| | | | |  | | By Joseph Spector, Nick Reisman, Jeff Coltin and Emily Ngo | | | With help from Jason Beeferman
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Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado is aiming to boost Democrats in their bids to win House races in New York’s swing districts next year. | Bebeto Matthews/AP | Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado knows how to win in battleground House races. Now, from his seat at the state Capitol, he wants to help his fellow Democrats next year. The former Hudson Valley representative is building up his political team heading into 2024 in a bid to create a model for Democrats to win in swing districts. He’s also pumping money into the races. “My position across the board has put me in a position,” he said in an interview with Playbook, “to figure out how to connect all these pieces in a district that Trump won, in a rural district, but at the same time having grown up in a Black Baptist church and knowing how to figure out how to connect with farmers, but also those who grew up like me listening to hip hop.” Delgado is a rising star among New York Democrats, and he left Congress in his second term last year to serve as Gov. Kathy Hochul’s second in command. She needed the help: Her initial pick, former Sen. Brian Benjamin, resigned in scandal in April 2022. But as a former lieutenant governor herself, Hochul hasn’t given Delgado a starring role in her administration — despite him being a Rhodes scholar, a lawyer and two-term House member in a vital area for Democrats. So it seems Delgado, 46, is starting to carve his own path. He is leading the state’s Hate and Bias Prevention Unit with incidents skyrocketing across New York and the nation. And now he’s bolstering his own team — both politically and governmentally. His leadership PAC is contributing $5,000 each to several Democratic House candidates — including Josh Riley, Mondaire Jones, Tom Suozzi and Rep. Pat Ryan. He’s bringing on long-time New York political operative Peter Kauffmann and Bluejacket Strategies, which recently hired Delgado’s top aide Jessie Andrews, to guide his political efforts, along with adding veteran fundraiser Kim Kauffman. On the government side, Delgado has hired Amelia Adams as his new chief of staff. She served as a senior adviser to both Hochul’s 2022 campaign and Bill de Blasio’s mayoral runs. Delgado said he’s trying to use his experiences and knowledge of Congress and his travels as lieutenant governor to bolster Democrats’ messaging in suburban and upstate districts. “So it's bringing all these elements to the table,” he said at the Capitol. “I feel like there's a real opportunity to be out front and help usher in a recommitment to our values at a critical moment in time.” It’s rare for a lieutenant governor — a position that usually frustrates its occupants for a lack of substantive duties — to go their own path, particularly when it comes to politics, even though they run separately from governors in primaries. Delgado didn’t let on whether he discussed his plans with Hochul or whether this is setting him up for higher office. But he said next year’s elections are a call for statewide leaders to make their mark. “We are all in a position where we understand the significance of this moment politically, and there's a real sense of the need to come together and work together to get this done,” he continued. “We understand that if we don't do this, the stakes are too high.” — Joseph Spector IT’S FRIDAY. You made it. It’s the weekend. Enjoy and thanks for reading. Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.
| | | | A message from Tax Equity Now New York: New York City's property tax system is broken. For decades, political leaders and independent analysts have agreed that the City’s property tax system disproportionately burdens lower-income and minority neighborhoods and imposes higher taxes on the lowest-valued properties and owners. Learn more about the problem and what we’re doing to ensure NYC has the best and fairest property tax structure in the state and country by visiting TaxEquityNow.nyc. | | | WHERE’S KATHY? In Erie County with no public schedule. WHERE’S ERIC? Conducting a series of live interviews — first with NY1’s “Mornings on 1,” next on 1010 WINS’ “Morning Drive,” then on Fox5’s “Good Day New York,” after that on La Mega 97.9 F.M. and lastly on Good Music, Good Times LIVE’s “The Reset Talk Show” — to start the day, making an announcement related to public housing, attending SAR High School’s robotics demonstration, speaking at the Chinese-American Planning Council’s Appreciation Reception and delivering remarks at Time Television and Bangla Patrika’s anniversary gala. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Why should Democrats stop at gerrymandering? Hell, stack the courts, steal the election, go to third base during Beetlejuice. Why do Republicans get to have all the fun?” — Daily Show Correspondent Desi Lydic in a comedy segment on the redistricting decision in New York. (h/t WNYC’s Jon Campbell)
|  | ABOVE THE FOLD | | | | 
