Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – March 21, 2018

Coverage of Albany and New York State government

  • Assembly, Senate Approve One-House Budget Resolutions
  • Two Regents Re-Elected
  • Senate Approves Sexual Harassment Legislation
  • Former Cuomo Aide Found Guilty in Corruption Trial
  • Democrats Launch Campaign Touting Governor’s Gun Control Record, Targeting GOP Members of Congress
  • Rochester-Area Congresswomen Dies at 88
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

Assembly, Senate Approve One-House Budget Resolutions

Last Wednesday, both the Assembly and Senate approved resolutions that lay out their respective 2018-19 state budget priorities.  Budget conference committees began meeting this week, and are expected to continue meeting next week.  Legislative leaders continue to say that they hope to have a budget in place by March 29, before the Easter and Passover holidays.

The Assembly’s one-house budget resolution includes a $1.5 billion funding increase for schools, early voting, and the DREAM Act, which would let undocumented immigrants receive financial aid to attend state schools.  The Assembly would also make the state’s tax on high earners permanent and would provide new funding of the MTA by imposing new fees on ride hailing services and cabs in Manhattan.  (Read the Assembly’s press release on its one-house budget plan here.)

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said:

“The Assembly majority is dedicated to making New York State a better place to live and to raise your family. Our budget reflects that, making important investments in education, so from pre-k to college, our students have the resources they need to thrive in the 21st century economy. New Yorkers deserve to have a safe, reliable and efficient transportation system. To help the MTA get there, we’re investing nearly $500 million to fund improvements. In order to meet these critical needs, we are asking the most fortunate among us to do a little more.”

The Senate’s one house budget resolution rejects the $1 billion in tax increases that the Governor has proposed, seeks $265 million to address the opioid addiction epidemic and bolster school security in the wake of a high school shooting in Florida. The Senate is also proposing to end the START-UP NY program, to reduce energy taxes and to enact a regulatory reform package that will eliminate regulations that are unnecessary and duplicative.  (Read the Senate’s press release on its one-house budget plan here.)

Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan said:

“Our focus continues to be on making New York more affordable for hardworking taxpayers, creating jobs and more economic opportunities, and enhancing the security and quality of life for our residents. This budget accomplishes those goals and more. We rejected the new taxes and other proposals that would hurt families and businesses, and put forth a plan to give taxpayers the relief they need and deserve. We also make sound investments in education to help our students, fund critical infrastructure, and propose new measures to strengthen our communities.”

Lawmakers have issued a schedule that will result in an enacted 2018-19 state budget by March 29.  The state’s 2018-19 State Fiscal year begins on April 1.

Two Regents Re-Elected

Last Tuesday, state lawmakers re-elected Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa and Regent Judith Chin at a joint session of the Legislature.

Ms. Rosa was first elected to the Board of Regents in 2008 before being elected board chancellor in 2016. Ms. Chin, the first Asian-American member of the Board of Regents, was first elected in 2015.

Senate Approves Sexual Harassment Legislation

Last week, the State Senate approved legislation that would address sexual harassment in the workplace. The Senate bill, S.7848-A, would establish a statutory definition of sexual harassment; prohibit the anonymity of the accused in court-approved settlements and ban mandatory sexual harassment arbitration clauses; prohibit confidentiality agreements unless the victim requests confidentiality; expand protections to independent contractors; create uniform policies for all branches of state and local government; and protect taxpayers from paying for public-sector harassment settlements.

The Senate Republicans did not approve Gov. Cuomo’s proposals that would require companies doing business with the state to report incidents or to void company policies that bar employees from seeking to report sexual harassment to law enforcement.

Former Cuomo Aide Found Guilty in Corruption Trial

Last week, a federal jury in Manhattan found Joseph Percoco, a former top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, guilty of three counts of corruption-related offenses. He was also acquitted of three other charges. (Read the press release from the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York here for the details, and the U.S. Attorney’s statement on the conviction here.)

The charges related to his soliciting and accepting more than $300,000 in bribes from executives working for two companies with state business.  Percoco’s lawyer said that Percoco may appeal the verdict.

Gov. Cuomo has not faced any claims of wrongdoing, but the lengthy trial shined a harsh light on the inner workings of the Executive Chamber. In a statement, the Governor said that the verdict was “personally painful,” and called for putting “additional safeguards in place to secure the public trust.” He did not elaborate on which “additional safeguard” he might advocate for.

A coalition of good-government groups called on the Governor and the Legislature to enact a series of ethics reforms, including enacting strict “pay to play” restrictions on state vendors; closing the LLC loophole; limiting the ability of legislators and executive branch employees to earn income outside of their state work; increasing funding for the Authorities Budget Office; and ensuring the independence of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics and the State Board of Elections.

Democrats Launch Campaign Touting Governor’s Gun Control Record, Targeting GOP Members of Congress

The New York State Democratic Committee has released a television ad praising Gov. Cuomo for his 2013 push for gun control legislation as well as social media ads targeting seven Republican members of Congress from New York.

The TV ad, titled ‘He Acted,’ highlights the Governor’s success in passing the tough gun control law known as the SAFE Act in 2013, weeks after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Conn.

Rochester-Area Congresswomen Dies at 88

Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-Rochester) died last Friday at the age of 88. The longest-serving member of Congress from New York State, she was serving her 16th term in Congress.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“Louise Slaughter was a champion for New York who had a larger than life presence in Rochester area politics. She was trailblazer, a partner and friend ever since we worked together for my father more than four decades ago. She will be missed greatly.”

She represented the 25th Congressional District, which is centered in Rochester and includes all of Monroe County.  Gov. Cuomo must call for a special election to fill her seat, though he could decide to call it for it to be held at the November elections.

Political Update

Molinaro to Formally Launch Run for Governor on April 2

Republican Dutchess County executive Marc Molinaro will formally launch his gubernatorial campaign on April 2nd.

He is competing with State Senator John DeFrancisco and former Pataki official Joe Holland for the GOP nod.  Even though he has not yet formally declared his candidacy, Molinaro has gained a number of endorsements from Republican County leaders throughout the state.

Kingston Business Owner to Challenge Amedore

Kingston businesswoman Pat Strong, a Democrat, said last week that she plans to challenge State Senator George Amedore (R- Rotterdam) for the 46th State Senate District seat.  She said that her campaign will focus on taxes, jobs, health care and education.

Amedore, who previously served in the state Assembly, was first elected to the Senate in 2014. The race is expected to be a competitive and high profile one.

The Senate district includes all of Greene and Montgomery counties, and parts of Albany, Schenectady and Ulster counties.

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

Lawmakers are scheduled to be in Albany through Thursday this week.

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

Lawmakers have issued a schedule that will result in an enacted 2018-19 state budget by March 29.  The state’s 2018-19 State Fiscal year begins on April 1.

The state Board of Elections holds its next meeting on April 5.

The state Board of Regents holds its next meeting on April 9 and 10.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) holds its next meeting on April 19.