| | | | | |  | | By Erin Durkin and Anna Gronewold with Jonathan Custodio | Presented by Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA) | There were plenty of fireworks in last night's Democratic mayoral debate — the second one overall, but the first to be held in person — yet one exchange stood out in particular. Eric Adams and Andrew Yang went at it in deeply personal terms, with Yang labeling his rival an "unprincipled" politician who has faced repeated ethics probes. "We all know that you've been investigated for corruption everywhere you've gone," he said. Adams defended his integrity and demanded an apology for what he called false accusations. He said Yang had failed to vote in any mayoral elections, fled the city during Covid-19 and might "flee again during a difficult time." "How the hell do we have you become our mayor with a record like this?" Adams demanded. Scott Stringer's takeaway from the clash? "You're both right. You both shouldn't be mayor." By the time this and other pivotal moments in the debate came around, casual viewers on ABC 7 were instead watching "Press Your Luck," a game show involving robots, since the network aired only the first hour of the two-hour face-off on TV. Voters will have one more chance to see the Democrats debate: There's a debate co-hosted by POLITICO, WNBC and Telemundo slated for June 16. IT'S THURSDAY. 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? Holding a media availability. DAYS TO THE PRIMARY: 19 | | | | A message from Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA): Unscrupulous Auto Brokers are Ripping off New Yorkers. Time for Albany to Act. Joined by UAW Local 259, Teamsters Local 202, and USWU Local 355, the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA) is calling for automobile broker reform that will protect consumers from self-serving brokers, require transparency and modern privacy protection rules. A1932A/S4332 will eliminate bad actors and support New York's Franchise Dealership System. Albany: Protect New York Consumers. Pass Auto Broker Reform Now. | | |
|  | WHAT CITY HALL'S READING | | A charter school comeback? Top NYC candidates support the alternative schools, by POLITICO's Madina Touré: After years in the wilderness of the de Blasio administration and waning influence in Albany, charter schools are gaining a foothold in the city again — if the race for mayor is any barometer. The three leading candidates in the Democratic primary are decidedly supportive of charter schools — a dramatic shift from when Mayor Bill de Blasio was elected eight years ago and another sign of the citywide electorate hewing closer to the center in the June 22 Democratic primary. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, former city sanitation commissioner Kathryn Garcia and entrepreneur Andrew Yang — all of whom have hit first place in recent polls — have pledged to allow for the creation of more charters, publicly-managed but privately run schools that occupy space in public school buildings, if elected. "School-based vaccine program kicks off this week in Bronx, de Blasio announces," by Chalkbeat's Alex Zimmerman: "New York City is bringing vaccines to public schools this week, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday. The effort will begin Friday with four schools in the Bronx and will expand to schools in all five boroughs over the next several weeks, de Blasio said. As students between the ages of 12 to 17 are now eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, officials are ramping up efforts to make it easier for them to get their jabs. So far, about 23% of city residents in that age range have been vaccinated. De Blasio indicated the program would focus on middle schools and would extend into the summer, but did not immediately say how many schools would participate." "The M.T.A. Is Breached by Hackers as Cyberattacks Surge," by The New York Times' Christina Goldbaum and William K. Rashbaum: "A hacking group believed to have links to the Chinese government penetrated the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's computer systems in April, exposing vulnerabilities in a vast transportation network that carries millions of people every day, according to an M.T.A. document that outlined the breach. The hackers did not gain access to systems that control train cars and rider safety was not at risk, transit officials said, adding that the intrusion appeared to have done little, if any, damage. But a week after the agency learned of the attack, officials raised concerns that hackers could have entered those operational systems or that they could continue to penetrate the agency's computer systems through a back door, the document also shows." "Where's Vito? Staten Island's Fossella is Largely MIA for his Comeback Campaign," by The City's Clifford Michel: "Former Staten Island Rep. Vito Fossella has largely avoided the spotlight since the unceremonious end of his Congressional career over a decade ago — and he's not getting out