| | | | |  | | By Jeff Coltin, Nick Reisman and Emily Ngo | | Presented by |  | | | With Timmy Facciola
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Mayor Eric Adams is echoing Turkish government talking points, and the Gülen movement has long denied any role in the failed coup. | Chase Sutton/POLITICO | New York Minute: Today marks one year since Hamas’ attack on Israel. Jewish New Yorkers rallied Sunday in Central Park, led by the family of Oct. 7 hostage Edan Alexander. And many college students are planning a pro-Palestinian walkout today to Washington Square Park. THE WRONG TURKS: Mayor Eric Adams said it wasn’t bribery that kept him away from a certain Turkish organization in Brooklyn, but good political sense. It was a new public defense against a specific bit of evidence in the federal indictment against him — underlining his resolve to fight the charges. As Brooklyn borough president, Adams stopped attending events with the Turkish Cultural Center in Sheepshead Bay around the middle of 2016. The center is Gülenist, part of a movement that opposes President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government. Federal prosecutors wrote in the indictment that Adams did so at the request of his Turkish contact who told him in 2016 that “if Adams wished to continue receiving support from the Turkish government, Adams could no longer associate with the Community Center. Adams acquiesced.” Adams gave another explanation Sunday: he stopped going after the Gülenists led a bloody attempted coup in July 2016 where more than 250 people died. “You cannot be affiliated with organizations and groups that attempt to overthrow a government. And history will show what happened during the coup in Turkey,” Adams said when asked by Playbook after the Pulaski Day Parade on Sunday. “Just as I don’t do with Hamas in Israel, just as I don’t do with other violent groups that attempt to overthrow a government. I wouldn’t do that with someone that attempted to overthrow the government here,” Adams continued, previewing that we’ll hear more about it in court. “All of that will be laid out as the next few months unfold.” Adams is echoing Turkish government talking points, it should be noted, and the Gülen movement has long denied any role in the failed coup. Top New York pols like Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez never cut ties, and have kept working with the Turkish Cultural Center. Adams’ falling out with the TCC was detailed in both THE CITY and New York Focus on Friday, which may have put it in the front of the mayor’s mind. But neither story considered that coup as a motive. Adams’ defense is meant to undercut federal prosecutors’ claims of a quid pro quo, building on his lawyer’s argument that everything was above board, standard politics. Cutting out the TCC may seem small. His official schedules as BP include between seven to nine events with the org from the beginning of his term in 2014 through May 2016 — including a dinner in his honor on July 26, 2014. After that, Adams started doing more events with the Eyüp Sultan Cultural Center, which is aligned with the ruling Turkish government. But changing relationships at the behest of a foreign power is evidently something federal prosecutors take seriously. Part of the charges against Gov. Kathy Hochul’s aide Linda Sun, for example, were that she boxed out Taiwanese officials. — Jeff Coltin HAPPY MONDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.
| | | | A message from Uber: New York City Uber riders pay $700 Million in taxes and fees annually* That’s more than the entire budget for New York City Parks Department. *Based on trips originating from NYC in 2023. Learn more. | | | WHERE’S KATHY? Participating in a ceremony to remember the victims of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. WHERE’S ERIC? Conducting a series of interviews as citywide curbside composting service begins, and then meeting with and thanking the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) Oct. 7 protest detail. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The governor’s main concern today is Kodai Senga and the New York Mets, but we will provide any additional updates as necessary.” — Sean Darcy, spokesperson for former Gov. David Paterson, in a statement meant to allay concerns about Paterson and his stepson being attacked and ask that the event not be politicized.
