Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – September 21, 2016

PluggedInMasthead

Coverage of Albany and New York State government – September 16, 2016

  • 2016 Legislative Primary Results
  • State Proposes Cybersecurity Rules for Banks, Insurance Companies
  • Governor Announces Release of State’s Offshore Wind Blueprint
  • Governor Announces Workplace Education and Training Grant Program
  • State Launches New Web Site to Assist Non-Profit Organizations
  • Senate Republicans Announce Task Force on Counterterrorism and Public Safety
  • Attorney General Settles With Companies Tracking Children’s Online Activities
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

 

2016 State Primary Results

There were few surprises in last Tuesday’s state legislative primary elections, with just three incumbent lawmakers losing.  In the State Senate, the following primary races were notable:

  • 31st Senate District (part of Manhattan) — Marisol Alcantara won the Democratic primary to replace incumbent Adriano Espaillat, who is running for Congress. Alcantara was supported by the Senate‘s Independent Democratic Conference (IDC), which she is expected to join in January.
  • 36th SD (parts of the Bronx and Westchester) — Jamaal Bailey won the Democratic primary to replace Ruth Hassell-Thompson, who joined the Cuomo Administration in July.
  • 40th SD (parts of Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess) — Alison Boak won the Democratic primary. She will face first-term Republican Terrance Murphy in November.
  • 49th SD (parts of Schenectady, Saratoga, Fulton and Herkimer counties and all of Hamilton County) — Assemblyman Jim Tedisco won the Republican primary. He will face Democrat Chad Putnam in November in the race to replace Hugh Farley.
  • 54th SD (all of Seneca and Wayne counties and parts of Cayuga, Monroe, Ontario and Tompkins counties) — Canandaigua Town Supervisor Pam Helming won a five-way race to replace fellow Republican Michael Nozzolio. She will face Democrat Kenan Baldridge in November.
  • 60th SD (part of Erie County) — Amber Small won the Democratic primary, and Chris Jacobs won the Republican primary. The two will face off in November to replace Democrat Marc Panepinto, who is not running for re-election.  This seat may be key to control of the State Senate in 2017.

In the Assembly, the following primary races were notable:

  • 20th Assembly District (Nassau County) Long Beach Councilman Anthony Eramo won the Democratic primary to replace Todd Kaminsky, who was elected to the Senate in April.
  • 30th AD (Queens) — Brian Barnwell defeated 10-term incumbent Margaret Markey in the Democratic primary.
  • 33rd AD (Queens) Clyde Vanel won the Democratic primary race to replace Barbara Clark.
  • 44th AD (Brooklyn) — Robert Carroll won the Democratic primary to replace James Brennan.
  • 56th AD (Brooklyn) – Tremaine Wright won the Democratic primary to replace Annette Robinson.
  • 65th AD (Manhattan) — Yuh-Line Niou won the Democratic primary, defeating incumbent Alice Cancel.
  • 72nd AD (Manhattan) — Carmen De La Rosa won the Democratic primary, defeating defeats incumbent Guillermo Linares.
  • 94th AD (Westchester) — Kevin Byrne won the Republican primary to replace Steve Katz.
  • 101st AD (Mohawk Valley) — Brian Miller won the Republican primary to replace Claudia Tenney.
  • 112th AD (parts of Saratoga and Schenectady counties) — Mary Beth Walsh won the Republican primary to replace Jim Tedisco.
  • 133rd AD (parts of Livingston, Monroe and Steuben counties) – incumbent Republican Bill Nojay, who died last week, won the Republican primary. Republican Party leaders have chosen former Assemblyman Joe Errigo to replace Nojay on the general election ballot.
  • 143rd AD (Erie County) — Monica Wallace won the Democratic primary in the race to replace Angela Wozniak.

State Proposes Cybersecurity Rules for Banks, Insurance Companies

On Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo announced that the state Department of Financial Services (DFS) has proposed a regulation to require banks, insurance companies, and other financial services institutions that are regulated by DFS to establish and maintain a cybersecurity program.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“New York, the financial capital of the world, is leading the nation in taking decisive action to protect consumers and our financial system from serious economic harm that is often perpetrated by state-sponsored organizations, global terrorist networks, and other criminal enterprises.  This regulation helps guarantee the financial services industry upholds its obligation to protect consumers and ensure that its systems are sufficiently constructed to prevent cyber-attacks to the fullest extent possible.”

The proposed regulation, which is subject to a 45-day notice and public comment period, would require regulated financial institutions to establish a cybersecurity program; adopt a written cybersecurity policy; designate a Chief Information Security Officer who is responsible for implementing, overseeing and enforcing its new program and policy; and have policies and procedures to ensure the security of information systems and nonpublic information accessible to, or held by, third-parties; and other requirements to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information systems.

Governor Announces Release of State’s Offshore Wind Blueprint

On Thursday, Gov. Cuomo announced the release of the state’s Offshore Wind Blueprint, which is intended to advance the development of offshore wind along the state’s coastline.

