Politico

With help from Shawn Ness

IS IT RIGGED?: Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is laying the groundwork to claim the bidding process for the three wildly lucrative casino licenses could be skewed against him.

“We’re moving ahead with our plans for a casino, and if it's a fair process — and I'm a little concerned about it — but if it's a fair process. Nassau County gets that license because we are the best location,” the County Executive said last week while calling into "Sid & Friends in the Morning," a right-leaning radio show.

After reiterating the decision is in the hands of a state board, he added, “if it's a fair process we win.”

The comments are the first that Playbook’s ever heard the Republican cast doubt on the integrity of an extremely scrutinized and public bidding process for New York’s downstate casino licenses.

But questions have already been raised that the bid for a massive casino on Long Island could be especially vulnerable, given Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul’s control over the Gaming Commission. That’s because the majority owner of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation is GOP megadonor Miriam Adelson, who — along with her late husband — donated $90 million to a pro-Trump super PAC during the previous presidential election.

She’s not the only Trump donor vying for a casino.

Earlier this week, Mets owner and billionaire Steve Cohen’s casino dreams were all but crushed by state Sen. Jessica Ramos after she came out against the bid. Cohen’s army of lobbyists were working to put a massive casino and hotel in the parking lot next to Citi Field, but the proposed site is located on state-controlled parkland that needs approval from the state Legislature to switch use.

And a bid by the Bally’s Corporation for a casino on the Bronx golf course formerly known as Trump Links also needs a similar parkland alienation bill. Playbook can report that Assemblymember Gary Pretlow, a Mount Vernon Democrat who chairs the lower chamber’s gaming committee, has introduced a parkland alienation bill for Bally’s.

“What we’re trying to do is have the assumption that every [bid] is good, until they're proven they aren't,” Pretlow told Playbook. “So we want to have the community boards issued and we want to have land issues solved.”

Curiously, neither the Senate’s gaming chair, state Sen. Joseph Addabbo, nor any of his colleagues in the Senate have introduced the necessary equivalent bill. State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez, whose district includes the golf course, told us she is still weighing the merits of introducing any parkland alienation bill this session.

Blakeman, for his part, has said that the Sands project would bring a $5 billion investment into Nassau County and claims it would likely be the highest grossing casino in the nation. Plans for the casino, which would be located at the site of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, are currently stalled, though, after neighboring Hofstra University successfully sued to void the lease between Las Vegas Sands and the county.

When Playbook reached out to Blakeman, the county executive declined to go into specifics about his “concerns” about the fairness of the bidding process.

“Of course we're concerned that it's a level playing field and that politics aren’t part of the process,” Blakeman said, obliquely referring to “gossip” he didn’t want to expound upon.

“When you're talking about as much money as is involved in issuing a license,” he added, “you want to make sure that there's honesty and integrity in the process without political bias.” — Jason Beeferman

ASSEMBLYMEMBER FACES ETHICS ACTION: The Assembly’s Ethics Committee has taken action against Scott Bendett.

The freshman Republican “made two statements related to religion and national origin to an international intern,” the committee concluded. “Given Member Bendett’s sincere remorse and honest, active, and forthcoming participation in the process, coupled with the current highly emotional climate related to international strife,” the committee has ordered him to undergo sensitivity training.

It’s only the second action taken against a sitting member of the Assembly in the past six years. The committee ordered Democrat Danny O’Donnell to be retrained in the Assembly’s harassment policy following remarks he made last year.

Bendett is a top target for Democrats this November. His district, which includes suburbs to the south and east of the city of Albany, favored Joe Biden in 2020. Democrats Chloe Pierce and Kent Sopris are running in a primary for their party’s nomination to challenge him. — Bill Mahoney

FIGHTING REVENGE PORN: State lawmakers want to expand New York’s law combating revenge porn.

A bill being considered in the final week of the legislative session is meant to strengthen the initial 2019 provision that created criminal penalties for the non-consensual release of intimate images and videos.

State Sen. Monica Martinez, a Long Island Democrat, wants to include an expansion that would criminalize the threat of disseminating that material as well.

“The threat of releasing compromising personal content can be just as psychologically damaging to a victim as the act itself,” Martinez said in a statement. “This enhancement of the law will better protect New Yorkers from the perpetrator who attempts to use shame as an instrument of coercion.”

