Last Wednesday, the NYC Council convened a Stated meeting, where they passed and introduced multiple pieces of legislation. The Council passed a package regarding sidewalk shed management, and voted to establish a sleep apnea...more
Last Thursday, Mayor Adams appointed Randy Mastro, a former federal prosecutor and aide to Rudy Giuliani, as First Deputy Mayor. Mastro will oversee day-to-day operations of the city’s nearly 300,000 employees amid growing...more
Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of four new deputy mayors to replace those who resigned last month due to concerns about his ongoing federal corruption indictment. The following appointments were made: Adolfo...more
Speaker Adams Delivers State of the City-
Council Speaker Adrienne Adams’ 2025 State of the City Address emphasized housing affordability, economic equity, public safety reform, and protecting democracy. She highlighted the...more
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that he will be running for Mayor of New York City. Cuomo previously resigned as Governor in 2021 amid several accusations of sexual harassment, and enters a crowded field of...more
3/4/2025
/ Diversity and Inclusion Standards (D&I) ,
Employment Discrimination ,
Environmental Policies ,
Executive Orders ,
Mayors ,
New York ,
Nominations ,
Political Campaigns ,
Political Candidates ,
Sexual Harassment ,
State and Local Government
Last Thursday, Governor Hochul announced that she would not be exercising her authority to remove Mayor Adams from office. However, she explained that she will seek to increase state supervision of his administration....more
Last Monday, the Justice Department directed federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York to dismiss the pending charges against Mayor Adams without prejudice and restore his security clearance. Mayor Adams...more
2/19/2025
/ Corruption ,
Criminal Prosecution ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Ethics ,
Government Agencies ,
Governors ,
Mayors ,
New York ,
Public Officials ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Resignation ,
State and Local Government ,
White Collar Crimes
Last Tuesday, Mayor Adams, along with other mayors of cities throughout New York State, stated the city’s priorities at the state budget “tin cup day.” Adams advocated for “Axe the Tax for the Working Class” legislation,...more
Several 2025 mayoral candidates attended a candidate forum last Wednesday on the Upper West Side. Topics included child care, police officers in the subway, mask bans, and regulation of Airbnb. Incumbent Eric Adams and...more
2/3/2025
/ City Councils ,
City of New York ,
Local Elections ,
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Resignation ,
Special Election ,
State and Local Government
Last Tuesday, Governor Hochul released her $252B FY26 Executive Budget. The proposal includes funding for $1B in tax cuts for middle class New Yorkers, $3B in rebate checks, $800M to expand the state’s child tax credit, $340M...more
1/28/2025
/ Mental Health ,
New Legislation ,
New York ,
Nonprofits ,
Public Health ,
Public Safety ,
Rebates ,
State and Local Government ,
State Budgets ,
Tax Credits ,
Tax Cuts
Last Tuesday, Governor Hochul delivered her 2025 State of the State address, laying out her vision for the year ahead. Highlights from the State of the State are below. The Governor will release her Executive Budget soon to...more
In his 2025 State of the City address, Mayor Eric Adams detailed his administration’s efforts to create a safer, more equitable, and family-centered New York City. He noted achievements like reducing crime, expanding...more
1/13/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Consumer Protection Laws ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employee Rights ,
Employment Policies ,
Fair Workweek ,
Homeless Issues ,
Labor Reform ,
New Legislation ,
New York ,
Paid Leave ,
State and Local Government ,
State Legislatures ,
Tax Relief ,
Wage and Hour
New NYS Measures Taking Effect in 2025-
Several new measures have now taken effect in New York State. The hourly minimum wage for non-tipped workers increases to $16.50 in NYC, Westchester County, and Long Island, and to...more
The NYC Campaign Finance Board has denied public campaign funds for Eric Adams’ reelection bid. The Board cited “detrimental” conduct from Adams in their denial. This ruling means that Adams will be ineligible to receive...more
The Adams administration has officially announced the formation of a 14-member commission to rewrite the City Charter in 2025, continuing its focus on expanding housing opportunities. This commission aims to propose...more
12/17/2024
/ Affordable Housing ,
City Councils ,
City Planning Departments ,
Comptroller ,
Mayors ,
Migrants ,
New York ,
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State and Local Government
City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Approved by the Council -
On December 5, 2024, the New York City Council approved with modifications the NYC Department of City Planning’s (DCP) City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, the...more
On Friday, November 15, the Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies New York team held an election debrief. Key insights from our team are below. Presidential Race Donald Trump will enter the White House in January and has promised...more
Jessica Tisch Appointed NYPD Commissioner -
Last Wednesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of Jessica Tisch as the new Commissioner of the New York City Police Department. Tisch takes over from...more
Last Wednesday, the NYC Council convened a Stated meeting, where they passed and introduced multiple pieces of legislation. The Council passed a bill that will shift the responsibility for broker fee payment to the party that...more
Mayor Adams has announced new appointments within the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Communications. In the Press Office, Kayla Mamelak Altus is now Press Secretary, and Allison Maser has joined as a Deputy Press Secretary...more
Yesterday, New Yorkers voted on one seat in the U.S. Senate, all 26 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, and all 213 seats of the state legislature, in addition to the presidential ticket, which is being widely...more
Mayor Adams Trial Scheduled-
Mayor Eric Adams’ trial has been scheduled for April 21. Mayor Adams has been accused of corruption and bribery, and has pleaded not guilty.
Council Unveils “City for All” Response to “City...more
Two new candidates have entered the field for NYC Mayor: Zohran Mamdani, New York State Assemblymember, and Jim Walden, New York attorney. Mamdani, who is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has called on Mayor...more
On October 21-22, 2024, the NYC Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises held two hearings to discuss the third of three City of Yes zoning initiatives, the "City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” proposal, aimed at...more
Following the resignation of Phil Banks amid federal investigations into the Adams administration, Mayor Adams has announced the appointment of Chauncey Parker as the new Deputy Mayor for Public Safety. Parker has served as...more