Transcript
Usually, we talk about rent prices and subway delays, but today, we're talking about life,death, and the governor's signature.I'm Jessie Mercury, and you're listening to Stoop Politics.This week, Governor Hochul makes history and enemies with a controversial new deal on medicalaid in dying.Plus, Eric Adams tries to appoint his gym buddy to the library board, and the city councilcreates a doomsday fund for the Trump inauguration.If it's happening in the five boroughs, we're spilling it right here.Let's get into it.First up, the story that stopped every group chat in Albany.After years of stalling, Governor Kathy Hochul has officially reached an agreement to signthe Medical Aid in Dying Act.For a decade, 10 years, this bill, which allows terminally ill New Yorkers to end their ownlives with medication, was the third rail of New York politics.So why now?Hochul is desperate to look progressive before the 2026 session starts, but here, in thestoop detail you need to know, she didn't just say yes.She forced the legislature to add a videotape clause.That's right.To get the medication, you now have to record a video of yourself asking for it to proveyou're not being coerced.The advocates hate it, the doctors say it's weird, but Hochul demanded it to cover herbases.Meanwhile, Cardinal Dolan and the Catholic Church have effectively declared war on thegovernor's office.Expect some very angry sermons this Sunday.Now, let's get back to the petty stuff that we love.We told you last week to watch the library boards, well, Eric Adams just made his move.What did I tell you?On Wednesday, Adams nominated three new members to the board of the Queens Public Library.One of them, a real estate developer who donated to his legal defense fund.Another, his former nightlife mayor.Unsurprising, right?Now why does this matter?Because the library board controls millions in budget funds.Adams is essentially parking his loyalists in these cushy, unpaid seats to keep a gripon the city's purse strings for the next five years.The city council is furious and it's threatening to hold a rare emergency veto session on ChristmasEve to stop them.Nothing says happy holidays like a political cage match in the council chambers.Finally, a quick look at the incoming administration.Mayor-elect Mamdani isn't just shredding Adams' old files, he's building a war chest.The city council quietly passed a budget modification yesterday, creating a $500 million legal defensereserve.They're calling it the Trump Proofing Fund.This money is specifically set aside to sue the Trump administration the second they triedto cut funding for New York hospitals or transit.It's a doomsday fund.Mamdani is basically admitting that on January 20th, the federal money faucet is going toturn off and he needs cash to pay those lawyers.So the governor is signing life and death deals, the mayor is packing the library withhis buddies, and the council is saving up for a rainy day.And by rainy day, I mean a full-on hurricane.Join me next week for our Christmas special.We're going to find out if Mamdani's team actually got the keys to Gracie Mansion yet.I'm Jessie Mercury.Stay warm and check your voter registration.
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