| | | | |  | | By Anna Gronewold and Eleonora Francica | Presented by Ørsted and Eversource | It’s happening again: The prospect of addressing a backlog in major budget items is looking gloomy while everyone waits for a deal on the state's bail laws, a set of negotiations that leaders have so far stayed mum about. It’s supposedly crunch time in Albany. But none of the dealmaking trio — Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andréa Stewart-Cousins or Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie — have spoken publicly about the $227 billion budget in more than a week. When asked for an update in the hallways of the Capitol Wednesday, Heastie flailed his arms in gifable fashion. There could be some movement: The Assembly brought draft language to the negotiating table that would include removing the “least restrictive” standard judges use when deciding to set bail, showing that the chambers are open to compromise on some of the governor’s proposal. It’s a thorny issue, one that some experts warn could have larger-than-intended legal implications and others say really wouldn’t address the problem Hochul says it will. But the governor has been specific. She is willing to hold up the budget over a couple of her priorities — including this one — and some Democrats say it’s not worth a drawn out battle. There are still two days until the deadline, but already talks of passing extenders to keep the government running. “You know, I think most of us are not willing to shut down the government over the least restrictive means provision of the bail laws,” Hudson Valley Democrat Sen. James Skoufis told us. “I'm certainly not.” Besides, Skoufis, like many in the Legislature, is interested in clearing the negotiating space enough to make room for other items. Here’s one that could be fun: Skoufis has a piece of legislation (S5528) that made it into the Senate one-house proposal to revert New York's coat of arms and flag “to its original state,” before former Gov. Andrew Cuomo added one of his favorite phrases, “e pluribus unum” in 2020. “The science of heraldry demands that the emblematic embodiment of our state be perpetual,” the accompanying memo states. “The addition of a second unofficial motto to the historic state arms and flag devalues the motto of our state and the symbol as a whole.” One Capitol insider laughed when they saw it appear in the Senate budget resolution, calling the item a symbolic “Fuck you” to the former governor. Skoufis said he sees the legislation as part of a pair he’s carrying on a similar theme. He also wants to return the Gov Mario M. Cuomo Bridge to its old name: Tappan Zee. But that bill didn’t make it into his chamber’s budget priorities. “I think this was the more palatable of the two, from leadership's point of view,” he said. Neither the Assembly or Hochul’s office responded to inquiries about the feasibility of including the coat of arms change in the state budget, which is due by the end of the day tomorrow. IT’S THURSDAY. Got tips, suggestions or thoughts? Let us know ... By email: agronewold@politico.com or on Twitter: @annagronewold WHERE’S KATHY? In Albany with no announced public schedule. WHERE’S ERIC? In New York City, making an appearance live on 77 WABC’s “Sid and Friends” in the morning, then making a public safety-related announcement with NYPD commissioner Sewell. Adams will later deliver remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Pier 57, at the nonprofit kickoff of “Spread Love NYC” campaign, and at the flag-raising ceremony for Bangladesh. In the evening, Adams will host a reception for the Women’s Health Summit, and he will then deliver remarks at the Museum of the Moving Image’s 2023 Marvels of Media Awards.
| | | | A message from Ørsted and Eversource: In Long Island where environmental protection has long been a winning issue for electeds from both sides of the aisle, Suffolk County and Brookhaven Town leaders stood together last week with environmental advocates, labor leaders and the local community to champion the clean energy, jobs and local investment that will result from Sunrise Wind. The offshore wind project being developed by Ørsted and Eversource will power more than 600,000 homes annually, create hundreds of jobs and fund local programming. | | | |  | WHAT CITY HALL IS READING | | “Mayor Adams floats barring state Liquor Authority from NYC amid clash over embattled Brooklyn venue’s license,” by Daily News’ Chris Sommerfeldt: “Mayor Adams all but called for the state Liquor Authority to be blacklisted from operating in the city Wednesday following revelations that his team privately went to bat for a Brooklyn club that’s under fire from the state agency over drug use on its premises. The authority is responsible for awarding booze licenses to restaurants, bars and venues across New York State. But Adams told reporters in a Wednesday morning news conference that it would make more sense for a city government agency to shoulder that responsibility in the five boroughs.” “New York City Unveils ‘User-Friendly’ Way to Find Child Care Help,” by The New York Times’ Emma G. Fitzsimmons: “When Eric Adams ran for mayor, one of his key policy proposals was to create a better website for New Yorkers to access government services. Concluding his 15th month in office, Mr. Adams has introduced the first phase of the website, which is called MyCity, calling the project ‘my baby’ and ‘my dream.’ Initially, it will allow people to apply for child-care assistance. Eventually, it will connect New Yorkers to additional programs.” “Madison Square Garden a Contender for Biggest Sports Tax Break, Budget Office Finds,” by THE CITY’s Yoav Gonen: “While Yankees and Mets help pay back state-issued bonds, the arena home to the Knicks and Rangers gives 'nothing, zero, bupkis' says lawmaker who’s pressing to end MSG’s $42-million-a year benefit.” “Mayor Adams urges Hochul to back health insurance for more undocumented residents,” by Spectrum News’ Nick Reisman: “New York City Mayor Eric Adams in a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul this week urged her to support the expansion of a health insurance program to include more undocumented residents living in the state.”
