Plugged In @ Hinman Straub — March 4, 2016
Coverage of Albany and New York State government – March 4, 2016
What’s Inside
- Governor, Legislative Leaders Release Consensus Revenue Forecast
- Governor Announces Launch of New NY Broadband Program
- Governor Askes Federal Government to Stop Pipeline Construction Pending a Safety Review
- Governor Advocates for Paid Family Leave Proposal
- Governor Announces Winter Tourism Marketing Campaign
- Governor Announces That Narcan Will Be More Widely Available
- 4201 Schools Lobby for Funding Parity
- Political Update
- Coming Up
Governor, Legislative Leaders Release Consensus Revenue Forecast
On Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Flanagan and Assembly Speaker Heastie reached agreement on a revenue number for the state’s 2016-17 fiscal year. The Governor and legislative leaders agreed that there is $225 million more in revenue than original predicted by the Division of Budget.
Reaching an agreement on revenue numbers (and thus how much the state has to spend in the upcoming fiscal year) is a key step in the budget-making process, and an indication that the state’s 2016-17 budget will likely be enacted on time. The new state fiscal year begins on April 1.
Governor Announces Launch of New NY Broadband Program
On Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo announced that the state is now accepting applications for the New NY Broadband Program, which “is designed to ensure that every New Yorker has access to high-speed internet by 2018.”
Last year, the state appropriated $500 million for the program, which will provide funding for high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved areas across the state. According to the Governor, it is the largest and most ambitious state investment in broadband in the nation. The program will make available funds to private sector entities willing to make at least a 50% match. Funding determinations will be made using a “reverse-auction” process in which awards are made for projects that require the least investment of state dollars.
Gov. Cuomo said:
“Access to high-speed internet is essential for engaging in the 21st century economy, but the broadband gap is leaving far too many New Yorkers behind. Through this unprecedented investment, we will be expanding reliable internet access in underserved areas, helping businesses become more competitive, and making broadband available in every comer of New York. I encourage all eligible applicants to apply and take advantage of this new opportunity.”
Applications may now be submitted through the New York State CFA Portal, and are due Friday, April 15, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. More information on the program is available here.
Governor Askes Federal Government to Stop Pipeline Construction Pending a Safety Review
On Monday, Gov. Cuomo asked the federal government to stop construction of the Algonquin natural gas pipeline pending a comprehensive safety review, citing the potential dangers of its proximity to the Indian Point nuclear plant.
At the direction of the Governor, four state agencies — the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), the Public Service Commission (PSC), the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) , and the Department of Health (DOH) – wrote to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to stop construction of the Algonquin natural gas pipeline pending the agencies’ completion of a “safety analysis” of the natural gas pipeline.
Gov. Cuomo said:
“The safety of New Yorkers is the first responsibility of state government when making any decision. Over the past several months there have been a series of serious incidents at the Indian Point Nuclear Facility, which my administration is investigating. At the same time, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved a natural gas pipeline in close proximity of Indian Point. I am directing my administration to commence an immediate independent safety analysis of the natural gas pipeline project and until that occurs, we urge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to suspend the project.”
Governor Advocates for Paid Family Leave Proposal
Gov. Cuomo pushed his paid family leave proposal this week, publishing a guest editorial in newspapers in Buffalo and on Long Island, and announcing that AARP has endorsed his proposal.
The Governor’s paid family leave proposal is part of his Executive budget. His plan would provide up to 12 weeks per year for employees to care for newborn children or for sick family members. It would be paid for via employee contributions starting at approximately 70 cents per week and rising to approximately $1.40 after a three-year phase-in. When the program is fully phased-in, employees would receive two thirds of their weekly pay while on leave, up to a maximum of two thirds the state’s average wage.
The state’s business community has expressed concerns about the Governor’s proposal, which has been described as “the most expansive and least business-friendly Paid Family Leave law in the country.”
