City & State NY

Ho ho ho, WFP endorsements are here!

But there are only 4? You could always rank Glen Coco 5th. www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...

Sorry readers, First Read was late this morning due to technical difficulties with our newsletter distributor. Fortunately it's a slow news day. 🙃

WTF is Eric Adams doing? The New York City mayor says he will run in the Democratic primary for reelection. He’s also aggressively cozying up to President Donald Trump and the GOP. Can he do both?

The New York City mayor says he will run in the Democratic primary for reelection. He’s also aggressively cozying up to President Donald Trump and the GOP. Can he do both?

Hochul’s soft launch for reelection The governor’s State of the State speech laid out a vision of affordability and safety that felt like it could be a stump speech.

On the heels of a presidential election where economic messaging played a crucial role in Donald Trump’s victory, Hochul pitched a $1 billion tax cut for the middle class, increased tax credits for families, direct rebate checks to most taxpayers in the state and free school meals for all students.

Breaking down Hochul’s State of the State The governor laid out the broad strokes of her agenda for the year in her annual speech and a nearly 150-page policy book

Here are some of the policy proposals Hochul is proposing in her State of the State

This week's magazine: bit.ly/3uj44Ul

Takeaways from Eric Adams’ 2025 State of the City speech Trump who?

Trump who?

If you didn’t know a highly controversial, immigration-hostile, locally indicted Republican president was about to be sworn into office in 11 days, you certainly wouldn’t find that out from the Mayor’s State of the City speech.

‘Just Tolled’: Public transit enthusiasts celebrate start of congestion pricing A group of friends borrowed one of their parents’ cars to try to become the first people tolled under the new congestion pricing program just after midnight on Sunday.

@rebeccaclewis.bsky.social joined a group of public transit enthusiasts who borrowed one of their parents' cars to try to become the first people tolled when congestion pricing started at midnight.

Read about it on @cityandstateny.bsky.social: www.cityandstateny.com/personality/...

At @cityandstateny.bsky.social, publisher Tom Allon argues that our clear and consistent economic message is making this campaign the "breakout success" of 2025.

And we're just getting started.

Here’s who’s running for New York City mayor in 2025 Get to know the candidates in a wide, weird and unsettled field.

My brilliant colleagues at @cityandstateny.bsky.social have produced a helpful guide to the major candidates running in this year's NYC mayoral election: www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...

A City & State New York article headline reads: "Opinion: Who's winning the battle for the left?" The subheading questions whether Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani's clear messaging will overshadow other progressive leaders like Comptroller Brad Lander, State Senators Jessica Ramos, and Zellnor Myrie. Below the text is a photograph of Zohran Mamdani speaking at a campaign event, standing at a podium with a sign reading "Zohran for New York City." He is surrounded by a diverse group of supporters holding signs with slogans such as "Freeze the Rent," "Fast & Free Buses," and "Childcare for All."

“In political campaigning, as in life, the best communicators are those who keep their message simple and consistent.”

🏡 Freeze the rent
🚌 Free & faster buses
👶 Childcare for all
🛒 Municipal grocery stores & baby baskets

www.cityandstateny.com/opinion/2025...

Paulin’s ‘Weinstein’ bill back on legislative agenda for 2025 The controversial bill, which failed to pass last year, would allow prosecutors to introduce evidence of prior sexual offenses in legal proceedings.

The ‘Weinstein’ bill is back on legislative agenda for 2025.

The controversial piece of legislation, which failed to pass last year, would allow prosecutors to introduce evidence of prior sexual offenses in legal proceedings.

Did Kevin Thomas admit to breaking election law? The state senator told City & State that the state Democratic Party chair offered him something in exchange for dropping out of a congressional race – which could violate the law.

State Sen. Kevin Thomas told @cityandstateny.bsky.social the chair of the state Democratic Party promised him something in exchange for dropping out of a congressional primary – which could be a crime. (The state party chair denies making him any promises.)

@rebeccaclewis.bsky.social reports:

Pretty telling that the CRC announcement came out both a) so soon after @cityandstateny.bsky.social wrote about it last night / Playbook story on the CRC chair that came out T-30 mins prior, AND b) the same day as Adams' highly anticipated border czar meeting

Poll: Majority of New York voters want ‘someone else’ as governor A new poll from Siena College found that only a third of New York voters would vote to reelect Gov. Kathy Hochul.

