| | | | |  | | By Jeff Coltin, Nick Reisman and Emily Ngo | | Presented by |  | | | With Timmy Facciola
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Ingrid Lewis-Martin’s resignation is not unexpected — she has been talking about leaving since before the administration’s legal troubles. | Peter K. Afriyie/AP | NEW YORK MINUTE: Mayor Eric Adams will find out today whether his campaign will be getting as much as $4 million in public matching funds, despite being indicted over campaign finance laws. The New York City Campaign Finance Board meets at 10 a.m. to announce the first round of payouts for city candidates after considering “all relevant information” on whether to grant Adams funds for his reelection. One challenger, Brad Lander, won’t be eligible until next month after filing paperwork late, POLITICO first reported last week. — Jeff Coltin JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS OVER…: Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Adams’ top aide who had worked with him longer than anyone else, abruptly resigned from City Hall on Sunday, POLITICO first reported. She’ll now join a series of top officials who’ve left the Adams administration in the last three months after being subjected to criminal investigation. So far, none have been charged. But that may change. Prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office, who seized Lewis-Martin’s phone and raided her home in September, have shown evidence about her to a grand jury — and could bring an indictment as soon as this week, The New York Times reported. Her lawyer Arthur Aidala, City Hall spokesperson Fabien Levy, and Bragg’s office all declined to comment on the grand jury. Lewis-Martin’s resignation is not unexpected — she has been talking about leaving since before the administration’s legal troubles. But her departure, which took effect immediately, comes at a precarious time for the mayor: He’s heading to trial for a five-count federal indictment to which he pleaded not guilty, and is up for reelection next year. Lewis-Martin has been Adams’ friend for four decades and his political adviser for two decades. She helped engineer his rise from police captain to mayor of the nation’s largest city. But she isn’t expected to work on Adams’ reelection campaign. In fact, the pair have been on the outs and barely talking, two people familiar with the relationship told Playbook. And her power in City Hall has diminished. Nobody else has been as close and loyal to the enigmatic mayor as the Brooklyn-based chaplain, who had particular influence over hiring, Adams’ political agenda and projects like rezonings and street redesigns. She is a made-for-TV character, unafraid to use her political power. “I’m not Michelle Obama,” she said in a 2022 magazine profile. “When they go low? We drill for oil. I’ll meet you down in the subbasement.” “Ingrid has not been just a friend, a confidant, and trusted adviser, but also a sister,” Adams said in a statement to POLITICO. “We’ve always talked about when this day would come, and while we’ve long planned for it, it is still hard to know that Ingrid won’t be right next door every day.” — Jeff Coltin HAPPY MONDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.
| | | | A message from Uber: Study Reveals Uber Drivers Make More than EMTs: NYC Uber drivers now earn an average of $52,900 annually after expenses, outpacing the salaries of many essential city employees, including EMTs and sanitation workers. Despite delivering vital services, these workers struggle with stagnant wages while Uber drivers have benefited from five TLC-mandated pay hikes since 2020. Read more on the wage disparity impacting NYC’s workforce. Learn More. | | | WHERE’S KATHY? In Buffalo for a health care announcement. WHERE’S ERIC? Participating in an ethnic media engagement with “Real Talk with Mona David,” then making an infrastructure- and quality-of-life-related announcement and later hosting a community conversation on public safety. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This has gone too far.” — Gov. Kathy Hochul on the proliferation of mysterious drones in the New York-New Jersey region. She’s called for federal legislation to tighten drone use.
