Good Morning, New York! Congestion pricing could end soon after Trump order, Hochul has activated the National Guard in state prisons, and Cuomo is reportedly “100% in.” This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Thursday, February 20th, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In NYC with no public schedule.

WHERE’s ERIC: No public schedule yet.

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— Congestion pricing could end soon as Trump directed the Department of Transportation to pull approval of the program. In a post on Truth Social, President Trump said “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” (NY Post)

Kathy Hochul responded by saying the action was a direct “attack on New York sovereignty” by a self-proclaimed “king,” and that “the cameras are staying on.” The state plans to fight the federal action in court. (amNY)

— A pair of migrants tied to notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua were arrested, and then released without bail after prosecutors reduced the charges. According to law enforcement, both migrants are currently living at taxpayer-funded hotel shelters, and are active members of a criminal enterprise. (NY Post)

Capitol Gains

— Kathy Hochul has officially activated 3,500 National Guardsmen to provide security at state prisons where correctional officers are participating in wildcat strikes despite a judge’s order that ordered them back to work. Hochul says the striking workers are putting the safety of inmates and the remaining officers at risk. (State of Politics)

— Builders across Long Island are opposing a potential new state regulation that would require automatic sprinklers in all single and two-family homes. They say it will only worsen the affordability crisis, adding tens of thousands to the cost of building a new home. The Firefighters Association of the State of New York backs the measure as necessary, citing a way to protect residents stuck in their homes before firefighters arrive. (Newsday)

— Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order to facilitate emergency road salt deliveries across the state as a shortage grows. Salt deliveries have already begun in Albany as a large snowstorm hits much of the state. (Times Union)

Trail Mix

— A group of eight Black lawmakers from across the city signed a letter to Hochul warning her of a political price if she removed the mayor. You can read the letter here. (X/JCColtin)

— Several top faith leaders from NYC met with Kathy Hochul, also urging her to keep Adams in place. The EVP of the New York Board of Rabbis said “Eric Adams has been a very important voice who has stood up for the Jewish community during an important time when others were silent,” and the pastor of the Christian Cultural Center said, “Clergy are concerned about an immediate and unthought-out response.” (NY Post)

— News 12 apparently has multiple sources saying that Andrew Cuomo is planning to announce a run for NYC mayor by the end of the month. (News 12)

— A ‘save the date’ notice was sent out to supporters of Andrew Cuomo for a fundraiser on March 4th. The event, hosted by investment banker Charles Myers, said “More than ever, NYC needs effective, fearless leadership to defend our city…” (POLITICO)