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Presented by For the Many Environmental Action Inc: Erin Durkin and Anna Gronewold's must-read briefing informing the daily conversation among knowledgeable New Yorkers | | | | |  | | By Erin Durkin , Anna Gronewold and Julian Shen-Berro | Presented by For the Many Environmental Action Inc | At the top of the ticket this Election Day, Gov. Kathy Hochul is up against Republican challenger Rep. Lee Zeldin in a race that’s more competitive than it was ever supposed to be. Hochul’s campaign has jolted awake in recent weeks in response to tightening polls , with surrogates including President Joe Biden , Vice President Kamala Harris , and both Clintons , hoping to salvage a solid win in a state that hasn’t elected a Republican governor in two decades. Zeldin and Hochul spent their last full day on the campaign trail criss-crossing New York City , where Zeldin is aiming to get at least 30 percent of the vote to have a shot at winning statewide. (He’d likely need low voter turnout in the city as well.) Zeldin stuck to a staple of his campaign, holding a press conference at the site of a gruesome crime, this time a Bronx subway stabbing . Hochul countered: “He has been hyperventilating, trying to scare people for months, and New Yorkers are onto it.” New York has also become a surprising battleground as Democrats and Republicans vie for control of Congress. Here are some other races to watch: — On Staten Island, Democratic former Rep. Max Rose is trying to reclaim his old seat , where he was defeated by Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis two years ago. — Long Island has four competitive House races, including three open seats and a Republican spot held by Rep. Andrew Garbarino in play in a rematch against his 2020 opponent, Democrat Jackie Gordon. — Three of New York’s toss-ups are north of New York City, including two open seats in the Syracuse area and the Hudson Valley . In the suburbs, DCCC Chair Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney is locked in a tight race with Assemblymember Mike Lawler that’s pulled more emergency resources than the party expected to send. In another Hudson Valley seat, Rep. Pat Ryan, who won a bellwether August special election, must now win again to keep his seat, up against Republican Colin Schmitt. — The state Senate’s 43-member Democratic conference stands a good chance of losing its supermajority should their number fall below 42. But it’s possible that newly drawn districts favorable to the party could offset potential losses in the city and on Long Island. IT’S ELECTION DAY. Got tips, suggestions or thoughts? Let us know ... By email: EDurkin@politico.com and agronewold@politico.com , or on Twitter: @erinmdurkin and @annagronewold WHERE’S KATHY? Appearing on Hot 97’s “Ebro in the Morning,” campaigning at the 86th St. subway station, visiting Upper East Side diners, appearing on 1010 WINS, campaigning at subway stations in Washington Heights and Woodside (with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez), visiting Fulton Street mall, and holding an election night watch party in Manhattan. WHERE’S ERIC? Voting in Brooklyn.
| | | | A message from For the Many Environmental Action Inc: For the Many Environmental Action fights for environmental justice for communities throughout New York State. When you vote this year, make sure to flip your ballot over and vote YES on Proposition 1, a historic investment in clean water, green jobs, and climate resiliency for New York. | | | |  | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | “ Parts of NY gun law temporarily blocked on eve of Election Day ” by WNYC’s Samantha Max: “A federal district judge has temporarily blocked multiple sections of New York’s new concealed carry law on the eve of Election Day. Judge Glenn T. Suddaby of Syracuse ruled that the state can still prevent people from carrying guns in Times Square, public playgrounds, libraries, nurseries and preschools. But mental hospitals, places of worship, public parks, zoos, theaters, conference centers, protests and bars are no longer off limits. A section of the law barring permit holders from carrying guns in other ‘restricted locations’ was blocked as well. The judge also ruled that permit applicants should not be required to prove that they have ‘good moral character,’ provide names and contact information for their partners and roommates or provide a list of their social media accounts from the last three years.” “ 1.5 million votes have already been cast in New York ,” by Times Union’s Emilie Munson: “At least 1.48 million votes have already been cast in New York in the general election, as Gov. Kathy Hochul and U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin face off in a competitive race for governor, among other contests. During nine days of early in-person voting that concluded Sunday, about 1.2 million New Yorkers cast their ballots, according to data from the state Board of Elections. In addition, as of the latest count Friday, 303,122 absentee ballots had been returned by voters, with 226,794 still outstanding around the state. Nearly two-thirds of the absentee ballots issued were requested by registered Democrats, according to the state Board of Elections. Between early in-person and absentee voting, about 12 percent of active enrolled voters have cast a ballot to date, according to the Board of Elections figures.” — “ Lee Zeldin Caravan Featured Thin Blue Line Flags, Vehicles With Hundreds of Speeding Tickets ,” by Hell Gate’s Christopher Robbins “ Long Island teen tied to shooting outside Lee Zeldin’s house held on $1M bail ,” New York Post’s Kevin Sheehan and Jorge Fitz-Gibbon: “A Long Island man tied to a gang-style shooting outside Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin’s home last month was ordered held on $1 million bail on felony gun charges Monday. Noah Green, 18, was arraigned on the seven-count indictment stemming from the Oct. 9 shooting that saw one slug come within 30 feet of Zeldin’s twin daughters, who were inside the house doing their homework. Green has not been charged with pulling the trigger, but was allegedly nabbed with the 9mm handgun used in the shooting, which authorities said appeared to be