View this email in your browser

Compiled by Sahalie Donaldson

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Weather

Decreasing clouds in New York City, slight chance of showers in Albany and patchy fog then mostly cloudy in Buffalo. New York City, high 46; Albany, high 43; Buffalo, high 39.

A message from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Biomarker testing is key to matching patients with the most effective treatment for cancer and other diseases. In 2023 the state legislature passed legislation, with overwhelming, bipartisan support, to ensure equitable coverage for proven biomarker testing for more New Yorkers.

Unfortunately, the governor’s budget rolls back coverage for Medicaid patients, jeopardizing coverage for millions. This proposal is short-sighted for the budget and will result in worse health outcomes. Learn more.

From City & State

* Before he waltzes into City Hall today with his first preliminary budget plan, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has already shown a little footwork – announcing an additional $1.5 billion in state aid for the city. 

* Gov. Kathy Hochul’s immigration proposal sunsets in three years, timed just to the Trump administration, but advocates for expanding immigration protections are calling on her to make it permanent. 

* Former Assembly Member Taylor Darling is planning to primary Rep. Laura Gillen over the vulnerable Long Island Democrat’s vote to increase U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement funding. 

* Mamdani’s visit to Albany for Caucus Weekend sounded a lot like his Tin Cup Day visit just days earlier – including a call to tax the rich.

Heard around town

By Jeff Coltin

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin is hosting a roundtable today with Muslim leaders, focused on combating Islamophobia ahead of Ramadan, which begins this week. 

Menin’s office said she is planning to roll out support in the coming days for her bill proposing 100-foot “security perimeters” around houses of worship, including mosques, before its hearing next Wednesday. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch is seeking more flexibility in setting up those perimeters and is working with Menin’s office on an amended bill, City & State first reported Saturday.

“I’m proud to convene this group of dedicated leaders to strengthen how we support Muslim New Yorkers, from confronting Islamophobia to ensuring culturally competent services, such as access to Halal meals,” Menin said in a statement. “As we approach the holy month of Ramadan, we must also recognize the heightened safety concerns many Muslim families are feeling.” 

Got tips? Email editor@cityandstateny.com.

New York’s insurance costs are sky high; support Gov. Hochul’s proposal 

Onerous and outdated laws in New York State have led to rampant fraud and legal abuse, which are driving up the costs for everyone. With commonsense reform, auto insurance, goods, and more will become more affordable, while still giving adequate protection to victims of accidents.

Learn more

New this morning

* Gov. Kathy Houchul announced the state will send an additional $1.5 billion in aid to New York City over the next two years to help close its multibillion-dollar budget gap – news that follows New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaking to lawmakers about what he called a fiscal imbalance between the city and state, the Times Union reports.

* Mamdani has tapped Bitta Mostofi, a former Biden administration official, to audit six municipal agencies for violations of local sanctuary laws – an effort aimed at defending the city against President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdowns, Politico New York reports.

* Longtime Hudson Valley politician Marc Molinaro is leaving the Trump administration and planning to return to the lawmaker arena to run for Assembly in a district encompassing the northern Catskills, the Times Union reports.

* The most recent New York City nurses strike has revealed a bitter rift inside the union, which came to the surface in the past week – while most nurses are returning to work, thousands of others have decided to persist with the strike while accusing the union’s leadership of undermining their efforts, The New York Times reports.

* U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer went to Buffalo to rally support for a bill that would eliminate the federal statute of limitations for victims of sex abuse and human trafficking in civil cases, The Buffalo News reports.

* More news below …

Less than TWO WEEKS left to register for the NY infrastructure event of the year!

Join us for The Most Significant Infrastructure Projects Summit on 2/26 — an exploration of how completed, current, and future infrastructure projects will drive economic growth, job creation, and measurable benefits for all New Yorkers. Our keynote speakers are Janno Lieber, CEO of the MTA, and Jamie Torres-Springer, President of MTA Construction & Development! Register now, and contact us about sponsorship.

Sponsored by: Boldyn Networks; AECOM; Alstom Americas;Brown & Weinraub; Hornblower Group; Iovino Enterprises; Jacobs; KPMG; NUAIR; Skanska; T-Mobile; VHB; ELEC LOCAL 825; Forte Construction Corp; TAP Electric

* Mamdani appointed Christina Farrell as the new commissioner of New York City Emergency Management, the agency that coordinates the city’s emergency planning, response and recovery, NY1 reports.

* Standing just steps from the Stonewall National Monument flagpole, Schumer announced plans to introduce legislation that would ensure the Rainbow Flag permanently flies at the historic site, Gay City News reports.

* A video of a handcuffed Honduran immigrant shows his head violently hitting a brick wall while being taken into custody by two armed immigration agents last month in Hempstead Village, shocking advocates, who say they’ve seen escalating force in such encounters on Long Island and elsewhere, Newsday reports.

* Mamdani signed the certificate of incorporation creating a new Business Improvement District in Coney Island with a first-year operating budget of up to $1 million, Gothamist reports.

* New York’s House Republicans are demanding that Gov. Kathy Hochul opt New York in for a federal tax credit scholarship program that’s drawn the ire of the powerful teachers union, the New York Post reports.

* A new report found that just 7% of nearly 106,000 for-hire vehicles licensed by New York City’s Taxi & Limousine Commission are wheelchair accessible, The City reports.

Editorial pages

* Given the ongoing housing and affordability crises, unlocking streamlined processes to produce more units faster is at the top of our list. There are easy ways to do this, Carlo Scissura, president and CEO of the New York Building Congress, writes for the Daily News.

