| | | | |  | | By Nick Reisman, Emily Ngo and Jeff Coltin | | Presented by |  | | | With Timmy Facciola
| 
“It’s not unreasonable to think outside of the box,” state Sen. Liz Krueger told Playbook. | Hans Pennink/AP | O, CANADA: State Sen. Liz Krueger knows her ideas to counter the incoming Trump administration — withholding more than $300 billion in federal taxes or encouraging a bloc of liberal northeast states to join Canada — are extreme (to say the least). But the Manhattan Democrat believes Trump’s own plans, like the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants and threats to punish states that oppose the move, are severe enough to warrant a little norm-shattering thinking among Albany lawmakers. “It’s not unreasonable to think outside of the box,” said Krueger, who chairs the powerful Senate Finance Committee. New York Democrats have only a few weeks to bolster their blue state against Trump 2.0. Left-leaning legislators have unsuccessfully pressed for a December special session to pass measures that are aimed at protecting undocumented people and LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. Krueger shares their concerns. She has also considered the scope of President-elect Donald Trump’s second presidency and what it means for a state where many Democrats cherish their role as a haven for vulnerable communities. Her sentiment also underscores how difficult it will be for Democrats to gain leverage and Trump-proof New York. It’s not clear, for instance, how withholding federal tax dollars could be accomplished. A steep cut in federal aid could be devastating for a state with a $239 billion budget that receives about $85 billion from Washington — much of it in Medicaid spending. New York sends about $362 billion in tax dollars to the federal government. “We’re talking a lot of money,” Krueger said. “We’re talking money we couldn’t possibly replace unless we started sending the feds a lot less money.” Whatever plan Democrats coalesce around to push back against Trump, they’ll have little opposition outside their conferences given the large majorities they hold in both chambers. Trump’s first administration was marked in New York by a flurry of pent-up legislation. Democrats, empowered by a full majority in the state Senate, approved measures to aid tenants, expand voting and bolster abortion rights. They also pressed for measures aimed squarely at Trump, like forcing the release of his state returns. Still, some Democrats this time have urged caution. Trump received 43 percent in New York, the highest vote share for a Republican in more than 30 years. Post-Covid, voters have become restive over the cost of living and concerns over crime — issues that helped the GOP this cycle. “It’s not our job to pick up the pitchforks that have been dropped by his many followers,” Long Island Assemblymember Chuck Lavine said in a recent interview. Trump himself has signaled he wants to help his native state. The president-elect’s administration will determine the future of crucial infrastructure projects like the Gateway Tunnel, and he’s expressed support for rehabbing the decaying Penn Station. But skepticism abounds among left-leaning Democrats. “I’ll believe it when I see it,” Manhattan state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal told Playbook of Trump’s interest in aiding New York. And there’s the acknowledgment there’s little the Legislature can do given the power that will be wielded by Trump. “With the courts aligned largely against New York at the federal level and the other two branches of government under Republican control,” Hoylman-Sigal said, “it’s going to be tough sledding.” — Nick Reisman HAPPY TUESDAY. We’ll be off for Thanksgiving this Thursday and Friday but back in your inboxes on Monday, Dec. 2. Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.
| | | | A message from Uber: Study Reveals Uber Drivers Make More than EMTs: NYC Uber drivers now earn an average of $52,900 annually after expenses, outpacing the salaries of many essential city employees, including EMTs and sanitation workers. Despite delivering vital services, these workers struggle with stagnant wages while Uber drivers have benefited from five TLC-mandated pay hikes since 2020. Read more on the wage disparity impacting NYC’s workforce. Learn More. | | | WHERE’S KATHY? In New York City and Albany. WHERE’S ERIC? Hosting a breakfast reception to celebrate Polish heritage, holding his weekly press conference, and delivering remarks at a flag-raising ceremony for Albania. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Hakeem Jeffries is going to have to be good at jiu-jitsu and not karate. He’s going to have to use the energy of his opponent to defeat him.” — Former Rep. Anthony Weiner, via City & State, on the House minority leader dealing with a Republican trifecta.
