Latest news with #NewYorkCityDistrictCouncilofCarpenters
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Carpenters, Laborers unions endorse Manhattan DA Bragg for re-election
The New York City District Council of Carpenters, Laborers' International Union of North America and Mason Tenders are officially endorsing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for re-election. These unions were major supporters of ex-Assistant District Attorney Diana Florence in her 2021 run against Bragg, where she ultimately finished fifth. Now, Florence is running again in a long-shot bid for Bragg's seat, this time as an independent. Bragg, who's running for a second term, has previously scooped the support of heavyweight unions 1199SEIU, United Federal of Teachers, DC37 and the Hotel Trades Union, and Manhattan congressional Reps. Nadler, Espaillat and Goldman. 'I am proud to stand alongside New York's working people to ensure they are not exploited or abused, and can earn a fair wage in safe conditions for doing the important work that each of us relies on every day,' Bragg said in a statement. Bragg tackled many high-profile cases in his second term, including Trump's hush-money conviction and the indictment of Luigi Mangione for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. 'For the past four years, Alvin Bragg has used his position to fight for working people time and again,' District Council of Carpenters President Paul Capurso said, referencing the DA's efforts targeting wage theft in the construction industry. Florence formerly worked under Former Manhattan DA Cy Vance Jr. but resigned in controversy amid allegations she withheld evidence about a cooperating witness in a case. 'At a time when the justice system seems to cater too often to rich, politically connected insiders and elites, Alvin brings a refreshing fairness and a commitment to doing the right thing to one of the most important law enforcement agencies in the country,' Mason Tenders Business Manager Dave Bolger said, citing Bragg's creation of a Worker Protection Unit. Maud Maron, a former Legal Aid attorney, is running against Bragg as a Republican.
Politico
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Guess who's back, back again
Presented by With help from Cris Seda Chabrier The Andrew Cuomo era is back after a three-year hiatus. Tightly managed public events, finger-snapping protests and stern criticism for and from the political left were hallmarks from his time in Albany. Now, these elements are being applied to the up-close-and-personal world of mayoral campaigning — something Cuomo as a candidate has never experienced and a big change from the cloistered world of the state Capitol. Day two of the Cuomo comeback bid was met with protesters aghast by the prospect that the former governor, who was accused of sexual harassment by 11 women, could return to public office. Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing and won a handful of legal battles since his resignation. Nevertheless, his new rivals began to sharpen their attacks against him, lobbing criticism for his handling of Covid, for being soft on President Donald Trump and for, in their view, screwing over the city while governor. 'Cuomo encourages corruption, silences accountability, and has stood by as Donald Trump conducts a hostile takeover of our local government,' state Sen. Zellnor Myrie said in a welcome-to-the-race statement. The former governor rolled out his long-awaited mayoral campaign this weekend, a surreal event for a time traveler plucked from August 2021 when the badly damaged moderate Democrat resigned amid a cascade of scandals. But less than four years (and one Trump comeback) later, there was Cuomo in a 17-and-a-half minute video — a Scorsese movie length campaign opening by the standards of modern attention spans — that ChatGPT could neatly summarize as 'New York City is in crisis, strong leadership is needed, I've got the experience to fix it.' Without naming names, he blasted the 'failed Democratic leadership' and 'the lack of intelligent action' for the mess facing the city. As he accepted the endorsement of the New York City District Council of Carpenters on Sunday, Cuomo knocked his lefty opponents for backing calls to defund the police — accusing them of 'regressive politics.' 'We know that these politicians now running for mayor made a terrible, terrible mistake,' Cuomo said. 'They uttered the three dumbest words ever uttered by a government official: Cut police funding.' Nothing with Cuomo is ever subtle: The epic video reintroduction and the downtown rally with the union were, in part, a demonstration to the New York political world that Cuomo's campaign is fully armed and operational. He wants to be considered an effective manager with a sensible platform and a well of support from labor and elected officials — a combination that, with campaign cash, many expect will overwhelm lesser-known opponents. The scandals? He's made mistakes and would have done some things differently, Cuomo acknowledged. But his early frontrunner status comes with a 'kick me' sign on his back. As former city Comptroller Scott Stringer said, 'Cuomo got on stage today, play acting as NYC's savior — listing our problems but skipping the part where he caused them. He gutted the MTA, waged ego wars, covered up the nursing home scandal and left New Yorkers to suffer. Now he's back to launder his reputation. Don't be fooled.' Stringer's successor Brad Lander accused Cuomo of 'self-aggrandizement and fear mongering, but not solutions for public safety.' And then there's state Sen. Jessica Ramos, who questioned whether Cuomo — who has touted his outer borough roots as a 'Queens boy' — is really committed to the city, where he reregistered to vote only last year. 