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Compiled by Eric Holmberg

Tuesday, April 01, 2025

Mostly cloudy across the state. New York City, high 52; Albany, high 49; Buffalo, high 39.

This week's magazine

Involuntary commitment

* Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposal to make it easier to hospitalize people with serious mental illness against their will is just the latest development in a decadeslong debate over forced psychiatric treatment.

A slate of better solutions

* There are a number of structural and long-term investments that must be made in our public health infrastructure in order to solve the age-old and seemingly intractable problem of mentally ill homeless people that breaks the hearts of compassionate New Yorkers, City & State Publisher Tom Allon writes.

 ▶ Read This Week's Issue

From City & State

* The New York City Council will release its 2026 budget rebuttal today. This launches negotiations in the first budget cycle where the City Council speaker will negotiate with a mayor she’s simultaneously challenging in the primary.

* City & State caught up with Andrew Yang, the former mayoral candidate and founding co-chair of the Forward Party, to talk about the New York City mayoral race, the future of the Democratic Party and whether he’ll ever run for office again.

Here’s something that’s common sense to 77% of New Yorkers: private developers that get millions in taxpayer subsidies for big construction projects should have to pay workers the same fair wages required on public projects.*

But right now, a broken system overseen by a dysfunctional board is letting developers take public money without strings attached.

It’s time to fix 224A and make sure public subsidies come with public responsibilities. Find out more here.

* Based on a poll commissioned by the New York State Building Trades

Heard around town

By Austin C. Jefferson

The state’s budget director says that if federal cuts to vital services come to pass in Congress’ final budget plan, the state can’t simply raise more money and will have to make its own cuts. Nearly $91 billion of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s $252 billion executive budget proposal comes from the federal government.

As Hochul has said, a special session would be likely if budget figures needed to be reworked to respond to cuts. State budget negotiations are on pace to extend through at least Thursday as policy matters muddy the waters, but on the fiscal side of the budget book, state Budget Director Blake Washington told reporters that while there are some unknowns, the contingency plan is pretty straightforward.

“There’s no bottom to some of these. We don’t have the ability on the state side to backfill,” Washington said yesterday. “The only way you can really backfill on the state side is to cut services for other things, and you sort of modify spending across the platform. And so you have got to make sure they’re sustained.”

Otherwise, he said, it could be a case of “call your congressman.” Read more here.

Got tips? Email editor@cityandstateny.com.

New this morning

* A federal judge ordered Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration to postpone its overhaul of a popular Medicaid-funded home care program until Friday, pushing the state past its April 1 deadline, Crain’s New York Business reports.

* State Budget Director Blake Washington said Hochul is willing to hold up the state’s spending plan “as long as it takes” to get her proposals on discovery and involuntary commitment passed in the face of stiff opposition, the New York Post reports.

* New York is on the verge of becoming the next state to ban cellphone use during school hours – a victory for Hochul, who has been pushing to drastically limit the “endless disruptions from social media” on students, Politico New York reports.

* Dasheeda Dawson, the founding director of Cannabis NYC, resigned abruptly last week as her agency was investigating an accusation that she tried to pressure another woman into a polyamorous relationship in exchange for a city contract, The New York Times reports.

* In a new interview, state Sen. John Liu talks about his previous opposition to Mets owner Steve Cohen’s proposed casino and the $100 million agreement to fix infrastructure at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Hell Gate reports.

* More news below …

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* New York City mayoral candidate and Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani’s 18-page public safety plan, which will be released today, does not call for hiring more police officers and would instead create a city agency called the Department of Community Safety, the Times writes.

* Claire Shipman is only days into her job as acting president of Columbia University but is already being targeted by Rep. Elise Stefanik, who questions her commitment to fighting antisemitism on campus, the Times reports.

* Momodou Taal, a Cornell University student whose visa was revoked over his participation in pro-Palestinian campus demonstrations, said he’s leaving the United States voluntarily after a judge declined to immediately block the government from taking steps to deport him, CNN reports.

* President Donald Trump has nominated former Long Island Rep. Anthony D’Esposito to serve as inspector general for the Department of Labor, Newsday reports.

* According to a new lawsuit by a developer whose bid was rejected, favoritism and political influence tainted New York City’s pick for a development team to transform the Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx, Crain’s New York Business reports.

