| | | | | |  | | By Erin Durkin and Anna Gronewold with Jonathan Custodio | Presented by Equinor | A pair of moderates may be dominating the mayor's race, but one unabashed lefty is leaving her mark. Dianne Morales, virtually unknown when she kicked off her campaign way back in 2019, has proven to be a force among the top eight Democrats vying for the nomination, our Janaki Chadha reports. Running to be the city's first Afro-Latina mayor, Morales has embraced positions like cutting the NYPD's budget in half — and the left is taking notice. Granted, the former non-profit executive is still polling in the single digits. But Morales is now a top pick of the Working Families Party, has the endorsement of Make the Road Action, and at least half a nod from Tenants PAC, which this weekend endorsed both her and Maya Wiley. In addition to defunding the NYPD by $3 billion — terminology she's unique for embracing among the major candidates — her positions include hiking taxes on the wealthy, putting a moratorium on "luxury rezonings," and backing an unprecedented rent rollback for rent-stabilized apartments. "I'm not talking about reforming or tinkering, I'm really talking about uprooting things that have not served low-income, Black and brown, working-class families for a long time," Morales told POLITICO. In one sign of grassroots enthusiasm, a POLITICO analysis of her fundraising found Morales had the lowest average donation of any candidate. That could also help with her bottom line, thanks to the city's 8-to-1 public matching funds program. As for translating everything into a path to victory on June 22, it remains a tall order (indeed, some who like her politics have held off on getting behind her because she seems like such a long shot). "It's clear she's the candidate who's running unabashedly as the candidate of the left, she's occupied that lane in a very deft and effective way," progressive consultant Dan Morris said. "But the question now is how does she go out and attract supporters beyond the left." 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 and New York City with no public events scheduled. WHERE'S BILL? Holding a media availability and speaking at the National Action Network for the one-year anniversary of George Floyd's death. DAYS TO THE PRIMARY: 28 | | | | A message from Equinor: Can a wind turbine generate more than electricity? We believe it can. At Equinor, we're planning to power more than 1,000,000 homes in New York with homegrown, renewable energy. But we can do more. As a broad energy company with an ambitious net-zero target for 2050, we're pursuing the development of offshore wind projects in the US and quickly becoming a leader in the country's growing offshore wind industry. | | |
|  | WHAT CITY HALL'S READING | | NYC won't offer remote schooling in the fall as city plans for full return to classrooms, by POLITICO's Madina Touré: New York City not be offering a full-time remote option for public school students in the fall, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday as the city plans a full return to classrooms in September In a letter to families sent Monday morning, Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter said students in 3K through 12th grade, as well as teachers and staff, will be returning in the fall. The announcement is the latest sign of progress for a city that was once the national epicenter of the pandemic, but pushed hard to reopen schools to some in-person instruction ahead of other big cities. "New York City public schools, 1 million kids will be back in their classroom in September — all in-person, no remote," the mayor first said on MSNBC's Morning Joe. "Next NYC Democratic mayoral debate to be in-person," by New York Post's Nolan Hicks: "Basketball fans are back, 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is back — and now, in-person political mudslinging will return to New York City, The leading Democratic contenders to replace Mayor Bill de Blasio will finally share a stage together for their second televised primary debate next week, officials announced late Monday — after a virtual event earlier this month and a seemingly endless schedule of candidate Zoom forums. 