| | | | |  | | By Nick Reisman, Emily Ngo and Jeff Coltin | | Presented by |  | | | With Timmy Facciola
|  The shooting has added to Democratic frustrations over the proliferation of guns, especially in crowded areas of the city. | Stefan Jeremiah/AP | NEW YORK MINUTE: The City Council is set to pass Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes for Housing Opportunity plan today and also approve Adams’ nominee for corporation counsel, Muriel Goode-Trufant. Peace at City Hall? Maybe. Negotiations over the City of Yes funding commitments were still getting worked out between the mayor’s and speaker’s offices Wednesday night, a person familiar told Playbook. A SHOOTING ROCKS NEW YORK: The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan has defied simple explanations for New York elected officials. Police on Wednesday afternoon released photos of a masked suspect. As of Wednesday evening, the suspect was not in custody and the motive remained a mystery. A “targeted attack,” according to New York Police Department officials, makes it difficult to blame the shooting on the random street crime that has created political turmoil for Democrats. And some lawmakers are doubtful that limiting mask-wearing in public — a cause first taken up amid pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses — would have stopped the assailant. “It reads like a bad novel,” Democratic state Sen.-elect Pat Fahy told Playbook. Despite the murder’s cinematic nature, the shooting underscored the prevailing anxieties for Democrats over the proliferation of guns and how to regulate mask-wearing to deter crime. Fahy, an Assembly lawmaker who was elected to the state Senate in November, believes the incident could revive the debate over face coverings worn in public. “It gets into very tricky freedom of speech issues,” Fahy said. “But it bears revisiting a number of these conversations. At what point do we put the security of the public above some individual rights?” A call to limit masks first began stirring when pro-Palestinian demonstrators in face coverings came under scrutiny for harassing behavior on college campuses earlier this year. Vocal proponents of regulating masks are skeptical a ban would have prevented Thompson’s murder, though. “If a guy is going to do an assassination, that probably wasn’t something that legislation was intended to deal with,” Assemblymember David Weprin, a Queens Democrat who supported the mask ban, told Playbook. The shooting has also added to Democratic frustrations over the proliferation of guns, especially in crowded areas of the city. Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Democratic-led Legislature have approved multiple gun control packages in recent years, including measures to block people deemed a danger to themselves or others from possessing a firearm. But efforts to limit concealed guns in public spaces have had mixed results (and some successes) in court amid legal challenges, including by Second Amendment groups. And stronger state-level gun laws haven’t curtailed the flow of illegal guns into New York. “Gun violence is abhorrent wherever it happens, and the fact that criminals have access to firearms to pursue such sickening violence should be a wake-up call for the new Congress to finally pass sensible gun safety legislation,” said Democratic state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, a candidate for Manhattan borough president. Hochul is aware concerns over public safety can pack a political wallop. As she prepares for a reelection bid in two years, she’s made a point of highlighting decreases in violent crime. The latest high-profile shooting incident comes as the city’s holiday tourism season is in full swing and officials want to show off to the world a safe New York. (The Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony went as planned Wednesday night). In a statement, Hochul’s office called the shooting “horrific and targeted.” “Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Thompson and we are committed to ensuring the perpetrator is brought to justice,” Hochul said. — Nick Reisman HAPPY THURSDAY: 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? Delivering remarks at the New Building Congress annual gala. WHERE’S ERIC? Appearing on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, delivering remarks at a flag-raising ceremony for Nepal and later speaking at the New York State Latino Restaurant and Bar Association holiday mixer. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I know nothing about it … never heard of them.” — NYC Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli joking (we think) to City & State about the colleagues vying to fill his role leading the Republicans after he leaves.
