| | | | | |  | | By Erin Durkin, Anna Gronewold and Deanna Garcia | Presented by Equinor | Two more City Hall commissioners are headed for the exits in the closing days of the de Blasio administration, and they're both going to the same place. Department of Citywide Administrative Services commissioner Lisette Camillo and Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Jamie Torres-Springer have been snapped up by the MTA, our Danielle Muoio Dunn reports, where they will respectively serve as chief administrative officer and president of construction and development. It's part of a broader leadership reorganization at the MTA, meant to streamline management. What all of this bureaucratic reshuffling means for riders remains to be seen, but it comes as the transit agency is trying to shake off the long shadow of Andrew Cuomo, who liked to throw his weight around at the authority. The last time the MTA tried to shake up its leadership structure — in the so-called transformation plan imposed by Cuomo — it led to the resignation of subway chief Andy Byford, the only transit boss in recent memory well-known enough by the public to be granted an affectionate nickname . Now that whole multimillion-dollar project has been quietly abandoned, with acting chairman and CEO Janno Lieber saying last month it "should be put behind us." Larry Schwartz, Cuomo's last loyalist on the MTA board, submitted his resignation this month, though he remains a member until he is replaced and wasn't shy about sharing his views at Monday's board meeting. Gov. Kathy Hochul has not spoken in much detail about her vision for the MTA, but she has vowed to de-politicize the authority and other boards like it. She signed legislation on Tuesday meant to bolster the MTA's transparency, which will require the organization to release more accessible data on its ridership and spending. 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 KATHY? Making a green jobs announcement and speaking at Empire Baptist Missionary virtual convention. WHERE'S BILL? Appearing on MSNBC and CNN and holding a media availability. WHERE ARE ERIC AND CURTIS? Meeting for their first general election debate at 7 p.m. on WNBC, co-hosted by POLITICO, Telemundo 47, the Citizens Budget Commission, and the New York Urban League. ABOVE THE FOLD — Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a vaccine mandate for the entire city workforce this morning, the latest in an escalating requirement for city workers to be inoculated that began with health care and Department of Education staff. "There is no greater privilege than serving the people of New York City, and that privilege comes with a responsibility to keep yourself and your community safe," de Blasio said in a written statement. "We have led the way against COVID-19 – from fighting for the right to vaccinate frontline workers, to providing nation-leading incentives, to creating the Key to NYC mandate. As we continue our recovery for all of us, city workers have been a daily inspiration. Now is the time for them to show their city the path out of this pandemic once and for all." The measure, first reported by The New York Post, will kick off today and city employees will get $500 in their paycheck for receiving their first shot at a city-run vaccination site. That incentive will end by the close of business on October 29, the city said. By that time, city workers will be required to demonstrate they have at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. Those who don't meet the deadline will be placed on leave until they can show proof of vaccination. | | | | A message from Equinor: Can a wind turbine generate more than electricity? We believe it can. At Equinor, we're planning to power 2,000,000 New York homes with homegrown, renewable energy that will also boost the economy and generate jobs. And we will do more. Equinor is a broad energy company with an ambitious net-zero target for 2050. We're pursuing the Empire Wind and Beacon Wind offshore wind developments in the US and quickly becoming a leader in this growing industry. | | | |  | WHAT CITY HALL'S READING | | In rolling out his vision for safer streets, Adams vows to ride a bike 'all the time,' by POLITICO's Danielle Muoio Dunn: Eric Adams has already shown he plans to change many of the ways Mayor Bill de Blasio runs city business if elected mayor. But perhaps his biggest shake-up will be how he arrives at City Hall. "You're going to see me on my bike all the time riding to and from City Hall," Adams said at a Tuesday press conference, where the Brooklyn borough president was endorsed for mayor by StreetsPAC. Adams' embrace of bicycling and public transportation on the campaign trail has been a significant departure from de Blasio, who has been routinely criticized for taking an SUV to everything from press events to the gym. "NYC could lose $111 million a year in tax revenue thanks to remote work: Comptroller Stringer," by New York Daily News' Michael Gartland: "The work-from-home trend brought on by the COVID pandemic will have long-term implications for New York City's economy and could cost the city $111 million a year in reduced sales tax revenue, according to a new report issued by the comptroller office's Tuesday. That projection is based on commuters from outside the city not coming into the Big Apple due to remote work, as well as city residents who, instead of going to a physical office space, remain in and patronize businesses in their own neighborhood." " 'Your Case is Closed, Don't Call Here Any More': Most Rapes in New York City Went Unsolved in 2020," by WNYC's Gwynne Hogan: "Sixty percent of rapes went unsolved by the New York City Police Department last year in 2020, the highest rate of unclosed rape cases since the department began publicly releasing that data in 2018. The decline in arrests took place even as the number of reported rapes dropped from 1,794 in 2018 to 1,427 in 2020. The slump came to light during a more than four-hour long City Council Oversight hearing Monday morning where more than a dozen women and relatives of victims of rape and sexual assault provided heart-wrenching testimony about the hurdles they faced when they tried to report