Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – November 22, 2016

PluggedInMastheadCoverage of Albany and New York State government

  • Governor Announces Procurement Reforms, Proposed Ethics Reforms
  • Pay Commission Does Not Recommend Salary Increases for State Legislators, Commissioners
  • Governor Cuomo Releases Open Letter to New Yorkers, Launches Hate Crime Hotline
  • Governor Announces Youth Justice Institute
  • Division of Budget Releases Mid-Year Budget Update
  • Governor Announces Statewide Bias and Discrimination Hotline
  • Good Government Groups Call for ‘Clean Contracting’ Reforms
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

Governor Announces Procurement Reforms, Proposed Ethics Reforms

Last Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo issued a lengthy statement in which he said that he is taking a number of unilateral steps that are intended to reduce potential conflicts of interests and fraud in the awarding of state contracts.

The Governor said that he will appoint a Chief Procurement Officer for the Executive branch, someone with investigative and prosecutorial experience who will review “all state contracts, with an eye towards eliminating any wrongdoing, conflicts of interest or collusion.”

The Governor will also appoint Inspector Generals for SUNY and CUNY, which will be tasked with identifying and investigating conflicts of interest, fraud, corruption and abuse; and reviewing contracts and hiring for both improper and illegal actions.

The Governor said he will no longer accept campaign contributions from companies that are bidding on a Request for Proposals, and from the winner for six months after an award has been made.

The Governor also said that will propose legislation that:

  • limits outside income for state legislators;
  • expands JCOPE’s authority over local government officials;
  • requires all state and local elected officials “to disclose all sources of income earned by themselves and their spouses”;
  • enacts campaign finance reform;
  • enacts a system of public financing for candidates; and
  • “end the ability of so-called not-for-profit advocacy organizations to elude regulation and to mock New York City’s public finance system, by allowing campaigns access to virtually unlimited money from special interests.”

Pay Commission Does Not Recommend Salary Increases for State Legislators, Commissioners

Last Tuesday, facing a deadline for action, the commission that was tasked setting a new pay rate for lawmakers, state agency heads and certain statewide officials was unable to reach agreement at its final scheduled meeting.

The state Commission on Legislative, Judicial and Executive Compensation faced a November 15th deadline to recommend a new salary level, which would have automatically become law in January unless lawmakers rejected it.

State legislators have made $79,500 annually since 1999.  The Assembly’s appointee proposed an increase to $116,000, reflecting a 2.2% annual increase for lawmakers, dating back to their last raise, and similar increases for state agency commissioners, the state attorney general and comptroller.

Passing a pay increase required not only a majority of the commission members, but also at least one vote each from appointees of the legislative, judicial and executive branches.  Fran Reiter said that the governor’s three appointees would not support opposed a raise in part because the Legislature has not limited the amount of income lawmakers can receive from private employers, echoing comments that Gov. Cuomo made last month.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan issued a joint statement criticizing the Governor’s appointees to the pay commission:

“It is unfortunate that the Governor’s appointees to the New York State Commission on Legislative, Judicial and Executive Compensation once again felt the need to demand legislative action in exchange for an increase in compensation.  This is completely unacceptable and far exceeds the mandate of the Commission, which was to evaluate the need for an increase in compensation based primarily on economic factors.”

The Commission’s failure to approve the proposal means that state lawmakers and agency heads are unlikely to receive unless the Legislature returns to Albany for a special session and can reach agreement with the Governor.

Governor Cuomo Releases Open Letter to New Yorkers, Launches Hate Crime Hotline

In a an open letter to New Yorkers in the Daily News, Gov. Cuomo promised that New York State will remain a refuge for minority group members in the wake of Donald Trump’s election as President.

He wrote:

“As New Yorkers, we have fundamentally different philosophies than what Donald Trump laid out in his campaign.  So let me be absolutely clear: If anyone feels that they are under attack, I want them to know that the state of New York – the state that has the Statue of Liberty in its harbor – is their refuge.”

The Governor also announced the launch of a toll-free hotline (1-888-392-3644) through which the public can report incidents of bias and discrimination in the wake of “an uptick in recent reports of discrimination, bias-motivated threats, harassment and violence.”

