| | | |  | | By Nick Reisman, Jeff Coltin and Emily Ngo | | Presented by |  | | | With help from Cris Seda Chabrier
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Gov. Kathy Hochul has come out in defense of congestion pricing after President Donald Trump moved to axe the program. | Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images | Gov. Kathy Hochul is not taking any prisoners on congestion pricing. The otherwise mild-mannered moderate from Buffalo was fired up at an impromptu Grand Central news conference-turned-primal yell after the Trump administration moved to rescind federal approval of the controversial toll program. She invoked the American Revolution. She swore. She mockingly referenced Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s “Real World” appearance. And Hochul jokingly disclosed she’s been watching the first of the hyper-violent Rambo movies, “First Blood,” as she prepares for the legal fight. The governor pledged to counter Trump’s effort to halt congestion pricing in federal court and appeared to relish the coming battle after the president leaned into a monarchial image of himself. “The streets of this city, where battles were fought; we stood up to a king,” she said. “And we won then. And in case you don't know New Yorkers, when we're in a fight, we do not back down.” At that moment, Hochul fully embraced congestion pricing — a program she had been so skeptical of less than a year ago that she put it on pause out of concern the tolls would hurt Democrats running in crucial House races. She subsequently put the toll program back on track after Election Day and lowered the toll from $15 to $9, arguing it was a savings. Congestion pricing’s advent on Jan. 5 came with little fanfare from the governor’s office. And as President Donald Trump weighed whether to kill it, she negotiated with him. Her Wednesday blast of Trump after he rescinded the tolls was a different Hochul than the staid and cautious version usually seen in public. She couched her opposition to Trump in an argument that state governments should be able to set their own policies. “I don't care if you love congestion pricing or hate it,” she said. “This is an attack on our sovereign identity, our independence from Washington. And we are a nation of states. This is what we fought for.” Toll supporters had stressed the program was working as intended by reducing Manhattan traffic below 60th Street. The tolls are also expected to help raise $15 billion in bonds in order to upgrade the region’s decaying mass transit infrastructure. Opponents have decried the tolls’ impact on commuters as inflation continues to impact blue-collar workers. Democrats lost a bruising November election, in part, over the rising cost of living. Even some Democrats cheered Trump’s action on Wednesday. “I’m thrilled,” Democratic Assemblymember David Weprin told Playbook. “This is something that the public didn’t want, and to try to pretend it’s about reducing congestion was wrong from the beginning.” Hochul’s aggressive support for keeping the tolls in place comes with clear political risks. The program has supporters — left-leaning transit advocates and business-backed organizations who believe the infrastructure boost will help the city’s economy. But her likely Republican opponents plan to capitalize on the governor lashing herself to the tolls. “This is what happens when you play politics rather than implementing sound policy,” Rep. Mike Lawler said. “The governor is going to own this one way or the other.” — Nick Reisman IT’S THURSDAY Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.
| | | | A message from Uber: Insurance Hitting Uber Riders in the Wallet. New York State has some of the most onerous and expensive insurance laws for rideshare trips in the country and Uber riders are paying the cost. In December 2024, 25% of rider fares on average went toward government-mandated commercial insurance for Uber rideshare trips. Lawsuit abuse and the litigation environment in New York are driving up costs of everything even more, including insurance premiums. Learn More. | | | WHERE’S KATHY? In New York City with no public schedule. WHERE’S ERIC? In New York City, where he will speak at the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center’s Interfaith Breakfast, make a public safety-related announcement in the Bronx and speak at the 1,000 Strong Part III event. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This is what we do. We joke at each other. Some of our commentary is, you know, inappropriate if you’re on the stage. And he spoke with me, he says, ‘You know, Eric, I mean, you know, we’re on TV. I should not have said that. I apologize to you.’” — Mayor Eric Adams to NY1 about border czar Tom Homan’s remark last week that he’ll be “up his butt” if the mayor doesn’t cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts. — More on Adams’ latest remarks here by POLITICO’s Emily Ngo.
