Eric Adams and Kathy Hochul are both Democrats, and they very well might be friends, but the migrant crisis has driven a wedge between their administrations at the very least.
In a 12-page letter from Hochul’s lawyer Faith E. Gay, the Governor torched the mayor’s handling of the migrant surge, accusing his administration late Tuesday of being lethargic in action and ignoring repeated offers of state assistance.
The letter came in the wake of the mayor’s cries for extra state and federal help battling the escalating crisis.
“The city has not made timely requests for regulatory changes, has not always promptly shared necessary information with the state, has not implemented programs in a timely manner, and has not consulted the state before taking certain actions,” according to the terse letter first reported on by the New York Times.
The letter says city officials ignored a list of shelter sites from the state in early 2022. It also accused the administration of dragging its feet on various issues, such as the state’s suggestion to erect a “tent city.”
Hochul’s lawyer broke down the $1.5 billion bill the state has already committed to the city but urged the city to make sure the funds were being “properly managed.”
“The City did not prioritize this critical effort. Had the City done so, it is likely that thousands more migrants would be able to work today.”
Hochul also blames the city’s administration for not always sharing “necessary information” or consulting with the state, as well as not implementing “programs in a timely manner” or making “timely requests for regulatory changes.”
In an interview on NY1, Hochul was quick to downplay any feud, saying: “We are doing a lot on crime. We’re working together on housing, so that relationship is strong. My point is we are here to help, and when we identify areas where we think more can be done, that’s what we’re doing.”
Still, it is crystal clear that Albany has some bones to pick with New York City.
