Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

July 7, 2023

What’s Inside

  • Governor Announces Bridge NY Funding
  • Governor Announces Second Avenue Subway Solicitation for First Contract
  • Department of Labor Announces Prohibition on Mandatory Overtime for Nurses is in Effect
  • Staffing Shifts in the Hochul Administration
  • Comptroller Reports Negative Return on Pension Fund
  • New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association Re-Elects President
  • Political Updates
  • Coming Up

Governor Announces Bridge NY Funding

The Governor announced the award of more than $516 million in enhanced assistance for 141 local governments to rehabilitate and replace bridges and culverts. This funding, provided through the State’s BRIDGE NY initiative, is aimed at helping local governments across the state harden their existing infrastructure while boosting the resiliency of bridges and culverts in the state.

A full list of awards can be found here.

Governor Announces Second Avenue Subway Solicitation for First Contract

On Wednesday, Governor Hochul announced that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is advancing on phase two of the Second Avenue Subway with the solicitation for the first contract for construction of the future extension of the Second Avenue Subway to 125th street in Harlem.

This extension will deliver transportation equity to East Harlem, which is one of the most transit-dependent neighborhoods in the city. The MTA also unveiled new conceptual renderings of the proposed stations for the extension, which can be viewed here.

Governor Hochul said:

As part of my administration’s efforts to advance transit equity across New York State, the Second Avenue Subway project will expand critical public transportation service to East Harlem, creating more opportunity for residents. We remain committed to keeping this long-envisioned project moving along swiftly for East Harlem, and I am proud to see it moving one step closer to reality.

Department of Labor Announces Prohibition on Mandatory Overtime for Nurses is in Effect

An amendment to New York’s Labor Law, restricting mandatory overtime for nurses, is now in effect, the Department of Labor (DOL) has announced. Health care employers are now prohibited from requiring nurses to work more than their regularly scheduled hours. However, under limited circumstances, nurses are allowed to work past their scheduled hours. Those circumstances include during a time of a health care disaster, a declaration of emergency, or when nurses are required for safe patient care such as during an unforeseen emergency or an ongoing medical or surgical procedure.

Health care employers, under the law, will now be required to notify DOL when exceptions to limitations on mandatory overtime are in use. In addition, in accordance with the amended law, DOL has appointed Jeanette Lazelle, Deputy Commissioner for Worker Protection, as Enforcement Officer surrounding this change.

More information on changes made to the Labor Law can be found in the department’s press release here.

Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said:

Nurses are the backbone of our state’s health care system. We need to recognize their invaluable contributions by ensuring they have the support and protections they need to do their job effectively. This new law prevents burnout and empowers these essential workers to continue providing exceptional care to New York families statewide.

Staffing Shifts in the Hochul Administration

Over the last several weeks, Governor Hochul’s administration has experienced staff changes. Last month, Senior Advisor to the Governor, Bryan Lesswing, left the administration to join SKDK as a Senior Vice President. Governor Hochul’s Press Secretary, Hazel Crampton-Hays, departed from the administration on June 30th, and Julie Wood, Communications Director, will leave at the end of this month.

Avi Small, formerly serving as Deputy Press Secretary, will now serve as Press Secretary, and a successor for Julie Wood is expected to be announced soon, according to reports.

On Wednesday, Politico confirmed that Robin Chappelle Golston, Executive Deputy Secretary, left the Hochul administration late last month.

Comptroller Reports Negative Return on Pension Fund

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that the New York State Common Retirement Fund’s (Fund) investment return was -4.14% for the state fiscal year that ended March 31, 2023. The Fund closed the year valued at $248.5 billion. This marks the largest negative return since 2009, when the fund posted a 26.4% negative return. The fund has grown by $140 billion since 2009.

According to the Comptroller, as of March 31, 2023, the Fund had 44.14% of its assets invested in publicly traded equities. The remaining Fund assets by allocation are invested in cash, bonds and mortgages (21.53%), private equity (14.61%), real estate and real assets (13.39%) and credit, absolute return strategies and opportunistic alternatives (6.33%).

DiNapoli said:

Recent months have been trying for investors, but thanks to the state pension fund’s diverse investments, members, retirees and beneficiaries can rest assured their pensions are secure. There is no doubt that challenges lie ahead, with concerns over a recession and potential interest rate increases, but the state pension fund is well positioned to weather these storms.

New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association Re-Elects President

The New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association announced the unanimous re-election of retired Albany City Fire Fighter Sam Fresina for a fourth term as the state president of the 18,000 member union during its biannual convention hosted by the Schenectady Permanent Professional Fire Fighters (IAFF Local 28) in Schenectady. Fresina was elected to his first term as statewide president in 2016.

Also reelected to statewide office were James McGowan of Mahopac as Secretary/Treasurer; and David Holleran of Binghamton as Executive Vice President.

Fresina said:

I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve as NYSPFFFA’s president. The unanimous support of the membership is an endorsement of our priorities and the ability to deliver during challenging times. Moving forward, we will continue to fight for pension tier fairness, for additional funding for safety programs and health care screenings for the membership, and legislation that recognizes the extraordinary contributions and role played by those who serve in the professional fire service, and ensures for adequate fire protection and staffing 24-hours per day.

Political Updates

City & State NY’s 2023 Real Estate Power 100 here.

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

Zeldin’s inroads highlight changing dynamics in Assembly for Democrats.

Excelsior Pass to be shut down after use plummets, costs soar.

How New York wants to make it easier to join state workforce.

Assembly Higher Education chair on redeveloping 787 and SCOTUS decisions.

Where remote work spiked most in New York, according to the Census.

Looming Climate Law has co-op and condo owners fretting about funds to retrofit buildings.

Proposal to put wine in N.Y. grocery stores would have big impact on local liquor store owners.

How will New York’s Cap and Invest program shape up?

Gillibrand’s re-election effort gets early boosts.

New York got $670 million to increase rural internet access. Which parts of the state need it most?

Another top aide leaves Hochul administration.

Biden administration tees up construction of third U.S. offshore wind project.

Democrat challenging Marc Molinaro raises $775K.

Former Rep. John Katko registers to lobby federal officials on cybersecurity.

New York seeks to revive Hudson River’s industrial past with offshore wind.

Coming Up

The Assembly will hold a public hearing to examine the existing electric and gas utility rate structures, regulated by the Public Service Commission (PSC), in order to identify potential areas for improvement to increase transparency, equity, and affordability for consumers, on July 11.

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

The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in State Government will hold its next meeting on July 19.

The Public Service Commission will hold their next meeting on July 20.