Beth A. Brennan

Senior Principal, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

Beth provides comprehensive advocacy and governments relations services to clients before the City of Philadelphia and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Beth has bipartisan relationships and experience navigating complex political issues for a wide range of clients and was previously a Harrisburg lobbyist for the City of Philadelphia on major issues including school funding, bond financing, child welfare protection and reporting, tax delinquency and collections, assessor certification, and E911 funding.

Prior to joining Cozen O’Connor, Beth was the vice president of a government relations group based out of Philadelphia, where she provided lobbying services to every client in the firm’s portfolio. Her clients’ interests were varied and ranged from association groups, corporations, educational institutions, and nonprofit cultural organizations. She performed all appropriate duties before the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and City of Philadelphia including planning and directing legislative strategy, coordinating client/firm communications, and new client development and acquisition. Beth has accomplished numerous successes in securing passage of state and city policy-focused legislation, appropriations of state and local capital and operating funds, Commonwealth Financing Authority funding, mass transit funding, and state economic development grants including RCAP grants on behalf of clients.

Beth served as a legislative associate performing a dual role of lobbyist and research analyst in the representation of more than 60 clients’ interests before the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Philadelphia City Council. During Mayor Michael A. Nutter’s tenure, she served on the lead Harrisburg lobbying team for the City of Philadelphia.

Beth earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and English communications, cum laude, from Lebanon Valley College. While in school, Beth was a press office intern for Pennsylvania Attorney General D. Michael Fisher.

News

Public Strategies’ Beth Brennan Named in City & State PA’s 2023 Impact 75

December 12, 2023

Harrisburg Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ Principal Beth Brennan was named in City & State Pennsylvania’s 2023 Impact 75 list.

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies Ranked #2 in PA in City & States' Top 50 Lobbyists

September 26, 2022

City & State Pennsylvania recognized Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies as one of the Top 50 firms based on 2021 revenues in the state, coming in at number two.

Publications

2022 Pennsylvania Primary Election Results

May 18, 2022

Prepared by the Pennsylvania Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies Team

Broad Street Brief: Solar Lab Unveiled at Frankford High School, Aiming to Train Students in Green Careers

October 28, 2021

Sponsored by the Philadelphia Energy Association, U.S. Department of Energy, and PECO, city leaders unveiled a new solar lab at Frankford High School. The lab is designed to train students on the skills required for jobs in solar and clean energy.

Broad Street Brief: Driving Equality Bill Championed by Councilmember Thomas Passes

October 21, 2021

City Council passed Councilmember Isaiah Thomas’s driving equality bill with a 14-2 vote, which will prohibit Philadelphia police from stopping vehicles for certain low-level driving code infractions.

Broad Street Brief: As Gun Violence Surge Continues, City Council Considers Proactive Measures to Reduce Harm

October 14, 2021

With a historic surge in gun violence continuing through the start of the fall, City Council is now aiming to take proactive measures to reduce the risk of gun violence.

Broad Street Brief: Philadelphia Schools Superintendent Bill Hite Says He Will Step Down Next August

September 30, 2021

After nearly 10 years on the job, Philadelphia School District Superintendent William Hite said he will step down from his position when his contract expires in August 2022.

Broad Street Brief: Clarke Introduces $400 Million “Neighborhood Preservation Initiative,” Council President Looks to Revamp City Zoning Board

September 23, 2021

On Friday, Council President Darrell Clarke introduced legislation that would borrow nearly half a billion dollars in an effort to increase affordable housing and improve the quality of life for low-income Philadelphians.

Broad Street Brief: City Council Returns This Fall Virtually, Ida’s Floods Weren’t Outliers: City Faces Increasing Flood Risk

September 09, 2021

Although City Council was planning on returning to in-person meetings later in September, Council President Clarke announced that City Council will continue to meet virtually due to the spread of the Delta variant. Its first fall legislative session is on Friday, September 17.

Broad Street Brief: Philadelphia Institutes Indoor Mask Mandate and Vaccine Policy for Employees

August 12, 2021

As the Delta variant continues to spread, governments and businesses across the country are considering changing their COVID-19 protocols.

