Cozen Cities: May 6, 2026

May 6, 2026

Technology & Gig Economy

TWIN CITIES—MSP Council Schedules Vote on Proposed Data Center Moratorium

The Minneapolis City Council scheduled a May 21 vote on a proposal that would impose a moratorium on the establishment or expansion of data centers, while members assess potential statewide regulations.

SEATTLE—Councilmembers Propose One‑Year Moratorium on New Data Centers

City Councilmembers announced plans to introduce emergency legislation imposing a 365‑day moratorium on new data centers, as the city studies impacts on infrastructure, utility rates, environmental sustainability, public health, and the local economy.

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Housing & Real Estate

BOSTON—Mayor Revives “Mansion Fee” Proposal on High‑Value Property Sales

Mayor Michelle Wu (D) revived her proposed “mansion fee” through a home‑rule petition that would allow the city to levy a transfer tax on high‑value real estate sales to fund affordable housing, subject to state approval.

LOS ANGELES—Mayor Issues Directive to Accelerate Housing, Business Permitting

Mayor Karen Bass (D) signed an executive directive to accelerate housing production and streamline business permitting through AI‑assisted reviews, concurrent departmental processing, expanded adaptive reuse, and reforms to reduce utility connection delays.

TWIN CITIES—MSP Mayor Again Vetoes Rent Payment Extension After Metro Surge

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) vetoed, for a second time, a City Council measure that would have temporarily extended the rent‑payment period for tenants following Operation Metro Surge, citing a preference for direct financial assistance.

NEW YORK CITY—City Launches Office of Deed Theft Prevention

Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) established New York City’s first Mayor’s Office of Deed Theft Prevention to coordinate fraud prevention efforts, protect vulnerable homeowners, and preserve generational wealth.

PHILADELPHIA—Council Approves Renter‑Protection Bills Amid Federal Lawsuit

The City Council approved legislation expanding “good cause” eviction protections and clarifying tenant rent recovery, with implementation facing an active federal lawsuit alleging Sunshine Act violations.

PITTSBURGH—Councilman Introduces Tax Break to Spur North Side Redevelopment

Councilman Bobby Wilson introduced legislation offering a sliding‑scale property tax abatement to encourage redevelopment in Pittsburgh’s North Side, including conversions of vacant office buildings into affordable housing. The proposal would provide city‑only tax relief for six to 20 years based on the amount of affordable housing or number of full‑time jobs created, applying only to the new value generated by redevelopment rather than existing property assessments.

RICHMOND—CAO Signals Possible Real Estate Tax Rate Cut in 2027

Richmond Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II indicated the city may reduce its real estate tax rate for the first time since 2008, potentially lowering the rate by one or two cents to offset rising assessments.

Public Health & Safety

BALTIMORE—City Records Lowest Monthly Homicide Total on Record

Baltimore reported four homicides in April 2026, marking the lowest monthly total since tracking began in 1970 and contributing to a year‑over‑year decline in violent crime.

CHICAGO—Mayor Signs Order Expanding Youth Anti‑Violence Programming

Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) signed the Peacebook Executive Order, committing $900,000 to a youth anti‑violence initiative that employs young residents as full‑time mentors.

TWIN CITIES—MSP Council Fails to Override Mayor’s Safety Commissioner Veto

The Minneapolis City Council voted 7–6 to override Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto, rejecting the reappointment of Toddrick Barnette as community safety commissioner.

PHILADELPHIA—Council Approves “ICE Out” Legislative Package

The City Council passed a seven‑bill “ICE Out” package limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, including restrictions on ICE activity on city property and heightened anti‑discrimination protections.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Council Overrides Mayor’s Veto on Federal Officer Transparency

The D.C. Council overrode Mayor Muriel Bowser’s (D) veto of emergency legislation requiring police to document the presence of federal officers during use‑of‑force incidents.

