| | | | |  | | By Erin Durkin, Anna Gronewold and Deanna Garcia | Presented by CVS Health | New York City has lifted most of its Covid-19 restrictions in recent weeks, but one big one remains in place: All private employers must require everyone working for them in person to be vaccinated. The mandate affects millions of people, but lately the spotlight has been on one unvaccinated worker in particular: Nets star Kyrie Irving, who has been blocked from playing home games. And it's about to be on a few more: As baseball's opening day approaches, unvaccinated players for the Mets and Yankees will not be allowed to take the field. It's not clear how many players would be affected, but the tea leaves suggest that Aaron Judge is among them . So what is Mayor Eric Adams — a Mets fan, unlike his Red Sox-rooting predecessor Bill de Blasio — going to do about it? He has called aspects of the rule unfair , considering that athletes on visiting teams are allowed to compete even if they're unvaccinated. On the other hand, how's this for unfair: Waiving the rules for professional sports players would mean the guy selling peanuts in the stands loses his job for failing to get the shot, but wealthy athletes get a pass. A prominent union leader called out the double standard this week. Adams said Wednesday that he very well may lift the employer vaccine mandate, just as he has other pandemic rules — but the timing of his decision won't be dictated by the sports calendar. "We're going to continue to peel it back," Adams said. "But I'm not going to be rushed in based on a season schedule." He said his top priority is to avoid crippling the city's recovery with another resurgence of the virus. "Everyone is focused on the sports area. They're focusing on one person. I'm focusing on 9 million people. … I'm looking at my city not closing down again." Not that he's entirely ignoring the baseball angle, however: He said he's "looking forward to speaking with Major League Baseball" about the matter and hinted, "Baseball season is not tomorrow. It's not next week. We're going to work this out." There's another way to solve this problem, of course. As Adams told a heckler who took up the Nets' cause at a mayoral event: "Kyrie can play tomorrow. Get vaccinated." 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 KATHY? Attending St. Patrick's Day Mass, making an announcement in Yonkers, marching in the St. Patrick's Day parade, holding a roundtable with Asian American leaders on hate crimes, and speaking at the 100th anniversary of the first bat mitzvah in the United States. WHERE'S ERIC? Hosting a St. Patrick's Day breakfast, Jim Kerr Show, visiting two Irish pubs, and marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
| | A message from CVS Health: Throughout the pandemic, in New York and communities across the country, CVS Health has been there. We've opened more than 4,800 COVID-19 test sites, administered 41 million tests and given 59 million vaccines. We've expanded access to prenatal and postpartum care via telemedicine, increased remote access to mental health services and invested in affordable housing to help build healthier communities. We've been on the frontlines, making health care easier to access and afford. Learn more. | | | |  | What City Hall's reading | | Mayor Eric Adams revives controversial NYPD unit responsible for chokehold death of Eric Garner, by POLITICO's Erin Durkin: Mayor Eric Adams rolled out a controversial new NYPD unit Wednesday dedicated to getting guns off the streets, fulfilling a campaign pledge to revamp and revive a team that was disbanded over concerns about police brutality. Adams welcomed the new anti-gun unit at the city's Police Academy in Queens — vowing not to repeat the mistakes of the past, but also promising to have cops' backs even if their actions generate complaints. And he railed against New Yorkers recording police activity, a constitutionally protected activity that he said has been taken too far. "I'm not going to put these men and women on the front line and have someone put a phone in their face while they're taking action, and try to critique their ability to do their job, and allow the noise to determine that they're not doing their job correctly," Adams said. … Adams went on to say he would not tolerate bystanders getting "on top of" officers from the new units to film their activities, a practice he said "has gotten out of control" and created a "dangerous environment." Videos shot by bystanders brought notoriety to the killings of Garner and Floyd. "If an officer is on the ground wrestling with someone that has a gun, they should not have to worry about someone standing over them with a camera," Adams said. — As Adams rolls out new policing units, oversight bodies face severe staff shortages, by POLITICO's Joe Anuta "Laurie Cumbo, Adams Supporter Criticized for Cultural Insensitivity, Set to Lead Cultural Affairs Agency ," by The City's Katie Honan: "Former Brooklyn City Councilmember Laurie Cumbo, who has stirred controversy for remarks decried as anti-immigrant, is set to take over the city's Department of Cultural Affairs, multiple people familiar with the move told THE CITY. Cumbo was an outspoken supporter of Mayor Eric Adams during the election, appearing on-stage with him during his primary-night party and frequently campaigning on his behalf. But she has had to explain and apologize in the past for comments made and positions taken during her eight-year tenure in the Council, capped with her opposition in December to a bill allowing some non-citizens to vote in local elections." "Rikers Still 'Unstable and Unsafe' Under New Jails Chief, Watchdog Says," by The New York Times' Jonah E. Bromwich and Jan Ransom: "Despite New York City's claims to have made progress in remedying the crisis on Rikers Island, the jail complex remains awash in violence and disorder fed by chronic staff absenteeism, according to a report filed Wednesday in federal court. As of late January, roughly one in three jailers had failed to show up to work, according to the report, issued by a federal monitor appointed to oversee reforms at the jail complex." — The City Council has not yet introduced a bill to force the end of solitary confinement. Progressives rally against mayor's proposed 'austerity' budget, by POLITICO's Sally Goldenberg: Mayor Eric Adams demanded his agencies cut their budgets upon taking office. Now New York City's progressive movement is organizing in opposition. Dozens of politicians and activists gathered Wednesday outside the Tweed Courthouse in Lower Manhattan, home to the city's Department of Education, to condemn Adams' $98.5 billion preliminary budget as one of "austerity" that slashed funding to public schools, garbage pickup services and programs for children and senior citizens. "The People's Plan" — an alliance that recently launched in response to the executive budget — critiques the policies of a mayor who defeated several of the progressive movement's preferred candidates in last year's Democratic primary.
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO NATIONAL SECURITY DAILY : Keep up with the latest critical developments from Ukraine and across Europe in our daily newsletter, National Security Daily. The Russian invasion of Ukraine could disrupt the established world order and result in a refugee crisis, increased cyberattacks, rising energy costs and additional disruption to global supply chains. Go inside the top national security and foreign-policymaking shops for insight on the global threats faced by the U.S. and its allies and what actions world leaders are taking to address them. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | "Ex-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo considers running against Kathy Hochul despite opposition from his own party," by CNBC's Brian Schwartz: "Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is considering a run against his replacement and fellow Democrat, Gov. Kathy Hochul, as part of an attempt at a comeback after resigning in disgrace amid multiple accusations of sexual harassment by former aides, according to people familiar with the matter. Cuomo, who reluctantly left office last year after denying the harassment allegations, has been fielding calls from supporters about a possible run against his former lieutenant governor. His aides have been conducting their own internal voter polling on a potential matchup, these people explained." — AND: "More answers sought after audit shows New York undercounted COVID-19 nursing home deaths," by Spectrum's Nick Reisman: "New York officials from Gov. Kathy Hochul and members of the state Legislature said more answers are needed after Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's office released a report finding the state significantly undercounted the number of nursing home residents who died in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. …'The state was drastically undercounting these deaths in an effort to deceive New Yorkers, which is what they did, and the question still remains why,' said Republican state Sen. Sue Serino." — HOCHUL RESPONSE , at an unrelated event yesterday: "I'm not looking for more people to be speculating about. I've got enough reality to deal with day to day. I've got a budget to get done. I've got the people in the state of New York to fight for every single day. So I'm not focused on who may run, who may not run. I got a job to do." IN OTHER CUOMO NEWS: "Chris Cuomo wants $125 million for 'unlawful' CNN firing ," by The Associated Press' David Bauder: "Chris Cuomo wants an arbitrator to award him $125 million for his firing from CNN, alleging his bosses knew full well how he advised his brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and suggested they did the same themselves. His filing seeking arbitration on Wednesday exposed more ugliness at the network, where Cuomo, CNN chief Jeff Zucker and his top deputy, Allison Gollust, have all been ousted in the past three months. … 'It should be obvious by now that Chris Cuomo did not lie to CNN about helping his brother,' said his lawyer, Bryan Freedman. 