News: POLITICO New York Playbook: Foes hit Adams’ Republican past — Vaccine freebies

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

POLITICO New York Playbook: Foes hit Adams’ Republican past — Vaccine freebies — Astorino to enter governor’s race

May 11, 2021

By Erin Durkin and Anna Gronewold with Jonathan Custodio

Presented by the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs

Eric Adams is a leading Democratic contender for New York City mayor, but here's a moderately-known fact: He used to be a Republican. And as Adams surges in the mayor's race, his opponents are planning to take aim at his GOP past, our Sally Goldenberg and Joe Anuta report.

Adams, the Brooklyn borough president and a retired NYPD captain, was a registered Republican from 1995 through 2002. In a 2013 interview with City Limits, he said he crossed party lines because he was "concerned that city Democrats were too soft on crime." A New York Times article went as far as to characterize him as a "conservative Republican" in 1999, when he was a police lieutenant. But his campaign maintains that he never actually voted for a Republican despite spending seven years as a member of the party.

"Twenty-five years ago he briefly switched parties because he was furious with Democratic politicians who did nothing to lower crime in lower-income communities of color while they passed racist laws like the crime bill and the Rockefeller drug laws," Adams spokesperson Evan Thies said. He switched back to the Democratic party in time to run for office in overwhelmingly Democratic Brooklyn.

So far, Andrew Yang has been the main target of his opponents' attacks, but that will change as Adams has inched ahead in a couple recent polls. Though on Monday night, Yang received public support from several right-wing figures over his tweet defending Israel, including Sen. Ted Cruz and former Trump adviser Stephen Miller — not the two most well-liked people among the city's Democratic electorate.

The first official primary debate on Thursday night may feature whacks at Adams' time as a Republican, and contenders are already teeing off in statements to POLITICO. "New Yorkers have a clear choice: Andrew Yang, a cash relief visionary, or Eric Adams, a gun-toting Republican celebrated by the likes of Tucker Carlson," Yang spokesperson Alyssa Cass said. Added Wall Street exec Ray McGuire, who, like Adams, is Black: "I am the only Black man in this race that has been a lifelong Democrat and upheld Democratic values."

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 and a bill signing ceremony.

A message from the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs:

New York's employers are working hard to provide New Yorkers with affordable health care coverage amidst a pandemic, an economic downturn, and rising prescription drug prices. But Albany is considering bills that would strip businesses of tools they rely on to contain costs and ensure access to the medicines employees need. Learn more.

WHAT CITY HALL'S READING

'Align or resign' — Yang's presidential campaign principles don't apply in NYC's political scene, by POLITICO's Sally Goldenberg: Staffers joining Andrew Yang's presidential campaign were provided a list of "operating principles" — a 10-point code of conduct as they competed against seasoned politicians jockeying for the 2020 Democratic nomination. The guide included basic workplace tips: Keep an open mind to new ideas, take personal responsibility for mistakes, bolster recommendations with data. One of the tenets was more abrupt — a directive to "align or resign." … In an interview with POLITICO, Yang said he was simply "trying to set very, very clear guidelines and behavioral guardrails" for anyone representing the campaign, whether on social media or in person. "The idea was meant to be that if you fundamentally don't agree with these values or guidelines, then, you know, then this might not be the campaign for you."

Now the spirit of the "align or resign" guidance is absent from Yang's mayoral campaign, which quickly had to adapt to the free-for-all nature of New York City politics. Though virtually a one-party town where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 7-to-1, New York is an international metropolis of hyper-local and oft-conflicting concerns and perspectives. In an attempt to assemble a winning coalition ahead of the June 22 primary, Yang has had to bend to the wills of divergent politicians and interest groups — as well as his own staffers — on highly-charged issues like policing, support for Israel and tax increases on wealthy residents.

"NYC subway stations will now offer COVID-19 vaccines," by New York Post's Bernadette Hogan and Kate Sherry: "Some Big Apple subways and LIRR and Metro-North stations are being turned into pop-up COVID-19 vaccination sites this week in an effort to boost lagging immunizations, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday. Those people receiving the vaccine — Johnson & Johnson's single-shot dose only — at a subway station will receive a free seven-day MetroCard pass, while Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North riders can expect two free trips, Cuomo said. 'Get a shot, and take a free ride on the MTA,' the governor said at a press briefing. 'You are walking into the subway station anyway. You are walking past the vaccination site. It's a one-shot vaccine,' he said."

— "NYC to Give Away Tickets to Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Cyclones for Covid Shots," by Bloomberg's Henry Goldman: " New York City will give away free tickets to Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Cyclones baseball, botanical gardens and other venues as incentives to get a Covid-19 vaccine in a bid to increase protection in the most populous U.S. city. 'Each person who gets vaccinated helps move everything forward,' said Mayor Bill de Blasio, in a Monday briefing. 'We've gotten to the point where supply exceeds demand.' De Blasio said the city has administered more than 7 million shots, but the rate has dropped precipitously since April."

