Pennsylvania Perspective for Thursday, June 2, 2022

June 2, 2022

Pennsylvania’s Rural Broadband Aspirations Could Be Held Up by ‘04 Law

About $1 billion in federal funding to improve connection to broadband internet across the state may be derailed by a little-used provision in a 2004 law which gives telecommunication companies veto powers when a local government wants to provide internet services. Federal regulators have encouraged the state to waive the law via new legislation, though some worry about protracted legal battles. Spotlight PA has more .

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Could Rule That Local Governments Can Set Gun Laws

Following legal challenges to state-level gun control law preemption, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court could hear three appeals brought by cities arguing that they should have the ability to establish set at least some gun control legislation. The Commonwealth Court recently ruled against the three suits, but noted in their opinions that the state Supreme Court could reconsider. Read more from Spotlight PA.

Mastriano Stands by Comparison of Gun Control Debate to Nazi Germany

GOP nominee for Governor Doug Mastriano says he stands behind comments he made in 2018 comparing efforts for gun control to those in Nazi Germany, which limited access to firearms to Jewish people before World War II. The Inquirer has more .

Three Mile Island Transferred to New Company for Second Time in Two Years

Cleanup of the reactor involved in the 1979 accident and partial meltdown at Three Mile Island will now fall to TriArtisan ES Partners, which also owns brands such as TGI Fridays and P.F. Changs. The cleanup of the plant is estimated to take years and cost close to a billion dollars. Read more from PennLive.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia Chamber and Minority-Owned Businesses Call for “Significant ” Wage and Business Tax Cuts

Major business organizations across the city rallied together on Wednesday calling for “significant ” decreases in wage, sales, and business income taxes. Mayor Kenney has previously proposed reducing both in this year ’s budget. Read more from the Capital-Star.

Roosevelt Boulevard Ground Zero for Federal Road Safety Efforts

Roosevelt Boulevard, one of Philadelphia ’s deadliest streets in terms of car and pedestrian accidents, is getting increased focus from Washington D.C. as the federal Department of Transportation tries to put a stop to traffic fatalities nationwide. The Associated Press has more .

Plunge In Teacher Pipeline Especially Steep in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Ongoing teacher shortages across the area could become permanent, new data reveals, with the regional “teacher pipeline ” — those studying to become teachers — significantly lower the national average. The Inquirer has more .

 

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh to Launch Needle Exchange Program

A needle exchange program will soon launch in Pittsburgh, which continues to see a surge in overdose deaths, with funding from the American Rescue Plan as well as the City ’s general fund. The Post-Gazette has more .

Tree of Life Survivors and Advocates Support Biden ’s Pick to Lead ATF

Leaders in the Tree of Life Synagogue community, the site of a deadly anti-Semitic attack in 2018, say they support President Biden ’s nomination of Ohio attorney Steven Dettelbach to lead the ATF. Read more from the Post-Gazette.

Pittsburgh Airport Sees Service to London Resume

Direct flights to London operated by British Airways will resume this week and will operate year-round four days a week, the first time since the start of the pandemic that the two cities have been connected. The airport will also soon see service to Montreal, Minneapolis, and Newark. The Tribune-Review has more .

Changes to Stop-and-Frisk Require One Final Approval from Council

Rule changes around the Pittsburgh Police Stop-and-Frisk policies will require an extra vote by City Council following the introduction of a proposal that would require documentation for all stops, including ones that do not result in a search. Read more from the Post-Gazette.

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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