|  | ABOVE THE FOLD | | | 
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is considering running for mayor. | Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Brooklyn Academy of Music | YO, ADRIENNE!: New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams was on her way to a quiet retirement. Now the low-key politician is being drafted to run for mayor in a last-ditch effort by some of the state’s biggest political power players to block former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, POLITICO reports. After Playbook and the New York Post reported Wednesday morning on the movement to draft her, Adams spent the day making calls to “tier one” political leaders to discuss a possible candidacy, two people familiar with the conversations said. And now “she’s seriously considering.” Unlike her predecessors as speaker, the term-limited Democrat had been firm in her lack of interest in seeking higher office. But she’s warming up to the idea following conversations and phone calls encouraging her to run. “When I say people are begging, I mean begging,” said one Democratic operative friendly with the speaker. “If she does this, it’ll be 1000 percent because she’s been drafted.” Among those interested in a run include leaders of District Council 37, the largest municipal union in New York which has been close to Mayor Eric Adams. Attorney General Letitia James is a top booster too, as Playbook first reported. With little money, less time, a low profile and a leadership style that’s left members all across the political spectrum frustrated at times, Adrienne Adams would have a difficult path to victory if she gets in at all. But the latest recruitment effort speaks to the depth of frustration and anxiety top New York politicos are feeling about their choices in the race. Mayor Adams has a near-impossible path to reelection and is trying to hold onto power. The ex-governor is poised to jump in and replicate Eric Adams’ outer borough coalition — but many in the political class loathe Cuomo and would do anything to keep him out of City Hall. Among those speaking highly of Adrienne Adams, the Post reports: the Rev. Al Sharpton, Rep. Greg Meeks and Cuomo’s one-time punching bag, former Mayor Bill de Blasio. — Jeff Coltin
| | | | With a new administration in place, how will governors work with the federal government and continue to lead the way on issues like AI, health care, economic development, education, energy and climate? Hear from Gov. Jared Polis, Gov. Brian Kemp and more at POLITICO's Governors Summit on February 20. RSVP today. | | | | | | | CITY HALL: THE LATEST | | | 
American Oversight, an ethics watchdog group, filed a complaint against Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove. | Jeenah Moon-Pool/Getty Images | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: An ethics watchdog group filed a complaint with the New York court system against Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, arguing his effort to dismiss Adams’ case violates state ethics rules. American Oversight, a nonpartisan nonprofit that’s regularly opposed the Trump administration, complained to the state’s Attorney Grievance Committee on Wednesday night, hours after the extraordinary court hearing reviewing Bove’s decision. “Letting an elected official off the hook for serious, criminal charges in exchange for political support is textbook corruption and could be grounds for suspension of an attorney’s law license,” said American Oversight interim Executive Director Chioma Chukwu. The Department of Justice didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Bove, who is a member of the New York bar, has ardently defended the move and said it wasn’t a quid pro quo. — Jeff Coltin DOGEING THE NEXT ONE: City Comptroller Brad Lander shot off a letter to the city’s finance department Wednesday looking for a plan to safeguard the municipal purse from Elon Musk. In his missive, Lander asked the beancounters for a debrief on last week’s $80 million federal fund reversal at the hands of the Department of Government Efficiency — and how they are preparing if Musk tries something like it again. “I believe that additional action is needed to prevent the potential unauthorized and unilateral withdrawal of funds from City accounts moving forward,” Lander wrote. To that end, he asked the finance department to describe current and future safeguards to prevent the feds from reversing payments without the city’s permission and inquired into whether the department has initiated a review into the yoinking of funds. Lander also asked for information about how the city is typically notified of payment reversals and the process of disputing them. He gave the finance department until Monday to respond. “Recovering the … funds, and preventing any additional unauthorized clawbacks, is vital to maintaining our City’s budget and ensuring the continued delivery of essential services,” Lander wrote. A City Hall spokesperson noted the administration is pursuing a lawsuit and has made changes to immediately alert officials of future large-dollar debits to the bank account in question. “While it’s alarming that Brad Lander — who is supposed to be the city’s financial manager — lacks a basic understanding of how a federal-regulated banking system works, New Yorkers can rest assured that the Adams administration does,” spokesperson Liz Garcia said in a statement. Last week, DOGE clawed back $80 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funds earmarked for migrant services, employing a clause in banking regulations that allowed the government to pluck the money back without the city’s permission. — Joe Anuta More from the city: — A Cuomo supporter is sending around a save the date for a March 4th reception with the former governor — the clearest indication yet he’s readying a mayoral bid. (POLITICO) — The NYPD has inked contracts for a canine-mounted camera system, an unmanned submersible and spent more than $750,000 on a robot dog with gas-sniffing attachments, per disclosures of its surveillance technology. (POLITICO) — Targeting Anthony Weiner, fellow City Council candidate Sarah Batchu wants to ban registered sex offenders and people convicted of other sex crimes from holding office. (City & State)
| | | | A message from Uber:  
| | | | | NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY | | | 
Gov. Kathy Hochul has activated the National Guard to stabilize prisons after unauthorized strikes by corrections officers. | Julia Nikhinson/AP | STRIKES SPREAD: Unauthorized strikes have now reached 30 of the state’s correctional facilities, according to the union that represents prison guards. The labor organization, the New York State Correctional Officers PBA, has not condoned the actions taken by guards over working conditions in the state prison system. Hochul on Wednesday formally activated the National Guard in an effort to stabilize the multiday crisis. The governor is also turning to independent labor mediator Martin Scheinman to help negotiate an end to the correction officers’ actions. “These disruptive and unsanctioned work stoppages by some correction officers must end as they are jeopardizing the safety of their colleagues, the prison population, and causing undue fear for the residents in the surrounding communities,” Hochul said. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — How would Hochul be able to legally remove Adams? Here’s an explainer. (POLITICO) — New York officials are moving to enact an organ donation law that has languished for years. (NYS Focus) — End-of-life legislation is once again being pursued at the Capitol. (Newsday)
| | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | | 
Rep. Mike Lawler has been criticized over comments that questioned a Latino lawmaker's immigration status. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images | LATINOS TO SLAM LAWLER: Several Latino elected officials and community leaders plan to protest GOP Rep. Mike Lawler today in Westchester County over a remark he recently made about a local lawmaker’s citizenship status. The group, led by Democratic Yonkers City Council Member Corazon Pineda-Isaac, is set to gather in White Plains and plans to cite a broader pattern of discrimination. At a meeting Tuesday, José Alvarado, the Democratic vice chair of the county Board of Legislators, asked Lawler what identification people should have on them when they’re stopped by federal immigration officers. Lawler responded that the person should cooperate before adding, “I wouldn’t expect you as a — I don’t know. I assume you’re a citizen. Maybe you’re not. Maybe you are.” The line drew audible reactions from the room, including a remark of “unbelievable.” “You’re telling me about ICE approaching you,” Lawler sought to clarify. Alvarado said he is a citizen. And Lawler, a moderate battleground House member, later circled back, saying, “Your question was specific to what papers you should show as an immigrant.” Lawler spokesperson Nate Soule later said in a statement that “Congressman Lawler was simply making the point that people in this country, legally and obeying the law, have nothing to fear from ICE.” Soule accused Democrats of being desperate enough to resort to “character assassination.” Democratic Rep. Nydia Velázquez begged to differ and demanded Lawler make a mea culpa. “Questioning a Latino lawmaker’s citizenship? That’s not just ignorance—it’s straight-up xenophobia,” she said. “Rep. Lawler must apologize.” — Emily Ngo ANOTHER FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Democratic House candidate Beth Davidson’s campaign has raised more than $200,000 after launching her campaign this week as she seeks to flip a Hudson Valley congressional seat. Davidson’s campaign told Playbook the Democrat has raised cash from 2,200 donors over two days. The average contribution was $91. Davidson is running for the seat held by Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, a likely candidate for governor in 2026. “This early support shows that our community is ready for leadership that has the experience to flip this seat from red to blue and put Hudson Valley families first,” Davidson said. — Nick Reisman More from Congress: — Rep. Nicole Malliotakis cheered Trump’s push to end approval of congestion pricing. (Spectrum News) — The top U.S. prosecutor in Washington launched an investigation into threats against federal workers and said the department would probe Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. (Reuters) — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is telling his members to bring guests to Trump's address to Congress who have been negatively impacted by the administration. (Axios)
| | | | We’ve re-imagined and expanded our Inside Congress newsletter to give you unmatched reporting on Capitol Hill politics and policy -- and we'll get it to your inbox even earlier. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | NEW YORK STATE OF MIND | | — Measles cases are on the rise in New York City. (LoHud) — Federal government layoffs are impacting the city’s health system. (POLITICO Pro) — Just what we need in the middle of an icy February: A rock salt shortage. (WTEN)
| | | | A message from Uber: Insurance Laws and Lawsuit Abuse create more costs for Uber Riders
New York residents already shoulder some of the nation's highest auto insurance costs, paying an average of $3,840 a year for full coverage.
Similarly, the mandatory cost of rideshare insurance per trip in New York is among the highest in the country. One reason behind this is the $1.25 million in liability coverage when a passenger is in the vehicle, which is 25 times the liability requirement for personal vehicles.
Insurance premiums continue to rise in part because of the litigation environment in New York. Lawsuit fraud and abuse drives up costs for everything, including insurance rates.
Uber is pushing for commonsense legislative changes that keep all trips covered while bringing down the cost of trips.
Learn More. | | | | | SOCIAL DATA | | Edited by Daniel Lippman MAKING MOVES: Olúwatọ̀nà Campbell is now senior press officer for the New York City Comptroller’s office. They’re an alum of BerlinRosen and DKC. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Jewish Council for Public Affairs’ Amy Spitalnick … David Karopkin of Animal Care Centers of NYC … Greenpeace’s Matt Browner-Hamlin … NYC DOC’s Patrick Rocchio … Doug Mills … David Corn … Bloomberg’s Liam Quinn … Amy Spitalnick … (was Wednesday): Laurie M. Tisch 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 | | | |
