| | | | |  | | By Bill Mahoney, Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman | With help from Shawn Ness Programming note: There will be no New York Playbook on Monday. Thanks for reading, and we’ll be back in your inboxes Feb. 20.
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The State Legislature will vote on new maps proposed by the Independent Redistricting Committee later this month. | Bill Mahoney/POLITICO | New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission wrapped up its work with a new set of congressional maps that will be voted on by the state Legislature later this month. The commission’s work involved 44 public meetings over four years, four court battles, at least $7 million of taxpayers' money on attorneys and years of confusion for congressional hopefuls. So that begs the question: Was all of this worth it, and did the new commission actually work as planned? Skeptics abound. “I don’t think anybody who’s watched the process unfold over the past two years thinks it’s been a successful endeavor,” Senate Deputy Leader Mike Gianaris said. “Many of the flaws identified by those of us who were around in 2014 have proven to be true.” The commission’s lines Thursday were nearly identical to those cobbled together in a Steuben County courthouse in a few weeks in 2022. And that’s not too different a result from when the courts drew the congressional lines in 2012 — before then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo pushed a constitutional amendment to create the current commission with a goal of a bipartisan, transparent product. Commissioners defended their work. “People expect a lot more partisanship,” Democrat co-chair Ken Jenkins said. But the commission’s existence requires “compromise and cooperation,” and that “is absolutely worth it for the state of democracy.” Republican co-chair Charlie Nesbitt said it was worth using the court’s maps as a starting point “in order not to confuse the electorate.” “In some cases, had we made radical changes, people would have voted in three different districts over three different elections,” Nesbitt said. Legislators will have the final say over what happens to the lines, and the process is still drawing angst. “Everything has taken place behind closed doors in secret negotiations,” Common Cause New York’s executive director Susan Lerner said. “The voters and the public have been cut out from this process.” And the new maps are still creating partisan bickering. Former GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin encouraged state lawmakers to adopt the commission’s new map. Behind-the-scenes jockeying among Republicans to back the lines is also expected, he said. “The post-IRC-vote conversations will be had for sure,” he told Playbook. “Ultimately, the most threshold question will be whether or not [Speaker Carl] Heastie and [Senate Majority Leader Andrea] Stewart-Cousins are going to pass the IRC map or they’re going to try to pass a hyper-partisan gerrymandered map anyway. That’s really the big next question.” He added, “The answer to avoid additional chaos and confusion is very simple. New Yorkers will be able to go on with their lives if there aren’t any additional games played in Albany.” Still, others were more circumspect. Lawmakers probably won’t be back in Albany until Feb. 26. "We owe it to the public to carefully review these maps, especially in light of serious concerns being raised by various communities of interest,” state Democratic chair Jay Jacobs said in a statement. “The fact that Lee Zeldin — who undermined the foundation of our democracy by trying to overturn the will of the voters on January 6 — endorsed this map should give us all pause and require a thorough examination, which the Legislature will now do." — Bill Mahoney and Nick Reisman HAPPY FRIDAY. Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE’S KATHY? Making an economic development announcement in Buffalo. WHERE’S ERIC? Delivering remarks at USA Jiangzhe Chamber of Commerce Industry's Inaugural Ceremony Lunar New Year Gala Dinner in Flushing. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “New York’s 3rd Congressional District is 72 percent pro-choice, so it’s one of the more pro-choices places you can find.” — Mike Bocian, chief Democratic pollster in the race that Tom Suozzi won this week, speaking on “The Daily Blast” podcast.
