Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – May 24, 2017

Coverage of Albany and New York State government

  • Governor Announces Reduction in Workers’ Compensation Premiums
  • Governor Announces Second Round of Downtown Revitalization Initiative
  • Proposed State Regulation Would Prohibit ‘Discriminatory’ Auto Insurance Rates
  • Governor Announces Release of State Plan to Reduce Methane Emissions
  • Governor Orders Review of Compliance with State’s ‘Enough is Enough’ Law
  • Comptroller: State Economic Development Oversight is Inadequate
  • Comptroller Reports on Enacted State Budget
  • Assembly Approves Single-Payer Health Care Bill
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

Governor Announces Reduction in Workers’ Compensation Premiums

Last week, Gov. Cuomo announced that the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board (CIRB), a non-governmental rate service organization, has submitted an overall workers’ compensation rate decrease of approximately 4.5 percent.

If this rate is approved, New York employers which see a reduction of about $400 million in workers’ compensation premiums in 2017. In its rate filing, CIRB attributed the reduction cost savings measures passed as part of the state’s 2017-2018 budget and general system savings spearheaded by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“The reforms to the Workers’ Compensation system in this year’s budget will help New York businesses cut costs – enabling them to further reinvest, grow and create more jobs across the state.  With this rate decrease, New York is providing real savings to businesses helping to make them more competitive while strengthening protections for injured workers at companies across the state.”

The rate submission is subject to the approval of the state’s Department of Financial Services (DFS).  If approved, it will become effective October 1, 2017.

Governor Announces Second Round of Downtown Revitalization Initiative

Last week, Gov. Cuomo announced the launch of the second round of the state’s $100 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Under this program, 10 designated downtowns throughout the state – one selected by each of the state’s Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) – will each receive $10 million to implement revitalization projects.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“This new Downtown Revitalization competition will build upon the demonstrated success of Round I, allowing even more communities across the state to reach their full potential.  With this funding, we can provide 10 more forward-thinking communities the opportunity to transform their downtowns into vibrant economic hubs for people to live, work and raise a family.”

Proposed State Regulation Would Prohibit ‘Discriminatory’ Auto Insurance Rates

Last week, Gov. Cuomo announced that the state Department of Financial services (DFS) has proposed regulations that would prohibit automobile insurers from using an individual’s job or education level as factors in setting rates, unless the insurer demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Superintendent of Financial Services that the use of these factors does not result in rates that are unfairly discriminatory.  The regulation stems from a DFS investigation which found that that education and occupation were used to set rates without a clear demonstration of the required relationship between these factors and driving ability.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“This new protection cracks down on this unfair practice that soaks drivers for not having a college degree or a high-paying job.  These metrics are discriminatory, have no relationship to how good a driver you are and should not be used as an excuse to overcharge New Yorkers.”

The proposed regulation is subject to a notice and public comment period.

Governor Announces Release of State Plan to Reduce Methane Emissions

Last  Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo announced the release of the state’s Methane Reduction Plan, which is intended to reduce methane emissions from landfills, oil and gas infrastructure, and the state’s agricultural sector. The plan is part of the state’s effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050, from 1990 levels.

Governor Cuomo said:

“With this action, New York will continue to shrink our carbon footprint by reducing emissions that contribute to climate change. This administration has made remarkable progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and with this plan, we take a major step in securing a cleaner, greener New York for all.”

Governor Orders Review of Compliance with State’s ‘Enough is Enough’ Law

Last Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo announced that he has ordered a “comprehensive review of compliance” with the state’s “Enough Is Enough” law by all higher-education institutions across the state. That law, which was enacted in 2015, requires colleges and universities to adopt procedures take are fulfilling their obligations under the law to take a number of steps to protect students from sexual assault, including adopting procedures, providing student and staff training, and establishes requirements for the conduct of investigations.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“As Governor of New York, but even more so as a father, the safety of New York’s students is my top priority.  New York led the nation by signing into law the strongest policy to combat sexual assault on college campuses, and now we are ensuring every university fully meets their obligations under that law. We must take every measure to protect our students from harm, and we will accept nothing less from our state’s colleges and universities. Enough is enough.”

Comptroller:  State Economic Development Oversight is Inadequate

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released an audit last Wednesday that criticizes Empire state Development (ESD), the state’s primary economic development agency, for failing to meet more than half of the reporting requirements for its tax credit and job creation programs.

Comptroller DiNapoli said:

“Too often Empire State Development Corporation is either late or not reporting on the results of economic development programs.  We need better reporting to ensure transparency in economic development spending and to promote an informed analysis on the return of the investments state taxpayers make in these programs.”

A spokesperson for ESD criticized the report, calling it “politically motivated.”

Comptroller Reports on Enacted State Budget

Last Thursday, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released his report on the state 2017-18 enacted budget.  The report notes that “the enacted state budget increases funding for education, clean water, affordable housing and other programs, but authorizes more than $10.5 billion in new state debt and allows billions of dollars in lump sum spending with minimal disclosure.”

The report also raises concerns that state tax revenue has decreased in the most recent fiscal year, as state officials revised revenue estimates downward four times.

Comptroller DiNapoli said:

“Although the budget came together more than a week into the fiscal year, the Legislature and Executive acted on critical budget issues that will help New York move forward. However, billions of dollars in spending lacks key details that would better inform the public about how their tax dollars are being spent.  It should concern all New Yorkers that budget decisions in Washington may force tough fiscal choices for the state and raise new questions for local governments and nonprofits that rely on state funding. Federal actions that could adversely affect New York, as well as economic uncertainty, are key risks to this budget.”

Assembly Approves Single-Payer Health Care Bill

On Tuesday, the Assembly approved the New York Health Act, a single-payer health plan would cover every New York resident.  Under this proposal, there would be no network restrictions, deductibles or co-pays. State funding would be combined with federal funds that are currently received for Medicare, Medicaid and Child Health Plus to create the New York Health Trust Fund.

Assembly Speaker Heastie said:

“While lawmakers in Washington debate giving tax cuts to the wealthy and cutting funding for healthcare for those who need it most, the Assembly Majority remains committed to ensuring every New Yorker has access to the care they need and deserve.  The Assembly will once again pass this measure, but the recent action taken by Congress to strip more than one million New Yorkers of healthcare has proven it is time for our colleagues in the Senate to act as well.”

The Assembly has previously approved the bill in 2015 and 2016, but the bill has never been considered by the Senate.

 Political Update

SUNY Professor to Challenge Rep. Claudia Tenney

Patrick Madden, computer scientist at SUNY Binghamton, has announced that plans to challenge Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-New Hartford) in the 22nd Congressional District race.

Madden, a Democrat, says that he is running because he is concerned about “an all-out attack on the very idea of facts” in Washington D.C.

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 on a break next week, returning to Albany on June 5.

The Indian Point Closure Task Force will meet on May 31 in Cortland.

The State Board of Elections holds its next meeting on June 1.

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.