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Politico
5 days ago
- Business
- Politico
Following the money
Presented by New Yorkers for Local Businesses With help from Cris Seda Chabrier The city's Campaign Finance Board has emerged as a major influence on this year's mayoral race — just ask Eric Adams. The board's decision to deny the troubled incumbent millions of dollars in matching funds over straw donor concerns led him to drop out of the Democratic primary, his legal team suggested in a lawsuit filed this week. And the seven-figure hole the CFB's decision blew in Adams' campaign coffers has also sapped his ability to run a serious, citywide operation as an independent in the general election. An attorney for the CFB even filed a brief seeking the release of search warrant information in Adams' five-count bribery case, which President Donald Trump's Justice Department successfully pushed to dismiss. Today, the CFB is poised to alter the course of the race yet again when it decides whether Adrienne Adams has met the threshold to qualify for millions of dollars in matching funds of her own. The Council speaker was a late entry into the race and is not polling at the front of the pack. But she has the backing of a powerful union and Attorney General Letitia James and a natural appeal to Black voters that could make things complicated for Democratic primary frontrunner Andrew Cuomo. But money is essential. The Council speaker's campaign has expressed confidence it has enough eligible donations to qualify her for around $2 million. If she fails to get it — and paperwork snafus have tripped up several other candidates already — she will lack the fuel necessary to mount a meaningful run. The CFB, which runs the city's public matching program, has a history of upending the dynamics of races and clashing with sitting mayors. David Dinkins sought to oust the board's chair in retaliation for a fine. When facing penalties of his own, Rudy Giuliani attempted to thwart a vote by installing a loyalist in the middle of a televised meeting (he wasn't successful). His administration refused to honor checks the board sent out to campaigns. And he threatened to move CFB's office to what a Daily News columnist described as 'the worst shithole' — at one point dispatching staffers to the board with tape measures. Those antics underscore the CFB's sometimes precarious role: Funded through the city budget but tasked with policing the mayor in charge of that spending plan. 'It's always a risk,' said Nicole Gordon, the board's executive director during the Giuliani era and now a distinguished lecturer at Baruch College. 'But the good news is the members of the board throughout its history have been fair dealers: Not political. Not going after anybody. And not being fearful of what the consequences could be.' In 2013, the board denied millions of dollars in matching funds to John Liu's mayoral campaign after his treasurer was convicted of participating in a straw donor scheme, obliterating the landscape of the race and prompting an unsuccessful lawsuit from the then-city comptroller. But its actions in this year's contest are without precedent. In addition to hitting Adams — the mayor has blasted the board's decision and is asking a judge to overturn it — the CFB temporarily denied Cuomo matching funds, warned campaigns against improperly working with Super PACs and then fined Cuomo's campaign for doing just that. 'New York City has the largest public financing system and the strongest campaign finance laws in the country, and with that comes a responsibility to enforce the rules equally and with discernment,' board spokesperson Amy Lebowitz said in a statement. — Joe Anuta HAPPY FRIDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE'S KATHY? In New York City, Westchester County and Albany, making an economic development announcement. WHERE'S ERIC? Public schedule unavailable as of 10 p.m. Thursday. QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'This is a matter of life or death, and you can pump the next song.' — Ballroom star and activist Gia Love at a 'ranked-choice voting ball' via Hellgate. ABOVE THE FOLD HOT COMPETITION: Private sector boosters are coming out swinging against a bill that would ban non-compete clauses. New York Jobs Now, a group allied with The Business Council, will launch a six-figure digital ad campaign today against the measure as the legislative session enters its final two-week stretch in Albany. The ad warns that a ban on the clauses — provisions that block workers from starting a competing business or working for a direct competitor — 'could shatter our economy, crippling businesses' ability to innovate and retain talent, and sending our jobs fleeing to other states.' The ad campaign is a major push for the business community, which scored a victory when Hochul vetoed a prior version of it based on concerns raised by the private sector. 'Job creators — from small businesses to multinational employers — are sounding the alarm about this misguided policy,' Business Council President Heather Mulligan said. 