Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – August 2, 2017

Coverage of Albany and New York State government

  • Governor Travels to Washington to Discuss Transportation, Healthcare
  • MTA Chief Announces New York City Subway Action Plan
  • Governor Issues Executive Order to Promote Voter Registration
  • Governor Signs Law Banning E-Cigarettes on School Grounds
  • Governor Orders Study of ‘Textalyzer’ Technology
  • Comptroller Issues Report on State’s Fiscal Outlook
  • Group Calls for Energy Upgrades in New York City Area
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

Governor Travels to Washington to Discuss Transportation, Healthcare

Last Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo travelled to Washington, D.C. where he met with members of the state’s Democratic congressional delegation to request additional infrastructure funding for the state.  He is seeking funding for Penn Station improvements and $20 billion for the Gateway rail tunnel between New Jersey and New York promised by the previous presidential administration.

The Governor also met with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to discuss the tunnel and other transportation needs.

On Thursday, the Governor called on the federal government to fulfill the federal commitment for the Gateway Project.

MTA Chief Announces New York City Subway Action Plan

Last Tuesday, MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota announced the release of the NYC Subway Action Plan, the MTA’s new plan “to stabilize and improve the system and lay the foundation for modernizing the New York City Subway.”

The first phase of the plan, which will begin immediately and is expected to cost $836 million, will focus on “a better customer experience through increased reliability and capacity, enhanced stations and safety, and clear and accurate communication.”   The second phase, for which details were not released will address “long-term, system-wide improvements, including better subway cars, the adoption of a new signal system and modern communications technology to facilitate new signaling and enable customer benefits.” The projected price tag is $8 billion.

MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota said:

“New Yorkers are rightfully frustrated with the current state of the subways, and their demands for better service have been heard. We are committed to earning back their trust by implementing solutions that will enhance the customer experience in the short- and long-term. The NYC Subway Action Plan marks the beginning of a new chapter for the MTA and provides an opportunity to stabilize and improve the system and lay the foundation for modernization. As we work to build a better system, customers can expect to see progress in ways both big and small.”

Last Thursday, Gov. Cuomo announced the launch of the Subway Partnership Program, “in which private corporations will invest in a fund to support the New York City subway system and work closely with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on issues affecting commuters.” A minimum commitment of $250,000 to the Subway Partnership Sponsors Council will be required to join the partnership.

These announcements come after weeks of squabbling between Gov. Cuomo and New York City Mayor de Blasio about whether the state or the city is responsible for paying for needed subway improvements.  Gov. Cuomo says that the state has increased its contribution to the MTA to the highest levels in years. Mayor de Blasio says that the city already pays more than its fair share, and has accused the Governor of using MTA funds for projects unrelated to subway maintenance.

Governor Issues Executive Order to Promote Voter Registration

Last week, Gov. Cuomo announced that he has issued an Executive Order that requires every state agency to provide voter registration forms to those they deal with and to offer help in filling them out. The Governor also ordered SUNY and CUNY to undertake a review of their respective voter registration practices “to ensure that all laws are being followed.”

The Governor also created a new voter registration task force made up of members of his administration to oversee the effort, including ways to create “secure” online voting registration systems in different state agencies,

Gov. Cuomo said:

“It is our responsibility to make it as easy for people to vote because that’s what democracy looks like,” the governor said in a release. “As the federal government and foreign powers threaten the sanctity of America’s democracy, I am exercising my executive power to expand the availability and opportunity for every New Yorker to register to vote.”

The League of Women Voters said that the Governor’s actions fall short of what is needed to increase voter participation.  Along with other groups, the League is pushing for the state to approve early voting in New York, as well as later cut off dates for registering to vote or to change party affiliation.

Governor Signs Law Banning E-Cigarettes on School Grounds

Last week, Gov. Cuomo announced that he has signed a bill that bans the use of electronic cigarettes on all public and private school grounds in the state, effective immediately.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“Nicotine use in any form has shown to be damaging to teens and this measure will close a dangerous loophole that allows e-cigarettes to be used in New York schools.  This measure will further this administration’s efforts to combat teen smoking in all its forms and help create a stronger, healthier New York for all.”

Governor Orders Study of ‘Textalyzer’ Technology

Last Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo announced that he has directed the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to study “Textalyzer” technology, which is designed to detect if a cellphone was being used in the moments before a crash.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“Despite laws to ban cellphone use while driving, some motorists still continue to insist on texting behind the wheel — placing themselves and others at substantial risk. This review will examine the effectiveness of using this new emerging technology to crack down on this reckless behavior and thoroughly evaluate its implications to ensure we protect the safety and privacy of New Yorkers.”

Opponents of this proposal argue that while distracted driving is a serious concern, this technology would give police the power to take and search peoples’ phones — which contain their most personal, private information — at every fender bender. They also note that it is not clear whether this technology will even detect distracted driving, and say that the better approach is to promote greater public awareness of the dangers of texting while driving.

Comptroller Issues Report on State’s Fiscal Outlook

According to a report issued by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli on Friday, the state’s the state’s budgetary cushion is shrinking because of lower-than-expected revenue growth and the potential for federal cuts and tax changes.

The Comptroller’s report on the state’s Enacted Budget Financial Plan finds that personal income tax receipts in the first quarter of the fiscal year were $1.7 billion lower than February projections and $1.5 billion lower than what was collected in the same period last fiscal year. It also notes that federal aid for health care programs remains at risk.

Comptroller DiNapoli said:

“The state’s fiscal outlook is clouded because of uncertainty in Washington, falling revenues, and fiscal practices that obscure the level of spending.  If revenues continue to fall short, projected out-year budget gaps may grow further.”

Group Calls for Energy Upgrades in New York City Area

Last week, the New York Building Congress released a report which finds that more needs to be done to keep pace with anticipated economic and population growth and in advance of the planned closure of Indian Point Energy Center’s two nuclear power plants by 2021. (Read the full report here.)

The group called on city and state officials, along with the private sector, to develop “a comprehensive plan to reliably generate and transmit the power necessary to meet the demands of the city’s growing economy and population.”

The report makes a number of recommendations, including:

 

  • increasing transmission investment to ensure that adequate energy supply is available prior to Indian Point’s closure;
  • promoting household use of solar PV, smart metering at the household level, and incentivizing large employers and building owners to invest in new technologies designed to control energy demand;
  • investigating new storage technologies for large-scale wind and solar installations; and
  • convening a joint city-state working group of key stakeholders, including utilities and natural gas suppliers, to develop a strategy for the planning and approval of new natural gas pipelines directly into New York City.

Political Update

 Terry Gipson (D – Rhinebeck) is considering challenging Gov. Cuomo in the 2018 primary, when the Governor will be seeking a third term.

In an e-mail to the NY Progressive Action Network, Gipson wrote:  “I’m a former NY State Senator (D) and believe that New York deserves a real Democratic governor that will lead our party and move true Democratic policy forward.  In Trump’s new America we cannot afford to wait. That’s why I’m exploring a run for governor in 2018.”

In 2014, Zephyr Teachout unsuccessfully challenged Cuomo from the left; she gained just under one-third of the vote.

Winners & Losers

Each week, City & State New York publishes a list of the week’s political “winners” and “losers.”  Read last week’s list here.

Coming Up

The Public Service Commission (PSC) holds its next meeting on August 2.

The State Board of Elections holds its next meeting on August 2.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on August 8. Among other matters, the Commission is expected to discuss its staff’s proposal for comprehensive lobbying regulations.

The Board of Regents holds its next meeting on September 11 and 12.