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Presented by Community Offshore Wind: Erin Durkin and Anna Gronewold's must-read briefing informing the daily conversation among knowledgeable New Yorkers | | | | |  | | By Eleonora Francica, Anna Gronewold and Sally Goldenberg | Presented by Community Offshore Wind | New York City Republicans — riding high after their red wave in the state’s midterms — are hoping to boldly go where they’ve never been in modern political times: the Bronx. Specifically, they’re eyeing the 13th City Council District in the Throggs Neck and Morris Park area that’s occupied by first-term Democrat Marjorie Velázquez. The last time a Republican held a City Council seat in the borough was in 1983, when Joseph Savino Jr. was an “at-large” member — a defunct designation — according to Bronx GOP Chair Mike Rendino. But Republicans think the time is right to flip the district after they won all four House seats on Long Island and took DCCC Chair Sean Patrick Maloney’s seat in the Hudson Valley. Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa also beat Eric Adams in the district during the 2021 general election when Velázquez won by 13 points. Kristy Marmorato, one of the Republicans running for the seat this year, outraised Velázquez by about $700, according to campaign finance records. George Havranek, another Republican candidate who raised about half as much as Marmorato, is well-known locally for opposing the Bruckner Boulevard rezoning that the council member backed after coming out against it. "Parts of the Bronx are waking up to one-party rule,” Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli said. Still, Democrats are confident they’ll be able to hold onto the seat. A spokesperson for Velázquez depicted her challengers as hailing from an “anti-democratic, anti-choice, pro-gun radical party that doesn’t provide for working families.” Dan Johnson, a local Democratic political consultant who’s not involved in any of the district races, said the Council seat is a “possible flip scenario” but it’s unclear whether Republicans could pull off the switch without a strong party member at the top of the ticket like Lee Zeldin in the governor’s race. IT’S TUESDAY. Got tips, suggestions or thoughts? Let us know ... By email: agronewold@politico.com and sgoldenberg@politico.com or on Twitter: @annagronewold and @sallygold WHERE’S KATHY? Highlighting State of the State public safety proposals and delivering remarks in Albany. WHERE’S ERIC? Making a community engagement-related announcement in Manhattan before delivering remarks at a dinner forum sponsored by the Robin Hood Foundation, a Wall Street-backed nonprofit that aims to combat poverty. Later he’ll speak at the 2023 Homeless Outreach Population Estimate, or HOPE, Count. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I paid with my moolah, my dineros, my cash, my money, my Benjamins.” — Eric Adams, on who funded his trip to Philadelphia over the weekend to take in the Giants-Eagles playoff game. From the looks of it, he had field access.
| | | | A message from Community Offshore Wind: Community Offshore Wind is helping New York meet its ambitious emissions reduction targets. But we’re doing more than reducing emissions. We are lifting up communities and bringing widespread benefits across the state, introducing good-paying union jobs, creating inclusive workforce development programs, and empowering disadvantaged communities to ensure no one is left behind. We have strong roots in New York and we are deeply committed to ensuring that all New York communities thrive. | | | |  | WHAT CITY HALL IS READING | | “Mayor Adams launches newsletter to counteract ‘distorted’ NYC press coverage,” by Daily News’ Michael Gartland and Chris Sommerfeldt: “Mayor Adams is taking media coverage into his own hands. Adams, who has grown increasingly cranky lately with how he’s covered by the City Hall press corps, launched a newsletter Monday that he claimed will counteract ‘distorted’ journalism about his administration. In a dig at the reporters who cover him every day, Adams said he decided to roll out the new initiative, ‘Hear From Eric,’ because ‘all the great stuff we are doing is being distorted or not being reported at all.’” — Sorry, governor, Eric Adams says “those of us that are good cooks,” like himself, prefer gas stoves over electric. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: New York’s left-leaning Working Families Party knows Democrats had a rough cycle in the Empire State last year, and is vowing to reverse that trend in the 2024 congressional races. In a recent strategy memo titled “WFP can take back Congress,” party leader Sochie Nnaemeka outlined a plan to raise at least $500,000 for polling, communications and research to aid in defeating Republican incumbents next year. “With as many as five flippable House races, New York is the most important battleground for control of Congress in 2024,” Nnaemeka wrote in the missive, which was shared with POLITICO. “The New York Working Families Party is uniquely positioned to provide the infrastructure that the New York State Democratic Party has proven incapable of providing, and to help deliver a Democratic majority in the House in next year’s election.” The memo, which criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams for failing to win over young people and progressives, identified mass communications and messaging as areas in need of improvement next year. Nnaemeka specifically cited a collective failure to expose the many lies told by Republican George Santos before he was elected to a House seat on Long Island. — Sally Goldenberg “Former transit cop to challenge longtime police union president Patrick Lynch” by POLITICO’s Julia Marsh: Supporters of Lynch’s latest challenger, union financial secretary Corey Grable, believe he can knock Lynch off his longtime perch because the rank-and-file have been working without a contract for over six years and are ready for a change. “How union muscle keeps expensive rules, high fares in place on LIRR,” by New York Post’s Nolan Hicks: “The Long Island Rail Road’s costly work rules remain in force — despite repeated calls for reform — due to the tremendous clout held by its militant unions, and fears of a strike angering all-important suburban voters, say current and former MTA insiders. …Rail workers are among a select group of state employees who retain the right to strike thanks to federal law — and they’ve walked off the job dozens of times since Albany took over the LIRR in the 1960s.”
| | | | JOIN POLITICO ON 2/9 TO HEAR FROM AMERICA’S GOVERNORS: In a divided Congress, more legislative and policy enforcement will shift to the states, meaning governors will take a leading role in setting the agenda for the nation. Join POLITICO on Thursday, Feb. 9 at World Wide Technology's D.C. Innovation Center for The Fifty: America's Governors, where we will examine where innovations are taking shape and new regulatory red lines, the future of reproductive health, and how climate change is being addressed across a series of one-on-one interviews. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | “OPINION: LaSalle’s rejection was a defeat for Albany backroom politics,” by Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris for City and State: “The Senate’s rejection of LaSalle’s nomination is not our first break with the old way of doing business, and it won’t be our last. We are forging ahead with a new style of governance that our state has never seen before. We will continue to champion the best interests of those outside the political apparatus, remain tethered to the practical implications of our work and always legislate on behalf of people before power. As evidenced last week, those who fail to adapt to these changing realities will continue to be out of step with the people of our state and will eventually fade into history.” “GOP support Hochul bail revisions while pushing for judicial 'discretion,'” by Times Union’s Joshua Solomon: “State Republicans this week offered, at least in part, their support for Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposal to provide more discretion to judges when they are determining whether to set bail for someone accused of a ‘serious crime.’ ‘I don't think that's enough, but it's a small step in the right direction,’ state Sen. Thomas F. O'Mara said Monday at the Capitol during a Republican news conference to ‘rescue New York’ from what they view as surging crime problems.” “Email describes Hochul meeting before $637 million deal with donor for Covid-19 tests,” by Buffalo News’ Chris Bragg: “For months, Hochul and her allies have insisted the governor did not have any direct involvement in the deal. Hochul stated her 'only involvement' was directing her team to purchase as many tests as possible from any available sources. But an email written 13 months ago by the company's owner, Charlie Tebele, suggested he may have directly discussed Covid-19 tests with Hochul — at a campaign fundraiser Tebele had thrown for the governor.” “‘Bully’ James Dolan would be barred from using facial tech to deny MSG, Radio City seats under NY bill,” by New York Post’s Zach Williams: “State lawmakers repping Manhattan have introduced legislation to stop Madison Square Garden Entertainment CEO James Dolan from using 'dystopian' tech to block lawyers tied to litigation against the company from attending events. ‘MSG’s use of facial recognition technology to retaliate against employees of law firms engaged in litigation against them is deeply concerning,’ state Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger said Monday.” #UpstateAmerica: A day in the life of an Ulster County snow plow guy. “I keep drinking coffee and making rounds.”
