Trump breaks with NY GOP in race to replace Stefanik

And unemployment in New York hits a 4-year high.

Good afternoon — It’s Tuesday and Hemp Day.

In today’s CapCon:

• President Donald J. Trump has endorsed Anthony Constantino over Assemblyman Robert Smullen in NY-21, bucking his party’s leaders in New York.

• Hochul and Democrats in the state Legislature are discussing tightened rules around profits earned by car insurance companies in state budget talks.

• Unemployment in New York hit a 4-year high in February, according to data released Tuesday by the state Department of Labor.

• Here’s what could be on the table in terms of Climate Act negotiations.

• Opponents of Hochul’s proposed Climate Act changes were arrested at the state Capitol Tuesday.

• Here’s what’s happening Wednesday at the state Capitol.

Names in today’s CapCon: Kathy Hochul, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Robert J. Smullen, Elise Stefanik, Anthony Constantino, Donald J. Trump, Rudy Giuliani, Roger Stone, Edward F. Cox, Blanca Lopez, Zellnor Myrie

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Today’s Capitol Confidential is sponsored by VNS Health

Legislators: New York’s MLTC rate system is underfunding plans caring for residents with the most complex care needs — including older adults and people living with disabilities who rely on support at home — and the state must act now. Without intervention this year, impact will deepen. Plans serving high-acuity populations — including VNS Health, the state’s only statewide 5-star MLTC plan — are already operating at the limits of what the system can support. Learn more.

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Hochul on Tuesday (New York Governor’s Office)

🚗 Hochul, lawmakers considering changes to car insurance profit caps, how they’re measured

Democrats in the state Legislature agree with Gov. Kathy Hochul that her package of proposals intended to lower the cost of car insurance would benefit the companies that provide it.

But they disagree on what would come next. Hochul has argued that insurance companies would pass those savings on to consumers through lower premiums. Lawmakers have said those companies would pocket those profits.