much these days as he wages a political comeback. The Republican borough president hopeful, locked in a four-way GOP primary battle, has no campaign website or social media accounts, has rarely conducted public events, and has yet to report any spending to the city Campaign Finance Board. And he's certainly not talking about how he's spent recent years — including stints with a bill-collecting firm and as a registered foreign agent representing the governments of Taiwan, Somalia and Morocco, as well as a group of Polish weapons manufacturers." "NYC mayoral candidate Dianne Morales adviser defects to Maya Wiley campaign," by New York Daily News' Chris Sommerfeldt: "Dianne Morales' 'beautiful mess' of a mayoral bid got even messier Wednesday as her recently resigned senior adviser announced she has been hired by Maya Wiley's rivaling campaign. Ifeoma Ike, whose departure from Morales' campaign last week triggered a tumultuous internal feud over workplace conditions, wrote on Twitter that she's 'honored to say' she's joining Wiley's team as her new senior adviser as the June 22 primary looms less than three weeks away." FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — City comptroller candidate Brad Lander released a new campaign ad featuring his 18-year-old daughter Rosa. She pitches voters by casting her father as compassionate, supportive of women in their pandemic trials, and being a "policy nerd," wholeheartedly supporting him "despite the dad jokes." Unfortunately, no dad jokes were featured in the ad. — The 32BJ Health Fund, which provides health coverage for nearly 100,000 members of the city's largest property services union and their families, is cutting ties with NewYork-Presbyterian as an in-network provider beginning January 1. Union president and 32BJ Health Fund chair Kyle Bragg said the issue is not with the health professionals or quality of care, but rather "the accountants and executives who manage the system and charge prices for standard procedures that are higher than other hospitals in the metro area." The union cited prices more than 3.5 times higher than those at other hospitals and a contract that would cause the fund to cut certain "critical" services as its chief considerations in the break up. — Anna | | | | 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 | | "$2.5M taxpayer contract for Cuomo nursing home probe," by Times Union's Chris Bragg: "Taxpayers will spend up to $2.5 million defending Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's office in a federal investigation examining its alleged suppression of figures showing the true number of nursing home deaths from COVID-19. That's according to OpenBookNY.com, a website maintained by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's office, which discloses information about state contracts. The website states that the Executive Chamber's $2.5 million contract for legal services with the law firm Morvillo Abramowitz was 'approved and filed' on April 27. A copy of the contract, provided by DiNapoli's office, says the firm will charge up to $937.50 an hour for work performed by law firm partner Elkan Abramowitz. The contract says the rates are 'significantly discounted' from standard hourly rates: By 25 percent for Abramowitz and 15 percent for other attorneys." — "Will Cuomo Run for a 4th Term? A $10,000-a-Plate Fund-Raiser Says Yes." by The New York Times' Luis Ferré-Sadurní and J. David Goodman: "The fund-raiser comes as Mr. Cuomo's poll numbers have stabilized in recent months and he has dedicated most of his time to shoring up public support. Mr. Cuomo, a third-term Democrat, has a sizable $16.8 million cash on hand, according to campaign filings from January, and he appears intent on adding to it before the next filing in July. Still, few donors or lobbyists who were invited to the event were interested in discussing their plans publicly on Wednesday. Of eight invitees, only two said they planned to go. But none doubted that the governor, a prolific fund-raiser, would be able to attract enough takers for the event to raise its expected amount. (Similar events in the past — one asked couples to pay $25,000 — have aimed to raise $500,000, according to a person familiar with the governor's fund-raising efforts.)" "Industry members anxious for cannabis regulator selection," by Times Union's Rebekah Ward: "When New York's Legislature passed a landmark adult-use cannabis legalization bill in March, it committed to starting the two entities responsible for drafting and enacting new industry regulations: the Cannabis Control Board and the Office of Cannabis Management. With the spring legislative session coming to a close next week, six government leadership-appointed nominees to key regulatory roles have yet to be announced or confirmed by the Senate, though the governor's office said the nomination review process is underway." Senate passes gun control package as crime reemerges as Albany's most-contentious issue, by POLITICO's Bill Mahoney: Rising