Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, September 11, 2023

September 11, 2023

Pennsylvania

Work Begins on Finding a Pennsylvania School Funding Formula That Passes Constitutional Muster

The Basic Education Funding Commission will begin a series of ten hearings to collect input from experts and advocates about ways to address the state’s current education funding system. The commission is operating under a November 30 deadline to craft a funding proposal addressing shortcomings the courts found to be unconstitutional. PennLive has more.

Philadelphia Democratic Representative to Announce Candidacy for Attorney General

Democratic Representative Jared Solomon of Philadelphia, who is currently serving his fourth term representing the 202nd House District, will officially launch his campaign for attorney general of Pennsylvania on Tuesday. PennLive has more.

In the Face of a Call to Ban Skill Games, Pennsylvania’s Biggest Player is Pushing Back Hard

Pace-O-Matic, Pennsylvania’s leading distributor of skill games, is pushing back on the General Assembly’s call to ban skill games. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

Penn State Asking for a 33% Increase in State Funding for Upcoming Year

The full Penn State board approved a $483.4 million appropriations request for 2024-2025. The proposal marks a 33% increase in funding from last year, and 42% over what the university expects to get this year based on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal. WESA has more.

A Pennsylvania Supreme Court Race This Fall Could Have Big Implications for the 2024 Presidential Election

Pennsylvania voters will choose between Carolyn Carluccio and Dan McCaffrey to serve on the state Supreme Court this fall. The results have potential implications for court decisions on voting issues and other election cases. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Pennsylvania Lawmakers Want State to Require Asian American, Pacific Islander Education

Democratic state Sens. Maria Collett and Nikil Saval recently introduced Senate Bill 839, which would require the state’s children to learn Asian American and Pacific Islander history and culture in their classrooms. WHYY has more.

 

Philadelphia

“Why is There no Air?”: An Inside look at Philadelphia’s Early School Dismissals Amid Extreme Heat

The School District of Philadelphia is under scrutiny for how it managed early dismissals during the first week of school, with questions surrounding whether the district thoughtfully planned for unexpected hot temperatures. WHYY has more.

Amid Gun Violence Crisis, Philadelphia May be Safer Than People Think 

A recent Gallup poll found that fewer than half of people who have visited Philadelphia perceive it as safe, yet year-to-date homicides and shootings in the city have fallen more than 20% since last year. Billy Penn has more.

 

Pittsburgh

Need for Rental Assistance in Pittsburgh Remains High

The City of Pittsburgh has spent almost a year’s worth of emergency rental assistance money in just two months. WESA has more.

Shelter Space Around Downtown Pittsburgh Dwindles With Another Closure

Allegheny County closed an Uptown overflow shelter on Friday, about three months after it opened. Pittsburgh Mercy communications coordinator Emilee Howells stated that the shelter would reopen for the winter on November 15. PublicSource has more.

Bus Rapid Transit Work Begins Despite Concerns About Route Changes

Construction begins this week on the Bus Rapid Transit system between Oakland and Downtown Pittsburgh, but Pittsburgh Regional Transit has not yet satisfied all concerns about the service changes that will come with the $291 million project. The Pittsburgh Union Progress has more.

Pittsburgh is Banning Plastic Bags Next Month; Here is What You Need to Know

After delaying the rollout of the plastic bag ban six months, Pittsburgh will implement the ban beginning on October 14. Pittsburgh City Council voted for the change in 2022 to limit plastic waste and environmental contamination. WESA has more.

 

Federal

FEMA Designates Several Southeastern Pennsylvania Region Areas as “Disaster Resilience Zones”: Here is What That Means

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing a shortcut for vulnerable communities to access funds more easily for climate resiliency projects, with the initial designation of 438 census tracts including several areas in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. WHYY has more.

Representative Lee Launches Congressional Re-Election Bid, Promising Both Change, Reinvestment

First-term U.S. Representative Summer Lee began her 2024 reelection bid late last week. In 2022 Lee became the first Black woman elected to represent Pennsylvania in Congress. WESA has more.

Pennsylvania Republicans Call on McCormick to Run for Senate

Nearly 100 Republican leaders across Pennsylvania wrote an open letter calling on David McCormick to challenge Sen. Bob Casey Jr. for his seat in the U.S. Senate in 2024. McCormick has not yet made a formal announcement. PoliticsPA has more.

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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