Recent Publication:
Pennsylvania officials are awaiting further guidance on federal funding cuts — impacting infrastructure, energy, transit, and more — with Governor Josh Shapiro’s office suing five federal agencies over $1.2 billion in inaccessible grant funding.
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
December 12, 2023
Harrisburg Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ Principal Beth Brennan was named in City & State Pennsylvania’s 2023 Impact 75 list.
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
February 20, 2025
Pennsylvania officials are awaiting further guidance on federal funding cuts — impacting infrastructure, energy, transit, and more — with Governor Josh Shapiro’s office suing five federal agencies over $1.2 billion in inaccessible grant funding.
February 13, 2025
Governor Josh Shapiro has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for allegedly withholding over $2 billion in federal funds from Pennsylvania, despite court orders to restore the funding.
February 10, 2025
Governor Josh Shapiro's proposal to close two Pennsylvania prisons and two community corrections centers aims to save $110 million annually, citing lower incarceration rates.
February 06, 2025
Governor Josh Shapiro's third budget proposal aims to balance bipartisan priorities, incorporating both Republican and Democratic interests while navigating the challenges of President Donald Trump’s second term and Pennsylvania’s divided legislature.
February 04, 2025
On Tuesday, February 4, Governor Josh Shapiro delivered his third annual Budget Address to a joint session of the General Assembly, where he unveiled his $51.47 billion FY26 Executive Budget — marking an approximately 7.5% increase from the previous fiscal year.
February 03, 2025
Governor Josh Shapiro's upcoming budget proposal is expected to prioritize increased funding for the state’s poorest public schools, support for public transit, and the legalization of marijuana.
January 30, 2025
Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies Executive Vice President Jim Davis and Managing Director Joe Hill have been recognized by City & State Pennsylvania on their 2025 list of Who’s Who in Government Relations for their impactful work in advancing clients’ objectives across Pennsylvania.
January 27, 2025
Democrats and Republicans are quickly selecting nominees for the special election on March 25 to resolve the even split in the Pennsylvania House.
January 23, 2025
State Rep. Matt Gergely (D-Allegheny) passed away last weekend, leaving the state House once again tied 101-101. A special election will be held March 25 to fill the District 35 seat, which is expected to remain in Democratic control. Rep. Gergely is remembered for his dedication to fighting for children and working families and his deep commitment to his community and family.
January 16, 2025
A council of lawmakers, university administrators, and the head of the Department of Education is exploring the benefits and challenges of tying public funding for Pennsylvania's state-related universities to their performance and students' academic outcomes. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.
January 13, 2025
The Pennsylvania General Assembly has appointed new chairs for its 52 standing committees, which play a crucial role in discussing, amending, and approving legislation, impacting the state’s policy making process.
January 09, 2025
Pennsylvania lawmakers began the 2025-26 legislative session this week, with Rep. Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia) reelected as House Speaker, securing the position with bipartisan support despite the chamber being evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans.
May 18, 2022
Prepared by the Pennsylvania Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies Team
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 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 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.