Latest news with #SummerofHell
New York Post
27-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Drop out of the mayor's race NOW, Andrew Cuomo!
Andrew Cuomo lost big Tuesday night, but may still do New York City the huge disservice of staying on the November ballot as an independent — and so increase the chances that Zohran Mamdani becomes the next mayor. He can still legally drop out today, Friday June 27; otherwise, even if he doesn't campaign at all, he'll still draw some votes that should go to a non-Mamdani candidate who can win. Staying in would be the height of egotistical arrogance, but this is Andrew Cuomo we're talking about: As long as it serves his bitter, twisted and vengeful needs, he probably doesn't care about the consequences for the people of this city. Of course, that attitude explains his historic collapse despite a huge lead in the polls just weeks ago, and a ginormous $25 million in donations for 'independent' pro-Cuomo spending: Democratic voters are sick of him. And the same will prove true of non-Democrats if he persists: Whatever lead there might seem to be there in polling now (especially in polls pushed by consultants who'd profit if he stays in) is mere name recognition. Why would moderates and conservatives rally behind him? They know Cuomo helped inflict 'criminal justice reform' on New York, feeding crime and disorder in the city; he made it harder to get mentally ill homeless into treatment; he gave us the botched legalization of pot, soaring electric bills, tighter rent laws that slam small landlords, the subway Summer of Hell and 'congestion' tolls — not to mention his literally deadly 'leadership' during COVID. Yet he's plainly still in denial: 'I'm looking at the numbers from last night. I want to get an idea of what the general election looks like and what landscape looks like, and what the issues are, and then make the decision,' he arrogantly told The Post on Wednesday. Huh? After his tired run in the primary, Cuomo is a dead man walking even in the eyes his big-money donors, who are looking to shift their support to Mayor Eric Adams or some late-entry independent. By staying on the ballot in what's then at least a four-man race, Andrew Cuomo only makes it easier for Mamdani to sneak to victory with as little as 30% of the vote — meaning he needs only his hard-left base, plus those who'll always vote for the Democratic line and a handful more New Yorkers he can charm into his camp. Andrew Cuomo made New York less affordable, less safe and less livable: He's already proved he's the perfect foil for Mamdani. Yet — in some faint hope of somehow winning redemption and a platform he imagines could let him seek the White House — Cuomo stands poised to to help elect a democratic socialist who'd make all the city's problems even worse. For a few more hours, he can still serve the people of New York by setting aside his ego and removing his name from the November ballot. He has until 5 pm today to inform the city Board of Elections. The clock's ticking, Andrew: Let your final move in politics be doing the right thing.
Politico
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Mamdani bids on Cuomo's bridge lights
AND ZOHRAN SAID, LET THERE BE LIGHT: He doesn't have any authority over bridges (at least, not yet), but Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani wanted to glow up anyway. Mamdani submitted bids Tuesday evening for equipment once purchased to fulfill his chief political rival's dreams of a choreographed, colored light show to create an 'international tourist attraction' on New York City's bridges. The lighting equipment is being auctioned off by the New York Power Authority. The multi-colored LEDs were bought in 2017 for $37 million to fulfill then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo's vision to illuminate the city's bridges. Cuomo, the frontrunner in the Democratic mayoral primary, proposed the light show in 2016, before the infamous subway meltdown known as 2017's 'Summer of Hell.' The project was shelved, but the power authority had already spent $100 million out of an estimated $250 million cost. The state eventually reimbursed the authority, but the lights stayed in storage — costing more than $2 million over the past 7 years. Now they're up for auction with a high bid of more than $4,000. Bidding began Monday with an opening price of $25, after POLITICO inquired about the ultimate fate of the lights. 'If you think Andrew Cuomo is going to save this city from the crisis he created, I have a bridge to sell you — but it won't be lit,' said Mamdani spokesperson Lekha Sunder in a statement. Other rival candidates challenging Cuomo also slammed the former governor over the 'vanity project.' Mamdani dropped out of the bidding before it got serious (the two top bidders now appear to be affiliated with large firms, although POLITICO could not reach them for comment). 'I ended the bidding at about what Cuomo's signature achievements are worth: about 50 bucks,' Mamdani said in a statement. It's not clear what Mamdani would have done with the hundreds of items — the winning bidder is required to remove the lights, cables and other equipment from a warehouse in Putnam County. 