| | | | | |  | | By Erin Durkin and Anna Gronewold with Jonathan Custodio | Presented by New Yorkers for Responsible Gaming | New York City's middle schools will reopen on Feb. 25, more than three months after sending their students home. It's the latest milestone for the nation's largest school system, which continues a fits-and-starts approach to operating amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The announcement by Mayor Bill de Blasio means that 62,000 students in sixth through eighth grade can return to school buildings. The city reopened all its schools in October, after several delays, then closed them again in November as infection rates spiked, then reopened elementary schools in December after ramping up testing. Now middle schoolers will have their chance to head back to classrooms, but that doesn't mean most kids will actually be learning in person. A majority of the city's public school students opted for all-remote learning, with Black and Asian American students least likely to attend in person. For now, students who opted out back in the fall won't have a chance to change their minds. About half of the reopening middle schools will teach students in person five days a week, while the rest will stick to a part-time schedule to allow for social distancing. Individual schools close down frequently due to Covid-19 cases. High schools remain closed, and there's no plan to reopen them as of yet. Despite the complications, de Blasio has made it a legacy item to have city schools open, or at least as many of them as much of the time as possible, even as few other districts around the country have followed New York's lead . His strategy will be tested again with an older group of students, an infection rate more than double where it was when schools closed down, and new threatening strains of the virus circulating. But there's hope on the horizon as teacher vaccinations increase: After clashing with the mayor earlier on, the United Federation of Teachers is on board with the reopening plan. IT'S TUESDAY. Got tips, suggestions or thoughts? Let us know ... By email: EDurkin@politico.com and agronewold@politico.com, or on Twitter: @erinmdurkin and @annagronewold WHERE'S ANDREW? In Albany with no public events scheduled. WHERE'S BILL? Holding a media availability. ABOVE THE FOLD: THE 2020 ELECTION cycle is finally over. Former Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-N.Y.) conceded Monday to his Republican challenger , former Rep. Claudia Tenney, ending a monthslong battle over the last unresolved congressional race. The abrupt conclusion comes as somewhat of a surprise. After months of tabulation, New York State Supreme Court Justice Scott DelConte last week ordered all eight counties in the upstate district to certify their results showing Tenney won the race by 109 votes. Brindisi was expected to appeal, but on Monday he said he would not. "It is time to close the book on this election and focus on building a better community and more united Country for our children," he said in a statement, congratulating Tenney and vowing to make "the transition process as smooth as possible." The race was a prolonged fiasco that revealed the shortcomings of New York's decentralized election system, which relies heavily on local boards of elections. After leading by some 28,000 votes on election night, Tenney's edge dwindled to just fewer than 50 votes as absentee ballots rolled in. POLITICO's Ally Mutnick and Anna Gronewold MORE NY PLAYBOOK: Look for the new New York Playbook PM in your inbox starting Feb. 22. Just like you read our morning Playbook, Playbook PM by Anna Gronewold in Albany and our top-notch political team in the city will bring you the news you need to know from the Capitol and New York City Hall. It will publish at the height of the legislative session and the New York City mayoral race, telling you the latest political news from around the Empire State. | | A message from New Yorkers for Responsible Gaming: Throughout this unprecedented health crisis, Resorts World New York City's commitment to their employees, community and New York State has not wavered. Expansion of existing facilities will allow them to continue to build on their track record of creating good-paying union jobs with full-service employer paid health care, while generating critical resources for education in New York State. Learn more about how Resorts World is supporting its employees and investing in New York's future. | | | |  | WHAT CITY HALL'S READING | | "ON A PIERCINGLY cold December night, a handful of homeless passengers sought refuge on heated subway trains rumbling deep into Brooklyn. But when they arrived at the end of the line just after 1 a.m., those riders awoke to a grim reality: The subway was shutting down and they would have to leave . Some slipped out of the Stillwell Avenue Station and disappeared into the shadows of nearby buildings in search of a safe place to sleep. Others slumped onto a bus stop bench, burying their heads and hands deep inside puffy winter coats to brace against the frigid temperatures from the ocean, steps away, in Coney Island. A few simply refused to leave the station, prompting police officers to drag them out. For decades, the city's sprawling subway system has offered a shelter of last resort for thousands of homeless New Yorkers... But last spring, when the pandemic ripped through New York and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo mandated that the city's famously 24-hour subway system be shut down overnight for disinfection, that safe