Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – January 11, 2017

PluggedInMastheadCoverage of Albany and New York State government

  • 2017 Legislative Session Begins
  • IDC Will Continue to Align with Senate GOP
  • Assembly Speaker Announces Leadership Appointments, Committee Chairs
  • Governor to Hold Regional ‘State of the State’ Addresses
  • Governor to Propose Free Tuition at SUNY, CUNY Schools for Low, Middle Class Students
  • Governor to Propose Increasing Child Care Tax Credit
  • Governor to Propose Cybercrime, Identity Theft Measures
  • Governor Vetoes Indigent Defense Bill
  • Senate Releases Report, Recommendations on Water Quality and Contamination
  • Governor Announces Plan to ‘Transform’ JFK International Airport
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

2017 Legislative Session Begins

Last Wednesday, state lawmakers returned to Albany to kick off the 2017 legislative session, which is scheduled to run through June 21st.   There were indications of tension between the Governor and lawmakers, which some have suggested is the result of legislators not getting a pay increase.  Also, the Governor was not in Albany to deliver the traditional ‘State of the State Address’ in the Capitol; he was instead in New York City addressing a business group.

In his speech to open the 2017 session, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said that the Assembly Majority’s priorities include the DREAM Act; college affordability; enacting “sweeping criminal justice reform,” including raising the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18; codifying Roe v. Wade in state law; and extending the millionaires tax.  (Read the Speaker’s full remarks here.)

Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan said that the Senate Majority’s priorities will include job creation and improving the state’s tax policies and regulatory environment.  He also seemed to set a different tone than in prior years, saying that the Senate would demonstrate its independence from the executive branch. He said that the Senate will raise questions about how the Governor’s economic development programs are being run.

Senate Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein said that the IDC’s 2017 priorities include expanding the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) by increasing the income eligibility cap; raising the age of criminal responsibility; and increasing school Foundation Aid.

IDC Will Continue to Align with Senate GOP

In a move that was expected, State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx) said last week that the seven-member Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) will once again ally itself with the Republicans who control the State Senate.

Four Democratic Senators created the IDC in 2011 after Democrats lost the majority they held in 2009 and 2010.  After the Republicans were unable to elect a majority in 2012, the IDC joined with the Senate GOP to form a Majority Coalition.  No details regarding a power-sharing agreement were released, but the IDC is expected to participate in budget and other negotiations and some IDC members are expected to chair Senate committees.

Senator Klein said:

“The Independent Democratic Conference is joining this majority coalition because, as pragmatic progressives, we know how important it is to engage and get things done. This bipartisan coalition will represent every county across New York, ensuring that every New Yorker has a voice in the Senate.”

Senator Flanagan said:

“Our majority coalition has achieved great things for the people of this state, starting with six consecutive budgets that have controlled spending, enactment of a property tax cap that has provided certainty to seniors and homeowners, record support for schools and elimination of the GEA, meaningful steps to combat the heroin epidemic, and a responsible paid family leave program that reestablishes the balance that should exist between work and family….I am committed to passage of a bipartisan legislative agenda that cuts taxes, creates jobs, and meets the needs of every region, every community and every citizen of this great state.”

Assembly Speaker Announces Leadership Appointments, Committee Chairs

Last Wednesday, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced the Assembly Majority’s leadership positions and committee chairs for the 2017-2018 legislative session.

Most of the committee chairs are continued from the 2015-16 session.  Newly appointed committee chairs include Ken Zebrowski (D-Clarkstown) to chair the Banks Committee; Jeff Dinowitz (D-Bronx), to chair the Corporations, Authorities & Commissions Committee; Brian Kavanagh (D-Manhattan) to chair the Consumer Affairs Committee; and Ellen Jaffee (D-Suffern) to Chair the Children & Families Committee.

Governor Holds Regional ‘State of the State’ Addresses

In a break with an Albany tradition since the 1920’s, Gov. Cuomo did not deliver a ‘State of the State’ Address to lawmakers in Albany on the first day of the annual legislative session this year.

Instead, he has been delivering regional addresses, the last of which are being held today in Syracuse and Albany.

So far, the Governor has said that he plans to propose free tuition at state colleges, child care tax credits for middle class families and voting reforms, and enhanced cybersecurity (among other issues) at speeches in New York City, Buffalo, Westchester and Long Island. The Governor is expected to address ethics and campaign finance reform today.

Details of the many of the Governor’s proposals are expected to be included in his Executive budget proposal, which is due to be submitted to the Legislature by January 17.

Governor to Propose Free Tuition at SUNY, CUNY Schools for Low, Middle Class Students

Last week, Gov. Cuomo announced that he will propose the Excelsior Scholarship program, under which families and individuals making up to $125,000 per year would qualify to attend college tuition-free at all public universities in New York State.  The Governor was joined by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (D – Vermont) at the announcement.

The Governor is proposing to phase in the initiative in over three years.  Beginning in the fall of 2017, students whose families earn less than $100,000 would be eligible; increasing to $110,000 in 2018; and $125,000 in 2019.  Under the program, eligible students would still receive Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) funding and any applicable federal grants. Additional state funds would cover the remaining tuition costs.

Governor Cuomo said:

“A college education is not a luxury – it is an absolute necessity for any chance at economic mobility, and with these first-in-the-nation Excelsior Scholarships, we’re providing the opportunity for New Yorkers to succeed, no matter what zip code they come from and without the anchor of student debt weighing them down.”

