Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

October 4, 2021

What’s Inside

Governor Announces Plan to Address Health Care Staffing Shortage
Governor Appoints New Department of Health Commissioner
Governor Names New Chair of the Public Service Commission
Governor Signs Executive Order to Expand Remote Court Hearings
Upstate Minimum Wage to Increase
Jumaane Williams Forms Gubernatorial Exploratory Committee
Attorney General James Alludes to Gubernatorial Run
Manhattan Democrats Endorse Senate Candidate to Fill Vacancy
Political Updates
Coming Up

Governor Announces Plan to Address Health Care Staffing Shortage

The Governor released a plan to address expected staffing shortages in hospitals and other health care facilities as a result of reaching the deadline for mandatory vaccination. The plan includes signing an executive order to declare a state of emergency that seeks to increase workforce supply and allow qualified health care professionals licensed in other states or countries, recent graduates, retired and formerly practicing health care professionals to practice in New York State. The Department of Labor has issued guidance to clarify that workers who are terminated because of refusal to be vaccinated are not eligible for unemployment insurance absent a valid doctor-approved request for medical accommodation. The plan also includes the option of deployment of medically-trained National Guard members, and partnering with the federal government to deploy Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs) to assist local health and medical systems.

Governor Hochul said:

We are still in a battle against COVID to protect our loved ones, and we need to fight with every tool at our disposal. I am monitoring the staffing situation closely, and we have a plan to increase our health care workforce and help alleviate the burdens on our hospitals and other health care facilities. I commend all of the health care workers who have stepped up to get themselves vaccinated, and I urge all remaining health care workers who are unvaccinated to do so now so they can continue providing care.

Governor Appoints New Department of Health Commissioner

The Governor named a new commissioner for the Department of Health to replace longtime commissioner Howard Zucker, who resigned last week. Mary T. Bassett, MD, MPH, has been appointed Commissioner of the Department of Health. The Governor appointed Mary T. Bassett, MD, MPH to the position. Dr. Bassett currently serves as director of the François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University and FXB Professor of the Practice of Health and Human Rights in the department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Prior to that, she served as the commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Ms. Bassett said:

I am humbled and honored to return to my home state of New York to lead the Department of Health at this pivotal time. The pandemic underscored the importance of public health, while also revealing inequities driven by structural racism. As we move to end the pandemic, we have a unique opportunity to create a state that is more equitable for all New Yorkers. I look forward to working toward this with Governor Hochul and the team at the Department of Health.

Governor Names New Chair of the Public Service Commission

The Governor announced that Commissioner Rory Christian would take over as Chair of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and chief executive officer of the Department of Public Service (DPS). Mr. Christian was appointed to the PSC earlier this year by Governor Cuomo after extensive negotiations with the State Senate, who pushed for Mr. Christian’s appointment. The PSC expanded this year to seven commissioners. Mr. Christian will replace John Howard as chair, though Mr. Howard will remain a commissioner, at least until his term expires.

Mr. Christian said:

I am deeply honored to be designated Chair of the Commission and CEO of the Department. I thank Governor Hochul and I look forward to devoting my time, my energy and talents to helping ensure New York meets its clean energy goals, through solutions that prioritize equity, reliability and resiliency.

Governor Signs Executive Order to Expand Remote Court Hearings

The Governor signed an executive order to expand remote court hearings by declaring a state of emergency in the counties comprising New York City. The order temporarily modifies Article 182 of the Criminal Procedure Law to expand discretion to conduct court appearances virtually. The Governor argues the expanded use of virtual court appearances will expedite proceedings and allow corrections staff to be reallocated from transportation of detainees to housing supervision and safety at Rikers Island.

Governor Hochul said:

When I signed the Less is More Act into law 10 days ago, it was the beginning, not the end, of my Administration’s work to help find solutions to the crisis on Rikers Island. Improving safety and justice at Rikers is about protecting human rights and human dignity. No incarcerated person, no corrections officer, and no family member should have to endure the reality of Rikers as it exists today, and we must do everything in our power to prevent New Yorkers from languishing in Rikers awaiting their day in court. While more work needs to be done collaboratively with all levels of government, this executive order is an important step to alleviate capacity concerns and help protect New Yorkers.

Upstate Minimum Wage to Increase

The Department of Labor announced an increase in the minimum wage for Upstate counties (Counties North of Westchester) from $12.50 an hour to $13.20. The Upstate increase was determined by the Budget Director based in part on the annual growth rate in the Consumer Price Index and detailed in a report issued this week. Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties will move from $14 to $15 per hour as scheduled, beginning January 1.

Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said in a statement:

It makes sense to raise the wage floor now and continue supporting New York’s families while providing a predictable path forward for businesses. With today’s action we are continuing the work of building back with equity and justice.

Jumaane Williams Forms Gubernatorial Exploratory Committee

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is considering a run for governor, making his first formal step toward a primary challenge to Governor Hochul this week by setting up an exploratory committee. Williams has said he will make a final decision in the coming weeks. Williams ran a primary challenge to then Lieutenant Governor Hochul in 2018, losing by roughly 7 percentage points and winning in important parts of New York City including Manhattan and Brooklyn. Others considering a potential run include Mayor Bill de Blasio and Attorney General Tish James.

Williams said:

It is a pretty big step. And I’m really excited about this exploration. People have brought it up to me for some time and I really had to take some time and think about it.

Attorney General James Alludes to Gubernatorial Run

Attorney General Tish James alluded to a potential run for Governor during a speech given to the Association for a Better New York. Ms. James said during her remarks that “…Eric Adams was here last, and he, um, is the Democratic nominee. And here I am, Letitia James — and so, who knows?” The Attorney General is widely speculated to be interested in running though this statement is the first time she has addressed her interest publicly.

Manhattan Democrats Endorse Senate Candidate to Fill Vacancy

Harlem district leader Cordell Cleare has won the Democratic nomination to appear on the special election ballot for the 30th Senate District seat recently vacated by now Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin. This nomination virtually assures her election in November. Others vying for the nomination included Assembly Member Al Taylor, Athena Moore, and Shana Harmongoff. Assemblyman Taylor was eliminated in the second round, and asked supporters to support Cleare. Cleare will need to begin preparing for a June primary almost immediately against Ali Diini, a community organizer and Democratic Socialist who had worked as a field director Kristin Richardson Jordan, the nominee and likely winner for the 9th Council District.

Political Updates

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

Washington Post: New York’s redistricting tests Democratic opposition to gerrymandering here.

A ballot amendment would change the state constitution and tweak the redistricting process.

Guide to New York’s 2021 ballot questions: #1 — amending the state’s redistricting process.

Guide to New York’s 2021 ballot questions: #2 — the right to clean air and water.

Guide to New York’s 2021 ballot questions: #3 — same day voter registration.

Guide to New York’s 2021 ballot questions: #4 — authorizing no-excuse absentee ballot voting.

Guide to New York’s 2021 ballot questions: #5 — increasing the jurisdiction of NYC Civil Court.

Rep. Antonio Delgado walks an ideological tightrope to reelection.

Delgado-Molinaro race could make NY-19 a national bellwether in 2022.

Paterson credits Hochul with changing ‘toxic environment‘ in governor’s office.

Forbes: As Democrats Push Single-Payer, Brits Hope To Escape It here.

Coming Up

The Cannabis Control Board will hold their first public meeting on October 5.

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 Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on October 7.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing to examine the role and amount of discretion local governments should have in determining the siting of accessory dwelling units (basement apartments) on October 13.

The Senate will hold a public hearing to solicit feedback on S.3979-C, the “End Predatory Court Fees Act” on October 13.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on the governance of the New York City School District on October 14.

The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on October 18 and 19.

JCOPE will hold its next meeting on October 19.

*NEW DATE AND LOCATION* The Assembly will hold a public hearing on employment opportunities for people with disabilities on October 20.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on non-MTA public transit systems and service on October 20.

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.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on restructuring the New York State Division of Veterans Services (NYSDVS) on October 21.

The Senate will hold a public hearing on maintaining quality, equity, and affordability in public higher education throughout the pandemic and beyond on October 25.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on COVID’s impact on the open meetings law on October 25.

The Senate will hold a second public hearing on maintaining quality, equity, and affordability in public higher education throughout the pandemic and beyond on October 27.

The Senate will hold a public hearing on campus sexual assault on November 9.

The Senate Cities Committee will hold a public hearing on how to better address municipal needs on November 10.

The Senate will hold a third public hearing on maintaining quality, equity, and affordability in public higher education throughout the pandemic and beyond on November 16.

The Senate will hold a fourth public hearing on maintaining quality, equity, and affordability in public higher education throughout the pandemic and beyond on November 22.

The Senate will hold a public hearing to discuss New York State’s system of ethics oversight and enforcement on December 9.