Recent Publication:
Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Announces Bridge Reopens Early Governor Josh Shapiro announced the early reopening of the Commercial Street bridge on Interstate 376 in Pittsburgh, completing the major infrastructure operation a full week ahead of its 25-day estimated schedule. The project involved constructing an 825-foot, 22-million-pound replacement span adjacent to the old bridge and using hydraulic […]
As a member of the strategic communications practice, Elizabeth coordinates cross‑functional projects from ideation through implementation. She executes integrated communications and advocacy strategies centered on message development, stakeholder engagement, and content planning to raise client profiles and proactively manage reputations.
Previously, Elizabeth supported the firm’s Pennsylvania team as a legislative analyst, researching policy and tracking legislation and regulatory actions at the city and state levels. During this time, she also served as a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, assisting former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell in teaching the perennially popular political science course, “Who Gets Elected & Why?”
Prior to joining Public Strategies, Elizabeth worked at SteegeThomson Communications — a full‑service marketing and communications agency serving the nonprofit sector — where she provided editorial, design, and production services for mission‑driven clients and conducted research and competitive analyses to inform media and brand strategy. She launched her career as community organizer for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.
Elizabeth graduated cum laude from Drexel University with a Bachelor of Arts and earned her Master of Public Administration from the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.
Publications
July 30, 2026
Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Announces Bridge Reopens Early Governor Josh Shapiro announced the early reopening of the Commercial Street bridge on Interstate 376 in Pittsburgh, completing the major infrastructure operation a full week ahead of its 25-day estimated schedule. The project involved constructing an 825-foot, 22-million-pound replacement span adjacent to the old bridge and using hydraulic […]
July 30, 2026
City Hall City Council Vows to Fight School Closures Philadelphia City Council members say they will keep fighting the district’s plan to close 17 schools, with Education Committee Chair Issiah Thomas vowing to “use every tool in our arsenal” to stop the closures before they begin in 2027-28. Some members want Paul Robeson High School […]
July 27, 2026
Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Joins Lawsuit Challenging Federal Election Mandates Governor Josh Shapiro has joined leaders from over two dozen states in a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that the federal government is attempting to coerce states into altering their election laws by threatening to withhold homeland security grant money. Filed in a Rhode […]
July 23, 2026
Pennsylvania PA Set to Miss Deadline on Felony Murder Resentencing Pennsylvania lawmakers are set to miss a July 24 state Supreme Court deadline to rewrite sentencing laws for second-degree murder following a March ruling that mandatory life sentences without parole violate the state constitution. Although the Republican-controlled Senate passed HB1400, a bill establishing a 35-year […]
July 23, 2026
City Hall Council President Johnson Condemns Federal Removal of Slavery Panels at President’s House Council President Kenyatta Johnson criticized the federal government’s removal of slavery‑history panels at the President’s House in Old City, saying the action erased essential educational materials and undermined years of community‑driven work. Johnson said the removals violated public trust and amounted […]
July 20, 2026
Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Launches $3.3M Coordinated Campaign with PA Democrats Governor Josh Shapiro has partnered with state party leaders to launch “Rise Up Pennsylvania,” a $3.3 million coordinated campaign designed to boost Democratic candidates in the upcoming midterm elections. The coordinated midterm campaign will operate out of 27 field offices with nearly 100 full-time organizers […]
July 16, 2026
Pennsylvania PA Budget’s Remaining Questions Although Pennsylvania lawmakers recently finalized a $50.8 billion state budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year without raising taxes or drawing from the state’s $7.8 billion rainy day fund, the Independent Fiscal Office warns that the commonwealth still faces an underlying $5 billion structural deficit. To balance the budget on paper, […]
July 16, 2026
City Hall City Council Seeks Clarification From Parker Administration on Rising Property Assessments Philadelphia’s new property assessments show notable increases in home values across many neighborhoods, which can raise tax bills even though the city did not change the property tax rate. After hearing from residents who received unexpectedly higher valuations, Councilmember Mike Driscoll and […]
