Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

December 15, 2023

What’s Inside

  • Court of Appeals Orders Redraw of Congressional District Maps
  • New Law Regarding Credit Card Reward Points Takes Effect
  • Increased Minimum Wage Starting January 1
  • Governor Signs Package of Bills to Protect Consumers
  • Employers Encouraged to Pledge to Protect Youth Workers
  • Political Updates
  • Coming Up

Court of Appeals Orders Redraw of Congressional District Maps

On Tuesday, in a 4-3 decision, the New York Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, ruled that the Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) can resubmit another proposal for the state’s Congressional district lines to the New York State Legislature for their consideration by February 28, 2024. The ruling can be accessed here. Once submitted, the Legislature will have to vote to approve the lines and then be sent to the Governor for signature.

As the 2014 constitutional amendment stipulates, if the commission doesn’t submit maps to the Legislature by a certain deadline, the Legislature will draw the maps themselves, as they did in 2022 before they were challenged.

The ruling is a major win for Democrats who are hopeful for their chances to retake the House.

Governor Hochul and Attorney General James issued the following joint statement:

Today’s redistricting decision will ensure all New Yorkers are fairly and equitably represented by elected officials. As the Court of Appeals reaffirmed today, district lines should be drawn by the Independent Redistricting Commission. We will continue our efforts to protect voting rights for all New Yorkers.

Ken Jenkins, Chair of the Independent Redistricting Commission, said:

We are pleased with the Court of Appeals’ decision and look forward to getting back to work with our colleagues as soon as possible to ensure that New York’s voters receive the benefit of the historic redistricting reforms they voted for in 2014.

New Law Regarding Credit Card Reward Points Takes Effect

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a new state law taking effect that protects credit card holders from losing earned credit card rewards. Starting Sunday, December 10, credit card companies must take additional steps to protect consumers from losing accrued points when rewards programs are modified or terminated. Those companies also must provide consumers a 90-day grace period to use up any points when rewards accounts are closed. More information can be found here.

Governor Hochul said:

Protecting New Yorker’s wallets is a top priority and we’re helping families save money this holiday season. With this law taking effect, New Yorkers can rest assured that they won’t lose the credit card rewards they’ve earned.

Increased Minimum Wage Starting January 1

Pursuant to the January 1 effective date for the state to increase minimum wage, Governor Hochul has announced the start of a statewide public awareness effort to ensure that New Yorkers earning minimum wage receive the increase. New York’s minimum wage will increase to $16-per-hour in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, and $15-per-hour for the rest of the state.

After the initial increase, the minimum wage will increase by $0.50 in 2025 and 2026. In 2027, the minimum wage will increase annually at a rate determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Northeast Region.

Governor Hochul said:

On January 1, we are lifting New York’s minimum wage to help hard-working New Yorkers keep up with rising costs and continue supporting their families. If you are a minimum wage worker and you don’t see this increase in your paycheck next year, I urge you to file a wage complaint with the Department of Labor to make sure that you are getting the wage increase you deserve.

Governor Signs Package of Bills to Protect Consumers

This week, Governor Hochul signed the following package of legislation to protect consumers from price gouging, medical debt and unfair business practices:

  • (608C – Salazar/A.5653B – Reyes) – Prohibits the sale of medicine for an unconscionably excessive price during a drug shortage (as declared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration). Generally, an “unconscionably excessive price” may include a gross disparity between the price being charged by the seller during the abnormal disruption of the market, and the price charged immediately prior.
  • (4907A – Rivera/A.6275A – Paulin) – Prohibits hospitals, health care professionals and ambulances from reporting an individual’s medical debt charged to a medical card to credit agencies. A medical card is a credit card offered by providers specifically for the payment of health care services, products, or devices.   
  • (5941B – Kavanagh/A.3245D – Paulin) –Requires businesses to notify consumers of an upcoming automatic renewal or a continuous service charge 45 days prior to the charge. It also requires businesses to include instructions for how to cancel automatic renewals or continuous service charges as part of the notice to the consumer.
  • (1048A – Cooney/A.2672B – Paulin) – Requires businesses to clearly post the highest price that a consumer might pay for certain transactions, including any surcharges. The legislation also establishes a civil penalty of up to $500 per violation.

More information can be found here.

Employers Encouraged to Pledge to Protect Youth Workers

The New York State Department of Labor (DOL) has announced an initiative urging employers statewide to protect youth workers by taking the “Youth Worker Pledge”. This initiative marks the second phase of getting employers involved in protecting the well-being and rights of youth workers under the age of 18. From 2021 to 2023, there has been an over 290 percent increase in child labor violations, as shown on DOL’s Child Labor Case Data dashboard. The Youth Worker Pledge program pushes employers to educate themselves and their employees on child labor laws to prevent future violations.

To participate, employers must complete an application where they attest to:

In The News

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

Hochul vetoes lobbying loophole bill after chief judge battle.

New York Dems set sights on criminal justice priorities for 2024.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz will not seek Congressional seat.

NY Assembly Democrats hit up donors with early fundraiser before start of ‘24 session.

Noncompetes, elections, reparations: Hochul faces decisions by year’s end.

IBM, Micron to headline $10 billion chip research program in Albany.

Hundreds more cannabis licenses to be approved in early 2024.

Judge rejects check-cashing businesses’ challenge to New York fee caps.

Housing construction in New York lags behind other states.

New York Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Caucus unveils budget priorities.

Advocates call for Governor Hochul to sign bill banning neonic pesticide-treated seeds.

City of Buffalo, New York State make progress implementing blizzard report recommendations.

Coming Up

The Assembly will hold a public hearing to examine charitable gaming laws and their impact on charitable organizations across New York State on December 18.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing to assess affordable housing needs across New York State and various approaches on December 18.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing to examine the status of the health care workforce in New York State on December 19.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing to review funding provided and actions being taken by NYS Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) and the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) to address the needs of New York’s homeless veterans, especially women and people of color on December 19.

The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on January 8 and 9.

The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on January 18.

The Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government will hold its next meeting on January 24.