Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

May 19, 2023

What’s Inside

  • Governor Issues Enacted Budget Line-Item Vetoes
  • Governor Announces Launch of Round XIII Regional Economic Development Council Initiative
  • Governor Signs Legislation to Strengthen Health Care Workforce
  • New Siena Poll Released
  • Assembly Passes Legislation Honoring Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day
  • Remembering Former State Senator Bill Perkins
  • Political Updates
  • Coming Up

Governor Issues Enacted Budget Line-Item Vetoes

Following the passage of the FY 2023-24 State Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul has removed 36 line-items from the budget in accordance with Article VII of the State Constitution. Per a release from the Governor’s Office, the rejected additions are duplicative and redundant items that were fully expended or had been inactive for more than seven years.

The full list of vetoes can be accessed here.  

Governor Announces Launch of Round XIII Regional Economic Development Council Initiative

Governor Hochul announced the launch of Round XIII of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. Round XIII includes core capital grant and tax-credit funding combined with a range of programs from ten State agencies, including $150 million in grant funds from Empire State Development, available to projects on a continuous basis. The Councils are encouraged to support projects that advance or address strategic State priorities – including green buildings and sustainable development, child care, distressed communities, and innovative public-private partnerships; those projects, will be eligible for additional award funding. The application portal can be accessed here.The deadline for application is Friday, July 28 at 4:00 p.m.

Two new micro programs will award capital grants to support New York State craft beverage manufacturers and non-profit organizations, and a new $30 million Challenge competition will award $10 million to up to three regions to implement creative solutions to tackle persistent barriers to economic growth. Also, for the first time since 2015, the Councils will be tasked with updating their strategic regional economic development plans.

Governor Hochul said:

Our Regional Economic Development Council Initiative continues to transform communities across the state, creating jobs and driving private investment all over New York. The launch of this latest round builds on state efforts to address our most pressing economic priorities — from sustainable development to the growing demand for childcare — all while empowering communities to tap into their regional strengths. Thanks to the work of the REDCs, New York is continuing to make the catalytic investments that foster economic growth and continued success in every corner of our state.

Governor Signs Legislation to Strengthen Health Care Workforce

Governor Hochul held a press conference in the Red Room at the State Capitol in Albany to sign legislation in an effort to strengthen the state’s health care workforce. The Governor also took questions from reporters following the press conference, which can be watched here.

Specifically, the legislation signed, sponsored by Senator Stavisky and Assemblymember Lupardo (A3076/S447C), would permit nursing students to complete up to one-third of their clinical training through simulation experiences. Simulation training gives students hands-on experience in clinical environments while allowing nursing education programs to offer more options for clinical education. The simulation would be overseen by the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

More information can be found in the Governor’s press release here.

In a prepared statement, Governor Hochul said:

Our nurses have been invaluable to our health care system, especially throughout the pandemic, but too often feel overworked doing the jobs that they love, which has only been amplified by the current nursing shortage. I’m proud to sign legislation strengthening our health care workforce expediting training and allowing more capable nurses into the workforce improving care for all and creating a safer, healthier New York.

New Siena Poll Released

On Tuesday, the Siena College Research Institute issued a press release announcing a new poll. For the first time, more voters, 45%, view Governor Hochul unfavorably than view her favorably, 40%, down from 43-43% in March.

Highlights from the poll regarding New Yorkers’ view on recently passed budget proposals include the following:

  • 80 percent are in favor of increasing funding by $1 billion for mental health services, compared to 9% that don’t support it;
  • 64 percent are in favor of increasing the minimum wage by $2.00 over the next three years and then tying future increases to the cost of living, compared to the 24% that don’t support it;
  • 59 percent are in favor of giving judges more discretion to set bail for offenders accused of serious crimes, compared to the 20% that don’t support it;
  • 59 percent are in favor of allocating $100 million to support abortion providers and reproductive health care, compared to the 27% that don’t support it;
  • 58 percent are in favor of authorizing the State to fine or even close businesses that sell cannabis without a license, compared to the 26% that don’t support it;
  • 40 percent are in favor of ending all natural gas hookups and the use of fossil fuels in new construction, compared to the 39% that don’t support it. However, a significant majority of independent voters, 49% to 26%, opposed the ban; and
  • 38 percent are in favor of expanding the film tax credit for TV and movie production companies, compared to the 36% that don’t support it.

