New York Note: Adams Case Dismissed, Adams Announces Independent Run, Council Releases Budget Response

April 7, 2025

Adams Case Dismissed with Prejudice

A federal judge dismissed the corruption case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams with prejudice, meaning that the charges can not be refiled in the future. Echoing sentiments from several prominent Democrats in the city, Judge Dale Ho expressed concern that dismissing the case without prejudice would imply Adams’ freedom depended on supporting Trump’s policies, potentially making him more beholden to federal priorities than to his constituents. So, while Judge Ho conceded that dismissal was the only practical outcome, he underscored that dismissing the case “with prejudice” would avoid the appearance of a quid-pro-quo.

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Adams to Run as an Independent

Mayor Eric Adams announced he will skip the Democratic primary and run for reelection as an independent, aiming to build support among unaffiliated voters and ethnic minorities. He blamed dismissed bribery charges for derailing his momentum and vowed to campaign “uninhibited.” Facing low approval ratings and loss of public matching funds, Adams hopes to revive his image with a public safety-focused message.

Council Releases Preliminary Budget Response

Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Finance Chair Justin Brannan, Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, and Council Members released the Council’s Fiscal Year 2026 Preliminary Budget Response, outlining a $6.3 billion plan to reverse budget reductions, address underbudgeting, and stabilize city services. The proposal prioritizes investments in childcare, education, housing, mental health, parks, and public safety, while also supporting the closure of Rikers. It includes $4.4 billion in expense funding, $2.8 billion for capital projects, and a $1.9 billion surplus to guard against risks from unpredictable federal policies and funding cuts. The full Fiscal Year 2026 Preliminary Budget Response is available here.

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About Cozen O’Connor

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