Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, April 27, 2026

Cozen Corner

City & State PA Names Mark Alderman, Joe Hill, Jim Davis to Power 100

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies Chairman Mark Alderman, Philadelphia Managing Director Joe Hill, and Executive Vice President & Pennsylvania State Director Jim Davis were recognized among City & State Pennsylvania’s 2026 Power 100 list for their strategic insight, deep connections, and influence across Pennsylvania’s political and legislative landscape.

The Road to 2028 Starts Now

With 36 gubernatorial seats up for grabs, the 2026 elections will shape policy outcomes and political momentum heading into 2028. Key battlegrounds like Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Kansas highlight how issues such as affordability, energy costs, and economic conditions are likely to drive voter behavior. National dynamics—from presidential politics to tensions in the Middle East—add another layer of influence, underscoring the growing importance of governors in voters’ everyday lives. Featuring Public Strategies’ Pat Carey (IL), John Dunn (IL), and Julia Hammond (VA). Click here to listen.

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Pennsylvania

Treasurer Garrity Blocks Payment for Security Upgrades at Governor’s Private Home

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced that her agency will not authorize over $1 million in payments for security upgrades at Governor Josh Shapiro’s private residence in Montgomery County. Treasurer and the assumed GOP gubernatorial nominee Stacy Garrity stated that an exhaustive review found no legal authority under state procurement rules to use taxpayer funds for improvements on non-state-owned property. The upgrades, which included a new security system and exterior landscaping, were recommended by State Police following a 2023 arson attack and attempted murder at the state-owned governor’s mansion in Harrisburg. While the Shapiro administration condemned the move as a “shameful political action” by a likely 2026 electoral opponent, Treasurer Garrity maintained the decision was a neutral application of fiscal requirements. The administration may still seek a settlement through the Attorney General’s office or request legislative authorization in the upcoming budget.

Governor Shapiro Targets Legislative Control in PA Midterm Races

Governor Josh Shapiro is intensifying efforts to consolidate Democratic power in Pennsylvania, aiming to secure the state’s first legislative “trifecta” in decades. Ahead of the 2026 midterms, Shapiro has invested over $900,000 into the state party and is actively endorsing candidates in competitive congressional primaries, including Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti in Congressional District 8, union leader Bob Brooks in Congressional District 7, and former news anchor Janelle Stelson in Congressional District 10. While Republican Treasurer and gubernatorial challenger Stacy Garrity characterizes these moves as a bid to burnish White House credentials for 2028, Governor Shapiro maintains his focus is on ending “chaos” and passing stalled legislation regarding the minimum wage and LGBT protections. National strategists view the election as a critical test of Governor Shapiro’s ability to deliver a swing state, an achievement that would strengthen his standing with national donors and party activists.

Pittsburgh

NFL Draft Week Concludes

Pittsburgh leaders and business owners are reporting a significant financial surge following the 2026 NFL Draft from April 23-25. State Representative Dan Frankel (D-23) described the three day event as an extraordinary opportunity to showcase the city to potential investors. Crowds estimated between 500,000 and 700,000 visitors filled downtown streets and the North Shore. This economic boost follows a nearly $19 million public investment from local and state government and Visit Pittsburgh. The Commonwealth provided $12.8 million through the Shapiro administration while Allegheny County and the city contributed the remaining balance. However, other sources report that many Pittsburgh small businesses lost customers during Draft due to logistical barriers, decreased regular foot traffic, and crowds remaining concentrated within the official NFL footprint. Pittsburgh cleanup crews and PennDOT have already begun reopening major bridges and dismantling the North Shore staging areas, following a three-day event that saw 20 arrests and over 200 EMS calls amid the transition back to normal city operations.

Federal

PA Leaders Condemn White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting

Politicians from Pennsylvania expressed relief and gratitude toward the Secret Service after an assassination attempt against President Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Governor Josh Shapiro and Treasurer Stacy Garrity both emphasized that political violence has no place in American discourse. U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), who attended the event, suggested the incident underscored the need to complete the controversial $400 million White House ballroom project to ensure more secure venues for presidential appearances. U.S. Representative Dwight Evans (D-PA-3) argued that while political violence is wrong, the shooting should not be used as a justification for “unnecessary” construction.

Representative Fitzpatrick Praises Governor Shapiro and Senator Fetterman

U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1) praised Governor Josh Shapiro as a “smart” and “good man,” predicting the governor will win reelection and encouraging a potential 2028 presidential run. Representative Fitzpatrick also defended U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) as a “good, effective senator” while expressing disdain for strict partisanship and the state’s closed primary system. While these comments highlight Fitzpatrick’s bipartisan approach in the purple 1st Congressional District, Democratic challengers dismissed the remarks as a campaign tactic to appeal to swing voters ahead of a difficult election cycle for Republicans. Governor Shapiro is expected to endorse Representative Fitzpatrick’s opponent, Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie.

Trump Administration Reclassifies Medical Marijuana as Schedule III Drug

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, moving the substance out of the same federal category as heroin. While the shift does not legalize marijuana at the federal level, it officially recognizes the drug’s medical utility and allows state-licensed operators to deduct business expenses on federal taxes for the first time. The administration also initiated a broader review process and set a public hearing for late June to discuss wider reclassification efforts. 

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