The Blueprint will serve as a framework for the development of wind energy generation off the state’s coast through a comprehensive Offshore Wind Master Plan. It covers current and planned environmental studies, and options to support sustainable and properly-sited offshore wind development, including site characterization and site assessment work.  It also defines the New York Offshore Study Area and identifies Wind Energy Areas outside of the study area that will be reviewed with respect to grid interconnection, costs, and benefits they offer.  All of these options will be included in the final Offshore Wind Master Plan, which is expected at the end of 2017.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“New York is a national leader in combating climate change and now we are taking the next big step forward. By developing a viable offshore wind energy source, we will continue to provide New Yorkers with clean, affordable power and lay the foundation for a thriving clean energy economy. This plan represents the future of New York and will cement our role as a leader in the renewable energy industry for generations to come.”

Governor Announces Workplace Education and Training Grant Program

Last Sunday, Gov. Cuomo announced a $5 million education and training grant program “to improve occupational health and safety conditions in low-wage industries.”  The grants will go to non-profits that provide training to reduce workplace hazards in industries with high rates of injury that often employ immigrant workers.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“From recovering millions of dollars in back wages, to cracking down on dangerous conditions in the nail salon industry, this administration has continued New York’s proud tradition of standing up for our hardworking men and women.  These grants will help protect some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers against occupational health and safety hazards and is another step toward a better, safer and more just New York for all.”

State Launches New Web Site to Assist Non-Profit Organizations

On Monday, the state Division of Budget announced the launch of a new web site that is intended to “enhance the relationship between New York State government and nonprofit organizations.”

The new website, an initiative of the Division of Budget’s Nonprofit Coordination Unit, offers:

  • A step-by-step guide to establishing a nonprofit organization, including how to file for tax exemptions and links to the appropriate forms and instructions;
  • Instructions for nonprofits to prequalify for State grants via the “Grants Gateway system”;
  • information on new State initiatives, such as the $100 million in total funding for the Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program; and
  • a news portal where nonprofits can find the latest updates and guidance.

Senate Republicans Announce Task Force on Counterterrorism and Public Safety

On Monday, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan announced the creation of the Senate Majority Task Force on Counterterrorism and Public Protection, which will analyze safety measures that have been implemented since 2001, and make recommendations for future legislative and administrative actions to improve public safety.

The Task report will be led by Senator Tom Croci, who chairs the Senate’s Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs Committee.  The members of the task force are Senators Andrew Lanza; Martin Golden; Simcha Felder; Kemp Hannon; Joe Griffo; Joe Robach; and Patrick Gallivan.

Senator Flanagan said:

“As we reflect on the 15th anniversary of the most devastating terror attack on American soil, it’s vital that New York continues to examine ways to improve our state’s counterterrorism and public protection efforts. Despite some successes and the tremendous work of local, state, and federal law enforcement officials, New York remains an ever present and real target for active terrorist groups. This Task Force will allow us to thoroughly review what works and what can be done better to ensure we’re doing everything in our power to keep New Yorkers safe.”

Attorney General Settles With Companies Tracking Children’s Online Activities

On Tuesday, state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that he has reached settlements with four companies, resolving investigations into their violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

Through “Operation Child Tracker,” the Attorney General’s office discovered that websites operated by Viacom, Mattel, Hasbro and Jumpstart Games including tracking technology that enabled third-party vendors, such as marketers or advertising companies, to track children’s online activity in violation of federal law.

Under the settlements, the companies will pay penalties totaling $835,000 and take steps to ensure that children are not tracked through their web sites in the future, including:  regular electronic scans to monitor for third party tracking technologies; adoption of procedures for vetting third parties’ data collection practices to ensure that they comply with COPPA; and providing notice to third parties when they are operating through a website covered by COPPA.

Attorney General Schneiderman said:

“Federal law demands that children are off-limits to the prying eyes of advertisers.  Operation Child Tracker revealed that some of our nation’s biggest companies failed to protect kids’ privacy and shield them from illegal online tracking. My office remains committed to protecting children online and will continue our investigation to hold accountable those who violate the law by tracking children.”

Political Update

Appellate Court Cancels October Primary for 3rd CD

On Wednesday, a federal appeals court reversed a lower court ruling and canceled the special Republican primary in New York’s 3rd Congressional District.

In August, a federal judge ordered a Republican primary on October 3rd between State Senator Jack Martins and Philip Pidot. Martins had challenged Pidot’s nominating petitions, but Pidot eventually won.

With Pidot off the ballot, Martins and Democrat Tom Suozzi will face off in the November general election.

The 3rd Congressional District includes parts of Queens, Suffolk and Nassau counties. The district is currently represented by Democrat Steve Israel, who is not running for reelection.

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 state Commission on Legislative, Judicial, & Executive Compensation holds its next meeting on September 22.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on September 27.

The Assembly Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on the state’s budget for agriculture on September 27.

The state’s Sixth Annual MWBE Forum will be held October 5 and 6 in Albany.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) holds its next meeting on October 13.

The state Board of Regents holds its next meeting on October 17 and 18.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 8.