Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – December 13, 2016

PluggedInMastheadCoverage of Albany and New York State government

  • 2016 REDC Awards Announced
  • Still No Plans for Special Legislative Session
  • 2017 Legislative Calendar Released
  • Governor Announces New Empire Corps Program, Expansion of Poverty Reduction Initiative
  • Comptroller Reports on State’s Non-Profit Sector
  • Attorney General Releases Report on Barriers to Voting, Proposes Early Voting and Easier Registration
  • Governor to Serve as DGA Policy Chair
  • Assembly Speaker Re-Elected
  • Senate GOP Appoints New Finance Committee Secretary
  • State Makes Funds Solar Incentive Available to Low, Moderate Income Communities
  • JCOPE Gets Feedback on Proposed Lobbying Regulations
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

2016 REDC Awards Announced

 

On Thursday, the awards ceremony for the state’s Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) was held in Albany. More than $700 million in economic and community development funding was awarded through the program this year, the program’s sixth.  (The full list of award recipients is here.)

 

Gov. Cuomo said:

 

“Through the Regional Economic Development Councils, we have replaced the ‘one-size fits all’ approach to economic growth with a ‘ground-up’ strategy that focuses on cooperation and investing in regional assets to generate opportunity.  By bringing together ideas from local government and community leaders with state resources, we are giving these councils the tools to create jobs and drive economic activity in their communities for generations to come.”

 

 

Still No Plans for Special Legislative Session

 

After three days of meetings in Albany, the Assembly’s Democratic Majority Conference members were told to be available next week for a possible special legislative session in Albany.  But as of this writing, there is no indication that a special session, which would likely include a legislative pay increase effective in 2017, will be held.

 

The Assembly Democrats have raised concerns about Gov. Cuomo’s call for term limits.  The Governor has also called on lawmakers to provide for a full-time Legislature that bans outside income; approve funding for affordable housing; fund a hate crimes task force and enact changes to the state’s oversight of the procurement process.

 

If legislators do not give themselves a pay increase before the end of 2016, they will not be able to receive a pay increase until 2019, at the earliest.

 

 

2017 Legislative Calendar Released

 

The Senate and Assembly released the 2017 legislative calendar this week.

 

The 2017 legislative session will begin on Wednesday, January 4, and is scheduled to conclude on June 21.

 

 

Governor Announces New Empire Corps Program, Expansion of Poverty Reduction Initiative

 

On Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo announced $6.7 million in funding over three years to create Empire Corps, a new program made up of AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA members that will serve 16 communities throughout the state.  The new program, which was first announced by the governor in January, is part of the Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative, a $25 million initiative to support community-driven, poverty reduction strategies to increase economic opportunity.

 

Gov. Cuomo said:

 

“Every New Yorker deserves a fair shot to succeed.  This administration has made it a mission to fight poverty and its root causes and this new Empire Corps program puts resources and manpower on the front lines of this battle to achieve a stronger, fairer and more just New York for all.”

 

Empire Corps funding will support a team of 134 AmeriCorps and 17 AmeriCorps VISTA members to accelerate poverty reduction in the Bronx, Rochester, Syracuse, Binghamton, Oneonta, Buffalo, Utica, Elmira, Jamestown, Oswego, Troy, Hempstead, Newburgh, Niagara Falls, Watertown, and Albany.

 

 

Comptroller Reports on State’s Non-Profit Sector

 

On Wednesday, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released a report which looks at the state’s non-profit sector.  According to the report, which is based on 2012 data, New York State leads the nation in both nonprofit jobs, with almost 1.3 million, and number of non-profit organizations, with more than 31,000. In 2012, the non-profit sector comprised more than 18 percent of all private sector employment in the state.

 

Comptroller DiNapoli said:

 

“Nonprofits take care of New Yorkers, whether it is providing shelter from the cold, a helpful hand or a voice when they don’t have one.  This report shows nonprofits have a significant impact on our economy through the number of jobs they provide and the wages they pay. Given the ongoing challenges facing many nonprofits in New York, it’s important that we develop a better understanding of this key sector of our economy that delivers vital services.”

 

 

Attorney General Releases Report on Barriers to Voting; Proposes Early Voting and Easier Registration

 

On Tuesday, State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman released the results of his office’s statewide inquiry into widespread voter complaints received before, during, and after the April 2016 presidential primary. The inquiry found that the state’s system of voting imposes “significant barriers to voter access” by limiting the ability of members of the public to participate in primary elections, and by restricting voter access to the ballot. (Read the full report here.)

