Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

August 25, 2023

What’s Inside

  • Governor Calls on President Biden for Assistance Regarding Asylum Seekers
  • Governor Announces Administration Appointments
  • Cap-and-Invest Rountable Announced
  • Governor Celebrates Conclusion of Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act Listening Tour
  • Governor Signs Executive Order Increasing State Sourcing of Local Food From Farmers
  • In The News
  • Coming Up

Governor Calls on President Biden for Assistance Regarding Asylum Seekers

Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul addressed the State of New York with an update on the issue surrounding asylum seekers throughout the state. The address can be watched here. The Governor announced that she has formally submitted a letter to President Biden requesting him to take executive action and to direct additional federal resources to New York State as it continues to manage the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers arriving each day.

In her formal request, Governor Hochul outlined specific, outstanding requests, including expedited work authorizations for asylum seekers, financial assistance for New York City and New York State, the use of federal land and facilities for temporary shelter sites, and Title 32 designation to provide federal funding for the nearly 2,000 New York National Guard members currently providing logistical and operational support across the state. The letter can be accessed here.

Following Governor Hochul’s address, members of the press had the opportunity to pose questions to both Commissioner Jackie Bray of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and Commissioner Roberta Reardon of the Department of Labor (DOL). The Governor has directed DOL to help connect asylum seekers to employment opportunities so they can begin working immediately after obtaining federal work authorization. All asylum seekers with work authorization in New York can now register for assistance here.

Subsequently, earlier this week Governor Hochul deployed an additional $20 million to New York City for casework surge to help asylum seekers exit city shelters and seek legal work status.

Of note, both the Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins have spoken out in support of the Governor’s call on the president for additional assistance to address increase in asylum seekers throughout New York State.

Governor Announces Administration Appointments

This week Governor Hochul appointed Sean Hennessey as Director of the Great New York State Fair and announced that Ashley Walden has been appointed by the Olympic Authority’s directors as the next President and CEO of Olympic Regional Development Authority, in which she succeeds Mike Pratt who is retiring from the position after 38 years of service.

Cap-and-Invest Roundtable Announced

Together, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York State Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) have announced a rountable with labor stakeholders to advance the development of the state’s Cap-and-Invest program. The program has been in the process of being implemented in an effort to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, which are known to be driving climate change.

The roundtable will take place on Friday, September 15 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., which will offer engagement with various stakeholders regarding the development of the program around labor and the clean energy workforce of the future. This is an opportunity for participants to provide feedback on program design features and areas of interest to help support existing workers and communities, create job pathways, and identify opportunities for New York’s future workforce.

Additional information will be provided as it becomes available at the Cap-and-Invest website here.

DEC Commissioner and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Basil Seggos said:

In developing the state’s Cap-and-Invest Program, New York is committed to providing stakeholders with opportunities to help inform the program elements to reduce pollution, combat climate change, and create green jobs in communities statewide. This upcoming roundtable with stakeholders from labor will focus on the importance of a just transition to encourage input on priorities and bolster the State’s ongoing efforts to create a cleaner, equitable, and healthier environment.

NYSERDA President and CEO and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Doreen M. Harris said:

This stakeholder roundtable will provide more perspective on how we can design a Cap-and-Invest Program that addresses labor and the important aspects of a just transition that must be considered as the State moves ahead with its clean energy agenda. I look forward to a robust discussion as we focus, not only on reducing emissions in New York, but driving a green economy and supporting New York’s workforce so that our clean energy transition benefits all New Yorkers.

Governor Celebrates Conclusion of Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act Listening Tour

Governor Hochul has announced the conclusion of the state’s Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act 10-stop educational listening tour. The sessions provided an opportunity for the public and potential funding applicants to learn more about the Bond Act and to begin discussions on the guidelines being developed to identify potential projects.

Specifically, the Environmental Bond Act authorizes:

  • $1.5 billion for climate change mitigation;
  • $1.1 billion for restoration and flood risk reduction;
  • $650 million for water quality improvement and resilient infrastructure;
  • $650 million for open space land conservation and recreation; and
  • $300 million for other projects not specifically allocated in the Act.

