News: POLITICO New York Playbook: Adams blames ‘professional naysayers’ for Albany woes

Thursday, June 2, 2022

POLITICO New York Playbook: Adams blames ‘professional naysayers’ for Albany woes

Jun 02, 2022

Presented by the American Chemistry Council

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is learning that even when you don't have a governor dedicated to tormenting you at every turn, it's not so easy to get what you want from Albany.

Take mayoral control over schools: Lawmakers are proposing to give Adams a two-year extension, short of the four years he wanted and what Gov. Kathy Hochul wanted to give him, meaning he'll have to do this all over again midway through his first term. Just as importantly, there will likely be significant strings attached.

The mayor lashed out at "professional naysayers," who he says are to blame for his plight. He says a "small number" of said naysayers (but apparently enough to carry a majority of the Legislature) are "not on team New York." He refused to the identify the alleged culprits, but some are outing themselves: "'Professional Naysayer' t shirts will be available for all the parents and students who expressed their legitimate concerns to legislators across the city and state," quipped Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou.

At issue here is both the length of the mayoral control term and legislation that would require the city to bring down class sizes, a longtime priority of advocates and teachers unions. It would cap classes at 20 to 25 students, depending on the grade level. Schools Chancellor David Banks said Wednesday evening the move will cost $500 million for elementary schools alone, and force the city to cut school safety programs, dyslexia screenings, social workers, nurses, and summer programming. He's hoping that if Albany lawmakers do follow through with the proposal, they'll pony up the cash as well. "Make no mistake, it will lead to large cuts in these critical programs. This should not be a choice that school leaders have to make," he said.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, for one, is puzzled by the last-minute gripe, saying Adams was told about the two-year extension and was OK with it. The mayor's state lobbying efforts have been criticized as dysfunctional. Lawmakers are expected to pass the bill today, the last day of session, and so far no "naysayers" appear ready to change their minds.

IT'S THURSDAY and you can break out the seersucker suits, because we're supposed to adjourn sine die in Albany. Key phrase "supposed to." 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 with no public events scheduled.

WHERE'S ERIC? Giving a commencement address at Queens College, making a gun violence announcement, speaking at the Citizens Budget Commission gala, a Greek community reception, and the New York Urban League gala.

A message from the American Chemistry Council:

Only 10% of plastics are recycled using the antiquated recycling infrastructure New York currently relies on.

18 states have adopted cutting-edge technology to recycle 100% of plastics using advanced recycling facilities. Senator Mannion and Assemblywoman Hyndman's legislation (S.7891/A.9495) will make New York the 19th state to pave the way for billions of dollars in private investment and new green collar jobs in New York's sustainable economy. Say yes to advanced recycling; say yes to S.7891/A.9495.

WHAT CITY HALL IS READING

"Mayor Eric Adams' plan to 'supercharge' NYC's economic growth," by New York Post's Sam Raskin: "Mayor Eric Adams vowed Wednesday to 'supercharge' economic development in New York City by implementing a plan that relaxes zoning and other regulations he believes hinder job and housing growth. Addressing the Association for a Better New York organization, Adams pledged to turn the Big Apple into a nimble 'city of yes' during its post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery by promoting the creation of new apartments and granting businesses more flexibility. 'Going forward, we're going to turn New York into a city of yes. Yes, in my backyard, yes on my block, yes in my borough,' he told the crowd at Cipriani Wall Street."

— The nightlife-loving mayor's plan would also "let the people dance."

— "Adams doubles down on in-person work, but acknowledges post-COVID reality," by Gothamist's Elizabeth Kim

Two dead in Bronx Legionnaires' disease outbreak, by POLITICO's Amanda Eisenberg: Two people have now died and four people are hospitalized from a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in the Bronx, city health department officials announced Wednesday. The individuals were over the age of 50 and had risk factors for the disease, according to the city health department. Risk factors for Legionnaires', a type of pneumonia, include smoking, being age 50 or older and having chronic lung disease or compromised immune systems. As of last week, one person had died and eight were hospitalized from the outbreak, which the city health department linked to Legionella bacteria found in four cooling towers in the Highbridge neighborhood of the Bronx and bordering communities. Those cooling towers have been disinfected, the city health department said Wednesday.

