Plugged In @ Hinman Straub
November 24, 2021
What’s Inside
- Assembly Judiciary Committee Releases Impeachment Report
- Governor Announces REDC Round XI Awards
- Nourish New York Program Made Permanent
- Governor Announces Administration Appointments
- Political Updates
- Coming Up
Assembly Judiciary Committee Releases Impeachment Report
The Assembly Judiciary Committee released a 45-page report into the conduct of former governor Andrew Cuomo, finding that he sexually harassed women, used state resources to produce his latest book, and was not fully transparent about nursing home deaths from COVID-19.
View the full report here.
Governor Announces REDC Round XI Awards
The Governor announced that $81 million has been awarded to support 97 priority projects across the state through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. This year, $150 million in grant funds from Empire State Development was made available on a continuous and competitive basis to support the immediate needs of applicants. Additionally, projects within each region are eligible for a share of $75 million in Excelsior Jobs Program Tax Credits to help attract and grow business in their region. The application for ESD Grant funds remains open, and applications are being reviewed on an on-going basis until funds are exhausted. Applicants with strong, shovel-ready projects that align with the state and region’s economic development priorities can apply through the Consolidated Funding Application.
A complete list of projects receiving funding this round can be found here.
Governor Hochul said:
Nourish New York Program Made Permanent
The Governor signed legislation (S.4892-A/A.5781-A) making the Nourish New York program permanent. The program reroutes surplus agricultural products to needy populations through the state’s food banks. The program also provides support for the food producers and farmers who have lost markets as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through three rounds of the program, New York’s food banks have purchased over 35 million pounds of New York food products, which equates to 29,800,000 meals. In this fourth round, to date, New York’s food banks have purchased 6,903,366 pounds of food, creating an additional 5,752,805 meals for households in need.
Governor Hochul said:
Governor Announces Administration Appointments
The Governor announced new administration appointments including:
Jeffrey H. Pearlman, Special Counsel to the Governor – Mr. Pearlman most recently served a second term as the Director of the Authorities Budget Office. He previously served as Chief of Staff and Counsel to lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. Prior to this, Mr. Pearlman served as Chief of Staff to the New York State Senate Democratic Conference.
Micah Lasher, Director of Policy – Mr. Lasher was Head of Policy and Communications for Sidewalk Labs, an Alphabet (Google) company focused on innovation in technology and urban design to address challenges facing cities across the world. Previously he served as Chief of Staff in the Office of the New York State Attorney General where he managed a government organization of 1,800 employees, providing direct oversight of high-profile and sensitive matters, and helped reestablish New York as a progressive leader among state attorneys general. As Director of State Legislative Affairs for the City of New York from 2010 to 2012, Mr. Lasher represented Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg before New York State government.
Lonnie T. Threatte, Deputy Director of Policy – Mr. Threatte most recently served as Assistant Deputy Director of the Office of Program and Counsel in the New York State Senate directing a team of policy analysts and counsels. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of External Affairs for the Higher Education Services Corporation and as the Assistant Deputy Secretary for Education in the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office.
Chatodd Floyd, Deputy Secretary for Legislative Affairs and Policy – Prior to his appointment as Deputy Secretary, Mr. Floyd served as the Director of Legislative Affairs where he served as a liaison between the Senate and Assembly and also oversaw special projects such as the New York State Vaccine Equity Task Force providing education and outreach to communities of color. Prior to joining the Office of the Governor, Mr. Floyd was the Deputy Chief of Staff for the New York City Mayor’s office.
Veronica Ng, Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs – Prior to joining the Governor’s office, Ms. Ng served as a lead consultant at The Parkside Group. Ms. Ng previously worked as Director of External Affairs for then-Lieutenant Governor Hochul and previously worked in external relations at the Senate Democratic Conference, and as Communications Director for then-Council Member Mark Weprin.
Sandra Rivera, Esq., Senior Advisor for Legislative Affairs – Previously, Ms. Rivera was in private practice advising clients on a variety of matters relating to technology and economic development, health and human services, and criminal and social justice. Most recently, she served as Principal of her own firm, Rivera Law, PLLC. Additionally, she was appointed as a Commissioner of the Office of Court Administration’s Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission. She has also served in a variety of leadership roles at the New York State Bar Association and was Chair of the Board of Family Planning Advocates of New York State.
Rhay Guillen, Director of Legislative Affairs – Mr. Guillen previously served as Senior Advisor for Legislative Affairs at the New York Executive Chamber. He also served as Deputy Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs to New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and a Regional Coordinator for the New York State Assembly Office of Communications and Information Services.
Matthew Pennello, Director of Cabinet Affairs – Most recently, Mr. Pennello served as Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs for the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance. Prior to that he has served in the NYS Executive Chamber as Special Assistant to the Governor for Legislative Affairs, Regional Representative for the Mohawk Valley, and Assistant Director for Central New York Intergovernmental Affairs with the NYS Department of Labor.
Political Updates
City & State NY’s The 2021 Westchester Power 100 here.
City & State NY: All the Cuomo investigations here.
Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin submitted incorrect information on background check before taking office.
The endorsements for Democratic candidates for New York governor.
Hochul earns more endorsements from Assembly members.
New York City’s suburbs are moving in opposite directions.
Will Rep. Suozzi join Adams administration?
James campaign hires from key labor union.
AG James presents her own plan for tackling COVID-19 as governor.
Hochul receives endorsements from two Senate Democrats.
Coming Up
The Assembly will hold a public hearing on a review of climate change expenditures by state entities on November 29.
The Senate will hold a public hearing on childhood lead poisoning in New York State on November 30.
The Assembly will hold a public hearing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the future of higher education on November 30.
The Assembly will hold a public hearing on perinatal care on November 30.
The Assembly will hold a public hearing on the Gateway Program on December 3.
The Senate will hold a public hearing to discuss New York State’s system of ethics oversight and enforcement on December 9.
The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on December 13 and 14.
JCOPE will hold its next meeting on December 14.
The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on December 16.
The Senate will hold a public hearing on campus sexual assault on January 11.