| | | | |  | | By Erin Durkin, Anna Gronewold and Deanna Garcia | Presented by Equinor | It only took six weeks in office for New York City Mayor Eric Adams to get sick of the media. A frustrated Adams lashed out at reporters at the top of a City Hall press conference Tuesday, accusing them (OK, us) of "distorting the news" and portraying him in a negative light. "If you want to acknowledge or not, I have been doing a darn good job. And we just can't live in this alternate reality," Adams said. He implied this treatment was in no small part because of his race, blaming the lack of diversity in city newsrooms (but speaking to a room of reporters selected by his office, who were only allowed to attend by invitation because of Covid protocols). "I'm a Black man that's the mayor. But my story is being interpreted by people that don't look like me," he said. Sure, Adams has had a few not-great stories since taking the big job, from his attempt to name his brother to a top post at the NYPD to the revelation that the avowedly vegan mayor actually eats fish . But for our money his coverage has been rather tame, at least when compared to the last guy, who was routinely pilloried on tabloid front pages as asleep at the switch, full of hot air, corrupt, and worse. The New York Post, in particular, has been notably friendly to Adams after being notably hostile to Bill de Blasio. What sparked the mayor's ire this week was coverage of his trip to Albany, which duly reported that he was unable to persuade legislative leaders to rollback bail reform they'd put political capital into passing. But Adams doesn't see it that way, and is threatening to stop taking questions from reporters if he keeps getting coverage he doesn't like. "If this is how this is going to be, then I'm just going to come in, do my announcements and bounce. Why am I even answering these questions?" he said. To some degree, this is unsurprising — beating up on the mayor is a longstanding New York City tradition, and so is the mayor complaining about the press. De Blasio did it, both publicly and in scorching emails his office was forced by a court to release. Mike Bloomberg did it, once famously calling a reporter a "disgrace." But if Adams is already this fed up with a few critical stories a few weeks in, he could be in for a long four to eight years. IT'S WEDNESDAY and the Democratic nominating convention kicks off tonight in Manhattan. 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 Albany and New York City with no announced public schedule. WHERE'S ERIC? Meeting with a business leadership council on public safety and presenting his FY 2023 preliminary budget. ABOVE THE FOLD — " How a Secret Assault Allegation Against an Anchor Upended CNN," by The New York Times' Emily Steel, Jodi Kantor, Michael M. Grynbaum, James B. Stewart and John Koblin: "Barely 24 hours later, a letter arrived at CNN. It was from a lawyer representing a woman who had worked with Mr. Cuomo years earlier at ABC News. She said he had sexually assaulted her and that, in the heat of the #MeToo movement, Mr. Cuomo had tried to keep her quiet by arranging a flattering CNN segment about her employer at the time. The letter described it as an 'abuse of power at CNN to attempt to silence my client.' While a spokesman for Mr. Cuomo denied the allegations in the letter, it set in motion a chain of events that would quickly upend one of the world's most powerful news networks." PROGRAMMING NOTE: New York Playbook will not publish on Monday, in observance of President's Day. After the hiatus, we'll be back on Tuesday.
| | | | A message from Equinor: Can a wind turbine generate more than electricity? We believe it can. At Equinor, we're working to power 2,000,000 New York homes with homegrown, renewable energy while boosting the economy, generating jobs, and launching tomorrow's clean energy infrastructure. Equinor is a broad energy company, committed to become net-zero by 2050. We're advancing the Empire Wind and Beacon Wind offshore wind projects and quickly becoming a leader in this growing industry. | | | |  | What City Hall's reading | | Top 10 things to look for in Adams' first budget, by POLITICO's Sally Goldenberg and Joe Anuta: Mayor Eric Adams is set to unveil his first preliminary budget Wednesday, offering New Yorkers a glimpse into the priorities of their new leader as he navigates continued fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, persistent gun violence across the city and inherited spending he has vowed to curtail. The fiscal plan will also pose an early test of Adams's relationship with the new City Council, which negotiates municipal budgets before they take effect July 1. The mayor has signaled a productive relationship with Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, but left-of-center Democrats in the legislative body will likely question the size of the NYPD's budget. Adams' spending plan, which he is scheduled to unveil at City Hall, is expected to be a more fiscally prudent proposal than those of his predecessor, who was loath to force agencies to slash their budgets. By comparison, the new mayor quickly ordered a 3 percent cut from nearly every department in the city upon taking office. — Adams will boost summer jobs for young people with $79M in new funding, by POLITICO's Erin Durkin: The city's summer youth job program will expand to 100,000 jobs this year, Mayor Eric Adams announced Tuesday. Adams' upcoming budget will include an additional $79 million in spending on the