Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – June 7, 2017

Coverage of Albany and New York State government

State Responds to U.S. Withdrawal from Paris Climate Accord
Governor Announces Clean Climate Careers initiative
Division of Budget: State Facing $4 Billion Budget Deficit in 2018
Commission Submits Seven Potential Nominees for Court of Appeals
Governor Announces Funding for After-School Programs for High-Need School Districts
State Approves First Autonomous Vehicle Demonstration
New York City Mayor to Push for Voting, Election Reforms
NYISO: New York’s Electric Grid Prepared for Summer Demand
Political Update
Coming Up

State Responds to U.S. Withdrawal from Paris Climate Accord

In the wake of President Trump’s decision to pull out the United States out of the Paris climate agreement, Gov. Cuomo joined with fellow Democratic Governors Jerry Brown of California and Jay Inslee of Washington to form the United States Climate Alliance. The coalition “will convene U.S. states committed to upholding the Paris Climate Agreement and taking aggressive action on climate change.”

Gov. Cuomo said:

“The White House’s reckless decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement has devastating repercussions not only for the United States, but for our planet. This administration is abdicating its leadership and taking a backseat to other countries in the global fight against climate change. New York State is committed to meeting the standards set forth in the Paris Accord regardless of Washington’s irresponsible actions.”

Gov. Cuomo also issued an Executive Order that commits New York State to upholding the standards of the Paris Accord.

Governor Announces Clean Climate Careers initiative

On Friday, Gov. Cuomo announced the Clean Climate Careers initiative, “a multi-pronged strategy to grow New York’s emerging clean energy economy and prepare the workforce for the long-term careers associated with this industry.” The initiative, in which the state is partnering with the ILR School’s Worker Institute at Cornell University and Climate Jobs NY, is intended to “make New York a magnet for new energy technologies and [create] 40,000 new, good-paying clean energy jobs by 2020.”

The initiative includes three prongs: state investments in clean technology and renewable energy development; creating new jobs; and establishing an Environmental Justice & Just Transition Working Group to develop priority programs and policies to help historical underserved communities.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“As the federal government abdicates its responsibility to address climate change — at the expense of our environment and economy — New York is leading the nation in advancing a clean energy future. The Clean Climate Careers initiative is a groundbreaking investment, representing the largest state clean energy procurement in U.S. history.”

Division of Budget: State Facing $4 Billion Budget Deficit in 2018

According to an updated state financial plan released just before the long Memorial Day weekend, New York State is facing growing budget deficit in upcoming budget years.

The plan, which includes projections on state spending and tax revenue for the next five years, shows the state facing a $4 billion budget deficit in its 2018-19 budget year. It also projects budget deficits of $5.9 billion in the 2019-20 fiscal year and $7.5 billion in 2020-21. The Cuomo Administration continues to assume these deficits will be largely offset by unspecified cuts hold growth in state operations to two percent or less, though the administration has been accused of fudging its numbers to meet these targets.

Commission Submits Seven Potential Nominees for Court of Appeals

Last Thursday, the Commission on Judicial Nomination submitted the following list of seven nominees to Gov. Cuomo to fill the state Court of Appeals vacancy caused by the death of Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam:

Eric Corngold — Friedman Kaplan Seiler & Adelman LLP
Paul Feinman, — Association Justice, Appellative Division, First Department
Judith Gische — Association Justice, Appellative Division, First Department
Rosalyn Richter — Association Justice, Appellative Division, First Department
Mary K. Vyskocil — U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge for the Southern District of New York
Troy Karen Webber — Association Justice, Appellative Division, First Department
Gerald Whalen — Presiding Justice, Appellate Division, Fourth Department

In early May, Gov. Cuomo asked the Commission on Judicial Nomination to accelerate its process for choosing nominations for the Court of Appeals so that the State Senate can take up the Governor’s nominee before the conclusion of this year’s legislative session.

Governor Announces Funding for After-School Programs for High-Need School Districts

Last week, Gov. Cuomo announced $35 million in funding for high-need school districts throughout the state to establish after-school programs, which will serve some 22,000 students. Eligible school districts can partner with non-profit agencies to provide after-school programs.

Governor Cuomo said:

“This investment in our youngest New Yorkers is an investment in the very future of this state. With this funding, we will further level the playing field for children in underserved cities across New York by expanding their access to programs and community resources that will help them get ahead and help create a stronger, fairer Empire State for all.”

State Approves First Autonomous Vehicle Demonstration

Last Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo announced that the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has approved the state’s first autonomous vehicle demonstration. Audi of America Inc. will conduct the demonstration, which will take place in Albany on June 13.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“Autonomous vehicles are a major part of the future of the automotive industry and this pilot program will help ensure New York continues to be a hub of innovation and cutting edge technology. This emerging technology has the potential to decrease accidents and save lives on our roadways, and with this approval we are one step closer to a safer and stronger New York for all.”

New York City Mayor to Push for Voting, Election Reforms

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said last week that he plans to “launch a major effort” to have voting and election reforms approved in Albany before the end of the 2017 legislative session.

De Blasio has previously expressed support for early voting; same-day voter registration; pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds; and consolidated federal and state primaries. Most of these proposals have been approved by the Assembly, but have not been taken up by the State Senate.

NYISO: New York’s Electric Grid Prepared for Summer Demand

Last Thursday, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) announced that the state’s electricity supplies are expected to be adequate to meet forecasted peak demand conditions this summer.

The NYISO predicts that peak demand this summer will reach 33,178 MW, 3.0% above the 10-year average peak of 32,215 MW. Last summer’s peak demand of 32,076 MW, recorded on August 11, was 0.4% below the 10-year average. Peak demand is a measurement of the average total electric demand by consumers for a one-hour period. Demand on New York’s electric system peaks in the summer as air conditioning drives overall power usage higher. While the electricity system must be prepared to meet peak load conditions, average demand is typically far less.

Read NYISO’s Summer 2017 Capacity Assessment.

Political Update

Long Island Assemblyman to Run for Huntington Town Supervisor

Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R-Huntington) announced last week that he plans to run for Huntington Town Supervisor this fall. Lupinacci was first elected to the Assembly in 2012.

Queens Assemblyman to Run for New York City Council

Assemblyman Francisco Moya (D-Queens) announced last week that he plans to run for an open New York City Council seat this fall. Moya was first elected to the Assembly in 2010.

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 Legislature is in Albany through Thursday this week. Including today, there are just 9 scheduled session days remaining in the 2017 legislative session.

The Board of Regents holds its next meeting on June 12 and 13.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) holds its next meeting on June 15.

June 21 is the last scheduled day of the 2017 legislative session.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on June 27.

The State Board of Elections holds its next meeting on August 2.