Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced the addition of Bentley Graves as principal in its Minneapolis office.
Following City Council’s introduction of the ICE Out bills last week, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker commented on President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign saying her administration understands the public’s fear of the unknown and her team is focused on maintaining a comprehensive approach to public safety. She emphasized that the city is prepared for emergencies, relies on experienced leaders, and intends to work collaboratively with City Council to keep residents safe. Parker also noted that she and her administration are reviewing the legislation.
Councilmember Jeffery Young paused his bill to ban residential development on the former Hahnemann Hospital campus, drawing strong pushback from housing advocates, neighborhood groups, and the building trades. Young said he is holding the bill to allow for additional discussions with stakeholders, even as developers rushed to secure permits for 824 units in anticipation of the ban. The Parker administration also raised concerns, noting the proposal conflicts with the city’s H.O.M.E. plan to expand housing production.
This year, Philadelphia business owners are facing new city taxes after the BIRT exemption was eliminated, leaving many small firms with their first‑ever tax bills. City officials recognize the strain on sole proprietors and micro‑businesses and are urging eligible owners to apply for the Philadelphia Free Business Tax Preparation Program, which pairs them with vetted accountants to navigate local, state, and federal filings.
President Donald Trump renewed calls this week to “nationalize” elections, calling out Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Detroit as jurisdictions where he says federal oversight may be warranted. First raised in 2020, the president’s comments and concerns have resurfaced ahead of the 2026 midterms, refocusing attention on state and local election administration.
After visiting the President’s House in Philadelphia and inspecting the slavery exhibits, federal Judge Cynthia M. Rufe ordered the Trump administration to safely store all removed artifacts and issued an order preventing any further removals or changes to the site as the lawsuit continues.
A federal appeals court has reopened a lawsuit challenging the legality of the Philadelphia School District’s special‑admissions process, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional” and “race‑based.” This move could carry long‑term implications for admissions at the district’s magnet and special‑admissions schools. The challenge stems from the district’s 2021 overhaul, which replaced principal discretion with a centralized lottery and granted automatic admission to qualified students from select underrepresented ZIP codes.
Amazon plans to lay off nearly 1,000 Amazon Fresh employees in the Philadelphia region, closing all Amazon Fresh locations and converting them into Whole Foods Market stores. The layoffs, scheduled for the end of April, were detailed in a Thursday WARN Act filing with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. All six Philly‑area Amazon Fresh locations are affected: Northern Liberties, Broomall, Bensalem, Langhorne, Warrington, and Willow Grove.
Large sheets of ice forming on the Delaware River have prompted the Philadelphia Water Department to activate emergency measures, as frozen conditions threaten river intakes and the city’s water mains. Recognizing these drinking-water intakes serve approximately 1.6 million residents, the department has moved to 24‑hour ice patrols, remains on high alert for freezing or bursting pipes, and warned residents and businesses that the prolonged extreme cold is straining the city’s water infrastructure.
Following Bucks County Intermediate Unit’s rollback of county reimbursements that helped close the funding gap of care for hearing- and visually impaired children under age three, state and local officials are urging changes to state funding rules. Officials say a state rule will not pay for things like note-taking or driving between appointments, which makes the program too expensive to run.
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Principal
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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.
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.
February 10, 2026
February 9, 2026
February 9, 2026