|  | ABOVE THE FOLD | | | | 
Revelers toasted the incoming Trump administration at last night's New York Young Republican Gala at Cipriani. | Timmy Facciola/POLITICO | GRAND OL’ PARTY IN NYC: Members of the New York Young Republican Club put on their finest populist chic Sunday night for their annual winter gala at Cipriani Wall St. Riding the high of a second Trump win, revelers filled the same room where Hillary Clinton once made her infamous "basket of deplorables" statement, to delight in a victory lap. “After years of endless prosecutions, the American people have woken up, and each of us owes Donald J. Trump a tremendous debt of gratitude for tempering us through this civilizational battle,” Gavin Wax, the club’s president, said. “Because despite facing constant media attacks, political prosecution and even bullets, President Trump never relented and emerged more focused and stronger than ever on his one goal of indisputable victory.” Guests included Steve Bannon, Corey Lewandowski, Gavin McInnes and former Rep. Matt Gaetz, a gala mainstay and close associate of club executive secretary Vish Burra. There was also Project Veritas founder James O’Keefe, Red Scare podcast co-host Anna Khachiyan, Rep. Mike Collins and Thomas Kenniff, a lawyer for Daniel Penny. Outgoing Rep. Marc Molinaro, who’s been rumored to be in the running for a Trump admin position, was slated to attend but backed out at the last minute. The usual moderates of the delegation — like Rep. Mike Lawler — kept their distance, but past and possibly future GOP gubernatorial candidate Andrew Giuliani made an appearance. Last year, the club bet big on President-elect Donald Trump — inviting him to keynote their gala when he had yet to solidify his control of the GOP. Led by Wax, the club threw its full weight behind Trump — bucking the state GOP and their chair, Ed Cox. Trump rewarded the club with two video appearances and a live phone call this year. “Gavin has been amazing,” Trump said. “He’s an amazing young guy with a tremendous future.” “As you know we won all swing states,” Trump added in a second pre-recorded video. “I attribute that to a lot of people in this room tonight. We will be together and we will be together soon.” — Timmy Facciola
| | | | Billions in spending. Critical foreign aid. Immigration reform. The final weeks of 2024 could bring major policy changes. Inside Congress provides daily insights into how Congressional leaders are navigating these high-stakes issues. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | CITY HALL: THE LATEST | | | | 
The mayor has dismissed the notion that he’s warming to President-elect Donald Trump, either by greeting him at a recent UFC fight at Madison Square Garden or by hosting his incoming border czar. | Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office | TICKET TO TRUMP?: Adams’ advisers have been reaching out to Trump’s inner circle in hopes of getting the mayor closer to the president-elect, including exploring the possibility of nabbing Adams a ticket to Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration, Playbook has learned. The outreach was first reported by the New York Times. Proximity at the swearing-in ceremony could place the indicted Democratic mayor in the GOP president-elect’s good graces, should Adams require a pardon. Fabien Levy, deputy mayor for communications, said in a statement: “The mayor hasn’t had any conversations about participating in the presidential inauguration, and has no plans to do so at this time.” Adams tried to brush aside the pardon talk Sunday as well, telling MSNBC, “I am not communicating with the president about a pardon.” The mayor has dismissed the notion that he’s warming to Trump, either by greeting him at a recent UFC fight at Madison Square Garden or by hosting his incoming border czar, Tom Homan, for a discussion on mass deportation at Gracie Mansion. He told MSNBC he’s talking with Trump aides about the border crisis in a way similar to how he talked with President Joe Biden’s aides about public safety. The mayor wants sanctuary city laws loosened to allow the NYPD and Department of Correction to work with ICE to remove migrants who are charged with — but not yet convicted of — violent crimes. He has insisted his stance has been consistent. But Homan told the New York Post that Adams pulled a “complete 180” on his previous views. “I truly believe sitting down with him, I saw the cop come out of him,” Homan told The Post. — Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman BACK TO BASICS: New York City teachers were more likely to embrace a reading curriculum mandate when they had robust training and ample time to adjust to it, a new report found. Sixty percent of educators who reported receiving effective training said their students were more receptive to the curriculum, according to an analysis conducted by Educators for Excellence-New York. The teacher-led organization is set to release its report today. The insights in it are based on surveys and focus groups with over 200 teachers. In 2022, Adams and former schools chief David Banks launched the “NYC Reads” initiative, which requires elementary schools to transition to one of three curricula. The findings of the Education for Excellence report coincide with updated guidance schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos and union leaders unveiled earlier this month to give principals and teachers greater autonomy in choosing their curriculum. "What our report is calling for and what they've announced around the shifts, it's really truly reflective of the voice of teachers on the ground,” Marielys Divanne, Educators for Excellence-NY’s executive director, said in an interview. “Most teachers have positive or neutral perceptions of NYC Reads when they receive effective professional learning…that is something that needs to be sustained.” The changes come as the recently indicted mayor and powerful teachers union president grapple with tough reelection bids next year. Instructors who adopted a new syllabus last year had more positive perceptions of their instructional materials than those who started using the curriculum this year, according to Divanne. Educators for Excellence-NY’s recommendations include training and resources to address students’ individual needs. Divanne told Playbook she shared the report with Aviles-Ramos ahead of its release. She’s meeting with the chancellor and educators later today. Nicole Brownstein, a Department of Education spokesperson, emphasized that most teachers are satisfied with the support they receive and said the agency is reviewing the findings. — Madina Touré More from the city: — The specialized high school admissions test could get torpedoed in a crucial vote, and the fight is heating up. (New York Post) — Bragg finds himself in a familiar position after Daniel Penny was acquitted, defending his decisions in the face of internet fury. (New York Times) — Lander sat for a probing interview with a group of city journalists planning to endorse a candidate for mayor. (New York Editorial Board)