The bill was previously approved in the Senate, but is yet to be approved in the Assembly. Lawmakers in that chamber have been hesitant to embrace an expansion of criminal penalties. — Nick Reisman

ACTION ON HEALTH ACT: A resolution endorsing the “goals” of the New York Health Act — a bill creating a single-payer health care plan to provide universal coverage in the state — was approved for the time by the state Democratic Committee at this week’s convention.

The resolution also called on the governor and Legislature to “expedite legislative solutions” to ensure full health care coverage for all New Yorkers.

The vote is symbolic. But supporters of the measure hope it will provide a jolt of momentum for the New York Health Act, which dates back decades and has struggled to win widespread support among Democrats amid opposition from the state’s powerful public-sector unions.

The bill was reintroduced in July 2023 by Health Committee Chairs Assemblymember Amy Paulin and state Sen. Gustavo Rivera.

“This resolution unifies the Democratic party in the goal of passing the New York Health Act, the only legislation that offers comprehensive healthcare to every New Yorker without barriers to care,” said Melanie D'Arrigo, executive director of the Campaign for New York Health and a former Democratic Congressional candidate.

State Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs told Playbook the measure was approved “understanding there are complex issues to be determined” given the opposition from key constituencies like labor.

But Jacobs can point to areas of clearer agreement for Democrats at its two-day state convention: A resolution that condemned antisemitism in the wake of pro-Palestinian demonstrations at college campuses across the country that have created a political headache for Democrats in an election year was also approved.

“The fact that it was unanimous speaks volumes to where Democrats stand on this issue,” Jacobs said. — Maya Kaufman and Nick Reisman

— HOCHUL’S BIG BUFFALO BILLS PROBLEM: An ethics watchdog agency has subpoenaed the Empire State Development for records related to the use of the state-owned “I Love New York” suite at the Buffalo Bills’ stadium which has been enjoyed by top state lawmakers. (NY Focus)

— CALL IT A COMEBACK: The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that an appellate court was too quick to throw out the NRA’s claims. Even Democratic justices, like Sonia Sotomayor, who routinely sided against the NRA, changed things up and voted in their favor. (POLITICO)

—  TRUMP’S TESTIMONY: Donald Trump said he wanted to testify during his hush money trial. But it was too little too late, and he didn’t want to get hit with a potential perjury charge. (Daily News)

Missed this morning’s New York Playbook? Read it here.

With help from Shawn Ness

BOO$T FOR BOWMAN: AIPAC’s attack ads seem to have been a boon for Rep. Jamaal Bowman — at least when it comes to fundraising, Playbook has learned.

The endangered progressive’s May haul was more than $1 million — triple what he raised in April — with $770,000 of the contributions coming after anti-Bowman TV spots hit the air, according to his campaign.

“The backlash to AIPAC’s attack ads began immediately, as our campaign set new records for grassroots fundraising and volunteer mobilization,” Bowman campaign manager Gabe Tobias told Playbook in a statement. “Our beautiful, diverse community has Jamaal’s back because he’s always had theirs.”

Team Bowman highlighted its fundraising bump just as AIPAC's super PAC, the United Democracy Project, planned $1.7 million more in ads for the week ahead, according to an AdImpact alert today. The new spending brings the pro-Israel lobbying group’s total to about $10 million thus far in the Westchester County and Bronx contest.

Bowman is locked in a brutal primary against Westchester County Executive George Latimer, a more moderate challenger with the benefit of both deep ties to local government and deep-pocketed donors’ support.

Bowman is a chief target this year for AIPAC, or the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, as a Squad member and vocal critic of U.S. financing of the Israel-Hamas war who has kept his focus on destruction in Gaza.

Asked about Bowman’s fundraising spike, United Democracy Project spokesperson Patrick Dorton told Playbook, “No amount of funds can hide Jamaal Bowman’s anti-Israel record, disagreements with President Biden and trafficking in conspiracy theories.”

A newer anti-Bowman ad from the group is voiced by Elisha Wiesel, whose father is Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel.

“Jamaal Bowman repeated Hamas lies, denying that women were raped,” the younger Wiesel says, a reference to POLITICO’s reporting that led the House member to later release a statement reading in part, “The UN confirmed that Hamas committed rape and sexual violence, a reprehensible fact that I condemn entirely.”

