Good Morning, New York! Mastro is running NYC while Adams is in the DR, the budget may be pushed back all the way to May, and Cuomo gets two more big labor endorsements. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Tuesday, April 15th, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In Albany and Ulster County for a press conference with local police calling for discovery law changes.

WHERE’s ERIC: In the Dominican Republican, returning to NYC later today.

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— Charles Oakley's attempt to disqualify Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro from representing Madison Square Garden in their legal battle has failed. A judge ruled that Oakley's team didn't meet the high bar required to disqualify an attorney, even with Mastro holding a top position in the Adams administration. Despite concerns about potential conflicts of interest, Mastro can continue defending MSG as long as he recuses himself from city matters involving the company. (NY Daily News)

— While Eric Adams is in the Dominican Republic to pay respects after a nightclub collapse, his controversial first deputy mayor, Randy Mastro, is running NYC for two days. Mastro's appointment comes after a failed bid to be the city's top lawyer, where he faced scrutiny over his past clients and Giuliani ties. Last week, Mastro issued an executive order in Adams' stead that allows federal immigration officials to work out of offices on Rikers Island. (Gothamist)

— Zohran Mamdani promised to arrest Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits. A Free Press article covering his policies dug into what his views on Israel were, and found that he promised the arrest to prove “our values are in line with international law.” (Free Press)

Capitol Gains

— Albany insiders are now betting the budget won't be done until May due to disagreements over key policies like discovery reform. A delayed budget that far could seriously impact school districts' ability to plan their own budgets, plus it's not a good look for public trust in government, according to watchdogs. (City & State)

— Trump is attempting to roll back state climate laws, but New York officials are vowing to stay the course with their environmental projects and policies. Trump's executive order directs the Attorney General to target state and local laws that impede domestic energy production, sparking outrage from NY leaders like Gov. Hochul and Attorney General James. While environmental advocates fear the uncertainty it creates, Republicans and oil industry leaders are applauding the move. (Newsday)

— Hochul's trying to nix a quirky labor law that forces businesses to pay manual laborers weekly, but she's facing pushback in Albany. Business groups claim the law is easily exploited, leading to costly lawsuits over minor errors. Meanwhile, labor advocates argue it protects workers from corporate wage theft, digging in their heels as budget negotiations stall. (NY Post)

Trail Mix

— Looks like Democratic Councilwoman Susan Zhuang is about to be essentially guaranteed reelection in Brooklyn. After a Conservative Party candidate dropped out, the party gave Zhuang their ballot line, effectively making her unopposed since she's expected to snag the Democratic nomination, too. (NY Daily News)

— Cuomo's comeback campaign is gaining more union endorsements: despite past scandals, the former governor has secured endorsements from major labor unions 32BJ SEIU and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council in the NYC mayoral race. Union leaders are publicly supporting his leadership and experience despite calling for his resignation over sexual harassment allegations in 2021. These endorsements are considered a big boost for Cuomo, solidifying his front-runner status as the primary heats up. (Politico)

— Hypocrisy alert: A New York congressman who preached about defending democracy after January 6th is now in hot water himself for allegedly trying to rig a local party election. Rep. Adriano Espaillat could face suspension or expulsion from the Manhattan Democratic Party after an ethics probe found he and allies manipulated a 2023 vote. Espaillat's camp is firing back, claiming the investigation is a politically motivated "purge" orchestrated by a rival. (NY Post)