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.
July 14, 2022
Giraffe Encounter, the Philadelphia Zoo’s newest exhibit that opened last Thursday, allows the public to get up close and personal with its three resident giraffes. For an additional $6, or $5 for members, guests are able to feed the giraffes acacia browse, the same plant the long-necked animals eat in the wild.
Last week, Mayor Jim Kenney signed a bill that is set to significantly lower many Philadelphians’ tax bills. The city’s Homestead Exemption will allow enrollees to have $80,000 deducted from the value of their residential property — nearly doubling the previous exemption value. The law is designed to ameliorate financial tax burden among Philadelphia homeowners, and is expected to be followed by further related measures.
A new encampment protesting University City Townhomes was set up on Market Street between 39th and 40th Streets in West Philadelphia over the weekend. The action comes a year after the news that the property owner would not be renewing its contract with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which subsidizes 70 units in the complex. According to Save the UC Townhomes Coalition organizers, 68 families are expected to be displaced when the contract expires in early September. The encampment is currently ongoing.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a considerable toll on the entire city, its effect on the once bustling “commercial core” in Center City has been quite noticeable. But according to a promising new report put out by the Center City District last week, shoppers and diners have been returning to Center City in droves — nearly to pre-pandemic numbers. The increased foot traffic is attributable in large part to suburban visitors, tourists, college students, and roughly half of the Center City office workforce.
Last week, in the wake of the July 4 Parkway shooting and in light of a rise in gun violence, City Council President Darrell Clarke advocated for (at the very least) discussion of controversial stop-and-frisk policies. While stop-and-frisk has never officially ended in Philadelphia, stops have decreased dramatically in recent years, and policies to lessen what some deem to be “unnecessary” police interactions have gained traction. Mayor Jim Kenney has stated that he is not interested in bringing the policy back.
A new Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) fund will now pay to replace the broken hot water heaters of approximately 65 low-income Philadelphia families. Currently, the ECA operates a program to repair or replace broken heaters that are reported through their hotline, but cannot use its funding to do the same for broken water heaters. The new fund has been kick-started by a $150,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, as well as funding from the W.W. Smith Charitable Trust and the Green Family Foundation.
The COVID-19 pandemic motivated many suburban towns — such as Phoenixville, West Chester, and Media — to block off their streets on weekends to accommodate socially distanced outdoor dining and events. Some business owners are now advocating for these weekend street closures to remain, citing the policy’s ability to increase foot traffic and business to downtown areas.
Managing Director
Government Relations Associate
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.
April 25, 2024
April 25, 2024
April 24, 2024
