| | | |  | | By Jeff Coltin, Nick Reisman and Emily Ngo | | Presented by |  | | | With help from Cris Seda Chabrier
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Mayor Eric Adams reassured reporters that petitioners would be gathering signatures for his reelection campaign. | Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images | NEW YORK MINUTE: New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and Mayor Eric Adams don’t agree on much when it comes to policing, but they agree on NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Lander is expected to commit to keeping her as the top cop if he becomes mayor, as part of the public safety plan he’s releasing this morning. EXCUSE ME, DO YOU HAVE A MINUTE? It’s the first day of petitioning — but many of the top contenders in the mayoral race won’t be gathering signatures to get on the ballot. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo hasn’t launched a campaign yet. City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is still weighing a run. State legislators running for mayor — Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani and state Sens. Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos — will be in Albany for session, though they’ll have supporters out on the streets. Then there’s Mayor Adams — who’s running for reelection with a skeleton staff and no visible campaign presence while some of his closest aides distance themselves as his federal corruption case plods along. POLITICO has more on Adams’ lonely island as campaign season warms up. Adams supporters will be gathering signatures, the mayor insisted at a press conference Monday: “Petitions will be in the streets. So please, if you see one with my name on it, please sign it.” But it wasn’t clear who will be carrying them. Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the Brooklyn Democratic Leader, has been a loyal defender of Adams. But City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse and District Leader Joey Cohen-Saban told Playbook she hasn’t asked the party faithful to gather signatures for Adams, and his name won’t be on their petitions. Ditto for Farah Louis. The Central Brooklyn council member endorsed Adams in 2021, but she told Playbook she hasn’t endorsed anybody this year and her petitions won’t have his name. Lander, meanwhile, is ramping up his rivalry with Scott Stringer by kicking off his petitioning today outside Zabar’s. The Upper West Side grocery store is so quintessential to Stringer’s political brand that his last campaign spoofed its logo for merch. Stringer’s campaign counters that Lander is “so obsessed” with him because Stringer is polling better in the borough. But Lander wants to rub it in that his predecessor in the comptroller’s office has been losing support on his home turf. POLITICO has more on how five political clubs on the West Side of Manhattan are backing opponents to Stringer after endorsing him in his unsuccessful mayoral bid four years ago. “Everybody likes Scott. But they want to move on,” said City Council Member Gale Brewer. “And Brad is in office now. So they know him.” — Jeff Coltin IT’S TUESDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE’S KATHY? In Albany convening a public safety roundtable. WHERE’S ERIC? In New York City where he will make a health-related announcement, then host a discussion with ethnic and community media and hold a reception celebrating Black History Month. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “They’re putting forward the possibility of dismissing your charges. That’s a reason to take away the mayor of the largest city in America? If that’s the standard, we are all in trouble.” — Adams’ interpretation on why some of his fellow Democrats have been weighing whether to force him from office.
| | | | 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. | | | |  | ABOVE THE FOLD | | | 
Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado will not seek reelection. | Don Pollard/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul | CONSCIOUS UNCOUPLING: Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado’s political divorce from Gov. Kathy Hochul is final: He won’t be on her ticket next year — a development that surprises no one in New York politics. And he remains in office for the time being even as Hochul’s office makes clear his duties will be circumscribed and handed over to someone else. The lieutenant governor tried over the last seven months to raise his profile, an effort that came at Hochul’s expense. In July, he called for President Joe Biden to drop his reelection bid, at odds with the governor’s boosterism for the doomed campaign. Delgado this month demanded Adams resign as Hochul was trying to triage the New York City mayor’s politically delicate crisis. Earlier this month, Delgado referred to himself as an “independently elected individual” — even though the governor and lieutenant governor run on the same general election ticket. “I serve with the governor, but I don’t serve at the pleasure of the governor,” he said. “I am my own person.” Delgado joins the list of unhappy LGs — including Al DelBello in Mario Cuomo’s first term and Betsy McCaughey under George Pataki — who struggled in the thankless and anonymous post. And yet, Playbook’s phone lit up with speculation (and some pitches) for who could replace Delgado, a former swing seat House member, on the statewide ticket. After all, this is a job that puts you a heartbeat or scandal away from being governor of New York — as Hochul herself can attest. One very early bit of speculation was Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, a Democrat who presides over the state’s third-largest city, could be a potential fit, according to a person familiar with internal party discussions. Spano would provide geographic balance for Hochul — though another white moderate may be a tough sell for the ticket. For Delgado, “everything is on the table,” according to a person familiar with his thinking, a line that notably omits ruling out challenging Hochul in a primary next year. Rep. Ritchie Torres is already weighing a run against her in the primary, and Republicans are eager to unseat her after a relatively close call in 2022. New York Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs, a Hochul ally, downplayed the political impact of the Delgado blowup. “I don’t think voters pay attention to these kinds of things,” he told Playbook. “They’re concerned with what the governor is doing to improve affordability, make them safer. Those are the issues that are going to be on voters' minds, not whether a lieutenant governor was loyal or disloyal.” — Nick Reisman