Gov. Cuomo said:

“New York serves as a beacon of hope and opportunity for all, and we will continue to stand up to those who seek to spread the politics of division, fear and hate.  This state celebrates our differences because we know that it is the rich fabric of cultures and customs that makes this one of the greatest, most diverse places in the world. We will continue to work with our local partners to investigate all incidents of reported bias, and ensure that New Yorkers feel safe and protected. Any acts of discrimination or intimidation will be met with the full force of the law.”

Last Friday, the Governor sent a letter to the State Education Department (SED) to request that SED require schools hold trainings for staff and students regarding discriminatory behavior that is prohibited under state law.

Governor Announces Youth Justice Institute

Last Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo announced the creation of the Youth Justice Institute, a partnership between the state and the University at Albany, which is designed to improve services for children, teens, and young adults in the state’s criminal justice system. The Institute will provide training and technical assistance to youth service providers with the goal of improving outcomes for at-risk youth.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“Too many youth end up trapped in our criminal justice system and, absent resources and opportunity, are doomed to repeat the same vicious cycle of recidivism and incarceration.  By using innovative programs and proven methods to train those who work with at-risk youth, this institute will help these youth have a better chance at success, improving their lives and increasing public safety in the process. Our administration is committed to opening the door to more opportunities for the next generation and building a safer, stronger New York for all.”

Division of Budget Releases Mid-Year Budget Update

The state’s Division of Budget (DOB) released its mid-year budget update last week, and it shows that the state’s budget deficit for the 2017-18 fiscal year has increased. A Budget Division spokesperson said the state will reduce spending in the current fiscal year to keep the current budget in balance.

The budget update shows the state facing a $3.5 billion deficit in 2017-18, which is the result of lower-then-expected income tax collections and the higher costs associated with new contracts for unionized state workers.

For more details on the state’s mid-year budget update, read the Citizens Budget Commission analysis of the report.

Good Government Groups Call for ‘Clean Contracting’ Reforms

Last Tuesday, a coalition of good government groups called on the Governor to include “clean contracting” reforms in any legislation that might be approved in a special legislative session before the end of the year.

The groups are calling for: competitive and transparent contracting for the award of state

funds by all state agencies, authorities, and affiliates; making the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) responsible for all state economic development awards; authorizing the State Comptroller to review and approve all state contracts over $250,000; prohibiting state authorities, state corporations and state non-profits from doing business with their board members; and creating a ‘Database of Deals’ to allow the public to see the total value of all forms of subsidies awarded to a business.

Read the groups’ letter to the Governor here.

Political Update

Senate GOP, Democrats Re-Elect Leaders

Last Monday, the Senate Republican Conference re-elected Senator John Flanagan (R-Suffolk County) to lead their conference, although it is still unclear whether the Republicans will hold an outright majority in the Senate in 2017. (Two Long Island Senate races remain unresolved as of this writing.)

Last Tuesday, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Westchester) was re-elected Senate Democratic Leader. Senator Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) will continue to serve as Deputy Leader and Chair of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee.

Governor Says He Plans to Run for Re-Election in 2018

In the wake of speculation that he may plan to run for President in 2020, Gov. Cuomo told reporters last week that he plans to run for a third term as governor in 2018.

Assemblyman to Run for Nassau County Executive

Last week, Assemblyman Charles Lavine said he will run for Nassau County executive in 2017, and formed a campaign committee to support that effort.  Last week, he was re-elected to serve a seventh term in the 13th Assembly District, which includes a number of Nassau County communities.  He said that his campaign will on ethics and government reform, and on making Nassau County government more efficient.

A number of other Democrats are reportedly considering entering the race.

Incumbent Republican Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, who was indicted on federal corruption charges in October, has not indicated whether he plans to run for re-election next year.

Winners & Losers

The Daily News published a list of New York’s Election Day winners and 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 Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on November 29.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) is holding a public hearing on December 7 regarding its staff proposal for Comprehensive Lobbying Regulations.

The state Board of Elections holds its next meeting on December 9.

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

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

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