Biden brings Hochul to DC and Adams stays behind

With help from Shawn Ness

BIDEN EMBRACES HOCHUL ON BORDER ANNOUNCEMENT: President Joe Biden took action at the border today — and New York Governor Kathy Hochul was there with him at the White House.

But more than 200 miles away, another Democrat lagged behind.

Mayor Eric Adams was absent from the event, even as his city remains at the center of the ongoing national migrant crisis. It was the latest example of Adams’ once-thriving relationship with the president deteriorating over this very issue.

“People should ask, ‘Did Eric invite you to his events?’ I have too much going on to worry about which guest lists I’m not on,” Adams said during an off-topic briefing with reporters. “My day is non-stop, I love going to events in New York and I don’t have to raise my hand and ask, ‘Please invite me somewhere.’”

The incident drew a contrast between the mayor and Hochul, who is enjoying POTUS’ embrace as she raises money and supports for him ahead of his November election.

“Her standing next to the president as he unveils this new executive action is exactly what we want to see from our governor,” Lupe Todd-Medina, a political consultant who worked with Hochul on her 2022 re-election campaign, told Playbook. “I think that’s smart.”

Biden’s new policy will close large parts of the southern border and prevent migrants who cross illegally from receiving asylum. The measure is expected to provide relief to beleaguered state and city services as New York City has surpassed the 200,000 migrant threshold since spring 2022.

But as the bright lights came on, Hochul’s subtle role in the announcement — amid the hectic final days of the legislative session in Albany — became clear. She stood in one of two amorphous groups of congressmen and border area politicians that Biden had left standing at a distance as he made the announcement. Also in attendance was Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Democrat from Long Island.

Hochul later went on MSNBC to defend the president’s move.

“We cannot ignore the fact that while we are a kind and generous people in New York State, and we are proud of the Statue of Liberty, we are currently at maximum capacity,” Hochul said. “This now gives us a place to reflect on this. Let people legally apply for asylum before they reach the border.”

But Republicans in the House of Representatives, facing their own re-election, said the move was too little, too late.

“Nearly 41 months after President Biden rolled back executive orders on border security, he suddenly discovers he has the ability to take action, and Kathy Hochul is at the White House to praise him for it?” Hudson Valley Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, who is facing a contentious re-election and has joked about his run for governor, said in a statement to Playbook. “Give me a break. This is election year politics, plain and simple.” — Jason Beeferman

INCREASE THE AGE: The Legal Aid Society, the Westchester Library System and the Coalition for Homeless Youth today sent a letter calling on Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins to approve a bill that would free up $50 million in Raise the Age funding.

The money, from $250 million in Raise the Age appropriations, would fund community-based organizations for programs designed to keep children out of the criminal justice system. The state passed a law in 2018 to prevent minors from being tried as adults.

“New York State has failed to fully deliver on its commitment to fund community-based services and programs that provide alternatives to incarceration and reentry programs for youth under Raise the Age,” it said. the letter, signed by 90 organizations.

But the last-minute push may be moot.

“From what I heard, the Senate had reservations about the legislation we proposed,” Michaelle Solages, a Nassau County Democrat and sponsor of the bill, told Playbook on Monday. “As you know, it takes two Houses in Albany to do anything. We’ve had some of our issues with the language and how to actually facilitate the actual program, but there are too many issues and concerns at this point to continue.

But she’s still hopeful, adding, “Let me say this: It’s not over until it’s over.” —Jason Beeferman

GOP RALLIES ON CRIME: Republicans in the state Legislature are ending the 2024 session with a familiar theme — attacking Democrats for what the Republican Party characterizes as a soft approach to crime.

“I don’t believe New Yorkers generally support this kind of thinking,” Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt said at a rally outside the Capitol. “I don’t think they wake up every day and think, ‘You know what the biggest pressing problem is — we must do more for those who raped, robbed, stole, assaulted and defrauded.” And yet that remains the fixation for many of my colleagues across the aisle.”

There isn’t much in the field of criminal justice that resembles a live ball entering the final days of the hearing. Republicans were timely in drawing attention to a looming parole hearing for a person who killed an NYPD officer in 1982.

The lawmakers were joined by Mike Sapraicone, the presumptive Republican Party nominee who mounted a long-running challenge to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. He attacked Rep. Jamaal Bowman for putting killer Assata Shakur in state troopers on the wall of fame for a school where he was once principal.

“What a shame, a cop killer on a wall of fame in a classroom of young students,” Sapraicone said. –Bill Mahoney

‘STRANGE POLITICS’ OF SOCIAL MEDIA RULES: Both bills regulating social media for children are expected to receive an unusually significant level of bipartisan support in the Democratic-dominated Legislature.

Front page news in Albany — especially the one that Hochul, a Democrat, has made a priority — rarely receive support from GOP lawmakers.

But Republicans are skeptical of tech companies and social media platforms and share Democrats’ concerns that long-term exposure to social media has damaged children’s mental health.

“There’s some strange politics going on here,” said Senator Andrew Gounardes. “I think a lot of people, both right and left, are concerned about the reach of Big Tech.”

Lawmakers reached an agreement with Hochul to block algorithm-driven feeds on social media platforms for minors, as well as a measure to protect child users’ data.

Technology companies have sharply opposed the measures and are expected to sue over First Amendment claims.

“Algorithms actually make online platforms better for teens, by encouraging healthy content instead of hate, harm and misinformation,” said Adam Kovacevich, the CEO of the tech industry group Chamber of Progress. “These types of unconstitutional borders will have a hard time surviving a lawsuit.”

But tech companies are facing lawmakers in Albany who are increasingly skeptical of the benefits of social media.

The bill’s 38-year-old sponsors – Gounardes and MP Nily Rozic – are said to have been at university when social media was still in its infancy.

Since then, it has become a multi-billion dollar industry, turning media, entertainment and politics upside down.

“Growing up in the age of social media, it’s definitely part of my experience,” Rozic said. “I know that future generations will be influenced by social media; That’s why we have to stop it before it gets really bad.” — Nick Reisman

— GOLDMAN WANTS EYES ON THE SUPREME COURT: Representative Dan Goldman wants to advance legislation that would create an independent investigative body to review the ethical lapses of Supreme Court justices. The Supreme Court has been plagued by controversy, most recently after The New York Times reported that Justice Samuel Alito raised a “Stop the Steal” flag outside his home. (State of politics)

— BELIEVE: Civil society groups want state legislatures to improve outcomes when it comes to the state’s handling of foreign debt, which has been a major concern for many since the pandemic. (Financial times)

— RESEARCHERS’ RESEARCH: The NYPD and New York City Parks Department are launching an investigation after a Parks Department officer was caught on video grabbing a young girl during a botched arrest. And Mayor Eric Adams blames delayed work permits for migrants. (Daily news)

— REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE: Lawmakers have finally reached an agreement to reduce the amount of plastic going to landfills by 30 percent over the next twelve years. State Sen. Pete Harckham, chairman of the Environmental Conservation Committee, said he expects a floor vote later this week. (POLITICS Pro)

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