Governor Announces Winter Tourism Marketing Campaign
On Sunday, Gov. Cuomo announced that the state will spend $500,000 to create a cross-border winter tourism advertising campaign. The initiative will feature French and English newspaper and radio advertisements in Eastern Canada, as well as ads in upstate. The ads highlight collegiate hockey and maple syrup events happening March 18 to 20 and March 25 to 27.
The administration also announced $425,000 for the state’s Snowmobile Trail Fund, which supports the 10,000-plus miles of trails statewide.
Gov. Cuomo said:
“This administration is investing in tourism and local assets like never before in order to create jobs and stimulate the Upstate economy, and I’m proud to continue that focus in the North Country and beyond.”
Governor Announces That Narcan Will Be More Widely Available
On Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo announced that independent pharmacies across the state are now able to provide naloxone to customers without a prescription. Naloxone – also known as Narcan® — is a medication that reverses opioid overdose.
Gov. Cuomo said:
“Heroin addiction has taken the lives of far too many New Yorkers, but today we are taking an important step forward in battling this epidemic. By making this lifesaving medication available in drugstores without a prescription, we are continuing to prevent needless tragedies from occurring and ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to this critical medication.”
4201 Schools Lobby for Funding Parity
On Tuesday, students and faculty from 4201 schools came to Albany to lobby for funding parity in the state budget. 4201 schools serve deaf, blind and severely disabled students
Dr. Bernadette Kappen, Chair of the 4201 Schools Association and executive director of the New York Institute for Special Education in the Bronx, said:
“We are grateful that Governor Cuomo has made a recommendation that will benefit our students. As the Legislature begins working on the details regarding state education funding, we will encourage them to be guided by the notion of funding parity across the board. Their commitment will ensure ongoing student achievement stemming from programs based on individualized attention in a specialized setting.”
Political Update
Democrats, Republicans Nominate Candidates for U.S. Senate
On Monday, the state Democratic Party met in Tarrytown to nominate U.S. Senator Charles Schumer for a fourth term to that office.
Earlier today, the state Republicans Party held their convention in Buffalo. They nominated attorney Wendy Long to challenge Schumer. (Watch her web video announcing her candidacy.) Long ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in 2012, when she was soundly defeated by Kirsten Gillibrand.
Schumer is heavily favored to win in November and is considered the favorite to become the Senate’s Democratic leader in 2017.
State Court Hears Challenge to Cruz’s Eligibility
On Thursday, an Acting State Supreme Court Justice heard arguments in a case that challenges Texas Senator Ted Cruz is eligible to run for president. A Long Island resident has asked the state Board of Elections to deny Cruz a spot on the state’s presidential primary ballot, arguing that he Cruz, who was born in Calgary, Canada, is ineligible to run for president due to the Constitution’s requirement that anybody serving as president must be a “natural born citizen.”
Lawyers for Cruz and for the state Board of Elections have raised a number of procedural and jurisdictional issues, and are urging the court to dismiss the case.
Winners & Losers
Each week, City & State New York publishes a list of the week’s political “winners” and “losers.” Read this week’s list here.
Coming Up
The Senate and Assembly will be in session Monday through Wednesday next week, March 7, 8 and 9.
On Tuesday, March 8, the Assembly and Senate are scheduled to meet in joint session to elect new members to the state’s Board of Regents.
On Thursday, March 10, the Commission on Legislative, Judicial and Executive Compensation will meet in Manhattan to review legislative and executive compensation.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) holds its next meeting on March 17.
The Board of Regents holds its next meeting on March 21 and 22.
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on March 22.
The State Board of Elections (SBOE) holds its next meeting on March 24.
The state’s 2016-17 fiscal year begins on April 1.
New York’s Presidential Primary is April 19, as are the special elections for the 9th Senate District (to replace Dean Skelos), the 59th AD (to replace Roxanne Persaud), the 62nd AD (to replace Joe Borelli) and the 65th AD (to replace Sheldon Silver).