Plugged In @ Hinman Straub — June 3, 2016

PluggedInMastheadCoverage of Albany and New York State government – June 3, 2016

  • Governor Announces Launch of New I Love NY Summer Ad Campaign
  • Governor Announces First Phase of Homelessness Action Plan
  • Business Regulation Council Releases Recommendations
  • SUNY Chancellor to Step Down in 2017
  • Senate, Assembly Committees Advance Bills to Legalize Daily Fantasy Sports
  • Groups Rally in Support of Renewable Energy Mandate
  • Governor Announces Progress on LaGuardia Airport Redevelopment
  • Poll: Voters Wants Action on Ethics Reform
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

 

Governor Announces Launch of New I Love NY Summer Ad Campaign

On Thursday, Gov. Cuomo announced the launch of a new I Love NY advertising campaign to promote travel throughout New York State’s 11 vacation regions. The campaign includes television ads that are currently being aired in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, western Massachusetts, the eastern and central portions of Pennsylvania and Ohio and part of Canada. They will run through the first week of August.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“The tourism industry is a critical piece of New York’s economy, and this new campaign will attract visitors this summer to explore our state’s natural beauty, rich history and world-class recreational activities.  New York has something for everyone and I encourage those from near and far to look to the Empire State whether planning a vacation or looking for weekend trip.”

Watch the first ad, which features Niagara Falls and Roseland Wake Park in Canandaigua, and the second ad, which features the Adirondacks of Northern New York; the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester; and Boldt Castle in Alexandria Bay.

 

Governor Announces First Phase of Homelessness Action Plan

On Thursday, Gov. Cuomo announced the beginning of the first phase of his Homelessness Action Plan, “a multifaceted, focused and comprehensive package of initiatives” that will involve multiple agencies. First announced in his January 2016 State of the State address, the plan will provide $10.4 billion to address homelessness over the next five years, including $2.6 billion for new supportive housing units and $7.8 billion for continuing commitments in support of existing supportive housing units, shelter beds, and other homeless services.

The first phase of this plan includes:

  • issuing a Request for Proposals for 1,200 units of supportive housing;
  • addressing inadequate shelter housing in New York City by providing the City of New York with more than 500 beds in underused state and state-licensed facilities for the homeless;
  • creating an Interagency Council on Homelessness to explore solutions to homelessness and to recommend best practices and policies to meet the ongoing needs of communities and individuals; and
  • completing inspections of the state’s 916 homeless shelters, and ensuring that they are safe, clean and well-maintained.

 

Business Regulation Council Releases Recommendations

Earlier this afternoon, the temporary Business Regulation Council released a list of 26 recommendations that are designed to ease burdens on private enterprises.  The Council was established in April and directed to report back by June, to “allow for consideration of the recommendations before the end of the 2016 legislative session.”

The Council’s short-term recommendations include achieving uniformity in laws relating to the use of plastic bags at retail stores; uniform regulations for chemicals in children’s toys; expediting the approval of wireless facility upgrades at existing locations throughout the state; and adopting a statewide standard for small scale, residential solar installations.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“From lowering taxes, to holding spending, we have taken great strides to improve this state’s business climate and today we are continuing to build on our efforts.  I thank the members for their commitment to helping us find more ways to keep New York State open for business and I look forward to reviewing these recommendations.”

Longer-term proposals include updating and streamlining the Environmental Quality Review Act

(SEQRA) and other land use/project review processes; instituting court reforms to add additional commercial court judges; and increasing and expanding the use of Career and Technical Education (CTE) certifications.

Read the full list of recommendations here.

 

SUNY Chancellor to Step Down in 2017

On Tuesday, State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor Nancy Zimpher announced that she will leave her position on June 30, 2017.

Dr. Zimpher first took office in June 2009, having come from the presidency of the University of Cincinnati.  She implementing a strategic plan called “The Power of SUNY,” and promoted SUNY as an engine of economic growth and community development. She has also worked to raise academic standards and has made it easier for students to transfer within SUNY system’s 64 campuses, which serves 460,000 full-time and part-time students.

