Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

August 16, 2021

What’s Inside

  • Governor Cuomo Resigns
  • Secretary to the Governor Resigns
  • The 57th Governor of the State of New York
  • Incoming Governor Makes First Public Address
  • Assembly will Suspend Impeachment Inquiry After Governor’s Resignation
  • DFS Superintendent Lacewell Resigns
  • State Education Department Releases School Guidance
  • Supreme Court Blocks Portion of New York’s Eviction Moratorium
  • Political Updates
  • Coming Up

Governor Cuomo Resigns

On Tuesday, only two days after the resignation of his top staffer, Governor Cuomo announced that he would be resigning as the 56th Governor of the state of New York and that his resignation will take effect in two weeks. The Governor’s announcement was delivered in an address that immediately followed a press event by his attorney which made his case against the allegations. He maintained that he is innocent of the most severe charges and apologized for making women feel uncomfortable. The Governor said that while his instinct is to fight the allegations which he believes to be politically motivated, that ultimately it is in the best interest of the state to step aside.

Secretary to the Governor Resigns

On Sunday, Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa announced her resignation from the Cuomo administration.

In a brief statement, Ms. DeRosa said:

It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve the people of New York for the past 10 years. New Yorker’s resilience, strength, and optimism through the most difficult times has inspired me every day. Personally, the past 2 years have been emotionally and mentally trying. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such talented and committed colleagues on behalf of our state.

The 57th Governor of the State of New York

On August 25, upon the official resignation of Governor Cuomo, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will be sworn in as the 57th Governor of the state of New York. Hochul assumed office of Lieutenant Governor in 2015. Hochul was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. She attended Syracuse University and earned a law degree from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. After law school, she worked as an aide to former U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York. Prior to her time as Lieutenant Governor, she served as a member of the House of Representatives representing New York’s 26th District (Erie and Niagara Counties) when she won an upset victory in a special election in a Republican-leaning district. She lost the following election after the district was redrawn and became more Republican leaning. Prior to her term in Congress, she was served as Erie County Clerk.

Incoming Governor Makes First Public Address

On Wednesday, Kathy Hochul’s gave her first public address since the announcement of Governor Cuomo’s planned resignation. In her prepared remarks, the Lieutenant Governor sought to assure New Yorkers that she is ready to take on the responsibility of leading the state. She confirmed that the Governor has pledged to support her transition and, while she is ready to assume the position now, she will take advantage of the coming two weeks prior to the Governor’s resignation taking effect to prepare herself even further and assemble her staff and administration. Hochul pledged that she will hold another address, upon taking office, outlining her vision for New York.

The Lieutenant Governor’s initial remarks were brief, however, some additional insight was provided in her answers to questions from the press. Regarding the role of current chamber staff in her administration the Lieutenant Governor was clear; no one implicated in the Attorney General’s report as having done anything unethical will remain in her administration. Further, she vowed that her administration will never be accused of being a toxic workplace. She addressed previous positions on immigration issues that have evolved over time and distanced herself from the Governor by highlighting that very little of her time was spent with the Governor and that they were not close. Hochul said that she would be announcing her appointed Lieutenant Governor in the coming weeks.

Assembly will Suspend Impeachment Inquiry after Governor’s Resignation

The Assembly Speaker announced via press release that, upon the resignation of the Governor taking effect on August 25, the Assembly will suspend its impeachment investigation. The Speaker said that the purpose of the investigation was to determine if the Governor should remain in office and his resignation renders that question moot. The Speaker also said that “we have been advised by Chair Lavine – with the assistance of counsel – of the belief that the constitution does not authorize the legislature to impeach and remove an elected official who is no longer in office.” The Speaker said the investigation had uncovered evidence related to allegations made against the governor and that the Judiciary Committee would turn over all evidence to the appropriate investigating authorities.

DFS Superintendent Lacewell Resigns

According to reports, the Superintendent of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) Linda Lacewell will resign effective August 24. Lacewell is a longtime and loyal Cuomo staffer who worked for him when he was Attorney General. Lacewell was a central figure in the Attorney General’s report which found allegations against the Governor to be credible. It is unknown who will replace Lacewell as the head of the agency tasked with regulating insurance and banking in the state.

State Education Department Releases School Guidance

The State Education Department (SED) has released its own guidance on school reopening after last week’s announcement that no such guidance would be forthcoming for the Department of Health. The guidance closely follows CDC guidance on the matter including the use of masks for all students and teachers, regardless of vaccination status. The guidance recommends three feet of social distancing between students and six feet of distance between students and unvaccinated staff and cohorting of students. Health surveys will no longer be required.

Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said:

At a time when schools are preparing to reopen and the COVID positivity rate is increasing, we must ensure our schools and districts have the most up-to-date resources and mitigation strategies available to keep our children and school staff safe. Reopening amidst a pandemic for the second consecutive year is truly a daunting task. Our hope is that this guide, coupled with the input of local health officials will help the state’s education community as they prepare for September.

Supreme Court Blocks Part of New York’s Eviction Moratorium

The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, struck down a provision of New York’s eviction moratorium that allows tenants to self-report Covid-related financial hardship with a form. Instead, court evidence and affirmation will be required going forward. In the unsigned opinion, the majority said “This scheme violates the Court’s longstanding teaching that ordinarily ‘no man can be a judge in his own case.” The eviction moratorium is set to expire at the end of August, though lawmakers are considering an extension.

Political Updates

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

Today Show interview with incoming Governor Hochul.

CBS This Morning interview with Executive Assistant #1.

Assembly Judiciary Committee press conference.

Lawmakers consider legality of impeachment after the governor leaves office.

HRC Launches Probe of Alphonso David’s Work for Gov. Cuomo.

NY Post: Time’s Up boss Roberta Kaplan resigns after alleged efforts to discredit Cuomo victim here.

Times Union: Answers to 9 burning questions about Hochul, Cuomo here.

The Democrats who could run to replace Cuomo.

10 people who may try to jump into the 2022 Democratic race for governor.

DeFrancisco recounts his battles with Cuomo in state government.

Coming Up

The Senate will hold a public hearing on the implementation of the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program on August 19.

The Senate will hold a public hearing on New York State’s system of ethics oversight and enforcement on August 25.

The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on September 13 and 14.

The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on September 9.

JCOPE will hold its next meeting on September 14.

The Senate will hold a public hearing to evaluate the current workforce challenges of the I/DD service delivery system on September 14.

The Senate will hold a public hearing to solicit testimony on proposed reforms to the voting process and operations of county boards of elections on September 21.

The Senate will hold a public hearing to review how school districts are spending Foundation Aid increases and ARP funds on September 30.

The Senate will hold a second public hearing to review how school districts are spending Foundation Aid increases and ARP funds on October 5.

The Senate Task Force on Opioids, Addiction and Overdose will hold a public meeting to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on the overdose crisis on October 20.