Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – October 18, 2017
Coverage of Albany and New York State government
- Governor Again Suggests Special Legislative Session
- DOB ‘Call Letter’ Again Seeks Flat Agency Budgets
- Comptroller: Billions Needed for Local Bridge Repairs
- 118 Names Added to Fallen Firefighters Memorial
- REDCs Release 2017 Progress Reports
- State’s Plastic Bag Task Force Meets
- Environmental Group Releases 2017 Legislative Scorecard
- Political Update
- Coming Up
Governor Again Suggests Special Legislative Session
Last Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo wrote to members of the Legislature who represent areas affected by the record-high water levels, saying that a special legislative session may be needed this fall to increase assistance for those affected by floods along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
While state lawmakers approved $45 million for flood relief earlier this year, he said that more funding will probably needed, and many business owners and residents cannot wait until the issue is taken up as part of the state’s 2018-19 budget next April.
The Governor has raised the possibility of bringing the Legislature back to Albany before January to adjust the state’s finances in response to cuts in federal health care spending.
Unless the Governor chooses for force lawmakers to return to Albany for a special session, lawmakers are not likely to return unless the Governor and legislative leaders reach agreement on specific items.
DOB ‘Call Letter’ Again Seeks Flat Agency Budgets
The state’s Division of Budget has released its annual “call letter” to state agency heads, asking for agency budget requests by October 18. Budget Director Robert Mujica lauded the recent projects said that capital requests for the coming year’s spending plan should focus on maintenance:
“Debt has decreased in each of the five prior years and, in the FY 2019 Executive Budget, infrastructure investments will continue to be made within the confines of affordability. In reviewing capital submissions for the FY 2019 Executive Budget, current multi-year plans should be assessed and priority should be given to projects that maintain the State’s infrastructure.”
And as in the previous seven Cuomo Administration budget, the letter asks agencies to hold their operating spending flat.
The state is facing a $4 billion deficit in the 2018-19 fiscal year, which begins on April 1, 2019. Much of this deficit is expected to covered by limiting growth in operating spending to 2 percent.
Comptroller: Billions Needed for Local Bridge Repairs
Last week, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli issued a report which finds that local government-owned bridges throughout the state require an estimated $27.4 billion in repairs. According to the report, about half of the state’s 17,000 bridges are owned by local governments. Almost 13 percent of these locally-owned bridges are considered structurally deficient.
Comptroller DiNapoli said:
“Local communities are facing a big price tag for maintaining and repairing bridges. These structures are aging and the cost for repairs will likely only increase over time. Many local governments understand the importance of long-term planning for their infrastructure needs but they will need help. While the state has taken steps to make funds for repairs available, the assistance of the federal government has also been critical. Difficult decisions lie ahead, but these infrastructure needs must be addressed.”
118 Names Added to Fallen Firefighters Memorial
Last Tuesday, New York State added 118 names to the Fallen Firefighters Memorial on the Empire State Plaza in Albany. Of the 118 deceased firefighters whose names were added to the memorial, 114 died as a result of 9/11 injuries and illnesses.
The annual ceremony honoring New York’s firefighters who have given their lives is a part of Firefighter Appreciation Day and Fire Prevention Week.
REDCs Release 2017 Progress Reports
Last Wednesday, the state’s 10 Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) released their respective progress report to the Strategic Implementation Assessment Team.
Click on the link below to read each region’s progress report, which includes its list of priority projects:
∙ Western New York ∙ Finger Lakes
∙ Southern Tier ∙ Central New York
∙ Mohawk Valley ∙ North Country
The state is expected to announce the 2017 REDC award recipients in December.
State’s Plastic Bag Task Force Meets
Last Wednesday, the New York State Plastic Bag Task Force met in Albany. The Task Force was created by Gov. Cuomo in March, and tasked with developing a report and proposed legislation to address the impact of plastic bags on the state’s environment.
The task force was created after state lawmakers pre-empted a proposed plastic bag fee in New York City. Several local governments throughout the state have either banned single-use plastic bags or are preparing to do so.
While it is not clear what the task force will do, it appears likely that it will recommend that the Legislature impose some sort of limits on single-use plastic bags in 2018.
Environmental Group Releases 2017 Legislative Scorecard
Last Wednesday, Environmental Advocates of New York released their scorecard on lawmakers’ environmental voting records for the 2017 legislative session.
Scores were determined based on lawmakers’ voting record on 24 bills covering a number of issues, including budget issues, drinking water quality, energy generation and storage, and waste, among others.
Political Update
Schneiderman Re-Election Video Touts Trump Opposition
Last Wednesday, state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s re-election campaign released a video that highlights his legal challenges to President Trump and his policies, including rewriting environmental regulations and efforts to restrict and limit immigration.
The video was released along with a fundraising appeal, with supporters being asked to give $3. Schneiderman is seeking a third term as attorney general in 2018.
A campaign spokesperson said:
“Eric is fighting to preserve New Yorkers’ access to affordable healthcare, clean air and water, and a growing, diverse economy that respects New York values. From suing to block Trump’s unconstitutional Muslim Ban, to fighting to preserve the Clean Power Plan, to defending New York’s 40,000 DREAMers, Eric is working hard day and night to protect New York from Trump’s dangerous agenda.”
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 Public Service Commission (PSC) holds its next meeting on October 19.
Also on October 19, the Assembly Education Committee is holding a public hearing in Albany “to examine the current state of New York’s school infrastructure and facilities and study new ways to support, improve, and modernize New York State’s schools and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES).”
The state Gaming Commission holds its next meeting on October 23.
Also on October 23, the State Board of Elections holds its next meeting.
On October 24, the Senate Government Operations and Investigations Committee is holding a public hearing in Manhattan “to examine cyber security in New York State, including methods that can be employed to protect its citizens.”
On October 30, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) is holding a public hearing on its proposed lobbying regulations and proposed source of funding regulations.
Also on October 30, the Assembly committees on Corrections and Health are holding a public hearing on ‘Healthcare in New York correctional facilities.’
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on October 31.