gang-related.” “ Loosely Allied with Hochul, Working Families Party Again Tries to Meet Higher Threshold to Keep Ballot Line ,” by Gotham Gazette’s Ethan Geringer-Sameth: “Leaders of the Working Families and Conservative parties are again pushing New Yorkers to cast votes for their top-of-the-ticket nominees in high enough numbers to keep their ballot lines in future elections. Thanks to state rules adopted in 2020, every political party nominee for President and Governor must receive the greater of 2% of the statewide vote total or 130,000 votes in order for the party to keep a guaranteed spot on the ballot. Previously, political parties had to garner just 50,000 votes for their nominee for governor every four years.” ON THE TRAIL — As Republicans speculated about former President Donald Trump's plans for 2024, New York Democrats came out to support one of his political nemeses: Attorney General Tish James. James, who sued Trump, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the National Rifle Association, headlined a rally of predominantly Black Democratic supporters Monday night as she made her closing arguments in a race that has tightened in the polls . "I will not allow any Republican to talk to me about public safety. I've held too many mothers, too many grandmothers, too many fathers, over open caskets; too many young boys of color who died as a result of gun violence. And having a gun will not keep you safe," James said. Sen. Chuck Schumer, Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams spoke on her behalf. Williams pointedly did not endorse Gov. Kathy Hochul as he departed the rally, telling POLITICO he is only willing to urge his followers to vote for candidates on the Working Families Party line. "I am out here to get everybody to come out and vote, and I hope they come out and vote on the WFP line," Williams said, when asked if he supports Hochul. Pressed several times to clarify whether he plans to vote for Hochul — whom he has unsuccessfully challenged at the ballot box twice — Williams would only say New Yorkers "definitely should not vote for Lee Zeldin." — Sally Goldenberg #UpstateAmerica: A Syracuse guy from a family of 12 kids helped bring home the Micron deal.
| | | | NEW AND IMPROVED POLITICO APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. With a fresh look and improved features, the sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. Already a POLITICO app user? Upgrade today! DOWNLOAD FOR iOS – DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID . | | | | | | | What City Hall's reading | | DOE to use $200M in federal stimulus funds to defray enrollment drops , by POLITICO’s Madina Touré: The Department of Education will use $200 million in federal stimulus to maintain funding levels at schools where enrollment has declined since the beginning of the year, POLITICO has learned. The money, previously planned for use in fiscal year 2024, is part of a limited-and-dwindling pot of federal aid New York received as the Covid-19 pandemic raged. Then-Mayor Bill de Blasio used some of the money to defray enrollment declines, but his successor Mayor Eric Adams revived the practice of linking school budgets to enrollment due to waning federal stimulus dollars. “As we recover from the disruptions of the pandemic, we will ensure every student has the resources they need to thrive,” schools Chancellor David Banks said. “ Resigned Buildings Chief Eric Ulrich Gave Council Job to Co-Owner of Pizza Place Under Gambling Probe ,” by The City’s Katie Honan: “Eric Ulrich, who resigned last week as Adams’ Department of Buildings commissioner after he was questioned by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office in a gambling investigation, gave a government job to the co-owner of the Queens pizzeria linked to the probe, city records show. As a City Council member, Ulrich hired Joseph Livreri as an aide in 2019, at a salary of $26,000 a year. Liveri remains employed in the same role in the office of Ulrich’s successor, Councilmember Joann Ariola (R-Queens) — one of four holdovers from Ulrich’s time, Ariola told THE CITY. He is a part-time employee, Ariola said, adding that she consulted with the Council’s human resources department and its legal team when news broke about Aldo’s.” — “Embattled former Buildings Department boss Eric Ulrich has political ties to a former member of a Queens social club that was recently busted by the feds for acting as a front for a mob-run illegal gambling den, according to court papers and other public records reviewed by the Daily News.” “ Owners of company providing services to NYC migrants are also major supporter of governors who bused them to city ,” by Gothamist’s Christopher Werth : “The family behind the company hired by New York City to help manage an influx of asylum seekers has been a generous supporter of several of the governors responsible for busing many of those migrants to the city, according to campaign finance records. Texas-based SLSCO, or Sullivan Land Services Co., has been contracted by the city’s Office of Emergency Management to provide what city officials have described as ‘wrap around services’ at the city’s Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers. SLSCO’s contract includes staffing at a tent facility on Randall’s Island, which opened last month after Mayor Eric Adams declared a state of emergency over the number of asylum seekers arriving daily from the southern border.” “ Already Too Late, City Hall’s Climate Plan Denounced as Too Little ,” by The City’s Samantha Maldonado: “Last fall, the City Council passed a bill that required the Mayor’s Office to create a citywide ‘climate adaptation plan.’ While outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio supported the legislation, it was his successor who was tasked with delivering that plan. Mayor Eric Adams’ administration in late October — nearly a month after the plan was due — unveiled its response to the law, a plan called AdaptNYC. Several environmental advocates say it falls short of the law’s requirements. ‘It completely misses the mark,’ contended Mike Dulong, senior attorney at Riverkeeper, who added that it was ‘beyond belief’ New York doesn’t already have a comprehensive strategy to address climate change.”
