Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

October 25, 2024

What’s Inside

  • NYC Mayoral Election
  • Attorney General Defends Concealed Carry Gun Law
  • Division of Budget Announces Fiscal Year 2026 Formal and Capital Hearings
  • Governor Signs Legislation to Expand Red Light Camera Programs
  • In the News
  • Coming Up

NYC Mayoral Election

Amid the indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the investigations that have permeated his administration, additional candidates have filed to run for Mayor of New York City in the 2025 election.

On Wednesday, via X, Zohran Mamdani posted a video announcing his candidacy for Mayor with a focus on affordability and working-class New Yorkers. His announcement video can be watched here. Mamdani is a Democratic Socialist and a New York State Assemblymember representing the 36th District, in Queens. He was first elected in 2020.

Subsequently, Attorney Jim Walden threw his hat in the ring this week. Walden is known for working on cases in and around politics with known politicians such as former Mayor Bill de Blasio, State Attorney General Letitia James, and former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Walden recently stepped down from managing his law firm, Walden Macht Haran & Williams. More information can be found here.

Attorney General Defends Concealed Carry Gun Law

This week, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld the majority of the provisions in the Concealed Carry Improvement Act (CCIA) after the U.S. Supreme Court asked the Second Circuit to review its previous decision in May 2024. The concealed carry permit provisions upheld in the decision include the requirement to demonstrate good moral character and to disclose household and family members on a permit application. In addition, the decision upholds the ban on concealed carry in sensitive places with the exception of places of worship. The court, however, again rejected the broad ban on concealed carry on private property that is open to the general public, like grocery stores and gas stations.

Attorney General James said:

This decision is another victory in our effort to protect all New Yorkers from the scourge of gun violence. After repeated attempts to weaken our gun safety regulations, once again we have prevailed. Commonsense gun safety legislation helps protect New Yorkers, and my office will always stand up to defend these laws. As Attorney General, I will use all the tools at my disposal to help remove dangerous weapons from New York communities and to keep our state’s residents safe.

Governor Hochul said:

Gun safety laws save lives and keep our streets safer. Today’s ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upholds the core tenets of the Concealed Carry Improvement Act, the common-sense measure I signed into law two years ago that is saving lives across New York. That’s one reason why New York continues to have one of the lowest firearm mortality rates of any state in the nation. Public safety is my top priority, and I’ll continue to fight gun violence and protect all New Yorkers.

Division of Budget Announces Fiscal Year 2026 Formal and Capital Hearings

As part of the formal budget process, the New York State Division of the Budget (DOB) held public hearings on the FY 2026 Executive Budget, including agency and capital budgets, this morning. At the hearings, selected agencies outlined aspects of their budgets. Members of the Legislature and their staffs were invited to participate and ask questions. Watch here.

Governor Signs Legislation to Expand Red Light Camera Programs

This week, Governor Hochul signed a package of legislation to increase road safety by extending existing red light camera programs across the state and establishing a new red light camera program in the Hudson Valley. This includes the largest expansion of the red light camera program in New York City’s history. Governor Hochul also signed legislation that will protect children on buses and other measures designed to keep students safe and hold reckless drivers accountable.

This legislation package will extend, expand, or create red light camera programs in the following areas:

  • New York City – extended and expanded
  • The City of White Plains – extended
  • The City of Albany – extended
  • Nassau County – extended
  • The Town of Greenburgh – a completely new program
  • The City of Mount Vernon – extended
  • The City of New Rochelle – extended

The legislation signed, specifically includes the following:

  • 8607A/A.9359A – authorizes the City of Kingston to establish a speed camera program for up to three school zones, protecting children on their way to and from school.
  • 9504A/A.3120A – increases penalties for overtaking and passing a school bus. The fine for a third or subsequent violation within three years will rise from $1,000 to $1,500. This targets repeat offenders specifically.
  • S9361/A8557 – requires all passengers on charter buses over the age of 8 to use the seatbelts provided.
  • S760B/A402B – expands the reckless driving statute to include parking lots. Parking lots will be defined as private property with capacity for four or more cars, contiguous to premises and a roadway, parking lots adjacent to one- or two-family residences are exempt.

More information can be found here

In The News

City & State NY’s weekly Winners and Losers of this week here.

Opposition takes swipe at Governor Hochul’s changes to home health care in New York.

Trucking group urging New York to delay its Advanced Clean Trucks rule.

Stewart-Cousins defends her majority leadership in replay of  2022 challenge.

Rep. Marc Molinaro says Dem opponent Josh Riley is even worse than this ex-pol.

Law firm receiving lucrative contracts has donated to mayoral candidate Brad Lander.

Assembly candidates clash on Dem majority in Albany.

Bill to ban debt collectors from using social media awaits governors signature.

New York lawmakers mull more protections for library, public workers.

Bronx Dems fix disclosure failing after New York Focus reporting.

State certifies 12 write-in candidates for president.

Brandon William, John Mannion spar over Israel in heated upstate NY battleground debate.

NYC taxpayers shelled out $3M in salaries to Eric Adams’ team ensnared in corruption probes.

Medical transport company admits guilt in $2.1M Medicaid fraud scheme.

Campaign board questions mayor’s campaign finances.

First-time voters driving up early mail and absentee voting in upstate New York county.

Upstate NY Assembly candidate caught-on-camera snatching rival’s flyer from mailbox: ‘bad, bad bad’.

Between Eric Adams and the congressional delegation, an uneasy peace.

Here’s why Micron is running behind in New York, and what it means to historic project.

The case against Eric Adams and company: A virtual panel.

Bronx Dems spent nearly $300,000 on consultancy tied to party chair Jamaal Bailey.

As some Rotterdam residents demand resignation, Joe Mastroianni declines interviews.

New York’s 6 Pivotal House Races: Here’s what to know.

OTB hires two Brown lieutenants from City Hall.

New York’s Cannabis Fund became a disaster. Its managers earned $1.7 million nonetheless.

Coming Up

The New York State Board of Regents will hold its next meeting on November 4 and 5.