Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

September 22, 2023

What’s Inside

  • Division of Budget Releases Call Letter to State Agencies
  • Governor Makes Executive Director Recommendation for NYS Thruway Authority
  • Governor Announces New State Efforts to Address Asylum Seeker and Migrant Crisis
  • DOL Releases Preliminary August 2023 Area Unemployment Rates
  • Attorney General James Leads Coalition to Support DOJ and FTC’s Revised Merger Guidelines
  • Governor Announces State Action to Combat Antisemitism
  • Political Updates
  • Coming Up

Division of Budget Releases Call Letter to State Agencies

Kicking off the start of the New York State budget process, The Director of the NYS Division of the Budget (DOB) has sent state agency leaders the official request to submit their proposed spending plans for the upcoming year. This request, known as the “Budget Call Letter,” establishes the parameters for those submissions and sets the tone for the Executive Budget process. The letter was reported on by Politico and can be accessed here.

The tone of this year’s letter reflects a shift in the economic outlook for the State. It cites lower revenue forecasts resulting in multi-year budget deficits. It indicates that, “Governor Hochul is committed to addressing these gaps and balancing the budget without raising taxes or relying on one-time reserves to fund reoccurring obligations.”

As a result, the letter directs agencies to submit request that reflect flat spending, excluding one-time funding that had been added last year. Agencies are further encouraged to look for “savings opportunities,” to “scrutinize” programs and expenditures, and to eliminate “unnecessary duplication or overlaps.”

Governor Makes Executive Director Recommendation for NYS Thruway Authority

Governor Hochul has recommended Frank Hoare to the Board of Directors of the Thruway Authority to serve as the Authority’s Executive Director. Mr. Hoare’s recommendation is subject to an appointment by the Thruway Authority Board of Directors, and ultimately confirmation by the New York State Senate. His nomination would be submitted after the Senate convenes for legislative session in January of 2024.

Mr. Hoare’s has been serving as the Interim Executive Director of the New York State Thruway Authority since December of 2022. Prior to that, he served as General Counsel of the Authority. More information on his recommendation and background can be found here.

Governor Announces New State Efforts to Address Asylum Seeker and Migrant Crisis

On Tuesday, Governor Hochul met with President Biden to discuss solutions surrounding asylum seekers and migrants. She issued a statement Wednesday night announcing that the President would grant one of her top priorities, to provide temporary protected status to Venezuelan asylum seekers and migrants who have already arrived in this country.

The Governor’s statement is as follows:

After my productive conversation with President Biden last night, I’m grateful the federal government has acted so speedily to grant one of our top priorities: providing Temporary Protected Status to Venezuelan asylum seekers and migrants who have already arrived in this country. There’s more work to do as we address this crisis, but the State of New York is prepared to immediately begin the process of signing people up for work authorization and getting them into jobs so they can become self-sufficient.

Subsequently, on Wednesday, the Governor issued a press release detailing new state efforts to address the asylum seeker and migrant crisis following the federal extension of temporary protected status.

Governor Hochul has directed the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) to connect employers with newly eligible asylum seekers and migrants who are on the path to receiving work authorizations. More than 70 state personnel, representing 16 separate state agencies, have been urged to assist in this work authorization effort. The Department also created a new registration process where asylum seekers and migrants with work authorization can register for assistance. Officials from the New York State Department of Labor and the United States Department of Labor will meet in the coming days to discuss opportunities for partnership and growth.

At Governor Hochul’s direction, New York State is ready to help Venezuelans and other asylum seekers and migrants submit the appropriate paperwork to speedily receive legal work status.

More information can be found here.

DOL Releases Preliminary August 2023 Area Unemployment Rates

The New York State Department of Labor (DOL) has issued preliminary unemployment rates for the month of August. The full rates can be accessed here. Rates are calculated using methods prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The state’s area unemployment rates rely in part on the results of the Current Population Survey, which contacts approximately 3,100 households in New York State each month. New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held constant at 3.9% in August 2023.

Attorney General James Leads Coalition to Support DOJ and FTC’s Revised Merger Guidelines

New York Attorney General Letitia James led two multistate coalitions in submitting comments to support the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) proposed revisions to strengthen the Merger Guidelines, which are the standards that DOJ and FTC use when determining whether corporate mergers and acquisitions violate antitrust laws. In their comments, both coalitions write that the revised merger guidelines will protect workers, strengthen state enforcement of antitrust laws, and combat the concentration of corporate power.

