Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – June 10, 2016
What’s Inside
- Governor’s Heroin and Opioid Task Force Issues Report and Recommendations
- Governor Nominates, Senate Confirms New State Police Superintendent
- Governor Signs Executive Order Prohibiting State Business With Groups That Back Boycott of Israel
- Governor Announces $100 Million to Help New Homeowners
- Governor Announces Funding Enhancement for Special Education Schools
- Governor Proposes Restrictions on Independent Expenditure Groups
- Lawmakers Call for More Oversight of State Economic Development Programs
- State IG Releases Report on 2015 North Country Prison Escapes
- NYC Mayor, City Council Reach Budget Agreement
- Political Update
- Coming Up
Governor’s Heroin and Opioid Task Force Issues Report and Recommendations
Yesterday, Gov. Cuomo’s Heroin and Opioids Task Force issued its final report, which includes 25 recommendations to address the abuse of illicit and prescription drugs.
Addressing the state’s heroin and opioid crisis is seen as one of the top priorities for the Governor and lawmakers to reach agreement on before the 2016 session ends next week.
The Task Force’s key recommendations include: mandating prescriber education on pain management and addiction; reducing the number of days for first-time opioid prescriptions for acute pain from 30 to seven; requiring consumer education regarding prescription opioids; increasing public outreach and awareness; eliminating prior authorization for needed inpatient treatments and medications to treat addiction; expanding access to overdose-reversal medication; increasing treatment beds and opioid treatment program slots; expanding access to spaces and supports for individuals in recovery; and updating the controlled substances schedule.
Gov. Cuomo said:
“After listening to community leaders and experts, the Task Force has put forward important, sensible recommendations that include increasing outreach and awareness, mandating prescriber education requirements and expanding access to treatment programs. These recommendations will build on this administration’s aggressive efforts and serve as a comprehensive blueprint to end this epidemic and save lives across New York.”
Further highlighting the extent of this problem, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli issued a report on Thursday which finds that deaths related to heroin and prescription opioid overdoses hit a record in New York in 2014.
Governor Nominates, Senate Confirms New State Police Superintendent
On Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo announced the appointment of Lt. Colonel George Beach to serve as Superintendent of the State Police. Lt. Colonel Beach has served as a member of the State Police since 1983 in a number of capacities. A former firefighter, he is a graduate of the University of Idaho, and holds a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from the State University at Albany.
Gov. Cuomo said:
“From serving as troop commander to staff inspector, Lt. Colonel Beach has led the State Police with tremendous courage, pride and honor. Lt. Colonel Beach has demonstrated unparalleled integrity throughout his 33-year career and he is truly one of New York’s finest public servants. I congratulate Lt. Colonel Beach on his nomination, and I look forward to working together to protect and serve the people of New York State.”
On Thursday, the Senate confirmed Superintendent Beach.
Governor Signs Executive Order Prohibiting State Business With Groups That Back Boycott of Israel
On Sunday, Gov. Cuomo issued an Executive Order directing state agencies to stop doing business with companies and organizations aligned with a Palestinian-backed boycott movement against Israel.
The Governor’s action, which he said is the first in the nation, is intended to “ensure that no state agency or authority engages in or promotes any investment activity that would further the harmful and discriminatory Palestinian-backed Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign in New York State.”
Gov. Cuomo said:
“New York stands in solidarity with Israel today and always. This state will not stand for the politics of discrimination in any form, and we will continue to demonstrate our unwavering support for the people of Israel in the fight for freedom, liberty and democracy. I’m proud to sign this nation’s leading executive order, which will help protect Israel from the threat of divestment. This order sends the message that this state will do everything in its power to end this hateful, intolerant campaign.”
Governor Announces $100 Million to Help New Homeowners
On Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo announced that the state will make $100 million available to help new homebuyers purchase and renovate “zombie” properties and assist existing low- and middle-income homeowners with major repairs and renovations. The funding is available through the New York State Homes and Community Renewal to establish the new Neighborhood Revitalization Program and will provide grants for not-for-profit organizations and municipalities throughout the state to rehabilitate, repair and improve homes.
Gov. Cuomo said:
“Abandoned and foreclosed ‘zombie properties’ drag down surrounding home values and can impact the economic health and public safety of entire communities. With these new programs, we are taking action to crack down on these neighborhood blights, and help more New Yorkers achieve and maintain the American Dream of homeownership.”
