April 11, 2025
Matthew Glavin, a managing director at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies in Chicago, was highlighted in Illinois Wesleyan University Magazine’s article “Setting a Standard” for his role behind Illinois’ groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) regulations.
April 10, 2025
Governor Josh Shapiro warned that new tariffs could harm Pennsylvania farmers and pledged to protect them, highlighting his administration’s investments in agriculture as part of a statewide economic development plan to members of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau on Tuesday. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.
April 10, 2025
Mayor Cherelle Parker announced plans to maintain funding for SEPTA fare subsidy programs that provide City employees and low-income residents with free rides following feedback during budget hearings.
April 09, 2025
“Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a trade agreement with the United Kingdom, in addition to an agreement with the State of Mexico signed last week, in an effort to strengthen economic ties with global trading partners,” by MyStateline.
April 08, 2025
“President Trump's reciprocal tariffs have introduced significant uncertainty into the economy. The one certainty though is that Trump loves tariffs and they will therefore likely continue to play a central role in his policymaking for the foreseeable future.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
April 07, 2025
“State lawmakers are spending this spring’s legislative session debating how to solve a $771 million funding gap the Chicago area’s public transportation agencies face in 2026. But downstate public transit agencies are also facing a similar plight as costs rise beyond the state’s longstanding funding commitment,” by Capitol News Illinois.
April 07, 2025
The state Senate approved a bill imposing a mandatory minimum 25-year sentence on drug dealers whose fentanyl sales result in fatal overdoses.
April 07, 2025
A federal judge dismissed the corruption case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams with prejudice, meaning that the charges can not be refiled in the future.
April 04, 2025
As the dogwoods bloom, so did debate in the Capitol — where Governor Glenn Youngkin’s amendments and vetoes took center stage.
April 03, 2025
Last week, Mayor Cherelle Parker announced the appointment of Tyrell Brown as Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs, Andy Toy as Director of the Home Appraisal Program, Robin Torrance as Director of Pan Hellenic & HBCU Engagement, and Patricia Wellenbach as Chief Strategy & Partnership Officer. Meanwhile, Commerce Director Alba Martinez—the first Latina to hold the position—announced her resignation effective May 1.
April 03, 2025
Pennsylvania Representative Robert Matzie (D-Beaver) proposed a bill to subject all political advertising to state sales tax, aiming to generate revenue for public services and inform residents about the financial contributions of political ads. WHTM has more.
April 02, 2025
Chicago’s La Salle Corridor Revitalization Initiative kicked off last week, beginning with the transformation of a historic 14-story Loop office building into housing, adding over 1,000 new apartments.
April 02, 2025
“Hours after joining 22 other states in filing a lawsuit aimed at President Donald Trump’s cuts to health services, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul told a City Club of Chicago crowd Tuesday that the legal community needs to stand up against what he described as intimidation and unlawful acts by the White House,” by the Chicago Tribune.
April 01, 2025
“Despite the myriad factions among congressional Republicans, President Donald Trump has for the most part imposed his will on GOP lawmakers. He is now shifting his focus to the independent judiciary.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
March 31, 2025
The Pennsylvania House advanced a bill earlier this month to address concerns about doctor practices and patient care by increasing oversight of the state’s medical marijuana program.
March 31, 2025
Beth A. Brennan, a senior principal of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ Philadelphia and Harrisburg offices, was named to City & State Pennsylvania’s 2025 Above and Beyond list, showcasing strong female role models in the workforce.
March 31, 2025
“Gov. JB Pritzker will lead a delegation of public and private business leaders on a three-day trade mission to Mexico, to strengthen the state’s relationship with the country in the wake of President Donald Trump issuing tariffs on goods imported from Mexico and other countries,” by the Chicago Business Journal.
March 31, 2025
Last Wednesday, the NYC Council convened a Stated meeting, where they passed and introduced multiple pieces of legislation.
March 27, 2025
Governor Josh Shapiro is challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to cancel $13 million in funding for Pennsylvania farmers who supply food banks, arguing the move is unlawful and pledging further legal action if necessary to protect farmers and ensure food access for those in need. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.
March 27, 2025
During her speech outlining details of her proposed $2 billion Housing Opportunities Made Easy (HOME) Initiative on Monday, Mayor Cherelle Parker urged the City Council to streamline redevelopment processes and consider limiting councilmanic prerogative, a tradition giving district Council members significant control over land use and development decisions in the neighborhoods they represent.
March 26, 2025
When the General Assembly reconvenes in Richmond next week, legislators will face a staggeringly full agenda.
March 26, 2025
“Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is pushing for additional funding for his office as it takes on a host of lawsuits and legal filings against actions by the Trump administration,” by the Chicago Tribune.
March 26, 2025
Ken Fisher authored a column in AmLaw NY analyzing the far-reaching influence of New York City’s budget director, Jacques Jiha, Ph.D., and his central role in the Adams administration.
March 25, 2025
"Democrats are struggling with how and when to resist President Donald Trump’s agenda. And it doesn’t help their cause that Trump is unifying the House GOP’s own notoriously fractious caucus.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
March 24, 2025
“Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Friday to enhance the quality of public drinking water in Illinois. This law will require the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to conduct statewide samplings of certain community water supplies to assess the levels of dangerous chemicals,” by WAND.
March 24, 2025
Last Thursday, Mayor Adams appointed Randy Mastro, a former federal prosecutor and aide to Rudy Giuliani, as First Deputy Mayor.
March 24, 2025
Governor Josh Shapiro announced that Pennsylvania’s Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Pilot Program—in partnership with OpenAI and Carnegie Mellon—saved employees an average of 95 minutes per day and improved efficiency across various roles.
March 20, 2025
Pennsylvania has received around 1,100 applications from former federal employees for state jobs following an executive order by Governor Josh Shapiro (D) giving them hiring preference amid widespread federal layoffs. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.
March 20, 2025
During Thursday’s meeting, the City Council initiated the repeal of legislation for the since-abandoned Center City Sixers arena project.
March 19, 2025
“An Illinois House committee on Tuesday moved to overhaul how Illinois police officers execute search warrants in response to the botched 2019 raid at Young’s home, which includes banning what’s often called “no-knock” warrants,” by Capitol News Illinois.
March 19, 2025
Chicago is positioning itself to capitalize on the data center boom, with the City Council adopting an ordinance offering incentives for developers to store municipal data locally.
March 18, 2025
“President Trump loves tariffs because he believes they provide him powerful negotiating leverage with foreign leaders. But he also loves them because they are his preferred mechanism for reshoring US manufacturing. While the former tariffs can be traded away, the latter cannot so easily.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
March 17, 2025
On Thursday, March 13, Mayor Cherelle Parker delivered her second annual Budget Address to the Philadelphia City Council, unveiling her $6.77 billion FY26 Budget proposal—an approximately $400 million increase over the FY25 budget approved last June.
March 17, 2025
“Under proposed legislation, Illinois would explore the viability of reducing reliance on the state’s gas tax by putting in place a “road usage charge,” essentially a tax on the number of miles driven,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
March 17, 2025
During an appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher, Governor Josh Shapiro criticized U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for not leveraging more concessions from Republicans in the recent government funding bill.
March 17, 2025
Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of four new deputy mayors to replace those who resigned last month due to concerns about his ongoing federal corruption indictment.
March 13, 2025
Mayor Cherelle Parker presented her $6.7 billion FY26 budget proposal to the Philadelphia City Council today, highlighting an $800 million housing plan, significant business tax cuts, and the expansion of the extended-year school pilot program.
March 13, 2025
Top Republican lawmakers are skeptical about Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposal to allocate an additional $494 million to underfunded Pennsylvania school districts, questioning the fairness of the adequacy funding formula. Spotlight PA has more.
March 12, 2025
“From hiring retired educators to adjusting class offerings, Illinois schools are relying on a variety of short-term, innovative measures to cope with a prolonged and critical statewide teacher shortage,” by Capitol News Illinois.
March 11, 2025
“With the Trump administration’s aggressive plans for a rollback of federal regulation, blue states are already looking to fill the void, demonstrating that nature abhors a vacuum in the political realm as well.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
March 10, 2025
“The Pritzker administration said the program would create jobs and support community revitalization, and the project would attract new businesses, potentially leading to billions of dollars in private investment. The five sites in the proposal were identified as “high priority,” though others might be considered in the future,” by the Chicago Tribune.
March 10, 2025
During a visit to Temple University Hospital last week, Governor Josh Shapiro announced a $5 million investment to strengthen Pennsylvania’s nursing pipeline through the Nursing Shortage Assistance Program, addressing a projected shortage of 20,000 nurses. The Philadelphia Tribune has more.
March 10, 2025
Council Speaker Adrienne Adams’ 2025 State of the City Address emphasized housing affordability, economic equity, public safety reform, and protecting democracy.
March 06, 2025
During Thursday’s meeting, the City Council approved legislation introduced last week by Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr. (District 5) to add bike lanes to high-traffic streets in Center City, near Temple University, and in the Spring Garden neighborhood to improve safety and connectivity for cyclists.
March 06, 2025
Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order giving hiring preference to federal employees laid off by the Trump administration, aiming to fill 5,600 Commonwealth job openings.
March 05, 2025
The Baltimore City Council advanced a bill to establish its own consumer protection agency, modeled after similar agencies in nearby Howard and Montgomery counties, to centralize business permits and enforce consumer protection laws.
March 05, 2025
Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ New York practice has been recognized as a top lobbyist in the Office of the City Clerk’s Lobbying Bureau Annual Report.
March 05, 2025
“The General Assembly’s bipartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability released a new fiscal year 2026 revenue projection Tuesday that is $737 million short of the proposal Pritzker introduced last month,” by Capitol News Illinois.
March 04, 2025
“At the heart of President Trump’s effort to expansively redefine the power of the presidency is a struggle for control of the government’s purse strings, underscoring the aphorism that money is power.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
March 04, 2025
Yesterday, the President imposed a new set of tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) on Canadian and Mexican goods.
March 03, 2025
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that he will be running for Mayor of New York City.
March 03, 2025
“Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined students and leadership from Lewis and Clark Community College to propose a new community college baccalaureate degree program. Through this consumer-driven, student-centered program, community colleges would be enabled by the State to offer four-year bachelor degrees,” by the Office of the Governor JB Pritzker.
March 03, 2025
Governor Josh Shapiro condemned President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance for their treatment of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, asserting it undermines U.S. national security, emphasizing Pennsylvania’s strong ties to its Ukrainian community and the importance of supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. Center Square Pennsylvania has more.
February 27, 2025
The Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission released its interim report this week, proposing that the City eliminate the Business Income & Receipts Tax (BIRT), reduce the wage tax to below 3%, and establish a Jumpstart Fund to support small businesses and workforce development.
February 27, 2025
Pennsylvania’s House Finance committee is exploring the introduction of an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to support financially constrained working families, though concerns about the program's cost remain. Center Square Pennsylvania has more.
February 26, 2025
The Virginia General Assembly officially adjourned sine die on Saturday, wrapping up a short yet frenzied 46-day Regular Session.
February 26, 2025
“Gov. JB Pritzker and most of the state’s congressional delegation sent a letter to Russell Vought, the new director of the Office of Management & Budget, demanding answers about federal funds owed to more than a dozen state agencies,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
February 25, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies is pleased to announce that Managing Director C. Towner French will lead its federal lobbying practice in Washington, D.C. A bipartisan government relations and communications firm with a presence at the federal, state, and municipal levels, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies is an affiliate of Cozen O’Connor, an Am Law 100 firm.
February 25, 2025
“With the return of President Trump and his America First foreign policy, leaders around the world are coming to terms with the realization that Trump’s first term approach to geopolitics can no longer be viewed as an aberration in US policy but rather as an inflection point.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
February 24, 2025
Pennsylvania’s emergency management and fire response agencies are grappling with potential federal funding cuts and recruitment issues, which could impact their ability to manage crises effectively. Center Square Pennsylvania has more.
February 24, 2025
“A $500 million proposal by Gov. JB Pritzker to turn state-owned properties into shovel-ready real estate projects is part of a proposed $55.2 billion spending plan unveiled Wednesday,” by the Chicago Business Journal.
February 24, 2025
Last Thursday, Governor Hochul announced that she would not be exercising her authority to remove Mayor Adams from office.
February 20, 2025
Mayor Cherelle Parker appointed Angela Brooks, who currently serves as director of the Corporation for Supportive Housing in Illinois, to oversee the Housing Opportunities Made Easy (HOME) initiative, which aims to create or preserve 30,000 housing units in Philadelphia.
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 20, 2025
On Wednesday, February 19, Governor J.B. Pritzker delivered his seventh annual Budget Address to a joint session of the General Assembly, where he unveiled his $55.2 billion FY26 Executive Budget - marking an approximately $2 billion increase over the current fiscal year budget.
February 19, 2025
Chicago restaurant workers are bracing for possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests, despite no confirmed raids.
February 18, 2025
Rose Christ and Katie Schwab, co-chairs of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ New York practice, have been named in the City and State New York’s New York City Power 100 list
February 18, 2025
Last Monday, the Justice Department directed federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York to dismiss the pending charges against Mayor Adams without prejudice and restore his security clearance.
February 18, 2025
“While the Trump administration continues to implement its executive agenda at a breakneck pace, congressional Republicans are literally forced to deal with consensus by committee to realize their legislative agenda.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
February 18, 2025
“Gov. JB Pritzker will present his seventh budget proposal Wednesday as the state faces a projected $3.2 billion revenue shortfall for fiscal year 2026, which begins July 1. Federal pandemic aid has all been allocated and the economy has slowed, leaving tax revenue projections relatively flat for the coming years,” by Capitol News Illinois.
February 13, 2025
Mayor Cherelle Parker outlined her “Mission 30,000” plan to build, preserve, and repair 30,000 housing units in Philadelphia during the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia’s annual luncheon on Wednesday.
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 12, 2025
“Illinois should extend its sales tax to services like haircuts, dry cleaning and plumbing, the nonpartisan Civic Federation recommended in a report out Wednesday — a week before Gov. J.B. Pritzker is set to share his much-anticipated budget proposal,” by WTTW.
