Plugged In @ Hinman Straub
July 3, 2025
What’s Inside
- New Siena Poll
- Mamdani Increases Lead in Primary Win After Final Ranked Voting Count
- Governor Releases First-Ever Master Plan for Aging
- Governor Releases Draft 2050 Transportation Master Plan for Public Review
- Governor Announces Payoff of Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Debt
- Governor Announces Investment in NYS Manufacturing Facilities
- In the News
- Coming Up
New Siena Poll
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Siena released a new poll this week with an early preview of next year’s Primary and General Elections as well as reaction from recent legislative activity. Governor Hochul’s favorability rating is 42-47%, down slightly from 44-46% in May. Her job approval rating is 50-45%, barely changed from 50-46% last month. Currently, 37% are prepared to re-elect Hochul, while 55% want ‘someone else,’ little changed from 36-55% last month. |
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When asked whether New York is on the right track or is headed in the wrong direction, voters are considerably less optimistic this month, saying that New York is headed in the wrong direction (50%) rather than on the right track (37%). In May, voters thought the state was headed in the wrong direction by a much narrower 46-43%. |
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Despite poll respondents overwhelmingly preferring someone else to re-electing Governor Hochul, none of the potential primary candidates polled garner much support from democratic voters. In a hypothetical Republican Primary for Governor, Elise Stefanik has a large plurality of support from republicans polled in almost every category, with the exception of suburban republicans, who prefer Rep. Mike Lawler by a slim margin. In each of the potential primaries, large percentages of voters have yet to determine who they plan to support. This week, in a surprise reversal and perhaps informed by this and other polling, Richie Torres announced that he is unlikely to primary the Governor. |
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When each Republican challenger is measured against Governor Hochul in a hypothetical General Election, Hochul outperforms each by substantial margins. While Stefanik and Lawler each garner roughly equivalent support in total, when facing Stefanik, Hochul gains three percentage points total. Lawler performs slightly better than Stefanik in both New York City and in the Suburbs. |
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Finally, voters were polled on several key legislative proposals that passed both houses this year including medical aid in dying, utility consumer advocate, prison reform, mandating state agency disclosure of their use of artificial intelligence, and expanding the Attorney General’s power to sue businesses for abusive or deceptive practices – all of which garnered majority support. |
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Mamdani Increases Lead in Primary Win After Final Ranked Voting Count
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After the July 1st ranked choice vote counting in the New York City mayoral democratic primary election, Zohran Mamdani expanded his lead, winning in the third round 56% to 44% over former Governor Andrew Cuomo. The final result was not a surprise after Mamdani performed better than expected with first choice voting. According to a deep dive by the New York Times, Mamdani was successful in changing the electorate by bringing new voters to the table, which helps explain why polls consistently showed Cuomo as the favorite. In the 14 days leading up to the registration deadline for the primary, roughly 37,000 new voters were registered to vote – compared to only 3,000 people in the same period in 2021. |
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Mamdani was also successful in activating “zero prime voters” – voters who had not voted in several recent primary elections. Another shocking change from past primary elections was the share of the electorate made up of young voters. Voters in the age ranges of 18-24, 25-29, and 30-34 made up the largest share of primary voters, a statistic that typically belongs to the 55-70 age range – one that may be difficult to duplicate in a General Election. |
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State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins endorsed the democratic nominee for mayor saying, “I congratulate Zohran Mamdani on his primary win and as always I support the Democratic nominee for election and look forward to talking to him about his vision to make New Yok City more affordable.” The endorsement from one of New York’s legislative leaders is in contrast to others who have been more hesitant to do so, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as well as Governor Hochul, who have thus far declined to endorse. |
Governor Releases First-Ever Master Plan for Aging
On Monday, Governor Hochul released the Final Report for New York’s Master Plan for Aging (MPA). The report contains more than 100 proposals aimed at all levels of government, the social sector, and private enterprise. The full report can be found here.