'Maybe as a gag at the debate?' suggested Mamdani spokesperson Andrew Epstein. But he noted the auction doesn't close until June 23, a day before the primary election. — Marie J. French From the Capitol DON'T RAISE RAISE: A coalition of tech startups is organizing against two bills aimed at regulating artificial intelligence in the Empire State. Y Combinator, a startup accelerator which has funded more than 5,000 tech firms since 2005, sent a letter today to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins arguing the RAISE Act and the New York AI Act would discourage new businesses and penalize AI firms even when their models cause unforeseen harm. 'We fully support the Legislature's goal of ensuring the safe and ethical development of AI,' the letter states. 'However, we are concerned that these two bills, as currently drafted, could unintentionally stifle innovation, impose burdensome requirements on developers, and deter open source and academic research, without meaningfully addressing the most pressing AI safety challenges.' The letter, first obtained by Playbook, has more than 50 signatories from leaders of New York tech firms, including Beam, an AI inference platform and Henry AI, a firm which uses the tech to help real estate brokers write offering memorandums. The RAISE Act, sponsored by Assemblymember Alex Bores and state Sen. Andrew Gounardes, would enact 'transparency requirements' for certain AI training models and would require tech firms create 'safety plans and disclosing safety incidents.' The New York AI Act, sponsored by Assemblymember Michaelle Solages and state Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, would 'hold developers and deployers accountable for irresponsible practices and harm caused through errors of their systems.' In a statement, Gounardes said Y Combinator's position doesn't accurately represent his bill. 'The RAISE Act isn't overly prescriptive or anti-innovation; all it does is require companies to have a safety plan for their own technology,' he said. 'That's the type of reasonable, commonsense safeguard we'd expect of any company working on a potentially dangerous product, which is why it's overwhelmingly popular with New Yorkers who want AI to make life better, not put it at risk.' — Jason Beeferman NEW YORK AI ACT GATHERS SUPPORT: Gonzalez's New York AI Act got a boost today from 16 City Council members, who sent a letter to Heastie and Stewart-Cousins calling for the passage of the legislation. 'We can all agree that New York should be a leader in AI. But being a leader in AI means more than ensuring that AI innovation happens here — to us, leading in AI also means being a leader in the responsible use of AI by acting swiftly to ensure its safe development,' wrote the lawmakers in a letter first obtained by Playbook. Notably, Jennifer Gutierrez, chair of the Council's Technology Committee, signed onto the letter. The bill also got a backing from labor giant, AFL-CIO, which issued a memo in support of the legislation Wednesday. — Jason Beeferman FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL CUOMO ARGUES EXPERIENCE: Cuomo attempted to make the case again today that Mamdani lacks the experience to lead the city, POLITICO reports. 'I think New Yorkers are smart. They know that somebody has to know how to do the job,' Cuomo told reporters at a campaign event in Harlem. 'It's common sense that before you hire a person for a job, you ask about basic credentials and experience.' The 67-year-old former governor spoke at length about the 33-year-old state legislator, though he never used his name. Cuomo, who has a penchant for Socratic dialogue, acted out a mock job interview between Mamdani and a recruiter. ''Hello, I'm applying for the job of the mayor of the City of New York.' 'OK, do you have management experience?' 'No.' 'Have you managed 100 people before?' 'No.' 'Have you managed 50 people before?' 'No, I have no management experience,'' Cuomo said. He continued, suggesting Mamdani doesn't have experience dealing with President Donald Trump, building affordable housing or running mental health facilities either. Cuomo was in Harlem to announce the endorsements of former Gov. David Paterson and former Assemblymember Keith Wright, the Manhattan Democratic Party leader. Mamdani's youth and relative inexperience have emerged as top attack lines against his rising candidacy. 'Zohran is proud not to have the experience of defunding the MTA, cutting Medicaid, empowering Republicans and resigning in disgrace after being credibly accused of serial sexual harassment,' Mamdani campaign spokesperson Andrew Epstein said about Cuomo's comments. — Jeff Coltin TWEETGATE: Mayoral candidate Adrienne Adams told reporters she had 'no regrets' after deleting a tweet this morning attacking Mamdani's support for abolishing ICE — and claimed the post 'didn't criticize the assemblyman.' 