Bowman’s campaign said his May numbers included more than 10,000 unique donors and 83 percent of the donations were $50 or less. They did not say how much he spent these past two months.

The Latimer campaign declined to release its April and May numbers.

It had been outraising Bowman’s campaign as of the end of March, according to the candidates’ most recent FEC filings, which showed Latimer with $3 million cash on hand versus Bowman with less than $1.5 million.

“He’s received over 90 percent of his money from outside the district,” Latimer told Playbook recently of Bowman, referencing the incumbent’s last two quarters of fundraising.

“AIPAC has endorsed me, and I’ve also been endorsed by CSEA, TWU, all these other entities,” Latimer added. “They don’t own me and AIPAC does not own me.” — Emily Ngo

GAMING THE CASINO TIMELINE: A push from the Legislature’s gaming chairs to speed up the bidding process for the three available downstate casino licenses is being considered in the final days of Legislative session.

And that could spell doom for two bidders who need more time: entertainment giant Bally’s and Mets owner Steve Cohen, whose proposals require state approval to alienate parkland.

“This bill is about a process, let’s start the process,” said Queens state Sen. Joseph Addabbo, who chairs the gaming commission and whose district includes Resorts World New York City, considered a favorite to earn one of the lucrative gaming licenses. “Remember, all of these entities — and they're all good, they're all credible — they've had two years already trying to figure this stuff out. And we're giving them another session year to do it.”

“So there will be some sites that are just unattainable,” he added. “If that’s the case, we gotta move on.”

One potential last-minute change to the licensing timeline being mulled by legislative leadership would threaten to dramatically shake up the process — and likely cut out Bally’s and Cohen, while giving an edge to two others regarded as shoe-ins, Yonkers’ Empire City and Resorts World NYC.

Five people familiar with discussions in the Legislature say lawmakers are considering accelerating the licensing process to mid-year 2025 in a way that would threaten Cohen’s Citi Field-area project and Bally’s vision for a former Trump-managed golf course in the Bronx. It could also affect a bid for a Long Island proposal from the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, which is tied up in a legal dispute from neighboring Hofstra University.

The measure being considered would ensure that casino bids from Empire City and Resorts World would have an even easier path toward procuring a license as the two sites already are approved for their existing gaming activities.

Downstate casino licenses are expected to be doled out by the end of 2025, after a March announcement from the state’s Gaming Commission where the agency’s executive director insisted the process was “ahead of schedule.”

Talks around changing that remain ongoing.

“There are conversations with the governor’s office, the Assembly and Senate,” Pretlow told Playbook Sunday.

The discussions around speeding up the timeline come about two weeks after Addabbo and Pretlow introduced a bill to dramatically speed up the casino timeline. That bill would have granted conditional licenses and allowed bids to finalize zoning and land use after being awarded a license. — Jason Beeferman

ICYMI: THE POL WITH 46 TRAFFIC TICKETS. Assemblymember Emily Gallagher is alleging the New York Post has been “desperately trying to dig up dirt” on her after the tabloid published a piece on the lawmaker’s two-and-a-half year period of prolific parking penalties.

In a lengthy Friday thread on X, Gallagher slammed The Post for pursuing a “nasty hit little piece [sic]” ahead of the story’s publication. The missive was written after Gallagher said she arrived home from Albany to find one of the Post’s tabloid photographers staked outside the following morning.

“The goal here is to make me and other progressive politicians hate our jobs, to feel bad and scared, to try and shut us up,” she wrote on X. “And truthfully, it is unnerving to have a photographer camped out in front of your home! But the intimidation simply will not work on me or my community.”

The tabloid’s piece did run over the weekend, and it shows safe-street advocate Gallagher’s relationship with parking rules to be a little more colorful than she had let on. Gallagher has been fined over $4,000 in the past two-and-a-half years in unpaid tickets, the Post’s story claims. That includes violations for parking in front of a fire hydrant at least six times.

“I don't have speeding or school zone violations. Just some parking tickets I've paid,” she wrote Friday.

In a statement to Playbook, Gallagher said, “Since my first run for office, the Post has been desperately trying to dig up dirt on me. Their latest investigative triumph: I have parking tickets. In a neighborhood with constant construction, film shoots and alternate side parking, it’s not hard to get a couple tickets a month — especially when I refuse to abuse my placard. We should implement a residential parking permit system. Until then, I’m happy to contribute to the city coffers!” — Jason Beeferman

YIMBY MONEY: Build-more-housing advocacy group Open New York announced another round of endorsements this year — and its associated YIMBY super PAC Abundant New York is planning to spend “six figures” on Assemblymember Demond Meeks in Rochester and Gabriella Romero who is running for the open Albany seat.

