Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

July 21, 2023

What’s Inside

  • Governor Announces New Executive Action on the State’s Housing Crisis
  • Governor Announces New Administration Appointments
  • Governor Announces Creation of NYS Council on Community Justice
  • State Comptroller Reports on the Decline of New York’s Fiscal Outlook
  • Political Fundraising Update
  • Political Updates
  • Coming Up

Governor Announces New Executive Action on the State’s Housing Crisis

On Tuesday, Governor Hochul held a press conference in New York City, as well as announced the issuance of Executive Order 30 in an effort to combat New York’s housing crisis by increasing the supply, creating affordable housing, and promoting broader housing growth. Actions include facilitating development housing, including affordable housing, through the Gowanus Program, prioritizing pro-housing communities for certain discretionary funds, identifying state-owned sites for potential housing, and addressing regulatory hurdles to housing production.

Proposals through the Gowanus program would need to comply with affordability, labor, and other requirements similar to those of the 421-a(16) program and meet certain eligibility criteria, including but not limited to:

  • Located in the Gowanus rezoning area;
  • Currently vested in expired 421-a(16) program;
  • Building capacity of at least 50 housing units;
  • Contains affordable housing in compliance with 421-a(16), however participation will require affordable housing units to remain permanently affordable;
  • Full entitlement under City zoning and applicable regulatory codes; and
  • Ability to comply with Empire State Development’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises contracting requirements.

While the Governor signed this Executive Order to also designate certain discretionary funds as “Pro-Housing Community Programs” to recognize and reward municipalities that actively seek to participate in unlocking their housing potential, the order requires the prioritization of those municipalities who have been certified as “Pro-Housing” over those that have not in applications for specific discretionary funding programs. According to the order, the following state funding initiatives, totaling more than $650 million, will give special consideration to Pro-Housing Communities by giving their applications additional weight:

  • Downtown Revitalization Initiative, administered by the Department of State;
  • NY Forward, administered by the Department of State;
  • Regional Council Capital Fund, administrated by Empire State Development;
  • New York Main Street, administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal;
  • Market New York capital grants, administered by Empire State Development;
  • Long Island Investment Fund, administered by Empire State Development;
  • Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund, administered by Empire State Development; and
  • Public Transportation Modernization Enhancement Program, administrated by the Department of Transportation.

Governor Hochul said:

New York’s housing crisis isn’t going away, and I’m committed to doing everything in my power to make New York more affordable and livable for all. These executive actions are an important first step to expand our housing supply and promote housing growth. But make no mistake: to fully address the scope of this crisis, we need action from the legislature — and I’m committed to continuing our work on housing in the coming months.

More information on the Governor’s newly established housing initiatives can be found summarized in her press release here.

Governor Announces New Administration Appointments

Governor Hochul has announced the following appointments to her administration:

  • Anthony Hogrebe, Communications Director;
  • Marie Fernandez, Deputy Secretary for Education;
  • Bonnie Lockwood, Regional Director of Western New York;
  • Albert Pulido, Deputy Secretary for Finance and Technology;
  • Elizabeth Rule, Deputy Secretary for First Nations; and
  • Angel Vazquez, Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs.

More information on each appointment can be found in the Governor’s press releases here and here.

Governor Announces Creation of NYS Council on Community Justice

On Wednesday, Governor Hochul announced the creation of the New York State Council on Community Justice. The advisory group is made up of local stakeholders tasked with recommending measures to further improve the effectiveness of fairness of the state’s criminal justice system. Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado and Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado will convene the Council, which will review existing policies and programs, and will propose new measures to strengthen New York’s efforts to advance equity, reduce disparities, and decrease recidivism to make communities safer and stronger.

Governor Hochul also issued a proclamation designating July 16 through 22 as Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week in New York State to recognize the work done by those professionals.

Governor Hochul said:

This advisory council will help identify issues within our criminal justice system and recommend solutions with the goal of ensuring that programs and services are evidence-based, effective and provide justice-involved individuals with the help they need to thrive. I commend these professionals for stepping up to serve their community and look forward to working with them.

Lieutenant Governor Delgado said:

This is the work of making our communities stronger, fairer, and safer. This is the work of making our communities whole. I am honored to chair this council, as we work to develop strategies, policies, and practices that will set our justice system on the right path for generations to come.

Commissioner Rosado said:

Our top priority at DCJS is ensuring our criminal justice system is fair and equitable for all. We also recognize the importance of making communities whole, and that process begins by identifying inequities and supporting programs and services that address those disparities and increase opportunity for individuals and families. This work would not be possible without Governor Hochul’s vision and record-level funding community-based organizations, and all facets of the criminal justice system.

