Winners & Losers
This week’s biggest Winners & Losers
Who’s up and who’s down this week?
Unless you're new to Brooklyn politics, you've heard of Frank Seddio. And you know about the former Democratic party boss' infamous short fuse. Someone unfortunately lit that fuse at a recent (secret) meeting of Kings County Democratic leaders to figure out judicial nominees behind closed doors. But forget that. What's a little threat of physical violence among friends? More importantly, the proud Sicilian reminded everyone of his heritage and sparked an online debate: Where's the best Sicilian slice in the city? A much preferable topic of conversation if you ask us. While pizza lovers obviously chalked up a win this week, there were bigger winners this week in New York.
Kyle Bragg -
Guac is extra – and so were the hours. Amidst a push by Kyle Bragg’s 32BJ to unionize Chipotle workers, the union’s friends in New York City government reached a settlement with the burrito chain to put $20 million back in the hands of workers, after it violated the city’s fair workweek law. Health conscious Mayor Eric Adams wouldn’t say if he eats Chipotle, but he was eager to wrap this win up in tin foil and serve it to the city.
Chuck Schumer -
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hasn’t exactly had an easy time of leading the fractured Senate Democrats lately, but the embattled Brooklynite scored a major victory in keeping his party together to pass the Inflation Reduction Act on Sunday. Plus, the president coined him “a legislative wizard or LBJ.” Two thumbs up for Schumer.
Jessica Tisch -
While New York City’s rat population may be mourning the impending loss of its favorite food source, the rest of the city has cause to celebrate a new era of curbside composting that will start in Queens this October. The Department of Sanitation has long struggled to start a borough-wide program and Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch fought hard to secure this initiative, which she says is designed to be the city’s “last compositing program” as it learns from previous administrations’ attempts.
Eric Adams -
Following an onslaught of bad press, the mayor dodged an eager press corps on Thursday by hurrying out of a publicly scheduled appearance without taking questions. No wonder. This week, a spokesperson at the Department of Social Services was fired because she was reportedly asked to lie about shelter violations related to the escalating migrant crisis. The New York Times revealed Adams hired an ex-cop who got to keep his casino job and police pension. And a report surfaced that the administration wouldn’t make an exception for a cancer-stricken employee to work from home.
Donald Trump -
Donald Trump has had his fair share of awful, no good horrible weeks in politics. But the past seven days may rise to one of the ‘worstest’ for the mogul of MAGA. First, his Mar-a-Lago estate was raided by the FBI, raising questions in the widening probe over his involvement in the January 6th insurrection. Then during a deposition, Trump spent hours taking the Fifth, as he was questioned by state Attorney General Letitia James, who is investigating fraudulent activity inside the Trump Organization. It was a week that reminded voters why they dumped Trump in the first place.
Tony Utano -
Amid a revived City Council push to ban horse carriages in New York City – which Utano’s Transport Workers Union Local 100 strongly opposes – a P.R. nightmare galloped in. A horse flopped down in the middle of Ninth Ave. for more than an hour and was caught on video. The TWU appreciates people’s concerns, a spokesperson explained, but the horse didn’t pass out from the heat, it was just horribly sick from eating infected opossum droppings.