Former Rep. Tom Suozzi said thanks, but no thanks, to appearing on the Working Family Party’s ballot line in the upcoming NY-3 special election. | Cheriss May/Getty Images | NO WFP FOR SUOZZI: Democratic former Rep. Tom Suozzi’s special election bid won’t include running on the progressive Working Families Party ballot line. Suozzi declined the party’s support, two people familiar with the matter told Playbook on Thursday. "We encouraged Tom Suozzi to engage in a process with our membership,” WFP co-directors Ana Maria Archila and Jasmine Gripper said in a statement. “He chose not to apply for our endorsement. While our ballot line won't be live for the special, we remain committed to fighting for working families and ensuring that Republican extremists are defeated in 2024.” Suozzi has run with the WFP’s backing in the past. But the move could shore up Suozzi’s reputation as a moderate Democrat in the race to fill the seat vacated by the expulsion of Republican George Santos. It also comes as Suozzi has moved to stake out a position that is in staunch support of Israel during the ongoing war with Hamas. Still, WFP officials were miffed by Suozzi declining the line, pointing to the success of Democrats like Rep. Pat Ryan had while running a special election in 2022 for a closely contested House seat. Republicans on Thursday picked Mazi Melesa Pilip to run in the Feb. 13 special election against Suozzi. — Nick Reisman
| | WHAT CITY HALL IS READING | | | 
A new report by the Independent Budget Office provides a much more optimistic outlook on the city’s future budget deficits. | Mark Lennihan/AP | NOT JUST PAPER CUTS: New York City’s on track to have a $3.6 billion surplus at the end of this fiscal year — and only a $1.8 billion budget gap to close next year, the Independent Budget Office said in a new report Thursday. That’s a much more optimistic look than the mayor’s budget office, which is predicting a balanced budget for this year and a $7.1 billion deficit for next year. A mayor’s office spokesperson said they hope the IBO is right that the budget is better off than their projections. The IBO’s estimate is lower in part because it factors in lower spending on migrant services resulting from the new policy making shelter residents leave and reapply every 30 or 60 days. The Office of Management and Budget is expected to take that into account for the fiscal year 2025 preliminary budget due in January. There is political upside for Mayor Eric Adams in presenting a more dire fiscal picture. It allows him to continue laying blame for the city’s myriad woes on what he deems insufficient funding from the Biden administration for asylum seekers. It also strengthens the city’s hand when it begins negotiating the budget with the City Council next year. One thing IBO and City Hall agree on is that the budget cuts enacted last month will hurt. They will “impact several vulnerable populations across the City, including public school students (particularly in early childhood),” the report reads, “individuals requiring mental health support, individuals experiencing family violence, individuals who are justice-involved, and juvenile justice-involved youth.” — Jeff Coltin READ IT: Schools Chancellor David Banks is fighting to protect his signature initiative to improve literacy rates among students amid concerns Adams’ latest budget plan will hamper those efforts. Banks told City Council members that as the Department of Education navigates the mayor’s latest round of cuts, he will prioritize a new reading curriculum mandate he launched in May to revamp the manner in which students learn to read. “We have lots of other programs that we have that are wonderful and amazing programs and it breaks my heart that we’ll be cutting anything,” Banks said Thursday during a Council hearing at City Hall. “But if kids can’t read, none of the rest of this stuff really matters … It is the chancellor’s number one priority and so this is what we will fight the hardest to protect.” — Madina Touré More from the city: — A federal judge held the city’s Department of Correction in contempt of court — a stern rebuke of city officials for failing to keep their promises of transparency and communication. (NY1) — Prominent boosters are helping raise money for Adams’ legal defense fund including former Gov. David Paterson and Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. (New York Post) — Bill de Blasio is dating Kristy Stark, who is the founder and CEO of MindsEmerge, an education and literacy company that lists the former mayor among its “experts & advisors.” (New York Post)
| | | | A message from Tax Equity Now New York:   | | | | | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | | 
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo continues to support Mayor Eric Adams and said any talk of the mayor stepping down from his post would “weaken” him in his job. | Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP | SUPPORTING ADAMS: Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo remains a fervent fan of Adams and insisted any talk of a resignation undermines his ability to do his job. In an interview Thursday with Fox 5, Cuomo didn’t want to entertain the notion of Adams stepping down amid a federal corruption probe into his campaign. Adams has not been accused of any wrongdoing. “I don’t want to get into playing a game where that suggests Mayor Adams may be gone because you undercut his ability to do his job,” Cuomo said. “We need him to do his job, and you’re weakening him.” But that scenario — even if a far-fetched one at the moment — could also lead to a Cuomo bid for mayor. The former governor, who resigned in 2021 amid allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct, has discussed the possibility of making a comeback bid even as he continues to face a maze-like legal battle. POLITICO reported in November Cuomo has spoken with supporters about a potential mayoral campaign in the event Adams is no longer in the picture. Publicly, Cuomo has instead stepped up his criticism of the issues facing New York, from the migrant crisis to persistent concerns over crime and homelessness. He has maintained he doesn’t expect the mayor to leave the scene. “I don’t envision any scenario where Mayor Adams steps down,” he told Fox 5 in the interview. “I haven’t heard any legal charge where Mayor Adams steps down.” As for a poll last week that found Cuomo leading an Adams-less field, Cuomo acknowledged he found the results flattering. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — A 15-acre site in Lake Success will be the home of a gene-therapy research hub with state support. (Newsday) — An arbitration system is being criticized for returning abusive officers to New York prisons. (Times Union)