'After receiving the final list of candidates this weekend and much due diligence reviewing the safety protocols, our team is now confident that we can host the June 2 mayoral debate with the candidates in person,' the event's broadcaster, WABC-TV, said in a statement." "John Liu, NY's Asian American Political Trailblazer, Endorses Andrew Yang," by Gothamist's Elizabeth Kim: "John Liu, the first Asian American elected to citywide office, has announced his support for Andrew Yang, in a long-awaited endorsement that represented a handing of the political baton which could bolster votes for Yang among the New York City's growing Asian American electorate. Liu, who ran for mayor in 2013 and was once called the 'Energizer Bunny,' is currently a state senator representing Queens; he had previously been a City Council member and city comptroller." — Civil rights attorney Norman Siegel endorsed Eric Adams. — A poll suggests that de Blasio's endorsement in the race would not help. "Who's Winning the New York Mayor's Race? Even Pollsters Are Confused ," by The New York Times' Dana Rubinstein: "Much of the focus of the New York City mayoral race has centered on one or two perceived front-runners: Andrew Yang, the 2020 presidential candidate, and Eric Adams, the Brooklyn borough president. But that perception is almost entirely based on what has been an unusually quiet polling season. None of the three major public pollsters in the New York City region have done comprehensive surveys in the mayor's race... At this point in 2013, the three pollsters had together put out more than a dozen independent horse-race polls on the Democratic primary." "On The Campaign Trail, Andrew Yang Tries To Live Up To The Hype," by Gothamist's Brigid Bergin: "When Andrew Yang jumped into the Democratic race for New York City mayor he became an immediate frontrunner, buoyed by name recognition from his presidential bid and his more than one million followers on social media. Now, with less than a month before the primary, New Yorkers — and not just journalists — are asking tough questions, checking if this celebrity candidate has what it takes to lead the city... The former presidential candidate who built a following based on his plan to give all adult Americans one thousand dollars a month of universal basic income has proposed something dramatically different for the city. But those nitty-gritty policy details usually don't come up in passing exchanges on the stump. Voters generally ask questions that push Yang to get more granular as they decide how to rank their vote." FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — The New York League of Conservation Voters today will endorse Kathryn Garcia for mayor, citing her "career-long record of combating climate change." The organization specifically noted her work as head of the Sanitation Department, where it said she "led some of the most transformative and climate forward reforms in the department's history." NYLCV President Julie Tighe referenced her work spearheading the commercial waste zone system to better regulate private trash haulers, implementing the city's waste equity law to cut down on the amount of trash being processed in overburdened communities and work creating the city's largest composting program before it lost funding in the pandemic. "This partnership is deeply personal and important to me as a career long climate change fighter," Garcia said, pledging to achieve the city's goal of virtually eliminating waste sent to landfills. The endorsement is Garcia's first from a major environmental group. — Danielle Muoio — Eric Adams is releasing a new TV ad where he discusses his experience being beaten by police officers as well as the need to tackle spiking gun violence. The 30-second spot will start running this week and was produced by Ralston Lapp Guinn. "I know what it is to be a victim of police brutality, to fight for justice, for Amadou Diallo, Abner Louima. Because I was there," Adams, the Brooklyn borough president and a former cop, says in the ad, titled "Our Moment." — Homeless advocacy group Win, headed by Christine Quinn, along with Council Member Steve Levin and Speaker Corey Johnson, will announce a deal to push ahead on Intro 146 which will expand eligibility for rental assistance vouchers during an event in Manhattan this afternoon. | | | | HAPPENING TODAY - A PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW WITH ADAM KINZINGER: From the ousting of Liz Cheney from her leadership position to the looming death of a bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, Donald Trump appears to be winning the internal GOP battle over the party's future. Join Playbook co-authors Rachael Bade and Eugene Daniels for an interview with a leading member of the Trump opposition, Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), to discuss his efforts to change the party's direction -- and whether that is even possible. Register here to watch live. | | | | |
| | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | "State Senate to pass major ethics reform Tuesday," by NY1's Zack Fink: "While the Joint Commission on Public Ethics, also known as J-COPE, has had a rocky tenure since its creation ten years ago, government watchdogs say things went from bad to worse this year. Just a few months ago, the agency gave the green light to a $5 million book deal for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the details of which were kept hidden from the public. On Tuesday, the State Senate plans to pass a bill reforming the much-criticized agency... "The bill would create appointment parity, meaning each legislative leader, including of the minority party, could appoint two members. Under the current makeup, most members are appointed by the majorities and the governor. It would also establish new voting requirements for violations. Under the current system, the majority party can block an investigation into unethical conduct. That would change to a straight majority vote. And the reforms would also establish a straight majority vote for a new executive director. Critics say, for too long, Cuomo was able to appoint people loyal to him to the powerful position.'" — Lawmakers are also hoping to pass a slate of bills strengthening sexual harassment laws. "New York rescinds requirement for children to wear masks," by Times Union's Brendan J. Lyons: "New York will 'encourage' but not require children aged 2 and over to wear masks in childcare settings, including summer camps, following days of protests about the directive, including from county officials who pledged they would not enforce the mandate. The state health department and the Office of Children and Family Services issued a joint statement late Monday saying they had agreed to 'revise guidance allowing child care providers to continue the practices and protocols that have been in place since the start of the pandemic by encouraging, not requiring, children aged 2 - 5 to wear masks, effective immediately.'...'It was too far-reaching. These kids are in activities and now they're outside this time of year; it just didn't make any sense,' said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr." "Gov. Cuomo says he gets advice from 'journalists' other than brother Chris," by New York Post's Reuven Fenton, Bernadette Hogan and Bruce Golding: "Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday defended having his CNN anchor brother take part in high-level strategy sessions about his sex scandal — and stunningly claimed that he gets guidance from other journalists 'all the time.' During a news conference at Long Island's Jones Beach, the governor confirmed a report that his younger brother, Chris, joined a series of conference calls to help the Democratic governor plan his response to the sexual harassment scandal that's plaguing him. 'I had conversations with my brother. I always have conversations with my brother because he's my brother and he's my best friend,' Andrew Cuomo said in response to a question from The Post." — "Analysis: Is Cuomo treading water, or has he stabilized?" by Spectrum's Susan Arbetter FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: As the legislative session nears its close, New Yorkers United for Justice is pushing parole reform as a key step — with voter support — in the Democratic majorities' efforts to update the state's criminal justice system. According to a survey of 1,600 New Yorkers that NYUJ commissioned from The Parkside Group earlier this month, nearly half of voters believe the parole system "needs to change," compared to 9 percent who did not. Voters don't think parolees should be thrown back in jail for "technical violations" like missing a meeting with a parole officer by a 3 to 1 (60%-21%) margin. And 58 percent of voters said people over the age of 55 who have served at least 15 years in prison, and who do not pose a risk to public safety should be eligible for parole, compared to 12 percent who said they should not. #UpstateAmerica: A Bronx man snuck through security at the Albany Airport and hung out in the cockpit of an empty plane because where else can you get some room to hear yourself think these days? #UpstateAnimals: Bethlehem bears are bopping about and hopefully will not meet the same fate as their fellow roamers in 2015. | | | |   | | |
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | Death-certificate omissions stymie FEMA funeral assistance program, by POLITICO's Erin Banco: Thousands of Americans seeking federal funeral assistance for coronavirus victims can't collect because their family members' death certificates do not list Covid-19, according to two senior administration officials with direct knowledge of the situation. The Federal Emergency Management Agency rolled out the $2 billion pandemic funeral assistance program in April...Over the past several weeks FEMA officials have spoken about the problem with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky and other senior agency officials, along with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, whose constituents were among the hardest hit in the early months of the pandemic and who pushed for the funeral program. | | AROUND NEW YORK | | — RACE FOR THE OTHER PLACE: (Joe) "Kennedy's message to Giuliani: Don't rely on your family name" — De Blasio won't return to his old stomping grounds at the Park Slope YMCA until after he leaves office. — New York State Police will increase