WASHINGTON, March 4, 2026 — Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced that Alexandra DeRiso has joined the firm as a principal on its health care team.
The Baltimore City Council approved two housing measures to ease yard/bulk standards to enable higher density and eliminate off‑street parking requirements, sending them to Mayor Brandon Scott (D) amid equity and gentrification concerns. The Council also advanced legislation to permit single‑stairway designs in 4–6 story buildings.
A two-year stalemate between Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) and Chicago’s City Council over the Zoning Committee chair has escalated, with some aldermen now considering appointing a leader without the mayor’s backing. The impasse threatens to delay development and key zoning reforms as both sides jockey for control ahead of the 2026 elections.
The Los Angeles City Council voted to pursue lenient “Zone Zero” wildfire rules that allow more vegetation near homes, diverging from stricter state proposals aimed at reducing fire risk. Fire safety experts warn the approach may leave homes vulnerable, and the city’s rules could ultimately be overridden when California finalizes statewide regulations later this year.
The Philadelphia City Council unanimously approved an amended bond bill unlocking $800 million for Mayor Cherelle Parker’s (D) Housing Opportunities Made Easy (HOME) Initiative, reorienting year one to prioritize the lowest‑income residents. Borrowing is slated to begin by late March or early April.
Richmond finalized a $39 million Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C‑PACE) deal to fund energy upgrades, converting the former Dominion Energy tower into mixed‑use housing, hotel, and restaurant space—projected to save $3.3 million in energy costs and create 500+ jobs—marking the city’s first use of Virginia’s C‑PACE program.
Supported by long-term tax incentives and record C-PACE financing, developers have begun transforming Dupont Circle’s former Universal Plaza offices into “The Geneva,” a 15‑story, 532‑unit apartment building (including 60 affordable units) with commercial space, as part of D.C.’s effort to revive a downtown hit by remote work and federal downsizing.
San Diego’s transit board voted 12-1 to oppose Waymo’s expansion of autonomous ride-hailing without local oversight, citing job losses, public safety, and community control. The move pits city leaders and labor advocates against tech companies, highlighting the political tension between innovation, workers’ rights, and regulatory authority.
The City of Boston has co‑led an amicus brief supporting a federal lawsuit filed by the State of Minnesota and the Twin Cities that seeks to halt a large ICE enforcement campaign, dubbed “Operation Metro Surge” in the Twin Cities. The brief, joined by several other Massachusetts cities and backed by the state, argues the federal operation is excessively aggressive and threatens free speech, public safety, and city services. Mayor Michelle Wu (D) urged the court to curb what she describes as reckless federal actions.
Councilor Liz Breadon of Allston‑Brighton was elected President of the Boston City Council in a 7–6 vote, narrowly defeating Councilor Brian Worrell after a last‑minute shift in support among councillors following the unexpected withdrawal of the presumed future President, East Boston Councilor Gabriela Coletta-Zapata. Councilor Breadon is the city’s first openly lesbian councilor.
Mayor Mary Sheffield (D) was publicly sworn in as Detroit’s 76th and first female mayor at an investiture ceremony downtown. A former City Council president, Sheffield takes office promising quick action in her first 100 days as she succeeds longtime Mayor Mike Duggan (D), who is now running for governor.
A judge ruled that the Los Angeles City Council violated California’s open meeting law by secretly approving a plan to clear nearly 9,800 homeless encampments, dealing a legal and political blow to City Hall’s homelessness strategy. The decision strengthens critics who argue city leaders acted without transparency, while trying to meet court-ordered targets tied to a major homelessness settlement.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) has had an active first month in office, moving quickly to undo his predecessor’s policies while launching new initiatives focused on affordability and housing. One of his first acts as mayor was issuing an executive order revoking all executive orders issued by former Mayor Eric Adams (D) on or after the day of Mayor Adams’ indictment, thereby canceling nine orders related to antisemitism, immigration enforcement on Rikers Island, and a ban on horse-drawn carriages. In the weeks that followed, Mayor Mamdani also advanced efforts to leverage city-owned land to accelerate housing development, established the mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement to strengthen public participation, created a Citywide Junk Fee Task Force, banned hidden hotel fees, and directed agencies to hold coordinated “Rental Ripoff” hearings.