February 11, 2025
“President Trump has given Elon Musk unprecedented power and room to run to remake the executive branch. But to the extent that Musk deviates from remaking it in Trump’s image, the former runs the risk of becoming more of a liability than an asset to the latter.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
February 10, 2025
“A federal judge on Thursday declined to issue an injunction to stop an Illinois law that bans certain credit card fees from applying to credit unions while extending its previous injunction to apply to out-of-state banks,” by Capitol News Illinois.
February 10, 2025
Last Tuesday, Mayor Adams, along with other mayors of cities throughout New York State, stated the city’s priorities at the state budget “tin cup day.”
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
During Thursday’s meeting, City Councilmember Kendra Brooks (At-Large) introduced legislation to enhance City enforcement of labor laws and Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr. (District 5) introduced a bill that would clarify the deadline for filing actions related to lead paint disclosure and certification in The Philadelphia Code.
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 05, 2025
“Illinois House Republicans want to cut migrant services as a way to handle the budget deficit facing Illinois. The state is looking at a $3.2 billion budget deficit where Gov. JB Pritzker said it's the perfect opportunity to show "Illinois can govern itself." House Republicans' answer to that is cutting migrant services, where they claim billions are being wasted on undocumented immigrants,” by WAND.
February 05, 2025
Immigrants comprise roughly 40% of Chicago's restaurant workforce. Some restaurant owners have begun educating employees on their rights, providing required paperwork, and retaining immigration lawyers as federal Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids commence.
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 04, 2025
“Besides disrupting policy in Washington, the Trump administration is looking to disrupt fundamentally how Washington operates. Thus, even as Trump’s team loses some prominent policy fights, it still sees value in the impact that its expansive use of executive power ultimately has on eroding the perceived ‘Deep State.’” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
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.
February 03, 2025
Several 2025 mayoral candidates attended a candidate forum last Wednesday on the Upper West Side.
February 03, 2025
“With Gov. JB Pritzker still weighing whether to seek a third term, the firmer foundation he’s laid for Illinois’ historically shaky finances faces a major stress test from ballooning deficit projections, increased spending pressures and uncertainty over federal assistance with President Donald Trump back in the White House,” by the Chicago Tribune.
January 30, 2025
During Thursday’s meeting, Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (District 3) introduced a legislative package to streamline zoning and permitting processes to boost affordable housing development, while Councilmember Rue Landau (At-Large) introduced legislation to establish caps on security deposits and application fees for residential rentals.
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 29, 2025
Yesterday evening, January 27, 2025, Matthew Vaeth, the Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), distributed a Memorandum to all federal department and agency leaders, instituting a temporary pause on nearly all federal financial assistance programs.
January 29, 2025
“As a legal battle started playing out over the Trump administration’s order late Monday to put on hold federal loans and grants, Pritzker held a press conference this afternoon to talk about problems in Illinois that resulted, from medical care to child care, and rejected the Trump administration's explanations,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
January 29, 2025
President Trump has been clear that tariffs will be a policy cornerstone of his second administration.
January 29, 2025
Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies is proud to announce that Patrick Martin, Executive Vice President, has been elected to the Economic Club of Chicago (ECC).
January 28, 2025
“Despite all the discussion of spending cuts under the new unified GOP control in Washington, two words that President Trump did not utter even once during his inaugural address: deficit reduction.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
January 27, 2025
Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ Jim Davis, Executive Vice President and Pennsylvania State Director based in Harrisburg, and Joseph Hill, Managing Director based in Philadelphia, have been recognized as part of City & State Pennsylvania's 2025 Who’s Who in Government Relations list.
January 27, 2025
“Gia Biagi has been at the wheel of the Illinois Department of Transportation for less than two weeks, but she already is planning to hit the accelerator on construction projects, including the slow-moving Kennedy Expressway headache,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
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 27, 2025
Last Tuesday, Governor Hochul released her $252B FY26 Executive Budget. The proposal includes funding for $1B in tax cuts for middle class New Yorkers, $3B in rebate checks, $800M to expand the state’s child tax credit, $340M for school meals for every student, and $59M to provide more police officers on subway trains.
January 23, 2025
Mayor Cherelle Parker expressed a willingness to collaborate with President Donald Trump on shared priorities, emphasizing the need for bipartisan cooperation to address the city’s most pressing challenges.
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 22, 2025
“A new Illinois pension reform bill would increase contributions to the state’s three largest retirement systems by a total of nearly $30 billion through fiscal year 2045, according to an actuarial impact study by Segal Group. The study was commissioned by the state Legislature’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
January 22, 2025
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee said the latest jobs report suggests the labor market is stabilizing at full employment and is not a sign of an overheating economy.
January 21, 2025
Last Tuesday, Governor Hochul delivered her 2025 State of the State address, laying out her vision for the year ahead.
January 21, 2025
“President Trump is seen above all else as a disruptor hell-bent on upsetting the established ways of governing. However, even disruption itself has to follow a process in Washington.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
January 17, 2025
The 2025 General Assembly commenced its legislative business this week following an unexpected delay due to widespread water outages that impacted the city of Richmond last week.
January 16, 2025
The Philadelphia 76ers have abandoned plans to build a Center City arena, which was pitched as a critical development for East Market Street.
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 15, 2025
“Illinois doubled private investments in the state, as well as investments in clean energy, and quadrupled the number of retained jobs in 2024, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity said this week. Private investments in the state increased from $6.3 billion in 2023 to $12.5 billion in 2024, and investments in clean energy jumped from $2 billion to $4 billion,” by the Chicago Business Journal.
January 14, 2025
“While Republicans have taken unified control of the federal government, President-elect Donald Trump is going to lean heavily on an expansive use of executive power from his first day back in the Oval Office as he has neither the inclination nor patience to coordinate with Congress more than is necessary.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
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 13, 2025
“Lawmakers in Springfield approved a measure that aims to protect warehouse workers whose workdays center on hitting quotas… Lawmakers also approved a bill aimed at protecting nursing home residents from retaliation if they report violations at the facility… Police departments across the state may soon be required to start working on policies that prohibit their officers from having sex with any person they are investigating for prostitution,” by Capitol News Illinois.
January 13, 2025
In his 2025 State of the City address, Mayor Eric Adams detailed his administration’s efforts to create a safer, more equitable, and family-centered New York City.
January 09, 2025
This week, Mayor Cherelle Parker unveiled the new Riverview Wellness Village in Northeast Philadelphia, a key part of her administration’s strategy to address open-air drug markets and improve quality of life in Kensington.
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.
January 08, 2025
The Chicago metro area experienced a 0.2% drop in non-farm jobs between November 2023 and November 2024.
January 06, 2025
Several new measures have now taken effect in New York state. The hourly minimum wage for non-tipped workers increases to $16.50 in NYC, Westchester County, and Long Island, and to $15.50 throughout the rest of the state.
December 23, 2024
The NYC Campaign Finance Board has denied public campaign funds for Eric Adams’ reelection bid.
December 19, 2024
Mayor Cherelle Parker launched Philly Stat 360, a website tracking the City’s progress on over 30 indicators, including safety, cleanliness, and economic opportunity.
December 19, 2024
On Thursday, December 19, the Philadelphia City Council approved an 11-bill legislative package that will permit the Philadelphia 76ers to construct a new $1.3 billion arena in Market East.
December 18, 2024
Baltimore nonprofit Waves received a $2 million grant from Baltimore’s Office of Information and Technology to deploy fiber-optic networks in low-income residential buildings, aiming to bridge the city’s digital divide through public-private partnerships.
December 17, 2024
“Republicans generally agree on their substantial legislative priorities as they prepare to take the governing reins in the new year. The challenge of governing in Washington though is that process often trumps substance.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
December 16, 2024
The Adams administration has officially announced the formation of a 14-member commission to rewrite the City Charter in 2025, continuing its focus on expanding housing opportunities.
December 16, 2024
Jamie Ansorge, principal of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies in New York, was recognized as a 2024 Trailblazer in Economic Development by City & State New York.
December 12, 2024
Following several delays to allow more time for negotiation, the Philadelphia City Council granted preliminary approval to several bills authorizing the development of the proposed Sixers arena in Center City.
December 12, 2024
Ashley Thompson DiNardo, senior principal at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies in New York City, appeared on the Sisto Says podcast, hosted by Sisto Martello, to discuss the third proposal in Mayor Eric Adams' “City of Yes” initiative.
December 10, 2024
“President-elect Trump is re-entering the Oval Office with an even bolder and more muscular approach to his America First policies. But Trump’s policymaking isn’t the only thing to have evolved over the past four years – so has the world around him.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
December 09, 2024
On December 5, 2024, the New York City Council approved with modifications the NYC Department of City Planning’s (DCP) City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, the third and final of Mayor Adams’ City of Yes initiatives.
December 06, 2024
Vivien Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Meenakshi Srinivasan discuss the new citywide zoning regulations passed by city council to facilitate housing development throughout the five boroughs.
December 05, 2024
Alexandra Campau, managing director and director of health policy, Towner French, managing director, and Patrick Martin, executive vice president, from Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ Washington, D.C. office, have been recognized as Hired Guns in The Hill’s 2024 Top Lobbyists list.
December 05, 2024
Mayor Cherelle Parker announced the establishment of 11 “mini City Halls” throughout Philadelphia to improve residents’ access to municipal services and create community councils for direct communication with her administration.
December 04, 2024
After eight months of increasingly tense contract negotiations, the Chicago Teachers Union has now narrowed its number of demands to land a deal in the next month, the union and Chicago Public Schools officials said.
December 03, 2024
Joseph Hill, Managing Director at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies and co-founder of Black Leadership Pennsylvania, was featured in an article by The Guardian, “Democrats Search for Answers as Blue Philadelphia Turns Towards Trump.”
December 03, 2024
“CEOs tended to take a wait and see approach at the start of the first Trump administration. But it would be a mistake not to engage early and often with Trump 2.0.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
December 02, 2024
On Friday, November 15, the Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies New York team held an election debrief. Key insights from our team are below.
December 02, 2024
Anna Sanders highlights in Law 360 Pulse how Cozen O'Connor's New York office has grown significantly since moving to 3 World Trade Center.
November 26, 2024
“Entering office with four years of on-the-job training this time around, President-elect Trump and his advisors have a much better sense of how to manipulate the levers of government power – and they intend to push the envelope in doing so.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
November 25, 2024
Last Wednesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of Jessica Tisch as the new Commissioner of the New York City Police Department.
November 21, 2024
In December, Philadelphia will begin trash pickups twice a week in Center City and South Philadelphia as part of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s “clean and green” effort to combat litter and illegal dumping.
November 20, 2024
Detroit residents will have the option beginning in mid-2025 to make payments with the digital currency through a secure platform managed by PayPal.
November 19, 2024
“President-elect Trump is quickly centralizing power in the White House and looking to install loyalists in Cabinet agencies with the goal of avoiding the internal dissension that at times plagued his first administration.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
November 18, 2024
Last Wednesday, the NYC Council convened a Stated meeting, where they passed and introduced multiple pieces of legislation.
November 18, 2024
Rose Christ and Katie Schwab, co-chairs of Cozen O’ Connor Public Strategies’ New York practice, have been named in City & State New York’s 2024 Power of Diversity: Women 100 list.
November 14, 2024
Mayor Cherelle Parker is reportedly taking a cautious approach to preparations for President-elect Donald Trump’s second term, focusing on maintaining safety, cleanliness, and prosperity while addressing uncertainties about federal funding and sanctuary city policies.
November 12, 2024
Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ New York Practice, co-chaired by Rose Christ and Katie Schwab, has been named a 2024 Top 50 State Lobbying Firm by City & State New York.
November 12, 2024
The second Trump term will be very different from the first. President-elect Trump and his team will enter office more prepared to enact much of their agenda through an aggressive expansion of executive power.
November 11, 2024
Mayor Adams has announced new appointments within the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Communications.
November 07, 2024
Last week, following intense criticism from City Council and community advocates, the Parker Administration pledged to address longstanding inefficiencies within Philadelphia’s Land Bank, including improving transparency and prioritizing community needs.
November 06, 2024
Yesterday, New Yorkers voted on one seat in the U.S. Senate, all 26 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, and all 213 seats of the state legislature, in addition to the presidential ticket, which is being widely reported in the press.
November 06, 2024
The Philadelphia City Council advanced legislation that would empower the City to sue landlords for alleged “price-fixing” of rental rates, particularly targeting the use of AI algorithms that may artificially inflate housing costs and negatively impact low-income tenants.
November 05, 2024
If Vice President Harris wins, she will most likely preside over a divided government, limiting her ambitious agenda and setting the stage for a lengthy bipartisan negotiation over tax reform.
November 04, 2024
Mayor Eric Adams’ trial has been scheduled for April 21. Mayor Adams has been accused of corruption and bribery, and has pleaded not guilty.
October 31, 2024
During Thursday’s meeting, City Council voted 11-5 to advance two largely procedural resolutions key to the development and construction of the Sixers’ proposed Center City arena.
October 28, 2024
With the polls showing the presidential race deadlocked and few voters remaining undecided, the two candidates are leaning on their respective strength on top issues in their closing arguments to try to maximize turnout.
October 28, 2024
Two new candidates have entered the field for NYC Mayor: Zohran Mamdani, New York State Assemblymember, and Jim Walden, New York attorney.
October 22, 2024
On October 21-22, 2024, the NYC Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises held two hearings to discuss the third of three City of Yes zoning initiatives, the "City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” proposal, aimed at addressing New York City’s housing crisis by updating zoning regulations.
October 22, 2024
Despite polls showing a tied race and local laws preventing the quick processing of early and absentee ballots in a handful of key states, there are notable signals to watch on Election Night for early signs of who will win the White House.
October 21, 2024
Following the resignation of Phil Banks amid federal investigations into the Adams administration, Mayor Adams has announced the appointment of Chauncey Parker as the new Deputy Mayor for Public Safety.
October 21, 2024
Joseph Hill, Managing Director of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies in Philadelphia, was featured in a Washington Post article titled, A Pennsylvania road trip finds voters full of doubt, anger, and unease.
