Jon Campbell

Big unions want to sweeten pensions. Albany is rallying with them. Critics warn that changes to Tier VI could cost taxpayers billions

"There are few opponents, and people who a decade ago warned of the cost implications are keeping quiet now."

@gothamist.com's Jimmy Vielkind on the push to sweeten public employees' pensions in New York, and the costs local governments and schools could incur. gothamist.com/news/big-uni...

NY’s climate law clashes with Gov. Hochul’s affordability campaign The governor is seeking to roll back NY’s landmark 2019 climate law, much to the chagrin of some Democratic lawmakers.

New York’s lofty goal to dramatically reduce its greenhouse gas emissions has run into a major roadblock: Gov. Kathy Hochul’s election-year quest to make the state more affordable. gothamist.com/news/nys-cli...

“I’m fighting for a fairer pension plan because we need to continue recruiting people,” Hochul said at the unions’ Tier VI rally.

Shoutout to the drummer dude in Hochul’s shot.

New: Gov. Hochul set to attend a big labor rally in Albany today, where unions are pushing to retroactively boost pension benefits for thousands of state workers. It would be a major cost for school districts and local gov’ts.

I asked her about the unions’ pension push on Tues.

Trump's border czar says he won't launch immigration blitz in NY, according to Gov. Hochul Border czar Tom Homan was in Albany as the president ousted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Among things Gov. Hochul and Tom Homan discussed (according to Hochul):

- Death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam
- Preventing surge of immigration enforcers
- Detention centers (Hochul doesn't want them)
- Detained students (Hochul gave Homan a list) gothamist.com/news/trumps-...

'Sip and stroll': NY lawmaker wants to ease liquor laws during World Cup A Manhattan Democrat is behind a proposal to make it easier for some bars and restaurants to serve people outdoors, but only during the World Cup.

A NY state lawmaker is pushing a last-minute — stoppage time? — bill to allow “sip and stroll” outdoor drinking zones for the duration of the World Cup. gothamist.com/news/sip-and...

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani just announced the first four communities that will offer free child care for 2-year-olds starting this fall.

More from @gothamist.com's Karen Yi: gothamist.com/news/these-n...

Supreme Court halts redistricting fight over Staten Island’s NY-11 seat The decision overturns a lower court order to redraw the district represented by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis before the midterm elections.

From @brigidbergin.bsky.social: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked a lower court order that would have forced New York to redraw Staten Island’s congressional district ahead of this year’s midterm elections. gothamist.com/news/supreme...

Long Island's Bruce Blakeman complicates GOP plan to avoid primary for governor's race The Nassau County executive is trying to convince Republicans to support him instead of Rep. Elise Stefanik, who recently announced a gubernatorial bid.

GOP leaders want to avoid a Republican primary for NY governor.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has other ideas. gothamist.com/news/long-is...

NY Gov. Hochul’s running mate shortlist includes Brooklyn DA, state lawmaker The governor met with at least one potential candidate over the weekend at a conference in Puerto Rico.

Among those NY Gov. Hochul is considering as a running mate, per sources:

- Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez
- Dormitory Authority CEO Robert Rodriguez
- Assemblymember Brian Cunningham
- NY Secretary of State Walter Mosley gothamist.com/news/ny-gov-...

*Cue eight-minute cacophony of noise*

That's the ballgame: AP calls the NYC mayor's race for Zohran Mamdani, just after 9:30 p.m.

It's not totally over, but things are looking very good for Zohran Mamdani in the NYC mayoral race. Roughly 45% of the expected vote in, per AP.

A thing about this year's NYC mayoral race: We will have a big chunk of the results right as polls close.

With >700k voting early and >100k voting by mail, it's looking like that's going to be at least a third of the total votes cast. And we'll get those results right at 9.

Voter turnout on pace to reach historic high for NYC mayor’s race With hours to go before polls close, it is possible that turnout could reach levels not seen since the 1960s.

NYC voters are straight-up flocking to the polls. Civic participation ftw!!

From @brigidbergin.bsky.social: gothamist.com/news/voter-t...

NY wants to shut down Kalshi, the company behind the NYC mayor’s race odds State regulators say Kalshi has been operating an illegal betting operation. Kalshi says they have it all wrong.

