| | | | |  | | By Emily Ngo, Jeff Coltin and Nick Reisman | | Presented by |  | | | With Timmy Facciola
| 
Incoming Border Czar Tom Homan is set to meet with Mayor Eric Adams later today. | Andrew Harnik/AP | NEW YORK MINUTE: First in Playbook, while Mayor Eric Adams stakes out common ground with President-elect Donald Trump, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams wants President Joe Biden to use his last weeks in office to fortify protections for immigrants. Williams sent a letter to Biden urging that he address pending TPS designations, adjudicate asylum claims, expedite DACA processing and more. He’ll amplify those calls today at a City Hall rally with other electeds and advocates, citing Adams and Trump as threats. — Emily Ngo HOSTING HOMAN: Earlier this week, incoming Border Czar Tom Homan warned sanctuary city Democrats to “get the hell out of the way” of Trump’s mass deportation plans. Today, Homan is set to visit the biggest sanctuary city of them all by invitation of a Democratic mayor who’s telegraphed that he won’t be in the way. Just the opposite, Eric Adams has repeatedly said he wants to help Trump. He’s uniquely positioned to do so — and he has an incentive as an indicted leader in potential need of a pardon, POLITICO reports today. The discussion on what form that help takes begins with Homan and Adams’ City Hall confab today. One likely starting point? The mayor lamented that sanctuary laws prohibit the NYPD and the Department of Correction from honoring ICE detainer requests unless a migrant was convicted of a violent crime in the past five years. He has said he wants to be able to turn over migrants who are charged, but not necessarily convicted, so they can go through the federal justice system. “It’s important to go after those who are committing serious crimes, particularly those dangerous gangs that have come from Venezuela,” Adams previewed. “I’m interested to hear his ideas on how we’re going to go about that. And I’m excited about the conversation.” Feds seeking to make an example of New York City could find a roadmap to that end in the multiagency web the Adams administration has built to meet the immense demands of caring for 225,000 migrants over the past two years. The arrivals from the southern border have been sheltered in hotels and tent complexes whose locations are publicized, and the city is the keeper of data detailing who’s staying where during their limited time in the city’s care. “He’s going to be the enabler-in-chief for Trump’s deportation efforts,” Adams critic and surveillance technology watchdog Albert Fox Cahn said in an interview. “We collect huge amounts of data in the process of delivering services to more than 8 million New Yorkers, and that data often contains identifying information that could be used by ICE.” The mayor has not detailed either how he would help Trump or how he would protect the sites and information. “President Trump was given a mandate by the American people to stop the invasion of illegal immigrants, secure the border, and deport dangerous criminals and terrorists that make our communities less safe,” said Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition. “He will deliver.” Adams has said he will follow sanctuary city laws, even as he says he’s considering loosening them via executive order — circumventing a resistant City Council. Council Member Alexa Avilés and New York Immigration Coalition’s Murad Awawdeh blasted the move in a joint statement: “In real time, we’re watching our mayor throw millions of New Yorkers under the bus to save himself from his own potentially criminal actions.” — Emily Ngo HAPPY THURSDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.
| | A message from Alibaba: U.S. businesses are growing global sales on Alibaba’s online marketplace. In just one year American businesses sold billions of dollars worth of goods internationally on Alibaba. These U.S. global sales also supported hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs and billions in U.S. wages. Learn more about how Alibaba positively impacts New York’s economy. | | | WHERE’S KATHY? Appearing on Morning Joe and delivering remarks at the AI Summit New York. WHERE’S ERIC? Meeting with incoming Border Czar Tom Homan, hosting a press conference with him and later delivering remarks at the Chinese-American Planning Council Annual Appreciation Reception QUOTE OF THE DAY: “He understands more than any previous president how important this system is.” — Gov. Kathy Hochul speaking about the MTA and Trump, who has hinted he will try to kill congestion pricing once he takes office.