Summer Youth Employment Program. It will grow from 75,000 jobs offered last year for New Yorkers ages 14 through 24. "We're opening doors of opportunities for our sons and daughters of the city that have historically witnessed the doors being shut in their faces. Well darn it, we're kicking those doors open," Adams said at a City Hall press conference. " Mayor Adams likely to pick anti-gay ex-NYC Councilman Fernando Cabrera for 'faith-based' post: sources," by New York Daily News' Chris Sommerfeldt: "Mayor Adams is eyeing former City Councilman Fernando Cabrera for a faith-related position after an effort to install him as the administration's top mental health official fell apart amid outrage over his history of anti-gay remarks, according to two people familiar with the matter. Adams divulged his new plan for Cabrera when Manhattan State Senator Brad Hoylman asked the mayor during a Monday conference meeting in Albany if he is moving ahead with hiring the ex-councilman despite the pushback, said the two sources, one of whom was in the room for the exchange." "After Chinatown murder, Adams' commitment to Asian community is questioned," by Gothamist's Elizabeth Kim: "Mayor Eric Adams has wasted little time flaunting his strong ties with New York City's Asian community, which have been years in the making. When given the opportunity, he has proudly worn a traditional mandarin-collared jacket and even remarked how good he looks in it. In a video of a recent bus ride tweeted by the mayor's office, he says 'gung hay fat choy,' the Cantonese Lunar New Year greeting that invokes prosperity, to a Chinese senior. John Liu, a state senator from Queens, has gone as far as to call Adams akin to 'first Asian American mayor.' But following Sunday's fatal stabbing of Christina Yuna Lee, a young Asian woman in Manhattan's Chinatown — the latest in a spate of violent attacks against Asians — Adams' relationship with a fast growing electorate is being tested as the community grows increasingly fearful and seeks action from the city." "NYC Black Unemployment Stuck Above 15%," by The City's Greg David
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | Masks quietly come off in New York's Capitol, by POLITICO's Bill Mahoney: The Legislative Office Building is closed to the public. Committee meetings and budget hearings are held via Zoom, and most members of the Assembly and state Senate are phoning into their sessions. But the state Capitol took a step toward normalcy this week: The number of people wearing masks has quickly plummeted after rules on that subject were quietly rolled back. While Gov. Kathy Hochul last week lifted the state's indoor mask mandate, the state Capitol complex and the Senate and Assembly chambers have had their own Covid-19 safety policies, including mask use. This week in the Assembly chamber, which had spent the better part of two years with some of the most stringent social distancing requirements anywhere in the state, the change was apparent: Fewer masks were being worn. "New York mobile sports betting generates $70M in tax revenue in first 30 days," by New York Post's Carl Campanile: "Legalized mobile sports betting in New York has generated nearly $2 billion in wagers and $70 million in state tax revenues during the first 30 days of operation — and that doesn't yet factor in bets made during Sunday's popular Super Bowl football game. Gov. Kathy Hochul applauded the record-shattering figures compiled by the state Gaming Commission." " Ethics inquiries of Cuomo stalling in attorney general's office," by Times Union's Chris Bragg: "In her state budget address, Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed disbanding JCOPE and replacing it with a body more independent of state lawmakers. Before that happens, some commissioners are pressing for a timely resolution of the issues that emerged during the Cuomo era. At a monthly meeting on Tuesday, Commissioner Gary Lavine asked whether any of the commission's staff had been interviewed by James' office concerning the leak matter. Executive Director Sandford Berland, who oversees the commission's staff, said that none had been interviewed. And last week, former Commissioner Julie Garica, who reported the leak when it was revealed to her three years ago, told the Times Union that she also has never been interviewed by James' office." " Hochul eyeing March 4 to reconsider masks in schools as she monitors trends," by Times Union's Josh Solomon: "Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed Tuesday that on March 4 she expects to reevaluate mask requirements in schools, and could potentially lift the mandate later that week. The governor again emphasized that despite her position that the state should follow a data-centric approach in making its determination, there remains no 'magic number' she is using to determine when to revise her administration's policy." " Nikki Lucas declares victory in special election for 60th Assembly District," by News 12: "Democrat Nikki Lucas declared victory Tuesday night in Brooklyn's 60th Assembly District. The district includes East New York, Starrett City and parts of Canarsie and Brownsville. Lucas, a community advocate, will succeed Charles Barron in the state Assembly after he moved to the City Council. She will serve until the end of 2022 and will have to run for reelection this year." #UpstateAmerica: Don your chemises, drawers, and petticoats once again, Troy. "The Gilded Age" scouts are back looking for second-season filming locations.
