Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – December 11, 2020

What’s Inside

  • Assembly Releases 2021 Legislative Calendar
  • Governor Announces Long Island Power Authority Has Filed Claim Against PSEG Long Island
  • Governor Announces Launch of New York Forward Small Business Lease Assistance Partnership
  • Stewart-Cousins Re-Elected Senate Majority Leader
  • Comptroller to Divest Pension Fund from Fossil Fuels
  • State Senator George Borrello Tests Positive for COVID-19
  • Political Updates
  • Reminders, and Links
  • Coming Up

Assembly Releases 2021 Legislative Calendar

The State Assembly released next year’s legislative calendar, outlining which days the legislature will be in session. The legislature is scheduled to conduct session on 60 days next year, similar numbers compared to previous years. Remote session will once again be an option for legislators.

Governor Announces Long Island Power Authority Has Filed Claim Against PSEG Long Island

The Governor announced the Long Island Power Authority has filed legal action against PSEG Long Island for breach of contract and its performance in response to Tropical Storm Isaias. The complaint seeks $70 million in damages. The claim alleges PSEG Long Island is in breach of obligations set out in its operating agreement with LIPA and seeks damages related to PSEG Long Island’s “inadequate design, implementation, and testing of its outage management and communications systems, which failed during the storm”. LIPA is also asking the Court to order PSEG Long Island to urgently fix these systems to prevent future failures.

Governor Cuomo said:

“Utility companies are beholden to ratepayers, and when that service is inadequate – or as in this case, a complete failure — those utilities need to be held accountable. Utility companies like PSEG Long Island get paid to manage the aftermath of a storm, and time after time they have failed to hold up their end. It’s inexcusable, and we’re going to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.”

Governor Announces Launch of New York Forward Small Business Lease Assistance Partnership

The Governor announced the launch of the New York Forward Small Business Lease Assistance Partnership. This program will provide small businesses and their landlords with informational resources and pro bono assistance to help both parties reach mutually-beneficial lease workout agreements. This service is available to all New York State small businesses and landlords, and participation is voluntary. The Small Business Lease Assistance Partnership website includes information on the process. Those interested in pro bono assistance are encouraged to review and complete the partnership’s intake form.

Governor Cuomo said:

“Small business are the backbone of any strong economy and it is critical that we work to find ways to support them during these difficult times. The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the economy has been nothing short of devastating, and through partnerships such as this, we can help to alleviate the burdens many business owners are facing. While a moratorium on commercial evictions is currently in place, this new public-private partnership will help provide an additional level of stability for small businesses and ensure they are able to play a role in helping build New York’s economy back better than before.”  

Stewart-Cousins Re-Elected Senate Majority Leader

Democratic State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins was unanimously re-elected to serve as Majority Leader of the New York State Senate. Stewart-Cousins has presided over large gains for the Democratic conference, which now has a veto-proof supermajority. Stewart-Cousins has been the Democratic Conference leader since 2016, and Majority Leader since 2018.

Senator Stewart-Cousins said:

“During our first session as the Democratic Majority, we enacted historic legislation to protect and expand New Yorkers’ rights and build a stronger and fairer state for all residents. The voters clearly supported our efforts and agenda as they elected the largest majority in Senate history and the first modern Democratic supermajority. We will use this mandate to help lead New York State forward as we address the ongoing pandemic and rebuild from this economic crisis.”

Comptroller to Divest Pension Fund from Fossil Fuels

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that the New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund), valued at an estimated $226 billion, has adopted a goal to transition its portfolio to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. This process will include completion within four years of a review of investments in energy sector companies, using minimum standards to assess transition readiness and climate-related investment risk, with – where consistent with fiduciary duty – divestment of companies that fail to meet minimum standards.

State Comptroller DiNapoli said:

“New York State’s pension fund is at the leading edge of investors addressing climate risk, because investing for the low-carbon future is essential to protect the fund’s long-term value. Achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 will put the Fund in a strong position for the future mapped out in the Paris Agreement. We continue to assess energy sector companies in our portfolio for their future ability to provide investment returns in light of the global consensus on climate change. Those that fail to meet our minimum standards may be removed from our portfolio. Divestment is a last resort, but it is an investment tool we can apply to companies that consistently put our investment’s long-term value at risk.”

State Senator George Borrello Tests Positive for COVID-19

Republican State Senator George Borrello, representative of the 57th Senate District, announced that he and his wife have both tested positive for Coronavirus. Borrello was first elected to the Senate in a special election in 2019 to fill a vacancy left by Senator Catharine Young’s departure.

Senator Borrello said:

“While, thankfully, we both feel well, we are following the recommendations of our doctors and will be self-isolating at home for 10 days. As we all know, COVID-19 is a very contagious and serious virus, especially because many carriers are asymptomatic.”

Political Updates

Judge orders partial recount in Tenney/Brinidisi race.

Katko named Ranking Member of Homeland Security Committee.

A new Republican in a Democratic world.

Capital Tonight: Meet Senator-Elect Mike Martucci.

Assemblyman Schmitt attends White House COVID vaccine summit.

Errol Louis interviews Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

Reminders and Links

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

City & State NY’s Top 50 Lobbyists here.

Another Voice: State pharmacy carve-out will hurt safety net providers.

Coming Up

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

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on the repurposing of vacant and underutilized real estate for affordable housing development on December 15.

JCOPE will hold its next meeting on December 15.

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

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on mayoral control of the New York City school system on December 17.