What’s next for Hochul’s housing plan?

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Sep 14, 2023 View in browser   By Nick Reisman, Emily Ngo, Jeff Coltin and Jason Beeferman Presented by Democratic lawmakers said they are willing to work with Hochul on housing policy, despite the governors' pivot to dealing with the issue through executive action. | Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul State lawmakers do not want housing policy to be a solo act for Gov. Kathy Hochul. Hochul has unspooled her go-it-alone housing plans this summer, which included a mix of incentives for local governments as well as tax breaks for targeted projects. The governor pivoted to executive action after her expansive proposal to build 800,000 new units of housing failed with state lawmakers earlier this year, which led to finger pointing in Albany. Nevertheless, Democratic lawmakers told Playbook they are willing to work with Hochul on the issue — and signaled it can’t only be the governor who puts her stamp on housing policy in New York. “This is not something one person, no matter how powerful as a governor, can do alone,” said Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, the chair of the Assembly Housing Committee. How expansive a housing package can be remains unclear. Many roadblocks from this year will likely continue into 2024. There are disagreements over reviving the 421a tax abatement favored by developers. Hochul has not embraced a proposal known as Good Cause eviction that has been staunchly backed by progressive advocates and lawmakers. Some Democratic lawmakers insist any housing deal must include the provision, which is meant to sharply curtail evictions and rent increases. The measure has been opposed by landlord groups. “Does it need to include Good Cause? Yes, it does,” Sen. Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx) said. The politics of housing have also not changed. Suburban officials opposed Hochul’s efforts to expand housing, which included provisions like overriding local zoning for qualified projects. In an election year for all 213 seats in the Legislature, getting a deal could be even tougher, some Democrats have quietly conceded. But even a more modest agreement could make a difference, said Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat. “We don’t need to hit a grand slam,” he said. “We need to hit enough singles and doubles to produce all the housing that we need. It’s not going to happen all at once.” As for the latest happening: The debate will continue Thursday in Albany. The state Association for Affordable Housing is holding its annual conference with county executives and Hochul administration officials to discuss housing policies. IT’S THURSDAY. Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE’S KATHY? In New York City, Nassau and Erie counties with no public schedule. WHERE’S ERIC? Delivering remarks at an event honoring a woman who was killed in Iran, making an economic development announcement on Staten Island, hosting a reception celebrating African heritage and attending a pop-up dinner event. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I know everyone wants to be done with Covid, but Covid is not done with us.” — Hochul on a new vaccine coming and warning about a spike from a new variant. A message from Uber: Every Uber trip in New York City helps pay for public transit. The MTA gets $2.83 from a $25 Uber trip in Manhattan below 96th street.   ABOVE THE FOLD Former New York City's Buildings Commissioner Eric Ulrich (right) is escorted into Supreme Court on Sept. 13, 2023, in New York. | Mary Altaffer/AP Photo FORMER ADAMS AIDE ARRAIGNED: Former Department of Buildings Commissioner Eric Ulrich was charged Wednesday with exchanging access and official favors for $150,000 in cash and gifts that included a bespoke suit, discounted real estate, Mets season tickets and a painting by a Salvador Dalí apprentice, POLITICO reports. He pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of bribery, conspiracy and filing false financial information. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg accused Ulrich of using his commissioner post as well as his previous perches as senior adviser to Mayor Eric Adams and as a Queens City Council member “to line his pockets.” Adams was not implicated but was repeatedly referenced in the indictments, which painted his administration in an unflattering light and alleged he met with some of Ulrich’s co-defendants. An Adams spokesperson said, “To avoid speculation, the mayor has not received any requests from the Manhattan DA surrounding this matter and has never spoken to Mr. Ulrich about this investigation.” — Jeff Coltin, Joe Anuta and Emily Ngo   GO INSIDE THE WORLD’S BIGGEST DIPLOMATIC PLATFORM WITH UNGA PLAYBOOK: The 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly will jam some of the world's most influential leaders into four city blocks in Manhattan. POLITICO's special edition UNGA Playbook will take you inside this important gathering starting Sept. 17 — revealing newsy nuggets throughout the week and insights into the most pressing issues facing global decision-makers today. Sign up for UNGA Playbook.     