Good Morning, New York! New York lawmakers are pushing for more transparency in electrical bills, unemployment benefits are jumping by around $300 per week, and Hochul has a commanding lead both in the primary and the general in gubernatorial polling. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Tuesday, July 1st, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In Erie County making a housing announcement, then meeting with middle-class families.

WHERE’s ERIC: No public schedule available.

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— Despite calls for a rent freeze, the NYC Rent Guidelines Board approved rent hikes of 3% for one-year leases and 4.5% for two-year leases, set to begin in October. While tenant advocates, joined by City Comptroller Brad Lander, decried the increase amid affordability concerns, landlord representatives claimed they're necessary to maintain buildings. Even though Mayor Adams expressed disappointment, he emphasized building more housing as a broader solution. (Gothamist)

— Caesars Palace wants to put a casino in Times Square, submitting an official proposal to convert 1515 Broadway into a gambling mecca with a five-star, 992-room hotel. The entertainment giant is teaming up with SL Green Realty, Jay-Z's Roc Nation, and now Live Nation, promising a $5.4 billion investment that could create thousands of jobs. (WSJ)

— Chaos erupted at a NYC Pride March afterparty when a man sprayed bear repellant into a crowd in Washington Square Park, injuring over 50 people. The suspect, Dominic Sabator, claimed he felt threatened and was arrested. Some victims were treated at the scene, while others were rushed to the hospital, including a dozen police officers. (NY. Daily News)

Capitol Gains

— Naloxone could become as common as fire extinguishers in New York workplaces. A recently passed bill would require employers to include opioid antagonists in first aid kits, aiming to combat rising overdose rates. Supporters say it's about saving lives and reducing stigma around opioid addiction. (State of Politics)

— Big win for unemployed New Yorkers: benefits are jumping by over $300 a week come October! The state just paid off its federal unemployment loan, paving the way to raise the weekly cap from $504 to $869. Plus, striking workers will see their benefits kick in sooner, which should give unions more leverage. (amNY)

— Feeling sticker shock when you open your utility bill? Some New York lawmakers are pushing for more transparent, itemized billing, arguing that residents deserve to know exactly what they're paying for as energy costs soar. Assemblyman Lemondes has even filed a lawsuit against the New York Power Authority over rate increases and is trying to get Gov. Hochul named in the suit. Meanwhile, Sen. Walczyk is proposing legislation to eliminate the "system benefits charge" on utility bills, aiming to make energy more affordable. (State of Politics)

Trail Mix

— Saratoga County Republicans have coalesced around Brett Eby to replace retiring District Attorney Karen Heggen. First Assistant DA Al Poremba, initially expected to run, stepped aside due to Eby's strong support within the party. Though he has no Republican opponent, Eby will still interview with the county's Republican and Conservative committees; meanwhile, Democrats say they have a candidate but aren't revealing who it is just yet. (Times Union)

— Mike Mulgrew is accused of purging rivals from the UFT, firing staffers seen as critical of his leadership, including Amy Arundell, who recently ran against him. Arundell and others ousted from salaried positions are calling the move retaliatory and undemocratic. Mulgrew declined to comment on personnel decisions, stating the union annually reviews staff on leave from their teaching positions. (NY Post)

— If the 2026 New York gubernatorial election were held today, Kathy Hochul would beat any of the top three Republican contenders by a landslide. Hochul leads Stefanil, Lawler, and Blakeman by 20-25 points each, while Stefanik is ahead in the GOP primary ballot (Stefanik 35%, Lawler 18%, Blakeman 7%). (SCRI)