Latest news with #HotelandGamingTradesCouncil
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Early voting in NYC's 2025 elections more than doubles 2021 turnout
Turnout is off to a strong start in New York City's local 2025 elections, as more than 66,000 residents cast ballots during the first two days of early voting over the weekend — more than doubling the levels from the 2021 cycle. According to unofficial tabulations released by the city Board of Elections, 66,361 residents voted on Saturday and Sunday, more than twice the 32,032 New Yorkers who participated in the first two days of early voting during the city's 2021 municipal elections. Jerry Skurnik, a veteran New York political consultant specializing in voter turnout, cautioned against reading too much into which of the candidates in the high-stakes 2025 Democratic mayoral primary could benefit from the uptick in early voting. 'There could be a number of reasons why the turnout is higher. In 2021, there were still a lot of people not going out to the polls because of COVID, a lot of people were doing absentee that year, myself included, so that could be a factor,' Skurnik said. New Yorkers will be able to continue to early vote every day through Sunday. Polls then close on June 23 before they reopen for primary day on June 24. The top item on the June 24 ballot is the Democratic mayoral primary that former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is polling as the favorite to win. With polls open, Cuomo and the other mayoral candidates spent the weekend and Monday traversing the five boroughs for get-out-the-vote efforts. Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist who has consistently polled as the runner-up candidate to Cuomo in polls, held a major rally at Terminal 5 in Manhattan Saturday night with New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other high-profile supporters. 'In a world and a nation that is crying to end the gerontocracy of our leadership, that wants to see a new day, that wants to see a new generation ascend, it is unconscionable to send Andrew Cuomo to Gracie Mansion,' Ocasio-Cortez, who has endorsed Mamdani as her No. 1 pick, told the crowd of more than 2,500 supporters. Meantime, Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amid sexual misconduct and pandemic mismanagement accusations he denies, was set to hold a get-out-the-vote rally Monday afternoon in Midtown Manhattan with members of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, a powerful union that has endorsed his run and is spending independently on efforts to drive turnout for him.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Airbnb is spending $1m on NYC mayoral race hoping it can return to the city with fewer restrictions
Airbnb's super PAC has spent $1 million on a commercial attacking three candidates for New York mayor who do not support short-term rentals in the city. The ad, put out online on Monday, singles out Democrats Zohran Mamdani, Scott Stringer and Brad Lander, accusing them of ignoring 'common sense solutions' to making New York more affordable. 'It's hard out here – to make rent, buy groceries and raise kids. And New Yorkers know, the wrong mayor will just make it worse,' the voiceover states. 'So what about Zohran Mamdani, Scott Stringer and Brad Lander? Their policies will make New York even more expensive. And they oppose common sense solutions that would make our city more affordable. 'So much is hard. But this choice is easy. New Yorkers can't afford a mayor who makes New York more expensive.' The commercial is paid for by Affordable New York – a political action committee associated with Airbnb. The group was the first PAC to start spending on New York City's 2025 primary elections, back in March. An attack on the three candidates means that their rival Democratic candidate and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, has support from two sides of the city's hospitality industry – having already been backed by the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council. Airbnb has been sidelined in New York City, due to a state law that prohibits rentals for fewer than 30 days while the host is not present. The city doubled down in 2022, with the introduction of Local Law 18. LL18 requires short-term rental hosts to register with the Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement, and prohibits the company, and others, from booking service platforms from processing transactions for unregistered short-term rentals. The law resulted in an over 90 percent drop in Airbnb listings across New York City following its implementation in September 2023, according to the company. It comes as the race for the Democratic primary for New York City mayor – taking place on June 24 – narrows to an almost two-person race between Cuomo and Mamdani. A survey conducted by Data for Progress by a super PAC backing Mamdani found that Cuomo was ahead by only two points, while a poll from Cuomo's camp came back with a 12-point lead. The Democratic candidates faced off in their first televised debate on June 4, with Cuomo coming under repeated attack from his rivals. Cuomo's governorship ended acrimoniously after 10 years with his resignation in 2021, following investigations into allegations of sexual harassment. He has denied any wrongdoing. Mamdani is considered a favorite among progressives in the party, having won the backing of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez following the debate. "Assemblymember Mamdani has demonstrated a real ability on the ground to put together a coalition of working-class New Yorkers that is strongest to lead the pack. In the final stretch of the race, we need to get very real about that," Ocasio-Cortez toldThe New York Times. They are among the names vying to replace beleaguered New York mayor Eric Adams, who announced he was running as an independent, not a Democrat, amid ongoing accusations of corruption and a political storm over an alleged quid pro quo with President Donald Trump to avoid criminal charges. Adams insists he has done nothing wrong. Eleven Democrats are running, one Republican – Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and a longtime anti-crime activist – and two independent candidates, Jim Walden, and Adams himself.
