In partnership with

Good Morning, New York! The Central Park Conservancy has joined the fight to ban horse-drawn carriages, New York’s free community college program for adults has had 16,500 students apply, and Mamdani is getting backlash from a campaign video that attempts to link Andrew Cuomo to Jeffrey Epstein. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Thursday, August 14th, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In Albany, then Schenectady County delivering remarks at an unemployment insurance payoff celebration, then in NYC.

WHERE’s ERIC: No public schedule available.

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

The Central Park Conservancy is ditching its neutral stance and joining the fight to ban horse-drawn carriages, citing safety concerns and infrastructure damage. This endorsement of 'Ryder's Law' puts them at odds with the Transport Workers Union representing drivers, who call the ban 'outrageous' and warn of job losses, while animal rights advocates urge the city to act now. Mayor Adams says he's heartbroken by the recent death of a carriage horse and promises to seek a better path forward. (amNY)

Eric Adams vetoed bills that would have hiked pay for NYC delivery drivers, arguing it would raise grocery costs for struggling New Yorkers. City Council members are not happy, accusing Adams of hypocrisy, while his team insists he's protecting vulnerable customers from higher prices. (NY Post)

Trump wants to take over the NYPD? Despite the former president's alleged "crime concerns," NYC's crime rates are significantly lower than they were 25 years ago, with murders nearly halved since 2000. Deputy Mayor Daughtry insists New York is the safest big city in the U.S. and Gov. Hochul called the possible takeover "an insult" to the NYPD. (amNY)

Capitol Gains

New York's free community college program for adults is a hit, drawing 16,500 applications already for in-demand fields like healthcare and cybersecurity. Gov. Hochul says there's no cap on enrollment, so anyone between 25 and 55 without a degree should apply. The program covers tuition, fees, books, and supplies, whether or not students are eligible for financial aid. (amNY)

New York's pension fund is riding high. Comptroller DiNapoli announced the fund's value hit $283.9 billion at the end of the first quarter, thanks to a 5.46% return on investments. Despite market "turbulence," the fund's diverse portfolio is expected to keep delivering retirement benefits for state and local government employees. (State of Politics)

Prison reform advocates are turning up the heat on Gov. Hochul to sign off on a package of bills aimed at ending prison violence, which has already cleared the legislature. The proposed changes would empower the Correctional Association to investigate facilities, mandate more camera coverage, and require quicker reporting of inmate deaths. Advocates want Hochul to go even further and close three New York prisons. (State of Politics)

Brought To You By…

Small Budget, Big Impact: Outsmart Your Larger Competitors

Being outspent doesn't mean being outmarketed. Our latest resource showcases 15 small businesses that leveraged creativity instead of cash to achieve remarkable marketing wins against much larger competitors.

• Proven techniques for standing out in crowded markets without massive budgets

• Tactical approaches that turn resource constraints into competitive advantages

• Real-world examples of small teams creating outsized market impact

Ready to level the playing field? Download now to discover the exact frameworks these brands used to compete and win.

Download now for free here.

Trail Mix

Zohran Mamdani is catching heat for a campaign video that seems to link Andrew Cuomo to Jeffrey Epstein without solid evidence. Critics are calling the move 'hypocritical' and an 'outrage,' especially since Cuomo's camp insists the allegations are BS being made in response to being called out about his rent. While Mamdani's team claims the video was in the works before the recent attacks and notes he has nothing to lose attacking someone with low approval ratings. (NY Post)

A GOP power struggle is brewing in Clinton County, as party leaders push back against accusations from Stefanik and Stec that they're botching the special election nomination process. The local leaders claim Stefanik and Stec tried to strong-arm them into endorsing a candidate 'without proper vetting', leading to accusations of "election interference" and threats to ruin careers. Meanwhile, Stefanik's camp alleges the local leaders are blocking candidates and plotting to install the chair as the nominee. (myNBC5)

Bridie Farrell, a former speedskater and congressional candidate, is now vying to replace Assemblyman Billy Jones in a special election this fall. With Jones resigning to take a college job, Farrell aims to build on his legacy by focusing on healthcare, housing, and economic growth in the North Country. She's not alone in the race, though, as Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael Cashman is also seeking the Democratic nomination, and Republican Andrea Dumas is considering a run with endorsements from high-profile GOP figures. (North Country Public Radio)