Good Morning, New York! Hochul has to abandon an event due to anti-Israel protestors, a deal is reached with strikers, Lt. Gov. Delgado’s office space is confiscated, and the Cuomo rumormill sets its sights on the White House. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Friday, February 28th, 2025.

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Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— Kathy Hochul had to ditch a planned event at City College after anti-Israel protests erupted, leading to at least three arrests, one involving a protester sitting in a tree. Protesters from both City College and Barnard College joined forces, chanting slogans and waving Palestinian flags, even taunting the absent Hochul. Cops allowed the demonstrations to merge before making arrests. (NY Post)

— Campaign finance records show a whopping $3 million discrepancy between what the Adams reelection campaign reported and what's actually in the bank, raising questions just as he faces federal indictment. With the Campaign Finance Board already denying him public matching funds, this latest revelation could spell even more trouble for the mayor as several challengers gear up for the June primary. (NY Daily News)

— Progressive city council members are stepping up to protect transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and intersex (TGNCNBI) residents. City lawmakers are introducing a package of bills aimed at strengthening access to gender-affirming care and bolstering resources for the TGNCNBI community amid ongoing attacks on transgender rights from the Trump administration. The proposed legislation includes measures for public education, healthcare access, and a plan to support TGNCNBI migrants, demonstrating a citywide commitment to safeguarding the rights of New Yorkers. (Gay City News)

Capitol Gains

— New York state prison workers are heading back to their posts after a deal was struck to end their illegal strike. Governor Hochul announced the agreement, which addresses staffing shortages, reduces mandatory overtime, a temporary bump in overtime pay, a potential change in pay scale, and the suspension of some prison reforms. (AP)

— Kathy Hochul is making it clear who's in charge. After Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado hinted at a primary challenge, Hochul's yanking away his office space in Albany, NYC, and the Hudson Valley, plus his state-issued devices. Delgado says he's "deeply committed" to serving New Yorkers, while Hochul's team claims he's "not interested" in his job and they're already looking for a new running mate. (CBS News)

— The Seneca Nation is hoping to smooth things over with state and federal lawmakers at a summit held at the Seneca Niagara Casino. The big issue? A new gaming compact, which has been in negotiation for a long time, with the Senecas claiming they've overpaid in exclusivity fees to the state for over 20 years. Seneca Nation President JC Seneca hints at halting payments to New York if talks don't pick up, seeking a better deal for the tribe. (State of Politics)

Trail Mix

— Eric Adams just lost a key ally: Frank Seddio, a former Brooklyn Democratic Party boss, says he can't see a path for Adams to win re-election. Seddio is now backing Andrew Cuomo for mayor, citing Cuomo's experience and leadership abilities. (NY Post)

— Could Andrew Cuomo be eyeing a comeback all the way to the White House? Despite resigning amid scandal, some Democrats see the ex-NY governor as a potential 2028 presidential contender, especially if he wins the NYC mayoral race. They think his combative style could be just what the party needs to take on Trump and the MAGA wing of the Republican party. However, others question whether Cuomo's baggage is too heavy for a national run. (Yahoo)

— James Gardner, a former law clerk and assistant DA who lost the DA race last year, has snagged the Buffalo Republican Committee's endorsement. Gardner says he'll focus on public safety, law enforcement, and affordability, while the Democratic committee is backing state Sen. Sean Ryan. (NY1)

— The Italian American Democratic Leadership Council is actively encouraging former governor Cuomo to jump into the NYC mayoral race, and has pledged their support if he does. (SI Live)