Cozen Cities – February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Labor & Employment

CHICAGO — Restaurants on Guard Against ICE

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.

PHILADELPHIA — Whole Foods Workers Vote to Unionize

Workers at the Spring Garden Whole Foods voted to unionize, seeking better pay and health care benefits, marking the first unionized store in the Amazon-owned chain.

SAN DIEGO — Region Added 1,200 Jobs in December

The San Diego region’s unemployment rate was 4.3% to end 2024, and the region added 1,200 jobs overall. That rate was the third lowest in 2024, behind 3.7% in May and 4.1% in April.

SEATTLE — Restaurants Explore New Business Models as Labor Costs Rise

Seattle restaurants are adapting to rising labor costs — driven by a higher minimum wage and the loss of the tip credit — by exploring new business models, such as self-service kiosks, hybrid dining formats, counter service by day and full service by night, and partnerships with food trucks or ghost kitchens.

Policy & Politics

BALTIMORE — City Sues Trump Administration Over DEI Policies

The City of Baltimore filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging an executive order that rescinds federal support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, arguing that the order jeopardizes federal grants essential for maintaining critical municipal functions.

BALTIMORE — Mayor Scott Exploring Legal Options Against ICE Raids

Mayor Brandon Scott is considering legal measures to protect Baltimore residents from potential ICE raids, emphasizing that the City’s efforts to reduce crime take precedence over enforcing federal immigration laws.

DETROIT — Mayor Duggan Says City will Continue to Work with ICE

Mayor Mike Duggan reiterated that although the city is a welcoming city, it is not a sanctuary city, and will not be shielding those arriving illegally from ICE or federal enforcement.

NEW YORK — Justice Department Mulls Dropping Adams Charges

Senior Justice Department officials have discussed with Manhattan federal prosecutors the possibility of dropping corruption charges against Mayor Eric Adams, who was indicted on five counts of corruption in September and has pleaded not guilty.

NEW YORK — Council Minority Leadership in Question

New York City Councilmember David Carr (District 50) was elected as the new leader of the Council Minority caucus ahead of Councilmember Joe Borelli’s (District 51) early departure. The vote took place without half of the six-member caucus present, prompting Councilmember Joann Ariola (District 32) to challenge its legitimacy and seek intervention from Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (District 28).

RICHMOND — Schools Prepare for Possible ICE Visits

Richmond Public Schools are developing protocols to handle potential visits from immigration officers, ensuring that agents cannot access school property without proper authorization.

TWIN CITIES — Minneapolis Mayor to Run for Third, Final Term

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced that he will run for a third and final term to continue his work on affordable housing and public safety, despite facing several challengers.

TWIN CITIES — St. Paul City Council President Announces Resignation

Progressive St. Paul City Council President Mitra Jalali (Ward 4) announced her resignation, citing health reasons, after six years on the City Council and one year as council president.

Public Health & Safety

BOSTON — City Announces New Fund for Families of Overdose Victims

The Boston Public Health Commission, in partnership with Boston BullPen, launched a fund to provide up to $5,000 in opioid settlement money to families who have lost loved ones to overdoses.

CHICAGO — CPD to Conduct Workforce Allocation Study

The Chicago Police Department (CPD) is developing a study to determine optimal police deployment across neighborhoods, aiming to address disparities and improve response times.

LOS ANGELES — LAPD Faces Staffing Challenges Amid Declining Crime Rates

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is projected to lose more than 150 officers in the coming fiscal year, reducing the force to its lowest level since 1995. Recent crime statistics show a decrease in violent crime, prompting discussions on the optimal size and deployment of the police force.

TWIN CITIES — Minneapolis Update on Community Safety Asset & Gap Analysis Report

A new Community Safety Asset & Gap Analysis report will show whether Minneapolis is a leader in some key response areas as part of a follow-up to the 2023 Minneapolis Safe and Thriving Communities Report.

PHILADELPHIA — City Launches “Wellness Court” to Combat Substance Use Disorder

Philadelphia’s new “Wellness Court,” a critical component of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s strategy to combat the opioid crisis, offers an alternative to jail for those struggling with substance abuse disorder, allowing reduced charges and possible expungement for participants who complete treatment programs.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mayor Bowser Calls for Transparent Investigation into Deadly Crash

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser emphasized the need for a transparent investigation following a deadly crash involving an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River.