Politico
27-05-2025
- Business
- Politico
HTC's primary plans
LABORING PRIMARIES: The powerful Hotel and Gaming Trades Council will spend nearly $2.5 million in New York City Democratic primary races — a significant cash infusion that will turbocharge the union's vaunted voter turnout operation. The union, which represents some 40,000 gaming and hospitality workers, will spend $1 million on City Council primaries to support its endorsed candidates. HTC will boost mayoral frontrunner Andrew Cuomo with $1 million that includes TV and digital advertising, as first reported this afternoon by The New York Times. And the organization will spread its money to races outside City Hall: $500,000 on borough president primaries — including Keith Powers in Manhattan — and several New Jersey elections. Candidates will benefit from a robust mail and digital effort — as well as a GOTV operation the union conducts each election cycle. A union spokesperson laid out the plans to Playbook this afternoon, with four weeks until the Democratic primary in New York City. It all adds up to an unprecedented push by HTC — first reported here — to bolster its already considerable influence with Democratic elected officials before its industry-wide contract expires in 2026. Friendly officials applying public pressure on private-sector owners will come in handy. The union's allies are in contests for top political jobs next year — adding to the group's expansive political clout. Council Member Julie Menin, likely running for speaker, sided with HTC in its pitched battle to require hotel owners to obtain operating licenses and restrict subcontracting work — a bill the union helped draft amid a multimillion dollar industry lobbying effort. Menin's speaker candidacy is expected to have HTC's backing, according to a person familiar with the union's plans. The hotel union was integral in Corey Johnson becoming city council speaker in 2017, but backed an unsuccessful rival to Adrienne Adams in the 2021 speaker's race. Menin, Council Members Christopher Marte and Shaun Abreu will be among those getting a boost from HTC's efforts this cycle. Candidates Ty Hankerson, Elsie Encarnacion and Virginia Maloney will also receive support. Cuomo is the heavy favorite to win the June 24 primary and HTC endorsed his bid in April. Union President Rich Maroko was among those who called for Cuomo's resignation in 2021, after a state attorney general report found he sexually harassed women on his staff. He ended up stepping down, though he denies the allegations. 'Our primary objective in everything we do is to make sure that our members have a voice at work but we're also fighting to make sure they have a voice in the democratic process,' Maroko said in a statement. 'That's why we fought to win unique and groundbreaking contractual rights that allow each of our eligible members to vote on paid time, to ensure that NYC's blue collar hospitality workers are never disenfranchised and that they always have a loud and impactful voice in the democratic process.' The labor industry's political clout nationally has waned for decades as membership decreased and blue-collar workers, once reliably Democratic voters, have gravitated toward Donald Trump's MAGA movement. It's different in New York — a deep blue city that's the most unionized in the country. Here labor's support is crucial in primary races, with scant policy differences between candidates giving endorsements extra sway. And few unions other than HTC can provide organizational muscle to get their members to the polls on Election Day. Unionized hotel workers receive paid time off to vote, a stipulation in their most recent contract — a unique codicil that boosts the union's influence. The labor group's turnout is further juiced by targeted text messages and phone calls to remind workers of their civic duty. 'With its citywide contract expiring next year, this is arguably the most important election cycle for the union in the past decade,' an HTC official said. 'That's why it's spending more on this primary election cycle than it ever has before.' — Nick Reisman IN THE COURTS CONGESTION PRICING LOVERS, REJOICE!: A federal judge ruled today that the controversial Manhattan tolling program can continue uninterrupted until at least June 9 and issued a temporary restraining order to stop the federal government from cutting MTA funding in the meantime. The order by U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman is another setback for President Donald Trump in the bitterly fought saga. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called it a 'massive victory.' 