The federal money train
November 10, 2021Presented by Con Edison
Ever since the federal government promised billions in Covid-19 relief dollars for transportation, New York and New Jersey have been fighting between themselves over who gets exactly how many billions. Well, the border war is over — for now: the neighboring states ended their standoff and reached an agreement on how to split up the $14 billion earmarked for their transit systems.
New York will get $10.8 billion, with almost all of that going to the MTA, which is still grappling with a massive drop in ridership. New Jersey gets $2.6 billion, and Connecticut is in on this thing too, coming out with $474 million. (If you’re here for the drama, don’t worry. There will be plenty more for the states to fight over in the coming months, namely congestion pricing.)
The deal got done just in time for some more billions to come our way, via the infrastructure bill passed by the House on Friday. The $550 billion package sets aside $20 billion in brand new transit funding for the New York area, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, though plenty of projects will be left off the table. One highlight: money to study capping the Cross Bronx Expressway, the Robert Moses-built highway that Schumer and Rep. Ritchie Torres cited Tuesday as a prime example of how racism was built into roads and highways (a hot topic in the last couple days for those who haven’t read Robert Caro's "The Power Broker" or even the cliff notes).
All the cash flowing to New York is now becoming a flash point in the debate over President Joe Biden's broader social spending and climate package. Schumer is on track to nab billions of dollars for the New York City Housing Authority, POLITICO’s Katy O’Donnell reports. The latest version of the $1.75 trillion plan includes $65 billion to shore up public housing across the country, much of that expected to go to NYCHA and its $40 billion repair backlog. While welcome news to New York pols, the move (a “Schumark,” in the words of Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey) doesn’t sit well with Senate Republicans who are weighing a procedural move to strike the spending.
IT’S WEDNESDAY. Editor's note: No, the "The Power Broker" is not available in ebook format and that's clearly part of the mystique at this point. But there are ways to make the1,000-plus-page tome less physically onerous for the people struggling to understanding Pete Buttigieg this week. (And no journalist, or aspiring journalist, should skip the sourcing notes section at the end.) Got tips, suggestions or thoughts? Let us know ... By email: [email protected] and [email protected], or on Twitter: @erinmdurkin and @annagronewold
WHERE’S KATHY? Making an announcement in Chinatown and speaking at a Jewish Community Relations Council of New York virtual board meeting.
WHERE’S BILL? Holding a media availability.
WHERE’S ERIC? Appearing on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer show.
National women’s, LGBT groups press de Blasio and Hochul to stop Rikers transfers, by POLITICO’s Erin Durkin: More than 50 women’s and LGBT organizations from around the country are pressing Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Kathy Hochul to stop transfers of women and transgender detainees from Rikers Island to upstate prisons. As crisis conditions gripped Rikers, de Blasio and Hochul announced a deal last month to move 230 inmates — nearly all of the women and trans people locked up at the city’s island jail complex — to two state facilities in Westchester, the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility and the Taconic Correctional Facility. While the move was billed as a way to ease the crunch at Rikers, where officials have acknowledged inhumane conditions amid a staffing crisis, it sparked backlash from some detainees and their advocates.
— A state lawmaker is pushing to pass a bill that would create an oversight board and statewide ombudsperson with jurisdiction over local jails and state prisons.
“Sexual Harassment History No Obstacle to Getting a New Government Job for Some City Workers,” by The City’s Yoav Gonen: “The allegations against then-Parks Department worker Charles Meierdiercks were troubling. In an enclosed shed of a Brooklyn park he told a female subordinate that he was feeling turned on, began to pleasure himself over a sink and asked if she wanted to join in, according to the woman. Within months, Parks investigators substantiated allegations of sexual harassment against Meierdiercks, city documents show... Two months later, before officials could terminate Meierdiercks, he resigned, records provided by the Department of Parks and Recreation indicate. But online payroll records show that Meierdiercks was hired in July of the following year by the city Department of Sanitation, where he’s been earning a taxpayer-paid salary ever since.”
“NYC ‘streets master plan’ veers off course ahead of key Dec. 1 deadline,” by New York Post’s David Meyer: “A city mega-plan to curb the use of cars in the metro area has seriously veered off course, The Post has learned. City Council Speaker Corey Johnson’s ‘streets master plan’ was approved by the council in late 2019 and is in line for potential funding from the massive newly passed federal infrastructure bill. But development of the plan — an expected blueprint for approximately $1.7 billion in new bus lanes, bike paths, sidewalks and plazas — was delayed by COVID-19. And it’s unclear when it will get back on track.”