'These ads are a wake-up call: this bill would devastate our state's already fragile jobs recovery and do lasting harm to our economy.' Business leaders have long complained about the state's regulatory climate and high taxes. But they've scored victories this legislative session, including a budget provision that eliminated the $7 billion in remaining Covid-era unemployment insurance debt — ending a surcharge on employers in the process. Democratic lawmakers have approved a prior version of the non-compete bill and aren't likely to distance themselves from it based on opposition from employers. 'When this bill passed in 2023, it was met with a dark money fear-mongering campaign and significant lobbying efforts from the large corporations that stood to lose a competitive advantage they had long enjoyed over small businesses in New York,' said Democratic state Sen. Sean Ryan, the bill's sponsor. 'The version of the bill that I introduced this year addresses the concerns employers raised back in 2023, and yet this new attack ad features the same fear-mongering tactics as if it's the same bill.' Ryan, a Buffalo mayoral candidate, has argued the bill's merits will address problems created by non-compete clauses, which he said include depressed wages, a weaker labor market and a stifled economy. 'Passing a ban on non-competes remains a priority for me this legislative session,' he said. 'I have listened to the concerns of employees and employers alike, and I look forward to continuing conversations with stakeholders around this important issue and getting this bill over the finish line.' — Nick Reisman CITY HALL: THE LATEST COMPTROLLED ENVIRONMENT: The two top candidates for New York City Comptroller faced off Thursday evening for a relatively tame debate laden with questions about the fiscal threat posed by President Donald Trump. The dueling Democratic officials — City Council Member Justin Brannan and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine — showed little daylight between their positions aside from delivery style. They vowed to stand up to attempts by the president to curtail New York City's federal funding stream. They want to divest city pension funds from Tesla. They want to audit NYPD overtime. They shot down Mayor Eric Adams' recent 'Bit bond' proposal. They are proposing to invest pension funds into affordable housing and universal childcare. And they really don't want to talk about Andrew Cuomo, who is leading the Democratic primary for mayor — the very position they would be charged with keeping in check if elected. Neither side could come up with a single specific concern about the frontrunner's record. — Joe Anuta DEMS BACK DETAINED STUDENT: New York City Democrats are calling on Eric Adams to fight for the release of a Bronx high schooler recently detained by immigration authorities after a routine court appearance. Lawmakers assailed the mayor yesterday at a Lower Manhattan rally calling for the release of the 20-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker. Dylan, whose last name is being withheld at the request of his family, entered the U.S. legally through a program in place under President Biden. Advocates claim he was tricked into giving up his asylum status. 'One person who's missing is Eric Adams,' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said at the rally. 'I understand the limited role we have locally on immigration, but mayor — deputy president Eric Adams — all I want you to do, all I want you to do is be as vocal about immigration issues as you were under Biden.' The mayor has weathered criticism for cozying up to Trump, whose administration successfully pushed to have federal corruption charges against him dropped. Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, who was appointed by the mayor, delivered brief remarks during the demonstration. She encouraged families to continue sending their kids to schools. 'Our hearts go out to the student Dylan, who was detained by ICE, and we are deeply saddened for his family,' Aviles-Ramos said. 'We also want to be clear: this incident did not occur on school grounds.' City Hall spokesperson Zachary Nosanchuk told Playbook the chancellor's comments 'speak for our full admin.' — Madina Touré More from the city: — NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stands by the department's work with the feds amid the Trump immigration crackdown. (THE CITY) — An NYPD detective on Eric Adams' security detail may be tied to the crypto millionaire torture case. (NBC 4 New York) — In a sign of a thinning field, Jessica Ramos and Michael Blake didn't make the cut for the second mayoral debate. (Daily News) NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY WINE AMENDMENTS: State lawmakers backing a measure to sell wine in grocery stores amended the legislation to include more mom-and-pop operations. The change comes as supermarkets are making an end-of-session push for the long-stalled bill that liquor store owners have staunchly opposed. The amendments would lower the minimum square footage required for a grocery store to have a wine license from 5,000 to 4,000. A new provision would provide incentives to sell New York-produced wines and block the sale of store-branded wines. There would also be a buffer zone for existing liquor stores by placing restrictions on new wine licenses within 500 feet of their businesses. Liquor stores would also be allowed to sell a wider variety of products. 