Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

November 17, 2023

What’s Inside

  • Governor Signs Clean Slate Act
  • Governor Announces Round XIII Regional Economic Development Council Awards
  • Division of Budget Holds “Quick Start” Meeting
  • State Senator Tim Kennedy Announces Run for Congress
  • Working Families Party Gets New Leadership
  • Governor Announces Appointments to LIPA Board of Trustees
  • Governor Announces Additional Funding for Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
  • Political Updates
  • Coming Up

Governor Signs Clean Slate Act

The Governor held a press conference in New York City, joined by several legislative members, as well as the New York State Attorney General, to sign the Clean Slate Act. The legislation is set to take effect on November 16, 2024.

The Clean Slate Act (S.7551A/A.1029C) will allow certain criminal records to be sealed years after an individual is sentenced or released from incarceration if that individual is not subsequently convicted of an additional criminal act. Following their release from any incarceration, records of individuals with eligible misdemeanor convictions will be sealed after three years and those with certain felony convictions, after eight years.

The legislation does not allow the seal of records for individuals convicted of sex crimes, murder or other non-drug Class A felonies; law enforcement, prosecutors, the New York State Education Department, the courts and other groups will continue to have access to all criminal records.

Additionally, records will not be sealed to law enforcement or the criminal justice system and will also not be sealed until parole or probation is complete and there are no criminal charges in New York State. The clock restarts altogether if parole or probation is revoked or if there is a new conviction. Employers permitted by law to perform fingerprint-based criminal history checks on job applicants will continue to receive those records and use them to determine whether individuals should be hired. Conviction information will remain available for law enforcement purposes, the hiring of police and peace officers, the hiring of teachers at public and private schools, and background checks for firearm purchases and/or licenses.

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

In a prepared statement, Governor Hochul said:

The best crime-fighting tool is a good-paying job. That’s why I support giving New Yorkers a clean slate after they’ve paid their debt to society and gone years without an additional offense. I negotiated a compromise that protects public safety and boosts economic opportunity, and the final Clean Slate Law will help New Yorkers access jobs and housing while allowing police, prosecutors and school officials to protect their communities. And as our state faces a worker shortage, with more than 450,000 job openings right now, this new law will help businesses find more workers who will help them grow, expand and thrive.

State Senator Myrie said:

It’s not every day that we can change our laws to strengthen our communities, make our legal system more fair, improve public safety and grow our economy at the same time. But that’s exactly what Clean Slate will do for New Yorkers. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for signing this transformative bill into law, to my partner Assembly Member Catalina Cruz, and to one of the largest, broadest and most diverse coalitions in state history who helped make this moment possible. To the millions of New Yorkers who will be impacted by this law, I’m proud to say the wait is over.

Assemblymember Cruz said:

I am profoundly moved by this incredible step in our journey for justice, redemption, and economic development. This transformative law seeks to redress the harmful aftermath of a criminal justice system designed to promote inequity and injustice, even once the debt has been paid to society. Millions of New Yorkers have been burdened by the crippling weight of their past convictions. By providing qualifying individuals with a clean slate, we are unlocking doors to dignified employment, education, and housing, thereby fueling economic growth and stability for all New Yorkers. Ensuring that people can work and find housing is the best way to keep our communities safe, reduce recidivism, and break the cyclic poverty and mass incarceration for generations to come. I am proud of the strong and supportive coalition we built, from labor unions, to small and large businesses, to criminal justice activists and law enforcement, as well as faith and civic leaders. This is a testament to our commitment to building a more inclusive and just economy, where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and thrive regardless of their past. I would like to thank Governor Hochul for signing this bill into law, as well as Speaker Heastie for never faltering in our collective vision. I also want to thank my colleague Senator Myrie and the Clean Slate Coalition for fighting every step of the way so that 2.3 million New Yorkers and their generations to come receive the second chance they so desperately need.

Governor Announces Round XIII Regional Economic Development Council Awards

The Governor announced that more than $57 million has been awarded to support 238 projects across New York State through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Round XIII included Empire State Development grant funds and Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits, which was made available on a continuous and competitive basis to support the immediate needs of communities. Over $46 million in funding from these programs will support impactful projects that align with each region’s strategic goals. Round XIII also included two new micro grant programs: the Craft Beverage Micro Grant Program and the Not-for-Profit Capital Grant Program which awarded over $9.7 million to support 170 craft beverage manufacturers and non-profit organizations throughout the state.

