Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, November 13, 2023

November 13, 2023

Pennsylvania

State Lawmakers Eye Unfunded Housing, School Priorities in Final Weeks of 2023

In the last few weeks of the year, Pennsylvania lawmakers are signaling a willingness to move legislation after a year that’s seen a prolonged dispute over spending and few bills cross the finish line, particularly regarding unfunded housing and school-related priorities. Spotlight PA has more.

Pennsylvania Democrats, Republicans Reflect on 2023 Elections With Eye Toward 2024

After several local and statewide defeats last week, many of Pennsylvania’s undecided voters say Republicans need to focus messaging on the economy heading into the 2024 presidential election. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Sharif Street believes voters had a heightened awareness of the role of state courts, highlighting the need to focus on protecting fundamental rights in 2024.

Expensive Judicial Races Might Be Here to Stay in Pennsylvania After Record-High Court Campaign

Record-breaking spending and national media attention for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court race resulted in the highest voter turnout during an off-year election in more than two decades, suggesting expensive judicial races may be here to stay. The Associated Press has more.

Following Ohio’s Recent Legalization, What is the Future of Recreational Marijuana in Pennsylvania?

With Ohio voters’ choice to legalize marijuana last Tuesday, many Pennsylvanians are considering whether and when the Commonwealth will follow its neighbor’s lead. PennLive has more.

Environmental Experts Warn That Forest Development is Boosting Pennsylvanians’ Risk for Lyme Disease

Pennsylvania leads the nation in Lyme disease cases, and the continued development of forested areas increases people’s risk of being bitten by the species of tick that transmits the illness, say environmental experts. Spotlight PA has more.

Chester Mayor-Elect’s Plans to Help Lift the City Out of Bankruptcy

Chester Mayor-elect Stefan Roots has his work cut out for him as he prepares to take over a city that just a year ago filed for bankruptcy. The city will reportedly be trying a tax-abatement program to incentivize developers and property owners to upgrade the city’s badly aging housing stock. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

 

Philadelphia

Meet the Staffers Behind Mayor-Elect Parker’s Historic Victory

Sinceré Harris and Aren Platt — who served as campaign manager and senior adviser, respectively, on Cherelle Parker’s historic mayoral campaign — have played a part in almost every major decision during the campaign, and are now switching gears to facilitate the administrative transition. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

What a New Mayor, Police Commissioner, Union President Mean for Philadelphia FOP

2024 will be a transformative year for many aspects of Philadelphia politics, including the simultaneous ascendance of a new mayor, new police commissioner, and new president of the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #5 (FOP). The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Philadelphia Flower Show Announces Theme For 2024

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has announced “United by Flowers” as the 2024 theme for the annual Philadelphia Flower Show. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

SEPTA, PPA to Use AI to Ticket Cars That Illegally Block Bus Lanes

After a successful pilot program, SEPTA has announced that it will be using cameras outfitted with artificial intelligence (AI) to determine if a vehicle is parked illegally at a bus stop or in a bus lane and transmit the license plate to the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) for ticketing. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Kensington Repair Shop Devastated by Fire, Exemplifying Neighborhood Problems

More than 100 firefighters worked to douse an early Saturday morning fire in the former home of Phil’s Appliances in Kensington. People are thought to have been living inside the building, which was recently boarded up after 50 years of business. Billy Penn has more.

City Council Considers Banning Food Trucks at Fishtown’s Busiest Intersection

Food trucks would be banned from a two-block stretch of Girard Avenue in Fishtown under a new bill being considered by City Council, and the potential change has sparked a lot of debate. Billy Penn has more.

 

Pittsburgh

Will Mayor Gainey, DA Zappala Be Able to Reconcile on Public Safety?

Following the re-election of Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala, Jr., many are wondering whether the tensions between Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and the DA will ease, particularly as it pertains to public safety and law enforcement.. WESA has more.

Allegheny County Controller Announces First Audit of Clean Air Fund

Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor announced Thursday that his office plans to audit the Clean Air Fund, a pot of money largely used to address air quality issues within the county. WESA has more.

Allegheny County, City of Pittsburgh Partner on “Severe Weather” Plan for Unhoused Amid Camp Clearance

Allegheny County has told homelessness services providers that existing overflow beds will be available through a partnership with the City of Pittsburgh on a severe weather action plan. The city has been taking steps to oust one cluster of unhoused campers. PublicSource has more.

Federal

Beltway Briefing: Is the Blue Wave Leaving Biden Behind?

On Tuesday, Democrats had major wins in Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, and New Jersey, centered on abortion access. Yet the blue wave appears to be leaving President Joe Biden behind — his low approval rating coupled with concerning polls has some Democrats questioning whether he is the party’s most viable candidate in 2024. Listen to the latest episode featuring CPS’ Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, Kaitlyn Martin, Heidi Hertz, and Michael Acevedo 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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