Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced the addition of Bentley Graves as principal in its Minneapolis office.
Pennsylvania legislators are returning to Harrisburg with a legislative “wish list” including transit funding, education reform, and the regulation of skill games, despite a tightening fiscal outlook. The Independent Fiscal Office projects a current $3 billion deficit that could grow to $7.5 billion by 2030. Republican priorities center on streamlining human services spending and regulating “skill games,” while Democrats are focused on increasing transit and education funding and protecting safety-net programs like SNAP. However, a major snowstorm has already delayed the state House and Senate’s first voting session of the year. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has more.
State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, the GOP-endorsed candidate for governor, reported raising $1.5 million between August and December, a figure that trails significantly behind incumbent Governor Josh Shapiro’s $30 million war chest. While Garrity’s campaign highlights that 97% of her donations come from Pennsylvania residents, Republican insiders suggest she must attract more national investment to remain competitive. The race is being viewed by some as a pivotal moment for control of the state’s political future as Shapiro continues to build a national profile. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.
Governor Josh Shapiro and a cohort of Pennsylvania legislators have issued sharp condemnations of federal immigration authorities following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. State Representative Arvind Venkat (D-30-Allegheny) voiced support for a new House resolution introduced by Representative Tarik Khan (D-194-Philadelphia) urging Congress to withhold federal funding from the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement until significant accountability and safety reforms are implemented. Democratic leaders labeled the incident a “clear abuse of power,” while Pennsylvania U.S. Representatives, including Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), have condemned the rhetoric and violence surrounding the death. WHYY has more.
Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly have begun formalizing their intentions for the 2026 election cycle. The ongoing list continues to grow as members announce reelection and retirement plans. These announcements begin to shape the electoral map as both parties prepare for a high stakes cycle that will determine the balance of power in Harrisburg. View the ongoing list at PoliticsPA here.
The City of Philadelphia filed a federal lawsuit against Interior Secretary Doug Burgum following the removal of historical displays at the President’s House at Independence Mall. National Park Service workers dismantled exhibits memorializing the nine enslaved individuals who worked for George Washington, citing a 2025 executive order intended to “restore truth and sanity” to national landmarks. City officials, including City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, Mayor Cherelle Parker, and Governor Josh Shapiro, condemned the move as an attempt to “whitewash” history and argued the removal violates a 2006 agreement requiring city approval for site changes. City & State Pennsylvania has more.
Demonstrators gathered in freezing temperatures on Pittsburgh’s South Side on Saturday to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The rally, held near the local ICE field office, highlighted growing local concerns over a surge in detentions, which data shows have tripled in the region over the past year. Attendees emphasized a commitment to community protection and called for an end to what they described as “ICE terror” in response to recent federal enforcement tactics. WESA has more.
30 days into the Mamdani administration, New York City finds itself blanketed in snow and ice as early signals from City Hall begin to take shape. The New York Public Strategies team examines key appointments, executive actions, and evolving relationships with Washington, while previewing the state and federal races to watch ahead of 2026. Featuring Public Strategies’ Mark Alderman (DC), Jamie Ansorge (NY), and Rose Christ (NY). Click here to listen.
Beth Brennan, a senior principal with Cozen O’ Connor Public Strategies’ Pennsylvania practice, has been named to City & State Pennsylvania’s 2026 Who’s Who in Government Relations list. A leading voice in Harrisburg, Beth represents nonprofits, educational institutions, professional associations, and corporations on high-stakes state and local matters. View the full list here.
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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.
February 10, 2026
February 9, 2026
February 9, 2026