KATHRYN GARCIA GETS NYT ENDORSEMENT — "Kathryn Garcia for Mayor," by The New York Times Editorial Board: "Kathryn Garcia can run a government that delivers for all New Yorkers. She would be the first woman to hold the office, but there are many other reasons to give her the job. Even the front-runner agrees: Mr. Yang has praised Ms. Garcia and repeatedly suggested he would hire her to run the city. 'If Andrew Yang thinks I need to run his government, then maybe I should just run the government,' Ms. Garcia told us. Agreed. Cut out the middleman and elect the most qualified person: Kathryn Garcia."

— Yang won the endorsement of Rep. Grace Meng.

— Adams got the endorsement of the New York Post.

— The city and national teachers' unions will back a $4 million television and digital advertising effort on behalf of Scott Stringer.

— Adams and Yang continued to feud over crime prevention efforts.

— Public safety appeals are now at the forefront of the mayor's race.

"'New Jersey is not New York City's piggy bank': NJ lawmakers fight NY congestion toll," by NorthJersey.com's Stephanie Noda: "Lawmakers are vowing to fight back against a proposed New York City congestion toll with a fee of New Jersey's own that would tax out-of-state drivers going to the city. U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th District, said new legislation is in the works to add what he called a sales tax at every New Jersey/New York crossing, and tolls for all non-New Jersey residents. The New York congestion plan would impose a toll on motorists driving into Manhattan below 60th Street during peak times. New York received key approval at the end of March to move forward with the plan."

— "De Blasio will lower speed limits on 45 miles of NYC streets," by New York Post's David Meyer: "Lower speed limits are coming to 10 streets across the five boroughs amid surging pedestrian deaths, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday. The 45 miles of roadways across the city will see speed limits drop anywhere from 5 to 10 miles per hour."

" No New Jails? Next Mayor Could Scrap de Blasio's Close-Rikers Plan," by The City's Rachel Holliday Smith: "In the final year of the de Blasio administration, it's full steam ahead for the $8.2 billion plan to build four new 'borough-based' jails — with hopes of closing the notorious Rikers Island complex. But on the campaign trail, some of those vying for the top spot at City Hall have been hedging their bets on the lockup blueprint. Few candidates have given full-throated support to Mayor Bill de Blaisio's vision of the so-called Lippman plan, which calls for new jails to be built in The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens over the next seven years."

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WHAT ALBANY'S READING

"Rob Astorino to launch Republican bid for New York governor," by Newsday's Yancey Roy: "Republican Rob Astorino will formally announce his candidacy for governor on Tuesday. Astorino, the former Westchester County executive and the GOP's 2014 gubernatorial nominee, gave an interview Monday to News 12 Westchester outlining his campaign, the news outlet reported. Later in the day, an Astorino spokesman said kickoff announcement was slated for Tuesday in Albany. Three weeks ago, Astorino addressed a gathering of Republican county-level leaders and told reporters he was '99%' sure he would jump into the race. 'At the end, it's going to be clear I'm the best candidate for a general statewide election,' Astorino said."

Cuomo says New York public colleges will require students to get vaccines, by POLITICO's Michelle Bocanegra and Shannon Young: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday that the State University of New York and the City University of New York will require Covid-19 vaccinations for students returning this fall, assuming the federal government gives full approval to the vaccines. "If you must have a vaccine, get it now if you have to get it anyway," Cuomo said. "I also encourage private schools to do the same thing. Let's make a global statement — you cannot go back to school in September unless you have a vaccine. That will be a major motivation to get the vaccine." Cuomo added that the requirement would be contingent on standard approval of the vaccine, which is being distributed under emergency authorization from the federal government. Pfizer and BioNTech, which is being distributed under an emergency provision for ages 16 and over, asked for full Food and Drug Administration approval on Friday.

"NYSCOPBA Sues to Overturn 'HALT' Solitary Confinement Law," by New York Now's Dan Clark: "A union representing correction officers in New York filed a federal lawsuit Monday to overturn the Humane Alternatives to Solitary Confinement Act, or HALT, a new law passed in March to limit the use of solitary confinement in state prisons. The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, or NYSCOPBA, claimed in the suit that the new law violates the federal civil rights of its members. The lawsuit is hinged on the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which the union argues should guarantee public employees, like their members, due process to be free from dangerous conditions created by the state. 'Plaintiffs enjoy the right to be free from Defendants' laws, rules, regulations, policies, practices and/or customs that create an unreasonable risk of bodily harm or death from third parties, like violent incarcerated individuals,' the lawsuit reads."

