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New York Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Zohran Mamdani's plan to undo mayoral control of NYC schools would be ‘terrible mistake,' experts warn
The educational priorities of socialist Big Apple mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani could undermine progress in the nation's largest school system, veteran education experts warn. The Democratic Party candidate was the only hopeful who said he wants to gut mayoral control of the city school system — a set-up that has been in place since 2002 and supported by former Mayors Mike Bloomberg and Bill de Blasio and current Hizzoner Eric Adams. 'Zohran supports an end to mayoral control and envisions a system instead in which parents, students, educators and administrators work together to create the school environments in which students and families will best thrive—strengthening co-governance,' his campaign platform says. Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani accepting the endorsement of the United Federation of Teachers at its Manhattan headquarters on July 9, 2025. Matthew McDermott Mamdani repeated during a NY1 interview last week that he wanted to go beyond a mayor having an 'automatic majority' of appointments to the Panel for Educational Policy. The socialist Democrat, who was endorsed by the United Federation of Teachers after he overwhelmingly won the Dem primary last month, said he is on the same wavelength as the union, which has long fought to reduce the mayor's authority over the school system. 'I've seen this as something the union was also advocating for in the past … a changing of the composition of the board,' Mamdani said. Education experts questioned Mamdani's approach. 'It would be a terrible mistake to take away the mayor's majority on the Panel for Education Policy,' said Ray Damonico, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a veteran researcher who previously worked in the city public school system. Mamdani said he agrees with the UFT's view on mayoral control. Matthew McDermott The biggest advancements in New York City education systems were during the first 12 years of mayoral control under Bloomberg, when low-performing schools were closed and replaced with charter schools and other smaller, experimental schools, Damonico said. Mamdani also is out of touch with the working class and low-income parents he claims to represent who enroll their kids in charter schools, he argued. 'Mamdani is not a fan of charter schools. He's a fan of the teachers' union,' Damonico said. Hunter College urban affairs professor Joseph Viteritti, who served as senior adviser to Schools Chancellor Frank Macchiorola, opposed diluting the mayor's authority over the school system, too. 'You need to focus on accountability and responsibility somewhere. It gives the mayor a direct stake in the process,' Viteritti said. He said proper checks can be put in place on the PEP without diluting City Hall's responsibility for schools. CUNY Graduate Center education Professor David Bloomfield said Mamdani 'doesn't seem to have a thought-through policy' on schools, as he does in other areas. He said mayoral control is better than 'education by committee.' But Mamdani, if he's elected, could be more inclusive in his decision-making by having an open search to select the next schools chancellor, instead of making a unilateral choice, Bloomfield said. Mamdani has said the mayor should still appoint the schools chancellor, as is the case now, and that ultimately the mayor is responsible for educating students. The leading candidate insisted he didn't want to return to the much-maligned city Board of Education, when the mayor had two of seven appointments. He also insisted his goal was to get more parents and educators engaged in school policy through various advisory boards, such as community education councils. The state law on New York City school governance is up for renewal next June. During a private meeting with tech executives last week, an attendee who is a charter-school parent asked Mamdani about his position on the popular alternative to public schools. Mamdani said he is 'skeptical' of charter schools, citing 'equity' issues and higher suspension rates for their students — though many charter-school students are poor or working class. 'I agree with your assessment that public education, for the most part, is not working as it should be,' he told the parent. He told the tech executives that he's interested in 'efficiency' and curbing costly consultant contracts awarded by the city Department of Education. A rep for Mayor Eric Adams called Mamdani's proposed to undo mayoral control of schools 'reckless and irresponsible. 'It would take us back to a time when New York City's school system was mired in dysfunction, with no clear accountability and no one in charge,' Adams campaign spokesman Todd Shapiro said. 'While Mamdani talks about pulling power from the mayor, Mayor Adams is focused on keeping our kids learning, safe, and supported. He fought to extend mayoral control because he believes one person should be responsible — and that person is the mayor New Yorkers elect.' In general, education has gotten short shrift during the mayoral campaign with little talk about a drop in enrollment, high absenteeism and stagnant test scores, the school watchdogs said.
