Pennsylvania Perspective for Thursday, October 6, 2022

October 6, 2022

Tilden Katz Joins Cozen O’Connor to Lead Strategic Communications/Reputation Management Practice

Cozen O’Connor and Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies are pleased to announce that communications counselor Tilden Katz has joined our Chicago and Washington, D.C. offices to lead our new Strategic Communications/Reputation Management practice. See more on our website.

 

Pennsylvania

Governor Wolf Celebrates 194,000 Jobs Created by GAT During CANPACK Tour

On Thursday, Governor Tom Wolf paid a visit to CANPACK — the Scranton area’s largest manufacturing plant since Proctor & Gamble — in celebration of the 194,000 jobs created and retained by his Governor’s Action Team (GAT). See more on Governor Wolf’s website.

Lycoming County to Hand-Count 2020 Ballots

On Tuesday, the Lycoming County Board of Elections voted 2-1 to hand-count ballots from the 2020 presidential election. According to official results, Republican candidates — Donald Trump for president and Heather Heidelbaugh for attorney general — won the country handily. WVIA has more.

House Democrats to Propose Protections for Nurses, Out-of-State Abortion Seekers

State House Democrats are allegedly planning to introduce legislation to protect nurses who provide reproductive health services and patients from out of state who seek abortions in Pennsylvania. Currently, both chambers of the General Assembly are controlled by the Republican majority. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

Democratic State House Candidates Highlight Dedication to Abortion Rights in Appeal to Voters

With this summer’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the issue of abortion rights has been passed back down to the states, thus raising the stakes for many pro-choice Democratic state House candidates. WESA has more.

Activists Demand Action to Combat Environmental Injustice

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Democratic Policy Committee and Legislative Black Caucus held a hearing on environmental justice, during which activists and subject matter experts expressed frustration at perceived inaction. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

What Does the Future Hold for Pennsylvania, RGGI?

Regardless of who emerges victorious from this year’s gubernatorial election, Pennsylvanians should expect to see drastic changes to the direction of the state’s energy policy — specifically as it pertains to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). While Republican State Senator Doug Mastriano is vocally opposed to joining RGGI, Democratic Attorney General Josh Shapiro has his own “reservations” about joining as well. The Center Square Pennsylvania has more.

Associated Press Investigation Into Lieutenant Governor Fetterman’s Workload Reveals “Light Schedule”

A recent Associated Press review of Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman’s daily calendars and attendance records revealed a relatively “light schedule,” contrary to the carefully curated image given off by his campaign for U.S. Senate. The Tribune-Democrat has more.

 

Philadelphia

Longtime City Hall Employee Sharon Vaughn Likely Shoe-in for At-Large City Council Seat

After having worked in City Hall for more than three decades, Sharon Vaughn is one of two Democratic nominees likely to be elected to an at-large City Council position this November. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Union League Under Fire From Members for Awarding Florida Governor DiSantis

The Union League has been receiving pushback from many of its members over the exclusive club’s decision to award Florida Governor Ron DeSantis one of its highest honors — a distinction the Governor now shares in common with President Abraham Lincoln. Billy Penn has more.

Bond Expert Outlines Current Threats to Philadelphia’s Finances

Bond expert Tom Kozlik — who cut his teeth as a financial analyst for city agencies under Mayor Ed Rendell — warns that city officials will need to adjust quickly to the rapidly evolving fiscal reality brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

 

Pittsburgh

Washington County Residents Host Public Forum on Fracking Public Health Impacts Despite Significant No-Shows

On Wednesday, Washington County residents gathered for a public forum on two recently released state-funded studies on the effects of fracking on public health. Despite having worked with local groups to put on the event, the researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, who funded the studies, did not attend. StateImpact Pennsylvania has more.

Gainey Administration to Loosen Police Higher Education Requirements

Mayor Ed Gainey’s administration has announced that it will be loosening higher education requirements for Pittsburgh’s police recruits. The policy reduces the prerequisite number of college credits from 60 to 15, and allows for recruits to complete 45 credits while at the academy. WESA has more.

Checkered Professional Part of Allegheny County Jail Doctor Revealed by PINJ

A recent PINJ investigation has uncovered an astonishing track record of suspended medical licenses, failed board exams, and falsified information in Allegheny County Jail medical doctor Wilson Bernales’ past. Dr. Bernales has since been placed on suspension pending a review of his qualifications by Allegheny Health Network. PINJ has more.

Class Action Lawsuit Brought Against Allegheny County Jail Over Use of Probation Detainers

Six people who are incarcerated at Allegheny County Jail have filed a class action lawsuit alleging violation of their state and federal constitutional rights due to the jail’s rampant use of probation detainers. WESA has more.

 

Federal

Who Is Endorsing Which Candidates for U.S. Senate?

City & State Pennsylvania has updated its list of key endorsements in the state’s competitive U.S. Senate race between Democratic Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman and Republican celebrity surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz. See more here.

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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