'In fact, as the limited information released from Warner Media's investigation makes clear, CNN's highest-level executives not only knew about Chris' involvement in helping his brother but also actively assisted the governor, both through Chris and directly themselves.'" Hochul to extend state of emergency, which includes remote government meetings, for another month, by POLITICO's Bill Mahoney: Gov. Kathy Hochul will extend the state of emergency for the pandemic another month, her office said on Wednesday. Doing so will let governments throughout the state continue to host remote meetings. The Open Meetings Law requires most state and local government entities to host their meetings in person. That requirement was suspended by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo at the start of the pandemic, and lawmakers throughout New York moved their deliberations to online. That suspension ended once Cuomo's emergency powers lapsed last summer. But as Covid variants began to afflict the state, lawmakers enacted a series of similar suspensions. "Activists have returned to Albany, and some lawmakers don't like it," by City & State's Zach Williams: "A recent heated meeting between Bronx Assembly Member Michael Benedetto and housing activists showcased how in-person political controversies are resuming as public health restrictions get lifted at the state Capitol. About a dozen people supporting Good Cause Eviction legislation appeared unannounced around noon on March 9 at Benedetto's office in the recently reopened Legislative Office Building in Albany. Benedetto agreed to meet with them in a conference room. They asked him why he was not officially supporting the bill. He said he was still considering it. The activists began shouting and chanting. Benedetto then left the room, according to videos shared with City & State. "The argument did not come to public attention until Benedetto released a defiant video Tuesday claiming that he had been 'bullied' by the housing activists – who Benedetto claimed were targeting him as he runs for reelection. His response sparked a new round of controversy over whether he was overreacting or whether the activists had stepped over the lines of political civility.'" ASSEMBLY SPEAKER Carl Heastie went to visit the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives and addressed lawmakers there, apparently the first outside visitor they've had in two years. #UpstateAmerica: Heading to Buffalo for the NCAA basketball tournament? Well don't worry — there's a food guide for wings, beef on weck and fish fry.
| | | |   | | | | | FROM THE DELEGATION | | "Schumer, AOC blast taxi lender for 'predatory' tactics," by Crain's Brian Pascus: "Nearly 70 New York state elected officials—including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez—signed a letter blasting a private-equity firm holding 10% of city taxi medallions, alleging harassment of drivers. Minnesota-based O'Brien-Staley Partners was accused of engaging in 'abusive and predatory taxi medallion seizures and foreclosures.' The accusation came right before the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission was set to vote on rules inaugurating a plan brokered by the de Blasio administration and private lenders holding taxi medallion debt to resolve the crisis." "Chinese Officer Charged With Harassing N.Y. Congressional Candidate," by The New York Times' Rebecca Davis O'Brien: "Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn have charged a man believed to be a member of China's secret police service with trying to undermine the campaign of a Chinese American candidate for Congress on Long Island. The criminal complaint is one of several cases that are set to be announced by the Justice Department on Wednesday afternoon and that will outline efforts by U.S.- and China-based agents of Chinese police services to harass and discredit critics of China's government, a person familiar with the cases said. Federal prosecutors say Qiming Lin — identified in the court filings as a member of the Chinese security apparatus who is based in China — tried to gather damaging information on the congressional candidate, who had been a student leader of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and who has continued to criticize the Chinese government."
