AGP Executive Report

Carriage-Horse Clash: A two-carriage collision in Central Park on May 18 sent a driver to the hospital and reignited calls to pass “Ryder’s Law,” with lawmakers saying the carriage trade doesn’t belong on NYC streets. Childcare Fight: Mayor Zohran Mamdani branded a “new era” in preschool/3-K access after roughly 100,000 kids got offers, but enrollment stayed flat and critics point to the small dip. Immigration Clampdown: New York lawmakers approved a “sanctuary” state budget provision limiting ICE cooperation, including limits on deputizing local police and ICE access to sensitive sites. World Cup Politics: Mamdani’s $50 ticket push—1,000 discounted seats plus free bus transport—keeps turning into a flashpoint as negotiations and eligibility rules draw scrutiny. AI Job Anxiety: Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon says fears of mass AI unemployment are “overblown,” arguing the economy can adapt. Transit Pressure: The MTA is piloting bus fare checks while vehicles are moving, aiming to cut the huge share of unpaid rides.

World Cup Ticket Fight: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani locked in a deal for 1,000 $50 FIFA World Cup tickets for New York residents, with free bus rides and a lottery—then New Jersey immediately complained it’s being left out. Media Power Struggle: CBS News Radio is shutting down, and Detroit’s WWJ is switching to ABC News Audio, as broadcasters brace for more pressure from the FCC. Politics, Up Close: A Democratic congressional primary in NYC is heating up, with the Kennedy scion facing a tighter-than-expected path to the June 23 nomination. Albany Watch: State lawmakers are weighing education deadlines, including a delay to class-size requirements, while NYC pushes new city-approved math and reading curriculums. Global Desk: The NPT review conference in New York is in its final stretch as diplomats haggle over a final document.

World Cup on the cheap: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani secured 1,000 FIFA tickets at $50 apiece for New Yorkers, split across seven MetLife Stadium matches and paired with free round-trip bus rides; the lottery opens May 25. Public safety updates: Gov. Hochul says Long Island State Park beach surveillance is ramping up for sharks, with more certified drone operators and additional drones for peak season. Overdose progress: CDC figures show NY overdose deaths down 44.9% from 2022 to 2025, with opioid deaths down 51.9%. Justice and crime: Federal prosecutors charged two men with AI-generated deepfake porn under the new “Take It Down” law. Albany politics: A DNC post-election autopsy is finally out—released in an incomplete form after internal backlash. Local law enforcement: Oneida County Sheriff reported an arrest after a domestic incident in Waterville. Health & community: Buffalo Harbor State Park opened a new sprayground and upgrades for the Outer Harbor.

LaGuardia Disruption Hits Peak: A sinkhole collapsed and shut down one of LaGuardia’s two runways, forcing capacity onto the remaining strip and triggering 400+ cancellations plus hundreds more delays as storms kept rolling in. Affordability Reality Check: A new statewide look says New York’s crisis is bigger than poverty stats—nearly half of households are “ALICE,” earning too much to qualify as poor but not enough for basics like housing, child care, food, health care, and transport. NY Justice in Motion: AG Letitia James released dashboard footage in the Bravo Nondo death probe and, separately, teamed with NYPD to announce Queens cocaine trafficking arrests. Cuba Pressure Escalates: The U.S. indicted former Raúl Castro over the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shootdowns, adding fresh heat to Washington–Havana tensions. Media Power Shift: James Murdoch struck a deal to buy New York Magazine and Vox’s podcast network, signaling a new media footprint.

NYC Bar Leadership: A former dean at Fordham Law and Yeshiva’s Cardozo Law is set to take over as the new president of the New York City Bar Association, a fresh signal of how legal leadership is shifting in the city. Cuba Pressure Campaign: In a major escalation, the U.S. indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro over the 1996 shootdown of planes operated by Miami-based exiles, adding murder and conspiracy counts and ratcheting up Washington’s pressure on Havana. Airport Disruption: A sinkhole shut down a LaGuardia runway, triggering delays and cancellations as crews rush repairs. Public Health Watch: The CDC is starting Ebola screening for certain international travelers at major hubs, including Chicago O’Hare, as the outbreak spreads in parts of Central and East Africa. Local Housing Politics: Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration kicked off engagement for a “South of Prospect” rezoning in Brooklyn, aiming to unlock thousands of homes near transit. Markets & Travel: The dollar eased on hopes for an Iran deal, while World Cup hotel bookings in New York and other host cities are coming in weaker than expected.