'Allowing grocery stores to sell wine is a common-sense reform of our state's outdated liquor laws that will make life more convenient for consumers while supporting New York's wine industry and businesses of all sizes,' said state Sen. Liz Krueger and Assemblymember Pamela Hunter in a joint statement. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — State lawmakers want a Holocaust memorial near the Capitol. (Spectrum News) — Faith leaders are trying to encourage the Assembly to approve a packaging reduction bill. (City & State) — Advocates are pushing a bill that would bring wolves back to New York. (Times Union) KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION COURTHOUSE DETENTIONS: Rep. Dan Goldman confronted plainclothes federal immigration agents who've been detaining migrants outside a lower Manhattan court Thursday. He said the officers, who appeared to hold lists with migrants' names and photos, avoided answering questions he posed as a member of Congress carrying out his oversight duties. Nationwide, Department of Homeland Security attorneys have been asking judges to dismiss cases against migrants and open 'expedited' deportation proceedings instead. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers then stop the migrants as they leave court. 'This is Gestapo-like behavior where plain-clothed officers, wearing masks, are terrorizing immigrants who are doing the right thing by going to court,' Goldman told reporters. The court building houses one of the House member's district offices. Several migrants and protesters have been arrested there so far this week. The incidents come as Rep. Ritchie Torres wrote a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem this week demanding answers about the Bronx high school student detained by ICE agents after a court appearance. 'He has no criminal record. He is, by every standard, contributing to his community and making good on the promise of the American dream,' Torres wrote. 'The basis for his detention hinges on a disturbing trend of deporting those without criminal records and without any evidence of criminal conduct.' An ICE spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The DHS has expanded its use of 'expedited removal' as part of Trump's deportation agenda. — Emily Ngo More from Congress: — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries visits Puerto Rico to discuss SNAP and food insecurity. (El Nuevo Día) — House Republicans' tax package is now expected to cost nearly $4 trillion, government forecasters say. (POLITICO) — Democratic candidates line up to try to take on Hudson Valley Rep. Mike Lawler in 2026. (NY1) NEW YORK STATE OF MIND — Community and charity organizations in New York are gearing up to shoulder the fallout from potential cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. (THE CITY and NOTUS) — DraftKings won't be taking over a proposed Nassau County casino site. (Newsday) — Cable subscribers are losing access to NY1 and News 12 amid a dispute. (Gothamist) SOCIAL DATA OUT AND ABOUT: Spotted at the FGS Global NYC spring media party at the Lobster Club in midtown Wednesday night: Andrew Ross Sorkin, Jacqueline Corba, Martin Arnold, David Benoit, Dade Hayes, Micah Maidenberg, Lachlan Cartwright, Max Tani, Michael Grynbaum, Jocelyn Noveck, Romaine Bostick, Pippa Stevens, Brooke Masters, Mike Feldman, Winnie Lerner, Paul Holmes, Cat Rakowski, Adam Blickstein and Elan Bird. … Spotted at the New Jewish Home's 10th Annual 'Eight Over Eighty Gala' on Wednesday night honoring former New York Attorney General and Bronx Borough President Bob Abrams alongside his wife Diane Abrams: Judy Collins, Judith Viorst, Carol Jenkins, Ruth Messinger and Letty Cottin Pogrebin. WEDDING BELLS: Hazel Crampton-Hays, senior vice president at HELLER and former press secretary to Gov. Hochul, and Noah Rayman, chief of staff at Empire State Development, tied the knot over Memorial Day weekend in Cleveland. Spotted were ESD president Hope Knight; HELLER CEO Risa Heller; Hochul administration members Avi Small, Melissa Bochenski, Molly Streb and Colin Brennan; Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's James Allen; Kathy Hochul alums Julie Wood and Jeff Lewis; Andrew Cuomo alums Abbey Collins, Matt Rubin, Tom Feeney, Will Burns, Kate Dineen and Jack Davies; and Scott Stringer alums Robbie Young, Amy Varghese, Cameron Hellerman and Emily Bernstein. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Former Rep. Steve Israel … Tim Williams of Spectrum News … Matt Coleman of the Small Business Administration … Lauren Corcoran-Doolin … Jeffrey Laufer of ConEd … Samantha Diliberti of JPMorgan Chase's government relations … Nashanta Lamont (IS SATURDAY): State Sen. Thomas O'Mara … Adrien Lesser of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's office (IS SUNDAY): former Rep. Tim Bishop … former Assemblymember Kenny Burgos … Joe Taranto … Halimah Elmariah of state Attorney General Letitia James's office … Phyllis Shafran Missed Thursday's New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.