their rapes to the NYPD." "Detainees Now Spend More Than 9 Months On Rikers, An 88 Day Jump, Report Finds," by WNYC's Gwynne Hogan : "An average person in city custody is spending more than nine months in jail, 88 more days than the pre-pandemic average. Those long periods of detention are one of the main drivers of the recent population increase on Rikers, which is exacerbating staffing issues and overcrowding, according to a new report from the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice. The report comes on the heels of two more deaths of detainees in city custody — one man who died from COVID and another man who hung himself — bringing the death toll so far this year to at least 14 people." "Adams: 'I Was Wrong.' Mayoral Leader Finally Apologizes for Sexist Smear of Whistleblower Cop," by The City's Greg B. Smith: "Democratic mayoral nominee Eric Adams publicly apologized Tuesday to a former transit cop whose reputation he smeared with words and pictures after she accused members of a fraternal group he once co-led of cheating on a police exam. In 1991, Adams attacked the integrity of then-Officer Lizette Lebron — labeling her a 'scorned lover' of another cop and parading photos of her in a bathing suit to the press to undermine her claims of corruption by members of the Guardians Association, a fraternal organization of Black cops." | | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down and who really has the president's ear in West Wing Playbook, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | |
| | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | "Hochul says Jacob's remarks are 'disturbing' but does not call for Dem Party Chair to exit," by New York State Public Radio's Karen Dewitt: "New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned state Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacob's remarks comparing an African American Buffalo mayoral candidate to a Ku Klux Klan leader. But Hochul stopped short of calling for the resignation of Jay Jacobs, saying for now she is satisfied with his apology. Jacobs, in an interview with Spectrum News, made an analogy between Buffalo mayoral candidate India Walton and former KKK leader David Duke…'What Jay Jacob did was wrong, it was very disturbing, clearly unacceptable and it was hurtful,' Hochul said. 'India Walton did not deserve that.'...Hochul, a Buffalo native, says she does not intend to endorse a candidate for the Buffalo mayor's race." — "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Calls on NY Dem Chair to Resign Over David Duke Comparison," by Newsweek's Daniel Villarreal "State ethics commission won't rescind approval for Cuomo book deal," by Spectrum's Nick Reisman: "New York state's ethics commission on Tuesday failed to muster enough votes to revoke approval of a $5.1 million book contract for ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo as scrutiny over the panel's handling of the deal continues. The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) was a vote short of rescinding approval for the book, "American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic," which Cuomo released last year." "Increase In NY Legal Contracts Amid State Scandals ," by Law360's Anna Sanders: "A slew of scandals engulfing New York government has helped drive an increase of millions of dollars in state contracts with law firms, attorneys and other legal service providers this year. The state approved or filed more than $35.6 million in contracts with legal service consultants this year through Sept. 30, the most recorded during those nine months since 2018 and the second-highest amount for that time period in the last decade, according to a Law360 Pulse analysis of records with the comptroller's office … At least $10.3 million in contracts already went to lawyers investigating or representing former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his administration over allegations of sexual harassment, the state's handling of COVID-19, the purported misuse of taxpayer resources to publish the former governor's memoir about the pandemic and other related matters." "A $2.1 Billion Pandemic Lifeline for Undocumented Workers Runs Out," by the New York Times' Annie Correal and Luis Ferré-Sadurní: "Earlier this year, New York created a $2.1 billion fund to help undocumented immigrants and others who weathered the pandemic without access to government relief. The Excluded Workers Fund, by far the biggest of its kind in the country, was intended to provide eligible workers with one-time payments to help cover costs associated with joblessness, such as back rent and medical bills. But just a few months after the state began accepting applications, the fund is about to run out of money, following a blitz in claims and a speedy distribution of aid." "Hochul urged to sign bill expanding naloxone access," by Spectrum News' Nick Reisman: "Advocates and state lawmakers are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to approve legislation that is meant to expand access to naloxone amid a rise in opioid overdoses across the country and in New York. Naloxone is used as a key counteragent, meant to curtail the effects of an opioid overdose and prevent deaths from occurring. The measure would require medical professionals to co-prescribe naloxone alongside an opioid prescription if patient risk factors are believed to be present. Public health advocates and policymakers are increasingly alarmed by a rise in overdose deaths that has coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic over the last 19 months. The Democratic-led state Senate on Wednesday is set to hold a public hearing on the issue." | | | |   | | |