The full crosstabs of the poll can be found here.

Assembly Passes Legislation Honoring Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day

The Assembly passed a package of legislation this week in honor of Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day, in an effort to improve the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities. Components of the legislative package include the following:

  • People with Disabilities Access to Programs Commission (A1200 – Epstein) Establishes a People with Disabilities Access to Programs Commission, which would make recommendations for new laws to help streamline the process for New Yorkers getting access to the programs and services they need.
  • Commission on the Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing (A5683 – Zebrowski) Establishes a Commission on the Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing, which would provide deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing New Yorkers with a one stop location in state government where they can access available services and resources.
  • Creation of More Employment Opportunities for Disabled People Within New York State Government (A6480 – Burdick) Allows an individual with disabilities or a disabled veteran to hold full-time or part-time positions for purposes of eligibility for recruitment for state employment.
  • Changing the Name of the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) (A6543 – Seawright) Changes the name of the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and update the language in the law to comply with federal requirements for “person first” language.
  • Waiving the State’s Sovereign Immunity to Specific Claims (A6541 – Kelles) Waives the state’s sovereign immunity to claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act, allowing state employees to sue New York State for damages due to violations of those laws.

Subsequently, the Assembly passed two resolutions this week. The first makes May 15, 2023, New York State Assembly Legislative Disabilities Day in New York State. The second mourns the death of Judith Heumann, a tireless leader and advocate for the disability rights movement.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said:

Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day is not just about bringing light to the barriers that New Yorkers living with disabilities face, it’s about passing meaningful legislation to address those barriers. The legislation we pass today would make real changes in the lives of millions of New Yorkers – from making it easier to find employment to streamlining the process to get critical services.

More information can be found in the Assembly Speaker’s press release here.

Remembering Former State Senator Bill Perkins

Today, we remember former State Senator Bill Perkins, who passed away on Tuesday. Perkins previously served twice on the New York City Council, 1998-2005 and then 2017-2021, and served as a State Senator for New York’s 30th Senate District from 2007 to 2017. We send our warmest condolences to the former Senator’s family at this difficult time.

Political Updates

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

For New York’s Budget, spending is up, but tax revenue is going down.

First Latino Judge appointed chief administrative judge in New York.

Hochul: N.Y. working to find ‘welcoming’ sites for migrant housing

Proposed New York law puts big oil on hook for climate change.

New York eyes April 2 for presidential primary date.

State agency says nothing illegal about Assembly’s child care room.

New York needs to invest in its workforce.

Hochul misses out on a post-budget bounce with voters.

Minimum wage will soon be tied to inflation in New York.

New York Senate Leader vague about plans for end of session, but ‘good cause’ eviction as written is out.

Head of NYC Campaign Finance Board resigns after six months after taking job.

‘Lobbying loophole’ bill after LaSalle fight advances through Senate.

State Assemblywoman on why a ‘blanket edict’ on housing production won’t work.

Lawmakers once again look to uncork wine in grocery stores.

Hochul says she may sign Executive Order to create more housing.

Utility regulator confronts New York’s ‘zero emissions’ mandate.

Public renewables face long road as socialists declare victory.

Coming Up

The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government will hold their next meeting on May 23.

The Senate will hold a public hearing on the impacts of non-compete agreements on the labor market and economic development, and possible legislative solutions, such as S3100/Ryan on May 23.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on the impact of e-bikes and e-scooters since their authorization, and to examine the safety and fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries used in these modes of transportation on May 24.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing to examine transparency and security of the cryptocurrency industry and potential improvements as they relate to investor and consumer protection on May 25.

The Senate will hold a public hearing to collect public feedback on S1977/Ramos and understand the scale of the issue of wage theft in New York State on May 25.

The Senate will hold a public hearing to discuss why Signature Bank failed and what can be done to prevent future bank failures in New York on May 30.

The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on June 12 and 13.

The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on June 22.