Philadelphia sued the Interior Secretary and acting National Park Service Director after staff removed slavery exhibits at the President’s House on Independence Mall, arguing that the action, taken under a 2025 executive order, violated a 2006 city–federal agreement requiring consultation.
The San Diego City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing the Trump administration’s plan to expand offshore oil and gas drilling, citing risks to the environment, public health, and the region’s coastline. The vote aligns city leaders with state and local officials pushing back politically against federal energy policy.
Some Minneapolis City Council members are urging Gov. Tim Walz to impose an eviction moratorium, arguing increased ICE activity is preventing residents from working and paying rent. The call sets up a political clash over state authority, immigration enforcement fallout, and whether housing protections used during COVID should be revived amid federal action.
Vincent Orange, Janeese Lewis George, and former D.C. Council member Kenyan McDuffie joined the 2026 mayoral field, with platforms spanning centrist pragmatism to universal child care and “growth with guardrails.” McDuffie’s resignation requires the D.C. Council to appoint a non‑affiliated interim at‑large member.
Detroit has begun enforcing a City Council–approved ordinance requiring hotels and lodging sites to post anti–human trafficking signage, a move city leaders are highlighting as a public safety priority. The rollout underscores the Sheffield administration’s political emphasis on prevention, victim support, and a zero-tolerance stance on trafficking.
LAPD shootings have risen sharply in 2025, prompting Mayor Karen Bass (D) to express deep concern and call for measures to reduce deadly force. The department attributes the spike to increased violence against officers and encounters with armed or edged-weapon suspects, while critics highlight the need for better de-escalation and mental health response programs.
A dispute emerged between the Seattle Police Officers Guild and Seattle’s new Mayor Katie Wilson (D), after an internal police email and City Attorney guidance suggested low-level drug possession and public-use cases could be referred to the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, and that the mayor called for arrests for open drug use to halt entirely. The union criticized the approach as unsafe and ineffective, but Mayor Wilson denied any policy change, emphasizing that officers continue to make arrests when there is probable cause and that LEAD guidance does not suspend enforcement. The mayor and city attorney assured residents that any official policy change would be formally announced.
Chicago leaders are considering raising the downtown hotel tax to 19% to significantly boost funding, framing it as a political strategy to compete with rival cities and revive the post-pandemic core. The proposal, backed by key aldermen and hotel operators, highlights the City Council’s push to strengthen tourism, despite Chicago already having the nation’s highest hotel tax.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria (D) highlighted the city’s efforts to tackle a $318 million structural budget deficit, closing $270 million last year through cuts to contracts and management positions, elimination of six departments, and consolidating employees into city-owned facilities. He cautioned that ongoing reductions in federal funding will force additional difficult budgetary decisions in the year ahead.
Mayor Parker and the Philadelphia Parking Authority held a ceremonial bill signing to fund the interim revitalization of the former Greyhound terminal, with operating costs covered by an increased per‑stop bus fee and a first‑of‑its‑kind camera‑based collection system.
After six pedestrian fatalities in three weeks, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula (D) announced immediate measures, including creating a new Department of Transportation within Public Works; adding red‑light cameras, speed tables, and pedestrian hybrid beacons; fast‑tracking bike and bus lanes; launching a pedestrian safety task force; and other safety initiatives.
Sound Transit’s long-awaited light rail connection between Seattle and Bellevue will begin service in March, completing a project first approved by voters in 2008. The light rail will significantly progress public transit in the region, as the line will connect the Eastside suburbs to Seattle and also provide a north–south route through the region.
Co-Chair, New York Practice
Managing Director
Managing Director
Co-Chair, New York Practice
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.
March 16, 2026
March 16, 2026
March 16, 2026
