Winners & Losers
This week’s biggest Winners & Losers
Who’s up and who’s down this week?
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont is searching for a way to make his state known for something other than being the preppiest place on earth, and he’s declared war on his neighbors. Lamont’s new highway signs steal “bests” from border states, including Connecticut's wacky claim to be the nation’s “pizza capital.” Bill de Blasio may have unconventional ways to eat pizza, but he isn’t traveling the Merritt Parkway to find a slice. We have one message for Lamont: Bring. It. On. Because we know the home of West Point will beat the home of some submarines in any war. Speaking of mismatched fights, check out this week’s winners and losers.
Maud Maron -
Months after New York City schools Chancellor David Banks ousted her for allegedly violating regulations governing parent conduct, Maud Maron is back on Community Education Council 2. At least for now. Citing free speech rights, a federal judge ordered that the controversial school board member be reinstated while she challenges her removal in court. The offenses that got her kicked off in the first place? Making “derogatory and offensive” comments about a student – a child, mind you. Real exemplary behavior from a school leader.
Kenny Burgos -
Landlords are feeling the love. Two major real estate groups, the Rent Stabilization Association and Community Housing Improvement Program, have merged into one big apartment building-owning happy family. And leading them will be recently departed Assembly Member Kenny Burgos, who is also a new dad! Burgos may have left his former constituents in a lurch, but members of the newly formed New York Apartment Association will have great representation.
Stuart Appelbaum -
Retail workers may have gotten a little safer with the signing of the Retail Worker Safety Act. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union lobbied hard for the legislation to pass during the legislative session this year, and they won big when lawmakers approved before they went home for the year. RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum joined the governor as she signed the measure into law, building on measures included earlier in the year as part of the state budget.
Linda Sun -
The sun is not shining on former Hochul aide Linda Sun after the feds accused her of acting as a foreign agent for the Chinese government. Prosecutors allege that she tried to influence two successive gubernatorial administrations in favor of China and the ruling party’s interests. It’s unclear just how successful Sun was, or what the Chinese government got out of the subversion, but she and her husband allegedly profited big time. Unfortunately, that didn’t last and now Sun is facing some serious jail time and the ire of a boss scorned.
Janno Lieber & Andrew Kimball -
Awkward!! That little emergency that caused all of the lanes in the Queens-Midtown tunnel to be shut down for hours, spurring an all out transit meltdown? Turns out someone accidentally drilled an errant hole into the tunnel, causing a “leak.” While the drilling contractor’s identity is unknown to the public – as is apparently how this incident even occurred – it’s a mess that New York City Economic Development Corp. leader Andrew Kimball and MTA head Janno Lieber have the pleasure of (figuratively) mopping up.
Sheena Wright, Philip Banks, David Banks, Edward Caban -
Thursday was a tough day for the Adams administration, as FBI agents reportedly raided the homes of NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, Deputy Mayor Philip Banks, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and schools Chancellor David Banks. (In addition, top mayoral adviser Timothy Pearson had his phones subpoenaed.) These latest raids shouldn’t be confused with the previous FBI raids on Adams aides Rana Abbasova and Brianna Suggs or the separate federal investigation into Adams adviser Winnie Greco.