Plugged In @ Hinman Straub
December 1, 2023
What’s Inside
- 2024 State of the State Address Announced
- COELIG Issues 2024 Legislative Agenda
- George Santos Expelled from Congress
- Involuntary Isolation and Quarantine Rule Reinstated
- Governor Signs Legislation to Protect Public Health and Combat Opioid Addiction
- Governor Signs Package of Legislation Surrounding Health Equity and Opportunity
- Attorney General James Releases Annual “Pennies for Charity” Report
- Political Updates
- Coming Up
2024 State of the State Address Announced
Governor Kathy Hochul’s office has issued a media advisory announcing that the Governor will deliver her 2024 State of the State Address on Tuesday, January 9 at 1:00 p.m. in the Assembly Chamber at the New York State Capitol in Albany.
Please note, the State of the State Address does not fall on the first day of the New York State legislative session, which is constitutionally required to begin on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January. The 2024 legislative session calendar has yet to be released.
COELIG Issues 2024 Legislative Agenda
The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) has issued and adopted its 2024 legislative agenda. Their priorities focus on the following:
- Accessorial Liability;
- Conforming Changes to the Lobbying Act;
- Training Non-Compliance Penalties for Lobbyists and Clients;
- Express Individual Liability of CAOs and other Lobbying Representatives for Intentional Lobbying Act Violations;
- Clarify Late Fee Penalties for Amendments to Registrations;
- Posting the Financial Disclosure Statements of Candidates; and
- Adding Penalties for Certain Violations of the Public Officers Law which Currently Have None.
The full announcement and agenda can be found here.
Rep. George Santos Expelled from Congress
This morning, a bipartisan group of 311 members of Congress voted in favor to expel Republican Representative George Santos. Santos currently represents the 3rd Congressional District on Long Island.
Under state law, Governor Hochul now has 10 days to declare the date of a special election to replace Santos, which she issued the following statement this morning via Twitter:
Involuntary Isolation and Quarantine Rule Reinstated
The Fourth Judicial Department of a mid-level appellate court that has jurisdiction over 22 counties in central and western New York has reinstated a rule that allows the New York State Department of Health to lawfully order someone to involuntarily isolate or quarantine to control a highly contagious disease. Such diseases include COVID-19.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health department used these powers to isolate and quarantine individuals for specific amounts of time when they tested positive or had been exposed to COVID-19.
Republican petitioners have already stated that they plan to appeal this decision to the state Court of Appeals, New York’s highest court.
This decision overturns a decision made last year by a state Supreme Court Justice in Cattaraugus County, who found that the rule had violated the constitutional requirement for a separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches when promulgating rules as severe as involuntary isolation.
Governor Signs Legislation to Protect Public Health and Combat Opioid Addiction
Earlier this week, Governor Hochul signed legislation to address the opioid and overdose epidemic. Matthew’s Law expands the public’s access to fentanyl testing supplies, a resource that protects public health by decreasing the chances of an accidental drug overdose.
Fentanyl testing strips were difficult to access across large parts of New York State. Matthew’s Law expands on the state’s efforts to provide access to test strips. Both the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) fund initiatives for providers to obtain and distribute fentanyl and xylazine test strips, as well as naloxone.
Earlier this year, OASAS launched a new ordering system for individuals and providers, which has resulted in the order of 2 million fentanyl test strips, 1.4 million xylazine test strips, and 70,000 naloxone kits. An additional 873,000 fentanyl test strips, 340,000 xylazine test strips and 387,492 naloxone units have been distributed through the state Department of Health-funded community-based programs from January to September 2023.
Matthew’s Law further allows local pharmacies and health care providers to provide this life-saving resource to all New Yorkers. The law is named in memory of Matthew Horan, who died of an accidental fentanyl overdose in November 2020.
More information can be found in the Governor’s press release here.
Governor Hochul said:
Governor Signs Package of Legislation Surrounding Health Equity and Opportunity
Governor Hochul signed the following legislation to further gender inclusivity and provide necessary resources to New York’s youth:
- S5913A – Chu/113A – Rosenthal – Requires menstrual products to be provided to students for free in private middle and high school student restrooms.
- 1792 – Hinchey/A.4349 – Reyes – Will commemorate March 8th as International Women’s Day. This day will recognize the adversity women have faced and celebrate the valiant fight for equality.
- 6528A – Bailey/ A.6927A – Solages – Will require New York State to require that education and testing for cosmetologists, including natural hair stylists, include education regarding the provision of services to individuals with all hair types and textures, including, but not limited to, various curl or wave patterns, hair strand thicknesses, and volumes of hair. This legislation will promote and establish inclusive basic training for all licensed cosmetologists.
Attorney General James Releases Annual “Pennies for Charity” Report
The New York State Attorney General Letitia James has released the annual “Pennies for Charity: Fundraising by Professional Fundraisers” report, found here.
This year’s report found that in 2022, professional fundraisers received nearly a quarter of every dollar donated to the charities that hired them — a total of more than $347 million in fees and expenses. An analysis of 572 campaigns conducted by professional fundraisers in 2022 found that charities received 77 percent of donations, a notable increase from the 73 percent return in 2021. Professional fundraisers are outside, for-profit contractors often hired by charities to run campaigns.
Other report findings include:
- In 273 campaigns — 48 percent — charities received less than 50 percent of funds raised, with professional fundraisers retaining the rest.
- In 97 campaigns — 17 percent — expenses exceeded revenue and cost charities over $11 million. These are higher numbers than reported in last year’s Pennies for Charity report.
More information can be found in the Attorney General’s press release here.
In The News
City & State New York’s Weekly Winners and Losers here.
Progressive and moderate Democrats wary Suozzi.
Mayor Byron Brown seriously exploring NY-26 Congress run.
Will Latimer challenge Bowman? It may come down to redistricting.
Speaker Mike Johnson to fundraise for N.Y. Republicans key to maintaining majority.
Melissa DeRosa, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s former top aide, considering her own political run.
New York energy transition faces reliability challenges, grid operator says.
Salina Town Supervisor Nick Paro to run for CNY state Senate seat.
Department of Investigation opens inquiry into a key Adams aide, Winnie Greco.
Former Oswego Mayor John T. Sullivan dies at age 76.
College of Saint Rose board votes to close school.
Hochul confirms she’s not pursuing housing growth mandates in upcoming legislative session.
Lawmakers push to include parole reform in state’s upcoming Master Plan for Aging.
New Pro-Defendant decisions signal sea change at New York’s top court.
Governor Kathy Hochul offers compromise on non-competes.
Environmentalists push for Hochul to sign pesticides bill.
Coming Up
The Assembly will hold a public hearing on local government procurement on December 14 at 10:30 a.m.
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.
The Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government will hold its next meeting on January 24.