| | | | | |  | | By Erin Durkin with Jonathan Custodio | Presented by the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs | The first mayoral primary debate last night offered up policy contrasts and political beefs between the eight leading candidates vying to replace Mayor Bill de Blasio and lead the city back from the Covid-19 crisis. In one particularly pointed exchange, Maya Wiley, one of the more progressive candidates in the field, grilled Eric Adams, an ex-cop running on an anti-crime message, on his support for the controversial NYPD tactic of stop and frisk in some situations. "How can New Yorkers trust you to protect us and to keep us safe from police misconduct?" Wiley asked. Adams shot back that the question showed his rival's "failure of understanding of law enforcement," to which Wiley pointed out that she chaired the Civilian Complaint Review Board. "We both know how much it was a failure under you," Adams sniped. The Brooklyn Borough President, who took his share of knocks from debate rivals as he rises in polls to rival Andrew Yang for frontrunner status, recalled his long-ago prediction that the mayor's race would be dirty: "I told everyone at the beginning of the race, once candidates start getting desperate, it's going to get really nasty." Indeed, Adams was also forced to defend the years he spent as a registered Republican and his statements that he would carry a gun if elected mayor. Yang took plenty of whacks as well —on his failure to vote in local elections and his comment that his non-profit Venture for America might not be a good fit for Black applicants. Adams called it "disrespectful and appalling" that Yang has claimed partial credit for Democratic wins in Georgia Senate races, calling it a slight to the Black activists who led the push. But no candidate was fully spared, as a series of questions put them each on the spot about their biggest vulnerabilities — for Scott Stringer, the sexual misconduct allegations levied against him; for Shaun Donovan, the big bucks his father has pumped into the campaign; and for Wiley, her role in ethical lapses of the de Blasio administration. The candidates even managed some sniping about composting, as Yang was the only one not to say he would take an organics recycling program citywide. But! "I love composting," Yang said, to which Donovan deadpanned: "Just not enough, I guess." If last night wasn't enough excitement for you, there are two more Democratic debates coming up in June. 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? In Albany with no public events scheduled. WHERE'S BILL? Appearing on WNYC's Brian Lehrer show and speaking at Masjid At Taqwa in Brooklyn for Weekend of Faith. QUOTE OF THE DAY — "Mmmm, vaccination" — Mayor Bill de Blasio, eating a Shake Shack burger for breakfast as he announced free food for people who get the Covid-19 vaccine. ABOVE THE FOLD — "Cuomo says making someone 'feel uncomfortable' is not harassment," by Newsday's Yancey Roy: "Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who is facing multiple allegations of inappropriate conduct with women, argued Thursday that making someone 'feel uncomfortable' is 'not harassment.' 'Harassment is not making someone feel uncomfortable. That is not harassment,' Cuomo said in response to a reporter during an event in the Bronx. 'If I just made you feel uncomfortable, that is not harassment. That is you feeling uncomfortable.' His claim drew rebukes from one of his accusers, her attorney and an anti-harassment working group who said it showed the Democrat is ignorant about how state law defines sexual harassment. 'Governor Cuomo's remarks are jaw dropping,' said Debra Katz, attorney for former Cuomo aide Charlotte Bennett. 'For someone who signed the law defining sexual harassment in New York state … Cuomo continues to show an alarming degree of ignorance about what constitutes sexual harassment.'" | | | | 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 | | Mayoral candidates divided on a fix for public housing, by POLITICO's Janaki Chadha: Among the most daunting tasks awaiting the next mayor of New York City will be stabilizing its public housing system — faced with a ballooning capital backlog and deteriorating living conditions among many of its developments. The scope of the New York City Housing Authority's dysfunction erupted during Mayor Bill de Blasio's mayoral tenure and its financial picture has continued to worsen. Managerial incompetence, tenants without heat and hot water in the dead of winter, mold, lead and infestation led to a federal probe and eventual monitorship of the long suffering authority. The city eventually landed on a plan many officials have lauded as the first comprehensive approach to turn around the agency, which houses upwards of 400,000 low-income New Yorkers. But most of the leading mayoral candidates haven't been eager to embrace the so-called blueprint — instead offering alternatives such as asking the federal government for more funding and "empowering" NYCHA residents. — Eric Adams is leading a new poll on the mayor's race. "Former Stringer staffers describe his demanding temperament," by City & State's Jeff Coltin and Ben Adler : "New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer's treatment of colleagues has recently come under scrutiny, as he has been accused by lobbyist Jean Kim of sexually harassing and assaulting her when she said she was an intern on his 2001 campaign for New York City public advocate. The accusation was reminiscent of sexual misconduct allegations against Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who Stringer and many of his top supporters had harshly criticized. Unlike Cuomo, who faces