Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

January 26, 2023

What’s Inside

  • NYS Legislative Session
  • Senate Majority Leader Makes IRC Appointment
  • DFS Issues Final Guidance for Banks
  • Governor Hochul Proposes Expansion in Hate Crimes Statute
  • Assemblymember Zebrowski Not Seeking Re-Election
  • In The News
  • Coming Up

NYS Legislative Session

This week, both Houses of the Legislature issued their analysis of the Governor’s Executive Budget proposal, which can be found linked below.

In addition, this week the Assembly passed a package of legislation to strengthen reproductive health services and tackle the maternal and infant mortality rise across the state. Additional information on the legislative package can be found in the Assembly’s press release here. The Senate Democratic Majority simultaneously advanced a package of legislation focusing on reproductive rights and maternal health to support reproductive equity. The Senate’s press release with more information can be found here.

Joint budget hearings continue to take place until February 14. This week, the Legislature held three budget hearings: health, transportation, and public protection. The schedule moving forward is as follows:

  • Economic Development/Arts: Tuesday, January 30 at 9:30 a.m.
  • Workforce Development/Labor: Tuesday, January 30 at 2:00 p.m.
  • Human Services: Wednesday, January 31 at 9:30 a.m.
  • Elementary and Secondary Education: Thursday, February 1 at 9:30 a.m.
  • Local/General Government: Tuesday, February 6 at 9:30 a.m.
  • Environmental Conservation: Wednesday, February 7 at 9:30 a.m.
  • Higher Education: Thursday, February 8 at 9:30 a.m.
  • Mental Hygiene: Tuesday, February 13 at 9:30 a.m.
  • Taxes: Wednesday, February 14 at 9:30 a.m.
  • Housing: Wednesday, February 14 at 2:00 p.m.

Senate Majority Leader Makes IRC Appointment

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has appointed Dennis M. Walcott to the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC). He will fill the vacancy left by Dr. John Flateau. Dennis Walcott serves as Chair of the New York City Districting Commission.

The Majority Leader issued the following statement:

After careful consideration, I am making the appointment of Mr. Dennis M. Walcott to the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission. He will be filling the vacancy left by the deeply respected Dr. John Flateau, whose untimely death has been a great loss to our community and the commission. Dr. Flateau’s absence is irreplaceable, however, the work of the commission must continue in order to meet the Court’s time-sensitive directives. Dennis Walcott has extensive experience and has an impressive resume in public service, which includes serving as Chair of the New York City Districting Commission. We are confident that Mr. Walcott will serve with the same dedication and integrity that marked Dr. Flateau’s tenure, and will be a valuable asset in the commission’s ongoing work to ensure fair and effective representation for all New Yorkers.

DFS Issues Final Guidance for Banks

Superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS), Adrienne A. Harris, has released final guidance to New York State banking organizations and non-depository financial institutions licensed or chartered under the New York Banking Law or Financial Services Law (“Covered Entities”) to notify them of the Department’s expectations regarding their review and assessment of the character and fitness of their directors and senior officers, both upon onboarding and on an ongoing basis.

The full guidance can be found here.

The final guidance on Character and Fitness Assessments Reflects that Covered Institutions are expected to: 

  • Update their policies and procedures to require vetting of Designated Persons at onboarding and on a regular ongoing basis;
  • Inform the Department promptly if, through character and fitness reviews, they determine that a previously vetted Designated Person is no longer fit to perform their current function;
  • Vet each Designated Person at the time that they become a Designated Person, regardless of whether the individual is currently or was previously a Designated Person at another Covered Institution; and
  • Define indicators that warrant additional scrutiny; for example, if the individual held a senior position at an institution subject to a regulatory action or proceeding, including an enforcement action, receivership, or conservatorship.

Superintendent Adrienne Harris said:

New York consumers and businesses should feel confident that their money is being managed by ethical and law-abiding individuals. Entities have a responsibility to assess the character and fitness of executives not just upon hiring, but on an ongoing basis to protect consumers and ensure the safety and soundness of the institution.

Governor Proposes Expansion in Hate Crimes Statute

This week, Governor Kathy Hochul held a press conference to highlight her State of the State proposal to extend the list of charges eligible to be prosecuted as hate crimes and announced grant funding to strengthen safety and security measures at nonprofit, community-based organizations at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs, or mission. Governor Hochul also announced additional funding for the Securing Communities Against Hate initiative, for a combined $60 million over FY24 and FY25.

Under current law, there are only 66 offenses that can be charged as hate crimes; legislative language included in the Executive Budget would increase that number to 97, including:

  • Making graffiti
  • Arson
  • Gang assault
  • First-degree rape
  • Criminal possession of a weapon
  • Sex trafficking

Governor Hochul said:

The rising tide of hate is abhorrent and unacceptable – and I’m committed to doing everything in my power to keep New Yorkers safe. Since the despicable Hamas attacks of October 7, there has been a disturbing rise in hate crimes against Jewish and Muslim New Yorkers. In recent years we’ve seen hate-fueled violence targeting Black residents of Buffalo and disturbing harassment of AAPI and LGBTQ+ individuals on the streets of New York City. We will never rest until all New Yorkers feel safe, regardless of who they are, who they love, or how they worship.

Assemblymember Zebrowski Not Seeking Re-Election

Assemblymember Ken Zebrowski issued a statement this week announcing his decision against seeking re-election. Assemblyman Zebrowski was first elected in a special election on May 1, 2007, and was re-elected in 2022 to his 9th term. He chairs the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions. The 96th Assembly District includes the entire Towns of Clarkstown and Haverstraw and a portion of the Town of Orangetown

In The News

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

New House maps in New York stall as deadline for June primaries near.

Hochul slashes budget request of judicial ethics watchdog.

Why Hochul’s budget is a headache for Suozzi.

New Siena Poll here.

Skoufis looks to end state pensions for private groups that lobby Albany.

Who is Landon Dais, the Democratic choice to replace Latoya Joyner.

Republicans blitz NY race with with migrant crisis ads.

Hochul wants to tax short-term rentals like hotels.

NY gets $228M for better internet access for thousands of homes. Where will work happen?

What’s in Hochul’s executive budget for health care.

Hochul administration, Legislature at odds over Medicaid spending.

Plug Power starts hiring freeze as the company’s finances tighten.

Carpenters union on Hochul’s housing proposal: It’s the developers’ turn to compromise.

Hinchey bill would regulate cannabis owners’ energy consumption.

Commissioner outlines top transportation priorities for upstate New York.

First New York elections with public campaign financing coming in 2024.

The NY HEAT Act flares up.

 

Coming Up

The Senate Transportation Committee will hold a public hearing to examine passenger rail within New York State, the “90B” rail improvement plan adopted by the State Department of Transportation, areas for service improvement, and the possible adoption of high-speed rail on January 29.

*RESCHEDULED* The Assembly will hold a public hearing to hear from the New York State Workers Compensation Board, experts in workers compensation, workers compensation lawyers, labor partners, and injured workers on the current state of workers compensation and to bring light to areas of improvement on February 5.

The Senate will hold a public hearing to discuss the overall mission, goals, and economics of Corcraft.

The Boards of Regents will hold its next meeting on February 12 and 13.

The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on February 15.

The Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government will hold its next meeting on February 21.