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BOOST FOR BOWMAN: According to Playbook, AIPAC’s attack ads have inadvertently boosted Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s fundraising efforts.
The progressive candidate raised over $1 million in May, triple what he raised in April, with $770,000 of donations coming in after the anti-Bowman TV spots aired, as reported by his campaign.
“The backlash to AIPAC’s attack ads began immediately, as our campaign set new records for grassroots fundraising and volunteer mobilization,” said Bowman campaign manager Gabe Tobias in a statement to Playbook. “Our beautiful, diverse community has Jamaal’s back because he’s always had theirs.”
As AIPAC’s super PAC, the United Democracy Project, planned to spend an additional $1.7 million on ads, Bowman’s campaign highlighted the surge in fundraising. AIPAC has spent about $10 million so far in the primary contest between Bowman and Westchester County Executive George Latimer.
Bowman, a Squad member, has been a target for AIPAC due to his stance on U.S. financing of the Israel-Hamas conflict. His campaign emphasized that the majority of donations were from grassroots supporters.
United Democracy Project spokesperson Patrick Dorton criticized Bowman’s fundraising spike, stating that it cannot overshadow his record of anti-Israel sentiments and disagreements with President Biden.
Latimer, Bowman’s primary opponent, pointed out that Bowman has received most of his funding from outside the district and highlighted his own endorsements from various entities.
GAMING THE CASINO TIMELINE: The Legislature is considering speeding up the bidding process for downstate casino licenses, potentially impacting bidders like Bally’s and Mets owner Steve Cohen.
Queens state Sen. Joseph Addabbo, who chairs the gaming commission, supports accelerating the process, favoring sites like Resorts World New York City. Discussions are ongoing about changing the timeline to mid-year 2025, favoring certain bidders over others.
The proposal aims to make it easier for certain sites to secure a license, potentially cutting out competitors like Bally’s and Cohen. The expected timeline for awarding downstate casino licenses is by the end of 2025, but talks of expediting the process are ongoing.
Recent discussions follow a bill introduced by Addabbo and Assemblyman Pretlow to speed up the casino timeline, granting conditional licenses and allowing bids to finalize zoning and land use post-licensing. — Jason Beeferman
ICYMI: THE POL WITH 46 TRAFFIC TICKETS. Assemblymember Emily Gallagher has accused the New York Post of attempting to uncover negative information about her, following the publication of an article detailing her significant parking violations over a two-and-a-half year period. In a lengthy thread on X, Gallagher criticized The Post for what she called a “nasty hit piece” and expressed her dismay at finding a tabloid photographer outside her home. Despite the tabloid’s efforts to discredit her, Gallagher remains resolute in her commitment to her constituents and her work as a progressive politician.
The article in The Post highlighted Gallagher’s unpaid parking tickets totaling over $4,000, including multiple violations for parking in front of a fire hydrant. Gallagher defended herself by noting that she has only received parking tickets, without any speeding or school zone violations, and emphasized the challenges of parking in a neighborhood with constant construction and filming activities. She called for the implementation of a residential parking permit system to address the issue.
On a different note, the advocacy group Open New York has announced its endorsements for Assemblymember Demond Meeks and Gabriella Romero, with plans to invest financially in their campaigns. Other endorsed candidates include Yi Andy Chen, Yvette Valdés Smith, and Gallagher. Additionally, the group is supporting Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha in her primary race, advocating for housing abundance and tenant rights.
The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) has expressed its support for legislation aimed at regulating social media platforms, particularly in relation to child users. The group believes that such measures are necessary to protect children’s mental health and ensure data privacy. REBNY’s endorsement of the bills aligns with Governor Kathy Hochul’s priorities and efforts to strengthen regulations in the state.
In Saratoga Springs, the New York Civil Liberties Union has criticized the local police department for reportedly targeting and detaining homeless individuals ahead of a major event. The NYCLU denounced the crackdown as a means of concealing the city’s housing issues and called for a more compassionate approach to addressing homelessness.
As June kicks off, Governor Hochul’s office has designated it as “Speed Week,” with increased enforcement of speeding violations by police. Meanwhile, recent incidents involving crimes committed by individuals on electric scooters have raised concerns about the misuse of these vehicles. Additionally, the reopening of a long-awaited affordable housing waiting list in New York City highlights the ongoing challenges in the city’s rental market. Can you please rewrite this sentence?
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