10 minute read
FIRST READ
New York City Mayor Eric Adams included many of the budget priorities and spending increases requested by the City Council as part of his revised budget proposal.
ADAMS’ SECOND BUDGET PLAN
Advertisement
New York City Mayor Eric Adams presented his executive budget, a $99.7 billion spending plan laid out in his State of the City address. It included a $5 billion new investment in the city’s crumbling public housing, additional cash previously promised for the Summer Rising youth program and an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit. Adams’ broader speech as he laid out his vision for the city also honored the victims of various tragedies that occured in his short time in office. He once again spoke about his plans for gun violence and subway safety, highlighted his plan to expand the city’s Gifted and Talented programs and praised recent unionization efforts by Amazon workers on Staten Island. He also took the time to speak to his critics, offering investments that spoke
SUBWAY SCARES
The safety of the New York City subways will never cease to be a topic of conversation, but last month’s mass shooting has revived the debate. Yes, it’s true that stories of crime on the subways can be sensationalized to manufacture fear. And it’s true that some straphangers are wary after not just last month’s shooting, but the killing of Michelle Go earlier this year. New York magazine tried to figure out what a system in “permacrisis” actually feels like today.
– retiring Rep. Kathleen Rice, on the state Court of Appeals ruling that New York’s congressional lines were gerrymandered by Democrats, via Politico
– state Senate Majority Leader Andrea StewartCousins, expressing reservations about changing the law to allow former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin to get off the ballot, via the Daily News directly to the criticisms that he has received. Adams made use of city coffers flush with cash to both invest in his own priorities while offering olive branches to those who may not always agree with him. He even offered more funding for shelter beds, a priority for City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, than the council itself requested.
HOCHUL’S LAGGING POLL NUMBERS
With an election around the corner, a new poll shows that Gov. Kathy Hochul perhaps isn’t doing as well as she might have hoped at this point in the year. Fresh polling from Siena College showed that Hochul’s job approval rating hit a new low, dropping to 36% from 43% about a month ago. A majority of voters in the state also gave her low scores on her handling of crime and economic issues, although her overall favorability (whether voters categorized her as “favorable” or “unfavorable”) only went down 1 percentage point since the last poll. A potential saving grace for Hochul were reactions to changes to the state’s bail law, which she pushed to have included in the budget. Voters overall viewed the changes favorably.
MIXED BAG FOR TRUMP IN NEW YORK
news, and some potential good news, about ongoing investigations into him and his business dealings in New York. In bad news for him, a judge held Trump in contempt of court for failing to turn over requested documents to state Attorney General Letitia James. She had sought the decision from the court, which it granted, and Trump now has to pay $10,000 each day he doesn’t fork over the subpoenaed documents. But the ex-president may be in luck with a different investigation, this one conducted by the Manhattan district attorney. After internal disarray with the probe made its way into the public eye, a grand jury indictment has become increasingly unlikely – and Trump could wind up free of any charges in that jurisdiction. So overall, a mixed bag.
Former President Donald Trump was ordered to pay daily penalties for not turning over documents as part of an investigation by the state attorney general’s office.
Can New York court and regulate crypto at the same time?
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is still boosting cryptocurrency as a can’t miss opportunity for economic development, education and financial equity in New York City. Three paychecks deep in converting his salary to bitcoin and ethereum, who could blame him?
Adams appeared virtually at a cryptocurrency and digital asset summit hosted by the Financial Times, a London-based newspaper, last week and repeated the pitch he’s made for months that New York City can be the world’s cryptocurrency hub. “Crypto, and blockchain as well, are here to stay. We can’t let this opportunity pass by,” Adams said. “We can integrate these new technologies in a smart way, prioritizing equity and inclusion as we’re building out blockchain (and) crypto campuses for our young people to have a real understanding of this new industry.”
Just the day before, the Assembly passed a bill that would place a two-year moratorium on any new or renewed permits for fossil fuel-burning plants being used to power behind-the-meter proof-of-work mining. It would also require an environmental statement on the effects of proof-of-work mining. Environmental groups and community activists who live near bitcoin mining sites have been advocating for this moratorium, arguing that the emissions produced by mining will harm the state’s climate goals. An earlier version of the bill – like this one, sponsored by Assembly Member Anna Kelles – failed to pass the Assembly last year, but it did pass the state Senate last year.
The proposed moratorium has produced an outcry from the crypto industry and some sizable lobbying spending in Albany. Though the bill’s sponsors and environmental advocates said they’re not against cryptocurrency trading or exploring new uses of blockchain – they’re just against the energy-intensive proof-of-work authentication method – industry insiders have said that a moratorium would send a message that New York is unfriendly to crypto and blockchain companies. Such a message might make it difficult for Adams to push New York City as the crypto capital of the world, they said. “It’s a bad signal,” said John Olsen, New York state lead for the Blockchain Association, on the proposed moratorium. When asked about whether he thought the move to regulate mining at the state level could harm Adams’ pitch to court cryptocurrency companies to come to New York City, Olsen said he thought it already had. – Annie McDonough
THE WEEK AHEAD
TUESDAY 5/3
The New York City Council Committee on Public Housing holds a 1 p.m. oversight hearing on the impact of PACT/ RAD for improving public housing. THURSDAY 5/5
New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan and others speak at the Crain’s New York Business Health Equity event at 8:30 a.m. at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan. FRIDAY 5/6
Jonathan Cervas, the special master appointed to draw new congressional and state Senate district lines, is expected to host a public hearing in the town of Bath. INSIDE DOPE
The state Legislature is in session Monday through Thursday and may address some of the issues raised by the Court of Appeals redistricting ruling.
