The evolving cease-fire campaign

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Mar 20, 2024 View in browser   By Emily Ngo, Nick Reisman and Jeff Coltin Presented by New York Communities for Care With help from Irie Sentner Pro-Palestinian protesters prayed outside Mayor Eric Adams' Iftar event Tuesday near City Hall. | Emily Ngo/POLITICO Inside a closed-press, invitation-only Ramadan celebration late Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams hosted Muslim New Yorkers who didn’t heed a call to boycott over his support for Israel. Outside the venue near City Hall, police officers and barricades held at bay a large crowd of pro-Palestinian protesters who angrily denounced him. Some shouted “shame” at the Iftar attendees and jeered at police. Others banged drums and prayed together. “Cease-fire now,” a massive sign read. Asked by Playbook where the mayor stands on a cease-fire, an Adams spokesperson notably avoided the phrase in her response. “Mayor Adams has been clear that the fastest way to a permanent end to this conflict and to protect every innocent civilian in the region,” she said, “is for Hamas to release every hostage and put their weapons down. That will pause military actions and allow for more humanitarian aid to pass into Gaza.” That statement separated the mayor from many fellow New York Democrats. This past week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado listed the same priorities while calling for a “temporary” cease-fire — going somewhere Adams has not. They are high-profile examples of how the cease-fire conversation is evolving nearly six months after Hamas attacked Israel, leaving 1,200 dead and taking 240 hostages. The Palestinian death toll has been climbing to nearly 32,000. The establishment Democrats, all ardent defenders of Israel, have repurposed a word widely used by the political left as negotiations to halt the fighting carry on in fits and starts. The major difference? “Temporary” versus “permanent” cease-fire. In a Friday statement that flew below the radar, Hochul said Biden administration talks would, in part, “put an end to the continued loss of innocent life through a six-week temporary cease-fire.” Delgado told CBS New York, “A temporary cease-fire is critical. I think it’s important that we stop the fighting, that we do what we can — everything we can — to get hostages home and to get aid into Gaza.” Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in U.S. history, criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and urged a temporary cease-fire and two-state solution while saying a permanent cease-fire would allow Hamas to regroup. City Council Member Shahana Hanif — among those who called for a boycott of Adams’ Iftar event — and more left-leaning Democrats are demanding a permanent cease-fire. Hanif has said it would lead to the release of all hostages. State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani told City & State that Americans haven’t been rallying for a “six-week respite in a massacre,” but rather “the end of the massacre.” But “temporary” is where many elected Democrats find themselves settling. In late February, Reps. Jerry Nadler, Dan Goldman and 11 Jewish colleagues wrote to President Joe Biden encouraging a “temporary cease-fire agreement.” And Hochul is there now as one of her party’s fiercest backers of Israel. At the New York Stands with Israel vigil in Manhattan on Oct. 10, she had appeared to call for retaliation. “In such moments of darkness and in cruelty, yes, we are called upon to pray for peace,” she had said. “But justice first.” — Emily Ngo HAPPY WEDNESDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.   A message from New York Communities for Care: THANK YOU GOVERNOR HOCHUL for pushing to expand affordable healthcare access for New York families! Your proposal to eliminate insulin copays will help 1.6 million New Yorkers who struggle to afford the treatment. And by unlocking federal funding for local care, you’ll help families access care regardless of where they live.   WHERE’S KATHY? In Albany with no public schedule. WHERE’S ERIC? Making a debt collection- and infrastructure-related announcement, then appearing on 94.7 The Block’s “Jonesy in the Morning,” then delivering remarks at a rally in support of Haiti with Reverend Al Sharpton and faith leaders, then hosting a virtual roundtable discussion with leaders in the Black community, then appearing live on News 12’s evening newscast. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “If they are having a difficult time getting their product in front of someone, I can grease the skids.” — Former City Hall chief of staff Frank Carone in a New York magazine profile on his central role in the "Eric Adams Smash-and-Grab.” ABOVE THE FOLD Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislators have less than two weeks before the April 1 deadline to get a spending deal for the state. | Hans Pennink/AP BUDGET BLUES: Legislators and Hochul have about a week and a half left to get a spending deal for the state before the April 1 deadline. Here’s the latest in final budget negotiations: — Medicaid Money: A legislative-backed proposal to tax-managed care organizations that would generate $4 billion annually for three years is being seriously considered by the Hochul administration, two people familiar with the discussions