[WEBINAR] Who Does What? Defining Proper Roles for Staff and Elected Officials
Ethics Laws and the Importance of Transparency for Public Officials
City May Revive Fairmount Park Police Unit for World Cup - As Philadelphia prepares for a landmark summer of sports in 2026—including the FIFA World Cup, MLB All-Star Game, NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and PGA...more
CHICAGO—City Begins Converting Loop Office Buildings to Housing -Chicago’s La Salle Corridor Revitalization Initiative kicked off last week, beginning with the transformation of a historic 14-story Loop office building into...more
Although the Denver City Council’s power in shaping the city’s budget is limited, it still plays a critical role in identifying and advocating for priorities for each neighborhood, district and the city as a whole....more
On Tuesday, Mayor Cherelle Parker was sworn in as the city’s first-ever female executive. During the historic ceremony at the Met Philadelphia on North Broad Street, Mayor Parker referenced her 100-Day Action Plan, which...more
During their last meeting of the 2023 session — and the final meeting of Council President Darrell Clarke’s tenure — City Council approved dozens of bills and resolutions, including the midyear budget transfer, an end to...more
Philadelphia Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ Managing Director Joe Hill and Government Affairs Associate Brianna Westbrooks have been appointed to the Philadelphia Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker’s transition team. Joe will...more
The court of appeal held that the City’s determination that a mixed-use development project was consistent with applicable general plans policies and standards was supported by substantial evidence. Old East Davis...more
On Dec. 15, 2021, the City Council approved the City’s rezoning plan for the SoHo and NoHo neighborhoods. The Council’s action completed the legislative process, thereby turning the plan into law. The stated objectives of the...more
“Mixed Income Neighborhoods Overlay” Bill Passes Out of Committee A plan intended to protect the ability of low and moderate-income Philadelphians to live in their neighborhoods despite increases in property values took one...more
City Council Advances Streetery Bill A City Council committee advanced legislation to make some “streeteries” a permanent part of the city’s dining and zoning landscape. An amendment passed out of the Streets and Services...more
Solar Lab Unveiled at Frankford High School, Aiming to Train Students in Green Careers Sponsored by the Philadelphia Energy Association, U.S. Department of Energy, and PECO, city leaders unveiled a new solar lab at Frankford...more
Driving Equality Bill Championed by Councilmember Thomas Passes City Council passed Councilmember Isaiah Thomas’s driving equality bill with a 14-2 vote, which will prohibit Philadelphia police from stopping vehicles for...more
As Gun Violence Surge Continues, City Council Considers Proactive Measures toReduceHarm - With a historic surge in gun violence continuing through the start of the fall, City Council is now aiming to take proactive measures...more
Philadelphia City Council is slated to give final approval to the city’s $5.2 billion budget today, capping a marathon of negotiations on a variety of different issues and funding streams. City Council negotiated an...more
Philadelphia’s latest budget goes into effect today, containing $5.2 billion in spending and a host of programs designed to curb Philadelphia’s increasing gun violence rates. Over $200 million is directed towards...more
After extensive debate and negotiations, City Council approved an amended version of Mayor Kenney’s budget proposal late last night. City Council championed additional investments in anti-violence programming, the Poverty...more
A city’s ban on short-term vacation rentals in the coastal zone constitutes “development” under the California Coastal Act. Therefore, the Coastal Commission must first approve a coastal development permit, an amendment to...more
Over the last year, the Baltimore City Council has introduced and enacted multiple bills impacting rental housing that residential landlords will need to navigate: - In May 2020, the City Council passed the COVID-19 Rent...more
On April 6, 2021, the Los Angeles City Council adopted a motion entitled Building a Safer Los Angeles (“Motion”) that would significantly expand the fire rating requirements for new buildings and restrict the use of light...more
Back in 2019, I wrote a blog post discussing how allowing so-called “middle housing” – duplexes, triplexes, and quadruplexes – could help alleviate Portland’s affordable housing crisis. The more units you have on a piece of...more
California Appellate Court Looks to Local Ordinance’s Intention for Determination - In determining what makes a “super majority” of a governing body, a California appellate court said the entire number of seats on the body...more
The New York City Council has proposed additional legislation that would have a major impact on businesses falling within the broad definition of “fast food establishments” and has scheduled a hearing on the bills for...more
On January 21, 2020, the Oakland City Council unanimously passed the Fair Chance Housing Ordinance (“FCHO”), which will restrict landlords in their ability to reject a potential tenant because of prior criminal history. It...more
In advance of their first official meeting of 2020, members of Philadelphia City Council outlined their legislative priorities, and several say they intend to introduce legislation to increase protections for employees....more
A court could properly direct a city council to correct internal inconsistencies in its general plan resulting from adoption of an initiative. Denham, LLC v. City of Richmond, 41 Cal. App. 5th 340 (2019). The Richmond City...more