'Andrew hasn't lived in NYC for nearly three decades,' she said. 'Shouldn't he be running for office in Westchester, where he lived after resigning in disgrace?' Responded Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi: 'New Yorkers smell these garbage attacks a mile away and they know this city is in crisis and it needs to be saved. We'll see you all out there on the trail.' But the deeply scarred incumbent whom Cuomo wants to replace sidestepped any mention of his new opponent. 'There's a famous quote: Come one, come all,' Mayor Eric Adams said while adding, 'You can't hide in the shadows. You have to come out and follow real positions, so I'm looking forward to it.' — Nick Reisman HAPPY MONDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE'S KATHY? Appearing on NPR's 'Morning Edition,' convening a roundtable with federal employees on DOGE-ordered layoffs in Manhattan and appearing on CNN's 'The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer' WHERE'S ERIC? Holding a media availability in City Hall. QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'I urge both the U.S. and Ukraine to not allow this setback to let us to lose focus on the fact that Putin is a vicious tyrant and murderer, and the people of Ukraine have suffered tremendously because of his horrific war crimes.' — City Council Member Inna Vernikov, a Republican of Ukrainian descent, posted on X about Trump's disastrous meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. ABOVE THE FOLD SANCTUARY SCRUTINY: Adams has been prepping intensely for his Wednesday testimony in Washington before the high-profile House Oversight Committee, which is probing 'sanctuary cities' like New York. He's getting ready as the mayors of Chicago, Boston and Denver also brace for what some Republican House members hope will be made-for-TV scrutiny of Democratic policies protecting undocumented immigrants, POLITICO reports. Adams has been meeting daily with his legal, intergovernmental and communications teams. His deputy mayor for intergovernmental affairs, Tiffany Raspberry, is in touch with both the Oversight Committee members and the other mayors' teams. His testimony will be familiar to New Yorkers: He believes in the spirit of sanctuary laws; he also thinks those laws go too far. Adams is expected to say immigrants are crucial to his city's success — but also that the 'long-broken immigration system' should be fixed, law-abiding New Yorkers should be protected and violent criminals should be targeted. His message may be more well received by House Republicans than what his peers are expected to say. Observers expect the mayor — a former NYPD captain — will be treated differently than the other mayors, with Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) contending the New Yorker's perspective is unique given his cooperation with the administration. Adams likely has the most at stake among the city leaders: The Trump Department of Justice recently called for his fraud case to be dismissed, which led to significant pushback among rivals vying to replace him. And after the mayor met with border czar Tom Homan, he announced he's drafting an executive order allowing ICE agents back into the Rikers Island jail complex, another move that's faced severe criticisms. Adams continues to deny the criminal charges against him. He has rejected criticism that he's beholden to the Trump administration and says he has his constituents' best interests at heart. On Wednesday, the contrast between Adams and the other Democratic mayors could pose a political risk for the three more progressive city leaders — including Mike Johnston of Denver, who said in November he was willing to go to jail over his opposition to Trump's mass deportation plans. Read more from POLITICO's Hailey Fuchs, Shia Kapos, Emily Ngo and Kelly Garrity. CITY HALL: THE LATEST LABOR TENSION OVER CUOMO: Cuomo already has the apparent support of 1199SEIU President George Gresham for his New York City mayoral bid, but the health care union's other officers are pushing him to delay, POLITICO reports. Gresham told some of the union's top officers last week that he wanted the large labor organization to endorse Cuomo, according to three people briefed on the discussion who were granted anonymity to speak candidly about internal deliberations. At the time, Cuomo had yet to enter the race to oust Adams. But Cuomo launched his bid Saturday with a video that includes a still shot of Gresham. Gresham subsequently raised the issue with the union's highest governing body, making the case to the executive council that 1199SEIU already has a relationship with Cuomo, whom he called the 'strongest candidate,' the three people said. The prospective endorsement never went to a vote, although others on the executive council did not express outright opposition to endorsing Cuomo, instead emphasizing that union members should drive the endorsement process, according to the three people. 