Abortion money quietly made the state budget

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With help from Shawn Ness

Democrats want abortion rights to be on the ballot this year. And in New York, abortion funding is in the state budget.

Lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul quietly agreed to a $25 million fund that provides grants to non-profit entities that offer abortion services — creating a new program that was first considered in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade two years ago.

The money is meant to aid people seeking abortions, especially those who are underinsured or lack health insurance.

It’s another sign of how New York Democrats are expected to run this year on the theme of abortion rights – a platform the party expects to use as a counter to GOP criticism over crime and the migrant crisis.

In addition to all 213 seats in the Legislature up for election this year, New York has a half-dozen swing House seats on Long Island, in the Hudson Valley and in the Syracuse area.

Further driving home the issue, New York voters this year will consider an amendment meant to enshrine a broad array of rights in the state constitution, including the right to an abortion.

But the funding in the budget is different — a step that provides tangible taxpayer assistance for the procedure as other states in the country have restricted access.

“It sends a strong message to our communities and pregnant people that New York is and will continue to be a beacon of care for people who need access to abortion care,” Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas told Playbook of the budget measure.

“Republicans are seeing how unpopular their positions are, and they are rolling back some of their rhetoric.”

Hochul had previously supported funding for abortion service providers, including money to bolster security.

But at the same time, González-Rojas, a Queens Democrat, wishes the fund in the budget went further.

She and other Democrats had pressed for a $50 million fund that would have included money to aid travel and hotel stays for abortion services.

But she said the money included in the budget was key because it sets the abortion services fund in law, making it a recurring provision in the spending plan going forward.

“This actually codifies that rather than relying on a governor’s initiative,” González-Rojas said. “She won’t be our governor forever, and this will remain in statute.”

Abortion opponents, however, blasted the decision for including the abortion grant program in the budget.

Assemblymember Mike Reilly, a Staten Island Republican, called the inclusion of the money “a major concern” that doesn’t take into consideration New York taxpayers who are opposed to abortion.

“People who don’t align with the ability to have an abortion don’t want taxpayer funding to pay for that,” he said. “I don’t support public funding, paying for it. I think people in New York have the right to decide where their funds go.” — Nick Reisman

HAPPY FRIDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.

WHERE’S KATHY? Making an education budget announcement in Albany.

WHERE’S ERIC? Delivering remarks at South Africa’s flag-raising ceremony, then at NPCC’s fourth assessment report, appearing live on 77 WABC’S “CATS & COSBY,” hosting “The Future of New York City 2024” reception.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Folks, I want to thank Governor Hochul for having us here today and for her partnership” — President Joe Biden as he and the Democratic governor announced $6 billion for Micron’s plant outside Syracuse.

ABOVE THE FOLD

LEST YE BE JUDGED: First in Playbook, a progressive political troublemaker is sending out a mailer attacking the appellate division judges who reduced former President Donald Trump’s bond payment — and calling on them to resign.

“Five hack judges for Trump,” the mailer from gay activist Allen Roskoff’s Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club reads, under the names and photos of Judges Dianne Renwick, Anil Singh, Kelly O’Neill Levy, Lizbeth Gonzalez and Bahaati Pitt-Burke.

The judges gave Trump “special treatment that ordinary New Yorkers are not afforded,” the mailer reads and it “undermines the admirable, diligent and good works” of Attorney General Tish James.

Roskoff told Playbook he’s sending the mailer to elected officials, judges and — in a personal touch — registered Democrats living in the immediate area of the judges’ homes.

The judges ruled in March that Trump’s bond could be reduced to $175 million from $454 million, at his request. With the help of a supportive insurer, Trump agreed to put up that amount to keep James’ office from enforcing the civil judgment for corporate fraud while he appeals the verdict.

Lower court judges like these serving in New York’s Appellate Division, First Judicial Department, covering Manhattan and the Bronx normally fly under the radar. They’re not elected to the role, instead appointed by the governor.

But Roskoff is a Manhattan civic leader deeply involved with electing judges at lower levels. He sat in the courtroom for Trump’s civil fraud trial as a guest of Judge Arthur Engoron.

To him, the judges “have done immeasurable harm to the rule of law, and to our country’s democracy. When all is said and done, they have allowed Trump tremendous leeway to yet again delay and escape justice,” he said in a statement.

“That pernicious nod was a huge favor to Trump. These judges have disgraced their positions and must resign immediately.”

A spokesperson for the Office of Court Administration, which oversees the judiciary, didn’t respond to a request for comment on the mailer. — Jeff Coltin

CAMPUS PROTESTS MULTIPLY: More Pro-Palestinian student encampments popped up across the city as an ongoing protest at Columbia University enters its ninth day.

Over 200 students at City College in Harlem set up an encampment made up of tents Thursday around an American flagpole — with the Palestinian flag attached — in the school’s quad, a protest they said was open to all CUNY students.

Posters attached to and around the flagpole featured slogans like “Support the Five Demands Viva Palestina,” inspired by a similar poster with the phrase “Support the Five Demands Viva Harlem U.”

That is a reference to an April 1969 demonstration that saw Black and Puerto Rican students on campus outline demands aimed at promoting racial equality. The flagpole area also included posters with slogans such as “CUNY students resist Zionism.”

Protestors assailed an assortment of officials like the NYPD and CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, telling them to “go to hell!” They referred to both Gov. Kathy Hochul and Matos Rodríguez as a “clown” and demanded they step down. They also repeated chants like “Intifada, intifada!” Officers could be seen in front of the campus monitoring the situation.