Politico
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Curtis Sliwa's Better (Guardian) Angels
SERENE SLIWA: After New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani faced Islamophobic attacks from the GOP, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa made an impassioned plea on Fox News: 'Do not attack his religion,' he said. 'There are a million Muslims in New York City who can vote. Many of them with conservative values… You can criticize him as being a communist, socialist, antisemite, check. Leave the religion alone.' When Mayor Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo's campaigns seethed at Mamdani for checking the African American box on a college admission, Sliwa called the scandal 'laughable.'"We're making him a martyr. We're victimizing Zohran and getting away from the issues of why his election would be a threat to New York City,' Sliwa said on Fox News. And while Adams, Cuomo and Jim Walden — all running as independents — attack each other and try to get the other to drop out of the general election, Sliwa is sitting comfortably on the Republican line. 'It's fine, they can all run. They're the three independents, so if they want to play musical chairs on the Titanic,' go ahead, he told Playbook. Yes, it's the red-beret-wearing, tabloid celebrity, AM radio shock jock — once suspended from NY1 for making lewd comments about then-City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito — who's taking the high road in the mayoral race. Of course, the Guardian Angels founder would never skip a good P.R. opportunity, so his campaign has eagerly pitched the Nice Guy narrative. 'Curtis Sliwa Stays Above the Fray in NYC Mayoral Race,' a Monday press release blared. 'While Independent Rivals Bicker, Sliwa Connects with NYC Voters.' He bragged to Playbook today about taking the subway, campaigning in all five boroughs and keeping his distance from President Donald Trump. Sliwa voted for Trump in 2024 — after voting third party in 2020 — but he's not the unpopular president's 'puppet' like Adams, he exclaimed. And he has no interest in defending the megabill Trump just signed into law. 'It's very problematic about Medicaid, and obviously the monies that New York City desperately needs for social service programs. There's no doubt about it, we're gonna get hurt,' he said, before criticizing Adams and City Council leaders for not putting aside enough savings in the city budget. Sliwa has done this before. When the Republican party was splitting in half after January 6, Sliwa ran for mayor as a Never Trumper who could acknowledge that Trump had actually lost the election. 'Wait a second, is Curtis Sliwa making sense?' this reporter wrote in a profile. It didn't win him too many Democratic votes. He lost to Adams 28 percent to 67 percent in 2021. But he's hopeful that percentage could be enough to win in a crowded field this year, and he's got a plan — ignoring the Republicans calling for Mamdani to be stripped of his citizenship. 'He is one of many immigrants who is LEGALLY here. You're not deporting him,' Sliwa said. 'He's running for office. He has the momentum. And the only way to stop the momentum is go in the neighborhoods where he clobbered Cuomo and recruit millennials and gen Z'ers to my point of view.' — Jeff Coltin From the Capitol A 'COMPELLING' ARGUMENT: A pioneering tech law takes effect today — New York's disclosure requirement for prices set by algorithms using people's personal data. But it's already under attack from a lawsuit claiming it violates companies' First Amendment rights. Starting today, New Yorkers will get to see when prices are set by algorithms using their personal data, thanks to a first-in-the-nation law set to address surveillance pricing. The law requires companies to display the message 'THIS PRICE WAS SET BY AN ALGORITHM USING YOUR PERSONAL DATA' if they engage in the practice. The National Retail Federation sued on July 2 to block the regulation, arguing the requirement violates businesses' First Amendment rights. As it stands, the law is already a compromise. New York's lawmakers originally wanted to outright ban the practice of 'surveillance pricing' — a restriction also proposed by California and Illinois — but the bill ended up only requiring disclosure of the practice. Viewed broadly, it's a different angle on the challenges raised by artificial intelligence. As algorithmic decision-making seeps more deeply into people's everyday lives, affecting issues from how much rent they pay to whether a job application makes it onto a manager's desk, lawmakers are calling for more transparency with the technology. 