|  | ABOVE THE FOLD | | | 
The governor’s top budget adviser, Blake Washington, reiterated to reporters that Gov. Kathy Hochul does not want to raise the personal income tax, the state’s primary source of revenue. | Spencer Platt/Getty Images | REVENUE WORRIES: New sources of revenue will likely be needed to pay for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s $68 billion capital plan — a problem that could test Hochul’s desire to not raise taxes. When Hochul releases her annual spending proposal in early 2025, she is expected to propose a replacement for the congestion pricing toll program she put on ice this year. The revenue from the tolls for vehicles entering parts of Manhattan would have been leveraged to pay for MTA infrastructure improvements. But with the plan placed on indefinite pause following Hochul’s concerns over essentially taxing commuters in an election year, questions remain over how to fund the promised projects. The governor’s top budget adviser, Blake Washington, reiterated to reporters that Hochul does not want to raise the personal income tax, the state’s primary source of revenue. But he also pointed to the MTA’s capital plan — and the infrastructure upgrades proposed for the creaky mass transit system in New York City — that can’t be shouldered alone by Albany. “The state of New York cannot pay for a $68 billion capital plan on its own, nor can the city, nor can the federal government,” Washington said. “It’s going to take partnership across the board to land that plane and probably some new revenue sources to do just that.” For now, it’s not clear what those revenue options are and where Hochul could find them in the budget. Aside from raising personal income taxes, levy increases for businesses, or the gambling and cannabis sectors could also face pushback. Some revenue plans would be nonstarters for state lawmakers. A short-lived proposal to hike the payroll mobility tax, for instance, fell flat with the Democratic-controlled Legislature in June. The situation is further complicated by the looming change in presidential administrations. Federal reapproval will likely be needed for a revised toll plan. A Donald Trump victory would probably mean congestion pricing is dead on arrival, but even a Kamala Harris win could still lead to months of discussion before any approval. Washington said there is a “constant dialogue” with the federal government over the issue. “The federal government helped to improve the program in the first instance, so they’re going to be involved with whatever happens into the future,” he said. Separately, Washington does not expect the state’s share of migrant costs to increase in the coming budget. Hochul and lawmakers set aside $2.4 billion for migrant housing, health care and other services in the budget approved last spring. Since then, the flow of migrants into New York City has slowed. About 62,000 people remain under the city’s care. “The problem won’t go away overnight, and I know there will be something in next year’s budget,” Washington said. “I do not think it will be more than what was put in this year’s budget.” — Nick Reisman
| | CITY HALL: THE LATEST | | | | 
Some operatives expect former Gov. Andrew Cuomo to stand apart from the other mayoral aspirants if he runs — giving the life-long politician an unexpected dash of outsider street cred. | Francis Chung/POLITICO | QUEASY OVER CUOMO: Some New York Democrats are anxious about the potential of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo mounting a political comeback. That queasiness has led some to quietly consider forming an organized effort composed of labor, business and advocacy groups to counter Cuomo, who has been weighing a run for mayor as Adams fights corruption charges, POLITICO reports. His hardball tactics in office can be viewed as an asset: It’s a style that made him one of the most consequential governors in state history. Some operatives expect Cuomo could stand apart from the other mayoral aspirants if he runs — giving the life-long politician an unexpected dash of outsider street cred. “He’s certainly the master of politics,” said Mark Botnick, a former aide to ex-Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “That being said, he also owes nobody anything given how quickly everyone called for his ouster.” But memories run long, especially in Albany. Some officials recoil at the idea of him holding power again. “If people are looking for who should be the next mayor of New York City, please look beyond Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo,” Sen. Liz Krueger said. “There’s eight million more people to talk to.” — Nick Reisman WRONG ABOUT WRIGHT: First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright is resigning soon, POLITICO and many others reported on Friday, the latest high-profile departure amid Adams’ legal woes. Adams on Sunday said any reporting “that she resigned on Friday was a lie” and that “she was escorted out of City Hall, that was just a lie,” amid “a feeding frenzy” by the press. Of course, Adams did not dispute the central premise — that Wright is out. “Sheena has always brought to us a level of commitment and dedication. As long as she wants to do that, I’m happy to have her,” Adams told the press Sunday. Per POLITICO’s reporting, however, that was just a lie. Tensions are high. “She was forced out,” a person close to Adams said. — Jeff Coltin NOT ALL HOTEL OWNERS: The Hotel Association of New York City has dropped its opposition to a hotly debated, union-backed hotel licensing bill after City Council Member Julie Menin negotiated a set of changes it sought, POLITICO’s Janaki Chadha first reported last week. But a subset of hotel owners in a different group, the NYC Minority Hotel Association, wants to be clear they’re still firmly against it, and the fight isn’t over. Backed by the New York Post editorial board, they sent a letter to Menin last week saying they want to keep negotiating — and threatening to sue. Nevertheless, the bill seems fast-tracked for passage now, with 36 cosponsors and a hearing scheduled for Wednesday morning. — Jeff Coltin More from the city: — Adams’ adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin stuck by the mayor even when “Bling Bishop” Lamor Whitehead threatened her — but everyone’s loyalty is now being tested. (The New Yorker) — The Banks brothers are at the center of the corruption inquiries that have rocked the Adams administration. (New York Times) — New York’s business community continued backing Adams even as his legal problems began to threaten the governance of the city. (New York Times)
