Pennsylvania Perspective for Thursday, October 12, 2023

October 12, 2023

Pennsylvania

State Superior, Commonwealth Court Races to Watch in November

Much national attention has been occupied by Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court race, though the races for the state’s Superior Court and Commonwealth Court will also have lasting impact on the commonwealth’s legal landscape. PoliticsPA has more.

Held Up Higher Education Funding Would Barely Make Dent in Amount Needed, Say Advocates

The University of Pittsburgh, Penn State, Temple, and Lincoln are still waiting on hundreds of millions of state dollars that is currently held up in Harrisburg. However, advocates argue that the proposed increase would be insufficient to properly fund Pennsylvania’s higher education institutions. The Associated Press has more.

Delaware County Democrats Recommend Ousting Three Republican Judges

Delaware County Democrats are recommending that voters remove three Republican judges from the county Court of Common Pleas in November. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

 

Philadelphia

Councilmember Johnson Likely to Become Next Council President, Sources Say

District 2 Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson is reportedly well positioned to become the next Council president after securing commitments from a majority of members who say they intend to vote for him. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

City Council to Hold Hearings on School District Practice of “Leveling”

Today, Councilmember At-Large Katherine Gilmore Richardson introduced legislation calling for hearings on the practice of “leveling,” in which the School District of Philadelphia shuffles teachers around weeks into the school year. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Philadelphia Has Fewer Airbnb, VRBO Offerings in Wake of New Short-Term Rental Regulations

Since new short-term rental regulations went into effect earlier this year, customers of apps like Airbnb and VRBO are finding fewer and fewer offerings in Philadelphia, according to research by Deckard Technologies. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

City Council Holds Roosevelt Boulevard Subway Hearings

This week, the City Council Committee on Transportation & Public Utilities held its first hearing on a proposed Roosevelt Boulevard Subway, which garnered much community support. NBC10 has more.

 

Pittsburgh

Allegheny County Executive Fitzgerald Proposes $3 Billion Budget 

On Tuesday, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald presented his 12th and final budget, which totals $3 billion and would be a 3.4% increase compared to last year’s budget. The proposed budget has no property tax increases for the 12th consecutive year. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has more.

Mayor Gainey Pushes Back Against Zappala Criticism as DA Election Nears

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey is pushing back against criticism levied at him by Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala, Jr. — who is currently running for re-election as a Republican after losing the Democratic primary to Matt Dugan — that the administration has perpetuated a culture of poor communication. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has more.

Study Finds Pittsburgh Has Fewer Low Income Residents

A new City housing needs assessment has found that there are fewer low income residents in Pittsburgh despite little change in population in recent years. WESA has more.

 

Federal

President Biden to Announce Federal Funding for Philadelphia Region Hydrogen Hub

President Joe Biden is expected to announce $750 million in federal funding for a proposed hydrogen hub in Southeastern Pennsylvania, South Jersey, and Delaware during his visit to Philadelphia tomorrow. WHYY has more.

U.S. Senator Casey Leads McCormick, Former President Trump Leads President Biden in New Poll

A recent Emerson College poll shows Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Casey leading his Republican opponent Dave McCormick by eight points, though many voters remain undecided. The same poll shows President Biden trailing former President Donald Trump by nine points. ABC27 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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