'This legislation ensures that consumers shop in a fair marketplace and aren't taken advantage of by online retailers,' state Sen. Rachel May, a Syracuse Democrat and a co-author of the bill, told POLITICO Pro's Morning Tech newsletter in response to the lawsuit. The new state law tackles algorithmic pricing specifically, and the disclosure language must be attached to any price listings — whether printed or online — that use an algorithm to set prices based on people's personal data. The National Retail Federation's suit challenges this requirement, arguing that it's a violation of the First Amendment to force a company to use language it doesn't agree with. The federation is also seeking injunctive relief to prevent enforcement of the law until the lawsuit is resolved. There has yet to be a court date set for this lawsuit. It argued the disclaimer is a 'misleading and controverted government scripted opinion without justification.' The trade group added in its lawsuit, 'Although the State is free to express its opinion that algorithmic pricing is dangerous, it cannot force businesses that disagree to do so.' This story was reported by Alfred Ng and first appeared in POLITICO Pro's Morning Tech newsletter FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL SECONDARY PRIMARY UPDATE: Mamdani picked up another 20,000 votes in the Board of Elections' update of primary results today — surpassing David Dinkins' vote total in 1989. 'With the updated RCV totals just released by the Board of Elections, our campaign has officially earned the most total votes in a primary in New York City history,' Mamdani claimed on X. His 565,639 votes bests Dinkins' 547,901 in his win over then-Mayor Ed Koch. But Mamdani's comes with an asterisk, since that includes lower-ranked votes that flowed to him with ranked choice voting. Mamdani received 462,966 first-ranked votes. Mamdani also slightly expanded his win over Cuomo to 12.4 percentage points, from the 12-point spread last week. The democratic socialist Assemblymember won 56.2 percent of votes in the final round to the former governor's 43.8 percent. The 1,061,257 votes tallied so far is also the highest primary turnout since 1989, though there are far more registered Democrats now than there were three decades ago. Today's update included absentee and affidavit ballots that hadn't been counted on primary night. The BOE is expected to do a final update and certify the results on July 15. — Jeff Coltin IN OTHER NEWS — NYPD SOLD PROMOTIONS, LAWSUIT SAYS: Former NYPD commissioner Edward Caban allegedly sold promotions for up to $15,000 a pop, according to a new suit against Adams from four former police chiefs. (Daily News) — SIGNALGATE 2: A phone number belonging to Rep. Mike Lawler's deputy district director was used to infiltrate an anti-Lawler organization's private Signal chat group and urge disruptive behavior at a Town Hall. (LoHud) — MAMDANI'S MIDDLE FINGER: The democratic socialist posted a picture of himself flipping the bird to a statue of Christopher Columbus in 2020, and the Columbus Heritage Coalition is up in arms. (New York Post) — CASINO REVENUE PREDICTIONS: The plans for downstate casinos are now submitted, and the revenue projections show the gaming sites could be some of the world's most lucrative. (Bloomberg) Missed this morning's New York Playbook? We forgive you. Read it here.
Time Out
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Harlem's historic Apollo Theater is closing for a year for its $65 million makeover
The show's on pause, but the legacy is getting a serious glow-up. Harlem's iconic Apollo Theater officially closed its doors on July 1 for a $65 million, yearlong renovation—the most ambitious in its 91-year history. The lights on the famous marquee may be dimmed, but the vision for the future is anything but. Opened in 1914 and rebranded in 1934, the Apollo became a cornerstone of Black American culture, launching the careers of artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Lauryn Hill. Now, the 1,500-seat landmark is undergoing a comprehensive facelift, featuring a restored façade, upgraded LED marquee, expanded lobby, new seating and modern AV systems. Crucially, historic elements, such as the performer-signed 'signature wall,' will be preserved. 'It is the first large‑scale renovation of the historic theater in our 91‑year history,' Joy Profet, the Apollo's chief growth officer, told NY1. While work on the lobby began earlier this year, 'July 1 is really the full-scale.' The final in-house show before the closure was last Wednesday's grand finale of Amateur Night at the Apollo. Neverson Cadesca, performing under the name Nev, closed out the night. The $20,000 prize went to saxophonist Emanuel Garilus from Gainesville, Florida. While the main auditorium is shuttered, performances will temporarily relocate to the Apollo Stages at the Victoria, just down 125th Street. That complex includes two smaller theaters, part of the Apollo's ongoing expansion. Scaffolding is already up along the 125th Street exterior and temporary guest access is now rerouted through a covered entrance on 126th Street. A pop-up box office under the marquee is now serving guests. According to architects Beyer Blinder Belle, the renovation aims to make the Apollo feel more open and community-connected. A café and new street-facing windows will anchor the expanded lobby and the Wall of Fame is going digital. Work is expected to wrap by mid-2026. Until then, Amateur Night is on hold, but the Apollo's spirit is just down the block—still shaking things up, still center stage.