'It was not the way that I wanted to say what I wanted to say, and it was misinterpreted because of that,' Adams said at a wide-ranging press conference today. The City Council speaker's Tuesday afternoon post said 'people elect us as leaders to solve problems, not pledge allegiance to rigid ideologies.' Mamdani supporters attacked her online for criticizing the lawmaker, rather than focusing on Cuomo. Adams said she has spoken about Trump 'and will continue to push back on allowing ICE into New York City.' — Jeff Coltin IN OTHER NEWS — ENDING ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS: The Legislature is expected to advance a bill which would end the program of that fields anonymous reports of child abuse, a system critics say has been weaponized against families. (Capitol Pressroom) — DO YOU KNOW MY BROTHER-IN-LAW?: Chris Cuomo's wife invoked the former governor's name when she pleaded with the chairman of the state's liquor authority to reverse its decision to revoke a Montauk bar's operating license. (Judge Street Journal) — KATHY HOCHUL, THE FIGHTER, ACC. TO ZOHRAN: Mamdani heaped praise on the moderate Democratic governor for being able to 'defend' Trump's efforts to enforce immigration policy and use troops to quell protests. (WATCH) Missed this morning's New York Playbook? We forgive you. Read it here.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cuomo's bridge lights hit the auction block
ALBANY, New York — The saga of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's bridge-lighting boondoggle is finally drawing to a close — and from a financial perspective, the end is shaping up to be dim. Cuomo, who's now running for New York City mayor, first signaled in 2016 that he would spend hundreds of millions of dollars to decorate the city's bridges in flashing lights as a way to boost tourism. A year later, subway delays plagued the city in what came to be known as the 'Summer of Hell,' prompting critics to question the wisdom of forcing the financially stressed Metropolitan Transportation Authority to spend an estimated $250 million on a decorative lighting project. Cuomo, though, did not give up on his 'Harbor of Lights' vision. All told, the state and the New York Power Authority spent at least $108 million on bringing it to life — all to no avail. Now, years later, the power authority is finally auctioning off the lights after POLITICO inquired about their fate. The minimum bid? $25. So far, there are no takers — a far cry from what Cuomo had hoped for nearly a decade ago. 'They'll all be synchronized, they can all be the same color, they can operate in series — I mean it is really limitless,' he said at the time. The Kosciuszko Bridge linking Brooklyn and Queens got the light show treatment — and a Mother's Day 2017 unveiling — that Cuomo heralded as the first stage of his grand plan. 'Harbor of Lights' was to be choreographed together, synced with other iconic city landmarks and set to a soundtrack, making for an 'international tourist attraction," Cuomo promised. The plan was shelved soon after, but the power authority had already spent $106 million, including on the lighting equipment and design costs. The authority was ultimately reimbursed by taxpayers. But it held onto the lights and equipment needed for the pet project — and that has come at an additional cost. The authority has paid $300,000 annually — at least $2.1 million — over more than 7 years to store the lights, according to power authority spokesperson Lindsay Kryzak. Days before Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 due to sexual harassment allegations he denies, his spokesperson said the bridge lighting project would still move forward. That spokesperson, now working for Cuomo's mayoral campaign, declined to comment for this story. A government watchdog said Monday that the saga of the lights highlights a need for more oversight of the governor's office and state authorities. 'It's a complete fiasco,' said John Kaehny, executive director at Reinvent Albany. 'This is a case study in abuse of power and gaping holes in transparency and accountability.' Cuomo officials offered shifting explanations of how the bridge lights would be paid for as public scrutiny mounted. The MTA wouldn't be paying, a Cuomo spokesperson said, after the power authority's board had been told otherwise. At one point, the administration suggested the state's economic development agency would provide the funding. It wasn't unusual for Cuomo to focus on the aesthetics of infrastructure projects — he added millions of dollars in costs for blue and white tiling in tunnels. While governor, he also tapped the state power authority to support various projects, including the lighting and display screens at the Moynihan Train Hall. The power authority finances energy efficiency projects, and customers — public entities like the MTA — agree to reimburse the authority. But the bridge lights were such a large expense — without a clear path to reimbursement — that they prevented the authority from issuing long term debt for years. Then-power authority president and CEO Gil Quiniones told the governor's office