The application for Empire State Development Grant funds remains open, and applications are being reviewed on an on-going basis until funds are exhausted. Applicants with strong, shovel-ready projects that align with the state and region’s economic development priorities can apply through the Consolidated Funding Application.

Full list of Round XIII awardees can be found here.

Full list of awardees for the Craft program can be found here.

Full list of awardees for the Not-for-Profit program can be found here.

Division of Budget Holds “Quick Start” Meeting

The New York State Division of Budget (DOB) recently held its FY 2025 “Quick Start” meeting on Tuesday. The DOB, joined by the Senate Finance Committee, the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, and the Office of the State Comptroller, discussed their respective revenue and disbursement estimates for FY 2025. Following the meeting, the attending parties issued a joint report, which can be accessed here. Spectrum News reported on the meeting, which can be read here.

As a reminder, last week, both the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means Committees issued their respective “Quick Start” Mid-Year Reports which can be found linked below.

State Senator Tim Kennedy Announces Run for Congress

According to a press release on Tuesday, State Senator Tim Kennedy plans to run for Congress. The Senator will run for the NY-26 seat in Congress, currently held by Congressman Brian Higgins who will vacate the seat in February 2024. The Congressman plans to take the position as President of Shea’s Performing Arts Center.

In his press release, Senator Kennedy noted that he pledges to fight for abortion rights, keep illegal guns off of the streets, combat inflation, and make both Niagara and Erie counties more affordable.

Working Families Party Gets New Leadership

According to media reports, Ana Maria Archila and Jasmine Gripper will take on leadership roles of the Working Families Party. Ana Maria Archila, a former candidate for lieutenant governor in 2022, joined Capital Tonight to discuss the new role and her priorities heading into the 2024 legislative session and elections.

The full interview can be watched here.

Governor Announces Appointments to LIPA Board of Trustees

Governor Hochul has announced the appointments of Tracey Edwards, David Manning, and Claudia Lovas to the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) Board of Trustees. Edwards is a Senior Vice President and New York Corporate Social Responsibility Officer at the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, Manning is the Director of Stakeholder Relations and External Affairs for the Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Lovas is a Managing Attorney with Claudia P. Lovas & Associates at American Family Insurance.

Laureen Harris and Sheldon Cohen will continue to serve on the Board.

Governor Hochul said:

I’m proud to announce the latest appointments to the Long Island Power Authority Board of Trustees, a group that I’m confident will bring unique knowledge and expertise to the Board. LIPA is playing a critical role in advancing a clean, reliable and affordable electric grid for Long Islanders and these appointments will help transform how we power New York for future generations. We are grateful to the departing board members for their service.

Governor Announces Additional Funding for Pre-Apprenticeship Programs

Governor Hochul this week announced an additional $2 million to enhance Direct Entry pre-apprenticeship programs across the state. The initiative is lead by the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) and funded with the State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grant funds awarded by the United States Department of Labor, which aims to elevate New York’s apprenticeship ecosystem. The Governor also proclaimed November as New York State Apprenticeship Month.

This additional funding will help support growth of registered apprenticeships statewide. Funding will be available through the Direct Entry Pre-Apprenticeship Request for Applications. More information can be found here.

In The News

City & State New York’s Weekly Winners and Losers here.

Commission recommends sweeping changes to high school graduation rules.

What happens next with Brian Higgins’ seat in Congress?

While GOP won on Long Island, Democrats made gains upstate, nationally.

New group seeks to turn New York congressional seats blue in 2024.

New York COVID-19 review drags; report delayed to mid-2024.

New York Senators now know what’s wrong with the state’s cannabis industry. What will they do next?

LIPA sees big increase in offshore wind power by 2030, but headwinds remain.

New York group Launches $9 million youth voter drive.

As New York redistricting maps again head to Court of Appeals, a recap of how we got here.

Independent Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh endorses Democrat Al Stirpe for state Senate seat.

Hochul enlisting borough presidents to help Venezuelan migrants apply for temporary protected status.

Hochul again praises Jacobs at Democrats’ state committee meeting.

Dutchess legislator to challenge Rolison for senate seat.

Martin to challenge DiPietro in GOP primary for rural Assembly seat.

57 votes separate Cheektowaga town supervisor race candidates; recount set for next week.

Coming Up

The Assembly will hold a public hearing to examine the status of the New York State Tuition Assistance Program on November 28.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing to examine the impact of extreme weather events on the resiliency of the property and casualty insurance market in New York State on November 29.

The Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government will hold its next meeting on November 29.

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

The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on December 14.