Good Morning, New York! Randy Mastro is officially joining the Adams administration, Hochul is considering raising taxes to fund the MTA, speed limits are going down across NYC, and a growing number of groups are calling for Schumer to resign. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Friday, March 21st, 2025.

WHERE’s KATHY: In NYC, making an announcement on congestion pricing.

WHERE’s ERIC: No public schedule yet.

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— NYC is slowing things down in a few neighborhoods. Thanks to Sammy's Law, speed limits will drop to 20 mph in parts of Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx, but some think that enforcement will still be too lax for the new limits to make any difference. The city aims to implement these changes in 250 locations. (Gothamist)

— The Trump administration has extended the deadline for New York to end congestion pricing by 30 days, to allow continued discussions. Meanwhile, the MTA is holding firm, arguing that the federal government lacks the authority to halt a program already enacted. (CBS News)

— Rikers Island is under fire yet again after a woman's death marks the fourth fatality in NYC jails in just a month. The woman's son claims his mother's death was not suicide, alleging Rikers "killed her." The surge in deaths coincides with a rising jail population, sparking concerns about overcrowding and inadequate management. (NY Daily News)

— Randy Mastro is joining Mayor Adams' administration as first deputy mayor, months after his nomination for corporation counsel tanked. Unlike the previous role, this appointment doesn't require City Council approval, which is good news for Adams given the controversy around Mastro's political ties. (For context: Mastro previously worked for Rudy Giuliani, and has long associated with the GOP.) Mastro's arrival comes as Adams faces grim poll numbers and speculation about his re-election bid. (amNY)

Capitol Gains

— Gov. Hochul is considering raising taxes on big NYC employers to help fund the MTA's massive repair needs. This potential payroll mobility tax hike, discussed behind closed doors, aims to bridge a $35 billion funding gap for subway modernization. However, business groups and Republicans are already criticizing the idea, with some pushing for federal funding instead. (Gothamist)

— New York lawmakers might be getting a last-minute reprieve from new income limits. Facing a potential exodus of 38 members who exceed the $35,000 outside income cap, legislators are reportedly discussing a two-year delay to the law's effective date. Gov. Hochul is said to be open to negotiations, while a court considers a motion to stay the law pending an appeal. (Times Union)

— NYC's highest court has dashed hopes for noncitizen voting, declaring the city's local law unconstitutional. With a 6-1 ruling, the court stated the NY Constitution restricts voting to citizens, ending the fight to enfranchise over 800,000 noncitizen residents. While Republicans like Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella are celebrating, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams says she respects the ruling but disagrees with its interpretation of the Constitution. (Gothamist)

— Correction officers who participated in the recent prison strike won't be facing financial penalties or jail time after all. The state has dropped its pursuit of millions in fines, but still wants a contempt judgment, which the officers' attorney says could hurt potential wrongful termination lawsuits. A class action lawsuit is in the works, targeting the governor's order that prevents agencies from hiring officers involved in the strike. (State of Politics)

Trail Mix

— Elise Stefanik's officially heading to the UN. The Congresswoman is expected to be confirmed as UN ambassador on April 2, finally paving the way for her resignation from Congress. This will finally trigger the special election in New York's 21st Congressional District, likely setting up a July showdown. (Times Union)

— Is Schumer on thin ice? Sen. Michael Bennet dodged a question about whether the Senate Majority Leader should resign but alluded to the situation as being similar to when the Democratic party questioned Joe Biden's place as the nominee last year. Bennet emphasized that it's important for leaders to know 'when it's time to go,' although he didn't directly call for Schumer's resignation. The comments come after Schumer backed a GOP funding bill, drawing criticism from within his party. (Politico)

AND IT’S NOT JUST BENNET: Chuck Schumer's also getting heat from four more progressive groups who want him to fight Trump harder or step down as Senate minority leader, in a letter signed by the Sunrise Movement, College Democrats of America, United We Dream Action and Voters of Tomorrow. These youth organizations are piling on after Schumer voted for a GOP funding bill, with some Dems openly suggesting he should resign. Schumer continues to defend his vote as the lesser of two evils, arguing a shutdown would've given Trump even more power. (Politico)

— Dozens of Eric Adam's previous major donors are jumping ship, throwing their support and cash behind rivals Andrew Cuomo and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams for the 2025 race. This shift suggests growing unhappiness with Adams, especially from big-money players in real estate, lobbying, and finance, who are betting on a new horse in the race, particularly Andrew Cuomo. (NY Daily News)