Recent Publication:
Due to city vaccine requirements, one will no longer be able to enter a restaurant for indoor dining with only a negative COVID-19 test.
Brianna collaborates with local, state, and federal legislators and regulators to advance her clients’ positions. She has experience researching, analyzing, and drafting policy; coordinating with diverse stakeholders; and developing policy and advocacy campaigns.
Before joining Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies, Brianna was the government affairs manager for the Pennsylvania Apartment Association, where she developed and implemented government affairs strategies and special projects. In that role, she collaborated with stakeholders to secure $210 million in state and local funding toward COVID-19 rental assistance.
Brianna also gained valuable experience in the Office of Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke and in the Office of Philadelphia City Councilman-at-Large Ed Neilson, where she served for a combined year as a research and policy development intern.
News
January 27, 2021
Brianna Westbrooks joining Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies is the focus of a Philadelphia Business Journal article titled, "Big Law Firm Adds Full-Time Lobbyist in Philadelphia City Hall."
January 25, 2021
Westbrooks is experienced in regulatory and legislative policy and procedure, with extensive relationships with the Philadelphia City Council.
Publications
January 20, 2022
Due to city vaccine requirements, one will no longer be able to enter a restaurant for indoor dining with only a negative COVID-19 test.
January 06, 2022
As Philadelphia continued to grapple with the pandemic, both City Council and the Kenney administration implemented policies and ordinances that will impact several industries.
December 16, 2021
Monday morning, Mayor Kenney and other top-ranking officials announced that beginning January 3, 2022, establishments that sell foods and/or drinks for consumption on-site will have to enforce a phased vaccine mandate.
December 09, 2021
On Tuesday, the Committee on Law and Government unanimously approved a measure that would allow Philadelphia voters to decide if the Zoning Board of Adjustment’s composition and procedures should change
December 08, 2021
Joe Hill and Brianna Westbrooks discuss Council President Clarke’s proposal to alter the composition and processes of the Zoning Board of Adjustments.
December 02, 2021
Al Schmidt, the lone Republican City Commissioner and the target of direct attacks from former President Trump during the 2020 election, said that he will resign from his position in January to become president and CEO of the Committee of Seventy, a good-government group based in Philadelphia.
November 18, 2021
A plan intended to protect the ability of low and moderate-income Philadelphians to live in their neighborhoods despite increases in property values took one step forward this week.
November 11, 2021
A City Council committee advanced legislation to make some “streeteries” a permanent part of the city’s dining and zoning landscape.
November 04, 2021
Philadelphia’s new public buildings may soon be held to a higher environmental standard than before.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
August 12, 2021
As the Delta variant continues to spread, governments and businesses across the country are considering changing their COVID-19 protocols.
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.
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.
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.
June 25, 2021
Joseph Hill & Brianna Westbrooks discuss Councilmembers Quiñones Sánchez and Gauthier's legislation that would institute mandatory inclusionary zoning in select areas of the city.
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.
June 18, 2021
After extensive debate and negotiations, City Council approved an amended version of Mayor Kenney’s budget proposal late last night.
June 18, 2021
On June 17, Philadelphia City Council approved amendments to the budget that Mayor Kenney initially presented in April.
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.
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.
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.
May 20, 2021
On Thursday, City Council passed legislation that authorized $400 million in bonds to finance the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative (NPI).
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.
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.
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.
April 22, 2021
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia.
April 21, 2021
Joseph Hill and Brianna Westbrooks discuss Mayor Kenny's budget proposal.
April 13, 2021
Joseph Hill & Brianna Westbrooks discuss three bills introduced to City Council that lower certain business taxes in an effort to spur economic recovery.
February 17, 2021
Joseph Hill, Michael Henlon, and Brianna Westbrooks discuss legislation introduced in Philadelphia City Council that would significantly expand required paid sick leave for individuals at companies with more than 50 employees.