penn Foundation offered funding to keep the public museum open for at least a year.
Lawyer Jalon Alexander has formed an exploratory committee to evaluate a potential run in the 2027 Democratic primary for Philadelphia’s 5th District City Council seat, currently held by Councilmember Jeffery “Jay” Young Jr., highlighting community development, public space investments, and technological job training as central points of interest for his potential platform while Young defended his record in office by noting his team’s focus on constituent services, community accessibility, and resolving neighborhood concerns. Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. hosted a campaign fundraiser alongside Mayor Parker to prepare for a sixth term representing the 4th District, stating his intention to seek reelection and complete a full four-year term through 2031 despite discussions among political allies suggesting he consider stepping aside for State Representative Morgan Cephas, with other potential Democratic primary candidates exploring interest in the 4th District seat including criminal justice reform advocate Celeste Trusty, advocate Leigh Owens, and developer Ryan Spak.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer met at Sam’s Morning Glory Diner in South Philadelphia to speak with Democratic volunteers and patrons ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Shapiro, who is seeking reelection this November against Republican candidate Stacy Garrity, focused his remarks on voter mobilization. He also addressed state coordination regarding election security. Whitmer praised Shapiro’s leadership, emphasizing the role of governors in protecting rights and lowering costs, while both governors highlighted their ongoing political partnership despite speculation surrounding potential 2028 presidential primary campaigns.
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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.
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