'Our members like Cuomo, but they're not going to be pushed around,' one of them said. Read more from POLITICO's Maya Kaufman. ADAMS AND SNAP: Adams has signed on to a letter from the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger urging congressional leaders to push back against potential cuts to nutritional assistance in the Trump-backed budget resolution, which is now making its way through the Senate, Playbook has learned. The group represents 400 mayors. The New York City mayor has said he won't criticize Trump publicly as he seeks to work with the administration. But Adams' team has sued the Trump administration over its clawback of $80 million in FEMA funding for migrants. 'We express our concern for the growing number of children in our country facing food insecurity and hunger if these cuts are enacted,' the alliance's letter reads of SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 'Our cities are on the frontline of responding to challenges in our communities, and as mayors, we need every option available to fight childhood hunger.' Some of Adams' top aides have been more proactive and forceful about speaking out against Trump policies targeting SNAP, trans people and immigrants. Adams' social services commissioner stressed in a recent interview with Playbook that about 1.8 million New York City residents rely on SNAP. 'A third of them are kids, a third of them are older adults, and it is really a lifeline,' Molly Wasow Park said. 'We're literally talking about taking food out of kids' and older adults' mouths to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest.' She did not directly criticize either the mayor or the president, saying her priority is the New Yorkers her agency serves. Democrats, including House members from New York, have doubled down against the Republican-led spending measure, which they've lambasted as aiming to cut Medicaid, SNAP and other benefits in order to fund tax cuts for the wealthy. Republicans have pushed back that Dems are fear-mongering and their votes in the House against the resolution were votes against an extension of Trump's 2017 tax cut package that includes relief for the middle class. — Emily Ngo More from the city: — Friends and neighbors honored New York civil rights leader Hazel Dukes, who died Saturday at age 92. (Daily News) — Corona, Queens, an immigrant neighborhood where Trump made inroads during the election, now fears ICE raids. (New York Times) — Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz blames discovery reforms for more than a quarter of criminal cases being dismissed. (Gothamist) NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY BUDGET ANXIETY: State lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul are hurtling toward the state budget deadline, now less than a month away. And a major wrench — in the form of a Republican-backed federal spending plan — could soon find its way into the gears. Hochul budget director Blake Washington in a brief interview with Playbook did not rule out making alterations to the governor's $252 billion proposal if Congress makes deep cuts to major programs like Medicaid — which comprises a significant chunk of New York's overall spending. 'The dollar signs should be concerning to New Yorkers, particularly as it relates to the Medicaid program,' Washington said. House Republicans approved their own budget blueprint last week. The narrow divide in the chamber will require House Speaker Mike Johnson to cobble together a spending package that appeals to all corners of his party — including moderate New York Republicans who have to win reelection in the deep blue state. Hochul has vowed to keep pressure on Congress to pass a budget that doesn't hurt New York. But her own spending plan did not put safeguards in place should Congress make cuts. So big reductions could mean bringing state lawmakers back to Albany — and opening up the budget again even after it passes. 'If the revisions are such that warrant it, whether it's done in the middle of budget or after the budget is finalized, it would warrant additional discussions with the Legislature,' Washington said. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — State lawmakers want to outlaw the flying of Hamas and Hezbollah flags. (New York Post) — Hochul's agenda this year includes plans to boost homeownership. (Democrat and Chronicle) — Unauthorized prison strikes continued this weekend despite warnings from state officials. (Times Union) KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: GOP Rep. Mike Lawler is one of the most vocal and visible critics of congestion pricing, knocking Hochul at every possible turn for it. Now, Riders Alliance is hitting him on the airwaves for that opposition. The public transit advocacy group is launching a six-figure TV ad buy today, charging that Lawler's stance hurts Metro-North users, with a nod to his potential gubernatorial run. 'Lawler cheers as Trump attempts to block the plan, calling it a huge win,' a narrator says in the 30-second spot, which is set to air in the Hudson Valley and New York City. 'That means we'd be stuck with more delays, fare hikes and no real solutions. We need leaders who fix problems, not overambitious politicians who play games with our commute.' Lawler, a battleground House member, has opposed the tolling scheme from the start. His campaign said he's siding with working- and middle-class New Yorkers over 'wealthy, far-left' Manhattan special interests. 'Mike is proud to have been the tip of the spear in stopping the ridiculous congestion pricing cash grab and wears it as a badge of honor that he's being attacked by a group who thinks it's a good idea to tax people more for the 'privilege' of driving to work every day,' his spokesperson Chris Russell said. Trump has moved to kill the initiative charging drivers entering the most congested parts of Manhattan. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority swiftly responded with a legal challenge. And Hochul, who has met with Trump about the tolling scheme, has insisted that New York will not comply with the president's order. The Trump Transportation Department has set a March 21 deadline to end congestion pricing. — Emily Ngo More from Congress: — Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin has begun to do what Trump wanted to do in his first term but couldn't: Shrink the EPA and cut regulations. (Newsday) — Dem Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says she believes Republicans' early moves in Trump 2.0 will hurt them. (NPR) — Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Democrat, slams the '20-something-year-old gamers searching for their pot of gold' at Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. (ABC7) NEW YORK STATE OF MIND — Democrats may rule Buffalo, but other party lines could matter in the upcoming election. (Buffalo News) — The Fire Island water taxi operator wants to hike fares by more than $100. (Newsday) — Albany Airport has some work to do with its flight delays. (Times Union) SOCIAL DATA MAKING MOVES: Megan Wylie, former director of government relations at the New York Building Congress, has joined the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council as deputy political director … Kelly Craft has joined the board of the ARC Alliance for Responsible Citizenship. Craft, a former U.S. Ambassador to Canada and the UN in the first Trump administration, is also on the board of the Institute for the Study of War and a member of the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees Investment Committee. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Kathryn Garcia … David Yassky … Rebecca Bailin of New Yorkers United for Child Care … Jeff Lewis of Oaktree Solutions … Freddi Goldstein of Uber … (WAS SUNDAY): Nick Paolucci of the NYC Law Department … Eric Phillips of Craig Newmark Philanthropies … Émilia Decaudin … Assembly Member Alec Brook-Krasny … (WAS SATURDAY): CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez … Jesse Campoamor … NYC Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers … state Sen. Roxanne Persaud … Rory Lancman … (WAS FRIDAY): Nancy Conde CORRECTION: Friday's edition of Playbook misstated the birthdays of Keith Olbermann and Derek Evers. They celebrate on Jan. 27. Missed Friday's New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New York's real estate execs frustrated with expected Cuomo campaign pick
NEW YORK — A labor official in talks for a top post in former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's expected mayoral campaign is troubling the city's well-heeled real estate industry. Kevin Elkins, political director at the New York City District Council of Carpenters, is expected to hold a role in the campaign, according to three people familiar with the matter. 'If you were to pick a single name that would antagonize the vast majority of the industry it would probably be Kevin Elkins,' said one industry source, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly. The bad blood between the industry and the union — which is nearing an endorsement of Cuomo — runs deep. The carpenters stand somewhat apart from other building trades unions in their publicly antagonistic and pugilistic posture toward the real estate industry, one of the wealthiest in New York and one that plays a big role in public policy and politics. The union was a driving force behind expanded wage requirements in the revived multi-family housing tax break approved in Albany last year, known as 485-x. Developers came away unhappy with the deal, arguing the labor rules made the incentive unusable for many residential projects in a housing-starved city. And Elkins frequently goes after the industry's leading trade group, the Real Estate Board of New York, on social media — both regarding fraught negotiations in Albany, and over issues in which the carpenters union is not especially involved, like a City Council measure reining in broker fees. Cuomo has a long and close relationship with the building trades, but some developers still find the Elkins pick particularly concerning. 'By bringing this guy into the campaign so early, it's really showing a concerning alignment with labor that will, potentially, down the road cause even more significant issues and more contention between real estate and the trades,' said a developer who was granted anonymity to speak freely. A third industry insider also granted anonymity to speak freely expressed similar concerns about Elkins. A person close to the former governor defended Elkins. 'Kevin is a smart guy who fights hard for his people and those are good things to have on a campaign, of which there currently isn't one,' the person said. 'The governor has and always will do what is best for all New Yorkers.' Elkins declined to comment. Before joining the union in 2021, Elkins worked for former Staten Island Rep. Max Rose, who briefly flirted with running for mayor. 'When's the last time REBNY won a legislative fight? I'm being sincere,' Elkins wrote on X last November, reposting news of the council passing legislation to curb broker fees that the trade group had fought. During heated negotiations in Albany over the parameters of the multi-family housing tax break, Elkins frequently blamed the industry for holding up the larger housing deal. REBNY 'stands alone in opposing [a deal],' Elkins wrote on X last January. 