|  | ABOVE THE FOLD | | | | 
Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s resolution seeks to expand the “care economy,” the network of employees in child care, health care and related fields. | Ted Shaffrey/AP | LAME DUCKS’ AIMS: As several New Yorkers prepare to leave Congress after losing brutal reelection battles, they’re insistent on making their marks in these last, lame-duck weeks. Rep. Jamaal Bowman, the hard-left Westchester County Democrat, wants to reup a measure that he said could have helped prevent Democrats’ general election losses if it was successful the first time around. “I’m reintroducing our Care for All resolution that we introduced during my first term because I feel it’s important to have a vision for where our country can go economically,” he told Playbook. “Our Care for All agenda was aligned to Build Back Better, which — just imagine we passed Build Back Better. All those economic questions would be out the window because people would have universal childcare, housing.” President Joe Biden’s ambitious Build Back Better infrastructure and economic agenda was dramatically scaled back in fraught intraparty negotiations, passing two years ago without the social safety net measures as the Inflation Reduction Act. Bowman’s resolution seeks to expand the “care economy,” the network of employees in child care, health care and related fields. He stressed two moderate Democrats halted the progress when it was first introduced in 2021. The Squad member lost to the more moderate George Latimer in their June primary. Meanwhile, Rep. Marc Molinaro — an upstate Republican defeated by Democrat Josh Riley in a bruising, costly rematch — is prioritizing government funding legislation, Medicare coverage of telehealth services and a farm bill extension that looks like it’ll get punted to the next Congress. He said he’ll also advocate in the remaining months of his tenure for an extension of Trump’s tax cut legislation that includes a repeal of the cap on state and local taxes, or SALT, next year. He added that he wants to smooth the transition for Riley. “I’m just simply focused on making sure that the folks that I represent continue to get the constituent services they deserve,” Molinaro told Playbook recently as he rushed to votes in Washington. “And I’ll be working right up until 11:59 on January 3rd.” This month and next are also the last in Congress for Reps. Anthony D’Esposito of Long Island and Brandon Williams of central New York. — Emily Ngo
| | | | Want to know what's really happening with Congress's make-or-break spending fights? Get daily insider analysis of Hill negotiations, funding deadlines, and breaking developments—free in your inbox with Inside Congress. Subscribe now. | | | | | | | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | | 
“The GOP is the party of working families and the patriots who keep this great country running,” said Rep. Nick LaLota, whose reelection bid was boosted by the Transport Workers. | Patrick Semansky/AP | GOP’S LABOR STAKE: Congressional Republicans are leveraging their party’s relatively new claim on union support with a new Republican Main Street Labor Caucus — chaired by Long Island Rep. Nick LaLota. The freshly created group, whose stated goals include expanding apprenticeship programs and promoting fair labor negotiations while preventing overregulation, is one of several recent indications that Republicans want to improve upon their gains in a key electorate once considered core to the Democratic Party. The caucus is part of the Republican Main Street Partnership. “The GOP is the party of working families and the patriots who keep this great country running,” said LaLota, whose reelection bid was boosted by the Transport Workers. In the wake of their election losses, Jeffries and other Democrats have acknowledged the urgent need for their party to reconnect with voters struggling with affordability. Union households in the Rust Belt were already moving toward Trump in 2016 — a pickup he improved upon this year. “We have to do a better job in making it clear to the American people that as House Democrats, we are focused on making the lives of hard-working American taxpayers better,” Jeffries, a Brooklyn Democrat, told reporters in Washington earlier this month. “We are focused like a laser beam on lowering costs.” — Emily Ngo More from Congress: — The Congressional Black Caucus PAC circulated a memo touting its November success and hailing members in leadership, including Jeffries. (Punchbowl News) — Rep. Claudia Tenney, a Republican, says Trump’s tax cuts legislation has helped business growth. (Fox Business) — Jeffries and his brother, Ohio State University associate professor Hasan Jeffries, discussed the state of American democracy at an Ohio event over the weekend. (Columbus Dispatch)
| | CITY HALL: THE LATEST | | | | 
“He understands that trans and LGBTQ people have the human right to exist,” ballroom performer and trans organizer Jonovia Chase said about mayoral candidate Jim Walden. | Jeff Coltin / POLITICO | TRANS VISIBILITY: Mayoral candidate Jim Walden had a transgender woman speak at his campaign launch event Monday. And even in liberal New York City, that’s a bold move — particularly for somebody open to running as a Republican. “He understands that trans and LGBTQ people have the human right to exist,” ballroom performer and trans organizer Jonovia Chase said about Walden at the rally. “And the next mayor of the city must understand that and embody that in practice.” After losing the White House, Congress and U.S. Senate, some Democrats worry that vocal support for trans rights is a vulnerability for the party — noting Republicans relentlessly attacked them on it in ads that moved the election in Trump’s favor. “I don’t like it when communities are vilified based on false, misleading information,” Walden told Playbook, explaining why he included Chase, who he met working on the cold case murder of ballroom icon Venus Pellagatti Xtravaganza. That false information includes the idea that the trans community uniformly supports offering hormones and surgeries to minors without parental consent, Walden explained. “That’s a lie.” Walden doesn't belong to a political party, and has said he would consider running as a Republican next year — a nod to the crowded Democratic primary field that indicted Mayor Eric Adams so far plans to occupy. Queens GOP Chair Tony Nunziato claimed that supporting transgender rights would “not at all” disqualify Walden from consideration. But said Walden hasn’t reached out and he only knows him “vaguely.” Curtis Sliwa, who plans to run for mayor again as a Republican, wasn’t so sure. “The social justice issues would kill him with GOP