| | | | A message from Uber:   | | | | | NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY | | |  The Riders Alliance is launching a cable TV and digital ad campaign to promote the program ahead of its Jan. 5 launch. | Jimmy Vielkind/POLITICO | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Hochul will get some much-needed public support from mass transit advocates in the battle over the congestion pricing toll program. The Riders Alliance is launching a cable TV and digital ad campaign to promote the program ahead of its Jan. 5 launch. The spot, obtained by Playbook, highlights the potential impact of reduced traffic on New York’s economy and the promise of improved mass transit infrastructure with the revenue raised through the $9 tolls. “We all know time is money, but we’ve been losing both to gridlocked streets and a struggling transit system,” the ad’s narrator says. The group has not disclosed the amount of money it’s putting behind the ad, but described the spend as “robust.” Congestion pricing supporters have long asserted public opinion over the controversial tolls will shift in favor of it once the program is online. The tolls are expected to raise money that will be leveraged for $15 billion in bonds to help pay for upgrades to the region’s dilapidated mass transit infrastructure. The ad could help boost Hochul’s decision to support the toll plan after she initially delayed the program in June over fears congestion pricing would hurt Democratic House candidates. And it could bolster Hochul politically. One of her possible Republican challengers in 2026, Hudson Valley Rep. Mike Lawler, has signaled he’ll make congestion pricing an issue in a potential campaign. Hochul was excoriated by left-leaning transit advocates as well as centrist business leaders for the “indefinite pause,” while Republicans sought to capitalize politically on the delayed implementation. Days after the November election, Hochul announced she would move forward with the plan and reduce the peak hour tolls for entering Manhattan below 60th Street from $15 to $9. “Once it starts, congestion pricing is certain to deliver major benefits to all New Yorkers. With so much attention on the toll, it's been tough to keep cleaner air, freer flowing traffic and transit upgrades in mind,” said Danna Dennis, a senior organizer with Riders Alliance. “As we get closer to the new start date, riders are eager to remind our family, friends, neighbors and leaders of everything we have to look forward to from such a transformative policy.” The future of congestion pricing remains murky, though. House Republicans — who will retain a narrow majority in Washington next year — have vowed to kill the program. GOP lawmakers have also pressed Trump to end it. And multiple lawsuits, including one by a group of Manhattan residents, have been filed to squelch the tolls. — Nick Reisman HOCHUL’S VETOES: Left-leaning advocates blasted Hochul’s decision to veto a measure meant to expand access to child care assistance. The bill was among a package of measures Hochul acted on this weekend. (To the delight of the powerful statewide teachers union, Hochul signed into law a requirement for a maximum temperature standard in classrooms.) In her veto message, Hochul touted her efforts to improve child care and spend $7 billion over multiple years to expand access. She has also launched a program that limits the cost of child care for those who make $108,000 or less. But the measure Hochul vetoed over the weekend — which would have created a minimum income requirement for financial child care assistance in order to aid low-income families — wasn’t accounted for in the state budget, the governor said. “This bill imposes costs that are not accounted for in the state’s financial plan, and should therefore be considered during the budget process.” That wasn’t good enough for people who pushed for the plan, including the bill’s sponsors, Queens Sen. Jessica Ramos and Rochester-area Assemblymember Sarah Clark, as well as advocates. “Despite claiming to understand the struggles of working families, her decision prioritizes protecting the wealthy over the well-being of everyday New Yorkers,” said Rebecca Garrard, deputy director of Citizen Action. “With looming threats from the incoming Trump Administration to dismantle the support systems working families rely on, this veto is a betrayal to all those who are looking for bold leadership and real solutions, not excuses.” — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado has started to carve out his own political identity amid speculation he could challenge Hochul. (New York Times) — Fraud in hiring computer programmers at state agencies may date back years. (Times Union) — A ban is now in place on the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in New York pet stores under a state law first approved in 2022. (NY1)
| | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | | 