| | | | JOIN POLITICO ON 4/5 FOR THE 2023 RECAST POWER LIST: America’s demographics and power dynamics are changing — and POLITICO is recasting how it covers the intersection of race, identity, politics and policy. Join us for a conversation on the themes of the 2023 Recast Power List that will examine America’s decision-making tables, who gets to sit at them, and the challenges that still need to be addressed. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | “Can New York Fix Its Housing Crisis? It Depends on the Suburbs,” by The New York Times’ Mihir Zaveri, Luis Ferré-Sadurní and Michael D. Regan: “By one measure, Westchester County and Long Island have allowed fewer homes to be built per person in the past decade than the regions around nearly every other major U.S. city, including San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Boston. Ms. Hochul’s plan has touched a political third rail and drawn the anger of Republicans and some Democrats, as negotiations over the state budget come to a head this week in Albany. So far, the governor has not backed down. In an interview, Ms. Hochul said she hoped to cut through the ‘hysteria’ around her plan: ‘The status quo is not working.’” “Advocates crowd NY Capitol as budget negotiations continue and deadline looms,” by Daily News’ Denis Slattery: “At least 36 activists were handcuffed and escorted from the Capitol after setting up sleeping bags and moving boxes outside of the governor’s office as they called for renter-friendly measures to be included in the state budget.” “Senate's $15k boost to state retiree income cap could help solve workforce problem,” by Times Union’s Raga Justin: “In a nod to a shrinking state workforce and growing cries about affordability that have spanned both the private and public sector, the provision would raise the current earnings ceiling for retirees from $35,000 to $50,000.” “The Other Kathy In Charge: Garcia Now Getting Stuff Done at State Level,” by THE CITY’s Reuven Blau FWIW: Times Union’s restaurant critic Steve Barnes is just as baffled about the status of Jack's Oyster House as any of us. #UpstateAmerica: Is your life TOO “hip and trendy”? Head on over to Wallkill, a good destination if you’re looking for a place that “barely has a downtown.”
| | | | A message from Ørsted and Eversource:   | | | | | FROM THE DELEGATION | | “In Rare Show of Force, House Democrats Pressure Hochul on Climate Bill,” by The New York Times’ Grace Ashford: “Several influential members of New York’s congressional delegation are pressuring Gov. Kathy Hochul to fully embrace a climate bill that would compel the state to build wind and solar energy projects when private industry falls short of state environmental goals. The effort — an unusual show of force by Washington into Albany’s affairs — was made public on Wednesday in a letter sent to the governor that ‘strongly’ encouraged Ms. Hochul, a Democrat, to fall in line with the state’s left-leaning Legislature and support the bill, known as the Build Public Renewables Act.”
| | TRUMP'S NEW YORK | | Manhattan Trump grand jury set to break for a month, by POLITICO’s Erica Orden: The Manhattan grand jury examining Donald Trump’s alleged role in a hush money payment to a porn star isn’t expected to hear evidence in the case for the next month largely due to a previously scheduled hiatus, according to a person familiar with the proceedings. The break would push any indictment of the former president to late April at the earliest, although it is possible that the grand jury’s schedule could change.
| | | | GO INSIDE THE 2023 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is proud to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage, insider nuggets and unparalleled insights from the 2023 Global Conference, which will convene leaders in health, finance, politics, philanthropy and entertainment from April 30-May 3. This year’s theme, Advancing a Thriving World, will challenge and inspire attendees to lean into building an optimistic coalition capable of tackling the issues and inequities we collectively face. Don’t miss a thing — subscribe today for a front row seat. | | | | | | | AROUND NEW YORK | | — Buffalo is in the national spotlight as its Starbucks union organization gets scrutinized on Capitol Hill. — Some more affluent schools in New York City still get Title I funds even though they technically don’t meet the requirements, a Chalkbeat analysis of public records found. — Newly released transcripts show the inner workings of the Buffalo Diocese during the height of the child sex abuse allegation cover-up. — How Northwell Health President and CEO Michael Dowling built a health care empire. — NYC wants your help naming the new hybrid Governors Island ferry. | | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Suzy Khimm … Morning Consult’s Michael Ramlet … NYT’s Alex Kingsbury … CBS’ Richard Escobedo … Drew Maloney of the American Investment Council … AT&T’s Marc Gonzales … Visa’s Jeremy Sturchio … HuffPost’s Jessica Schulberg … Paul Hoffman MEDIAWATCH — POLITICO’s Jack Schafer in his Fourth Estate column: “What Rupert Murdoch and Logan Roy Figured Out”
| | | | A message from Ørsted and Eversource: In Long Island where environmental protection has long been a winning issue for electeds from both sides of the aisle, Suffolk County and Brookhaven Town leaders stood together last week with environmental advocates, labor leaders and the local community to champion the clean energy, jobs and local investment that will result from Sunrise Wind. The offshore wind project being developed by Ørsted and Eversource will power more than 600,000 homes annually, create hundreds of jobs and fund local programming. | | | | | Real Estate | | “Flatiron Building’s fate remains in limbo following auction,” by Crain’s New York’s Eddie Small: “One week after Jacob Garlick’s Virginia firm Abraham Trust shocked the New York real estate world with its surprise winning bid of $190 million to purchase the Flatiron Building, the fate of the iconic property remains far from settled.” “How Wall Street Became a Fancy Residential Neighborhood,” by Bloomberg’s Justin Fox: “The rise of remote work during the pandemic has cut demand for office space and left some American downtowns feeling like ghost towns. As a result, there’s been much talk of converting downtown offices into apartments. This could not only bail out owners of suddenly less-valuable commercial real estate, advocates say, but bring life to emptied-out neighborhoods, passengers to underused transit systems and affordable housing to cities that desperately need it. Could it work? “Well, one iconic American downtown — New York’s Financial District, also known as Wall Street — embarked on just such a transformation several decades ago and has certainly succeeded in attracting residents. In 1970, the Manhattan census tracts south of Chambers Street on the west and the Brooklyn Bridge on the east had 833 inhabitants. As of the 2020 Census, there were 60,806.”
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