Good Morning, New York! Eric Adams’ charges have been dropped by the DOJ, but in a way that will give Trump immense control over Adams. NY will review noncitizen voting, and a warning sign for Cuomo. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Tuesday, February 11th, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In NYC for an announcement on affordability.

WHERE’s ERIC: Giving a live address closed to the press.

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— The DOJ dropped charges against Eric Adams last night, with the memo citing not his innocence but rather the close proximity of the case to the 2025 mayoral election. The memo also called for Adams to focus his attention instead on “illegal immigration and violent crime.” Adams’ security clearance was also restored.

There is one massive caveat in the situation: Adams must agree to the case’s dismissal without prejudice, which means that the DOJ could revive it in the future, and that the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office will review the case again after the mayoral election. This could give Trump immense leverage over how Eric Adams operates over the next few months, as Adams will need to stay in Trump’s good graces. (NY Daily News)

— NY’s top court will review whether noncitizens can vote in NYC elections today, a move that has been decried by the GOP as both a clear path to increased voter fraud and a constitutional farce. However, many progressive Dems in New York support the move, passed in 2022, that would allow green card and work permit holders who have lived in the city for at least a month to cast a ballot. (Politico)

— The massive lobbying effort to legalize Airbnb in NYC appears to be failing, as CM Farah Louis has gutted a bill that would have originally legalized more short-term rentals. Hotel-aligned groups celebrated the move, while Airbnb-aligned groups stand firmly against the changes. (Gothamist)

Capitol Gains

— Democrats in the legislature killed a bill that would have delayed the special election for Elise Stefanik’s seat yesterday, with reports surrounding the legislation indicating that Gov. Hochul expressed opposition to the plan. Democrats were intending to leave NY-21, which is a safe GOP district, empty until November. (Times Union)

— Lawmakers are protesting over the ever-increasing salaries for top education officials, following large pay raises that left the SUNY Chancellor making over $1,000,000 a year. Bills are being introduced to cap the salary of these officials, which many say are out of touch with the wages that their constituents, including other employees at NY schools, earn. (WXXI)

— Controversy is brewing over the I Love NY hospitality suite in the Buffalo Bills’ Highmark Stadium. The State of New York paid almost $2k for wine, beer, a spread of food, and more to feed guests invited to the box. The box was designed to boost economic development and business, but now many citizens are seeing is as a way for politicians to attend games at taxpayer expense. (Buffalo News)

Trail Mix

— Another poll has been released showing Cuomo in the lead for NYC mayor with 31%, however warning signs are appearing for his candidacy as only 19% supported him in an informed-voter survey conducted by United for a Brighter Tomorrow shared his many scandals with voters. (NY Post)

— The special election for Westchester County Executive will take place today, with voters choosing between Democrat Ken Jenkins and Republican Christine Sculti. Jenkins is currently serving as the interim director following George Latimer’s election to Congress. Turnout has been low, with just 4% showing up for early voting. Some predict that overall turnout may not even reach 10%. The winner will have a short time to run for re-election, with a race for a full four-year term taking place in November. (WAMC)

— Former Suffolk County GOP chairman Howard DeMartini has passed away at the age of 82. DeMartini was in home hospice in Fort Myers, Florida, when he passed away of glioblastoma. (Newsday)