Pennsylvania Perspective for Thursday, August 22, 2024

August 22, 2024

Pennsylvania

Shapiro Admin Announces New $4M+ Workforce Investment

The Shapiro Administration announced this week that it has invested more than $4 million in Industry Partnership grants to strengthen workforce development and boost collaboration across key sectors in Pennsylvania. Lehigh Valley Business has more.

Democratic AG Candidate Highlights Key Issues During Campaign Stop

During a Pennsylvania Press Club lunch in Harrisburg on Monday, Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania Attorney General Eugene DePasquale highlighted his personal experiences with family health struggles and commitment to reproductive freedom, gun safety, and consumer protection. PennLive has more.

PA Among States Leaving $1B in AMLER Funds on the Table

A federal Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that management issues and red tape have caused Pennsylvania and other states to leave a significant portion of $1 billion allocated to the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program on the table, stalling economic revitalization projects. The Center Square Pennsylvania has more.

Turnpike Commission Cracking Down on Toll Evaders

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s crackdown on toll evaders has led to thousands of dollars in judgments, but a significant number of tolls remain uncollected due to challenges with electronic tolling and administrative issues. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has more.

PA Struggling to Pay for Road, Bridge Maintenance

Pennsylvania is facing a significant funding shortfall for maintaining roads, bridges, and public transit due to declining gas tax revenues and a lack of long-term solutions, with electric vehicle growth exacerbating the issue. The Center Square Pennsylvania has more.

Montgomery County to Expand Public Defender’s Office

The Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office is aiming to hire 15 new defenders, mental health professionals, and social workers to address excessive caseloads and improve indigent defense. This significant investment aims to align with national standards and enhance legal support for underserved communities. WHYY has more.

PA Soliciting Public Feedback on ACA Marketplace Plan Rate Increases

Pennsylvania is seeking public feedback on proposed health insurance rate increases of 2.9% to 15.2% for 2025 Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans. The state will be accepting comments through September 2. WHYY has more.

Neighboring DE Opens Marijuana License Applications 

While Pennsylvania has yet to reach a consensus on marijuana legalization, neighboring Delaware has begun accepting applications for marijuana licenses with plans to start legal sales by April 2025. Pennsylvania is potentially missing out on significant business opportunities and tax revenue by continuing to delay legalization. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

 

Philadelphia

City Controller Recommends “Streetery” Application Process Reforms

The City Controller’s Office released a report making recommendations on how Philadelphia can improve its “streetery” licensing system, including simplifying the application process, reducing fees, and reevaluating parking policies to improve the program’s effectiveness and accessibility. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Property Assessments Spike in Philadelphia’s Black, Latino Neighborhoods

Property assessments in Philadelphia are spiking most rapidly in low-income Black and Latino neighborhoods near gentrifying areas, due to factors like redlining, gentrification, and subjective assessment methods. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

 

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Struggling to Regain Post-Pandemic Economic Footing 

Pittsburgh is making gradual economic recovery post-pandemic, with some positive indicators like job growth and a rising labor force, but it continues to lag behind national averages and benchmark cities, facing challenges such as downtown activity and office real estate. The Center Square Pennsylvania has more.

Allegheny County Health Department Receives $930K Grant to Grow Climate Resilience

The Allegheny County Health Department has received a $930,000 federal grant to enhance climate resilience through green infrastructure projects like rain gardens and bioswales, aimed at reducing flooding in vulnerable communities. WESA has more.

Allegheny County Council to Hold Public Hearing on Climate Action Progress

Allegheny County Council will hold a public hearing on September 18 to discuss the progress and development of its Climate Action Plan amid concerns about a rushed bidding process for contractors. PublicSource has more.

 

Federal

Pennsylvanians Deliver Important Campaign Messages at Chicago DNC

Several high-profile Pennsylvanians delivered important messages throughout the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago this week, including Gov. Shapiro, who urged voters to choose decency and honor over chaos and extremism, and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, who praised President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris for their infrastructure achievements.

Beltway Briefing: LIVE at the DNC

As Vice President Kamala Harris clinches the Democratic nomination for president this week, the Public Strategies team reports from Chicago, site of the 2024 DNC, providing a bipartisan analysis of the current state of play. Listen to the latest episode featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, and Towner French here.

Trump Campaign Presses on in PA; Supporters Split on Mail-In Voting

This week, while notable Democrats were away in Chicago, former President Donald Trump and running mate U.S. Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) continued campaigning throughout Pennsylvania. During a stop in York, local Republicans expressed mixed feelings about mail-in voting, with some supporting it for accessibility while others remained skeptical or preferred in-person voting.

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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