DAYS THE BUDGET IS LATE: 44
TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN: Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has positioned his gubernatorial campaign around questioning New York’s commitment to green energy.
However, his past focus was quite different. In 2017, Blakeman was a green energy company executive aiming for a federal contract to construct a solar panel border wall.
“The best thing about it is we could sell the energy to Mexico,” Blakeman remarked during a Fox News appearance. “So in fact, they would be paying for the wall. It’s a win, win, win.”
Following President Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2017, Blakeman established Sustainable Technology LLC and began advocating for a private-public partnership to build the wall.
He proposed that his new company could oversee the project with its steel mesh wall design: “You can see through it,” Blakeman explained about the 30-foot structure. “There’s no graffiti that can be put on it.”
His plan relied on federal guarantees for bonds to fund the wall, with the company selling $120 million of energy annually to cover a significant portion of the cost.
Trump briefly entertained the solar wall idea. “The rumor is, he saw us on [Fox News] and he saw our design and he started talking about it as a viable idea. I don’t know that to be a fact, but that is the rumor,” Blakeman mentioned on Fox Business.
“Solar wall, panels, beautiful,” Trump stated at a rally ten days later, taking credit for the idea.
Currently, Blakeman is less enthusiastic about solar power in New York, the state he aims to govern.
“Our carbon footprint is miniscule compared to the rest of the world, here in New York state,” he said in Albany. “When you look at the cost-benefit analysis, you don’t get the return from green energy.”
Long Island environmentalists find it odd that Blakeman criticizes solar power, considering his silence on the issue during his local government roles.
“There are solar panels all across the county he serves,” said Adrienne Esposito of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “Thirty years ago, we worked with groups to get 1,000 homes with solar roofs. Today, about one in ten homes have them. Its success is growing and embraced by the public and businesses.”
During a recent visit to Schoharie County, Blakeman opposed state efforts to install solar panels in rural areas.
“Here in New York, it doesn’t make any sense,” he said, citing snow-covered panels. “This is a scam.”
Yet, he supports solar energy in certain places, like a “beautiful state” on the border.
“I’m a big proponent of solar energy. I think it’s great in Arizona,” Blakeman said in Schoharie. “When you have 350 days a year of sunshine and the mean average temperature’s about 80 degrees all year long, yeah, it makes sense there.” — Bill Mahoney
From the Capitol
TAXING TIMES: New York lawmakers are considering a statewide tax on cash real estate deals, confirmed by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie’s office.
The tax structure and applicable amounts remain unclear. Talks continue as officials plan a similar tax for New York City.
The Real Estate Board of New York criticized the proposal.
“New Yorkers are already the most heavily taxed residents in the country, and the City’s budget issues will not be solved by more taxes,” said James Whelan, the group’s president. “On the back of $500 million in a new second-home tax, putting even more costs on home buyers and sellers will further discourage transactions and threaten existing revenue collected by the State, City, and MTA.”
Read more from POLITICO Pro’s Nick Reisman
STICKER SHOCK: Democratic socialist candidate Chuck Park appreciates the work of fellow Congressional contender Anthony Constantino.
Park, challenging Rep. Grace Meng’s Queens seat, spent $3,180 on campaign materials from Sticker Mule, owned by Constantino. Constantino, a Republican, is in a primary contest against Assemblymember Robert Smullen for Rep. Elise Stefanik’s seat.
Constantino, a rapper and former boxer, is known for his pro-Trump stance and endorsement by the former president.
When asked about his spending on Sticker Mule, Park criticized his opponent for receiving support from a pro-Israel PAC.
“My opponent is taking hundreds of thousands in donations from AIPAC and weapons makers, but we can talk about where I buy stickers for volunteers,” Park said. “I’d be happy to compare my campaign’s finances with Rep. Meng’s at a debate.”
Meng’s campaign did not comment on Park’s remarks.
Financial records about Park’s campaign also gained attention for another reason. City & State reported recently that Park is four months overdue in filing his personal financial disclosure form. — Jason Beeferman
PIED-A-RETURN: Democratic state lawmakers are still discussing an annual levy on luxury second homes outside New York City.
The statewide proposal, initially promoted by Albany state Sen. Pat Fahy, was removed from budget talks, as stated by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
However, Assembly Democrats were informed in a private meeting that the issue might resurface next year after review by state tax officials, according to insiders.
Read more from POLITICO Pro’s Nick Reisman
FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
SLEEPY SCHLOSSBERG: Kennedy family member Jack Schlossberg defended himself after a New York Times report explored his campaign’s internal issues.
The report highlighted high staff turnover and instances where Schlossberg missed key campaign calls, opting instead for naps.
Schlossberg also skipped a Working Families Party interview and at least one candidate debate.
In response, Schlossberg posted on X, trying to defend his actions. In one post, he shared a photo of himself napping, captioned “Needed a quick nap !!”
Schlossberg appeared on CNN, telling host Dana Bash: “Once you’re declared the frontrunner, and early voting starts in less than a month, everyone’s got something to say,” he commented. “People are trying to figure out how our campaign has been so successful. — Jason Beeferman
IN OTHER NEWS
— ‘BETTER WHEN DEAD’: Congressional candidate Alex Bores’ father expressed extreme anti-Zionist sentiments online, even justifying the bombing of a child. (Jewish Insider)
— GUESSING GAME: Inconsistent market valuations for luxury New York City homes complicate efforts to identify properties targeted by Hochul’s proposed second-homes tax. (The New York Times)
— BIG PRICETAG: Erie County plans to allocate most of its $29 million surplus to a $21 million civil rights settlement, while the county attorney avoids answering lawmakers’ questions. (Buffalo News)
Missed this morning’s New York Playbook? We forgive you. Read it here.
