Border politics comes to SOTU

Presented by Amazon: POLITICO's must-read briefing informing the daily conversation among knowledgeable New Yorkers

Mar 07, 2024 View in browser   By Emily Ngo, Nick Reisman and Jeff Coltin Presented by With help from Irie Sentner Republican Reps. Anthony D’Esposito, pictured, and Nicole Malliotakis will bring NYPD Lt. Ben Kurian and Officer Zunxu Tian, who were attacked by migrants in Times Square in late January, as their guests to tonight's State of the Union. | Francis Chung/POLITICO President Joe Biden will be the one delivering the State of the Union address tonight at the U.S. Capitol. But members of Congress will send their own messages with their plus-ones. New York Republican Reps. Nicole Malliotakis and Anthony D’Esposito will bring NYPD Lt. Ben Kurian and Officer Zunxu Tian, who were attacked by migrants in Times Square in late January. And House Speaker Mike Johnson has invited both guests to sit in the speaker’s box. “The NYPD, law enforcement, public safety throughout this country have become victims,” D’Esposito, a former NYPD officer himself, told Playbook. “I hope the president at some time looks up from the podium and looks some of these people in the eye and realizes what a disaster he’s created in the United States of America.” Law and order — now entwined with border security — remains a central theme for Republicans this high-stakes election year, even after their special election loss last month to Long Island Democrat Tom Suozzi, who campaigned on finding solutions to those challenges. New York City’s struggle to shelter tens of thousands of newcomers from the southern border and some incidents of violence involving migrants have helped fuel GOP criticism of Democrats. But the narrative behind the Jan. 27 brawl between Kurian and Tian and a group of migrants has begun to unravel. Surveillance footage of the altercation was widely circulated, including in right-wing news outlets, as an example of Biden border policies gone wrong. Soon afterward, however, additional video was released showing the fight appeared to begin when a migrant lobbed an insult at an officer and was pushed up against a wall for it. Then, last week, the migrant who flipped off news cameras on his way out of court — an image making him a poster boy of migrant crime and a welcome addition to GOP attack ads — was exonerated. Prosecutors said he played no role in the high-profile attack. “I deplore and denounce any attack on police officers, but to try to categorize immigrants as being blood-thirsty criminals is so far from the truth,” Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat of Manhattan told Playbook, citing studies that found no correlation between immigration and higher crime rates. (Espaillat will bring Gov. Kathy Hochul, his longtime friend, as his guest, POLITICO reported.) Malliotakis didn’t let the new revelations throw her off message, telling Playbook the bottom line is this: “These police officers were assaulted by migrants who shouldn’t have been here.” The Staten Island Republican added of tonight’s speech, “What I would love to hear the president say is that he made a mistake, he went too far, he wants to roll back these policies.” New information since the Times Square attack hasn’t changed D’Esposito's mind either. “Whoever that individual was who flipped the bird to the news is irrelevant in this situation,” the Long Islander said. “The police officers were still attacked by migrants. There’s still a migrant crisis in the country.” – Emily Ngo HAPPY THURSDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE’S KATHY? In New York City and Washington, appearing on MSNBC's “Morning Joe” and FOX5’s “Good Day New York,” then attending the the State of the Union address. WHERE’S ERIC? Making an equity- and economic development-related announcement, then delivering remarks and cutting the ceremonial ribbon at the grand opening of The Apollo Stages at the Victoria Theater, then meeting with a delegation from the Wilson Center’s Latin America Program, then hosting a reception to celebrate the culture and heritage of the Bangladeshi community. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We don’t have a surge in crime. We have a surge in recidivism.” – Mayor Eric Adams, stressing the role of repeat subway crime offenders in a series of TV interviews but conspicuously missing from Hochul’s news conference on subway safety.   