Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Pennsylvania

PA NIOSH Employees Uncertain About Their Future 

The United States Supreme Court handed the Trump Administration a victory, allowing the President to conduct mass firings at federal agencies. Now, Pittsburgh-area employees at the region’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) office remain uncertain about their employment. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

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New PA Warehousing Fee Could Drive Up Wine and Spirits Prices

A group of wine and spirits producers aired concerns that a new fee approved by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board could cost them millions, causing consumer prices to also skyrocket. The criticism comes as a spokesperson for the Board assured skeptics that if the fee gets passed onto consumers, it will be insignificant. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Famed Lehigh Valley Radio Station Threatened by Federal Cuts

WDIY, stationed in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania could see its radio waves go silent as it faces a $111,000 cut in federal funds. The bare-bones radio station, run by more than 130 volunteers, reaches almost one million Pennsylvanians in the Lehigh Valley. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

PA Lawmakers to Propose a Bill Banning Face Coverings for Law Enforcement Officers

A group of Pennsylvania legislators in the state’s House of Representatives will propose a measure that, if passed, will prevent law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings to hide their identities. The move comes as Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have been under increased scrutiny for conducting mass arrests without identification, often using facial coverings to mask their faces. WESA has more.

PA Republicans Holding Out on Roadway Improvements 

As state budget negotiations stall into their fourth week past the June 30th deadline, transit funding remains a significant sticking point. Republicans have indicated that they will not greenlight funds for trains, buses, and trolleys if they do not receive capital for their priorities: bridges and roadways. WESA has more. 

Philadelphia

GOP State Senator Reveals Plan to Improve SEPTA

PA Sen. Joe Picozzi (R-Philadelphia) and two of his suburban counterparts proposed a new system geared to streamline SEPTA’s operations by eliminating some of the restrictive accountability measures currently in place. With no additional funding attached to the bill, Picozzi says he hopes his plan will enhance SEPTA’s operations and pacify the state GOP’s hesitation to increase funding for the transit agency. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Philly’s Final Weekend of July Rocked by Violence

Beginning on Friday, Philadelphia endured eight shootings which resulted in two casualties and an additional 13 injuries. A mother and her seven-year-old child were among the injured. The violent weekend came on the heels of a quadruple shooting at a North Philadelphia graduation party, which left four critically injured. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

AI Establishes Foundation in Philadelphia Job Market

A new report by Brookings estimates that more than 10,000 Philadelphia-area job listings required AI dependability last year. The Washington-based research nonprofit ranked Philadelphia 14 among the nation’s 195 metros in AI adoption, making the City of Brotherly Love one of the top in the country. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

UPenn Files Suit Against Insulin Makers Over Pricing Scheme 

The University of Pennsylvania is suing the top three insulin manufacturers— Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi— alleging that they conspired with three comparably influential pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to inflate insulin prices by nearly 1,000 percent over 20 years. The PBMs listed in the lawsuit are CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and OptumRx. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Amazon Fresh Supermarket Coming Soon to Philly

In just a few weeks, Philadelphia will open its first Amazon Fresh Supermarket in Northern Liberties. After years of construction, the marketplace will join the other five Amazon Fresh locations in the region. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Pittsburgh

Health Dept. Finds West Nile Virus in Pittsburgh

The Allegheny County Health Department found that mosquitoes in 10 neighborhoods across the county are carrying West Nile Virus. On Thursday, city crews will treat each of the ten identified neighborhoods with spray trucks. WESA has more.  

Federal

President Trump to Release $1B for PA Infrastructure Improvements

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), a staunch advocate for federal infrastructure funding, announced that the Trump Administration plans to release $1 billion in grant money to Pennsylvania soon. While the Department of Transportation confirmed the revelation, it has also indicated that many projects remain under review. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more. 

Beltway Briefing: The State of the Governors in Trump’s America

Cooperation or objection— how are the 27 Republican and 23 Democratic governors reacting to and working with the Trump Administration, in a divided America? Maintaining a balance between state and federal power, and eyeing 2028 presidential race opportunities continue to reshape the relationships between governors and the President. Listen to the latest episode featuring Public Strategies’ Pat Carey and Julia Hammond, here.

State Sen. Doug Mastriano Teasing 2026 Gubernatorial Run 

State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Franklin) has taken to social media, teasing a run for governor in 2026. With a GOP endorsement anticipated to go to State Treasurer Stacy Garrity— who has yet to formally announce her candidacy— Mastriano said he will not be discouraged from putting his name in the hat to challenge Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

U.S. Dept. of Education to Release $230M in PA Education Funding 

The United States Department of Education announced that it will unfreeze the $6.8 billion in K-12 funding it had initially vowed to withhold from public schools around the country. Initially facing condemnation from Democrats and Republicans, the Trump Administration pivoted, informing schools that they will receive funds this week. Pennsylvania will receive $230 million for migrant education, English-language learning, and after school programs. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

U.S. Dept. of Education to Release $230M in PA Education Funding

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act took a Biden-era clean energy subsidy in the Inflation Reduction Act and transformed it into a tax cut for companies that mine metallurgical coal. The bill reclassifying met coal as a “critical mineral” due its use in steel production, has incurred stark criticism from environmental advocates over met coal’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. WESA 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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