Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – August 16, 2017

  • Senate Majority Leader Treated for Alcohol Dependency
  • New York City Mayor Proposes ‘Millionaires Tax’ to Fund Subway Repairs
  • Governor Announces Funding for College-in-Prison Reentry Program
  • State Offers Co-Payment Assistance For Medicine to Reverse Opioid Overdoses
  • Governor Announces Community Restoration Fund Program to Help Prevent Foreclosure
  • State Considering Rules to Expand Medical Marijuana Program
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

Senate Majority Leader Treated for Alcohol Dependency

In a statement released last week, State Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R- East Northport) said that he recently completed an alcohol-treatment program.

Flanagan’s office released the statement after a newspaper inquiry.  He said that he recognized that “alcohol was becoming a crutch to deal with pressure I was under related to my responsibilities as Majority Leader of the New York State Senate.” He entered a program last month, shortly after the 2017 legislative session concluded.

In his statement, Flanagan said his problem would not impact his leadership post:

“This is a step I needed to take for myself and for my family, and it will allow me to continue to serve and to give back to my community and state. Being a public servant and following in the footsteps of my father has been the greatest honor of my life, and I know that I have much more to accomplish and much more still to do.”

Flanagan became Senate Majority Leader in May 2015; he was first elected to the State Senate in 2002.

New York City Mayor Proposes ‘Millionaires Tax’ to Fund Subway Repairs

Last week, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a new proposal to tax wealthy New Yorkers to pay for MTA upgrades and to fund discounted MetroCards for low-income commuters.
The proposal is to increase income taxes on New York City residents who earn more than $500,000 a year, which the Mayor’s office says would generate between $700 and $800 million annually for the MTA.  The proposal would require approval by the state legislature, which does not appear likely.

Mayor de Blasio said:

“Rather than sending the bill to working families and subway and bus riders already feeling the pressure of rising fares and bad service, we are asking the wealthiest in our city to chip in a little extra to help move or transit system into the 21st  century. Instead of searching for a quick-fix that doesn’t exist, or simply forking over more and more of our tax dollars every year, we have come up with a fair way to finance immediate and long-term transit improvement and to better hold the State accountable for the system’s performance.”

The proposal comes in the midst of a dispute between the city and state over funding a short-term rescue plan for the subways. De Blasio insists that the MTA has adequate funds at its disposal, while Gov. Cuomo and MTA Chair Lhota want the city to bear half of the cost of the plan.

An unnamed Cuomo administration official said that Gov. Cuomo is considering proposing a “congestion pricing” as part of his 2018-19 Executive Budget proposal which would impose an added cost for cars in New York City to reduce traffic and improve air quality. In 2007, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a congestion pricing plan for Manhattan, but the proposal died in Albany due to strong opposition from outer borough state lawmakers.

Governor Announces Funding for College-in-Prison Reentry Program

Last week, Gov. Cuomo announced the state, through the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, is awarding $7.3 million in grants over the next five years to 17 colleges throughout the state to provide college-level education and training to prisoners. The awards will triple the number of prison inmates who are eligible for such classes.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“Prison isn’t just about serving time for ones crimes. It’s an opportunity to help those who have made mistakes rehabilitate and rebuild their lives. It has never been more evident that a college education is an important stepping stone to success and by partnering with District Attorney Vance, that success will reach those who never thought they could achieve it. This program not only strengthens the futures of incarcerated individuals and their communities alike, but it will save taxpayer dollars in the long run.”

The Governor first announced the College-in-Prison Reentry Program in January 2016.  Some critics have raised objections to using public money to help convicted criminals.

State Offers Co-Payment Assistance for Medicine to Reverse Opioid Overdoses

Last week, Gov. Cuomo announced that the state will provide no-cost or lower-cost naloxone at pharmacies throughout the state.  Individuals with prescription health insurance coverage, including Medicaid and Medicare, will receive up to $40 in co-payment assistance, resulting in reduced cost or no cost for this lifesaving medicine.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“This first-in-the-nation program will help put this lifesaving treatment in more hands and is one more prong in this administration’s efforts to battle heroin and opioid abuse.”

The Naloxone Co-payment Assistance Program is being funded by New York State’s Opioid Overdose Prevention Program.  More information on the program is available here.

Governor Announces Community Restoration Fund Program to Help Prevent Foreclosure

Last Thursday, Gov. Cuomo announced that the state’s new $7.6 million Community Restoration Fund has purchased the mortgages for 398 homes in an effort “to bring owners in targeted communities out of foreclosure and keep the homes from abandonment through renovation and resale where necessary.” The program also includes one-on-one counselling with the owner by local non-profit housing counselling organizations and direct outreach to the lender to modify the loan, and making possible necessary repairs and addressing deferred maintenance.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“This program gives New Yorkers at risk of losing the American Dream the opportunity to get back on track and to make necessary repairs – helping to preserve their homes and their neighborhoods.”

State Considering Rules to Expand Medical Marijuana Program

Last Thursday, the state Department of Health announced that it is considering new rules that would permit medical marijuana to be sold in lotions, patches and as chewable tablets.

The new rules would also allow prospective patients and health providers to enter a retail outlet to speak directly with staff about products, even if they have not yet been certified to participate in the program. They would also allow more advertising by medical marijuana producers, streamline manufacturing requirements, and alter security and laboratory requirements.

The proposed rules are expected to be formally proposed on August 23, and are subject to a 30-day public comment period before they can be adopted.

Political Update

Democratic State Senator Resigns

State Senator Dan Squadron (D-Brooklyn/Manhattan) announced his resignation from the State Senate this week, effective today.  Read Senator Squadron’s announcement here, and his Daily News editorial announcing his resignation here.  The 26th Senate District, which is overwhelmingly Democratic, includes Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn.

The vacancy will be filled in November’s general election. Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh(D-Manhattan) announced that he is running for the seat. Other possible candidates include Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou (D-Manhattan) and Lincoln Restler, an aide to Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Winners & Losers

Each week, City & State New York publishes a list of the week’s political “winners” and “losers.”  Read last week’s list here.

Coming Up

The Board of Regents holds its next meeting on September 11 and 12.

Primary elections are being held on September 12.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) holds its next meeting on September 14.

The State Board of Elections holds its next meeting on September 15.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on September 19.