leaders. Don’t waste any time on that,” he said — and encouraged Walden to run as an independent in the general election instead. — Jeff Coltin SPEAKING OF TRANS RIGHTS…: Lawyer Nancy Sliwa might still try to challenge Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on the Republican line, even after ex-Legal Aid attorney Maud Maron filed to run. “Maud is obsessed with trans kids,” Sliwa’s husband Curtis Sliwa told Playbook. “If you’re running for DA the only issue she should run on is law and order. The culture issue war may get traction in Tulsa and Topeka, but this is Manhattan.” Maron’s online presence is focused on opposing transgender visibility. Curtis Sliwa also noted that Maron donated to lefty candidates before she became a Republican, including Zephyr Teachout, Jumaane Williams, and Eliza Orlins’ campaign for Manhattan DA in 2021. Maron didn’t respond to a request for comment. Any Republican would be a longshot running against the incumbent Bragg in the overwhelmingly Democratic borough. — Jeff Coltin More from the city: — A Wall Street mogul with unclear motives is gearing up to spend nearly a million dollars boosting candidates for City Council like Wilfredo Lopez. (New York Focus) — Jessica Tisch was sworn in as police commissioner as Adams pushed back against criticism about a manager who has never walked a police beat. (New York Times) — Adams is renewing his push for state legislation that would clarify and expand the criteria for someone to be hospitalized for psychiatric care against their will. (Gothamist)
| | | | A message from Uber:   | | | | | NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY | | |  A sustained push against the bill by tort reformers, insurance organizations and local governments could lead to another veto by Gov. Kathy Hochul. | Hans Pennink/AP | THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS: Opponents of a bill to expand New York’s wrongful death statute are taking up the affordability argument. The latest version of the measure would allow people to bring claims based on emotional anguish and potentially cover a wider swath of cases. The measure has been championed by attorneys’ groups like the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. But a sustained push against the bill by tort reformers, insurance organizations and local governments could lead to another veto by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The governor’s office has not indicated how Hochul will act on the latest version of the proposal, which was approved at the end of the legislative session. And as voters remain concerned over the high cost of living, the New York Conference of Mayors warned recently that if the measure is approved, taxpayers will foot the bill of higher premiums. “At a time when the cost of living is already the number one issue for voters, additional burdens would be placed on families and small businesses,” Barbara Van Epps, the executive director at the New York State Conference of Mayors, wrote in a Buffalo News op/ed. The fight over the bill has become a perennial political football in Albany. Supporters of expanding the wrongful death statute previously pointed to the beneficial effect the proposal could have for families of those who were murdered in a racially motivated mass shooting in Buffalo. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — Trump’s win could have a major impact on the state’s climate goals. (POLITICO Pro) — Hochul signed measures designed to combat domestic violence. (Spectrum News) — Congestion pricing has created political tensions for Hochul, especially in the New York City suburbs. (LoHud)
| | | | Policy Change is Coming: Be prepared, be proactive, be a Pro. POLITICO Pro’s platform has 200,000+ energy regulatory documents from California, New York, and FERC. Leverage our Legislative and Regulatory trackers for comprehensive policy tracking across all industries. Learn more. | | | | | | | NEW YORK STATE OF MIND | | — President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited Staten Island. (Staten Island Advance) — New York’s floods, drought and wildfires mark an era of extreme weather. (LoHud) — A former dancer, who was recruited to join Shen Yun at age 13, accuses the group of forced labor and trafficking in a lawsuit. (New York Times)
| | | | A message from Uber: Study Shows Uber Drivers making over $52k while NYC Heroes Get Left Behind
A new study reveals a growing wage divide in New York City: Uber drivers are making an average of $52,900 a year after expenses, while city employees like EMTs and sanitation workers starting salaries are below $44,000. Since 2020, rideshare drivers have received five pay increases through TLC mandates while many frontline city workers face stagnant wages amid rising living costs. This gap underscores an evolving dynamic in NYC’s workforce, where gig workers see consistent earnings growth while essential city roles lag behind. This pay disparity is raising questions about the city’s priorities and the need for equitable wages in public service amidst the affordability crisis.
Read the full story to see how gig work earnings are reshaping NYC’s labor landscape. Learn More. | | | | | SOCIAL DATA | | Edited by Daniel Lippman MEDIAWATCH: amNewYork transit reporter Ben Brachfeld has joined People magazine as an associate crime reporter. … Till Daldrup is now a senior investigator at Hunterbrook Media. He most recently was a project manager at the Wall Street Journal. MAKING MOVES: Alex Bolton, who served as chief of staff to House Ways and Means member Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) for the past four years, is joining Atlas Crossing as a senior vice president of government affairs, where he’ll help build out a tax practice. He previously was a field finance director for the NRCC. … Jackson Long is now a legislative assistant for Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.). He previously was a legislative assistant for Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.). HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Anthony Constantinople … Roberto Perez of Perez Notes and Brown & Weinraub … Mercury’s Malik Wright … Erin Drinkwater of MetroPlusHealth … Intersection’s Nicole Robinson-Etienne … Honan Strategy Group’s Bradley Honan … MirRam’s Pedro Carillo… Yoni Bokser … Steve Rotlevi … Michelle J. Stern … Gabe Brotman … former Assemblymember Barbara Lifton … Chris Hughes of the Economic Security Project … CBS’ Jenna Gibson … Ethan Bronner … Katie Gommel of Sunshine Sachs … CNN’s Alicia Jennings … (WAS MONDAY): Ben Stein Missed Monday’s New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.
| | | | 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 | | | | |
