Rising from his grave: Mayor Eric Adams’ State of the Union address included a powerful message: “I’m not just here, I’m thriving.”
“Even in dark moments, it’s not a burial, it’s a tree planting,” Adams said. “Keep planting rice and you’ll see the fruits of your labor. I’m the mayor because Mama did it.”
The first New York mayor in modern history to be indicted on criminal charges wants the world to know that his confidence has not wavered in the face of federal corruption indictments, low poll numbers, federal raids and mass resignations. I’m thinking about it–as there was no doubt about it.
“Don’t let anyone fool you,” he said. “Don’t listen to the noise and the rhetoric. New York City, our city state is strong.”
In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “The ultimate measure of a man or woman is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of difficulty and controversy.” He expressed his gratitude to the members of the party. Who is the staff? didn’t I resigned.
He sang a short 54-minute prayer that included Christian prayers, Muslim prayers, Hindu prayers, Sikh prayers, Buddhist prayers, Jewish prayers, the national anthem, God Bless America, and the Negro Prayer. After his introduction, he delivered an hour-long message of defiance. The national anthem, two promotional videos, a youth drum line performance, and waiting.
Like all State of the City speeches, this speech touted achievements such as Jesus’ housing plan, (partial) year-over-year crime reduction, expansion of early childhood programs, and slowing of the city’s once relentless immigration crisis. emphasized. .
He also laid out two priorities for the next legislative session in Albany.
- He wants Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. adopt his A bill that would allow chronically homeless people suffering from mental illness to be forcibly removed from the streets. (She plans to announce her own plan regarding involuntary layoffs, but also indicated she would cooperate with it.)
- he needs a legislature This is in support of completely eliminating city income taxes for households making up to 150 percent of the federal poverty line. The “tax ax” plan has the backing of Congresswoman Rodnese Bichotto Hamelin, who praised Adams in a video before the speech. (Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie indicated Wednesday that he may consider eliminating the state income tax for low-income New Yorkers.)
The Mayor announced several important proposals for the City.
- he lay down outside his very ambitious plans The plan is to build 100,000 new homes in Manhattan, but the idea currently lacks much-needed specifics. (We wrote about this this morning in New York Playbook.)
- he swore $650 million to fight homelessness, facility It serves as a shelter and treatment center for vulnerable people.
- he is open schoolyard The park is being maintained as a community park for more than 10,000 New Yorkers to use on weekends and during the summer, and the number of city park cleaning shifts has been increased.
- he is expanding free internet For low-income housing throughout Upper Manhattan and the Bronx.
- He adds financial literacy teacher In all school districts by 2030.
- he is paying off his student loan debt For city employees and their families.
- he is allowed to pay the rent Thousands of low-income New Yorkers will now be counted toward building their credit scores.
And he continued to appreciate his simpatico relationship with Hochul, even featuring her in his promotional video.
“Some people said, ‘Resign,'” Adams said. “I said, ‘No, I’m going to step up. I’m going to step up. That’s what life gives you. ”
ZELLNOR encoding: Brooklyn state senator and mayoral candidate Zellner Miley has been selected to chair the Senate Code Committee, a timely appointment.
As he gears up for the June primary and begins his seventh year in Albany, Miley will remain in Albany while he and his challengers look to prove they’re ready on the campaign trail. will play an important role in shaping criminal justice policy.
October siena poll It turns out that New York City voters are more likely to identify crime as a top concern. Mr Adams has already signaled that security will be a key focus of his mayoral campaign, and is likely to call on his centre-left opponents, whom he views as soft on crime, to early voting.
“I am grateful that leaders have entrusted me with chairing this committee, especially at a time when public safety is a concern for all New Yorkers,” Miley told Playbook. “As someone who is from New York City, takes the subways and buses, and speaks to my neighbors, I can confidently say that this is an issue that is salient in their minds.”
Mr. Miley recently took the helm of the Elections Committee, and his new spot leader on the general criminal justice code is traditionally seen as the Senate’s third most powerful committee chair. Nevertheless, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who has a chilly relationship with Mr. Adams, still wields near-absolute power in the chamber and has leadership over what bills come to the floor. I have decided to have it.