October 17, 2024
John Reich, Senior Principal of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies in Minnesota, joined a political panel discussion at Dakota County’s annual State of the County event, marking the County’s 175th anniversary.
October 17, 2024
Last week, Mayor Cherelle Parker joined the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) to launch the new City College for Municipal Employment, which will train students specifically for local government jobs.
October 15, 2024
The presidential election will be decided on domestic issues, but Vice President Harris and former President Trump are still touting their foreign policy platforms as they seek to woo voters.
October 14, 2024
Last Tuesday, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright resigned her position, making her the seventh senior official to leave the Adams administration in recent weeks. Wright’s resignation followed that of her husband David Banks, the Chancellor of NYC Schools, and her brother-in-law, Phil Banks, the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety.
October 10, 2024
On Tuesday, the City Council Public Safety and Streets & Services Committees heard testimony from Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) officials about ongoing efforts to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in recent illegal car meetups.
October 09, 2024
L.A. Metro is considering implementing a weapons detections system being tested in Chicago that uses existing security cameras to scan the transit passengers plus artificial intelligence (AI) to identify a brandished weapon.
October 08, 2024
• Tax reform will be the top legislative issue next year regardless of who wins the elections and Congress, not the White House, will be the ones in the driver’s seat.
• The Supreme Court begins its 2024-25 term this week and the Court’s docket includes some high-profile cases with implications for both business and US politics.
• The ferocious AI craze is driving skyrocketing energy demand, leaving policymakers in Washington racing to catch up.
October 07, 2024
In a hearing last week, federal prosecutor Hagan Scotten said before a judge that additional charges are “possible” for Mayor Eric Adams and that it is “likely” that more defendants will be charged. In further comments, prosecutors accused the Mayor of witness tampering and provided background on the investigation. As he has several times before, the mayor asserted his innocence, and his lawyer, Alex Spiro, pressed the judge for a speedy trial date. The next hearing is tentatively scheduled for November 1st.
October 03, 2024
On Tuesday, the City Council Public Safety and Streets & Services Committees heard testimony from Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) officials about ongoing efforts to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in recent illegal car meetups. The police plan to continue their investigation while exploring new strategies to prevent future incidents, such as creating a “rogues gallery” of participants and enhancing traffic regulations in affected areas.
October 02, 2024
Patrick Martin, Executive Vice President of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, joined NBC Chicago to analyze last night’s vice presidential debate between Senator JD Vance and Governor Tim Walz. In contrast to the more personal and combative exchanges between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, the Vance-Walz debate offered a refreshing display of civility, described by Patrick as "Midwest nice," policy-focused, and civil.
Watch the full interview here!
October 01, 2024
Despite her relatively short time in Washington, Vice President Harris has developed an extensive network during her time in public service that she will be able to draw upon to staff her administration if elected president.
Former President Trump is likely to rely on a network of formal and informal advisors in a second term and particularly draw on a network of MAGA think tanks preparing for a second Trump administration.
September 30, 2024
On Friday afternoon, Eric Adams pleaded not guilty to five felony counts, including bribery and fraud. Adams has been accused of receiving over $100K in illegal gifts and using his political status to help Turkey, along with orchestrating a “straw donor” scheme that allowed him to receive $10M in illegal matching funds for his campaign donations. Adams also updated a mayoral order, now detailing information if First Deputy Mayor (currently Sheena Wright) is unable to carry out their duties – passing them over to Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services (currently Anne Williams-Isom). Several members of the Adams have recently announced their departure, including Schools Chancellor David Banks and Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan. Please note that this story is still developing; if you have any questions, please reach out to the Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies team.
September 30, 2024
Rose Christ, Co-Chair of New York Practice at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, has been recognized in City & State New York’s inaugural Arts & Culture Power 100.
September 26, 2024
On Wednesday, Mayor Cherelle Parker announced the terms of the City’s agreement with the Philadelphia 76ers for the proposed $1.55 billion Center City arena, which includes an economic opportunity plan for a diverse workforce and a $50 million community benefits agreement. Mayor Parker also shared drafts of nine bills and two resolutions that will be sent to City Council with the first reading expected on October 24.
September 25, 2024
After months of contentious debate among city leaders, the City of Chicago ceased use of the gun detection technology ShotSpotter.
September 24, 2024
• Election Day is just 41 days away but voting has already begun in some states, mitigating the impact of both candidates’ campaigns as we draw closer to November 5th.
September 23, 2024
Last Monday, two former Chiefs of the New York Fire Department were arrested and accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes for expediting the fire-safety approval process for building projects in the City. Brian Cordasco and Anthony Saccavino were in charge of FDNY’s Bureau of Fire Prevention until earlier this year, responsible for overseeing fire safety approvals of large building projects. The indictment accuses both Cordasco and Saccavino of soliciting and receiving bribes between 2021 and 2023, involving 30 different projects.
September 23, 2024
Meenakshi Srinivasan, Senior Principal of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, was named in City & State New York’s 2024 Trailblazer in Building & Real Estate. Renowned for her expertise in planning, land use, zoning, and landmark issues in New York City, Meenakshi spearheads the firm’s land use government relations practice. Her distinguished background includes chair at the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, and leadership roles at the NYC Department of City Planning.
View full list here.
September 19, 2024
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced via social media that her administration has reached an agreement with the Philadelphia 76ers over their proposed Center City arena. City Councilmember Mark Squilla (District 1), who represents Chinatown and the proposed arena site, has committed to making drafts of legislation for the arena public 30 days before introduction, making October 24 the earliest possible date for introduction.
September 18, 2024
On Wednesday, September 18, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker officially announced that her administration has reached an agreement with the Philadelphia 76ers over the proposed Center City 76Place arena, a significant development project that aims to bring the Philadelphia 76ers to a new, state-of-the-art facility in Market East. The announcement follows extensive community consultations, including recent discussions with Chinatown leaders and the release of comprehensive impact reports assessing the arena’s potential effects on the immediate neighborhood.
September 17, 2024
• As undecided voters tune into the presidential race’s post-Labor Day sprint, former President Trump and Vice President Harris are rapidly unveiling new populist economic policy proposals in a race to capture the economic center.
September 16, 2024
Over the weekend, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban and Mayor Adams’ Chief Counsel, Lisa Zornberg, resigned their positions. Caban resigned at the request of City Hall, shortly after federal agents seized his phone as part of a criminal investigation. Zornberg’s resignation letter did not speak to her reasons for exiting, but there is speculation that her departure is linked to the Adams’ administration’s multiple pending federal investigations. Both Caban and Zornberg held their positions for a little over a year. Tom Donlon will serve as interim NYPD Commissioner.
September 12, 2024
On Wednesday evening, Mayor Cherelle Parker hosted a community meeting at the Pennsylvania Convention Center regarding the proposed $1.55 billion Center City Sixers arena, drawing nearly one thousand project supporters and detractors. Mayor Parker did not indicate her stance on the arena, but promised a decision on the matter soon.
September 11, 2024
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) recently rolled out an artificial intelligence (AI) surveillance tool to detect guns at stations, a move that comes as the City’s controversial contract with another firearm detection system, formerly known as ShotSpotter, is set to expire.
September 10, 2024
• With Election Day approaching quickly, both candidates are trying to make tonight’s debate as consequential as the last one.
• The contest for the 2025 Senate majority is coming down to the wire, but recent polling indicates that, while Democratic candidates are overperforming in key races, a favorable map for the GOP may ultimately win out.
• California lawmakers sent a major bill on AI to Governor Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) desk late last month, but it’s unclear if he will sign it. Either way, the measure sets a precedent for regulating the emerging technology.
September 09, 2024
Federal agents raided the homes of several top aides to Mayor Adams on Wednesday and Thursday. Law enforcement searched the homes of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Schools Chancellor David Banks, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban.
September 05, 2024
The Philadelphia City Council returned today after a summer recess, with all eyes fixed on the future of the proposed Sixers arena in Center City and potential developments regarding business tax cuts based on the upcoming Tax Reform Commission report.
September 04, 2024
Rose Christ and Katie Schwab, co-chairs of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ New York practice, co-authored a City & State New York (CSNY) Special Report on Mental Health.
September 03, 2024
Last Tuesday, New York City Council held a hearing for the nomination of Randy Mastro to Corporation Counsel. Mayor Adams nominated Mastro to the position, and he must be confirmed by the Council in order to serve as the City’s top lawyer.
August 29, 2024
With this week’s release of the highly anticipated City-commissioned impact studies, the future of the Philadelphia 76ers’ proposed $1.55 billion Center City arena now rests with City Council and Mayor Cherelle Parker.
August 29, 2024
Katrell Lewis shares his journey with Amsterdam News, from a Brooklyn upbringing to becoming a state lobbyist and public policy strategist.
August 28, 2024
Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson (District 2) penned a letter to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro urging him to address the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) $240 million deficit, as current state funding falls short.
August 26, 2024
Mayor Adams has issued an Executive Order, directing city agencies to review city-owned and controlled land for potential housing development. The executive order formally establishes the City Housing Activation Task Force, with representatives from mayoral agencies and other public entities.
August 22, 2024
City Controller Christy Brady is criticizing Philadelphia's new “streetery” licensing system for its complexity and high costs, which could deter restaurants from applying and cause financial losses for both the City and businesses. A new report published by the Controller’s Office suggests simplifying the application process, reducing fees, and reevaluating parking policies to improve the program's effectiveness and accessibility.
August 22, 2024
Patrick Martin, Executive Vice President of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, sat down live at the United Center with NBC Chicago to break down key moments from Wednesday night’s speeches at the Democratic National Convention, featuring Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and former President Bill Clinton. In anticipation of Vice President Kamala Harris’ nomination, the Harris-Walz campaign is emphasizing that “elections are a choice between the past and the future.”
Watch the full interview here.
August 19, 2024
Patrick Martin, executive vice president of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, met with Mary Ann Ahren, an election reporter with NBC-TV Chicago, to discuss Vice President Kamala Harris’ decision to select Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate ahead of the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
August 19, 2024
Patrick Martin, executive vice president of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, joins NBC Chicago to discuss the 2024 Democratic National Convention, sharing what this week means for the Democratic party and what to expect at the convention, including speeches from President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
August 19, 2024
Mayor Adams has appointed Robert Tucker as the new Commissioner of the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY). Tucker succeeds Laura Kavanagh, who served in the role for less than two years. Tucker was most recently Chairman and CEO of T&M USA, a global security firm, and he previously served as Special Assistant to the Queens District Attorney.
August 15, 2024
Philadelphia’s new Parent and Guardian Engagement Task Force, formed in response to a state of emergency over youth violence, met for the first time Tuesday morning. The task force aims to enhance parental involvement and explore solutions to prevent youth crime, with a focus on after-school programs and extracurriculars.
August 14, 2024
New York City emergency management officials have deployed five teams with multiple drones to warn residents in basement or ground-floor apartments of impending flash flood threats.
August 12, 2024
Comptroller Brad Lander announced last week that he will be challenging Eric Adams in the 2025 Democratic mayoral primary, meaning that he will not be running for re-election as Comptroller. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine has signaled interest in running for Comptroller, and late last week he filed paperwork to transfer his Manhattan BP reelection fundraising account to a Comptroller fundraising account. The transfer allows Levine to accept larger contributions from individual donors. Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar also announced that she will be running for the position.
August 08, 2024
Though Mayor Cherelle Parker and City Council left the real estate tax rate unchanged this year, Philadelphia homeowners can expect to see property taxes increase by $330 on average this year as the Parker Administration gears up for a citywide reassessment.
August 05, 2024
Mayor Eric Adams has nominated Randy Mastro as Corporation Counsel, the Administration’s top lawyer who presides over the Law Department. Adams’ previous Corporation Counsel, Sylvia Hinds-Radix, departed in May. Mastro is a former aide to Mayor Rudy Giuliani and current partner at the law firm King and Spalding.
August 01, 2024
Philadelphia’s controversial Landlord-Tenant Office, responsible for most evictions in the city, may shut down due to an inability to secure required insurance under new regulations, leaving the City's eviction system in limbo.
July 31, 2024
Illinois is investing in quantum computing on the Far South Side of Chicago at the former U.S. Steel South Works plant on Lake Michigan. The goal is to transform this symbol of Rust Belt decline into a hub of high-tech prosperity, revitalizing an area that has struggled for years to attract investment and jobs.
July 30, 2024
“A President Harris’ policies would likely be similar to those of President Biden, with some notable exceptions. But her differing governing priorities and style are what would set her apart.”
July 29, 2024
Last Friday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she plans to allocate more than $70 million to the ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program. Part of a $228 million federal investment, the initiative aims to optimize connectivity between Central New York, Southern Tier, Finger Lakes, and North County Regions.
July 25, 2024
A mass shooting in West Philadelphia claimed the lives of three and injured an additional six, prompting Philadelphia leadership to convene in the neighborhood and condemn violence across the city. The City has rolled out social and counseling services for those affected by the shooting.
July 23, 2024
“President Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race had become a necessary condition to avoid Democrats losing to former President Trump. It remains unclear though whether it’s a sufficient condition.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
July 22, 2024
News in New York – City Legislation, Offshore Wind Project, Councilmember Arrested, Mayoral Appointments
July 18, 2024
Mayor Cherelle Parker’s return-to-office mandate went into effect Monday after Judge Sierra Thomas-Street upheld the policy last week.
July 17, 2024
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said he is moving forward with an education platform driven by artificial intelligence (AI) designed to help students and families navigate the complexities of the district, despite the collapse of the company that designed it.
July 16, 2024
“While the fallout from President Biden’s disastrous debate performance had monopolized coverage of the presidential campaign over the past two weeks, the failed assassination attempt on former President Trump and the spotlight shifting to the Republican National Convention puts Trump back front and center.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
July 11, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
July 09, 2024
“If given the opportunity to return to the Oval Office, Donald Trump would be better prepared to shatter institutional norms this time around.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
July 08, 2024
News in New York – Hochul to Run in 2026, Ethics in Lobbying Nominee, Brooklyn Power 100
July 03, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
July 02, 2024
BALTIMORE — Gig Work on the Rise in Baltimore Area
Gig work is on the rise in the Baltimore area, becoming a predominant lifestyle choice for many individuals. The trend underscores a significant shift in employment dynamics, highlighting both the flexibility and challenges associated with this type of work, and reflects broader economic changes and their impact on local communities.
