Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – May 13, 2016
Coverage of Albany and New York State government – May 13, 2016
What’s Inside
- Governor Announces Task Force to Combat Heroin and Prescription Opioid Crisis
- Governor Announces First Round of ‘Smart Schools’ Bond Act Funding
- Comptroller Calls for Reforms to State’s Fiscal Practices
- Governor Announces Toll Evader Crackdown
- Senate Democrats Release College Accessibility Plan
- Former Senate Majority Leader Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
- Political Update
- Coming Up
Governor Announces Task Force to Combat Heroin and Prescription Opioid Crisis
On Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo announced the launch of a task force to combat the heroin and prescription opioid crisis in New York State. The group “will build on the state’s previous efforts and use their expertise and experience to develop a comprehensive action plan to combat the state’s opioid epidemic.” The task force will hold public listening sessions across New York to inform their recommendations.
Gov. Cuomo said:
“Opioid addiction is a national epidemic that continues to plague families in communities across New York – and the state has been taking aggressive action to tackle this crisis head on. The Heroin Task Force will take these efforts to the next level with a comprehensive action plan developed by a diverse coalition of experts. We will use the task force’s recommendations to implement smart solutions that will protect public health, enhance safety in communities statewide and save the lives of vulnerable New Yorkers.”
More information on the state’s efforts to address opioid is available at http://combatheroin.ny.gov/.
Governor Announces First Round of ‘Smart Schools’ Bond Act Funding
On Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo announced the first round of funding awards under the $2 billion Smart Schools Bond Act, which was approved in 2014. The Smart Schools Review Board approved 52 plans totaling $45 million for projects: $26 million for Classroom Technology purchases; $15 million for School Connectivity projects; $4 million for High-Tech Security projects; and $23,000 for Community Connectivity projects. A summary of these 52 plans is available here.
Gov. Cuomo said:
“As technology continues to shape the landscape of our economy, we must reimagine our classrooms into modern centers of learning so that our students are prepared for the jobs that meet the demands of tomorrow. With this bold initiative, we are taking an important step towards strengthening our learning environment and connecting students in every corner of the state with the opportunities necessary to succeed in the 21st century economy.”
Comptroller Calls for Reforms to State’s Fiscal Practices
On Wednesday, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli issued a report in which he calls for reforms of certain state’s fiscal practices. He recommends limiting discretionary lump sum spending, restricting “backdoor spending” by public authorities and imposing a constitutional limit on state debt, among other reforms, that are intended to “bring increased transparency and accountability to state finances.”
Comptroller DiNapoli said:
“Too often New York’s approach to budgeting obscures spending and borrowing. The Governor and the Legislature deserve credit for putting the state on stronger financial footing, but it is time to fix the persistent problems and improve New York’s fiscal practices. Adoption of the reforms I am proposing would help put our state’s finances on a stronger path forward.”
Governor Announces Toll Evader Crackdown
On Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo announced that the state has begun a toll evader crackdown. The first step in this effort is the beginning of the suspension process for 575 New York-registered vehicles for being persistent toll violators – at least five toll violations on different days over an 18-month period.
Gov. Cuomo said:
“These scofflaws operate at the expense of law abiding toll payers and put additional stress on New York’s transportation network without providing any resources to maintain it. This administration’s action stops these toll evaders in their tracks and sends a simple message: If you don’t pay your fair share, you will be held accountable.”
Senate Democrats Release College Accessibility Plan
On Monday, the Senate’s Democratic Conference released a 15-point college accessibility initiative which they say will stem rising higher education costs while also helping students graduate on time.
The plan, detailed in an 18-page report prepared by the minority Democrats’ Policy Group, includes $20 million for a 20% tax credit for employers that to help repay their employees’ student loans; expansion of state tuition assistance programs; the use of different student readiness metrics used to determine whether students must take remedial courses; and the DREAM Act, which would provide state tuition assistance to undocumented students.
Former Senate Majority Leader Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
On Thursday, a federal judge sentence former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos to five years, and his son to six and one-half years. The two were convicted last November of extortion, wire fraud, solicitation of bribes and gratuities and honest services fraud after three separate companies were forced by threats against their interests before local and state governments to work for the Senator’s son. Upon his conviction, he forfeited his Senate seat.
The defense team asked the court to allow for bail and postpone sentencing pending appeal. The court said that it will consider the request.
Gov. Cuomo issued the following statement:
“These sentences show there is zero tolerance for those who use public service for private gain. Today, the guilty were punished and justice prevailed.”
Political Update
Assemblyman to Run for Senate Seat
On Thursday, Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R –Glenville) announced that he will be a candidate for the 49th New York State Senate District seat this fall. Last week, Senator Hugh Farley (R-Schenectady) announced that he will not seek re-election this year.
Tedisco has served in the Assembly since 1982; he served as Assembly Minority Leader from 2005 to 2009, when he stepped down to run for Congress.
Assemblymember Will Not Run for Re-Election
On Tuesday, first-term Assemblymember Angela Wozniak (C-Cheektowaga) said that she will not seek second term in the Assembly. Her decision follows revelations that she engaged in an extramarital affair with a staff member, for which she was punished by the Assembly Ethics Committee.
The 143rd Assembly District includes the towns of Cheektowaga and Depew.
Buffalo Assemblyman Will Not Run for Senate Seat
Assemblyman Sean Ryan (D-Buffalo) said this week that he will not run for 60th Senate District seat, where the Democratic incumbent is not running for re-election. Ryan was viewed as the strongest possible Democratic candidate for the seat. Erie County Clerk Christopher Jacobs is running on the Republican side.
North Country Assemblywoman to Retire
Assemblywoman Janet Duprey (R- Peru) announced this week that she will not run for re-election. The 115th Assembly District includes Clinton and Franklin counties and four towns in St. Lawrence County.
Winners & Losers
Each week, City & State New York publishes a list of the week’s political “winners” and “losers.” Read this week’s list here.
Coming Up
The Senate and Assembly are in Albany next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Just 15 session days remain on the 2016 legislative session calendar.
The Board of Regents holds its next meeting on May 16 and 17.
On Tuesday, May 17, most school districts through the state hold their annual budget vote and school board elections.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) holds its next meeting on May 19.
The Senate Education Committee is holding public hearings on mayoral control of the New York City schools on Thursday, May 19 in New York City.
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on May 24.
The 2016 state legislative session is scheduled to end on June 16.
The state Board of Elections holds its next meeting on June 30.