Cozen Cities – March 5, 2025

March 5, 2025

Policy & Politics

BALTIMORE—City Moves Closer to Creating Consumer Protection Agency

The Baltimore City Council advanced a bill to establish its own consumer protection agency, modeled after similar agencies in nearby Howard and Montgomery counties, to centralize business permits and enforce consumer protection laws.

BOSTON—City’s Largest Police Union Endorses Incumbent Mayor Wu

The Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association endorsed Mayor Michelle Wu for reelection, marking its first endorsement since abstaining in the 2021 race.

DETROIT—Mayor Duggan Delivers $3B Budget Proposal

In Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s final budget address, he proposed significant property tax cuts, increased bus service, more money and resources to combat homelessness, and a call to state lawmakers to approve violence intervention funding.

NEW YORK—Mayor Adams Asks Judge to Dismiss Case With Prejudice

New York City Mayor Eric Adams asked a federal judge to dismiss the corruption case against him, citing prosecutorial misconduct related to leaked Justice Department correspondence.

TWIN CITIES—Minneapolis City Council Overrides Mayor’s Veto of George Floyd Square Plans

The Minneapolis City Council voted 9-4 to override Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto of its plan to create a pedestrian mall at the intersection where George Floyd was killed.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Mayor Bowser Renews Call for Statehood Amid Federal Takeover Threats

In response to President Donald Trump’s renewed threats of a federal takeover of Washington, D.C., Mayor Bowser reiterated her call for statehood, emphasizing the city’s progress in reducing crime and her willingness to collaborate on homelessness and public safety.

Public Health & Safety

BALTIMORE—Mayor Scott Swears in Opioid Restitution Advisory Board

Mayor Brandon Scott swore in the inaugural members of the Opioid Restitution Advisory Board, which will oversee the allocation of restitution funds to address the city’s ongoing opioid crisis. A scheduled City Council hearing on the issue was postponed indefinitely to avoid jeopardizing the City’s ability to secure additional dollars from drug companies as part of ongoing litigation.

BOSTON—White House Border Czar Clashes with City Officials

Tom Homan, current Trump administration border czar, criticized Boston’s sanctuary city policies, targeting Police Commissioner Michael Cox for refusing to assist ICE. Homan warned that he would come to Boston and “bring hell with me.”

NEW YORK—City to Close Roosevelt Hotel Migrant Center

Mayor Adams announced the closure of the Asylum Seeker Arrival Center at the Roosevelt Hotel, which has processed more than 173,000 migrants since May 2023. The site, a frequent target of Elon Musk and the Trump administration, handled nearly three-quarters of the 232,000 migrants who arrived in New York City since 2022.

SAN DIEGO—City Receives $25M in State Funding for Homelessness Services

San Diego is expected to receive about $25.8 million from California’s Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention program, less than the nearly $30 million the city received during the last funding round, amid uncertainty about what funds the region can continue to rely on.

Real Estate Development

PHILADELPHIA—Mayor Parker Launches HOME Initiative

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker signed an executive order creating the Housing Opportunities Made Easy (HOME) initiative, aiming to create and preserve 30,000 housing units with the help of industry experts and the Philadelphia Housing Authority.

TWIN CITIES—Minneapolis is Third Most Affordable City for Single Renters

Minneapolis ranks third out of the 50 most affordable places in America for singles to live, according to a nationwide survey of apartment rental rates. City officials credit ramped-up efforts to create more accessible and subsidized housing.

Taxes & Spending

BALTIMORE—City Council Approves $68M in Extra Costs for City Agencies

The Baltimore City Council approved $68 million in additional funding for City agencies, with nearly half allocated to the Fire Department to cover overtime and contracting costs.

CHICAGO—Mayor Johnson’s $830M Borrowing Plan Passes City Council

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $830 million general obligation bond issue passed in a 26-23 vote, despite concerns that the plan more than doubles the cost of the borrowing to $2 billion due to its back-loaded repayment schedule.

LOS ANGELES—City Council Calls for Quarterly Report on Wildfire Spending

The L.A. City Council voted to require municipal staff to provide quarterly updates on the City’s fiscal recovery amid budget restraints, tracking everything from damage estimates and the status of special funds to Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements.

PHILADELPHIA—Tax Reform Commission Releases Initial Recommendations

The Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission recommended eliminating the City’s Business Income & Receipts Tax, reducing the wage tax, and implementing a 20-year property tax abatement in its initial report. City leaders will negotiate tax reform strategies during the next budget cycle.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—City Faces $1B Revenue Shortfall Due to Federal Job Cuts

President Trump’s drastic federal job cuts are projected to cause significant economic pain in D.C., with an estimated $1 billion revenue shortfall on the horizon, forcing City officials to prepare for budget cuts.

Transportation & Mobility

LOS ANGELES—Metro Orders Weapon Detectors at More Stations

L.A. Metro voted 10-0 to expand its pilot weapon-detection testing for one year, which uses high-tech systems to catch passengers who are boarding and carrying weapons. Additional testing will also include adding archway screening at the busiest transit stations.

NEW YORK—City Resists MTA Congestion Pricing Deadline

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the state will resist the Trump administration’s order to halt New York City’s congestion pricing program, which imposes a $9 toll on drivers entering Manhattan’s busiest areas.

SAN DIEGO—Speed Limit Reduction Efforts to Improve Road Safety

San Diego’s campaign to reduce speed limits in several neighborhoods are scheduled to be approved this month, a precursor to a wider effort to improve road safety in targeted areas all over San Diego.

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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