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Good Morning, New York! DoorDash is dropping $1 million into a PAC boosting Andrew Cuomo, Keith Powers wants to create a new evidence database for the NYPD, and NYS retirees are facing long wait times to get their pensions amidst software chaos at the Comptroller’s office. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Friday, May 12th, 2025.

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Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— Councilman Keith Powers is pushing a bill to create a centralized NYPD evidence database, giving prosecutors and defense attorneys direct access to evidence. Powers says this would close a loophole in the state's discovery laws, even after recent tweaks in the state budget. (NY Post)

— Michael Mulgrew's leadership of the city's teachers union is being challenged as voting gets underway. Insurgent candidates are hoping to unseat Mulgrew, promising a new direction for the United Federation of Teachers. The election's outcome is widely seen as a referendum on the controversial switch to Medicare Advantage plans for retirees. (The City)

— After a brawl between anti-Israel protesters and police at Brooklyn College, a bipartisan group of NY lawmakers is telling the CUNY chancellor to get tough on campus unrest or resign. The lawmakers are demanding investigations into faculty who participated in the protest, a ban on facial coverings, and quicker NYPD access to campuses during disruptions. (NY Post)

Capitol Gains

— New York State retirees are facing major delays in receiving their full pension benefits, with some waiting five years or more to get what they're owed. Employees at the state comptroller's office blame a $588 million software redesign by Accenture, which isn't even listed in the agency's own public database of contracts. While the comptroller's office insists the system works and retirees get monthly payments, insiders say the backlog has ballooned to 80,000 cases. (Times Union)

— A medical marijuana pioneer is blasting Gov. Hochul, claiming state regulations are designed to sink his and other established businesses. Curaleaf CEO Boris Jordan accuses New York of "un-American" tactics, alleging the state is favoring new "social equity" applicants while failing to crack down on illicit cannabis. Meanwhile, state officials defend their actions, citing the competitive advantages medical operators already possess. (NY Post)

— Gov. Hochul is pumping the brakes on the Kensington Expressway project after a judge halted construction and demanded a full environmental impact statement. The governor says the state will "take a step back" and re-engage the community on how to proceed, rather than face further delays from lawsuits. The original $1.5 billion project aimed to build a tunnel with green space above the existing expressway. (Spectrum Local News)

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Trail Mix

— DoorDash is dropping $1 million on the super PAC supporting Andrew Cuomo's bid. The donation follows DoorDash's lobbying efforts last year to influence city regulations impacting their business model and employees. While the company claims to support "pro-local economy" candidates, the move raises questions about the influence of corporate cash in the upcoming Democratic primary. (Politico)

— A new $500,000 ad campaign is urging Jewish voters in NYC to turn out for the upcoming primary elections. The ads, paid for by Jewish Voters Unite, highlight the increase in local Jewish hate crimes and encourage voters to "fight back" at the polls. While the group remains nonpartisan, previous efforts by its leader have boosted moderate candidates and may negatively impact the chances of DSA mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani. (NY Post)

— The FDNY union is now backing Andrew Cuomo for mayor. This support from the Uniformed Firefighters Association and the Uniformed Fire Officers Association adds to Cuomo's already strong labor base, despite criticism of his pandemic management. Cuomo promises to champion firefighters and ensure they have the resources they need. (NY Post)