Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Pennsylvania

Federal Funding Uncertainties Send PA Budget Talks into Limbo

State lawmakers are struggling to agree on funding priorities in time to meet the budget deadline of June 30 as federal uncertainties in transit, education, and Medicaid complicate negotiations. Republicans say Democratic proposals would overspend, while Democrats claim that Republican plans do not offer any compromises on key issues. Spotlight PA has more.

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PA Home Preservation Program Touts Bipartisan Support

Governor Josh Shapiro (D) proposed a $50-million allocation to create a new state home improvement program, which received co-sponsorship from a bipartisan group of state lawmakers. Given high demand for the program from Pennsylvanians, lawmakers are under pressure to agree now on how to administer it. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

PennEnergy Renounces Water Permits Amid Drought Concerns

Natural gas company PennEnergy Resources requested that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection annul its permit to pump 1.5 million gallons of water from a creek in Beaver County, citing fears that low water levels might render Big Sewickley Creek an insufficient water source amid increasing drought effects from climate change. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

Federal Cuts Threaten Solar Savings for Some PA Schools

With Congress considering significant funding cuts to clean energy programs, 74 schools in the Commonwealth could suffer a reduction in expected savings. Clairton City School District, among others, took advantage of Pennsylvania’s Solar for Schools program, which offered grants funded by the Biden administration’s approved clean energy incentives. Clairton anticipated $1.5 million in savings over the next three decades fueled by the clean energy program could be at stake. WITF has more.

ChristianaCare Poised to Take Control of Crozer Health Outpatient Facilities

Delaware-based ChristianaCare has won a bankruptcy auction over Delaware County’s Crozer Health outpatient locations. The $50.3 million deal, awaiting final approval by a bankruptcy judge in Dallas, TX, will turn over facilities in Broomall, Havertown, Media, and Glen Mills, which formerly belonged to California-based Prospect Medical Holdings. CBS News Philadelphia has more.

Philadelphia

City Budget Talks Heat Up Amid President Trump’s Sanctuary City Threat

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and City Council are in the final stages of negotiating a $6.7 billion budget, with key debates centered on business and wage tax cuts, the elimination of a small business tax break, and funding for the mayor’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy (HOME) Initiative, including an $800 million bond proposal. While negotiations have been largely cooperative, President Donald Trump’s threat to cut federal funding to sanctuary cities like Philadelphia has introduced uncertainty, potentially jeopardizing critical public health and social service programs if realized.

Philadelphia Approves First New Charter School Since 2018

The Philadelphia Board of Education has approved the Early College Charter School, the City’s first new charter since 2018, citing the school’s promise to serve underserved students with early college opportunities. Chalkbeat Philadelphia has more.

Thousands Attended Sunday’s 2025 Philadelphia Pride March

This year’s pride festivities displayed a theme of “Legacy, Unity and Visibility,” through a march up Walnut Street with a 600-foot pride flag and subsequent festivities. Many attendees said that they saw the weekend’s events not merely as a means to celebrate the City’s support for LGBTQ+ rights, but as an opportunity to combat intolerance. WHYY has more.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Expands Sidewalk Repair Program to Aid Low-Income Residents

Pittsburgh is growing its sidewalk repair initiative, helping low-income property owners by subsidizing costs and handling permits. The City aims to improve pedestrian safety in high-risk areas, with plans to eventually repair all sidewalks on a 25-year cycle. WESA has more.

Federal

Philadelphia, Pittsburgh Threatened Over Sanctuary City Status

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) placed Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allegheny County on a list of sanctuary cities that are allegedly challenging “immigration law.” Although Philadelphia has not obtained formal notice from DHS, they are vigilantly monitoring communications with the agency. President Donald Trump has warned that he might withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities on the list.

President Trump Announces $14B U.S. Steel Deal During PA Rally

At a Pennsylvania rally, President Trump announced a $14 billion deal with Japan’s Nippon Steel to invest in U.S. Steel and double tariffs on foreign steel, drawing praise from supporters and concern from critics who warn that the deal’s vague terms and Nippon’s insistence on full ownership leave U.S. Steel’s future uncertain.

President Trump Signals Support for Potential Rep. Meuser Gubernatorial Run

President Trump indicated that he would support U.S. Representative Dan Meuser’s (R-PA-09) Pennsylvania gubernatorial run, should the congressman choose to enter the race. The Hill has more.

PA Health Care Economists Express Concern About Federal Budget Cuts

Republicans proposed a $715 billion abatement in Medicaid spending over the course of 10 years in their new funding bill, touting the plan as a war against wasteful government spending. Pennsylvania health care regulators and hospitals fear that cuts could prompt many Commonwealth residents to lose coverage due to bureaucratic ambiguities existing at the intersection of the proposed cuts and the Affordable Care Act. PennLive has more.

Beltway Briefing: The NYC Political Season Heats Up

With New York City’s primaries just weeks away, the political season is heating up. Who are the key candidates in the mayoral, comptroller, and city council races? What dynamics and strategic alliances are emerging? What role will federal decision-making play in shaping the city’s future—and how are local candidates positioning themselves in response? Listen to the latest episode featuring New York Public Strategies’ Katie Schwab, Jamie Ansorge, and Ashley Thompson DiNardo here.

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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