| | | | A message from Community Offshore Wind:   | | | | | FROM THE DELEGATION | | “George Santos’ lies are casting a harsh spotlight on a powerful Republican who endorsed and raised money for him,” by CNN’s Pamela Brown and Gregory Krieg: “[Elise] Stefanik was a key validator for Santos in their shared home state and often touted the candidate in public and private forums. Several prominent GOP donors told CNN that they gave to Santos, who was largely unknown to them, because Stefanik, the state’s most influential elected Republican and a prolific fundraiser, backed him. ‘I would have never donated without Elise,’ said Ken Salamone, who gave $5,800 to Santos’ campaign and more than $20,000 to his joint fundraising committee, after Stefanik’s team reached out on his behalf. ‘I assumed she did her homework. I always do my homework and didn’t. Shame on me.’” — Santos tiffed on Twitter with comedians and a famous drag queen Tuesday night. “Embarrassing” was the word he used to describe the performance of comedian Jon Lovitz, an actor who impersonated him during a bit on a late night show. “These comedians need to step their game up,” he wrote. — “Drag artist says George Santos was a left-wing Lula supporter in Brazil before going to the US and turning into ‘this crazy thing,'" by Insider’s Nicole Gaudiano and Virginia Alves — Rep. Jerrold Nadler was among a group of East side Democrats who penned a letter Monday to Sarah Carroll, the head of the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission, opposing the proposed construction of 18 new 5G cell towers in Manhattan.
| | | | DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE 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. 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. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS– DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID. | | | | | | | AROUND NEW YORK | | — Adams was among the guests at Drake’s Sunday night concert, and later defended the NYPD’s decision to record guests leaving the Apollo Theater. — AG Tish James nominated Albany Law School associate professor Ava Ayers to serve on the state's new ethics panel. — Hochul said the final deal for a new Buffalo Bills stadium is "almost in the end zone." — The New York State Bar Association is backing an amendment to clear up the state’s line of succession. — New York City schools officials are planning to roll out breathing exercises for all students, schools Chancellor David Banks said. — A former high-ranking FBI counterintelligence official in New York has been indicted on charges he helped a Russian oligarch. — Syracuse University’s cannabis curriculum is offering students an entryway into the industry.
| | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: former OMB Director and HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan … WSJ’s Gerry Baker and Byron Tau … Edelman’s Melanie Trottman ... Abigail Disney …CNBC’s Jacqui Corba … Saharra Griffin … James Amen … Andrew Green MAKING MOVES — Katrell Lewis has joined Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies as a principal. She most recently was VP of government and community partnerships for Habitat for Humanity in New York City and Westchester County. … Jeffrey Chapman has been named managing partner of McGuireWoods’ New York office. He most recently has served as a partner in the firm’s Financial Services Litigation Department. He succeeds Noreen Kelly, who recently became chair of the firm’s Government Investigations & White Collar Litigation Department. WEEKEND WEDDING — Aiyanna Williams Isom, a law clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit and the daughter of NYC Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom, got married on Saturday night to Chika-Dike Nwokike, VP at PE firm American Securities. The couple, who met on a blind date after being set up by a friend, wed at the Weylin in Williamsburg. Pic ... Another pic
| | | | A message from the Community Offshore Wind: At Community Offshore Wind, our commitment to our communities is at the heart of everything we do. We have strong roots in New York and are deeply committed to delivering widespread benefits across the state. These include creating job training programs that will generate and protect good-paying union jobs, investing in the workforce of tomorrow focusing on youth education and enrichment, and creating an inclusive clean energy future that empowers disadvantaged communities. We are also reestablishing New York as the energy manufacturing hub and shifting the offshore wind supply chain from global to local. The clean energy transition is about more than just energy. It’s about making sure that we are creating a future that allows everyone to thrive. | | | | | Real Estate | | “As Thousands Fall Behind on Rent, Public Housing Faces ‘Disaster,’” by The New York Times’ Mihir Zaveri: “But nowhere has the phenomenon been as dire as in New York. The New York City Housing Authority collected just 65 percent of the rent it charged in the 12 months leading up to December, the lowest percentage in the agency’s nearly 100-year history and an alarming slide from the annual prepandemic numbers of 90 percent or higher. ‘It’s really just a recipe for disaster,’ Lisa Bova-Hiatt, who took over as CEO of NYCHA on an interim basis in September, said in an interview.”
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