June 27, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
June 26, 2024
NYN Special Edition: NYS 2024 Key Primary Results
June 25, 2024
“While the upcoming presidential election is a rematch of 2020, both candidates’ respective electoral bases are undergoing fundamental transformations, adding to the uncertainty.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
June 24, 2024
News in New York – Nonprofits, City Legislation, Rent Guidelines Board
June 20, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
June 19, 2024
CHICAGO — City Council Plans to Turn City Data Pain Into Tax-Revenue Gain
Alderperson Gilbert Villegas (Ward 36), who chairs the City Council’s Committee on Economic, Capital & Technology Development, proposes 8% of the City’s new data spending go to vendors who are required to store the information in Chicago facilities.
June 18, 2024
“In Washington, process often trumps substance. But if one party gains unified control of government, it has the ability to bend the legislative process to its political will.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
June 17, 2024
News in New York – State Session, OCM Acting Executive Director, Face Mask Ban
June 13, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
June 12, 2024
Katie Schwab, Rose Christ, Stuart Shorenstein, James Ansorge, and Katrell Lewis discuss the accomplishments of the state session, including legislation and budget items.
June 11, 2024
“Although the presidential race continues to be a nail-biter and the House has one of the slimmest margins in almost 100 years, that hasn’t stopped Republicans from thinking big about their post-election plans.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
June 10, 2024
News in New York – End of 2024 Session, Congestion Pricing, Green Fast Track, City Legislation
June 07, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
June 06, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
June 05, 2024
BALTIMORE — Visiting Tech Companies Want to Expand Baltimore Presence
June 04, 2024
“Who wins the White House in November will likely be determined by just three states. And given how unpopular both Joe Biden and Donald Trump are, their respective ability to not only turn out their own voters but also turn off their opponent’s in the Rust Belt will determine who is sitting behind the Resolute Desk come January 20.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
June 03, 2024
News in New York – Charter Revision Commission, AI Disclaimers, End of Session
May 30, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
May 28, 2024
News in New York – City Legislation, City of Yes, End of State Session
May 23, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
May 22, 2024
The Chicago City Council Committee on Economic, Capital & Technology Development held an ordinance requiring city data to “be processed, stored, transmitted and disposed of” within United States jurisdiction.
May 21, 2024
“While Donald Trump is focused on the personal legal implications of his re-election, many of his closest advisors are putting in place both the policies that would likely dominate his second term – as well as the means to implement them.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
May 20, 2024
News in New York – City Legislation, SBS Commissioner, Retail Theft Pilot Program
May 17, 2024
As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” In Virginia, they also brought a new budget.
May 16, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
May 14, 2024
While the House is becoming increasingly more polarized, the nearly even split between the parties and growing factionalism within them ironically has led to a shotgun marriage of bipartisanship.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
May 13, 2024
News in New York – OCM Overhaul, 2025 Mayoral Race, Council Budget
May 09, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
May 08, 2024
Chair of Chicago City Council’s Committee on Economic, Capital & Technology Development Gilbert Villegas (Ward 36) introduced a measure that asks the Chicago Department of Technology & Innovation “to guide and monitor the use of artificial intelligence (AI) programs and solutions in city operations and service delivery.”
May 07, 2024
“The first week of the 118th Congress starkly demonstrated that Democrats do not have a monopoly on disarray. But just like in nature, politics abhors a vacuum, and the key as always to navigating Congress is appealing to enough interests among the differing factions.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
May 06, 2024
News in New York – Secretary of State, City of Yes, Play Fair for Parks
May 02, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
April 30, 2024
“The consensus view is that if President Biden is re-elected, he will still need to contend with a divided Congress. However, while the Democrats gaining unified control in November is not likely given the GOP’s Senate advantage, it’s also not impossible. And if it comes to fruition, Biden will be anything but a lame-duck president.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
April 29, 2024
News in New York – City Executive Budget, Housing Deal, Congestion Pricing
April 25, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
April 24, 2024
DETROIT — Newlab Startups Ignite Detroit's Tech Renaissance
One year in, the members-only shared workspace, research lab, and venture platform in the former Book Depository building next to Michigan Central Station is driving innovations and creating a pipeline for new businesses to come into the city.
April 23, 2024
“Donald Trump’s future hangs in the balance this November, but the MAGA movement will continue regardless of the electoral outcome.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
April 23, 2024
News in New York – NYS FY25 Budget Passes and City Legislation
April 22, 2024
This weekend, New York state lawmakers passed the $237B FY25 state budget, reflecting an increase of $8B from FY24.
April 19, 2024
In bipartisan fashion, Governor Youngkin and legislators have agreed on a fresh start to negotiate a new two-year budget.
April 18, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
April 16, 2024
In a close presidential election in which the most important demographic is the so-called ‘double haters’ that don’t like either major party candidate, the outcome could ultimately ride not on who is at the top of the ballot but rather who is down below.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
April 16, 2024
On April 15, New York Governor Hochul announced the parameters of a 2025 state budget. Rose Christ, Katie Schwab, James Ansorge, and Katrell Lewis review the highlights of the announced $237B budget.
April 15, 2024
News in New York – City Legislation, DASNY President, Willets Point
April 11, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
April 10, 2024
CHICAGO — Gov. JB Pritzker Announces Plan to Make Chicago Quantum Technology Capital
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced a plan to make Chicago a quantum technology capital at M-Hub, a business incubator on Chicago’s Near West Side that plays home to prototype shops and laboratories.
April 09, 2024
"The ideological evolution of what – and who – is considered Republican or Democratic is changing the nature of both legislating and campaigning.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
April 08, 2024
News in New York – Council Preliminary Budget, Council Union Deal, Nonprofit Advisory Council
April 05, 2024
With only a few days remaining to act on legislation that passed during the regular session, Governor Youngkin has issued a flurry of vetoes including several that stymie Democratic priorities from this session.
April 04, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
April 03, 2024
The New York City Council released their response to the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2025 Preliminary Budget. Rose Christ, Nathan Toth, and Zak Malik discuss the response.
April 01, 2024
News in New York – Congestion Pricing, State Budget Delayed, City Budget Hearings
March 28, 2024
Rose Christ and Katie Schwab discuss the MTA's final rules for New York City's Central Business District tolling program.
March 28, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
March 27, 2024
LOS ANGELES — How Tech Sector Downturn has Hurt L.A. Office Market
The Los Angeles tech office space saw fourth-quarter leasing drop to 2.2 million square feet from nearly 3 million square feet the year before.
March 26, 2024
“While a second Trump administration’s guiding policy would remain ‘America First,’ its guiding HR policy will be ‘Loyalty First,’ meaning some of the guardrails that were present in the first term will be noticeably absent this time around.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
March 25, 2024
News in New York – NYC Property Tax System, City Legislation, NY’s Trailblazing Attorneys
March 21, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
March 19, 2024
“Despite the decline of bipartisan achievements in an increasingly polarized Washington, DC, the structure of the federal political system nevertheless forces compromise.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
March 18, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
March 18, 2024
News in New York – One-House Budgets, NYS Human Rights, Cozen Expansion
March 14, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
March 13, 2024
CHICAGO — CTA Calls on Private Companies to Submit Tech Solutions to Improve System
Last week, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) launched the CTA Innovation Studio — calling on private-sector companies to submit ideas that could solve some of the transit agency’s problems.
March 12, 2024
“Spring has come early to Washington, DC this year. And along with it, so has the general election.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
March 12, 2024
Katie Schwab, Rose Christ, Jamie Ansorge, and Katrell Lewis discuss the New York State Assembly and Senate's recently released one-house budgets for Fiscal Year 2025.
March 12, 2024
The General Assembly has officially adjourned sine die, marking the end of a whirlwind 60-day legislative session while leaving the door open for an extended skirmish over the budget.
March 11, 2024
News in New York - City of Yes, City Legislation, LinkLocal.
March 07, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
March 05, 2024
“Politicians of all stripes seem to be embracing populism. Democrats tend to focus on the dangers of big business while Republicans are more concerned about big government. But the line between the two is blurring.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
March 04, 2024
News in New York – Congressional Maps, Reparations Commission, NYC Power 100
February 29, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
February 28, 2024
Joseph Hill and Lauren Fox discuss new legislation in Philadelphia that would implement new protections for building service workers who are displaced when the properties where they are employed are sold or closed.
February 28, 2024
CHICAGO — Uber, Lyft Drivers Join Valentine’s Day Strike with Thousands Across Country
Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash drivers gathered at O’Hare Airport’s rideshare waiting lot on Valentine’s Day to kick off a strike that was held across multiple cities across the country, including in Philadelphia, Miami, and Los Angeles.
February 27, 2024
“As we barrel towards an election in which voters across the spectrum are displeased at a historically high level with both presumptive candidates, the outcome looks likely to be determined by a particular demographic: the so-called ‘double haters.’”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
February 26, 2024
News in New York – Cancelled Budget Cuts, Noncitizen Voting Bill, Congressional Maps, Who’s Who in Budgeting and Finance
February 23, 2024
This week, the House and Senate each voted on their changes to the Governor’s introduced budget – with some noticeable differences between the two chambers and omissions that wipe out most the Governor’s top tax priorities. It sets the stage for a potentially lengthy budget gridlock between the Democratic majorities in the General Assembly and Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin.
February 22, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
February 20, 2024
“In the topsy-turvy world of today’s Washington, the Senate is starting to resemble the House as GOP in-fighting is threatening the upper chamber’s traditional knack for bipartisanship, while the House is starting to resemble the Senate as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) finds himself needing bipartisanship to advance meaningful legislation.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
February 20, 2024
News in New York – Congressional Maps, Comptroller M/WBE Report, NYS Budget Amendments
February 15, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
February 14, 2024
BOSTON — City Leading AI Industry
Boston-area companies are leading in the development of new artificial intelligence (AI) and managing data for AI use. A new report estimates that Boston’s expertise in tech and health industries and proximity to universities will allow it to make strides in lesser-known areas of AI.
February 13, 2024
“Despite improving economic data, President Biden could emulate Rodney Dangerfield by saying, ‘I get no respect.’ The real question though is whether he needs voters’ respect on the economy to win as long as there isn’t a recession.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
February 12, 2024
News in New York – Tin Cup Day and City Legislation
February 12, 2024
Like a two-minute drill that football fans may see heading toward halftime in the big game this weekend, the Virginia General Assembly is in a similar race against the clock – a deadline colloquially referred to as Crossover.
February 08, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
February 06, 2024
“Given that both President Biden and former President Trump would be lame ducks and the oldest occupant of the Oval Office in history by the end of it, their running mates may draw more attention than normal.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
February 05, 2024
News in New York – Council Override, Dining Out NYC, Admin Appointments
February 02, 2024
John Holub and Michael Acevedo discuss New Jersey's new privacy law which will require legal entities who collect consumer information to make certain disclosure to consumers.
February 01, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
January 31, 2024
CHICAGO — Chicago Rideshare Drivers Looking for Safety Solutions
Chicago Gig Alliance organizer Lori Simmons is leading the charge in demanding city officials take action in response to a rash of recent rideshare driver robberies on the city’s West Side.
January 30, 2024
“While former President Trump continues to harp about building a wall on the southern border, his path to victory in November likely depends on his ability to once again break through the ‘blue wall’ in the north.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
January 29, 2024
News in New York - State of the City, Judicial Appointments, IRC
January 29, 2024
Barring a few exceptions where unanimous consent is granted for new bills, legislators in the General Assembly have officially finalized their legislative agendas for the 2024 session.
January 26, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
January 23, 2024
“As the risk of a recession in 2024 has been fading, myriad geopolitical risks have risen to the forefront of concerns among the business community. Some of these risks are of a home-grown variety – most notably, the potential return of Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ foreign policy.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
January 22, 2024
News in New York – State and City Budgets, Council Committees, Mayoral Vetoes
January 18, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
January 17, 2024
Gig Economy & Technology
CHICAGO — After Latest Shooting, Rideshare Drivers Protest Outside Midway Airport for Change
January 16, 2024
“After all the drama among House Republicans in 2023, Speaker Mike Johnson is staking his caucus’ majority on his ability to prove that they can govern. The good news for him is that he has a low bar to clear.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
January 12, 2024
News in New York – State of the State, State and City Budgets, Council Committees
January 12, 2024
The Virginia General Assembly gaveled the 2024 Legislative Session into order this week with no shortage of significant changes. The first day of session included a landmark moment in the legislature’s 405-year history when Del.
January 11, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
January 09, 2024
"There is a shared concern among Americans of different political stripes that the future of democracy is on the line in this November’s election. The problem is that they disagree on who poses the bigger threat.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
January 08, 2024
News in New York – Council Charter Meeting, Start of State Session, Adams Sues Charter Bus Companies
January 04, 2024
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
January 03, 2024
BALTIMORE — Mayor Scott, BDE Introduce Free Public Wi-Fi Network
In December, Mayor Brandon Scott and the City’s Office of Broadband and Digital Equity (BDE) launched FreeBmoreWiFi, a citywide free public Wi-Fi network. Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the initiative marks a significant milestone in the City’s commitment to digital equity and inclusive access to technology for residents.
January 02, 2024
News in New York – Vetoed Bills, Start of State Session, Council Charter Meeting
December 26, 2023
News in New York – City Legislation, Redistricting, Willets Point, State Legislation
December 21, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
December 20, 2023
Governor Glenn Youngkin presented his 2024 – 2026 biennium budget to the Virginia House Appropriations, House Finance and Senate Finance & Appropriations Committees on Wednesday, December 20.
