All articles tagged with #city council
With reservoirs at roughly 8.6% capacity amid a severe drought, Corpus Christi is briefing its city council on new models that could accelerate a Level 1 water emergency and require a 25% cut in usage, while officials pursue a diversified supply plan—groundwater, wastewater reuse and desalination—after last year’s desalination project was killed and ongoing permitting and funding hurdles persist.
Chicago’s Editorial Board urges Aldermen to force a floor vote on the tipped-minimum-wage policy, arguing that raising servers’ pay to 84% of the city minimum threatens independent restaurants and jobs; restaurateurs seek a compromise that keeps tipping in line with overall wages, while Mayor Johnson has shown little willingness to revisit the issue. The piece suggests the Council act to restore business confidence and cites Washington, D.C., as a reference point.
Los Angeles’s City Council unanimously approved seven motions by Councilmember Adrin Nazarian to speed up filming, streamline soundstage certification, require city departments to report compliance with Mayor Bass’s 2025 film order, and launch an independent audit of the permitting system plus a pilot for free microshoots. The package also seeks to coordinate permit rules with neighboring counties and roll out branding and postproduction incentives. Industry workers and unions praised the move but urged broader inclusion in future discussions, while Nazarian pledged to safeguard safety standards and continue consultations with studios and independent filmmakers.
Reality TV star Farrah Abraham ended her bid to become Austin’s mayor after TMZ revealed on-air that the election isn’t until 2028, and she promptly filed to run for District 5 city council instead, citing housing affordability and the struggles of self-employed workers as her campaign priorities.
A union representing Portland City Hall staff filed an unfair labor practice complaint alleging Councilor Loretta Smith fired lead organizer Adam Murray in retaliation for his role in organizing, seeking Murray’s reinstatement and a halt to retaliation; Smith’s office declined comment, and the complaint arrives as the City Council prepares to elect a president.
A Venezuelan New York City Council data analyst was detained by ICE during a routine appointment on Long Island, the first Council staffer detained by federal immigration authorities; officials give conflicting status details—the Council says he had Temporary Protected Status and work authorization through October 2026, while ICE cites a different record and notes an arrest history—prompting protests and calls for his release from city leaders and immigrant advocacy groups.
Pittsburgh City Council approved a 20% property tax increase to fund a $693.2 million budget, amid mixed reactions and ongoing review by Mayor Gainey's administration, as the city faces financial challenges and debates over fiscal priorities.
Pittsburgh City Council approved a 20% property tax increase to address a $20-30 million budget shortfall, raising the millage rate from 8.06 to 9.67, amidst opposition from some council members and residents who criticized the hike and suggested alternative revenue sources like taxing nonprofits.
A Chicago City Council committee approved an alternative budget plan supported by over half the council, which removes the mayor's controversial head tax and introduces new revenue options, sparking debate and upcoming meetings to further discuss the proposal.
Chicago's budget negotiations stalled after opposition aldermen's revised plan, which included removing a garbage fee hike and other revenue measures, failed to sway Mayor Johnson, bringing the city closer to a government shutdown.
The Los Angeles City Council approved significant updates to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, setting a new allowable rent increase range of 1% to 4%, removing additional utility charges, and aiming to balance tenant affordability with landlord interests, amid ongoing housing affordability concerns.
A local Arizona city council race in Mesa has become highly polarized due to a recall effort against councilwoman Julie Spilsbury, driven by supporters of Charlie Kirk and his organization Turning Point Action, highlighting the influence of national politics on local elections following Kirk's recent death.
The Denver City Council has postponed a $27,000 mountain retreat scheduled for next week due to public scrutiny following large-scale layoffs of city workers amid a significant budget shortfall, with plans to reschedule later.
Scott Gilmore, a long-serving Denver city employee and husband of Councilmember Stacie Gilmore, was laid off amid city budget cuts, leading to accusations of retaliation and a lack of transparency in the process. The layoffs are part of a broader effort to address a significant budget deficit, and have sparked criticism from city officials and union representatives.
Amid ongoing layoffs and budget cuts, Denver's city council plans a $26,000 retreat for team building, which was scheduled before the city revealed its financial struggles. The retreat, held at a facility with extensive amenities, is intended to improve council collaboration despite the timing and cost concerns.