State Comptroller Reports on the Decline of New York’s Fiscal Outlook

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has recently released a Report on the State Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Enacted Budget Financial Plan. According to the report, compared to the 2022-23 FY, New York is expected to experience looming budget gaps cumulatively totaling $36.4 billion through the 2026-27 FY.

The report states that reasons for the negative fiscal outlook include declines in revenue from a weaker economic forecast, stock market volatility, and increases in recurring spending. Comptroller DiNapoli underscored the importance of the continuance of building up the rainy-day reserves and enhancing criteria for their use. At the end of the 2022-23 FY, statutory rainy-day reserves totaled $6.3 billion.

Because of the size of the estimated gaps and risk of economic downturn, the Comptroller recommends beginning to transfer the $13.2 billion in fund balance designated by the Division of the Budget (DOB) for “economic uncertainties” and controlled by the Executive into the statutory rainy-day reserves monthly over the course of the FY.

Comptroller DiNapoli said:

The state’s fiscal outlook has changed considerably over the past year, and significant economic and fiscal risks could further upend the state’s finances. The Governor and the Legislature prudently increased New York’s reserve funds, but that cannot replace fiscal discipline or be relied upon to plug recurring budget gaps. While there is no quick fix, a proactive approach by state leaders to align recurring revenues with recurring spending could help preserve the economic competitiveness of our state and avoid cuts to critical programs New Yorkers rely on.

More information, including links to related reports, can be found here.

Political Fundraising Update

The filing deadline for the State Board of Elections July Periodic, which covers contributions and expenditures by political candidates and committees from January through July 15, lapsed this week. Among some of the reported amounts include the following highlights:

Governor Hochul

$4.53 million raised ($4.37 million on hand)

 

Democratic Senate Campaign Committee

$1.56 million raised ($1.16 million on hand)

DSCC reported a total of $1.56 million raised since January. That figure combines both the committee’s hard dollar contributions (money that can be spent on political races) and their housekeeping account, which can raise unlimited funds with no cap, but can only be spent on staff and expenses such as maintaining a headquarters and not expressly for promoting specific candidates.

 

Senate Republican Campaign Committee

$304,000 raised ($311,000 on hand)

SRCC and its housekeeping account raised $304,000 and have $311,000 on hand.

 

Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee

$2.23 million raised ($2.78 million on hand)

DACC’s accounts brought in $2.23 million and have on hand $2.78 million.

 

Republican Assembly Campaign Committee

$296,366.18 raised ($377,528.86 on hand)

RACC has not yet filed a housekeeping account report, however, hard dollars raised by the committee equals a little over $296,000, leaving the committee with $377,528.86 cash on hand.

 

State Senator Tim Kennedy (D-Buffalo)

$662,000 raised ($2.14 million on hand).

Leading the legislature in fundraising this cycle. Kennedy has the Senate committee with the most in the bank. He reported a closing balance of $2.14 million.

 

State Senator James Skoufis (D-Orange County)

$362,000 raised.

 

State Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester)

$354,000 raised.

 

Senate Deputy Leader Mike Gianaris (D-Queens)

$1.04 million on hand in his Senate account, as well as $2.2 million on hand in the account that could be used for a potential future statewide campaign.

 

Assemblymember Amy Paulin (D-Westchester)

$247,000 on hand

 

Assemblymember David Weprin (D-Queens)

$161,000 on hand

 

Assemblymember Harry Bronson (D-Rochester)

$105,000 on hand

Political Updates

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has unlikely financial backer.

Two prominent Republicans look to succeed state Sen. John Mannion in 2024.

New NYSUT President Melinda Person discusses her vision.

Senator James Skoufis to report $1 million in campaign account.

Governor Hochul to report raising $4.5 million at start of bid for a second full term.

Jeffries outraises McCarthy in second quarter, bringing in $29 million for House Democrats.

2024 Cook Political Report House Race Ratings.

Prominent Democrats urge County Executive Latimer to run for Congress in 16th District.

New York congressional candidates amass robust war chests.

New York grid operator identifies electricity shortfall for 2025.

Governor Hochul to co-lead Dems’ effort to regain NY house seats – despite spotty electoral record.

In the 19th District, Riley outraises Molinaro in second quarter filings.

New York Assembly Democrats’ campaign arm to report more than $2.2 million.

Republicans urge broader energy plan for New York.

Senator Jeremy Cooney reports $296K in campaign account.

New York manufacturing barely grows, while price gauges retreat.

Governor Hochul renews push for housing, liberal advocates skeptical.

Three pressure points facing New York’s finances.

Micron applies for an estimated $300 million in local tax breaks for Clay megafab.

How tough will New York’s state budget really be?

Hochul: $29 million to go toward expanding electric vehicle charging.

Coming Up

The Public Service Commission will hold their next meeting on August 17.

The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on September 11 and 12.

The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in State Government will hold its next meeting on September 27.