* New York City is facing a slow-motion degradation of a critical urban asset unless Mayor Zorhan Mamdani abandons his rent freeze and persuades the state to let landlords more easily recoup investment costs, Nicole Gelinas writes for the Times.

National politics

* The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a charismatic preacher who became the leading voice of Black American aspirations in the years after the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and was the first African American to gain significant traction as a presidential candidate, died this morning at age 84, The Washington Post reports.

* The U.S. and Iran are holding their second round of talks about Iran’s nuclear program in Geneva as the United States ramps up its military presence in the Middle East and Iran holds large-scale maritime exercises, The Associated Press reports.

* President Donald Trump doubled down on his opposition to the Gateway tunnel project aimed at connecting New York and New Jersey, refuting claims that he demanded the renaming of New York’s Penn Station in exchange for federal funds, Politico reports.

Look who’s playing in City & State’s March Political Madness basketball tournament…

It’s time to get your game face on. On 3/6, New York’s political leaders will face each other & other NY leaders in advocacy, business and beyond on The John Thompson, Jr. Court @ Nike. Participants so far include: Sen. Bailey, Sen. Myrie, AM Anderson, AM Zinerman, AM Pretlow, AM Kim, AM Taylor, CM Epstein, CM Riley and more!

Whether you’re looking for access to NY’s political leaders or are looking to show off your basketball skills, you NEED to be part of this event. We’re looking for players, coaches and sponsors to cheer them on — contact us before spaces fill up.

Announcements

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: To Larry Schimmel, general counsel to state Attorney General Letitia James … to David Van Zandt, former president of The New School … to former Albany County Legislator Peter Crouse … to Carol Conslato, director of Queens public affairs for Con Edison … to Melissa Cebollero, associate vice president, community affairs, Montefiore Health System … to Gregory Davidzon, president and CEO of Davidzon Radio and Russian Television Network of America … to María Navarro Gallegos, senior media strategist at Stu Loeser & Co. Strategy … to Evelin Collado, Manhattan borough director in the Office of New York City Comptroller Mark Levine … and to Yen Chou, director of community affairs for Assembly Member David Weprin.

MOVING ON: Christina Farrell has been appointed commissioner of New York City Emergency Management … Jimmy Pan has been appointed executive director of the New York City Equal Employment Practices Commission … and Yoav Gonen, former senior reporter for the news outlet The City, is joining New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin’s office as communications director.

IN MEMORIAM: Former Rep. Richard Ottinger died yesterday. He was 97. 

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

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.

Government and Community Relations Manager - Geto & de Milly, Inc - NYC

We're seeking a full-time Government and Community Relations Manager to join our expert government and community relations and strategic communications team. Responsibilities include developing and executing strategies across a diverse portfolio that includes land use, real estate, sports, and the nonprofit sector, as well as engaging with elected officials, government agencies, and local stakeholders. Learn more here!

Chief of Staff to the COO – Ostroff Associates, Albany, NY
Ostroff Associates is seeking a Chief of Staff to support the Chief Operating Officer in a fast-paced, high-impact government relations firm. This senior role provides strategic and day-to-day operational support, coordinates internal and external communications, manages priorities, advances key initiatives, and ensures fast, accurate follow-through. The ideal candidate brings strong legislative experience, exceptional organization, sound judgment, and a proven ability to manage complex projects under tight deadlines.

The early bird rate for our Digital New York Summit ends on FRIDAY! Register NOW.

Join us for a full-day, dynamic program on 3/19, featuring candid discussions and thought-provoking presentations on innovation that is making everyday life for all New Yorkers more livable, safer, and more convenient. Colin Ahern, New York State’s Chief Cyber Officer is our keynote speaker! Register now while early bird rates last, and contact us about sponsorship.

Sponsored by: Box; Crowe; Brown & Weinraub; CDW; KPMG; NUAIR; Palo Alto Networks, Inc.; T-Mobile

Today's sked

9 a.m. – City & State hosts the New York Higher Education Summit, Museum of Jewish Heritage, second floor, Events Hall, 36 Battery Place, Manhattan.

9 a.m. – New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani meets with Council Speaker Julie Menin about the fiscal year 2027 Preliminary Budget, no location provided.

9:30 a.m. – Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, New York City Council Member Lynn Schulman and advocates rally to call on Albany to restore public health funding to New York City, City Hall steps, Manhattan.

10 a.m. – Mamdani meets with New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Comptroller Mark Levine about the FY27 Preliminary Budget, no location provided. 

10 a.m. – Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, in partnership with the state Department of Labor, joins EmblemHealth to host a sales hiring event, Rotunda, Bronx Borough Hall, 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx.

10:30 a.m. – Gov. Kathy Hochul meets with Gateway Project construction workers, no location provided.

12 p.m. – Mamdani meets with members of New York City Council and borough presidents about FY27 Preliminary Budget, no location provided. 

1:30 p.m. – Mamdani presents his FY27 Preliminary Budget, Blue Room, City Hall, Manhattan.

3 p.m. – New York City Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget Director Sherif Soliman holds a technical briefing on the FY27 Preliminary Budget, Blue Room, City Hall, Manhattan.

7:30 p.m. – First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan and OMB Director Sherif Soliman appear live on NY1.

Kicker

“I’m rooting for redistricting because as many problems as I have with Dan Goldman, he’s a lot better than Nicole Malliotakis.” – Former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, on how he’s approaching his congressional run in the middle of a mid-decade redistricting fight, via City & State

Copyright © 2026 City & State NY LLC, All rights reserved.

You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to First Read Emails from City & State.

Our mailing address is:

City & State NY LLC
44 Wall Street, Suite 702
New York, NY 10005

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.