The university’s board is expected to conduct a national search for a new chancellor.

 

Senate, Assembly Committees Advance Bills to Legalize Daily Fantasy Sports

State lawmakers appear to be moving toward an agreement on legislation that would permit daily fantasy sports (DFS) in New York State, with key Senate and Assembly committees advancing similar bills this week.

Last November, State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman ordered the two largest DFS operators to stop operating in New York State, saying that they were engaging in illegal gambling under New York law.

The bills differ on registration periods and fees.  The Assembly bill provides for a three year registration period, while the Senate proposes a ten year period.  The Senate bill would impose a registration based on the operator’s revenue and capped at a $500,000; the Assembly bill proposes a three-tiered system with varying rates.

The Attorney General has not issued a formal opinion on whether these bills would make DFS legal in New York State, since the state constitution largely prohibits gambling.  But the sponsors believe that by characterizing DFS as a game of skill addresses the issue.

While the two houses appear to be moving toward agreement, opposition is coming from opponents of expanded gambling and the New York Gaming Association, which is made up of the state’s “racino” operators.

 

Groups Rally in Support of Renewable Energy Mandate

On Wednesday, a coalition of environmental advocates and labor organizations called NY Renews rallied outside the state Capitol in support of legislation that would codify some of Gov. Cuomo’s clean energy goals.

The legislation, titled the Climate and Community Protection Act, would impose specific greenhouse gas reduction goals and require that half of the state’s electricity be generated from renewable sources by 2030, and all of it by 2050. The Assembly approved the bill Wednesday evening.

The bill is not expected to be taken up by the Senate before the end of the 2016 legislative session.

 

Governor Announces Progress on LaGuardia Airport Redevelopment

On Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo announced that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has executed a 35-year lease agreement and reached financial close with LaGuardia Gateway Partners on the redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport. Construction on the new 35-gate Terminal B is expected to begin shortly. New facilities will begin to open to the public in 2018, and all portions of the new Terminal B are planned to be open by the end of 2021.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“The future of New York depends on the investments we make today and that’s why we’re moving forward with an unprecedented plan to modernize our infrastructure across the Empire State. LaGuardia is an essential gateway to our state for millions of residents and visitors. By transforming it into a world-class airport, we are creating a stronger economy with 21st century infrastructure that represents the very best of New York.”

 

Poll:  Voters Wants Action on Ethics Reform

A Siena College poll released this week finds overwhelming public support for lawmakers addressing ethics reform before the end of the 2016 legislative session.   The poll also shows support for allowing ridesharing services such as Uber to operate in their areas, and there is substantial opposition to allowing daily fantasy sports companies to operate in the state.

The poll shows that Governor Cuomo remains popular, with 54% of those polled viewing him favorably and 48 percent saying he’s doing a good job in office. But just 42% of those surveyed say they are prepared to give him a third term as Governor, with 49% saying that they prefer someone else.

The poll also shows Hillary Clinton leading Donald Trump in the state, 52% to 31%.

Read the poll crosstabs here.

 

Political Update

Brooklyn Assemblyman Will Not Run for Re-Election

Brooklyn Assemblyman James Brennan (D), chair of the Assembly’s Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee, announced this week that he will not run for re-election this fall.  He was first elected to the Assembly in 1984.  His district includes parts of Park Slope, Flatbush, Kensington, Midwood and Windsor Terrace.

Queens Assemblyman Will Not Run for Re-Election

Queens Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder said this week that he will not seek a fourth term representing the 23rd Assembly District.  The district includes Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Broad Channel and Rockaways.

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 are in Albany Monday through Thursdays next week.  Just 7 session days remain on the 2016 legislative session calendar.

The state Board of Regents holds its next meeting on June 13 and 14.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) holds its next meeting on June 15.

The 2016 state legislative session is scheduled to end on June 16.

The state’s Congressional primary will be held on June 28.

The Joint Commission on Public ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on June 28.

The state Board of Elections holds its next meeting on June 30.