Good Morning, New York! Kathy Hochul’s FY2026 budget is expected tomorrow, she has raised flags to full-staff ahead of the inauguration, and Adams hits out at his prosecutor. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Monday, January 20th, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In NYC, delivering remarks to both the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s and then the Baptist Ministers Conference of Greater New York’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations.

WHERE’s ERIC: Speaking at the same events as Kathy Hochul above, then doing a TV interview with CBS.

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Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— In a recent court filing, Eric Adams argued that the prosecutor in his case was only out to further his own career. Lawyer Alex Spiro attacked a recent op-ed by former prosecutor Damian Williams, and pointed to supposed evidence that Williams planned to run for higher office soon, and wanted the credentials of prosecuting a mayor. Williams also recently launched a suspiciously campaign-y looking website, adding fuel to the fire. Spiro called for dismissal, arguing that the jury pool was too tainted to proceed. (NY Times)

— The People’s March took place on Saturday, protesting Trump’s inauguration today. The march went off with a whimper, dramatically down from its original attendance as the Women’s March after Trump’s victory in 2016, which reportedly drew ~400,000 people. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams was in attendance, saying that the crowd was a “bright light during dark times.” (amNY)

— An online petition to end congestion pricing and the entire EZ-Pass system has gained thousands of signatures. They particularly pointed to exorbitant late fees that some residents claim are not in the best interest of New Yorkers, and say the new congestion pricing system has only exacerbated these problems. (NY Post)

Capitol Gains

— Kathy Hochul’s FY2026 budget is expected to be released tomorrow at 1 PM, and will give us more color on how exactly she plans to approach the numerous proposals she has unveiled both at the State of the State and in her ‘Affordability Agenda.’ (Jack O’Donnell) From prior announcements, we do know some of what to expect from its contents:

• Heavy tax cuts for people making up to ~$300,000 (Politico)

• Taxes and fees to increase revenue for the MTA by $33B (NY Post)

• Additional funding for public safety, particularly for her cop-on-every-subway plan. (CBS News)

• Free school breakfast and lunch for millions of students (Press Release)

• An expanded child tax credit program (4 New York)

• It will NOT include the sweeping action on climate previously promised, as the controversial cap and invest system will reportedly be delayed. (New York Focus)

— Kathy Hochul has ordered all flags to full-staff ahead of Trump’s inauguration, despite the period of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter. “Regardless of your political views, the American tradition of the peaceful transition of power is something to celebrate.” Flags will return to half-staff to honor Carter on the 21st. (NY Post)

— Bill proposals are in full swing in Albany, as a number of new and old proposals have been introduced in recent days. Here are some highlights:

• The SUPPORT Act: a new bill backed by DA Alvin Bragg to track mentally ill defendants in low-level cases so that they can receive treatment. (NY Post)

• Following the outbreak of avian flu, a renewed push to mandate all eggs in New York are cage-free to reduce disease despite the cost concerns. (Times Union)

• Renewed support for allowing wine to be sold in supermarkets with S1279 from Sen. Liz Krueger. (NYSenate.gov)

Trail Mix

— The race for Manhattan Borough President is heating up, with candidates lobbying for endorsements in the highly-watched race. Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal won over two friends from Albany in the form of Lower Manhattan Dems State Sen. Brian Kavanagh and Assembly Member Grace Lee. Meanwhile, CM Keith Powers convinced City Council colleague from East Harlem Diana Ayala to sign up. (City & State)

— AOC was upset by TikTok thanking Trump for helping restore service, calling it “a choice” in a series of Instagram posts on Sunday. She said that it is likely Trump and TikTok collaborated behind the scenes both to get service restored, and to put up the message thanking him. (HuffPost)

— The New York GOP has descended on DC, celebrating Trump’s victory and plotting to win the Governor’s race in 2026. Several New York Reps will be taking lead roles in the administration, including Lee Zeldin, and several other prominent speakers at the state party’s breakfast have their eye on the statehouse. (NY Post)