Politico
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Tish v. Trump some more
Presented by With help from Cris Seda Chabrier A Note to Our Readers from POLITICO's CEO and Editor-in-Chief POLITICO has been the subject of debate on X this week. Some of it has been misinformed, and some of it has been flat-out false. Let's set the record straight. POLITICO is a privately owned company. We have never received any government funding — no subsidies, no grants, no handouts. Not one dime, ever, in 18 years. Millions of people around the world read our journalism on and in newsletters like this one. It is supported by advertising and sponsorships. POLITICO Pro is different. It is a professional subscription service used by companies, organizations, and, yes, some government agencies. They subscribe because it makes them better at their jobs — helping them track policy, legislation and regulations in real-time with news, intelligence and a suite of data products. At its core, POLITICO Pro is about transparency and accountability: Shining a light on the work of the agencies, regulators and policymakers throughout our vast federal government. Businesses and entities within the government find it useful as they navigate the chaotic regulatory and legislative landscape. It's that simple. Most POLITICO Pro subscribers are in the private sector. They come from across the ideological spectrum and subscribe for one reason: value. And 90 percent renew every year because they rely on our reporting, data and insights. Government agencies that subscribe do so through standard public procurement processes — just like any other tool they buy to work smarter and be more efficient. This is not funding. It is a transaction — just as the government buys research, equipment, software and industry reports. Some online voices are deliberately spreading falsehoods. Let's be clear: POLITICO has no financial dependence on the government and no hidden agenda. We cover politics and policy — that's our job. We are so proud of our journalists and so proud of the connection we have with you, our readers. We stand by our work, our values and our commitment to transparency, accountability and efficiency — the same principles that drive great journalism and great business. Now, back to work. Goli Sheikholeslami and John Harris Letitia James is taking Donald Trump to court. It's not the first time and probably not the last. The Democratic attorney general will lead several states in a lawsuit to be filed as early as today targeting the unprecedented access the president has granted Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. The anticipated defendants include Trump and the U.S. Treasury Department, which James alleges risked 'Americans' personal private information, state bank account data, and other information that is some of our country's most sensitive data' via DOGE. 'As the richest man in the world, Elon Musk is not used to being told 'no,' but in our country, no one is above the law,' New York's top prosecutor said Thursday in a statement. 'The president does not have the power to give away our private information to anyone he chooses, and he cannot cut federal payments approved by Congress.' Over the years, James has become one of Trump's chief political antagonists, suing him dozens of times during his first presidency and winning a civil fraud case against him. Since Trump returned to the White House, she and her blue-state counterparts have also challenged his order ending birthright citizenship and freezing the distribution of federal funding — moves that have both been halted in court. Trump, his top aides and congressional Republicans have defended DOGE's work as necessary to root out government waste. 'The Democrats have no plan on how to recover from their embarrassing loss, and it shows,' Harrison Fields, White House principal deputy press secretary, told Playbook in a statement. 'Instead of working to become a party that focuses on the will of the people, they are hell-bent on keeping their heads in the sand and gaslighting on the widely supported mission of DOGE. Slashing waste, fraud, and abuse, and becoming better stewards of the American taxpayer's hard-earned dollars might be a crime to Democrats, but it's not a crime in a court of law.' Democrats licking their wounds after November do appear to be finding new purpose in facing off against Musk, a multibillionaire making deep incursions into federal agencies with Trump's permission. They've challenged Musk's conflicts of interest and the GOP's commitment to the working class. But while House Democrats need at least three GOP members to help them advance any legislation seeking to check DOGE, James and her allies may have more success through litigation. At least 11 other attorneys general signed on to her statement Thursday, including those representing Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut and Nevada. — Emily Ngo HAPPY FRIDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE'S KATHY? In Rochester, NY having a conversation with mothers to highlight her affordability agenda WHERE'S ERIC? In Brooklyn, speaking at the African-American Clergy and Elected Officials for Black History Month, and then making a jobs-related announcement in Astoria. QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'This is about playing with politics and denying President Trump a Republican vote in the House to move his agenda forward.' — Republican state Sen. Dan Stec to Gothamist on Democratic efforts to delay a special election. ABOVE THE FOLD ICE-Y TENSION: A key labor group allied with Mayor Eric Adams is challenging his administration's guidance on handling confrontations with federal immigration agents at shelters, saying it could violate 'sanctuary city' laws and put workers in a compromising position. 