Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – August 19, 2016
Coverage of Albany and New York State government – August 19, 2016
- Governor Announces Funding for Clean Air and Alternative Transportation Projects
- Governor Approves Legislation to Protect Utility Workers
- Comptroller: State Tax Collections Fall
- Governor Announces Water Infrastructure Grants
- Governor Approves Tougher Penalties for Boating While Intoxicated
- Poll: Clinton Increases Lead Over Trump In New York
- Governor Announces Drunk, Impaired Driving Crackdown
- Political Update
- Coming Up
Governor Announces Funding for Clean Air and Alternative Transportation Projects
On Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo announced the availability of $98.7 million in funding to support bicycle, pedestrian, multi-use path and transportation-related programs. Project will be chosen through a competitive solicitation process, based on criteria that include public benefit, air quality improvement, and innovation.
Applications for funding may be developed by any municipality or non-profit incorporated group, but projects must be sponsored either by a municipality, a state agency or public authority eligible to administer federal transportation funds. The state Department of Transportation (DOT) will accept applications through Oct. 21, 2016. Program guidance, applications and workshop schedules can be found here.
Gov. Cuomo said:
“By supporting much-needed improvements and making our roads safer, this funding is a win-win for the state. New York is now investing more to revitalize our cities, towns, and villages than any other time in our state’s history, and these upgrades will move us even closer to fulfilling the requirements of the Clean Air Act, all while making our transportation safer for bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists alike.”
Governor Approves Legislation to Protect Utility Workers
Earlier today, Gov. Cuomo announced that he has approved signed legislation that will increase penalties for assaults on utility workers, increasing the penalty for such assaults from a misdemeanor to a Class D felony. The Governor also approved similar bills to increase penalties for assaults on station and terminal cleaners and process servers.
Con Edison and Verizon were instrumental in getting the utility worker measure approved by the Legislature and signed into law.
Gov. Cuomo said:
“These workers perform tasks that are vital to the operation of New York institutions and have increasingly become the targets of aggression and assaults. Signing these measures into law will help better protect these employees from harm and I thank the sponsors for their work to get them passed.”
Comptroller: State Tax Collections Fall
A July cash report released earlier today by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli shows that tax collections dropped by $1.1 billion (4.4%) in the first four months of the state fiscal year compared to the same period in 2015. The collections are below initial projections mainly due to lower-than-expected collections from the personal income tax.
Comptroller DiNapoli said:
“Tax collections are well below initial projections, and the Division of the Budget has made adjustments. We still have eight months left in the fiscal year, and the state must be prepared to take action if necessary.”
Governor Announces Water Infrastructure Grants
Governor Cuomo has announced grants to support municipal water infrastructure projects in Western New York, the Finger Lakes, Central New York, the Southern Tier, Long Island and the Hudson Valley, and the North Country. The grants are part of the second round of New York State Water Grants funded through the state’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Act.
Gov. Cuomo said:
“Investments in water infrastructure now paves the way for future economic growth and prosperity. These grants will help these communities plan for the future, while easing burdens on local property taxpayers.”
The state budget enacted in April includes $100 million in grants for water infrastructure improvements. This additional funding allowed the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) to broaden eligibility for wastewater projects and provide a total of $175 million in grants for round two.
Governor Approves Tougher Penalties for Boating While Intoxicated
Gov. Cuomo announced this week that he has approved legislation that requires judges to take all prior driving while intoxicated and driving while ability impaired convictions into consideration when issuing a sentence for a drunken-boating conviction.
Gov. Cuomo said:
“Whether behind the wheel of a car or a boat, drunk drivers are a danger to themselves and a menace to others. This new law closes this loophole and will help keep these dangerous individuals off our roads and waterways, avoiding more senseless tragedies.”
Poll: Clinton Increases Lead Over Trump In New York
A Siena College poll released on Monday shows Democrat Hillary Clinton leading her Republican opponent Donald Trump by 30 points among New York voters in the race for the presidency, 57% to 27%. Her lead is up from 23 percentage points from before the two major parties held their respective national conventions. When third-party candidates are factored in, she leads Trump 50% to 25%.
The poll reveals that Trump appears to be losing support among Republicans. He is supported by just more over 50% of the state’s Republican voters. The concern is that if Republican voters do not support him at the polls in November, the result could be serious damage on other Republicans running in New York.
Governor Announces Drunk, Impaired Driving Crackdown
On Thursday, Gov. Cuomo announced that the State Police and local law enforcement will implement “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign from August 18 to September 5.
Gov. Cuomo said:
“Drunk drivers are a danger to themselves and others, and law enforcement is committed to ensuring the safety of everyone on the road. Impaired driving is a reckless and dangerous crime with potentially fatal consequences, and I urge New Yorkers to drive responsibly to avoid senseless tragedies.”
Political Update
Preview of Key State Senate Races
New York’s big prize in November will be control of the State Senate, which the GOP controls because of support from Brooklyn Democrat Simcha Felder.
City & State New York takes a look at each State Senate race, identified the most competitive races, and makes predictions as to which party is likely to win each seat in November.
Court Orders Primary in 3rd Congressional District
On Wednesday, a federal court ordered the state to hold a special Republican primary on October 6th in the 3rd Congressional District, which includes parts of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens counties.
Philip Pidot won a lengthy court battle in June to qualify for a Republican primary against State Senator Jack Martins. But a state court ruled the decision came too late for the election to be held on the June 28 federal primary date.
The winner of the primary will face former Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi in November in the race to succeed retiring Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington).
Winners & Losers
Each week, City & State New York publishes a list of the week’s political “winners” and “losers.” Read this week’s list here.
Coming Up
The Board of Regents holds its next meeting on September 12 and 13.
Primary elections for state legislative offices will be held on Tuesday, September 13.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) holds its next meeting on September 15.
The state Board of Elections holds its next meeting on September 15.
The state Commission on Legislative, Judicial, & Executive Compensation holds its next meeting on September 22.
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on September 27.