|  | ABOVE THE FOLD | | | 
Comptroller Brad Lander’s mayoral campaign missed a deadline to receive several million dollars in public matching funds for his mayoral bid. | Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images | NOT UNDER COMPTROL: Brad Lander’s mayoral campaign missed a critical deadline to receive several million dollars in public matching funds next week for his mayoral bid, POLITICO reports. It’s a surprising and embarrassing error for the city’s chief financial officer. And it comes as mayoral race watchers are awaiting word from the New York City Campaign Finance Board on whether to grant Adams matching funds, given his federal indictment that alleges a straw donor scheme. Lander’s campaign said their issue was just missing paperwork and waved away any suspicion that the mishap reflects a hesitation in taking on Adams and a band of fellow lefty Democrats in next June’s primary. In fact, Lander is announcing his hire of Alison Hirsh as campaign manager. Hirsh is chief strategy officer in the comptroller’s office, and will be leaving her government job on Dec. 31. A former labor union operative, Hirsh worked in City Hall under Bill de Blasio and was a senior adviser to Maya Wiley’s mayoral campaign in 2021. Lander won’t get the nearly $3.5 million in public matching funds he’s eligible for when the board announces its determinations on Monday. His team missed the Nov. 22 deadline on the “Certified Statement of Need,” according to a letter from CFB Senior Associate Counsel Mark Griffin the Lander campaign shared with POLITICO. That’s an unfortunate twist — but recoverable. Lander will be eligible for the matching funds payment at the board's Jan. 15 meeting, at which point he expects to be approved. “We’re thrilled to build on our fundraising lead by receiving matching funds in the next few weeks as the race begins to take off,” Rebecca Rodriguez, Lander’s senior adviser, said in a statement. — Jeff Coltin & Sally Goldenberg
| | | | Billions in spending. Critical foreign aid. Immigration reform. The final weeks of 2024 could bring major policy changes. Inside Congress provides daily insights into how Congressional leaders are navigating these high-stakes issues. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | CITY HALL: THE LATEST | | | | 
Richard Buery is a well-regarded civic leader who helms the Robin Hood Foundation. | Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Concordia Summit | CHARTER-ING NEW WATERS: Adams will appoint former City Hall official Richard Buery to chair a Charter Revision Commission next year with a mandate to focus on a record housing shortage, POLITICO Pro reports. The mayor’s second commission in as many years stands to once again block the New York City Council from increasing its say in administration appointments. Buery is a well-regarded civic leader who helms the Robin Hood Foundation and worked as a deputy mayor to Bill de Blasio. His involvement appears intended to dull criticism from the council and government reform groups that accused Adams of using this year’s slapdash commission to nullify lawmakers’ own attempt to reform the City Charter, rather than pursue good-faith reform. The administration’s desire for another charter revision was first reported by POLITICO in October, while City & State first reported Wednesday the commission was forming. Adams is appointing 12 other commissioners including the YMCA’s Sharon Greenberger, the Partnership for New York City’s Kathy Wylde, homeless advocate Shams DaBaron and former state Sen. Diane Savino, a City Hall aide. — Jeff Coltin & Joe Anuta BEEP 4 BEEP: Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who considered running for comptroller himself, is formally endorsing Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine’s campaign for the citywide seat. Reynoso hosted a fundraiser for Levine in September, Playbook first reported, and said he’d be endorsing. Levine will also be announcing the support of Assemblymembers Maritza Davila and Brian Cunningham and Democratic District Leaders Joey Cohen-Saban and Jenna Bimbi at a Brooklyn Borough Hall rally today. That slate of Brooklynites backing Levine is a particular blow to his opponents from the borough, City Council Member Justin Brannan and state Sen. Kevin Parker. – Jeff Coltin More from the city: — The city is quietly lobbying for the appointment of Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie to oversee Rikers Island as a federal receiver. (Daily News) — 161 pregnant homeless women will get monthly cash stipends under a new City Council initiative (POLITICO Pro) — Fired Adams aide Tim Pearson’s lawyers fighting a request for reams of information that could provide insight into prior instances of misconduct and influence over the NYPD. (POLITICO Pro)
| | | | A message from Alibaba:   | | | | | NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY | | |  Laws like limiting cash bail have become issues in campaigns at the state and federal level. | Hans Pennink/AP | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Criminal justice advocates plan to push for changes to New York’s sentencing laws. Passing the measures is a potentially risky proposition for Democrats in the state Legislature as crime continues to worry voters — a fear that Republicans have effectively wielded in recent years. But the Vera Institute for Justice plans to show state lawmakers polling the group has conducted that found 74 percent of voters support a proposal to make it easier to earn time off for a person’s criminal sentence for good behavior and taking part in treatment programs. Sixty-eight percent support allowing judges to reassess sentences. “The election’s over, there’s a lot of interest from advocates and members of the community to take up these proposals,” Marta Nelson, the group’s director of sentencing reform, told Playbook. “The message is lawmakers can do these (bills) and know they have public support.” Advocacy organizations will ramp up their efforts in the coming weeks to promote the sentencing bills, including a measure that would eliminate mandatory minimum penalties. Criminal justice law changes have roiled Democrats in recent years. Laws like limiting cash bail have become issues in campaigns at the state and federal levels. Hochul has successfully sought to roll back aspects of the bail law. Still, advocates believe they can persuade lawmakers and they plan to highlight the support from voters. “We know that lawmakers want to make sure what they’re doing is backed by public opinion,” Nelson said. — Nick Reisman TRACKING CARE: Dozens of health care providers are pushing Hochul to approve a bill that would require the state to disclose