BY THE NUMBERS
ERIC ADAMS’ LATEST BUDGET PROPOSAL
By Annie McDonough
After 116 days in office, New York City Mayor Eric Adams delivered a 54-minute State of the City address and a second budget proposal at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn.
Adams presented his $99.7 billion executive budget, marking a $1.2 billion increase from his initial proposal in February.
In its response to the mayor’s initial budget proposal, the City Council called for roughly $1.3 billion in additional funding, with specific investments in social services that critics said lacked sufficient attention from Adams. His new budget plan addresses some of the council’s requests. In addressing the crowd of elected officials, local lawmakers, administration leaders and other invited guests, Adams suggested that he was fulfilling a lot of what people asked of him. “Let me tell you something, it’s going to be hard for people to hate me,” he said.
Here are some of the highlights of his latest proposal as the city’s budget process kicks into high gear ahead of the July 1 deadline.
$5 B
The additional amount Adams committed to spend over 10 years on capital housing projects, boosting spending to $22 billion over the next decade
Total proposed spending for the fiscal year starting on July 1 $99.7
$6.3 B
Total funding for the city’s reserves
BILLION
1,400
The number of safe haven or stabilization beds that are part of Adams’ promise to provide better services to homeless people
$55 M
Total funding to expand the city’s Behavioral Health Emergency Assistance Response Division pilot program, which deploys mental health professionals as first responders to 911 mental health calls, rather than police officers
20,000
Number of new trees the Adams administration would plant as part of a $488 million capital funding investment for park improvements Number of new slots that would be created for the city’s Summer Rising program offering continuing education during the summer, bringing the total number of slots to 210,000 Total amount of Adams’ investment in cleaner streets and public spaces, including funding a new trash containerization pilot program
10,000 $118 M ! $3.9 B ! $3.4 B ! $3.7 B The projected budget gaps for fiscal years 2024, 2025 and 2026, respectively
A Q&A with Black Car Fund Executive Director
IRA GOLDSTEIN
Please discuss how the Black Car Fund came about and how it benefits independent black car drivers. The Black Car Fund is a not-for-profit that provides black car drivers who are independent contractors with workers’ compensation insurance. In a joint effort by the industry and Albany, (both) came up with a unique and, I believe, innovative model where a nominal surcharge (would be) added to each ride. That has provided (extra) revenue (for) drivers, (who) would not have it otherwise as independent contractors.
Please discuss how the fund went beyond providing just workers’ compensation. Over the years, we’ve also been able to expand the benefits that we offer drivers. For example, we pay them to take certain classes, such as the New York City (Taxi and Limousine Commission) required enhanced defensive driving class, where drivers are given $300. This includes transportation network companies, Uber and Lyft drivers. We also offer a wellness program, handsonly CPR, opportunities to learn additional safety tips about sharing the road with pedestrians and cyclists, and even health tips for drivers, which covers nutrition, stretching and other tips relevant for someone that may be seated for long periods of time. Drivers also learn how to respond to Amber Alerts. They receive $150 for taking that class. Outside of program offerings, drivers also get dental, vision, and telemedicine plans, as well as support for mental health and wellness.
Some of the newer benefits, including dental exams, cleanings and vision coverage, will end under legislation that expires at the end of this year. You’ve been lobbying to have a renewal of the benefits in place before the end of this legislative session. What specifically are the benefit extensions you’d like to see? We would like to see an extension for three years or more. Potentially, we would also like to take out the sunset provision permanently.
How did the Black Car Fund survive during the slowdown in ridership during the pandemic? From a benefits perspective, it was a nonfactor. Even though we had a drastic reduction in revenue, there was also a commensurate reduction in the number of claims we were receiving. From the Black Car Fund perspective, we got through it. Early on, we distributed about 20,000 personal protective equipment kits to the drivers, especially the ones doing meal deliveries or people that were shut in their homes. Later on during the omicron surge, we purchased approximately 3,500 test kits and distributed them to drivers, primarily at John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports, but we also sent shipments up to Buffalo and to other Uber and Lyft drivers outside of New York City as well. We’re not a typical insurance or workers’ compensation carrier. We’re there to take care of the drivers and we take that mission seriously. – Jaylen Coaxum and Ralph R. Ortega
Bring together New York’s top government and business leaders for engaging policy discussions and networking opportunities.
Align your organization with the decision makers and award-winning content that make every CITY & STATE EVENT a must-attend!
EVENT OPTIONS INCLUDE
POLICY DISCUSSIONS COCKTAIL RECEPTIONS AWARD CEREMONIES PANEL DISCUSSIONS
For more information on CITY & STATE’s event sponsorship opportunities, visit cityandstateny.com/events or contact our sales team at events@cityandstateny.com
