Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – February 21, 2017

Coverage of Albany and New York State government

  • Governor Signs Bill to Block NYC Disposable Bag Fee
  • Legislative Budget Hearings Conclude
  • Mayors Oppose Budget’s Shared-Services Proposal
  • Assembly Approves Criminal Justice Reform Package
  • Comptroller Reports on State’s Drinking Water Infrastructure
  • Governor Nominates Former Assembly Member to Lead HESC
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

Governor Signs Bill to Block NYC Disposable Bag Fee

Last Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo approved a bill that delays the implementation of law imposing a 5-cent fee on carry-out bags in New York City, which was set to take effect on Wednesday.  The state law imposes a one-year moratorium on the city’s law, and also requires the New York City Council re-approve the measure.

The Governor also issued a lengthy statement in which he called for a statewide policy regarding disposable bags, and says that he is appointing a task force to consider the issue:

“To that end, today I am establishing a statewide task force to develop a uniform State plan for addressing the plastic bag problem. This Task Force will be different than usual as this matter requires expeditious action. I will ask the Senate and the Assembly to appoint Co-Chairs with me so that the recommendation can be quickly legislated. Local governments and stakeholders will also be included. By the end of this year, this Task Force will conclude with a report and proposed legislation. I look forward to New York State leading the way on this issue.”

Legislative Budget Hearings Conclude

Lawmakers concluded their public hearing process regarding the Governor’s 2017-18 Executive Budget proposal last Friday.

At last Monday’s hearing on environmental conservation, water infrastructure was a major topic of discussion.  Gov. Cuomo’s Executive Budget proposes $2 billion to upgrade and protect drinking water over the next five years.  But with estimates for the total cost of water infrastructure needs throughout the state over the next two decades at as much as $40 billion, lawmakers are considering adding additional funding to the Governor’s proposal.

Lawmakers also questioned outgoing Public Service Commission (PSC) Chair Audrey Zibelman about whether the state is prepared for the closure of the Indian Point nuclear power plant, which is scheduled for 2021.  The facility provides about 25 percent of the New York City region’s electricity.   Zibelman told lawmakers that the state has been planning for this for some time, and that the facility’s closure will not increase ratepayer costs.

At last Tuesday’s education hearing, state Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia told lawmakers that the governor’s proposal to increase state spending on public schools by $961 million is inadequate.  She urged lawmakers to provide an additional $2.1 billion in education aid.

At last Thursday’s hearing on health and Medicaid, lawmakers inquired about the Governor’s plan to control prescription drug prices, the state’s medical marijuana program and the potential impacts of a federal repeal of the Affordable Care Act on health care in New York.

At Friday’s hearing on housing, outgoing Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner Jamie Rubin (who will soon become Director of State Operations) informed lawmakers that he will be replaced by RuthAnne Visnauskas, who currently serves as the agency’s Executive Deputy Commissioner for Housing Development. Rubin and Visnauskas jointly described the Governor’s housing agenda and fielded questions about the Governor’s proposals to fund the development of supportive housing and the New York City Housing Authority, the 421-a tax credit program and other topics.

When lawmakers return from this week’s recess on February 28, each house is expected to begin the process of developing its respective one-house budget proposal.

Mayors Oppose Budget’s Shared-Services Proposal

Last Monday, the New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) announced the group’s opposition to Gov. Cuomo’s proposal for more counties and local governments to share services.

Under the Governor’s plan, each county would be required to put together a plan with its local governments to share services, such as policing, trash pickup and others. The plan would then go on the ballot in November. If it is not approved, a new plan would have to be put forward next year. The Governor says that this will cut down on local government costs and reduce property taxes.

NYCOM argues that the proposal is “just another top-down State mandate that clearly ignore the root causes of high property taxes and fails to recognize the prevalence of shared services” among the state’s local governments.  NYCOM urges lawmakers to instead increase aid to local governments, which has not been increased in nine years.

Governor Cuomo continued to push for his proposal at events on Long Island and in Buffalo, touting support from local government leaders and arguing that “this game-changing initiative will empower communities, cut costs, and reduce property taxes.”

