Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, January 9, 2023

January 10, 2023

Pennsylvania

Most Recent Winter Storm Impacted Pennsylvania Gas, Electric Providers 

Extreme cold temperatures over the winter holidays took a toll on Pennsylvania’s gas producers and electric power grid. While Valley Forge-based PJM is still currently analyzing what happened during the storm, there are several key areas for improvement to be gleaned from the most recent system issues. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has more.

How House Speaker Rozzi’s Voting Record Can Reveal What His Independent Speakership May Look Like

There is little consensus on what new Pennsylvania State House Speaker Mark Rozzi’s switch to Independent status means in terms of how he will preside over the chamber. However, his previous voting record — particularly during split votes where the Democratic and Republican leaders voted against one another — can be used to illuminate how he may choose to lead. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

State Representative Gregory Pens Letter Asking Speaker Rozzi to Resign Over Political Affiliation

After nominating his colleague to the state House speakership, Republican Representative Jim Gregory is now asking Speaker Mark Rozzi to resign immediately via a strongly worded letter. The letter is in response to a conversation that occurred between the two over the weekend, during which Representative Gregory claims Speaker Rozzi contradicted his previous commitment to officially change his political affiliation from Democrat to Independent. PennLive has more.

 

Philadelphia

PHA to Begin Accepting New Housing Choice Voucher Applications

The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) has announced that for the first time in a decade it has cleared its waitlist, allowing it to accept new applications for its Housing Choice Voucher Program for a two-week period from January 23 at 6 a.m. to February 5 at 5:59 p.m. WHYY has more.

Mayoral Candidates Begin Airing Television Ads Ahead of May Primary

Last week, former Councilmember Allan Domb began airing his first television ads, which emphasize public safety as a top campaign priority. He is the second candidate in the race to do so, as grocery magnate Jeff Brown began airing ads in December. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

 

Pittsburgh

Regional Entrepreneur Joe Hardy Passes Away on 100th Birthday

On Saturday, 84 Lumber, Hardy World, and Fayette County’s Nemacolin Woodlands Resort founder Joseph A. Hardy III passed away on his 100th birthday. Hardy served as vice chairman of the Fayette County Board of Commissioners from 2004 to 2007, and on the University of Pittsburgh board of trustees since 1989. He also established an entrepreneurship program at Washington & Jefferson College. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has more.

 

Federal

Beltway Briefing: Historic Drama in the House of Representatives

On a somber two-year anniversary of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, Towner French, and Kaitlyn Martin discuss the stalemate not seen on the House floor since 1923 that laid bare the divisions among House Republicans and tested McCarthy’s and the new GOP majority’s ability to effectively govern in the 118th Congress. Listen to the latest episode here. (Note to listeners: this episode was recorded at 9 a.m. on Friday, after the House had just finished its 11th Speaker vote.)

As Representative McCarthy Ascends to the House Speakership, A Closer Look at How the Holdouts Were Finally Won Over

The path to the 15th and final ballot that finally made California Representative Kevin McCarthy Speaker of the House was certainly rocky, and each failed ballot played out in an even more dramatic fashion than the one before. Now that the dust has begun to settle, we have a clearer picture of what exactly transpired among the movers, shakers, and holdouts in the waning Friday hours. Politico has more

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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