A new round of migrants, via the Rocky Mountains

From: POLITICO New York Playbook - Wednesday Jan 04,2023 12:35 pm

Jan 04, 2023

Presented by KNOW US

The next influx of migrants to New York City could be coming from an unlikely source, Mayor Eric Adams says. He’s warning that the state of Colorado plans to bus asylum seekers to New York and other major cities.

This is unusual for a couple reasons: Colorado isn’t a border state dealing with huge numbers of migrants crossing into its territory directly. Its governor is a Democrat, not someone with a political point to make by sending people to so-called sanctuary cities, as Texas has been doing for months. And indeed, Gov. Jared Polis’ version of the story is quite a bit different from the mayor’s.

“We were notified yesterday that the governor of Colorado is now stating that they are going to be sending migrants to places like New York and Chicago,” Adams said in an appearance on WABC radio. “This is just unfair for local governments to have to take on this national obligation. We've done our job. There’s no more room at the inn.”

But Polis tells POLITICO there’s no mass busing operation planned. The state is, however, helping migrants who end up in Colorado get to their preferred final destination, and some want to go to New York. He does expect an uptick in buses to New York because of a recent winter storm that created a backlog of migrants wanting to leave Denver.

“There is a lot of pent-up demand right now and a lot of frustration among our migrants who have been trapped for a week or two in a place they didn’t want to be through no fault of their own,” Polis said. “Too many people, in our opinion, view this through a political lens or as playing politics — and it’s terrible that in some places, people have been used as political props,” he added. “But what we are doing here is just honoring our values by treating people with dignity and respect.”

Whether or not Colorado ends up sending enough people to make a difference, it’s clear that Adams is growing increasingly frustrated as New York has welcomed more than 30,000 — and increasingly willing to lob blunt criticism at President Joe Biden. “It’s a real embarrassment, I believe, on a national level,” he said. “This is a national issue. It must have a national response.”

IT’S WEDNESDAY and the first official day of the legislative session in Albany. 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? In Albany with no public events scheduled.

WHERE’S ERIC? Greeting members of the New York City Legal Fellows Program, making an environmental announcement, and participating in a food distribution.

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS DIANE SAVINO? Back in Albany already (at least some of the time)! The former state senator from Staten Island is joining the Eric Adams administration officially as a senior adviser, the mayor’s office told POLITICO. According to a spokesman, Savino will be working with Chief Advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin and the legislative team “on a multitude of issues, including work in Albany, in Washington, DC, and elsewhere.” (Chris Ellis remains the Albany point person.)

Adams in a statement, said: “We’re thrilled to have Diane join the team as one of my senior advisors. Someone with her extraordinary relationships will be crucial in helping us move forward our agenda in our Aaron Judge year.”

A message from KNOW US:

KNOW US! With NYC antisemitic hate crimes doubling year over year, it’s more important than ever for our public discourse to promote facts, not tropes or bigotry. Some have engaged in a smear campaign against Orthodox and Hasidic Jews recently, and that’s not just wrong, it’s dangerous. As it would be if perpetrated against any minority. Challenge your preconceived notions: Get to KNOW US and champion Faith, Freedom, and Facts!

WHAT CITY HALL IS READING

“Mayor Adams hit with two more tickets for rat infestation at his Brooklyn rowhouse,” by New York Daily News’ Chris Sommerfeldt: “Mayor Adams just can’t catch a break — from rats. For the second time in less than a year, a tenacious city Health Department inspector has ticketed the rat-hating mayor for failing to root out a rodent infestation at his Brooklyn rowhouse, according to summonses reviewed by the Daily News. The inspector, Shirley Jean, dinged Adams for the latest violations in two separate tickets — that come with a combined maximum penalty of $1,200 — after detecting during a Dec. 7 inspection that an infestation was still plaguing his Bedford-Stuyvesant building.”

“NYC Council to consider paving way for Mayor Adams’ controversial Medicare plan for retired city workers,” by New York Daily News’ Chris Sommerfeldt: “City Council leaders announced late Tuesday that they will consider legislation to roll back a local law that stands in the way of Mayor Adams’ long-sought push to make a controversial Medicare plan the only cost-free health insurance option available for the municipal government’s retired workforce.”

