Plugged In @ Hinman Straub
July 25, 2025
What’s Inside
- Governor Signs Legislation Requiring Public Schools to Have Cardiac Emergency Response Plans
- Governor Announces Designations to Appellate Division Courts
- Governor Announces New Cybersecurity Regulations and Launches Grant Program
- First Quarterly Update to the FY 2026 Financial Plan Released
- U.S. Rep Mike Lawler Declines to Run for Governor
- Assemblymember González-Rojas Launches Primary Challenge to State Senator Ramos
- In the News
- Coming Up
Governor Convenes Cabinet Meeting on Impacts of Recently Passed Legislation in Congress
The Governor signed Desha’s Law (S.5539A/A.785A), a bill requiring every public school in the state to have a cardiac emergency response plan in place. The Governor was joined by the bill’s sponsor, Senator April Baskin, and is named after Senator Baskin’s late cousin, who tragically passed away at school. The bill signing took place at the Buffalo Bills Training Camp where the Governor was joined by Desha’s family, and leaders from the NFL and Buffalo Bills. Bills Safety Damar Hamlin, the Bills, and NFL have been advocates for heart health and implementing critical training and resources in schools and youth sports following Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest in January 2023 in which he had to be resuscitated on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Desha’s Law (S.5539A/A.785A) requires schools safety plans to include a cardiac emergency response plan that addresses the use of appropriate personnel and measures to respond to incidents involving any individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or similar life-threatening emergency on any school site owned or operated by a school or at a location of a school sponsored event. |
Governor Announces Designations to Appellate Division Courts
This week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced six designations to the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, in the First and Second Departments. Under New York’s Constitution, the Governor designates Justices of the Appellate Divisions from among the elected Justices of the State Supreme Court. The slate consists of four designations to the Appellate Division, First Department and two designations to the Appellate Division, Second Department.
As Justices of the Appellate Division, First Department:
- Honorable Troy Webber, Associate Justice
- Honorable Saliann Scarpulla, Associate Justice
- Honorable Shlomo Hagler, Additional Justice
- Honorable Margaret Anne Pui Yee Chan, Additional Justice
As Justices of the Appellate Division, Second Department:
- Honorable Elena Goldberg Velazquez, Additional Justice
- Honorable Susan Quirk, Additional Justice
More information can be found here.
Governor Announces New Cybersecurity Regulations and Launches Grant Program
Governor Hochul has announced a milestone to help safeguard New York’s water infrastructure by developing cybersecurity regulations for water and wastewater systems alongside a new cyber grant program and technical assistance to bolster the security and resilience of water and wastewater systems.
In coordination, the Department of Public Service (DPS) also released proposed cyber regulations across water-works corporations, other public utilities, and cable television companies for public comment. The Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) is also establishing a new cyber grant program and technical assistance for the water and wastewater systems sector.
Regulated water and wastewater systems will be required to evaluate risks, deploy cybersecurity controls, and implement network monitoring and logging for the largest systems. Regulated entities will also be required to develop and maintain response and recovery plans to support continuity of operations in the event of cyber attacks and to report cybersecurity incidents.
Governor Hochul said:
In addition to these investments, $2.5 million in the FY26 Budget funds a new cyber grant program, Strengthening Essential Cybersecurity for Utilities and Resiliency Enhancements (SECURE), dedicated to the water and wastewater sector. This new grant program will provide competitive grants to support cybersecurity risk assessments and hardening efforts focused on and aligned with the new proposed regulatory requirements. The grant opportunities assist water systems by providing them with the needed resources to strengthen their cybersecurity posture, enhance resiliency, and ensure reliable delivery of clean water for New Yorkers. In anticipation of the 2026 New York State Gubernatorial election, Governor Kathy Hochul has reportedly raised more than $4 million for her reelection campaign in the first six months of this year. Additionally, she brought in more than $7 million for the New York State Democratic Party. The latest fundraising haul, which included donations from all 62 counties in the state, brings her total fundraising for her campaign to $24.3 million since the start of her term in 2023.
The Governor’s campaign manager, Preston Elliot, issued the following statement:
Subsequently, U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik’s campaign announced this week that she has raised $4 million in the second quarter of the year, leaving her with $11 million cash on hand. According to reports, Stefanik’s cash on hand total is the largest for a New York Republican ever. Please note that it’s been widely reported that Stefanik is preparing to launch a campaign for Governor of New York State to challenge Governor Hochul.
