Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – October 25, 2017

Coverage of Albany and New York State government

Governor Criticizes Federal Tax Proposal as Vice President Visits Western New York
Governor Takes Steps to Promote Organ Donation
Attorney General Issues Report on School Bus Red Light Camera Violations
State Education Department Creates Student Data Privacy Council
First Openly Gay Judge Sworn In on State’s High Court
Four Regions of the State Submit Amazon HQ2 Proposals
Comptroller: Poor Water Infrastructure Costing Millions
Political Update
Coming Up

Governor Criticizes Federal Tax Proposal as Vice President Visits Western New York

Last Tuesday, Vice President Mike Pence visited Buffalo to push the Republican tax reform plan. He met with business executives and also attended a fundraiser for Congressman Chris Collins (R- Clarence).

Gov. Cuomo has criticized the GOP’s tax plan, calling it “a direct attack on New Yorkers.” He was particularly critical of the proposal to eliminating state and local tax deductibility, saying that it would increase taxes “for millions of middle class New York families to pay for tax cuts for corporations and the rich.”

Governor Takes Steps to Promote Organ Donation

Last Monday, Gov. Cuomo announced that he has signed legislation to make ‘Lauren’s Law’ permanent, and also issued an Executive Order to increase organ donation by state residents.

Lauren’s Law, first enacted in 2012, changed language on the Department of Motor Vehicles license renewal form to highlight the choice for enrolling in the state’s Donate Life Registry.

The Governor signed an Executive Order directing the Department of Health (DOH) to work with the Transplant Council, New York Alliance for Donation, providers, and others to develop opportunities to increase the number of registered organ donors in the state. It also directs state agencies to work with DOH to provide opportunities for individuals to enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry when applying for government benefits, services, and licenses.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“These aggressive steps break down barriers and take proactive action to encourage more New Yorkers to become organ donors, while helping to save countless lives in the process. I encourage all New Yorkers to take action, become an organ donor and help us create a healthier and stronger Empire State for all.”

Attorney General Issues Report on School Bus Red Light Camera Violations

Last Tuesday, State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman released a report detailing an investigation by his office into school bus safety identified nearly 1,500 red light camera violations by school bus companies in Westchester and Suffolk Counties.

The report calls for a change in state law to require bus companies to report red light camera violations to the state and school districts, and use those violations in their assessments of drivers.

Attorney General Schneiderman said:

“Every morning, more than two million New York children are put on school buses by families that trust they’ll be safe. Unfortunately, New York law has a safety loophole big enough to drive a school bus through. Bus companies can rack up red light camera violations – yet have no legal obligation to report them to the state, or even use them as part of their evaluation of drivers. It’s time for action to protect our kids by requiring bus companies to report red light violations to the state and the school districts they serve, and to use those violations in driver evaluations. We must crack down on the problem now, before it turns tragic.”

State Education Department Creates Student Data Privacy Council

At last Monday’s Board of Regents meeting, the State Education Department (SED) said that it plans to establish a Student Data Privacy Council to implement state law and increase protections for students. The new entity will be made up of about 20 representatives of state education groups and experts in the fields of education, data security and privacy, as well as teachers, school district leaders and school board members.

A 2014 state law directed SED to designate a chief privacy officer whose responsibilities include establishing standards for educational agency data security and privacy policies and making recommendations to SED, the Legislature and governor. SED is working to establish model policies and guidance on these issues, and is considering providing training for districts and schools.

The council will make recommendations on improving SED’s ‘Parent’s Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security,’ and will also make recommendations for best practice guidelines to minimize the collection of personally identifiable information.

First Openly Gay Judge Sworn In on State’s High Court

Last Wednesday, Paul Feinman was sworn in as an associate judge on the state’s Court of Appeals, making him the first openly gay person to serve on the state’s highest court.

Feinman was nominated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in June to fill the vacancy left by the untimely death of Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam. He previously served as an appellate justice in Manhattan, and as President of the Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York.

Four Regions of the State Submit Amazon HQ2 Proposals

Four separate regions of New York State have submitted proposals to land Amazon’s second North American headquarters. Bids were submitted by Long Island, New York City and Westchester County; Buffalo/Rochester; Syracuse/Utica; and Albany/Rensselaer.

Amazon is seeking bids from areas that want to be home to the company’s second headquarters. The project, called HQ2, promises to create 50,000 jobs and more than $5 billion in capital investment.

Governor Cuomo the not endorse a specific bid, but submitted an open letter to the company with each bid and touting the state’s attributes:

“New York is in the midst of a…renaissance with a $100 billion transportation infrastructure program – the most ambitious in our history. Transformative investments in airports, train halls, subways, roads and bridges from the tip of Long Island to the shores of Lake Erie and everywhere in between make New York the place to move goods and people.

Most importantly, we have the workforce to help Amazon grow. Our skilled, educated, and diverse workforce provides Amazon with the human capital that is at the heart of your business. A global company needs to welcome global ideas, talent, and experiences into its organization, just as we have so proudly welcomed remarkable people from around the world to the New York State family throughout our history.”

Howard Zemsky, the state’s top economic development official, said that the state is offering “competitive, creative and comprehensive” incentives to the company, but did not provide any details.

Comptroller: Poor Water Infrastructure Costing Millions

Last Thursday, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released a report on municipal water systems throughout the state which finds that local governments are losing millions of dollars in revenue due to water loss, inaccurate meters or improper billing. It found that millions of dollars could be saved annually if the losses could be eliminated.

Comptroller DiNapoli said:

“Water leaks, broken pipes and aging infrastructure are costing local governments millions of dollars annually. Across New York, my audits have revealed infrastructure problems, poor budget practices and a lack of long-term planning are straining municipal finances and increasing costs for taxpayers. If these problems aren’t addressed, the issues plaguing water systems will only get worse.”

Political Update

Dutchess County Executive Forms Campaign Committee for 2018 Governor’s Race

Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro, a Republican, has formed ‘Molinaro for New York,’ a campaign committee that will allow him to raise money while he considers whether to run for Governor in 2018.

Molinaro served in the Assembly from 2007 through 2011, when he was elected to his current position.

Winners & Losers

Each week, City & State New York publishes a list of the week’s political “winners” and “losers.” Read last week’s list here.

Coming Up

On October 30, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) is holding a public hearing on its proposed lobbying regulations and proposed source of funding regulations.

Also on October 30, the Assembly committees on Corrections and Health are holding a public hearing on ‘Healthcare in New York correctional facilities.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on October 31.

November 7 is Election Day.

The State Board of Regents holds its next meeting on November 13 and 14.

The Public Service Commission holds its next meeting on November 16.