Gig Economy & Technology
BALTIMORE—City Opens First-of-its-Kind Public AI Lab to Expand Access
Baltimore Recreation and Parks, in partnership with tech companies NWN and Intel, launched Greenmount Recreation Center, a free, community-centered artificial intelligence (AI) lab offering digital training and career development tools to help bridge the digital divide and empower residents of all ages.
Housing & Real Estate
BOSTON—First Tenants Move Into Office-to-Residential Conversion Program Units
Boston opened its first residential building renovated through the City’s Office-to-Residential Conversion Program, launched by Mayor Michelle Wu (D) in 2023. The program offers tax abatements of up to 75% for 29 years to incentivize converting vacant office space into housing.
CHICAGO—City Eliminates Parking Minimums
The Chicago City Council unanimously voted to eliminate parking minimums near public transit, allowing developers to build housing without being required to include parking spaces, a move aimed at lowering construction costs and increasing affordability.
DETROIT—City Announces 94 NBP Winners, Opens Next Application Round
The City of Detroit awarded $1.15 million to 94 community groups through its Neighborhood Beautification Program (NBP) to support gardens, clean-ups, and public space improvements, while also launching a new funding round and the Stellantis Impact Neighborhood Fund.
PHILADELPHIA—City’s Cash Aid Program Serves as National Model
Researchers found that Philadelphia’s PHLHousing+ pilot, which gives unrestricted cash to low-income renters, could serve as a national model for rental assistance. The program has significantly reduced evictions and homelessness while improving housing conditions.
PHILADELPHIA—City Launches System to Block Deed Fraud
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker (D) announced the introduction of an automated verification system to prevent fraudulent property transfers involving deceased owners, aiming to protect homeowners and preserve generational wealth.
RICHMOND—City Restores Affordable Housing Funds Amid Budget Dispute
Richmond officials resolved a funding dispute by transferring $2 million to the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, bringing its total to $15 million this year. The move followed criticism over using housing funds for a $5.8 million restitution payment to a wrongfully convicted man and prompted plans to strengthen policies for consistent future funding.
Labor & Employment
PHILADELPHIA—PFT Ratifies New Contract with Raises, Parental Leave
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) members approved a three-year deal granting raises, bonuses, paid parental leave, and new incentives for hard-to-staff schools and subject areas, though some opposed changes to the sick leave policy.
Policy & Politics
NEW YORK CITY—Mayor Adams Reaffirms Reelection Bid
Mayor Eric Adams (D) reiterated Friday that he will remain in the race for reelection, dismissing reports that Trump administration advisers urged him to withdraw with the promise of a U.S. ambassador post in Saudi Arabia. Adams called the speculation “false” and said he is committed to continuing his campaign against Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani in November.
Public Health & Safety
BALTIMORE—City Wins $62M Verdict Against Ghost Gun Dealer
A jury awarded Baltimore $62 million in its lawsuit against Hanover Armory for selling untraceable firearms, marking a historic legal victory that officials say will fund community violence prevention efforts and send a strong message to illegal gun dealers.
BOSTON—Judge Strikes Down City’s Crowd-Control Weapons Ordinance
A Suffolk Superior Court judge invalidated Boston's 2020-era ordinance limiting police use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and similar crowd-control measures, finding that the City Council exceeded its authority under the City Charter and the ordinance conflicted with the Police Commissioner’s exclusive authority over weapons policy.
CHICAGO—Mayor Johnson Issues Executive Order on Law Enforcement Masking
Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order urging federal law enforcement in Chicago not to wear masks, clearly identify themselves, and keep body cameras on during immigration enforcement to increase transparency and prepare residents for potential immigration raids.
DETROIT—City Expands Public Safety Cloud System for First Responders
Following a successful pilot, the Detroit City Council approved a $1.5 million contract to expand a public safety cloud system enabling emergency vehicles to send real-time alerts to nearby drivers through apps like Waze and Apple Maps to improve awareness and reduce accidents. The expanded program will operate citywide for the next three years.
