Good Morning, New York! Gov. Kathy Hochul's top press aide has been suspended amid allegations of sexual harassment, Mamdani is on the radar of the Homeland Security Advisory Council, and Ritchie Torres will not run for governor. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Thursday, July 3rd, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In Virginia with no publicly scheduled events.

WHERE’s ERIC: No public schedule available.

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— The Homeland Security Advisory Council is apparently keeping a close eye on NYC Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani. “This is not an exaggerated problem,” Fmr. NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani told the 22-person council. “Somehow we got the combination of an Islamic extremist and a communist.”(The City)

— Zohran Mamdani's campaign promise of free NYC buses is facing mixed reactions. While some voters worry about funding and the MTA's existing fare evasion problem, others are excited about the potential to increase ridership and help low-income New Yorkers. Experts point to data from a previous pilot program showing both successes and challenges, and stress that making it a reality would require state approval and significant funding. (NY Mag)

— Want to see what a Times Square casino could look like? Exclusive renderings of the proposed Caesars Palace Times Square show a luxury resort with sweeping staircases, glass-domed ceilings, and skyline views. Developers are pitching an 'elevated entertainment experience' with no ground-floor gaming to avoid impulse gamblers, but the project faces opposition from those fearing increased congestion and disruption of the theater district. (W42ST)

Capitol Gains

— Gov. Kathy Hochul's office is in damage control after suspending press secretary Avi Small over allegations of "inappropriate touching." An internal investigation is underway following a complaint from a staffer after an alleged incident at a bar in Albany. Hochul, who took office after Cuomo's resignation amid similar accusations, is touting her administration's 'zero tolerance' policy on workplace misconduct. (NY Post)

— New York Republicans have secured a deal to raise the SALT deduction cap to $40,000 in Trump's massive spending bill. NY Republicans threatened to tank the bill if the cap increase wasn't included, leveraging their narrow House majority to get their way. While it's not a full repeal, lawmakers say it'll provide much-needed tax relief for middle-class families in high-tax areas, though Democrats are wary of other provisions in the bill. (Times Union)

— House Republicans are investigating whether the NY governor misused Medicaid funds to paper over a billion-dollar budget gap, allegedly hurting vulnerable hospitals in the process. Republicans are demanding records, while Hochul's spokesperson is calling it a distraction from their healthcare votes and highlighting her investments in Medicaid. (NY Post)

Trail Mix

— Andrew Cuomo's not giving up without a fight. Despite losing the Democratic primary to democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, the former governor is calling allies, trying to retain support for a potential general election run. However, key backers like Al Sharpton and major unions are jumping ship, making his path to victory even steeper in the crowded race against Mamdani, Eric Adams, and others. (Politico)

— Ritchie Torres isn't throwing his hat in the ring for New York governor. The congressman announced he's staying put in the House of Representatives instead of pursuing a run for the state's top job. "I feel like the assault that we’ve seen on the social safety net in the Bronx is so unprecedented. It’s so overwhelming that I’m going to keep my focus on Washington, D.C." (Advocate)

— Most New York voters don't think Trump's actions, 'domestically and in foreign affairs,' will make America great. A Siena College poll reveals that 54% of New York voters disapprove of Trump's overall direction and that 52% think his 'Big Beautiful Bill' will worsen life for average Americans. While voters are divided on certain proposals, they largely oppose ICE detaining elected officials but are closely split on New York's cooperation with federal deportation efforts. (SCRI)