| | | | |  | | By Emily Ngo, Jeff Coltin and Nick Reisman | With help from Shawn Ness
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Former Rep. George Santos criticized Mazi Pilip, the woman who ran for and lost for his former seat, and said she wasn't Trump-y enough. | Francis Chung/POLITICO | New York Minute: The bipartisan redistricting commission is releasing new congressional lines at 2 p.m. today — without any aggressive changes to the current lines, POLITICO’s Bill Mahoney reports. Republican Rep. Brandon Williams’ Central New York district is expected to be slightly more favorable to Democrats. While the Hudson Valley districts look less swingy, and more incumbent-friendly, for both Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro and neighboring Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan. Meanwhile, districts in the city and its immediate suburbs, including all of Long Island, would look pretty much the same. The state Legislature needs to approve the lines, and there’s a growing sense that Democrats are willing to leave well enough alone, rather than further prolong the multi-year process in hopes of a more favorable map. “They have PTSD,” said a Democratic operative familiar with conversations. “They’re not going to go for broke. They’ve overlearned their lesson.” — Jeff Coltin SANTOS’ HOT TAKE: Expelled, indicted Republican former Rep. George Santos was on Playbook’s long list of post-special election interviews. We hesitate to give him more ink, but the fact is: Santos won the Nassau County and Queens district by 8 points in 2022 that GOP-backed Mazi Pilip lost by 8 points Tuesday. Santos’ take is that Pilip wasn’t Trump-y enough; she didn’t court Queens voters enough; and she didn’t campaign nearly hard enough. “The base did not turn out, and when I mean the base, I mean MAGA,” Santos told Playbook. “That is a third of the GOP today, and Mazi Pilip, a registered Democrat, thought that she could take those votes for granted.” Santos, whose historic ouster in December over widespread fraud allegations triggered the special election, echoed what former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social about Pilip trying to “straddle the fence” in her support of him. By contrast, Santos said that in his race, he was a “full-blown, full-bore” Trump backer. Still is. On Tuesday, Tom Suozzi prevailed over Pilip as a centrist, sometimes-conservative Democrat campaigning for bipartisanship compromise. He had labeled her “George Santos 2.0.” Santos said the right Republican candidate to face Suozzi was crucial. He blamed the Nassau County GOP leaders who urged him to step down when he took office in January 2023, shortly after his resume fabrications were exposed. Santos, a fan of high fashion but not necessarily the high road, has been heckling his former House colleagues — and also Nassau GOP reps — in text messages as they try to regroup after Pilip’s loss. He said he couldn’t help himself. And he said House Republicans at large regret expelling him now that their already infinitesimal margin over Democrats shrinks to 219-213. “Yes, there’s a lot of members telling folks, ‘I think you screwed up on the Santos vote,’” he said. Later in the interview, Santos said he believes the Pilip loss actually is neither about MAGA nor Queens. “It’s: You cannot undo the will of the people without consequence,” he said. “It’s about you,” Playbook interjected. “It’s not about me. It’s about the people,” he countered. “It’s about taking their duly elected choice and recalling their election without allowing them to make that decision in November.” Santos is on a different timeline now. His Long Island trial on 23 federal fraud charges is set for September. He mentioned his next court date when Playbook asked what he’s been up to, then promoted himself with a salesman’s flair that likely played a bigger role in getting him elected than supporting Trump did. “As far as what’s next for me,” Santos said, “stay tuned to a really big announcement coming out March 1 that I think is going to have members of the press’ jaws dropping.” — Emily Ngo IT’S THURSDAY. Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE’S KATHY? In New York City and Erie County with no public schedule. WHERE’S ERIC? Appearing live on WABC 7’s “Eyewitness News Morning @ 10,” hosting a roundtable discussion to celebrate the “Spread Love NYC” Campaign, hosting a roundtable discussion about the state of Black New York, and then with leaders of the Bangladeshi community, delivering remarks at Assemblymember Gibbs' Black History Month Celebration, hosting a reception for civic engagement and community leaders. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The only thing dumber than riding on top of a subway train is dropping pants in the process.” — MTA spokesperson Tim Minton, on THE CITY’s report of a half-naked subway surfing incident amid an increase in the dangerous stunt.