— "Two more New Yorkers believed to test positive for monkeypox: NYC Dept. of Health," by New York Daily News' Tim Balk

"NYC is launching two virtual schools with a catch: Ninth graders only for now," by Chalkbeat's Alex Zimmerman: "New York City is moving forward with plans to launch two virtual schools that will serve ninth graders only next year, officials recently revealed. One of the schools will have a 'heavy' career and internship focus while the other will be 'completely remote,' said Carolyne Quintana, deputy chancellor for teaching and learning, during a virtual meeting last week with the NYC Coalition for Educating Families Together, a parent advocacy group."

" How Eric Adams's Struggle With Dyslexia Is Shaping His Mayoralty," by The New York Times' Emma G. Fitzsimmons: "When Mayor Eric Adams was a student at Public School 140 in Queens, his classmates teased him for struggling in class, he recalled. They once put a sign with the word 'Dummy' on his desk, and he still remembers his fear of being asked to read aloud. 'You would just hope, "Please don't call on me,"' Mr. Adams said in an interview. It was not until college, after overhearing a documentary about learning disabilities being played in the library, that Mr. Adams discovered he had dyslexia. His academic challenges suddenly made sense. When he later became a police officer and ran for public office, he never forgot or forgave how the school system had failed him and his mother, Dorothy, a house cleaner who raised six children in poverty."

GUN SQUAD: Mayor Eric Adams will announce the formation of a gun violence prevention task force, which will be co-chaired by advocate A.T. Mitchell as well as three deputy mayors and schools Chancellor David Banks. It will include leaders of a host of city agencies and meet weekly, partnering with crisis management system groups that work to intervene before violence takes place, according to a draft copy of a press release. He will also announce that each city agency has designated an anti-gun violence liason.

— More from NYT: " Adams to Name 'Gun Violence Czar' as New York Shooting Surge Persists," by Dana Rubinstein and Jeffery C. Mays

WHAT ALBANY'S READING

End-of-session scramble seems orderly by Albany standards, by POLITICO's Bill Mahoney: There are still some outstanding questions, like whether the Assembly will pass a measure on sealing criminal records or if there be an agreement on constitutional language to protect abortion rights. And given the history of last-minute blow-ups in the Capitol, anybody who has weekend plans should probably knock on wood. "We've got a long way to go between today and tomorrow," warned Sen. Diane Savino (D-Staten Island). But in an Albany rarity, most of the big-ticket bills on subjects like abortion and gun control were introduced before lawmakers arrived in town this week. That means they can be passed without the messages of necessity from the governor that let lawmakers circumvent the requirement that bills be printed for three days before receiving a vote.

It also seemingly indicates there won't be the once-common "Big Ugly" that lumps unrelated measures into one bill. "I was worried we were going to wind up with a Big Ugly, and I'm really pleased we're not," Assemblymember Pat Fahy (D-Albany) said. "When it's a Big Ugly, there's a lot of stuff I find pretty ugly."

Cryptocurrency mining moratorium stalls in New York State Senate, by POLITICO's Marie J. French: A first in the nation effort to impose a moratorium on cryptocurrency mining at fossil fuel plants in New York is not expected to advance in this session after fierce pushback from the industry. Sen. Kevin Parker (D-Brooklyn), who chairs the energy committee and sponsored the measure, said the lack of action will undermine progress on the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, the state's landmark climate law that requires steep emissions reductions over the next decade.

Clean Slate bill's future is down to the wire, again, by POLITICO's Anna Gronewold: The state Legislature is cutting it close for the second year in a row on a parole reform bill that would seal most criminal records after individuals have completed their sentences. The Senate on Wednesday was set to pass the so-called Clean Slate legislation on the penultimate day of session scheduled in 2022. But its fate remains unclear in the Assembly, where revisions are still being considered and it has not yet been scheduled for a committee vote prior to June 2 sine die.

