DAYS THE BUDGET IS LATE: 6
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: During his campaign, Mayor Zohran Mamdani of New York City enlisted an unprecedented number of volunteers for canvassing. Among these supporters was his nominee for the Department of Investigation.
In February, Mamdani put forward Nadia Shihata, a former federal prosecutor, to head the investigation department, which serves as a governmental watchdog.
During the confirmation process on Monday, Shihata was questioned by City Council members, who raised concerns about her previous support for Mamdani’s administration, which she would be responsible for auditing and investigating.
Last year, Shihata contributed $700 to Mamdani’s campaign in four parts and spent a day canvassing for him. She also developed a friendship with Ramzi Kassem, who is now the mayor’s chief counsel, shortly after graduating from law school 20 years ago. Kassem reached out to her about the job opportunity.
“How do you manage that political connection while holding a role that might require you to investigate that same leader and his administration?” asked Council Member David Carr, the Republican caucus leader.
In response, Shihata assured that her past support for Mamdani wouldn’t affect her ability to investigate city government if the Council, which has veto power, approves her appointment. She clarified that her relationship with Kassem is not close, though she did seek his advice before starting her law firm after leaving the Department of Justice.
“I’ve investigated people I’ve supported before,” Shihata said to Carr. “It hasn’t compromised my ability to reach conclusions based on the law and evidence.”
Shihata spent 11 years as a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, which has collaborated with DOI on previous public corruption cases. She held roles such as chief of the Organized Crime and Gangs Section and deputy chief of the Public Integrity Section, providing her with a law-enforcement background typical of DOI commissioner nominees.
Her training and experience are expected to benefit her in this potential new position, according to someone familiar with maintaining independence from City Hall.
“These questions came up during my confirmation, and I believe I demonstrated significant independence,” said Mark Peters, a former DOI Commissioner and a former campaign treasurer for Bill de Blasio, whom de Blasio appointed to DOI.
During his tenure, Peters aggressively investigated the administration and released several significant probes before being dismissed by de Blasio following an independent report alleging Peters abused his power and mistreated staff.
Speaking to Playbook, Peters endorsed Shihata as an excellent choice for DOI commissioner.
“If you’re trained as Nadia and I were — as professional investigators and prosecutors — you learn to remain independent and compartmentalize your life,” he said. “Prosecutors should be politically neutral, and well-trained ones are.” — Joe Anuta
From the Capitol
BUDGET MONTH: Governor Kathy Hochul is preparing to propose a second temporary spending bill to state lawmakers, as a comprehensive state budget agreement remains out of reach.
The Legislature is set to reconvene on Tuesday to address the extender bill, which will ensure payroll coverage for thousands of state employees. However, the duration of government funding remains uncertain. Originally scheduled for a two-week break this month, the Legislature’s calendar has been disrupted due to the delayed budget.
“We’re still working on the specifics regarding the duration of each extender,” Hochul stated on Monday during an unrelated Albany event. “We offered a longer one due to the religious observances of Easter and Passover.”
Read more from POLITICO Pro’s Nick Reisman.
BLAKEMAN AVOIDS A PRIMARY: Libertarian Larry Sharpe did not file petitions to enter the Republican gubernatorial race, securing Bruce Blakeman as the presumptive GOP nominee.
Sharpe intends to collect petitions later this spring to run as a Libertarian in November, following his 95,000 votes on that line eight years ago. However, he fell short of the 15,000 signatures needed for the major party’s primary.
“Republicans are leaving the state, so it’s hard to gather enough signatures,” Sharpe said, noting the challenge of finding registered Republicans willing to collect signatures amid pressure from elites.
Sharpe also cited weather conditions since February as a hindrance: “We had two snowstorms. How am I supposed to get signatures with snowstorms?”
By Monday’s filing deadline, the state Board of Elections had received submissions from three gubernatorial candidates who bypassed petitioning due to party convention support: Hochul for the Democrats; Blakeman, endorsed by Republicans and Conservatives; and Amy Taylor, the Working Families Party’s placeholder. — Bill Mahoney
FROM CITY HALL
NEEDS NOT MET: The Mamdani administration is working to reduce child welfare investigations by directing cases to community-based organizations, citing data that shows many families struggle to afford basic necessities, which often trigger such investigations.
At a press conference on Monday, Mamdani linked the preliminary racial equity plan to the city’s “True Cost of Living” report, revealing that about 70% of families with children cannot cover basic expenses, and nearly 75% of children live in economically unstable households. Single parents face an even more severe crisis, with up to 93.8% unable to meet living costs, while only two-adult households without children meet the cost requirements.
“New York City’s affordability crisis and its racial inequity history are intertwined,” Mamdani stated.
The Administration for Children’s Services’ child protection division is also under financial strain, with the city slated to allocate around $142 million in the 2026 fiscal year for child protection staff, averaging $2,800 per case.
The administration aims to reallocate these resources by promoting community-based referrals, educating mandated reporters on legal reporting requirements, and focusing on prevention.
According to the New York City Family Policy Project, a research group on child welfare policy, New York’s investigation rate was 17% higher than the national average in 2024, with nearly 80% of investigations unsubstantiated. Last December, Hochul signed a bill prohibiting anonymous child abuse reports, following claims that such tips were often harassment against families of color.
Nora McCarthy, the Policy Project’s director, suggested the city’s new approach is likely based on research indicating that economic factors like income loss, housing instability, and material hardship are the main predictors of investigations.
“Poverty is the driver,” McCarthy noted. “When struggling to meet basic needs, issues like school attendance can arise.” — Gelila Negesse
FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
WHO’S THE WILD MAN NOW: Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has endorsed Anthony Constantino, a Republican House candidate embroiled in a primary battle with Assemblymember Robert Smullen.
Constantino received the endorsement after sending Giuliani “a beautiful two-page letter.”
“Rudy has a great eye for talent,” Constantino commented to Playbook.
The campaign to replace outgoing Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik in the North Country House district has been contentious. Smullen accused Constantino, a sticker company entrepreneur, of selling offensive stickers mocking President Donald Trump. Constantino, in turn, labeled Smullen “Slime Bob.”
The Republican establishment largely supports Smullen, a retired Marine colonel with state GOP backing.
This context makes endorsements from prominent MAGA figures like Giuliani even more valuable for Constantino’s outsider campaign. Giuliani was central to Trump’s 2020 election result challenge, and Constantino showcases his MAGA credentials with displays such as a large pro-Trump sign atop a building.
Before the endorsement, Giuliani met Constantino in Florida to discuss the race. Constantino was impressed by Giuliani, once dubbed “America’s Mayor.”
“I want to be friends with him. He’s brilliant and kindhearted,” Constantino said. “He values regular people and doesn’t see himself as superior.” — Nick Reisman
IN OTHER NEWS
— OPEN TO WORK: New York City’s Economic Development Corporation remains leaderless, raising concerns among business leaders about the city’s economic and job growth. (Gothamist)
— ALLEGED SCHEME: Frank Carone, former chief of staff to Eric Adams, claims he was also scammed by associates charged in an insurance fraud scheme by federal prosecutors. (THE CITY)
— POLITICAL MISCHIEF: New York State Assembly member Andrew Hevesi accused primary rival Jonathan Rinaldi of altering his registration. (The New York Times)
Missed this morning’s New York Playbook? We forgive you. Read it here.