haven vanished." New York Times' Christina Goldbaum "GOV. CUOMO had a change of heart. Instead of a Valentine's Day return, New York City restaurants can start serving customers indoors beginning Friday , two days earlier than originally planned, the governor announced Monday. Eateries in the Big Apple pleaded with Cuomo in recent days, asking him to allow them to open up dining rooms for the full weekend as the state's COVID numbers continue to decline … Restaurants in the city have been barred from serving customers inside since mid-December, after a brief two-month reprieve in which the state allowed indoor dining in the five boroughs." New York Daily News' Denis Slattery — Restaurant workers are greeting the reopening with trepidation, and some experts say it's a bad idea. — "Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a program Monday that will produce star-studded 'pop-up' performances everywhere from subway platforms to local parks — saying it's a way to pump money into entertainers' pockets while lifting New Yorkers' spirits amid COVID-19. Meanwhile, Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city is offering a new free permit for outdoor street performances by struggling groups like theaters." New York Post's Bernadette Hogan and Kate Sheehy "A COVID-19 VACCINE hub will open at Citi Field Wednesday, with 100 percent of appointments reserved for taxi drivers, food service workers and Queens residents, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday. The 24-hour site was initially scheduled to open the week of Jan. 25, but a dwindling number of doses forced the city to delay opening day, de Blasio said. Medical workers from the city's Health and Hospitals system will begin administering vaccines at the ballpark at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Half of the appointments will be reserved for Taxi and Limousine Commission-licensed drivers and food service workers, while the other half will be set aside for residents of Queens." Queens Eagle's David Brand — New Yorkers with underlying health conditions can begin signing up for vaccine appointments starting on Sunday. — An AirBnB software engineer built a vaccine website that compiles availability from New York's main systems. "PETITIONING IN a pandemic is preposterous, say politicians who on Monday sued Gov. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio to cancel the requirement for candidates to gather signatures to get on June primary ballots. A small army of Big Apple electeds and candidates filed the suit in Manhattan Supreme Court, citing state law on public health and free speech rights. The plaintiffs include Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, mayoral candidate Maya Wiley, several City Council members and dozens of contenders for local office. The state recently lowered petition-gathering requirements by 70% and moved up the deadline to submit them. That would still bring 'the impending and inevitable spread of COVID-19 that would come when in dozens of races, hundreds of candidates may be required to send thousands of volunteers to have in-person contact with hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers in order to collect signatures,' Williams stated." New York Daily News' Shant Shahrigian ON THE TRAIL: A group of New Yorkers wrongfully convicted of crimes endorsed Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams in the race for mayor Monday. Adams, a Black former police officer, is running in a Democratic primary field crowded with candidates trying to burnish their criminal justice reform credentials. He was endorsed by Shabaka Shakur, Sundhe Moses, Anthony Ortiz, and Derrick Hamilton — people all cleared in murder cases after being locked up for years. "Systemic racism runs rampant throughout New York City. It's in the criminal justice system. It's in our everyday lives," said Hamilton, who served 21 years before being freed. "I want somebody who's been through it. Having been beaten up by the police at an early age, he knows that when somebody says the police beat them up, that it's usually real. When somebody says I've been wrongfully convicted, that it's usually real." — Erin — The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 announced its support for Scott Stringer's mayoral run Monday in front of a Key Food supermarket in Queens. The 20,000-member union's president, Robert W. Newell Jr., cited Stringer's record in protecting workers' wages. "He's proven time and time again that workers' rights are not to be ignored." he said. — Jonathan — Eight candidates in a mayoral forum discussed their impressions of how the sausage gets made in Albany Monday night. One of the more telling exchanges revolved around six bills being pushed by progressive Democrats who claim taxing high-income earners and capital gains could generate $50 billion. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and former Obama Cabinet member Shaun Donovan supported parts of the package, while former Sanitation commissioner Kathryn Garcia appeared skeptical. The left flank of the field, including former nonprofit CEO Dianne Morales, offered enthusiastic support. But city Comptroller Scott Stringer, who has netted the endorsement of many of the legislation's progressive sponsors, offered a more measured assessment. "I don't want to take anything off the table," he said. "I think these legislators are strategic, forward thinking, they've laid out a number of issues that have to be discussed." Attorney Maya Wiley, who has been chasing some of the same liberal voters as Stringer, quickly pounced. "This is a no-brainer for anyone running for mayor," Wiley spokesperson Julia Savel said after the forum. Stringer's office then said he supports the package. — Joe Anuta | | | | JOIN WEDNESDAY – A PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW ON TRUMP'S SECOND IMPEACHMENT TRIAL: After weeks of tension following the January insurrection at the Capitol, all eyes are on the Senate as the second impeachment trial against former President Trump begins. Join Playbook co-author Rachael Bade for a discussion on the ins and outs of the historic proceedings with former Ambassador Norman Eisen, a senior fellow in Governance Studies at The Brookings Institution, and a former special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee. What arguments will Trump's lawyers and House impeachment managers use? Where will this leave things on Capitol Hill? REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | "FOLLOWING an 'exhaustive' nationwide search, the state Board of Regents on Monday unanimously appointed Betty A. Rosa as permanent commissioner of education and president of the University of the State of New York, the first Latina woman to hold the position. The commissioner will lead the agency and assists the board's members in carrying out the department's mission to raise the knowledge, skill and opportunity of all the people in New York. 'I've known Dr. Rosa for decades and her breadth of experience, expertise and ability to work with all people make her the best choice to serve as commissioner,' Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said. ...Rosa has served on the Board of Regents since 2008 and became the board's chancellor in 2016. She resigned as chancellor in August to fill in as commissioner when Shannon Tahoe stepped down for a role in higher education. Rosa was third person to take on the commissioner's job since MaryEllen Elia resigned a year and a half ago." Times Union's Rachel Silberstein "A CONSORTIUM of contracting firms who built the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge sued the New York State Thruway Authority on Monday, accusing the authority of interference in the construction of the $4 billion project, leading to delays and extra expenses. Tappan Zee Constructors LLC is seeking more than $961 million in the suit, plus interest, which the consortium says came after nearly three years of efforts to settle the dispute privately. The lawsuit was filed in the New York State Court of Claims, which handles legal actions against the state and certain authorities, including the Thruway. The Cuomo bridge was commissioned by the Thruway and carries the highway over the Hudson River north of New York City. It fully opened in 2018 and replaced the Tappan Zee Bridge. The Cuomo bridge was the first major design-build project in the state. Thruway officials have said the consortium's allegations, which were referenced in a 2020 TZC lawsuit seeking documents from the authority, are a negotiating tactic." Wall Street Journal's Jimmy Vielkind "NEW YORK pols will have to take all that money lavished on their campaigns by lobbyists and other interested parties — to go. Fat cat-laden fundraisers near the Capitol in Albany while the Legislature is in session have been all but curbed by the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 150 campaign fundraising events usually take place from January through June and dozens would normally have already been held or scheduled. But many lawmakers are now staying home rather than trekking to Albany , conducting legislative business and fundraisers virtually instead. 'I lost 15 pounds because I'm no longer eating pigs in the blanket,' quipped one veteran lobbyist of the break from the fundraising circuit. 'I feel much better. My cholesterol is down.'" New York Post's Carl Campanile and Bernadette Hogan "THE STATE Senate approved a wide-ranging package of anti-housing discrimination bills sparked by a Newsday investigation, including an initiative to deploy undercover homebuyers to test whether real estate agents are 'steering' customers to or away from certain neighborhoods based on race. The 11-bill package, which now goes to the state Assembly, also includes stiffer penalties for housing discrimination, more anti-bias training for real estate agents and a path to pursue punitive damages for discrimination." Newsday's Yancey Roy #UpstateAmerica: A Buffalo business suggests buying a pickle bouquet for a loved one this weekend. You know, to celebrate President's Day. | | | |   | | |
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | "SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) represent different wings of the Democratic Party, but they are on the same page when it comes to funeral benefits for coronavirus victims, especially in communities of color and low-income families. The lawmakers made a rare joint appearance Monday in Corona, Queens, a neighborhood ravaged by the first wave of the pandemic, to announce $260 million in funeral benefits specifically dedicated for New Yorkers as part of the latest COVID relief package. 'Compounding the injury, once the loved one passes away, many of these families don't have money for a proper funeral,' Schumer said. 