WHAT CITY HALL IS READING Former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and state Sen. Jessica Ramos, potential primary challengers to Adams in 2025, responded to the mayor's "Destroy NYC" comments Wednesday on CNN. | Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office MIGRANTS … AND 2025: Two Democrats floated as potential primary challengers to Adams teamed up Wednesday to slam his recent rhetoric on the influx of migrants. “These individuals who are incredibly brave, who fled violence and poverty we can’t even understand … they’re not going to break this city,” said former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, appearing alongside State Senator Jessica Ramos on CNN’s “Amanpour.” Ramos and Quinn, who currently heads WIN shelter system, were responding to Adams’ statement that the crisis will “destroy” New York City. “We don’t have a migrant crisis; we have a management crisis,” Ramos posted on social media before the national TV appearance. But like Adams, the two appealed to the federal government for more help. Some of that help is in the mail. Rep. Dan Goldman said Wednesday that $100 million previously earmarked for New York City is on its way. — Emily Ngo More from the city: — Council Shahana Hanif, who voted against an “End Jew Hatred” resolution, is introducing a bill to launch an antisemitism education campaign. (The Forward) — A new City Council bill expected to be introduced Thursday would allow reusable containers in all city sports venues. (NY Daily News)   A message from Uber:   WHAT ALBANY'S READING After making an inappropriate comment to Assemblymember Catalina Cruz during an Assembly Codes Committee vote in May, Danny O’Donnell (D-Manhattan) will have to participate in anti-harassment and discrimination training. | AP Photo HE SAID WHAT? Assemblymember Danny O’Donnell (D-Manhattan) was ordered to undergo anti-harassment and discrimination training by the chamber’s ethics committee — a sanction that comes after he made a crude remark to Assemblymember Catalina Cruz. O’Donnell in May told Cruz to “grow a pair, honey” during a contentious vote of the Assembly Codes Committee. O’Donnell later apologized to Cruz. The Assembly Ethics Committee on Wednesday in a letter said it had conducted an investigation and found O’Donnell “appeared candid, sincere, and remorseful in his testimony.” — Nick Reisman  CALL ME MAYBE… NEVER? Hochul signed legislation Wednesday that nearly doubles fines for pesky telemarketers who violate the federal Do Not Call Registry. “Every day, hard-working New Yorkers are forced to field call after call from relentless telemarketers,” Hochul said in a statement. In December, Hochul signed into law a bill that mandates telemarketers ask customers if they want to be placed on a do-not-call list at the start of most calls. Wednesday’s measure, which raises violators’ maximum fine from an $11,000 penalty to $20,000, will send “a clear message that New York won’t tolerate these frustrating, unsolicited calls,” Hochul said. — Jason Beeferman More from Albany: — Attorney General Tish James is suing a travel agency over refunds for postponed trips that were refused. (Times Union) — A state law for background checks on ammunition purchases is now in effect. (NY1)   Enter the “room where it happens”, where global power players shape policy and politics, with Power Play. POLITICO’s brand-new podcast will host conversations with the leaders and power players shaping the biggest ideas and driving the global conversations, moderated by award-winning journalist Anne McElvoy. Sign up today to be notified of the first episodes in September – click here.     FROM THE DELEGATION Rep. George Santos will likely see his successor chosen by Nassau County GOP Chairman Joe Cairo if Santos is forced out of his congressional seat. | John Minchillo/AP Photo EYES TOWARD CAIRO: Spotted Tuesday on the Long Island Rail Road was Nassau County GOP rising star Mazi Pilip. She is a potential favorite to be tapped by county Republican chair Joe Cairo should Rep. George Santos be forced from his seat. But Pilip, a Nassau County legislator, was tight-lipped on the party’s plans should Santos have to flee his post. “The chairman of the Nassau County Republican Party, he makes the decision,” Pilip told Playbook. “We are waiting patiently, and if he’s going to ask me to run I will definitely consider that.” Pilip had recently been texting Cairo during his trip to Israel with other Nassau GOP officials. “He’s an amazing leader,” she said. “A man of action who cares about the people.” — Jason Beeferman A message from Uber: When you pay $25 for an Uber trip below 96th street in Manhattan, $5 goes to government fees including over half to the MTA MTA: $2.83 New York City: $.90 New York State: $.80 Black Car Fund: $.55   AROUND NEW YORK — Pigs and sheep might be the answer to graze solar farms. (Democrat and Chronicle) — A daylong smashing spree in the subway scuttled routes. (The City) — Delaware North isn’t giving up on its culinary delights at Bills games before the new stadium opens. (Buffalo News) SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Bloomberg’s Jennifer Jacobs … NYT’s Matt Flegenheimer and Tim Arango … Axios’ Hans Nichols … MSNBC’s Alex Korson … Elliot Berke of Berke Farah … NBC’s Scott Foster … Bloomberg’s Katie Boyce … Jillian Hughes of Green Ribbon Media … Rachel Bissex of News Corp. ... Julia Savel … Courtney Cohen … Dan Morris … Victoria Esser … Naomi Karavani … (was Wednesday): Stephen Siegel ... Jeffrey Lifschultz ... Walter Suskind ... David Behmoaras (h/ts Jewish Insider) Real Estate — An ode to Saratoga, “a sophisticated urban oasis in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains.” (New York Times)   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

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