"Andrew Cuomo and the Incredible Shrinking Congressional Delegation," by Ross Barkan for The Village Voice: "The news, when it arrived, was too stunning to quite believe: New York State had fallen 89 people short, in the U.S. Census count, of keeping all of its congressional seats. Recriminations, both online and in person, immediately spread across the state: laments about how one apartment building, a schoolyard, or a trendy bar on a good night would pack in at least that many people. Rage built against those who fled the city throughout the pandemic, beginning in March 2020 — the Hamptons and Hudson Valley dwellers who inevitably, while sipping white wine on their patios, didn't bother to fill out their census forms. Within the world of politics, where blame flies easily but courage can be in short supply, many began to say out loud what they had uttered, in quiet, for months — that scandal-scarred Andrew Cuomo should be blamed. 'Put simply, the governor did not prioritize the census,' said State Senator Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat who was highly outspoken about getting a proper count last year. 'This was something, if the Cuomo administration took seriously, there's little doubt in my mind we would not have lost a member of Congress.'"

" Former Bronx Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene dies at 86," by Daily News' Denis Slattery: "Aurelia Greene, a former Bronx assemblywoman and deputy borough president, has died. She was 86. Greene served in the Assembly from 1982 to 2009 representing parts of her native Morrisania, Highbridge and Morris Heights… Greene graduated from Livingston College at Rutgers University and was married to the late Rev. Jerome Greene. The couple had two children and seven grandchildren. During her tenure in Albany, Greene became the first woman to lead the Assembly's Banking Committee and was the first African-American appointed as speaker pro tempore, a role in which she presided over session proceedings."

#UpstateAmerica: Don't call it a comeback. Or do. Longtime Saratoga friends Zac Brown Band announced a return to SPAC in October as a part of the band's "Comeback Tour."

FROM THE DELEGATION

"Federal money will flow to state, local governments as soon as this week," by Times Union's Emilie Munson: "The U.S. Treasury will start pumping $350 billion in relief funds to state and local governments with the first payments beginning in a matter of days, senior administration officials said. On Monday, the treasury opened its portal for states, territories, counties and city governments to request their aid from the American Rescue Plan. Small towns will receive their funds from state government. New York will receive $12.7 billion, while Albany County will receive $59.3 million and the city of Albany will get $80.7 million. Although governments have previously been awarded pandemic relief, this round will mark the first time that all cities and towns will be eligible for money."

AROUND NEW YORK

— The city will allow the Staten Island Memorial Day parade to take place this year.

— "New York City taxicabs that idled for most of the pandemic are getting ready to hit the streets as Covid-19 restrictions ease."

— Color of Change PAC plans to spend $1 million on behalf of Manhattan DA candidate Alvin Bragg.

— Former Police Commissioner Ray Kelly endorsed Liz Crotty for Manhattan DA.

— Some city library branches reopened Monday for browsing and computer use.

— "Four Troy police officers are on trial in U.S. District Court in Utica, accused in a civil case of beating a man during his arrest outside a Congress Street bar in 2018."

— Syracuse mayor Ben Walsh's sidewalk program is in political purgatory.

— Rep. Nydia Velazquez is endorsing Antonio Reynoso for Brooklyn borough president.

JOIN THURSDAY FOR A CONVERSATION ON TRANSGENDER POLITICIANS: More transgender people got elected to office at all levels across the country in 2020, in both blue and red states – and that number is likely to continue to grow. During the last year, constituents across America elected six transgender candidates at the state level as transgender rights gain more attention across the country. Join POLITICO Nightly: Daytime Edition for a conversation featuring transgender elected officials as they discuss their experiences running for and serving in public office. REGISTER HERE.

SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: WSJ's Daniel Nasaw … former Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.) … MSNBC's Alex Roberts … Ian Gray … NBC's Jo Ling Kent … Rich Bamberger of Kivvit … Time's Olivia Waxman … Katherine Vargas

ENGAGED — Ben Cavataro, senior associate at Covington & Burling LLP, proposed to Erin Dunne, account supervisor at LEVICK. The couple met at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and he proposed in a quiet park near Erin's grandmother's house in Bryn Mawr, Pa., underneath a beautiful bright Azalea bush. Her grandmother gave him a family diamond to use in the engagement ring. Pic

A message from the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs:

Albany is considering bills that would make it harder for employers to provide prescription drug coverage for over 10 million New Yorkers and would raise prescription drug spending by $2 BILLION in New York in the first year alone. Albany: Don't jeopardize New Yorkers' access to medicines by limiting the tools employers rely on to keep prescription drugs affordable. Learn more.

REAL ESTATE

"New York Eyes Summer as Chance to Stem 'Potential Fiscal Crisis,'" by Bloomberg's Donna Borak: "A pandemic plunge in Manhattan's real estate tax revenue threatens New York City's ability to finance everything from schools and hospitals to firefighters and police unless office workers return in force starting this summer, officials are warning…. Workers fled cities last year at the height of the pandemic, triggering a plummet in commercial real estate and rental markets not seen in four decades as office supply soared to record levels. Short-term federal aid has helped, but a sustained sluggish commercial market, which accounts for more than half of the city's revenue, could create lasting fiscal harm if unreversed quickly. There's little room for error with New York City projecting a $12 billion deficit over the next three years with losses across the city's tax sources, including commercial real estate revenue... 'The next three to six months are crucial,' said Tomasz Piskorski, a Columbia University professor specializing in real estate finance.'"

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