Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – June 20, 2017

Coverage of Albany and New York State government

  • End of 2017 Legislative Session Approaches
  • Governor Nominates Feinman to State’s Highest Court
  • Poll: Cuomo’s 2018 Numbers Look Strong
  • Governor Promises to Protect Immigrants From ‘Illegal Deportations’
  • Marijuana Legalization Advocates Renew Legislative Efforts
  • Attorney General Announces Funding for Anti-Blight Initiative
  • Senate Efforts to Address Against Heroin and Opioid Abuse Focus on Law Enforcement
  • Attorney General Announces Elder Fraud Prevention Initiative
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

End of 2017 Legislative Session Approaches

With lawmakers in the final week of the 2017 legislative session, there has been a flurry of activity in both houses.  However, lawmakers have not reached agreement  on a number of high-profile issues, including reauthorizing mayoral control of New York City schools; lifting the cap on the number of charter schools; renewing local sales taxes in suburban and upstate counties; and increasing oversight of state economic development efforts.

Gov. Cuomo, who typically drives the end-of-legislative session deal making, has been spending little time in Albany.  In April, he said that he had achieved all of his 2017 goals in the state’s budget. As of this writing, it is unclear whether the Governor will be an active participant in the Legislature’s end-of-session activities.

Governor Nominates Feinman to State’s Highest Court

On Thursday, Gov. Cuomo announced that he has nominated Justice Paul Feinman to serve as an Associate Judge on the New York State Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court.  Justice Feinman is currently an Associate Justice on the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court and has served as a judge in New York for more than 20 years.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“Justice Feinman will be an exceptional addition to New York’s highest court.  He is a talented jurist who has dedicated his career to public service and standing up for a fairer and more just New York. While we continue to mourn the untimely passing of Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam, Justice Feinman will help ensure that the Court of Appeals upholds the highest principles of law and fairness that embody the very best of New York.”

The Senate is expected to take up Justice Feinman’s nomination later today.

Poll:  Cuomo’s 2018 Numbers Look Strong

A Marist Poll released last week shows Gov. Cuomo’s job approval rating among registered voters throughout the state at 43%, its highest point since October 2014.

The poll shows that the Governor is well-positioned for his 2018 re-election race.  He leads each of his potential GOP opponents by a factor of more than two to one, and almost half of those polled said that they definitely plan to vote for him in 2018.  However, a majority of voters (51%) say that they do not want the Governor to run for President in 2020.

Governor Promises to Protect Immigrants from ‘Illegal Deportations’

Gov. Cuomo published a guest editorial in last Friday’s Daily News in which he affirmed New York’s record of protecting immigrants’ rights, and promised that “[e]ach new effort by the federal government to ban our immigrant sisters and brothers will be met by a redoubling of our commitment to support and protect them.”

Marijuana Legalization Advocates Renew Legislative Efforts

As the end of the state’s 2017 legislative session nears, lawmakers and drug policy reform advocates are pushing for the Legislature to take up a bill that would establish a legal market for marijuana for adults in the state, regulating and taxing it in the same manner as alcohol. Supporters say the potential tax revenue stream is significant, and that the state would also save millions in law enforcement

Neither the Senate nor the Assembly have ever house has taken up the bill in the past.  Gov. Cuomo has also expressed opposition to marijuana legalization, saying that it is a “gateway drug” that leads to the use of other drugs.

Attorney General Announces Funding for Anti-Blight Initiative

Last week, state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that 18 cities and towns across the state will receive $10 million in the first phase of the Cities for Responsible Investment and Strategic Enforcement (“Cities RISE”) grant awards.

The funds, which come from financial settlements, is intended to enable local governments to transform vacant or poorly maintained problem properties through the use of housing and community data from various state agencies. Grantees will receive a two-year subscription to a data platform that integrates and analyzes data including code enforcement records, tax liens, and fire and police data, plus support and advice from a range of specialists.

Schneiderman called the effort “a 21st century approach to overcoming this crisis and revitalizing New York’s communities.”

Senate Efforts to Address Against Heroin and Opioid Abuse Focus on Law Enforcement

Last Tuesday, the Senate approved a package of bills that are intended to enhance focuses on law enforcement efforts to help end the state’s heroin, opioid, and synthetic drug epidemic.

The Senate approved bills that would:

  • establish the crime of homicide by sale of an opiate controlled substance;
  • criminalize the sale of a controlled substance on the grounds of a drug or alcohol treatment center, or within 1,000 feet of such facilities;
  • creating a presumption that the possession of 50 or more individual packages containing heroin and/or having an aggregate value of $300 is possession with intent to sell;
  • establish the offense of fraudulent prescription, dispensing and procurement of non-controlled substance prescription medications and devices, and the offense of unlawful possession of non-controlled substance prescription medications and devices;
  • improve the regulation of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid;
  • increasing penalties for the sale of controlled substances to minors;
  • requiring patient counseling prior to issuing a prescription for a Schedule II opioid; and
  • expanding access to funding for state substance abuse services.

Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan said:

“The Senate continues to be at the forefront of efforts to battle the state’s heroin crisis and was instrumental in securing $214 million in this year’s budget for measures to prevent and treat heroin and opioid abuse. The measures taken up today will improve resources for both law enforcement and treatment professionals to help New Yorkers in every corner of our state.”

Attorney General Announces Elder Fraud Prevention Initiative

On Thursday, state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the launch of an elder fraud prevention initiative, which includes safety tips, alerts and information that seniors can use to stay safe in their daily lives.

Attorney General Schneiderman said:

“Today and every day, my office is committed to combatting and raising awareness of elder abuse.  We will continue to hold accountable those who take advantage of our seniors – and provide senior citizens easy access to information so they can protect themselves from abuse and scams.”

The Attorney General’s Office also provides “Smart Seniors” presentation to senior groups upon request.

Political Update

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 Legislature is scheduled to be in session through Wednesday this week as it works to conclude the 2017 legislative session.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on June 27.

The State Board of Elections holds its next meeting on August 2.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) holds its next meeting on July 13.

The Board of Regents holds its next meeting on July 17 and 18.