Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – August 23, 2019

What’s Inside

  • Governor Announces Nomination for Empire State Development
  • Governor Signs Package of Crime Victim Protection Bills
  • Governor Announces Grant Program to Develop Life Science Entrepreneurs
  • Senators Send Letter to MTA: Congestion Pricing Meetings Must be Open to Public
  • Public Campaign Finance Commission Holds Organizational Meeting
  • Mandatory License Plate Replacement Announced
  • Updates, Reminders, and Links
  • Coming Up

Governor Announces Nomination for Empire State Development

Governor Cuomo announced the nomination of Eric Gertler to serve as President and CEO of Empire State Development (ESD), New York State’s economic development agency. Mr. Gertler, who is currently the Executive Chairman of U.S. News & World Report and has been on the board of ESD since June 2018, will assume his role effective September 3, 2019. He will replace Howard Zemsky, who will remain Chair of the ESD Board. In addition to his role as Executive Chairman of U.S. News & World Report, Mr. Gertler has also overseen Ulysses Ventures, a multi-strategy investment fund based in New York City. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President of the New York City Economic Development Corporation and as Managing Director of the Center for Economic Transformation under multiple mayoral administrations.

Governor Cuomo said:

“Eric is an innovative leader who spent decades at the intersection of business, media and government – making him uniquely suited to run our chief economic development and tourism agency. I’m grateful to Howard for continuing to serve as chairman of the board after a successful term overseeing this administration’s locally-driven economic development strategy and in particular helping turn around Buffalo’s economy and bringing young people back to Upstate cities. New York is the better for his service and the combination of these two fantastic leaders will be dynamite for future growth across the state.” 

Eric Gertler said:

“I thank Governor Cuomo for the confidence he is placing in me and for the privilege to serve New York State and its citizens. I have boundless faith in the economic potential of New York State, and I look forward to supporting Governor Cuomo in further strengthening our dynamic economy for this and future generations. As we continue to attract business investment, stimulate new industry, reinforce our existing infrastructure and invest in workforce development, we will build on New York State’s legacy as one of the nation’s most decisive economic engines.”

Governor Signs Package of Crime Victim Protection Bills

This week, the Governor signed a package of bills intended to increase protections for crime victims. The following bills were included:

  • 1868/A.5614 – Allows victims of domestic violence to seek damages against individuals who fail to obey or enforce an order of protection. This legislation will allow victims of domestic violence to recover monetary and non-monetary damages from any defendant found liable by a court or jury, after a trial on the merits of the action, of failing to obey or enforce an order of protection. The legislation also gives victims the same access to any liable defendant for full compensation for serious psychological and social harm, not just for medical expenses and lost wages. The bill will take effect on October 20, 2019.
  •  6167/A.7079 – Expands the eligibility for victim compensation to victims of unlawful surveillance crimes who did not suffer a physical injury. This legislation expands the eligibility for victim compensation to crime victims who did not suffer a physical injury, but were victims of the crimes of unlawful surveillance in the first or second degrees and dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image in the first or second degrees. Under previous law, a victim must have been physically injured during a crime to be eligible for compensation, including loss of earnings; unreimbursed costs of security devices and mental health counseling; costs of residing at or utilizing services provided by shelters for battered spouses and children; and transportation expenses incurred for necessary court appearances in connection with the prosecution of the crime. The bill will take effect on February 17, 2020 and applies to all claims filed on or after the effective date. 
  • 6353/A.7051 – Expands the definition of “child victim” to include children who witness a crime to ensure those children are eligible for victim compensation and assistance. This legislation expands the definition of “child victim” to include victims less than 18 years old, who suffer physical, mental or emotional injury, loss or damage as a result of any violation committed against or witnessed by a child. Under previous law, a child must have been a victim of a crime in order to be eligible for crime-related expenses or assistance through the Office of Victim Services. This legislation ensures children who witness a violation committed against somebody else, but are not victims of the crime themselves, are eligible for compensation and assistance. The bill will take effect on February 17, 2020 and applies to all claims filed on or after the effective date. 
  • A5618/S1040 – Expands employment nondiscrimination protections for victims of domestic violence. Current law does not explicitly say what protections and accommodations an employer must provide victims of domestic violence. This new law addresses that issue by listing the reasons an employer would need to allow a victim time off, including medical attention, victim services including for domestic violence or rape crisis, counseling, safety planning or relocation, and seeking legal services or cooperating with prosecution or appearing in court. The victim must be allowed to charge time if they have it available. The new law also expands the definition of victims of domestic violence. The bill will take effect on November 18, 2019.

Governor Cuomo said:

“New York was one of the first states to provide compensation to crime victims and these new measures will create even greater protections for those who have suffered horrific traumas but who were not physically injured themselves. By expanding the eligibility for victim compensation, we are ensuring even more crime victims are reimbursed for expenses incurred while fighting their abusers and have the assistance needed to support their recovery.”

Governor Announces Grant Program to Develop Life Science Entrepreneurs

Governor Cuomo today announced a new grant program to develop life science entrepreneurial talent in New York State. This competitive grant will award up to $550,000 to qualified New York graduate schools of business, working in collaboration with medical schools or graduate programs in the life sciences, biomedical engineering or bioinformatics, to plan, develop and implement a new MBA concentration or certificate in life science entrepreneurship.

Programs proposed by qualified public or private graduate schools of business must: 

  • Include an educational program that results in either an MBA concentration or graduate-level certificate in life science entrepreneurship;
  • Feature a curriculum focused on the business of technological innovation in the life science industry;
  • Identify resources within universities to support talented students as they consider career options;
  • Establish substantive institutional partnerships, linking graduate schools of business with medical schools, life science-based graduate programs, biomedical engineering programs, and bioinformatics and data science programs; and
  • Establish partnerships between graduate schools and the business community, engaging investors, startups and seasoned life science leaders to participate in curriculum development and implementation.

Senators Send Letter to MTA: Congestion Pricing Meetings Must be Open to Public

In a letter to Patrick Foye, Chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), a group of 14 State Senators called on the MTA to deliberate the details of congestion pricing in a manner that complies with New York’s Open Meetings Law (OML). The six member Traffic Mobility Review Board (TMRB), whose members have yet to be named, are tasked with determining toll costs and exemptions by the end of next year. The letter argues that the TMRB, as a subcommittee of the Triborough Bridges and Tunnels Authority (TBTA) of the MTA, falls under the Open Meetings Law’s definition of “public body,” and should be subject to its requirements.

“Given the impact of Central Business District Tolling, its vast number of stakeholders, and the TMRB’s directive to consider such subjective factors as “public impact, public safety, and hardships,” we believe it is of utmost importance that the Board conduct a robust process of public engagement. As the OML requires, the TMRB should conduct its business in public, with sufficient notice, and with opportunities for members of the public to submit oral and written testimony.”

Public Campaign Finance Commission Holds Organizational Meeting

This week, the Public Campaign Finance Commission held an organizational meeting in New York City to begin to the process of determining the details of a publicly financed campaign system. The commission agreed to hold five public meetings across the state over the coming months. According to reports, the first hearing will be held Sept. 10 at 4 p.m. at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. Others are set for Sept. 18 in Albany, Oct. 10 in Smithtown and Oct. 29 in Buffalo. No date was decided for the fifth invitation-only hearing.

At the first meeting, an appointee of the Governor put forward a resolution calling for the recommendations of the commission be voted on in a single package, with a single vote. Objections were raised by the minority legislative leader’s appointees, arguing that the resolution is in direct conflict with the enacting legislation. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 7 to 2. Bill Lipton, state director for the Working Families Party proffered that the resolution was “a transparent effort to tie public financing and ending fusion voting together.” The Working Families Party and the Conservative Party have filed separate lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the commission’s ability to end fusion voting, or more generally, their ability to create or repeal law.

Mandatory License Plate Replacement Announced

This week, the Governor announced that New Yorkers can vote on the state’s next license plate design, which will be available in April. It was also announced that the state will require plates older than 10 years be replaced upon a vehicle registration renewal. The cost will be $25 for the new plate, plus a $20 up-charge to retain the old plate number. Critics formed quickly, calling on the mandate to be paid for by the state or otherwise eliminated. The Governor maintains that the shift to a new plate was necessary to help implement a cashless tolling system. That system, the Governor says, performs best when the design of a license plate is on a light background with dark lettering; optimal conditions for the cameras to properly read the plate.

Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan said:

“If you needed any more evidence that one-party Democrat rule in Albany is a recipe for billions of dollars in new and burdensome taxes, Governor Cuomo reinforced it recently when he announced that the state will require millions of drivers to buy new license plates starting next year.

This is a regurgitation of the same, uninspired idea that Governor David Paterson proposed a decade ago, one that failed thanks to strong opposition from County Clerks and Republicans in the state Legislature. It’s also the latest example of Albany’s nickel-and-diming of hardworking middle-class taxpayers.

Add this to the $4.6 Billion in taxes and fees imposed in this year’s budget by the Governor and the all-Democrat Legislature, and it all adds up to a death by a thousand cuts. New taxes on internet purchases and grocery bags. A new commuter tax. The elimination of the much-needed property tax rebate checks. And, now $25-$45 a pop for every vehicle New York families put on the road.

Enough is enough. It’s time to stop spending other people’s money so we can give New Yorkers the tax relief they need and deserve.”

Assemblyman Santabarbara said:

“The Governor’s license plate replacement program announced today amounts to nothing more than more of our hard earned money going to the state. On April 1st, 2020, if your plates are 10 years old it will cost you $25 MORE for new plates, regardless of their condition. Seems like the state just keeps finding new reasons to issue new plates and take more of our hard-earned money. Enough is enough; if these plates are necessary the state should provide the replacements at NO COST.”

Updates, Reminders, and Links

City & State NY’s Winners and Losers here.

City & State NY’s Brooklyn Power 100 here.

Senator Kevin Parker gets a primary challenger.

Senator Brian Benjamin considering a run for NYC Comptroller.

Congressman Reed and Governor Cuomo exchange harsh words over thruway repair delay.

Coming Up

The Joint Senate Task Force on Opioids, Addiction & Overdose Prevention is holding a roundtable discussion in Madison County that will focus around challenges faced by rural communities on August 26 at 11:00 AM in the Madison County Board of Supervisors Chambers in Wampsville, NY.

A Joint Assembly and Senate public hearing on the electric power system reliability will be held on September 3.

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

The Senate Codes Committee will hold a public hearing on Implementation of Discovery Reform (S1509 – Part LLL) on September 9.

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

A Joint Legislative Commission on Rural Resources and Assembly Standing Committee on Local Governments public hearing on rural broadband will be held on September 17.

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

The Senate Codes Committee will hold public hearings on Policing (S3695) on October 17 and October 24.

Joint Senate Task Force on Opioids, Addiction and Overdose Prevention will hold a public hearing to hear from stakeholders on strategies for reducing overdoses, improving individual and community health, and addressing the harmful consequences of drug use on November 15.