Good Morning, New York! New York may clip wings of debt collectors profiting off poor countries — with global implications for $800B in bonds. Meanwhile, Jessica Ramos endorses Cuomo for mayor but says she is still in the race, and plans to expand the Cross-Bronx hit the brakes as locals push for alternatives. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Friday, June 6th, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In NYC and Albany, with no events publicly on her schedule.

WHERE’s ERIC: No public schedule available.

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Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— Rochdale Village residents are fighting mad about a potential 57% hike in their carrying charges. Over 100 co-op members traveled to Albany to protest the increase, which they say threatens affordability for the 5,800-household Mitchell-Lama community. Elected officials are backing the residents, calling for immediate action to prevent the massive increase from crushing working-class families and seniors. (QNS)

— Looks like the Cross-Bronx Expressway might not be expanding after all, thanks to community pushback. The state DOT is now considering alternatives to the 'traffic diversion' road, including making it bus/bike/pedestrian-only or scrapping it entirely in favor of a path next to the expressway. Public input will heavily influence the decision, so Bronx residents are urged to voice their opinions at upcoming open houses. (Streetsblog)

— Bronx Councilmember Rafael Salamanca Jr. is under scrutiny for allegedly funneling developer donations into a secondary campaign account. This "extraordinary" six-figure sum, raised for an unpaid party position, saw expenses ranging from restaurant bills and bar tabs to his wife's salary as campaign treasurer. Critics argue Salamanca skirted campaign finance limits, potentially granting undue influence to big real estate players. (NYS Focus)

Capitol Gains

— A bill to raise New York's meager $170/week short-term disability benefit is stuck in the Assembly despite passing the Senate. Even though Gov. Hochul initially supported the idea, her budget director now cites the cost to businesses as the reason for inaction. With 89 sponsors, supporters are baffled why the bill hasn't moved forward. (Times Union)

— Mike Johnson is begging the Senate not to ditch the $40,000 SALT deduction cap in Trump's big tax bill. High-tax state House Republicans are warning that lowering the SALT cap will cost the bill their support when it returns to the House. But Senate Republicans are less concerned, especially since they don't represent high-tax blue states, leaving the bill's future in doubt. (State of Politics)

— A bill in Albany aims to curb "vulture funds" that profit by suing poor countries for debt repayment. New York law governs about half of sovereign bonds globally, giving the state leverage to address this issue. If passed, the proposed legislation would revive an old legal defense against these lawsuits and lower interest rates on defaulted debt, potentially impacting $800 billion in debt from developing nations. (NYS Focus)

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Trail Mix

— Jessica Ramos is endorsing Andrew Cuomo for mayor, a complete 180 from her previous criticisms. The mayoral candidate will reportedly announce her support for the former Governor at a campaign event. Despite the endorsement, Ramos says she isn't dropping out of the race. (Tammany Times)

— Alfonso Davis can't catch a break. After being removed from the Democratic primary ballot, the Syracuse mayoral hopeful's independent bid is now being challenged due to allegedly invalid signatures. An Owens supporter is leading the challenge; the Election Board will determine if Davis makes the ballot by Friday, June 13. (Syracuse.com)

— The Albany mayoral primary is heating up as candidates clash over party affiliation and past controversies, just days before early voting begins. Republican rhetoric allegations flew during a debate between candidates Dorcey Applyrs, Carolyn McLaughlin, Corey Ellis, and Dan Cerutti after an independent PAC painted the three African American candidates as favoring defunding the police. Candidates also addressed plans for the vacant College of St. Rose campus, ranging from city offices to residential zoning. (WAMC)