Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – August 21, 2020

What’s Inside

  • Governor Signs Legislation
  • Executive Order Extends Moratorium on COVID-Related Commercial Evictions
  • Malatras Appointed SUNY Chancellor
  • DFS Files Charges against Two Opioid Manufacturers
  • Special Enrollment Period for Uninsured Extended
  • Political Updates
  • Reminders, and Links
  • Coming Up

Governor Signs Legislation

The Governor signed several pieces of legislation this week, including bills designed to augment absentee ballot access.

Absentee Ballot Requests due to Rick of Illness (S.8015-D/A.10833) – Currently law only allows an individual to request an absentee ballot in the following instances:

  • The voter will be absent from their county of residence or New York City on the day of the election;
  • The voter is unable to appear at the polling place due to illness, physical disability, or care-taking responsibilities for someone who is ill or disabled;
  • The voter is a resident or patient at a veteran health administration hospital; or
  • The voter is currently being held in jail.

This Bill redefines the term “illness” to allow voters to request an absentee ballot if they are unable to appear personally at their polling place due to an epidemic or disease outbreak.

Absentee Ballot Requests (S.8783A/A.10807) – Currently, voters can only request an absentee ballot 30 days prior to an Election. This legislation will allow voters to request ballots for November’s General Election beginning immediately, seven weeks earlier than would typically be allowed.

Absentee Ballots Postmarked on Day of Election (S.8799A/A.10808-A) – This Bill allows ballots to be postmarked on the day of the election, November 3. The legislation also amends election law to allow the Board of Elections to count all absentee ballots that have a time stamp showing it was delivered to the Board of Elections the day after the election but does not have a dated postmark. The Board of Elections shall deem those ballots mailed in a timely fashion.

Executive Order Extends Moratorium on COVID-Related Commercial Evictions

The Governor signed an executive order extending the state’s moratorium on COVID-related commercial evictions and foreclosures an additional month, until September 20th. This measure extends protections already in place for commercial tenants and mortgagors in recognition of the financial toll the pandemic has taken on business owners, including retail establishments and restaurants.

Malatras Appointed SUNY Chancellor

The SUNY Board of Trustees today announced the appointment of Dr. Jim Malatras as the 14th chancellor of SUNY. The appointment marks the return of Malatras to SUNY System Administration. As Vice Chancellor and Chief of staff, he was chief operating officer and a senior advisor to Chancellor Emeritus Nancy L Zimpher during her tenure.

Incoming Chancellor Jim Malatras said:

“It is an incredible honor to lead the largest comprehensive system of public higher education as the next chancellor of the State University of New York. I am a proud product of the SUNY system, having earned my undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees from SUNY institutions. I believe in the power of public education to unlock the doors of opportunity and will work tirelessly to make it accessible to all who seek it. Job one is our students who drive and inspire everything we do. I look forward to working with the brightest and most dedicated educators in the country to meet the challenges of this moment, and beyond, for our students as a collaborative, imaginative, and unified SUNY system.”

DFS Files Charges against Two Opioid Manufacturers

The Department of Financial Services (DFS) has filed charges and initiated administrative proceedings against Teva Pharmaceutical and its subsidiaries. The DFS Statement of Charges alleges that, like other opioid manufacturers, Teva and Allergan each knowingly furthered false narratives to legitimize powerful opioid products as appropriate for a broad spectrum of pain. In particular, the companies’ messaging downplayed the drugs’ long-known addictive nature and risks.

According to DFS’s Statement of Charges, Teva and Allergan violated two New York Insurance Laws. Section 403 of the New York Insurance Law prohibits fraudulent insurance acts and carries with it penalties of up to $5,000 plus the amount of the fraudulent claim for each violation; DFS alleges that each fraudulent prescription constitutes a separate violation. Section 408 of the Financial Services Law prohibits intentional fraud or intentional misrepresentation of a material fact with respect to a financial product or service, which includes health insurance and carries with it penalties of up to $5,000 per violation; once again, DFS alleges that each fraudulent prescription constitutes a separate violation.

Special Enrollment Period for Uninsured Extended

The Special Enrollment Period for uninsured New Yorkers will be extended for another 30 days, through September 15, 2020, as the State continues to provide supportive services during the COVID-19 public health crisis. New Yorkers can apply for coverage through NY State of Health, New York State’s health insurance marketplace, or directly through insurers.

Governor Cuomo said:

“While we’ve crushed the curve of the virus, we are still in challenging times for hard-working families throughout the state who need access to quality, affordable health care. The state has maintained low infection rates and is moving in the right direction, but we know we’re not out of the woods yet. By offering this special enrollment period, we’re making sure New Yorkers who need affordable and at times live-saving health care coverage can get it.”

Political Updates

State Senator Brad Hoylman discusses decision to run for Manhattan Borough President.

Assembly lawmakers condemn DSA candidate survey.

Reminders and Links

City & State NY’s Weekly Winners and Losers here.

Governor announces crack down on impaired driving.

Governor to publish book on COVID response.

Coming Up

A Joint Senate and Assembly Hearing on the impact of COVID-19 on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and public transportation will be held on August 25.

The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on September 14 and 15.

The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on September 17.

JCOPE will hold its next meeting on September 22.