December 18, 2023
News in New York – DOC Commissioner, Green Fast Track, Council Hearing on November Plan
December 15, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
December 13, 2023
BALTIMORE — New UpSurge CEO Bets on Baltimore, Tech
Tech entrepreneur Kory Bailey — who was recently named CEO of UpSurge, a nonprofit, professional ecosystem-building organization — spoke about his efforts to build a vibrant tech ecosystem in the city.
December 12, 2023
“While criminal trials and culture war issues increasingly dominate our political discourse, the economy will likely remain the dominant factor in the 2024 presidential election.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
December 11, 2023
News in New York – Executive Director for Housing, City Legislation, Top Lobbyists
December 07, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia.
December 05, 2023
“Major partisan legislation often is vilified by the opposition. In practice, however, the inconvenient truth is that partisan laws can yield bipartisan benefits.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
December 04, 2023
News in New York – Congestion Pricing, Cannabis Settlement, State Bills
November 30, 2023
DETROIT — Electric Delivery Startup BrightDrop Becomes Part of GM
BrightDrop, a General Motors (GM) commercial electric vehicle startup formed in 2021, will no longer operate as a subsidiary and is now becoming part of GM itself.
November 30, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
November 28, 2023
“2024 is shaping up to be a ‘don’t vote for the other guy’ election.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
November 27, 2023
News in New York – Migrant Spending Cuts, Class Size Limits, Mayor Assault Allegation
November 20, 2023
News in New York – November Plan, City Legislation, Clean Slate Act, 2023 Women 100
November 17, 2023
Gig Economy & Technology
CHICAGO — Harris School Introduces New Technology, Society Initiative
November 16, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
November 14, 2023
For former President Trump’s MAGA allies the ‘personnel is policy’ axiom has become the centerpiece of preparation for a potential second term.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
November 13, 2023
News in New York – Mayor Adams Campaign Investigation and General Election Results 2023
November 10, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
November 08, 2023
Virginia Democrats sweep the General Assembly, now have majority in both chambers.
November 07, 2023
“As William Shakespeare famously penned, ‘Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.’ House Speaker Mike Johnson might soon learn there is nothing as miserable as being House speaker as he finds himself with an array of aspiring political bedfellows.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
November 06, 2023
News in New York – Deputy Mayor, Election Day, City Legislation, Employment Law Now
November 06, 2023
Christopher Dodson discusses President Biden's recent executive order on the safe use of artificial intelligence and how it could impact businesses.
November 03, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
November 01, 2023
Gig Economy & Technology
BALTIMORE — Baltimore Selected as Federal Tech Hub for AI, Biotechnology
November 01, 2023
The bill does not specify how exactly the city should indemnify and defend RCOs on zoning-related matters that wind up in court, leaving exact details to the law department to create.
October 31, 2023
“While Donald Trump likes to say that he created the ‘Make America Great Again’ movement, both the expression and the political ideology existed before him and will remain after him.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
October 30, 2023
News in New York – Remote Work Pilot, Mayoral Appointments, Power Players
October 26, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
October 24, 2023
“Regardless of whoever ultimately becomes the next House speaker, the fractured House GOP conference has effectively given President Biden the opportunity to govern with limited oversight.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
October 23, 2023
News in New York – AI Action Plan, Dining Out NYC, City Legislation
October 19, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia.
October 18, 2023
Gig Economy & Technology
BALTIMORE — AI to Help Baltimore Agencies Bridge Language Gaps
By year’s end, the City of Baltimore will be deploying a new AI-backed service to help 911 dispatchers communicate with callers in their native language without waiting for an interpreter.
October 17, 2023
”Violations of institutional norms weakens democracy and exposes its vulnerability.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
October 16, 2023
News in New York – Containerized Trash, Dispensary Licenses, Right to Shelter
October 13, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia.
October 10, 2023
“Nobody in Washington, DC has a monopoly on being in disarray or political miscalculation.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
October 09, 2023
News in New York – City Legislation, Congestion Pricing, Right to Shelter
October 06, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
October 05, 2023
Gig Economy & Technology
CHICAGO — Chicago Government’s IT Infrastructure Inefficient to the Point of “Barely” Working, Consultant Tells City Council
October 03, 2023
“The first week of the 118th Congress starkly demonstrated that Democrats do not have a monopoly on disarray. But just like in nature, politics abhors a vacuum, and the key as always to navigating Congress is appealing to enough interests among the differing factions.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
October 02, 2023
News in New York – City Legislation, Mayoral Appointment, Tree Funding
September 28, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
September 26, 2023
“A Biden v. Trump redux is like a car crash happening in slow-motion. Nobody wants it to happen, but at the same time, nobody knows how to stop it – and nobody can look away no matter how much they want to.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
September 25, 2023
News in New York – Housing Reform to City Zoning, Asylum Seekers, 2023 NY Super Lawyers
September 22, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia.
September 19, 2023
“While President Biden likes to say that he’s fighting for the soul of the nation, former President Trump is fighting for the soul of the GOP and is seeking to remake it in his own populist image.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
September 18, 2023
News in New York – City Legislation, Former DOB Commissioner Indicted, Queens Special Election
September 13, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
September 12, 2023
“Although it’s still only 2023, everything that happens in Washington this fall has to be looked at through the lens of the 2024 elections.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
September 11, 2023
News in New York – Budget Cuts, Climate Innovation Pilot, Short-Term Rentals
September 07, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
September 05, 2023
News in New York – Pro-Housing Communities Program, Closing Rikers Island, Work Authorization for Asylum Seekers
September 01, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
August 28, 2023
Governor Hochul Calls on Biden Administration to Support Asylum Seekers in NYS...
August 24, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
August 23, 2023
Gig Economy & Technology
CHICAGO — Chicago City Council to Consider Regulating Rideshares
August 21, 2023
News in New York – Traffic Mobility Review Board; "City of Yes" Office to Housing Conversion; Outdoor Dining Program Approved by Mayor
August 18, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
August 14, 2023
News in New York – Denise C. Clay Named as Chief Efficiency Officer; Updated Costs to Asylum Seeker Crisis; Judge Strikes Down Municipal Retiree Plan
August 10, 2023
Gig Economy & Technology
CHICAGO — Google Plans to Open in Thompson Center by 2026; Will Tech Giant Help Revitalize the Loop?
August 10, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
August 07, 2023
News in New York – Blake Washington Named as NYS Budget Director; NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation; City & State NY's Brooklyn Power 100
August 03, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia
July 31, 2023
News in New York – Lisa Zornberg Named as Mayor's Chief Counsel; New Guidance on Responsible Drone Usage; Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion Launches
July 27, 2023
News and intelligence for professionals on the front lines of policy in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia.
July 26, 2023
Throughout the country, large municipalities are laboratories of democracy. New and innovative policies introduced in one market are often exported to others, and ultimately replicated at the state and federal level. This newsletter highlights emerging local policy and regulatory discussions that impact industries, businesses, and organizations across the nation.
July 25, 2023
“What do you get when you cross 2020 déjà vu and 2016 amnesia? The 2024 elections.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
July 24, 2023
News in New York – Traffic Mobility Review Board; Asylum Seeker Policy; Edward Caban Named as NYPD Commissioner
July 20, 2023
In early August, the City Council’s Committee on Education will hold a public hearing investigating if Philadelphia should use an independent authority to bond and manage the City’s school facilities modernization project.
July 18, 2023
“Congressional dysfunction has evolved from being a bug of the legislative process to becoming a feature of it. This is on full display as the FY24 spending and defense authorization measures now are winding their way through both chambers.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
July 17, 2023
News in New York – New York Ordered to Redraw Congressional Maps; NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation; Teachers Union Approves Five-Year Contract
July 13, 2023
Although the upcoming November City Council elections are just around the corner, experts have already changed gears and are looking ahead to the January 2024 council president race eager to see who will succeed the outgoing Council President Darrell Clarke.
July 11, 2023
“Congress is back for three weeks before recessing through Labor Day. These three weeks will set the stage for not only what legislation lawmakers hope to get done by year end but also the agenda each party plans to run on next year.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
July 10, 2023
News in New York – New NYCHA Leadership Appointed; Acting NYPD Commissioner; City & State NY's 2023 Real Estate Power 100
July 06, 2023
One in five city jobs still sits vacant, forcing the city to pay out historic amounts in overtime pay as Philadelphia’s persistent understaffing problem shows no sign of abating. Overcoming this multi-departmental shortage is no small feat, and city officials are already hard at work finding solutions, including making needed improvements to recruitment and hiring practices.
July 05, 2023
News in New York – NYC FY24 Budget Adopted; 2023 NYC Primary Election Results; Congestion Pricing Receives Federal Approval
June 29, 2023
DETROIT — Detroit Program Teaches Residents Tech Fundamentals, How to Find High-Paying Jobs
June 29, 2023
City Council is officially on summer recess, but there are plenty of high-profile issues that are sure to be front and center when the legislative body reconvenes in the fall, including continued discussions about policies to address violence and improve public safety, potential decisions regarding the fate of the proposed Center City Sixers arena, and the race for council president.
June 27, 2023
“Although voters do not give President Biden high marks for his handling of the economy, he is not only leaning into his economic policy, he’s putting his name on it and making it a centerpiece of his re-election.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
June 26, 2023
News in New York – Assembly Closes out 2023 Legislative Session; NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation; Rent Guidelines Board Votes to Increase; City & State NY's Power Pride 100
June 23, 2023
Philadelphia City Council is expected to adopt the final $6.2 billion FY24 budget. This budget funds additional cameras outside of recreational centers and playgrounds, cleaning vacant lots and business corridors, and upgrades to recreational centers throughout the city.
June 22, 2023
On June 20, 2023, the New York State Assembly passed S3100A (Ryan)/A1278B (Joyner) on non-compete agreements and certain restrictive covenants.
June 20, 2023
“Former President Trump remains dominant within the GOP despite his indictments. But his impact on down-ballot elections and the governing agenda remains as tenuous as ever.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
June 20, 2023
News in New York – NYC Primary Election on Tuesday, June 27; NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell Resigns; Teachers Union Reaches Tentative Contract
June 13, 2023
“Big business used to be a key driver of the Republican platform, while blue collar workers were the domain of the Democrats. But as both the GOP and Democrats now vie to be the party of the working class, often in the form of culture war battles, corporate America is finding itself caught in the crossfire.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
June 12, 2023
News in New York – State Session Concludes; NYC to Receive Over $100M from FEMA for Asylum Seekers; NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation; Appointments to New York State Court of Claims
June 08, 2023
City Council Members Back $72 Million Budget Amendment to Address Quality-of-Life Issues; $40 Million in Anti-Violence Programs Also on the Table
June 06, 2023
“The resolution of the debt ceiling standoff leaves both President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy with newly gained political capital as a result of their bipartisanship. But it also re-emboldened opposition from their respective political flanks.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
June 05, 2023
News in New York – Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives; End of NYS Legislative Session; 2023 LGBTQ+ Power Players
June 01, 2023
City Hall Upcoming Committee Hearings Philadelphia City Council holds several public hearings throughout the legislative calendar. You can watch the hearings here.
May 31, 2023
BOSTON — Running List of Layoffs in Boston Tech Sector
The Boston Globe has begun tracking layoffs at tech companies in the region.
May 30, 2023
News in New York – Adams Requests Relief from City's Right-to-Shelter Law; NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation; Housing Chief to Leave Adams Administration
May 30, 2023
“The debt ceiling battle has evolved into DC’s version of a Shakespearean play – it is a tale of sound and fury, signifying very little in the end.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
May 23, 2023
“The battle over the debt ceiling is not really about controlling the country’s fiscal trajectory; it’s about controlling the political narrative.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
May 22, 2023
News in New York – Gov. Hochul Event on 5/31; Judge Appointments; Congestion Pricing Update; 2023 Cannabis Industry Power Players
May 19, 2023
Chicago Mayor Lightfoot Announces Apprenticeship Program to Create, Grow Technology Talent in City Government, Improve City Services
Now former-Mayor Lori Lightfoot and various city departments announced an apprenticeship program to develop and maintain a pipeline of technology talent for the City of Chicago.
May 17, 2023
Joseph Hill & Brianna Westbrooks breakdown the Philadelphia primary results.
May 16, 2023
“In Washington, less public squawking is usually a good sign that there is serious talking taking place.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
May 15, 2023
News in New York – NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation; Congestion Pricing Plan; Additional Cannabis Dispensary Licenses
May 11, 2023
With a little more than half a year left in his final term in office, Mayor Jim Kenney announced the formation of a transition committee to ensure a seamless transfer of power to the city’s yet-to-be-determined 100th mayor without holding up city services. The transition team will include representatives from the offices of the Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Integrity Officer, Human Resources, Innovation & Technology, and the Department of Records, and will work closely with designated coordinators from each city department.
May 09, 2023
“President Biden gets mixed marks for his handling of the economy. But luckily for Biden, GOP presidential candidates aren’t focused on the economy.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
May 08, 2023
News in New York – Mayor Adams Plan to Shelter Asylum Seekers Outside NYC; Enacted FY24 State Budget; Rent Guidelines Board Recommends Increased Rent
May 05, 2023
On Tuesday, City Council heard testimony from School District of Philadelphia officials regarding the city’s proposed FY24 budget allocations, which included updates on recent asbestos-related closures, details about an unanticipated decline in enrollment, and Superintendent Tony Watlington’s vision for creating financial incentives to attract qualified teachers and staff to Philadelphia.
May 04, 2023
Baltimore District 8 City Councilmember Kristerfer Burnet has introduced legislation that would limit the use of facial recognition technology. The goal of the two bills is to protect privacy and promote transparency and accountability.
May 02, 2023
“Joe Biden’s best presidential campaign argument has always been not about who he is, but who he isn’t. Donald Trump’s, ironically, has been the opposite.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
May 01, 2023
News in New York – State Budget "Conceptual Agreement"; Mayor Executive Budget; NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation; Albany 40 under 40
April 27, 2023
On Monday, City Council’s Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development & The Homeless held a public hearing about two components of District 3 Councilmember Jamie Gauthier’s signature “People’s Preservation Package.” The proposed legislation would implement restrictions on the sale of properties whose owners contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide low-income renters with affordable housing, including mandating a right of first refusal for potential buyers who would continue to provide affordable housing, extending the time frame for the mandatory advance notice of intent to sell, and expanding the list of parties that would need to be notified. The legislation would also require the City to maintain a current list of affordable housing providers and resources.
