Good Morning, New York! Eric Adams is leaving the Democratic Party, and will run as an independent. Also, a budget fight is happening in the City Council and a state judge blocked Hochul’s corrections officer executive order. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Thursday, April 3rd, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In NYC and Albany, going on Bloomberg’s ‘Balance of Power’ show.

WHERE’s ERIC: No public schedule yet.

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams says the city has $6.3 billion more than Mayor Eric Adams' team projected, and she's pushing for a $116.8 billion budget with more funds for education, mental health, and housing. While the council accuses the mayor of cutting vital services, his office maintains his $114.5 billion budget supports critical programs, and called on him to speak out against Trump. (NY Post)

— Fresh off having corruption charges dropped, Mayor Adams is raising eyebrows by promoting a book by Kash Patel, Trump's FBI Director. Adams claimed he found rationale for the dismissal in Patel's book, which accuses the deep state of plotting to overthrow Trump. The judge in Adams' case noted the dismissal "smacked of a bargain," suggesting a potential quid pro quo with the Trump administration involving immigration policy. (Gothamist)

— NYC's new subway map is here, but riders aren't exactly cheering. Despite the MTA's claim that it's 'easily readable,' many are blasting the redesigned graphic, calling it a confusing waste of money that doesn't prioritize real needs like working elevators. Some even likened it to a 'video game' screen and said the city looks distorted. (NY Post)

Capitol Gains

— New York is bracing for potential mid-year budget cuts from Washington, as Republicans look to slash federal spending. While the reality of these cuts remains uncertain, experts urge the state to prepare by setting aside funds and prioritizing needs, but the Hochul administration plans to address shortfalls only if and when they happen. Potential cuts to Medicaid, impacting 7 million New Yorkers, and changes to transportation funding formulas are raising major concerns. (State of Politics)

— New York families are struggling to afford child care, and state assistance isn't keeping up. Several counties have rolled out waitlists for the Child Care Assistance Program due to funding shortfalls, leaving parents in a bind. One mom said she was told point-blank that 'they do not have any funds,' forcing tough financial choices. (State of Politics)

— A state judge has temporarily blocked Gov. Hochul's order preventing fired striking correction officers from getting hired by Oneida County unless they complete a specific program. Oneida County officials called the governor's move an overreach that harms their ability to fill vacancies, and they're already moving to hire back some of the officers. (State of Politics)

Trail Mix

— Eric Adams is ditching the Democratic primary and opting to run for reelection as an independent, betting on support from minority communities and unaffiliated voters. Adams faces an uphill battle with low approval ratings, financial disadvantages, and the challenge of persuading New Yorkers to back a non-Democrat, especially against a likely strong Democratic challenger like Andrew Cuomo. (Politico)

— Former NYC Councilman Dan Halloran, already known for a bribery conviction, was arrested at Miami Airport for allegedly possessing over 1,300 child sex abuse videos on his phone, some involving young girls. Halloran reportedly admitted to authorities that he knew what was on the phone and had been buying the content on Telegram. (NY Post)

— It's Hochul vs. REBNY in the battle over NYC's FARE Act! In a video alongside Council member Chi Ossé, Gov. Hochul declared her support for the law that shifts broker fees from renters to landlords. REBNY, which is suing to block the act, argues it's preempted by state law, but Hochul and the state attorney general are siding with the city, calling for an end to those fees forever. (The Real Deal)