" New York spells out marketing, packaging rules for legal marijuana sellers," by New York Post's Carl Campanile: "Seems like a product that sells itself given the pungent odors wafting along Big Apple streets of late but the state's Cannabis Control Board approved new marketing and packaging rules Wednesday for soon-to-be sellers of legalized marijuana. The rules allow TV ads but bar the targeting of minors with cartoon characters, celebrities or toy images — and bar promoting products with such commonplace vernacular as 'stoner,' 'chronic,' 'weed' or 'pot.' Each package of marijuana, edibles or concentrates will have the universal state symbol of approval containing a yellow THC flower in a triangle, with 21+ symbol in a red circle atop the New York State logo. The state label confirms that the product is licensed and legitimate after undergoing lab testing."

— NYT Magazine: "New York's Weed Rush Is Here. They Came to Cash In."

" Buffalo supermarket gunman indicted on terror, hate charge," by The Associated Press' Carolyn Thompson: "The white man accused of killing 10 Black people in a racist attack on a Buffalo supermarket was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday on a state domestic terrorism and hate crime charge that would carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Payton Gendron is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on the new, 25-count indictment, which builds on a previous murder charge hastily prepared in the hours after the May 14 shooting."

#UpstateAmerica: The nation's last Howard Johnson's restaurant — located in Lake George — has closed.

A message from the American Chemistry Council:

FROM THE DELEGATION

'Homegrown' progressive vies for open New York House seat, facing de Blasio and several others, by POLITICO's Joe Anuta and Sally Goldenberg: Carlina Rivera is pitching herself as a home-grown congressional candidate who understands the needs of New Yorkers — and is hoping to win over the voters of a newly drawn district spanning lower Manhattan and Brooklyn that is already attracting a field of nearly 10 candidates. But Rivera, a City Council member who plans to announce her own candidacy Wednesday, faces many obstacles. … Regardless of the obstacles before her, Rivera is confident her legislative record and biography will appeal to voters.

" New York Working Families Party endorses Nadler over Maloney in primary race," by The Hill's Mychael Schnell: "The progressive New York Working Families Party (WFP) on Wednesday endorsed Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) in his reelection bid amid a contentious member vs. member primary that is pitting Nadler against Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.). New York WFP Director Sochie Nnaemeka wrote in a statement that Nadler 'has been a powerful voice for reforming the Supreme Court, reimagining our justice system, and putting diplomacy and engagement over war and aggression.'"

TRUMP'S NEW YORK

"Still intent on ending NY AG Letitia James' probe of his business, Donald Trump files federal notice of appeal," by Insider's Laura Italiano: "Donald Trump filed appellate papers on Wednesday that are his latest effort to stymie a 3-year inquiry into his business by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The papers, filed in US District Court in Albany, came in quick response to a decision by a judge of that court, Brenda K. Sannes, who on Friday dismissed Trump's effort out of hand. Trump says in his new filing that he will ask the US Court of Appeals, the next federal court up, to reverse Sannes' decision, which tossed his lawsuit after James defended her probe by asserting she has found 'substantial' evidence of financial wrongdoing."

AROUND NEW YORK

— Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple dropped his short-lived campaign for state Senate.

— A video that claims to show a "latte-sipping" yuppy committing fare evasion was selectively edited by the MTA to hide that she attempted to swipe her MetroCard.

— The new Terminal C is opening at LaGuardia Airport.

— The Port Authority agreed to end plainclothes bathroom patrols as part of a lawsuit settlement.

— AG Tish James ordered more than two dozen gun dealers to stop advertising and selling ghost guns.

— " Introducing Porcelain New York: A Public Bathroom Column"

— A flock of sheep is returning to Governors Island to eat invasive plants.

— A Rochester mother whose son was killed in a car accident is pushing to change the law governing wrongful death lawsuits.

— Brooklyn sex shop Romantic Depot has reached a truce with complaining neighbors.

