Pennsylvania Perspective for Thursday, August 1, 2024

August 1, 2024

Pennsylvania

Direct File Could Ease Tax Burden on PA Residents

Governor Josh Shapiro declared that Pennsylvania will opt into the IRS’s Direct File program, which will provide a free online service to file federal taxes for Pennsylvania residents. The program, which will be available starting in the 2025 tax season, has already procured $90 million in refunds and saved taxpayers $5.6 million in preparation fees. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

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PA Budget Leaves Scraps for Childcare Industry

Although childcare in Pennsylvania has long suffered staffing shortages and limited site options, the most recent Pennsylvania state budget left little capital for the industry to use. With problems stemming predominantly from low wages, the most challenging obstacles center around retaining and hiring staff. With only $26 million approved of the total $284 million requested, advocates fear that the industry will continue to suffer. Spotlight PA has more.

67 Plaintiffs Accuse PA Juvenile Detention Centers of Institutionalized Child Abuse

Nearly a dozen juvenile correction centers face charges from 67 clients who allege that rounds of youth endured institutionalized sexual abuse while held in detention. The now-adult plaintiffs all seek damages related to the trauma they suffered over the span of two decades. WHYY has more.

Troubling PennDOT Audit Indicates “Inconsistent” Bridge Inspection Analysis

The Commonwealth currently presides over 32,000 bridges and administers approximately 18,000 inspections annually. Despite the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) stringent standards, inspectors may not always adhere to the same guidelines in their reporting, which can lead to inaccurate or incomplete findings, according to a recent bridge inspection audit. WITF has more.

State DEP Dishes Out $2.3M for EVs, Hybrids, Charging Stations

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will allocate $2.3 million to 27 different projects for 85 alternative vehicles and 24 chargers. The funds will come in the form of a grant from PA’s Alternative Fuels Incentive Program. Center Square Pennsylvania has more.

PA Casinos Request Equal Tax on Skill Games in Stores

Twelve Pennsylvania casinos have requested that the State Supreme Court strike down the tax on slot machine revenue because similar game terminals found in stores or at bars do not have to pay such a tax. The lawsuit throws $1 billion in annual tax revenue into question, which could potentially negatively impact property tax rebates and future economic developments. WESA has more.

100+ PA Schools Exempt from Title IX

Thanks to a July ruling in a case filed by Moms for Liberty, Kansas, Alaska, Utah, Wyoming, and two other affiliated groups, hundreds of schools in Pennsylvania that matriculate children of Moms for Liberty members will be exempt from the Biden Administration’s new LGBTQ protections that take effect this week. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

IFO Releases July Monthly Revenue Update

The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO), the state agency responsible for providing revenue projections and impartial analysis for state legislators, has released its monthly revenue update for the month of June. View the report here.

 

Philadelphia

Philadelphia Schools Unveil Latest Round of Groupings, Learning Networks

Superintendent Watlington announced several operational shifts that will take place before the start of the 2024-25 academic year. Watlington detailed that schools will assume new configurations on August 1st, preceding the relocation of learning network staff and academic leadership all before August 26th. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

More Than 1,000 Philadelphians Denied Cooling Help This Summer

More than 1,000 Philadelphians who rely on Pennsylvania’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program’s (LIHEAP) assistance with summer cooling will not receive service, as funds have already been exhausted for the season. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Philadelphia’s For-Profit Eviction System May Shut Down

Philadelphia’s controversial Landlord-Tenant Office sits in limbo, as the organization tasked with presiding over most of the city’s evictions failed to secure required insurance under new regulations. WHYY has more.

 

Pittsburgh

Allegheny County Avails $5M for Air Improvement Projects

As part of its Clean Air Fund, the Allegheny County Health Department will allocate $5 million to fleet and equipment electrification, tree canopy expansion, and climate resilience projects aimed at improving air quality. The department will accept applications for capital until 5 p.m. on September 23. WESA has more.

Pittsburgh Proposes Automated Red Light Enforcement

Between 2018 and 2022, fatal automobile crashes in Pittsburgh rose by 71%. With an emphasis on mitigating accidents at busy intersections, the City of Pittsburgh plans to install red light cameras at its most congested traffic junctures. WESA has more.

Officials Denounce Vandalism on Pittsburgh Jewish Properties

Vandals defaced the Chabad of Squirrel Hill, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, and several Jewish homes in the neighborhood with antisemitic and anti-Zionist messaging. Local leaders have denounced the act of hatred as a direct attack on the Pittsburgh Jewish community. WESA has more.

 

Federal

PA Remains Important Campaign Stop for Both Presidential Candidates

Pennsylvania remains an important campaign stop for both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, with the former president returning to Pennsylvania this week for the first time since the attempt on his life and VP Harris and her soon-to-be-announced running mate scheduled to hold a rally in the City of Brotherly Love next Tuesday.

U.S. Sen. Casey Leading McCormick in PA Senate Race

A new Fox News poll shows three-time Democratic incumbent U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) leading Republican challenger David McCormick by 13 percentage points, while other polls have Sen. Casey up three to eight points. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Stelson Makes Fundraising Gains on U.S. Rep. Perry

The Lancaster County democratic resident challenging Republican U.S. Representative Scott Perry (PA-10) reported raising $1.3 million between April 1 and June 30. Janelle Stelson ended the month of June with $1.1 million in the bank, surpassing Rep. Perry’s available $790,000. WITF has more.

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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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