'We've won — again,' Hochul said in a statement. The MTA has previously fended off legal challenges to congestion pricing from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and numerous foes inside New York. Hochul said Trump's Transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, 'can issue as many letters and social media posts as he wants, but a court has blocked the Trump administration from retaliating against New York for reducing traffic and investing in transit.' In February, Trump posted a graphic of himself wearing a crown and said, 'CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!' In the months since, Duffy has threatened to retaliate by withholding money and approval for an array of public works projects in the state. 'The judge's ruling today was not on the merits of our case against Hochul's class warfare, but rather a temporary pause to have more time to reach a decision,' a DOT spokesperson said. 'Enforcement actions for noncompliance were merely under consideration, and we will comply with the judge's request to hold.' The restraining order is only an interim step, though. Judge Liman said he wants to quickly decide the case's broader issues, which largely center on Duffy's authority to pull approval for a program approved by his predecessors in the Biden administration — but that could take months. — Ry Rivard From the Capitol QUEENS CASINO GAMBLE IS A GO: A tumultuous chapter in billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen's crusade to build a casino next to Citi Field came to a close today. The victor? Cohen. The loser? State Sen. Jessica Ramos, whose district includes the proposed site, and who — in theory — protested Cohen's efforts until the very end. Cohen's bill to allow a casino to be built next to Citi Field passed the Senate today, with only five Democrats — state Sens. Joseph Addabbo, Jabari Brisport, Cordell Cleare, Liz Krueger and Ramos — voting against the measure. The Cohen proposal would remove the 'parkland designation' from the site of the proposed casino — clearing the way for construction — and would designate a separate plot of land as parkland to replace it. Cohen is one of several bidders vying for three licenses to operate downstate casinos — licenses that are set to be awarded by the end of the year. In order for his bill to move forward, he needed the Legislature to free up the parkland adjacent to Citi Field. Historically, local elected officials are given de facto 'member deference' when it comes to matters of parkland alienation. Ramos made her opposition to the casino plan known last year and even held a press conference bashing the proposal: 'I'm in a position to defend the will of my constituents, and I would be shocked, actually, if the state Senate would allow for someone else to introduce such legislation,' she said last year. But that's exactly what happened. State Sen. John Liu, a Democrat who last year was opposed to efforts to insert the bill in the state budget, introduced legislation in March that freed up parkland both in his district and hers — a move that circumvented Ramos and allowed Cohen's bill to come to the floor with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins' blessing. While Ramos still opposes the casino plan, her reaction to Liu's bill has been one of resignation, rather than protest. Following the bill's expected passage today, Hochul will have to sign of on it for it to become law. She has not given any indication she's against the measure, and Cohen is one of the most prolific donors to the New York Democratic party. — Jason Beeferman GROUNDING ICE: The latest plan in Albany to combat the Trump administration targets airlines contracting with ICE for deportation flights. State Sen. Pat Fahy and Assemblymember Michaelle Solages unveiled a bill today focused on airlines participating in removals that occur without judicial hearings or court warrants. Those airlines would be banned from contracting with state and local governments under the bill and would lose their tax exemption for jet fuel. 'We are saying this is not going to happen on our watch — not with our tax dollars and not in our state,' Solages said. 'This is not just about policy, this is about us stopping a constitutional crisis.' — Bill Mahoney FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine is releasing two new ads that build off his and his family's multilingual abilities for his city comptroller run against City Council Finance Chair Justin Brannan. The ads, 'Tell You' and 'Yo Conozco,' with the latter entirely in Spanish, feature Levine's son, Alejandro, speaking about his dad. The campaign is spending $225,000 to push out the ads this week, with the English-language hit airing on cable and digital platforms tomorrow. The Spanish-language ad will also air on digital platforms tomorrow and will hit cable airwaves next week when the campaign plans to spend even more dough. 'This one is personal for me,' Levine said in a statement. 