A CUNY spokesperson referred POLITICO to City College. Earlier Thursday, a City College spokesperson said the school was determining if the protesters are affiliated with either the campus or CUNY.

“CCNY’s long-standing position is that any legitimate protest — by any group that is part of our community — must be peaceful, respectful, non-threatening, and devoid of any hatred or intimidation,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “It must also not interfere with any activities on campus.”

Late Thursday afternoon, officers were seen attempting to enter the encampment, according to Hell Gate. An NYPD official on the scene told POLITICO that police came in and left and that there were no arrests.

Meanwhile, students at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Chelsea — part of the State University of New York — also protested.

A SUNY spokesperson said the university is in “regular communication” with FIT and other campuses to offer guidance, resources and training. — Madina Touré

CITY HALL: THE LATEST

FAMED OR NOT DEFAMED: Once and future mayoral candidate Scott Stringer won his appeal, and he will be able to pursue his defamation case against the woman who accused him of sexual misconduct two decades earlier, helping derail his 2021 bid.

A panel of appellate judges unanimously ruled that, even though the former city comptroller waited more than a year to sue lobbyist Jean Kim, the statute of limitations was reset when former Rep. Carolyn Maloney brought up the accusation against Stringer to hit his ally, Rep. Jerry Nadler, in their contentious 2022 primary.

Stringer is pursuing the case while launching a campaign for mayor against Adams in 2025. He’s said that Kim coming forward in 2021 was a political conspiracy. The discovery process could shed light on his claims.

“We look forward to moving ahead with our case,” his lawyer Milt Williams said in a statement, “and establishing in a court of law what we have been saying from the start: The defamatory accusations against Mr. Stringer are politically motivated falsehoods.”

“It’s a bad day for women all around,” Kim’s lawyer Patricia Pastor replied to the Daily News and added she still expects to win the case. — Jeff Coltin

REALLY? NOTHING ELSE ON YOUR MIND? Yes, Stringer and Adams did cross paths at legendary gossip columnist Cindy Adams’ 94th birthday party Wednesday night.

“He asked about the kids,” Stringer told Playbook. “Dad being Dad.”

And the fact that Stringer is running against Adams for mayor? They haven’t talked since Adams took office. And it didn’t come up: “It was really how’s his kid, how’s my kid.”

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who’s also eager to get back into office — maybe even mayor — was there too. But Stringer said they didn’t talk. — Jeff Coltin

More from the city:

— Adams informed the chair of the NYPD’s oversight board she can keep working as long as she accepts a demotion. (Daily News)

NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY

CUSE CASH: It was a Democratic lovefest outside Syracuse on Thursday as President Joe Biden made another visit to the future semiconductor home for Micron’s sprawling facility, bringing the pledge of up to $6 billion to help its development.

It was probably a welcomed distraction all around as Gov. Kathy Hochul is embroiled in the pro-Palestinian protests overwhelming Columbia University and as Biden grapples with both domestic and foreign quagmires.

And Syracuse is always a homecoming for the president. His first wife, Neilia, was from nearby Skaneateles, and they lived in Syracuse from 1966 to 1968 as he obtained his law degree.

It was also another boost for upstate New York, which has been searching for decades for an anchor, hi-tech manufacturer that could revive the Thruway corridor from Albany to Buffalo.

“For decades, it was a manufacturing boomtown full of good-paying jobs and a solid path to the middle class,” he said. “I know; I lived here. I went to law school here. I married a wonderful woman from Lake Skaneateles — that’s why I came to Syracuse Law School. I felt it.

“But over the years, trickle-down economics swept it all away.”

The Micron deal came together in 2022 as Hochul was running for a full first term, and Biden came then too — to promote the CHIPS Act and to boost her. And Thursday, Biden stepped into another critical race: The Syracuse district is considered Democrats best hope for House pickup in November, a seat currently held by freshman GOP Rep. Brandon Williams.

The moment wasn’t lost on Biden.

“Your congressman, Brandon Williams, called it ‘corporate welfare,’” he said of the Micron deal. “And Elise Stefanik, a few counties over, called the CHIPS Act — she said it was, ‘Washington at its worst.’ I guess they’re not going to be here today to celebrate.” — Joseph Spector

More from Albany:

— The state budget didn’t do much to advance New York’s climate goals. (POLITICO Pro)

— A long-delayed report from the Child Care Availability Task Force will be released today. Capitol Pressroom’s David Lombardo got a copy.

— State Sen. Tim Kennedy is probably headed to Congress on Tuesday. (POLITICO Pro)

NEW YORK STATE OF MIND

— Some lawmakers are turning their attention to consumer protection after it didn’t end up in the budget. (State of Politics)

— The MTA believes it needs $6 billion to keep New York City’s transit systems up-to-date as climate change worsens. (Daily News)

— Hochul’s last-minute push to include funding for yeshivas failed to make it into the state budget. (Times Union)

— Cuomo: What is happening at Columbia University is a disgrace. (Wall Street Journal)

SOCIAL DATA

Edited by Daniel Lippman

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: NYC Council Members Kalman Yeger, Mercedes Narcisse and Chris Marte … Former first lady Melania Trump … Domenico Montanaro … NYT’s Russell Goldman … NBCUniversal’s Phil Tahtakran … CNN’s Jessica Schneider … Colin Wilhelm … Jonathan Adashek … (WAS THURSDAY): Len Cooperman ... Adam Silver ... Meredith Dragon ... Jessica S. Lappin.

YOUR NEW YORK NUMBER OF THE DAY

Clarification: The newsletter has been updated to note that justices of the Appellate Division, First Department, are appointed to the bench by the governor, but are separately elected to state Supreme Court.