Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – August 9, 2019

What’s Inside

  • Sienna College Research Institute Releases New Poll
  • Governor Signs Boating Safety Bill
  • Governor Signs Package of Domestic Violence Prevention Bills
  • Governor Signs School Bus Stop Arm Camera Legislation
  • Undetectable Knives Banned
  • Cabán Concedes in Queens District Attorney Race
  • Updates, Reminders, and Links
  • Coming Up

Sienna College Research Institute Releases New Poll

According to a new Siena College Poll of registered New York State voters released this week, New Yorkers say Andrew Cuomo has made New York a better place to live in his nine years as governor. Yet, Cuomo’s favorability rating, negative 43-50 percent (down from 52-42 percent in June), matches his lowest-ever favorability rating, and his job performance rating 34-64 percent, hit its lowest level ever. 

Voters overwhelmingly support new laws to require vaccinations of children regardless of the parents’ religious beliefs, institute a farmworkers’ bill of rights, mandate zero carbon emissions in electricity by 2040, ban single use plastic bags, and prohibit use of the gay and trans panic defense. A majority opposes the law allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain a New York driver’s license. By a 52-33 percent margin, voters say the recently concluded legislative session will move the state on the right track, not in the wrong direction.

Trump has a negative 35-62 percent favorability rating, up a tick from 34-63 percent in June. His job performance rating is 34-66 percent, up from 29-70 percent in June

Governor Signs Boating Safety Bill

Governor Cuomo signed legislation (S.5685/A.4853.A) – known as Brianna’s Law – to phase in requirements that all operators of motorized watercraft must complete a state-approved boating safety course. Brianna’s Law is named after Brianna Lieneck, an 11-year-old Long Island girl who was killed in a 2005 boating accident. The bill expands an earlier law signed by Governor Cuomo that requires boaters born after May 1, 1996 to complete a safety course before operating a motorized watercraft.

Under the new phased-in law:

  • All motor boat operators born on or after Jan. 1, 1993 must complete a safety course to operate a motor boat beginning in 2020;
  • Those born after Jan. 1, 1988 must complete a safety course beginning in 2022;
  • Those born on or after Jan. 1, 1983 must complete a safety course beginning in 2023;
  • Those born on or after Jan. 1, 1978 must complete a safety course beginning in 2024;
  • The requirement would extend to all motor boat operators beginning in 2025, regardless of age. 

Failure to comply could result in a fine of between $100 and $250 under the new law that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020.

Governor Cuomo said:

“Boating has become much more popular and our rules and our laws really have not kept pace with it. There should be a basic level of knowledge that you have before you’re given the permission to go out there and operate a boat, and making a safety course mandatory is common sense. It protects the operator of the boat and everyone that operator could come into contact with, and it will make our waters safer. It took a horrific accident to make this situation real for people, but through this law Brianna is saving lives and her love lives on.”

Governor Signs Package of Domestic Violence Prevention Bills

Governor Cuomo signed three pieces of legislation which aim to expand protections for victims of domestic violence. The following bills were signed into law this week:

  • (2625/ A.5608) – This bill makes a conforming change to the Social Services Law by expanding the definition “victim of domestic violence” to include anyone that is a victim of identity theft, grand larceny or coercion as a form of economic abuse. The family offense laws were previously expanded to include such forms of economic abuse, but, the Social Services Law was inadvertently not amended at that time. This conforming change takes effect immediately.
  • (3232-A/A.219) – Victims of domestic violence currently have the option to vote in person by special ballot at the County Board of Elections where they are registered during the week prior to any election, rather than voting at their polling place on Election Day. This bill will authorize those special ballots to be mailed to the Board of Elections in the same manner as any absentee ballot. This bill will take effect immediately.
  • (1243/A.4467A) – This bill will allow a victim of domestic violence to report an instance of domestic violence to any local law enforcement agency in the state, who will then forward the police report to the proper jurisdiction for further investigation. This bill is designed to allow domestic violence victims, who often flee to stay with a relatives in other police jurisdictions, to report an incident without having to return to the jurisdiction where the incident took place. This bill will take effect on October 7, 2019.

Governor Cuomo said:

“Domestic violence is a quiet scourge that has the potential to leave lasting trauma on victims. By signing these measures into law, we will broaden the legal definition of domestic violence so more abusers are held accountable as well as empower victims to get help faster and provide them a measure of protection from their abuser when they vote.”  

Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul said:

“My mother dedicated her life to helping survivors of domestic violence, and her work has inspired me during my time in public service. This legislation will protect individuals from abuse and violence, and ensure survivors are able to seek justice. As part of our Women’s Justice Agenda, our state is leading the way to protect all New Yorkers, advance full equality, and strengthen our society.”

Governor Signs School Bus Stop Arm Camera Legislation

Governor today signed legislation (S.4524B/A.4950B) authorizing school districts to install stop-arm cameras on school buses in order to catch drivers who unlawfully pass a stopped school bus and ensure the safety of New York’s students. Operation Safe Stop in April 2018, the one-day in which law enforcement targeted offenders passing a stopped school bus, exposed that hundreds of people ignore this law and over 850 people were ticketed on that day.

Senator Tim Kennedy said:

“Every day across New York State, 50,000 drivers decide to deliberately break the law and pass a stopped school bus, putting our children’s lives and safety at risk. This is simply unacceptable. By enacting this comprehensive legislation that ensures stricter enforcement of these crimes, we’re sending a strong message: if you pass a stopped school bus in New York, you’re going to get caught, you’re going to be fined, and you’re going to be held accountable. I thank the Governor for signing this bill, which will undoubtedly save lives, and for prioritizing the safety of New York’s students.”

Undetectable Knives Banned

Governor Cuomo signed legislation prohibiting the manufacture, transport, shipment, and possession of knives that are undetectable by a metal detector (S.4202/A.4816-A). Possession of such weapons will now be considered a Class A misdemeanor and is punishable by up to a year in jail. “Undetectable knife” is defined as any knife or other instrument, which does not utilize materials that are detectable by a metal detector or magnetometer when set at a standard calibration that is capable of ready use as a stabbing or cutting weapon and was commercially manufactured to be used as a weapon.

Cabán Concedes in Queens District Attorney Race

After a weeks-long recount and court fight, Tiffany Cabán conceded the Democratic primary for Queens district attorney on Tuesday night. The New York City Board of Elections certified Katz the winner July 29 after it finished the manual recount and found that Katz won by 60 votes. Cabán’s team pursued the matter in court, contesting that the board should not have ruled a little more than 100 ballots invalid, arguing they could be the difference in the race. Her lawyers said dozens of ballots were wrongfully disqualified —affidavit ballots, as well as a handful of ballots that were part of the machine recount. After arguments in court, the Judge decided not to open the 68 affidavit ballots that did not include a party affiliation of the voter, making a comeback for Cabán mathematically impossible. Melinda Katz will now face off against the Republican candidate in November and is considered a heavy favorite to win. 

Updates, Reminders, and Links

City & State NY’s Winners and Losers here.

City & State NY’s Queens Power 100 here.

City & State NY’s profile of Senator Gianaris here.

Walgreens to close 200 stores.

Assembly staffer arrested for allegedly stealing $80,000 from campaign account.

Long Island business can’t get natural gas.

Coming Up

The New York City Regional Economic Development Council will hold an information session on the Workforce Development Initiative on August 20.

The Board of Regents will hold its next meeting on September 9 and 10.

JCOPE will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, September 10.

The PSC will hold its next meeting on Thursday, September 19.