| | | | |  | | By Anna Gronewold and Zachary Schermele | Presented by Ørsted and Eversource | | 
Gov. Kathy Hochul highlights bail law initiatives at a press conference in Red Room of the New York State Capitol. | Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul | One item that doesn’t appear high on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget priority list? Unity within the state’s Democratic Party. But it might be a good idea, writes our Joe Spector, because the party hasn't been this splintered in years. There are a confluence of factors — some that precede Hochul’s time as governor — and budget season isn’t known for bringing out the best in anyone. But at a moment when many are looking to Hochul to unite her party, the governor is having the opposite effect. There’s already baggage from last year’s elections, which drew national party scorn after Hochul’s reelection was too close for their comfort, and Republicans flipped three House seats. Then Hochul got rolled in the state Senate last month when they rejected her pick for chief judge in an historic rebuke. Now Hochul appears ready to dig in on her budget priorities, such as toughening bail laws on violent suspects and forcing new housing development in the suburbs. Those items are pretty far off from where downstate progressives, who form a large chunk of the Legislature, would like to see the state’s agenda headed. There’s an additional element of aligning herself with former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who pumped $5 million into ads and mailers in lawmakers’ districts to boost her priorities. At a news conference last week, Assemblymember Ron Kim (D-Queens) accused Hochul of “weaponizing her identity” as the first woman governor “and allowing billionaires to use her to continue the same old Albany politics.” So it’s clear there’s tension between the Legislature and governor, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anyone’s out for blood, said state Sen. James Skoufis, a Hudson Valley Democrat. Contentious budget negotiations don’t preclude good compromises — if the conferences and Hochul are willing to give a little and avoid grudges. “There are two paths forward,” Skoufis said following the chief judge debacle. “The place proverbially blows up for session, and the other is we hit a reset button. Obviously, I hope it’s the second.” IT’S WEDNESDAY. Ope! Legislature missed a deadline to print the budget bills (what budget bills???) in time to go through the aging process to pass before the April 1 deadline. Got tips, suggestions or thoughts? Let us know ... By email: agronewold@politico.com or on Twitter: @annagronewold WHERE’S KATHY? Doing a pre-taped interview with WBFO Women Wednesday and joining White House officials for a press call about broadband funding. WHERE’S ERIC? Speaking at the grand opening ceremony for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai’s Center for Engineering and Precision Medicine, making a social services- and technology-related announcement, and speaking at the Food Bank for New York City’s 40th anniversary celebration.
| | | | 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's reading | | “Mayor Adams' office got Avant Gardner a high-profile meeting with governor’s aide over its liquor license,” by WNYC’s Jon Campbell: “The owner of the venue, Juergen ‘Billy’ Bildstein, claimed his business has been targeted by the SLA, pointing to a heavy fine and the costly implementation of a special monitor to observe its operations. But in July, with the help of the mayor’s office, Bildstein secured a rare and private meeting with a group that included Ingrid Lewis-Martin, the mayor’s chief adviser, and Kathryn Garcia, a top aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul who oversees the SLA, according to emails and documents obtained by Gothamist through a freedom of information request, as well as interviews with public officials.” “M.T.A. Plans to Use Congestion Pricing Funds to Address Bronx Pollution,” by The New York Times’ Ana Ley: “Ever since the Metropolitan Transportation Authority unveiled an ambitious vehicle tolling program last year, critics have been dismayed by evidence that some of New York City’s poorest neighborhoods could end up with dirtier air from all the diverted traffic. Now, the M.T.A. is considering spending at least $130 million it raises from tolling to help address the potential impact to those neighborhoods. The authority has presented the plan to federal transportation officials, who are also deciding whether to let it implement the new tolls.” “NYC Council accuses Mayor Adams’ budget team of ‘impeding’ hiring at city agencies amid staffing crisis,” by Daily News’ Chris Sommerfeldt: “Mayor Adams’ budget office is fueling the municipal government staffing crisis by maintaining policies that have hampered agencies’ ability to fill vacant positions, according to a City Council committee. Manhattan Councilwoman Gale Brewer made the case in a Monday letter to Jacques Jiha, director of Adams’ Office of Management and Budget … The councilwoman, who chairs the Oversight and Investigations Committee, also voiced concern that Jiha’s office has been ‘refusing to approve agency hiring lists in a timely way or at all.’” “NYPD Backs Bill To Disclose How it Spends Private Donations — But Isn’t Divulging Yet,” by THE CITY’s Greg Smith: “Every year, the biggest check to the NYPD always comes from the same place: the New York City Police Foundation, a non-profit supported by corporate leaders whose identities are shielded from public view. But a new City Council bill would require the department to spell out in detail how it’s spending all of the money it receives from outside donors — and that includes the Police Foundation.”
