Pennsylvania Perspective for Thursday, August 21, 2025

August 21, 2025

Pennsylvania

Cuts Commence as Budget Statement Persists

With the state budget more than seven weeks overdue, delayed payments are straining Pennsylvania libraries, foster care agencies, and schools, prompting service cuts, borrowing, and warnings of long-term harm if the impasse continues. Furthermore, officials warn that SEPTA’s funding shortfall could slow maintenance and reduce train speeds on Amtrak’s Keystone and Pennsylvanian lines, with broader impacts on Northeast Corridor.

Bipartisan Effort Launched to Reinstate Welfare Work Requirements  

Lawmakers are weighing bipartisan legislation, introduced by state Representative Frank Burns (D-Cambria), to reestablish work and community engagement requirements for able-bodied welfare recipients to reduce costs and promote employment. Supporters say the measures will encourage self-sufficiency, while critics warn they could harm vulnerable residents with limited access to stable work. Center Square Pennsylvania has more.

House to Consider Replacing School Property Taxes with Education Trust Fund

State Representative Jason Ortitay (R-Allegheny/Washington) announced plans to introduce legislation to create a state-run endowment fund to replace the $16 billion currently raised through school property taxes, aiming to ease the burden on homeowners while shifting education funding away from local tax bases. The proposal faces opposition from Democrats, who favor increasing annual state appropriations to meet court-mandated funding requirements. Center Square Pennsylvania has more.

Senate to Consider Bill Blocking Federal Control of PA Police

State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) announced plans to introduce legislation preventing a federal takeover of Pennsylvania’s police departments in response to President Donald Trump’s recent actions in Washington, D.C. WHYY has more.

3 PA Supreme Court Justices Face Retention Vote in November

Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht—all Democrats first elected in 2015—are up for retention in Pennsylvania’s upcoming Supreme Court election. The outcome could impact the Court’s partisan balance, with potential Republican gains in 2027 if two or more are not retained. Pennsylvania is one of only eight states that use partisan elections to select its justices initially, and one of 22 that use retention elections to renew justices’ terms. Ballotpedia has more.

Recent Pharmacy Closures Since Hit PA’s Rural Areas Hardest

A Spotlight PA analysis shows widespread pharmacy closures across the state, with Rite Aid’s bankruptcy contributing significantly and rural communities facing the greatest loss of access to essential medications. Spotlight PA has more.

Health Insurers Propose 19% Premium Hike for Pennsylvanians in 2026

Rising health care costs and the possible expiration of enhanced federal tax credits could make insurance less affordable for many residents using the Pennie, Pennsylvania’s official health insurance marketplace, next year. WHYY has more.

Philadelphia

Businesses Oppose Expanded Curfew Over Economic Concerns  

Some Philadelphia business owners are urging City leaders to halt a planned curfew expansion, set to take effect in September, warning it will hurt commerce and disproportionately impact nighttime workers. Axios Philadelphia has more.

Pittsburgh

City Council Criticizes Vehicle Repair Contract Over $400K Billing Dispute  

Pittsburgh City Council members and Controller Rachael Heisler are challenging a contract with vendor Transdev, arguing its flat-rate billing system leads to overpayments and lacks transparency, while the mayor’s office defends the arrangement as necessary for fleet maintenance. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has more.

Federal

Gov. Shapiro Says President Trump’s Mail Voting Ban Won’t Affect PA Elections

Governor Josh Shapiro (D) said any executive order from President Trump to end mail-in voting would be unconstitutional and irrelevant to Pennsylvania, where state law governs election procedures. His comments came after President Trump previewed a plan to ban mail ballots—a move critics say could undermine voter access and election integrity. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Trump Admin Resumes EV Charger Funding After Court Order  

Following a multistate lawsuit—which Gov. Shapiro signed on to—the Trump administration reinstated a Biden-era electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure program, unlocking over $171 million for Pennsylvania to expand its charging network despite scaled-back equity and environmental requirements.

Democratic Voter Registration Decline Raises Stakes in PA  

The Democratic Party’s registration edge in Pennsylvania shrank by more than five percentage points between 2020 and 2024, signaling a shift that could impact future elections in the battleground state. With younger and newly registered voters increasingly leaning Republican, Democrats face mounting pressure to rebuild their base ahead of 2026. The New York Times 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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