You’ve seen the billboards showing the latest odds in the NYC mayor’s race.

Now, NY state regulators are going after Kalshi — the company behind them — for its sports offerings, in particular.

gothamist.com/news/ny-want...

Judge says Trump administration must pay SNAP benefits, after NY and other states sue In a ruling on Friday, a judge said the Trump administration needed to use contingency funds to make November payments.

From my colleague Karen Yi: gothamist.com/news/judge-o...

Andrew Cuomo's attorney will get to depose the therapist of the state trooper suing him for sexual harassment, thanks to a magistrate judge's ruling.

But the judge also ruled Cuomo's legal team can't depose the trooper's mother. gothamist.com/news/andrew-...

The letter also tells you to keep the stub with your tax documents.

That's wise, because as my colleague Jimmy Vielkind points out: The refund checks are federally taxable.

gothamist.com/news/you-sho...

Here's the letter that's going out with the NY "inflation refund" checks hitting mailboxes now.

It makes sure to tell you Gov. Hochul and state lawmakers are the ones who approved them. (They're all up for re-election next year.)

Feds charge NY Attorney General Letitia James with fraud, per reports James denied wrongdoing and her allies said the case is politically motivated.

From my colleague Jimmy Vielkind: gothamist.com/news/feds-ch...

You should report Gov. Hochul’s ‘inflation refund’ checks on your taxes The program will send hundreds of millions of dollars to the administration of President Donald Trump.

Those up-to-$400 checks coming from NY state? You'll have to pay federal tax on them.

"(T)he federal tax liability could have been avoided if the rebate program were structured differently."

From Jimmy Vielkind: gothamist.com/news/you-sho...

NY AG James turns to legal defense fund amid scrutiny from Trump DOJ The Democratic Attorneys General Association announced it was setting up a fund that James and other officials could tap.

NY AG Letitia James won't tap a $10M state fund (which Hochul and lawmakers approved in the budget) to pay her legal fees.

Instead, she's turning to the Democratic Attorneys General Association, which has set up a legal defense fund.

From Jimmy Vielkind:

gothamist.com/news/ny-ag-j...

'Inflation refund' checks coming to New Yorkers' mailboxes as soon as next week The checks range from $150 to $400 and will be sent to more than 8 million New Yorkers.

NY is sending checks of up to $400 to more than 8 million tax filers starting today. Checks will hit mailboxes in batches starting next week (and through November.)

gothamist.com/news/inflati...

As Manhattan casino projects fold, a New York lawmaker takes credit The fate of three Manhattan casino proposals may have been sealed three years ago, 150 miles to the north.

The fate of the Manhattan casino proposals may have been sealed three years ago and 150 miles north.

(Sign up for our weekly Politics Brief newsletter here: campaigns.gothamist.com/c/ht6tqwsrzikj…)gothamist.com/news/as-manh...it

TikTok, Instagram may request selfie to verify age under proposed NY rules Attorney General Letitia James’ office proposed rules to implement a state law restricting how social media platforms present content to kids and teens.

Upload a selfie to verify your age for TikTok, Instagram, etc.?

That's a possible outcome of AG Letitia James' new proposed rules for the SAFE for Kids Act, which limits social-media companies from showing kids and teens addictive feeds. gothamist.com/news/tiktok-...

Babe, wake up: The new Ulster County "I voted" sticker (IYKYK) just dropped ... and it's a good one.

Shoutout to sixth-grader Ryker Darmanin for the winning design.

www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

Feds' NY raid nets 57 immigration arrests: 'Expect to see' more, official says The raid last week is being touted by the government as the largest in New York state.

"A top federal prosecutor had a message for upstate New York businesses days after immigration agents detained dozens of people at a food processing plant: There’s more to come."

From my colleague Jimmy Vielkind:
gothamist.com/news/feds-ny...

How NY hired its 'chaotic' new phone ban mascot, Frankie Focus A talent agency posted a casting call to become the state’s new neon-green, shaggy-haired mascot that pays $300 per event.

Yes it's another story about Frankie Focus, the new NY state phone ban mascot.

A casting call shows Gov. Hochul's admin is hiring performers to don the Frankie costume, at $300 a pop.

Gov's office says it's using volunteers more than paid talent. gothamist.com/news/how-ny-...