Other endorsements include Gallagher; Yi Andy Chen, who’s challenging Assemblymember Ron Kim in Queens; and Yvette Valdés Smith, who’s taking on Republican state Sen. Rob Rolison in the Hudson Valley. Abundant New York also plans to spend on Smith in the general.

The independent expenditure committee is already boosting Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha’s primary, with mailers saying she’s “committed to fighting for tenants and the housing abundance that we deserve.”

In that race, Open New York is breaking with some other real estate industry players, who are funding a Hudson Valley Voters super PAC to support Shrestha’s primary challenger, Gabi Madden. — Jeff Coltin

SOCIAL NETWORK: Count the Real Estate Board of New York among those in favor of bills to regulate social media platforms — a key priority for Gov. Kathy Hochul as the session draws to a close.

Lawmakers are weighing a measure that would end algorithmic feeds on social media platforms for child users in a bid to cut off what critics have alleged helps fuel depression and addiction. They also want new data protections for kids on social media as well.

“REBNY strongly supports legislation advanced by the Governor and Attorney General to combat the challenges that social media platforms pose to children's mental health,” James Whelan, the group’s president, said in a statement to Playbook.

“Excessive social media use poses a significant threat to young New Yorkers. The New York Child Data Privacy Act and SAFE For Kids Act are common sense measures that will help families and put our state on stronger footing.”

The group’s endorsement of the bills is purportedly aimed at making New York a more attractive city for families. But it also comes after a bruising housing negotiation in which Hochul largely got what she wanted in the state budget and has cemented herself as a powerbroker. — Nick Reisman

SARATOGA SPRINGS AND HOMELESSNESS: The New York Civil Liberties Union has issued a statement condemning the police department of Saratoga Springs for its “reported arrests and detention of homeless individuals” ahead of the historic Belmont Stakes race Saturday.

“The Saratoga Springs Police Department’s reported crackdown is a shameful attempt to shuffle them away from public sight and cover up the city’s housing problems,” the NYCLU’s regional Director for the Capital Region, Melanie Trimble, said in a statement. “In doing so, Saratoga Springs is ripping a page from the books of other cities that have swept homeless people and so-called encampments before major sporting and entertainment events.”

The police department did not respond to a request for comment. — Jason Beeferman

— ON THEIR RADAR: The first week of June has been dubbed “Speed Week” by Hochul’s office. Drivers should expect to see more police cars — both marked and unmarked — to ramp up speeding enforcement. (State of Politics)

— SCOOTER SCOFFLAWS: Two NYPD officers were shot by a migrant while he fled on an electric scooter. The case is renewing focus on the staggering number of crimes involving the electric vehicles. (Daily News)

— FIRST COME FIRST SERVE: After 15 years, a 128,000 family-long list for affordable housing reopened. But the housing landscape has changed drastically since the list closed in 2009 as New York City’s rental vacancies have hit a 50 year low. (The New York Times)

Missed this morning’s New York Playbook? Read it here.

With help from Shawn Ness

DRINKS ON US — Come celebrate the end of session with POLITICO. We’re hosting a happy hour on Wednesday, May 29, at the Albany War Room Tavern. Join fellow New York insiders for drinks and hors d'oeuvres, meet our editorial team and learn more about our coverage of politics, policy and power in Albany. You can RSVP here.

New from New York

Happening now:

• Gov. Kathy Hochul stressed repeatedly how well she’s working with Mayor Eric Adams. But it’s too early to endorse him, she said.
• Lawmakers are pressing for a bill to encourage more New Yorkers to become firefighters.
• The City Council wants Adams to reverse cuts to its preschool program.
• Assemblymember Michael Benedetto is getting some labor help in his reelection bid.

A NON ENDORSEMENT: Gov. Kathy Hochul won’t endorse Mayor Eric Adams for mayor — at least not yet.

“I’m not doing endorsements for elections even this November yet, other than my president,” Hochul told reporters today while making a push for more restrictions on kids’ social media feeds.