|  | ABOVE THE FOLD | | | | 
The Independent Budget Office estimates $900 million more in tax revenues due to Mayor Eric Adams' surplus in the budget. | Office of New York City Mayor Eric Adams | BUDGET BOOST: New York City’s Independent Budget Office believes Mayor Eric Adams will have nearly $3 billion more than projected in the current budget, which runs through the end of June. That, in turn, will boost the city’s financial standing in the upcoming spending plan that will soon be hashed out with the City Council and takes effect July 1. In particular, IBO is forecasting about $900 million more in anticipated tax revenues this fiscal year compared to City Hall estimates, according to an analysis released Thursday. The budget watchdog also anticipates the mayor will spend $1.9 billion less than he has projected on salaries (there are a lot of vacancies), migrant costs and charter school spending. Together that adds up to a $2.8 billion municipal cushion. And because the city will use that additional surplus to prepay expenses for the following year, IBO expects the upcoming budget will have a $3.3 billion surplus — even when taking into account several areas of under-budgeting. “The city is starting to settle into what might be a new normal following the pandemic upheaval,” Sarah Parker, a senior research and strategy officer with IBO, told Playbook. It is politically advantageous for mayors to downplay revenue — a standard practice of city budget directors — as they continually negotiate budgets with legislators and labor contracts union leaders. But the IBO’s rosier forecast comes on top of a preliminary budget by Adams that shows a healthier fiscal outlook than estimates he released in November. Last month, Adams announced a balanced budget of $109.4 billion, with the help of $3 billion in better-than-expected tax revenue, $1.5 billion in anticipated state aid and a $1.7 billion drop in projected costs of sheltering migrants. Thursday’s review also included an IBO projection for spending on migrants and asylum seekers first made in December. The agency predicted $2.4 billion less in spending in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 for these newcomers than the Adams administration did in its preliminary budget. — Emily Ngo and Joe Anuta
| | CITY HALL: THE LATEST | | | | 
Gov. Kathy Hochul's Budget Director Blake Washington won't budge on migrant funding. | Jeff Coltin/POLITICO | MIGRANT BUDGET WON’T BUDGE: Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget czar is staying firm on the governor’s $2.4 billion proposal for migrant funding this year, despite Adams’ request for an additional $1.6 billion or so. “In a silo, you'd want to make sure that every every need in the state of New York was met. But you have to target the expenditures to meet the exigent circumstances,” state Budget Director Blake Washington said at a Citizens Budget Commission breakfast Thursday. Adams told the Legislature on Tin Cup Day he wanted the state to split migrant costs with the city 50-50, but didn’t ask Hochul directly at their meeting. Asked if he’d gotten a specific number the city is looking for, Washington did not say yes, but downplayed its importance. “We view the city's financial plan. We know what their long-term horizon is. So we have a rough approximation,” he said. Washington also emphasized that Hochul’s budget is boosting the city in other ways, like funding public schools and adding to the city’s debt capacity. — Jeff Coltin SANCTUARY DEBATE: The mayor said Thursday that he’s on board with the “concept” of a sanctuary city as a place where immigrants can pursue the American dream, but told ABC7 that he takes issue with shielding “those who commit serious, violent acts in our city.” However, under the policies, if convicted, the migrants like those involved in last month’s attack on two police officers in Times Square would likely be deported, attorneys have said. Some of the suspects were initially released without bail, but eight have been arraigned and two are in ICE custody. The debate over sanctuary policies has intensified after the high-profile melee and subsequent shooting of a tourist, also in Times Square. “Anyone who commits a crime in a sanctuary city is still subject to the same criminal proceedings as anyone else,” the New York Immigration Coalition wrote in a recent memo addressing misconceptions. Sanctuary rules do bar the NYPD from honoring ICE officers’ detainer requests, though some exceptions include those convicted of serious, violent crimes. New York-based ICE director Kenneth Genalo, standing with Republican officials condemning sanctuary policies, said earlier this month of suspects, “If you don’t honor the detainers, there’s no way that we can get them immediately. … They could be in the wind.” — Emily Ngo More from the city: — City lawmakers are split on whether $150 million for public pool construction is worth the cost. (POLITICO Pro) — New Jersey officials who filed congestion pricing lawsuits could put new MTA projects in jeopardy. (Daily News) — Adams administration shelter stay limits disproportionately turn out African migrants, including people from Mauritania and Senegal. (New York Focus)
| | NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY | | | 
Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is heading to Israel on a sponsored trip from the Jewish Community Relations Council with a handful of New York City legislators. | Seth Wenig/AP | TRIP TO ISRAEL: A delegation of New York officials headlined by state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is planning to head to Israel for an upcoming multi-day trip sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. The visit comes amid a war in Gaza that has spurred protests in New York City, put higher education leaders in the hot seat, and upended some traditional alliances in the Democratic Party. The contingent will feature around 10 electeds from the city and state – including Assembly Member Kenny Burgos and City Council Members Lynn Schulman and Joe Borelli, the latter of whom leads the body’s Republican caucus. “The Empire State stands in unwavering solidarity with the people of Israel," DiNapoli said in a statement. "Israel is one of our nation's strongest allies and a beacon of hope and strength for so many New Yorkers." The JCRC hopes the five-day trip, which will feature visits to multiple locations around the country, will “show solidarity, and provide comfort to the people of Israel“ said its New York interim CEO Noam Gilboord. — Joe Anuta and Jeff Coltin DOWNSTATE UPDATE: Hochul provided clarity on funding for the next iteration of Downstate Medical Center in her 30-day amendments released Thursday evening. The governor is proposing a $300 million transformation fund that would come from existing Department