| | CITY HALL: THE LATEST | | | 
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been endorsed by the New York City District Council of Carpenters and Rep. Ritchie Torres for his expected mayoral bid. | Spencer Platt/Getty Images | CARPS FOR CUOMO: Cuomo’s likely mayoral bid will receive its first labor union endorsement from the New York City District Council of Carpenters, POLITICO’s Nick Reisman and Sally Goldenberg report. The union endorsed Adams four years ago, but Cuomo has been actively courting the mayor’s key supporters as he builds a campaign that’s expected to launch in the coming days. Rep. Ritchie Torres, who’s considering a run for governor next year, also endorsed Cuomo Monday morning. Adams brushed it off, noting that Torres previously called for Cuomo’s resignation amid sexual assault allegations that led him to step down, even as he denied them. Torres told a New York Post reporter he wasn’t interested in “relitigating” Cuomo’s resignation. — Jeff Coltin PEARSON TROUBLE: Adams defended one of his closest aides who was found to have shoved a pair of shelter security guards and then mischaracterized the incident to law enforcement. At a Monday press briefing, Adams called his former public safety adviser Tim Pearson an “optimal professional.” Pearson, for anyone who’s forgotten, was forced out in September after federal agents seized his cellphone in a corruption probe into Adams’ inner circle. Adams was asked about Pearson in the wake of a Department of Investigation report that found his ex-aide was responsible for assaulting two security guards at a city-run migrant shelter and then having them arrested. “He's no longer with the administration,” Adams added. “We're going to review the report.” In October 2023, Pearson barged his way into a city-run migrant facility at Touro College without providing his identification, then shoved a male security guard out of his way before cursing at and shoving a female security staffer so hard she fell, the report stated. The former NYPD inspector, who wielded considerable power over the department during his latest tenure in City Hall, had both guards arrested on the false assertion that they were aggressors, according to the report. Pearson had a close relationship with Adams dating back to the mayor’s time in the NYPD. He was regarded as the “most powerful person in City Hall besides the mayor” by a former high-ranking Adams administration official and received one of the highest salaries in the administration at $257,374. But scandals swirled around him. He delayed the opening of a Brooklyn migrant facility to steer a lucrative security contract to mayoral friend and donor Bo Dietl. He pushed for the city to hire an artificial intelligence firm while a woman with whom he appeared to have a close personal relationship was a consultant contracted by the company. And his tenure at a secretive mayoral agency focused on government efficiency resulted in several sexual harassment lawsuits. He has denied any wrongdoing. — Cris Seda Chabrier More from the city: — The Working Families Party is throwing its weight behind Justin Brannan’s comptroller campaign. (Daily News) — Adams and NYPD officials said a council bill that would abolish the department’s gang database would make it more difficult for cops to nab violent criminals and prevent shootings. (New York Post) — The city schools chancellor affirmed support for trans and other LGBTQ kids in the face of Trump’s policies. (Daily News)
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Advocates supported a new bill that would create a state clinical training program for performing abortions. | Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images | ABORTION TRAINING: A new bill that would create a state clinical training program for performing abortions received the backing of advocates Monday morning. Bill sponsors Sen. Liz Krueger and Assemblymember Harvey Epstein said the aim of the legislation is to address a growing shortage of abortion providers in the state. The bill is one of several moving through the legislature this session that aims to protect and support abortion access from threats at the federal level. “We cannot maintain our reputation for reproductive freedom without investing in training the health care professionals who provide this crucial care," said Epstein. “There are constitutional and statutory rights to reproductive health care in New York, but without a pipeline of trained professionals, those rights may not be fully exercised. This program will not only benefit our state but serve as a model for the nation.” — Katelyn Cordero THE COST OF LIVING: Left-leaning advocates and Democratic lawmakers want to convince Hochul to expand a family tax credit. A key to their argument? People like getting money back. “Voters are excited,” said Jasmine Gripper, co-director of the Working Families Party. “When we educate voters around money coming back to them, they get excited.” The proposal would create a $1,600 tax credit per child and index future increases to the rate of inflation. Democrats struggled last year with voters who cited the cost of living and inflation as their primary concerns. Hochul in response proposed a $237 billion budget that includes a middle-income tax cut, money for expanding child care programs and a $3 billion tax rebate check program. The rebate proposal has run into opposition among some Democratic state lawmakers. Gripper believes the recurring tax credit idea is more alluring to voters. “A one-time check that comes once, and that’s it, isn’t really that exciting,” she said. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — Left-leaning advocates are opposed to a suspension of a law limiting solitary confinement. (City & State) — New York state officials moved inmates out of a western New York prison during an ongoing wildcat strike. (Buffalo News) — An inmate died at Auburn Correctional Facility as the unauthorized strike continued. (New York Times)
| | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | | 
Rep. Greg Meeks (right) harshly criticized President Donald Trump after he blamed Ukraine's leaders for the war. | J. Scott Applewhite/AP | MEEKS SPEAKS ON UKRAINE: Rep. Greg Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, marked the third anniversary of Russia’s military offensive against Ukraine with blistering remarks condemning Trump for making “clear that his sympathies lie with the aggressor and not the victim.” The president’s blaming of Ukrainian leaders for the war as he seeks to negotiate more directly with Russia to end it has tested the United States’ bonds with its European allies. Congressional Democrats, while relatively powerless in the minority, are pushing back after the United States voted against a United Nations resolution demanding Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine. “Putin’s ambitions won’t end with Ukraine. Putin knows Trump is weak and willing to fold. Soon, the NATO Alliance will be challenged as Putin threatens to push further into Europe,” Meeks, a Queens Democrat, said Monday in a lengthy statement. “There could not have been a better outcome for Russia than Donald Trump’s return to the White House.” The Foreign Affairs Committee chair, Brian Mast (R-Fla.), said Trump wants to end the carnage and that Europe must hold its own. He accused both Russia and Ukraine of crimes. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), who is also on the committee, is among the Republicans who’ve said they disagree with Trump’s criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Meeks and Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) have introduced a bipartisan resolution in support of Ukraine. Trump said Monday he believes Putin wants to make a deal to end the war. He last week said Zelenskyy was a bad negotiator and a “dictator” who is “grossly incompetent.” — Emily Ngo More from Congress: — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says he believes Trump has been a “chaos agent” and that the GOP prioritizes billionaires in the budget being considered today. (Stephen A. Smith Show) — Jeffries urges “maximum attendance” from Democrats this week ahead of a tight budget vote. (POLITICO) — Vanity Fair’s Molly Jong-Fast insists she won’t challenge Rep. Jerry Nadler, but says someone should. (Vanity Fair)
| | | | A message from Uber:  
| | | | | NEW YORK STATE OF MIND | | — A judge dismissed a lawsuit to overturn the pending closure of Mount Sinai Beth Israel. (POLITICO Pro) — The MTA says it’s on target to meet its congestion pricing revenue goals. (NY1) — “Super exciting” appearance by short-beaked dolphins in the East River offers hope of a cleaner New York. (The Guardian)
| | SOCIAL DATA | | Edited by Daniel Lippman MEDIAWATCH: Lester Holt announced that he will step down from his role as anchor and managing editor of “NBC Nightly News” in the summer, marking another shake-up at 30 Rock. Holt will continue in his full-time role for “Dateline.” No successor was named in the announcement. — The Amsterdam News is turning its newsroom, and several other floors of its building in Harlem, into a museum. (The New York Times) MAKING MOVES: Mike Pompeo is heading to Columbia University as a fellow in its Institute of Global Politics to teach “diplomacy, decision-making and organizational leadership, starting in March,” per WSJ. — Former New York City Council Member Karen Koslowitz has joined Lemma Strategies as a senior vice president. FOR YOUR RADAR: “Crisis PR Drama Starring Lizzy Caplan From Halley Feiffer & A24 Heats Up TV Marketplace,” by Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva: “[A] timely drama about a fictional crisis PR executive played by Lizzy Caplan has hit the TV marketplace, sparking interest and landing five offers, with Hulu, Netflix and Amazon among those pursuing … No one would comment, but the untitled series … is inspired by the New York Magazine article ‘Get Me Risa Heller!’ by Shawn McCreesh.” WHAT WALL STREET IS READING: “New mentorship movement: Book, video series from Sen. Dave McCormick and Dina Powell McCormick,” by Axios’ Mike Allen and Noah Bressner: “The book features interviews with major business and political leaders — including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, fashion legend Tory Burch, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R), Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D), former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and hit producer Brian Grazer — who share how mentors changed their lives.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Law360’s Anna Sanders … Syracuse City Auditor Alexander Marion … New York City Environmental Justice Alliance’s Conor Bambrick … Kate Theobald of the Bronx DA’s office … Bousquet Holstein’s Gary Lavine … Tom Nides … Tim Berry … NBC’s Matt Dixon (4-0) … Gina Kolata … Bob Schieffer … CNN’s Hadas Gold … Madison Donzis … Eric Wall … Jack Dew … (WAS MONDAY): Owen Gleiberman ... Benjamin Safdie … (WAS SATURDAY:) Cozen O’Connor’s Ken Fisher … former state Sens. Patty Ritchie and Joseph Robach. APOLOGIES: To Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Hank Sheinkopf, NYC BOE’s Mike Corbett, YMCA of Greater NY’s Sharon Levy and broadcast legend Diane Sawyer, whose birthdays are actually on December 22, not February 22 as New York Playbook mistakenly reported Monday. Missed Monday’s New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.
| | | | 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.
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