| | | | | |  | | By Erin Durkin and Anna Gronewold with Jonathan Custodio | Presented by CVS Health | The woman who accused mayoral hopeful Scott Stringer of sexual misconduct has filed a formal complaint with state Attorney General Tish James, opening a new front after her accusations against the city comptroller upended the mayor's race last week. Jean Kim, now a lobbyist, sent the complaint in on Tuesday alleging sexual abuse and sexual harassment by Stringer when he was in the Assembly, running for public advocate twenty years ago. "Jean will participate fully with the OAG in any investigation it conducts into this matter," her attorney, Patricia Pastor, said a statement. Kim, who volunteered on Stringer's campaign, has alleged he groped and kissed her without her consent, actions Stringer denies. The accusations led most of his endorsers to withdraw their support, and several of Stringer's opponents to call on him to drop out, but he has vowed to continue his campaign . His camp says they would welcome a potential probe. "We welcome examination of this false allegation by any independent third party, whether that be a government agency or journalist," spokesperson Tyrone Stevens said. (The Intercept has also taken a critical look at some of Kim's claims.) Mayor Bill de Blasio and others have called for an investigation to clear up the facts of the situation, but a lot remains unclear about how such a probe would work and what authority the AG would have to pursue it. The statute of limitations has passed on any criminal complaint. James' office is overseeing an investigation into multiple allegations of sexual harassment by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, which required a formal referral to launch. The AG's team say they've received the complaint against Stringer and are reviewing it. IT'S WEDNESDAY. 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. ABOVE THE FOLD — "Sheldon Silver, Former New York State Assembly Speaker, Is Furloughed From Prison," by Wall Street Journal's Jimmy Vielkind and Corinne Ramey: "Former New York state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was furloughed from federal prison Tuesday, after serving less than a year of a 6½-year sentence behind bars, a person familiar with the matter said. Mr. Silver, 77 years old, was convicted of public corruption and had been incarcerated for about eight months at the Otisville Federal Correctional Institution north of New York City. Federal prison officials recently reached out to the U.S. Attorney's office for the Southern District of New York, which prosecuted the former Democratic lawmaker, about releasing him to home confinement, an office spokesman said. The spokesman said prosecutors told the federal Bureau of Prisons on Monday that they opposed home confinement for Mr. Silver." | | A message from CVS Health: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, CVS Health has been there. We're nearly 300,000 caring employees ensuring millions of Americans can access health care services. We opened thousands of COVID-19 test sites, administered millions of tests and expanded access to COVID-19 vaccines throughout the country. We've been on the frontlines, making health care easier to access and afford. That's health care, from the heart. Learn more. | | |
|  | WHAT CITY HALL'S READING | | "Sudden Decision to Reopen Leaves New Yorkers Dizzy and Divided," by The New York Times' Michael Gold: "The news longed for by so many for so long landed like a jolting boom: New York City is reopening — not someday, not hopefully soon, but in two weeks. Last year's erasure of the city's nightlife, culture, dining and shopping — the things that make New York New York — would be suddenly undone. By Tuesday, a day after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's announcement, New Yorkers were responding with a mix of joy, did-I-hear-that-right double-takes and doubt. The idea of having so much come back so soon — on May 19, a seemingly random Wednesday around the corner — was, for many, dizzying." "New data shows massive slowdown in NYC COVID-19 vaccinations," by New York Post's Nolan Hicks: "The number of New York City residents getting their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has plummeted by two-thirds in recent weeks — even though just half of eligible residents have gotten a shot so far, Health Department data shows. Just 136,710 people age 16 or older got their first shot of one of the three available vaccines over the most recently completed week, which stretches from April 25 and May 1. That's down a staggering 67 percent from the all-time high of 410,917 people who got their first coronavirus jab in New York City during the week that spanned April 4 to April 10." National AAPI group to endorse Yang's mayoral campaign, by POLITICO's Sally Goldenberg: Andrew Yang's mayoral candidacy is getting a boost from a national organization targeting municipal races to boost Asian-American involvement in politics. The AAPI Victory Fund, a Washington, D.C.