Broad Street Brief: Philadelphia Needs Teachers

July 25, 2024

City Hall

City Leaders Gather to Decry Violence in Wake of West Philadelphia Mass Shooting

A mass shooting in West Philadelphia claimed the lives of three and injured an additional six, prompting Philadelphia leadership to convene in the neighborhood and condemn violence across the city. The City has rolled out social and counseling services for those affected by the shooting.

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City Employees, Council Members Take Issue with Mayor Parker’s Return-to-Office Policy

Many municipal workers, who are once again reporting to work in-person, have expressed discontent with Mayor Cherelle Parker’s return-to-office mandate, citing dirty and crowded working conditions. The policy has also generated concern among some members of City Council, including Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (District 7), who highlights that facilities are in dire disrepair.

Election Update

VP Harris Earns Support from Prominent Philadelphians

Prominent Philadelphia Democrats — including Mayor Parker, state House Speaker Joanna McClinton, and longtime Philadelphia Democratic Party Chair and former Congressman Bob Brady — quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris’ nomination for president. Notable Philadelphians Questlove and Sheryl Lee Ralph also voiced their “unequivocal support” for Harris. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has emerged as a top contender to join the ticket as vice presidential candidate.

Around Town

Penn, CHOP Recognized in U.S. News & World Report Hospital Rankings

Awarded the Philadelphia region’s top honors and recognized as the nation’s twentieth best hospital, the University of Pennsylvania hospital system became the only Philadelphia-area hospital to appear on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-24 honor roll. CHOP made headlines too, earning the designation as the nation’s 4th best pediatric hospital.

Philadelphia Public Schools in Dire Need of Teaching Staff

While refusing to provide a specific number of staff vacancies, the School District of Philadelphia announced that it still needs to fill hundreds of faculty and staff positions before the start of the 2024-25 school year. With the first day of school on August 26, current assumptions project that the school district still must fill at least 500 teaching positions.

Suburban Spotlight

Montgomery County Dishes Out $18M for New Behavioral Health Crisis Center

Montgomery County intends to invest $18 million in an emergency behavioral health crisis center that is set to open in fall 2025. Combatting the national mental health crisis at home, Montgomery County chose venture-capital-backed Connections Health Solutions LLC from Arizona to operate the new 24/7 mental health emergency department.

Harris Supporters Surge Wilmington for Campaign Visit

Immediately following President Joe Biden’s decision to leave the presidential race, Vice President Harris traveled to the president’s hometown to meet with senior campaign staff. Proponents congregated in Wilmington, voicing their support for the new presumptive Democratic nominee.

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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.

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