Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

August 20, 2021

What’s Inside

Governor Cuomo Announces Vaccine Mandate for Health Care Workers
Assembly Changes Course, Will Release Impeachment Investigation Report
Governor Cuomo’s Attorney Holds Virtual Briefing
Incoming Governor Hochul Meets with Mayor de Blasio
Upstate Set to Lose Representation After Census Data Released
Jumaane Williams Considering Run for Governor
Political Updates
Coming Up

Governor Cuomo Announces Vaccine Mandate for Health Care Workers

Governor Cuomo announced Monday that all healthcare workers, including staff at hospitals and long-term care facilities (LTCF), including nursing homes, adult care, and other congregate care settings, will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Monday, September 27.

According to the Public Health Law (PHL) Section 16 Order issued by the DOH Commissioner yesterday, however, covered entities include only general hospitals and nursing homes pursuant to section 2801 of the PHL and not the wider range of healthcare workers originally announced by the Governor. Further, the order covers all persons employed or affiliated with a covered entity whether paid or unpaid and provides for limited medical or religious exemptions. Additionally, the order requires covered entities to report vaccination statistics to DOH.

Assembly Changes Course, Will Release Impeachment Investigation Report

The Assembly will continue its investigation into allegations against Governor Cuomo and will issue a report on its findings. This is a reversal from last week when Speaker Heastie announced the Assembly would be suspending the investigation as a result of the Governor’s resignation coupled with legal analysis calling into question the constitutionality of impeaching a Governor that is no longer in office.

Statement from the Speaker and Judiciary Chair Lavine:

The Assembly Judiciary Committee will continue to review evidence and issue a final report on its investigation of Governor Cuomo. In doing so, the committee will take all appropriate steps to ensure that this effort does not interfere with various ongoing investigations by the United States Attorney concerning nursing home data; the attorney general concerning the governor’s memoir; and local law enforcement authorities in five jurisdictions – Manhattan, Albany, Westchester, Nassau and Oswego – regarding possible criminal incidents of sexual misconduct.

Governor Cuomo’s Attorney Holds Virtual Briefing

Rita Glavin, Governor Cuomo’s personal attorney, held a virtual briefing requesting amendments to the Attorney General’s report to include information she believes is counter to the original findings. The Governor’s attorney included photos from events that were detailed in the report that she asserts demonstrate the report to be inaccurate, misleading, or lacking in context. Ms. Glavin also said she has received new information regarding an accuser that relates to her credibility. No detail was provided, but, according to Ms. Glavin that information will be provided to both the Attorney General and the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Ms. Glavin also reiterated concerns with other allegations and findings in the report that were previously discussed in prior briefings.

The Attorney General’s office released the following statement from Delaney Kempner, Director of Communications, in response to Rita Glavin’s comments:

After multiple women made accusations that Governor Cuomo sexually harassed them, the governor, himself, requested that Attorney General James oversee an independent investigation. That investigation was exhaustive, thorough, and without outside influence, period.

Given the multiple, ongoing criminal investigations into the governor’s conduct, it would not be appropriate to respond further to these baseless attacks. The 168-page report and additional 486 pages of exhibits clearly corroborate the experiences of the complainants, yet the governor and his aides continue to undermine those who seek to expose this dangerous conduct.

We cannot allow survivors of sexual harassment to be further traumatized by these continued attacks, lies, and conspiracy theories.

Incoming Governor Hochul Meets with Mayor de Blasio

Incoming Governor Hochul met this week with Mayor de Blasio in a stark departure from the previous administration. According to a joint statement released after the meeting topics of discussion included COVID and school reopening. Lieutenant Governor Hochul has made efforts in the last week to demonstrate that her governing style will be very different from that of Governor Cuomo.

Joint statement:

We had a productive conversation today discussing issues that are important to New Yorkers, from fighting the Delta variant to getting our kids back to school safely this fall to keeping our communities safe. We look forward to working with each other to continue New York City’s recovery and end the fight against COVID.

Upstate Set to Lose Representation After Census Data Released

Census data released last week showing a decline in population Upstate and a slight increase in population in New York City will likely result in a loss of one of Upstate’s congressional seats. This is likely to also have some impact on State Senate districts. The Independent Redistricting Commission is required to release its initial maps by mid-September. New York voters this November will also consider constitutional amendments that could alter the redistricting process that could provide greater leverage for Democrats in the state Legislature over the process.

Jumaane Williams Considering Run for Governor

Jumaane Williams, current New York City Public Advocate and one time primary opponent to Kathy Hochul, revealed that he is considering a run for governor. Williams said he would like to decide after the Lieutenant Governor’s transition is complete. Williams confirmed that he will not seek election for lieutenant governor again.

Jumaane Williams said:

I’m considering the governor position, but there is a whole lot to consider, and what I’ve said is that it’s probably best to consider it after the transition has occurred. Right now, there’s a history about to be made with this first woman governor. History was made unfortunately again when this governor resigned.

Political Updates

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

City & State NY’s Winners and Losers of the Past Five Years here.

Azzopardi Op-Ed: Governor Cuomo has been railroaded here.

Byron Brown launches petition to be on November ballot.

Cuomo files retirement paperwork with comptroller’s office.

State lawmakers begin reviewing evidence in Cuomo investigation.

State of Politics: Information shows violations of public officers’ law in Cuomo probe, lawmaker says here.

Bill Perkins loses Harlem City Council primary recount by 114 votes to Democratic Socialist.

Steve Israel: Do not underestimate Kathy Hochul.

Times Union: 2022 buzz, Latimer pushed for governor, new AG candidate here.

Samsung considering New York for $17 billion computer chip manufacturing facility.

Coming Up

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 Assembly will hold a public hearing on neonicotinoid pesticides on September 20.

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 Assembly will hold a public hearing on intercity passenger rail transportation on September 22.

The Senate will hold a public hearing to review the finances and projections of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in the aftermath of COVID-19 and receipt of federal aid, to review the implementation of the Transformation Plan, and to seek updates on major capital projects on September 29.

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.