Cozen Cities – March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

Gig Economy & Technology

CHICAGO—City Incentives Aim to Attract Data Centers

Chicago is positioning itself to capitalize on the data center boom, with the City Council adopting an ordinance offering incentives for developers to store municipal data locally. Experts say data centers could generate property tax revenue, jobs, and economic development.

Labor & Employment

CHICAGO—One Summer Chicago Jobs Program for Youth Expanded

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) and the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services announced the opening of the 2025 One Summer Chicago application portal, aiming to add 1,000 more youth to the paid employment and life-skills development program.

SAN DIEGO—City Council Committee Advances $25 Minimum Wage Proposal

The San Diego City Council Select Committee on Addressing Cost of Living advanced a proposal to establish a $25 per hour minimum wage for hotel workers, event center staff, and janitors in the city’s tourism industry.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—City Seeks to Connect Fired Federal Workers to Jobs

D.C. launched a resource hub to connect fired federal workers with job openings in technology, health care, marketing, communications, and entertainment, seeking to mitigate the economic impact on the city and its residents.

Policy & Politics

BOSTON—Advocates Push Council for Trust Act Expansion

Following Mayor Michelle Wu’s (D) defense of Boston’s sanctuary policies before Congress, the City Council held a hearing where advocates pushed to expand the Trust Act, which would limit Boston law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

CHICAGO—Mayor Johnson Defends City’s Sanctuary Status

Mayor Johnson defended Chicago’s sanctuary city policies, including the Welcoming City ordinance, during a six-hour, Republican-led congressional hearing, emphasizing its role in enhancing safety by allowing undocumented individuals to engage with law enforcement without fear of deportation.

DETROIT—Former Police Chief Announces Mayoral Bid

Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig announced his mayoral bid for 2025, declaring, “Hollywood Craig is back.” He emphasized the need for investments in schools, neighborhoods, economic opportunities, and public safety.

NEW YORK—Mayor Adams Replaces Deputy Mayors After Resignations

Mayor Eric Adams (D) appointed replacements for the four deputy mayors who resigned last month in protest of his cooperative stance on President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement.

NEW YORK—City Council Speaker Announces Mayoral Candidacy

Adrienne Adams, the first Black leader of the New York City Council, announced her candidacy for mayor. Despite limited name recognition and fundraising experience, she enters the race with backing from key Democratic leaders, including Attorney General Letitia James.

SEATTLE—Progressive Organizer Joins Mayoral Race

Progressive organizer Katie Wilson is running for Seattle mayor. A longtime advocate in city politics, Wilson co-founded the Transit Riders Union and played a key role in passing Seattle’s JumpStart tax.

Public Health & Safety

BALTIMORE—City Council Requests Plan to Address Open-Air Drug Markets

Baltimore City Council members are urging the mayor’s office and police department to develop a comprehensive plan to combat open-air drug markets, emphasizing the need for both law enforcement and social services.

SAN DIEGO—Police Oversight Commission Rejects City Council-Proposed Changes

San Diego’s Commission on Police Practices rejected calls from the City Council for an overhaul, including reducing its size, and emphasized that some suggested changes were untenable due to the city charter.

Real Estate Development

LOS ANGELES—City Looks to Develop Housing on Vacant Lots

Los Angeles is launching “Small Lots, Big Impacts,” a pilot program to develop housing on vacant lots. The City will sell 10 of its thousand properties to test affordable starter home construction.

RICHMOND—City Undertakes First Zoning Code Refresh Since 1970s

The City of Richmond is updating its zoning ordinance for the first time since the 1970s to support affordable housing goals and align with the City’s vision for future growth.

Taxes & Spending

BALTIMORE—City Faces Deficit: Overtime Wipes Out Budget Surplus

Excessive overtime spending in City agencies erased Baltimore’s $53.8 million budget surplus, leading to a projected $14.4 million deficit for fiscal year 2025. The Baltimore City Council reshuffled nearly $68 million to balance the budget retroactively and address the deficit.

CHICAGO—City’s Property Tax Burden Shifting to Neighborhoods

As Loop property values decline, Chicago’s property tax burden is shifting to other neighborhoods, increasing costs for homeowners and businesses across the city.

LOS ANGELES—City Facing Financial Trouble According to Controller

Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia warns of financial trouble, citing declining revenue and rising spending. His report projects a $140 million shortfall this year, with an additional $73 million decline next year.

PHILADELPHIA—Mayor Parker Proposes $6.7B FY26 Budget

Last week, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker (D) unveiled her $6.7 billion FY26 budget, which includes proposals to lower business and wage tax rates, issue $800 million in bonds for housing, and create a $95 million reserve to offset potential federal funding cuts.

SAN DIEGO—City Raises Cannabis Tax to Plug Budget Hole

San Diego is raising its city cannabis tax from 8% to 10%, matching California’s highest rate. The increase, effective May 1, intends to help close the city’s $250 million budget deficit.

Transportation & Mobility

CHICAGO—CTA to Begin Bike, Bus Lane Enforcement Pilot

As part of Chicago’s bike and bus lane enforcement pilot, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will deploy ticket-issuing cameras on six buses this summer, following a 60-day testing period. The agency approved a $315,852 contract with Hayden AI for the technology.

DETROIT—”Bring Back the Tracks” Pushes for Rail Transit Revival

A new campaign to “‘Bring Back the Tracks” is pushing to revive rail transit along Michigan Avenue, with advocates urging officials to prioritize public transit in reconstruction plans.

PHILADELPHIA—City Council Approves Bike Lane Expansion

The Philadelphia City Council passed bills adding bike lanes to streets throughout Center City, aiming to improve safety for cyclists following a rise in pedestrian deaths and the death of a cyclist last year.

SAN DIEGO—MTS Approves Measures to Address $100M Deficit

With a $100 million deficit looming by 2026-27, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) approved a fare increase study, a potential sales tax ballot measure, and a Comprehensive Operational Analysis to improve efficiency. The board also voted to delay planned trolley and bus service upgrades approved in 2024.

SEATTLE—City Council Removes Oversight Over Transportation Spending

The Seattle City Council approved a $177 million spending plan for City transportation projects and voted to remove an extra layer of oversight that had given them control over voter-approved transportation funds.

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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