Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

October 6, 2023

What’s Inside

  • Governor and NYC Mayor Announce Funding for Asylum Seekers
  • Governor Highlights Plan to Expand New York’s Legal Cannabis Market and Crack Down on Illegal Sales
  • Governor Launches Funding for Non-Profit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program
  • Attorney General and Multistate Coalition Secure Millions from Data Breach
  • Governor Announces Manufacturing Job Growth Since 2021
  • NYS Senate to Launch Investigation into Energy Company and the Department of Environmental Conservation
  • In the News
  • Coming Up

Governor and NYC Mayor Announce Funding for Asylum Seekers

Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams have announced an additional $38 million in new state funding to assist in the city’s efforts to provide legal services for asylum seekers. The announcement comes on the first day that the federal rule extending Temporary Protected Status to Venezuelans who entered the country before July 31, 2023, takes effect.

The city and state also plan to partner to expand access to legal and casework services by:

  • Opening additional Asylum Application Help Center satellite sites across the city;
  • Launching roving teams within the city’s emergency shelter sites to help asylum seekers apply on the spot for TPS and work authorization; and
  • Scheduling those who enter the shelter system and are eligible for TPS for appointments to immediately apply upon entering the city’s care.

Governor Hochul said:

For more than a year, the State and City have worked side-by-side to address the unprecedented humanitarian crisis we’re experiencing. After months of coordinated advocacy from New Yorkers, the federal government has made thousands of migrants from Venezuela newly-eligible for Temporary Protected Status. Our job now is to ensure these individuals fill out all the appropriate paperwork so they can attain work authorization, find a job, and exit taxpayer-funded shelter.

Mayor Adams said:

Throughout this crisis, New York City has led the nation in answering the call to support arriving asylum seekers, and that work continues again today in partnership with New York State. We were proud to lead the call to ‘Let Them Work’ and are grateful that the federal government heard us and has expanded the pathways to work for many of those in the city’s care. With the expansion of Temporary Protected Status taking effect today, our teams are already hard at work helping them apply for work authorization, and this investment from the state will bolster those efforts to help thousands of migrants obtain work and eventually move out of shelter.

Governor Highlights Plan to Expand New York’s Legal Cannabis Market and Crack Down on Illegal Sales

Governor Hochul has announced that hundreds of licenses are being made available to individuals and businesses interested in legally growing, processing, distributing, and selling cannabis. The applications period is open as of October 4, and will remain open for the next two months.

The Governor also announced the results of continued aggressive enforcement against the illegal sale of cannabis across the state undertaken by the Office of Cannabis Management and the Department of Taxation and Finance, which to date has yielded the seizure of more than 8,500 pounds of illicit product with an estimated street value of more than $42 million.

Governor Hochul said:

We know there’s room for improvement as New York works to launch a brand-new cannabis industry and crack down on illicit operators, and I’m committed to working with all stakeholders to get the job done right. My Administration is laser-focused on shutting down illegal storefronts, protecting the health and safety of children, and helping small businesses thrive. We will continue working to build the most equitable adult-use cannabis industry in the nation that invests in communities and rights the wrongs of the past.

Governor Launches Funding for Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program

Governor Hochul has announced that a minimum of $60 million in capital grant funding will be made available to nonprofit human services organizations through the Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program to support the delivery of critical services to New Yorkers. Eligible nonprofit organizations that provide direct programs and services to New Yorkers may receive grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 for the completion of small- and large-scale construction projects. The Request For Applications is available here.

The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), which will administer the program for the state, will also post the Request For Applications (RFA) on its website in addition to the funding opportunities availability on the New York State Grants Gateway. DASNY will also provide essential information to prospective nonprofit applicants through an informational Webinar Video to be posted in both locations on October 18.

Governor Hochul said:

The Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program is one of our state’s most powerful tools to strengthen and preserve New York’s social safety net. Nonprofit organizations are an essential partner in delivering critical services to individuals in need, but far too often, infrastructure needs and a lack of capital funding stretch these organizations to capacity. By making transformative investments in our nonprofit sector, my administration is committed to maintaining the vital resources and services that New Yorkers rely on.

Attorney General and Multistate Coalition Secure Millions from Data Breach

New York State Attorney General Letitia James and a multistate coalition of 50 attorneys general have reached a $49.5 million agreement with cloud company Blackbaud over a data breach that impacted thousands of nonprofit institutions including charities, colleges and universities, and health care organizations in New York and across the country. Blackbaud provides donor data management software and, in 2020, experienced a data breach that exposed the personal information of its customers and millions of their donors and constituents. As a result of the agreement, Blackbaud has agreed to overhaul its data security and breach notification practices and pay $49.5 million to the affected states, of which New York will receive $2.9 million.

The settlement can be viewed here. Thousands of New York institutions were affected by Blackbaud’s data breach. A full list can be found here.

Under the settlement, Blackbaud has agreed to strengthen its data security and breach notification practices going forward, including:

  • Discontinuing misrepresentations related to the processing, storing, and safeguarding of personal information; the likelihood that personal information affected by a security incident may be subject to further disclosure or misuse; and breach notification requirements under state law and HIPAA.
  • Implementing and maintaining incident and breach response plans to prepare for and more appropriately respond to future security incidents and breaches.
  • Updating breach notification provisions that require Blackbaud to provide appropriate assistance to its customers and support customers’ compliance with applicable notification requirements in the event of a breach.
  • Improving security incident reporting to the CEO and board, employee training, and appropriate resources and support for cybersecurity.
  • Applying personal information safeguards and controls requiring total database encryption and dark web monitoring.
  • Using specific security requirements with respect to network segmentation, patch management, intrusion detection, firewalls, access controls, logging and monitoring, and penetration testing.
  • Implementing third-party assessments of Blackbaud’s compliance with the settlement for seven years.

