Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

September 12, 2025

What’s Inside

  • Assembly Speaker Announces Leadership Appointments
  • Department of Health Proposes to Return to Basic Health Program
  • COELIG Announces Staff Appointments
  • Governor Signs 9/11 Legislation 
  • In the News
  • Coming Up

Assembly Speaker Announces Leadership Appointments

New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has announced the following leadership appointments:

  • Deputy Majority Leader, Charles D. Fall
  • Assistant Majority Leader, Jen Lunsford
  • Vice Chair, Majority Steering, Judy Griffin
  • Chair, Local Governments, Michaelle C. Solages

Department of Health Proposes to Return to Basic Health Program

On Wednesday, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) issued a press release, announcing that the State is taking proactive action to preserve access to health care for as many New Yorkers as possible following cuts in federal funding from the recently passed budget bill H.R.1. A 30-day public comment period opened Wednesday on the State’s proposed plan to end the State Innovation Waiver and return to a Basic Health Program.

Per the DOH, the federal law eliminates $7.5 billion in annual funding for New York State’s Essential Plan, jeopardizing health care coverage for the nearly 1.7 million low- and middle-income New Yorkers who are currently enrolled in the program.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said:

I have been very direct and clear with New Yorkers about the disastrous impact of H.R.1 on our health care system, and the devastating choices it would force states to make. By reverting to a Basic Health Program, Governor Hochul is making sure that 1.3 million working people will be able to keep their affordable health insurance. Even with these steps, too many New Yorkers – nearly half a million– will lose affordable health coverage and be forced to choose between keeping food on the table and paying their medical bills. I am grateful to Governor Hochul for standing up and doing what’s right while Washington Republicans rip health care away from their constituents.

The public comment period will be open until October 10, 2025. Instructions for submitting public comments are posted here.

Following this announcement, Governor Kathy Hochul, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins issued statements, which are linked below.

COELIG Announces Staff Appointments

This week, the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) announced the following promotions of existing staff as well as the appointments of new staff to the agency:

  • Emily DeSantis, Chief of Staff and Director of External Affairs
  • Erin Lynch, Senior Deputy Director of Ethics
  • Meghann Hennigan, Deputy Director, Advice and Guidance
  • Ashley Ames, Assistant Filings Specialist
  • Becky Carrozza, Training Associate
  • Bridgette Hubbard, Assistant Filings Specialist
  • William Hughes, Confidential Clerk
  • Sean Murphy, Compliance Auditor
  • Megan Smythe, Training Assistant

The agency’s Executive Director, Sanford N. Berland, said:

I am excited to welcome the new professionals who have joined our team and look forward to the many milestones they will help our agency achieve as they join forces with our outstanding current staff. As the Commission enters its fourth year, it has become clear that creating and filling these new positions is crucial to ensuring that we will fulfill our increased duties and achieve the ambitious targets we have set efficiently and effectively. We are pleased to promote accomplished staff and to hire new employees to fill these critical roles.

In addition, COELIG also announced this week that it is accepting public comments on dozens of potential proposals to strengthen the state’s ethics and lobbying laws and regulations.

According to the commission, they are conducting a yearslong Comprehensive Review Process to gauge the effectiveness of New York’s ethics and lobbying laws, regulations, and advisory opinions and to assess whether modifications are needed. The potential proposals are preliminary and aimed at achieving full compliance with the state’s ethics and lobbying laws and to increase public confidence in the integrity of state government. Feedback is requested by Oct. 2 to inform the Commission’s consideration of a series of potential proposals formulated by Commission staff.

For more information and to provide public comment, please click here. 

Governor Signs 9/11 Legislation

On the anniversary of September 11, 2001, Governor Hochul signed legislation to expand access to resources and provide more opportunities for the families and loved ones of those who have been impacted by the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Specifically, the legislation signed includes the following:

  • Legislation A.2123-A/S.1165-A provides children and siblings of NYC sanitation workers who have died from 9/11-related illnesses and injuries additional civil service exam points for a position located in the municipality where their deceased parent or sibling served.
  • Legislation A.8417/S.8181 revitalizes the September 11th Worker Protection Task Force by requiring new appointments to the taskforce, setting a biannual meeting requirement, expanding areas of study, resetting the June deadline for the annual report and extending the provisions of the act until June 10, 2030.
  • Legislation S.4554-A/A.5458-A expedites the World Trade Center disability and death benefit application process by allowing the NYC Police Pension Fund to rely on a timely and properly filed Notice of Participation as requisite criteria for establish participation in rescue, recovery and cleanup operations at the World Trade Center, unless an employer proves otherwise

Governor Hochul said:

The 9/11 terrorist attacks are events that we will never forget. We must continue to honor the fallen heroes who put their lives on the line to protect New Yorkers, as well as their families who have been impacted by these horrific events. This legislation will give back to the families of 9/11 victims, ensuring they are supported by the state and their loved ones are forever remembered.

In The News

City & State NY’s weekly Winners and Losers of this week here.

The political upset that should haunt Zohran Mamdani.

Byron Brown is having too much fun at Western Regional OTB to miss City Hall.

DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton discusses federal headwinds.

Mayor Eric Adams insists he’s not quitting reelection campaign.

Trump moves to reshape the New York City mayor’s race are backfiring.

Bernie Sanders assails Democrats for not endorsing Mamdani.

CUNY colleges to get anti-discrimination coordinators.

Mayor Adams hires Bronx election lawyer to review signatures supporting independent run.

Mamdani holds huge lead in Mayor’s race, Times/Siena poll finds.

To shrink Mamdani’s lead, Cuomo seeks to broaden his campaign team.

Unpacking the high-stakes chase for 3 New York City casino licenses.

NYC developers, resigned to Mamdani winning, now want to work with him.

Wealthy New York developers meet to plot mamdani’s defeat.

Inside Curtis Sliwa’s decades-old feud with Trump — as he rejects president’s push to drop NYC mayoral bid: ‘Love-hate relationship’.

Endorsements in the 2025 NYC mayoral general election.

Eric Adams hints to business leaders he is open to quitting Mayor’s race.

Jim Walden’s name to remain on NYC mayoral election ballot as possibility of Adams exit also looms.

Four Dems vying for Mike Lawler seat pitch their bids at Westchester forum. What they said.

Stefanik to co-chair yearlong review of post-9/11 intelligence reforms.

Zohran Mamdani draws FDR comparison from Jamie Raskin as top NY Dems still withhold endorsements in NYC mayoral race.

NYSERDA seeks comment on 15-year plan as state acknowledges some climate goals are out of reach.

N.Y. marijuana businesses facing possible closure win temporary reprieve.

Health plan changes foreshadow tough New York budget in 2026.

Lawmakers working on bill to expand N.Y. Health Department vaccine authority.

Jen Lunsford joins Assembly leadership. See her plan to meet ‘real needs of New Yorkers’. 

Coming Up

The PSC will hold its next meeting on September 18.

The New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government will hold its third annual public hearing on September 25, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the New York City Bar Association.

The Senate will hold a public hearing regarding Oversight of the Public Service Commission’s processes related to rate case and generic proceedings, and the Department of Public Service’s efforts to implement the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act on September 30.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on the medicinal value of psilocybin on September 30.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing to examine potential solutions for ensuring the protection and privacy of consumer data on October 14.

The Senate will hold a public hearing to discuss risks, solutions, and best practices with respect to the use of artificial intelligence in consequential or high-risk contexts, and related issues, such as classification of the types and risk levels of AI uses, frameworks for auditing AI tools for bias, and transparency improvements on October 16.