| | | | | |  | | By Erin Durkin and Anna Gronewold with Jonathan Custodio | Presented by FWD.us | The hefty sum Gov. Andrew Cuomo got for his pandemic memoir: A cool $5.1 million. It's a number Cuomo kept secret for months, and one that came in even higher than had been speculated when it was finally revealed in tax documents Monday. The reaction to the eye-popping sum has been furious. State Conservative Party chairman Gerard Kassar called the payments "blood money" and a "sickening abuse of power" by a governor who used his job to get "stinking rich." "How Cuomo can keep even a dime of the money is beyond us," he said Monday evening. Assemblymember Ron Kim is calling for any member of the administration who participated in falsifying pandemic death data to be "held criminally responsible for defrauding the public." Mayor Bill de Blasio called the book an example of "state-sponsored literature." "This guy clearly depended upon public employees to do a lot of the work. And that's not acceptable. That's not even close," the governor's longtime rival said Monday night on NY1. "You don't need a lot of ethics training to figure out that's not acceptable." Cuomo was paid $3.12 million last year by Penguin Random House for the book, "American Crisis: Leadership Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic," and is set to receive another $2 million over the next couple years. Since its publication in the fall, the book has generated about five million problems for the embattled governor: Cuomo was revealed to have used government staff to do work on the memoir, in possible violation of ethics laws, and to have concealed thousands of nursing home fatalities even as he pursued the book deal. He faces a probe by Attorney General Tish James into the book, on top of the myriad sexual harassment allegations she is investigating, and an Assembly impeachment investigation that is looking at the use of state resources to produce the memoir. Financially at least, the biggest loser in the whole drama might be the publisher, which stopped promoting the book and opted not to publish a paperback version after Cuomo was engulfed in scandal. Cuomo, on the other hand, even if he should be forced from office and lose his $218,000 government paycheck, won't be hurting for cash. 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? No public schedule yet. WHERE'S BILL? Holding a media availability. QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I think we have an intimate relationship, don't you think? Yeah, not a sexual relationship... Made you uncomfortable with that question, didn't I?" — Cuomo, to health commissioner Howard Zucker, when asked by reporters whether he has had inappropriate relationships with other state employees ABOVE THE FOLD — Special interests flood the mayor's race as candidates race to the finish line, by POLITICO's Joe Anuta and Sally Goldenberg: Hedge fund billionaires, charter school boosters and prominent labor unions are pouring cash into the New York City mayor's race — contributing to a record haul intended to shape the outcome of the election at the same time new reforms seek to limit the influence of money in politics. A decade after the U.S. Supreme Court flung open the doors to unlimited special-interest money in elections, the Democratic primary is being infiltrated at every turn, with an unprecedented $11 million already committed in TV ads, according to a POLITICO review of spending calculated by AdImpact. That total has already surpassed the $8 million spent to promote and attack candidates the last time the mayor's seat was open in 2013 — a figure that accounted for both the primary and the general election that year. "It is kind of an arms race between the city's Campaign Finance Board and the political money trying to find a way around it," said John Kaehny of good-government group Reinvent Albany. | | | | A message from FWD.us: There is an aging crisis in New York prisons. Fifteen percent of people in New York's prisons are at least 55 years old, and this number keeps growing. Unless parole is expanded and made more fair, the State's prisons will become nursing homes, more people will die behind bars, and we'll waste hundreds of millions of dollars that do nothing to keep us safe. Urge Lawmakers to pass Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole NOW: www.fwd.us/newyork | | |