Governor Announces Funding Enhancement for Special Education Schools
On Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo announced that the state’s special education providers will receive a four percent increase in their reimbursement rates. These schools, which include the state’s 853 Schools, serve some 13,500 students with diverse and complex needs such as emotional or physical disabilities, mental health issues, trauma, substance abuse, or involvement with the juvenile justice, social service or child welfare system.
Gov. Cuomo said:
“Special education providers deliver extraordinary services to students who face unique learning challenges. This action recognizes the important role these providers play in helping children with special needs succeed and we’re proud to support them.”
Governor Proposes Restrictions on Independent Expenditure Groups
On Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo announced two actions that he says will “curb the power of independent expenditure campaigns” that are now permitted in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizen United decision.
He released a legal opinion from his Counsel that provides guidance to state enforcement entities to determine whether improper coordination exists between independent expenditure groups and the candidates they support. And he also said he would propose legislation that would strengthen disclosure requirements for such groups, including requiring the identification of anyone who controls them.
Read more about this in our Lobbying, Ethics and Elections Compliance blog.
Lawmakers Call for More Oversight of State Economic Development Programs
On Monday, the Assembly Republican conference announced new legislation that is “designed to bring transparency to New York’s many economic development programs.”
A.10531 would provide stronger oversight of taxpayer-funded programs by creating a three-member board to review and approve funding originating from lump sum appropriations worth $1 million or more; impose penalties on public officials who fail to meet mandated reporting deadlines; provide for an independent review of economic development programs and the state’s tax code; and prohibit individuals who serving as appointees who distribute discretionary state funds from making political donations to the appointing authority.
Assembly Republican Leader Brian Kolb said:
“Officials in Albany need to wake up and realize they are not spending their own money. Investigations are expanding, subpoenas are flying, and concerns are mounting about how economic development funds are administered. As elected representatives it is our job to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, but somewhere along the way, people have forgotten that. Right now, the state is conducting its own investigation into problems with its own economic development programs — is there any more evidence that the system needs to be changed?”
Last Sunday, two western New York state lawmakers asked the state Comptroller to investigate the contracts surrounding the Buffalo Billion project. Senator Robert Ortt (R- North Tonawanda) and Assemblyman Ray Walter (R-Amherst) wrote a letter asking for Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to step in amid state and federal investigations into the $1 billion the state has committed to boost Buffalo, the state’s largest upstate city. Comptroller DiNapoli’s office has not responded to their request.
State IG Releases Report on 2015 North Country Prison Escapes
On Monday, the state’s Inspector General released an investigative report relating to the June 6, 2015 escape of two convicted murderers from the Clinton Correctional Facility. The report describes “chronic complacency, complicit employees and myriad failures of even the most basic security procedures.”
The report makes a number of recommendations, including strict compliance and monitoring of security procedures; expanded use of cameras and other electronic detection and monitoring systems; restructuring of the prison system’s Internal Affairs Division; and creation of an inspector general audit team to monitor security procedures at all state prisons.
NYC Mayor, City Council Reach Budget Agreement
On Wednesday, New York city Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that he and the City Council have reached agreement on an $82.1 billion spending plan for the city’s 2016-17 fiscal year, which begins on July 1. It represents a spending increase of about 4% over the current fiscal year.
The City Council is expected to vote on the budget next week.
Political Update
U.S. Senate Candidate Wendy Long Releases ‘Contract With People of New York’
Wendy Long, the Republican, Conservative, and Reform party’s nominee who is challenging incumbent U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, has released a 10-point Contract with New Yorkers “pledging her positions on issues of importance to them.”
If elected, she promises to serve just two terms; oppose multilateral trade agreements and treaties; support heightened immigration standards; end federal involvement in public education; support tax reform; oppose any further increases in the national debt ceiling; and pursuing market-based American energy independence.
Former Rochester TV Reporter to Challenge Incumbent Assemblymember
Rachel Barnhart, who recently left a Rochester television station, announced this week that she plans to challenge incumbent Democratic Assemblyman Harry Bronson in a primary election in September. Barnhart describes herself as “an advocacy journalist” and, if elected, says she will be a “watchdog legislator.”
The 138th Assembly District includes parts of the city of Rochester and the towns of Henrietta and Chili. Bronson has represented the district since 2011.
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 scheduled to be in Albany Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week to conclude the 2016 legislative session.
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.