| | | | | |  | | By Erin Durkin, Anna Gronewold and Deanna Garcia | New York state's vaccine mandate for health care workers has managed to drive up Covid-19 vaccination rates in its first few days, leading thousands to get their shots. But not without some unintended consequences. Gov. Kathy Hochul said yesterday she will expand the mandate to include thousands of nurses and other health workers at state mental health and prison facilities that have been able to bypass the requirement with a weekly test. "There's no reason for that exception,'' Hochul said Thursday, a day after the Times Union reported on the discrepancy. As unvaccinated workers get the boot, some hospitals and health care facilities are scaling back services due to staff shortages. SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn has postponed radiology appointments and canceled elective C-sections, Gothamist reported . Albany Medical Center said Thursday it is temporarily closing two urgent care centers to redirect staff to its main campus. "We may have to make more drastic measures in the future," a spokesperson told Spectrum News. The next test will come in New York City public schools, where teachers and other staff face a 5 p.m. deadline today to get the shot. A group of teachers who brought a federal lawsuit challenging the rule appealed Thursday to the U.S. Supreme Court, asking the high court to block what they call an unconstitutional burden. Lower courts have so far supported the city's case, though the fights already delayed its effective date once. 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 KATHY? In New York City with no public events scheduled. WHERE'S BILL? Appearing on MSNBC and on WNYC's Brian Lehrer show. | | | | HAPPENING TODAY - DON'T MISS THIS PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW WITH REP. GOTTHEIMER AS THE HOUSE PREPARES TO VOTE : President Biden's domestic agenda is on the line, with a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill slated for a House vote on Thursday. However, moderate and progressive Democrats remain at odds over a larger, multitrillion-dollar spending package — with the left even threatening to tank Thursday's vote. Join Playbook co-author Rachael Bade for a virtual conversation featuring Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), the leader of the centrists urging his colleagues to take the win Thursday and continue working on the second package in the coming days. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | WHAT CITY HALL'S READING | | NYPD hires civilian greeters for precincts, by POLITICO's Erin Durkin: The NYPD will now have greeters at all its precincts to improve customer service, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday — acknowledging that NYPD cops have often treated New Yorkers in a "gruff and dismissive" way that "wasn't respectful." The department is turning to civilian greeters after finding that its uniformed officers were frequently unhelpful to residents who come to a precinct to file a police report or otherwise seek help. De Blasio said he has heard from many New Yorkers "going into a precinct, calling a precinct, getting a response that wasn't respectful, often gruff and dismissive. People are really trying to work with the police, but feeling like they're being pushed away." — The NYCLU sued the NYPD charging the department is illegally withholding databases on disciplinary records of officers. Murphy threatens 'nuclear option' on congestion pricing, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard and Daniel Han: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy threatened to hold up business at the bi-state agency overseeing the East Coast's largest port and the region's major airports unless New York officials back down from a plan to increase tolls on New Jersey commuters going into Manhattan. Murphy and other New Jersey politicians have objected to the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority's "congestion pricing" plan to add a new toll that could range from $9 to $23 dollars for anyone driving into Manhattan's central business district, south of 60th Street. Asked about congestion pricing at a Thursday "meet the candidate" event hosted by the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, Murphy said, "we're not going to relent if New Jersey commuters are discriminated against, period." "De Blasio Vowed to Make City Streets Safer. They've Turned More Deadly," by The New York Times' Winnie Hu: "Ghostly white strollers were parked outside City Hall in Lower Manhattan to mourn a 3-month-old girl killed in her stroller on a Brooklyn sidewalk in a crash that the authorities say was caused by a reckless driver. The strollers — accompanied by bouquets of yellow flowers and lit candles — were a stark rebuke to Mayor Bill de Blasio. When Mr. de Blasio took office nearly eight years ago, one of his most ambitious promises was to tame New York City's deadly streets, where nearly 300 people had been killed in traffic deaths just the year before … The city has not delivered on its pledge. As Mr. de Blasio gets ready to step down in January, the streets are more dangerous than they were when his tenure began." "Gov. Hochul says pricey LaGuardia AirTrain should be 'examined,'" by amNewYork's Kevin Duggan: "Governor Kathy Hochul said she wants to "examine" the controversial $2.1 billion AirTrain for LaGuardia Airport, calling into question the future of a pet project of her disgraced predecessor Andrew Cuomo. 