|  | ABOVE THE FOLD | | | 
Rep. Jerry Nadler announced Wednesday he will relinquish his post as the ranking member and endorse Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin as his successor. | Francis Chung/POLITICO | NADLER WITHDRAWS: It’s the end of an era for Rep. Jerry Nadler as he takes a back seat on the influential House Judiciary Committee — a committee he has led for seven of his 32 years in Congress. The Manhattan Democrat announced Wednesday he will relinquish his post as the ranking member and endorse Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin as his successor. Nadler has spent decades battling Trump, beginning on the Upper West Side during the president-elect’s days as a developer. He also served as a manager of Trump’s first impeachment trial. But some of his fellow House Democrats feel a new approach to Trump 2.0 is needed. So they boosted Raskin, 61, a spirited, made-for-TV messenger, over Nadler, 77, a policy wonk and nervous public speaker. “As our country faces the return of Donald Trump, and the renewed threats to our democracy and our way of life that he represents, I am very confident that Jamie would ably lead the Judiciary Committee as we confront this growing danger,” Nadler wrote to his colleagues in a letter, noting that he will remain a committee member. The shuffle could pave the way for an even younger, more innovative communicator to ascend the leadership ladder. Raskin’s move to the Judiciary Committee would create a ranking member vacancy on the Oversight Committee, a spot Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of the Bronx is considering. “It’s incredibly important that we prepare ourselves fully for an incoming Trump administration,” she told reporters Wednesday. Rep. Dan Goldman of Manhattan, who was the lead counsel for Trump’s first impeachment, said he has Nadler’s back. “He’s been a legendary member of Congress and leader of the Judiciary Committee, and certainly will go down as one of the greatest of all time,” Goldman told Playbook. City Council Member Gale Brewer, an Upper West Side ally, called Nadler “one of the smartest — if not the smartest — members of the House of Representatives.” “It’s very typical of his consideration of others, that he is doing this,” she told Playbook. “He’s a loss. He has a history of knowledge that nobody else has, not just of Judiciary, but of how history works so it doesn’t repeat itself.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, keeping his distance amid the changes, called the dean of the New York delegation “a champion for civil rights and a relentless fighter for justice.” — Emily Ngo
| | | | REGISTER NOW: As the 118th Congress ends, major decisions loom, including healthcare appropriations. Key focus: site neutrality. Can aligning hospital and clinic costs cut federal spending, reflect physician costs, and lower patient expenses? Join policymakers and providers to discuss. | | | | | | | CITY HALL: THE LATEST | | | | 
Jim Walden hired David Paterson in a paid consulting role as chief campaign strategist. | Jeff Coltin/POLITICO | GOV. PATERS-DONE: David Paterson was fired from Jim Walden’s mayoral campaign just weeks into the job after telling Playbook the first-time candidate was “not a factor at this point” in the race. Walden hired Paterson in a paid consulting role as chief campaign strategist, Playbook first reported — a surprise since the former governor has been a loyal supporter of Adams, even amid his legal troubles. Paterson downplayed that drama, saying his friend the mayor still turned to him for advice and that he was eager for the challenge of helping the novice candidate Walden. But Paterson was hurt when an anonymous Adams aide told Playbook last week that the former governor was “willing to betray his friend” for money — responding that “karma will visit” whoever said that. “Governor Paterson was an extremely helpful advisor to the campaign,” Walden said in a statement. “He helped us achieve a successful launch. We are now focused on building our full-time campaign staff. We are grateful to Governor Paterson for his advice, as well as his service over the course of a long and successful career.” Paterson didn’t respond to a request for comment. — Jeff Coltin More from the city: — UAW Region 9a co-endorsed Brad Lander, Jessica Ramos and Zohran Mamdani. (THE CITY) — Eighty-three percent of ShotSpotter alerts to the NYPD might not have been gunfire at all. (Hell Gate) — Here’s what New York City developers could actually build through Adams’ new housing plan. (Gothamist)
| | | | A message from Uber:   | | | | | NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY | | | 
