Recent Publication:
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 […]
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
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 […]
June 15, 2026
Pennsylvania Attorney General Approves Settlement for Security Upgrades at Governor’s Private Residence Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday authorized a one-time settlement agreement to pay contractors for more than $1 million in security upgrades performed at Governor Josh Shapiro’s private Montgomery County home. The enhancements, which included a $311,000 security system and nearly $290,000 in groundskeeping, […]
June 11, 2026
City Hall Mayor Parker, Council Move to Restore 340 School-Based Jobs Mayor Parker announced the city found enough money in the existing budget to prevent 340 school‑based job cuts, noting her administration made “tough decisions” to save positions. She and Council President Johnson pledged 216 million dollars over five years to keep the jobs funded, […]
June 11, 2026
Pennsylvania Senate Rejects Cannabis Regulatory Restructuring Bill The Pennsylvania Senate defeated a bill on Wednesday that proposed creating an independent Pennsylvania Cannabis Control Board to oversee the state’s medical marijuana program and regulate hemp-derived intoxicating products. Authored by Senator Dan Laughlin (R-49), the legislation failed in a rare 23–27 floor vote after Governor Josh Shapiro […]
June 08, 2026
Pennsylvania PA Senate Leadership Optimistic for Timely Budget Consensus Pennsylvania State Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) indicated that a final state budget agreement could be reached before the June 30 fiscal deadline, despite the total spending cost remaining a central point of contention. The Democrat-controlled State House recently passed a $53.2 billion budget proposal […]
June 04, 2026
City Hall Council Rejects Mayor Parker’s Uber and Airbnb Tax Proposals as Budget Advances This morning, City Council moved forward with a more than $7.1 billion budget that does not include Mayor Parker’s proposed taxes on rideshare, delivery, hotel, or short‑term rental services. Council rejected all of the proposed tax changes except applying the use‑and‑occupancy […]
June 04, 2026
Pennsylvania PA State Budget Updates Pennsylvania lawmakers returned to Harrisburg this month with the primary objective being the negotiation of the state budget ahead of the June 30th deadline. Budget negotiations are focused on whether lawmakers can pass a budget before the deadline while resolving a $3.65 billion structural deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year […]
June 01, 2026
Pennsylvania PA Lawmakers Return to Harrisburg as Budget Deadline Approaches Pennsylvania lawmakers return to Harrisburg following a month-long primary election recess, with their primary objective being the negotiation of the state budget ahead of the June 30 deadline. Although House Democrats have already approved Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed $53.3 billion spending plan, Senate Republicans have […]
May 28, 2026
Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Discusses Democratic Party in Wide-Ranging Interview In a POLITICO interview at South Philadelphia’s Angelo’s Pizzeria, Governor Josh Shapiro dismissed speculation regarding a 2028 presidential bid, stating his immediate focus remains on securing key midterm victories for Pennsylvania Democrats. Governor Shapiro called for a major ideological debate to define an affirmative platform for […]
May 28, 2026
City Hall Mayor Parker Revises Tax Plan, Proposes 6% Hike on Short-Term Rentals Mayor Cherelle Parker has introduced a revised tax plan that would raise short-term rental taxes by 6% — from 15.5% to 21.5 % — while reducing her proposed hotel-tax increase to 0.6%, bringing it to 16.1%. The changes are aimed at generating […]
May 21, 2026
Editor’s note: The Pennsylvania Perspective will be taking a break for Memorial Day. Regular updates will resume on Thursday, May 28, 2026 Pennsylvania PA 2026 Primary Elections On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Pennsylvania held its primary elections to finalize the Democratic and Republican candidates for the November 3, 2026 Midterm General Elections. Pennsylvania holds closed […]
May 21, 2026
City Hall Advocacy Groups Oppose Council’s Proposed E‑Bike Licensing Bills Several Philadelphia transportation and mobility organizations issued a joint statement opposing Bills 260525 and 260526, which would create new licensing and registration requirements for e‑bike delivery riders. The groups argue the legislation would burden low‑wage delivery workers and affect immigrant workers who make up a […]
May 20, 2026
Pennsylvania Perspective Special Edition: 2026 Primary Election Recap On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Pennsylvania held its primary elections to finalize the Democratic and Republican candidates for the November 3, 2026 Midterm General Elections. Pennsylvania holds closed primary elections, meaning that registered Democrats and Republicans can only vote within their own party’s races. Key races included […]
May 18, 2026
Pennsylvania PA 2026 Primary Elections Pennsylvania guides to the 2026 primary elections on May 19 by City & State highlights the competitive primary races for seats in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate. Click here for Spotlight PA’s voting guides on races for governor, the state legislature, and more in 2026. Subscribe Gambling Interests […]
May 14, 2026
Pennsylvania Man Arrested for Threatening 20 Democratic State Lawmakers Pennsylvania State Police arrested 42-year-old Adam G. Berryhill for allegedly making “politically violent” threats on social media against 20 Democratic state legislators. Authorities claim Berryhill posted a “hit list” naming prominent officials and referenced a “Memorial Day Operation” involving potential shootings. While the suspect has been […]
May 14, 2026
City Hall Mayor Parker Signs Six ‘ICE Out’ Bills, Leaves Mask‑Ban Measure Unsigned Mayor Cherelle Parker signed six of the seven ‘ICE Out’ bills approved by the Philadelphia City Council, advancing most of the legislative package, aimed at limiting federal immigration enforcement activity in Philadelphia. She did not sign Bill 260060, which restricts law enforcement […]
May 11, 2026
Pennsylvania PA 2026 Primary Elections Pennsylvania guides to the 2026 primary elections on May 19 by City & State highlights the competitive primary races for seats in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate. Click here for Spotlight PA’s voting guides on races for governor, the state legislature, and more in 2026. Subscribe Governor Shapiro […]
May 07, 2026
Pennsylvania PA 2026 Primary Elections Pennsylvania guides to the 2026 primary elections on May 19 by City & State highlights the competitive primary races for seats in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate. Click here for Spotlight PA’s voting guides on races for governor, the state legislature, and more in 2026. Subscribe Governor Shapiro […]