New York Note: FY26 Budget Passage, City Legislation, Brooklyn Power 100

July 7, 2025

NYC Passes FY26 Budget

On June 30, the City Council formally adopted the $115.9 billion FY 2026 budget. The budget includes funding to pilot a new free child care program for children under 2 years old, along with a significant increase in City funding for immigrant legal services. The budget also invests $128M to stabilize school budgets, $41.9M to support special education pre-K students, $32.4M for multiple criminal justice initiatives, and $30M for the city’s Cultural Institutions Group and the Cultural Development Fund grants.

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NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation

In addition to passing the FY26 budget, the City Council introduced and voted on several pieces of legislation. Legislation was introduced that would streamline the stormwater permitting process and develop a parents’ bill of rights to be distributed in child protective investigations. The Council approved a rezoning that would allow the Coney Island casino plans to proceed. The Council also approved legislation establishing safety requirements for powered bicycles used by delivery workers, and repealing misdemeanor criminal penalties for general vendors operating without a license.

City & State 2025 Brooklyn Power 100

Kenneth Fisher has been recognized by City & State in the 2025 Real Estate and Land Use Trailblazers for his leadership and influence across New York City’s development landscape. He advances major projects by advising on zoning, land use, and public policy, with recent work shaping the Gowanus rezoning, Downtown Brooklyn developments, and waterfront energy initiatives. He also co-chairs the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s real estate committee and remains a trusted voice on urban development issues.

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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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