NEW YORK CITY—City Officials Reaffirm Limits on ICE Cooperation
In response to federal plans for increased immigration enforcement, New York City leaders emphasized they will not assist with civil U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and pledged to protect nonviolent immigrants from disruptive raids.
RICHMOND—Moves Closer to Civilian Police Oversight Board
The Richmond City Council approved policies for a long-awaited civilian review board, advancing efforts to provide public oversight of the police department. The board will serve in an advisory role, investigating misconduct and making recommendations.
SEATTLE—City Sues Glock Over Handgun Design Enabling Illegal Modifications
Seattle has filed a lawsuit against gun manufacturer Glock, alleging its handgun design makes it easy to install illegal “Glock Switch” devices that convert semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic firearms, seeking to classify Glock handguns as a public nuisance and compel the company to prevent such modifications.
TWIN CITIES—Mayor Carter Announces Local Gun Restrictions
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter (D) announced that the City is preparing local gun restrictions should a special legislative session lift the 1985 state preemption. The ordinance would ban assault weapons, binary triggers, guns in recreation centers and libraries, and ghost guns.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Mayor Bowser Formalizes Cooperation with Feds to Avoid Extended Police Takeover
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) issued a mayoral order to establish long-term coordination with federal law enforcement to prevent further federal control over the City’s police. While the move helped end President Donald Trump’s emergency policing order, critics warn it risks undermining D.C.’s autonomy and sets a precedent for federal influence over local governance.
Taxes & Spending
CHICAGO—Few Details on How Mayor Johnson Will Fill $1.15B Budget Gap
Chicago faces a projected $1.15 billion budget deficit for 2026, with Mayor Johnson ruling out a property tax hike and instead pushing for progressive revenue sources, including taxing large corporations and the ultra-rich. Uncertainty remains over $175 million in pension reimbursements and a potential $80 million grocery tax.
LOS ANGELES—Majority of $387M Affordable Housing Fund Generated by “Mansion Tax”
Los Angeles’ record $387 million affordable housing fund is largely powered by Measure ULA, a “mansion tax” on property sales over $5 million that has raised over $784 million since 2023. Despite criticism that it slows luxury and commercial sales, the tax is now a key long-term revenue source for housing and homelessness programs.
RICHMOND—Mayor Avula Unveils Budgeting, Grantmaking Reforms
Richmond Mayor Danny Avula (D) announced new transparency and accountability measures, including a restructured budget process and an overhaul of the City’s grantmaking system, aimed at aligning resources with community needs and strengthening Richmond’s strategic planning.
TWIN CITIES—St. Paul Mayor Pushes Modest Property Tax Increase for 2026
Mayor Carter proposed a modest 5.3% property tax increase for 2026, calling it a year to avoid “pet projects” amid rising costs and funding cuts. His $887 million budget focuses on infrastructure, downtown housing, and drug treatment, while critics say he's addressing long-standing issues too late.
Transportation & Mobility
CHICAGO—RTA Officials Agree to Transfer $74M from Metra, Pace to CTA to Delay City Service Cuts
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will receive $74 million from Metra, Pace, and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to delay massive 40% service cuts in early 2026, giving Illinois lawmakers time to pass a long-term funding bill. The stopgap measure highlights urgent financial pressures on transit agencies, which face a $700 million deficit next year as federal COVID-19 aid runs out.
PHILADELPHIA—SEPTA Service Restored, Long-Term Funding Still Uncertain
Philadelphia-area riders will see full Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) service resume next week thanks to one-time emergency state funding, but officials warn the fix is temporary and future cuts remain possible without a sustainable funding plan.
SAN DIEGO—MTS Seeks Transit Fare Hikes, Service Cuts in Lieu of Ballot Measure
San Diego Metropolitan Transit Systems (MTS) delayed a sales tax ballot measure to 2028 and plans fare hikes (up to $3) and service cuts to address a $250 million budget gap. It will also use $225 million from capital funds for operations over five years.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Crash Warnings Fail to Change Driver Behavior
A D.C. pilot program successfully predicted which drivers were most likely to crash but found that warning messages had no measurable impact on reducing collisions, underscoring the need for stronger enforcement and engineering solutions.