July 13, 2026
Pennsylvania PA General Assembly Passes $50.85B Budget The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed a $50.85 billion budget for FY 2026-27, a $1.8 billion or 3.7 percent increase in state spending over last year after accounting for supplemental appropriations and delayed payments to Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) and the Community HealthChoices program, and about $2.4 billion […]
July 09, 2026
City Hall Federal Judge Blocks Philadelphia’s Masking Restrictions for ICE Agents A federal judge ruled that Philadelphia cannot enforce its new ordinance barring federal law‑enforcement officers, including ICE agents, from wearing face coverings, concealing badges, or using unmarked vehicles. U.S. District Judge Chad F. Kenney said the measure conflicts with the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and […]
July 09, 2026
Pennsylvania PA Lawmakers Ready Weekend Voting Sessions for the Budget Pennsylvania lawmakers are showing signs of closing in on a budget agreement, prompting state senators to return to Harrisburg following their holiday recess. Senate leadership informed members that sufficient progress has been made to warrant a return to session, scheduling committee meetings for Friday night […]
July 06, 2026
Pennsylvania Shapiro Administration Forms Group to Reduce Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions The Shapiro administration announced the creation of an inter-agency working group comprising eleven state agencies to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions, improving driver safety, and reconnecting fragmented natural habitats. Co-led by the Department of Transportation and the Department of Conservation and Natural […]
July 02, 2026
Pennsylvania PA General Assembly Fails to Meet Budget Deadline The General Assembly failed to meet its June 30 constitutional budget deadline for the fifth year in a row as budget negotiations continue. House Democrats passed a version of Governor Josh Shapiro’s $53.3 billion budget proposal in April, but Senate Republicans continue to express concern over […]
July 02, 2026
City Hall Mayor Parker Addresses Planning and Budget for July 4 Parkway Concert Mayor Parker defended the city’s expanded July 4 concert on the Parkway, noting that the event was designed to match the scale of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The city is paying ESM Productions $15.5 million to produce the show, with a fiscal […]
June 29, 2026
Cozen Corner City & State PA Names Joe Hill, Brianna Westbrooks to Philadelphia Power Brokers List Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ Managing Director Joe Hill and Principal Brianna Westbrooks were recognized among City & State Pennsylvania’s 2026 Philadelphia Power Brokers list for their strategic insight, deep connections, and influence in Philadelphia’s political and legislative landscape. Subscribe […]
June 25, 2026
Pennsylvania Budget Deadline Approaches on June 30 With Pennsylvania’s fiscal year expiring on June 30, state lawmakers face a multi-billion dollar structural deficit as negotiations stall over Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed $53.3 billion spending plan. The House-approved budget represents a 6.4% spending increase driven primarily by rising Medicaid social service costs and mandated court-ordered public […]
June 25, 2026
City Hall Council Proposes New Office Focused on Food Equity and Insecurity City Council President Kenyatta Johnson introduced a proposal to create a permanent office dedicated to addressing food insecurity and improving food access across the city. Johnson shared findings from a task force that examined the scale of hunger in Philadelphia, where more than […]
June 22, 2026
Pennsylvania PA Lawmakers Share Priorities Ahead of the Budget Deadline As the June 30 budget deadline approaches, Pennsylvania’s rank-and-file legislators shared their district priorities in recent interviews with abc27. Although the House passed a version of Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed $53.2 billion budget, expectations for an on-time agreement remain low as the Republican-controlled Senate pushes […]
June 18, 2026
Pennsylvania PA Supreme Court Declares Skill Games Are Slot Machines Subject to Regulation The Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a decisive ruling overturning a lower court’s decision, declaring that electronic skill games are legally classified as slot machines and are fully subject to the state’s Gaming Act and Crimes Code. In the majority opinion, Justice David […]
June 18, 2026
City Hall City Passes $7.1B FY27 Budget Mayor Cherelle Parker and City Council passed a $7.1 billion Fiscal Year 2027 budget that includes major investments in public safety, housing, workforce development, and education. The plan allocates funding for community violence intervention, housing production and repairs, wellness and behavioral health services, and expanded youth learning programs. It also preserves […]