|  | ABOVE THE FOLD | | | 
Congressional Republicans failed to pass the SALT tax, with 18 Republicans voting against the measure. | Francis Chung/POLITICO | SALT-Y REPUBLICANS: New York House Republicans’ effort for a tax law change is dead after a failed procedural vote on a state and local tax deduction bill Wednesday night. The bill tanked 195-225, with 18 Republicans voting against the bill. The New York delegation voted down party lines, with all Republicans voting in favor of the “rule” and all Democrats voting against it. Rep. Mike Lawler — alongside fellow vulnerable Republicans Reps. Marc Molinaro, Anthony D’Esposito, and Nick Lalota — sponsored the bill that would provide SALT relief that limits state and local tax deductions to $10,000 a year. The bill has been a major talking point for the four Republicans in Biden-won districts who aimed to lower taxes for their primarily middle class constituents. The goal was to increase the tax deduction limit at least for married couples – $20,000 for joint filers with gross adjusted income of $500,000 or less. “This House Republican majority was built by the contributions of New Yorkers, and this legislation would help those same New Yorkers see immediate tax relief,” Lawler said during debate on the bill before the vote. “I encourage my Democratic colleagues to support it as well. They talked a good game, but when they had complete control in the prior Congress, they failed to provide a fix.” Democrats are already putting the failed SALT progress on the offensive: Former Rep. Mondaire Jones, who is the Democratic challenger to Lawler, criticized Lawler for “trying to make minor improvements to a problem he helped cause.” “Trump’s 2017 tax scam bill capped the SALT deduction at $10,000 and forced households in the Lower Hudson Valley to pay thousands more dollars in annual taxes,” Jones said in a statement. “There’s not a crisis Lawler claims to be trying to solve that Republicans aren’t responsible for creating in the first place.” LaLota, however, blamed Democrats for the failed deal: “For years, House Democrats claimed they wanted to increase or remove the SALT deduction cap. Yet, today every single House Democrat, including 14 New York Democrats, voted to block debate and a vote on a Republican bill that would have increased the SALT cap for families from $10,000 to $20,000.” — Mia McCarthy
| | CITY HALL: THE LATEST | | | | 
Mayor Eric Adams is suing the parent companies of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube. He is accusing them of negligence for a rise in the teenage suicide rate. | Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office | MEDIA BLITZ: Mayor Eric Adams announced a lawsuit Wednesday against the parent companies of five social media apps — Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube — alleging that they have harmed the mental health of New York City children. The city’s lawsuit, which alleges negligence and seeks damages, is among hundreds of other cases targeting the firms that have been filed in California. At a press briefing announcing the case, along with a new action plan, Adams and top aides painted a dark picture of increased violence and suicide rates among young New Yorkers driven by social media — along with hours spent scrolling instead of studying or building relationships with others in person. “We not only need to empower people with tools and knowledge and the power to fight back, but we need to demand change,” New York City health commissioner Ashwin Vasan said. “And it doesn't happen by asking nicely.” Several tech companies named in the lawsuit countered they have robust safeguards and restrictions — such as parental control, time limits based on age and restricted features — designed to give younger users age-appropriate experiences and support their wellbeing. “The allegations in this complaint are simply not true,” Google spokesperson José Castañeda said in a statement. The legal salvo also drew immediate backlash from the Partnership for New York City, a nonprofit representing some of the largest businesses in the city, and Tech:NYC, a nonprofit representing tech companies. “Instead of making a good-faith effort to engage on real, immediate solutions, all Mayor Adams did today was create a distraction by joining an ongoing lawsuit with no end in sight,” Tech:NYC head Julie Samuels said in a statement. — Joe Anuta SUE ME, THEN I’LL SUE YOU BACK: A Texas charter bus company sued the city of New York on Tuesday, asking a federal judge to strike down an executive order by Adams that restricts how and when charter bus companies can drop off migrants. In its complaint, Wynne Transportation alleged the executive order violates the Constitution by undermining the federal government’s authority over immigration, interfering with interstate and foreign commerce, and unlawfully discriminating against Wynn’s passengers based on their national origin, alienage, and race. "Unable to draw attention and aid from Washington, Mayor Adams has resorted to violating the U.S. Constitution with Executive Order No. 538," the lawsuit claims, adding that the order "violates the fundamental right of interstate travel of Wynne and its passengers." Wynne is among the 17 companies sued by Adams in January for participating in Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s migrant busing program. Adams contends the measure is needed to slow the flow of more than 180,000 migrants who have moved to the city since 2022. — Kelsey Griffin More from the city: — The Legal Aid Society sued Adams for not complying with new laws to make more people eligible for a housing voucher program. (POLITICO Pro) — Businesses owned by women and people of color still get just a tiny share of city contract spending — but more than in prior years. (POLITICO) — An activist Brooklyn pastor put up bail money for one of the men accused of beating cops in Times Square. (New York Post)
| | NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY | | |  Advocacy groups are urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to back a $250 million housing voucher program. | Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul | | VOUCHER POWER: Dozens of advocacy groups and business organizations today will unveil an effort to press Gov. Kathy Hochul to back $250 million for a proposed housing access voucher program. The push is bringing together disparate groups: Anti-poverty advocates like Robin Hood and Win as well as the Real Estate Board of New York, the New York Immigration Coalition and The Fortune Society. “There is no single silver bullet that will solve New York’s affordable housing crisis, policymakers across all levels of government need to be dually focused on increasing the supply of deeply affordable housing and helping tenants afford rent today,” said Chloe Sarnoff, the director of policy research at Robin Hood. Hochul and state lawmakers are once again negotiating a housing package under the broader $233 billion budget proposal unveiled by the governor last month. Her plan includes provisions meant to spur housing development through incentives for local governments in the state – a change that came after a wide-ranging package for housing fell flat with the Legislature last year. — Nick Reisman TURNING UP THE HEAT: Democratic Assemblymembers Latrice Walker, Nikki Lucas and Stefani Zinerman are the latest lawmakers to sign onto a measure that’s meant to align the state’s climate goals with the state’s public service law. Known as the NY HEAT Act, the measure has stalled in the Legislature and advocates are trying to make in-roads with the Assembly to get it over the finish line. “Families across the state are struggling to afford their energy bills, and utility companies are only making it harder by increasing rates to further burden New Yorkers,” Lisa Marshall, the organizing director at New Yorkers for Clean Power, said. “Lawmakers finally have the chance to provide relief by passing the NY HEAT Act in the budget.” — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — Hochul is not done talking about crime — but now the focus is curbing retail theft. (City & State) — Housing costs have become a severe cost burden for New Yorkers, a comptroller’s report found. (WAMC)
| | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | | 
Senator Kristen Gillibrand is automatically on the 2024 ballot after being designated as the Democratic Party's candidate. | Alex Wong/Getty Images | KG THE NOMINEE: Remember the will-she-or-won’t-she of whether Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez would primary Sen. Kristen Gillibrand? And the will-she-or-won’t-she of whether New York’s junior senator would run for reelection at all? It was long ago put to rest, but now it’s even more official: Gillibrand was designated as the state Democratic Party’s candidate for Senate at a meeting Wednesday, meaning she won’t have to petition to get on the ballot. Gillibrand should have an easy path to victory, particularly in a presidential year. The Republican Party is expected to pick a nominee next week at their convention in Binghamton. Entrepreneur Josh Eisen has filed a campaign and won former Gov. George Pataki’s endorsement. Gillibrand, meanwhile, is playing a big role in the Democratic coordinated campaign to flip and hold swing House seats. — Jeff Coltin MOLINARO FIGHTS BACK: Just two days after the left-leaning Empire State Voices launched an ad attacking GOP Rep. Marc Molinaro, the upstate GOP representative is pushing back. Molinaro’s campaign is set to launch an attack ad of its own, taking aim at Democrat Josh Riley, whom Molinaro narrowly defeated in 2022 in a district that stretches from the Hudson Valley through Central New York. The video, which will air today on digital platforms, attempts to "expose" Riley for "keeping notorious sexual abusers as clients and friends," Molinaro’s campaign said. The ad alleges that Riley is linked to Al Franken, Andrew Cuomo and Harvey Weinstein. “You see the pattern? As a DC lawyer, Josh Riley got rich representing sexual predators,” Matt Organ, Molinaro’s campaign manager said in a statement. “Now he’s trying to hide his past. This new ad campaign will show how big of a phony DC lawyer Josh Riley is.” Attack ads from the 2022 election often sought to portray Riley as a creature of D.C. with nebulous ties to the district, but Molinaro’s new video shows a shifted focus from his campaign to tie Riley with the disgraced and convicted Weinstein. Riley’s campaign blasted the new ad. “No wonder 30-year career politician Marc Molinaro is blatantly lying about Josh,” Riley’s campaign manager, Daniel Fleiss, said in a statement. “If I had to run on Molinaro's record of shackling pregnant women going into labor, restricting abortion access and putting guns in the hands of domestic abusers, I'd do the same thing.” — Jason Beeferman More from Congress: — 97 percent of Alison Esposito’s individual campaign donations came from outside the district, compared to 63 percent of Rep. Pat Ryan’s. (Times Union) — Former Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney said he’ll give up work advising cryptocurrency companies if confirmed as Biden's ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. (POLITICO Pro)
| | NEW YORK STATE OF MIND | | — Newtown Creek is still dirty, more than a decade after the EPA pledged to remedy the industrial contamination — and it’s a flood risk. (THE CITY) — There are a myriad of odd items kept in the basement of the NYPD headquarters. (New York Times) — Assemblymember Phil Steck is primarying Albany District Attorney David Soares. (State of Politics)
| | SOCIAL DATA | | Edited by Daniel Lippman CLICKER — “Huma Abedin and George Soros’ son Alex reveal relationship in Valentine’s Day photo from Paris,” by N.Y. Post’s Allie Griffin MAKING MOVES — Michele Bayer has been appointed chief deputy state inspector general in IG Lucy Lang’s office. Bayer was previously the deputy IG for the downstate region. MEDIAWATCH — Per Talking Biz News: “Jeremy Peters, who has been covering media at The New York Times, is leaving the business news team to join the paper’s national desk to cover campus culture and politics.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Anne Neuberger … former Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.) … Jonathan Salant … Treasury’s Sourav Bhowmick … Art Spiegelman … Maven Media Strategies’ Jennifer Wlach … TPM’s Josh Marshall … Fox Business’ David Asman … Grace Lloyd … Bobby Panzenbeck … (was Wednesday): Steve Tisch.
| | YOUR NEW YORK NUMBER OF THE DAY | | | | 150 x 197 The size, in feet, of a digital billboard planned across the street from Penn Station, filling the old Hotel Pennsylvania site after plans for a new tower were shelved. (Crain’s) | | | | | | 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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