Assembly Approves Criminal Justice Reform Package

Last Tuesday, the Assembly approved a 12-bill package of criminal justice reform measures, including raising the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18.

Other measures approved by the Assembly include:

  • establishing an Office of Special Investigation in the Attorney General’s Office to investigate when a civilian dies either in law enforcement custody or after an encounter with a law enforcement officer;
  • allowing a court to release limited grand jury information in certain high-profile cases where the grand jury does not approve charges or reduces all charges to one or more non-felony offenses;
  • prohibiting the use of racial and ethnic profiling by law enforcement officials;
  • requiring conviction records relating to low-level marijuana charges to be sealed;
  • requiring the recording of interrogations conducted in a detention facility in all investigations involving a class A-I felony or violent felony offense; and
  • limiting the use of solitary confinement.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said:

“When we began this legislative session, I vowed to make criminal justice reform a top priority for the Assembly Majority.  This legislative package honors that commitment and offers meaningful solutions to ongoing issues that have continued to disproportionately affect poor and underprivileged New Yorkers. It is long past time we brought New York State’s criminal justice laws into the 21st century.”

Comptroller Reports on State’s Drinking Water Infrastructure

Last Monday, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli issued a report which finds that water systems throughout the state may require some $39 billion in repairs and improvements over the next two decades.  The report looks at recent high profile water system failures and problems around the state, including Hoosick Falls, Syracuse and Newburgh, and notes that the Executive Budget proposal would appropriate $2 billion for capital costs related to water quality improvements.

Comptroller DiNapoli said:

“Many drinking water systems in New York are over 100 years old and operating far beyond their useful life. Too many places are dealing with water main breaks, leaks, contaminated drinking water and other problems that can result in public health threats, property damage or inconvenience for residents and businesses. New York needs to significantly invest in this area, or we’re going to suffer the consequences. Unfortunately, paying for these solutions presents a considerable challenge.”

Governor Nominates Former Assembly Member to Lead HESC

Last Monday, Gov. Cuomo announced that he has nominated former Assembly Member Guillermo Linares to serve as the President of Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC).  HESC is the state’s higher education student financial aid agency.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“Guillermo Linares has spent decades in public service fighting to improve the lives of New Yorkers and expand access to education for all.  We’re thrilled to have him join this administration and head this agency at such a critical time. I look forward to working with him to continue to move New York forward and make access to higher education a reality for all working and middle class students.”

Linares lost two Democratic primaries last year – one in June for an open Congress, and the second in September for re-election to his northern Manhattan Assembly seat.  The position required confirmation by the State Senate.

Political Update

National GOP PAC to Target Cuomo

America Rising, a national pro-Republican political action committee (PAC), said this week that it plans to focus on Gov. Cuomo as a potential Democratic presidential candidate in 2020.  The group undertakes opposition research, and plans to do so well before the 2020 race begins.

The group is planning similar efforts against Democratic U.S. Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

State Senator Wins New York City Council Seat

State Senator Bill Perkins (D-Manhattan) won a special election for the New York City Council on Feb. 14.  He replaces Inez Dickens, who vacated the seat in January after she won election to the Assembly.  Perkins previously held the same City council seat from 1998 through 2005.

 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 Senate and Assembly are not in Albany this week.  Lawmakers return to Albany on Tuesday, February 28.

Chief Judge Janet DiFiore will deliver the 2017 State of the Judiciary speech in the Bronx on February 22.

Also on February 22, the Assembly committees on Health, Aging and Labor are holding a public hearing in New York City on the home care workforce.  A second hearing on the issue will be held in Albany on February 27.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on February 28.

Also on February 28, the Senate Energy & Telecommunications Committee and the Assembly Energy Committee are holding a public hearing to examine the potential impacts of the shutdown of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant.

The Public Service Commission holds its next meeting on March 9.

The Senate and Assembly expect to approve their respective one-house budget bills on March 13.

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

The state’s 2017-18 fiscal year begins on April 1.