Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – August 23, 2017

Coverage of Albany and New York State government

  • Governor Proposes Expansion of State’s Hate Crimes Law
  • Governor Signs New Law Increasing Penalties for False Bomb Threats
  • Democrats Seek Unity in Senate; GOP Vows to Pick Up Seats in 2018
  • Governor Announces Workshops, Funding for Restore NY Communities Initiative
  • Governor Cuomo Announces Beginning of Major Construction on Moynihan Train Hall
  • Governor Announces Winners of Clean Energy Competition
  • State Education Commissioner Removes Carl Paladino from Buffalo School Board
  • League of Conservation Voters Releases 2017 State Legislative Scorecard
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

Governor Proposes Expansion of State’s Hate Crimes Law

In the wake of the recent violence in Charlottesville, VA, Gov. Cuomo announced that he will propose legislation that adds inciting to riot and rioting that targets a protected class of people to the state’s hate crimes law. The Governor referred to these as ‘Charlottesville provisions.’

Gov. Cuomo said:

“The ugly events that took place in Charlottesville must never be repeated, and in New York we’re going to stand united against hate in all of its forms.  Our diversity is our strength and this legislation will help protect New Yorkers and send a clear signal that violence and discrimination have no place in our society.”

The Governor also launched a petition that calls on President Trump to condemn and denounce the violent protests that were organized by the white supremacists and neo-Nazis.

Governor Signs New Law Increasing Penalties for False Bomb Threats

Last Monday, Gov. Cuomo announced that he has signed a bill into law that increases penalties for people who make bomb threats against community centers. The new law arose out of bomb threats that were made to Jewish Community Centers in New York and around the nation last winter.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“These despicable acts spread fear and terror across entire communities, and by signing this measure, we will give law enforcement more tools to prosecute hatemongers and treat these crimes with the seriousness they deserve.”

Democrats Seek Unity in Senate; GOP Vows to Pick Up Seats in 2018

Last Monday afternoon in Upper Manhattan, Democrats from around the state gathered to demand that a handful of breakaway Democrats in the State Senate end their working alliance with Senate Republicans and unite with the Senate’s mainline Democrats. Gov. Cuomo is also being pressured to broker a deal with members of his own party.

Democrats hold 32 of the State Senate’s 63 seats, but nine of them are aligned with the Senate Republican Conference, giving the GOP control of that chamber. Eight of the nine are members of the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC); the ninth, State Senator Simcha Felder of Brooklyn, caucuses directly with Republicans.

Last Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-Suffolk County) released an op/ed in which he predicted that the Senate GOP will pick up eats in the 2018 elections.

Governor Announces Workshops, Funding for Restore NY Communities Initiative

Last Thursday, Gov. Cuomo announced that that the 5th round Restore New York Communities Initiative will launch on Friday, September 15. The program provides local governments with financial assistance to support economic development and neighborhood revitalization by encouraging community development and neighborhood growth through the rehabilitation, reconstruction, deconstruction and demolition of blighted structures.

The state will also hold three informational workshops for municipalities interested in applying for funding in Schenectady (September 25), Rochester (September 26) and Long Island (September 29).

Gov. Cuomo said:

“Communities across New York are making strategic investments to help grow our local economies, and through this latest round of Restore NY, our most vulnerable areas will receive the support needed to reenergize and develop once again. I encourage local governments to apply for funding, as it supports the demolition and rehabilitation of blighted properties to improve our neighborhoods, entice new investment, and support a stronger, more prosperous New York for all.”

Governor Cuomo Announces Beginning of Major Construction on Moynihan Train Hall

Last Thursday, Gov. Cuomo announced the start of major construction of the Moynihan Train Hall, which will serve as an extension of Pennsylvania Station for passengers of Amtrak and the Long Island Rail Road.  The 255,000 square foot Moynihan Train Hall will be complimented by 700,000 square feet of new commercial, retail and dining space.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“For decades, passengers were promised a world-class train hall worthy of New York – today, we are delivering on that promise and turning that dream into a reality. We are transforming the Farley Post Office into a state-of-the-art transit hub to get travelers where they need to go faster and more comfortably. With better access to trains and subways, vibrant retail and business opportunities and stunning architectural design, we are bringing Penn Station into the 21st century.”

Governor Announces Winners of Clean Energy Competition

Last Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo announced the six winning companies of the state’s 76West Clean Energy Competition. The goal of the competition is to attract entrepreneurs to build clean energy businesses and jobs in the state’s Southern Tier region.

Skyven Technologies, a solar heating company from Dallas, Texas, won the $1 million grand prize, and will expand its operations in the Southern Tier.  The second $500,000 second place prize was awarded to SunTegra of Port Chester, NY, which develops solar products that are integrated into the roof to provide clean energy and an alternate look to conventional solar panels.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“New York is setting a national precedent in growing clean-energy businesses and battling climate change, and this momentum continues with the 76West Competition.”

State Education Commissioner Removes Carl Paladino from Buffalo School Board

Carl Paladino, the Republican candidate for New York governor in 2010 and co-chair of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in New York, was removed from his position on the Buffalo school board by the state education commissioner for revealing confidential information about collective bargaining negotiations with the city’s teachers union. His attorney said that he intended to appeal the decision.

Mr. Paladino was first elected to the Buffalo school board in 2013, and he was re-elected in 2016. During his time on the board, he had a combative relationship with several other board members and with the local teachers’ union.

Read the Commissioner’s decision here.

League of Conservation Voters Releases 2017 State Legislative Scorecard

The New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV), a non-partisan statewide environmental organization, released its first-ever scorecard for state legislators last week.

The scorecard is based on co-sponsorships and votes on 16 bills on which the group issued memos over the course of the 2017 legislative session.

Political Update

Assembly Ways & Means Chair to Resign in September

Assemblyman Herman “Denny” Farrell (D-Manhattan) said this week that he plans to resign his Assembly seat on Sept. 5.  Farrell was first elected to the Assembly in 1974, and has chaired the Assembly’s Ways & Means Committee since 1994.

His 71st Assembly District seat will be filled at the November 7 general election.

 GOP Assemblyman Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2018

Assemblyman Marc Butler (R-Herkimer County) announced last week that he will not seek re-election in 2018.

Butler has represented the 118th Assembly District, which includes all of Herkimer and Hamilton counties, and parts of Fulton, St. Lawrence and Oneida counties, since 1996.

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

Citizens Union is sponsoring the 2017 Democratic New York City Mayoral debate this evening in Manhattan.

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

Primary elections are being held on September 12.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) holds its next meeting on September 14.

The State Board of Elections holds its next meeting on September 15.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on September 19.