WASHINGTON, September 28, 2026 — Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced the addition of Alex Calabro as principal in its Washington, D.C., office.
September 28, 2026
The Metropolitan Opera has partnered with the New York City Mayor’s Office to launch “Opera for All,” a new initiative that will provide 70,000 free tickets during the 2026-27 season through a monthly public lottery. Beginning this month, 10,000 tickets will be released each month, with eligible New Yorkers able to access seats throughout the opera house for productions including Macbeth, Lincoln in the Bardo, and La Bohème. Announcing the initiative alongside Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Met General Manager Peter Gelb said the program is intended to further demonstrate that the Met is a vital part of life in New York City.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the reappointment of Doug Lipari as Executive Director of NYC Talent and the appointment of Dr. Dave A. Chokshi to the New York City Board of Health. Lipari, who has led NYC Talent since 2025, will continue overseeing the City’s workforce development efforts, including Community Hiring initiatives and Project Labor Agreements covering billions of dollars in capital construction projects. Chokshi, a practicing physician at Bellevue Hospital and New York City’s former health commissioner, will serve on the Board of Health through 2030 following City Council approval. He currently serves as Founding Director of the Health & Opportunity Leadership Institute at the City College of New York and previously chaired the Board of Health during his tenure leading the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last Thursday, the New York City Council passed, among other measures, legislation to create a streamlined enrollment process for Fair Fares, return unused commissary funds, and extend the J-51 tax benefit program. The Council also adopted resolutions declaring August as Black Pride Month, September as African Immigrant Heritage Month, and October 3 as Korean Cultural Awareness Day. In addition, the Council approved a Transparency Resolution authorizing new designations and funding changes for organizations receiving Expense Budget allocations, including $5.15 million for counseling, legal, technical assistance, and referral services to help low- and moderate-income prospective homeowners, homeowners, and their heirs build and preserve generational wealth. All passed and introduced legislation is available here.
On September 22, 2026, the New York City Council Committee on Governmental Operations, State & Federal Legislation held an oversight hearing on Access to City Government and the Mamdani Administration’s Civic Engagement Efforts, as well as four bills aimed at increasing transparency around government-funded and third-party communications. The hearing examined the City’s use of social media influencers and digital recordkeeping practices following reports that the Mayor’s Office used a Signal group to distribute talking points, videos, and event invitations to hundreds of influencers, raising questions about records retention, Freedom of Information Law compliance, and disclosure requirements for government-affiliated content. The Mamdani administration was represented by Tascha Van Auken, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement, and Shawn(ta) Smith-Cruz, Commissioner of the Department of Records and Information Services; however, both officials stated they were unable to answer specific questions regarding the influencer program, including its budget, which influencers had been contacted, and whether related communications complied with City rules. Meanwhile, Emilia Rowland, Director of New Media and Cultural Communications and the official overseeing the influencer initiative, did not testify. Throughout the hearing, Council Members scrutinized the City’s policies governing instant and disappearing messages and expressed concerns about the absence of officials directly involved in the influencer program, as well as the standards used to determine whether digital communications must be preserved as public records.
Co-Chair, New York Practice
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.
September 28, 2026
September 28, 2026
September 24, 2026
