Pennsylvania Perspective for Thursday, November 16, 2023

November 16, 2023

Pennsylvania

State Senate Approves University Funding, Omnibus School Code Bill

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Senate voted 45-5 to approve a slate of education bills that could bring an end to a months-long impasse on funding for Pennsylvania’s four state-related universities, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University and Lincoln University. City & State Pennsylvania has more.

Republican State Representatives Introduce Sexual Harassment Bill Package

On Wednesday, five women in the Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus unveiled a bill package to address sexual harassment in the Capitol. WESA has more.

State Supreme Court Race Spending Broke Records, Set Precedent for Outside Influence

Candidates for Pennsylvania Supreme Court and their allies spent a record-breaking $22 million on the recent high-profile race, much of which came from outside of the state and was used to convince voters that the future of abortion access was on the line. Spotlight PA has more.

Delaware County Council Democrats to Select Republican to Serve on Elections Board

Due to a recent change in the nominating process, Delaware County Council Democrats — who maintained control of the body during last week’s election — may now reject the minority party’s nomination, leaving them effectively in charge of selecting a minority party representative for the three-member Board of Elections. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

 

Philadelphia

City Council Passes New Zoning Overlay to Restrict Building Heights in Brewerytown, Sharswood

City Council President Darrell Clarke moved to restrict building height limits in a large swath of North Philadelphia during this morning’s Council meeting. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

City Council Investigates 911 Dispatch Challenges

This week, the City Council Committee on Public Safety heard testimony from police representatives and dispatchers about 911 dispatch challenges. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

SEPTA to Launch New Metro Wayfinding System 

SEPTA will be launching its new Metro Wayfinding System in 2024, which will feature new signage and line names to facilitate rider navigation. CBS News Philadelphia has more.

Ten Philadelphia Libraries to Operate on Saturdays

Beginning this weekend, 10 of Philadelphia’s public libraries will begin operating on Saturdays once again. The library system has been operating with reduced hours following funding cuts and understaffing in recent years. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

 

Pittsburgh

Mayor Gainey Unveils 2024 Budget During State of the City Address

During his second state of the city address, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey unveiled his 2024 budget proposal, which calls for investment in city infrastructure and staff to maintain and repair its bridges and roads. WESA has more.

Allegheny County Executive-Elect Innamorato’s Close Victory Highlights Complexities of Local Party Politics

While Allegheny County Executive-elect Sara Innamorato bested her Republican opponent by more than 8,300 votes, the race was tighter than many had been expecting — the closest race in more than two decades. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has more.

Astrobotic Expansion Could Spur Creation of “Space District” in Pittsburgh

Astrobotic, Pittsburgh’s leading space company, announced Tuesday that it plans to move some of its operations into a $20 million office building on the North Side and more than double its workforce. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 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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