'My personal views on the AirTrain is that this is something that can be examined in terms of our priorities right now,' Hochul said in response to a question by amNewYork Metro at a press briefing... On Thursday, Mayor Bill de Blasio called on the Port Authority to have another look at alternative proposals, denouncing the current plan an 'imperial building project.'" "Staff Shortages Leave 20% Of Rikers Detainees Under Quarantine, Slowing Decarceration Efforts," by Gothamist's Jake Offenhartz: "One of the largest jail facilities on Rikers Island is under lockdown as a result of widespread exposure to COVID-19, the latest fallout from an ongoing crisis that has hobbled jail operations and undermined efforts to reduce the incarcerated population. The mandatory quarantine impacts 900 people jailed at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center, one of two facilities visited by Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday, as well as roughly 300 others spread out across different facilities on the island. The designation took effect last week, but was not mentioned by the mayor during his press conference on Rikers Island. A spokesperson for Correctional Health Services, Jeanette Merrill, said it was the first time that an entire jail facility has been placed under quarantine since the start of the pandemic." — "NYC nears deal with private security company to patrol Rikers Island perimeter," by New York Daily News' Chris Sommerfeldt and Graham Rayman | | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | "Hochul says she won't be distracted by primary rumblings," by Spectrum's Nick Reisman: "Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday shrugged off the increasing likelihood she will face multiple primary challengers next June as she runs for a full term in 2022, insisting she would not be 'distracted' by the politics swirling around her. 'I've been an elected official for 27 years,' Hochul said during a news conference to provide an update on the COVID-19 pandemic. 'I'm very confident in my ability to govern this state.'" " Rory Christian, former KeySpan engineer, named new PSC chair," by Newsday's Mark Harrington: "Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday appointed Rory M. Christian, a one-time KeySpan Energy engineer and government liaison, to take the top role at the Public Service Commission. Christian, who had been named a PSC commissioner in June, takes the chairman's role from John Howard, an appointee of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. Howard will remain a PSC commissioner. In addition to being named chairman of the PSC, Christian also will become chief executive of the state Department of Public Service, the administrative arm of the PSC." " Second Hochul appointee is an AOC-backed pol who wants to defund NYPD," by New York Post's Julia Marsh and Bernadette Hogan: "Despite claiming that officials in her administration don't support defunding police, Gov. Kathy Hochul has tapped a second person who does to a key post — a failed New York City Council candidate who wants to slash the NYPD budget by $3 billion. On Friday, Hochul appointed Amit Bagga to be her deputy secretary for intergovernmental affairs. He lost the City Council primary in June for Queens' District 26 seat despite support from Democratic socialist and defund proponent Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez's political action committee. Bagga's archived campaign website, which was taken down last week, says he wants to cut the NYPD's budget by $3 billion, or about a third, within two to four years. He also proposed reducing the size of the force by 5 percent, removing cops from public schools and mental health responses, and 'decriminalizing all drugs.'" — City & State: "These NY politicos lost their elections and then ended up with some pretty fancy jobs" " A 2nd Cuomo Investigation Is Expected to Confirm Harassment Claims," by The New York Times's Luis Ferré-Sadurní: "Ms. [Tish] James's findings are expected to serve as a blueprint for a far-ranging investigation by the State Assembly that is in its final stages. A report is expected to be made public in October, according to a person familiar with the inquiry who requested anonymity because the investigation was ongoing. Some lawmakers briefed on the inquiry said that a portion of the Assembly's investigation would largely mirror the findings of the state attorney general's 163-page report, which concluded that Mr. Cuomo fostered a toxic work environment and sexually harassed 11 women, including current and former female staffers. State lawmakers started the investigation six months ago to potentially impeach Mr. Cuomo, but they pledged to finish the inquiry even after he left office, eager as they are to move past one of the most tumultuous phases in New York political history." "Hochul urged to sign juvenile justice measures," by Spectrum's Nick Reisman: "Criminal justice reform advocates are urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign a pair of measures meant to address the juvenile justice system in New York. The measures, taken together, are part of an ongoing push by New York state lawmakers to reform juvenile justice laws in recent years. One bill would bar the use of mechanical restraints on children who appear in Family Court. Exceptions allow for a judge to determine restraints are needed for safety purposes or to limit disruption in a courtroom with evidentiary requirements." #UpstateAmerica: Professional wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman united Western New York against him by tweeting "Holy mother of god Rochester literally has nothing going for it" as he arrived in the city. FOLIAGE REPORT: Lake Placid is peaking, leaf peepers. | | | | 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. | | | | |
