This week's biggest Winners & Losers

Mayor Bill De Blasio first announced plans to get supervised injection sites aimed at preventing opioid overdoses opened in New York City in 2018. Three years later with just a month left in office, the mayor managed to finally make good on that promise. It’s a first for the city and country and a big victory for activists in support of the centers – which they say help people use drugs more safely by providing access to trained staff, clean needles and naloxone. That includes Sam Rivera, who heads the nonprofit operating the city’s two sites. But it may not be smooth sailing ahead despite the city’s support. Local opponents argue they enable substance use. Federal prosecutors also may crackdown on their work. But there may be another major ally on their side. After all, the state’s new health commissioner, Mary Bassett, was the city’s top health official when de Blasio pushed for the pilot in 2018. 

The New York City Housing Authority has been mired in controversy over lead in its buildings this week, but the agency’s shortcomings have rarely stopped the flow of overtime pay to its workers. Two NYCHA plumbers, Robert Procida and Jakub Markowski, and NYCHA electrician Garfield Daley each collected more than $200,000 in overtime during fiscal year 2021. The only thing more stubborn and difficult to eradicate than lead paint is excessive overtime.

One woman's opponent is another woman's windfall. When Rep. Tom Suozzi joined the governor’s race this week, Kathy Hochul saw her comfy suburban voter base shrink, maybe enough to tip the race in Letitia James’ favor. Tish also scored a gubernatorial campaign endorsement from the "Lawn Ranger," showing she's got cred in areas outside New York City as well.

Schadenfreude abounded in the Capitol Region this week after sharp-tongued Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin was arrested and charged with campaign fraud. The irony of it all is that McLaughlin, who faced sexual harassment allegations during his time in the state Legislature, was calling for the arrest of his longtime bête noire Andrew Cuomo as recently as the day before Thanksgiving. Now, McLaughlin’s own legal problems have his political enemies feeling especially festive. 

Putting “family first” burned Chris Cuomo after CNN finally caved in and suspended its star anchor indefinitely this week. It turns out Andrew Cuomo’s little bro was a lot more involved in trying to manage the fallout from multiple sexual harassment accusations made against the now ex-governor, according to the latest transcripts released by state Attorney General Letitia James’ office. CNN, already under pressure to take action from the accusers, a woman’s advocacy group and lawmakers, pulled the plug on Cuomo Prime Time Tuesday. And it wasn’t like tanking ratings played a role, or was it? Perhaps the Cuomo brothers will return to TV to relive their sibling rivalry in a bid for new viewers – and forgiveness.

Other than the former political operative’s last name, there’s little to laugh at when it comes to the new charges facing Steve Pigeon. The ex-politico allegedly molested a girl under the age of 12, according to new reports. Pigeon has denied all accusations and has suggested that someone may be setting him up. However, the charges follow a months-long investigation into these allegations by the State Police and the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. Yikes!