| | | | A message from Equinor:   | | | | | FROM THE DELEGATION | | Former Mayor Bill de Blasio opted not to run for Congress before he even got started, by POLITICO's Sally Goldenberg: Less than a month after tweeting a video declaring he would not be vying for governor in the upcoming Democratic primary, former Mayor Bill de Blasio took to the same medium Tuesday afternoon to share the news that he would not run for the 11th Congressional District, which now includes his Park Slope home on account of newly redrawn maps. "I've represented the neighborhoods of the 11th CD for years and I love the people who live here. It was gratifying to connect with community and elected leaders while I considered a run. I'm certain a progressive can win this seat and serve us in Washington," de Blasio tweeted. HE'S DONE IT AGAIN: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's campaign is today announcing Democratic organization leadership from all 62 counties have endorsed his reelection. Last year, he finished his 23rd consecutive all-county tour. "These county leaders know me. They work alongside me, and they know I deliver," Schumer said in a statement. — For context and ICYMI: The left has "Quit Worrying and Learned to Love Chuck Schumer," according to the Daily Beast — Schumer and Attorney General Tish James endorsed each other for reelection. Rice says she won't seek another U.S. House term, the latest exit on Long Island, by POLITICO's Bill Mahoney ICYMI: New House Republican Conference chair, Rep. Elise Stefanik, hosted several events and press calls over the last months with only attendance of conservative media — while excluding reporters from specific outlets.
| | AROUND NEW YORK | | — The feds have launched an investigation into how the NYPD treats staff nursing newborns while on the force. — Tenants PAC endorsed Jumaane Williams for governor. — Prince Andrew settled a lawsuit with a woman accusing him of sexual abuse in Manhattan federal court. — A woman died after she was dumped at a Bronx hospital naked from the waist down, after what doctors suspect was a botched butt injection. — A fire safety bill introduced in the state Legislature would require all space heaters sold in New York to have thermostats, automatic shutoff and be certified by an approved body. — A child reported missing more than two years ago in Tioga County was found alive hidden in a secret compartment built beneath basement stairs in a local residence. — The New York State Museum has returned only 29 percentof its collection of Native American ancestors and funerary objects to their original nations despite federal requirements. — Rochester's Police Accountability Board could start investigating police misconduct complaints in April. — MOUNT VERNON AT IT AGAIN: All five trustees of the Mount Vernon Public Library are facing removal by the state for fiscal mismanagement. — "NYC Mayor Eric Adams addresses violence, hate crimes in exclusive one-on-one"
| | | | 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 our West Wing Playbook newsletter, 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. | | | | | | | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Robert Allbritton … Kevin Robillard … Jennifer Steinhauer … CNN's Mike Warren … Cameron Joseph … Jay Carson … Ty Trippet … Adam Sharp … Ed O'Keefe of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum … Matt Chayes … Carl Icahn … Meredith Fineman … Meagan Murphy … Anna Cook … Allen Roskoff, president of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club … Andrew Kirk MAKING MOVES — Rose Lovaglio-Miller is now the associate director at city workers union DC37. She was previously director of research and negotiations at the union. … Kaley Rector is now associate director for data and audience activation at Condé Nast. She most recently was senior manager for data and audience activation at the company. MEDIAWATCH — Per NYT's Neil Genzlinger: "P.J. O'Rourke, the conservative satirist and political commentator who was unafraid to skewer Democrats and Republicans alike in best-selling books like 'Parliament of Whores,' in articles for a wide range of magazines and newspapers, and on television and radio talk shows, died on Tuesday at his home in Sharon, N.H. He was 74." — Jury finds New York Times not liable in Palin's libel suit, by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Caitlin Heising, vice chair of the Heising-Simons Foundation, and Michael Menninger, a professional sailor with American Magic, recently welcomed James Holden Menninger. FOR YOUR RADAR — "Eric Schmidt creates $125mn fund for 'hard problems' in AI research: Former Google CEO wants latest philanthropic project to solve difficult tech issues such as bias, harm and geopolitical conflict," by FT's Madhumita Murgia.
| | | | 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. We're creating jobs, building tomorrow's infrastructure, and sparking new economic activity. 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 | | "Fate of basement unit 'census' effort unclear, five months after Ida," by NY1's Ari Ephraim Feldman: "As the city assessed the aftermath of the deadly Hurricane Ida last September, basement apartments were at the forefront of its attention. The rainfall from the storm caused flooding that inundated countless buildings across the city — and led to 11 deaths in basement housing units, according to city counts. The unregulated units, sometimes divvied up into dorm-style housing, are often home to undocumented immigrants who pay rent under the table. Weeks later, in a report on how the city would prepare for the next major storm, the city pledged to 'identify all basement dwellers citywide' as part of outreach efforts to people most at risk from flash flooding. Yet more than five months after the storm, the city has not produced any evidence that it is mounting any kind of comprehensive census or database effort." "Landlords Wage Crusade Against 'Good Cause' Anti-Eviction Bill," by The City's Clifford Michel: "The real estate industry is pushing back on a state bill that would limit rent hikes and ensure lease renewals for over a million tenants — launching a house-to-house phone campaign to rally the public against the protections. A new group called Homeowners for an Affordable New York is calling city households and warning of dire consequences if the 'Good Cause' anti-eviction measure becomes law." | | | | 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 | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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