Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce the promotion of six members to shareholder: Benjamin Bomrind, Patrick Carey, Sarah Krissoff, Jeffrey Monhait, Michael O’Donnell, and Tamar Wise. The election of these six new shareholders was voted on during the firm’s recent All Attorney Summit in Orlando, Florida.
Governor Josh Shapiro has been unanimously elected chair of the Chesapeake Executive Council, the regional body that oversees restoration and conservation work for the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. The council approved an updated Watershed Agreement that sets four long term goals through 2040 that focus on thriving habitats, clean water, healthy landscapes and engaged communities, along with 21 outcomes that member states will work to achieve. The agreement also calls for new management strategies for each outcome and introduces a consultation process intended to strengthen the role of federally recognized tribal nations in the Bay partnership. PoliticsPA has more.
Pennsylvania began accepting applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) on Wednesday, December 3rd after the state delayed the usual November start due to stalled funding from the federal shutdown. LIHEAP, which is federally funded, received $229 million in 2024 and helps more than 300,000 residents cover winter heating costs. The Trump administration released the block grant last week, allowing the state to move forward with applications that will remain open until April 10, 2026. The Pennsylvania Capital Star has more.
Governor Josh Shapiro announced that Uri Monson will step down as Secretary of the Budget to become Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS). In his place the governor will appoint Zachary Reber, currently Deputy Secretary for Fiscal Policy and Program Coordination in the Office of the Budget, to serve as the next Secretary of the Budget beginning December 15, 2025. View the full press release here.
Philadelphia City Council is on track to pass the first annual spending plan for Mayor Cherelle Parker’s $2 billion Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) initiative, which aims to create or preserve 30,000 housing units across the city. The proposal includes an estimated $277 million in funding for 27 programs that support affordable housing production, preservation, first time homeownership opportunities on public lots and home repair assistance for low income residents. Council is expected to take a final vote on an amended resolution, which includes an additional $82.6 million in spending, on December 11. WHYY has more.
Allegheny County Council has unanimously approved the 2026 budget proposed by County Executive Sara Innamorato, a plan that avoids any property tax increase while maintaining county services and preventing layoffs. The package includes a $1.2 billion operating budget and about $3 billion in total operating and capital spending. County leaders say the plan reflects budgeting during a period of economic pressure while continuing support for public safety, housing programs, and human services. WESA has more.
The current chair of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, Sam Hens-Greco, will step down in January, opening a path for a change at the top of the county party. The party’s vice chair, Kate Garfinkel, will assume interim leadership at least until June, when the county Democrats plan to select new leadership for a full four-year term. WESA has more.
With control of the U.S. House likely to come down to a very narrow margin in 2026, four congressional districts in Pennsylvania have emerged as some of the most competitive in the country, giving the state an important role in determining which party holds the majority. Democrats are targeting the 1st, 7th, 8th and 10th districts, currently represented by U.S. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA-07), Rob Bresnahan (R-PA-08) and Scott Perry (R-PA-10), all of whom hold seats with recent histories of close elections and shifting voter coalitions. Political forecasters note that seats like Districts 7 and 10 are among the most vulnerable Republican-held districts nationwide.. WHYY has more.
The Trump administration plans to withhold food assistance in most Democratic-controlled states that refuse to provide detailed information on SNAP recipients, including names and immigration status, beginning as early as next week. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, led by Secretary Brooke Rollins, says the data is necessary to identify fraud, but a coalition of Democratic-led states argues the demand violates privacy protections and could wrongly cut off benefits for millions of low-income households. Twenty two states have filed suit to block the order, and advocates warn that the policy could create widespread disruptions in food access during the winter months. WHYY has more.
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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.
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.
December 4, 2025
December 4, 2025
December 3, 2025