-based political action committee, is planning to endorse Yang at an event in Chinatown Wednesday afternoon. The group plans to host a fundraiser for Yang later this month and is considering an independent expenditure on his behalf, which would circumvent the strict spending limits of the city's Campaign Finance Board. The organization wants to rally Asian-American New Yorkers to the polls on June 22, when Yang will be on the ballot in a hotly-contested Democratic primary to replace outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio. He would be the first person of Asian descent to become mayor. — LGBT Democratic club endorses Dianne Morales for mayor, by POLITICO's Erin Durkin : The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club is endorsing Dianne Morales for mayor, it announced Tuesday. "The club endorsed Morales as clearly the most progressive candidate running for Mayor and a strong outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ community," said Allen Roskoff, president of the left-leaning LGBT club...It's the second major endorsement she has picked up on Tuesday, earlier winning the support of former gubernatorial candidate Zephyr Teachout. — "Dianne Morales Warns Rivals: 'Don't Sleep On This Campaign,'" by Gothamist/WNYC's Brigid Bergin : Dianne Morales had a cold. Not COVID, she's fully vaccinated, but when she arrived at the Jackson Heights Greenmarket on Sunday, acutely aware that this was a pivotal moment in the mayor's race and for her candidacy, she was battling congestion and a slight sore throat. So she did what we've all learned to do: she wore two masks and proceeded with caution. ... While the self-described 'Black-Boricua, born and raised in Bed-Stuy' is often labeled the most progressive among the eight leading candidates for mayor, in the race for progressive endorsements, she's found herself picked as the number two, behind New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, a long-serving, white, male elected official from Washington Heights, whose campaign recently was imperiled by a sexual assault allegation." — "NYC mayoral candidate Kathryn Garcia gets new endorsement," by New York Daily News' Michael Gartland: "Mayoral contender Kathryn Garcia made a push into rival Scott Stringer's political turf Tuesday with the announcement that former candidate Loree Sutton is endorsing her City Hall run. The move came as Garcia unveiled a new TV ad and as a wounded Stringer continued to fend off allegations that he sexually abused a woman who worked on a political campaign 20 years ago." — "'He would be a mayor to unite each and everyone': Abner Louima endorses Eric Adams for City Hall, " by New York Daily News' Tim Balk: "Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams received a mayoral endorsement on Tuesday from Abner Louima, whose brutal mistreatment at a Brooklyn police station a quarter-century ago sent shockwaves throughout the city and the nation. Louima, a Haitian immigrant who was sodomized with a stick by an officer in 1997, said he had flown up from his home state of Florida to publicly offer his endorsement to the former NYPD captain." — Liu endorses Brian Benjamin for comptroller, by POLITICO's Jonathan Custodio: State Sen. John Liu is planning to endorse fellow Sen. Brian Benjamin in the city comptroller's race... Liu, who represents parts of northeast Queens, is the first former city comptroller to back any candidate in the race and touted Benjamin's track record as chair of the Senate's Committee on Revenue and Budget as one of several factors influencing his pick. Former state comptroller Carl McCall has also backed Benjamin's bid. "De Blasio's Final Year Of Vision Zero Begins With Surging Pedestrian Deaths," by Gothamist's Jake Offenhartz: "As receding coronavirus infections allow much of New York life to resume, local officials are now grappling with a growing crisis on the city streets: soaring pedestrian deaths. The number of NYC pedestrian fatalities is up 65% in the first four months of this year — from 26 at this point in 2020 to 43 as of this week, according to data released on Tuesday by Transportation Alternatives. That's the highest death toll since Mayor Bill de Blasio took office in 2014, the same year he introduced his signature Vision Zero effort with the goal of eliminating all traffic deaths by 2024." | | | | 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. | | | | |
| | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | "NY lawmakers target understaffing at hospitals, nursing homes. What to know," by USA Today Network's David Robinson: "New York lawmakers passed legislation Tuesday that establishes minimum staffing levels for hospitals and nursing homes, asserting understaffing practices at some facilities contributed to COVID-19 infections and deaths. The health care staffing bills, which have been debated in various forms over the past decade, were approved by both houses of the Legislature Tuesday afternoon. "During a press conference earlier in the day, health care union leaders and lawmakers urged Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign the bills, if passed. One bill establishes minimum staffing hours per resident and related provisions for nursing home care statewide. It comes after more than 13,000 New Yorkers died from COVID-19 complications in the long-term care facilities. The other bill requires each hospital to establish a committee of nurses and administrators to devise a staffing plan." — The AARP says it "misses the mark." "Planning process underway to reopen state Capitol, state agency chief says," by Spectrum's Nick Reisman: "The top official at the state agency charged with overseeing and maintaining the New York State Capitol on Tuesday in a letter to state lawmakers said a planning process is underway for the building's potential reopening. In the letter obtained by Spectrum News, Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito wrote the public health and safety requirements for the building are currently being reviewed." "Court of Appeals bars cutting trees for snowmobile trails," by Adirondack Explorer's Gwendolyn Craig: "Snowmobile trails planned for the Adirondack Park violate the state constitution's "forever wild" clause and may only be approved through a constitutional amendment, the state's highest court has ruled. It is a rare New York State Court of Appeals decision on the constitutional provision that protects state forest preserve, which includes the Adirondacks and Catskills. Four judges ruled in favor of Protect the Adirondacks, the advocacy organization that brought the suit against the state Department of Environmental Conservation, while two judges dissented. The Court of Appeals decision issued on Tuesday ends nearly eight years of litigation and overturns part of a lower court ruling." On broadband, New York steps into public sphere. Will the country follow? by POLITICO's Garrett Downs : New York's move to improve access to broadband, including the imposition of price cap for residents with low incomes, had won praise for its aggressive attempt to close the digital divide. But internet service providers are now accusing Albany of overreach and have filed a lawsuit to block the state's new regulatory framework, which some believe could influence the national debate over internet access. The state's new $212 billion budget included a measure making broadband as close to a public utility as it has ever come by mandating that service providers charge people with low incomes no more than $15 a month for broadband and $20 a month for high-speed service. As many as 7 million people could be eligible for the cap. Some observers see New York's effort as a model for other states. "Interestingly, the New York legislature has proposed bills to ensure the quality and availability of broadband to the state's residents nearly every year, but this is the first time that such a bill has been signed into law," said Karen Charles Peterson, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable. "Other states will undoubtedly watch the [Public Service Commission's] implementation of the law and the impact of those rules on broadband competition and the availability of affordable service to low-income consumers." #UpstateAmerica: Some say the food north of Poughkeepsie is trash. Here are some Upstate options if you'd like to form your own opinion. | | | |   | | |
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | Stefanik said to be early frontrunner for Cheney's leadership post, by POLITICO's Melanie Zanona, Olivia Beavers, and Quint Forgey: House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy gave his strongest signal yet on Tuesday that he would support a new attempt to oust GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney from her leadership post — and potential successors are already angling to replace her … A handful of names are being floated to succeed her, but Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) — who propelled herself to GOP stardom during Trump's first impeachment trial — has emerged as an early front-runner, according to multiple senior Republicans and sources close to leadership. Stefanik, 36, is said to be interested in the job if Cheney gets the boot and has been calling her colleagues to talk about her interest in the job and garner support, though her allies believe she's wary of looking eager to knife Cheney. — The House Republicans' campaign arm added Rep. Paul Tonko's district, as well as three more districts held by New York Democrats, to their target list as the GOP pushes to flip the chamber. " Schumer rolls out 'Green New Wheel' plan to make public buses 100% emissions-free in NYC and beyond," by New York Daily News' Clayton Guse and Chris Sommerfeldt: "More than 70,000 gas-guzzling public transit buses across the country — including nearly 6,000 in the Big Apple alone — would be replaced with electric and hydrogen-fueled fleets under a clean energy plan unveiled by New York Sen. Chuck Schumer on Tuesday. The Democratic senator, joined by public transportation and environmental justice advocates, rolled out the 'Green New Wheel' plan during a press conference in front of the MTA's Tuskegee Airmen Bus Depot in East Harlem." | | TRUMP'S NEW