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Good Morning, New York! Three members of Congress were briefly locked inside an ICE detention facility yesterday, Eric Adams has been denied matching funds again, and Cuomo’s team denies a conversation with Trump. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Thursday, August 7th, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In Albany, Suffolk County, New York City, and Erie County, delivering remarks at the FASNY 2025 Annual Convention.

WHERE’s ERIC: No public schedule available

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

Eric Adams is in hot water as the Campaign Finance Board (CFB) denies him public campaign funds again, claiming his campaign hasn't fully cooperated and may have skirted the rules. Adams' team is furious, accusing the CFB of vague accusations and threatens to sue, just as Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani and Republican Curtis Sliwa secured matching funds. This isn't the first time Adams has faced this issue, as the board previously cited paperwork issues and a dismissed federal indictment. (amNY)

Zohran Mamdani is coming for charter schools if he becomes mayor. The Democratic mayoral nominee vowed to fight charter school expansion and audit existing schools in city buildings, sparking backlash from parents and advocates who champion charters as vital options for minority and low-income students. While the teachers' union backs Mamdani's stance, critics argue he's undermining his own affordability agenda by targeting schools that serve the very communities he claims to support. (NY Post)

Things got heated when three NYC Congress members tried to check on immigrant detainees at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center. Reps. Espaillat, Velázquez, and Goldman were briefly trapped inside after a federal officer locked the gate, sparking outrage and accusations that ICE and the Trump administration were obstructing oversight. The lawmakers, who have been repeatedly denied access, are demanding transparency and an end to ICE's contract with the facility, claiming it's hiding inhumane conditions. (amNY)

Capitol Gains

Gov. Hochul is celebrating after successfully pushing through changes to New York's discovery laws, which she claims will ease the burden on the justice system by preventing cases from being dismissed over minor technicalities. While Hochul and district attorneys see the changes as necessary to fix unintended consequences of the 2019 reforms, progressive lawmakers worry they didn't go far enough. Now the question is; will Hochul attempt to tweak Raise the Age laws next? (State of Politics)

A former SUNY Downstate Medical Center doc is headed to the slammer for swiping over $1.4 million from the hospital. Instead of using the cash for medical services, Michael Lucchesi apparently splurged on a fancy doggy daycare and other personal expenses, according to the Brooklyn DA. Despite his crimes, Lucchesi's lawyer is highlighting his 35 years of service to the Brooklyn community. (NY Daily News)

Kathy Hochul admits New York will likely miss its ambitious climate law goals, citing economic disruptions and potential cost increases for consumers. Critics across the political spectrum accuse Hochul of deliberately delaying controversial regulations until after her 2026 reelection bid. Environmental groups are suing, arguing Hochul is violating the state law mandating sharp emissions cuts. (State of Politics)

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Trail Mix

Eric Adams's reelection campaign is getting a major financial boost, despite lacking public matching funds. The pro-Adams PAC, Empower NYC, raked in $750,000 this week from two big donors, pushing its total to over $1 million as it aims to raise $15 million. Several PACs are now active in the mayoral race, signaling a potentially more competitive election than usual, due to an inability to defeat Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani. (City & State NY)

Did Trump and Cuomo secretly discuss the NYC mayoral race? Despite reports of Trump considering endorsing his former rival, a Cuomo spokesperson denies any recent conversations, calling it 'palace intrigue.' Meanwhile, Trump allies are reportedly pushing him to back Mayor Adams or even Mamdani, framing them as preferable to Cuomo. The Democratic primary winner, Mamdani, blasted Cuomo for even allegedly considering teaming up with Trump, calling it a 'betrayal.' (The City)

New Yorkers are feeling the housing squeeze, and a new poll says they favor rent stabilization and social housing to fix it. A whopping 69% would support a candidate backing rent control, and 68% want public investment in social housing projects. With many residents considering leaving the state or cutting back on essentials to afford rent, expect housing to be a hot topic in upcoming elections, potentially influencing Gov. Hochul's strategy. (City & State NY)