“De Blasio touts 4,500 COVID vaccinations for young kids during first NYC school drive, admits some supply issues,” by New York Daily News’ Chris Sommerfeldt and Michael Elsen-Rooney: “More than 4,500 kids between 5 and 11 got coronavirus shots as part of the city’s first school vaccination drive for the newly eligible age group, Mayor de Blasio said Tuesday, touting the effort as a ‘success’ while acknowledging there’s work to do to rectify supply shortages at some sites. The pediatric vaccination drive will continue at public schools across the city through next week, and de Blasio said the roughly 4,500 new vaccinations on Monday means more than 24,000 New Yorkers in the 5-11 age group have gotten their jabs since they first became eligible late last week. In total, there are about 660,000 kids in that age bracket in the city, meaning nearly 4% of them have gotten vaccinated so far.”
— New York City has closed its second public school for a Covid-19 outbreak this school year.
“Democratic Attorneys General Association endorses Tish James in New York governor’s race,” by Daily News’ Denis Slattery: “Attorney General Letitia James’ gubernatorial bid is getting a boost from her fellow top prosecutors. The Democratic Attorneys General Association, of which James is a member, announced Tuesday it is endorsing the 63-year-old as she seeks to become the next governor of the Empire State. Executive Director Sean Rankin lauded James’ work in recent years, including taking on the Trump administration and the National Rifle Association, as he voiced support for her campaign. ‘Attorney General Letitia James has been a national star in some of the most impactful and important fights that have faced New York and our country,’ Rankin said in a statement.”
“Buffalo Nurses’ Successful Strike Highlights Union Divide and Doubts over New Staffing Law,” by New York Focus’ Maxwell Parrott: “On Monday night, CWA workers ratified a new four-year agreement with the hospital, formally bringing an end to the month-long strike. The contract includes language that will boost wages for all hospital employees and require staffing ratios for a number of nursing units, including critical care, medical-surgical and ancillary staff. Coming just months after New York’s legislature passed a new law designed to increase nurse staffing ratios, the strike reflected the union’s doubt regarding several core elements of the new law — and a split in strategy between different New York unions. The law does not authorize the state to mandate staffing ratios in most hospital units, but rather requires hospital management to negotiate with staff each year on staffing levels.”
“Hochul names new state veteran affairs director, addiction services commissioner,” by Spectrum’s Nick Reisman: “The Rev. Viviana DeCohen will lead the state Division of Veterans' Services, while Chinazo Cunningham has been nominated by Gov. Kathy Hochul to become the next commissioner of the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, her office on Tuesday announced. The appointments and nominations were coupled with the announcement Kylah Hynes will serve as the director of federal affairs, having moved over from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Hochul has over the last three months moved to round out an administration after being elevated to the governor's office on Aug. 24 following Andrew Cuomo’s resignation.”
— COMMS STAFF BOOST: Hochul’s press team has also continued to expand, per her office. Now on board are Madia Coleman, as deputy communications director with a focus on NYC and education issues; Bridget Driscoll as digital director; and Avi Small and Cristian Romero as deputy press secretaries.
“Get a COVID vaccine for ages 5 to 11? You could win a scholarship to SUNY, CUNY,” by USA Today Network’s David Robinson: “New York's will raffle off 50 full scholarships to any New York public college or university for children age 5 to 11 as part of the state's push to get more kids vaccinated, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday. The announcement came as Hochul noted New York was receiving more than 700,000 pediatric doses of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine, with plans to soon obtain more doses for the entire 1.5 million New Yorkers in the age group. The ‘vaccinate, educate, graduate’ vaccine incentive scholarship is part of a five-week public outreach campaign, running through Dec. 19, Hochul said. It will award the scholarships to any campuses within the State University of New York or City University of New York systems.”
“The Democratic Plot to Stop a Socialist From Becoming Buffalo’s Mayor,” by The New Republic’s Raina Lipsitz: “Brown defeated Walton in the general election. But she wasn’t the only casualty. Kim Beaty, the Democratic nominee for Erie County sheriff, will likely narrowly lose to Republican nominee John Garcia, who carried every city and town in the county except for Amherst, Buffalo, and the town of Tonawanda. He currently has 46.5 percent of the vote to Beaty’s 43.9 percent. Given that around 19,000 absentee ballots were requested, that race remains too close to call.”
#UpstateAmerica: Syracuse firefighters rescued a naked man who was trapped INSIDE THE WALLS of an historic theater for a couple days.
— The Donald J. Trump highway beautification sign on the Henry Hudson Parkway is being removed.
— The city has delayed a program to help students with disabilities catch up from pandemic disruptions at many schools.
— Legislation proposed in the New York City Council would require delivery apps to cover the cost of accidents involving their workers
— The family of Robert Durst’s slain wife is asking a prosecutor to investigate why he wasn’t charged sooner in the killing.
— Property owners who repeatedly violate building codes and fail to correct potentially dangerous conditions will now face mandatory penalties in New York.