said. The move is a circular one: The plans would be reimbursed by the federal government, which would also have to approve the move. But it would trigger additional federal matching dollars for Medicaid — a potential solution to Hochul’s proposal to slow spending growth. The downside is essentially kicking more difficult decisions over spending into the future. — “Good Cause” exemptions: Democratic lawmakers are not ruling out backing potential exemptions for tenant protections in a final housing package similar to those in the “good cause” legislative proposal. State Senate Housing Chair Brian Kavanagh pointed to other states that adopted similar compromises. “It’s certainly worth considering,” he told Playbook. Lawmakers believe an exemption for new construction to provisions like making it harder to raise rents and evict tenants could address the concerns raised by developers that a good cause law would curtail investment. Kavanagh does not want to kick housing policy out of the budget talks. He pointed to measures that had backing among lawmakers — rental assistance, capital programs and “Mitchell Lama 2.0” included — that would cost money. — Retail theft: Assembly Democrats were privately briefed this week on proposals to address retail theft and shoplifting. Hochul wants stronger penalties for people who assault retail workers and a tax credit meant to help businesses boost security. Assemblymember John McDonald, who is supportive of the anti-retail theft measures, does not expect the issue to be among the first locked down in the budget negotiations. Some Democratic lawmakers have concerns with Hochul’s plans and have raised questions over how broad the tax credit would be for businesses. “I think there’s open conversation and understanding what it looks like,” he said. “We’re still trying to get a clear answer on what that is.” — Nick Reisman CITY HALL: THE LATEST City lawyers tried to convince a judge to keep Rikers Island under the city’s control Tuesday, pleading to give Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie a chance. | Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office CHANGE AT RIKERS: Give the new jails commissioner a chance, city lawyers pleaded Tuesday as they tried to convince a judge to keep Rikers Island under the city’s control and not appoint a federal receiver. Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie’s December appointment was praised by the federal monitor now overseeing the jails. That appointment “rests at the heart of the city’s belief that it can turn Rikers around,” the Queens Eagle reported Tuesday. The Legal Aid Society, as well as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District Damian Williams’ Office, argue a federal takeover is needed since the city has failed to keep detainees safe. A decision could come as soon as May. In the last decade, fewer people have been jailed in New York, but they’re being held longer, and more of them have been flagged for mental health treatment, a new report from the Independent Budget Office found. — Jeff Coltin LADY AND THE TRUMPER: Restaurateur Joe Germanotta (better known as Lady Gaga’s dad) hosted a fundraiser for likely mayoral candidate Scott Stringer Monday — even though he’s a Trump supporter who rails against “border criminals” on Twitter. Stringer, a Democrat who ran as a progressive in 2021, said he and Germanotta “don’t see eye to eye on everything” but called the Joanne Trattoria owner “a great small business owner who is a very close friend of mine.” The former city comptroller is actively running, pitching himself to the West Side Dems club tonight and holding an LGBTQ+ fundraiser with financier Mitchell Draizin in Turtle Bay next Wednesday. Stringer also spoke Tuesday night to the Grand Street Dems, a club that rescinded its 2021 mayoral endorsement of him after he was accused of sexual misconduct. Stringer, like Adams now, vehemently denied doing anything wrong. He declined to comment on the new detailed complaint filed against the mayor. — Jeff Coltin More from the city: — City lawyers will defend Adams in his sexual assault civil case — and taxpayers will pay — though the corporation counsel has declined representation to others in the past. (POLITICO) — A lawsuit seeking to overhaul the city’s lopsided property tax system can proceed, the state’s highest court ruled. (POLITICO Pro) — Adams said he met Chinese billionaire Hui Qin who pleaded guilty to making straw donations to him but said he had “no involvement” in the scheme. (Daily News) NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY State Sen. Jeremy Cooney wants the Office of General Services' review of the Office of Cannabis Management to lead to wholesale changes. | Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul OCM’S CHANGES: State Sen. Jeremy Cooney doesn’t just want a personnel shakeup at the Office of Cannabis Management. He is pressing for big changes at the marijuana regulator after the disastrous rollout of the marketplace. Cooney, who chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Cannabis, wants the review by Office of General Services Commissioner Jeannette Moy to lead to wholesale changes, some of which the Legislature could act on. That includes addressing how the state doles out cannabis licenses, which has been the subject of thorny litigation. “I think and I’m hopeful that one of the areas that Commissioner Moy will study and look at is whether there are legislative changes to the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act that need to be made,” Cooney said. