The Governor visited members of the Legislative Correspondents Association delivering news that the budget talks will continue beyond the initial April 10 extension. Bail and housing are keys issues the Governor highlighted as cause for the continued delay, along with the timing of the Passover and Easter Holidays. In a letter sent to the Governor, the Comptroller warned that a budget or another extender must be passed by noon on Monday, April 10 to avoid delay or disruption in Wednesday’s scheduled state payroll payments. 

Governor Grants Clemency to Seven Individuals

The Governor granted clemency to seven individuals this week. She had previously committed to reviewing applications and granting clemency on a rolling basis. Following recommendations from the Clemency Advisory Panel, the Governor is commuting the sentences of two individuals, one of whom will be referred to the parole board, and granting pardons to five individuals who are facing immigration consequences as a result of convictions that are at least a decade old.

Governor Hochul said:

Governor Announces Investments in Critical Water Infrastructure Projects

The Governor announced over $70 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects across New York State. Highlights of the funding approved by the Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors include grants to treat emerging contaminants above the state-determined Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). This includes grants totaling $16.2 million to the Suffolk County Water Authority for 11 drinking water projects as well as a $2 million grant to the Manhasset Lakeville Water District in Nassau County.

The Board also approved two sewer projects utilizing state grants and funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). These state and federal investments include over $7 million for the City of Watervliet in Albany County and over $2.5 million for the Village of Sidney in Delaware County.

Governor Hochul said:

Governor Announces Expansion of CUNY Apprenticeship Offerings

The Governor announced a $2 million investment to add 12 apprenticeship programs at the City University of New York for its associate degrees starting in the Fall 2023 semester, an expansion of CUNY’s offering of for-credit apprenticeships in in-demand industries. The additions build on the five existing apprenticeship programs embedded within CUNY associate degree programs in software engineering, consulting, finance, risk management and cybersecurity.  

New apprenticeship offerings will launch at all 10 CUNY colleges which offer associate degrees; in addition to the seven CUNY community colleges, two-year degrees are offered at College of Staten Island, Medgar Evers College and New York City College of Technology. Employers hosting the apprenticeships will pay students, and the students will earn nine course credits.  

The Governor said:

Attorney General Shuts Down Websites Impersonating NYS Department of State

The Attorney General’s office shut down two websites that impersonated the New York State Department of State (NYSDOS). Those websites overcharged users for services provided by NYSDOS. The websites, created by Thomas Romano and his company, Steamin’ Weenie LLC (Steamin’ Weenie), closely mimicked NYSDOS’ Division of Corporations site by using the agency’s official seal and logo, and allowed users to file various business-related documents with federal, state, and local entities for much higher prices than NYSDOS offered. One of the websites charged $135 for a certified copy of a certificate of incorporation, which cost only $10 from NYSDOS at the time.

There were no disclosures on the websites that they were operated by a private third-party agreeing to file documents on behalf of their users. In addition to shutting down the websites, Attorney General James secured $44,387 in penalties from the company and its owner.

Attorney General James said: