Good Morning, New York! CM Shahana Hanif (D) is being accused of funneling taxpayer money to organizations her husband is involved with, Hochul runs ads targeted at fired federal workers, and Cuomo officially launches his campaign. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Monday, March 3rd, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In NYC for a roundtable of federal workers, an interview on NPR’s ‘Morning Edition,’ and an appearance on CNN’s ‘The Situation Room.’

WHERE’s ERIC: No public schedule yet.

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— A NYC council member landed in hot water after allegedly funneling over $149,000 in taxpayer money to organizations linked to her husband. Shahana Hanif is accused of strategically increasing or decreasing funding based on her husband's involvement with these groups, raising conflict of interest concerns. Hanif defended her actions, claiming the organizations provide essential services and that she consulted with counsel to ensure compliance. (NY Post)

— Eric Adams is facing a new headache: House Democrats are launching an investigation into the DOJ's move to drop corruption charges against him. Representatives Raskin and Crockett suspect a 'quid pro quo' between Adams and the Trump administration, alleging the charges were dropped in exchange for Adams' cooperation on immigration policies. While Adams denies any wrongdoing, this scrutiny comes right before he's set to testify on Capitol Hill about NYC's immigration policies. (Politico)

— Staten Islanders are revved up over speed cameras, blasting the program as a money grab at a recent town hall. Residents complain that the cameras cause accidents and want more speed bumps and cops instead. While critics see red, the DOT insists the cameras are making streets safer, citing stats that show fewer injuries and fatalities in camera-monitored zones. (amNY)

Capitol Gains

— DOGE said you're fired; New York State says you're hired! Gov. Hochul is running digital ads in D.C.'s Union Station, hoping to lure laid-off federal workers to the Empire State. The ad campaign directly targets Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) job cuts. (The Hill)

— The strike's over, but some correction officers are about to be out of a job. DOCCS has started firing officers who stayed on strike past the deadline, also cutting off their healthcare. Meanwhile, the department insists it's open to discussing safer working conditions with officers who return. (WIVB)

— Kathy Hochul is getting heat over New York's new climate law that would charge oil and gas companies $75 billion for carbon emissions. Business and trade groups have filed a lawsuit, arguing the law is unconstitutional and will hike up energy costs for consumers. This legal challenge follows a similar suit filed last month by a coalition of twenty-two other states. (NY Post)

— Gov. Hochul hit Queens on Sunday, spotlighting her economic priorities and vowing to shield New Yorkers from potential federal cuts. Speaking at a church, she honored civil rights leader Dr. Hazel Dukes and laid out her plans for tax credits, free community college, and affordable housing. Later, at a children's hospital, Hochul warned Republicans against slashing Medicaid, daring them to face the kids who rely on it before voting to cut funding. (amNY)

Trail Mix

— Andrew Cuomo's is making a political comeback by running for mayor. At his first campaign stop, Cuomo criticized progressive politicians for wanting to cut police funding. The former governor also said some candidates have unleashed a wave of antisemitism in the city, referring to 2024 pro-Palestine protests. (NY Daily News)

— Buffalo's mayoral race is heating up, and while Democrats dominate, other party lines could play a crucial role. With 10 candidates in the mix, minor party endorsements and ballot lines might sway the outcome in both the primary and general elections. This article from the Buffalo News has the current situation on which candidates could seek a nontraditional ballot solution. (Buffalo News)

— Andrew Cuomo's late entry into the NYC mayoral race should align with the city's matching funds program, says the Daily News Editorial Board. While his past gubernatorial campaigns had much higher contribution limits, the board argues he should start from zero like other candidates. The program aims to level the playing field, unlike Bloomberg's self-funded campaigns, ensuring a fair contest where the best candidate—not just the richest—wins. (NY Daily News)