'That is just awful and inhumane.' The money, part of a $2 billion national pot of disaster funds program, will be channeled through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Low-income families must apply for reimbursement of burial costs for loved ones who died of COVID-19." New York Daily News' Morgan Chittum and Dave Goldiner | | TRUMP'S NEW YORK | | "THE MANHATTAN district attorney's attempt to prosecute former President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign chairman was dealt a final blow when New York's highest court said quietly last week it would not review lower court rulings on the case. The court's decision brings to an end the district attorney's quest to ensure that the campaign chairman, Paul J. Manafort, will face state charges for mortgage fraud and other state felonies, crimes similar to those for which he was convicted in federal court and then pardoned by Mr. Trump." New York Times' Jonah E. Bromwich | | | | TRACK THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION: President Biden's cabinet is getting confirmed, bringing change to agencies and departments across the Executive Branch. From the West Wing to Foggy Bottom, track the first 100 days of the Biden administration with Transition Playbook, our scoop-filled newsletter that chronicles the policies, people, and emerging power centers of the new administration. Subscribe today. | | | | |
| | AROUND NEW YORK | | — Shaun Donovan is running the first TV ads of the mayoral race, featuring himself with former President Barack Obama. — Andrew Yang said he would not take action to boost secular education in yeshivas if elected mayor. — Syracuse-area COR Development Co. whose executives were snared in a federal criminal case involving the Cuomo administration, is fighting a JCOPE investigation. — 1199SEIU has launched a multi-million-dollar advertising campaign to reform the nursing home industry. — Spike Lee and Tracy Morgan plan to endorse Robert Cornegy' s bid for Brooklyn borough president when he officially kicks off his campaign Thursday. — Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Markets have entered a merger deal, bringing together two of upstate New York's largest supermarket chains. — New York City public high school seniors are still rushing to submit college applications but fewer low-income students appear to be applying. | | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Charles Luftig, CoS for ODNI … CNN's Manu Raju … Joseph Stiglitz … David Silver … Stuart Sweeney … Eliza Griswold … David Simon … Amanda Whiting … Tom Szold MAKING MOVES — Francisco Garcia is now taking the lead on operations and scheduling for Stringer for Mayor. He previously was on the national operations team for Joe Biden's presidential campaign...The Martin Group has acquired public affairs firm Gramercy Communications. Gramercy founder Tom Nardacci will become senior advisor at the Martin Group. FOR YOUR RADAR — "Robin Hood Head Wes Moore Is Departing Anti-Poverty Group," by Bloomberg's Pierre Paulden: "Moore, a combat veteran and author, led Robin Hood as it raised more than $230 million last year, according to a statement Monday from the New York-based nonprofit. ... Robin Hood has convened a search committee headed by board Vice Chair Dina Powell McCormick and including Jones, board Chair John Griffin, and board members Geoffrey Canada and Mary Erdoes." | | A message from New Yorkers for Responsible Gaming: Since opening its doors in 2011, Resorts World New York City has created thousands of good paying union jobs for New Yorkers and generated more than $3 billion for education for New York schools. As the state's largest taxpayer, they're proud of the investments made to revitalize their community and provide meaningful careers to so many.
Last year, when the pandemic struck, their commitment to their employees and the community never wavered. They provided employees with full employer-paid healthcare, supported their neighbors most in need by contributing to different community based organizations, and opened up their facilities for COVID testing.
As the state continues to recover from the worst economic crisis in decades, expansion of existing facilities will allow Resorts World NYC to create thousands of union jobs for New Yorkers, while generating desperately needed revenue for schools and surrounding communities. Learn More. | | |
| | REAL ESTATE | | "THE HEAD of one of the largest operators of homeless shelters in New York City was fired on Monday as Bronx prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into allegations of a long pattern of sexual abuse and financial misconduct that had gone largely unchecked by his organization and the city. The executive, Victor Rivera, had helped found the Bronx Parent Housing Network, and over two decades had overseen its growth into a major provider of housing and services while the city's homeless population climbed to record numbers. In a statement released on Monday, the board of directors of the Bronx Parent Housing Network said it had fired Mr. Rivera, 60, and condemned what it called his 'abhorrent and abusive conduct.'" New York Times' Amy Julia Harris "NEW YORK IS a city that's seemingly always under construction. But for all that building, some richer neighborhoods haven't added a single new home overall in the past decade — and have even lost units. That's because so many people combined apartments or homes into one dwelling, the total for new housing dipped below zero, according to a new analysis by the Department of City Planning. The Upper East Side's stagnation was particularly stark, the study shows. The area saw more than 2,000 residential units built since 2010. But because so many alterations took place there over the same period, much of the neighborhood lost housing." The City's Rachel Holliday Smith
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