A new poll from Siena College found a majority of New York voters want ‘someone else’ as governor

Today, I joined state leaders and policymakers on @cityandstateny.bsky.social Legislators’ Retreat education panel to discuss what New York’s students truly need.

The bottom line: we must update outdated school funding formulas and recognize the realities of today’s classrooms.

Glad to take part in @cityandstateny.bsky.social panel on 🏠 earlier at the @MJHnews.

There’s no doubt about it — we must build more housing, preserve our existing affordable housing stock + keep NYers in their homes.

Will Hochul veto the Grieving Families Act for a third time? Supporters hope the governor will finally reform the state’s nearly 180-year-old wrongful death law, but hospitals, insurance companies and the business lobby still oppose the bill.

Will Hochul veto the Grieving Families Act for a third time?

What makes a state legislator run for City Council? It’s not just about the two-and-a-half hour commute to Albany – though that’s definitely a factor.

What makes a state legislator run for City Council?

It’s not just about the two-and-a-half hour commute to Albany – though that’s definitely a factor.

What makes a state legislator run for City Council? It’s not just about the two-and-a-half hour commute to Albany – though that’s definitely a factor.

City & State's Annie McDonough takes a look those pols who've made the move and why. Definitely a must-read. @cityandstateny.bsky.social @anniemcdonough.bsky.social

A tiny battle is brewing to be the next NYC Council minority leader There are five members who could be in their second term after Joe Borelli is out – and at least two are thinking about the post.

A tiny battle is brewing to be the next NYC Council minority leader

Opinion: CFB should not give another dime to Adams campaign While the Campaign Finance Board and federal prosecutors investigate allegations of illegal contributions to Mayor Eric Adams, his reelection campaign must be denied public matching funds.

New Opinion from Lincoln Restler and Bob Holden : While the CFB and federal prosecutors investigate allegations of illegal contributions to Mayor Eric Adams, his reelection campaign must be denied public matching funds. www.cityandstateny.com/opinion/2024...

Today is intrepid intern @richmen.bsky.social’s last day at @cityandstateny.bsky.social. Make sure you follow him so you can continue to read his reporting! www.cityandstateny.com/voices/rich-...

The NYC mayoral field is growing. The number of prominent women in the race is not. bit.ly/3Vou9eV

Simcha Felder Enters Race for NYC Council Special Election | Boro Park 24

Sen. Simcha Felder will run in the special election for Kalman Yeger's Council seat, his spox confirms.

Brooklyn Dems told us back in November they would support Felder, though he wasn't publicly running at the time.

BoroPark24 reported Felder filed yesterday www.boropark24.com/news/simcha-...

32BJ staff looks to unionize with CWA, asks for neutrality Organizers and other staff with the politically powerful union are seeking to organize themselves after past false starts.

Staffers at 32BJ SEIU are trying to form a union of their own but say that they've faced hostility from union leadership.

@rebeccaclewis.bsky.social reports for @cityandstateny.bsky.social: www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...

Which New York City mayoral candidate will earn the ‘bus mayor’ jacket? Half a dozen candidates weighed in on public transit issues Monday at a forum hosted by Riders Alliance.

City & State covered last night's Riders Alliance mayoral forum. Hmmm... someone's noticeably absent from this lineup! @anniemcdonough.bsky.social @cityandstateny.bsky.social

Opinion: The emperor has new clothes Mayor Eric Adams shuffled his top managers and came up with three aces. Can he still trump his critics and a growing legion of challengers?

"The mayor has made some very wise personnel moves the last month, amidst all the chaos," writes City & State Publisher Tom Allon. @cityandstateny.bsky.social @tomallon.bsky.social

Which New York City mayoral candidate will earn the ‘bus mayor’ jacket? Half a dozen candidates weighed in on public transit issues Monday at a forum hosted by Riders Alliance.

Which New York City mayoral candidate will earn the ‘bus mayor’ jacket?

Half a dozen candidates weighed in on public transit issues Monday at a forum hosted by Riders Alliance.

A timeline on the closure of Rikers Island The long-awaited decision on a federal takeover will have to wait till an unknown date.

A timeline on the closure of Rikers Island