| | | | A message from For the Many Environmental Action Inc:   | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | “ GOP House candidate Mike Lawler called fellow N.Y. Republican Nicole Malliotakis ‘pathetic’ before campaigning together ,” by New York Daily News’ Chris Sommerfeldt: “Awkward! Upstate Republican congressional candidate Mike Lawler blasted New York City GOP Rep. Nicole Malliotakis as ‘pathetic’ a few years ago — but has since come around to accepting her political support, including letting her host a campaign fundraiser for him. Lawler’s harsh criticism of Malliotakis dates back to May 2017, when she was in the midst of a failed Republican bid for New York City mayor. Lawler, who’s the GOP nominee for New York’s 17th Congressional District in Tuesday’s election, supported Malliotakis’ 2017 mayoral primary opponent Paul Massey.”
| | TRUMP'S NEW YORK | | “ Trump Appeals Order Appointing Monitor to Oversee His Company ,” by Bloomberg’s Chris Dolmetsch: “Former President Donald Trump appealed a judge’s decision to have an independent monitor review many of his company’s business activities until New York Attorney General Letitia James’s lawsuit alleging fraudulent asset valuations is resolved. New York state Judge Arthur Engoron last week granted James’s request for such a monitor as part of an order blocking the Trump Organization from issuing financial statements that don’t disclose the ‘assumptions and techniques’ used to value its assets or from transferring or disposing of assets without court approval.”
| | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S 2nd ANNUAL DEFENSE SUMMIT ON 11/16: The United States is facing a defining moment in the future of its defense, national security and democratic ideals. The current conflicts and developments around the world are pushing Washington to reshape its defense strategy and how it cooperates with allies. Join POLITICO for our second annual defense summit, “At a Crossroads: America’s Defense Strategy” on November 16 in person at the Schuyler DC or join online to hear keynote interviews and panels discussing the road ahead for America’s national security. REGISTER HERE . | | | | | | | AROUND NEW YORK | | — Former NYC Transit head Andy Byford is back in the U.S. and looking for work. — A state parole board denied a parole request from the man who shot John Lennon, citing the magnitude of the crime. — Police arrested a suspect accused of stabbing a good Samaritan on a subway train after he stepped in to help a woman who was being harassed. — Cornell University suspended all fraternity parties and social events after four students were reportedly drugged and one was sexually assaulted at off-campus fraternity houses in the past two weeks. — Education issues are out of sight , but not out of mind, in the race for governor. — An advocate for abuse survivors was kicked off the group negotiating the Buffalo Diocese bankruptcy settlement.
| | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: ABC’s David Muir … Blackstone’s Wayne Berman … WaPo’s Tory Newmyer … Latham and Watkins’ Christopher Martin … Kelly Jane Torrance … Ashley Higgins … Shushannah Walshe WEDDING — Gigi Sukin, an editor at Axios Local, on Oct. 29 married Tom Grossinger, director of business development for Kroenke Sports and Entertainment. The couple met on an app. Pic ... Another pic
| | | | A message from For the Many Environmental Action Inc: For the Many Environmental Action fights for environmental justice for communities throughout New York State. We urge you to vote YES on Proposition 1 (the Environmental Bond Act).
The Environmental Bond Act is a historic $4.2 billion investment in ensuring all New Yorkers have clean water, safe infrastructure, and are protected from the impacts of climate change. The Bond Act will help advance environmental justice and address inequities by directing 35 to 40 percent of total funding to marginalized communities.
Vote YES on environmental justice - Vote YES on Proposition 1. | | | | | Real Estate | | Hochul plan to upgrade Penn Station faces renewed scrutiny amid economic uncertainty , by POLITICO’s Danielle Muoio Dunn: Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan to reconstruct Penn Station is facing financial headwinds and new criticism from a member of her own party. Hochul wants to sell development rights around the Midtown Manhattan rail hub and hopes ensuing economic activity will generate revenue to help pay for $22 billion in upgrades to Penn Station. But Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) is questioning New York's projected demand for commercial real estate and wants to know how revenue shortfalls could impact New Jersey, which is expected to help pay for the undertaking, according to a letter obtained by POLITICO. “ Attorney General files suit against Bay Ridge landlord who conducted ‘years-long scheme’ to defraud tenants ,” by Brooklyn Paper’s Kirstyn Brendlen: “New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing a Bay Ridge landlord who allegedly defrauded his tenants and made off with millions of dollars, leaving them devoid of their life savings and at risk of homelessness. The suit, filed yesterday in Kings County Supreme Court, accuses landlord Xi Hui Wu, who also goes by ‘Steven,’ and his ex-wife Xiao Rong Yang of a ‘years-long scheme of deception, fraud, and illegal conduct in connection with the development of a residential apartment building’ at 345 Ovington Avenue, according to court documents.” | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |  |
