Pennsylvania Perspective for Thursday, January 8, 2026

January 8, 2026

Pennsylvania

Governor Shapiro Launches Reelection Campaign With Statewide Events

Governor Josh Shapiro is set to formally kick off his reelection campaign Thursday with events in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia alongside Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, highlighting his administration’s record on infrastructure, economic development, school funding, tax relief, and bipartisan governance. The announcement follows Republican state Senator Doug Mastriano’s (R-33-Adams/Franklin) decision not to run, clearing the way for state Treasurer Stacy Garrity to secure the Republican nomination. While Shapiro enters the contest with strong fundraising, rising national profile, and high approval ratings, Garrity has begun attacking his record on economic and education rankings and accusing him of prioritizing national ambitions over state leadership. PennLive has more.

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PA Senate Reelects Senator Ward as President Pro Tempore

State Senator Kim Ward (R-39-Westmoreland) was unanimously reelected as president pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate, earning praise from both Republicans and Democrats for her leadership of the upper chamber. Lawmakers cited Ward’s role in steering the 2025–26 budget and managing a closely divided legislature, as well as her bipartisan approach to chamber operations and committee appointments. Senate leaders from both parties emphasized continuity and collaboration as Ward begins another term presiding over the Senate when the lieutenant governor is absent and shaping the flow of legislation. City & State Pennsylvania has more.

PA Supreme Court Ends Effort to Revive RGGI

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court dismissed appeals seeking to reinstate the state’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), formally ending the legal fight over the carbon credit program. The move follows Governor Josh Shapiro’s decision to withdraw Pennsylvania from RGGI as part of the 2025–26 budget deal, rendering the cases moot after a lower court ruled the program unconstitutional without legislative approval. While opponents argued RGGI would raise energy costs and amounted to an illegal tax, environmental groups said it could have reduced emissions and generated billions for clean energy investments, leaving future climate policy in the hands of the General Assembly. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

Pittsburgh

Post-Gazette to Cease Publication in May After Prolonged Labor Dispute

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will publish its final edition on May 3 after owner Block Communications announced it would shut down operations following years of financial losses and an extended legal battle with newsroom unions. The decision came hours after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to block enforcement of a court ruling requiring the paper to restore employee benefits under a long expired labor contract, a mandate the company said was financially unsustainable amid declining advertising revenue and industry wide disruption. Union leaders and public officials condemned the closure as a major blow to local journalism, transparency, and civic accountability, while the company said it would negotiate separation and severance packages for affected employees. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has more.

Allegheny County Council President Enters Race to Replace Representative Kulik in Competitive 45th House District

Allegheny County Council President Patrick Catena announced his bid to succeed retiring state Representative Anita Kulik (D-45-Allegheny). Catena is the fourth candidate to join the race, with Republicans James Julius and Rocco Cozza and Democrat Fred Coleman also vying for the seat. With Democrats holding a one seat majority in the state House and Republicans signaling a serious effort to flip the seat, party leaders on both sides view the contest as a key test of control in Harrisburg. WESA has more.

Federal

President Trump Warns GOP Losses Could Trigger Third Impeachment

President Donald Trump warned House Republicans that losing control of Congress in the 2026 midterms could lead Democrats to pursue a third impeachment, using the prospect to press lawmakers to unify behind a narrow and disciplined campaign agenda. Speaking at a House GOP policy retreat, Trump urged members to focus messaging on issues such as drug prices, crime, and transgender athletes in sports, while setting aside internal divisions in a chamber where Republicans hold a slim majority. The remarks highlighted Trump’s concern about growing political vulnerability amid voter anxiety over the economy and cast the 2026 midterms as a referendum not only on Republican control of Congress but on his presidency itself, as Pennsylvania emerges as a central battleground in the fight for congressional control. The Philadelphia Inquirer 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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