She added, “Read into it all you want, but I'm not doing endorsements for an election that is a year and a half away.”

The comments were made as a field of Adams’ primary challengers is slowly starting to emerge.

State Sen. Zellnor Myrie launched his campaign in a video two weeks ago where he called for “serious, focused leadership.” Scott Stringer announced in January, and more candidates will surely rise to the surface — like potentially City Comptroller Brad Lander or even Andrew Cuomo.

An endorsement from the governor for mayor would be ahead of schedule. New York’s stay-focused-no-distractions-and-grind mayor hasn’t even officially launched his reelection campaign, even as a federal probe continues to swirl around him.

But let’s remember: Adams didn't formally endorse Hochul in her 2022 primary until two weeks before the election, as our POLITICO colleague Jeff Coltin points out.

When asked if she would endorse Adams, Hochul was full of praise for the mayor, with whom she has worked with well as she ends a run of bad relations between former mayors and governors.

“We are going to assess everything, but I will tell you this, and you can read into it whatever you like — we are very strong allies and working together. I’m not saying that about anybody else,” Hochul said.

“Have you heard me say it about anybody else right now?”

There was no immediate comment from Myrie’s office. Stringer didn’t want to comment.

The governor’s non-endorsement — yet strong praise — for the mayor comes as the Hochul-Adams relationship has continued to blossom.

The two have increasingly appeared side-by-side recently for a suite of public announcements, which include an investment into Brooklyn’s waterfront, Sammy’s Law to lower city speed limits and cracking down on illegal cannabis shops. And Hochul delivered for the mayor on virtually every measure in the state budget. — Jason Beeferman

FREE SCHOOL FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS: A bipartisan group of legislators want to use free tuition to incentivize more people to become volunteer firefighters.

And many of the lawmakers fighting for it are volunteers themselves.

“They're going to leave their beds in the middle of night and leave their jobs in the middle of the day to go out to risk their own life and see nothing in return,” Long Island Republican state Sen. Steven Rhoads, a volunteer firefighter, said. “And that's what makes this bill so special.”

The bill, sponsored by Rochester state Sen. Jeremy Cooney, a Democrat, would allow for volunteer firefighters, EMS service providers and auxiliary police officers to attend a SUNY, CUNY or community college without having to pay tuition.

The exact cost for the state is not yet known, but Rhoads noted that the state “spends money on a lot worse.” — Shawn Ness

IDAS AND YOU: The state’s local industrial development agencies had a record high 4,320 active projects underway with a total value of $132 billion in 2022, according to a new report from Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

The projects are estimated to create nearly 214,000 jobs during their lifespan along with 36,000 construction jobs, the report said.

“IDAs were created to help grow local economies, businesses and job markets,” DiNapoli said in a statement. “The tax breaks they provide businesses can impact local tax collections, however, and New Yorkers should be mindful about weighing the benefits these projects bring to their communities against their cost.”

The data in the report comes from the agencies’ self-reporting through the Public Authorities Reporting Information System.

The IDAs have long been criticized for their largesse to companies through tax breaks and other incentives, but supporters say the programs are needed to attract and retain new businesses. — Shawn Ness

ALCOHOL-TO-YOU WORRIES: A dozen retired law enforcement officers are trying to stop a measure that would allow for the direct shipment of alcohol in New York.

They argued in a letter to top state leaders and Hochul that the proposal would create an opening for criminals and encourage underage drinking. Similar arguments have been raised by wine and liquor stores, who have fretted about the impact of the measure if it’s approved.

“In the absence of a thoughtful and vigilant enforcement strategy with significantly augmented, dedicated resources, direct alcohol shipping will create a windfall for violent criminal networks already exploiting these criminal supply chains in New York,” they wrote in the letter.

State lawmakers are weighing the change, which would allow direct shipments from manufacturers to consumers.

Supporters have contended it could aid small businesses that have sprung up in recent years, but are struggling financially. — Nick Reisman

PRESCHOOL FUNDING FIGHT: Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is putting pressure on Adams to reverse cuts to the city’s popular preschool program as they enter the final weeks of budget negotiations.

“The executive budget’s more than $170 million cut to early childhood education programs directly contradicts the administration's stated efforts to secure a seat for every child,” the speaker said during a press conference at City Hall this morning alongside other city lawmakers, parents and advocates.