Politico
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Mamdani's night
Presented by With help from Amira McKee The political world is waking up to a shockwave. Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist with a scant four years in elected office, toppled Andrew Cuomo in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. Mamdani's victory is a seismic political moment, a reflection of the profound dissatisfaction Democratic voters feel less than six months after Donald Trump's return to the presidency. If he wins in November, Mamdani would be the first Muslim mayor and the first person of South Asian descent to hold the office. Polling in single digits in February, Mamdani rode a wave of frustration with the cost of living and discontent for institutional powers that backed Cuomo. The 67-year-old dynastic scion's attempt to return from a scandal-induced downfall less than four years ago was halted by voters. The former governor long asserted in the wake of his resignation that while the politicians demanded he leave office, he never lost support from the masses. On Tuesday, it was clear most Democratic voters wanted nothing to do with him. Cuomo's loss is a clear repudiation of the political establishment that reluctantly supported him. A road-tested Cuomo strategy — labor unions with touted turnout operations, well-heeled donors pouring cash into an allied super PAC, endorsements from elected officials and a fabled political name — utterly failed. But as the ex-governor said in what amounted to a concession speech, it was Mamdani's night. His campaign touted his thousands of volunteers and produced slick videos well suited for the TikTok era. The victory may also have reordered the Big Apple's electoral politics. Mamdani marshaled young New Yorkers — who typically stay home, especially for normally sleepy municipal elections — and he may have activated new voters, especially those of South Asian descent. It's an indication that a constantly changing city is going through yet another transition. His win is the first time a democratic socialist has scaled up beyond a House or local legislative district. It's also a sign that decades of pro-Israel politics — de riguer in New York — is fading for a city that's home to the second largest Jewish population on the planet. Mamdani overcame a torrent of negative advertising — much of it proffered by the $25 million spent by the Cuomo-aligned super PAC — that cast him as too inexperienced. He was slammed for his support of the boycott, divest and sanction movement and defended the use of the phrase 'Globalize the Intifada.' Mamdani campaign attorney Ali Najmi told NY1 Tuesday night there will be outreach efforts to Jewish groups today. Questions persist for Mamdani. Can he gain an understanding with the city's monied elite? Will Mayor Eric Adams — who sat out the primary due to his cozy Trump relationship — capitalize on Mamdani's past support for defunding the police? 'I don't think the line right now is between progressives and moderates. I think the line is between fighters and fakers,' Brad Lander, who cross-endorsed Mamdani, told Playbook. 'And what we've got to do is deliver on the promises of this campaign.' Mamdani changed Democratic politics on Tuesday night. The general election battle, which at minimum will pit him against Adams, Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent Jim Walden, will be the next test for his movement. — Nick Reisman with Emily Ngo IT'S WEDNESDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE'S KATHY? In New York City with no public schedule. WHERE'S ERIC? In New York City meeting with senior administration officials, calling into 94.7 The Block's 'Jonesy In The Morning,' making an announcement on combatting Islamophobia and other faith-based hate, making a public safety related announcement, hosting a Staten Island African American Community roundtable, meeting with the champions of inaugural Robotics Mayor's Cup, joining 'RUSA Radio' and appearing live on WCBS-TV's 'CBS News NY at 5.' QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'Tonight was not our night. Tonight was Assemblyman Mamdani's night... He really ran a highly impactful campaign.' — Cuomo in his primary night speech all but conceding to Mamdani. ABOVE THE FOLD MARK MY WORDS: Mark Levine won the Democratic primary for city comptroller Tuesday night, besting City Council Member Justin Brannan. And Public Advocate Jumaane Williams trounced state Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, winning a second term. Levine and Brannan ran a race with nearly identical policy positions that became largely focused on President Donald Trump. In a pair of debates, the difference between the two hopefuls became one of delivery style, with Levine more measured and cerebral and Brannan leaning into a tough-guy persona that was popular this election cycle. 'You gave voters in this city hope that we can build affordable housing, that we can fix the broken mental health system, that we can fight back against the madman in the White House. And we can use this office of comptroller to do it,' Levine told a roomful of jubilant supporters Tuesday night. Williams faced a spirited challenge from Rajkumar, who employed a bizarre line of attack that falsely accused the incumbent of sleeping too much. As the incoming watchdog of the city's finances — and someone who will boast a small army of auditors — Levine could be tasked with keeping tabs on Mamdani, who was poised to clinch the Democratic primary (though he would still have to win a general election.) The two officials were supported by opposite wings of the Democratic Party. While the Working Families Party and Sen. Bernie Sanders backed Mamdani in the mayoral race, they got behind Brannan, Levine's competitor, in the comptroller contest. — Joe Anuta CITY HALL: THE LATEST THE COUNCIL RESULTS: Progressives in New York City fared well further down the ballot too. That includes two DSA-backed members who handily won new terms in Brooklyn despite being targeted by super PACs. Council Member Shahana Hanif had a 70-26 lead over her nearest challenger with most districts reporting in Park Slope. And Council Member Alexa Avilés led 72-28 in Sunset Park. Cuomo wasn't the only scandal-scarred politician who fell short in a comeback bid, either. As of late Tuesday night, former Rep. Anthony Weiner placed a distant fourth in a five-way Manhattan race in which Assemblymember Harvey Epstein held a 39-21 lead over his closest challenger. Bronx Council Member Kevin Riley had a 50-point lead over predecessor Andy King, who was expelled from the council in 2020. And former Council Members Fernando Cabrera, Ruben Wills and Ari Kagan all lost their primaries. Virginia Maloney — daughter of former Rep. Carolyn Maloney — was up 27-26 in a six-way Manhattan race that will come down to ranked-choice voting. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams' chief of staff Ty Hankerson led 35-25 in the race to succeed her in Queens. And Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala's chief of staff, Elise Encarnacion, is on track to succeed her boss, holding a 10-point lead over her nearest competitor. — Bill Mahoney More from the city:— Mark Levine was poised to clinch the Democratic primary for city comptroller over Justin Brannan, capping an under-the-radar race that focused heavily on President Donald Trump. (POLITICO) — Public Advocate Jumaane Williams handily won the Democratic primary, virtually guaranteeing he will be reelected for a second term as the city's chief ombudsman. (POLITICO) — State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal won the primary to be Manhattan's next borough president. (Daily News) NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY THE UPSTATE RACES: This year's upstate races weren't as sharply divided along ideological lines as the election in New York City, but the left still had a good night. Working Families Party-backed mayoral hopefuls went three-for-three on the I-90 corridor, including a race in which they toppled an incumbent and one where they beat the candidate favored by county Democrats. Those races include the election in Buffalo, where state Sen. Sean Ryan defeated Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon. Scanlon submitted petitions to run on an independent ballot line in November, so there might still be a rematch. In Syracuse, Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens won in a landslide. Owens, whose backers included the WFP and state Sen. Rachel May, led the Onondaga Democratic Committee-backed Pat Hogan by 40 points with over 90 percent of votes counted. And in Albany, Chief City Auditor Dorcey Applyrs led closest challenger Dan Cerutti 53-28 with every votes counted. Applyrs was backed by several top Democrats — including Attorney General Letitia James and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie — as well as the WFP. Owens and Applyrs will be the first Black mayors of their respective cities if they hold on in November. In Rochester, Mayor Malik Evans won a Democratic nomination that all but guarantees a second term, with 57 percent of the vote in a three-way race. — Bill Mahoney AND ON LONG ISLAND: Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim and Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth both appeared to win GOP nominations as they seek new terms. They were both challenged by candidates running against plans to build high-density housing. More from Albany: — The MTA is considering easing its ban on booze ads. (Newsday) — The organization overseeing New York's power grid issued an energy warning. (WRGB) — A federal judge will determine whether Acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone will remain in office. (Times Union) KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION VERY SECRET BALLOT: Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, the New Yorkers serving as the Democratic minority leaders in the Senate and House, didn't endorse a candidate for New York City mayor this cycle. (Schumer doesn't typically endorse in primaries, and Jeffries sat this one out after backing Maya Wiley in 2021.) And neither Brooklynite would disclose which candidate or candidates they cast ballots for after voting early and in person in the primaries. Schumer voted after a recent news conference, his spokesperson told Playbook on Tuesday, declining other details. Jeffries voted and ranked five candidates for mayor, but gave no further information when asked Monday by POLITICO's Nicholas Wu. — Emily Ngo More from Congress: — Schumer called the postponement of the Senate's Iran-Israel conflict briefing 'outrageous,' 'evasive' and 'derelict.' (ABC News) — Three years after the fall of Roe v. Wade turned abortion rights into one of Democrats' most powerful rallying cries, the party has largely shifted its focus to other fights. (Washington Post) — Rep. Elise Stefanik, a GOP gubernatorial hopeful, brings her bid to Long Island. (Newsday) NEW YORK STATE OF MIND — Trump cites presidential immunity to try to toss out the $83 million judgment he owes to E. Jean Carroll. (POLITICO) — The NYCLU sued Nassau County arguing that its police department's partnership with ICE was unlawful. (New York Times) — Central Park hit its hottest temperature since 2012 when it reached 99 degrees on Tuesday. (New York Times) SOCIAL DATA HAPPY BIRTHDAY: State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton … Jon Del Giorno of Pitta Bishop & Del Giorno … Lime's Russell Murphy … former NYC Council Member June Eisland … Reuven Fenton of the New York Post … The Times' Paige Cowett … Hinman Straub's David Previte … The States Projects' Zeeshan Ott … The Martin Group's Leanne Politi … The Roffe Group's Alexandra Moore … ZocDoc's Ilyssa Meyer … Justice Sonia Sotomayor … CNN's Betsy Klein … Narrative Strategies' Patrick O'Connor … John Randall of Burson … Patrick Temple-West … (WAS TUESDAY): Nelson Peltz ... Sy Sternberg ... Moshe Gruber Missed Tuesday's New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.
