New York Note: First Debate Stage Set, Congestion Pricing to Remain, Council Passes Legislation

June 2, 2025

Candidates Named For First Mayoral Primary Debate

Nine candidates have qualified for the first NYC Democratic mayoral primary debate on June 4, including Adrienne Adams, Michael Blake, Andrew Cuomo, Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, and Whitney Tilson. The debate will air live from WNBC’s 30 Rockefeller Center studios at 7 p.m. on Wednesday with no in-person audience. Jessica Ramos and Michael Blake, both trailing in New York City’s mayoral race, will not participate in the second Democratic primary debate next month after failing to meet the required fundraising thresholds set by the City’s Campaign Finance Board.

Judge Pauses Attempts to End Congestion Pricing

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from ending New York City’s congestion pricing program before its fate is decided in court, extending legal protections that allow the tolling system to continue. In a 109-page opinion, Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled that the federal government acted “arbitrarily and capriciously” in attempting to terminate the program and that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority would suffer “irreparable injury” without an injunction. The decision halts federal threats to withhold funding or approvals and marks a major legal victory for congestion pricing proponents.

Council Passes Legislation at Stated Meeting

The New York City Council approved the Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan (AAMUP), a major Brooklyn rezoning in CM Hudson and CM Ossé’s districts that will create 4,600 housing units, including 1,900 permanently affordable ones—more than built in the past decade. The plan includes over $235 million for local infrastructure and community investments and was shaped through a community-led process. Additionally, the Council established a Southeast Queens Flooding Adaptation Task Force to address chronic flooding in the area and improve coordination for mitigation and resident support efforts.

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