'This is how the most recent rent laws passed. Amazing how history repeats itself!' 'This budget season I'm grateful for all the creatively disingenuous ways REBNY has tried to hide the fact that its wage proposal is the same wage-theft filled average wage policy,' Elkins wrote in another post in early April. 'It's done more to expose their tactics to lawmakers & media than we ever could.' The tax break approved as part of the larger housing deal last April drew criticism from major developers, including Douglas Durst and Two Trees' Jed Walentas, the chair of REBNY. Both builders paused massive projects along the Queens and Brooklyn waterfronts after concluding the new incentive was financially inadequate. Gov. Kathy Hochul has defended the tax break, and argued the program will become more popular with developers as interest rates come down. Elkins and the carpenters, meanwhile, accused the industry of 'bluffing.' Despite their distaste for Elkins, developers and other industry players have a generally positive view of Cuomo in the context of the crowded race to replace Mayor Eric Adams. The incumbent, who supports real estate growth, is badly damaged by a federal corruption indictment as he cobbles together a reelection bid. 'I think very few people [within the industry] think there's a shot for the current mayor. The remainder of the announced field is seen as very, very far left,' said one real estate lobbyist. 'The weight of opinion is I think you'll see considerable support for Governor Cuomo.' Nick Reisman contributed to this report.
Politico
27-02-2025
- Business
- Politico
New York's real estate execs frustrated with expected Cuomo campaign pick
NEW YORK — A labor official in talks for a top post in former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's expected mayoral campaign is troubling the city's well-heeled real estate industry. Kevin Elkins, political director at the New York City District Council of Carpenters, is expected to hold a role in the campaign, according to three people familiar with the matter. 'If you were to pick a single name that would antagonize the vast majority of the industry it would probably be Kevin Elkins,' said one industry source, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly. The bad blood between the industry and the union — which is nearing an endorsement of Cuomo — runs deep. The carpenters stand somewhat apart from other building trades unions in their publicly antagonistic and pugilistic posture toward the real estate industry, one of the wealthiest in New York and one that plays a big role in public policy and politics. The union was a driving force behind expanded wage requirements in the revived multi-family housing tax break approved in Albany last year, known as 485-x. Developers came away unhappy with the deal, arguing the labor rules made the incentive unusable for many residential projects in a housing-starved city. And Elkins frequently goes after the industry's leading trade group, the Real Estate Board of New York, on social media — both regarding fraught negotiations in Albany, and over issues in which the carpenters union is not especially involved, like a City Council measure reining in broker fees. Cuomo has a long and close relationship with the building trades, but some developers still find the Elkins pick particularly concerning. 'By bringing this guy into the campaign so early, it's really showing a concerning alignment with labor that will, potentially, down the road cause even more significant issues and more contention between real estate and the trades,' said a developer who was granted anonymity to speak freely. A third industry insider also granted anonymity to speak freely expressed similar concerns about Elkins. A person close to the former governor defended Elkins. 'Kevin is a smart guy who fights hard for his people and those are good things to have on a campaign, of which there currently isn't one,' the person said. 'The governor has and always will do what is best for all New Yorkers.' Elkins declined to comment. Before joining the union in 2021, Elkins worked for former Staten Island Rep. Max Rose, who briefly flirted with running for mayor. 'When's the last time REBNY won a legislative fight? I'm being sincere,' Elkins wrote on X last November, reposting news of the council passing legislation to curb broker fees that the trade group had fought. During heated negotiations in Albany over the parameters of the multi-family housing tax break, Elkins frequently blamed the industry for holding up the larger housing deal. REBNY 'stands alone in opposing [a deal],' Elkins wrote on X last January. 'This is how the most recent rent laws passed. Amazing how history repeats itself!' 'This budget season I'm grateful for all the creatively disingenuous ways REBNY has tried to hide the fact that its wage proposal is the same wage-theft filled average wage policy,' Elkins wrote in another post in early April. 