32BJ SEIU slammed a memo to city employees that advised they allow ICE in as a last resort 'if, at any time, you reasonably feel threatened.' The union representing building service workers said the guidance — first reported by Hell Gate — would invite ICE in without a judicial warrant. 32BJ president Manny Pastreich told Playbook in an interview that shelters should be 'sacred' spaces not unlike schools and hospitals. 'If you start having ICE come bombing in, it's that much more difficult for our security officers whose job is to help keep them secure and safe,' he said. 'And if you have unclear guidance, then it's just untenable.' Trump's mass deportation agenda has sown fear among immigrants, including in New York City where sanctuary policies limit NYPD cooperation with ICE. The Trump administration has been publicizing arrests of undocumented immigrants wanted for violent crimes but has yet to execute larger-scale raids. Adams has been critical of sanctuary laws while vowing to uphold them and urging migrants to continue seeking city services. His spokesperson Kayla Mamelak Altus noted that the memo in question first guides workers to ask federal agents for their badge number and call legal counsel. 'The claim that New York City is instructing city employees to cooperate with ICE for civil enforcement spreads misinformation that only fuels anxiety within immigrant communities,' she said in a statement. 'We are responsible for safeguarding the well-being of our city staff, which is why we have directed city employees not to put themselves in harm's way during federal immigration enforcement interactions.' Pastreich, one of the union leaders who met with Adams during his week out of the public eye, said he and the mayor are communicating and the administration could clarify the memo. 'We don't always agree on everything. We've agreed on a lot with this mayor,' Pastreich said, crediting Adams for better wages and benefits. 'Any mayor that this was happening with, we'd be speaking out. It's not a personal thing in any way, shape or form. It's just an issue we care deeply about.' — Emily Ngo CITY HALL: THE LATEST NOT IN MY X FEED: YIMBYs, the yes-in-my-backyard development advocates for building more housing, brought the heat to City Comptroller Brad Lander on Thursday. Lander's government account posted a video on X of a BronxNet interview in which he said, 'If we don't want to have people who are homeless, housing is the answer, so I support City of Yes.' 'But that's not going to get affordable housing,' he added. 'That's just going to get more housing overall. So what we've got to focus on, especially in the Bronx, is housing that's affordable to people that live in this borough.' Even though Lander said building housing was a cure for homelessness, YIMBY journalist Matt Yglesias — who supports Lander's opponent state Sen. Zellnor Myrie — joined other pro-housing advocates in criticizing his remarks, since Lander said building units with high rents is 'why people are getting pushed out from their existing buildings.' Lander deleted the post, and his office didn't respond to a request for comment. 'Housing is subject to the law of supply and demand,' said Myrie in a post. 'If we want it to be affordable, we need to build a lot more.' Resistance to development and fears of displacement have long moved New York voters more than YIMBYs, who are hoping to grow their clout in this mayoral race. — Jeff Coltin ENDORSEMENT WATCH: First in Playbook, Scott Stringer's mayoral campaign is announcing endorsements from Assemblymembers Deborah Glick and Micah Lasher and former Assemblymember Jim Brennan. Glick, who represents a vote-heavy lower Manhattan district, was an early supporter of Maya Wiley's 2021 mayoral campaign when she was running against Stringer. Lasher is less of a surprise — he was Stringer's campaign manager in that race. — Jeff Coltin More from the city: — Adams rubbed elbows with Trump surrogates Thursday — at least the fourth time he's done so in recent weeks — as he tries to cozy up to the president while facing federal corruption charges. (New York Post) — City Hall is getting even worse at delivering contracts on time, despite years-long promises to fix slow payments. (THE CITY) — Another one of the 'Central Park Five,' Raymond Santana, is thinking about running for City Council, for Diana Ayala's seat. (City & State) NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY RECRUITING G MEN: Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to capitalize on tumult at the FBI and hire people whose jobs may be on the line as Trump remakes the federal government. 'I'm going to extend an invitation to a member of the FBI who's looking for a job in the state of New York, you join us,' Hochul said. 'It would be an honor for you to join us, and it would be an honor for us to have you.' Hochul's recruitment push — made Thursday at the State Police graduation ceremony in Albany — comes as the Department of Justice has sought a list of FBI employees who worked on investigations stemming from the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Acting Attorney General Emil Bove has subsequently signaled that agents who 'simply followed orders and carried out their duties in an ethical manner' will not be fired. — Nick Reisman CATCH THE TRAIN: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority needs money to fund its $65 billion capital plan. But MTA chief Janno Lieber is leaving how to raise the remaining $33 billion that doesn't have a dedicated funding source up to Hochul and state lawmakers. 