Broad Street Brief: Gun Violence Debate Continues in City Hall As Victim Numbers Grow

July 29, 2021

Philadelphia’s elected officials continue to spar over the city’s gun violence epidemic, resulting in dueling press conferences and high tensions.

Broad Street Brief: Anti-Eviction Programs Extended as City Distributes Millions in Relief and Eyes Permanent Changes to Housing Policy, Philadelphia’s Pandemic Paid Leave Law Expires, But Other Labor Changes on the Horizon

July 15, 2021

Philadelphia’s eviction diversion and rental assistance programs will stay in effect until at least August 31, thanks to a favorable ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The city reports that over 35,000 have applied for rent relief, and that the city is on track to distribute $37 million in aid by September 1.

Broad Street Brief: $5.2 Billion City Budget Goes into Effect, Councilmembers Gauthier and Quiñones Sánchez Target Gentrification with Mixed Housing Bill

July 01, 2021

Philadelphia’s latest budget goes into effect today, containing $5.2 billion in spending and a host of programs designed to curb Philadelphia’s increasing gun violence rates.

Broad Street Brief: City Council Set To Vote on Final Budget, Councilmember Johnson Looks to Increase Compensation for PHL Workers

June 24, 2021

Philadelphia City Council is slated to give final approval to the city’s $5.2 billion budget today, capping a marathon of negotiations on a variety of different issues and funding streams.

Broad Street Brief: Council and Kenney Reach Budget Compromise, Council Passes Two Tenant-Support Bills Out of Committee

June 18, 2021

After extensive debate and negotiations, City Council approved an amended version of Mayor Kenney’s budget proposal late last night.

Broad Street Brief: Budget Negotiations Between Mayor Kenney and City Council Continue, Federal Update: American Jobs Plan Negotiations Between White House and GOP Move to New Phase

June 10, 2021

City Council and Mayor Kenney are still working towards reaching a consensus around tax policy and key city investments. Changes to the wage tax, business and receipts tax, and the parking tax are still being debated.

Broad Street Brief: Council Looks to Incentivize Vaccines, New Police Oversight Board Passes Council

June 03, 2021

Members of City Council will review two proposals to incentivize vaccines citywide. The first proposal would give residents a $50 credit to use on Philadelphia Gas Works and Water Department bills, and the other would create $50 vouchers that can be used “in a manner to be determined by the City.” Both proposals would be capped at 100,000 vouchers.

Broad Street Brief: Councilmembers Quiñones-Sánchez and Gauthier Look to Reform Affordable Housing Requirements. Councilmember Johnson Seeks Demolition Moratorium for ‘Doctors’ Row’

May 27, 2021

New legislation proposed by Councilmembers Maria Quiñones-Sánchez and Jamie Gauthier is taking aim at how the city requires developers to support affordable housing.

Broad Street Brief: Council Approves Bonds to Finance Neighborhood Preservation Initiative; Majority Leader Parker Proposes Parking Tax Reduction

May 20, 2021

On Thursday, City Council passed legislation that authorized $400 million in bonds to finance the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative (NPI).

Broad Street Brief: City Announces Reopening Plan; Airport Worker Legislation Introduced; Budget Hearings Continue

May 13, 2021

On Tuesday, the Kenney administration announced that it would be lifting pandemic related restrictions on businesses. Restaurants, offices, casinos, museums, and other indoor venues will have increased capacity limits beginning May 21.

Broad Street Brief: Racial Equality; Tax Reductions; Gun Violence

May 06, 2021

On Monday, budget season officially began as City Council asked questions of the Kenney administration. Gun violence, racial equity, proposed tax reductions, and economic recovery were the main topics councilmembers raised during their questioning.

Broad Street Brief: Council Passes Legislation Prohibiting Marijuana Testing for Employment; Housing Transitions to Solar

April 29, 2021

On Thursday, City Council introduced a resolution to form a special committee that would create and recommend strategies to ensure equity and inclusion in city infrastructure projects.

Broad Street Brief: Details on the Mayor’s budget proposal, Proposal to protect renters; Funding for the School District; Land-value taxation

April 22, 2021

News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia.

Education

  • Lebanon Valley College, B.A., cum laude, 2001