|  | WHAT CITY HALL'S READING | | De Blasio to send 250 more NYPD officers to subway system amid safety complaints, by POLITICO's Erin Durkin: The city will send 250 more NYPD cops to patrol the city's subway system, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday — after weeks of sparring with MTA brass who pushed him to address concerns about crime on the rails. The new police surge will give the subway system its largest NYPD force in 25 years, de Blasio said. It comes on top of 500 officers the city announced it was adding in February, bringing the total number to 3,250. The move comes on the same day the subway returned to 24-hour service, which was eliminated for more than a year due the coronavirus pandemic. — "N.Y.C. Subway Returns to 24-Hour Service After More Than a Year," by The New York Times' Winnie Hu, Nate Schweber and Sean Piccoli: "The welcome team was in place. At 1:45 a.m., four transit workers scrubbed benches, disinfected stair rails with bleach and washed the grime away from a subway station in Brooklyn. Four uniformed police officers kept watch. Nadav Shahaf, 18, a high school student wearing a black mask and a bright red sweatshirt, came bounding down the stairs and plopped onto a newly cleaned bench. He had it all to himself. He was heading home after a late-night stroll with his girlfriend. 'I'm happy we got to this point,' he said. 'It's been a tough journey, but we've done a good job as a city, as a community.'" — Seven Manhattan subway entrances remain closed. "NYC's Next Mayor Debate Will Be Virtual, Drawing Candidates' Ire," by Bloomberg's Shelly Banjo and Henry Goldman: "New York City's next televised debate between Democratic contenders for the mayor's race will be held virtually, drawing ire from candidates and good governance groups that say the decision runs counter to recently-lifted pandemic restrictions. The June 2 primary debate, hosted by local television station WABC-TV ahead of the city's June 22 Democratic primary, will be held via Zoom. It won't be held in person 'pursuant to health protocols in effect at the WABC-TV studios,' said Matt Sollars, a spokesman for the New York City Campaign Finance Board, which has administered debates for every citywide election since 1997." — Adams leads, Stringer tied for second with Yang in new mayoral poll, by POLITICO's Erin Durkin: Eric Adams leads a new poll of the mayor's race, while Scott Stringer is tied for second place despite sexual misconduct allegations against him. In the new PIX11 News/Emerson College poll, Adams, the Brooklyn borough president, is the first choice of 18 percent of voters. Stringer, the city comptroller, and Andrew Yang each got 15 percent. "New York City Marathon Will Return in November," by The New York Times' Matthew Futterman and Talya Minsberg: "The New York City Marathon, one of the biggest events staged in the city each year, will return in November with a reduced but still sizable field of runners, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Monday. The race will take place on its usual date, the first Sunday in November, with about 33,000 runners instead of the typical 55,000 leaving the starting line on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in Staten Island. The 26.2-mile race through the five boroughs, months after the returns of teams and fans to baseball stadiums and indoor arenas, is expected to be a milestone in New York's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic." — Radio City Music Hall will reopen in July, at 100 percent capacity and allowing only vaccinated audience members. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Manhattan District Attorney candidate Lucy Lang will launch her first TV ad today , with a $526,000 ad buy. Lang, a former assistant district attorney in Manhattan running in a field of eight Democrats to replace Cy Vance, highlights her resume and says: "I know that being Manhattan DA means more than just prosecution. It means ending mass incarceration, treating kids like kids, recognizing that substance use and mental health conditions are health problems." | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO WEST WING PLAYBOOK: Add West Wing Playbook to keep up with the power players, latest policy developments and intriguing whispers percolating inside the West Wing and across the highest levels of the Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | |
| | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | "Cuomo says vaccinated New Yorkers can go mask-free, adopts CDC guidance," by New York Daily News' Cheyenne R. Ubiera, Chris Sommerfeldt and Denis Slattery: "Fully vaccinated New Yorkers can ditch their masks in most circumstances starting Wednesday as the Empire State adopts guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The seismic shift will come the same day that a majority of COVID capacity limits are scrapped and New York takes a major step toward returning to normal, Gov. Cuomo said Monday. 'If you are vaccinated, you are safe,' the governor said during a press briefing held at Radio City Music Hall. 