Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced the addition of Patrick Lespinasse as principal.
The City of Detroit has launched an $80 million Brush Park redevelopment that will deliver 211 new affordable and supportive housing units, including The Sanctuary for residents exiting homelessness. The city is also restoring the historic Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center as part of its effort to strengthen neighborhoods and expand deeply affordable housing.
Mayor Karen Bass (D) will lift the homelessness state of emergency on Nov. 18, citing recent declines in homelessness and progress under Inside Safe, a housing-led, citywide strategy to bring people indoors and keep encampments from re-emerging. She stressed that while the crisis persists, the city must shift to long-term, sustainable solutions.
The Los Angeles City Council approved major changes to its Rent Stabilization Ordinance, capping annual increases at 1%–4%, removing utility surcharges, and updating the inflation formula. Supporters say it protects renters amid rising costs, while landlords warn the limits won’t cover their growing expenses.
The City Council approved the OneLIC Neighborhood Plan, its largest rezoning in at least 25 years, reclassifying 54 blocks in Long Island City to allow up to 14,700 new homes, including more than 4,000 affordable units, along with an estimated 1.5 billion dollar package of neighborhood investments.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker (D) announced a master planning initiative led by a 60-member advisory group to develop zoning changes, infrastructure improvements, and investment strategies for the Market East corridor, signaling potential public subsidies and tax incentives to support redevelopment.
The Richmond City Council unanimously passed an ordinance creating the city’s first rental inspection program and approved $94 million in housing revenue bonds for three affordable housing projects, alongside a $2 million proposal for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
San Diego’s Planning Commission approved policy changes to boost homebuilding by letting the City Council overrule historic designations and expanding development incentives in Ocean Beach. Developers support the move, but preservation advocates warn it politicizes and weakens protections for historic properties.
The state Growth Management Hearings Board struck down a bill to allow new housing near Seattle’s stadiums, finding the city violated the Growth Management Act, the State Environmental Policy Act, and public participation requirements.
Mayor Eric Adams (D) announced that roughly 2,900 former city employees—previously terminated from mayoral agencies, New York City Public Schools, and the New York City Housing Authority for noncompliance with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate—may be able to apply to return to their previous positions, pending a proposed rule change by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services and approval from the New York State Civil Service Commission.
Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen (D) convened a five-member committee to review and potentially amend the City Charter, including exploring reforms or elimination of the Board of Estimates, with public input and possible ballot measures in future elections.
Chicago aldermen pressed consultants and Mayor Brandon Johnson’s (D) team over budget cuts, arguing his 2026 plan ignores many of the cost-saving recommendations in a $3.2 million Ernst & Young report. The Johnson administration urged patience, saying dozens of reforms are already underway but will take years, as debates continue over taxes, TIF surpluses, and city services and public schools cuts.
Katie Wilson (D), a longtime City Hall advocate, was elected Seattle’s next mayor in one of the closest contests in modern city history, unseating incumbent Mayor Bruce Harrell (D).
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu (D) announced a one-year contract with the Boston Police Patrolman’s Association that will require patrol officers to wear name tags, update performance evaluations, fund gyms and on-shift workout time, and provide a 2% pay increase from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, with an estimated cost of $6.7 million.
Hundreds joined the Ride and Walk for Your Life from Cambridge to the State House to honor traffic crash victims and call for stronger street safety measures. Advocates noted nearly 300 roadway deaths statewide so far in 2025 and urged lawmakers to expand truck safety standards and related technologies.
Detroit’s police union is suing to halt a new ordinance requiring release of body- and dash-cam footage within 30 days when officers cause great bodily harm, saying it risks officer safety and violates their contract. City officials counter that the law protects officer identities and that the union is misinterpreting the policy.
The D.C. Council passed an emergency bill 9–4 to reimpose expanded curfew restrictions for minors and advance a temporary version lasting through next summer, following Mayor Muriel Bowser’s (D) emergency declaration and calls for more long-term youth engagement strategies.
San Diego’s Public Safety Committee voted 4-0 to reauthorize automated license plate readers (ALPRs), which police say help solve crimes but privacy advocates fear could be misused, especially by federal agencies like ICE. The full City Council will vote in December, with ongoing safeguards including weekly audits and updated rules on data access.
Alderman Gilbert Villegas (D-Ward 36) proposed a $1.25-per-package ground delivery tax in Chicago, which could generate $137.5 million to $275 million annually, exempting groceries, medical items, and food deliveries. According to the sponsor, the revenue could help reduce the proposed $21-per-employee head tax, restore pension payments, or support schools and public safety funding.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is hiring far more officers than the City Council budgeted for, alarming city leaders who warn the overspending could trigger cuts elsewhere. Mayor Bass still supports increasing recruitment, but Council members insist hiring must stop unless new funding is found.
Richmond’s chief administrative officer reported an estimated $22 million surplus for FY25, with allocations to reserve funds and noted that future audits may adjust the figure, while City Council members consider revising deadlines for earlier disclosure.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) approved a 2026 budget with no fare hikes, cuts or layoffs after the state filled its funding gap, with major service upgrades planned once new money arrives later in 2026. Officials welcomed the stability but voiced concern that upcoming regional governance changes could weaken local control.
Detroit bus drivers could see their starting wage jump from $19.56 to $25.38 an hour under a new contract overwhelmingly backed by union members and aimed at reducing turnover. The City Council will vote by year’s end, with Mayor Mike Duggan (D) saying the raise—paired with performance incentives—would finally make Detroit Department of Transportation pay competitive with SMART.
The Los Angeles City Council voted 12–1 to oppose the proposed $500 million Dodger Stadium gondola, calling it a costly “gimmick” that would harm nearby neighborhoods and lacks a viable financial plan. The resolution urges Metro to halt the project as it undergoes additional environmental review.
Metro Transit will deploy more police and security staff on Twin Cities light rail this winter, aiming to improve rider safety and boost sagging post-pandemic ridership. Officials say serious crime is down 21% year-over-year, though overall reported incidents are up, and the agency is now staffing its highest number of officers since 2021.
The D.C. Department of Transportation and Mayor Bowser directed e-bike companies to reduce motor-assisted speeds citywide and enforce stricter limits in nightlife zones following police reports of bikes being used in juvenile crimes.
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.
December 10, 2025
December 9, 2025
December 8, 2025
