New York Democrats and progressive advocates see an opening if the federal government closes its doors.
The expectation is that freshman Republicans representing hotly contested districts will draw voter anger over both the shutdown melodrama and the potential cuts to federal spending.
Rep. Brandon Williams in Central New York is already gaining attention.
Two left-leaning groups, Economic Security Project Action and Empire State Voices, will launch a five-figure radio ad campaign this weekend to criticize Williams, who won a first term last year.
The ad buy is taking aim at the effort to reduce federal spending and the effect that could have on New Yorkers.
“The shutdown itself will obviously have a negative impact on families and hard-working New Yorkers,” Maria Martinez, the executive director of Empire State Voices, told Playbook.
Democrats are sharpening their attacks against Republican incumbents ahead of a potential federal shutdown this weekend.
“It’s clear who is to blame,” said Democrat John Mannion, who is running for the nomination to unseat Williams. “Sometimes, it’s hard to find where the fault lies. But in this case, it’s very clear.”
More than 7,000 federal employees live in the district.
Williams’ campaign pointed to a package of measures he’s supporting in a bid to curb the impact of a shutdown, including bills to pay to keep officers working at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
He’s also sponsoring legislation to support pay for members of the military and prevent members of Congress from being paid if the federal government shuts down.
Williams’ office announced on Thursday he would not take his salary if the government closes — a stance that was announced after he said the opposite in a TV interview (a misfire he blamed on being caffeine-deprived).
“I oppose a government shutdown and am working minute-by-minute to ensure critical services remain open, our federal employees receive their well-earned pay and our military readiness isn’t compromised,” Williams said in a statement to Playbook. “I’ve also directed the House to suspend my pay, sharing the burden in the event of a shutdown; while I continue to be engaged in the fight to avert one.”
New York is expected to host a half dozen battleground races next year as both parties vie for control of the narrowly divided Republican-led House.
That leaves little room for error among New York Republicans who are seeking a second term in 2024 — a presidential election year that could draw out more Democratic voters, hurting GOP chances down ballot.
In the Hudson Valley, Republican Rep. Mike Lawler has criticized hardline members of his own party during the negotiations.
Lawler told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt this month he wasn’t elected to his battleground House district to “play stupid games” in the spending food fight.
Lawler, like Williams, was elected last year to a seat Democrats will target as a pickup next year.
HAPPY FRIDAY. You made it. The weekend calls. Thanks for reading! Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.
WHERE’S KATHY? Greeting parents and children at a daycare facility in Albany to highlight expanded child care benefits.
WHERE’S ERIC? Attending a wake for an NYPD officer, calling in for an interview with a Caribbean music talk show, meeting with the head of the Diaspora Africa Forum, holding a public hearing and bill signing ceremony for two city bills.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I don’t believe the right to shelter applies to a migrant crisis.” — Mayor Eric Adams, trying to limit new arrivals to the city.
YES, SOME PEOPLE DO WANT CONGESTION PRICING: The Environmental Defense Fund is planning to spend $1 million or more on an ad campaign promoting the positives of congestion pricing.
The Route Forward campaign is kicking off with a full page ad in the Sunday New York Times and will run digital, print and physical ads across the city saying “we deserve mass transit as great as our city.”
The crowd that’s against tolling vehicles driving into Manhattan below 60th Street to fund mass transit has been LOUD, even years after the 2019 law was passed. So, the campaign is hoping to get New Yorkers feeling better about it, and making sure the government doesn’t back down.
The board that is considering who pays and how much for congestion pricing — called the Traffic Mobility Review Board — is meeting again Monday and may even release its final recommended tolling structure. But that’s after businesses and nonprofits spent tens of thousands of dollars lobbying on the issues, Gothamist reported, and requested 122 separate exemptions.
The ads say congestion pricing is “our best route forward — and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
Mary Barber, the group’s director of state affairs, says the nonprofit is “thrilled to help get the word out about the broad coalition supporting New York’s first-in-the-nation plan for less traffic, better transit and cleaner air.” — Jeff Coltin
MASONS, ACTUALLY DO, KIND OF CONTROL THE GOVERNMENT: When Adams joined the freemasons last weekend, City Councilmember Justin Brannan shot him a text. “In hieroglyphics,” he joked. After all, Brannan’s been a mason himself for about 15 years.
He thinks it’s a good thing Adams is bringing attention to “brotherhood,” maybe even demystifying the fraternity, based on centuries-old traditions that have been the subject of wild conspiracy theories.
“They read some Dan Brown book, and they think we drink goat blood,” Brannan joked. “That only happens on Tuesdays.”