'No masks, no social distancing' ... The new guidance means inoculated New Yorkers can go mask-free indoors, but should still wear face-coverings in some crowded settings and on mass transit. Masks must also be worn in schools, hospitals, prisons, nursing homes and homeless shelters. Businesses can set their own rules, Cuomo said, adding that stores and other companies are welcome to keep mask mandates if they like. New Yorkers who have yet to get vaccinated must still wear masks in all settings, although it's unclear how that will be enforced." — De Blasio backed the change, but signaled those who work inside city-run buildings will continue wearing face coverings for now. "Top New York health department official leaves," by Spectrum's Nick Reisman: "A top official at the state Department of Health who reportedly tested family members of Gov. Andrew Cuomo for COVID-19 has left to 'pursue other career interests,' a spokesman on Monday said. The Washington Post reported earlier this year that Dr. Eleanor Adams tested Chris Cuomo and other family members for COVID-19 in the early days of the pandemic when supplies were scarce. Adams also reportedly played a role in writing a report on nursing home deaths during the pandemic that was later edited by advisors to the governor." " Bob Baffert suspended from NYRA racetracks after drug test of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit," by USA Today Network's Joseph Spector: "Add three of New York's thoroughbred tracks to those where troubled trainer Bob Baffert is banned. The New York Racing Association, which runs Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga tracks, said Monday it will temporarily suspend Baffert from entering horses in races and occupying stall space at the three tracks. Baffert was suspended from participating in races at Churchill Downs in Kentucky after he announced his horse, Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, tested positive a week after the race for 21 picograms of betamethasone, which is a corticosteroid. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is awaiting further results before rendering a final determination in the matter, but NYRA said it was important to act now." "NYC Restaurants To Albany: Keep Lax Liquor Laws Post Pandemic," by WNYC's Beth Fertig: "This week marks the end of the midnight curfew on outdoor dining and indoor capacity restrictions for city restaurants. But with the closing of countless bars and restaurants since the COVID-19 pandemic began and declining revenues among those that survived, the city's hospitality association is now calling on state lawmakers to allow faster, temporary liquor licenses to promote the industry's economic rebound. The State Liquor Authority currently only grants temporary permits for restaurants and grocery stores outside New York City while they're waiting for their license applications to be fully approved. Full approval can take several months. But temporary permits are processed in approximately 30 days, and are valid for 90 days. New legislation sponsored by State Senator Jessica Ramos, of Jackson Heights, would extend the state's temporary permits to bars and restaurants in New York City." #UpstateAmerica: County fairs and local festivals are a go this summer. Learn the guidelines then dive headfirst into a funnel cake. | | | |   | | |
| | TRUMP'S NEW YORK | | "Giuliani Seeks to Block Review of Evidence From His Phones," by The New York Times' Benjamin Weiser, Ben Protess and William K. Rashbaum: "Rudolph W. Giuliani on Monday opened a broad attack on the searches that federal investigators conducted of his home, his office and his iCloud account, asking a judge to block any review of the seized records while his lawyers determine whether there was a legitimate basis for the warrants, according a court filing made public on Monday. Mr. Giuliani's lawyers are seeking copies of the confidential government documents that detail the basis for the search warrants, a legal long shot that they hope could open the door for them to argue for the evidence to be suppressed. Typically, prosecutors only disclose such records after someone is indicted and before a trial, but Mr. Giuliani, who is under investigation for potential lobbying violations, has not been accused of wrongdoing." | | FROM THE DELEGATION | | "Bill that would create tech hubs in regions like WNY advances to Senate floor," by Buffalo News' Jerry Zremski: "A bill that would open the door for a bid for a technology hub in Western New York on Monday moved toward likely passage in the U.S. Senate despite an ongoing debate on some of the measure's particulars. Senators voted 86-11 — far more than the required 60 votes — to invoke a procedure called cloture and therefore prevent a filibuster that could have killed the bill, called the Endless Frontier Act. The move means the measure, which authorizes $10 billion to establish tech hubs outside of Silicon Valley and other existing innovation hotbeds, will move to a floor debate and then probably a final vote later this month. 