Labor & Employment

NEW YORK CITY—Mayor Launches $4.5 Million Green Jobs Training Pilot

Mayor Mamdani announced a $4.5 million pilot program training workers for green infrastructure jobs, while maintaining rain gardens in East New York and South Ozone Park.

RICHMOND—Mayor Raises Concerns Over State Collective Bargaining Bills

Mayor Danny Avula (D) warned Gov. Abigail Spanberger that proposed state legislation repealing the ban on public‑sector collective bargaining could impose significant costs on local governments.

SEATTLE—Study Finds Higher Gig Worker Earnings Under Minimum Pay Law

The city’s Office of Labor Standards reported that gig workers’ average earnings rose to roughly $16 an hour, following implementation of the city’s minimum pay law, with increased worker participation and customer demand.

Policy & Politics

BALTIMORE—Inspector General Apologizes After AI Video Controversy

The city’s Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming issued a public apology after sharing a video that included an AI-generated image of Mayor Scott that his administration condemned as “racist” and “damaging.”

CHICAGO—Alderman Introduces Ordinance Banning Insider Betting by City Officials

Alderman Timmy Knudsen (D-43) introduced an ordinance that would prohibit current and former city employees and elected officials from using non‑public information to place or influence bets on prediction‑market platforms.

LOS ANGELES—Rules Committee Holds Hearing on Charter Reform Proposal

The City Council’s Rules Committee held a public hearing on a sweeping charter reform package, with a full council vote expected by June 9 to determine whether measures advance to the November ballot.

TWIN CITIES—MSP Mayor Outlines Public Safety, Housing Priorities in State of the City Address

Mayor Jacob Frey delivered his annual State of the City address, calling for a renewed focus on core city services following Operation Metro Surge. Frey highlighted proposals to hire additional police officers, expand affordable housing into more neighborhoods, and subsidize downtown development, urging city leadership to “get back to the basics” and restore discipline around core priorities.

Taxes & Spending

CHICAGO—City Signs $6.7M Contract With Ernst & Young for Budget Review

Chicago has entered into a new two‑year contract with consulting firm Ernst & Young, worth up to $6.7 million, to expand and implement proposed spending cuts and operational efficiencies. The agreement builds on a report Ernst & Young delivered last fall and is intended to help the city identify long‑term budget savings amid ongoing fiscal pressures.

PHILADELPHIA—Budget Hearing Highlights Debate Over $1 Rideshare Tax

City Council members pressed Mayor Cherelle Parker’s (D) administration on proposed new taxes, including a $1 rideshare fee aimed at closing the school district’s budget gap.

PITTSBURGH—City Warns NFL Draft Could Leave $1M Municipal Shortfall

City officials said the 2026 NFL Draft may leave the city with a roughly $1 million deficit after accounting for public safety and municipal costs.

PITTSBURGH—Controller Warns City Finances Remain Fragile

Pittsburgh Controller Rachael Heisler cautioned that the city’s finances remain in a “delicate position,” citing ongoing pressure to curb spending and grow revenues. The city’s 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report showed Pittsburgh spent nearly $45 million more than it collected, with roughly $687 million in revenue compared to $732 million in expenses.

RICHMOND—Council Approves Budget Amendments Funding Employee Raises

The City Council approved its final changes to Mayor Avula’s proposed budget, including an amendment providing a 3.25% raise for all city employees. The approved changes advance the latest version of the city’s $1.1 billion spending plan.

Transportation & Mobility

BOSTON—Mayor’s Climate Plan Weighs Congestion Pricing

Mayor Wu has proposed studying congestion pricing and related fees as part of a broader climate action plan aimed at reducing transportation emissions.

CHICAGO—City Launches E‑Scooter Safety Campaign

City officials launched a citywide e‑scooter safety campaign focused on reducing sidewalk riding, parking compliance, and rider education, ahead of peak season.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Councilmember Introduces Autonomous Rideshare Bill

Councilmember Charles Allen introduced legislation allowing commercial autonomous rideshare services to operate in the district.

Authors

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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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