| | | | | |  | | By Erin Durkin and Anna Gronewold with Jonathan Custodio | Presented by Uber Driver Stories | New York City is planning to fully reopen on July 1, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced — bringing back its businesses, restaurants, and cultural venues at full capacity for the first time in 16 months. If you've been watching this space, you might be able to guess that in the next breath we'll tell you that this sparked a fight with Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who jumped in to bigfoot the mayor. And indeed, that train was right on time: Cuomo declared it "irresponsible" to set a target date, but said he might beat de Blasio to the punch and open the city sooner. "I don't want to wait that long. I think if we do what we have to do, we can be reopened earlier," he said. (Things devolved further from there: Cuomo took a shot at de Blasio's popularity, to which the mayor's press secretary told the New York Post: "Serial sexual assaulter says what?") Whichever of these two gentlemen pulls the trigger, though, it looks like the city is on the fast track to lift its remaining Covid-19 restrictions in the next couple months. The city has given out 6.4 million coronavirus vaccine shots, and the effects are showing: its infection rate is down to 3.18 percent and dropping. So if things go according to plan — and there are certainly plenty of obstacles — the city's bars and restaurants will fill up again this summer, Yankee Stadium and Citi Field will be packed with cheering fans, theaters and music venues will welcome crowds (though Broadway is likely to wait until September), and gyms will be back to normal operations. "This is going to be the summer of New York City," de Blasio said. What a time for a senior year mayor who has finally learned how to have fun. IT'S FRIDAY. 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? No public schedule yet. WHERE'S BILL? Appearing on WNYC's Brian Lehrer show. QUOTE OF THE DAY: "John Liu should be ashamed of himself. Larry Schwartz was working 16-hour days while [Liu] was sitting in his ... underwear." — Cuomo senior adviser Rich Azzopardi to the Times Union regarding politicians' comments on Schwartz's abrupt departure | | A message from Uber Driver Stories: Meet Olivia. Because of her multiple sclerosis (MS) and fibromyalgia, Olivia has trouble standing for long periods of time. A traditional 9-to-5 job just won't work for her. Driving with Uber gives Olivia the flexibility to decide when to work, when to spend time with her family, and when to focus on rest. Watch her story in her own words below. | | |
|  | WHAT CITY HALL'S READING | | Stringer looks to cast doubt on accuser's story as mayoral campaign loses backers, by POLITICO's Amanda Eisenberg, Sally Goldenberg and Danielle Muoio : Battle lines are being drawn as City Comptroller Scott Stringer clings to his damaged hopes of becoming the next mayor amid allegations of sexual assault. A defiant Stringer told reporters he had no plans to drop out of the race Thursday, saying in a mayoral forum he supports the motto "believe women" while insisting Jean Kim — the lobbyist who accused him of groping and kissing her against her will — is mischaracterizing a consensual relationship the two had 20 years ago. "Let me say that I believe women — making sure all women can come forward and tell their stories without an assumption they're lying. I respect that and agree with that even when it isn't convenient for me." he said during the forum, hosted by Hot 97. "But the truth is I did not do any of what I've been accused of." Aides furiously worked the phones throughout Thursday trying to shore up support and poke holes in the story of Stringer's accuser. But the efforts were not enough to stop some of the defections. — Stringer loses more backing as he tries to rally support, by POLITICO's Sally Goldenberg — De Blasio calls for investigation into Stringer sexual misconduct accusations, by POLITICO's Erin Durkin: Mayor Bill de Blasio called for an investigation into sexual assault and harassment accusations against mayoral candidate and city Comptroller Scott Stringer. De Blasio said a probe must be conducted quickly...with results available before the Democratic mayoral primary on June 22. "There needs to be an investigation, clearly. It needs to be a fast investigation, because the people of this city deserve to know before they make their decision," de Blasio said at a press briefing Thursday. — Stringer again categorically denied the allegations. Adams closes in on Yang according to new poll in NYC mayor's race, by POLITICO's Sally Goldenberg: A new poll, conducted before this week's bombshell in the mayor's race, shows the contest tightening as Eric Adams closes the gap with established frontrunner Andrew Yang. Adams, the Brooklyn borough president, fell 6 points below Yang when respondents were asked to order their choices, which New Yorkers will be given the opportunity to do when ranked-choice voting debuts