Real Estate Development

CHICAGO — Experts Optimistic About Google’s Potential to Revitalize the Loop

Google’s $105 million purchase of the Thompson Center in 2022 marked a turning point for Chicago’s struggling financial district. Plagued by high office vacancies and dwindling foot traffic, the area is now being primed for City-backed residential projects and the arrival of thousands of Google employees.

CHICAGO — Final Property Assessments Favor Chicago Homeowners

Commercial property values in Chicago grew last year by more than residential ones suggesting some of the local property tax burden will shift from homeowners to landlords when bills come out later this year.

DETROIT — Mayor Duggan Touts Property Values Increasing for Ninth Year

Mayor Duggan announced that Detroit’s property values spiked by 19% last year, with owners gaining $1.4 billion in new wealth, pushing the city’s overall assessed property value over $10 billion for the first time in more than 25 years.

LOS ANGELES — L.A. Wildfires Impact on the Housing Market

The devastation has significantly impacted the region’s housing market, displacing residents and putting more than $40 billion of real estate value at risk.

PHILADELPHIA — City Council to Tackle Affordable Housing

The Philadelphia City Council is considering legislation to streamline the development process for affordable housing by cutting red tape and expediting zoning and permitting requests, as well as legislation aimed at reducing up-front costs for renters in the city.

SEATTLE — Voters to Determine Path Forward for City Housing

Seattle voters will decide on February 11 whether to fund the City’s new public housing developer and, if so, whether to do so through a 5% tax on salaries over $1 million or by reallocating $10 million annually from the existing JumpStart tax on large corporations.

TWIN CITIES — Minneapolis Surpasses $1B in Construction Permits for 14th Consecutive Year

For the 14th year in a row, the city of Minneapolis surpassed $1 billion in construction permits. Development last year saw the construction of more than a hundred new single-family homes and duplexes across the city.

Taxes & Spending

BALTIMORE — Comptroller Criticizes Mayor’s Control Over Fiscal Policy

Baltimore Comptroller Bill Henry argues that the city’s “strong mayor” system grants the mayor excessive control over fiscal policy, advocating instead for reforming the Board of Estimates to distribute power more evenly among elected officials.

BOSTON — Mayor Wu Renews Property Tax Push in Council Hearing

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu indicated during a City Council hearing that she has received little feedback from Beacon Hill on her latest property tax shift proposal, which aims to ease residential tax hikes by shifting more burden onto commercial property owners.

CHICAGO — Mayor Johnson Proposes Taxing Hemp, “Anjanette Young Ordinance”

Coming off a bruising budget season, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will spend the next few months trying to claw back revenue from the state, spark a new funding stream for the City by taxing hemp, and chip away at some progressive priorities on public safety, the environment, and housing.

LOS ANGELES — City Council Votes to Transfer $219M to Reserve Fund

The Los Angeles City Council authorized a transfer of $219.3 million from the Department of Water and Power to the reserve fund as officials continue to grapple with fiscal concerns.

PHILADELPHIA — City Council to Review Soda Tax

The Philadelphia City Council will evaluate the city’s soda tax, which generates approximately $75 million annually, to ensure it aligns with economic and community goals.

RICHMOND — City Pauses Water Crisis Recovery Fund Applications

Richmond paused applications for its water crisis recovery fund after receiving more than 2,200 applications, with all funds now fully committed to assisting affected residents.

RICHMOND — Schools Consider Splitting Health Care Costs with Employees

Richmond Public Schools are considering a proposal to split health care costs 50/50 with employees, potentially saving the school system $4 million.

Transportation & Mobility

DETROIT — Advocates Push for More DDOT Funding

Mass transit advocates pressed City officials to double funding for the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) over the next three years, an ambitious policy move they argue will transform the long-scrutinized city transit provider.

NEW YORK — Trump Administration Considers Killing Congestion Pricing

The Department of Transportation is considering revoking a key federal authorization for New York City’s tolling plan, though no final decision has been made, as President Donald Trump remains firmly opposed to congestion pricing.

PHILADELPHIA — SEPTA Plans Key 2.0, Bus Network Revamp Implementation

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is trimming its budget while planning to spend $230 million on a new Key 2.0 payment system and resuming its Bus Revolution project, pending state funding.

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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