— The State Liquor Authority is reconsidering a controversial program that allows attorneys representing clients applying for liquor licenses to "self-certify" the accuracy of an application.
— Why is it so difficult to fix the Glenville rail bridge that causes at least a dozen crashes a year?
— 12 stores will be sold as part of the now-complete merger between Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Markets.
— The 2021 Rockefeller Christmas tree, standing 79-feet tall, will be cut down in Elkton, Maryland, this Thursday.
— A Long Island man got his $1 million winning lottery ticket stolen from his Texas cousin, who has been arrested.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: POLITICO’s Ben Pauker … NPR’s Sue Davis … Jim Kuhnhenn of WaVe Communications … Amanda Ashley Keating of Finsbury Glover Hering … CBS’ Alan He … ABC’s Josh Margolin … Nate Treffeisen … Jean Weinberg of Bloomberg Philanthropies … Kylie Gudzak … Kristin Stiles … Jared Miller
MEDIAWATCH — Brian Williams Says He’s Leaving NBC News
— Per Talking Biz News: “Zoe Schiffer, a senior reporter covering labor and workplace organizing at The Verge, has left to join the tech investigations team at NBC. … Maria LaMagna Morales has joined CNN+ as senior editor for programming. Recently, she was an engagement editor at MarketWatch.com. … Chloe Angyal will be joining Vice News as a senior editor. Her new role begins next year. Currently, Angyal is working as a freelance journalist, contributing to MarieClaire.com.”
OUT AND ABOUT — SPOTTED at a screening on Tuesday night at the Motion Picture Association of “3212 Un-Redacted,” which premieres on Hulu tomorrow, about the killing of 4 American Special Forces in Niger which featured a Q&A after with James Gordon Meek, Andy Fredericks and Gold Star family members Debbie Gannon and Arnold Wright (trailer): Gold Star family members Terri Criscio and Ray Gannon, Alan Van Saun, Kelsey Haberly, Chris Costa, Wes Morgan, Dan Caldwell, Ali Dukakis, Nick Kalman, Natasha Bertrand, Emily Lenzner, Mark Hosenball, Marc Raimondi, Eric Schmitt, Chris Vlasto, Kyle Buckles, Jess Moore, Cindy Galli, Jenny Wagnon-Courts, Luis and Heather Martinez.
— SPOTTED at a book party for David Bahnsen’s fourth book “There’s No Free Lunch: 250 Economic Truths” with special guest Larry Kudlow at the Hunt & Fish Club on Tuesday night ($21.60 on Amazon): John Catsimatidis, Anthony Scaramucci, Gerry Baker, Alexandra Preate, Andrea Catsimatidis, Porter Berry, Anthony Ziccardi, Gary Schreier, Miranda Devine, Emma-Jo Morris, Sharon Bush, John Fund, Sundeep Agrawal and Chris Cox.
“NYC Mayor de Blasio’s support of rezoning on the UES is a ‘potential conflict of interest’: community group,” by New York Daily News’ Michael Gartland: “A community group opposed to a contentious Upper East Side rezoning is demanding two city watchdog agencies investigate Mayor de Blasio and a law firm pushing the land-use change, citing what it describes as de Blasio’s “potential conflict of interest.” De Blasio, who supports the rezoning, owes the law firm Kramer, Levin & Naftalis an estimated principal debt of $300,000 for work it did to defend him against multiple corruption investigations starting in 2015. With interest, the total debt comes to about $435,000 — but so far, none of it has been repaid.”
“Bittersweet Memories of Grand Prospect Hall,” by the New York Times’ Julianne McShane: “The Grand Prospect Hall in Park Slope, Brooklyn, has hosted countless weddings since 1903, when it was rebuilt following a fire in 1900 that destroyed the original structure erected in 1892. But for some of the couples who celebrated marriages at the Victorian-style banquet hall, which grew its reputation with long-running TV ads, their memories are now bittersweet. The hall closed in March 2020 because of the pandemic. It was later sold after its then co-owner Michael Halkias, who ran the venue with his wife Alice Halkias, died that May from complications of Covid. The building’s new owner, Angelo Rigas, a contractor, intends to demolish it.”
“NY pols say council should say ‘no no’ to Soho rezone, blast de Blasio plan,” by New York Post’s Julia Marsh and Nolan Hicks: “State legislators urged City Council members to say ‘No no’ to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to develop Soho — claiming his proposal would destroy the neighborhood’s longtime identity as an artist haven and drive out middle and working class residents. De Blasio has painted the proposal as a way to bring ‘racial justice’ to Soho in the wake of the George Floyd protests by providing 3,500 new apartments including 900 affordable ones for lower income and minority tenants.”
Source: https://www.politico.com/