Labor & Employment

CHICAGO — Teachers Union Narrows Contract Demands

After eight months of increasingly tense contract negotiations, the Chicago Teachers Union has now narrowed its number of demands to land a deal in the next month, the union and Chicago Public Schools officials said.

SEATTLE — City to Increase Minimum Wage Above $20

Seattle is raising the minimum wage for all employees from $19.97 to $20.76 in 2025. Tips and employee medical benefits will no longer count toward the minimum compensation requirement for small businesses with fewer than 500 employees.

Policy & Politics

BALTIMORE — City Council President Mosby Ends Term

With Council President Nick Mosby’s departure after four years in leadership, the Baltimore City Council may shift its legislative priorities under new leadership, potentially embracing different community and economic initiatives under incoming Council President Zeke Cohen.

BOSTON — Councilors Explore Banning Broker Fees

Two Boston City Councilors are exploring whether landlords should cover broker fees instead of tenants. Councilors Enrique Pepén (District 5) and Henry Santana (At Large) have filed a hearing order to discuss this issue ahead of a council meeting.

LOS ANGELES — New DA Promises “Hard Middle Approach”

New Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman promised a balanced approach to restore law and order, rejecting extreme policies and focusing on evidence-based prosecution. He aims to focus on addressing issues like homelessness, fentanyl poisoning, and organized retail crime.

PHILADELPHIA — “Mini City Halls” to Provide More Accessible City Services

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced the creation of 11 “mini City Halls” throughout Philadelphia to improve residents’ access to municipal services and create community councils for direct communication with her administration.

ST. PAUL & MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis' 2025 Mayoral Election Takes Shape

Several candidates have emerged to challenge Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey in the city’s November 2025 election.

Public Health & Safety

DETROIT — City’s Shot Stoppers Initiative Drives Drop in Violence

City and police officials announced that shootings and homicides dropped significantly during 2024’s most violent months in the city’s hardest-hit neighborhoods, which received funding for various community violence intervention programs as a part of the City’s Shot Stoppers initiative.

ST. PAUL & MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis Clinic to Offer HIV Care

A first-of-its-kind clinic in Minneapolis will offer people with or at risk of HIV with full-service care all in one location, including case management, free meals, groceries, phones and now a pharmacy.

Real Estate Development

NEW YORK — “City of Yes” Advances for Housing Opportunity

A revised version of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ “City of Yes” zoning reform package, designed to ease housing construction, passed two key City Council committees.

PHILADELPHIA — City Council Wraps Up Sixers Arena Hearings

The Philadelphia City Council concluded hearings on the proposed Center City Sixers arena, though final votes and negotiations on community benefits and financial impacts are still ongoing, potentially impacting development plans throughout the city.

RICHMOND — City Sees Surge in Affordable Housing Proposals

Richmond is experiencing a boom in affordable housing proposals, driven by high interest rates and new funding tools, potentially adding thousands of income-based units to the city. This trend reflects a broader shift towards addressing housing affordability in the region.

SAN DIEGO — City, Region to See Modest Rent Hikes by 2026

Average rent is expected to rise $133 per month in San Diego over two years, and between $110 and $148 monthly elsewhere in the region.

SEATTLE — New City Law Legalizes Co-Living

A new Seattle law removes land use restrictions on “co-living,” buildings where residents have their own private bedrooms but share common areas like kitchens and bathrooms, aiming to provide affordable housing options for young people and retirees in high-demand areas.

ST. PAUL & MINNEAPOLIS — Downtown St. Paul Program Pairs Small Businesses with Empty Storefronts

The St. Paul Downtown Alliance’s innovative new Grow Downtown program pairs small businesses with vacant storefronts, offering free retail space for six months to boost downtown vibrancy and help businesses establish themselves without long-term lease commitments.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Council Approves Funds for Nationals Park, Capital One Arena Upgrades

The D.C. Council passed legislation to fund upgrades at Nationals Park and a $515 million renovation for Capital One Arena, aiming to boost economic growth, create jobs, and enhance community engagement across the city.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Home Buyers Stranded by Assistance Program Changes

A new lottery system for D.C.’s Home Purchase Assistance Program caused confusion and stress for many first-time home buyers, with some mistakenly excluded from the program.

Taxes & Spending

BALTIMORE — City Council Approves TIF District to Fund Vacant Housing Plan

The Baltimore City Council approved the creation of a special tax increment financing (TIF) district to support Mayor Brandon Scott’s $3 billion plan to rehabilitate thousands of vacant properties across the city. City officials believe Baltimore’s TIF is the first of its kind in the nation.

BOSTON — State Senators Delay Tax Bill Vote

Massachusetts senators delayed a controversial bill to temporarily change Boston’s property tax split between commercial and residential taxpayers. The delay followed a compromise version passing the House, with a procedural move pushing the issue to Thursday.

CHICAGO — Mayor Johnson Proposes $60M Property Tax Hike as Budget Deadline Nears

Mayor Brandon Johnson is seeking support for a $60 million property tax increase to address Chicago’s budget shortfall, following the City Council's rejection of his initial $300 million proposal. The City also plans to sell $806 million in municipal bonds to refinance debt and address the nearly $1 billion budget gap.

LOS ANGELES — City Revenue Hit as Result of “Mansion Tax”

Los Angeles’ “mansion tax,” which applies to all property worth more than $5.15 million, has led to an over 70% decrease in affected sales, resulting in significant foregone property tax revenue.

ST. PAUL & MINNEAPOLIS — Carter Admin. Proposes Cuts to St. Paul Budget to Adhere with City Council Request

Reducing St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter’s proposed budget by $6 million, as requested by the City Council, would decrease the city police department’s authorized strength by 16 police officers, cut 5,000 staff service hours from the city’s parks and recreation centers, and eliminate 6,000 hours of staff service in city libraries.

Transportation & Mobility

CHICAGO — Schools Launch Hub Stop Pilot Program, Parents Call for Expanded Service

Chicago Public Schools is introducing a hub stop pilot program featuring centralized pick-up and drop-off locations at specific schools. Eligible students meet the bus at the designated hub, and then a bus will transport them to and from their school of choice.

DETROIT — City Enhances Accessibili-D Autonomous Shuttle Service

Detroit is expanding its autonomous shuttle service, Accessible-D, after a successful initial deployment for senior citizens and residents with disabilities.

LOS ANGELES — UCLA Wireless Bus Charging Project Aims for Broader Impact

Electric transit and other vehicles traveling onto the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus could soon get a jolt of electric charge as they traverse its streets thanks to a project to develop in-road charging infrastructure.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Union Station Redevelopment a Monumental Task

The $8.8 billion redevelopment of D.C.'s Union Station aims to transform it into a high-speed rail hub, but faces significant political challenges at the local level, as it requires coordination with D.C. officials and stakeholders, in addition to federal funding challenges.