A message from Amazon: Amazon fulfillment centers create 3,000 local jobs on average with comprehensive benefits and free on-the-job technical training opportunities in towns across the country. “Health care started on day one for me and my kids,” said MJ, who works in one of Amazon’s fulfillment centers. See the impact of Amazon's comprehensive benefits.   ABOVE THE FOLD Republicans in the state Senate took aim at antisemitism on college campuses and the proposed $2.4 billion for migrant-related costs. | Hans Pennink/AP WHAT REPUBLICANS WANT: The lonely GOP minority conferences in Albany are still trying to flex their budget muscles as Democrats prepare their own spending proposals to be released next week. In a letter to the state’s top Democratic leaders on Wednesday, Republicans in the state Senate took aim at both the proposed $2.4 billion for migrant-related costs as well as antisemitism on college campuses. GOP Sen. Bill Weber, the ranking Republican in the Senate Finance Committee, told Playbook whatever money the state spends should be reimbursed by the federal government. “A bad situation here in New York could definitely get worse,” Weber said. “We need the federal government to deal with the border crisis.” Hochul’s top budget adviser has previously called the amount of money New York is spending to provide housing, legal services and other resources for migrants as unsustainable. Weber agreed with that assessment. “We’re dealing with it, and unfortunately it’s costing the state a tremendous amount of money,” he said. Republicans also want to address the rise in cases of antisemitism on college campuses. Weber is backing a proposal with Assemblymember Ari Brown to withhold tuition assistance to colleges that have seen an increase in bias incidents against Jewish students amid the Israel-Hamas war. “It’s something we need to take seriously,” he said. “We’ve seen an uptick in those incidents, and we really need to nip it in the bud.” Republicans have little actual power in the budget negotiations, which are dominated by the closed-door discussions between Hochul, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Still, GOP lawmakers exert what leverage they can by calling attention to issues they’re concerned about. That includes opposition to Hochul’s proposal to close five prisons in the state and a push to reverse a change to how schools are funded, which could lead to cuts for hundreds of districts. The budget is due by April 1, the start of the state’s fiscal year. – Nick Reisman CITY HALL: THE LATEST City Council Member Susan Zhuang and Assemblymember Bill Colton (pictured) tried to convince Wenjian Liu to run for Democratic district leader to unseat Tori Kelly. | Hans Pennink/AP KEEP IT ON THE DL: City Council Member Susan Zhuang and Assemblymember Bill Colton tried to convince the wife of assassinated NYPD Detective Wenjian Liu to run for Democratic district leader to unseat a political rival in Southern Brooklyn — a scheme that could help party leader Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn hold onto power. But Sanny Liu decided against running for the volunteer post, even though she would have gotten support from Mayor Adams’ top aide. “She decided not to run. She was going to get the whole world’s support,” Bichotte Hermelyn said to Playbook about Liu. “She would have been an excellent candidate for the community,” but is instead “focused on raising her miracle baby, Angelina, and running the Detective Wenjian Liu Foundation.” Angelina was born through IVF after her father was murdered along with his partner Rafael Ramos in 2014, and the legislature unanimously passed a law to let her access his benefits. Liu would have run against Tori Kelly, a district leader who considered challenging Bichotte Hermelyn in 2022. She’s part of a rival political faction in southern Brooklyn that Colton, Zhuang and Bichotte Hermelyn would love to take out. Adams’ chief adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin told Playbook that she played no role in recruiting Liu, but would have supported her. “I think she’d be a great candidate,” she said. “Her husband gave his life for this city. So if she wanted to go into public service, that would be a great asset to his legacy.” Liu, who didn’t respond to a request for comment, is active with the NYPD and was a prominent endorser of Zhuang’s council campaign. She’s instead running on Zhuang’s judicial delegate slate, while Joyce Xiaoqiong Xie, a member of the local Community Education Council, is running for district leader. – Jeff Coltin More from the city: — The Queens mall raided along with homes owned by Adams’ Asian affairs director Winnie Greco has been a major source of funds for his political ambitions. (The City) — Chinese migrants