'I know they are determined to find a way to fund the MTA and I'm going to let them figure it out with the Legislature,' Lieber told reporters Thursday after his three-hour testimony to state lawmakers. The MTA's revenue issue remains one of the biggest unanswered questions as negotiations over Hochul's $252 billion budget proposal get underway in Albany. Hochul has not revealed how she wants to generate the cash needed for the capital plan, while lawmakers have been similarly coy. Controversial measures — like increasing a payroll tax to fund infrastructure upgrades — would likely run into a buzzsaw of opposition from suburban lawmakers. 'We've also put ideas on the table for how to reduce the amount of new revenues that might be necessary,' Lieber said without going into detail. The state budget is expected to pass by April 1, the start of New York's fiscal year. But spending plans often blow through the deadline. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — An increasingly lengthy list of local judges and justices face disciplinary trouble. (Times Union) — Republican states are suing New York over a law meant to generate money from oil and gas companies. (POLITICO Pro) — Protesters called for murder charges after the beating of Robert Brooks by corrections officers was ruled a homicide. (Post-Standard) KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The Republican-allied super PAC Save American Freedom is wasting little time slamming Democratic House candidate Blake Gendebien in his bid to replace GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik. The group today will release a five-figure digital ad knocking Gendebien using audio of an old interview he conducted that included criticism of North Country workers and corrections officers. The more than 2-minute spot is a signal the PAC, which is run by longtime Stefanik senior adviser Alex deGrasse, wants to define the St. Lawrence County dairy farmer as early as possible. In a statement, deGrasse promised more of the same from the super PAC and blasted a former Stefanik opponent, Tedra Cobb. 'We call this a good ole Team Elise Nuke. Buckle up Blake!' he said. 'Your pitiful defense of your offensively racist and anti-American comments are really ruining your roll out. You might even be a worse candidate than our favorite losing candidate and your mentor Taxin' Tedra. Hakeem is already so pissed — we can hear the screams from the DCCC all the way in the North Country!' Gendebien's campaign provided a sarcastic response. 'Fun video,' said campaign manager Emily Goldson. 'Now do one that brings down costs and secures the border, Alex.' Gendebien was selected this week by local Democrats to run for the deep red seat that Stefanik, Trump's pick for United Nations ambassador, has held for a decade. — Nick Reisman More from Congress: — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and House Democrats unveiled legislation to secure the personal data of Americans amid DOGE's spending sweep. (Fox News) — Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi wants Sept. 11 to be a federal holiday. (New York Post) — Only one New York House race has been rated a 'tossup' in 2026. (Cook Political Report) NEW YORK STATE OF MIND — National Grid workers have voted to authorize a strike if a new contract isn't reached. (Newsday) — Hochul wants to use a vacant college campus for workforce development. (Spectrum News) — Buffalo State is offering a round of retirement incentives to help close a deficit. (Buffalo News) SOCIAL DATA MAKING MOVES: Gilbane Development Company appointed James Patchett as president and CEO, succeeding Edward Broderick, who was promoted to president of Gilbane, Inc. Patchett was previously a partner in McKinsey's real estate practice and is a de Blasio alum, where he led NYC EDC … The Consortium for Worker Education has hired Marco A. Carrión as president. He was just executive director of El Puente and is also a de Blasio alum … — Ashley Schapitl is now a managing director at The Levinson Group (TLG). Shapitl was previously deputy assistant secretary for public affairs for the U.S. Treasury Department … Ali Dukakis is now a senior investigator in the New York office of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. She most recently was an Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter and producer for ABC News in D.C. … Shuwanza Goff will serve as partner/chief strategy officer and Michael Hayes will serve as partner at Empire Consulting Group. MEDIAWATCH: Ben Feuerherd is joining WNYC/Gothamist as a reporter covering public safety and policing. He's currently an assignment desk editor with NY1 and is a POLITICO, Messenger and Post alum. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Assemblymember Grace Lee … Gay Talese (93) … Dave Levinthal … Hiltzik Strategies' Marley Ward … former Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) … Justin Papp … Cameron Langford … Cappi Williamson … (WAS THURSDAY): Daniel Yergin ... Michael Pollan ... David Moore ... Neri Oxman Missed Thursday's New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.
