Plugged In @ Hinman Straub
August 16, 2024
What’s Inside
- Senior Leadership Changes in the NYS Senate
- Governor Announces Appointments to the NYS Supreme Court
- Department of Labor Issues Guidance to Protect Outdoor Workers
- NYS Assemblymember Nominated for State Supreme Court Judgeship
- Governor Announces Additional Funding for Health Care Workforce
- Governor Highlights Statewide Decline in Crime
- In the News
- Coming Up
Senior Leadership Changes in the NYS Senate
According to reports, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has promoted two staffers to top leadership positions due to the departure of former Counsel to the Majority Eric Katz.
Previous Deputy Counsel, Dorothy Powell, will replace Eric Katz. In addition, Jonathan Lang, who had served as Director of Majority Counsel and Program, has been promoted to a newly created position – Secretary of Majority Counsel and Program. Eric Katz has announced that he will become General Counsel for Metropolitan Park, the plan from Steve Cohen to build a casino outside of Citi Field in Queens.
Governor Announces Appointments to the NYS Supreme Court
This week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the following appointments to the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division Second Judicial Department:
- Honorable Donna Marie Golia;
- Honorable Phillip Hom; and
- Honorable James McCormack.
More information on the appointments can be found in the Governor’s press release here.
Department of Labor Issues Guidance to Protect Outdoor Workers
In observance of National Safe + Sound Week, the New York State Department of Labor (DOL), at the request of Governor Hochul, has issued newly developed guidance for New York’s employers to keep outdoor workers safe from extreme heat. The full guidance linked here establishes best practices for employers to support the safety of outdoor workers in extreme temperatures, poor air quality, and extreme precipitation. The DOL specifically notes that in a unionized workplace, this guidance does not supersede any current collective bargaining agreements.
NYS Assemblymember Nominated for State Supreme Court Judgeship
According to a press release from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, Assemblymember Michael Norris, who represents the 144th Assembly District in Western New York, has been nominated for and will pursue the opportunity to serve on New York’s State Supreme Court in the 8th Judicial District. Assemblymember Norris has served his district for the last eight years.
The Minority Leader’s full statement can be found here.
Governor Announces Additional Funding for Health Care Workforce
Governor Hochul has announced three Workforce Investment Organizations will receive awards totaling up to $646 million over the next three years to implement the Career Pathways Training Program, which will recruit and train thousands of new health, mental health, and social care workers across New York. This program will also provide new career advancement opportunities to many current health care workers throughout the State.
The award recipients include 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds, Iroquois Healthcare Association, and the Finger Lakes Performing Provider System. As the designated Workforce Investment Organizations, all three recipients will use this new funding to execute the following:
- Conduct outreach and recruit thousands of new and current health, mental health, and social care workers for participation in the CPT Program.
- Support CPT Program participants with tutoring and other academic support such as apprenticeship and mentorship programs.
- Make payments to support participants’ tuition program fees, textbooks and supplies.
- Aid in job readiness and placement to meet service commitments.
- Hold educational programs for new and current health, mental health, and social care workers, including application and enrollment assistance.
- Form partnerships with educational institutions and other stakeholders to increase career opportunities for CPT program participants.
- Perform data collection and reporting on CPT program performance metrics, spending, and other information.
Governor Hochul said:
More information on the recruitment and training of the healthcare workforce and this initiative can be found here.
Governor Highlights Statewide Decline in Crime
This week, Governor Hochul highlighted ongoing declines in statewide crime as a new independent report ranked New York communities among the safest in the nation based on violent crime rates, emergency services and other key metrics. Eight counties across New York State, including counties in Long Island, the Hudson Valley and New York City, were recognized in the U.S. News & World Report ranking of “The Top 25 Safest Communities in America” – more than any other state in the nation. Four counties were among the top ten, and one county – Nassau – was ranked the safest in the nation.
The U.S. News & World Report analysis recognized the following counties among the Top 25 Safest in America – with many of them seeing significant year-over-year declines in crime for the first half of 2024:
Long Island
- Nassau – 18% decline
- Suffolk – 13% decline
Hudson Valley
- Rockland – 26% decline
- Westchester – 8% decline
- Putnam – 15% decline in 2023 (2024 data pending)
New York City
- Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island – combine 3.5% decline
Altogether, statewide crime is down 6% year over year in New York, according to data from both the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and NYPD CompStat.
In addition, the Governor highlighted several investments and initiatives that have helped contribute to the decline of violent-based crime such as the Gun Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, the SNUG Street Outreach program, and Project RISE. Learn more here
In The News
City & State NY’s weekly Winners and Losers here.
Watchdog asks Hochul to veto real estate tax break.
Governor Kathy Hochul to speak at Democratic National Convention.
New York makes RSV vaccines widely available for older and pregnant adults.
NYSUT releases endorsements for 2024 general election.
Cannabis Association of NY loses bulk of its board of directors.
New York advocate argues for eliminating the subminimum wage.
New York Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas discusses her push for universal free school meals.
Oral arguments heard in home care worker wage theft suit against New York State Labor Department.
DraftKings cancels unpopular surcharge plan after backlash.
Bruce Blakeman surpasses $1M mark in campaign donations. Will he run again?
New York Dems’ new strategy: Prove every GOP lawmaker is a hypocrite on abortion.
Lockport Assemblyman Norris in line for judgeship.
New York’s overhaul of school funding formula takes another step.
New grid study shows how much wind and solar output can vary.
Senator proposes $1,000 “baby bonus” to help people afford to have children.
The New York Times will stop endorsing candidates in New York races.
Nursing homes are closing; a new bill prepares residents for change.
New York Assemblywoman and Mayor Adams’ ally Jenifer Rajkumar makes run for city Comptroller official.
Federal funding on the way for upstate New York fire departments.
New York teachers to make largest-ever investment in congressional races.
Two years after CHIPS law signed, New York poised to grow semiconductor sector.
Coming Up
The Boards of Regents will hold its next meeting on September 9 and 10.
The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government will hold their next meeting on September 18.
The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on September 19.