| | | | | |  | | By Julia Marsh, Anna Gronewold and Zachary Schermele | | | “I’m not here to be negative to another state,” former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at the top of a debate about whether Florida or New York is the more livable state. Then he proceeded to do just that. “Florida is going in the wrong direction unfortunately when it comes to MAGA extremism,” de Blasio said in his opening remarks for the virtual sparring session with the Manhattan Institute’s conservative political commentator Reihan Salam. Open to Debate hosted the conversation titled, “Is Florida Eating New York’s Lunch” amid reports that more than 10,000 New Yorkers have relocated to the Sunshine State so far this year. “There’s some beautiful places in Florida, I get that,” de Blasio said. “The Floridian model of development is not a particularly sustainable one,” he said, decrying the state’s use of gas-guzzling SUVs and suburban sprawl. Meanwhile Salam avoided many of the usual talking points of the right in the Florida vs. New York debate. He barely mentioned taxes, the exodus of wealthy New Yorkers or crime. Instead, he focused on the Empire State’s affordability crisis — something Gov. Kathy Hochul has also honed in on. “We’re really losing strivers,” said Salam, noting that the city’s workforce has not bounced back from the pandemic in sectors like construction and hospitality that often employ working class and immigrant New Yorkers. He also decried the cost of housing. “I think New York City is great. I pay a lot of money to live here,” said Salam, who noted his parents immigrated to the Big Apple from Bangladesh in the 1970s. But, he said, “the city has become an aristocracy,” adding that it’s only “tolerable” for the rich and otherwise unlivable for the poor and middle class. The event was taped on Friday but airs April 28 on the Open to Debate podcast. Listen to the end for questions from POLITICO, The New York Times, City & State and Tallahassee’s WFSU Public Radio. IT’S MONDAY: Got tips, suggestions or thoughts? Let us know ... By email: agronewold@politico.com or on Twitter: @annagronewold WHERE’S KATHY? In Albany with no announced public schedule. WHERE’S ERIC? In New York City appearing on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” before holding a media briefing ahead of the House Judiciary Committee’s planned field hearing. Then he’ll make a climate- and food-related announcement before meeting with the consul general of France. After that he will speak at the Chinese Merchant Association’s annual convention and a gala for Volunteers of America. DAYS THE BUDGET IS LATE: 17
| | | | A message from Community Offshore Wind: Community Offshore Wind is helping New York meet its ambitious emission reductions targets. We’re lifting up communities and bringing widespread benefits across the state, introducing good-paying union jobs, providing access to childcare for those training and working in the offshore wind industry, creating inclusive workforce development programs, and empowering disadvantaged communities to ensure no one is left behind. We have strong roots in New York and are deeply committed to ensuring that New York communities thrive. | | | |  | What City Hall's reading | | “GOP has cast NYC as a crime-ridden hellscape. Data is countering the narrative,” by WNYC’s Jon Campbell: “A pandemic-era rise in crime has dominated the political landscape in New York City and across the state in recent years, with Republicans using it to help propel them to wins in congressional races on Long Island last year and a closer-than-expected showing in the governor’s race. Now, as Bragg leads the prosecution of former President Donald Trump, the Republican-led committee is pushing ahead with a hearing that promises to put the issue on a national stage. … It all comes despite what crime data shows: New York City is one of the safest big cities in the U.S., with per-capita violent crime rates below many of the nation’s other large metropolises, such as St. Louis, Missouri.” — “Ahead of GOP panel on Bragg, NY Sen. Schumer calls on Republicans to denounce Trump attacks on FBI,” by Daily News’ Shant Shahrigian “A Tiny Number of Shoplifters Commit Thousands of New York City Thefts,” by The New York Times’ Hurubie Meko: “Nearly a third of all shoplifting arrests in New York City last year involved just 327 people, the police said. Collectively, they were arrested and rearrested more than 6,000 times, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said. Some engage in shoplifting as a trade, while others are driven by addiction or mental illness; the police did not identify the 327 people in the analysis. The victims are also concentrated: 18 department stores and seven chain pharmacy locations accounted for 20 percent of all complaints, the police said.” SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE weighed in on the city’s newest authority and conservative borough: “Kathleen Corradi was announced New York City’s first rat czar — a title that was formerly known as Miss Staten Island,” Weekend Update co-host Michael Che said.
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | | | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | “NY’s budget late 4th year in a row and more delay expected,” by Times Union’s Brendan J. Lyons: “‘We’re making good progress,’ Hochul said Friday. ‘I know the Legislature will be back soon and I'm looking forward to wrapping this up at some point in the not too distant future. We are working very hard to resolve all key sticking points.’ Policy measures related to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and a proposal by Hochul to create 800,000 new residences over the next 10 years — and in some cases potentially override local zoning codes — are among the issues that are still being worked out by Democratic leaders who are conducting the negotiations on the $227 billion spending plan behind closed doors.” “Hochul Paid $2 Million for Outside Help on State of the State Speeches,” by The New York Times’ Nicholas Fandos and Jay Root: “Although she has no shortage of in-house communicators, policy analysts and budget experts at her disposal, Ms. Hochul, a Democrat, has spent nearly $2 million on additional help, mostly on the giant consulting firms Deloitte Consulting and the Boston Consulting Group, in shaping her vision for the state delivered each January.” “‘We’re taking this very seriously’: NY wildfires burn more than 700 acres of land,” by WNYC’s Giulia Heyward: “It’s wildfire season — and residents across the state should be on high alert. Nearly 20 wildfires have already scorched more than 700 acres of land in New York. ‘We’re generally getting them under control before there are any real problems,’ Basil Seggos, commissioner for the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation told Gothamist on Sunday.” #UpstateAmerica: Awkward: Former NFL All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown says he’s the sole owner of the Albany Empire. His co-owners disagree.
