Cozen Cities – June 29, 2023

Gig Economy & Technology

DETROIT — Detroit Program Teaches Residents Tech Fundamentals, How to Find High-Paying Jobs

Durfee Innovation Society, the Detroit chapter of the national nonprofit NPower, gives participants the ability to create a dynamic new life for themselves and close the talent gap in Michigan’s technology workforce.

LOS ANGELES — L.A. Police Have New Technology to Combat Catalytic Converter Theft

Responding to a surge of catalytic converter thefts, the Los Angeles Police Department has unveiled new technology that will make it harder for thieves to steal the valuable emission control device.

Labor & Employment

CHICAGO — Alderpersons, Advocates Push for “Fair Wage” for Tipped Workers

Restaurant workers, advocates and more than 10 alderpersons made a call June 21 for the city to get rid of a sub-minimum wage for tipped workers, saying such a wage makes it hard for workers to “make ends meet” and opens them up to sexual harassment.

CHICAGO — FOP Demands Same 12 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave Mayor Johnson Gave Teachers

If Mayor Brandon Johnson was willing to give Chicago Public Schools employees 12 weeks of paid parental leave without demanding that it be negotiated at the bargaining table, he should do the same for police officers, according to their union president.

DETROIT — New UAW President Shawn Fain Issues Strongest Warning Yet About Strikes Against Three Detroit Automakers

The new president of the United Auto Workers gave his strongest warning yet Friday, June 16, that the union is preparing for strikes against Detroit’s three automakers when contracts expire in September.

LOS ANGELES — Nearly 200 People, Including 2 L.A. Council Members, Arrested During Hotel Workers Protest for Higher Wages

Hundreds of union workers showed up in full force in downtown Los Angeles June 22 for a rally demanding an end to low wages. Another demonstration blocked traffic near the Los Angeles International Airport for several hours and led to 190 arrests, including two Los Angeles City Councilmembers, Los Angeles Police Department officials said.

SAN DIEGO — Mayor Gloria Signs Parental Leave Benefits Package

On June 21, Mayor Todd Gloria signed a package of resolutions, championed by City Councilmember Raul Campillo, that dramatically expanded parental leave benefits for City employees.

SAN DIEGO — Lack of Affordable Housing, Child Care Causing San Diego’s Labor Force to Drop, Economist Says

San Diego’s jobless rate stayed low in May, with job gains across almost all industries, but some labor force woes continue.

Policy & Politics

BALTIMORE — Baltimore City Council Passes Record-Breaking City Budget for First Time in 125 Years

Baltimore City Council passed a record-breaking City budget for the first time in 125 years following the passing of a charter amendment allowing the body to reallocate funds from the mayor’s proposed budget.

BOSTON — Federal Judge Won’t Rule on Boston’s New Redistricting Map 

U.S. District Court Judge Patti Saris, who deemed the city’s old redistricting map unconstitutional, does not intend to rule on the new voting lines but advises both sides to resolve the lawsuit soon to prevent interfering with the September 12 preliminary election.

LOS ANGELES — L.A. City Council Member Charged With 10 Counts, Including Embezzlement, Perjury

Prosecutors charged a Los Angeles city councilman with 10 counts, including embezzlement and perjury, Tuesday, June 13, in the latest criminal case to upend the scandal-plagued governing board of the nation’s second-largest city.

LOS ANGELES — City Council Votes to Make L.A. a Sanctuary City

The Los Angeles City Council voted Friday, June 9, to make LA a sanctuary city for immigrants, including prohibiting city resources from being used for any federal immigration enforcement.

LOS ANGELES — Mayor Bass Issues Executive Directive Four to Support Small Business Creation, Development, Growth in Los Angeles

On June 22, Mayor Bass signed her fourth Executive Directive to urgently identify burdensome processes and fees that impede small business creation, development and growth in Los Angeles.

NEW YORK — Funding Cuts Threaten Services for Asylum-Seeking Kids in New York City 

The future of key programs that have helped immigrant students in New York City is at risk due to inadequate funding.

PHILADELPHIA — Councilmember Phillips Calls for Ski Mask Ban

Philadelphia City Councilmember Anthony Phillips has proposed a ban on the wearing of ski masks in public as a way to make citizens feel safer and help police officers identify people who have committed a crime.

RICHMOND — Richmond Casino Fight Moves to Next Stage After City Council Vote

Richmond City Council voted to add a casino referendum to the ballot this November allowing voters to decide once again if a casino will be coming to the city.

SAN DIEGO — Divided San Diego City Council Passes Controversial Homeless Encampment Ban

The San Diego City Council voted 5-4 on June 13 to adopt a controversial policy to ban homeless encampments on public property after hearing hours of public testimony.

Public Health & Safety

BALTIMORE — Governor Moore Announces New Vision to Address Public Safety in Maryland

Maryland Governor Wes Moore laid out a plan addressing public safety in the state of Maryland, including an investment in law enforcement, strengthening of communities, and focus on youth through the safe summer initiative in Baltimore and the surrounding area.

LOS ANGELES — L.A. Metro Board Moves Forward with Plan to Create In-House Public Safety Agency

The Board of Directors for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Agency on June 22 voted to approve a plan that would get them closer to implementing and launching an in-house safety department.

LOS ANGELES — Texas Sends 42 Migrants to L.A.

A busload of migrants sent by the state of Texas arrived in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 14. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the action on social media, saying the transportation of migrants to L.A. was “much-needed relief” for the Southern border.

RICHMOND — Richmond School Leaders Consider Safety, Security Following Deadly Graduation Shooting

After a deadly shooting following a graduation ceremony, Richmond school leaders came together to discuss action that could be taken to protect students in the city and prevent another deadly shooting from happening again.

