Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, July 22, 2024

July 22, 2024

Pennsylvania

PA Attorney General Race Heats Up

Democrat Eugene DePasquale and Republican David Sunday will face off this November for Pennsylvania’s most prominent legal office. DePasquale, a Pittsburgh native and Pennsylvania’s former auditor general, vows to combat violent crime while hoping to also expand the attorney general’s jurisdictions into environmental and consumer protection. Sunday, who has served as York County’s district attorney since 2018, says he will focus on mitigating fentanyl use and gang violence, while also optimizing mental health resources and senior protections. City & State Pennsylvania has more.

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State House GOP Leader Demands Investigation into Trump Assassination Attempt

State House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) proposed a legislative committee to probe the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Rep. Cutler asserted that the committee’s purpose is to provide state and local law enforcement a congressional platform to identify what went wrong at the Butler rally. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

PA’s New Right-to-Counsel Program

Pennsylvania’s new budget includes funds for a right-to-counsel program, which will provide free legal representation to low-income tenants facing any number of rent-related issues, including eviction. The program will be made available to families earning up to 125% of the national poverty line. WHYY has more.

PA Heat Advisories Are Indeed Higher than Normal

The National Weather Service has issued 18 heat advisories in Pennsylvania, since June 1 — 13 above the average set over the past two decades. Experts point to climate change as the leading cause, as a new study from Climate Central estimates some urban areas could feel up to 13 degrees hotter due to pavement’s high rate of heat absorption. StateImpact Pennsylvania has more.

 

Philadelphia

Yearly Retail Theft Arrests Almost Tripled Amid Policy Uncertainty

Philadelphia law enforcement and District Attorney Larry Krasner have reversed a controversial policy that had set guidelines for detaining retail theft offenders. However, such arrests are at an all-time high since 2017, outpacing the combined total from 2021 and 2022. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Mayor Parker’s Return-to-Work Policy Unpopular Among Municipal Staff

Municipal employees claim that when Mayor Cherelle Parker’s return-to-office mandate took effect, it revealed a scarcity of resources and adequate workspace. Reports suggest that 26,000 workers were met with chaos and a lack of space for them to fulfill their daily responsibilities. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

 

Pittsburgh

Revamp Proposals for Pittsburgh Public Schools to be Revealed in August

Seeking changes to combat enrollment concerns and antiquated facilities, Pittsburgh Public Schools will consider several proposals on footprint changes. Parent feedback sessions will commence sometime in August. WESA has more.

Pittsburgh Casino Workers Advocate for Smoking Ban in PA Casinos

Casino workers in Pittsburgh implored state lawmakers to pass legislation banning cigarette smoke in Pennsylvania casinos. State Representative Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) is the lead sponsor of legislation that would terminate casinos’ exemption from the 2008 public smoking ban. WESA has more.

Allegheny County Attempts to Avoid Potential Property Reassessment Spurred by Lawsuit

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato requested that a judge throw-out a lawsuit fouled by Pittsburgh Public Schools that could generate a county-wide property reassessment. The school system claims that it endured financial hardship at the hands of tumbling property values, while County Executive Innamorato asserts that the school district lacks the standing to file such a claim. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has more.

 

Federal

Gov. Shapiro a Prime Contender for Harris’ VP Pick

In the wake of President Biden’s Sunday announcement to withdraw his candidacy from the 2024 Presidential Election’s Democratic Nomination, Vice President Kamala Harris emerged as the presumptive Democratic nominee. With Harris’ running mate unknown, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro looms as a top pick. Regardless, experts expect Biden’s endorsement of Harris to shake-up Pennsylvania election predictions. WITF has more.

The Last Biden v. Trump Edition of the Beltway Briefing

This RNC is being hailed as one of the best stage-managed conventions ever. All eyes now shift to see who comes out of Chicago as the Democratic nominee. One thing is certain, this will not be a normal August. Listen to the latest episode featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Towner French here. Note: this episode was recorded before President Biden announced his departure from the 2024 presidential race. 

U.S. Labor Dept. Unable to Locate Dollars from Wage Theft Cases for Thousands of PA Workers

The U.S. Labor Department owes more than 9,000 low-wage employees from 260 different Pennsylvania companies more than $18 million in back wages. The federal agency says it cannot locate funds from the roughly three years of wage theft settlements. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

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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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