| | | | A message from Community Offshore Wind:   | | | | | FROM THE DELEGATION | | House Democrats’ largest super PAC has started tapping into the $45 million account it's committed to spending in New York to retake seats lost to Republicans in 2022 — and the group says its efforts are already paying off. An affiliate of the House Majority PAC called House Majority Forward did a six-figure ad campaign in competitive congressional districts across the country, including the four the GOP flipped in New York. One ad targeted Rep. Mike Lawler, who eked out a win against Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Sean Patrick Maloney in suburban Westchester and Rockland counties. “Tell Mike Lawler: Don’t hold our economy hostage to cut Social Security and Medicare,” the spot says, capitalizing on concerns that Republicans may try to trim the entitlement programs as part of their position to only lift the debt ceiling so long as substantial federal spending cuts are attached. Chris Russell, senior adviser to the Lawler campaign, said Lawler “is laser-focused on serving all of his constituents, fighting to reduce inflation, lower taxes and spending, and protect Social Security and Medicare. No amount of Democrat dark-money or lies are going to deter or distract him from continuing to serve the people of New York’s 17th District.” — Julia Marsh “George Santos to announce reelection campaign Monday,” by New York Post’s Jon Levine: “Despite facing multiple calls to resign from both parties over a series of lies about his personal and professional life, the Republican congressman has ‘called big donors and sat down with supporters and believes he can raise $500,000 to $750,000 in the second quarter of 2023,’ said a person close to Santos.” — “George Santos Received $5,300 in Donations. He Refunded Far More,” by The New York Times’ Grace Ashford and Michael Gold: “The refunds exceed the $5,333.26 that Mr. Santos has raised in the first quarter of 2023, a net loss that lowers his cash on hand to just over $25,000, according to the reports filed on Saturday with the Federal Election Commission.”
| | | | GO INSIDE THE 2023 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is proud to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage, insider nuggets and unparalleled insights from the 2023 Global Conference, which will convene leaders in health, finance, politics, philanthropy and entertainment from April 30-May 3. This year’s theme, Advancing a Thriving World, will challenge and inspire attendees to lean into building an optimistic coalition capable of tackling the issues and inequities we collectively face. Don’t miss a thing — subscribe today for a front row seat. | | | | | | | AROUND NEW YORK | | — Another FDNY chief has asked to be demoted. — Complaints about misbehavior from NYC teachers and workers jumped up 60 percent from 2021. — The Civilian Complaint Review Board substantiated misconduct by the NYPD’s top uniformed officer, Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey. — Nonprofit legal providers are asking the city to quadruple the budget for no-fee attorneys for people facing eviction. — Some New York schools are trying to keep their Native American mascots, despite a ban. | | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: CNN’s Jim Acosta … NYT’s Julie Hirschfeld Davis … Cecile Rohwedder … New York Public Radio’s Michelle Bocanegra … Shelly Banjo … Atul Shembekar … Valentina Cano … (was Sunday): Matt Saunders (h/t Jeff Naft) … Deborah Zabarenko … Reuters’ Andy Sullivan … S&P Global’s Josh Goldstein … Fox News’ Mary Grace Lucas (4-0) … AP’s Ted Anthony … NBC’s Mosheh Gains … BCW’s Ella Burton … Sally-Shannon Birkel of the U.S. Chamber … Sarah Butler … … (was Saturday): POLITICO’s Anna Gronewold … Goldman Sachs’ John F.W. Rogers … Sarah Bloom Raskin … Pete Rouse … Tom Rosenstiel … Max Neuberger … FTI Consulting’s Cheyenne Hopkins … BCW’s Cara Rich … Bloomberg’s John Harney … Alexandra Hudson, who recently released her Great Course on “Storytelling and the Human Condition” … Cameron McRae MAKING MOVES: Sophie Ota, previously the digital director for John Fetterman's Senate campaign, is the new digital director for NYC Comptroller Brad lander. WHAT WALL STREET IS READING — “Don’t Call Them ‘Barbarians at the Gate’: KKR plans to invest broadly and double earnings as founders Kravis and Roberts prepare to hand off control,” by WSJ’s Miriam Gottfried. (KKR, an investment firm, holds a significant stake in Axel Springer, POLITICO’s parent company.)
| | | | A message from Community Offshore Wind: The clean energy transition is about more than just energy. At Community Offshore Wind, our commitment to communities is at the heart of everything we do. With strong roots in New York, we will deliver widespread benefits across the state and infuse $15 billion into the state economy. This includes creating job training programs to support union labor, investing in our youth to build the workforce of tomorrow, offering childcare for employees and trainees, and building an inclusive clean energy future that empowers disadvantaged communities. Community Offshore Wind is committed to localizing the offshore wind supply chain proposing the first-ever made-in-New-York offshore wind turbines. We have a goal of uplifting communities with the power of clean energy for all. | | | | | Real Estate | |
“Manhattanites invite new housing, hinting at a historic change in attitude,” by Crain’s New York Business’ Nick Garber: “Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine recalled that when he rolled out a list of 171 sites across the island where he thinks new housing should be built, he braced for ‘a NIMBY backlash.’ Instead, not only did his January plan get little pushback, it was met with an enthusiastic response from his constituents, dozens of whom reached out proactively to suggest low-rise lots in their own neighborhoods that could accommodate more apartments.”
“A House Divided: How a Band of Speculators Seized Deeds of Black-Owned Brooklyn Brownstones,” by THE CITY’s George Joseph and Samantha Maldonado: “A quartet of investors say they’re only helping the dispossessed get what’s due. But their actions have exploited family divisions — and relatives on both sides of the deals say they’ve been ripped off.”
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