| | TRUMP'S NEW YORK | | "On-Deck Bronx Golf Course Operator Vows to Outdo Trump on the Greens," by The City's Katie Honan: "The Atlanta-based firm tapped by the city to take over the city-owned Bronx golf course run by ex-President Donald Trump's company is promising to bring more diversity — and better maintenance — to the greens. 'We're going to spend more on golf maintenance than Donald Trump did,' vowed Whitney Crouse, founding partner of Bobby Jones Links." "Trump bungles history while fuming at Jefferson statue's removal from City Hall ," by New York Daily News Joseph Wilkinson: "Perhaps Trump can bond with the Thomas Jefferson statue over being removed from a government building. The country's 45th president was predictably upset with Monday's decision to evict the Jefferson statue from City Hall, but could've used a history lesson before his press release. Trump described Jefferson as 'a principal writer of the Constitution of the United States' in his statement. However, Jefferson was not even a member of the famed Constitutional Convention." | | AROUND NEW YORK | | — Maskless NYPD cops pushed a rider out of a subway station in Manhattan after he confronted them for not wearing face coverings. — Jumaane Williams' Republican challenger for public advocate blasted him at a debate for mulling a run for governor. — "The Erie County Sheriff's Race Is a Matter of Life or Death" — The state launched a new centralized Covid-19 data hub. — New measures designed to strengthen transparency requirements in nursing homes have taken effect. — De Blasio said his low standing in the polls won't affect his decision on whether to run for governor. — The Department of Transportation presented a permanent plan for the city's biggest open street on 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights. — A group of city residents has sued to stop expanded outdoor dining from becoming permanent. — Sen. Chuck Schumer is recommending Assemblymember Nick Perry to be ambassador to Jamaica. — A Westchester grand jury is weighing new charges against Robert Durst in the disappearance and death of his wife. — A pro-QAnon City Council candidate boasted about violating de Blasio's indoor coronavirus vaccine mandate while at a fundraiser with GOP gubernatorial candidate and congressman Lee Zeldin. — Five New Yorkers were awarded a total of $1 million in a new prize to advance their causes. | | | | BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we've got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don't miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now. | | | | |
| | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: NYT's Matt Apuzzo … Bart Marchant … Webber Xu … Greg Lowman of Fidelity … former Labor Secretary Hilda Solis … Eliza Relman … Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani … Christie Boyden … Henry Kaufman ... Eric Post ... Evan G. Zuckerman IN MEMORIAM — "David Finn, Co-Founder of a Public Relations Power, Dies at 100: While running Ruder Finn, with big clients like Philip Morris, Exxon and Coca-Cola, Mr. Finn pursued a parallel career as a painter, photographer and sculptor," by NYT's Glenn Rifkin MEDIAWATCH — " G/O Media Mandated Staff Return to Office. Many Didn't Show," by Daily Beast's Lachlan Cartwright and Maxwell Tani — "'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' Launches Companion Podcast," by Deadline's Peter White — " Uma Thurman to Play Arianna Huffington in Showtime Uber Series 'Super Pumped,'" by Variety's Joe Otterson MAKING MOVES — Matthew Schernecke has joined the corporate and finance practice of Hogan Lovells in New York. He most recently was a partner at Morgan Lewis, where he spent 18 years. | | | | A message from Equinor: The energy transition is the defining challenge opportunity of our time. Our world needs energy to keep moving forward — but it must be affordable, reliable, and accessible. How will we do it? By accelerating the energy transition . At Equinor, we're growing our renewable energy portfolio and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. We're already on the way to powering 2,000,000 New York homes with energy from the Empire Wind and Beacon Wind offshore wind projects. 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 | | "Kushner Cos. Goes Outside the Family to Replace Jared as CEO," by WSJ's Peter Grant: "Jared Kushner's family real-estate company is for the first time turning to a nonfamily member to lead the business, after the former senior White House adviser said that he wouldn't be returning. Laurent Morali, president of Kushner Cos., will take over as chief executive effective immediately, the firm said. The CEO post has essentially been vacant since 2016, when Mr. Kushner began working full time on Donald Trump's presidential campaign. After Mr. Trump won, Mr. Kushner took a senior position in the administration. Nicole Meyer, Mr. Kushner's younger sister who has been working for the family business since 2015, is becoming president." Measure to curb hotel growth faces striking opposition at city planning board, by POLITICO's Janaki Chadha, Sally Goldenberg and Joe Anuta: A union-backed proposal to curtail new hotel development across the city is facing pushback within the city board slated to determine its fate on Wednesday. The days leading up to the vote by the 13-member City Planning Commission for an initiative 13 years in the making were rife with tension, last-minute vote whipping and arguments about the efficacy of a sweeping real estate policy that opponents deride as nothing more than a gift from Mayor Bill de Blasio to a political ally, the Hotel Trades Council. The commission, made up of appointees from seven elected officials, typically approves proposals backed by City Hall. But during public meetings in July and October, five members raised concerns about the measure, arguing the policy lacks a coherent land use rationale and is too broad in scope. — "Hotel group seeks to block new hurdles for development in lawsuit against NYC," by New York Post's Priscilla DeGregory: "A group of businesses have filed suit against the city in order to block a change to zoning that would require developers to jump through permitting hoops before they could start building new hotels. New Yorkers for Tourism, Inc. — made up of businesses and employees in the tourism, hotel and hospitality industries — claims that if developers are forced to go through this "arduous, time consuming, expensive and uncertain" review process to obtain permits to build hotels, the hotel and tourism industries in the Big Apple will be stifled, according to a suit filed Monday in Manhattan Supreme Court."
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