| | | | |  | | By Erin Durkin, Anna Gronewold and Deanna Garcia | Presented by CVS Health | Two bad-and-getting-worse crises for New York City — homelessness and traffic carnage — will get big infusions of cash, per a pair of weekend announcements from Mayor Eric Adams. Ahead of his budget speech on Tuesday, which will double as a speech marking his first 100 days at the historic Kings Theatre, a substitute for the inaugural address at the same venue he never got to give, Adams rolled out a few big-ticket items. First up: Nearly a billion dollars for the city's streets master plan, which provides for protected bus and bike lanes and car-free pedestrian plazas across the five boroughs. This comes as traffic deaths have soared 44 percent in the first three months of the year, compared to 2021, on top of previous increases that obliterated the city's progress toward "Vision Zero." It's the deadliest start to a year since at least 2014. The $904 million in planned spending is actually quite a bit less than the $3.1 billion the City Council asked for, but still represents the biggest commitment to-date for carrying out a 2019 law that required the city to build 250 miles of protected bike lanes and 150 miles of dedicated bus lanes over five years. Adams wants you to know he means it, so he rode a bike over the Brooklyn Bridge and everything. The budget will also boost spending by $171 million to fund 1,400 new beds for homeless New Yorkers. This comes as Adams has faced criticism for clearing homeless encampments from the streets. The funding is for specialized homeless shelters designed to cater to people coming straight off the street who have shunned traditional facilities, known as "safe havens" and stabilization beds. The smaller shelters have fewer restrictions than traditional barracks-style sites. It remains to be seen how much the new beds will move the needle on coaxing people off the street, but Adams said Sunday the spending will be repeated each year. "This is not a one and done," he said.
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Mayor Eric Adams and administration officials lead a bike ride to mark Car Free Earth Day. City Hall to Brooklyn. Saturday, April 23, 2022. | Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office | IT'S MONDAY. 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? Discussing the state budget in Buffalo, making an economic development announcement, and hosting an iftar. WHERE'S ERIC? Appearing on ABC's GMA3.
| | A message from CVS Health: New Yorkers want the lowest prescription drug costs possible and CVS Health's pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) team is delivering for them. With big drug companies continually increasing the price of prescription drugs, we negotiate lower prescription drug costs for employers, consumers and working families across the state. That saves New Yorkers and employers tens of millions of dollars each year so they can continue to provide affordable coverage that keeps their employees healthy. Learn more. | | | |  | What City Hall's reading | | "NYC Mayor Adams' meeting policy could lead to more red tape, ethics concerns: sources," by New York Daily News' Michael Gartland: "Mayor Adams has been promising to cut the red tape of city government since his campaign last year, but a new policy from his administration has government watchdogs saying he could be creating more bureaucratic gridlock instead. The policy, outlined in a March 7 memo from Adams' compliance manager, Taniese Brown, centers on how the mayor's team processes requests from lobbyists, vendors and other members of the public trying to get access to the mayor and other New York City officials. In the memo addressed to 'mayoral direct reports' and 'agency leadership,' Brown writes that the mayor will review meeting requests, and that "based on the subject matter, he either handles the meeting personally or asks that it be assigned by a deputy mayor, other senior staff member or an agency." "Unvaccinated NYPD officers get final ultimatum after exemption requests are denied," by Gothamist's Caroline Lewis: "After months in limbo, an unknown number of NYPD officers received final notices last week denying their requests for religious or medical exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for city municipal employees. According to emails obtained by Gothamist, they were warned that if they didn't get vaccinated within 10 days they would be fired — although some have found ways to buy more time before facing the decision of whether to get a shot or leave their jobs. Two officers who spoke to Gothamist said their initial requests for religious exemptions were denied late last year, and that these most recent notices were in response to their appeals." Hospitalizations among unvaccinated rising in New York City amid BA.2 surge, by POLITICO's Amanda Eisenberg: Unvaccinated New