'It means the world to hear these words from my son, and I hope New Yorkers can see the values that I've always tried to live by — integrity, honesty, and a love for this city — reflected in him.' The ads mirror his previous spot, which Levine used to show off his ability to speak in five languages. Brannan has also released two ads, including one featuring Coney Island as a backdrop and highlighting his opposition to Adams' budget cuts last year. 'The most revealing part of Mark Levine's new TV commercial is what's missing: any sign that he's ever stood up to Eric Adams over the past 3.5 years,' Brannan's spokesperson Sam Raskin said. Levine's spokesperson, Annabel Lassally, shot back: 'It's deeply disappointing, but not surprising, to see Justin Brannan responding to a heartfelt ad narrated by Mark's son with an entirely dishonest attack,' she said. 'Mark has consistently stood up to the Adams administration — on housing, budget cuts to libraries, pre-K, and public safety — and his record speaks for itself."' — Jason Beeferman BIG ENDORSEMENT FOR MAYOR ... OF ALBANY: Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie is throwing his weight behind Chief City Auditor Dorcey Applyrs in the crowded Democratic primary for mayor of the state's capital city. 'Dorcey Applyrs is the right person at the right time for the City of Albany,' he said in a statement. 'With more than a decade of experience serving the people of Albany, she knows firsthand the strengths of the city and its people as well as the challenges they face.' It's the first time Heastie has weighed in on a local Albany election, Applyrs' campaign said. The endorsement is also notable given Heastie's decision to stay neutral in the race for mayor of New York City, which includes his Bronx district. 'I am honored to have the endorsement of a leader the caliber of Speaker Heastie who I respect very much,' Applyrs said in a statement. 'His confidence in me and our strong partnership is more important than ever as when I am elected our next mayor we will be making critical decisions about the best ways to capitalize on New York State's $400 million investment in our community.' Also in the race are Albany County Legislator Carolyn McLaughlin, medical technology startup founder Dan Cerutti, and Albany Common Council President Corey Ellis. — Jason Beeferman IN OTHER NEWS — PACKAGING REDUCTION AND RECYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE ACT: Senate Republicans rallied against the packaging bill today. (Buffalo News) — UPSTATE UNION BATTLE: An apple farm is refusing to follow a contract it mediated with its union, despite state lawmakers' efforts to allow farms to unionize in 2019. (New York Focus) — SUBSIDIZED LANDLORDS EVICT: More than 300 eviction warrants were sought by landlords who received public funds to house tenants who were recently homeless or suffer from mental illness and substance abuse. (Gothamist) Missed this morning's New York Playbook? We forgive you. Read it here.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cuomo lands key endorsement as comeback bid for NYC mayor heats up
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is showcasing the backing of two powerful labor unions as he runs for mayor of the nation's most populous city. The former three-term Democratic governor, who resigned amid multiple scandals in 2021, was endorsed on Monday by the labor groups 32BJ SEIU and Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, which represent building service workers and hotel and casino employees. The endorsements, which are highly coveted in heavily unionized New York City, will likely further cement Cuomo's frontrunner status in June's Democratic Party mayoral primary, as he runs to oust embattled Mayor Eric Adams from City Hall. "The members of @32BJSEIU and @NYHTC are the backbone of NY. They clean our buildings, run our hotels, care for our communities, and keep this city moving. Without a strong middle class, no city can survive – let alone thrive – and right now, we are dangerously close to losing them," Cuomo warned in a statement on social media. Cuomo Showcases Eye-popping Haul In Nyc Mayoral Race And he highlighted that "I have fought for and alongside the men and women of 32BJ and HTC for years – their faith in me is a tremendous boost for our campaign and I am proud to have their endorsement." Read On The Fox News App The two unions, which combined have over 120,000 workers in their ranks, are the latest organized labor groups to back Cuomo. Who's The Front-runner In New York City's Mayoral Race Cuomo's March 1 campaign launch, into an already crowded field of contenders, rocked the race. With over two months to go until the June 24 primary, Cuomo is the clear polling and fundraising frontrunner in the race for the Democratic mayoral nomination. And the winner of the Democratic primary will be considered the overwhelming frontrunner in November's mayoral election in solidly blue New York City. But now that the 2025 mayoral race is Cuomo's to lose, his rivals are zeroing in on the former governor's immense political