April 24, 2023
News in New York – Rowan Wilson Confirmed as Chief Judge; Redistricting Commission Submits New Assembly Maps; Mayor's Sustainability Plan; State Budget Update
April 20, 2023
Philadelphia City Council holds several public hearings throughout the legislative calendar. You can watch the hearings here.
April 19, 2023
The New York Police Department (NYPD) recently announced a series of high-tech security, including a robotic “digidog” to be used in life-threatening situations.
April 18, 2023
“The outcome of the 2024 elections could be influenced by how effectively the Biden administration implements the hundreds of billions in tax credits Democrats passed last year. And the winners of those elections, in turn, will decide what happens to the Trump tax cuts that expire in 2025.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
April 18, 2023
“House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) first challenge in resolving the debt limit impasse is to unify the disparate members of his conference. To do so, he is making them ‘an offer they can’t refuse.’” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
April 17, 2023
News in New York – NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation; Hochul Nominates New Chief Judge; Adams Appoints Rat Czar
April 13, 2023
In light of Philadelphia’s ongoing gun violence crisis and the recent high-profile disorderly gathering of hundreds of local teenagers in Center City during their spring break, much of City Council’s Tuesday budget hearing with the Managing Director’s Office and Philadelphia Police Department focused on the city’s extracurricular offerings to teenagers, as well as how the police can best prepare for the upcoming summer season, which typically results in higher rates of crime and disorderly conduct. The police department has requested an additional $55.7 million over last year’s budget in order to address ongoing staffing issues.
April 10, 2023
News in New York – City Council Releases Preliminary Budget Response; Adams Announces PEG Elimination; Contract Agreement with PBA
April 06, 2023
Budget hearings continued this week, with officials from the Streets Department addressing ways to combat illegal dumping and continue to improve trash collection — the current on-time collection rate is at a 15-year high of 97% — on Monday, and officials from the District Attorney’s Office, including DA Larry Krasner himself, discussing the pertinent issue of crime on Tuesday, with a notable exchange on the recent rise in retail theft. DA Krasner requested an additional $7 million to address council’s concerns about increased shoplifting and carjacking incidents.
April 05, 2023
The city will be providing paid sick and safe leave for most gig workers, who will accrue a day of paid sick leave for every 30 days they do work in Seattle.
April 04, 2023
"Donald Trump has once again entered uncharted political territory and is taking the rest of the GOP — and the country — with him.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
April 03, 2023
News in New York – State Budget Update; Adams Launches MyCity Portal; NYS Receives Federal Funding for Broadband Internet Access
March 30, 2023
This week marked the beginning of a weeks-long series of public hearings to finalize Philadelphia’s budget for next year. Tuesday afternoon saw testimony from various department and agency heads that fall under the purview of the Office of the Mayor, during which, Councilmember Kendra Brooks criticized the proposed reduction in budget for the Department of Labor, which was created by the Kenney Administration in 2020 to create and implement citywide employment policies.
March 28, 2023
“Winston Churchill is credited with saying, ’Never let a good crisis go to waste.’ But the reality is that when it comes to politics, it’s actually quite difficult to capitalize on a crisis.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
March 27, 2023
News in New York – Governor Hochul Nominates Commissioner of Health; Chief Judge Short List Released; Stuart Shorenstein and Ken Fisher Named to 2023 Law Power 100
March 23, 2023
This week, the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development & the Homeless heard testimony on housing voucher-based discrimination and potential legislation on rent control, during which tenants, housing providers, and local affordable housing advocates and policy leaders weighed in on existing challenges within the city’s current affordable housing system and potential solutions to improve access for low-income Philadelphians.
March 22, 2023
Chicago will begin testing parking enforcement technology and smart loading zones following an ordinance the City Council passed March 15. The technology will automatically issue tickets for parking or standing violations in areas with posted signs, such as bike lanes and commercial loading zones.
March 21, 2023
“President Biden is moving to the middle as he readies his re-election campaign. What will likely be more relevant for his prospects of a second term though is not whether he is more moderate than his eventual GOP challenger but whether he is more palatable.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
March 20, 2023
News in New York –State Senate and Assembly Release One-House Budgets; NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation; Mayor Adams Announces Appointments
March 16, 2023
Philadelphia City Council is considering reinstating a previous 1% discount for early payment of property taxes, which would apply to residents who pay next year’s full tax bills by the end of February 2024. The discount was suspended in 2021 in order to mitigate a COVID-19 pandemic-related revenue shortfall. If the measure moves forward, it would be the latest in a trend of attempts by city officials to provide tax relief for Philadelphians who may be experiencing undue financial burden.
March 14, 2023
“Stopping a banking crisis is hard. Stopping a banking crisis AND avoiding a political backlash is really hard.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
March 13, 2023
News in New York – Speaker Adams Delivers State of the City Address; Mayor Adams Unveils "The Road Forward"; Minimum Wage for App-Based Food Delivery Workers
March 10, 2023
Concessions workers at the United Center staged a one-day walkout Sunday that affected food and beverage service during the afternoon’s Chicago Bulls game.
March 07, 2023
City Council announced a new public/private partnership in support of asylum seekers, “Welcome NYC.” The $2.2 million initiative includes $1 million in funding from the city and $1 million from large philanthropic organizations, including the Robin Hood Foundation and the New York Community Trust. The funding will go toward legal services, workforce development, literacy programs, youth services, faith-based services, and food assistance at several organizations across the city.
March 07, 2023
“There are many things Republicans don’t agree on, from entitlement reform to aid to Ukraine to who should be the party’s next standard-bearer. But they are virtually unanimous in their view that the politics of ‘woke capitalism’ are the new cornerstone of the GOP.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
March 02, 2023
With six members of City Council resigning to run for mayor, as well as council president’s upcoming retirement, City Council will continue to change significantly as new members come into office and others transition to leadership positions. Read our detailed run-down of the current state of the at-large and district City Council races, as well as the behind-the-scenes race to become council president.
March 02, 2023
Council President Darrell L. Clarke (District 5) announced last week that he would not be seeking reelection, while several seats set to turn over.
March 02, 2023
On March 2, Mayor Kenney presented his final budget proposal to City Council. Throughout his address, he stated that he would like to prioritize short and medium-term violence prevention and quality-of-life initiatives. The proposed budget has $6.1 billion in revenue and $5.6 billion in expenses, which leaves $524 million unspent.
February 28, 2023
President Biden will need to crowd in massive sums of private capital to covert his ambitious legislative agenda from the last two years into reality.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
February 27, 2023
News in New York – Preview of Adams' Mental Health Agenda; Adams Seeks Further Oversight of the MTA; Mayor Adams Announces Administration Appointments
February 23, 2023
On Wednesday, the Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council announced that it will be throwing its weight behind former City Councilmember and State Representative Cherelle Parker. The endorsement by the council — which comprises 30 different unions across the city — ended up being instrumental during the 2015 and 2019 mayoral elections that saw the victory of current mayor, Jim Kenney, though it remains to be seen how the endorsements that have been made thus far will ultimately impact such a crowded mayoral race. To date, other unions have rallied behind grocery store proprietor Jeff Brown and former Councilmember At-Large Helen Gym.
February 22, 2023
On the evening of February 2, Chicago rideshare drivers gathered outside the Copernicus Center on the city’s Northwest Side, braving extremely cold and windy weather, to demand better working conditions, wages and benefits.
February 21, 2023
“Republicans and Democrats alike are not just dealing with narrow majorities in Congress, but they’re also wrestling with fractious elements within their parties. This leaves their leaders (and would-be leaders) seeking to thread the needle both in terms of politics and policy.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
February 21, 2023
News in New York – Senate Rejects LaSalle; DC37 and Mayor Adams Announce Tentative Contract Agreement; NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation
February 15, 2023
“Divided government in Washington is a function of overwhelmingly unified government in the 50 states. This single party rule in the states is accelerating policy change and deepening the differences between red and blue areas of the country.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
February 13, 2023
News in New York – GOP Senator Sues Dems over LaSalle; Adams Lifts Vaccination Requirement for City Workers; Gary Jenkins Resigns as Social Services Commissioner; Council Members Leave Progressive Caucus over NYPD Funding Pledge
February 10, 2023
Rideshare and delivery drivers in Chicago are calling for an ordinance that guarantees their right to appeal before being permanently kicked off the app they use for their jobs. The proposed ordinance would offer a means for app drivers accused of misconduct to tell their side of the story and recoup lost income if they were found to be unfairly deactivated.
February 09, 2023
Earlier this week, Councilmember David Oh resigned his at-large seat and officially announced that he is running to become the 100th mayor of Philadelphia. Though he is the 11th candidate to enter the race, he is the first Republican to do so. Philadelphia’s next mayor is very likely to be a Democrat, but former Councilmember Oh hopes that his qualifications and the city’s current political atmosphere will help him overcome the 7-to-1 voter registration advantage enjoyed by the city’s majority party.
February 09, 2023
As Pennsylvania’s largest city, Philadelphia also has the state’s largest — and poorest — public school system. When news broke on Tuesday afternoon that the Commonwealth Court had ruled that the state’s “outdated” funding distribution model to be unconstitutional, many local proponents of system reform celebrated, as the ruling will likely have a significant impact on the School District of Philadelphia. The current formula ties school funding primarily to property taxes, which plaintiffs argued creates an inherently inequitable system in which low-wealth districts were perpetually underfunded.
February 07, 2023
“Tonight’s State of the Union address is less about the usual laundry list of policy priorities and more about President Biden building the political narrative for his all but certain re-election campaign.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
February 02, 2023
A coalition of local organizations under the umbrella of Philadelphia’s progressive Working Families Party announced Monday that it would be endorsing former Councilmember Helen Gym for mayor in the upcoming primary. The Working Families Party has risen in prominence as a legitimate third-party contender in recent years, with At-Large Councilmember Kendra Brooks being the first member from the party to be elected to City Council in 2019 and Larry Krasner’s candidacy for district attorney having been bolstered by the party’s support twice.
January 31, 2023
“While much of the focus on how effective Washington can be under divided government has been on newly installed Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his relationship with his fellow Republicans, perhaps a more important dynamic that has been largely overlooked is the relationship between McCarthy and his Senate counterpart, Mitch McConnell.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
January 30, 2023
News in New York – Mayor Adams Delivers State of the City; Governor Hochul to Deliver FY24 Executive Budget; Mayor Adams Announces 21 Judicial Appointments and Reappointments
January 26, 2023
With 110 days left until the May 16 mayoral primary, Democratic candidates have been hard at work campaigning, with many of them participating in a litany of forums for the opportunity to present their platforms to voters. Recent forum topics have included advancing economic opportunity in Philadelphia’s Black and brown communities, how best to address the city’s gun violence epidemic, and LGBT+ issues.
January 24, 2023
“When listening to the histrionics surrounding the latest debt limit showdown, it’s important to take a deep breath and remember that as with most things in DC, process tends to trump substance.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
January 23, 2023
News in New York – Senate Judiciary Committee Votes No on LaSalle; NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation; First NY Cannabis Dispensary Owned by Justice-Impacted Individual Opens
January 17, 2023
“President Biden’s best case for re-election is that he’s not Donald Trump. Perhaps his biggest risk for re-election is that Trump’s relevance appears to be waning even if MAGA ideology and MAGA voters aren’t.”
January 12, 2023
Earlier this week, the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) announced that it would be accepting new applications for its Housing Choice Voucher Program for the first time in more than a decade. The waiting list was closed in 2010 when the number of applications — 55,000 — surpassed the number of available vouchers. Applications will be accepted from January 23 at 6 a.m. to February 5 at 5:59 p.m., and the new waitlist will be capped at 10,000 applications.
January 10, 2023
Kevin McCarthy finally clinched the Speaker’s gavel and swore in members of the 118th Congress, which ushers in a new period of Congressional investigations.
January 10, 2023
“The first week of the 118th Congress starkly demonstrated that Democrats do not have a monopoly on disarray. But just like in nature, politics abhors a vacuum, and the key as always to navigating Congress is appealing to enough interests among the differing factions.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
January 09, 2023
Last Wednesday, the NYC Council held their Charter meeting, where they introduced multiple pieces of legislation. The Charter meeting is the first Stated meeting of the calendar year. The Council introduced legislation related to health insurance coverage for city employees and retirees, a change that could save the city up to $600 million per year. Legislation was also introduced calling upon the MTA to inspect every subway surveillance camera on a quarterly basis. You can find all of the bills that were introduced here.
January 05, 2023
Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court concluded last Friday that none of the seven articles of impeachment filed by state House Republicans against Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner constitute “misbehavior in office.” DA Krasner has held firm since the House approved the articles in November that his actions and policy decisions do not amount to impeachable offenses, and that he believes the proceedings to be partisan witch hunt, going so far as to appeal directly to the Commonwealth Court to have the articles declared “legally baseless.” It is not immediately clear whether the impeachment trial in the Senate — which is currently scheduled for January 18 — will be moving forward as planned in light of the recent court filing.
January 03, 2023
News in New York – First Legal Cannabis Dispensary Opens; Oppositions to LaSalle Chief Judge Confirmation; Mayor Adams Announces Two Administration Appointments
December 27, 2022
Last Wednesday, the NYC Council convened a Stated meeting, where they passed and introduced multiple pieces of legislation. The Council voted on the Language Access Act, which aims to strengthen language access for New York City residents and small business owners, and increase the translation of city documents into more languages. Legislation was also passed to improve the efficiency of parks capital improvements projects. Additionally, the Council approved legislation to create a workforce development program for people with disabilities, along with legislation requiring five-year accessibility plans from every city agency. You can find all of the bills that were passed and introduced here.
