Good Morning, New York! Eric Adams is catching heat for what some are calling sacrilegious comments, Hochul is brining legal action against striking COs, and the Lt. Gov’s hometown paper calls on him to resign. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Thursday, February 27th, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In NYC, making an appearance on Morning Joe, hosting a fireside chat on youth mental health, and then making a workforce development announcement.

WHERE’s ERIC: No public schedule yet.

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch is not holding back, blasting DA's and Albany for allowing violent offenders to repeatedly walk free. Tisch called the situation "unsustainable," citing the case of a man with 70 prior arrests who allegedly attempted to rape a woman on the subway and criticized soft-on-crime policies. She argued the issue isn't just crime itself but a surge in recidivism, exacerbated by bail reforms and prosecutors who decline to press charges. (NY Post)

— Eric Adams is catching heat for comparing himself to Jesus and referring to Black leaders calling for his resignation as "negroes." At a Black History Month event, Adams invoked Jesus's forgiveness, sparking outrage, with one Harlem pastor calling the remarks "sacrilegious." While Adams defended his comments on Fox5, critics like Public Advocate Jumaane Williams say it's part of a concerning pattern. (NY Daily News)

— Transit workers are pushing for bulletproof 'capsules' around bus drivers after a concerning rise in assaults, including shootings. TWU International President John Samuelsen argues these compartments, already slated for Philly buses, are crucial for driver safety and could save the MTA money in the long run. While the MTA says it's working with the union on safety measures, Local 100 wants NYC to follow Philadelphia's lead and implement a pilot program ASAP. (amNY)

Capitol Gains

— House Democrats are sounding the alarm over a GOP budget blueprint they say could slash Medicaid, potentially hurting 7 million New Yorkers. While Republicans claim they'll protect beneficiaries and target waste, Democrats argue such deep cuts are impossible without impacting patient care. Experts warn that significant federal Medicaid cuts could also devastate New York's state budget, impacting programs like education. (State of Politics)

— Critics said a CUNY job posting was antisemitic, and now Gov. Hochul has stepped in. She ordered that Hunter College immediately remove the "Palestinian Studies" professorship posting and investigate to ensure no antisemitic theories are promoted there. Top CUNY officials now say they support Hochul's decision, admitting that the language in the original job posting was divisive. (NY Post)

— The state is taking legal action against hundreds of correction officers who have walked off the job, leading to fines, loss of benefits, and individual lawsuits. Every striking member will have to find their own lawyer. Gov. Hochul is not playing around, warning that the strike puts the entire state at risk. She also again expressed exasperation at the CO's demands, and called for good faith efforts on both sides to end the strike. (State of Politics)

Trail Mix

— Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado's hometown paper the Daily Gazette is calling on him to resign, saying he's made it clear he's not on the same page as Gov. Hochul. The editorial board cites Delgado's public disagreements with Hochul on major political issues and his announcement that he won't be her running mate. They argue that this rift is hindering the lieutenant governor's ability to effectively promote the governor's policies. (Daily Gazette)

— Don't expect Gov. Hochul to play favorites in Buffalo's mayoral race. The Buffalo-born Democrat announced she's staying neutral in the upcoming Democratic primary, focusing on governing the state instead. This comes as the Erie County Democratic Committee has already endorsed State Sen. Sean Ryan, setting up a potentially crowded primary field. (Buffalo News)

— Brian Benjamin's back on the job scene after his corruption case was dropped, but not in politics. The former lieutenant governor just snagged a gig as president for the northeast region at CinqCare, a health care company focused on improving outcomes for communities of color. Despite speculation about a return to public office, this new role suggests Benjamin may be charting a different course for now. (City & State NY)

— Allies of disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo have formed a super PAC called 'Fix the City' to support his anticipated mayoral bid, aiming to raise a whopping $15 million. While Cuomo's camp is staying mum, polls suggest he'd enter the race as a front-runner, despite looming scandals and fierce opposition from current Mayor Adams and other Democrats. (Berkshire Eagle)

— Cuomo's not even in the mayoral race yet, but real estate execs are already sweating over a potential campaign pick. Word is Kevin Elkins, political director for the carpenters union, might land a top spot, which has the industry worried given his history of antagonizing the Real Estate Board of New York. While some acknowledge Cuomo's generally positive stance on development compared to other candidates, Elkins' involvement could signal a concerning alignment with labor. (Politico)