Politico
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Debate day, part II
Presented by With help from Cris Seda Chabrier Seven candidates will face off tonight in the second and final televised debate of the Democratic mayoral primary — a last chance for the mayoral hopefuls to make their case directly to voters before June 24. NY1 will air and moderate the faceoff, alongside WNYC and The CITY — and the fire may be directed at Zohran Mamdani as well as Andrew Cuomo, who took most of the heat in last week's debate. The candidates will be doing so as a stunning new poll, first reported by POLITICO, showed Mamdani narrowly defeating Cuomo, 35 percent to 31 percent, in a head-to-head that didn't account for ranked-choice voting. Yes, it's just one survey, commissioned by Democrat Justin Brannan's city comptroller campaign and conducted by Public Policy Polling. The poll found Brannan had narrowed the gap compared to other surveys, but opponent Mark Levine was still ahead by double-digits. Cuomo's team Wednesday night was quick to point to a different survey by Honan Strategy Group that found him defeating Mamdani 56 percent to 44 percent in the seventh round of voting. But the buzzy PPP result after months of comfortable, double-digit leads for the ex-governor affirms the growing perception the mayoral race is coming down to two extraordinarily different candidates with divergent plans for the nation's largest city. One is a 67-year-old establishment politician and the other, a 33-year-old democratic socialist running as an upstart. The survey signals a potential re-ordering of the race for Cuomo, who launched his bid for a political comeback on March 1 as the prohibitive favorite against lesser-known candidates. Mamdani, the socialist with scant accomplishments in the state Assembly, entered the race as a long shot. He has since captured the interest of lefty New Yorkers who are eager for a sharp change in New York's direction. The poll dropped before early voting begins Saturday and a week after he was repeatedly blasted by his opponents in the first debate — a dynamic that benefitted the former governor. Attacks on Cuomo gave him more oxygen — not just to defend his record, but also to counterpunch at his rivals. In that forum, Mamdani did not connect in the same way he does in his well-produced videos. City Comptroller Brad Lander — who now appears to be running a distant third in a two-person contest — took Cuomo's bait after the former governor attacked him for approving contracts for groups connected to his wife. The second debate stands to be different. Mamdani's growing support will likely train attacks on him — his thin resume, Israel stance and lefty campaign promises of offering free services by taxing the rich will face further scrutiny. In last week's debate, the former governor questioned his rival's lack of experience and suggested President Donald Trump — the bogeyman of the race — would easily tear a Mayor Mamdani apart. The Cuomo-allied super PAC Fix the City has already started with a mailer knocking Mamdani on Israel, per The Forward's Jacob Kornbluh. That attack dovetailed with a recent TV ad criticizing the Queens assemblymember's tax proposal that's aimed at wealthy New Yorkers. An offensive against Mamdani would help Cuomo — a moderate Democrat — to draw a sharper contrast with his principal rival, especially for voters who may be just starting to pay attention. The final phase of the primary starts today. — Nick Reisman HAPPY THURSDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE'S KATHY? In Washington, delivering remarks to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. WHERE'S ERIC? In New York City, making a public safety and quality of life-related announcement with NYPD Commissioner Tisch and DSNY leaders, and speaking at a ceremony honoring former U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel. QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'We certainly got this. … The NYPD has a responsibility to maintain safety and order, and we are not going to abdicate that responsibility.' — NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Fox 5, via the Daily News, saying the city doesn't need the National Guard after 86 people were arrested in anti-ICE protests Tuesday night. ABOVE THE FOLD HOCHUL IN THE HOT SEAT: Gov. Kathy Hochul and two of her fellow Democratic governors are set to be grilled today by House Republicans over blue-state policies limiting cooperation between federal immigration officers and local law enforcement. Hochul, Tim Walz of Minnesota and JB Pritzker of Illinois are responding to a House Oversight Committee invitation to testify at a 'Hearing with Sanctuary State Governors.' Hochul plans to come armed with data about how the state has worked with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement on criminal matters, with a reminder that she supports strong borders, according to a memo and prepared opening remarks shared with Playbook. 