Good Morning, New York! Congestion pricing has officially begun, the state reparations committee requests more time, and a $7 million plan to engage Jewish primary voters launches. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Monday, January 6th, 2025.

WHERE’S ERIC: Making a public safety announcement at NYPD HQ.

WHERE’S KATHY: In Albany, Westchester, and NYC making the second announcement of her affordability agenda.

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— Congestion pricing officially began in NYC on Sunday. Transit activists are overjoyed, with people waiting until the stroke of midnight to celebrate. A group of enthusiasts drove a minivan adorned with writing saying “Just Tolled” and “We love Janno” (the head of the MTA) became the first to pay the tax. (X/EmiliaDecaudin)

— The FDNY and EMS unions expressed strong opposition to the start of the new program, and warned it could delay response times, making the difference between “life or death.” (New York Post) The EMS union also urged members to transfer out of Manhattan to avoid the charge. (NY Daily News)

— Meanwhile, congestion pricing appears to be working, at least based on preliminary data. A tracker created by Joshua and Benjamin Moses with Brown University Professor Emily Oster shows that congestion was notably down on Sunday, although they will need more data before a full conclusion can be made. (X/sam_d_1995) You can use the tracker here.

— Eric Adams finally has a new Hate Crimes Czar, a role he has been attempting to fill for months. Vijah Ramjattan will take over the position, which is officially the executive director of the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes. He previously served on the advisory board for Sadhana (a Hindu organization,) worked as a counselor on Rikers Island, and was an interfaith chaplain for NYC Health + Hospitals. (Gothamist)

Capitol Gains

— The New York reparations committee requested more time and money in the next state budget in order to complete their study. They have around 6 months left to complete their study, which was originally supposed to cost $5 million. The bill’s sponsors support an extension, with more time clearly needed for the scope of work requested. (State of Politics)

— April Baskin, the first Black woman to serve as a state senator in New York, was sworn in on Saturday. Baskin was formerly the Chair of the Erie County Legislature, and will represent the 63rd district.

— Lawmakers are outlining their strategies for the 2025 legislative session, with battles over potential Trump-backed federal policies expected, and many planning for a “worst-case scenario.” (Times Union)

Trail Mix

— Assemblyman Billy Jones will not run for the 21st district special election. He was widely seen as Democrats best shot to beat whichever Republican is picked to run for Stefanik’s soon-to-be-vacant seat as she heads to the United Nations. (X/IanPickus)

— Independent mayoral candidate Jim Walden announced an endorsement he received from nearly 60 former federal and local prosecutors, as he makes his pitch for a revamped criminal justice system in the city. (X/jimfornyc)

— The New York Daily News editorial board has called to abolish the lieutenant governor primary, pointing at the frequent lack of loyalty in the position. It would only take a change in the law to prevent the many situations where LGs are elected with different priorities. (NY Daily News)

— The Jewish Voters Action Network has launched a $7 million campaign to mobilize Jewish voters for the Democratic primary in 2025. They previously worked to oust Rep. Jamaal Bowman in last year’s primary for Congress. (NY Post)