| | AROUND NEW YORK | | — New York officials warned in filings in their lawsuit against New Jersey that plans to pull out of the Waterfront Commission could endanger the lives of undercover detectives and lead to clashes at the East Coast's largest port. — The Town of Babylon will begin celebrating the 150th anniversary of the official split from the Town of Huntington next month. — French yogurt company La Fermière will establish its U.S. production operations in Batavia. — A selection of Buffalo Bills season ticket holders will get a say in the potential development of a new stadium in Orchard Park. — Congestion pricing is expected to launch at the end of 2023. — An NYPD cop who made headlines by buying food for a person caught shoplifting brought a lawsuit charging he was berated with racial slurs by a superior in response to the incident. — Hundreds of bulletproof vests that were to be donated to Ukraine were stolen from a nonprofit organization. — Zabar's is selling a $500 sweater. — Michael Gerald, one of the primary challengers to Rep. Jamaal Bowman, suspended his campaign. — Hochul signed three bills addressing sexual harassment and took a dig at Cuomo. — The Sergeants Benevolent Association sued its indicted ex-boss Ed Mullins for siphoning union funds. — The city wants to hike the cab fare from JFK Airport to Manhattan to $65. — Clinton Hill residents are seeking to oust a newly opened sex shop from their neighborhood.
| | | | DON'T MISS POLITICO'S INAUGURAL HEALTH CARE SUMMIT ON 3/31: Join POLITICO for a discussion with health care providers, policymakers, federal regulators, patient representatives, and industry leaders to better understand the latest policy and industry solutions in place as we enter year three of the pandemic. Panelists will discuss the latest proposals to overcome long-standing health care challenges in the U.S., such as expanding access to care, affordability, and prescription drug prices. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Laurel Strategies' Alan Fleischmann … Tim Burger … Eileen O'Connor of the Rockefeller Foundation … Hill+Knowlton's Judy Stecker … Mark Paustenbach … CNN's Kate Sullivan … NBC's Sally Bronston … NRDC's Mark Drajem … MSNBC's Tiffany Mullon … Yahoo's Dylan Stableford … WSJ's Anna Rafdal … Andrew Kovalcin of Advanced Advocacy … James Flexner … Scott Schwaitzberg … Zachary Silver … Troi Lughod … Daniel Bellow … Tom Karrel MAKING MOVES — Amanda Cowie is now VP of communications at Digital Currency Group and the crypto conglomerate's first comms hire. She most recently was the global head of communications at Squarespace and before that, ran comms for Bloomberg Media. … Gabriela Palmieri has been named of counsel to ArentFox Schiff's corporate and securities practice. MEDIAWATCH — Rachel Kushner has joined Harper's Magazine as an Easy Chair columnist. Kushner is the author of The Flamethrowers and will contribute six columns a year. ENGAGED — Jeff Stephens, sustainability policy lead at HP Inc. and Obama White House alum, recently proposed to Marcy Stech, director of portfolio communications and nonprofit media at Emerson Collective and an alum of EMILY's List and Priorities USA. Pic WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Joe Kristol, a public affairs director at Elliott Investment Management and a Tom Cotton and McKinsey alum, and Delia Pais Kristol, an emergency medicine resident physician at Jacobi/Montefiore in the Bronx, on March 10 welcomed Adam Irving Kristol, who came in at 8 lbs 13 oz and 19.5 inches and joins big sister Louisa.
| | A message from CVS Health: At CVS Health, we're more than 300,000 caring employees ensuring New Yorkers and millions of Americans can access health care services.
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Nothing should stand in the way of mental health and well-being, so we have been increasing remote access to mental health services.
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Healthier Happens Together. Learn more. | | | | | Real Estate | | Lander lays out case for ending 421-a, while CBC argues program is 'essential' for more housing, by POLITICO's Janaki Chadha: City Comptroller Brad Lander released an analysis Wednesday laying out the case for ending the controversial 421-a tax break, as the City Council introduced a resolution calling on the state Legislature to eliminate the program, which is slated to expire this June. Meanwhile, the Citizens Budget Commission released its own report that argued allowing the tax break to expire without approving a workable replacement would jeopardize rental housing production in the five boroughs and worsen the city's housing shortage — ultimately driving up prices. | | | | 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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