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s push could be a long shot for her and other ERA advocates, but it’s crunch time for the Dems as Trump prepares to take office. | Seth Wenig/AP | CLOCK TICKING ON ERA: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is ramping up pressure on President Joe Biden to add the Equal Rights Amendment, which would explicitly prohibit gender discrimination, to the U.S. Constitution, framing it as a legacy-defining move in a post-Roe America. It’s an 11th-hour push considering Biden has about a month left in office. And it would serve to build on the gains Gillibrand and New York Democrats notched with last month’s passage of Proposition 1 in the Empire State — despite a big-dollar, high-intensity opposition campaign. “Were President Biden to direct the archivist to certify and publish the ERA, it would extend the legal protections provided by Prop One to Americans nationwide,” the senator told Playbook in a statement. “State-level ERAs have been used to protect abortion rights for decades in places like Connecticut and New Mexico, and they are even being used in purple and red states like Pennsylvania, Nevada and Utah. The people in these states have these powerful protections, and now those protections must be broadened to the national level.” Biden could make the change with one phone call, Gillibrand told the Times, noting that Congress approved the amendment in 1972, but the states didn’t ratify it in time to be added to the Constitution. Such a move by Biden would likely set the stage for a legal battle, though. Gillibrand’s push could be a long shot for her and other ERA advocates, including former Rep. Carolyn Maloney, but it’s crunch time for the Dems as Trump prepares to take office. More than 120 House Dems sent a letter Sunday to Biden, who appears supportive. “President Biden has been clear that he wants to see the Equal Rights Amendment definitively enshrined in the Constitution,” White House spokesperson Kelly Scully responded in a statement. “Senior Administration officials have and will continue to engage with key Congressional leaders and other stakeholders on this issue in the weeks ahead. It is long past time that we recognize the clear will of the American people.” Spokespeople for the Trump transition did not immediately respond to a request for comment. — Emily Ngo More from Congress: — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer demanded more drone trackers in New York and New Jersey as the military expresses confusion. (Gothamist) — Discussions between Schumer, House Speaker Mike Johnson and their leadership counterparts are down to the wire, ahead of Friday’s government shutdown deadline. (POLITICO) — Rep. Ritchie Torres urged Hochul to get rid of ghost gun loopholes in state law in the wake of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killing. (New York Post)
| | | | Write your own chapter in the new Washington. From the Lame Duck Congress Series to New Administration insights, POLITICO Pro delivers intelligence across 22+ policy areas to help you anticipate and navigate change. Discover how a Pro subscription empowers you. Learn more today. | | | | | | | NEW YORK STATE OF MIND | | — State officials have failed to review permits for some of the worst air polluters. (Buffalo News) — The ex-CEO of SUNY Downstate is under investigation. (POLITICO Pro) — Mount Vernon police officers strip-searched nearly everyone they arrested, a new report from the U.S. Department of Justice finds. (AP News)
| | | | A message from Uber: Study Shows Uber Drivers making over $52k while NYC Heroes Get Left Behind
A new study reveals a growing wage divide in New York City: Uber drivers are making an average of $52,900 a year after expenses, while city employees like EMTs and sanitation workers starting salaries are below $44,000. Since 2020, rideshare drivers have received five pay increases through TLC mandates while many frontline city workers face stagnant wages amid rising living costs. This gap underscores an evolving dynamic in NYC’s workforce, where gig workers see consistent earnings growth while essential city roles lag behind. This pay disparity is raising questions about the city’s priorities and the need for equitable wages in public service amidst the affordability crisis.
Read the full story to see how gig work earnings are reshaping NYC’s labor landscape. Learn More. | | | | | SOCIAL DATA | | Edited by Daniel Lippman SAVE THE DATE: The Inner Circle Show revealed its title for 2025: “Beg Your Pardon.” The charity musical put on by the City Hall press corps past and present will be April 5, and tickets are on sale now. MEDIAWATCH: Marc Lotter has been named co-anchor of Newsmax’s “Wake Up America.” He most recently was chief communications officer at the America First Policy Institute and is an alum of the Trump White House and 2016 and 2020 campaigns. Prior to going into politics, Lotter spent 13 years in local TV news as a producer and executive producer. MAKING MOVES: Adrien Gardner Lesser is joining Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s office as New York City press secretary. She was previously vice president of media relations for the New York City Economic Development Corporation … Alana Sivin, New York State Director of Criminal Justice at FWD.us, has joined Vera's Greater Justice New York Program as director. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Assemblymember Brian Cunningham … Grand Central Partnership Fred Cerullo … Trinity Church’s Syed Ali … Ford Foundation’s Sabrina Wong … CNN’s Phil Mattingly, Liz Turrell and Jason Seher … Joseph Ladapo … Lesley Stahl … Jake Sherman … NewsNation’s Bryn McCarthy … Peter Orszag … Bloomberg’s Rebecca Rainey … Kendall Breitman … Jenni LeCompte of FGS Global … Tom Joannou … (WAS SUNDAY): Anne Marie Anzalone of Bolton-St. Johns … G. Oliver Koppell … Planned Parenthood of Greater New York’s Dipal Shah … Vjola Isufaj … Bill Knapp … ICE’s Kristen Scholer … Adam O. Emmerich … Raquel Zaki … Alison Omens … Katie Hunt … … (WAS SATURDAY): TWU Local 100’s Richard Davis … former Rep. Nan Hayworth … Joni Yoswein … former Assemblymember José Rivera … DYCD’s Gloria Chin … Dan Hendrick … Eli Northrup … former FBI Director James Comey … John Ullyot … Raffi Williams … CNN’s Abigail Crutchfield … Stephanie Allen of the SEC … Kirsten Powers … Schuyler Ebersol … Trey Ditto … Jacob Goldstein ... Leon Botstein ... John Paulson ... Adam Bisnowaty … Ryan Hagen … (WAS FRIDAY): Suzi Oppenheimer ... Joel Greenblatt ... David F. Eisner ... Noam Bramson Missed Friday’s New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.
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