Tuition at CUNY and SUNY four-year colleges ranges from $6,330 to $6,470 per year.  According to the Governor, 80% of households throughout the state earn $125,000 or less annually, and an estimated 940,000 households having college-aged children that would be eligible for the program. The proposal is expected to cost about $163 million per year once it is fully phased in.

The proposal will require legislative approval.  Some have expressed concerns that the Governor’s cost estimate is too low, while private colleges would like to see their schools included in the program as well.

Governor Proposes Increasing Child Care Tax Credit

Last Thursday, Gov. Cuomo announced that he will propose a plan to create an Enhanced Middle Class Child Care Tax Credit, which is intended to make child care more affordable for families earning between $50,000 and $150,000 annually.  Under the Governor’s proposal, about 200,000 families would see their average benefit doubled, and the credit is expected to cost $42 million annually.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“Far too many parents have to sacrifice working to build their family’s financial future because affordable, high quality day care is financially out of reach.  This newly enhanced credit will make it easier for more New Yorkers to be able to secure day care for their children and able to enter or stay in the work force with peace of mind.”

Governor to Propose Cybercrime, Identity Theft Measures

Last Friday, Gov. Cuomo announced that he will propose the strengthening and modernization of cybercrime and identity theft laws, increasing penalties for computer tampering, intrusions and identity theft offenses.

He said that he has also directed the state’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) to establish a Cyber Incident Response Team to provide cybersecurity support to state entities, local governments, critical infrastructure and schools.  The new entity will “serve as a multi-agency strike force, able to respond to cyber intrusions across the state.”

Gov. Cuomo said:

“Cyber-attacks against New Yorkers and our government institutions are an ever-increasing threat to the safety and security of our communities, as well as the privacy and financial well-being of our citizens. Our laws must keep pace in order to combat these increasingly sophisticated criminal acts.  This proposal will give police and prosecutors the authority and the tools they need to bring cyber thieves to justice and protect New Yorkers. It also puts into place to team to help state and local governments respond to and prevent threats to their cyber security.”

Governor Says Obamacare Repeal Would Cost State $3.7 Billion

Last week, Gov. Cuomo said that the repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly called Obamacare, would cost the state $3.7 billion, while leaving some 2.7 million New Yorkers without health care coverage.  He also said that the state’s counties would lose some $595 million in federal funding.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“The cost of a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, to state and local budgets and to the New Yorkers who depend on its health care coverage, is simply too high to justify.  Since its implementation, the Affordable Care Act has become a powerful tool to lower the cost of health insurance for local governments and New Yorkers, and it is essential that the federal government does not jeopardize the health and livelihoods of millions of working families.”

Governor Vetoes Indigent Defense Bill

Gov. Cuomo has vetoed a bill that would have required the state to pay the costs of paying for legal services for the poor, which are currently paid by counties throughout the state. The state currently pays about $80 million toward indigent legal defense and New York City and the 57 counties outside the city about $360 million.  The bill would have shifted the costs from the counties and New York City to the state over seven years.

In rejecting the bill, Gov. Cuomo said that the bill would have cost state taxpayers $800 million annually, including costs for noncriminal legal defense work in Family and Surrogate court representation, and that the bill lacked necessary accountability measures. The Governor said that he will introduce his own plan to have the state later in 2017.

The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) said that the veto is a “disappointing setback for counties” that are seeking relief from state-imposed unfunded mandates.

Governor Announces Plan to ‘Transform’ JFK International Airport

On Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo announced “a vision plan to transform JFK International Airport into an airport equipped to meet the demands of the 21st century.”  The $10 billion plan would largely be paid for with private funds.

The plan includes improving highway and rail access to the airport; interconnecting terminals by expanding newer terminals and redeveloping/relocating older terminals; making security upgrade; and improving airport amenities.

Governor Cuomo said.

“Our vision plan calls for the creation of a unified, interconnected airport that changes the passenger experience and makes the airport much easier to access and navigate. We are New York, and we remember the bravado that built this State in the first place, and that is the attitude that will take JFK and turn it into the 21st century airport that we deserve.”

Senate Releases Report, Recommendations on Water Quality and Contamination  

Last week, the Senate Committees on Health and Environmental Conservation released a 25-page report that makes a series of recommendations to ensure water quality throughout the state.  The report follows the Senate’s hearings held in the wake of a water crisis in Hoosick Falls in Rensselaer County, where the local drinking water supplies were contaminated with a chemical linked to cancer.

The Senate is proposing:

  • to establish the Drinking Water Quality Institute, which would set state drinking water standards; out in place a notification process for municipalities and state agencies; and undertake research and public outreach;
  • passage of a Clean Water Bond Act, which would have to be approved by the state’s voters, to provide a funding for communities with water contamination or potential contamination to pay for water filtration, testing or other measures; and
  • including funding in the 2017-18 state budget for local governments to undertake water quality improvement projects.

 

Political Update

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

Later today, the Governor is delivering regional State of the State Addresses in Albany and Syracuse.

Gov. Cuomo has until January 15 to nominate a successor to Judge Eugene Pigott Jr., who retired from the Court of Appeals due to the mandatory retirement rule, from the seven nominees provided by Commission on Judicial Nomination.

The Governor’s Executive budget is due by January 17.

The Public Service Commission holds its next meeting on January 24.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on January 31.