WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2026 — Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced that Sean Clerget has joined as senior principal in its Washington, D.C., office.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) signed a new rent stabilization ordinance, capping annual rent hikes at 1%–4% for older apartments and removing extra utility charges. The law, effective January, is the city’s first major update in more than 40 years to protect renters and guide landlords.
With housing prices and mortgage rates remaining elevated, economists foresee limited mobility, while Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s (D) $2 billion Housing Opportunities Made Easy (HOME) Initiative to create or preserve 30,000 units and City Council’s advanced housing budget aim to stabilize conditions rather than reduce overall costs.
The Minneapolis City Council approved a 2026 budget boosting housing programs by over $2 million, funded by cuts to the police and mayor’s office. The move aims to combat homelessness and support vulnerable families, despite the mayor’s warnings of staff and police capacity losses.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott (D) introduced a labor agreement covering four Department of Public Works infrastructure projects to standardize employment terms and expand local hiring and apprenticeships, pending Board of Estimates approval on January 7.
MGM Music Hall employees and Fenway Park’s food vendor and concession staff ratified a new five-year labor contract ending a year-long labor negotiation between Aramark, the food service provider for both venues, and its concession workers. The agreement raises the wages of non-tipped workers, workers in tip-based roles, and increases gratuity for catering at the park and vendor commissions.
Beginning January, the Seattle minimum wage will increase to $21.30. Local restaurant owners expressed concern that the increase, which excludes tips and medical benefit payments, will harm their businesses.
Minneapolis’s minimum wage will rise to $16.37 per hour in 2026, up 40 cents from 2025, with staggered increases for smaller and “micro” businesses.
Mayor Scott’s plan for 2026 emphasizes housing revitalization and tax relief, sustained road funding and speed enforcement, stronger public‑safety oversight and investigatory tools, consumer protection, juvenile record access, and opioid harm‑reduction.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) expressed alignment with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) on universal childcare, emphasizing the benefit to employers by easing stress on working parents, framing it as both a family and economic issue.
Richmond Mayor Danny Avula’s (D) 2026 plan emphasizes expanding affordable housing , modernizing city finance and payments, and accelerating redevelopment of public sites with targeted corridor investments.
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) shootings rose sharply in 2025, prompting Mayor Karen Bass (D) to express deep concern and call for measures to reduce deadly force. LAPD 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.
Minneapolis updated its ordinance to prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other agencies from using city-owned lots, ramps, and garages for enforcement staging, while St. Paul issued a cease‑and‑desist ordering the Department of Homeland Security to stop ICE operations on city lots without permission and warned of potential legal action.
The Chicago City Council approved an alternative 2026 budget plan, excluding Mayor Brandon Johnson’s (D) corporate head tax, in a 29-19 vote—short of overriding a veto. The plan raises revenue through taxes on cloud computing, plastic bags, liquor, and video gambling, while fully restoring a pension payment and avoiding Johnson’s debt collection proposal.
San Diego’s recent increase of its cannabis business tax from 8% to 10% is falling short, projected to bring in $19.7 million instead of the $21.3 million budgeted. Officials cite competition from the illegal market, lower wholesale prices, and nearby cities’ lower taxes as key reasons for the shortfall.
Minneapolis Public Schools faces a $30 million deficit for 2026-27 and is holding community meetings to discuss priorities, focusing on academics rather than closures. Parents and officials emphasize transparency and investing in programs, while managing the budget.
D.C.’s chief financial officer confirmed $51 million in higher‑than‑expected revenue will automatically fund Council‑listed priorities, including affordable housing preservation (Housing Production Trust Fund), expanded health care for uninsured immigrants (Health Care Alliance), added emergency rental assistance, child care and educator pay, DNA testing capacity, and future police housing subsidies starting in fiscal year 2027.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and the Chicago Police Department (CPD) will implement a “security surge,” increasing daily officer patrols and K‑9 security units on bus and rail lines. The initiative seeks to address recent violent incidents on the transit system and respond to a federal directive requiring enhanced security measures.
The MTA has retired the MetroCard system, which has been in use since 1994, opting to fully transition to the One Metro New York (OMNY) tap‑to‑pay system accepting smart wallets, contactless credit cards, and OMNY cards.
Mayor Avula directed city leadership to evaluate intersection safety and consider design and speed-control changes, collaborate with Virginia Commonwealth University and prior studies, and collect community feedback on intersection improvements.
The San Diego City Council approved continued use of automated license plate readers, despite public opposition, citing their role in crime prevention and vehicle recovery. The city emphasized strict data limits, auditing, and restricted access to protect privacy.
In 2025, the first year of Seattle’s $1.55 billion Transportation Levy, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) exceeded pothole targets (90% fixed within 72 hours), restriped 560 lane miles, completed 107 bridge projects, expanded the bike network to 250 miles, added/extended bus‑only lanes, and hired eight Metro security officers, alongside sidewalk, crosswalk, and intersection upgrades.
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.
February 25, 2026
February 25, 2026
February 24, 2026