PFAS Push in Albany: New York is moving to ban intentionally added PFAS in everyday products (A.7738A/S.9073A), clearing the Senate and now headed through the Assembly—setting up a familiar fight over “safe” claims and “uncertain science” from industry. Local School Budget Reality Check: In Western New York, voters in multiple districts—including Monroe and Ontario counties—approved budgets and board races in Tuesday’s school election, with results now shaping the next school-year plans. Wall Street Jitters: Bond yields hit their highest level since 2007, and markets ended lower as inflation worries kept pressure on. Heat Relief for NYC Households: Applications opened for a Cooling Assistance program offering eligible New Yorkers a free AC unit or fan, with funding first-come, first-served. CFTC vs. Prediction Markets: The CFTC sued Minnesota to block a new law that would make operating prediction markets a felony, including weather-related contracts.

Immigration Courts Clash: A Manhattan federal judge largely blocked ICE from making arrests in three NYC immigration courts after DOJ admitted it misled the court—an abrupt reversal that could reshape how federal agents operate inside the system. NYC Grocery Push: Mayor Zohran Mamdani doubled down on affordability, naming The Peninsula in Hunts Point as the first Bronx city-run grocery store site, targeting an end-of-2027 opening. Gun Rights: The Second Circuit struck down part of New York’s concealed-carry rules for private property open to the public, keeping pressure on Albany’s gun-control framework. Terror Case Watch: DOJ says an Iraqi man tied to 18 terror attacks in Europe connected his “people” to a March Toronto U.S. consulate shooting. Energy & Power: Constellation won nearly $30M in state/federal support to pursue an early permit path for new nuclear reactors at Nine Mile Point in Oswego County. Transportation: A tentative four-year deal ended the LIRR strike after three days, with service set to resume.

NYC Grocery Rollout: Mayor Zohran Mamdani says the city’s second government-run grocery store will open in Hunts Point, Bronx, with a ribbon-cutting in 2027 (the first store was previously tied to East Harlem but won’t open until later). LIRR Strike Fallout: Day three of the Long Island Rail Road strike is set to spark commuter chaos, with the MTA urging remote work and offering limited shuttle buses—while federal mediation continues without a deal. DOJ “Anti-Weaponization” Fund: After Trump drops a $10B IRS lawsuit, the DOJ creates an “Anti-Weaponization Fund” worth $1.776B to process claims of lawfare. Courts & Rights: A federal judge blocks most ICE arrests around Manhattan immigration courts unless public-safety exceptions apply. Energy Costs: The PSC approved temporary NYSEG and RG&E rate hikes, far smaller than requested, as case review continues.

Pied-à-terre Tax Math Gets Tweaked: Gov. Kathy Hochul says her proposed pied-à-terre surcharge would hit about 10,000 NYC properties tied to out-of-town owners—down from an earlier estimate of ~13,000—aiming to raise roughly $500M a year for the city’s budget gap. LIRR Strike Chaos: The Long Island Rail Road is officially suspended as a worker strike hits day three, with nearly 300,000 daily riders scrambling for alternatives and officials urging talks to restart. DOJ vs. Connecticut: The Justice Department filed a complaint challenging Connecticut’s mask ban, ID rules, and use-of-force policies for federal officers—arguing states can’t regulate federal law enforcement. NYC Grocery Push: Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the Bronx’s city-run grocery store site at The Peninsula, targeting an opening in 2027. Cybersecurity Shock: NYC Health + Hospitals disclosed a breach affecting at least 1.8M people, including stolen fingerprints and medical data. National Politics Mood: A New York Times/Siena poll puts Trump at 37% approval, with voters rejecting his Iran-war handling and worrying about the economy.

Middle East Pressure Builds: Trump is set to convene a Situation Room meeting on potential military options against Iran after warning the “clock is ticking,” as Iran escalates too—threatening the Gulf of Oman could become a “graveyard” for U.S. ships. Secret War Footprint: The New York Times reports Israel used two covert bases in Iraq’s western desert to support operations against Iran, including air support and refueling. NYC Commuter Crisis: Long Island Rail Road workers launched a strike for the first time in 32 years, shutting down the busiest commuter rail line and prompting Gov. Hochul to plead for talks. Local Tech vs Privacy: License plate readers at Home Depot and Lowe’s are sparking privacy backlash and legal fights. Cannabis Legal Storm: A major class action, Murray v. Cresco, targets big cannabis firms’ marketing practices across multiple states, drawing comparisons to “Big Tobacco” litigation. Israel vs NYT: Netanyahu’s government is pursuing legal action against the New York Times over its reporting on alleged sexual violence.

Commuter Crisis: Gov. Kathy Hochul pleaded with Long Island Rail Road unions to return to bargaining as the strike—LIRR’s first in about 30 years—entered its second day, shutting down service for roughly 300,000 riders and threatening Monday’s Memorial Day commute; the MTA says there’s “no substitute,” while the state is lining up shuttle buses and urging remote work. Labor & Politics: The walkout follows three years without raises in negotiations, and Hochul is warning the longer it drags on, the more it erodes workers’ gains. Albany Watch: Separate from the transit fight, New York’s climate disclosure push is gaining steam, with a proposed corporate emissions reporting law moving through the legislative pipeline. Local Quality-of-Life: City lawmakers are pushing the SCOOP Act to tackle dog waste with bag dispensers, education, and composting pilots.