Another mayoral candidate, Sen. Jessica Ramos, will remain chair of the labor committee. Zoran Mamdani, another provincial lawmaker vying for the top spot in City Hall, was not assigned a leadership position in parliament.
“We’re in a period where people are trying to use public safety as a political argument, and I think there needs to be seriousness and sobriety in how we discuss actual solutions to this problem.” added Miley. The commission will be “focused squarely on actually solving urban problems.” — Jason Bieferman
The committee assignments are as follows: In addition to Milley, the Senate and Assembly today announced all other new committee leadership positions, which come with a number of changes, according to our colleague Bill Mahoney. I reported it earlier. politikopro.
parliament
- Gary Pretlow He will take over as chair of the Ways and Means Committee, replacing Helen Weinstein, who retired.
- carrie warner He will succeed Pretrow as head of the Horse Racing and Gambling Commission.
- Marianne Buttention He succeeded Mr. Werner as chairman of the Small and Medium Enterprises Committee.
- Ron Kim He will assume the position of tourism chairman, succeeding Daniel O’Donnell, who has resigned.
- rebecca seawright He will take over as chairman of the Aging Committee in place of Kim.
- angelo santa barbara He will serve as a member of the Committee for Persons with Disabilities as Mr. Seawright’s successor.
- bobby carroll He will succeed Mr. Santabarbara as chair of the Library and Educational Technology Department.
- pamela hunter He will replace Jeff Aubrey as interim speaker.
- clyde vannell He will succeed Mr. Hunter as chairman of the Banking Committee.
- Jonathan Jacobson He replaces Vanel with oversight, analysis and research responsibilities.
- ed brownstein He will succeed Ken Zebrowski, who is retiring, as chairman of the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions.
- Pat Burke He will replace Brownstein on the City Commission.
- jo ann simon He will assume the role of Mental Health Committee Chair following the retirement of Eileen Gunther.
- Karen McMahon I will be responsible for ethics and guidance in Simon’s place.
- billy jones He will succeed Fred Thiele, who has retired, as local government manager.
- steve stern He will replace Kimberly Jean-Pierre, who is retiring as Director of Veterans Affairs.
- alicia hyndman Former Speaker Pat Fahey will become Secretary of Higher Education after being elected to the Senate.
senate
- jamal bailey He will take over leadership of the Insurance Commission from Neil Breslin, who has retired.
- Zellner Millie He will succeed Mr. Bailey as a member of the Code Committee.
- Kristen Gonzalez He will succeed Mr. Miley as a member of the Elections Committee and will continue to chair the Internet and Technology Committee.
- Rachel May Kevin Thomas will take over as chairman of the Consumer Protection Commission after he resigned.
- Freshman Christopher Ryan May will be replaced as chair of Cities II, a recently added committee that covers cities north of the Bronx.
- Freshman Pat Fahey He will become chairman of the Disabled People’s Council, which was previously led by John Mannion.
- Freshman Sierra Byno He will now lead the library, which was previously chaired by Aiwen Chu.
Winner: State party spokesman David Laska said Republican leaders for the North Country House seat vacated by Rep. Elise Stefanik will narrow down their field of candidates by the end of the week.
As Playbook reported this morning, Republican county chairs from the vast district met with 12 potential candidates via Zoom. Republican officials expect to narrow the field from about 12 to fewer than 10. Those preferred candidates will then move on to another round of selection by Republican leaders.
The search for a successor to Stefanik, who was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to be ambassador to the United Nations, has been underway for the past two months. Given the party’s registration advantage in holding many rural seats, Republican candidates are expected to receive significant support in the special election, likely to be held in mid-April. — Nick Riesman
— Slowdown due to salt: Members of New York’s Republican delegation, who once promised to completely eliminate caps on state and local tax deductions, are now tempering expectations, saying a complete repeal is unlikely. (NY1)
— The train wheels are moving round and round… excruciatingly: There is a mysterious defect in the tracks of the subway’s lettered lines, which is causing the subway’s wheels to wear out faster than ever. (daily news)
— Bucks Trump, head of New York court: The Court of Appeals has denied President Trump’s request to delay sentencing in the “hush money” case. (times union)
Did you miss this morning’s New York Playbook? Forgive me. read here.
