POLITICO New York Playbook PM: At the convention: The message is unity

Presented by Healthcare Education Project: Your afternoon must-read briefing informing the daily conversation among knowledgeable New Yorkers

Feb 17, 2022 View in browser   By Anna Gronewold and Joseph Spector Presented by Healthcare Education Project CONVENTION TIME: Hello from the Times Square Sheraton, where the state Democratic party is hyping up members at their convention on an oddly warm February day (we call this Fool's Spring). Fireworks, so far, have been few, unless you count Attorney General Tish James' barn-burner speech in which shevowed not to be bulliedby either Andrew Cuomo or Donald Trump. The party likes what it's got going on, and has backed incumbents Gov. Kathy Hochul, Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, James, Comptroller Tom Dinapoli and U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer for reelection. The overall message — whether voluntary or forced — appears to be unity as the party bolsters its defenses for what some worry could be a brutal midterm. Though vaccinations are required to enter the hall, masks are optional and the event, for better or worse, carries the celebratory feel of one of the first major in-person gatherings where Covid-19 hasn't been a headline. "It's like, 'Wow! You're more than a Zoom box,'" Bronx state Sen. Jamaal Bailey said of seeing some of his peers for the first time. Good times are not entirely being had by all. As a regular reminder that no Latino candidates have ever been elected to statewide office, the party initially had no Latino officials scheduled to speak today, but Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Assemblymember Catalina Cruz and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso were late adds to the list. The further left has made noise saying that establishment Democrats are blocking the progressive wing by offering support to more moderate candidates like Hochul. Housing and immigration advocates planned rallies, saying Hochul is not doing enough to create safeguards for undocumented workers and vulnerable tenants. There's always a Clinton angle, and the party continues to lean on Hillary's voice. She was the day's keynote speaker, preceding Hochul's remarks to close out the day. Clinton also apparently had the responsibility of calling Rep. Tom Suozzi shortly after he launched his longshot primary challenge against Hochul to ask him to duck out of the race and stay in Congress. He did not and will not acquiesce, he told reporters this morning after a breakfast where he and fellow gubernatorial hopeful Jumaane Williams briefly addressed the state committee. Williams, who sources say was working up until the final minutes to get his name on the ballot through the convention process (it didn't work — though he's previously said he expects he will have to petition) said he's disappointed with just how, well…typical… the convention has shown itself to be so far. "The Democratic Party has repeatedly over time said we are going to reject any message that is not about the status quo," Williams said. IT'S THURSDAY: Welcome back to the second annual installment of PM Playbook, an afternoon check-in to spill the day's tea — as we know it thus far — during one of the busiest seasons in New York politics.   A message from Healthcare Education Project: When COVID-19 hit New York, frontline healthcare workers answered the call. But as the system was stretched to the limit and New Yorkers struggled to find care, greedy health insurers pocketed billions. Despite these record profits, insurers are back squeezing hospitals for more. Doctors and caregivers can no longer survive on razor thin margins. Join us and help stop for-profit insurers from getting between doctors and their patients. Learn more.   From the 3rd Floor WELCOME TO ALBANY: Two new Assemblymembers were sworn in to replace vacancies created after lawmakers resigned to join the New York City Council. Speaker Carl Heastie, who is running the Legislature today while the rest of Albany leaders are away on convention business, congratulated Assemblymembers Nikki Lucas of Brooklyn and Manny De Los Santos from Manhattan on Twitter. The Campaign Trail SHARPE IS BACK: Libertarian Larry Sharpe announced his second run for governor on Thursday while Democrats were holding their convention. Sharpe received 95,000 votes during his first run four years ago. He ran a spirited race and drew a loyal following despite not getting enough votes to have an automatic spot on the ballot in 2022. This year, he said he expects the backing of three upstart parties: Libertarian, former presidential candidate Andrew Yang's Forward Party and Unite NY. Sharpecited a recent Zogby poll that showed he could get 6 percent of the vote in a three-way race with Hochul and Republican candidate Lee Zeldin — enough to make him an influential figure. "The poll made clear that people are dissatisfied with politics in our state and are seeking alternatives. Providing more choices in New York will be best achieved by coalitions instead of contentious partisanship," Sharpe said in a statement.     On the Beats NEARLY 1.7B WAGERED: New York's first month — actually only 23 days — of mobile sports betting produced staggering and record-breaking results: nearly $1.7 billion wagered and $24 million in revenue, data from the state Gaming Commission on Thursday showed. The previous record was $1.3 billion in October in New Jersey. But the data also showed something else interesting: New York's burgeoning business didn't pull from New Jersey. New Jersey in January had $1.34 billion in bets, surpassing its previous high, state records showed. Check back Friday: Super Bowl betting results should be in. PSC TALKS ENERGY BILLS: Public Service Commission Chairman Rory Christian touched very briefly on higher bills today. He said the commission and utilities don't control supply costs but "that is of little consolation to individuals who have seen their bills double." He noted an issue with Con Ed's billing practices that don't fully pass on the benefits of hedging energy cost volatility in the same month spikes can happen. Christian has asked Con Ed to rethink that practice. A response is due Feb. 28. This may fall short of the ask from some congressional lawmakers for a full-fledged investigation. Christian noted that projected bill increases were discussed by the commission in October, with a push to educate consumers. Since then, Christian noted that hopes for a mild winter faded and geopolitical turmoil along with unprecedented inflation drove higher prices. Big decisions lie ahead on the state's climate law and the PSC will be focused on ensuring affordability. — Marie J. French AROUND NEW YORK — Albany High School was on lockdownafter to a report of a person with a weapon and after an incident at the school sent two people to the hospital. — Dozens of groups across the state are asking Gov. Kathy Hochul and lawmakers to include $1 billion in the budget for community-based anti-violence programs. — The town supervisors of Wales and Marilla are speaking with residents about a plan to secede from Erie County and join Wyoming County. — The race for the Republican nomination in the new 24th congressional district is getting crowded. — Bill de Blasio may have taken a pass on running for the Democratic nomination in the 11th congressional district, but the campaign for the party's nod doesn't lack for drama.   A message from Healthcare Education Project: Whether it's increasing out-of-pocket expenses, denying claims, or excluding hospitals and caregivers from their networks, greedy, for-profit insurance companies have been profiting off of hardworking New Yorkers for too long. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, heroic frontline healthcare workers stepped up, saved lives, and kept families healthy. But the pandemic devastated our entire healthcare system and pushed it to the brink. Even as New Yorkers struggled to find care and healthcare workers made gut-wrenching sacrifices to fight the pandemic, insurers put profits ahead of patients - muscling the doctors and hospitals that saved lives during COVID-19. Last year the top 10 health insurers pocketed more than $40 billion. Join our movement to demand NYS lawmakers put patients before profits. Learn more.     Follow us on Twitter Anna Gronewold @annagronewold Joseph Spector @JoeSpectorNY   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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