— Some New Yorkers are sweating it out without using their air conditioners because of rising electricity bills.

SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Frank Rich … Rich Ashooh ... Jeanine Pirro … JP Schnapper-Casteras … Crooked Media's Jon Favreau … Daniel Herz-Roiphe … Ben Sheridan … Elizabeth Dubie Weiss … Jessica Loeser … Audrey Gelman is 35 … Lily Olsen-Ecker … (was Wednesday): Margit Brandt

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Rep. Nydia Velazquez and Sens. Michael Gianaris and James Sanders will be the co-chairs of Ana Maria Archila's campaign for lieutenant governor. Regional co-chairs include Sens. Gustavo Rivera and Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou, City Council Members Crystal Hudson and Shahana Hanif, municipal elected officials Kevindaryán Lujan, Gabriella Romero, and Kim Smith; former Buffalo mayoral candidate India Walton and labor leader Sandy Oxford. Sasha Ahuja will be campaign manager, Daniel Coates deputy campaign advisor, Olivia Idris press secretary, and Bob Bland and Daniel Altschuler senior advisers.

MAKING MOVES — Varun Anand is now head of operations at data company Clay.com. He is an alum of Newfront, Google, and Hillary for America. … Alexa Velickovich has been named a senior content executive at Mattio Communications. She most recently was comms coordinator at POLITICO … James Lightbourn is now SVP for corporate finance at Arctic Securities. He most recently was chief strategy and investment officer at Norse Atlantic Airways… Will Warren-O'Brien is now senior policy adviser for economic development and workforce in the executive chamber. He was formerly a director at Global Strategy Group.

MEDIAWATCH — Harry Siegel is joining The City as a senior editor. He has been at the Daily Beast. Stephon Johnson is also joining The City as a Manhattan reporter, from the Amsterdam News. … Julianna Goldman is now a contributing political columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. A former CBS News and Bloomberg correspondent … Sebastien Malo has left Reuters where he was a climate and environment legal reporter. He will be a Knight Science Journalism fellow at MIT.

A message from the American Chemistry Council:

New York needs modern recycling solutions now. Only 10% of plastics are recycled using the antiquated recycling infrastructure we currently rely on, leaving the other 90% of plastics to inundate our environment and overfill local landfills – from Brookhaven to Seneca Meadows.

Fortunately, there's a recycling solution within reach. Senator Mannion (D-Geddes) and Assemblymember Hyndman (D-Queens) introduced legislation S.7891/A.9495 to bring advanced recycling technologies to New York; 21st century technologies that will pave the way for billions of dollars in private investment and new green collar jobs in the sustainable economy.

18 states have shown New York that advanced recycling can be done here. We can – and must – be next.

Say yes to advanced recycling; say yes to S.7891/A.9495.

Real Estate

"The Landlords Embarrassed to be Called Landlords," by Curbed's Bridget Read : "Last month, the real-estate reporter Rebecca Baird-Remba was writing an anodyne story about a commercial lease when an automated suggestion popped up in Google docs. 'Inclusive warning,' it read. 'Some of these words may not be inclusive to all readers.' The word was landlord. Google suggested she instead try property owner or proprietor. Baird-Remba tweeted out a screenshot, prompting dozens of gags about landlords as a protected class. (People jokingly proposed Landlxrd and landed-American, though the Google AI was likely flagging landlord as a gendered term.) But at least one guy, a rental-housing economist in Dallas named Jay Parsons, responded in earnest."

"NYC lawmakers propose rent tax rollback for Manhattan businesses hit hard by COVID," by New York Daily News' Michael Gartland: "City lawmakers plan to introduce a bill Thursday that would roll back a commercial rent tax on Manhattan businesses — a move designed to provide relief after the pandemic and its economic aftermath left business owners struggling to survive. The bill, which will be introduced by Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Councilman Keith Powers at the Council's Thursday meeting, would lift the 4% tax on commercial rents business below 96th St. in Manhattan for three years."

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