Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

March 27, 2023

What’s Inside

  • Governor Announces Economic Development Awards
  • Governor Nominates DOH Commissioner
  • Governor Proposes Program Bill Targeting Illegal Cannabis Retailers
  • Governor Details Statewide Crime Data to Highlight Need for Public Safety Reforms
  • Commission on Judicial Nomination Releases New List of Candidates
  • Political Updates
  • Coming Up

Governor Announces Economic Development Awards

The Governor announced that the New York Power Authority Board of Trustees approved economic development awards to 22 firms. Included among the approved items is a Niagara hydropower allocation to Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, and a ReCharge NY power allocation to Micron, a U.S.-based memory and storage manufacturer.

The NYPA board approved a nearly 10.7-megawatt (MW) low-cost Niagara Power Project hydropower allocation to Amazon in support of the firm’s construction of a $550 million e-commerce storage and distribution center in the Town of Niagara that will receive, store, package and fulfill online customer orders. Niagara hydropower is available for companies within a 30-mile radius of the Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project or businesses in Chautauqua County.

The NYPA board also awarded more than 150 MW of low-cost power under its ReCharge NY program, including a 140-MW low-cost power allocation to Micron. Additionally, the NYPA board approved 404 MW of High Load Factor power that NYPA will procure for Micron on the energy market.

The Governor said:

These transformative economic development awards to Amazon, Micron and other businesses across the state will create thousands of jobs and spur billions in economic activity. New York continues to secure its legacy as the most business-friendly and worker-friendly state in the nation, while advancing the aggressive goals of our nation-leading climate agenda — creating a greener, more prosperous Empire State.

Governor Nominates DOH Commissioner

The Governor announced the nomination of Dr. James V. McDonald M.D., M.P.H. to serve as Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health. Dr. McDonald has served as New York’s Acting Commissioner of Health since January 1.

Dr. James V. McDonald said:

Serving as Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health is the honor of a lifetime. I am deeply grateful to Governor Hochul for her confidence in me, and I look forward to working closely with my Department of Health colleagues to continue to deliver for New Yorkers.

Governor Proposes Program Bill Targeting Illegal Cannabis Retailers

The Governor proposed a new Program Bill to increase civil and tax penalties for the unlicensed and illicit sale of cannabis in New York. The legislation would also provide additional enforcement power to the Office of Cannabis Management and the Department of Taxation and Finance to enforce the new regulatory requirements and close stores engaged in the illegal sale of cannabis.

The bill amends the Tax Law and the Cannabis Law to enable the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), the Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF) and local law enforcement to enforce restrictions on unlicensed storefront dispensaries. The bill would restructure current illicit cannabis penalties to give DTF peace officers enforcement authority, create an enforcement system, and would impose new penalties for retailers that evade State cannabis taxes. Additionally, it would clarify and expand OCM’s authority to seize illicit product, establish summary procedures for OCM and other governmental entities to shut down unlicensed businesses, and create a framework for cross-agency enforcement effort. Violations of the law could lead to fines of $200,000 for illicit cannabis plants or products and would allow OCM to fine businesses $10,000 per day for engaging in cannabis sales without a license.

Governor Details Statewide Crime Data to Highlight Need for Public Safety Reforms

The Governor held a press conference to display new statewide crime data and to highlight the need for public safety investments and reforms included in her Fiscal Year 2024 budget. During a speech at the Capitol, the Governor outlined her $491.9 million investment in strategies to address and prevent gun crime and violence.

According to the data outlined by the Governor, shooting incidents with injury declined 17 percent in New York City and 15 percent in the 20 communities that report gun violence data to the state when comparing last year to 2021, and those incidents continued to decline in early 2023. The number of reported murders declined 11 percent statewide in last year, with 94 fewer individuals killed. While those numbers demonstrated significant improvement, overall index crime (serious property and violent crime) increased 21 percent.

During the press conference, the Governor continued to make the case for her proposal to remove the “least restrictive” standard the state’s bail law, despite both legislative houses rejecting the proposal from their one-house budgets.

Commission on Judicial Nomination Releases New List of Candidates

The Commission on Judicial Nomination released a new list of candidates from which the Governor will choose a new nomination for Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. The Governor’s previous nominee was denied by the Senate. The new list includes the following candidates:

Hon. Anthony Cannataro, Associate Judge and Acting Chief Judge, New York Court of Appeals

Hon. Elizabeth A. Gary, Presiding Justice, Appellate Division, Third Department

Caitlin J. Halligan Esq., attorney in private practice (Selendy Gay Elsberg PLLC)

Corey L. Stoughton Esq., Attorney-in-Charge, Special Litigation and Law Reform, The Legal Aid Society

Hon. Shirley Troutman, Associate Judge, New York Court of Appeals

Hon. Gerald J. Whalen, Presiding Justice, Appellate Division, Fourth Department

Hon. Rowan Wilson, Associate Judge, New York Court of Appeals

The Governor must now choose from this list, no sooner than April 8, 2023 nor later than April 23, 2023. The Senate then has 30 days to confirm or reject the appointment with a full vote from the entire body (the Senate never appealed the decision that required a full vote).

Political Updates

City & State NY’s Weekly Winners and Losers here.

Michael Bloomberg Has Found a New $5 Million Cause: Helping Hochul.

What does Kathy Hochul need $5 million in promotional content for?

Hochul defends outside support as Bloomberg money pours in.

1199 fills 17K-seat arena for budget rally in Albany.

Progressives have a new minimum wage goal: $20 and up.

NYS Senate leader Stewart-Cousins says Queens Assemblyman Juan Ardila should resign.

Ardila ignores calls for him to step down following sexual abuse allegations, victim says ‘he needs to resign’

Shake-ups are coming to the Commission on Judicial Nomination. How will that impact NY’s chief judge process?

Sticker shock awaits New Yorkers’ utility bills to fund renewables.

‘American Opportunity’ appears to be directly linked to Democratic Governors Association.

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s point person on New York’s housing crisis speaks exclusively to CBS2.

Governor and legislators split over whether to raise taxes, and if so, who should pay them.

Democratic socialist Tiffany Cabán has a race.

Coming Up

The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on April 17 and 18.

The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on April 20.

The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government will hold their next meeting on April 25.