citywide for the June 22 primary. In the simulation, Yang had 26 percent support to Adams' 20 in the first round. City Comptroller Scott Stringer — whose candidacy was rocked by sexual assault allegations this week — received 12 percent. — In other races, the poll put Tali Farhadian in the lead for Manhattan DA at 16 percent, followed by Lucy Lang at 12 percent. It found Council Speaker Corey Johnson well ahead in the comptroller's race. — Maya Wiley calls on Scott Stringer to withdraw from mayor's race. — Dianne Morales is calling on Stringer to both drop out of the race and resign. " Only 8 Black Students Are Admitted to Stuyvesant High School," by The New York Times' Eliza Shapiro: "After a year in which the pandemic shined a harsh spotlight on the stark inequities in New York City's school system, the city announced Thursday that, once again, only tiny numbers of Black and Latino students had been admitted into top public high schools. The numbers represent the latest signal that efforts to desegregate those schools while maintaining an admissions exam are failing. Only 9 percent of offers made by elite schools like Stuyvesant High School and Bronx High School of Science went to Black and Latino students this year, down from 11 percent last year. Only eight Black students received offers to Stuyvesant out of 749 spots, and only one Black student was accepted into Staten Island Technical High School, out of 281 freshman seats." CFB raises spending limit for mayoral candidates, by POLITICO's Joe Anuta: The Campaign Finance Board voted Thursday to raise the spending cap for mayoral candidates who are participating in the public matching funds program — the latest effect of big money on the race for City Hall. The new cap was relaxed because of the haul already taken in by Wall Street executive Ray McGuire, who is not participating in the matching program. The new limits mean that mayoral hopefuls in the program can spend up to $10.9 million instead of $7.3 million. — McGuire proposed giving $100 vouchers to New Yorkers who get their Covid-19 vaccine. — Eric Adams called for the creation of a special citywide prosecutor for illegal guns, as well as an interstate law enforcement force to target gun trafficking. | | | | JOIN TUESDAY FOR A CONVERSATION ON SMALL BUSINESSES POST-COVID-19: About one in six small businesses closed their doors since the pandemic began. The small businesses that remained open are getting by with fewer employees after laying off workers or a hiring freeze. What is ahead for small businesses in 2021 as they try to weather the ongoing economic uncertainty? And how does President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package intend to support small-business owners? Join POLITICO for a virtual conversation on what small businesses need to survive and thrive beyond the Covid economic crisis. 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| | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | 'Like searching for a unicorn': Few moderates in sight as GOP plots Cuomo takedown, by POLITICO's Anna Gronewold : New York Republicans are about to get their best chance in years to take back state government: A full-blown, five-alarm scandal that's left Gov. Andrew Cuomo facing an impeachment inquiry and multiple investigations. But 15 years after the departure of George Pataki — a moderate and the only Republican to win a New York governor's race in five decades — the GOP is bucking conventional wisdom that suggests a center-right gubernatorial candidate is their best, perhaps only, shot at success. Party leaders from across the state, looking to avoid a potential civil war, have been rallying around Rep. Lee Zeldin of Long Island — a Donald Trump-loving conservative who voted to overturn the results of the 2020 election and has fought ardently to oppose abortion rights. The competition looks much the same and includes upstate firebrand Rep. Elise Stefanik and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's son, Andrew Giuliani. Both are also backers of Trump, who lost the state by some 2 million votes last year. "Cuomo Loses Another Key Aide as Vaccine Czar Steps Down," by The New York Times' Luis Ferré-Sadurní: "Larry Schwartz, one of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's most trusted advisers, unexpectedly stepped down from his role as New York State's vaccine czar, about five months after he was recruited by the governor to spearhead the state's vaccine rollout. His resignation was submitted on Wednesday, just as the State Legislature restored state provisions to the public officers law that would have affected Mr. Schwartz had he remained in the position. Mr. Schwartz, who took on the role as an unpaid volunteer, could have been treated as a public officer following the legislative changes, which would have required him to file financial disclosure forms and be subject to a two-year lobbying ban after his service to the state, according to two people familiar with the matter. Mr. Cuomo had waived those requirements at the beginning of the pandemic so he could attract a broader pool of potential volunteers to assist at the highest levels of government." "Cuomo claims 'it's not fair' accusers have gone public with sexual harassment accusations," by Daily News' Denis Slattery: "Gov. Cuomo is having a hard time holding his tongue. The embattled governor lashed out Thursday, arguing it's "not fair" that the multiple women accusing him of sexual harassment have shared their stories publicly. What has happened is, the complainants have continued to go to the press and make their complaint in the press,' Cuomo said during an appearance in Buffalo. 