December 22, 2022
Last week, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced that Philadelphia law enforcement will be receiving an influx of $25 million to assist in current efforts to quell the city’s persistent rates of gun violence. The funding comes from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and is part of two larger statewide grant programs administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency — the Local Law Enforcement Support Program and the Gun Violence Investigation & Prosecution Program. While many have celebrated the monetary assistance to help address this dire problem, some critics would like to have seen more of the funding allocated to community-based violence reduction programs rather than just to police departments and district attorney’s offices. Philadelphia recently recorded its 500th homicide this year, surpassing the milestone for the second consecutive year.
December 21, 2022
For more than a year, the California voter-approved gig economy law known as Proposition 22 has hung in the balance after a judge invalidated the ballot initiative allowing giant ride-hailing and delivery companies to classify their workers as independent contractors rather than employees. On Tuesday, a California appeals court heard oral arguments in San Francisco on whether it should uphold the lower court ruling that deemed Proposition 22 unconstitutional and unenforceable.
December 19, 2022
News in New York – Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul Launch "Making New York Work for Everyone"; City Council Housing Plan; In-State SUNY Tuition for Asylum Seekers; Rose Christ Named Among 2022 City & State New York's Responsible 100
December 15, 2022
On Monday, city workers and elected officials broke ground on a new development project that will bring more affordable housing units to Grays Ferry and Point Breeze. The development is part of City Council President Darrell Clarke’s signature Neighborhood Preservation Initiative, which aims to address the city’s affordable housing crisis by increasing the number of available affordable housing in pockets of rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia, thus helping to revive commercial corridors and improve neighborhood infrastructure. The three-bedroom homes will be listed under the Turn the Key program for $230,000 — less than half the median sale price in the neighborhood — with soft loans available up to $75,000.
December 14, 2022
Massachusetts’ Energy Facilities Sitting Board approved a special permit for a controversial electrical substation in East Boston. The permit allows the project to circumvent 14 final environmental permits. 84% of Boston voters voted against the substation in a non-binding ballot question last year.
December 13, 2022
“Populism isn’t abating, but moderation is back in vogue.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
December 12, 2022
News in New York – Mayor Adams Launches "Get Stuff Built"; NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation; Attorney General's Chief of Staff Resigns
December 08, 2022
Last week, West Philadelphia State Representative Amen Brown announced his intention to run for mayor at a Pennsylvania Society satellite event in New York, hosted by real estate developer — and likely super PAC supporter — Marty Burger. Rep. Brown is expected to make a formal announcement of his candidacy on Thursday, which will make him the tenth candidate to enter the race. Unlike the many former Philadelphia City Council members who have thrown their hats in the ring, Rep. Brown would not have to resign his position in order to run.
December 06, 2022
“A lot of things will change with the return of a divided Congress next year, and corporations will be in the center of the bullseye for both the left and the right.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
December 05, 2022
News in New York – New Draft Assembly Map Released; Adams Plan to Provide Care for Individuals with Severe Mental Illness; Bassett Stepping Down as Health Commissioner
December 01, 2022
For a brief window of time, Philadelphia City Council returned to its normal 17-member roster as Quetcy Lozada, Anthony Phillips, Jimmy Harrity, and Sharon Vaughn were sworn in Monday as the new 7th District, 9th District, and at-large councilmembers, respectively. All four members were elected earlier this month in special elections to serve out the remaining 13 months of the current legislative term following the resignations of former Councilmembers Maria Quiñones-Sánchez, Cherelle Parker, Allan Domb, and Derek Green — all of whom are currently running for mayor. Helen Gym has joined her former colleagues in the race, as she announced her resignation from City Council Tuesday morning and her run for mayor Wednesday afternoon.
November 28, 2022
News in New York – NYC Agencies Asked to Reduce Vacancies by Half; NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation; Mayor Adams Appoints Nine New Commissioners to Commission on Gender Equity
November 22, 2022
“The election may be in the rearview mirror, but the economy and industry have to navigate the shifting politics that now lie ahead.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
November 21, 2022
News in New York – Soccer Stadium to be Built in Queens by New York City Football Club; NYC Lost Over 19,000 Full-Time Government Employees Since 2020; CityFHEPS Housing Voucher Program Expanded Eligibility; Katie Schwab & Rose Christ Named to City & State NY's Power of Diversity: Women 100
November 17, 2022
On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania State House voted 107-85 to impeach Democratic Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner in an ongoing effort to remove him from office, marking the first time the House has impeached an officeholder in nearly 30 years — and perhaps the first time in history the action has been taken against an officeholder whose “misbehavior in office” does not amount to actual criminal activity. The vote comes the day after the House Judiciary Committee’s approval of two articles of impeachment against DA Krasner, which collectively accuse him of directly causing the city’s increase in violent crime by shirking his duties as DA and obstructing the House Select Committee on Restoring Law and Order’s investigation of his Office by defying a subpoena issued by the House in August.
November 15, 2022
“While neither Joe Biden nor Donald Trump were officially on the ballot last week, Bidenism and Trumpism were.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
November 14, 2022
News in New York – New York 2022 Midterm Election Results; Randall's Island Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center Demobilized; Mayor Adams Launches "Get Stuff Clean"
November 11, 2022
Driverless car company Waymo, owned by Google parent Alphabet, said October 19 that it plans to add autonomous taxi fleet operations to Los Angeles. “L.A. is in the top three ride-hailing markets in the United States and globally,” said Saswat Panigrahi, the company’s chief product officer. “The commercial opportunity is huge.”
November 11, 2022
On Tuesday, Philadelphians turned out in droves to participate in the highly anticipated midterm election. The state’s highly competitive U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races drew much national attention, and while ballots are still being counted — due in large part to the last-minute reinstatement of a policy that requires counters to institute a time-consuming process that is intended to identify double votes — Philadelphia voters also made several important decisions at the city level.
November 08, 2022
“It has become increasingly difficult to separate the signal from the noise on Election Night. But knowing what to watch for tonight will provide insight into how the next two years will unfold.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
November 07, 2022
News in New York – Eric Ulrich Resigns as Department of Buildings Commissioner; NYC Emloyers Required to Post Salary Ranges on Job Listings; Mayor Adams Launches NYC Legal Fellows Program
November 03, 2022
Last Friday, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited Philadelphia to speak at a Pennsylvania Democrats fundraiser in Center City, where they each highlighted their party’s commitment to leveling the economic playing field for working Americans. The strategic visits were intended to shore up the campaigns of Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman — the Democratic nominees for governor and U.S. Senate, respectively — the latter of whose poll numbers have continued to tighten with his Republican opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz, in the final days of their extremely high-profile and competitive race in the crucial battleground state. This won’t be the last visit for President Biden, as he and former President Barack Obama will be visiting Philadelphia again the Saturday before the midterm elections.
November 02, 2022
Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke introduced legislation that would institute mandatory inclusionary zoning in a portion of his district.
November 01, 2022
“Midterm elections are traditionally a referendum on the party in power and this year is no different, giving the GOP the better macro narrative. But in an age of hyper-polarization when the country is so closely divided, poor candidate quality in races on the margin could make the difference.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
October 31, 2022
News in New York – NYC Council Introduces and Passes Legislation; District Maps Accepted by City Council; Mayor Adams Appoints Laura Kavanagh as Fire Commissioner
October 28, 2022
On Tuesday, Rebecca Rhynhart formally submitted her resignation letter to Mayor Kenney as Philadelphia’s City Controller. She launched her mayoral campaign at a news conference in West Philadelphia that afternoon. She has been very critical of the Kenney administration throughout her tenure as controller, and she plans on using the results of her audits and recommendations to improve city services.
October 26, 2022
In yet another pre-election sweetener, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that the city is expanding its parental leave policy, effective Jan. 1, to allow all 32,000 city employees up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave whether they are the “birthing or non-birthing parent.”
October 25, 2022
“Two of the few things both Democrats and Republicans agree on today in Washington are supporting domestic manufacturing and being tough on China. When you put these two together, the result is the rebirth of US industrial policy.”
— Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
October 24, 2022
News in New York – Mayor Adams Announces New Trash Pickup Rules to Combat City's Rat Problem; Mayor Adams Announces Two Administration Appointments; Zakariah Malik Named Among 2022 City & State New York's 40 Under 40
October 13, 2022
Public safety has long been a topic of concern for Philadelphia officials and residents alike. With the recent uptick in gun-related and other violent crimes — a recent high-profile example being the tragic death of a high school football player during a scrimmage at Roxborough High School — all eyes are on the city’s current and potential future officials to solve the city’s most pressing issue.
October 11, 2022
“The increasing politicization of America’s traditionally independent institutions is at the root of concerns over the perceived rising risk to American democracy itself.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
October 05, 2022
Multinational aerospace and defense technology company Northrop Grumman has expanded its presence in the Baltimore area with its new, 55,000-square-foot Maryland Space Assembly and Test 2 facility.
October 04, 2022
“While bipartisan legislative victories are still possible under a divided government, the Biden administration will likely need to shift its focus to its executive powers to continue to pursue its partisan agenda in the wake of the midterms.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
October 03, 2022
News in New York – Judge Orders NY Assembly Maps to be Redrawn; Mayor Adams Announces Inaugural Chefs Council; Governor Hochul Commits All New Cars to be Zero Emissions by 2035
September 29, 2022
News in New York – NYC Redistricting Maps Rejected; Mayor Adams Announces Relief Centers to Support Asylum Seekers Entering NYC; Mayor Adams Appoints Mickie as Director of Newly-Created Office of Urban Agriculture.
September 29, 2022
Leaders inside and outside of City Hall have been steadfastly searching for solutions to Philadelphia’s recent dramatic uptick in violent crime. On Tuesday, Mayor Jim Kenney signed an executive order banning firearms and other deadly weapons from the city’s recreation centers. The action comes weeks after the fatal shooting of Mill Creek Recreation Center employee Tiffany Fletcher and is intended to address the nearly 300 incidents of gun violence that have occurred at recreation centers across the city since 2019. The order is expected to face legal challenges at the state level.
September 27, 2022
“Crises like climate change and the pandemic are shifting the battle lines in partisan politics while also putting pressure on CEOs to fill the void left by politicians to solve societal problems.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
September 23, 2022
Jim Engler, the Chief of Staff to Mayor Jim Kenney, has announced that he will be resigning at the end of the month to accept a position as Executive Director of the Office of the President and Chief of Staff at Delaware-based health care provider ChristianaCare. He will be replaced by First Deputy Chief of Staff Christina Pastrana Hernandez. Engler has worked with Mayor Kenney since 2015 and is leaving 15 months before the end of the mayor’s term.
September 21, 2022
Throughout the country, large municipalities are laboratories of democracy. New and innovative policies introduced in one market are often exported to others, and ultimately replicated at the state and federal level. This newsletter highlights emerging local policy and regulatory discussions that impact industries, businesses, and organizations across the nation.
September 20, 2022
“Inflation appears to be both an intractable economic and political problem right now, likely weighing heavily on Democrats’ prospects in this fall’s midterm elections. But how inflation looks in 2024, not 2022, matters far more in terms of the success of Joe Biden’s presidency.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
September 15, 2022
This morning, City Council will be reconvening with 13 members following the resignation of four members over the past month. On Friday, City Council President Darrell Clarke announced that special elections would be held in November to fill the City Council seats in Districts Seven and Nine, which had been held by Maria Quiñones-Sánchez and Cherelle Parker, respectively. The former councilmembers recently stepped down in order to officially launch their respective mayoral campaigns. While former At-Large Councilmembers Allan Domb and Derek Green also recently resigned — the former to explore a potential mayoral run and the latter to launch his mayoral campaign — there are currently no plans for special elections to fill these vacancies.
September 13, 2022
“Republican animus towards Joe Biden is visceral, but not personal. Biden is a proxy, rather than a direct source, of GOP anger.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
September 01, 2022
After several months in quarantine, some of the Philadelphia Zoo’s most famous feathered residents — including penguins, flamingos, hornbills, and emus — have finally returned to their outdoor exhibits. The Philadelphia Zoo has been keeping its birds in quarantine to protect them from, and prevent the spread of, a particularly virulent outbreak of avian flu that has impacted birds across the country.
August 25, 2022
Last week, the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) officially opened its groundbreaking Career and Advanced Technology Center at 48th and Market Streets. The new building will host several of CCP’s short-term certificate and associate’s degree programs in fields such as advanced manufacturing, health care, and transportation technology. The CCP intends for the center to serve as a resource for Philadelphia’s small business community.
August 18, 2022
On Monday, City Councilmember Allan Domb announced that he is resigning, citing his intent to evaluate a 2023 mayoral run. In an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer, the councilmember said that he is weighing a run because Philadelphia is a “city in crisis” in need of a “champion.” Councilmember Domb is the first of potentially many city elected officials to step down due to the resign-to-run rule in Philadelphia’s city charter. Domb made a name for himself as Philadelphia’s “condo king” before serving two terms as an at-large councilmember.
August 16, 2022
Katie Schwab published an article in New York Daily News discussing the importance of returning, post-Covid, to the physical hearing room.
August 11, 2022
After weeks of occupying the lawn of the University City Townhomes complex, the encampment protesting the impending sale of the property was evacuated by law enforcement officials on Monday in accordance with a court order. The majority of residents and activists demonstrated peacefully, with only one protester being issued a citation.
August 04, 2022
While no one has officially thrown their hat in the ring for Philadelphia’s upcoming election for its milestone 100th mayor, teams are beginning to coalesce around suspected mayoral candidates. The race is expected to garner much attention throughout the region and attract campaign veterans and high-profile campaign operatives from Philadelphia and beyond.
July 28, 2022
Data company Placer.ai, which works frequently with organizations like the Center City District, recently released a white paper detailing trends in population movement. They found that while Philadelphia’s population decreased during the first year and a half of the pandemic, it has since begun to increase again, and at a faster rate than other comparable cities. Notably, many millennials are choosing to relocate from New York to Philadelphia, as well as from surrounding suburbs. The study was conducted using cell phone location data.
