Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

April 5, 2024

What’s Inside

  • Legislative Session Re-Cap/Budget Update
  • State Senate Confirms State Police Superintendent
  • Governor Launches Efforts to Help Students Access Financial Aid
  • Governor Announces Mental Health Needs Assessment for First Responders
  • Governor Unveils ConnectAll Digital Equity Plan
  • In the News
  • Coming Up

Legislative Session Re-Cap/Budget Update

The initial budget deadline has passed with legislative leaders and Governor Kathy Hochul still in negotiations. A deal has not been reached. During this week’s legislative session, both houses passed a budget extender through Monday, April 8. Yesterday, the Senate adjourned until Monday and the Assembly adjourned at the call of the Speaker. Per the 2024 Legislative Session Calendar, there are two scheduled session days next week: Monday and Tuesday.

According to media reports, the Assembly plans to return on Sunday to pass another budget extender and hold conference on Monday. In addition, it’s been reported that a housing deal is the key sticking point during current budget negotiations, and Governor Hochul told reporters that a foundation aid formula change is off the table for now and can be revisited next year.

State Senate Confirms State Police Superintendent

The State Senate confirmed the nomination of New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James. Governor Hochul initially announced this nomination in January.

Superintendent 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.

More information can be found here.

Governor Launches Efforts to Help Students Access Financial Aid

On Tuesday, Governor Hochul issued a proclamation declaring April 2024 as Financial Aid Awareness Month in New York State to help inform students and families of the importance of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the many financial aid options available to them. More information can be found in the Governor’s press release here.

Governor Hochul also announced that the Petrie Foundation has awarded the City University of New York $1 million to launch CUNY Financial Aid Support Team (FAST) to help 100,000 students complete the FAFSA. The program will run through September 2024. Additionally, Governor Hochul is launching the 2024 New York STEM incentive program on April 3, which will offer tuition awards to New York State students at State University of New York or City University of New York campuses pursuing a degree in an approved Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics field of study. Applicants must also agree to live and work in New York State for five years after graduation.

To kick off Financial Aid Awareness Month, Governor Hochul is announcing several initiatives in New York State to help students pursue a higher education degree. The Governor’s efforts include:

  • Encouraging New York State high school seniors to complete their FAFSA application and take full advantage of financial aid programs by sending letters to students across the state highlighting the resources available to them.
  • Announcing the Petrie Foundation has awarded CUNY $1 million to launch FAST, a new FAFSA completion program in partnership with New York City Public Schools and other institutional partners to target 100,000 at-risk students through September 2024.
  • Launching the 2024 New York State STEM Incentive Program application on April 3 to support New York State students pursuing a STEM degree at any SUNY or CUNY campus. Applicants must also agree to live and work in New York State for five years after graduation. More details available here.
  • Highlighting events across New York State to help students and families navigate the financial aid process. Full list of events available here.

Governor Hochul said:

For New Yorkers who want to pursue higher education, financial aid is a critical tool that can help transform their dreams into a reality. Far too often, students and families miss out on the full scope of financial aid opportunities available to them, causing many to miss out on this critical support. We’re bridging the information gap and providing students with the resources they need to complete their FAFSA application and unlock financial aid opportunities that can support their higher education journey.

Governor Announces Mental Health Needs Assessment for First Responders

Governor Hochul has announced the launch of New York’s inaugural first responder mental health needs assessment to better understand the mental health-related challenges facing the public safety community and strengthen programs and services for these professionals. Stemming from a partnership between the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and SUNY New Paltz’s Institute for Disaster Mental Health and Benjamin Center, the assessment will include results from a voluntary anonymous survey and input from a series of focus groups for first responders.

The needs assessment will gather input from law enforcement, the fire service, EMTs, 911 dispatchers and emergency managers. Officials from DHSES and SUNY New Paltz will deliver the results of the assessment at the 19th Annual Institute for Disaster Mental Health Conference at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park on May 14 and May 15.

In addition to these initiatives, the State Office of Mental Health is partnering with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and the Institute for Disaster Mental Health to develop a disaster mental health response statewide. Disaster mental health responders may be activated to support disaster response operations and provide a compassionate presence, immediate psychological first aid and additional support as needed to address the early and expected stress reactions to disasters.

Governor Hochul said:

As we continue to make historic investments in mental health care, it is critical that we engage with communities of first responders, who suffer disproportionately from mental health related challenges. Our state is only as strong as the network of individuals who keep us safe, and this comprehensive needs assessment will help us provide them with the care and resources they deserve.

Governor Unveils ConnectAll Digital Equity Plan

Governor Hochul has unveiled the $50 million New York State Digital Equity Plan to close New York’s digital divide. The plan outlines New York’s statewide strategy to increase its capacity to improve digital literacy and digital job readiness skills, facilitate access to affordable internet and devices, enhance digital privacy and safety, and make government services more accessible through the internet. The announcement follows the plan’s approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, making New York eligible to apply for a $36.8 million federal Capacity Grant to implement the Plan, and builds on Governor Hochul’s commitment to making affordable broadband accessible to all New Yorkers. The plan is available for download here.

Governor Hochul said:

With the launch of New York’s Digital Equity Plan, we are bringing the state one step closer to closing the digital divide. Affordable, accessible broadband is essential for connecting New Yorkers to work, education, and vital government services, and I will continue to work closely with the Biden administration and New York’s congressional delegation to advance our ConnectALL initiative and ensure that New Yorkers can participate in our modern economy.

ESD CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said:

Under Governor Hochul’s leadership we are making sure that homes and businesses across the state are connected and have the resources they need to be successful, grow and thrive. This federal funding awarded to New York’s ConnectALL program will allow us to double the capacity of its digital equity ecosystem over the next ten years by building on existing assets, strengthening partnerships, and connecting the most difficult locations in the state.

In The News

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

Inside the battle over New York’s next Medicaid budget.

Big banks split over push to disclose to climate finance ratios.

Judge strikes down some of New York’s legalized marijuana laws.

Late New York State budget eclipsed by housing, education spending.

Report finds funding discrepancy for housing programs in New York State.

Fiscal Policy Institute argues under proposed N.Y. spending plan inflation-adjusted state funding is falling, again.

Theater manages, farmer to challenge Woerner for 113th Assembly seat.

Bill to decriminalize adultery in New York passes Senate, heads to Hochul.

Hochul says parts of proposed state school funding changes could be delayed a year, signaling a compromise.

Coming Up

The Boards of Regents will hold its next meeting on April 15 and 16.

The Senate will hold a public hearing on exploring unequal access to loans in New York’s mortgage banking and credit industry on April 16.

The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government will hold its next meeting on April 17.

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