Good Morning, New York! Zohran’s campaign has taken the strange move of encouraging his supporters to donate to a different candidate, Adrienne Adams. The Hudson Yards casino is officially off the table, and Trump reverses his block on the Long Island-based Empire Wind project. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Tuesday, May 20th, 2025.

WHERE’s KATHY: In Chautauqua to visit the Seneca Nation of Indians, then in Erie Counties to announce FY26 investments for western NY families.

WHERE’s ERIC: No public schedule available.

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— Thousands of NYC families can breathe a sigh of relief: the city is stepping up to boost funding for child care vouchers. A budget standoff with the state left the city on the hook to contribute a whopping $328 million (up from $53 million) to keep the popular program afloat. The extra cash will prevent families from losing subsidies averaging $300 a week. (Gothamist)

— Mayor Adams and Israeli Economic Minister Nir Barkat are teaming up to create the New York City-Israel Economic Council. Adams says the council, formalized by a declaration of intent, will boost innovation and strengthen ties between the two governments, while Barkat sees it as a vote of confidence in Israeli innovation. The initiative aims to foster opportunities in sectors like fintech, health tech, and environmental innovation. (JNS)

— The Hudson Yards casino is officially off the table after facing community pushback. Wynn Resorts pulled its $12 billion proposal for a casino complex near the High Line, citing "persistent opposition." Meanwhile, Jay-Z was in Albany lobbying for a rival casino in Times Square, while other bidders, including Steve Cohen, are still in the running for a downstate casino license. (NY Post)

Capitol Gains

— Trump's ended his opposition to the Empire Wind 1 project off Long Island following a last-minute intervention by Gov. Hochul. Hochul persuaded Trump to save roughly 1,500 union jobs, convincing him to reverse the Department of Interior order that would have halted the $5 billion project. While Hochul denies any quid pro quo, she signaled willingness to approve upstate gas pipelines if all requirements are met. (Newsday)

— May the Fourth be with the New York Senate! The state Senate adopted a bipartisan resolution to commemorate Star Wars Day. Disney sent stormtroopers to the Capitol to mark the occasion, which was pushed back due to budget delays. (State of Politics)

— Chester Highway Superintendent John Reilly has been indicted for attempted murder after allegedly shooting a DoorDash driver who police say stopped to ask for directions. Video obtained by the Times Union shows Reilly firing shots at the driver's car as it was backing away from his property. Reilly's attorney claims he acted in self-defense, asserting the driver acted suspiciously before the incident, resisting requests to leave the property and asking to enter the house. (Times Union)

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Trail Mix

— Letitia James is trying to sway the race for lower Manhattan's Council District 2, with a high-profile endorsement of Harvey Epstein. James praised Epstein's commitment to tenants' rights and fighting for a safer, more affordable New York. The race is already heating up thanks to a crowded field of candidates that includes a political comeback attempt by Anthony Weiner. (City & State)

— In a rare political move, Zohran Mamdani is urging his supporters to donate to mayoral rival Adrienne Adams, aiming to block frontrunner Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani, already hitting his fundraising cap, hopes to boost Adams, and hopefully benefit from ranked-choice voting by piggybacking on her more moderate base. Though Adams' campaign says the move was uncoordinated, analysts suggest it signals the power of alliances in undermining Cuomo's lead. (Gothamist)

— The latest Siena College poll shows Stefanik becoming an intstant frontrunner for the 2026 GOP gubernatorial primary. Hochul's job approval has maintained a stable place from the last poll (44%-46%). (SCRI)