Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, October 14, 2024

October 14, 2024

Pennsylvania

Gov. Shapiro Proposes $2.6B Tax Credit Rewrite to Energize Electricity Production

Pennsylvania’s $2.6 billion tax credit package, aimed at promoting natural gas and hydrogen production, has yet to attract any companies since its enactment in 2022. In response, Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration is proposing a rewrite to lower eligibility requirements and redirect subsidies toward electricity production, but the legislature’s support for these changes remains uncertain. Spotlight PA has more.

State Senate Passes Flurry of Key Bills in Last Days of Session

In the final days of the Pennsylvania legislative session, the Senate passed bills to enhance maternal health by requiring postpartum screenings and Medicaid coverage for doulas, establish compensation for first responders suffering from PTSD, and expand the definition of Child Sexual Abuse Material to include AI-generated images. These measures aim to address pressing social issues and modernize legal protections in response to advancing technology. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

State Lawmakers Push for Voter Education, Rights in County Jails

A group of state lawmakers are advocating for clearer voter education and rights for eligible detainees in county jails, as a new state guidance document has been issued to assist in this effort amid low voter participation rates among incarcerated individuals. WESA has more.

How PA Is Battling Misinformation Ahead of Pivotal Election

Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt spoke with 60 Minutes about the Commonwealth’s ongoing efforts to reassure voters about election integrity and combat false narratives about voter fraud as the state prepares for a potentially protracted vote count. CBS News has more.

Both Parties Gear Up for Post-Election Legal Battles

Both Republicans and Democrats in Pennsylvania are preparing for extensive post-election litigation, with both parties recruiting hundreds of lawyers to address expected legal battles over ballot validity. This election is anticipated to rival the 2020 presidential race in terms of legal challenges, as both sides aim to ensure that all legally cast votes are counted amid concerns of potential disputes. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

PA to Invest $45M to Improve Public Spaces With High-Speed Internet Access

Pennsylvania is allocating $45 million from the American Rescue Plan Act’s Capital Projects Fund to upgrade public spaces with high-speed internet access, benefiting 49 projects across 26 counties. The initiative aims to close the digital divide by improving connectivity in community centers, libraries, and healthcare facilities. Technical.ly has more.

Philadelphia

Mayor Parker, CCP Launch New Municipal Employment Program

Mayor Cherelle Parker has launched the City College for Municipal Employment (CCME) program at the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) to train community college students for jobs in city government, aiming to fill hundreds of open positions amid an understaffing crisis. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Pittsburgh

Some Allegheny Council Members Reject County Executive’s Proposed Tax Hike

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato’s proposed 46.5% property tax hike to address a looming $81 million deficit faces strong opposition from County Council members due to concerns over the financial burden on residents. WESA has more.

Federal

VP Harris Holds Narrow Lead Over Trump in PA

A Philadelphia Inquirer/New York Times/Siena College poll released over the weekend shows Vice President Kamala Harris holding a narrow lead over former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, with both candidates maintaining similar levels of support as they did in September. The race remains tightly contested with key trends including changing voter demographics in suburban areas favoring Democrats, a decline in Democratic support in working-class neighborhoods, and Trump’s efforts to regain strength in rural regions and among Latino voters in small cities.

PA-10 House Race Remains Competitive

Democrats are optimistic about defeating U.S. Representative Scott Perry in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District due to changing demographics and increased turnout, but Rep. Perry, a seasoned incumbent with a history of winning competitive races, remains a formidable opponent in this key suburban battleground. The Hill has more.

Beltway Briefing: Messaging Is Everything

The Harris-Walz campaign has focused heavily on one message: vote against Trump. Will relying solely on an anti-Trump message carry enough weight to win this time? Will voters cast their ballots based on their real interests — or merely the perception of those interests? Listen to the latest episode featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Towner French, and Kyle Anderson 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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