Broad Street Brief: WFP Troubles; Popcorn for the People; No Made in America

August 11, 2023

Election Update

Republicans Take Aim at City WFP Candidates

Last week, members of Philadelphia’s progressive Working Families Party (WFP) filed to run for positions on City Council on the Board of Commissioners in an attempt to block Republicans. News broke this week that the Coalition for Safety and Equitable Growth, a political organization that ran advertisements against Democrat Helen Gym during the mayoral primary, will be pivoting toward content that opposes WFP candidates in the general election this November.

Meanwhile, Jarrett Smith, the WFP candidate running for a commissioner seat, is facing a legal challenge from voters. Following his alleged failure to file the campaign’s statement of financial interests with the Philadelphia Department of Records and the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission, voters are calling for his removal from the ballot.

Around Town

Former Center City Wawa Location to Pop, Bag Popcorn for a Good Cause

This week, Wawa announced that one of its former Center City locations will be converted to a Popcorn for the People location, a business established to create career opportunities for the disabled community. Launched in partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles’ nonprofit, the Eagles Autism Foundation, the store will be staffed by those on the autism spectrum. The popcorn will be sold at Lincoln Financial Field and a percentage of the proceeds will go to the Eagles Autism Foundation.

Philadelphia Funder Collaborative to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday by Making $9 Million Available to Local Nonprofits

The new Philadelphia Funder Collaborative — a partnership between the Connelly Foundation, the William Penn Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Neubauer Family Foundation — will be offering local nonprofits a total of $9 million in funding to help celebrate the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial in 2026.

Vice President Kamala Harris Visits Philadelphia I-95 Construction Site

Vice President Kamala Harris visited the construction site of a new ramp, connecting I-95 and the Betsy Ross Bridge on Tuesday, making her the latest member of the Biden administration to tout their infrastructure investments. Many of the workers at the site were also responsible for the 12-day rebuild of the Northeast Philadelphia section of I-95 that collapsed in June.

2023 Made in America Music Festival Canceled

The Made in America music festival, which takes place each Labor Day weekend on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, announced yesterday that this year’s event has been canceled due to “severe circumstances outside of production control.” Lizzo and SZA were the scheduled headliners.

Authors

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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