| | | | |  | | By Jeff Coltin, Nick Reisman and Emily Ngo | Presented by Healthcare Education Project | With help from Jason Beeferman
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Former Rep. Tom Suozzi will have to wait until at least Thursday to hear who the Democratic Party will pick to run for the now-vacant seat in the state's third congressional district. | Francis Chung/E&E News | Looks like Tom Suozzi is going to have to sweat it out for a few more days. And his political foe, Gov. Kathy Hochul, is happy to keep him waiting. The former Congress member is all but guaranteed to get the Democratic line in the special election for George Santos’ now–vacant 3rd Congressional District seat on Long Island and Queens. The special election will be in February. The Democrats were going to announce a pick today, Nassau County Democratic leader Jay Jacobs told POLITICO on Friday. But the Daily News scooped they’re now waiting until Thursday, at least. There’s no drama, Jacobs said: He’s just waiting for Rep. Greg Meeks, the Queens County Democratic leader, to get back in town from Washington for the announcement. Well, maybe some drama. “The governor really hates Tom,” a New York Democrat knowledgeable about the discussions of picking a nominee told Playbook. “I think they’re trying to make him sweat a little bit so Tom doesn’t take it for granted.” “She just wants to make sure we do our due diligence and get the best candidate,” Jacobs countered to Playbook. That means vetting Suozzi, even though he’s not exactly a newcomer to public life. As Playbook has covered, that includes less-than-wholehearted support for abortion rights, financial ties to Jacobs, a late financial disclosure and a fundraiser with a sketchy Turkish group. Suozzi’s team has downplayed and defended him against that and more. Suozzi has some big names in his corner: Meeks, Jacobs, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and the DCCC are all aboard the Suozzi train, and have been for a while. People close to Democratic hopeful Anna Kaplan aren’t feeling optimistic that Hochul will save her and get her the nomination, even as she’s burning Suozzi on X and telling supporters to call Jacobs’ office. Everyone’s worried about losing the swing seat, and Suozzi is seen as the safest bet. But Hochul’s also worried about looking weak by giving Suozzi — who ran against her for governor last year — the nod. (Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo would light his beloved Corvette on fire before letting an enemy win like that, political observers widely agree.) Hochul is going to have to learn to live with Suozzi, it seems. And he’s full speed ahead. RWDSU — a union that loves endorsing early — backed him Monday, as did six Republican Long Island mayors and five Dems in a push to underline his bipartisan appeal. She said last week on NY1 that the goal is to make Jeffries the House speaker in 2025, and it starts with retaking Santos' seat. "We have to get a good, quality candidate — someone that's a strong fighter for Long Island," Hochul said. "And that's what I'll be looking for, someone who can win the election, someone who has no background to be concerned about. It's important to me, especially after what we saw with George Santos." — Jeff Coltin IT’S TUESDAY. Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.
| | | | A message from Healthcare Education Project: Imagine. Less hospital staff. Services cut. Packed ERs. Well, it’s a reality for many in New York. If we don’t fix Medicaid underpayments to hospitals, the crisis will get worse – some hospitals may not survive. Medicaid underfunds hospital care by 30%, already causing deep cuts to mental health services and maternity care. All New Yorkers need equal access to quality healthcare, no matter their income or zip code. Tell Albany: End the Medicaid Funding Crisis. | | | WHERE’S KATHY? In New York City with no public schedule. WHERE’S ERIC? Commemorating the inaugural Wellbeing at Work Day, holding an in-person media availability session, hosting an older event town hall and meeting with the “New” New York panel. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I do not break laws. I do not do anything that’s inappropriate.” — Mayor Eric Adams, referencing the federal probe into his campaign at a town hall Monday in East Harlem.
