The Broad Street Brief: Mayor Parker, President Biden Talk Federal Assistance

January 18, 2024

City Hall

Mayor Parker Welcomes President Biden During MLK Day Visit

Mayor Cherelle Parker discussed federal assistance for public safety, affordable housing, and the opioid crisis with President Joe Biden during his third visit to Philadelphia this year in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Philabundance.

Blame Game Over City’s Failure to Sell Tax-Delinquent Properties Hinders Redevelopment Potential

The Sheriff’s Office has not held an auction of tax-delinquent properties since April 2021, leading to disagreement over who is responsible for this failure and leaving the City’s ability to collect revenue and redevelop blighted land in limbo.

Around Town

Giant Trolls to Bring Sustainability, Environmental Advocacy Message to the Philadelphia Zoo

Colossal troll sculptures by Danish artist Thomas Dambo made of repurposed wood and inspired by Scandinavian folklore will make their East Coast debut at the Philadelphia Zoo in February. The works tell a story about protecting the planet through sustainable practices, with each troll having a unique name, story, and environmental mission.

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Retiring After 37 Years

Longtime President of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Jerry Jordan is retiring after leading the 13,000-member union since 2007. Arthur Steinberg, current president of the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, will succeed him.

$1,700 Rent Can Secure Larger Apartments in Philadelphia Than Rest of the Northeast

An analysis by RentCafe shows that Philadelphia is the only city in the Northeast where a $1,700 monthly budget for rent can provide over 1,000 square feet of space, with the most space available in the 19135 zip code covering Tacony and Wissinoming neighborhoods.

Three Water Infrastructure Improvement Projects in the Pipeline

Philadelphia is investing $25 million in three major water infrastructure projects using funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to address existing vulnerabilities and enhance the city’s resilience to climate change impacts on its water and sewer systems.

Philadelphia Inquirer Documents Stories of 23 Children Killed in Shootings Last Year

Last year, 23 children under the age of 18 died from gunfire in Philadelphia, many of whom were children of color and disproportionately impacted by poverty, violence, and systemic challenges. The Philadelphia Inquirer tells their stories.

The Philadelphia Art Commission Greenlights Commencement of Work on Harriet Tubman Statue

The Philadelphia Art Commission unanimously approved “A Higher Power: The Call of a Freedom Fighter” by Alvin Pettit for a permanent Harriet Tubman statue outside City Hall, honoring Tubman as a leader, Civil War hero, and the first woman to lead a U.S. armed military operation. The sculpture is set to be completed in 2025.

Opinion: Federal Funding is Needed for Philadelphia to Become Nation’s Biggest Green City

Executive Director of the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership Julie Slavet and Executive Director of Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania Molly Parzen highlight the importance of President Biden’s agricultural policies, particularly in the federal farm bill, in addressing climate change and protecting water quality in Philadelphia.

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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