'It's done more to expose their tactics to lawmakers & media than we ever could.' The tax break approved as part of the larger housing deal last April drew criticism from major developers, including Douglas Durst and Two Trees' Jed Walentas, the chair of REBNY. Both builders paused massive projects along the Queens and Brooklyn waterfronts after concluding the new incentive was financially inadequate. Gov. Kathy Hochul has defended the tax break, and argued the program will become more popular with developers as interest rates come down. Elkins and the carpenters, meanwhile, accused the industry of 'bluffing.' Despite their distaste for Elkins, developers and other industry players have a generally positive view of Cuomo in the context of the crowded race to replace Mayor Eric Adams. The incumbent, who supports real estate growth, is badly damaged by a federal corruption indictment as he cobbles together a reelection bid. 'I think very few people [within the industry] think there's a shot for the current mayor. The remainder of the announced field is seen as very, very far left,' said one real estate lobbyist. 'The weight of opinion is I think you'll see considerable support for Governor Cuomo.' Nick Reisman contributed to this report.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New York's real estate execs frustrated with expected Cuomo campaign pick
NEW YORK — A labor official in talks for a top post in former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's expected mayoral campaign is troubling the city's well-heeled real estate industry. Kevin Elkins, political director at the New York City District Council of Carpenters, is expected to hold a role in the campaign, according to three people familiar with the matter. 'If you were to pick a single name that would antagonize the vast majority of the industry it would probably be Kevin Elkins,' said one industry source, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly. The bad blood between the industry and the union — which is nearing an endorsement of Cuomo — runs deep. The carpenters stand somewhat apart from other building trades unions in their publicly antagonistic and pugilistic posture toward the real estate industry, one of the wealthiest in New York and one that plays a big role in public policy and politics. The union was a driving force behind expanded wage requirements in the revived multi-family housing tax break approved in Albany last year, known as 485-x. Developers came away unhappy with the deal, arguing the labor rules made the incentive unusable for many residential projects in a housing-starved city. And Elkins frequently goes after the industry's leading trade group, the Real Estate Board of New York, on social media — both regarding fraught negotiations in Albany, and over issues in which the carpenters union is not especially involved, like a City Council measure reining in broker fees. Cuomo has a long and close relationship with the building trades, but some developers still find the Elkins pick particularly concerning. 'By bringing this guy into the campaign so early, it's really showing a concerning alignment with labor that will, potentially, down the road cause even more significant issues and more contention between real estate and the trades,' said a developer who was granted anonymity to speak freely. A third industry insider also granted anonymity to speak freely expressed similar concerns about Elkins. A person close to the former governor defended Elkins. 'Kevin is a smart guy who fights hard for his people and those are good things to have on a campaign, of which there currently isn't one,' the person said. 'The governor has and always will do what is best for all New Yorkers.' Elkins declined to comment. Before joining the union in 2021, Elkins worked for former Staten Island Rep. Max Rose, who briefly flirted with running for mayor. 'When's the last time REBNY won a legislative fight? I'm being sincere,' Elkins wrote on X last November, reposting news of the council passing legislation to curb broker fees that the trade group had fought. During heated negotiations in Albany over the parameters of the multi-family housing tax break, Elkins frequently blamed the industry for holding up the larger housing deal. REBNY 'stands alone in opposing [a deal],' Elkins wrote on X last January. 'This is how the most recent rent laws passed. Amazing how history repeats itself!' 'This budget season I'm grateful for all the creatively disingenuous ways REBNY has tried to hide the fact that its wage proposal is the same wage-theft filled average wage policy,' Elkins wrote in another post in early April. 'It's done more to expose their tactics to lawmakers & media than we ever could.' The tax break approved as part of the larger housing deal last April drew criticism from major developers, including Douglas Durst and Two Trees' Jed Walentas, the chair of REBNY. Both builders paused massive projects along the Queens and Brooklyn waterfronts after concluding the new incentive was financially inadequate. Gov. Kathy Hochul has defended the tax break, and argued the program will become more popular with developers as interest rates come down. Elkins and the carpenters, meanwhile, accused the industry of 'bluffing.' Despite their distaste for Elkins, developers and other industry players have a generally positive view of Cuomo in the context of the crowded race to replace Mayor Eric Adams. The incumbent, who supports real estate growth, is badly damaged by a federal corruption indictment as he cobbles together a reelection bid. 'I think very few people [within the industry] think there's a shot for the current mayor. The remainder of the announced field is seen as very, very far left,' said one real estate lobbyist. 'The weight of opinion is I think you'll see considerable support for Governor Cuomo.' Nick Reisman contributed to this report.