accusations from 10 women, Stringer has been accused by one former subordinate. But just as Cuomo was widely reputed to be a frequently angry, unreasonable boss, some staffers and elected officials have similar, albeit less extreme, stories about Stringer." "Lead-footed NYC councilman slows down — in paying his ticket," by New York Post's Sam Raskin and Bruce Golding : "City Councilman Brad Lander vowed to 'slow down' after The Post exposed his habit of speeding in school zones — and he did just that when it came to paying his latest ticket, city records show. The Brooklyn Democrat, who's running for city comptroller, became a scofflaw on April 24, after failing to fork over $50 for getting caught by a speed camera at Ninth Street and Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn, about five blocks from his Park Slope home. As a result, Lander was assessed an additional $25 penalty — making him a deadbeat amid a race to become the elected official responsible for oversight of the city's budget and finances. Lander finally paid the fine late Wednesday or early Thursday, but only after his campaign was contacted by The Post." "Councilman's aide who said he was tormented settles for $850K," by New York Post's Gabrielle Fonrouge: "A former aide to ex-City Councilman Vincent Gentile — who sued the city alleging coworkers left decapitated teddy bears on his desk and tormented him over his autism — settled his lawsuit for $850,000, according to records and officials. Michael Bistreich's $10 million lawsuit against the former Brooklyn lawmaker and the City of New York was settled Wednesday after a Manhattan Supreme Court judge ruled his case could move forward to trial, according to records and a city Law Department spokesperson." " No mischief in presidential ballot bungle, But firm shut out of primary printing job," by The City's Christine Chung: "There was no foul play in the screw-up that sent faulty absentee ballot packages to thousands of Brooklyn voters before last year's presidential election, a city investigation found. Still, the city Board of Elections went with a different firm to tackle the printing job for this year's citywide primaries after the debacle that forced officials to resend ballots to about 100,000 voters ahead of the November Trump-Biden contest. The city Department of Investigation report released Thursday did not identify a concrete reason for the mislabeling of ballot envelopes. But probers found no evidence of interference in the ballot printing or assembly process." | | | | 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 | | "New CDC guidance won't end NY mask mandate yet, Cuomo says," by USA Today Network's David Robinson: "New York state's mask mandate will remain in effect as state health officials review new federal guidance to allow vaccinated people to ditch face coverings under most conditions, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said late Thursday. The statement came shortly after the CDC on Thursday recommended fully vaccinated Americans can discard masks and the need for social distancing outdoors and in most indoors settings. 'In New York, we have always relied on the facts and the science to guide us throughout the worst of this pandemic and in our successful reopening,' Cuomo said in a statement. The governor's office is reviewing revised CDC guidance in consultation with state Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker 'and our partners and health experts in surrounding states,' Cuomo added." Jeff Klein case to consider reach of sexual harassment law for top Albany officials, by POLITICO's Bill Mahoney and Michelle Bocanegra: State Attorney General Tish James' office argued on Thursday that a broad definition of sexual harassment could be applied against a top state official accused of making an unwanted advance toward a staff member. The case of former Senate Majority Coalition Leader Jeff Klein found its way into an Albany courthouse on Thursday, more than three years after former staffer Erica Vladimer accused Klein of forcibly kissing her outside of a bar in 2015. It was more of a technical step than a discussion of the allegation itself — Klein, who left office after losing a Democratic primary in 2018, wants the court to tell the Joint Commission on Public Ethics to end its investigation into the matter. "SAFE Act enforcement emerges as key issue in Erie County sheriff race," by Buffalo News' Robert J. McCarthy: "It seems most appropriate in the unconventional 2021 contest for Erie County sheriff that the issues are unconventional, too. At least seven candidates on major party and independent lines are emphasizing everything from police brutality to refusing enforcement of 'unconstitutional' mandates — topics raised this year more than any previous law enforcement election. Now, as several candidates spar over enforcing the strict gun control law known as the SAFE Act, a major pro-Second Amendment group is assailing endorsed Republican Karen L. Healy-Case. Its president says she called for tougher gun laws as a Buffalo Police Department lieutenant, while promising 'non-enforcement' of certain SAFE Act mandates as a candidate." "Lawmakers work to end 'discriminatory' court fees impacting low-income New Yorkers," by New York Daily News' Denis Slattery: "Advocates and lawmakers are mounting a last-minute effort to pass legislation that would eliminate court fines and fees they say disproportionately impact minority and low-income New Yorkers. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn) and Assemblywoman Yuh Line-Niou (D-Manhattan), would prohibit mandatory minimum fines for criminal and traffic offenses, assess an individual's financial situation before imposing fines and eliminate incarceration as punishment for a failure to pay a fine or fee." — State Sen. Brian Benjamin is introducing a bill that would permit the Civilian Complaint Review Board to access sealed and protected records while investigating NYPD misconduct. | | | |   | | |