July 26, 2022
“Although America is highly polarized, it is also relatively evenly divided. So while there is unlikely to be any dominating national issue that swings the midterm elections, a single marginal issue could still ultimately determine control of Congress.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
July 21, 2022
Approximately one in seven municipal jobs in Philadelphia are currently vacant — from librarians and social workers to police and corrections officers — causing severe service interruptions for people across the city. This stems largely from the relatively large turnover over the course of the pandemic. While there has been a national increase in municipal governments’ hiring rate over the past year, Philadelphia’s has not kept pace with the number of resignations and retirements.
July 19, 2022
“Joe Biden and Donald Trump are the most likely presidential nominees for 2024 despite being the most unpopular presidential candidates ever.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
July 14, 2022
Giraffe Encounter, the Philadelphia Zoo’s newest exhibit that opened last Thursday, allows the public to get up close and personal with its three resident giraffes. For an additional $6, or $5 for members, guests are able to feed the giraffes acacia browse, the same plant the long-necked animals eat in the wild.
July 12, 2022
“Otto von Bismarck famously said, ‘Politics is the art of the possible.’ However, as November’s midterm elections draw closer, the realm of the possible is quickly narrowing.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
July 08, 2022
On Monday evening, two police officers were shot near the Philadelphia Museum of Art as the annual Wawa Welcome America Party on the Parkway — the first since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic — drew to a close. Both officers were treated at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and have since been released. The search for the shooter is ongoing, and any motive remains unknown.
July 01, 2022
In 2023, the city of Philadelphia will elect its 100th mayor. Because of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter’s resign-to-run rule — which requires that any city employee or officer who intends to run for office resign their position prior to announcing his or her candidacy — if every one of the rumored candidates decides to run for mayor, there could be as many as five vacancies on City Council, which could lead to significant changes in City Hall even sooner than the historic election.
June 28, 2022
“Ever Since Donald Trump left the White House, the top political question has been ‘Will Trump run again?’ In the wake of the January 6th congressional hearings though, another question is increasingly on Republicans’ minds: ‘Is it politically possible to embrace Trumpism while simultaneously rejecting Trump?’” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
June 23, 2022
Today is City Council’s last voting session before summer recess begins. The legislative body is expected to pass a budget that will invest additional money into public safety and quality-of-life programs. City Council will also vote to lower the net profits portion of the Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) and the Wage Tax. For more information, read the Public Strategies team’s policy alert.
June 22, 2022
“The midterm elections are a natural point for the Biden administration to pivot in terms of both personnel and policy. The White House itself will tack to the center in preparation for the president’s re-election campaign, but Biden’s regulators will continue to pursue an aggressive progressive agenda.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
June 16, 2022
te last night, Philadelphia City Council passed a budget deal out of committee that invested additional money into public safety and quality-of-life programs. They also voted to lower the net profits portion of the Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) and the Wage Tax. For more information, read the comprehensive analysis below.
June 14, 2022
“Democrats are fretting the midterm elections and Republicans are licking their chops. But for anyone already anticipating total gridlock inside the Beltway, it would be wise to remember that Democrats still have unified control of government for the time being and will still control the White House at least through 2024.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
June 13, 2022
With budget negotiations ongoing, there is still significant disagreement on how the city should handle generating revenue moving forward, with some criticizing the city’s historic reliance on the wage tax as stymying economic growth while others asking if taxpayers should get a reprieve after properties were reassessed for the first time in three years. Others are pushing for a wealth tax and increased real estate tax allocations to the School District. However, with strong divisions between members of City Council and activists, a significant change for the upcoming fiscal year would be challenging.
June 07, 2022
“As Republicans and Democrats once again try to find common ground on gun reforms, albeit with modest expectations, they continue to wrestle with the root causes of America’s undeniable status as a global outlier on gun deaths and mass shootings.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
June 02, 2022
The United Way is hosting free legal clinics that will help eligible Philadelphians expunge their records of certain offenses; this could help open up employment and educational opportunities. Pennsylvania’s clean slate law allows for convictions to be cleared after 10 years and non-convictions after 60 days. However, the process requires legal assistance that can be costly. The clinics will be hosted in different locations across Philadelphia.
May 26, 2022
Council President Darrell Clarke and Mayor Jim Kenney presented a new bill to address “prison gerrymandering” — when incarcerated people are counted in their prison’s district for the purposes of legislative districting. The Clarke and Kenney proposal would reapportion the inmates into their last address, with each district netting between 500 and 1,000 residents. In this plan, district lines do not need to be redrawn. If the proposal passes council, it will go to voters for final approval in 2023.
May 24, 2022
“Despite the headwinds Democrats face going into November, Republicans are doing their best to save Democrats from themselves by putting forward extreme candidates whose principal qualification for office seems to be whether they support former President Trump’s false claim of victory in 2020.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
May 19, 2022
Despite infighting between progressive and establishment Democrats, incumbents were largely victorious in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for State House and Senate seats. Progressive incumbents secured commanding victories, despite not receiving the Philadelphia Democratic Party endorsement. To review a detailed analysis of election results across the Commonwealth, read Pennsylvania's Public Strategies Team’s alert.
May 18, 2022
Prepared by the Pennsylvania Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies Team
May 17, 2022
“Inflation appears to be both an intractable economic and political problem right now, likely weighing heavily on Democrats’ prospects in this fall’s midterm elections. But how inflation looks in 2024, not 2022, matters far more in terms of the success of Joe Biden’s presidency.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
May 10, 2022
“Controversy — and efforts to politically capitalize on it — remains one of the only constants in Washington.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
May 09, 2022
Senator Kavanagh, Assembly Member Glick have each introduced state legislation to permit residents to continue to occupy units previously reserved for artists.
May 05, 2022
On Tuesday, the Kenney administration announced the value of the average residential property increased 31 percent. Non-residential real estate increased 9 percent. It is clear that the administration and City Council have some disagreements over how to offset this drastic tax increase on residents and how to spend the additional revenue.
May 03, 2022
“Joe Biden and Donald Trump are shadow boxing in the 2022 midterm elections even though neither of them are formally on the ballot. And contrary to conventional wisdom, they are likely to face a real re-match in 2024.” — Howard Schweitzer, CEO, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
April 28, 2022
Councilmember Helen Gym introduced a bill last week that would require businesses with 50 or more employees to establish a commuter benefit program for employees’ public transit and bike commuter costs. Payment would come from pretax income and could save participants an average of $200 a year in federal income tax.
April 22, 2022
Joseph Hill and Brianna Westbrooks discuss Councilmember Gym's proposal that would require private-sector employers with more than 50 employees to offer a transit tax benefit to their employees.
April 21, 2022
Philadelphia elected officials are pushing to extend oversight of the city’s budget by the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) to at least 2047, a bipartisan effort joining politicians in the state capitol and city hall. After poor finances nearly led to a municipal bankruptcy in the 1990s, state officials created PICA — which has members appointed by the governor — to approve the city’s long-term financial plans. Current PICA oversight will expire next year, and some local unions oppose an extension, arguing it prevents them from getting more favorable contracts.
April 15, 2022
Two weeks ago, Mayor Jim Kenney released his proposed 2022-2023 budget, which totals $5.6 billion in spending.
April 07, 2022
Facing low recruitment numbers, the city is in talks with budget officials and the police to offer bonuses of up to $10,000 for people who serve at least one year after completing training. The program would be triggered when the Police Department has 5 percent fewer officers than included in the city’s budget.
April 05, 2022
Joe Hill, Joe Bright, and Brianna Westbrooks discuss Councilmember Brooks' proposed tax on certain intangible property, including direct holdings in stocks and bonds, at 0.4 percent.
March 31, 2022
Today, Mayor Kenney will outline his vision for the upcoming fiscal year’s budget, which will officially kick off budget season. His proposal does not include tax increases, but it assumes real estate tax revenue will increase 4.5 percent due to new property assessments. If the reassessments increase by more than the projected 4.5 percent, the administration has committed to working with City Council to provide relief to property owners. The mayor’s budget would only spend $335 million of the $1.4 billion from the American Rescue Plan this year. City Council will host hearings over the next few months and must approve a budget before their summer recess. Mayor Kenney must sign the approved budget before July 1.
March 28, 2022
On March 3, 2022, Council amended Philadelphia’s Public Health Emergency Leave Ordinance and created a specific COVID-19 sick leave protection.
March 24, 2022
On Tuesday, Mayor Kenney appointed Anne K. Nadol to lead the Commerce Department. She has been an executive at Temple University for more than 20 years.
March 17, 2022
Councilmember Helen Gym is proposing a bill that would require all Philadelphia public schools to install modern water filters wherever school water can be tapped by 2025. The push comes after reports emerged that some schools have water with levels of lead far higher than the legal limit.
March 10, 2022
Philadelphia City Council voted last week to pass a paid COVID-19 sick leave requirement for companies with more than 25 employees. Although the bill passed 12-4, there was extensive debate amongst councilmembers about the impact this legislation could have on small businesses. Once signed, this ordinance will be in effect until the end of 2023.
March 03, 2022
Yesterday, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health announced that the indoor mask mandate ended. Two weeks ago, the city established benchmarks that would determine COVID-19 safety restrictions, and conditions have been met that allow mandated masking indoors to cease. However, if the spread of COVID-19 rises, restrictions can be mandated again.
February 17, 2022
For the third time in two years, a proposal for emergency paid sick leave for those affected by COVID-19 is moving out of a City Council committee. The latest proposal, authored by Councilmember Kendra Brooks, is similar to laws passed in 2020 and 2021. Brooks said that the recent spike in local COVID-19 cases from the Omicron variant shows the continued importance of encouraging people to stay home and recover from infection.
February 10, 2022
At a press conference, Mayor Kenney and Councilmember Gilmore-Richardson announced the appointment of 17 Philadelphians to the Environmental Justice Advisory Commission, which was created in 2019 by then-Councilmember Reynolds Brown. The commission will be responsible for examining and proposing changes to city policy that impact environmental justice. At the same time, Councilmember Gym introduced a bill, which would “protect communities against the adverse health effects caused by pollution.”
February 09, 2022
Jeremy Glenn, Brittany Green, and Sydney Holman co-authored an article on Illinois' legislative action toward employee pay equality with sweeping amendments in 2021 to the state Equal Pay Act.
February 03, 2022
Ward leaders in the 6th Council district selected State Representative Mike Driscoll to run in the special election to replace former Councilmember Henon. Council President Clarke has not yet selected a date for the special election.
January 27, 2022
A new district map for City Council was introduced by President Darrell Clarke, which makes some small adjustments to districts based on population changes.
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 13, 2022
Twenty-two percent of city employees are not in compliance with the vaccine mandate going into effect on Friday, according to local officials.
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 31, 2021
As President Biden gathers with G20 leaders in Europe to tackle Covid-19 vaccines, supply chain woes, corporate tax issues, and the climate crisis, his domestic agenda continues to be in flux and candidates make their final pitch in Virginia’s race for governor.
Public Strategies’ regular hosts Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, and Kaitlyn Martin are joined by Jerry Kilgore, a former Virginia State Attorney General, and Julia Hammond, former legislative director for Virginia Governor McDonnell, to discuss the state of Virginia race, a potential preview of next year’s crucial midterm elections.
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.
September 01, 2021
Mira Baylson, Meghan Stoppel, and Gianna Puccinelli discuss Colorado State AG's letter to Congress regarding national cannabis reform and the recently proposed legislation, and how states and the federal government have worked together in the past to enact legislation and regulations.
August 12, 2021
As the Delta variant continues to spread, governments and businesses across the country are considering changing their COVID-19 protocols.
August 02, 2021
Alyssa Baldassini, Kaitesi Munroe, Vivien Krieger, Katie Schwab discuss the city’s proposed City-Wide Hotel Special Permit and how community boards and borough presidents are responding.
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 20, 2021
Alyssa Baldassini, Kaitesi Munroe, Vivien Krieger, and Katie Schwab discuss Mayor de Blasio's plan to make the temporary Open Restaurants Program permanent.
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 28, 2021
Alyssa Baldassini, Kaitesi Munroe, Vivien Krieger and Katie Schwab discuss the NYC Council Approval of the Proposal to Mandate Racial Equity Reports for Certain Land Use Applications
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
On June 17, Philadelphia City Council approved amendments to the budget that Mayor Kenney initially presented in April.
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.
April 22, 2021
Alyssa Baldassini, Lauren Turenchalk, Vivien Krieger, and Katie Schwab discuss the eight top Democratic candidates and their plans for affordable housing.
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.
April 01, 2021
James Ansorge discusses New York's legislation legalizing adult-use cannabis signed into law by Governor Cuomo.
March 26, 2021
Jamie Ansorge, Rose Christ, and Michael Bain discuss how the American Rescue Plan will impact New York City and state, as well as small businesses and nonprofits.
February 21, 2021
Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, and Stuart Shorenstein discuss the impact of the current scandals and whether they seem to indicate the return to old-school, rough-and-tumble, hardball-style politics.
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.
November 02, 2020
Joe Hill was quoted in an Associate Press article discussing Joe Biden’s campaign efforts to appeal to Black supporters to vote in-person during a pandemic that has disproportionally affected their communities, betting that a strong turnout will boost his chances in states that could decide the election.
October 28, 2020
Alex Campau, Mark Alderman, and Brett Banker discuss the similarities and differences between Trump and Biden's health care policies.
October 21, 2020
With the 2020 presidential election just days away, the future of cannabis legalization will likely rest on the shoulders of whoever is sitting in the Oval Office on January 20, 2021. So where do Donald Trump and Joe Biden stand with respect to the Cannabis industry? The Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies team brings you perspectives from both sides of the election spectrum.
July 30, 2020
Jerry Kilgore and Julia Hammond discuss Virginia's workplace safety standards to protect Virginia workers.
May 21, 2020
Patrick Martin wrote about ways to secure business development opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 19, 2020
Jeff Vogel, Matt Howell, Evan Berquist, and Jason Kreps discuss the programs and facilities announced by the Fed and Treasury to disburse the $500 billion in funding for lending to businesses and to state and local governments in hopes of stabilizing the economy in the short-and long-term and questions related to the $75 billion allocated to the Main Street Lending Facilities.
April 29, 2020
Katie Schwab & Jamie Ansorge discuss three new bills introduced in New York City City Council that would impact employers in the city.
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