| | | |  | | By Nick Reisman, Janaki Chadha, Emily Ngo and Jeff Coltin | | Presented by |  | | | | 
Opponents are attacking former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's track record. | Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images | NEW YORK MINUTE: New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who is expected to enter the race for mayor on the heels of Andrew Cuomo’s announcement, is set to deliver her 2025 State of the City address today in Manhattan. More below. GUV AND THE CITY: Andrew Cuomo’s comeback bid for mayor portrays New York as a city in crisis. His opponents blame the former governor for many of the problems that he has pledged to fix. Cuomo’s mass transit and housing policies, as well as his storied battle with then-Mayor Bill de Blasio, have been weaponized by his opponents, attacks that go to the heart of his campaign message — that he’s a competent manager and effective leader. His Democratic rivals argue Cuomo’s decadelong tenure in Albany left the mass transit system and housing programs the worse for wear. And they question whether he’s fully committed to a city where he only reregistered to vote last summer. “Being mayor may help Andrew Cuomo, but it won’t do a damn thing for New Yorkers,” said Scott Stringer, a former city comptroller and mayoral candidate, in a video released by his campaign. Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi rolled his eyes at the criticism — slamming the left-leaning opponents while also touting the former governor’s record of championing big projects like LaGuardia Airport and Moynihan Train Hall. “New York City is in crisis, and we need a serious, proven leader who can get the job done,” he said. “Instead of meeting the moment, these nameless faceless politicians, some of whom have been in office since the 90s, are flailing around trying to rewrite history because they have no real records of their own — other than bear hugging extreme DSA rhetoric and cutting $1 billion from the NYPD budget.” Cuomo himself has been in elected office since 2007. And the front-running candidate’s long record has already been fodder for his lesser-known rivals running against him. Running for mayor requires a degree of authenticity for New York voters, like a trip to a bodega or a subway commute. A proud Queens native, Cuomo has spent much of the last decade living in Westchester County or Albany. He changed his voter registration last summer to a Manhattan address. “Changing your voter registration doesn’t mean you understand what it’s like to be a real New Yorker,” said Jasmine Gripper, co-director of the left-leaning Working Families Party, which has long battled the former governor and will be screening mayoral candidates Sunday. Still, Cuomo’s potential appeal may lie with a desire among voters for a strong personality to take on the complicated task of running City Hall during a time of perceived drift in New York. It’s partially why Cuomo’s team is leaning into his controversial leadership during Covid: The former governor is perceived to be at his best in times of crisis. — Nick Reisman and Janaki Chadha HAPPY TUESDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE’S KATHY? In Albany, speaking with farmers and agriculture leaders. WHERE’S ERIC? In Washington D.C., testifying before the U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Committee. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Where is the process that we’re supposed to follow instead of this sort of lynch mob mentality? That’s what we should be angry about. We have witnessed the lynch mob mentality before.” — Mayor Eric Adams on efforts to remove him from office, responding to a reporter’s question about his use of the word “Negroes” to describe people seeking to oust him.
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City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams will give her State of the City speech on Tuesday. | Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images | ADRIENNE SPEAKS: Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is set to give a state of the city speech like no other today. The oft-reserved leader of the 51-member legislative body is widely believed to be making a late entry into the mayoral race — and her remarks at Lincoln Center will be filtered through that prism. Adams, who is not related to the mayor, plans to focus her speech on the type of leadership the city needs in the face of a Trump administration and Republican-led Congress she sees as hostile to the pillars of local Democratic governance, according to her office. If past remarks are any indication, the current mayor does not fit that profile. The speaker has previously talked about the harm she believes her counterpart is doing to New Yorkers by not standing up to Trump — though the mayor has defended himself by saying a cordial approach to the White House is the best way to prevent funding cuts. In her speech, Adams plans to highlight city council accomplishments that include a series of bills providing for increased mental health services, money allocated to establish trauma recovery centers for survivors of violent crime and a guaranteed income program for a subset of the city’s expectant mothers. She will also tout the body’s passage of City of Yes, a rezoning proposal from the mayoral administration, and will introduce several new initiatives. Most observers, however, will be reading between the lines for clues about how Adams would run as a mayoral candidate after she established a campaign committee last week. At a press briefing shortly afterward, the speaker offered her pointed remarks on the mayor’s tenure and suggested her entry into the race might scramble the calculus for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is seeking votes in Adams’ backyard. “For those that believe in Andrew Cuomo, again, we will let the voters decide on those things,” she said Thursday. “The other factor is: when and if I announce, it may be something that turns the tide completely.” — Joe Anuta
