Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Pennsylvania

Gov. Shapiro Urges Compromise as Budget Talks Stall

Governor Josh Shapiro (D) says progress is slow but ongoing in Pennsylvania’s overdue budget negotiations, with mass transit funding and school choice among key sticking points. Lawmakers from both parties acknowledge deep divisions but stress the importance of compromise to avoid service cuts and minimize the impact of delayed payments. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more. 

Minimum Wage Debate Rekindled in PA After Years of Stalemate

Efforts to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage have repeatedly stalled over the past two decades, but recent proposals from both parties—including a phased increase to $11 by 2028 and a regional tiered system—signal renewed momentum in Harrisburg. City & State Pennsylvania has more.

PA House to Consider AI Safeguards in Health Care

A bipartisan group in the state House plans to introduce legislation to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care, aiming to ensure transparency and preserve human decision-making in patient care. While advocates tout AI’s efficiency, lawmakers warn of risks to privacy, bias, and the doctor-patient relationship without clear guardrails. WESA has more.

PA Bill Would Allow Online Alcohol Delivery

State Senator Tracy Pennycuick (R-Berks/Montgomery) is proposing legislation to permit online delivery of wine and ready-to-drink beverages in Pennsylvania, aiming to modernize alcohol sales while ensuring safety through licensing and ID verification. PennLive has more.

PA Lawmakers Propose Statewide School Phone Ban

A bipartisan group in the state Senate is drafting legislation to prohibit student phone use during the school day, citing mental health concerns and academic distractions, with exceptions for medical and educational needs. WHTM has more.

Wind Farm Upgrade Targets AI Energy Demand

Exus Renewables plans to boost output at Twin Ridges wind farm in Somerset County by 30%, driven by rising energy needs from AI data centers and supported by $158 million in new financing. Axios Pittsburgh has more.

Philadelphia

Philly Moves to Condemn Railway for Elevated Park Project

The City of Philadelphia is seeking to condemn an unused railway viaduct to advance its $110 million Viaduct Greenway project, which would transform the overgrown structure into an elevated public park with walking and biking paths connecting to The Rail Park, pending a federal ruling on whether the site is officially abandoned. Axios Philadelphia has more.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Officials Clash Over Garbage Delays, Truck Repairs

Pittsburgh officials are blaming each other for recent trash pickup delays, citing unpaid repair bills, aging trucks, and poor communication with the city’s fleet contractor. WESA has more.

Pittsburgh Nonprofit Cancels $58M in Medical Debt for 43,000 Residents

Using pandemic relief funds and a partnership with Undue Medical Debt, Pittsburgh automatically erased medical bills for thousands of low-income residents, aiming to reduce financial stress and improve access to care. WESA has more.

Federal

Senate Housing Bill Adopts PA’s Whole-Home Repairs Model

The bipartisan Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act bill includes a national pilot of Pennsylvania’s Whole-Home Repairs program, championed by U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), to help low-income homeowners and small landlords fix aging properties as part of a broader push to address the housing crisis. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Gov. Shapiro Sues to Restore Planned Parenthood Medicaid Funds

Gov. Shapiro joined 21 states and D.C. in suing the Trump administration over a federal provision that blocks Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood, arguing it unfairly targets reproductive health advocacy and threatens care access for thousands of Pennsylvanians. WESA has more.

PA Pauses SNAP Data Sharing Over Privacy Concerns

Pennsylvania is temporarily withholding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipient data from the federal government due to privacy and security concerns, risking over $365 million in monthly aid. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s directive has sparked legal challenges in other states, while Pennsylvania officials cite operational and legal uncertainties. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

NIH Cuts Strip $100M+ from PA Economy, Researcher Finds

Canceled National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants have reportedly cost Pennsylvania more than $100 million and hundreds of jobs, with ripple effects across local economies and research institutions. A Penn neuroscientist’s map shows widespread losses. WHYY has more.

Insurers in PA Seek 19% ACA Rate Hike for 2026

Health insurers on Pennsylvania’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace are requesting an average 19% increase for individual plans, the largest in a decade, citing rising medical costs and the end of enhanced tax credits. The state insurance department will review the proposals, which could impact affordability for up to 150,000 residents. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

PA’s GOP Incumbents Lead Early Fundraising Ahead of 2026 Midterms

Republican congressional incumbents in Pennsylvania are significantly outpacing Democrats in early campaign fundraising, especially in four key districts targeted by Democrats. Analysts say the GOP is mobilizing to defend vulnerable seats, with spending expected to surge after next spring’s primaries. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has more.

Cozen Corner

Beltway Briefing: In-Conversation with RealClearMarkets Editor John Tamny

RealClearMarkets editor John Tamny joins host Howard Schweitzer to share his counter-conventional thinking on today’s most pressing economic debates. From fiscal policy to the national debt, Tamny challenges widely held assumptions and urges business and political leaders to think differently. Listen to the latest episode featuring Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ CEO Howard Schweitzer and RealClearMarkets’ John Tamny here.

The State AG Report: An Early Peek At the 2026 State AG Elections

With 30+ states across the nation set to elect or re-elect their chief legal officer, 2026 is set to be a bumper year for state attorney general elections. And with AGs weighing in on everything from tariffs to taxes to immigration, businesses need to pay attention. Listen to the latest episode on the power of incumbency and other determining factors in next year’s influential state AG elections, featuring Chris Allen and Chuck Slemp, here.

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.

Explore Articles and News

See All News