Good Morning, New York! Hochul’s masked harassment proposal may be dead, but thankfully that means a state budget is closer than ever to completion with top Senate Dems saying to expect a deal next week. Plus: two more key union endorsements in the NYC mayoral primary. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In Albany and NYC with no publicly scheduled events. (check for updates here)

WHERE’s ERIC: No public schedule available.

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Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— Tom Homan and Mayor Adams are celebrating the arrest of almost 30 alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The announcement comes right after a judge blocked the Adams administration from allowing federal immigration agents back on Rikers Island. Homan stressed the importance of collaboration between city and federal authorities on public safety and national security threats, while Adams defended his pursuit of those carrying illegal guns. (State of Politics)

— Earth Day got a little messy in Manhattan when Extinction Rebellion activists targeted a Tesla dealership with anti-Elon Musk graffiti. Calling out Musk's role in the Trump administration, they scrawled slogans like "F**k Elon" before getting cuffed by the cops. (amNY)

— The top federal prosecutor (Matthew Podolsky) in New York's Southern District has resigned, making way for Trump's pick, Jay Clayton, to take over as interim U.S. Attorney. Podolsky took over the job after Danielle Sassoon resigned in protest. Chuck Schumer is already trying to block Clayton's permanent nomination, accusing Trump of politicizing the Justice Department. (ABC News)

Capitol Gains

— Still waiting on that New York state budget? Well, Senate Deputy Leader Mike Gianaris says a deal should be reached this week, with votes happening early next week. Lawmakers are still hashing out details on school aid, city funding, tax policies, and changes to involuntary commitment laws. (State of Politics)

— Looks like "mask-optional" is here to stay, at least for now. Gov. Hochul has dropped her push for a new 'masked harassment' crime in the NY budget, now focusing on harsher penalties for existing crimes committed while masked. Progressive lawmakers had resisted the initial proposal, fearing it could target protesters. (Gothamist)

— New York lawmakers might be closer than ever to legalizing assisted suicide. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has reportedly said the bill, which allows terminally ill adults to request fatal drugs, has enough votes to pass, potentially as soon as next week. While supporters champion the right to choose, the Catholic Conference is urging lawmakers to reject the bill, arguing that it devalues life. (NY Post)

Trail Mix

— Mayor Eric Adams went after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo for running against him, accusing Cuomo of "taking votes" and implying he should find his "own house." Meanwhile, a new Super PAC has launched to support Adams' independent run. (NY Post)

— The race for Mike Lawler's seat is widening again, with former FBI analyst John Sullivan throwing his hat into the ring as the fifth Democrat vying for the spot in 2026. Sullivan, who recently resigned from the FBI, is campaigning on a platform of protecting the country from threats "inside the White House." The Lawler campaign shrugged off the news, calling it a "clown car primary" with candidates desperate to appeal to the far left. (Lohud)

— Adrienne Adams just got a major union boost for her floundering mayoral campaign! DC 37, the city's largest municipal union, endorsed her as their top pick, hoping to jumpstart her campaign. This endorsement sets them apart from other prominent unions backing Andrew Cuomo, and it snubbed Comptroller Brad Lander, who was also vying for the union's support. (NY Daily News)

— Andrew Cuomo's mayoral campaign just got a boost with an endorsement from the Laborers’ International Union, representing 40,000 members. This win further solidifies Cuomo's standing with construction unions, even though the group backed a rival in the 2021 race. However, it's not all smooth sailing; Cuomo still faces criticism over past sexual misconduct allegations and his handling of COVID-19 in nursing homes, with calls for prosecution even coming from House Republicans. (NY Post)