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | | | 
Nassau County Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip was officially chosen by the Nassau County GOP as their pick to take the congressional seat formerly held by expelled Rep. George Santos. | Nassau County Gov. | GOP PICK FOR NY-3: Nassau County Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip will be introduced today in Massapequa as the Republican pick for the Feb. 13 special election to fill the seat vacated by George Santos. The Nassau GOP nominated the Ethiopian-born former Israeli Defense Forces paratrooper after some 20 interviews with candidates (each attended by about a dozen selection committee members) and three outside firms pitching in on the vetting, POLITICO reports. But some digging by Playbook found her husband’s medical practice, where she formerly worked as operations director, was sued in 2020 for allegedly owing $70,000 in back rent and has $500,000 still due on its lease. “This is an ongoing lease dispute between a private business owned by Ms. Pilip’s husband and a landlord,” a Nassau GOP spokesperson said in response. Additionally, Pilip won local office as a Republican despite being an enrolled Democrat, as Playbook has reported. — Emily Ngo IRS HELP: Advocates are urging two New York’s most powerful Democrats in Washington to push for IRS funding. A letter sent this week by progressive advocacy organizations and obtained by Playbook sent to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries pointed to the impact of IRS funding, such as combating tax cheats and aiding lower-income people obtained tax credits. “It is critical that IRS funding is protected so that the agency can ensure that the wealthiest individuals and corporations pay what they owe,” the groups wrote in the letter. Signing onto the letter include the Economic Security Project Action, the Fiscal Policy Institute, the New York Immigration Coalition and FPWA. — Nick Reisman More from the delegation: — The mid-February special election to fill George Santos’ seat is poised to be the first test of a new state law that will allow early voting by mail. (Gothamist) — The redistricting ruling could lead to comeback attempts from former Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Max Rose and Mondaire Jones. (City & State)
| | AROUND NEW YORK | | — The Bronx Defenders is facing internal turmoil amid allegations of antisemitism that have grown louder since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. (New York Times) — Two Long Island school districts are backing off of their initial policy that did not recognize vaccination records from a local clinic which forged COVID-19 documents. (Newsday) — New York State correctional officers who are fired for abuse or for covering it up often get reinstated back into their jobs through an arbitration process, a new Marshall Project review finds. (Times Union)
| | | | A message from Tax Equity Now New York: New York City's property tax system is fundamentally flawed and over-taxes lower-income and minority residents. The current model unfairly shifts the tax burden onto those less able to bear it. This results in higher taxes for poorer and minority New Yorkers compared to wealthier condo, co-op, and homeowners in more affluent areas.
For over two decades, political leaders have talked about how NYC's property tax system is unfair and inequitable, but they’ve done nothing. Learn more about the problem and what we’re doing to ensure NYC has the best and fairest property tax structure in the state and country by visiting TaxEquityNow.nyc. | | | | | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | — Former Rep. Max Rose brought the house down Thursday night at the annual holiday party for the American Association of Political Consultants. (City & State) MAKING MOVES — The NYC law firm Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is opening an office in Garden City, which includes intellectual property partner Brian Bloom, cybersecurity and privacy partner Annmarie Giblin and matrimonial and family law partner Jennifer Schenker. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Fox News’ Griff Jenkins … Cheddar’s Kristen Scholer … David Adler … Bill Knapp … Katie Hunt … Alison Omens … Raquel Zaki (WAS THURSDAY): Michael Ovitz ... John Paulson ... Leon Botstein … Rabbi Zevulun Charlop ... Jacob Goldstein ... Eli Clemans Northrup ... Adam Bisnowaty
| | Real Estate | | — Three Manhattan hotels were sold to unnamed buyers in a slate of deals totaling over $200 million. (Crain’s New York Business) — An undeveloped site in Tribeca, once controversially referred to as a would-be “Ground Zero mosque,” is facing foreclosure. (The Real Deal) | | | | 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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