Real Estate Development

BOSTON — Tighter Market: Home Sales Down, but Prices Around Boston Sky High

Those seeking to buy in certain areas, namely Boston, are facing sky-high values because of the limited number of homes on the market which is ramping up sales prices tremendously.

CHICAGO — Alderperson Wants Chicago Pension Funds to Invest in Real Estate Developments

A Northwest Side alderperson is calling for a hearing with appointed trustees from the city’s four pension funds to encourage them to explore investments in local development projects.

SEATTLE — Seattle’s Cost of Living Increased 20% in Last Three Years

Seattle’s cost of living has increased significantly faster than San Francisco, with a more than 20% climb in the Seattle metro area within the last three years. Wages in leisure, hospitality, government, and other services have yet to recover from the pandemic.

Taxes & Spending

BALTIMORE — Mayor Scott Signs FY24 Baltimore City Budget

On June 20 Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott signed the FY24 city budget that will go into effect July 1.

BOSTON — Boston Mayor Wu Rejects City Council Budget Cuts to Boston Police, Veteran Departments

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has rejected millions of dollars in cuts put forward by the City Council in departments such as the Boston Police, Veterans Services, Boston Public Library, Public Works, Transportation, Boston Centers for Youth/Families, and the Equity and Inclusion Cabinet.

CHICAGO — CPS Boosts School Budgets with Focus on Special Education, More Property Taxes

Chicago is boosting funding for the vast majority of its public schools next fall with a particular focus on special education — and with the help of its yearly property tax increase.

DETROIT — DPSCD Approves $1.1 Billion School Budget with Hundreds of Staff Changes, Money for Buildings

Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) officials approved a $1.135 billion budget for the new school year that includes about 280 personnel changes and $235 million to fully fund $700 million in facility projects.

LOS ANGELES — LAUSD’s $18.8 Billion Budget is Flush With COVID-19 Funds for One More Year

The Los Angeles school board Tuesday approved an $18.8 billion budget that includes the last major pandemic aid — government funding that will disappear in future years, putting jobs and services to students at risk.

NEW YORK — To Improve Public Housing, City Moves to Tear it Down

The New York City Housing Authority intends to move forward with a $1.5 billion plan to knock down the Fulton Houses and Elliott-Chelsea Houses in Manhattan and build new high-rise apartments for those who reside there.

PHILADELPHIA —City Council Passes Final Budget of Mayor Kenney’s, Council President Clarke’s Tenure

Last week, Philadelphia City Council passed the FY24 budget that will take effect July 1. It includes modest tax cuts and increased police and municipal recruitment and retention spending.

RICHMOND — New Hotel Tax Revenues to Promote Regional Tourism

Starting July 1, Richmond hotels with 41 rooms or more will add a 2% fee to their nightly rates. The revenue made will go toward Richmond Region Tourism to promote visitation to the city.

SAN DIEGO — San Diego City Council Unanimously Approves $5.12 Billion Budget

The San Diego City Council Monday evening, June 12, unanimously approved a $5.12 billion budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, focused on improving infrastructure and including additional funding for programs intended to reduce homelessness, street paving and public safety.

SEATTLE — Seattle Voters to Decide on $970 Million Affordable Housing Levy This Fall

Seattle voters will soon decide whether to raise property taxes to fund affordable housing, higher wages for human services workers, and assistance for middle-income homebuyers.

Transportation & Mobility

BALTIMORE — Governor Moore Relaunches Planning for Red Line Transit in Baltimore

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has pledged to bring back the Red Line transit project connecting East Baltimore to West Baltimore before he leaves office after it was canceled in 2015.

CHICAGO — New Divvy Scooters Have Phone Chargers, Blinkers, AI-Powered Sidewalk-Detecting Camera

New and improved electric scooters are docking at Divvy stations this week. The scooters have safety features and amenities not seen on previous models: Turn signals, phone holders and chargers, and a 50-mile battery range.

LOS ANGELES — L.A. Opens Its New Light-Rail Link

Known as the Regional Connector, the link allows riders to travel from East Los Angeles all the way to Santa Monica without transferring.

NEW YORK — How E-Bike Battery Fires Became a Deadly Crisis in New York City 

An increase in e-bikes and e-scooters, an economical and efficient new way to get around, has resulted in a rise of fires from faulty lithium batteries around New York City.

PHILADELPHIA — Northeast Section of I-95 Reopens Less Than Two Weeks After Collapse

Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll reopened six lanes of traffic on I-95 in Northeast Philadelphia last Friday, less than two weeks since its shocking collapse.

SAN DIEGO — San Diego County Expands Free Ride Services for Low-Income Senior Citizens

The San Diego County Senior Transportation Program has expanded its free ride service to include wheelchair-accessible transportation for low-income seniors across San Diego County, it was announced Friday, June 16th.

SAN DIEGO — Will San Diego Airport Get a Rail Connection? Labor Leaders to Try Again at Ballot Box

Labor and environmental groups in San Diego are relaunching an effort to beef up the region’s transportation system — from expanding roads and highways to moving the rail tracks off the crumbling Del Mar bluffs and linking the transit system to the downtown airport.

SEATTLE — Amtrak’s Seattle Maintenance-Based Plans Would Take Over a Sodo Street

Amtrak and BNSF Railway are advocating for the closure of South Holgate Street to build an enclosed train base to try and prevent injuries and improve train operations, but there are major concerns for the city.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — D.C. Lags as Metro Steps up Fare Evasion Enforcement; New Bill Aims to Help

Since D.C. Metro CEO Randy Clarke pledged to increase citations last year, there has been a 600% increase in citations issued for fare evasion. To help, a D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto has proposed a bill making it much easier to enforce evasion.

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