Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

September 26, 2025

What’s Inside

  • Governor Announces Issuance of Inflation Refund Checks
  • Governor Announces Plan for the Sustainable Future Program
  • Governor Announces Power Authority Economic Awards
  • Governor Announces Open Applications for Cybersecurity Grants for Local Government
  • Former Vice President Endorses Zohran Mamdani in Mayoral Race
  • In the News
  • Coming Up 

Governor Announces Issuance of Inflation Refund Checks

The Governor announced that New York State’s inflation refund checks are now being sent to 8.2 million households statewide. Starting today, checks will be mailed directly to eligible New Yorkers, with deliveries to continue throughout October and November. There is no need to apply, sign up or do anything to receive a check.

Inflation refund checks were included in this year’s Enacted Budget, after the Governor fought to include them, despite resistance from the legislature.

Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible for an inflation refund check if, for tax year 2023, you: 

  • Filed Form IT-201, New York State Resident Income Tax Return;
  • Reported income within the qualifying thresholds below; and
  • Were not claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return.

Joint tax filers with income up to $150,000 will receive a $400 check. 

Joint tax filers with income over $150,000 but no greater than $300,000 will receive a $300 check.

Single tax filers with income up to $75,000 will receive a $200 check.

Single tax filers with incomes over $75,000 but no greater than $150,000 will receive a $150 check.

There are no age restrictions. Filers do not need to do anything to receive an inflation refund check. If you filed a tax return, are below the income thresholds, and no one else claimed you as a dependent, you will receive a check.

Governor Announces Plan for the Sustainable Future Program

While participating in the U.S. Climate Alliance’s roundtable, Governor Hochul announced the next steps to the state’s $1 billion Sustainable Future Program to accelerate capital projects in New York’s transition to a cleaner, greener future. According to the Governor’s office, this investment will create more jobs, lower energy costs for New Yorkers, and slash emissions in the face of federal rollbacks.

This initiative was originally announced in this year’s State of the State. The funding is allocated to key areas of the state’s climate plan to help make the transition more affordable for New Yorkers, including the following:

  • Empowering New Yorkers with Energy Efficiency
  • Greening Our Schools
  • Investing in Thermal Energy Networks
  • Making The Transition To Clean Energy More Affordable for Homeowners and Small Buildings
  • Expanding Clean Transportation Infrastructure
  • Accelerating Renewable Energy Projects

Governor Hochul said:

“New York is a national leader in climate action, and we’re proving that we can build a thriving green economy while protecting our planet,” Governor Hochul said. “While others may retreat, we are doubling down. The $1 billion investment from our Sustainable Future Program will directly benefit New Yorkers by making our homes more energy-efficient, our schools healthier, and our communities more resilient. We are creating jobs, improving public health, and ensuring a just and affordable transition for every community.”

More information can be found here. 

Governor Announces Power Authority Economic Awards

This week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced economic development awards from the New York Power Authority (NYPA) that will spur nearly $267 million in private capital investments. Included among the awards, approved Tuesday by the NYPA Board of Trustees, is a low-cost Niagara hydropower allocation to Upstate Niagara that will support New York dairy farms and create 125 jobs. Additionally, the NYPA board approved nearly $12 million in Power Proceeds funding that will be directed to four organizations—three in Western New York and one in Northern New York.

The NYPA funding awards are made possible through the Western New York and North New York Power Proceeds Funds, comprised of net earnings resulting from the sale of unused hydropower generated at the Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project and St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project and stem from power proceeds legislation signed into law in 2012 and 2014, respectively.

Governor Hochul said:

The Power Authority’s economic development awards are a dynamic engine that stimulates growth across New York State, fueled by the availability of NYPA’s low-cost power. Through a variety of programs, the Power Authority is driving job creation, encouraging capital investments and supporting the maintenance and enhancement of important cultural institutions. The awards approved at today’s NYPA board meeting will enrich local communities by leveraging New York’s abundant hydropower resources.

More information on the awards can be found here.  

Governor Announces Open Applications for Cybersecurity Grants for Local Government

Governor Hochul has announced the release of the combined FY2022 and FY2023 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) Request for Applications (RFA) for eligible New York State entities to apply for Multi-Factor Authentication tokens. The RFA was developed to help reduce cyber risk and build cyber resiliency in local governments statewide.

Through the utilization of more than $13.9 million in available funding through the federal State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, this grant program will expand access to cybersecurity tools so that public sector entities in New York have access to sophisticated cyber defenses.

As part of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, Congress established the SLCGP to award funding to each state to help eligible entities address cybersecurity risks and threats to information systems owned or operated by or on behalf of State, local, tribal and territorial governments.

To make the most of the limited SLCGP funds, New York State will buy the tokens and provide them with eligible entities using shared services. The Office of Information Technology Services will handle distribution, training, and support to help recipients use the tokens.

Governor Hochul said:

From our bank accounts and social media to the critical infrastructure we rely on as a state, every facet of everyday life depends on a robust network of cybersecurity systems. I’m investing in modern cyber infrastructure and tools so New York stays ahead of emerging threats and to ensure that every New Yorker feels secure in the systems they count on.

More information can be found here.  

Former Vice President Endorses Zohran Mamdani in Mayoral Race

Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris gave a public endorsement to Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race in an interview on MSNBC earlier this week, stating that she supports him as the Democratic nominee and that Democrats should rally behind him. However, her endorsement was described as reserved, as she emphasized her support for other rising Democratic candidates and did not specifically focus praise on Mamdani alone, saying that she didn’t in fact agree with everything he supports.

This move is notable because many other prominent Democrats have been hesitant or have refrained from openly backing Mamdani, who is a democratic socialist and has sparked division in the party over his progressive views.

Harris’ full interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow can be watched here. 

In The News

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

Ex-Hudson Valley Community College president sues school.

Ex-FBI Director James Comey indicted after Trump pushes for prosecution of longtime foe.

Super PACs pay $900,000 to settle inquiry tied to Zeldin, head of E.P.A.

Nas wins NYC casino battle over Jay-Z decades after famous rap beef.

Resorts World earns CAC approval, moves toward final hurdle in bid to win state gaming license.

DOJ sues 6 states for private voter data, voting rolls.

NY bill would require court approval for release of police disciplinary records.

Cuomo says NYC’s Mayoral race shows Democratic Party ‘Civil War’.

Jim Walden endorses Andrew Cuomo weeks after dropping out of mayoral race.

Eric Adams’ campaign disappearing act hits fifth day, as insiders wonder if he’s quiet quitting NYC mayoral race.

Hochul walking climate tightrope straight into 2026.

What are Mamdani’s plans to tax the rich?eyes second Assembly run.

Mamdani draws city investors to advise him if elected mayor.

Business, labor groups oppose public takeover of Central Hudson Gas & Electric.

How will high schoolers earn their diplomas in a post-Regents era?

Ex-congressional candidate Liz Joy to lead Schenectady County GOP.

New York keeps most young adults as upstate faces headwinds.

Coming Up

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

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on the impact and effectiveness of economic development programs funded in the enacted 2025-26 State Budget on October 9.

The Senate will hold a public hearing on the Treatment Court Expansion Act on October 10.

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.

The PSC will hold its next meeting on October 16.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing to examine the process for municipalities outside of New York City to opt into rent stabilization and the use of vacancy rate to demonstrate a housing emergency on October 21. 

The Assembly will hold a public hearing to examine the continued integration of virtual learning at institutions of higher education on October 21.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing to examine measures to protect residential ratepayers from increased energy costs associated with integrating new large energy users into the grid on October 23.