Pennsylvania Perspective for Thursday, May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Pennsylvania

Gov. Shapiro Proposes Doubling Agricultural Innovation Grant Funding

Governor Josh Shapiro (D) is proposing increasing Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Innovation Grant program funding to $23 million to support new technologies and conservation projects, following high demand and successful initial distribution of $10 million. Spotlight PA has more.

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PA House Narrowly Passes Recreational Marijuana Legalization Bill

On Wednesday, The state House passed historic legislation to legalize recreational marijuana in a narrow party-line vote, marking the furthest progress for such legislation in the state. The bill’s future in the Republican-majority Senate is uncertain. PoliticsPA has more.

PA House Advances Voter ID, Vote-by-Mail Reform Bills

On Tuesday, the state House State Government Committee advanced legislation to implement voter ID requirements and reform vote-by-mail procedures, with Democrats showing signs of softening opposition to the ID requirement. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

PA Senate Advances Private School Voucher Bill

On Tuesday, the state Senate Education Committee advanced legislation that would create the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program, providing state-funded scholarships for students in low-performing public schools to attend private schools. City & State Pennsylvania has more.

PA House Advances Gov. Shapiro’s Transit Funding Plan

On Monday, the state House Transportation Committee advanced legislation to increase state sales tax revenue dedicated to transit by 1.75%, providing nearly $300 million in new funding for transit agencies in the next state budget to address fiscal crises faced by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and Pittsburgh Rapid Transit (PRT). The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

PA Lawmakers, Health Experts Discuss Solutions for Troubled Hospitals

During a State Senate Institutional Sustainability & Innovation Committee hearing, panelists identified regulatory burdens, low reimbursement rates, workforce shortages, and rising costs as key challenges facing Pennsylvania hospitals and proposed solutions including higher reimbursement rates, stable regulatory environments, and incentives for health workers in rural areas. City & State Pennsylvania has more.

Turnpike Increases Capital Spending Amid Traffic Growth

On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission approved a $900.1 million capital budget for 2025-26, driven by increased traffic and revenue, to fund major projects including open road tolling gantries and technology upgrades. The Pittsburgh Union Progress has more.

Philadelphia

City Council Passes POWER Act to Strengthen Worker Protections

The Philadelphia City Council passed the POWER Act to enhance enforcement of worker protection laws, including wage theft and paid sick leave. The act shifts the burden of proof in retaliation cases to employers and expands the City’s ability to investigate workplace violations. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Pittsburgh

Allegheny County Council Approves Tax Diversion for $740M Esplanade Development

The Allegheny County Council approved a tax diversion plan to fund public infrastructure and affordable housing for the $740 million Esplanade development in Pittsburgh’s Chateau neighborhood, which includes amenities like a Ferris wheel, housing, and entertainment spaces. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has more.

Federal

Rep. Smucker Leads GOP Call for $2T Federal Spending Cuts

U.S. Representative Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11) and 31 House Republicans urged party leaders to cut federal spending by $2 trillion over the next decade, threatening to withdraw support for President Donald Trump’s budget if it increases the deficit. They emphasized fiscal discipline and proposed significant reductions, including cuts to Medicaid expansion. LancasterOnline has more.

Rep. Fitzpatrick Relaunches Bipartisan PFAS Task Force

On Monday, U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) announced the relaunch of the bipartisan PFAS Task Force to address the spread of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals and advocate for clean water and public health. The Task Force aims to advance legislation, educate the public, and secure federal investments for remediation and prevention.

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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