| | | | CALIFORNIA DECODED: The technology industry and its key characters are driving the national political narrative right now, but it is also a uniquely California story. To understand how the Golden State is defining tech policy and politics within its borders and beyond, we’ve launched POLITICO Pro Technology: California Decoded. This new daily newsletter will track how industry players in Silicon Valley are trying to influence state and national lawmakers – and how government officials are encouraging or foiling those figures. Sign up now to get a limited, free trial of this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. | | | | | | | CITY HALL: THE LATEST | | | 
State Sen. Simcha Felder is not endorsing former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, but has shown his approval toward the mayoral candidate. | Hans Pennink/AP | AP Photo | FELDER: CUOMO IS THE NEW GIULIANI: State Sen. Simcha Felder says he doesn’t endorse candidates. But he’s offering kind words for Cuomo as the former governor launches his mayoral bid. “There are many similarities to when Giuliani ran, and I certainly think that he and Gov. Cuomo have many similar characteristics. The city is in bad shape,” Felder said. “The city needs to be cleaned up … And of the candidates, he is the only one that I believe has the experience and the determination to make sure that happens.” Felder has spent decades as a political leader of the city’s large Orthodox Jewish population, a voter-rich demographic in municipal elections. Cuomo developed strong relations with that community during his time as governor, but left on somewhat iffy terms due to issues like his closure of religious facilities during the pandemic. “It’s not as though people don’t care about that, but people think about now,” Felder said. “They think about getting on the train, about people lying on the sidewalks defecating and about their safety and security primarily.” And a lot of voters think Cuomo might be the best one to address those problems: “Even people who don’t want to vote for him view him as that,” Felder said. — Bill Mahoney CUOMO FILES: Cuomo’s mayoral campaign has filed with the Campaign Finance Board, an indication he will attempt to participate in the city’s matching fund program — the first time the former governor will be trying to leverage individual donations for public dollars. A filing on the board’s website Monday shows he’s retained Kristofer Graham as his treasurer. An independent expenditure committee has also formed to aid Cuomo. The PAC is being manned by longtime confidant Steve Cohen. — Nick Reisman BIG SPENDERS: Firms hoping to snag casino licenses topped an annual list of city lobbying spending — another indication that three pending downstate casino licenses have been a bonanza for the lobbying and consulting world. An effort by Mets owner Steve Cohen topped the list. A limited-liability company associated with Cohen’s bid for a gambling operation adjacent to Citi Field in Queens dropped a total of $1.4 million on a whopping 13 lobbying firms over the course of 2024, per an annual report from the City Clerk’s lobbying bureau. That roster included Tusk Strategies and a firm run by former Assemblymember Marcos Crespo. Another company affiliated with the effort inked more than $500,000 worth of lobbying contracts with law firm Fried Frank. A firm controlled by Genting Group, which owns the Resorts World New York City casino in Queens, was second on the list with contracts to three lobbyists including Patrick Jenkins and Bolton-St. Johns coming in at just under $1 million. The flood of activity comes as bidders will make their submissions to the state gaming board this summer, with a winner set to be selected by the end of the year. The lobbying report, released annually on March 1, found Suri Kasirer’s firm was again the highest compensated outfit, according to disclosures submitted to the bureau, with more than $17 million worth of contracts. She was followed by Bolton St.-Johns and Pitta Bishop & Del Giorno. — Joe Anuta More from the city: — Cuomo’s campaign has taken on a host of veteran political operatives. (New York Post) — Two senior Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are launching an investigation into the Justice Department’s move to dismiss corruption charges against Adams. (POLITICO) — Adams has released social media rules to mayoral staffers, seeking to provide clarity in an area where his administration has faced controversy. (Gothamist)
| | NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY | | | 
Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt has joined the State Senate GOP in supporting tax exemptions for tips. | Hans Pennink/AP | HERE’S A TIP: Donald Trump. Andrew Cuomo. State Senate Republicans. They all want to end taxes on tips. The Senate GOP on Monday became the latest group to join the push to eliminate taxes on tips (as well as overtime pay) in a populist bid to show voters that officials are trying to address the sky-high cost of living. “At a time when so many New Yorkers are struggling with rising costs on everything from groceries to utility bills, it’s imperative we do anything we can to make sure they are able to keep more of their hard-earned money in their own pockets,” Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt said. Ending taxes on tips became a key plank in Trump’s successful 2024 presidential run. Cuomo, now running for New York City mayor, unveiled a policy white paper Monday that also called for an end to state income taxes on gratuities. The measures could help Senate Republicans, who hold a powerless minority, win back some voters by championing a cause Trump successfully wielded. But the measures omit, exactly, how much the loss of revenue would cost the state. Hochul, too, has responded to the inflation pressures facing New Yorkers. She wants a $3 billion middle-income tax cut and proposed sending $300 rebate checks to taxpayers. The latter proposal has an uncertain path in the Legislature, where lawmakers are skeptical. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — A bill from Assemblymember Alex Bores would limit artificial intelligence systems in hopes of preventing an AI doomsday scenario. (Bloomberg Government) — Hochul has grand ambitions to build up the city of Albany. (City & State) — Thousands of corrections officers risk losing their health insurance if they don’t return to work. (Spectrum News)
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said that "it is important to have a strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber” in a letter to colleagues. | Francis Chung/POLITICO | BE THEIR GUEST: There are several ways for the minority party to make a statement tonight at President Donald Trump’s address to Congress: Whether they boycott (most will not), who they chose as rebuttal speakers (Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Rep. Adriano Espaillat of New York), what they wear (Dem women have in the past donned suffragette white) and who they bring as their guests. “It is important to have a strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Monday evening in a “dear colleagues” letter. “The House as an institution belongs to the American people, and as their representatives we will not be run off the block or bullied.” Several New York Democrats have invited guests who are feeling — and fear — the impact of Trump policies such as federal layoffs and potential health care cuts. Other Democrats will share seats with people representing causes they’ve long championed. Here’s a sampling of who’s bringing whom: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer: Alissa Ellman, a disabled Army veteran fired from her job with the Veterans Affairs department in Buffalo. Rep. Grace Meng: Luke Graziani, a Queens resident and Army veteran terminated from his job at a Bronx veterans hospital. Rep. Paul Tonko: Julie Farrar, a disability rights advocate and Medicaid recipient. Rep. Josh Riley: Sadie Lincoln, a private first class with the Army and single mother whose son’s health care could be threatened. Rep. Tom Suozzi: Ronen Neutra, father of slain Hamas hostage Omer Neutra. — Emily Ngo More from Congress: — Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, blasted the international group as a “deep den of antisemitism.” (The Hill) — Jeffries pushed back on Trump’s claim that the outcry congressional Republicans have faced at recent town halls has come from paid protesters. (The Hill) — House Ways and Means Republicans are tentatively scheduled on March 10 and 12 to start drafting the GOP’s party-line bill enacting Trump’s tax agenda. (POLITICO)
| | NEW YORK STATE OF MIND | | — Head of New York’s FBI field office, James Dennehy, was forced to resign as part of a Trump administration shakeup. (New York Post) — Statewide memo says court officers “should neither obstruct nor assist” if federal immigration agents try to execute an arrest without a warrant in a courthouse. (Hell Gate) — Texas’ Republican lieutenant governor has moved for the state’s restaurants and groceries to change the name of the “New York strip” steak cut to the “Texas strip.” (The Guardian)
| | SOCIAL DATA | | Edited by Daniel Lippman MAKING MOVES: Addison Dick is now Rapid Response Director for the New York State Democratic Party. He was most recently on the DNC Rapid Response team. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: POLITICO’s Nick Reisman and Mark McQuillan … Ken Lovett … state Sen. Sean Ryan … Bryan Lesswing, senior adviser to the governor … James Katz, deputy secretary for economic development and workforce in the governor’s office … Jason Ortiz … NBC’s Vaughn Hillyard … Emily Bazelon … Ellen Gilmer of Bloomberg Government … Kate Bennett … Melvin Backman … … (WAS MONDAY): Ira Glass … Elaina Plott Calabro … Ron Chernow … Susan Zirinsky … Mayer Brown’s Andrew Olmem … Danielle Sassoon ... Michael Kassen ... David Steinhardt ... Anat Hakim … Mary Brunelli … (WAS SUNDAY): Kevin Madden … Ashley Chang of the Rockefeller Foundation … Caitlin McFall … Jeffrey Chodorow ... Laraine Newman ... Alec Brook-Krasny ... Katie Rosman ... Dave Itzkoff … … (WAS SATURDAY): POLITICO’s Dasha Burns and Jasper Goodman … Lorraine Woellert … NBC’s Bridget Bowman … HUD’s Kasey Lovett … Joel Wachs ... Lou Gerstner ... Philippe Dauman ... Dave Malkoff ... Harry Enten ... Hannah Klain ... Assaf Lowengart … Meghan Milloy … Nigel Duara … (WAS FRIDAY): Frank Gehry ... Anthony W. Marx ... Moti Kahana ... Peter Beinart Missed Monday’s New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.
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