* State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez and Assembly Member Michael Benedetto said they’re introducing legislation to reclassify the parkland for commercial use to aid Bally’s bid to open a casino next to their Bronx golf course, the Post reports.

After resigning in disgrace during a sexual harassment scandal, Andrew Cuomo is trying to ride a wave of real estate money back into public office. But what will that mean for tenants who struggle under high rents? Nothing good. Read Michael McKee’s Manifesto #6 about Cuomo’s big money backers and his history of siding with big developers over working families!

Editorial pages

* Despite rapidly escalating political, legal and financial risks, Cornell University cannot afford to cede the space of public discourse and the free exchange of ideas, Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff writes for the Times.

* There is a growing statewide crisis in the state Supreme Court: The public is waiting years before cases can be heard because there are too few judges to hear them, state Supreme Court Justice Frank Caruso writes for the Times Union.

* Forced removal by law enforcement makes the appearance of dealing with the problem of homeless New Yorkers dealing with mental illness, but that’s just an illusion – and a very temporary one, Dave Giffen, executive director of the Coalition for the Homeless, writes for the Daily News.

Podcasts

Episode 1: An Interview with Jessica Ramos. Welcome to Episode 1 of our new podcast series: The Race to Gracie Mansion. Co-hosts Tom Allon and Bradley Tusk chat with mayoral candidate Jessica Ramos on her vision for NYC, her strategies to win over voters, and her thoughts on the state of the race. Listen Now.

Sponsored by: Spectrum, Google, New York Apartment Association, AARP New York City

National politics

* President Donald Trump’s political momentum will face a major test this week as Democrats try to turn various down-ballot races into a referendum on the White House, and Trump’s long-promised tariffs risk rattling allies and consumers alike, the Times reports.

* The Trump administration acknowledged in a court filing that it had grabbed a Maryland father with protected legal status and mistakenly deported him to El Salvador, but said that U.S. courts lack jurisdiction to order his return from the megaprison where he’s now locked up, The Atlantic reports.

* The recent firings of career Justice Department lawyers by the White House is a sign of Trump’s tightening grip over the law enforcement agency known for its long tradition of political independence, The Associated Press reports.

The New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies invites you to a public hearing in the Bronx. 

Thursday, April 10, 2025 - Dreiser Community Center, Bronx, NY (Co-op City) at 5 PM.  The theme for this meeting is the Great Migration and post-Reconstruction harms in the Bronx.

This is your opportunity to share personal testimonies, discuss the effects of these historical events, and propose solutions to repair the ongoing harms of slavery and structural discrimination in New York State.

Your voice matters. Be part of this critical conversation.

Learn more here.

Announcements

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: To Nick Benson, chief communications officer for the New York City Department of Transportation … to former New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito … to former Rep. Jamaal Bowman … to former New York state first lady Michelle Paige Paterson … and to Jeffrey D. Denman, vice president at Yoswein New York.

MOVING ON: Oliver Christian has been appointed as His Majesty’s consul general to New York and His Majesty’s trade commissioner for North America.

Have a birthday, career change, birth, death or life event to announce? Email us: editor@cityandstateny.com.

Featured Announcements

Windels Marx is pleased to announce a leadership transition as Scott R. Matthews has been appointed as Managing Partner, succeeding Robert J. Luddy, who has led the firm with distinction since 2001. Scott has a J.D. from Fordham Law (1999) and a B.A. from the University of Florida (1996).

Promote new hires and promotions to New York's top government leaders. This is an exclusive tool to inform New York’s decision-makers where the top professionals are moving in their careers. Limited to 4 per day. Learn more and submit today!

City & State NY Jobs

To advertise your 2025 employment opportunities here with City & State, email jobs@cityandstateny.com or call (212) 894-5417 ext. 520. To view more jobs, please visit jobs.cityandstateny.com.

Construction Auditor/Investigator Series - Office of the MTA Inspector General, 
The OIG is expanding its workforce dedicated to oversight of the multibillion-dollar capital program at the MTA. Construction oversight staff work in either the Audit or Investigative Units but regularly coordinate across both disciplines. Construction oversight staff investigate allegations of wrongdoing or fraud and conduct proactive reviews to identify and uncover waste and mismanagement by MTA or its contractors. Learn more here!