crime rates have moved into the forefront of policy debate in the final days of Albany's legislative session. Democrats in the state Senate passed a package of gun control bills on Wednesday, including a first-in-the-nation attempt to reopen firearms manufacturers to liability for some deaths caused by their products. "This state cannot stand idly by while guns traffic in and out and kill our children," said sponsor Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn). "I'm tired of going to funerals, I'm tired of seeing candles on the block, I'm tired of having to hold a grieving mother, I'm tired of having to look into the eyes of a teenager who's paralyzed because of a gunshot." But at the same time, Republicans — who have spent much of this year's session focused on the scandals surrounding Gov. Andrew Cuomo — are blaming Democratic policies such as the 2019 changes to bail for the increase in violent crimes, which has occurred throughout the country. And they're arguing that new Democratic pushes on issues such as parole and police accountability will only make the problem worse. Democratic policies "prioritize criminals over their victims," Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt said at a press conference on Tuesday. #UpstateAmerica: Albany and Rochester both showed up in a recent Reddit rant about ugliest cities in the U.S. — Counterpoint: Look at these not-ugly photos of the Capital Region emerging from Covid-19 winter! | | | |   | | |
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | "Canadian politicians join Higgins' call for border reopening," by Buffalo News' Jerry Zremski: "Rep. Brian Higgins has long been something of a lone wolf howling almost daily about the pandemic-inspired closure of the U.S.-Canada border. The chorus is getting louder, thanks to a handful of influential Canadians speaking out against the shutdown, too. Rep. Brian Higgins on Wednesday called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to invite Canadians to New York State to get Covid-19 vaccinations they might have to wait months for back home. Higgins on Wednesday joined two members of the Canadian Parliament in issuing a joint statement that said: 'Guidance from both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Canada's COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel is clear: individuals with proof of immunity can travel safely and should not be subject to quarantine requirements.'" | | TRUMP'S NEW YORK | | "2 Leading Manhattan D.A. Candidates Face the Trump Question," by The New York Times' Jonah E. Bromwich, Benjamin Weiser and Maggie Haberman: "Whoever wins the race to become the next Manhattan district attorney will take over one of the most contentious, highest-profile criminal investigations in the office's history: the inquiry into former President Donald J. Trump and his business. Two of the leading candidates in the Democratic primary field, Alvin Bragg and Tali Farhadian Weinstein, have had past contacts with Mr. Trump's administration — dealings that could become an issue if one of them becomes district attorney. Mr. Bragg, a former official with the New York attorney general's office, reminds voters frequently that in his former job, he sued Mr. Trump's administration 'more than a hundred times.' Ms. Farhadian Weinstein, who once served as general counsel to the Brooklyn district attorney, has been less vocal about Mr. Trump. She only occasionally notes her involvement in a successful lawsuit against the Trump administration." — Pardoned ex-Trump adviser Michael Flynn endorsed Republican Fernando Mateo for mayor and plans to campaign with him on Staten Island. | | | | 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 Police Benevolent Association endorsed Assemblymember David Weprin for comptroller. — Ex-NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan said police had no plan to get guns off the street after disbanding its anti-crime unit and the move was "probably a mistake." — A high-speed passenger rail proposal that would shave more than two hours off train trips between New York and Boston got a boost Wednesday from members of Congress from northeastern states. — The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced a $692,000 settlement of a civil fraud lawsuit against a contractor hired to supply fuel to the project that replaced the Gov. Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge. — New York City is launching a tourism campaign linked with the Washington Heights-based film "In the Heights" to promote the neighborhood. — More than 6,000 yellow cabs have exited the city's roads since the pandemic began. — A 7-year-old boy in Brasher Falls was charged with rape and has sparked discussion on how children and young offenders are treated by the state justice system. | | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Anderson Cooper … Edelman's Rob Rehg and Hannah Walter … NYT's Dennis Overbye … Eric Rosengren of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston … Whitney Smith … Don Teague … WSJ's Michelle Hackman … Michael Fleischer of BCW Global … John Kirby … Gina Foote of Finsbury Glover Hering … Sophie Oreck … Judge Ronnie Abrams MEDIAWATCH — Alexandra Berzon is joining ProPublica as a reporter. She previously has been an investigative reporter at the WSJ, including as part of a Pulitzer-winning team. Talking Biz News … Per TBN: "Fortune senior writer Aaron Pressman is leaving to join the Boston Globe to cover technology." MAKING MOVES — Jacqui Newman will be COO at SKDKnickerbocker. She is COO and deputy executive director at the DCCC. ... Oriana Piña is joining AT&T to manage PR and comms for the diversity, equity and inclusion department. She most recently was director of Hispanic media for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. ... … Keegan Bales is now an associate director at Finsbury Glover Hering (formerly Glover Park Group). She previously worked at Trident DMG. (h/t POLITICO Playbook) … Kaitesi Munroe is joining Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies as a principal in the firm's new World Trade Center office. She most recently was a government affairs & social impact associate at the Madison Square Garden Company. ENGAGED — Augustus Christensen, founder at financial media company Share Scoops and a JPMorgan Chase alum, on Saturday proposed to Marissa Apstein, merchant at fashion company Madewell. They got engaged at their apartment in New York. Marissa writes: "He's been taking piano lessons for about a year, but I've never heard him play. He wrote a song for me and then had all of my best friends waiting to surprise me after he performed and proposed." Pic | | | | A message from Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA): Stop the Scams. Protect New York Consumers.
Over 800 auto brokers have been identified in the New York City metro area alone, many of whom ignore some aspect of state law designed to protect car buyers. For too long, auto brokers have been more focused on their own bottom line, disregarding their obligation to work for consumers.
These self-serving and under-regulated automobile brokers are also hurting New York's auto retail sales industry, and the 120,000 middle-class New Yorkers it employs.
A1932A/S4332 protects New Yorkers by requiring auto brokers to work only for consumers by strengthening the registration process, and increasing disclosures, penalties, and enforcement provisions.
UAW Local 259, Teamsters Local 202, and USWU Local 355, and the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA) agree: pass automobile broker reform that will bring transparency and accountability to the auto brokering industry.
Albany: Protect New York Consumers. Pass Auto Broker Reform Now. | | |
| | REAL ESTATE | | "Battle Over Rent Hikes Turns to Who's Suffered More: Tenants or Landlords?" by The City's Greg David: "While Aaron Weber waits for the city Rent Guidelines Board to decide whether he will be forced to freeze rents for the tenants in the 40 buildings he runs at Webber-Farhat Realty Management, he ticks off the higher costs absorbed in the past year. Among them: rising water and electric bills as residents work from home during the pandemic, along with insurance premiums and property tax hikes. Then there's intensified cleaning procedures required due to COVID-19 … The Rent Guidelines Board is slated this month to announce its final decision on rent increases for leases beginning in October or later after establishing a range of 0% to 2% for one-year leases. A vote is expected June 23, after two virtual public meetings." "New York City construction jobs fall in 2020, spending declines for first time in years," by amNewYork's Emily Davenport: "A recent report found that New York City suffered a significant decline in construction jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli stated that the city lost 44,400 construction jobs in 2020, the worst decline in the industry in over 25 years. What was once the fastest-growing sector between 2011 to 2019 with a 43.5% rise in construction jobs was brought to a complete halt as a result of the pandemic." "' It's a perfect storm': NY homebuyers take drastic measures in competitive real estate market," by USA Today Network's Mario Marroquin and Sarah Taddeo: "The market was already trending in the seller's direction before the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which all but shut down the real estate market for several months last spring. But when summer came in 2020, the market took off, said Rachel Wexler, a licensed real estate salesperson with Keller Williams in the Rochester area. Low interest rates on mortgages, a lack of new builds and pent-up demand among buyers contributed to the steep difference between the number of houses out there and the amount of buyers looking to score one, Wexler said. 'It's a perfect storm that made all these people want the houses, and there are not enough houses,' she said."
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