Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced the addition of Bentley Graves as principal in its Minneapolis office.
President Donald Trump has formally endorsed State Treasurer Stacy Garrity in her bid to unseat incumbent Governor Josh Shapiro. In a Truth Social post, Trump characterized Garrity as an “America First Patriot” and a longtime supporter, citing her background as a retired U.S. Army colonel and her record-breaking 2024 vote totals. The endorsement comes as Garrity works to close a significant fundraising gap against Shapiro, who has recently utilized a national media tour for his new memoir to criticize the administration’s federal immigration enforcement. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.
State Treasurer Stacy Garrity has formally endorsed Allegheny County GOP Chair Jason Richey as her preferred running mate. Richey, a partner at K&L Gates and a former 2022 gubernatorial candidate, announced his candidacy following encouragement from Treasurer Garrity, U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA), and key donors. The Republican ticket aims to leverage Richey’s ties to Western Pennsylvania to narrow the significant fundraising gap against Governor Josh Shapiro. Democratic leaders were quick to criticize the pairing, labeling Richey’s platform as “extreme” and focused on policies that would “drag Pennsylvania backward.” PoliticsPA has more.
Governor Josh Shapiro is set to unveil a comprehensive strategy to address the Commonwealth’s housing shortage. The plan is expected to focus on incentivizing local zoning reforms and streamlining permitting processes to meet an estimated demand for 450,000 new units. Legislators from both sides of the aisle are advancing a variety of solutions to the state’s housing shortage, ranging from State Senator Joe Picozzi’s (R-5-Philadelphia) proposal for development grants and property tax abatements to a comprehensive legislative package from State Representative Jared Solomon (D-202-Philadelphia). Spotlight PA has more.
The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) has called on state lawmakers to raise the monthly 911 phone surcharge from $1.95 to $2.20 to address rising technology and staffing costs. In addition to 911 funding, the association is seeking a $40 million increase for county-based mental health programs and the creation of a statewide grant program to assist with property reassessments. These priorities were announced as Governor Josh Shapiro prepares to deliver his annual budget address on February 3. WITF has more.
State Representative Seth Grove (R-196-York) has announced his resignation from the House of Representatives effective January 31, 2026. The decision follows growing criticism over a potential conflict of interest regarding his new role as President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association (PACA) while serving as the ranking Republican on the House Labor and Industry Committee. Representative Grove had already previously announced that he would not seek reelection. Spotlight PA has more.
The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO), the state agency responsible for providing revenue projections and impartial analysis for state legislators, has released its Mid-Year Revenue Update for fiscal year 2025-26 and provided an advance look at revenue projections for the next fiscal year. General fund revenues for FY 2025-26 totaled $4.83 billion, above IFO estimates by $398 million and a Year-Over-Year (YOY) Growth of 4.1%. The preliminary general fund revenues for FY 2026-27 is projected at $4.89 billion and a YOY Growth of 1.3%. View the report here.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has joined a group of nine top prosecutors from cities across the country to form the Project for the Fight Against Federal Overreach (F.A.F.O.). The coalition aims to hold federal officials accountable for alleged warrantless entries and unlawful detentions, specifically as federal agents are surged into various jurisdictions. Krasner emphasized that local prosecutors maintain the authority to bring state criminal charges against federal officers who exceed their lawful powers. PoliticsPA has more.
Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Rue Landau have formally introduced a series of proposals aimed at strictly limiting federal immigration enforcement within Philadelphia. The legislative package includes a controversial ban on law enforcement masks and unmarked vehicles, the codification of existing “sanctuary city” policies, and a requirement for judicial warrants to access nonpublic areas of “Safe Community Spaces” like libraries and hospitals. While supporters argue the bills protect constitutional rights, the package is expected to face significant legal challenges regarding federal preemption and constitutionality. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.
At-large Council Member Bethany Hallam and five co-sponsors have introduced legislation to permanently bar county officials and employees from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without a federal judge’s order. The bill seeks to codify existing informal practices into the county’s administrative code, prohibiting the use of county resources, funding, or information to assist federal immigration enforcement. While the measure establishes oversight and potential penalties through the Independent Police Review Board, it would not prevent individual municipalities from maintaining their own separate agreements with federal authorities. WESA has more.
Acting Police Chief Jason Lando and Acting Public Safety Director Sheldon Williams testified under oath before Pittsburgh City Council on Wednesday, addressing challenges ranging from critical staffing shortages to federal immigration enforcement. Police Chief Lando emphasized a goal to recruit more officers while maintaining a strict policy against immigration enforcement. While Lando stated the department has no interest in enforcing federal immigration law, he noted that officers have a “legal and moral obligation” to respond if federal agents call for assistance in life-threatening emergencies. WESA has more.
The U.S. Senate failed to advance a critical six-bill funding package, leaving the federal government on the brink of a partial shutdown ahead of Friday’s midnight deadline. Pennsylvania’s senators split on the 45-55 procedural vote, with Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) voting to advance the package and Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) voting “no.” The impasse centers on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, which Senate Democrats are blocking until stricter guardrails on immigration enforcement are included following recent fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis. While Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) remains hopeful that a stopgap measure can be brokered with the White House to keep federal agencies operational, the failure to move the package increases the likelihood of a funding lapse over the weekend. Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.
U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) confirmed during a telephone town hall that two separate investigations are underway into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis. While describing the incident as a tragedy and calling for transparency to maintain public confidence in law enforcement, Senator McCormick signaled his continued support for a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill facing a Democratic blockade in the Senate. Senator McCormick emphasized the importance of the broader DHS mission, including the Coast Guard and Border Patrol, while predicting upcoming negotiations to avoid a partial government shutdown. Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.
U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) remains at odds with Pennsylvania’s Democratic House delegation after stating that he would refuse to vote against a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill. All seven Pennsylvania House Democrats, led by U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), signed a letter urging Senator Fetterman and Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) to oppose any funding that lacks “meaningful, enforceable reforms” for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite local protests at his Philadelphia office and sharp criticism of recent ICE operations in Minneapolis, Senator Fetterman stated he will not support a government shutdown and rejected calls to defund or abolish the agency. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.
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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.
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.
February 10, 2026
February 9, 2026
February 9, 2026