what types of care hospitals provide. The measure, sponsored by Queens Assemblymember Nily Rozic and Hudson Valley state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, both Democrats, is in part meant to help health officials find gaps in coverage. “Unfortunately, too many hospitals have policy-based exclusions of care that tie providers’ hands — that is, denials of care not based on our sound medical judgment or hospital capacity, but instead based on the bureaucratic decision-making of non-medical personnel,” the health care providers wrote in a letter to Hochul. Health care providers in the letter to the governor also pointed to the incoming Trump administration and abortion restrictions in Republican-leaning states after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. New York Democrats have tried to make it easier for people who live in states that restrict the procedure. Hochul has not indicated how she will act on the bill. The state’s powerful hospital lobby has not taken a position on the bill. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — An advocacy group is trying to get a judge to block a ban on pet stores. (Times Union) — Aileen Gunther expects she’ll miss talking to constituents as she prepares to depart the state Assembly. (City & State) — Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara will investigate a decline in tickets issued by the state police in New Jersey. (New York Times)
| | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | | 
Once an outsider, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez now finds herself canvassing the entire Democratic caucus for support. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images | AO-CENSION: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is poised to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, punctuating a huge generational shift in the party’s power centers amid a sudden overthrow of senior leaders, POLITICO’s Nicholas Wu and Daniella Diaz report. Ocasio-Cortez, 35, and Rep. Gerry Connolly, 74, of Virginia, have been canvassing the entire Democratic caucus as they compete for the ranking position. But according to a dozen members and staffers, Ocasio-Cortez has earned the support of the majority of Democrats on the panel, which is stacked with younger, more progressive members who tend to align more with her than Connolly. The Bronx Democrat’s latest move is a sign she’s staking her political future on ascending in the House, at least for now. She has declined to mount primary challenges against New York Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer. She’s shored up her relationships with the new generation of House leaders, after a rocky start with the previous iteration. She pays her dues to the caucus’ campaign arm and donates to colleagues in battleground districts. And she stumped on the campaign trail for Vice President Kamala Harris, much to the chagrin of some liberals. “She’s a very effective messenger,” said Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), a senior member of the caucus, “and that’s kind of the conclusion people have drawn from this election — that we haven’t had effective messengers.” DEM ENTRY IN GOP STRONGHOLD: The quickly crowding race for the North Country seat expected to be vacated by Rep. Elise Stefanik now includes a dairy farmer vying for the Democratic nominee. “I know what it’s like to get up for work at 3:30 in the morning — to trudge through feet of snow to feed my herd or make difficult decisions to keep my farm afloat,” Blake Gendebien said in a statement Wednesday announcing his bid for the heavily Republican 21st District. “The folks in the North Country work hard to barely make ends meet while career politicians in DC squabble on both sides of the aisle and fail to get anything done.” Gendebien, a first-time candidate, has reached out to the Dem county chairs who’ll make the call on the nominee, his campaign told Playbook. Stefanik, the House Republican Conference chair, is expected to cruise to confirmation as Trump’s pick for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. — Emily Ngo More from Congress: — Outgoing Rep. Marc Molinaro is keeping his options for the future open. (WAMC) — Jeffries warns no Democrats will step in to save House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) if there’s a revolt from his conservative detractors at the Jan. 3 leadership vote. (The Hill) — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s bid to extend the tenure of Lauren McFerran at the National Labor Relations Board failed after a “no” vote from Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.). (POLITICO)
| | | | Write your own chapter in the new Washington. From the Lame Duck Congress Series to New Administration insights, POLITICO Pro delivers intelligence across 22+ policy areas to help you anticipate and navigate change. Discover how a Pro subscription empowers you. Learn more today. | | | | | | | NEW YORK STATE OF MIND | | LISTENING ALERT: NY1 political anchor Errol Louis today will launch a three-part podcast on the life of John Lindsay, the telegenic, party-switching mayor, speaking with members of his administration, journalists, activists and admirers. The first episode dropped this morning. Louis previously aired a multi-part series on the life of the late former Gov. Mario Cuomo. — Nick Reisman — Trump will ring the opening bell on Wall Street and is set to be named Time’s “Person of the Year.” (POLITICO) — Dyslexia evaluations must now be covered by private insurers. (Gothamist) — Activists are pushing back against plans to end funding for migrant shelters. (New York Post)
| | A message from Alibaba: New York companies of all sizes are partnering with Alibaba to reach over one billion international consumers. They’re generating big sales and it’s having an impact back home.
In one year alone, American businesses sold tens of billions of dollars worth of products on Alibaba’s online marketplace. These sales not only added billions to New York’s economy but also supported thousands of local jobs and billions in wages for New York workers.
Explore how Alibaba is strengthening New York’s economy. | | | | | SOCIAL DATA | | Edited by Daniel Lippman MAKING MOVES: Colin Coleman, a former partner at Goldman Sachs, is joining Mercury Public Affairs as a member of its advisory board. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Google’s William Floyd … Stephen Goldsmith, former Bloomberg deputy mayor … Chris Plante … Lanny Davis … Jesse Ferguson … Becky Perlow … Fox Business’ Liz Claman … AP’s Seth Borenstein … Alexander Levine … Liz Brim Missed Wednesday’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 | | | | |