patrols in Jewish neighborhoods in the city due to recent antisemitic incidents. — An MTA bus driver shortage is leading to canceled trips and long waits. — Stephen Colbert's "Late Show" will return anti-Semitic, all-vaccinated studio audience on June 14. — A State Supreme Court justice dismissed a lawsuit by a Clarence parents group seeking to have students return to in-person learning full-time. — City residents making vaccine appointments will have a chance to win Broadway tickets and other prizes. — An Asian man was pushed onto the subway tracks in Queens. — Broadway's reopening is moving up, with Hadestown planning to return on Sept. 2. — A vast majority of New Yorkers and one or more of your Playbook authors want takeout booze to remain a thing. — Alvin Bragg and Tali Farhadian Weinstein have the biggest campaign war chests in the Manhattan DA's race. — The median sale price of a home in the Capital Region reached $250,000 in April. | | | | 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. | | | | |
| | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Seamus Campbell, communications director for City Council candidate Bridget Rein … Edelman's Amy Fox MAKING MOVES — Per POLITICO Influence: "Cerberus Capital Management 's international arm, Cerberus Global Investments, has hired Brian Hook as vice chairman. He was previously President Donald Trump's special envoy for Iran. He'll be working under Cerberus Global Investments' chairman, who happens to be a veteran of another GOP administration: former Vice President Dan Quayle." … Juan Reyes is now a partner in the government and regulatory affairs practice group of Faegre Drinker in their New York office. He most recently was leader of the zoning practice and co-chair of the public private partnership (P3) practice at Seyfarth Shaw LLP … Chelsea-Lyn Rudder, who did comms for NYC Health + Hospitals and the Alzheimer's Association, is now a vice president for health care public relations at ICR Westwicke. MEDIAWATCH — " Mark Haines — remembering and honoring a CNBC icon with an NFT auction," by CNBC's Jason Gewirtz: "He called a bottom in the stock market at 9:47 a.m. ET on March 10, 2009. At a time when the markets were in complete chaos, Mark was a voice of reason. Mark famously said, 'I think we're at a bottom, I really do.' He was absolutely right. The S&P had hit its low of 666. A year after what lovingly became known as 'the Haines bottom,' the index was up 73%. "Proceeds from the auction will go to a charity that Mark supported and remains near and dear to his family, Autism Speaks, and to the Council for Economic Education." | | | | A message from Equinor: The energy transition is the defining challenge opportunity of our time. Without energy, the world would simply stop. Today, 80% of energy comes from fossil fuels—and the energy system has to change. The world needs energy — but it must be affordable, reliable, and accessible. How will we do it? By accelerating the energy transition . At Equinor, we're growing our portfolio in renewable energy and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. We're already planning to power more than 1,000,000 homes in New York with homegrown, renewable energy. But for us, that's only the beginning. By the time the global population reaches 9 billion in 2050, our goal is to have net-zero emissions. Discover more about Equinor at www.equinor.com/USA. | | |
| | REAL ESTATE | | "The Next Mayor May Be Their Neighbor. These New Yorkers Don't Care," by City Limits' David Brand: "Alex Cintron has never met the man who owns the brownstone next door to her in Bedford Stuyvesant. She said she's never even heard of her neighbor, who happens to be the Brooklyn Borough President and, quite possibly, the next mayor. 'I don't know who Eric Adams is,' Cintron said as she returned home from work May 13. She stopped on the steps outside her Lafayette Avenue apartment to look Adams up online, just to be sure. 'No, never seen him before,' she confirmed. Adams, she learned, is one of the favorites to become the next mayor, but he hasn't made much of an impression on his neighbors. Maybe it's because he spent a chunk of 2020 sleeping on the floor of his office in Brooklyn Borough Hall." "New York City Pensions to Fund $250 Million Apartment Venture," Bloomberg's Oshrat Carmiel: "For New York City's pension funds, there's no time like now to invest in new apartments. The two largest retirement systems -- covering public school teachers and municipal employees -- are teaming up with developer Hudson Cos., to allocate $250 million for construction of middle-income housing in the city and surrounding suburbs, the developer said. The pensions will commit $243.75 million of that equity, which will be leveraged to build as many as 10 projects or 2,000 units, said Joe Riggs, principal at Hudson."
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