Cozen Cities – July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

Technology & Gig Economy

PHILADELPHIA—Waymo to Begin Testing Driverless Cars This Summer

Waymo is launching manual test drives of its autonomous vehicles in Philadelphia to familiarize its technology with the city. While public rides are not yet available, the move signals a potential future expansion as the company awaits approval for autonomous testing in Pennsylvania.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Region Sees Rise in Gig Work as Federal Job Market Stalls

The D.C. metro area is experiencing a surge in temporary and gig work as former federal employees and job seekers turn to staffing agencies and retraining programs after widespread hiring freezes and budget cuts stalled traditional federal job pipelines.

Housing & Real Estate

CHICAGO—Lawmakers Skeptical of Proposal to Legalize ADUs

Chicago lawmakers are divided over legalizing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), which are currently illegal in most areas of the city, with political gridlock stalling progress on the issue. While ADUs are seen as a low-cost solution to affordable housing crises in other cities, many City Council members are concerned about losing control over local development decisions.

DETROIT—DHC Issues RFP for $160M Affordable Housing Overhaul

The Detroit Housing Commission (DHC) issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a $160 million renovation of Sheridan Place I and II, a 409-unit community built in the early 1980s, as part of its broader strategy to modernize affordable housing, boost occupancy, and strengthen community connectivity through sustainable development.

LOS ANGELES—City Council Proposal Could Allow Sale of Cheaper ADUs

The Los Angeles City Council is considering proposals to speed up housing development, including a plan to allow ADUs to be sold separately, aiming to expand affordable homeownership and support financial stability for older homeowners.

TWIN CITIES—Housing Construction Up But Lags

Residential construction activity in the Twin Cities saw a 30% increase in June compared to the previous year, with a total of 730 new housing units permitted. However, both single- and multi-family construction remain well below historic averages. Experts caution that sustained growth is needed to address the region’s significant housing shortage.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—City Council Weighs Terms of $3.7B Stadium Deal

As Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) pushes for approval of a $3.7 billion stadium deal with the Washington Commanders, D.C. Council members are negotiating changes—ranging from labor agreements to revenue sharing—before committing their support, with only one member firmly opposed.

Labor & Employment

BOSTON—Sanitation Strike Disrupts Trash Pickup

A strike by 450 Republic Services workers in the Boston area halted waste collection for hundreds of thousands of people. Represented by Teamsters Local 25, the workers are demanding better pay, benefits, and labor protections.

CHICAGO—Public Schools Lay Off 161, Cut 209 Positions to Plug Budget Hole

To help close a $734 million budget gap, Chicago Public Schools laid off 161 employees and cut 209 unfilled positions, mostly affecting central office and citywide staff. The move has drawn criticism from unions, who argue the cuts harm school communities and are urging city leaders to find alternative solutions.

LOS ANGELES—Business Coalition Moves to Overturn $30 Minimum Wage for Hotel, Airport Workers

A coalition of business owners in Los Angeles submitted more than 140,000 signatures to the City Clerk’s Office in an effort to overturn the recently approved $30-per-hour minimum wage for airport and hotel workers, claiming the wage hike could hurt small businesses and lead to layoffs.

PHILADELPHIA—First Municipal Strike in Nearly 40 Years Ends

After overnight negotiations, the City of Philadelphia and AFSCME District Council 33 struck a tentative agreement to end the strike halting trash pickup, the first of its kind in nearly 40 years, with workers possibly returning Wednesday.

Policy & Politics

LOS ANGELES—Trump Admin Sues Mayor Bass, City Council Over Sanctuary Policy

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass (D), and the City Council, claiming the City’s sanctuary law illegally obstructs federal immigration enforcement and violates the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause. City officials and legal experts argue the law is within local authority under the 10th Amendment and accuse the Trump administration of intimidation.

Public Health & Safety

BALTIMORE—City Credits Public‑Health Violence Strategy for Historic Reduction in Homicide Rate

Baltimore recorded its lowest homicide levels in over half a century, driven by Mayor Brandon Scott’s (D) public health-centered anti-violence plan, which combines community-based interventions, targeted policing, and multi-agency collaboration.

BALTIMORE—Mayor Scott Unveils $242.5M Plan to Cut Opioid Deaths

Mayor Scott released a preliminary strategic plan—funded by a $242.5 million pharmaceutical settlement—to reduce opioid overdose fatalities by 40% by 2040, with initiatives focused on addressing inequities, enhancing harm reduction, removing service barriers, and increasing youth engagement. Meanwhile, the City Council is investigating the overdose crisis.

SAN DIEGO—City Pauses Surveillance Tech Funding Amid Data Privacy Concerns

The San Diego City Council paused funding for its Smart Streetlight and License Reader Program as officials review potential data misuse, especially regarding immigration enforcement. While police defend the program’s crime-fighting benefits, critics warn of privacy risks and demand stronger safeguards.

SEATTLE—City Council Considers Sales Tax Increase for Drug Counseling

The Seattle City Council is considering implementing a new 0.1% public safety sales tax in addition to the City’s existing 10.35% combined sales tax rate. Council President Sara Nelson’s (D) proposal would allocate 25% of revenue generated by the new tax to addiction treatment and recovery services.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—City Council Enacts Earlier Youth Curfew, Extends Pretrial Detention Rules

The D.C. Council unanimously passed emergency measures establishing an 11 p.m. summer curfew for those under 18 and empowering area‑specific 8 p.m. curfews for large youth gatherings. The Council also extended pretrial detention policies for violent offenses through the end of 2026.

Taxes & Spending

LOS ANGELES—City Council Approves Plan to Spend “Mansion Tax” Dollars

The Los Angeles City Council approved a $425 million spending plan for FY25 to use funds from the City’s “mansion tax” to support affordable housing and homelessness programs. Despite criticism from the real estate industry, proponents argue the measure provides essential funding at a time when state and county resources are limited.

NEW YORK—City Adopts FY26 Budget

Last week, the New York City Council approved a $115.9 billion FY26 budget, funding libraries, early childhood programs, mental health care, public safety, and immigrant legal services.

Transportation & Mobility

CHICAGO—City Debuts Regional Day Pass Linking CTA, Metra, Pace

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace introduced a new Regional Day Pass allowing unlimited travel across all three transit systems for a full day, including both trains and buses. The pass is part of a pilot program to improve affordability and convenience.

NEW YORK—DOT to Hire Additional E-Bike Enforcement Staff

New York City’s $116 billion budget allocates funding for 45 new peace officers to enforce e-bike and moped regulations. These unarmed officers, launching in 2028 under the new Department of Sustainable Delivery, will target unsafe delivery practices and hold businesses accountable for violations.

PHILADELPHIA—City’s Largest Employers Demand State Funding for SEPTA

Leaders from the University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Comcast are calling on state lawmakers to increase funding for SEPTA, warning that service cuts could disrupt health care, education, and business operations.

SAN DIEGO—City Awarded $10M for Streamview Drive Revitalization Project

San Diego received $10 million from the California Transportation Commission for the Streamview Drive Revitalization Project to improve safety and infrastructure in the Redwood Village and Oak Park areas. The funding will support the installation of roundabouts, bike lanes, upgraded bus stops, and sidewalks to enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.

SEATTLE—Mayor Harrell Signs Legislation Streamlining Transit Expansion Process

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell (D) signed legislation to streamline permitting for Sound Transit’s light rail expansion into Ballard and West Seattle. The move supports Mayor Harrell’s vision for efficient transit growth and builds on a February executive order to speed project delivery.

Authors

About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.

About Cozen O’Connor

Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.

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