of Health capital reappropriations. The amendments also included a $100 million increase in operating aid for the teaching hospital. That money would fund SUNY’s plan to shutter the hospital's central building and relocate services to a new wing in Kings County Hospital. Plans also include a new student and academic center, urgent care, out-patient services and a health disparities institute. The plans for Downstate have created a contentious debate among the state Brooklyn delegation. During a rally earlier in the month, some lawmakers said the state shouldn’t rush the process and instead use a community-driven approach to understand the healthcare needs of Central Brooklyn. Others want state aid but also are insisting on a community-driven process. SUNY warns the deteriorating hospital will face closure by the summer if funding is not secured in the budget. Sen. Kevin Parker said he would like to see a $500 million investment to put an end to a decades-long annual fight to keep it afloat. “There's a lot of criticism of the process. We don't have all the time in the world; the timeframe is probably the biggest problem with it,” Parker said. “But I think there's a necessary step that we have to take, unfortunately” Sen. Zellnor Myrie, who represents Downstate, would like to see the process put on pause. “Everything that I've heard [from the community] since this plan has been unveiled has been resoundingly negative,” Myrie said. “So if we are to ground this plan in the community's desires, as it stands right now, this is a plan that they reject, and they don't desire.” — Katelyn Cordero
More from Albany: — Hochul is not happy with her slow rollout of weed dispensary openings. (POLITICO) — Hochul wants to make the to-go cocktail law — which is available to every restaurant and bar — permanent. (Gothamist) — Hochul is proposing legislation that would criminalize some deceptive and abusive uses of AI and require disclosure of AI in election campaign materials. (Axios)
| | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | | 
Exactly 112 New York Democrats cosigned a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and fellow New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand demanding a cease-fire in Gaza. | Francis Chung/POLITICO | DEMS SEEK CEASE-FIRE: More than 100 state Democratic committee members, district leaders and county committee members on Thursday urged New York’s two U.S. senators to back a cease-fire in Gaza. A letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand signed by 112 Democratic officials in New York is the latest example of the fissure within the party over the war following Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7 on Israeli communities and military sites. Democrats have been split over Israel’s conduct of the war as civilian casualties have climbed. President Joe Biden last week acknowledged Israel’s response has been “over the top.” “We as the Democratic Party have always been leaders who stand for fairness, justice, and equality, and now is not the time to falter from the ideals that make our party great,” the letter stated. “As Democratic Party leaders, we cannot stand idly by while a war, against our values and fueled by our government, is waged.” A spokesperson for Schumer declined to comment. A spokesperson for Gillibrand did not return calls seeking comment. Democratic Assembly Member Charles Lavine, a Long Island Democrat who leads the state chapter of the National Association of Jewish Legislators, has been supportive of Israel during the war. “I think a good first step would be for Hamas to return the hostages and to stop firing missiles into Israel,” he told Playbook in response to the letter. — Nick Reisman BLAME GAME: Rep. Mike Lawler’s effort for a new state and local tax deduction bill tanked Wednesday. Now, he’s throwing the blame on a fellow New Yorker — Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The SALT bill, which would double the amount married couples can deduct from their taxes, failed to pass a procedural vote after 207 Democrats and 18 Republicans voted against the bill. The failed procedural vote killed any progress on the bill, which has become a repeated talking point for vulnerable New York Republicans for years, and even many Democrats in the high-tax state. Not a single Democrat voted in favor of the procedure — and Lawler said that’s Jeffries’ fault. “Leader Jeffries often is quoted as saying, putting people over politics. That's exactly the opposite of what he did yesterday,” Lawler told reporters Thursday on Capitol Hill. “He literally was whipping members against potentially walking out on the vote so that the bill could advance, actually be debated and receive an up-or-down vote.” But the SALT procedural vote was grouped with a vote on a separate bill that condemned the Biden administration’s policies — a move from GOP leadership that killed any hope of Democratic support. Many Democratic members of the SALT caucus, including New Jersey Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill, did not vote at all. Still, Lawler said of Jeffries: “He actually could have helped deliver a big win for New York. Instead, he chose to put politics above all else.” Andy Eichar, Jeffries’ spokesperson, responded: “Mike who?” — Mia McCarthy More from Congress — Tom Suozzi didn’t take Asian votes for granted, and it helped him win, Rep. Grace Meng said in a Q&A. (City & State)
| | NEW YORK STATE OF MIND | | — Real estate agents had their licenses revoked or suspended and were fined for imposing unequal standards on homebuyers of different races after a newspaper investigation. (Newsday) — There were a lot of Black cowboys living in New York City, now, some are trying to keep the history alive. (ABC7 NY) — A judge rejected Donald Trump’s attempt to dismiss his hush money case. (State of Politics)
| | SOCIAL DATA | | Edited by Daniel Lippman MAKING MOVES: Former Hochul campaign press secretary Jen Goodman is rejoining the governor’s team as communications director for the New York State Democratic Party. She’s mostly recently been a senior communications advisor at Liftoff Campaigns. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Carl Icahn … Robert Allbritton … gay rights activist Allen Roskoff … Newsday reporter Matthew Chayes … Kevin Robillard … Joe Concha … Ed O’Keefe of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum … David Keating … Anna Tuman … Andrew Kirk … Adam Sharp … (was Thursday): Jed Rubenfeld.
| | YOUR NEW YORK NUMBER OF THE DAY | | | | $97,000 The amount received in questionable payments, each, by two FDNY chiefs who had their homes raided Thursday in a bribery investigation, The New York Times reports. | | | | | | 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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