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — An effort to get universal school meals over the finish line is being made. (Times Union) — Lawmakers want to close a loophole being used by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo to help pay his legal fees. (New York Post) — Pro-Palestinian advocates are trying to get Democrats to cast blank ballots for Biden. (City & State)   A message from New York Communities for Care:   KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION Rep. Marc Molinaro called on his NY-19 opponent Josh Riley to return a $30,000 stipend his campaign said wasn't properly disclosed. | Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP MOLINARO ACCUSES RILEY OF FEC VIOLATION: Rep. Marc Molinaro is calling on his NY-19 opponent Josh Riley to return a $30,000 stipend that Molinaro’s campaign says wasn’t properly disclosed on Federal Election Commission filings. “Josh Riley violated federal election law (by) taking an illegal salary from a shadowy D.C. group. Return the money Josh,” reads a new attack ad launched by Molinaro, and shared first with Playbook. According to a FEC complaint, Riley received a paid fellowship in 2023 from The American Mainstream Policy Leadership Institute, a little-known progressive organization. Six other Democrats, including NY-4 candidate Laura Gillen, received similar fellowships after losing their congressional races. The complaint alleges the fellowships were a back-handed way for a web of organizations to fund Democrats likely to run for Congress again. It argues the payments should have been reported as campaign contributions. Riley, who reported the money as earned income, said the accusations were baseless because he was paid before launching his candidacy, a point campaign finance experts tended to agree with. “Josh spent three months studying public policy to address the healthcare shortage in rural communities,” Riley’s campaign manager, Daniel Fleiss, said in a statement. “Career politician Marc Molinaro is so desperate to distract from his record that he and his far-right allies will say anything." — Jason Beeferman NEW YORK STATE OF MIND — New Yorkers feel their quality of life has decreased since 2017 and half plan to leave the city, according to a new survey. (New York Times) — Damian Fagon, the chief equity officer of the state’s Office of Cannabis Management, has been placed on leave following allegations of retaliation against a Columbia County cannabis processor. (Times Union) — Over 100,000 people signed a petition calling for the alligator seized from a residential swimming pool in Erie County last week to be returned to its owner. (Democrat and Chronicle)   A message from New York Communities for Care: New Yorkers from all backgrounds have seen the impact of Governor Hochul’s policies to reduce healthcare costs and increase access to care in low-income communities. The Governor has proposed record funding to expand affordable healthcare access for New York families. Eliminating insulin copays, which would help 1.6 million New Yorkers who struggle to afford the treatment. Supporting new moms with expanded paid leave during pregnancy. Securing $6 billion from the Federal government to invest in healthcare access for low-income New Yorkers. New Yorkers deserve healthcare they can trust. Thank you Governor Hochul for having our backs. Paid for by NY Communities for Care.   SOCIAL DATA Edited by Daniel Lippman MAKING MOVES — Dominic Kablack has joined The Parkside Group as its director of scheduling. MEDIAWATCH — Nick Kristof, the longtime NYT columnist, said on Monday that the paper made a major “mistake” by firing former editorial page editor James Bennet, and that there should be more conservative voices in the opinion section. “At the individual level, I do think we can be wrong on a lot of things or we can miss important arguments,” Kristof said at the Faith Angle Forum in Florida. He said that if the paper published more conservatives, the Times “would have more credibility as a news organization.” Kristof also criticized the selection of letters to the editor that the paper publishes. “If you look at the tone of letters to the editor of The New York Times, people can’t be as nasty to me as I am to other people,” he said. “I think we would be better off if we had really tough more conservative opinion pieces and letters to the editor.” A Times spokesperson had no comment. ENGAGED — Walker Blackston, senior analyst at DeepIntent, recently proposed to Brennan Hoban, manager of communications for the global advanced industries practice at McKinsey and a Brookings alum. The couple met on Hinge and had their first date at Calico, and it turns out they were neighbors. Pic ... Another pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Kevin Hassett … CNN’s Jim Bittermann … Semafor’s Benjy Sarlin … Jason Lifton … (WAS TUESDAY): Jill Abramson ... Craig Hatkoff ... Leonard A. Lauder YOUR NEW YORK NUMBER OF THE DAY 12 hours Total length of the City Council education budget hearing on Monday   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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