'Immigration is fundamentally a federal issue,' Hochul plans to say at the start of the hearing. 'But the influx of migrants and asylum-seekers we saw across the United States caused New York and other states to shoulder the burden of a broken immigration system.' The governor and her team expect the Republicans on the panel to prod the Democratic governors with 'wild accusations, twisted characterizations and flat-out falsehoods,' according to the memo. 'I will hold Kathy Hochul accountable for the horrific crimes she has allowed to happen on her watch,' Rep. Nick Langworthy, the only New York Republican on the committee, posted Wednesday on X. Defenders of 'sanctuary' policies say they allow for state resources to be used for criminal immigration enforcement but not civil infractions. Hochul has said that the approach allows state police to focus on violent and gun crimes. The hearing is expected to be markedly different than when Mayor Eric Adams took incoming from his own party at a March mayors' hearing over his warmer relationship with President Donald Trump. — Emily Ngo CITY HALL: THE LATEST JEWS FOR SHAHANA: A group of progressive Jews is organizing to boost pro-Palestinian Council Member Shahana Hanif's reelection effort as she defends a challenge from political hopeful Maya Kornberg. Two hundred sixty Jewish constituents signed a letter, first shared with Playbook, urging fellow Jews to back the progressive lawmaker ahead of the June 24 primary. 'As Jews, we're proud to have elected NYC's first Muslim woman to the City Council, and committed to continuing to work with her to make our city safe for all who live here,' the supporters wrote. The group, which is being supported by the left-leaning Jews for Racial & Economic Justice Action, is also door-knocking around the district. In a statement, Sara Forman, the treasurer of Solidarity PAC, a group backing pro-Israel candidates including Kornberg, slammed the effort. 'Of course we are not a monolith and people are free to support whomever they choose, but the idea that anyone would claim to represent 39th District Jewish voters but are unable to recognize Shahana Hanif's revolting initial refusal to condemn Hamas or her blatant ignorance about antisemitic slurs graffitied in her district, is laughable,' she said. — Jason Beeferman HOTTEST SHOW IN TOWN: Nearly 500,000 people watched the first mayoral debate last week on broadcast TV — a slight boost over NBC and Telemundo's primary debate in 2021, even as New Yorkers continue to cut the cord. More than 235,000 views were recorded on the networks' digital and streaming platforms, which aired the full, two-hour debate on June 4. Together, it was a 47 percent increase over the debate four years ago. That's according to viewership numbers from NBC New York, which co-hosted the debate with POLITICO. That suggests there's a lot of attention on the race. Some 942,000 Democrats voted in the mayoral primary in 2021. — Jeff Coltin PRIDE MONTH PICK: First in Playbook, the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, a left-leaning LGBTQ club, is ranking Adrienne Adams first on its mayoral endorsement slate, followed by Mamdani, city Comptroller Brad Lander, state Sen. Zellnor Myrie and former Assemblymember Michael Blake. 'We missed the chance to elect Bella Abzug in the 1970s,' said Allen Roskoff, the club's president, referring to the late Congressmember who ran for mayor against Mario Cuomo in 1977. 'It's time' for a woman mayor, he added. The club announced its unranked slate in April, but now replaced Jessica Ramos with Myrie and Blake after she endorsed Cuomo. — Jeff Coltin and Joe Anuta More from the city: — The City Council voted to clear a hurdle for a hotly debated casino bid in the Bronx — buoyed by crucial, last-minute support from Mayor Eric Adams. (POLITICO Pro) — It's not just Cuomo. At least five men are running for City Council and hoping to redeem themselves after losing office or having their political careers clouded by scandal. (City & State) — Department of Investigation officials have been monitoring the NYPD's response to anti-ICE demonstrations as part of a settlement after 2020 protests. (Gothamist) NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY RAMOS FUNDRAISES: State Sen. Jessica Ramos held an 'Albany Send-Off' fundraiser three blocks from the Capitol last night. Tickets ranged from $250 to $5,000. Notably, the fundraiser was for her state account — the one she'd use if she doesn't wind up winning