Attorney General James said:

New Yorkers, and all Americans, deserve to know that their personal information is secure and protected. Blackbaud was supposed to safeguard the private information held by nonprofits regarding donors and customers, but instead its poor data security measures put everyone at risk. There is no excuse for a cloud company to have poor data security measures. As data breaches become more pervasive, my office will continue to ensure companies are securing their networks against these attacks.

Governor Announces Manufacturing Job Growth Since 2021

Today, Governor Hochul celebrated National Manufacturing Month by unveiling New York’s nation-leading manufacturing job growth numbers, which show that New York State has added more than 13,300 new manufacturing jobs since 2021 – leading the nation in manufacturing jobs brought back from overseas. The data, available here, points to the continued resurgence of New York’s manufacturing sector, following a decades-long decline in manufacturing.

In addition, Governor Hochul signed a proclamation declaring October Manufacturing Month in New York State as part of her continued commitment to the industry. A link to the Governor’s proclamation is available here.

In October 2022, Governor Hochul announced Micron’s plans to build a semiconductor manufacturing campus in Central New York, generating $100 billion in investment over the next 20 years and creating 50,000 new jobs – making it the largest manufacturing project in New York State history. The Governor has also announced the following:

  • The Coca-Cola Company has selected New York State for a new fairlife dairy production facility, which will create up to 250 new jobs in Monroe County.
  • Li-Cycle, a Canadian lithium-ion battery resource recovery company, reached an agreement with New York State expanding its operations in Monroe County, creating an additional 270 new jobs.
  • Clothier Tom James has acquired the 112-year-old former Hickey Freeman manufacturing facility in Rochester to expand its operations to the Finger Lakes region, retaining 200 jobs previously at risk with a commitment to growing employment on site to 245 net jobs over the next five years.
  • PlugPower’s state-of-the-art green hydrogen fuel production manufacturing facility will create up to 1,600 new jobs in the Capital Region.
  • Edwards Vacuum, a British-based world leader in vacuum and abatement equipment in the semiconductor industry, will build a 240,000 square-foot facility at New York’s Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) in Western New York, creating 600 new jobs in Genesee County.
  • GE Vernova is locating an onshore wind nacelle manufacturing operation in Schenectady, creating at least 160 renewable energy jobs.
  • Cummins Inc., a global power and technology company, is making a major investment at its 998,000-square-foot Jamestown Engine Plant that will help the company meet its sustainability and emissions reductions goals and create 90 new jobs.

Governor Hochul said:

New York’s manufacturing sector is in the midst of a major renaissance, and we’ve got the jobs, the businesses, and the investment to prove it. After decades of decline across the manufacturing industry, my administration is turning the sector around with historic actions to bring leading businesses to our state, encourage green and sustainable business practices, and prepare the workforce for the manufacturing jobs of tomorrow. Manufacturing is at the core of our state’s history and identity, and this Manufacturing Month, I am reaffirming my commitment to building up this sector to attract the best businesses and provide good-paying, middle class jobs in New York State.

NYS Senate to Launch Investigation into Energy Company and the Department of Environmental Conservation

State Senator James Skoufis, Chair of the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations, has announced that the Committee plans to open an investigation into the communications among Competitive Power Ventures (CPV), the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration.

Senator Skoufis has stated that the issue that is being looked into is the fact that CPV operates Valley Energy Center in Orange County, which is operating without a Clean Air Title V permit. This permit is typically necessary In New York State for major sources of pollutants.

The Committee has already delivered document requests for communications among CPV, DEC, and the Cuomo administration.

Senator Skoufis issued a statement saying the following:

We’re really looking to evaluate what, if any, interference (might have taken place) in the regulatory and permitting processes at the DEC. That’s really the focus of this investigation — what was being said and what was being done between these actors?

Of note, the energy company under review was previously involved in the corruption prosecution of Joseph Percoco, former Governor Cuomo’s former Executive Deputy Secretary, in 2018. During this time, Percoco was found guilty of honest services fraud, conspiracy to commit honest services and solicitation of bribes and gratuities.

The Times Union recently reported in depth on this issue, which can be read here.

In The News

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

Democrats to meet next week to nominate Hakeem Jeffries for speaker.

Report: Cyberattacks in New York increased 53% between 2016 and 2022.

State Senate launches investigation into energy company, DEC.

Albany County health commissioner leaving post.

Business Council has ‘growing concerns’  with clean energy policies.

Fire alarm aside, New York lawmakers worked to avert federal government shutdown.

Redistricting case that could influence control of Congress set for November 15.

CEG study: Region extremely strong in gaming, clean energy, chips and biotech.

Supreme Court turns away challenge to New York’s rent regulations.

Governors urge Biden to do more after months of offshore wind woes.

New York counties want to expand federal ‘Impact Aid’ to deal with migrants.

Supporters of NY HEAT Act ask Hochul to make the measure part of her budget.

Environmental advocates urge New York to reject subsidies for proposed plastics factory.

Farm owners fighting labor law in federal court in latest move.

Without a House speaker, not much will get done. WNY GOP lawmakers are livid about that.

Coming Up

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 Assembly will hold a public hearing to explore innovative ways colleges and universities can partner with school districts to offer students unique academic and career opportunities 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.

The Senate will hold a public hearing to conduct oversight of the Family Court throughout the State, including its resources, operations, and outcomes on October 18.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing to examine library construction aid and the long-term capital needs of libraries on October 25.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing to discuss the impact and effectiveness of economic development programs funded in the enacted 2023-24 State Budget on October 26.

The Senate will hold a public hearing to examine issues in the New York State market related to consumer accessibility and retail sale of legal adult-use cannabis on October 30.