at the time that the shortfall would have to be disclosed ahead of a planned bond issuance, according a person familiar with the situation who was granted anonymity to speak with POLITICO about sensitive details. To avoid that public disclosure, a deal was reached for the state to reimburse the authority. The last payment from the state was made in 2021, as POLITICO reported at the time. Most of the lighting equipment — which cost about $37 million, according to public records — has remained in storage since it was purchased in 2017. Power authority officials did not believe it could be sold since the state paid for it, according to the person who was granted anonymity. In 2021, a spokesperson for the authority said it would seek to use the lights for other projects. More recently, after POLITICO inquired about the fate of the bridge lights, the authority listed them for auction. 'As you know, we have tried to repurpose these lights,' power authority spokesperson Kryzak said in a statement. 'Despite these efforts to identify new uses across the State, demand was not what was expected, so the next logical step is to auction the lights." Kaehny recommended that voters take this 'escapade' into account when voting in the Democratic mayoral primary, where Cuomo is the leading candidate. 'He's not been held accountable in part because they were able to keep this a secret for so long,' Kaehny said. 'This is a great example of governance by whim and ego storm.'
Politico
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Politico
Cuomo's bridge lights hit the auction block
ALBANY, New York — The saga of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's bridge-lighting boondoggle is finally drawing to a close — and from a financial perspective, the end is shaping up to be dim. Cuomo, who's now running for New York City mayor, first signaled in 2016 that he would spend hundreds of millions of dollars to decorate the city's bridges in flashing lights as a way to boost tourism. A year later, subway delays plagued the city in what came to be known as the 'Summer of Hell,' prompting critics to question the wisdom of forcing the financially stressed Metropolitan Transportation Authority to spend an estimated $250 million on a decorative lighting project. Cuomo, though, did not give up on his 'Harbor of Lights' vision. All told, the state and the New York Power Authority spent at least $108 million on bringing it to life — all to no avail. Now, years later, the power authority is finally auctioning off the lights after POLITICO inquired about their fate. The minimum bid? $25. So far, there are no takers — a far cry from what Cuomo had hoped for nearly a decade ago. 'They'll all be synchronized, they can all be the same color, they can operate in series — I mean it is really limitless,' he said at the time. The Kosciuszko Bridge linking Brooklyn and Queens got the light show treatment — and a Mother's Day 2017 unveiling — that Cuomo heralded as the first stage of his grand plan. 'Harbor of Lights' was to be choreographed together, synced with other iconic city landmarks and set to a soundtrack, making for an 'international tourist attraction,' Cuomo promised. The plan was shelved soon after, but the power authority had already spent $106 million, including on the lighting equipment and design costs. The authority was ultimately reimbursed by taxpayers. But it held onto the lights and equipment needed for the pet project — and that has come at an additional cost. The authority has paid $300,000 annually — at least $2.1 million — over more than 7 years to store the lights, according to power authority spokesperson Lindsay Kryzak. Days before Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 due to sexual harassment allegations he denies, his spokesperson said the bridge lighting project would still move forward. That spokesperson, now working for Cuomo's mayoral campaign, declined to comment for this story. A government watchdog said Monday that the saga of the lights highlights a need for more oversight of the governor's office and state authorities. 'It's a complete fiasco,' said John Kaehny, executive director at Reinvent Albany. 'This is a case study in abuse of power and gaping holes in transparency and accountability.' Cuomo officials offered shifting explanations of how the bridge lights would be paid for as public scrutiny mounted. The MTA wouldn't be paying, a Cuomo spokesperson said, after the power authority's board had been told otherwise. At one point, the administration suggested the state's economic development agency would provide the funding. It wasn't unusual for Cuomo to focus on the aesthetics of infrastructure projects — he added millions of dollars in costs for blue and white tiling in tunnels. While governor, he also tapped the state power authority to support various projects, including the lighting and display screens at the Moynihan Train Hall. The power authority finances energy efficiency projects, and customers — public entities like the MTA — agree to reimburse the authority. But the bridge lights were