Financial Investigator - Office of the MTA Inspector General, 
The Financial Investigator will participate in and conduct confidential and sensitive investigations regarding allegations of fraud, waste and abuse or other corrupt activities that may involve MTA officials, employees and persons or entities doing business with the MTA. The position will examine and analyze evidence, data and documents from multiple sources, including financial records and documents, participate in interviews and prepare reports. Learn more here!

Director of Construction Oversight - Office of the MTA Inspector General,
The OIG is expanding its workforce dedicated to oversight of the multibillion-dollar capital program at the MTA. Construction oversight staff investigate allegations of wrongdoing or fraud, conduct proactive reviews to identify and uncover waste and mismanagement by MTA or its contractors, and perform independent monitoring functions to safeguard federal funds granted to MTA after Hurricane Sandy. Learn more here!

Senior Auditor/Analyst - Office of the MTA Inspector General,
Under the direction of the Executive Deputy Inspector General for Audit (EDIG/Audit), the Senior Auditor/Analyst is responsible, within the mandate of the MTA Inspector General, for participating as a team member supporting multiple audits simultaneously, reporting directly to the team leaders. Senior Auditor/Analyst may also lead specific tasks or parts of an audit. Learn more here!

Senior Investigative Attorney - Office of the MTA Inspector General, 
Reporting directly to the Executive Deputy Inspector General for Legal (“EDIG/Legal”), the Senior Investigative Attorney directs and conducts confidential inquiries and investigations into complex allegations of fraud, waste and abuse in the operations and management of the MTA, its subsidiary agencies and contractors. Learn more here!

Suffolk OTB is working to bring a world-class sportsbook to Long Island at Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel, a public benefit corporation. This would generate millions for New York State schools, create more jobs, and offer a top-tier sports betting experience for local fans. Long Islanders deserve the ability to watch and bet on their favorite teams in real-time. It's time for Albany to modernize gaming laws and bring a sportsbook to Long Island! #Jake’s58Sportsbook #SuffolkOTB

Today's sked

Gov. Kathy Hochul is in Albany with no public schedule.

The state Legislature is in session.

8 a.m. – New York City Mayor Eric Adams meets with senior administration officials, no location provided.

9:30 a.m. – New York City mayoral candidate and Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani makes a major announcement regarding public safety, entrance of the Chambers Street subway station, Manhattan.

10 a.m. – The New York City Council holds a hearing on appointments to boards and commissions, Committee Room, City Hall, Manhattan.

10:30 a.m. – New York City Comptroller Brad Lander holds a press conference regarding legal action against Tesla, fifth floor boardroom, David N. Dinkins Municipal Building, 1 Centre St., Manhattan.

11 a.m. – The state Senate is in session, Senate chamber, state Capitol, Albany.

11:30 a.m. – Adams delivers remarks on New York City’s priorities in the state budget and holds an in-person media availability, Blue Room, City Hall, Manhattan.

5:15 p.m. – New York City mayoral candidate and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo makes an address to combat antisemitism, West Side Institutional Synagogue, 120 W. 76 St., Manhattan.

5:30 p.m. – New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams hosts and delivers remarks at the council’s Eid al-Fitr event, Council chamber, City Hall, Manhattan.

7 p.m. – Adams hosts the Office of Technology and Innovation’s “NYC Hayes Innovation Prize Award Ceremony,” no location provided.

Join the leading voices in health at the Healthy NY Summit on 4/17, like our keynote speakers Dr. Michelle Morse, Acting Commissioner of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Dr. James V. McDonald, Commissioner of the NYS Department of Health. Part of a government agency? Sign up with your government email and the promo code GOV for 50% off. Register now.

Sponsored by: EmblemHealth; AHRC; Brown and Weinraub; HealtheConnections; Healthix; Hinman Straub; Hollis Public Affairs; MVP Health Care; The New York Foundling; T-Mobile for Government; Vibrant Emotional Health; WMCHealth; Health Distribution Alliance; Lenox Hill Radiology; NYSTEC; United Healthcare

Kicker

“I am under no delusions that he’s doing this out of the goodness of his heart.” – state Sen. John Liu, on sponsoring parkland alienation legislation for Steve Cohen’s casino proposal in exchange for the Skypark plan or $100 million in park improvements, via Hell Gate

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