YORK | | "Giuliani's Legal Bills Are Growing. His Allies Want Trump to Pay Them," by The New York Times' Maggie Haberman and Ben Protess: "As a federal investigation into Rudolph W. Giuliani escalates, his advisers have been pressing aides to former President Donald J. Trump to reach into a $250 million war chest to pay Mr. Giuliani for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election on Mr. Trump's behalf. The pressure from Mr. Giuliani's camp has intensified since F.B.I. agents executed search warrants at Mr. Giuliani's home and office last week, according to people familiar with the discussions, and comes as Mr. Giuliani has hired new lawyers and is facing his own protracted — and costly — legal battles." "Feds seek outsider to sift seized Giuliani records," by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein and Daniel Lippman: "Federal prosecutors are seeking to submit the vast trove of information the FBI seized from former President Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani to a court-appointed special master for review before any records are turned over to investigators, according to a person familiar with the matter and a letter made public Tuesday. The move would be a departure from the Justice Department's usual practice of resisting outside review of materials seized in sensitive investigations, like searches of attorney's offices or lawyers' electronic devices." | | | | DON'T MISS OUT ON OUR NEW PLAYBOOK DEEP DIVE PODCAST: Washington is full of whispers, colorful characters and little-known back stories that even D.C. insiders might not know. Playbook Deep Dive is a new, weekly podcast that pulls back the curtain on the stories behind the power. From Congress and the White House to bar stools and backrooms, POLITICO's top reporters and Playbook authors bring you the most compelling and confounding stories that explain what's really going on in Washington. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | |
| | AROUND NEW YORK | | — Juneteenth will be a school holiday next academic year, and Columbus Day will instead be recognized as Indigenous People's Day and Italian Heritage Day, according to a new Department of Education calendar. Snow days are also off. — No stores have been fined for violations of the state's plastic bag ban. — The legal industry has donated more than $2.5 million in the mayor's race, and former Wall Street exec Ray McGuire is the top recipient. — "State Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro's office is keeping quiet on whether it is launching an investigation into the state's oversight of the Wilton limousine company involved in the 2018 crash that killed 20 people in Schoharie." — Half of the city's minority- and women-owned businesses have had to lay off or furlough employees since the start of the pandemic. | | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Mark McKinnon of Showtime's "The Circus" … POLITICO's Ryan Heath … BerlinRosen's Daniel Massey … MSNBC's Brian Williams … Mike Dorning of Bloomberg News … AP's David Sharp … Morgan Pehme … ABC's Rachel Scott ... Gary Lauder ... Richard Bernstein ... Emily Kutner MAKING MOVES — Javier Valdés will be U.S. director of the Civic Engagement and Government program at the Ford Foundation. He was co-executive director at Make the Road New York. … Two former WeWork executives, Joel Steinhaus and Doug Chambers, have assembled a team of ex-WeWork execs to create Daybase, which is developing a network of on-demand work spots around the country. | | A message from CVS Health: Throughout the pandemic, in New York and across the country, CVS Health has been delivering essential care. Thanks to the efforts of our employees, we opened 4,800 COVID-19 test sites and administered over 15 million tests at our stores and through partners in underserved communities. With many still staying home, we increased access to prescription delivery, virtual visits and mental health services. Now, we're offering vaccines in nearly 6,000 stores across 49 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. Every day, CVS Health works to bring quality, affordable health care closer to home—so it's never out of reach for anyone. That's health care, from the heart. Learn more. | | |
| | REAL ESTATE | | "Howard Hughes' (slightly less) big Seaport project approved," by The Real Deal's Erik Engquist: "If any pigs were seen flying over Lower Manhattan Tuesday, this would explain it: An $850 million development planned for the South Street Seaport Historic District was approved. The third time before the fussy Landmarks Preservation Commission was the charm for the Howard Hughes Corporation as the board voted 6 to 2 in favor of its downsized — but still sizable — project at 250 Water Street. The company's proposal was among the most controversial in recent city history, with throngs of New Yorkers weighing in about how it would save the nearby Seaport Museum, provide affordable housing and blend in seamlessly with the historic district and Financial District on either side."
| | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment