New York Note: Business Council, “Renew Crew” for Parks, City & State Top 50 Lobbyists

August 31, 2026

Mayor Mamdani Forms Business Advisory Council Focused on Economic Growth

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the creation of a 15-member Business Advisory Council that will meet quarterly with City Hall to advise on economic growth, innovation and industry development across sectors including finance, technology, real estate, sports, retail, health care and entertainment. The council includes executives from organizations such as Etsy, Northwell Health, RXR, Chobani, Amalgamated Bank, Healthfirst and the New York Liberty, and was announced as the city reported nearly 4.9 million jobs as of July 2026, along with continued growth in private-sector employment, office leasing activity and venture capital investment.

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Mayor Mamdani Launches “Renew Crew,” a New Parks Maintenance Team

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura announced the launch of Renew Crew, a new 24-person team of painters, electricians, plumbers and other trade specialists tasked with delivering repairs and improvements at playgrounds, recreation centers and sports courts across the five boroughs. The initiative is designed to complete high-impact maintenance projects in three weeks or less, with work already underway at sites in every borough, including Dry Harbor Playground in Queens, where crews are repairing courts, play equipment, fencing and other park amenities.

City & State’s 2026 Top 50 New York Lobbyists

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies New York Practice ranked seventh on City & State’s 2026 Top 50 New York Lobbyists. This recognition underscores how the CPS NY practice, co-chaired by Rose Christ and Katie Schwab, has strengthened its position as one of New York’s leading integrated state and local government relations practices in 2026. The feature highlighted the practice’s record-setting advocacy efforts, securing more than $48 million in New York City budget funding and obtaining funding for virtually every client request. It also highlighted the team’s expanded Albany presence and statewide work, including securing more than $1.3 million in discretionary funding, helping clients access $93 million through state programs, advancing seven priority bills, and organizing more than 15 advocacy days at the State Capitol.

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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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