Plugged In @ Hinman Straub
February 2, 2024
What’s Inside
- Governor Announces Administration Appointments
- Legislative Session Re-Cap
- Governor Nominates State Police Superintendent
- Governor Announces First Phase of Overtime Tax Credit for Farm Employers
- Educational Webinar: New York Health Equity Reform Waiver Amendment
- Senator Neil Breslin Not Seeking Re-election
- Political Updates
- Coming Up
Governor Announces Administration Appointments
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the following appointments to her administration:
- Ivan Acosta, Deputy Chief of Staff;
- Robert Calarco, Assistant Secretary for Long Island Intergovernmental Affairs;
- Shanna Cassidy, Assistant Secretary to the Governor;
- Colleen Deacon, Deputy Secretary for Upstate Intergovernmental Affairs;
- Daniel Dornbaum, Assistant Secretary to the Governor;
- Stevens Martinez, Deputy Director for Long Island Intergovernmental Affairs;
- Jacqueline Paredes, Secretary for Legislative Affairs;
- Shirley Paul, Assistant Counsel for Judiciary;
- Edgar Santana, Executive Deputy Secretary to the Governor;
- Jessica Scaperotti, Assistant Secretary for Cabinet Affairs; and
- Angel Vasquez, Deputy Secretary for Downstate Intergovernmental Affairs.
Governor Hochul said:
Legislative Session Re-Cap
This week, the Senate and Assembly held session Monday-Wednesday and will reconvene Monday-Wednesday of next week.
The Assembly passed a key chapter amendment to the Rape is Rape Act this week, establishing an updated effective date and providing clarity for prosecution. Ultimately, this legislation redefines rape in New York’s penal law to include nonconsensual vaginal, oral and anal sexual contact. The Assembly’s full press release on the passage can be found here. Governor Hochul then signed this legislation on Tuesday, sponsored by Assemblymember Catalina Cruz and Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, during a press conference in the Red Room at the Capitol in Albany. The press conference can be watched here and more information can be found in the Governor’s press release here.
Additionally, the Senate Democratic Majority advanced a package of legislation to make prescription drugs more affordable. Specifically, the legislative package would establish the creation of a wholesale drug importation program, limit drug manufacturers’ ability to prevent competing manufacturers from producing a generic alternative after a certain period of time passes and require a utilization review agent to follow certain rules when establishing a step therapy protocol to ensure that patients do not need to try and fail repeatedly on inappropriate medications.
Finally, joint budget hearings continue to take place until February 14. This week, the Legislature held four budget hearings: Economic development/arts, workforce development/labor, human services, and elementary/secondary education. The schedule moving forward is as follows:
- 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.
Governor Nominates State Police Superintendent
On Wednesday, Governor Hochul nominated Steven G. James to serve as the Superintendent of the New York State Police. James is currently serving in this role in an Acting position.
James has served with the New York State Police for more than 32 years, including more than two decades in a leadership role. Most recently, he served as Deputy Superintendent for Employee Relations and has also served as Assistant Deputy Superintendent, Staff Inspector, Major, Captain, Lieutenant, Senior Investigator, Sergeant, Investigator and Trooper. He holds a B.S. in Psychology from SUNY Albany and a master’s in public administration from Marist College.
Governor Hochul said:
Acting Superintendent James said:
Governor Announces First Phase of Overtime Tax Credit for Farm Employers
Governor Hochul has launched the state’s new Farm Employer Overtime Credit advance portal, which is now open for farmers to register and begin preparing the documents they will need to apply for reimbursement. Later this year, eligible farm employers may apply to the Department of Agriculture and Markets for a certificate of advance payment of eligible overtime paid to their employees between January 1 and July 31, 2024.
The Farm Employer Overtime Credit is a refundable tax credit available for eligible farm employers who pay overtime wages after January 1, 2024, based on the gradual phase-in of the overtime threshold in New York State. Farmers can apply for this refundable credit if they or their business:
- Are an eligible farmer; and
- Employ eligible farm employees that were paid eligible overtime.
More information on the tax credit and a guide for the portal can be found here.
Educational Webinar: New York Health Equity Reform Waiver Amendment
Following the announcement of the approval of the New York Health Equity Reform (NYHER) waiver amendment, the Office of Health Insurance Programs (OHIP) will be hosting an education webinar on the waiver amendment with stakeholders. The webinar recording will be shared with the public on Monday, February 12, on the New York 1115 Medicaid Waiver Information website. If you would like to submit a question regarding the NYHER 1115(a) waiver amendment, do so by emailing [email protected] no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6.
Senator Neil Breslin Not Seeking Re-election
During the Albany County Democratic Committee meeting, Senator Neil Breslin announced his decision against seeking re-election this fall and that he is retiring at the end of his term. Senator Breslin represents the 46th Senate District and is the longest-tenured member of the State Senate and serves as the Chair of the Insurance and Ethics and Internal Governance committees. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins issued a statement thanking the Senator for his service, which can be read here.
It has been reported that Assemblymember Patricia Fahy will be the front-runner for the Senate seat as Senator Breslin’s replacement. The Albany County Democratic Committee has already endorsed Assemblymember Fahy, agreeing to support her in the race.
In The News
City & State NY’s Weekly Winners and Losers here.
The battle for Congress could curtail Albany ambitions in 2024.
New York eyes rule change to hire thousands amid migrant crisis.
Democrats target 3 New York seats in annual ‘Red to Blue’ list in quest for House control.
What to know about the Corporate Transparency Act.
New York to get $20 million from an ad agency linked to opioid crisis.
What would happen in NY-21 if Trump picks Stefanik as his running mate?
State workforce shortage continuing as hiring efforts ramped up.
Cannabis growers, sellers push Legislature to fix New York’s broken market.
New York state Senate Labor Committee chair Jessica Ramos strengthening workforce.
State comptroller estimates MTA needs $43B for major repairs and upgrades.
Upstate New York economist shares his outlook for 2024
Lawmakers voice concerns over human services funding at budget hearing.
As expected, questions over Foundation Aid funding dominate New York education budget hearing.
Democrat crushing GOP opponent in campaign cash ahead of New York special election.
Coming Up
*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 on February 12.
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.