Full story in New York POLITICO Playbook

INSURANCE POLICY: Voters in a trio of purplish New York House districts are broadly supportive of Hochul’s effort to overhaul the state’s auto insurance laws, according to a new survey being touted by an industry group.

Hochul’s push is being opposed by trial lawyers who warn the changes would limit legal options for people. But the insurance industry as well as groups like Protecting American Consumers Together, which is in part supported by Uber, have backed it. That group paid for the poll of the House districts.

“Voters in these critical swing districts are sending a very clear message: the cost of living is too high, auto insurance premiums keep rising, and families want solutions that address fraud and excessive legal costs driving those increases,” said Lauren Zelt, the group’s executive director. “This research shows broad bipartisan agreement that reforms focused on protecting consumers and lowering premiums are important to New Yorkers.”

The poll of the districts represented by Republican Rep. Mike Lawler and Democratic Reps. Pat Ryan and Laura Gillen found 74 percent of voters back the broad strokes of the governor’s plan, which include curtailing the costs of lawsuits and settlements.

And 84 percent of voters in those districts want the state to crack down on fraudulent accidents, another component of Hochul’s proposal.

The poll of 1,500 likely voters was conducted by Impact Research from Feb. 9-17. — Nick Reisman