[WEBINAR] Who Does What? Defining Proper Roles for Staff and Elected Officials
Ethics Laws and the Importance of Transparency for Public Officials
On August 14, 2025, the New York City Council voted to approve the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan, as modified by the City Council Land Use Committee....more
We start our August Alert with some potentially very good news. The RENTAL Act, a bill to reform TOPA, passed its first vote by the DC Council on July 28, 2025. The RENTAL Act includes, among other things, a blanket exemption...more
BOSTON—City Joins Data Alliance to Boost Services - Boston is partnering with the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance to improve resident services using AI and analytics. The City aims to modernize 311 notifications...more
The New York City Charter Revision Commission voted this week to place five proposed amendments on the November ballot. The first bill would create a more streamlined process for reviewing publicly financed affordable...more
On July 21, 2025, the New York City Charter Revision Commission (CRC) voted to include five proposed amendments to the City Charter on this year’s New York City general election ballot, including measures that would expedite...more
BOSTON—City’s First Office-to-Residential Conversion Project Begins -Construction has officially begun on Boston’s first office-to-residential apartment conversions. This effort is a part of a City pilot program aimed at...more
In the last legislative session, the Philadelphia City Council passed several significant bills affecting real estate development and zoning, which are important for property owners and developers to understand....more
City Invests in Certifying CTE Teachers- Philadelphia City Council allocated $500,000 to help Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers cover certification costs, addressing a teacher shortage and supporting growing...more
On June 20, 2025, the Adams Administration and the Department of City Planning (DCP) initiated public engagement for the 'Manhattan Plan,' a proposal to add 100,000 new homes in Manhattan over the next decade. The Plan aims...more
London boroughs are implementing the London Plan's requirements for affordable Purpose-Built Student Accommodation ("PBSA") in varied ways, with some setting stricter or additional criteria....more
California’s housing crisis has necessitated innovative legislative solutions at the state and local level to increase the supply of affordable housing across the state. Cities are required by state law to plan for a...more
The San Diego City Council voted on March 4, 2025, to begin the process of revising its Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Bonus Program (ADU Bonus Program or Program), which has served, to date, as one of the state’s most...more
Mayor Parker, Council President Johnson Reviving 90s-Era Collaboration -Over the first year in their respective positions, Mayor Cherelle Parker and City Council President Kenyatta Johnson have intentionally worked to build a...more
Mayoral Candidates Debate as Early Voting Opens - In the final Democratic mayoral debate, Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani debated over experience and ethics. Cuomo, Mamdani, Brad Lander, Adrienne Adams, Zellnor Myrie, Scott...more
City Council Passes FY26 Budget, HOME Bills- During their final meeting before summer recess, the City Council passed a staggering 58 bills, including the FY26 Capital and Operating Budgets, business and wage tax cuts, and...more
Adams Appoints Rodriguez-Rosa as New NYC Parks Commissioner - Mayor Adams has appointed Iris Rodriguez-Rosa as the new Commissioner of NYC Parks. Rodriguez-Rosa previously served as the Bronx Borough Parks Commissioner, and...more
On the evening of Thursday, June 5, the Philadelphia City Council granted preliminary approval to several bills related to Mayor Cherelle Parker’s $6.8 billion FY26 City Budget with minimal changes to the initial proposal,...more
FY26 Budget Negotiations Entering HOME Stretch - Thursday marks the final opportunity for the City Council to advance bills—including those tied to Mayor Cherelle Parker’s $6.7 billion proposed budget and Housing...more
The New York City Council approved the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan (AAMUP) on May 28, 2025. This initiative represents a significant rezoning aimed at transforming a key corridor in Central Brooklyn, which has been zoned...more
On May 28, 2025, the New York City Council approved the city-led Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan (AAMUP, pronounced "aim up"), rezoning a low-density industrial stretch of Atlantic Avenue and surrounding blocks in Brooklyn’s...more
Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro is considering cancelling a planned affordable housing development at Elizabeth Street Garden. He has suggested that the apartments instead be built on a nearby lot, which was initially reserved for...more
The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) released the City's new Universal Affordability Preference (UAP) Application. The program requirements and process for the new UAP program are very...more
Mayor Adams Unveils FY 2026 Executive Budget - Mayor Eric Adams released New York City's $115.1 billion Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget, dubbed the "Best Budget Ever.” It focuses on investments in public safety, criminal...more
Mayor Cherelle Parker unveiled details about the programs to be funded by her signature Housing Opportunities Made Easy (HOME) Initiative on Monday. More than 75% of the $800 million bond amount will be allocated to seven key...more
Mayor Parker's Housing Plan Relies on $800M in Bonds- Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy (HOME) Initiative aims to build or preserve 30,000 housing units in Philadelphia, primarily funded through $800...more