Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – March 29, 2019

What’s Inside

  • Legislature Passes Debt Service Budget Appropriation
  • Governor Signs Prosecutorial Conduct Chapter Amendment
  • Governor Announces Recharge NY Power Allocations
  • Rockland County Declares Measles State of Emergency
  • US Representative Jose Serrano Will Not Seek Reelection
  • NYRA Names New CEO
  • Updates, Reminders, and Links
  • Coming Up

Legislature Passes Debt Service Budget Appropriation

The legislature this week passed the debt service appropriation, which is traditionally the first of the budget bills to pass each year as it does not require amendment, giving the legislature a lot of discretion regarding the timing of passage. It is typically a sign that the process is moving forward with an end in sight, though that can never be guaranteed. The bill outlines and approves the payments of state debt obligations and is not considered controversial even though minority parties typically vote no to protest overall growth in state spending. In arguing that case, Assemblyman Barclay said “our debt service costs have increased 53 percent over the last 10 years and now New York follows only Illinois with the highest debt service payments as a percentage of all funds receipts.”

Senator Krueger said:

“This is the bill that guarantees the state of New York is going to pay its debt If we were to not pass this bill … we would have a crisis, because it would be the state of New York saying to everyone who had bonds, every debt holder of state funds, that no, the Legislature decided that we’re going to have a revolution and borrow money and not pay it back.”

Governor Signs Prosecutorial Conduct Chapter Amendment

Governor Cuomo signed into law a chapter amendment to the prosecutorial conduct commission. The original bill passed last year and was signed by the Governor (Chapter 202 of the laws of 2018) with an approval message indicating that the Governor expected to work with the Legislature to address certain constitutional issues identified by the Attorney General’s office via a chapter amendment. The chapter amendment changes the manner by which commissioners are appointed to the commission, amends the bases upon which a claim of misconduct can be investigated, and revises the procedure for making public and appealing determinations made by the commission. Despite signing the chapter amendment and agreeing with general purpose of the bill, the Governor suggested in his approval memo that he had sought further changes in order to clarify and avoid inevitable legal challenges. The Governor said, however, that he was unable to get the legislature to agree to additional changes.

Governor Announces ReCharge NY Power Allocations

The Governor announced the latest round of ReCharge NY power allocations this week as the New York Power Authority (NYPA) Board of Trustees approved 16.7 megawatts of low-cost allocations to 23 different entities across the state. The program began in 2011 and currently provides power to 770 businesses and not-for-profit organizations. NYPA’s board also approved the seven year Alcoa contract extension.

The Governor said:

“Through innovative economic development initiatives like Recharge NY, we are ensuring that New York continues to retain and attract high-quality jobs across the state. This critical program leverages low-cost, clean energy from NYPA to incentivize businesses to lay down roots and make major capital investments in New York State, both protecting our environment and boosting our regional economies.”

Rockland County Declares Measles State of Emergency

Rockland County has declared a state of emergency regarding a measles outbreak that is now entering its 26th week. The county is banning any unvaccinated minor under 18 from any public places until they receive the vaccination. It is unclear how they intend to enforce the ban, however, if anyone found in violation they could face 6 months in jail or a $500 dollar fine.

Rockland County Executive Ed Day said:

“We believe this to be the first such effort of this kind nationally and the circumstances we face here clearly call for that. Rockland will lead the way in service and safety to the people here.”

US Representative Jose Serrano Will Not Seek Reelection

Long-time Bronx congressman Jose Serrano announced that he would not seek reelection amid revelations that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. First elected in 1990, Serrano is the longest-serving Hispanic-American in the House of Representatives.

Serrano said:

“After my diagnosis, I initially planned to continue my work representing the people of the South Bronx far into the future — a responsibility that brings me great joy. Although this disease has not affected my work in Congress, over the last few months I’ve come to the realization that Parkinson’s will eventually take a toll, and that I cannot predict its rate of advancement. Because of this uncertainty, I do not intend to seek reelection in 2020. I do intend to serve the remainder of my term in the 116th Congress.”

New York Racing Association Names New CEO

This week the New York Racing Association (NYRA) named a new CEO, elevating David O’Rourke from the title of interim president and CEO. O’Rourke assumed the interim position after the resignation of Chris Kay in the wake of allegations he used NYRA employees to do work on his home in Saratoga. Prior to holding the interim position, O’Rourke served as chief revenue officer and senior vice president.

Updates, Reminders, and Links

City & State NY’s weekly Winners & Losers here.

 Listen to Governor Cuomo’s radio interview with Alan Chartock.

Listen to Governor Cuomo’s radio interview with Brian Lehrer.

Crain’s 40 under 40.

Buffalo News looks at this year’s budget issues.

Coming Up

The Board of Regents will next meet on April 8 and 9.

Senate Higher Education Committee will hold a public hearing to explore ways to provide oversight of for-profit schools at 10:00am on April 10 in Albany (Hearing Room A, LOB).

The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on April 18.

Senate Finance Committee will hold a public hearing on the issue of divesting the NYS Common Retirement Fund from fossil fuels as outlined in S.2126 / A.1536 at 10:00am on April 30 in Albany (Hearing Room A, LOB).

JCOPE will hold its next meeting on April 30th.