the mayoral election and seeks another term in her current office next year. That account had only $9,000 in the bank as of January, far less than the $100,000 it had in January 2023. Her city-level account owes a quarter million dollars in debt. Ramos said she has 'an end of session fundraiser every year.' It is indeed far from the senator's first Albany event. Back in 2019, Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi called Ramos a 'fucking idiot' for criticizing the governor for holding a budget-time fundraiser while she had done the same. — Bill Mahoney More from Albany: — A measure to protect people with developmental disabilities has stalled again in the Legislature. (Times Union) — Former Assemblymember Danny O'Donnell is heading to the state Parole Board. (City & State) — A bill could enable political party bosses to kick out members at will. (New York Post) KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION SALT TO BE SHED?: The chair of the Senate Finance Committee said in a meeting Wednesday that three major business tax provisions will be made permanent in the GOP megabill while the House deal on the state and local tax deduction, or SALT, will be scaled back, according to attendees. The pledge to restore larger tax deductions for research-and-development costs, business equipment purchases and interest on debt fulfills a major priority for Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho and members of his panel, who consider them a major driver of economic growth. But making the breaks permanent is costly, and it will require tradeoffs that could cause political problems as GOP leaders seek to finish work on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill.' Crapo is targeting a hot-potato House priority in the SALT deduction that's critical to highly taxed states like New York. He told GOP senators in the Wednesday briefing that he plans to cap SALT at a lower level than the $40,000 deal Speaker Mike Johnson cut with his members. New York and other blue-state GOP lawmakers are already raising warning bells over the plan, which Senate Majority Leader John Thune first outlined to POLITICO. 'I can guarantee you: Any bill that passes here will have a SALT provision of $40,000 or more,' Rep. Nick LaLota said. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis warned Senate Republicans are 'running the risk of this entire bill imploding' if they alter the House SALT deal, adding that 'they will be responsible for the largest tax hike on the American people.' — Benjamin Guggenheim and Jordain Carney More from Congress: — Democratic governors facing potentially big budget problems exacerbated by the GOP megabill are considering emergency measures to soften the blow. (POLITICO) — Rep. Ritchie Torres donates to the fund demanding freedom for Andry Hernández Romero, a gay asylum-seeker imprisoned in El Salvador. (Advocate) — Lobbyists pick Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as the most likely leader of the Democrats. (Punchbowl News) NEW YORK STATE OF MIND — A jury convicts Harvey Weinstein of the top charge in the retrial of his landmark #MeToo sex crimes case. (CNN) — Business groups are concerned about an emissions measure being considered in the final days of Albany's legislative session. (POLITICO Pro) — Long Island leads the state in dog attacks on postal workers. (New York Post) SOCIAL DATA IN MEMORIAM: Jim Katocin, vice president of advertising at City & State has died (City & State) MAKING MOVES: Adriana Pezzulli has joined NYC Kids RISE as chief of development. She was previously with the Community Service Society of New York … Amaia Errecalde has been promoted to be an account executive at strategic comms firm Infinite MEDIAWATCH: 'New York Times Names Co-Chief Restaurant Critics: The pair, Ligaya Mishan and Tejal Rao, are part of an effort to expand starred restaurant reviews across the country, the company said,' by NYT's Katie Robertson WELCOME TO THE WORLD: Alexa Kissinger, an attorney at Kirkland and Ellis and an Obama White House alum, and Gareth Rhodes, managing director at Pacific Street Group, on June 1 welcomed Felix Arthur Kissinger Rhodes, who joins big sister Inez. Pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Former Assemblymember David Buchwald … Jerika Richardson of the National Urban League … Gerstman's Nicole Epstein … JTA's Philissa Cramer … Columbia's Erin Hussein … Marc Greenberg … NBC's Carrie Budoff Brown … Dag Vega … Bloomberg's Kevin Sheekey … Chris Lu … Julie Andreeff Jensen … Rachel Cordova D'Oro … Alexis Levinson … Nathanael Massey … (WAS WEDNESDAY): Steven A. Cohen ... Michael J. Schoenfeld ... Scott Gottlieb Missed Wednesday's New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.