Gov. Kathy Hochul is set to run for a second full term in 2026, and potential challengers — including Republican Mike Lawler and Democrat Ritchie Torres — are openly weighing bids. | Julia Nikhinson/AP | GOV BUCKS: Hochul’s fundraising is not slowing down as the year ends. The governor’s reelection campaign on Dec. 19 will hold a New York City fundraiser with tickets ranging from $2,500 to $18,000, according to an invitation obtained by Playbook. An exact location for the event was not included. The event is being held as Hochul is preparing for the start of the 2025 legislative session in January and the unveiling of her state budget proposal. Hochul is set to run for a second full term in 2026, and potential challengers — including Republican Mike Lawler and Democrat Ritchie Torres — are openly weighing bids. Her campaign’s most recent campaign finance report in July showed a war chest of more than $13.5 million. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — A medical cannabis group has sued New York over the retail license fee. (Times Union) — A Syracuse judge refused to perform a wedding for a same-sex couple. (Post-Standard) — There’s a record number of jobs in New York’s clean energy sector, an industry report found. (Spectrum News)
| | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | | 
Rep.-elect Laura Gillen unseated Republican Rep. Anthony D'Esposito. | Heather Khalifa/AP | THAT’S A WRAP ON ELECTIONS: The final House race was called this week for California Democrat Adam Gray in his rematch against GOP Rep. John Duarte, giving Jeffries a powerful minority of 215 members and cementing the importance of both New York and California in the House. Democrats flipped nine GOP-held seats last month, including three in New York. Two of those were rematches. Playbook asked victors Laura Gillen of Long Island and Josh Riley of upstate about what guidance they may have for those who fell short this cycle and might mulling another run. Riley: “It sounds cliché, but when you get knocked down, you get back up, and then you go watch the film, right? It was a ton of number-crunching and a lot of soul-searching. … Keep your head up, get up, dust yourself off, take a little bit of a rest, and then, take a real deep dive into the data and see if there’s a way to do it.” Gillen: “Take a hard look at what you thought went right in your race and what you think went wrong. Talk to lots of folks to get to the support you need right at the outset. Put together a great team. … . If you want to do it, if your heart is 100 percent in it, go for it. Don’t let a loss keep you down.” — Emily Ngo More from Congress: — It’s official. Rep. Grace Meng will chair the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and Rep. Yvette Clarke will chair the Congressional Black Caucus. (Their X posts are here and here) — The Senate confirmed former Rep. Anthony Brindisi for a lifetime appointment as a federal judge in Utica. (Post-Standard) — Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand called for $1.84 billion in funding for food programs focused on older Americans. (WWNYTV)
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | NEW YORK STATE OF MIND | | — A bankruptcy settlement has been approved for the Diocese of Rockville. (Newsday) — Catskill Regional OTB is ending its operations, but accounts are being transferred to Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting. (Times Union) — A storied New York Hilton, where journalists examined the Pentagon Papers, adds a grim chapter to its history. (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 SPOTTED: Former Mayor Bill de Blasio talking to an airplane seatmate about the history of Marxism and its impact on the world on a Wednesday United flight from Dulles to LAX, per a tipster. He went to LA to speak at an event for University of Michigan alumni as part of his work with the university. ERIC’S NEW BINGE: Adams’ real estate agent friend Eleonora Srugo is getting a new Netflix reality show, “Selling the City” — and the marketing team isn’t shy about her alliance with the mayor. “Rumors have swirled around Srugo’s meteoric rise in the industry, especially given her ties to current New York City mayor Eric Adams,” Netflix wrote in a teaser interview with Srugo. “There’s a belittling that happens with women in business, and it’s a constant struggle and fight to work against those narratives,” she responded. The New York Post detailed her friendship with Adams in June, but don’t expect the “Selling Sunset” spinoff to offer up any glimpses of the mayor. A Netflix spokesperson told Playbook he doesn’t make any appearances in the series. — Jeff Coltin FOR YOUR RADAR – “Edelman cuts 5% of global workforce amid restructuring,” by Axios’ Eleanor Hawkins: “Edelman has reduced its global workforce by more than 5% — impacting about 330 employees — and will sunset several of its subsidiary boutique agencies, according to a memo obtained by Axios. … As part of a restructuring, several boutiques within Edelman — Edible, Revere, Salutem, Mustache, EGA and Delta — will shut down.” MEDIAWATCH: Complex revives print magazine (Axios) HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Former NYC Council Member Mark Gjonaj … Times Square Alliance’s Tom Harris … VNS Health’s Jonathan Shabshaikhes …O’Donnell & Associates’ Alec Lewis … the MTA’s Howard Levine … Calvin Trillin … Axios’ Roy Schwartz … NYT’s Mike Grynbaum and Alex Traub … NBC’s Billy Koch … Eli Miller … Adam Casella … Mindy Greenstein … Moira Mack Muntz … Alex Simon … Dan Strumpf … Daniel Reynolds … (WAS WEDNESDAY): Vanessa Friedman ... Sam Adelsberg ... Scott Rogowsky 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 | | | | |