The next phase of involvement is already underway, with project ideas being solicited to gauge the interests and needs of communities, particularly those most vulnerable to pollution and climate impacts, and ongoing opportunities for the public to comment on guidelines for existing or new programs to distribute funding. In addition, the state has also created a web-based survey, which can be taken here, to collect potential project ideas from all potential applicants and interested stakeholders. The survey will remain open through at least September 15.

Governor Hochul said:

I thank the New Yorkers who came out to learn more about this once-in-a-generation funding opportunity that will help transform and protect our communities from the environmental, economic, and public safety challenges caused by climate change. Our state is committed to ensuring this initiative remains collaborative and transparent so we can tailor programs to successfully deliver these necessary resources to our government and community-based partners.

Governor Signs Executive Order Increasing State Sourcing of Local Food From Farmers

At the New York State Fair on Wednesday, Governor Hochul signed Executive Order 32 directing state agencies to increase the percentage of food sourced from New York farmers and producers to 30% of their total purchases within five years.

The Executive Order also directs the Department of Agriculture and Markets and OGS to convene a working group, which will include representatives from the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the Office of Mental Health, and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Department of Health, Office of the Aging, along with other state agencies that purchase food. The group will work to identify opportunities to increase the purchase of New York State food products, recommend guidance to assist state agencies in increasing the amount of New York State food product they purchase, and recommend data collection and reporting requirements to achieve the Executive Order’s goals.

The Executive Order also encourages county and municipal governments, as well as local school districts not already participating in the state’s 30% school initiative, to join in meeting this target.

In addition, the Governor signed the following legislation:

  • 1528-A – Woerner/S.1723-A – Skoufis – Brings together young people with interests in agriculture, science, and technology at the New York State Fair to develop innovative solutions to problems facing agriculture and food production. Technological advancements in farming have already drastically changed the agricultural industry and will likely continue to do so, and this will help spur interest and curiosity from young innovators and inventors into the challenges of the agricultural industry.
  • 2935 – Woerner/ S.5526 – Hinchey – Supports smaller and newer fairs and promote youth involvement in agriculture and domestic arts by lowering the threshold for reimbursements. Providing funding to county fairs helps promote agriculture and domestic arts among youth by encouraging youth involvement in competitions involving arts and crafts, livestock, and showmanship. Currently, fairs must pay at least $5,000 in premiums as awards to youth in order to become eligible for state reimbursement. Due to this, smaller fairs across the state do not reach the $5,000 threshold for premiums paid and do not currently qualify for state reimbursement. To support all the entities that promote agriculture and domestic arts in the state, no matter what their size, the state will now offer a $2,500 reimbursement threshold to county fairs through this legislation, all of which organize these important competitions for New York State youth.

Governor Hochul said:

Agriculture is the backbone of our state, and our state’s fairs are the perfect way of showcasing that – that’s why we’re taking major steps to support both our farmers and our fairs. By increasing the amount of food State agencies must buy from local growers and producers, we are further investing in farm production and food processing in New York. We will continue taking bold action to support our next generation of farmers and the future of our agricultural industry for decades to come.

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

In The News

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

Two years after resignation, Cuomo doubles down on trying to discredit harassment allegations.

Governor Hochul pushes President Biden to speed up migrant permits.

Trump’s mug shot released after booking at Georgia jail on election charges.

The PSC approves ‘tweak’ of Quebec-to-NYC power line.

NYS landfills overflowing, DEC proposes surcharge plan.

New York State increases clean energy storage research incentives.

Watchdog: Hochul’s updated recusal policy on Delaware North will make her job easier.

New York City’s energy grid faces a power shortfall. Here’s why.

New district lines will scramble key New York House races.

Contractor caring for migrants under probe, New York AG office says.

Empire Center: Micron vs. New York energy policy.

Siena Poll: Overwhelmingly majority of New York voters call migrant influx a serious problem.

State have big hopes for renewable energy. Get ready to pay for it.

‘Good cause’ eviction might be inevitable. Does that force real estate to the table?

How crime could keep costing New York Democrats.

Coming Up

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

The Senate will hold a public hearing to discuss retention and recruitment for civil service jobs in New York State, the New York State pension fund, pensions, and civil service benefits on September 20.

The Public Service Commission will hold their next meeting on September 14.

The Senate will hold a second public hearing to discuss retention and recruitment for civil service jobs in New York State, the New York State pension fund, pensions, and civil service benefits on September 20.

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