'The Endless Frontier Act will form the core of what will be a comprehensive bill to boost America's ability to compete, innovate and win to the technologies of the 21st century,' said Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, a New York Democrat and lead sponsor of the measure." | | | | JOIN WEDNESDAY - "THE RECAST" LIVE CONVERSATION: Earlier this year, we launched "The Recast" newsletter breaking down the changing power dynamics in America and how race and identity shape politics, policy and power. We are recasting how we report on this crucial intersection by bringing you fresh insights, scoops, dispatches from across the country and new voices that challenge "business as usual." Join Brakkton Booker, "The Recast" newsletter author and national political correspondent at POLITICO, for a live conversation with Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.); Malika Redmond, co-founder, president and CEO of Women Engaged; Sonal Shah, founding president, The Asian American Foundation; and Lauren Williams, co-founder, CEO and editor in chief of Capital B, about redefining power in America. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | AROUND NEW YORK | | — During the time Manhattan DA candidate Tali Farhadian Weinstein oversaw a unit on wrongful convictions, it exonerated only three people, a far lower rate than in previous years. — De Blasio said he thought it was a mistake for the gay pride parade to ban police officers. — The Westchester DA has reopened the cold case probe into the 1982 disappearance of real estate heir Robert Durst's wife. — Some towns are opting out of allowing marijuana dispensaries. — New Yorkers will soon get to vote on whether to add a right to clean air, water and environment to the state constitution. — The city is expanding the number of schools offering Halal meals. — The first Black man to be a Rochester police officer died Monday. — Former Rep. Charles Rangel is endorsing state Sen. Brian Benjamin for city comptroller. — Andrew Giuliani announced his run for governor. | | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) … NBC's Josh Lederman and Leah Graf … Eliza Krigman … Vox's Libby Nelson … AP's Meg Kinnard … Hiltzik Strategies' Ryan Hughes … Querry Robinson … Clyde Haberman MEDIAWATCH — Basharat Peer is leaving the New York Times, where he was a staff editor for international opinion. He will stay within the Times family as a contributing writer for opinion and will also work on a number of long-term writing projects. … Zach Dorfman is now a national security correspondent at Yahoo News. He previously was a senior staff writer covering cybersecurity at Aspen Digital. WELCOME TO THE WORLD — "'CBS This Morning' co-host Tony Dokoupil and MSNBC anchor Katy Tur welcomed their second child together on Thursday, May 13. Their daughter's name is Eloise Judy Bear Dokoupil, the couple announced." More from CBS, with pics | | | | A message from FWD.us: There is an aging crisis in New York prisons, and without immediate action more people will die behind bars with no meaningful chance for release. Roughly 4,900 people in New York's prisons are at least 55 years old, the age that the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision considers to be "elderly." Expanding parole eligibility and making the parole process more fair is a critical next step in addressing New York's incarceration crisis and creating pathways for our elders to come home.
New York lawmakers should pass Elder Parole and the Fair & Timely Parole Act to reduce the state prison system's ballooning older population, reunite families, decrease racial disparities in parole decisions, and free up $522 million a year for reinvestment in education, housing, and healthcare. Contact your lawmakers and tell them the time for parole reform is NOW: www.fwd.us/newyork | | |
| | REAL ESTATE | | "The Hamptons Boom Continues," by The New York Times' Marcelle Sussman Fischler: "The high-flying Hamptons real estate market continues to soar. More than a year after the Covid-19 pandemic began, demand for homes remains robust in the moneyed Hamptons, boosted by a swell of urbanites settling in. In search of less density and more space, beginning last March, many city dwellers snapped up relatively reasonable off-season rentals in the beachfront towns and manicured villages on the East End of Long Island. As the pandemic dragged on, many decided to buy a home instead of spending as much as a couple hundred thousand dollars on a summer rental. Enabled by low interest rates and Zoom technology that has made working remotely possible, some enrolled their children in local public and private schools, and helped transform the affluent weekend and summer getaway into a year-round community. 'Our towns are abuzz all week and all weekend,' said Todd Bougard, regional manager for Douglas Elliman Hamptons. 'We don't see any end in sight.'"
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