According to the Governor’s press release, hundreds of stakeholders participated in a process of MPA workgroups to develop the MPA Final Report proposals. Organized into eight subcommittees and over 34 workgroups, the stakeholders coalesced around nine overarching pillars, which were:
- Affordability of Basic Necessities
- Informal Caregiver and Workforce Support and Modernization of Community-Based Aging Network Service
- Modernization and Financial Sustainability of Healthcare, Residential Facilities and Community-Based Aging Network Service Providers
- Prevention, Wellness Promotion and Access
- Housing Access and Community Development
- Access to Services in and Engagement with Historically Underserved Communities
- Social Engagement of Older Adults
- Combatting Elder Abuse, Ageism, Ableism and Stigma
- Technology Access and Development
Governor Hochul said:
More information can be found here.
Governor Releases Draft 2050 Transportation Master Plan for Public Review
The Governor announced that the draft 2050 New York State Transportation Master Plan is now available for the public to review.
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), in partnership with transportation agencies across the state, drafted this plan and is now seeking input from the public to help inform the completion of the final document planned for later this summer. Members of the public are encouraged to review the draft plan and attend one of two virtual public forums planned for July 8.
The draft New York State Transportation Master Plan lays out a vision for “community-centered transportation” throughout New York State with an outlook to 2050. It identifies policies and priorities to support thriving communities, economic vitality, a clean and healthy environment, and other community-based goals. Specifically, the report:
- Describes New York’s existing transportation system and how it is performing;
- Discusses key trends and issues affecting transportation that are anticipated to be important in the future;
- Identifies transportation goals, objectives and performance measures for tracking progress; and
- Defines strategic directions, policies and priorities for New York State’s multimodal transportation system
Governor Hochul said:
Governor Announces Payoff of Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Debt
On Monday, Governor Hochul rallied with the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, AFL-CIO to announce New York State has paid off the nearly $7 billion federal Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund loan. The Governor announced this action back in May as part of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Enacted Budget.
According to the Governor’s press release, Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the UI Trust Fund had a positive balance of nearly $2.5 billion. However, due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, the balance was paid out to New Yorkers, requiring the State to borrow from the federal government to continue paying eligible claims.
Paying off the debt and making the fund solvent allows the state to increase the maximum UI benefit rate so that it better aligns with other states and changes the taxable wage base to help build up reserves and stabilize the UI Trust Fund for the future. The maximum weekly benefit to unemployed workers, which has been frozen because of the debt, will increase from $504 to $869 in October.
For more information on the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, please visit the New York State Department of Labor’s webpage.
Governor Announces Investment in NYS Manufacturing Facilities
This week, Governor Hochul announced Lactalis USA will invest more than $75 million to upgrade both its Walton and Buffalo facilities, enabling them to expand capacity and gain efficiencies. The projects in Delaware and Erie counties include the purchase of new equipment and upgrades that will allow the dairy manufacturer to retain more than 800 full-time jobs and create more than 50 new jobs. Lactalis USA is part of Lactalis, the world’s largest dairy company.
Governor Hochul said:
More information can be found here.
In The News
City & State NY’s weekly Winners and Losers of this week here.
Mamdani clinches Democratic primary, widening over Cuomo in ranked choice tally.
Siena College poll: New York voters sour on Trump’s agenda, disapprove of policy bill.
Gun control advocates cheer codifying state Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
Physical therapy flexibility bill passed as N.Y. lawmakers eye scope of practice changes.
Andrew Cuomo is trying to hang on to support for a general election bid.
Gov. Hochul suspends top aide accused of sexual harassment.
These state lawmakers just won New York City primaries. Who could replace them in Albany?
Bill to ban kratom sales to minors passes in New York State Legislature.
New York unveils guide for smartphone-free K-12 schools.
Zohran Mamdani set to pick up powerful NYC teachers union endorsement after primary win.
Coming Up
The Senate will hold a public hearing to examine the Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) transition to a single statewide fiscal intermediary on July 9.
The NYS Board of Regents will meet on July 14 and 15.
The PSC will hold its next meeting on July 17.