In their comments, the coalition notes that the revised Merger Guidelines reflect current economic changes and the realities of the modern economy, including how to regulate digital platform mergers while also reaffirming foundational principles of antitrust law. The comments support DOJ and FTC’s efforts to simultaneously reinvigorate merger enforcement and support Congress’s longstanding mandates that enforcers work to protect competition. More information can be found here.

Attorney General James said:

“In recent years, consumers and workers have had fewer options when choosing where to work or buy goods and services because companies have gotten larger and more powerful,” said Attorney General James. “I applaud DOJ and FTC for proposing these revised guidelines that will bolster merger enforcement to protect workers and consumers. These new guidelines will help New York and other states stop anticompetitive mergers. A healthy economy is one where consumers and workers have options, and my office will continue to work with our state and federal partners to make that possible.”

Governor Announces State Action to Combat Antisemitism

This week, Governor Hochul announced additional state action in an effort to combat antisemitism. The Governor announced the creation of the New York State Anti-Hate in Education Center and Annual Convening that will combat hate, create a safe and inclusive environment, and focus on eliminating antisemitism. The Division of Human Rights has announced plans to improve hate and bias incident data collection and launch the agency’s first-ever small grants program for community anti-bias work.

The Office of Victim Services is working to expand support for victims of antisemitism by simplifying the Victim Compensation Application, allowing them access to reimbursement. Additionally, the New York State Police will re-launch law enforcement focused Hate Crime Investigative Seminars. The New York State Office of Mental Health created the Spotlight on Jewish Campaign to recognize the unique issues surrounding Jewish Americans’ mental health.

The New York State Anti-Hate in Education Center & Annual Convening will:

  • Serve as an intellectual hub that brings together experts in academia and government to analyze, research, and brainstorm solutions to complex hate and discrimination issues;
  • Build alliances across partner institutions and organizations, fostering collaborative efforts to identify opportunities for collective action;
  • Develop education and training for a range of stakeholders across New York State;
  • Make recommendations about effective and equitable policies to combat hate crimes and discrimination; and
  • Articulate strategies for evaluating the effectiveness of anti-hate initiatives.

Governor Hochul said:

As Governor of the State with the largest Jewish population outside the State of Israel, I feel a solemn responsibility to protect and uplift New York’s vibrant, diverse Jewish communities,” Governor Hochul said. “No one should have to fear for their safety while going to their place of work, going to school, or just walking the streets. It has always been my top priority to keep the people of New York safe, and we will continue taking action to fight antisemitism and use every tool at our disposal to eliminate hate and bias from our communities.

In The News

City & State NY’s 2023 Upstate Power 100 here.

‘Clean concrete’ rule will require greenhouse gas tracking in construction materials.

New York State withholding Medicaid funds starts to impact county budgets.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie feeling out lawmakers on state-issued migrant work permits — ‘if it’s legal’.

Heastie: No plans for NY Assembly to hold special session on migrant crisis.

Republicans win a temporary freeze in New York’s redistricting fight.

With Washington deadlocked, Albany faces pressure to do more on migrants.

Canadian hydropower line still on schedule, despite cost increases.

New York cracks down on crypto coin listings with fresh guidance.

Federal funds coming to N.Y. Homeland Security for pipeline safety projects.

Cost of living tops minds of New Yorkers in latest Siena poll.

Could unions break New York’s housing impasse?

The bills still awaiting Kathy Hochul’s signature before the end of the year.

Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs sues Manhattan Dems after losing district leader race.

New York Comptroller: Sales tax collections up 4% in August.

State Thruway Authority board approves toll hikes in New York.

State manufacturing expands unexpectedly on new orders.

Hochul says lawmakers calling for special session won’t dictate decision.

Governor Hochul eyes other states’ experience in seeking to improve housing affordability in New York.

Brooklyn Assembly seat fight brewing between longtime Dem lawmakers Abbate, Colton.

Further expansion of New York’s child tax credit eyed for next budget.

Senator Robert Menendez is indicted in New York.

New York Public Employees Federation members rally for law change to end workplace abuse.

New York agencies ordered to freeze spending in budget proposals amid gap.

Unions fight in the state to make Biden’s climate agenda for workers.

Coming Up

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

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on the child welfare system and mandatory reporting of abuse on September 27.

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 October 11.

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 October 17.