Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – November 29, 2016

PluggedInMastheadCoverage of Albany and New York State government

  • Governor Cuomo Announces Actions to Protect Civil Rights, Combat Hate Crimes
  • New York City Mayor Vows to Stand Up to Donald Trump
  • Federal Grand Jury Hands Up Indictments in Upstate Economic Development Bid-Rigging Cases
  • Governor Announces Funding for Employment and Re-Entry Services
  • State Health Department Announces Expansion of Medical Marijuana Program
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

Governor Cuomo Announces Actions to Protect Civil Rights, Combat Hate Crimes

Last Sunday, Gov. Cuomo announced several actions to protect civil rights and address hate crimes, including the creation of a State Police unit to investigate reports of hate crimes and the expansion of the state’s Human Rights Law to protect all students.

The Governor also said that he will propose the creation of a first-in-the-nation emergency public/private legal defense fund to provide immigrants, regardless of their status, with access to legal representation.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“New York is, and will always be, a place of acceptance, inclusion and a bastion of hope for all people.  We will never allow fear and intolerance to tear at the fabric of who we are – New Yorkers are stronger than that, and we are better than that. With these decisive actions, we say to people of all backgrounds and beliefs: New York is your home and refuge, and we will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

New York City Mayor Vows to Stand Up to Donald Trump

Last Monday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio promised to oppose the federal government if any of President-elect Donald Trump’s policies undermine New Yorkers’ rights.  De Blasio said that said his administration wouldn’t help the federal government carry out deportations of illegal immigrants or hand over information on illegal immigrants to Mr. Trump’s incoming administration.

Read the full text of the Mayor’s comments here.

Federal Grand Jury Hands Up Indictments in Upstate Economic Development Bid-Rigging Cases

Last Tuesday, a federal grand jury in Manhattan returned a 14-count indictment relating to rigging bids on upstate development projects.  Those indicted include Joe Percoco, who was one of Gov. Cuomo’s closest aides; Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, former president of SUNY Polytechnic Institute and the governor’s point person on Buffalo Billion projects; and six Buffalo and Syracuse-area developers.

The indictment mostly tracks the criminal complaint that was filed by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York in September.  All defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

For more on this, go to Hinman Straub’s Lobbying, Ethics and Elections Compliance Blog.

Governor Announces Funding for Employment and Re-Entry Services

Last Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo announced that the state will provide $10 million to support job training programs and other re-entry services to persons who are under community supervision (parole, probation or court-ordered programs).

Gov. Cuomo said:

“These investments play a critical role in ensuring those seeking to turn their lives around have access to the tools and resources needed to succeed.  Expanding these services will be able to help more at-risk New Yorkers break the cycle of recidivism and incarceration, helping them to lead more productive lives and increasing the safety of our communities.”

State Health Department Announces Expansion of Medical Marijuana Program

Last Tuesday, the state Department of Health (DOH) announced that it is moving forward with regulatory changes that will allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to register with the Department to certify patients for medical marijuana.

DOH also said that it is continuing its evidentiary review relating to the use of medical marijuana for patients suffering from chronic pain. DOH expects to make a decision on this issue by the end of this month.

Political Update

Brooklyn Senator to Remain With Senate Republicans

State Senator Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn), who has helped the Senate Republicans maintain control over the chamber since he was first elected in 2012, has announced that he will continue caucusing with Senate Republicans in 2017.

Even with two Long Island State Senate races still unresolved, this is a major blow to the Senate Democrats’ efforts to gain control of the State Senate.

Manhattan Senator to Run for New York City Council

State Senator Bill Perkins (D-Manhattan) said this week that he plans to run for the soon-to-be vacant New York City council seat of Inez Dickens, who won election to the Assembly earlier this month.  Perkins held that seat from 1998 until 2005, when he was elected to the State Senate.

Coming Up

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) is holding a public hearing on December 7 regarding its staff proposal for Comprehensive Lobbying Regulations.

The awards ceremony for the state’s Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) will be held on December 8.

The state Board of Elections holds its next meeting on December 9.

The Board of Regents holds its next meeting on December12 and 13.

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

The 2017 Legislative session will begin on Wednesday, January 4, 2017.