baggage. Cuomo has spent the past four years fighting to clear his name after 11 sexual harassment accusations – which he has repeatedly denied – forced his resignation as governor in August 2021. He was also under investigation for his handling of the COVID pandemic amid allegations his administration vastly understated COVID-related deaths at state nursing homes. The former governor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Click Here For The Latest Fox News Reporting, Analysis, On Andrew Cuomo Adams' poll numbers were sinking even before he was indicted last year on five counts, which accused the mayor of bribery and fraud as part of an alleged "long-running" scheme to personally profit from contacts with foreign officials. The mayor made repeated overtures to now-President Donald Trump, and in February the Justice Department moved to dismiss the corruption charges, so he could seemingly work with the Trump administration on its illegal immigration crackdown. The top federal prosecutor in New York City resigned rather than comply, and argued that the mayor had agreed to a quid pro quo with the Justice Department. In a final move, a federal judge earlier this month dismissed the Justice Department case against the mayor, but argued that the Trump administration's grounds for having the case dropped "smacks of a bargain". A few days later, Adams announced that he would forgo the Democratic primary and run for re-election as an article source: Cuomo lands key endorsement as comeback bid for NYC mayor heats up
Fox News
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Cuomo lands key endorsement as comeback bid for NYC mayor heats up
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is showcasing the backing of two powerful labor unions as he runs for mayor of the nation's most populous city. The former three-term Democratic governor, who resigned amid multiple scandals in 2021, was endorsed on Monday by the labor groups 32BJ SEIU and Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, which represent building service workers and hotel and casino employees. The endorsements, which are highly coveted in heavily unionized New York City, will likely further cement Cuomo's frontrunner status in June's Democratic Party mayoral primary, as he runs to oust embattled Mayor Eric Adams from City Hall. "The members of @32BJSEIU and @NYHTC are the backbone of NY. They clean our buildings, run our hotels, care for our communities, and keep this city moving. Without a strong middle class, no city can survive – let alone thrive – and right now, we are dangerously close to losing them," Cuomo warned in a statement on social media. And he highlighted that "I have fought for and alongside the men and women of 32BJ and HTC for years – their faith in me is a tremendous boost for our campaign and I am proud to have their endorsement." The two unions, which combined have over 120,000 workers in their ranks, are the latest organized labor groups to back Cuomo. Cuomo's March 1 campaign launch, into an already crowded field of contenders, rocked the race. With over two months to go until the June 24 primary, Cuomo is the clear polling and fundraising frontrunner in the race for the Democratic mayoral nomination. And the winner of the Democratic primary will be considered the overwhelming frontrunner in November's mayoral election in solidly blue New York City. But now that the 2025 mayoral race is Cuomo's to lose, his rivals are zeroing in on the former governor's immense political baggage. Cuomo has spent the past four years fighting to clear his name after 11 sexual harassment accusations – which he has repeatedly denied – forced his resignation as governor in August 2021. He was also under investigation for his handling of the COVID pandemic amid allegations his administration vastly understated COVID-related deaths at state nursing homes. The former governor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Adams' poll numbers were sinking even before he was indicted last year on five counts, which accused the mayor of bribery and fraud as part of an alleged "long-running" scheme to personally profit from contacts with foreign officials. The mayor made repeated overtures to now-President Donald Trump, and in February the Justice Department moved to dismiss the corruption charges, so he could seemingly work with the Trump administration on its illegal immigration crackdown. The top federal prosecutor in New York City resigned rather than comply, and argued that the mayor had agreed to a quid pro quo with the Justice Department. In a final move, a federal judge earlier this month dismissed the Justice Department case against the mayor, but argued that the Trump administration's grounds for having the case dropped "smacks of a bargain". A few days later, Adams announced that he would forgo the Democratic primary and run for re-election as an independent.