 

To address these barriers, the Attorney General said that he plans to introduce a comprehensive bill to reform the state’s voting systems, titled the 2017 New York Votes Act.  He will propose reforms that are intended to simplifying the voting process, increase voter registration, and expand voter turnout, including:

 

  • enacting same day and voter registration;
  • allowing registered voters to change their party enrollment closer to primary elections;
  • adopting a system of early voting;
  • allowing for “no excuse” absentee voting; and
  • improving poll worker training and recruitment.

Governor Cuomo to Serve as DGA Policy Chair

Last week, the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) announced its leadership team for 2017-18, which includes Gov. Cuomo as its Policy Chair for 2017. DGA is a political organization that supports Democratic governors and candidates across the nation. As of January 2017, Democrats will hold just 16 governors’ offices throughout the nation.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“Progress at the state level is more important now than ever and with my fellow DGA members, we’re working to develop and advance an agenda that improves the lives of all Americans.  From raising the minimum wage, to passing strong paid family leave, to making record investments in infrastructure and education, New York has been focused on delivering real results. I look forward to working with my fellow Democratic governors to enact meaningful change and work to unite a nation that has been divided for far too long. Only by standing together can we stand against the forces of intolerance and injustice.”

Assembly Speaker Heastie Re-Elected

Last Tuesday, the Assembly Majority Conference announced the re-election of Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) to serve as Speaker for the 2017-18 legislative session.  He was first elected Speaker in February 2015. (The full Assembly will formally vote to install the Speaker on the first day of the 2017 legislative session.)

In a statement, Speaker Heastie said:

“As we enter the 2017 session, the Assembly Majority will reaffirm its commitment to building bridges to economic opportunity for all New Yorkers. We will make sure our state remains the gateway to educational achievement that it has always been. We will fight to ensure our most vulnerable populations are protected. And we will continue to defend constitutionally protected freedoms such as civil rights and access to reproductive choice.”

Senate GOP Appoints New Finance Committee Secretary

On Friday, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan announced that Shawn MacKinnon has been appointed to serve as the secretary of the Senate Finance Committee.  He replaces Mike Paoli who is retiring.

Senator Flanagan said:

“Shawn possesses exceptional budgeting talents and leadership skills that will help our Majority conference continue to create better opportunities for hardworking New Yorkers.  I have been fortunate to partner with Shawn in developing important fiscal policies in the past, and I’m confident his expertise will be invaluable throughout the budget process that begins just a few short weeks from now.”

State Makes Funds Solar Incentive Available to Low, Moderate Income Communities

Last Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo announced that the state will make $3.6 million in funding available to increase access to solar energy in low- to moderate-income communities.  Low to moderate-income residents, who earn less than 80% of the median income in their area, make up 40% of the state’s households.

Affordable-housing providers and community organizations can apply for up to $200,000 in funding for solar projects for multifamily affordable housing buildings and shared solar installations that benefit multiple homes.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“Clean energy is key to combatting climate change and we must ensure that the development and use of these cutting edge technologies are not only available to the wealthy.  Through this effort, we are helping New Yorkers to save money and are building a cleaner and more resilient New York for all.”

The funding will help the state achieve its Clean Energy Standard initiative, which is to have 50% of its electricity to come from renewable resources by 2030, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030 from the levels found in 1990.

JCOPE Gets Feedback on Proposed Lobbying Regulations

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) held a public hearing in New York City yesterday at which the Business Council of New York State, Common Cause NY, the Lawyers Alliance For New York and others provided feedback and recommendations regarding its staff proposal for comprehensive lobbying regulations.  (JCOPE has also posted all of the written comments it has received here.)

Concerns have been expressed regarding how JCOPE would treat coalitions, volunteers, and social media activities. Hinman Straub is following this rulemaking effort closely, and will continue to share our concerns and recommendations with JCOPE as warranted.

Read more on this on Hinman Straub’s Lobbying, Ethics and Elections Compliance Blog.

Political Update

Democrats Fight Over Control of the State Senate

Democrats and liberal advocacy groups have continued trying to enlist Gov. Cuomo in their efforts to unify the State Senate’s Democrats so that Democrats control the State Senate in 2017.

Pending the outcome of two still-unresolved Senate races on Long Island, it is expected that there will be 32 Democrats in the 63-seat State Senate in 2017.  However, Democrats remain in the Senate minority because of eight renegade Democrats who have chosen to align with the Senate Republican Conference [Brooklyn Senator Simcha Felder, and the seven-member Independent Democratic Conference (IDC)].

 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

The Board of Regents holds its next meeting on December12 and 13.

The Assembly Committee on Libraries and Education Technology is holding a public hearing on the funding of public libraries on December 13.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) holds its next meeting on December 15.

The Assembly Committee on Banks is holding a public hearing to examine cybersecurity regulations proposed by the state Department of Financial Services (DFS) on December 19.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on December 20.

The 2017 Legislative session will begin on Wednesday, January 4, 2017.