Yorkers are 37.8 times more likely to be hospitalized, according to new data published Friday. Thirty-one people have been hospitalized within two weeks of diagnosis in New York City, according to the seven-day average. The trend comes amid a surge in BA.2 cases — the predominant strain of the Omicron variant. "We are at a time of rising cases — we have been in a time of rising cases over the last month — and over the coming days, we expect to move into a higher level of overall risk in the city," Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan told WNYC's Brian Lehrer on Friday. Nearly 6 percent of Covid tests are coming back positive in the last seven days, according to the latest city data. "City Council Pushes for $25 Million in Next Budget for Implementation of Noncitizen Voting," by Gotham Gazette's Samar Khurshid: In January, the "Our City, Our Vote" law went into effect, allowing hundreds of thousands of noncitizens in New York City to vote in municipal elections. While there's many months until they'll be able to cast their votes, the New York City Council wants city officials and election administrators to be well prepared and conduct outreach to raise awareness, and is calling for $25 million in the next city budget to fund the implementation of the law. …The mayor, in his $98.5 billion preliminary budget proposal, did not allocate any new funding for the BOE to carry out such a plan. … The City Council, in its official response to the mayor's preliminary budget, called for the $25 million investment to support the implementation including community outreach to inform potential voters, registration assistance, Get-Out-The-Vote efforts, language access, interpretation and translation services." "Investigations of inmate deaths on Rikers Island can take years as frustrated families feel stonewalled ," by New York Daily News' Graham Rayman: "Eight months after he died on Rikers Island, Brandon Rodriguez's family has learned little more about how he came to his end in the grimy shower stall of a crowded jail unit — and the Correction Department's silence in his case is typical. It's known that Rodriguez, 25, committed suicide Aug. 10, said the family's lawyer, William Wagstaff. But neither the Correction Department nor the four government agencies responsible for investigating the death have disclosed any further information about the circumstances — and Wagstaff said they've also stonewalled on his letters and emails. 'They are just playing the game of kicking the can down the road in the hopes people will get frustrated and drop any litigation. It's a strategy, and it reflects a lack of compassion,' said Wagstaff, who says he even volunteered to sign a document barring him from disclosing anything he learned from information the Correction Department might share."
| | | | DON'T MISS ANYTHING FROM THE 2022 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is excited to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage and insights from the 25th annual Global Conference. This year's event, May 1-4, brings together more than 3,000 of the world's most influential leaders, including 700+ speakers representing more than 80 countries. "Celebrating the Power of Connection" is this year's theme, setting the stage to connect influencers with the resources to change the world with leading experts and thinkers whose insight and creativity can implement that change. Whether you're attending in person or following along from somewhere else in the world, keep up with this year's conference with POLITICO's special edition "Global Insider" so you don't miss a beat. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | Siena poll: Hochul's numbers sag after budget deal, by POLITICO's Bill Mahoney: Gov. Kathy Hochul came out of this year's budget process with some of the worst polling numbers of her brief tenure, according to a poll Monday. The Siena College Research Institute poll showed 44 percent of registered voters viewed her favorably, while 34 percent viewed her unfavorably. That was similar to the 45 percent to 35 percent she received in March. But the margin of voters who said she was an "excellent" or "good" job as governor fell from 42 percent a month ago to 36 percent. On the Republican side: While no public pollsters have surveyed on the direct matchup in this year's GOP primary field, numbers that have been released have repeatedly found that Andrew Giuliani has been viewed favorably by more Republicans than Rep. Lee Zeldin, party leaders' favorite. The gap was eliminated in the Monday poll. Siena found that Republicans viewed Zeldin favorably by a margin of 36 percent to 14 percent, and Giuliani favorably by a margin of 38 percent to 31 percent. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino was viewed favorably by a margin of 23 percent to 16 percent among the GOP. And businessperson Harry Wilson's 13 percent to 12 percent favorablility among Republicans was the same as he was viewed by Democrats. "Hochul won't appear on 'Fair Deal' ballot line, top Democratic official says," by Spectrum's Nick Reisman: "Gov. Kathy Hochul's name will not appear on the so-called "Fair Deal" ballot line being formed by New York Democratic officials after party leaders have reached an apparent deal with the progressive Working Families Party. State Democratic Committee Chairman Jay Jacobs in a statement on Saturday indicated he had received a commitment from the Working Families Party not play a spoiler in the gubernatorial race this year and run its own candidate in the general election. "I now have full confidence that the Working Families Party will stand with and offer their general election line to Governor Kathy Hochul, when she wins the Democratic Primary, as I believe she will," Jacobs said." — "NY Gov. Kathy Hochul agrees to debate Thomas Suozzi, Jumaane Williams," by New York Post's Zach Williams: "Gov. Kathy Hochul committed Friday to at least two debates in the Democratic primary for governor following calls from her challengers, Rep. Thomas Suozzi and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. 'I always debate. I always embrace the opportunity,' she told reporters Friday after an appearance in Queens alongside Rep. Grace Meng and other Asian American community leaders. Suozzi and Williams jointly have called earlier for a minimum of six televised debates." Crime victims groups push parole overhaul in New York, by POLITICO's Erin Durkin: Crime victims' and anti-gun violence groups are backing a push to make it easier for some prisoners to be released on parole. Groups representing victims joined with anti-violence advocates in a letter to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, asking them to pass two bills to overhaul the parole system, as well as legislation to allow victims to qualify for compensation even if they don't report the crime to police. While some advocates for victims have opposed the changes, signers on the letter first shared with POLITICO argued that victims are not always served by the harshest punishments. "CDC recommends masks in 23 upstate New York counties seeing 'high' COVID-19 levels," by Spectrum's Luke Parsnow: "Residents in nearly two dozen counties in upstate New York are now being recommended to wear masks due to high case-counts of COVID-19, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Twenty-three counties across the region, up from 10 a week ago, are now classified by the CDC as having 'high' community levels of the coronavirus, ranging from Western New York to the Capital Region. ... As of Friday, the 23 upstate counties are among just 40 counties in total across the U.S. that are currently under the 'high' category." " Lt. governor indictment puts spotlight on state campaign finance reform," by Times Union's Rebekah F. Ward: "When then-Lt. Governor Brian Benjamin was accused in a federal indictment earlier this month of taking fraudulent contributions for his 2021 failed bid for New York City comptroller, attention turned to a potent city agency soon to be mirrored at the state level: the Campaign Finance Board. The board administers a program intended to limit outsized influence from wealthy campaign donors by leveling the field: if candidates for New York City public office submit to extra reporting requirements and restrictions, they can earn significant matching funds from the city for each small constituent donation. A similar program is being set up by the state." #UpstateAmerica: 'Star Wars-themed Upstate NY campsites are the summer vacation you are looking for'
| | | |   | | | | | FROM THE DELEGATION | | "Bernie Sanders and AOC Rally With Amazon Workers Ahead of Second Warehouse Vote," by The City's Josefa Velasquez: "What started out as a lonesome, quixotic battle to unionize workers against online retail behemoth Amazon is getting a major boost from national progressive lawmakers. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rallied around Amazon Labor Union members and warehouse workers on Staten Island as the union prepares for the start of a second vote on Monday at a distribution center known as LDJ5, where some 1,500 employees ready orders for delivery." — " Amazon union could face a tough road ahead after victory," by The Associated Press' Haleluya Hadero " Alessandra Biaggi's NY campaign sputtering, ex-staff call her a nightmare," by New York Post's Jon Levine: "She's in for a rude awokening. Far left New York state Senator Alessandra Biaggi's quest to become a member of Congress next year is sputtering, with the aspiring Squad member's campaign being rocked by staff departures and former employees who claim she's a nightmare. In the last few weeks, campaign manager Chris Walsh and campaign Field Director Samantha Fullam have both departed, the campaign confirmed."
| | AROUND NEW YORK | | — A firefighter was killed while battling a blaze in Brooklyn. — The former president of Honduras was extradited to face charges in a New York court accusing him of trafficking drugs. — Four men allegedly busted with weapons by the NYPD's new anti-gun units were released with no bail after their arrests. — ' Inside the response to a social-media firestorm that engulfed Roswell Park' — "Two state Department of Labor workers allegedly conducted a massive identity fraud scheme to steal more than $1.6 million in unemployment benefits during the pandemic." — The city is earmarking $2 million to aid Ukrainians fleeing the war and those already in New York. — More blocks are being added to the Open Streets program. — The state is considering whether to let eateries sell cannabis-infused food when the drug becomes legal in New York. — 'New York Is Battleground for Crypto Mining Fight ' — The state Senate is moving forward with legislation that would allow bars and restaurants to use facial recognition or fingerprint scanners to verify someone's age before they buy alcohol or cigarettes. — Two men fatally struck by a subway train in Brooklyn were French graffiti artists.
| | | | JOIN US ON 4/29 FOR A WOMEN RULE DISCUSSION ON WOMEN IN TECH : Women, particularly women of color and women from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, have historically been locked out of the tech world. But this new tech revolution could be an opportunity for women to get in on the ground floor of a new chapter. Join POLITICO for an in-depth panel discussion on the future of women in tech and how to make sure women are both participating in this fast-moving era and have access to all it offers. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Patrick Mellody … Jaclyn Rothenberg … Mike Doran of the Hudson Institute … Alex Brown … (was Sunday): Vanity Fair's Abigail Tracy … Edelman's Luis Betanzo ... (was Saturday): John Oliver … Bloomberg's Paula Dwyer … Vice News' Jesse Seidman … Bill Browder … Michael Moore … Kal Penn … Alex Lupica … Clarine Nardi Riddle of Kasowitz Benson Torres and No Labels … Alexis Kleinman MAKING MOVES — Julian Kline will be the new policy director at Tech:NYC. He previously spent ten years at Bolton St. Johns… Kristin Abreu has been named attorney-in-charge for welfare fraud in the office of state Inspector General Lucy Lang. She was previously senior investigator at the MTA Inspector General. Investigator Jason R. Fazio has also been promoted to managing investigator for welfare.
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Learn more. | | | | | Real Estate | | "Chinatown's Civic Groups Have Held Developers at Bay. Can They Survive?" by The New York Times' Elaine Chen and Stefanos Chen: "For decades, the Lee Family Association, one of the oldest civic groups in Manhattan's Chinatown, has helped countless Chinese immigrants, working from its six-story building on Mott Street. Its latest campaign: a makeover, starting with moving the mahjong tables. 'That's just temporary — for the elders,' said Sonny Lee, 49, the head of the group's newly formed youth chapter, looking past the well-worn game sets. He pointed instead to the new karaoke disco light, the billiard table and exercise bikes. The Lees, like many traditional Chinese associations based on family, profession or region, need new blood — and the future of Chinatown, one of the few remaining working-class neighborhoods in Manhattan, could hinge on replenishing their aging ranks." "City Council eyes big tax cut to help hotels, tourism rebound from pandemic," by New York Post's Carl Campanile: "The New York City Council is so concerned about the sluggish recovery of the Big Apple's $100 billion tourism market from COVID-19 that it's considering dramatically slashing the local hotel tax to spur a faster rebound, The Post has learned. The Hotel Association of New York City is urging Mayor Eric Adams and the council to lower the occupancy tax rate on hotel room stays from 5.875% to 2.875%. The hotel occupancy tax is expected to generate $255 million in revenue for city officers for the fiscal year ending June 30, according to the mayor's preliminary budget plan. But studies suggest the city's tourism market won't fully bounce back to 2019 pre-pandemic levels of business until 2026." | | | | 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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