“Gov. Hochul vetoes bill to prohibit building schools near highways after Adams pushes back,” by New York Daily News’ Cayla Bamberger: “Gov. Hochul has struck down a bill that would have prohibited new school construction within 500 feet of highways to reduce student exposure to harmful car exhaust — delivering a win to the Adams administration, which had pushed back against it. ‘I am fully in support of the laudable goal of this legislation, which is to reduce exposure to vehicle exhaust,’ Hochul wrote alongside the veto. ‘Unfortunately, this bill as drafted is overly restrictive and would considerably limit educational options for students in urban areas.’”

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: It’s happening. This Thursday evening, the state’s top Black leaders are all getting together to talk about crime for the first time, as POLITICO scooped last month. The Rev. Al Sharpton has convened the who’s who for the meeting at his National Action Network House of Justice in Manhattan, and they’re planning media availability afterward. Here’s the list so far: Sharpton, Mayor Eric Adams, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Attorney General Tish James, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.

WHAT ALBANY'S READING

“‘Ready to fight’: GOP’s Lester Chang sworn in, NY Democrats sharpen knives,” by New York Post’s Zach Williams: “Republican Lester Chang was sworn in Tuesday as a member of the New York Assembly despite ongoing residency concerns that could give the Democratic supermajority the pretext they need to block him from taking the Brooklyn seat he won weeks ago. ‘I’m confident. I’m duly elected by the people, supported by the people so that’s my strength. That’s where it comes from,’ Chang told reporters after the Albany ceremony alongside other incoming GOP members while expressing optimism that the courts would allow him to serve if Democrats do not.”

“Group opposed to LaSalle nomination consulted with Eric Schneiderman,” by NY1’s Zack Fink: “The Center for Community Alternatives, which has has been one of the leading organizations opposing Gov. Kathy Hochul’s pick for chief judge, consulted with former state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who resigned in 2018 following a sexual harassment and abuse scandal.”

— “NY GOP leaders say Gov. Hochul pick Hector LaSalle deserves fair shot as state’s chief judge,” by New York Daily News’ Denis Slattery: “Amid mounting pushback from her fellow Democrats, Hochul’s pick received some unexpected support from across the aisle as Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt (R-Lockport) said Tuesday that LaSalle should be given a fair shot.”

“NY officially solicits bids for full-fledged casino with license fee set at $500M,” by WNYC’s David Cruz: “New York’s bid to award up to three licenses for full-fledged casinos advanced on Tuesday after officials unanimously voted to formally solicit applications, with an asking price of $500 million for each license. The state Gaming Facility Location Board voted to open up the application process for a full-fledged casino, which would allow live table games and create more tax revenue for the state.”

#UpstateAmerica: PSA, travelers! The contract has expired and McDonald’s at Thruway service stops are no longer.

A message from KNOW US:

FROM THE DELEGATION

“George Santos Came to Washington. It Was Awkward,” by The New York Times’ Annie Karni and Michael Gold: “Hounded by reporters whom he labored to avoid and shunned by members of his own party, George Santos, Republican representative-elect of New York, spent his first day in Congress as an outcast. For weeks, Mr. Santos had been hard to pin down, ignoring calls and texts, hiding out in Long Island and Queens, appearing only briefly for uncomfortable interviews with conservative outlets and dodging questions about the geyser of falsehoods about his background that have been revealed since he flipped a Democratic seat on Long Island in November. But on Tuesday, Mr. Santos was not able to hide anymore.”

“Hakeem Jeffries Takes Over as Leader of House Democrats,” by The New York Times’ Nicholas Fandos: “On a day otherwise consumed by raucous infighting among Republicans, Mr. Jeffries’s ascent made history. He is the first Black politician to lead either party in Congress. And, at 52, he represents a generational change for House Democrats after two decades under Representative Nancy Pelosi.”

AROUND NEW YORK

— The man who opened fire on a Brooklyn subway train last year pleaded guilty to federal terrorism charges.