That may be why City Hall declined to answer questions and just said it was “a private event” in Adams’ home “during his personal time.”
But masons are everywhere in government. Top NYPD officials Edward Caban and Jeffrey Maddrey were inducted with Adams, and state Sen. Kevin Parker and Assemblymember Gary Pretlow were there, Gothamist reported.
Speaker Adrienne Adams isn’t a mason, but her dad was, she told Playbook.
And former Gov. David Paterson is, too. Kind of.
He went to a Black history month event at Boyer Lodge in Harlem back in 2002 with then-Comptroller Bill Thompson and then-Secretary of State Randy Daniels, when the masons surprised him.
“I’ll never forget the looks on our faces when they started swearing us in,” Paterson said.
He never went back, though. But he said it was great that Adams just joined: “He can carry on where I didn’t.” — Jeff Coltin
WATCH: Progressive protesters crashed Mayor Adams’ birthday fundraiser last night at The Hudson in Inwood. (VIDEO)
More from the city:
— The city will eliminate gas-powered vehicles from its fleet and go all-electric in the next 15 years under a bill passed by the City Council. (Crain’s New York)
— Another Democrat, Austin Cheng, is hoping to oust George Santos from his NY-3 seat. (Queens Chronicle)
— If you want to know what’ll matter in the 2025 mayoral race, look at the dynamics at play in the 2021 primary that Adams won. (The Narrative Wars)
BOOSTING BLACK HOMEOWNERSHIP: New York officials are trying to find ways of expanding home ownership among Black residents as a housing crunch continues.
The Center for NYC Neighborhoods this week launched a policy agenda meant to address the issue.
The Black Housing Policy Agenda includes proposals meant to combat gentrification while also investing in stabilization programs for Black homeownership.
“Initiatives like the Black Homeownership Project provide vital support and a forum to discuss historical inequities around homeownership,” said Assemblymember Brian Cunningham (D-Brooklyn).
“Creating truly affordable housing and a pathway to homeownership will rectify the ills of the past and create a better future for our communities,” he said.
The agenda is being unveiled ahead of a legislative session in Albany that is once again expected to include a debate over how to expand housing in New York. — Nick Reisman
More from Albany:
— Venezuelans granted Temporary Protected Status would become eligible under the law to seek emergency shelter anywhere in the state, not just New York City (Newsday)
— New York is set to increase the minimum workers compensation next year. (Newsday)
— State officials are making the first round of funding for electric buses available. (Spectrum News)
— How a government shutdown would affect New York’s services and workers. (LoHud)
— U.S.-based Chinese community groups and their leaders with ties to the Chinese government have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to New York politicians over the last decade. (Newsweek)
— Almost the entire staff of a small town library has resigned, and the library is closed until further notice, after continued controversy over a planned drag story time. (Times Union)
— North Brooklyn, once a home of “crime and urban decay,” could be the future of New York City. (The City)
MAKING MOVES: Sherif Soliman is joining CUNY as chief financial officer and senior vice chancellor for budget and finance. He was chief policy and delivery officer for Mayor Eric Adams.
Jose Suarez, formerly digital media strategist at the New York City Comptroller’s Office, is now deputy director of digital communications at New York City Public Schools.
DOWN WITH THE GERONTOCRACY: A political action committee dedicated to electing young people to office in New York launched with a fundraiser last night at The Globe Bar in Manhattan, with remarks from the only Gen Z City Councilmember, 25-year-old Chi Ossé.
Up Next NY is “mainly focused on having more progressive candidates,” said 24-year-old co-founder Sadia Kauser. “Our generation looks for more drastic changes than what’s offered to us currently.”
She and 24-year-old co-founder Emmitt Sklar met working at the Civilian Complaint Review Board, and they hope to raise $50,000 by the end of the year to support Gen Z and young millennial candidates in 2024 state legislative races and 2025 City Council races. — Jeff Coltin
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Liz Sidoti … CBS’ Tory Coughlan … Bloomberg’s Oma Seddiq … NBC’s Emma Barnett … Edelman’s Lisa Osborne Ross … Will Saletan … Brad Lightcap … Greig Fields … Alex Goldstick … Bobby Burns
WAS THURSDAY: Diane Savino, senior adviser to Mayor Eric Adams … Ben Greenman … Jerry Weiss … Samantha Collidge (h/ts Jewish Insider)
— These are the New York buildings that Donald Trump could lose ownership of after his business was found liable of fraud. (BBC)
— This NYC realtor can help you find a perfect home and a perfect spouse. (Crain’s New York Business)
