News in New York – Link5G, Commission on Ethics, and Beltway Briefing

Mayor Adams, CTO Fraser, and LinkNYC CEO Colvin Unveil Link5G

Over the weekend, Mayor Eric Adams, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Matthew Fraser, and LinkNYC CEO Nick Colvin unveiled the first Link5G kiosk in New York City, located in Morris Heights. The 5G kiosk is the start of a new phase of LinkNYC, which provides free public Wi-Fi, free phone calls, access to government and social services, and public service messaging. This new phase will offer 5G connectivity, the next generation of mobile phone service, with priority given to underserved areas across the city. Neighborhoods for new builds will be chosen based on lack of other broadband options, lower median annual incomes, lack of existing LinkNYC infrastructure, and high levels of pedestrian and street traffic. There will be approximately 2,000 new Link5G kiosks throughout the five boroughs, bringing the total LinkNYC network to over 4,000 locations citywide.

Governor Hochul Submits Nominees for the Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government

Last Thursday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced nominees to the Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government. Hochul nominated Michael Cardozo and Frederick Davie, who represent two of the three Executive Chamber nominees to the Commission. Cardozo formerly served as New York City Corporation Counsel and currently is Litigation Partner at Proskauer, and Davie is currently Senior Strategic Advisor to the President at Union Theological Seminary. The Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government was created in April and replaces the Joint Committee on Public Ethics (JCOPE) as part of the Governor’s efforts to make a more transparent Albany. The 11-member Commission will include nominees from the Governor, Senate, Assembly, Comptroller, and Attorney General. The public has seven business days to comment on the nominees, who will then be presented to the Independent Review Committee of New York’s law school deans for review, and public comment can be submitted online here.

Beltway Briefing Podcast – New York Primary Analysis

Several weeks ago, voters in the Empire State picked their candidates for governor come November, potentially setting the stage for the first female elected governor in the state’s history, and cast their ballots in other statewide races – for lieutenant governor, state attorney general, and state comptroller. Primary races for the state Assembly and judicial delegates were also on the ballot. Due to redistricting litigation, primaries for Congress and the state Senate were pushed to August 23.

In last week’s Beltway Briefing, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ podcast, New York Co-Chair New Rose Christ and Principal Jamie Ansorge join their colleagues in Illinois to break down the key races and discuss the potential national implications of the primaries in New York and Illinois.