LIRR Strike Hits New York: Long Island Rail Road workers launched the first strike in 32 years, shutting down the busiest commuter line and throwing the region into chaos just ahead of Memorial Day weekend, with the MTA confirming service is suspended and urging riders to work from home when possible. NYC Politics, Religion Flashpoint: A White House–backed Christian prayer event on the National Mall is drawing fresh backlash over faith in public life, while New York’s own Mamdani continues to spark outrage after posting a “Nakba Day” video that Jewish groups say distorts the story. Israel-Gaza Tensions: Israel is again blocking Red Cross access to Palestinian abductees, according to reports, as the region remains on edge amid talk of renewed strikes. Statehouse Watch: Albany’s redistricting bill debate (H. 5683) is underway, keeping election-year lines sharp. Higher Ed Stress Test: A new forecast warns hundreds of nonprofit colleges nationwide are at risk of closing or merging—another pressure point for New York’s education ecosystem.

LIRR Strike Hits New York: Long Island Rail Road service is shut down after unionized workers walked out early Saturday, the first strike in 32 years, stranding nearly 300,000 daily riders and forcing limited shuttle buses that won’t fully replace trains. Labor vs. MTA: The fight centers on wage increases and health care premiums, with unions saying they’ve gone years without raises and the MTA saying it gave “everything” the unions asked for. Political Blame Game: Gov. Kathy Hochul warned commuters to plan ahead and criticized the walkout as reckless, while President Trump blamed Hochul on Truth Social. Middle East Pressure: Markets and energy policy are roiled by renewed Iran-war fears—oil is up and stocks slid as bond yields jump. NYC/Israel Narrative Clash: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s “Nakba Day” video sparked backlash from Jewish groups, while Israel escalated its fight with the New York Times over alleged “blood libel” claims.

Markets Take a Hit: Stocks slid worldwide after oil jumped and bond yields spiked, dragging tech down from record highs—Nvidia fell 4.4% and the S&P 500 dropped 1.2%. Iran Tensions, New Moves: Reports say the Trump administration is weighing renewed strikes on Iran after China talks, while U.S. and allies push to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. NYC Terror Case: Federal prosecutors charged an Iraqi man tied to Iran-backed Kata’ib Hizballah, alleging he helped plan attacks across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, including plots targeting Jewish sites. China Influence Crackdown: A Manhattan jury convicted a man tied to an illegal Chinese “police station” operation. Local Watch: Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz declared National Safe Boating Week, urging life-jacket use and sober boating as Lake Erie season ramps up. Southern Tier Jobs: Chautauqua County leaders are reacting to the shutdown of eSolutions (formerly Bush Industries) near Jamestown, with 230 jobs lost.

Museum Power Move: The Met will merge with the Neue Galerie in 2028, but the Neue’s Fifth Avenue building stays open as its own museum space under the Met Ronald S. Lauder Neue Galerie name—an instant upgrade for Vienna 1900 and German modernism in New York. Infrastructure: The NY-PA Joint Interstate Bridge Commission approved nearly $20M for major Upper Delaware River bridge rehabilitations, including Callicoon–Damascus and Port Jervis–Matamoras. Terror Case in Manhattan: An Iraqi man accused of plotting at least 18 attacks across Europe, and targeting Jewish sites in New York and beyond, was arrested and charged in federal court. Security/Defense: The U.S. Army is testing drone-swarm tactics in Project Flytrap, pushing soldiers to adapt patrols and counter-drone doctrine. NYC Politics: Mayor Mamdani won’t attend the Israel Day Parade, escalating a long-running fight over Gaza and public symbolism. Local Watch: A judge ordered NYC DEP officials to explain missing Ground Zero toxin document boxes after “carpet installation” claims. Transit Stress: With an LIRR strike still possible, the MTA laid out shuttle-bus plans and subway reroutes for commuters.

Budget Power Play: Albany is lining up a new 1% tax on NYC homes bought with cash for $1M+—expected to raise about $160M—to help plug Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s budget gap, with details still being finalized. School Governance: Mamdani is poised to win a two-year extension of mayoral control plus a delay on class-size rules in the state budget deal, even as the June 30 sunset deadline looms. Courtroom Fallout: The U.S. is set to settle the SEC’s Adani fraud case with civil penalties (no admission of guilt), while prosecutors move to drop related criminal charges—another high-profile shakeup with New York ties. Israel vs. Press: Israel is threatening to sue The New York Times over Nicholas Kristof’s column alleging sexual abuse of Palestinian detainees. NYC Oversight: The city comptroller has opened an investigation into outdoor dining, targeting permit delays and bureaucracy. Markets: Big Tech helped push stocks higher after earnings, with Cisco jumping on strong results.