Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – May 27, 2016

PluggedInMastheadCoverage of Albany and New York State government – May 27, 2016

  • Governor Announces New Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program
  • Attorney General Sues Domino’s for Wage Theft
  • Governor Calls on Legislature to Close LLC Loophole
  • Governor Announces Approval of MTA Capital Program
  • Senate Majority Releases Report on Workforce Development
  • Governor Suspends Road Work for Holiday Weekend
  • PSC: New York Electric Customers May See Lower Summer Prices
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

 

Governor Announces New Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program

On Monday, Gov. Cuomo announced that announced that the new Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program is accepting applications. This program provides a full SUNY or CUNY tuition scholarship to high-achieving college undergraduates or professionals to earn their master’s studies in education. Up to 500 new awards will be granted annually for two academic years of full-time study.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“Expanding access to higher education today will help foster top notch talent to be the educators of tomorrow. This program will help ensure that our future teachers have access to the resources necessary to become leaders in the classroom and continue to shape and inspire students across New York for years to come.”

More information on the program is available here.

 

Attorney General Sues Domino’s for Wage Theft

On Tuesday, state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that he has filed a lawsuit against Domino’s Pizza and three of its franchises that are located in New York for what he calls a pattern of shortchanging its workers’ pay.

Since 2011, the Attorney General’s office has secured more than $26 million for almost 20,000 workers who were the victims of “wage theft.”  But in contrast to prior actions, this case is targeting the corporate franchiser as well as the individual franchisees. The Attorney General’s goal is to establish a precedent in which corporations that franchise businesses can be held responsible for the actions taken by the stores under their corporate umbrella.

Attorney General Schneiderman said:

“At some point, a company has to take responsibility for its actions and for its workers’ well-being. We’ve found rampant wage violations at Domino’s franchise stores. And, as our suit alleges, we’ve discovered that Domino’s headquarters was intensely involved in store operations, and even caused many of these violations.  Under these circumstances, New York law – as well as basic human decency – holds Domino’s responsible for the alleged mistreatment of the workers who make and deliver the company’s pizza. Domino’s can, and must, fix this problem.”

 

Governor Calls on Legislature to Close LLC Loophole

On Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo announced that he is submitting to the Legislature legislation to close the LLC loophole in New York State.

The Governor sent the Legislature eight bills – one that applies to all political offices, and one for each of the state’s elected offices – that would treat limited liability corporations (LLCs) in the same manner that traditional corporations are treated, limiting their political contributions to $5,000 per year.

Read more about this story on our Lobbying, Ethics and Elections Compliance blog.

 

Governor Announces Approval of MTA Capital Program

On Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo announced that the MTA’s Capital Plan Review Board has given final approval to the $27 billion 2015-19 MTA Capital Program.  This program will fund new buses and subway cars; build four new Metro-North stations in the Bronx; bring Metro-North service to Penn Station; and provide LIRR access to Grand Central Terminal.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“The MTA is the lifeblood of the New York metropolitan area’s transportation network and we must ensure it has the capacity to meet the travel demands of the next generation and fuel one of the largest economies on the globe.  By investing in the most robust transportation plan in state history, we are reimagining the MTA and ensuring a safer, more reliable and more resilient public transportation network for tomorrow.”

 

Senate Majority Releases Report on Workforce Development

On Tuesday, the Senate Workforce Development Task Force released its report that includes recommendations for the state to help improve employee readiness; better meet the workforce needs of private sector employers; connect job seekers with potential employers; retrain those who have lost jobs. The task force’s recommendations are directed is breaking down stigmas associated with students going through vocational programs rather than through academic higher education.

The Task Force’s recommendations include:

  • cultivating forward-looking employment data from the state Department of Labor so that employers and educators can better predict future workforce needs and career opportunities;
  • investing $23 million to continue and expand P-TECH schools;
  • increasing access to career and tech programs at BOCES;
  • increasing access to continuing adult education programs at BOCES;
  • investing $12 million to continue and expand early college high schools; , and Make Them – improving participation in apprenticeships by promoting coordination between school guidance counselors and local building trades councils;
  • increasing funding for the Next Generation Job Linkage Program and enacting the Help Individuals Reach Employment (HIRE) program; and
  • establishing new degree or certificate programs based on future regional industry needs.

 

Governor Suspends Road Work for Holiday Weekend, Announces Drunk Driving Crackdown

Gov. Cuomo announced this week that road and bridge construction projects on state highways will be suspended from Friday morning until Tuesday morning, to accommodate travelers during the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend.

He also announced that State Police and local law enforcement statewide will be increasing patrols to combat drunk and impaired driving this Memorial Day weekend, one of the busiest travel holidays of the year.  The initiative starts today and will run through Monday, May 30.

 

PSC:  New York Electric Customers May See Lower Summer Prices

Last week, the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) received a staff report which indicates that there is adequate generation capacity in the state, that transmission and distribution utility owners are prepared to meet expected customer demands this summer, and that wholesale electricity prices are expected to be stable or possibly lower this summer.

PSC Chair Audrey Zibelman said:

“The summer outlook in terms of adequate supply and potentially lower electricity prices is very good news for residential and business customers.  There are many factors that are helping drive prices down, including commission-ordered programs to lower demand, require utilities to use policies to mitigate volatility in prices, all of which are helping to ensure price stability for consumers.”

The PSC staff report also noted that the state’s electric and gas utilities have taken steps to strengthen their infrastructure before the June 1 start of the summer hurricane season.

 

Political Update

Buffalo Mayor to Chair State Democratic Party

On Monday, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown was elected Chairman of the state Democratic Committee, while former New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn was elected to serve as vice-chair.

Gov. Cuomo, who nominated the two for these positions, said:

“Mayor Brown and Christine Quinn are exemplary leaders who have dedicated their lives to making this state a fairer, more just place for all New Yorkers.  I am confident their leadership and expertise will build on the good progress we have made, and continue advancing the core values of the Democratic Party. I thank them for their service and I look forward to working together to move this state forward.”

Republicans Choose Candidate to Succeed Nozzolio in SD 54

Republicans in the 54th Senate District have designated Canandaigua Supervisor Pam Helming to replace State Senator Michael Nozzolio (R- Fayette), who is not seeking re-election this fall.  While she has the support of the party, she may still face a primary in September.

The winner of the GOP nomination is expected to will likely face Kenan Baldridge, Supervisor of the Town of Rose in Wayne County.

Democratic Challenger for Seward in SD 51

Democrat Jermaine Bagnall-Graham announced this week that he plans to challenge incumbent James Seward (R – Milford) to represent the sprawling 51st Senate District. The district is a largely rural one, consisting of Greene, Schoharie, Otsego, Herkimer, Cortland counties, and parts of Tompkins, Chenango and Ulster counties.

Bagnall-Grahanm is an Army veteran who currently works in Cooperstown, New York as an IT Clinical Systems Analyst.  Seward has served in the Senate since 1987.

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 Wednesday and Thursday.  Just 9 session days remain on the 2016 legislative session calendar.

The Temporary Commission to Review State’s Business Climate, which was announced by the Governor and the legislative leaders in April, is expected to make its recommendations by June 3.

he state Board of Regents holds its next meeting on June 13 and 14.

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

The 2016 state legislative session is scheduled to end on June 16.

The state’s Congressional primary will be held on June 28.

The Joint Commission on Public ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on June 28.

The state Board of Elections holds its next meeting on June 30.