CROP COPS: Mayor Eric Adams and Hochul announced they’ve closed more than 750 illegal cannabis shops in the city and over 1,000 statewide. Today’s announcement in the Bronx is the result of Hochul delivering on a key priority for Adams — who had requested more support in shutting down the illegal shops as one top five asks on his state budget wishlist. (Hochul came through on all five.) “The beauty is, you have a mayor who listens, who understands the power of the office of the mayor,” Hochul said. “That is the kind of partnership I so appreciate.” It’s a marked shift from the relationships between past New York governors and mayors. Today’s announcement is the latest of the mayor’s several appearances over the summer to highlight the success of “Operation Padlock to Protect,” the multi-agency effort to shut down illegal cannabis shops across the city. The program has seized $41 million of illegal products and issued over $65 million in violations since beginning in May, Adams said. And it comes as he is fending off increasing challenges to his management chops from mayoral hopefuls who want to unseat him next year. Adams also outlined the next steps in the fight against illegal shops, including going after landlords who rent to unauthorized shops, and ensuring violations are paid in full. “We intend to collect every dollar,” Adams said. — Rich Mendez BIDEN PICKS BRINDISI: Former member of Congress and the state Assembly Anthony Brindisi has been nominated for a judgeship on the Northern District of New York, President Joe Biden’s office announced this morning. Brindisi represented the Utica area in the Assembly for four terms before toppling Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney in 2018. Tenney won a comeback bid two years later after an election so narrow that the recount lasted until February. Brindisi lost a 2021 bid for a supreme court seat, but was nominated by Hochul for the Court of Claims in 2022. — Bill Mahoney THE MINIMUM: New York Democrats want to flip five GOP-held House seats in New York — and today Hochul set a floor for victory in November. Hochul on CNN indicated winning half of the contested six seats — one is held by Democratic freshman Rep. Pat Ryan — would be sufficient. “I want all six. I think three minimum and that'll be enough,” she said. “But I feel very confident. We have strong candidates.” Democrats and Republicans view New York as central to the fight for control of the narrowly divided House. The GOP made gains in pivotal seats on Long Island and the Hudson Valley in 2022, and Hochul received some of the blame for the party’s poor showing in New York when she led the ticket. Now the state Democratic Committee is building out its infrastructure to aid down-ballot candidates, a move that is meant to be a departure from prior elections in which the state party largely served the political needs of the sitting governor. Hochul in recent days has framed the push around building a large Democratic majority in Congress to aid a possible Kamala Harris administration. The governor, who had been a staunch ally for President Joe Biden, does not have a favorite in the running mate selection. And she said this morning she’s not concerned that the leading contenders — including Govs. Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Tim Walz of Minnesota and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly — are all white men. “The beauty of what we have here is we have a lot of talent,” Hochul said, adding, “Whoever she picks — it’s going to be a dynamic duo.” — Nick Reisman
| 