This comes as more than 2,000 families were denied 3K seats — about 6 percent of 43,000 applicants, Department of Education officials told the Council last week. A City Hall spokesperson attributed the rejections to guidance the DOE sent to families that did not “fully convey” all of the available seats.

Officials have declined to elucidate the number of early childhood seats the school system stands to lose as a result of the reductions, which Adams’ political opponents have seized on to build a case against his reelection next year.

The mayor vowed to provide all families with a seat. “Every child that wants a seat is going to have a seat,” Adams told NY1 earlier this week. — Madina Touré

LABOR SPENDS ON BENEDETTO: Assemblymember Michael Benedetto’s reelection effort against a DSA-backed challenger is getting a $75,000 boost from the New York State Laborers' Union.

First in Playbook, the Build New York Fund, an independent expenditure committee funded by the trade union, plans to spend up to that much on a mail and digital campaign backing Benedetto in his East Bronx District.

“Benedetto has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to advocating for labor rights, fair wages, and safe working conditions,” the fund said in an unsigned statement. It’s the only primary the super PAC expects to spend in, but may get involved in general elections.

Money often comes to incumbents when they’re challenged by Democratic Socialist candidates like, in this case, by Jonathan Soto, a former organizer for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and an official in former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration.

Soto has been outraising Benedetto and qualified for public matching funds this week, while Benedetto did not. The pair faced off two years ago, however, and Benedetto handily won by 20 points. — Jeff Coltin

SCHOOL BUDGETS PASS: Ninety-seven percent of school budgets in New York passed on Tuesday, and union-backed school board candidates also fared well.

The New York State United Teachers union said 84 percent of its endorsed candidates won their elections to school boards.

“Once again, voters have shown they know strong public schools mean strong communities,” NYSUT president Melinda Person said in a statement. “Investments in our school budgets and dedication in our school boards are vital to the future of our state. Tuesday’s results show that voters agree.”

Nineteen school districts were successful in overriding the tax cap to raise the property taxes, which required approval of 60 percent of voters at the polls. Ten budgets failed, and two were still pending.

Districts whose budgets were not approved will hold a second round of votes June 18. — Shawn Ness

SUNY STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY: SUNY Chancellor John King today gave his annual address on the state of the 64-campus system and his vision for it

His message was well received by the crowd at The Egg in Empire State Plaza. Assembly Education Chair Pat Fahy said King struck the right message for the state to continue increasing aid for SUNY and CUNY.

“We’ve got to make the investment; we know that investments work,” she said to POLITICO.

“I love that the chancellor focused so much on upward mobility, but upward mobility is not there if we don’t make it affordable.”

Hochul took the stage to discuss her budget wins in higher education this year, particularly touting initiatives such as the expansion of the state’s Tuition Assistance Program; making the Free Application for Federal Student Aid program universal for high school students; and her artificial intelligence initiative that will be spearheaded by SUNY.

Missing in the crowd was United University Professions president Fred Kowal. His absence was by design: a stance against the lack of assistance for campuses that the union has deemed to be financially distressed.

“I believe his speech cynically avoided the reality that SUNY is not strong because of the decisions made by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and now the decisions of Chancellor John King,” Kowal said to Playbook.

“I fear the message he’s been delivering for well over a year is that financially strapped campuses are on their own and somehow supposed to find their own way through these deficits.”

For his part, King touted SUNY’s growth and new initiatives to attract new students and strengthen the system.

“Today, SUNY is on the move. Our quest for excellence rests on four pillars: student success; research and scholarship; diversity, equity and inclusion; and economic development and upward mobility,” he said. — Katelyn Cordero 

TOWN POPULATION DECREASING: Eighty percent of New York’s towns and cities have been decreasing since 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The fastest growing town: Palm Tree in Orange County, which is coterminous with Kiryas Joel, the orthodox Jewish enclave, the Empire Center, a fiscally conservative think tank, reported today. The town’s population grew by nearly 9,000 residents, a 27 percent increase. — Shawn Ness

— New York City began evicting migrants from its shelters as part of its new shelter time limit rules. (The New York Times)

— New Yorkers favor a ceasefire in Gaza and peaceful pro-Palestinian protests, but also support the police breaking up those that go too far, a Siena College poll found. (Newsday)

— New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation issued a ground-level ozone warning for the lower Hudson Valley. (Times Union)