| | | | 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 | | “Evergreen Health to Hochul: You’re not invited to Buffalo Pride Parade this year,” by Buffalo News’ Jon Harris: “Evergreen Health, fuming over a controversial state proposal that it says will threaten one of its key funding sources, is telling Gov. Kathy Hochul she's not welcome at the Buffalo Pride Parade and Festival in June. Evergreen and its affiliate, the Pride Center of Western New York, sent a letter Monday night to Hochul, informing the Buffalo-born Democrat that it was denying her administration's request to participate in the parade and festival on June 4. Evergreen for several years has organized the parade and festival, with the proceeds benefiting the Pride Center of Western New York.” “Janno Lieber makes his case for MTA funding in Albany,” by NY1 Zack Fink: “Lieber has been advocating for Hochul’s negotiating position on MTA funding, which calls for a new commuter tax and a larger contribution from the city … ‘I’m open to all kinds of ideas but they have to be certain, they have to be certain that they will produce recurring revenue, parking permits, all kinds of stuff like that, interesting, maybe worth talking about, for the riders I need to have certainty that it is going to produce revenue in the right time frame, I would proceed with some caution with some of those new, albeit innovative ideas,’ Lieber said.” “Unions join chorus of ‘good cause’ backers,” by City and State’s Rebecca Lewis: “In a new letter to state leaders shared exclusively to City & State, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union and the United Federation of Teachers added their voices to the chorus of supporters for the tenant protections.” “Malcolm X’s daughter joins pro-charter forces in Albany as progressives fight school expansion,”by New York Post’s Zach Williams: “Charter schools in New York got back-up Tuesday from the daughter of late civil-rights leader Malcolm X, shortly after progressives launched a fresh attack against a proposed expansion of charter schools in the Big Apple.” — School kids dumped empty lunch trays outside Hochul’s office to push for more state money for universal school meals after federal funds dried up. “Three Assembly members back former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin in court filing,” by Times Union’s Joshua Solomon: “A dozen current and former lawmakers pushed back against federal authorities' description of bribery, saying it would put them ‘under the microscope.’” #UpstateAmerica: Specialized forest rangers rappelled into the100-foot gorge of the Ausable Chasm to recover a body.
| | | | A message from Ørsted and Eversource:   | | | | | TRUMP'S NEW YORK | | Trump supporter pulled knife on family with children outside Manhattan courthouse, by POLITICO’s Wesley Parnell: A Donald Trump supporter protesting the Manhattan district attorney’s probe of the former president pulled a knife on a family with two small children Tuesday outside Manhattan Criminal Court. The man and woman with two children in strollers accidentally bumped into the Trump supporter while crossing the intersection of Hogan Place and Centre Street just after 4:00 p.m., three bystanders told POLITICO. The female protester, who held a sign that read “I support Trump, do you?” began arguing with the couple before she pulled out a blade approximately 6 inches long and waved it at the family, according to the eyewitnesses. | | FROM THE DELEGATION | | “Although no date set, Tonko, others invited to hear FBI's briefing on Schoharie crash,” by Times Union’s Larry Rulison: “There is no word yet on a potential date, but members of New York’s congressional delegation have been invited to participate in an FBI briefing on the bureau’s investigation into one of its informant's ties to the 2018 Schoharie limo crash.” | | AROUND NEW YORK | | — A federal court lifted an injunction that prevented state regulators from issuing licenses for cannabis sales in multiple regions of New York state. — New York’s first legal pot shop owned by a woman will open in Queens this week. — Jewish leaders say messaging to combat polio on the side of a Health Department truck is antisemitic. — New York City will no longer describe its park bathrooms as “comfort stations” because of the term’s link to sexual slavery during World War II. — The off-duty Vermont sheriff’s deputy who was injured in a shootout with Saratoga Springs police last year was charged with attempted murder and other offenses.
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Peter Velz … Lara Logan … AP’s Steve Peoples … WaPo’s Paul Farhi … CNN’s Melanie Zanona … Rockefeller Foundation’s Eric Pelofsky … Robert Gibbs … Peter Cherukuri … Annie Rosen of Strategy& … Alex Zafran … Malcolm Shaw … Dan Weiner of the Brennan Center for Justice … Emma Eatman WHAT WALL STREET IS READING — “‘He’s done a great job’: Youngkin praises would-be rivals,” by POLITICO’s Daniel Lippman and John F. Harris MAKING MOVES — Bloomberg Law’s Keshia Clukey is headed to the state Education Department to be the director of public information. … Sarah Selip is now comms director for Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas). She most recently was comms director for Rep. Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.) and is a Jody Hice alum. … Francelina Perdomo Klukosky has been named as counsel for Saul Ewing. She is an intellectual property attorney and focuses on both litigation and transactions for clients in the sports and entertainment industries. MEDIAWATCH — Nicholas Nehamas is joining the NYT as a campaign reporter covering Ron DeSantis. He previously was an investigative reporter for the Miami Herald. The announcement FOR YOUR RADAR — DoorDash brought a group of New York-based restaurant owners and “Dashers” to meet with members of the New York delegation, including Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as Reps. Grace Meng, Nydia Velazquez, Hakeem Jeffries, and Elise Stefanik. The group included owners from Brooklyn’s Citroën and Peaches brand restaurants and talked with the members about their experiences on the platform.
| | | | 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 | | “Plan B for Fixing Penn Station Would Wrap Madison Square Garden in Glass,” by The New York Times’ Dana Rubinstein and Stefanos Chen: “A year and a half after Gov. Kathy Hochul championed a plan to help fund the renovation of Pennsylvania Station by allowing the construction of up to 10 towers around the transit hub, that proposal has been mothballed, and an alternate project has emerged as a possible front-runner to replace it. The proposal from a subsidiary of the Italian firm ASTM Group calls for the construction of a rectangular glass station around Madison Square Garden. The Garden would be covered in aluminum and steel, and two new light-filled train halls would replace the notoriously cramped and dark station — all of which could be completed by 2030, the firm has said.”
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