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | "Rep. Greene aggressively confronts Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, causing New York congresswoman to raise security concerns," by Washington Post's Marianna Sotomayor: "Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene aggressively confronted Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday and falsely accused her of supporting 'terrorists,' leading the New York congresswoman's office to call on leadership to ensure that Congress remains 'a safe, civil place for all Members and staff.' Two Washington Post reporters witnessed Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) exit the House chamber late Wednesday afternoon ahead of Greene (Ga.), who shouted 'Hey Alexandria' twice in an effort to get her attention. When Ocasio-Cortez did not stop walking, Greene picked up her pace and began shouting at her and asking why she supports antifa, a loosely knit group of far-left activists, and Black Lives Matter, falsely labeling them 'terrorist' groups." | | TRUMP'S NEW YORK | | "Prosecutors seek cooperation of Trump confidante, subpoena Manhattan private school," by Wall Street Journal's Corinne Ramey: "New York prosecutors have subpoenaed a Manhattan private school as they seek the cooperation of the Trump Organization's chief financial officer in their investigation of former President Donald Trump and his company, according to people familiar with the matter. The subpoena seeks information from Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School, where grandchildren of Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg are students, the people said. From 2012 to 2019, more than $500,000 of the children's tuition was paid for with checks signed by either Mr. Weisselberg or Mr. Trump, the two children's mother, Jennifer Weisselberg, told The Wall Street Journal." | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST" TODAY: Power is shifting in Washington and in communities across the country. More people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. The Recast is a twice-weekly newsletter that explores the changing power dynamics in Washington and breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics and policy in America. Get fresh insights, scoops and dispatches on this crucial intersection from across the country and hear critical new voices that challenge business as usual. Don't miss out, SUBSCRIBE . Thank you to our sponsor, Intel. | | | | |
| | AROUND NEW YORK | | — The city began vaccinating kids age 12 to 15. — A long-stalled overhaul of Queens Boulevard is set to begin construction in July and be finished by November. — Two NYPD unions are suing the Civilian Complaint Review Board in an effort to stop it from investigating police officers for sexual misconduct and lying. — Andrew Yang's rivals are accusing him of cheating on a pop quiz by the New York Times editorial board, though there is no evidence to that effect. — Hamilton will require its cast and employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19 when Broadway reopens. — Anti-Palestinian graffitti was spraypainted on a Brooklyn mosque. — Four new MetroNorth stations planned for the Bronx have received federal approval. — More than 1,100 people were vaccinated at sites in subway and rail stations on their first day in operation. — A 15-year-old Asian teen was attacked by a group of teens in Rego Park after he was called an anti-Asian racial slur. | | | | 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. | | |
| | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Howard Wolfson … ABC's Karen Travers and Alexandra Svokos … CNN's David Gelles … Bloomberg's Robert Levinson and Josh Eidelson … Alex Katz of Blackstone … Lenwood Brooks WEEKEND WEDDING — Liza Pluto, senior publicity manager at PBS, and Evan Lukaske, comms director for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), got married Saturday in West Bloomfield, Mich., in her parents' backyard, surrounded by family. They'll have a party with friends at the end of the month at District Winery. The couple met at a party for D.C. Pride in June 2014 — they realized they both worked in Rayburn, and two days later Evan had a handwritten note delivered to Liza's desk asking her out. Pic … Another pic | | REAL ESTATE | | "New York City Council bill toughens Airbnb regulations," by The Wall Street Journal's Katie Honan: "Apartments rented through Airbnb Inc. and other home-sharing sites would have to be registered with New York City under a city council bill introduced Wednesday. City Councilman Ben Kallos, a Manhattan Democrat, said the bill would reduce the number of illegal short-term rentals and increase the stock of permanent housing in the city. Mr. Kallos said the legislation would also help the hotel industry, which saw occupancy rates decline because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, it is illegal to rent an entire apartment in a building with three or more units for fewer than 30 days. However, enforcement of the law is largely driven by complaints from neighbors. The Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement handles investigations into illegal rentals in the city. The bill would prevent thousands of illegal short-term rentals from getting on Airbnb and other home-sharing sites, Mr. Kallos said."
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