such a large expense — without a clear path to reimbursement — that they prevented the authority from issuing long term debt for years. Then-power authority president and CEO Gil Quiniones told the governor's office at the time that the shortfall would have to be disclosed ahead of a planned bond issuance, according a person familiar with the situation who was granted anonymity to speak with POLITICO about sensitive details. To avoid that public disclosure, a deal was reached for the state to reimburse the authority. The last payment from the state was made in 2021, as POLITICO reported at the time. Most of the lighting equipment — which cost about $37 million, according to public records — has remained in storage since it was purchased in 2017. Power authority officials did not believe it could be sold since the state paid for it, according to the person who was granted anonymity. In 2021, a spokesperson for the authority said it would seek to use the lights for other projects. More recently, after POLITICO inquired about the fate of the bridge lights, the authority listed them for auction. 'As you know, we have tried to repurpose these lights,' power authority spokesperson Kryzak said in a statement. 'Despite these efforts to identify new uses across the State, demand was not what was expected, so the next logical step is to auction the lights.' Kaehny recommended that voters take this 'escapade' into account when voting in the Democratic mayoral primary, where Cuomo is the leading candidate. 'He's not been held accountable in part because they were able to keep this a secret for so long,' Kaehny said. 'This is a great example of governance by whim and ego storm.'
New York Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
NYC ‘Train Daddy' Andy Byford joins Amtrak board to oversee Penn Station revamp
WASHINGTON — 'Train Daddy' is officially back. Former Transit President Andy Byford has formally joined Amtrak's Board of Directors to oversee the long-delayed revamp of Penn Station, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Tuesday Byford resigned from his Big Apple role in February 2020 after butting heads with then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo — now the favorite to become the city's next mayor — and is currently serving as a senior vice president at Amtrak focusing on high-speed rail. 'Thanks to President Trump's leadership, America is building again,' Duffy said in a statement. 'We're thrilled to have Andy oversee the redevelopment and modernization of this vital transit hub.' 3 New York City's 'Train Daddy' Andy Byford has officially joined Amtrak's Board of Directors to oversee the long-delayed revamp of Penn Station, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Tuesday. AFP via Getty Images 'Andy shares our dedication to keeping costs down and completing this project on time,' Duffy added. 'Together we'll work to deliver a brand-new Penn Station that is safe, clean, and worthy of the American people.' The $7 billion overhaul will involve a 'public-private partnership model' to renovate the crumbling infrastructure and add more rail capacity,' Duffy said last month. Trump had fired the MTA from overseeing the Penn Station revamp, begun in 2021 under Cuomo and continued by his successor as governor, Kathy Hochul. 3 Byford will now serve as a special adviser on Amtrak's board after having previously led public transit systems in Toronto, London and Sydney as well. Getty Images Cuomo had tapped Byford for the Transit role following massive subway delays during 2017's 'Summer of Hell.' Under the Englishman, NYC subways reached their highest on-time performance levels in six years. However, Byford complained that working under Cuomo was 'intolerable' and that he'd been 'excluded from meetings' critical to day-to-day operations. 3 Deputy Secretary Steven Bradbury in a statement Tuesday added that the Transportation Department looks forward to helping 'revitalize Penn Station as a spectacular, safe, and reliable passenger rail gateway.' James Keivom After leaving his New York job shortly before the onset of COVID-19, Byford was appointed commissioner of Transport for London in June 2020, resigning two years and three months later after overseeing the opening of the commuter-rapid transit hybrid Elizabeth Line, citing a desire to return to the US to be with his family. Hochul, who pulled more than $1 billion in state funding for the Penn Station project, welcomed news of Byford's return to New York City in a Friday statement expressing relief that the money pit was the feds' problem now. 'I'm very pleased to be working with the newly-appointed Andy Byford, who has a distinguished career in transit and infrastructure, and hope he is able to use these skills to deliver a beautiful, on-time, federally funded Penn Station renovation that New Yorkers can be proud of,' she said. Deputy Transportation Secretary Steven Bradbury added Tuesday that the Transportation Department looks forward to helping 'revitalize Penn Station as a spectacular, safe, and reliable passenger rail gateway.'