— FTX founder and fallen cryptocurrency guru Sam Bankman-Fried pleaded not guilty to charges he misappropriated billions of dollars.

— The suspect in a New Year’s Eve machete attack on NYPD cops wrote in a journal that he expected to die in the attack and requested a traditional Muslim funeral.

— Rep. Ritchie Torres sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security asking them to take measures to make sure the agency does not employ violent far-right extremists.

— Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s charity raised more than $4 million hours after his life-threatening injury stopped Monday’s game.

— The state comptroller’s contract oversight powers have been mostly restored and watchdog groups are mostly happy.

— The city blocked access to ChatGPT at schools due to cheating concerns.

— Hubs for delivery workers will open in the Bronx and the Upper West Side.

SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Doris Kearns Goodwin … NBC’s Ben Mayer … Rob Gifford of CBSN … Joshua Zeitz … WSJ’s Qianwei Zhang … Adam Goldman of Mercury Public Affairs … Andy Borowitz … Deborah Matteliano … Claire Zucker … Shawnee Tannenbaum … Patrick Connolly … Eric Cortellessa ... Alexander Langer

MAKING MOVES — Henry Morgenthau Wessel is starting this week with the research team at the BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory that specializes in the Indo-Pacific. He is a recent graduate of Kenyon College, where he majored in East Asian history and minored in Mandarin. … Jae Ko has been promoted to senior adviser to City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. He was previously deputy director of intergovernmental affairs. … Dan Eisenberg has joined the New York law firm Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel. He previously was deputy staff director and senior counsel to the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. …

… Michael Hardaway has joined Mercury as a managing director. He is a former top adviser to Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). … Christian Vitek is now deputy press secretary for Hochul. He most recently was a digital strategist at Mothership Strategies.

MEDIAWATCH — David French is joining NYT Opinion as a columnist. He previously was at The Dispatch and a contributing writer for The Atlantic and is a National Review alum. The announcement … Erin Schumaker is joining POLITICO as a health care reporter. She previously was science editor at Insider and is an ABC News and HuffPost alum. … Maya Kaufman is joining POLITICO as a New York health care reporter. She previously was a health care reporter for Crain’s New York Business and is a Patch alum.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Cole Zucker, managing partner at ZuVi Investments, and Katie Zucker, managing partner at New Talent Co., on Thursday welcomed Zoe Nyla Zucker. Pic ... Another pic

A message from KNOW US:

Faith. Freedom. Facts! KNOW US! With NYC antisemitic hate crimes doubling year over year, it’s more important than ever for our public discourse to promote facts, not tropes or bigotry. Some have engaged in a smear campaign against Orthodox and Hasidic Jews recently, and that’s not just wrong, it’s dangerous. As it would be if perpetrated against any minority. If certain outlets and content providers cannot profile any of the thousands of successful Orthodox Jewish business leaders, entrepreneurs, lawyers, accountants, medical professionals, religious leaders, skilled trades workers, architects, and small business owners, that is telling. We ask all New Yorkers to respect diversity and embrace the cultural patchwork that is New York. It’s time to champion faith, freedom, and facts. Get to KNOW US!

Real Estate

“NYC’s Floundering ‘Right to Counsel’ Fails to Keep Pace With Eviction Cases,” by City Limits’ Frank Festa and Annie Iezzi: “New York City’s Right to Counsel law was the country’s first to promise representation to the tenants most at risk for eviction: low income New Yorkers. Since it passed five years ago, Right to Counsel has begun to change eviction proceeding outcomes: 84 percent of tenants represented by a lawyer through the initiative stay in their homes, according to city officials. Though it’s known informally as Right to Counsel, the law is officially called Universal Access to Legal Services. But over the last year, access to the benefit has been far from universal.”

“Hochul wants to build 800K housing units over the next decade. How do you do that?” by City & State’s Shantel Destra

“Long Island City residents raise environmental concerns with proposed ferry landing relocation,” by Gothamist’s Jordan Gass-Poore: “A plan to demolish and relocate the ferry dock at Hunters Point South Park is drawing the ire of Queens residents who say the proposal would release toxic pollution and block waterfront views.”

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