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Good Morning, New York! The Rent Guidelines Board held a rare revote to lower the bottom range of potential rent increases, a four day workweek is being pitched in Albany, and AOC’s mayoral endorsement is reportedly expected in the coming days. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Wednesday, May 28th, 2025.

WHERE’s KATHY: In Nassau and Suffolk Counties, then in NYC to make an economic development announcement.

WHERE’s ERIC: At the 2025 Bitcoin conference in Vegas, making a special announcement and then speaking on "The Trust Layer & The Divine Algorithm."

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— Eric Adams just dropped a $30 million "We Outside Summer" plan to turn vacant NYC lots into green spaces! Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue will oversee the initiative, which aims to give more New Yorkers a park within a 10-minute walk. The plan involves acquiring land, potentially through a Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), and focusing on underserved community districts, though officials admit not all sites will become parkland. (Tammany Times)

— The race for a downstate casino license is heating up as the State Senate just greenlit the Metropolitan Park project next to Citi Field. Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International plan to transform the parking lot into an $8 billion entertainment complex, and the parkland alienation bill is a huge leap forward. However, the project still needs to win one of the three coveted casino licenses, which could be difficult, seeing as State Senator Jessica Ramos is strongly opposed to the casino. (QNS)

— In a rare revote, the New York City Rent Guidelines Board on Tuesday revised its preliminary decision on potential rent increases, brining the low end of the rate hike range down to 3.75% from 4.75% over a two year lease. The board will make their final decision on June 25th. After that, a hike within the revised range will likely go into effect across over 1 million rent-controlled apartments in NYC. (Tammany Times)

Capitol Gains

— Is a four-day workweek the future of New York? Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest is pushing a bill to make it the standard for state employees, citing improved worker well-being and reduced costs. Buffalo's D'Youville University already made the switch in 2022, saying it brought "life back to our campus," assuming employees have a solid plan to stay productive with the new schedule. (WKBW)

— New York Democrats are looking to hit airlines where it hurts: their wallets, by yanking fuel tax breaks from companies that partner with ICE to transport detainees without due process. The bill specifically targets Avelo, which has a presence in several NY airports, freezing them out of state contracts and subsidies if they don't ensure right to counsel and immigration hearings. Republicans are calling foul, accusing Democrats of economic warfare based on political ideology, while Democrats say they are pushing back against bad corporate entities. (State of Politics)

— New York legislators are battling the state's prison commissioner over solitary confinement. A group of 55 lawmakers wants the commissioner to end his suspension of key elements of the HALT law, which limits the use of solitary confinement. The Department of Corrections claims the suspension is legal due to a staffing emergency caused by a prison guard strike. (NY Daily News)

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Trail Mix

— Andrew Cuomo's got a major endorsement in his mayoral bid. The Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York is backing the former governor, citing his "very strong relationship" with the trades. Real estate execs are also throwing their financial weight behind Cuomo, who's promising more union jobs in his housing plan. (TheRealDeal)

— Eric Adams is heading to Vegas to schmooze with the crypto crowd. The mayor will be speaking at the 2025 Bitcoin Conference, and is scheduled to make a "special announcement" that's got everyone guessing. Given the crypto industry's past support for Adams, the trip may also be a solid chance to boost his campaign funds. (Tammany Times)

— AOC's mayoral endorsement could shake up NYC's race, with a decision reportedly expected in the next few days. Candidates have been jumping through hoops, presenting polling and strategy to her team. While many think it'll be Zohran Mamdani, given their shared politics, Brad Lander's long-standing alliance with Ocasio-Cortez makes him a serious contender, and could save his bid which is currently floundering in third place. (New York Magazine)