Cozen Cities: April 8, 2026

Housing & Real Estate

LOS ANGELES—Council Adopts Limited Upzoning Plan to Delay SB 79

The Los Angeles City Council approved a strategy to upzone 55 single‑family and low‑density areas, allowing 4–16 unit, four‑story buildings to qualify for a state‑allowed delay of SB 79’s larger upzoning requirements. The move lets the city postpone SB 79’s six‑ to nine‑story mandates near transit until 2030 while adding targeted density on its own terms.

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NEW YORK CITY—Mamdani Administration Launches Fast‑Track Affordable Housing Program

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s (D) administration announced the launch of Neighborhood Builders Fast Track, a new initiative designed to accelerate the development of affordable housing on city‑owned land.

RICHMOND—City Clears Housing Aid Backlog, $3.2M Remains Unspent

Richmond officials announced they have cleared the Gap Grant application backlog, yet nearly $3.2 million remains unspent due to high denial rates, prompting a proposal to hand the program over to a third-party nonprofit.

TWIN CITIES—City Council Passes $2.8M Rental Aid After Eviction Veto Holds

The Minneapolis City Council did not override Mayor Jacob Frey’s (D) veto of an eviction extension ordinance, instead passing $2.8 million in rental aid.

Public Health & Safety

BALTIMORE—Chesapeake Bay Foundation Urges City to Deny Stormwater Waiver for Hopkins AI Project

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation requested that Baltimore deny a permit waiver for Johns Hopkins University’s new AI institute, citing a “persistent” history of sediment violations, with its adjacent Agora site threatening the biological integrity of the Stony Run tributary.

BOSTON—City Council Probes Police Staffing Levels

The Boston City Council advanced a measure to examine staffing conditions at the Boston Police Department, following a public safety and public health emergency caused by retirements, resignations, and mandatory overtime.

PITTSBURGH—City Council Advances Measures on ICE Cooperation

Pittsburgh City Council gave preliminary approval codifying existing limits on city employee cooperation with federal immigration agents, while postponing stricter measures targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement access to city property and private spaces without a warrant.

TWIN CITIES—Council Delays Vote on Emergency Responder Training Center Funding

The Minneapolis City Council voted 7–6 to delay a decision on funding for a new emergency responder training center, referring the proposal back to city staff for revisions and additional clarification. The measure would reallocate $5.6 million from animal control and traffic safety budgets to support the project.

SEATTLE—Council Limits Immigration Inquiries, Surveillance Data Usage

The Seattle City Council unanimously approved legislation restricting the use of automated license plate reader and CCTV data for civil immigration enforcement, and limiting when police may inquire into a person’s immigration status. The measures align city law with state requirements and establish a 60‑day pause on surveillance data collection if the technology could be used for immigration enforcement or threaten access to reproductive or gender‑affirming care.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Council Overrides Bowser Veto, Delays Vote on Youth Curfew Policy

The D.C. City Council overrode Mayor Muriel Bowser’s (D) veto requiring Metropolitan Police to document the presence of federal law enforcement during arrests. In a separate action, the council postponed a vote on extending a youth curfew policy backed by Bowser that allows police to designate special “curfew zones” and restrict teens from gathering in large groups after 8 p.m.

Labor & Employment

CHICAGO—Mayor Johnson Vetoes Move to Halt Tipped Wage Increases

Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) vetoed a measure that would have frozen scheduled minimum wage increases for tipped workers under the city’s “One Fair Wage” ordinance. The ordinance, passed in 2023, phases out Chicago’s subminimum wage for tipped employees, but the City Council voted 30–18 to halt its implementation amid concerns from restaurant owners that the mandated increases were hurting businesses. The veto marks Johnson’s third since taking office.

Policy & Politics

BALTIMORE—Scott Administration Moves to Dismiss IG’s Record Access Lawsuit

The Scott administration filed to dismiss Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming’s lawsuit, arguing that she lacks the legal standing to sue the city and that her subpoena powers do not override internal privacy protections.

BOSTON—Mayor Wu to Propose $4.9B Budget

In a letter to the Boston City Council, Mayor Michelle Wu (D) detailed a $4.9 billion budget proposal that includes targeted spending reductions to address rising costs, while maintaining core city services. The plan would increase spending by 2% over the current fiscal year, reduce most departments’ non‑personnel spending, and scale back certain grant programs funded by pandemic relief dollars, all while avoiding layoffs in City Hall.

DETROIT—Mayor Sheffield Highlights Affordability, Growth in First State of the City Address

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield (D) outlined affordability and economic expansion as central priorities in her first State of the City address, announcing a series of new and expanded initiatives. Proposals included financial incentives to attract new residents, a living wage for city employees, free bus rides for Detroit Public Schools students, and continued support for the RX Kids program to help families cover prescription costs.

RICHMOND—Mayor Avula Proposes $9.3M for School Repairs from Future Funds

Mayor Danny Avula’s (D) budget increases Richmond Public Schools’ repair fund to $9.3 million this year by borrowing from future allocations—a move that provides immediate relief for aging buildings, but leaves less than $1 million annually for school infrastructure starting in 2028.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Council Passes Temporary Moratorium on Utility Shutoffs

The D.C. City Council approved an emergency 90‑day moratorium on electricity shutoffs for certain residents. Passed on a divided vote, the measure would prevent Pepco from disconnecting service for customers with unpaid balances of less than $1,000 during the moratorium period.

Taxes & Spending

NEW YORK CITY—Council Releases Alternative Budget Proposal

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin unveiled a budget proposal that would eliminate the city’s projected deficit without raising taxes, cutting services, or drawing from the city’s reserves. The plan relies on re‑estimating costs and revenues, including projected savings from increased Department of Buildings permits and late‑fee revenue, and leaving vacant city positions unfunded. Mayor Mamdani criticized the proposal as “unrealistic,” citing the lack of new revenue sources.

PITTSBURGH—Mayor O’Connor Secures $18M Through Corporate Partnerships

Mayor Corey O’Connor (D) secured over $18 million in mission-aligned commitments from major nonprofits and corporations, pivoting from past litigation to a partnership model aimed at bridging $28.3 million in underfunded obligations and a budget deficit.

PHILADELPHIA—Council Pushes Back on Mayor Parker’s Proposed New Taxes

Philadelphia City Council members raised concerns over several tax proposals in Mayor Cherelle Parker’s (D) budget, including a 2% hotel‑tax increase, a 25‑cent retail‑delivery tax, and the previously debated $1 rideshare fee. Members questioned the impact on consumers and the city’s competitiveness, with some urging sunset provisions or clearer justifications for the new revenue.

Transportation & Mobility

BOSTON—MBTA Transit Plan for World Cup

The MBTA announced plans for transportation to World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium, including expanded subway and commuter rail service and $80 commuter rail tickets valid across the system on match days, including 14 express trains between South Station and the stadium for seven matches.

CHICAGO—Federal Judge Orders Release of Funding for Transit Work

A federal judge ordered the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration to release funding to the Chicago Transit Authority, issuing a temporary restraining order, after the agency filed a lawsuit when more than $2 billion was withheld from two restoration projects.

PHILADELPHIA—Council Calls for “ICE Out” Legislation Amid Airport Deployments

Philadelphia City Council members renewed calls to advance their previously introduced “ICE out” bill after ICE agents were deployed to Philadelphia International Airport during the federal shutdown. The legislation would bar ICE from masking identities, restrict cooperation with civil immigration enforcement, and block agents from city property without a judicial warrant.

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