| | | | A message from Uber:   | | | | | NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY | | |  This weekend was the latest example of how Gov. Kathy Hochul — who is struggling with her job and favorability ratings back home — has become a surrogate for Kamala Harris in the presidential race. | J. Scott Applewhite/AP | GOV AND GOTV: Hochul was in Pennsylvania on Sunday to participate in a full-court press for the Harris-Walz ticket in the must-win state. Hochul appeared at a canvass kickoff in suburban Downingtown and later in the afternoon at a rally with fellow governors in Philadelphia, which included Govs. Maura Healey, Wes Moore, Phil Murphy and Josh Shapiro. “Get out there, my friends,” Hochul told attendees. “We know how extraordinary Kamala Harris is. She is a powerful woman. I know what it’s like to be No. 2 to go to No. 1.” It’s the latest example of how Hochul — who is struggling with her job and favorability ratings back home — has become a surrogate for Harris in the presidential race. The presidential race aside, Hochul is also the public face of an effort to flip five New York House seats held by Republican freshmen. The House seats could determine which party controls the narrowly divided chamber next year. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — Voter enrollment patterns in New York are starting to shift, and that could have ramifications for how the left-leaning state votes on Nov. 5. (Times Union) — A teen and preteen were arrested in connection with the attack on former Gov. David Paterson and his stepson. (Newsday) — New York Democrats believe they are building a turnout machine for November that hasn’t been seen in the state. (Buffalo News)
| | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | | 
While Rep. Anthony D’Esposito is the incumbent, voter rolls show Laura Gillen, the former Hempstead town supervisor, could have an edge. | Francis Chung/POLITICO | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Big money is pouring into battleground congressional races on Long Island, especially in the South Shore showdown between Democrat Laura Gillen and Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito. “Vote for Laura Gillen to tell the left and right you just want common sense,” a new ad by the Common Sense New York SuperPAC tells voters in the Nassau County district. The new Gillen ad is the first part of a $1 million independent expenditure on the island to boost her and Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi. While D’Esposito is the incumbent, voter rolls show Gillen, the former Hempstead town supervisor, could have an edge. Biden won the district by about 15 points in 2020, and D’Esposito is dealing with the fallout of a New York Times story that said he put his mistress and fiancée’s daughter on his congressional payroll. He has denied committing any sort of unethical conduct. The PAC is also eyeing whether to expand the $1 million effort to include spending on Democratic candidate John Avlon, an adviser to the PAC who said they were not authorized to speak publicly about its activities told Playbook. Matt Capp, a spokesperson for D’Esposito, responded to the pro-Gillen ad in a statement to Playbook. “Whether it be suing a labor union that represents hardworking public servants, campaigning alongside radical ‘defund the police’ advocates, or being bankrolled by the same antisemitic donors that finance Hamas sympathizers, Laura Gillen has proven time and again that she embodies the antithesis of ‘common sense’ and Long Islanders won’t be fooled by this new ad campaign being led by progressives masquerading as moderates,” he said. — Jason Beeferman More from Congress: — Democrat Mondaire Jones weighed in on his Republican rival Mike Lawler’s use of blackface for a Michael Jackson costume in 2006. (NBC 4 New York) — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Adams should not resign but needed to convey “a path forward.” (POLITICO) — Regional NAACP leaders issued a searing statement saying Lawler’s wearing of blackface is part of “a pattern of racial insensitivity” while the Committee for Justice said, “It was a far cry from blackface.” (Black Westchester)
| | NEW YORK STATE OF MIND | | — Donations to Columbia University have dropped by 29 percent in the wake of campus protests against the war in Gaza. (New York Post)
| | | | A message from Uber: Ever thought about what it’s like to drive for Uber in New York?
Uber Drivers earn $32 per hour.* And that’s before incentives and tips
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*Average earnings per online hour from January - July 2024 based on trips originating from NYC
Learn more. | | | | | SOCIAL DATA | | Edited by Daniel Lippman MEDIAWATCH: The New York Times won’t endorse in local races. A group of prominent journalists aims to fill the gap (CNN) … Members of the tentatively-named New York Editorial Board assembled by Semafor’s Ben Smith include NY1’s Errol Louis, Vital City’s Josh Greenman, THE CITY’s Alyssa Katz and Harry Siegel, Bklyner’s Liena Zagare (Smith’s wife), and New York Law School’s Ben Max. MAKING MOVES: Gurbir Grewal will be a partner in Milbank’s litigation and arbitration practice in their New York office, Bloomberg’s Nicola White and Ava Benny-Morrison report. He’s leaving his role as the SEC’s enforcement chief this month. WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Arielle Patrick, chief communications officer at Ariel Investments and an Edelman alum, and Aaron Goldstein, partner at Macellum Capital Management, on Sept. 24 welcomed a baby girl. Pic ... Another pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Corey Bearak … Joe Lhota … Tom Perez ... NYT’s Charlie Savage … Katrina vanden Heuvel … Chris Krueger of Cowen … USTelecom’s Allison Remsen … CNN’s Elizabeth Hartfield … Mark Orlowski … former City Council Member Charles Barron … Anat’s Zac Roy … MorrisAllsop’s Celeste Morris … (WAS SUNDAY): Jonathan Alter … WSJ’s Eliza Collins … Ruby Mellen … David Andelman (8-0) … Travel + Leisure’s Will O’Connor … KKR’s Miles Radcliffe-Trenner … Douglas McPherson … … (WAS SATURDAY): Jon Banner … Alexandra Pelosi … Panasonic’s Megan Pollock … Mandy Grunwald … Caitlin Offinger … James Hamblin … Tyler Goldberg of Assembly Global … S. Andrea (Sigrid) Samuelsen … Google’s Peter Schottenfels … Will Keesee Missed Friday’s New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here. | | | | 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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