|  | ABOVE THE FOLD | | |  A coalition of labor groups are encouraging Gov. Kathy Hochul to support a bill which would reduce prison time for inmates on good behavior. | Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul | LABOR BACKS SENTENCING BILL: A new criminal justice law change may soon be under debate in Albany. A coalition of labor unions is urging Hochul and top Democrats in the Legislature to back a proposal meant to reduce the time people spend in prison through incentives like good behavior and participation in continuing education programs. The unions in a letter sent today and obtained by Playbook point to a broad labor shortage facing the economy. Signing onto the letter: Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU; District Council 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW New York State Laborers; UAW Local 2325 — Association of Legal Aid Attorneys; and Workers United New York New Jersey Regional Joint Board. “This labor shortage has been exacerbated by the exclusion of people who are locked out of the workforce because of extremely long prison sentences and limited opportunities to earn release through educational and workforce development programs in prison,” they wrote. The effort to pass the bill as lawmakers get set to return to Albany next month comes after the governor last month approved a measure to seal many criminal records, known as the Clean Slate Act. But that measure, which supporters hope will help solve a workforce shortage, can only go so far, the unions wrote. “It is time for New York to change its outdated sentencing laws to create more opportunities for workforce training, education, and rehabilitation behind bars,” the letter stated. The proposal to address sentencing is one of several criminal justice law measures that are expected to be pushed for when lawmakers return. — Nick Reisman
| | WHAT CITY HALL IS READING | | | 
Current New York City Comptroller Brad Lander with then-Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams in Park Slope in 2018. Lander revoked Mayor Adams's ability to grant emergency contracts to deal with the city's migrant crisis in a Thursday letter. | John McCarten/NYC Council Media Unit | MAYORAL POWER REVOKED: City Comptroller Brad Lander has followed through on a threat to limit Mayor Eric Adams’ authority to grant emergency contracts for migrant shelter and services. “The Comptroller’s Office Citywide prior approval … is hereby revoked,” reads a letter obtained Monday by Playbook through the Freedom of Information Law. Each emergency procurement request now requires advance approval from Lander’s office, according to the letter from Deputy Comptroller Charlette Hamamgian to all city agencies. The correspondence is dated Thursday, when Lander declined comment in response to Playbook’s question on whether he had changed his mind on Adams retaining emergency-contact powers. An Adams spokesperson said, “The comptroller tying our hands behind our back is unfair to both new arrivals and longtime New Yorkers and will unquestionably slow down every step in the process.” Lander’s revoking of Adams’ authority came after the comptroller’s extensive review of emergency contracts, which found a lack of transparency on reporting about subcontractors — a lapse Lander said increases the risks of overpayment and corruption. The comptroller first warned he would strip Adams’ blanket power after the $432 million, no-bid contract for the troubled vendor DocGo, which is accused of mistreating migrants and employing unlicensed security guards through a subcontract. Lander rejected the DocGo contract. “We will continue to conduct fast and thorough reviews of emergency contracts, as we always have done,” a Lander spokesperson said. — Emily Ngo
| | | | A message from Healthcare Education Project:   | | | ADAMS TO D.C.: He’s giving it another go. Adams will be traveling to Washington on Thursday to advocate for support as the city continues to deal with rising migrant costs. The trip will mark exactly five weeks since he last stepped foot in the nation’s capital, but quickly turned around to be “on the ground” as his top campaign fundraiser and other individuals had their homes raided by the FBI. Last time, Adams and other mayors were scheduled to meet with White House officials and lawmakers in both the House and the Senate to discuss his keystone issue. He didn’t show up to any of those events and instead left the mayors of Chicago, Denver, Houston and Los Angeles behind. It will be at least the mayor’s 10th trip to D.C. since last year to discuss the migrant crisis, according to Deputy Mayor Fabien Levy. — Jason Beeferman LITTLE GREEN SCHOOLHOUSE: A coalition of climate groups is calling on Adams to fully electrify 500 of New York City public school buildings by 2030 and to ensure all city schools have zero emission by 2040. He’s already set a goal of 100 — but the Green, Healthy Schools campaign is telling him to aim higher and triple the capital funding. They’re launching with Progressive Caucus City Council members in a City Hall Park rally today. — Jeff Coltin More from the city: — Fire union officials warned of a potentially deadly reduction in fire engine staffing due to budget cuts. (New York Post) — Adams’ supporters hoped he might be a more populist version of Mike Bloomberg, but he has unwittingly echoed Donald Trump. (City & State)
| | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | | | 
The faculty of SUNY Fredonia are expected to walk out today in a plea for more aid from the university system as the college’s programming shrinks. | Jim McKnight/AP Photo | SUNY WALKOUT: With rumors of program cuts looming, SUNY Fredonia faculty are poised to walk out today at noon. The United University Professions members are calling on SUNY to direct state aid to help the campus cover deficits in lieu of shrinking the college’s programming. The union reports a $17 million deficit for Fredonia, one of 18 campuses it says will face multimillion dollar debts this year. “It’s imperative that campuses like SUNY Fredonia receive equitable funding so they are able to serve the diverse educational needs of students across the state,” said UUP President Fred Kowal in a statement. Fredonia would be the second campus to make cuts to programming this year. Potsdam earlier this month announced a $9 million deficit prompting it to shutter programs, shrink staff levels and potentially close buildings. — Katelyn Cordero STIRPE’S COLLEAGUES FOR STIRPE: Democratic Assemblymember Al Stirpe’s bid for a Central New York state Senate is getting the backing of his Albany colleagues. Stirpe has received endorsements from state Sens. John Mannion and Rachel May as well as Assemblymembers Bill Magnarelli and Pamela Hunter. The endorsements for Stirpe, who is seeking Mannion’s Senate seat as he runs for the House against Republican Rep. Brandon Williams, comes on top of the backing he’s gotten from Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, an independent. “I am humbled to receive the support for my State Senate campaign from so many partners in government who I have worked alongside to deliver for Central New York for over a decade,” Stirpe said. “They know as well as I do what it takes to honorably serve in government and to have their backing as I step up to run for the State Senate shows the strength of our campaign.” Stirpe faces a challenge for the Democratic nomination from former Oswego County Legislator Tom Drumm. — Nick Reisman PLAN YOUR VACATIONS: The 2024 legislative session calendar is out now. More from Albany: — A hotel that is hosting migrants in suburban Albany has broken ties with its national franchise. (Times Union) — A state council that reviews grievances at jails spends little time on the complaints and rejects most of them. (NYS Focus) — Outgoing Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has not ruled out another run for elected office. (Long Island Press)
| | | | A message from Healthcare Education Project: All New Yorkers deserve equal access to quality healthcare, no matter their income or ZIP code. Yet today, Medicaid provides New York’s hospitals 30% less than the actual cost of care for the low-income individuals the program covers, including children, the disabled, and seniors. But hospitals and caregivers give all of their patients 100%, each and every day. Medicaid underpayments have already meant cuts to mental health services and maternity care. If we don’t fix Medicaid underpayments to hospitals, the crisis will get worse – some hospitals may not survive.
Albany can end this injustice: Stop Medicaid underpayments and help hospitals stay open. The federal government will pay half the cost of closing the Medicaid funding gap, so it’s a savings for New York. Tell Albany: End the Medicaid funding crisis now. | | | | | AROUND NEW YORK | | — The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is facing financial challenges and will lay off 10 of its employees. (New York Times) — A trip to Governors Island will one day be possible via the city’s first hybrid-electric ferry, thanks to a new Federal Transit Administration grant. (Crain’s New York Business) — The Town of Hempstead will set automatic pay raises pegged to inflation for its town officials, a move inspired by Tom Suozzi during his time as Nassau County executive. (Newsday) — A rural Pennsylvania college wants to help the approximately 2,800 students enrolled in the soon to be defunct College of Saint Rose in Albany transfer to its Dallas, Pennsylvania campus. (Times Union) — William Maloney, the former Trump administration who had floated a run against Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), has decided to sit out the primary. (Jewish Insider)
| | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | WEEKEND WEDDING -- Igor Bobic, a senior politics reporter at HuffPost, on Saturday married Valerie Chicola, a senior director at Bullpen Strategy Group. The couple wed at the Mayflower hotel. Valerie says they met in 2016 at Hill Country Wednesday night karaoke but Igor says they met at the original Eighteenth Street Lounge. Pic ... Another pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Axios’ Roy Schwartz … NYT’s Mike Grynbaum … Calvin Trillin … NBC’s Billy Koch … Eli Miller … Adam Casella … Mindy Greenstein … Alex Simon … Dan Strumpf … Alex Traub (WAS MONDAY): Ara Cohen ... Sam Adelsberg
| | Real Estate | | — A luxury high-rise became the leaning tower of FiDi — and the Seaport Residences are now going into foreclosure before it opens. (The Real Deal) — A Midtown tower at 625 Madison Ave. is being sold to an unknown global real estate investor for $632.5 million. (Crain’s New York Business) | | | | 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 | | | | |