'And I have not been able to respond. That's not fair and it's not right.' Cuomo said he has yet to talk to independent investigators hired by Attorney General James' office last month to probe the allegations made against him. But he can't wait to share his side of the story." "Why Is New York Still Taxing Unemployment Benefits?" by New York Focus's Daniel Moritz-Rabson: "Before the pandemic shut down live events in New York City and wiped out two-thirds of the city's arts, entertainment and recreation jobs, Stephanie Freed worked 14-hour days as an electrician for concerts, theaters and galas. Unemployment payments have helped her afford bills through the past year, though she hasn't been able to pay rent in five months. When she filed taxes for 2020, Freed discovered she owed New York State $1,200 for income taxes on unemployment benefits." " Albany police to investigate why officers covered badges at South Station crackdown," by Albany Times Union's Pete DeMola: "Albany police have launched an internal investigation into why officers obscured their badge numbers during the forceful clearing of an encampment outside of a police station last week. Police Chief Eric Hawkins said that while it is a violation of department policy for an officer to knowingly obscure identifying information, it was not a 'nefarious action' but rather a way to protect against threats to their families by activists. 'This was widely known among the officers,' Hawkins said. 'And they felt like they could minimize the risk to their families by concealing their badge numbers.'" #UpstateAmerica: Reschedule your weekend. There will be no war games at Friar Tuck Inn. | | | |   | | |
| | TRUMP'S NEW YORK | | "Firing of U.S. Ambassador Is at Center of Giuliani Investigation," by The New York Times Ben Protess, William K. Rashbaum and Kenneth P. Vogel : "Two years ago, Rudolph W. Giuliani finally got one thing he had been seeking in Ukraine: The Trump administration removed the U.S. ambassador there, a woman Mr. Giuliani believed had been obstructing his efforts to dig up dirt on the Biden family. It was a Pyrrhic victory. Mr. Giuliani's push to oust the ambassador, Marie L. Yovanovitch, not only became a focus of President Donald J. Trump's first impeachment trial, but it has now landed Mr. Giuliani in the cross hairs of a federal criminal investigation into whether he broke lobbying laws, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The long-running inquiry reached a turning point this week when F.B.I. agents seized telephones and computers from Mr. Giuliani's home and office in Manhattan, the people said." "Rudy Giuliani claims 'crooked' feds raided his NYC home because they're 'jealous' of him," by New York Daily News' Chris Sommerfeldt: " Rudy Giuliani sure thinks highly of himself. The beleaguered ex-mayor claimed Thursday that federal investigators only raided his Manhattan apartment and office this week because they're 'jealous' of his erstwhile career as a prosecutor and cooked up a 'garbage' case against him to smear his name. Giuliani, who served as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York in the 1980s, unloaded on the feds in an appearance on his namesake radio show, his first public comments since FBI agents stormed his Upper East Side home and Midtown law firm at dawn Wednesday." "Manhattan District Attorney Candidates Walk Tightrope on Trump Probe," by Wall Street Journal's Deanna Paul: "Candidates for Manhattan district attorney have an unusual problem: How can they talk about the office's highest-profile investigation, the probe into former President Donald Trump and his businesses, when any comment could jeopardize a potential future case? For five of the eight contenders in the Democratic primary, the answer has been to highlight their experience prosecuting or defending white-collar criminals as evidence of their preparedness to inherit the Trump case." | | FROM THE DELEGATION | | "'Stop killing us': Eric Garner's mom, other advocates meet with lawmakers amid growing demand for police reform," by New York Daily News' Michael McAuliff and Chris Sommerfeldt: "Gwen Carr and other relatives of Black Americans killed by cops met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill Thursday in a push for rapid passage of a sweeping police reform bill, ramping up pressure one day