have made their way to New York, on the heels of migrants from Central and South America. (New York Times) — Education officials consider staggering class start times to avoid another online learning blunder. (POLITICO Pro) — The Planning Commission advances “City of Yes” zoning changes to boost economic growth. (POLITICO Pro)   A message from Amazon:   NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY A group of state lawmakers who are parents urged Gov. Kathy Hochul to reverse a pending school formula aid change which could lead to budget cuts to more than half of the state’s 637 school districts. | Hans Pennink/AP MOMS SQUAD ON BUDGET: The Moms Squad is flexing its power. The group of state lawmakers who are parents in a letter sent Wednesday to Hochul urged her to reverse the pending school formula aid change, which could lead to cuts to more than half of the state’s 637 school districts. "The proposed cuts by the governor to the education budget are not only a non-starter but they are unwise and unconscionable,” Sen. Cordell Cleare said. “Furthermore, they are unnecessary as many sources of revenue are available to us to help pay for education, housing, senior services and other imperative investments." Hochul’s $233 billion budget proposal would increase education spending overall by $825 million. But the formula change would take into account school district enrollment, which has declined in many areas of the state. Hochul and her top budget advisor have called the current funding formula outdated and in need of change. The fight over school aid is one of the key issues facing state lawmakers and Hochul as the budget talks come down to the final weeks before the March 31 deadline. – Nick Reisman MIND THE GAP: The Citizens Budget Commission wants state officials to take notice of ballooning gaps in state spending and revenue. The think tank will release an analysis today of the state’s fiscal picture, finding estimated budget gaps running from $5 billion to $9 billion in the coming years. Meanwhile, there’s an even larger $16.4 billion structural gap in the coming 2028 fiscal year. The deficits come as spending is expected to rise and temporary tax surcharges on corporations will expire in 2026 and the personal income tax after 2027. – Nick Reisman More from Albany: — Attorney General Tish James is backing a national effort for Meta to crackdown on hacked accounts. (Times Union) — Hochul will deploy 1,000 National Guard troops to bolster subway safety. (POLITICO) — A court order is blocking a Florida gun dealer from selling some parts in New York. (AP) NEW YORK STATE OF MIND — An investigation into New York’s “broken” guardianship system found systematic neglect. (ProPublica) — NYC officials are bringing back popular school food menu items after cuts earlier this winter. (NY1) — A blend of racist vitriol with actual concerns about how sites are set up is endemic to the public fights over shelter placements and was present at a Gowanus town hall. (Curbed)   A message from Amazon: Amazon has committed $1.2 billion to provide hourly employees across the country with access to prepaid tuition benefits and free on-the-job skills training programs. Amazon’s investments in towns across the country help employees and whole communities thrive. Learn how Amazon supports employees and their communities.   SOCIAL DATA Edited by Daniel Lippman IN MEMORIAM: Queens attorney Morton Povman, whose 30 years as a New York City Council member was the longest tenure in history, died Tuesday. MAKING MOVES – Andrew Gregory has been promoted to be manager of external communications at the New York Independent System Operator. He previously was media relations program lead for NYISO. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Guy Benson … Savannah Behrmann … Carol Danko … BCW’s Katie Nerantzis … Rachel Zuckerman … Adam Kaiser … Harry Bainbridge … (WAS WEDNESDAY): Natalie Lazaroff ... Shelley Mayer ... Michelle Lebowits ... Blake L. Gottesman ... Chaim Haas YOUR NEW YORK NUMBER OF THE DAY 107 The number of Industrial Development Agencies in New York, which can dole out tax breaks “with mixed results, little oversight, and plenty of scandal,” New York Focus 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

To change your alert settings, please log in at https://login.politico.com/?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.com/settings This email was sent to edwardlorilla1986.paxforex@blogger.com by: POLITICO, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA, 22209, USA Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service