| | TRUMP'S NEW YORK | | "Hack Of Oath Keepers Militia Group Includes Names Of Active NYPD Officers, De Blasio Launches Investigation," by WNYC's George Joseph and Micah Loewinger: "New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's office said it will scrutinize NYPD ranks following a WNYC/Gothamist investigation of online records that appears to tie several New York law enforcement officers and public officials — including at least two active members of the NYPD — to a far-right, anti-government militia. The mayor's investigation comes after an anonymous hacker released what it claims are emails and membership data from the Oath Keepers, an extremist militia group that had a notable presence at the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. Eighteen people affiliated with the group have so far been charged with conspiracy related to that event." | | DELEGATION | | "Brian Higgins joins list of STOCK Act violators for reporting 3 transactions late," by Buffalo News's Jerry Zremski: "Rep. Brian Higgins failed to report three stock transactions, valued at up to $115,000, until 11 months after he made them — even though a law he cosponsored required him to report those deals within 45 days. Insider, an online news outlet, first reported Higgins' transgression on Thursday. Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat, joins 34 other lawmakers — including Republican Rep. Chris Jacobs of Orchard Park — who have recently been found to be in violation of the STOCK Act, the 2012 law that requires lawmakers to promptly report their securities transactions. 'Well, it's on me. I made a mistake by neglecting to file a timely periodic transition report for several trades I made last fall,' Higgins said." | | AROUND NEW YORK | | — Disparate factions of New York Democrats packed into Junior's restaurant in downtown Brooklyn Thursday morning to fete the slate of nominees for November's general election. — Out-of-town athletes and performers are exempt from the city's vaccine mandate, even though home teams are covered. — The Met will return a religious sculpture from the 10th century, which was likely stolen decades ago, to Nepal. — Suburban communities in Erie County felt the Covid spike the sharpest. — Federal prosecutors want NXIVM bookkeeper Kathy Russell to serve six months to a year in prison for her "blind loyalty." — Rural upstate counties are planning to have a say in who becomes the Democratic nominee for governor. — West Mountain awaits local approval for a $50 million plan to expand to an Adirondack resort. — Judges at the city Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings want to return to in-person hearings for summonses. — A rooster with a reputation left a Queens man's hand bloody while was on his way to work. — For the last two weeks, a family-owned Venezuelan restaurant in Brooklyn has been a victim of repeated vandalism and robbery. | | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) … Jose Del Real … WSJ's Ben Pershing … Michael Knopf … Nikolai Wenzel … CNN's Brian Todd … Catherine Dennig … Billy Butler MAKING MOVES — Damien LaVera has joined Marathon Strategies as SVP of public affairs and communications. He most recently served as the communications director for New York State United Teachers and is an alum of the DNC, ex-AG Eric Schneiderman's office, and the Obama Department of Energy. MEDIAWATCH — Per Talking Biz News: "The New York Times has appointed Amy X. Wang as assistant managing editor for New York Times Magazine. Wang joins from Rolling Stone, where she recently served as senior editor." … "Tech news site Protocol has hired Barron's tech reporter Max Cherney to cover semiconductors." … "Theresa Tamkins has re-joined BuzzFeed News as a health editor. She held the same post at the outlet from October 2017 to February 2019. Tamkins joins from Trusted Media Brands, where she was content director – The Healthy." | | REAL ESTATE | | "New Crown Heights Armory Rec Center Falls Short on Community Discounts, Council Member Charges," by The City's Gabriel Sandoval: "The City Council member who backed plans to convert a Crown Heights armory into a recreation center charged Thursday the developers betrayed the community on discount access. 'I hope that when it opens, it closes,' Councilmember Laurie Cumbo (D-Brooklyn) told THE CITY as the Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center gets set to make its grand debut Oct. 27. 'And it's the biggest failure New York City's ever experienced.' The facility, she declared, was 'designed for the third wave of gentrifiers who are coming into the community.'" " 2nd Circ. Rejects Challenge To NY Eviction Protections," Law360's Emma Whitford: "A Second Circuit panel declined to block New York tenants' eviction protections late Wednesday, reasoning that landlords could not use their lawsuit against a previous eviction shield law to challenge the current one. The landlords are free to return to district court to pursue claims against a statute enacted this month, the panel said. But the circuit court is not the right venue for an appeal that is 'nominally a challenge to the expired provisions of the old statute but is realistically an attempt to challenge the new statute,' according to the panel. Wednesday's opinion is the latest development in a May lawsuit challenging New York's then-law limiting pandemic-era evictions." "Hundreds of Thousands of Co-op Residents Shut Out of State's Rent Relief Program," by New York Focus's Andrew Giambrone : "Several weeks after he submitted a completed application for pandemic rent relief in late June, Mitch, a longtime Hell's Kitchen resident in his 60s, saw on the application portal that his materials were validated. But a few days later, it showed his application was 'pending denial,' said Mitch, who asked to be identified only by his first name to protect his privacy. So he began calling New York's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), a $2.7 billion effort to prevent evictions by paying off tenants' debts with mostly federal money. He got different answers about his case each time he called, he said. 'Finally after five to six calls, I heard it had something to do with me living in a co-operative building,' he told New York Focus.'"
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