First Quarterly Update to the FY 2026 Financial Plan Released
On July 4, 2025, a new federal bill was enacted that will significantly impact New York’s finances. This week, the New York Division of Budget (DOB) issued the First Quarterly Update to the FY 2026 Financial Plan. Key points from the state’s update are:
- Federal Funding Changes: The bill modifies federal support for healthcare and food security programs, and alters federal tax liabilities for New York residents and businesses.
- Cost Increases: The new law is projected to raise state and local government costs for healthcare and food security by about $750 million in fiscal year 2026, starting January 1, 2026.
- Future Cost Projections: Absent any changes to programs or funding, annual costs in subsequent years could range between $3 billion and $5 billion.
- Ongoing Analysis: The state is reviewing both programmatic and fiscal consequences of the bill and evaluating measures to mitigate the financial impact.
- Budget Process Adaptation: Immediate fiscal impacts are expected to be managed during the current fiscal year. Long-term costs will be incorporated into the development of the FY 2027 Executive Budget as further details become available.
More information can be found in the update here.
U.S. Rep Mike Lawler Declines to Run for Governor
U.S. Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY 17) announced this week that he would not be launching a run for Governor. Lawler represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is made up of Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and southern Dutchess counties. He was first elected to that post in 2022 and was reelected easily in 2024. Lawler announced that instead of running for Governor, he would be seeking re-election to his congressional seat. The announcement clears the way for his colleague Elise Stefanik, who is reportedly also considering a run for Governor. |
Assemblymember González-Rojas Launches Primary Challenge to State Senator Ramos
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Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas has officially announced a primary challenge to Democratic State Senator Jessica Ramos. Ramos, who recently ran for NYC Mayor, made headlines by endorsing Andrew Cuomo after her campaign failed to gain any traction. As a result, Ramos lost most of her endorsements from progressive organizations.
Gonzalez-Rojas is a Democratic Socialist. Her campaign kick-off fundraiser was attended by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Assembly Member Catalina Cruz, and New York City Council Members Shekar Krishnan and Tiffany Cabán – all of whom are backing González-Rojas’ primary challenge against state Sen. Jessica Ramos.
In The News
City & State NY’s weekly Winners and Losers of this week here.
NY’s nuclear plan wins praise, but will it be enough to meet goals.
State reaches sexual harassment settlement with former Cuomo staffer.
Gov. Hochul: NYC to lose hundreds of jobs after CBS cancels ‘The Late Show’.
Sarahana Shrestha is building a progressive movement in the Hudson Valley.
A field guide to socialist elected officials.
Prisons drive $1.3 billion in NY overtime spending.
Feds warn NY to wind down uninterrupted Medicaid coverage for kids.
Two Democrats, Diana Kastenbaum and Steven Holden, looking to challenge Republican Claudia Tenney.
Critics call for exploring alternatives for South Buffalo Tesla plant.
NY schools have one more week to file smartphone-ban plans.
Andrew Garbarino selected to chair House Homeland Security Committee.
Zohran Mamdani is calling for city-owned grocery stores. NYC already has them.
Long Island school asks Trump to ink executive order to keep embattled ‘Chiefs’ mascot, logo.
Hochul says she wants more control over siloed state Education Department.
New York policymakers plot energy path with continued reliance on fossil fuels.
New York’s latest energy plan predicts mandates won’t be met.
As Jeffries and other top Dems hold off on endorsing Mamdani, Dem strategists warn it could alienate his voters.
Mamdani names a new campaign manager as part of staff expansion.
Kathy Hochul has a plan for Stefanik.
New York’s Kathy Hochul opens the door to redrawing House lines.
Trump Administration sues Adams and New York City over sanctuary laws.
New York’s landmark climate law goes on trial.
White House AI plan spurs big tech pushback to proposed N.Y. regulations.
Fewer than half of N.Y. schools have submitted plans for bell-to-bell cellphone ban with deadline looming.
New study: Manhattan sees fewer large trucks, faster travel times under congestion pricing.
Why Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado says led to him challenging Hochul in 2026.
State seeks public’s input on NY’s long-term energy plan.
Why won’t New York lawmakers call a special session to address Trump’s cuts?
Casino companies promise billions in community perks.
Coming Up
The PSC will hold its next meeting on August 14.
The Senate will hold a public hearing to examine the Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) transition to a single statewide fiscal intermediary – new date August 21.
‘The Board of Regents will hold their next meetings on September 8 and 9.