after President Biden set a firm deadline for action on the high-stakes issue…The issue on the table was the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a wide-ranging piece of police reform legislation that passed the House last month and is awaiting action by the Senate. In a major boost for the reform effort, Biden said in his first joint congressional address Wednesday night that the Senate must pass its version of the bill by May 25, the one-year anniversary of Floyd's death at the hands of former Minneapolis police officer and since-convicted murderer Derek Chauvin. The family members took heart in Biden's support as they sat down for their first meeting of the day with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who has pledged to put up the bill for a vote." | | | | Did you know that POLITICO Pro has coverage and tools at the state level? All the state legislative and regulatory tracking, budget documents, state agency contact information, and everything else you need to stay ahead of state policy movement integrate into our smart and customizable platform. Learn more and become a Pro today. | | | | |
| | AROUND NEW YORK | | — A bill making the Open Streets program permanent passed the City Council. — LONG READ: " Lawyer Richard Luthmann was a Roger Stone-worshipping member of the Staten Island political scene. Then the fake Facebook posts began." — An NYPD detective is suing a protester who was caught on video hurling racist, anti-Asian insults at him during a protest in March. — Attorney General Letitia James has launched a probe into several manufacturers of baby food regarding the presence of inorganic arsenic. — A Rochester man admitted to tricking investors across country in an elaborate Ponzi scheme. — A car struck and killed a person on the sidewalk and then crashed into the outdoor dining structure in Astoria. — Michelle Caruso-Cabrera launched the first TV ads in the race for city comptroller. — State Sen. Zellnor Myrie and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz introduced legislation to purge the criminal histories of approximately 2.3 million New York State residents. | | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres … WSJ's Rachel Wolfe … Vanity Fair's Joe Hagan … Chai Feldblum … Sam Youngman … Time's Brian Bennett … Edelman's Lindsay Walters … cartoonist and illustrator Barry Blitt … Mark D. Levine … Sophia Kim, communications director at the state Department of Financial Services MEDIAWATCH — Patrick Healy has been named deputy opinion editor at the NYT, a masthead position. He most recently has been politics editor at the paper. Announcement ... Mattathias Schwartz will be a senior correspondent at Insider, writing analytic features. He most recently has been a contributing writer at the NYT Magazine. MAKING MOVES — Eunice Park is the new communications director for Maya Wiley's mayoral campaign. She was previously deputy communications director to Mayor Bill de Blasio. … Stephonn Alcorn is now special assistant for racial justice and equity and economic mobility to the Domestic Policy Council. He most recently was senior associate at Blackstone. | | A message from Uber Driver Stories: When Olivia was diagnosed with MS in 2017, it became clear to her that having a regular job would no longer be possible.
"I drive with Uber because I love to drive," she says. "It just puts the MS far out of my head. There's no way I could work a regular 9-5."
With Uber, Olivia can choose when, where, and how long she wants to drive. This flexibility lets Olivia be there for her daughter and for her own health needs.
If she's not feeling well, or her daughter needs her, she doesn't have to worry about asking her boss or requesting time off—she can take the time she needs to focus on herself and her family.
To see more stories like Olivia's, click here.
*Driver earnings may vary depending on location, demand, hours, drivers, and other variables. | | |
| | REAL ESTATE | | "De Blasio Bets Legacy on SoHo and Gowanus Overhauls as He Mounts Last Land Stand," by The City's Greg David: "The City Planning Commission last week started the approval process for the rezoning of Brooklyn's once industrial and still polluted Gowanus neighborhood in a bid to spur the building of 8,000 new apartments along with shops and parks. The commission is soon expected to give a similar go-ahead to a proposal to rezone SoHo and NoHo to authorize 3,200 new housing units in Lower Manhattan as well as overhaul a cumbersome process for approval of retail stores." " CITY FACES $60K PER DAY IN FINES FOR GOWANUS TANK DELAYS: EPA," by Brooklyn Paper's Kevin Duggan: "The city has done almost no work on a massive sewage and stormwater retention tank necessary for the Gowanus Canal's Superfund cleanup, despite the federal government ordering them to begin the process seven years ago — which could put the Big Apple on the hook for $60,000 per day in fines for every day they stalled."
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