Good Morning, New York! NYC residents are pushing back against ‘mini-Chernobyl’ lithium ion storage facility, new CDPAP has left thousands of homecare workers unpaid, and a City Council candidate admits he got played by radio show listener. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Monday, April 14th, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In Albany and New York City, attending an event with survivors of domestic violence and a vigil for victims of the nightclub tragedy in DR.

WHERE’s ERIC: No public schedule available.

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— New Yorkers are fighting back against the city's green energy plan, fearing that new lithium-ion battery storage facilities could become 'mini-Chernobyls' in residential areas. Residents are protesting proposed sites near schools and daycares, raising concerns about potential toxic fires. While developers insist the facilities are safe, citing FDNY approval and existing facilities near schools, some parents are threatening to pull their kids from nearby schools if the plans move forward. (NY Post)

— Immigration service providers beware: the NYC Council is cracking down on fraud! Amid a surge in complaints, the council is considering bills to increase penalties for misleading services and boost public awareness. One bill would raise fines for rule-breakers to $7,500, while another focuses on educating immigrants about their rights and how to avoid scams. (Gothamist)

— A judge has ruled that a former Park Slope principal can move forward with her lawsuit against the Department of Education. Jill Bloomberg claims she was retaliated against after speaking out against racial discrimination within school sports programs, which she believed disproportionately affected her Black and Latino students. Bloomberg's troubles snowballed when a confidential complainant accused her of attempting to recruit students to join the Progressive Labor Party. (Gothamist)

Capitol Gains

— Hochul's new CDPAP program is off to a rough start, leaving thousands of workers unpaid and raising concerns about vulnerable patients. A court order extended deadlines, but problems persist with the new payment system, as many aides report receiving incorrect or no paychecks. Federal prosecutors are now monitoring the situation, while Hochul's office insists the transition will ultimately improve the system and cut costs. (NY Post)

— New York's budget is late, and experts are starting to question the optics of Democrats fighting amongst themselves instead of focusing on potential federal cuts. The holdup stems from disagreements over discovery laws, with Gov. Hochul facing criticism for pushing policies through the budget that might not pass under normal circumstances. Some worry the infighting distracts from bigger issues like tariffs and healthcare, while others believe the public isn't paying attention to this particular policy debate. (State of Politics)

— Former Republican Gov. George Pataki is praising Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul for holding up the state budget. Pataki says Hochul is right to stand firm on changing the pre-trial discovery law, which she and some DAs believe is letting criminals off the hook due to technicalities. Hochul is currently facing resistance from fellow Democrats in the legislature. (NY Post)

Trail Mix

— Stefanik sees her pulled U.N. ambassadorship as a 'blessing in disguise' and isn't ruling out a run for governor, even though shes's back to work in the House. While critics question her commitment to local needs versus national ambitions, she remains a strong favorite to win reelection to the house. (Times Union)

— A NYC Council candidate and radio host, Frank Morano, admits he got played. Thinking he was helping a reformed listener, Morano wrote a letter that sprung a romance scam artist from prison, only to realize the guy was still up to no good. Now Morano's opponent is using it as a 'smear attack,' while his rival's spokesperson suggests Morano belongs on the Parole Board instead of representing Staten Island. (NY Post)

— Mayor Adams' endorsement of Kash Patel's "Government Gangsters" earlier this month caused the book's sales to skyrocket by nearly 800%. Adams promoted the book at a press conference, urging people to read it after a corruption case against him was dismissed. Patel, now FBI Director, has been critical of the Department of Justice and alleges a 'Deep State' conspiracy. (Tammany Times)