Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, July 6, 2026

Pennsylvania

Shapiro Administration Forms Group to Reduce Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions

The Shapiro administration announced the creation of an inter-agency working group comprising eleven state agencies to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions, improving driver safety, and reconnecting fragmented natural habitats. Co-led by the Department of Transportation and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the initiative follows a legislative study prompted by HR87 to study the issue of wildlife corridor connectivity. Supported by an $840,000 federal grant funded through the Biden-era Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, the new panel will establish data-driven benchmarks to prioritize long-term capital investments, evaluate ongoing infrastructure disputes, and integrate wildlife corridors directly into the state’s future transportation, forestry, and park planning.

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Philadelphia

Members of Congress Gather at Congress Hall to Celebrate the Nation’s Semiquincentennial

A bipartisan group of 37 federal lawmakers convened at Congress Hall in Philadelphia for a ceremonial meeting to mark the 250th anniversary of the Continental Congress’s historic July 2, 1776, vote for independence. Organized by Philadelphia U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle (D-PA-2), the event proceeded as an unofficial celebration after legislation to authorize a formal joint session of Congress stalled in Washington. Chaired by Pennsylvania U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15) and attended by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-8), Governor Josh Shapiro, and other regional delegation members, the ceremony featured reflections on the enduring, evolving nature of the American experiment. Lawmakers took part in a symbolic signing to commemorate the gathering, marking the first time a congressional delegation has assembled at the historic site since 1987.

Trump Administration Removes Slavery References from Independence Park Exhibits

The Trump administration altered informational plaques and interactive displays at Independence National Historical Park, removing almost all references to slavery from prominent historical descriptions ahead of the nation’s semiquincentennial. At the Second Bank of the United States, a panel accompanying a portrait of Thomas Jefferson was replaced to highlight his views on education and liberty, eliminating text that detailed his role as an enslaver and his inability to resolve the system of slavery. A digital tour kiosk at Independence Hall was also updated to reclassify a room used to hold “accused fugitives from slavery” as a space for “individuals accused of crimes of the period.” These modifications were executed under an executive order directing the National Park Service to review and remove content deemed to inappropriately disparage historical or living Americans. 

Federal

Democratic Governors Request USPS to Drop Mail-In Ballot Restrictions

A coalition of nine Democratic governors, including Governor Josh Shapiro, sent a formal joint letter requesting that the U.S. Postal Service immediately withdraw a proposed regulation linked to an executive order from President Donald Trump. The administrative rule seeks to implement a federal “citizenship list” to restrict mail-in ballot distribution to pre-verified individuals, which the governors argue would grant the federal agency unilateral power to disrupt mail delivery and disenfranchise millions of eligible voters. The state executives cited a recent federal court decision that blocked the executive order as unconstitutional, affirming that only states and Congress hold the authority to establish election guidelines. This institutional pushback aligns with separate statements from the American Postal Workers Union, which has opposed the administration’s mandate by asserting that verifying voter eligibility falls entirely outside the statutory mission of the postal workforce.

Cozen Corner

America 250: Can the American Experiment Endure?

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, we step back from the daily headlines to examine the state of the American experiment. From the 2026 midterm outlook to global conflicts, AI, and the search for political leadership, the conversation explores the forces shaping the nation’s next chapter—and whether shared experiences can help bridge the nation’s deepest divides. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer (DC), Mark Alderman (PA), and Cozen O’Connor alum Jim Schultz (PA). Click here to listen.

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