Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

April 12, 2024

What’s Inside

  • Budget Update
  • Legislative Session Re-Cap
  • NYS Comptroller Issues Report on COVID-19 Pandemic Funds
  • New Interim Commissioner of DEC
  • Governor Announces Acting President & CEO of DASNY
  • Assemblymember Kimberly Jean-Pierre Not Seeking Re-election
  • Political Updates
  • Coming Up

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 multiple budget extenders through, the most recent extending the deadline to April 15. Per the 2024 Legislative Session Calendar, there are three scheduled session days next week: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. After next Wednesday, the Legislature is scheduled to take a two-week break and return Monday, May 6, though due to the unresolved budget, that schedule may be subject to change.

Legislative Session Re-Cap

This week, the Senate and Assembly held session throughout the week with a focus on passing budget extenders.

In addition to passing a budget extender, the Senate Democratic Majority highlighted legislation passed this week in honor of Animal Advocacy Day, passing a package of legislation that coincides with Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.

The proposed legislation includes provisions that would strengthen anti-slaughter laws; restrict animal devocalization to instances of medical necessity; require the prompt inspection of abandoned properties for abandoned animals; clarify the law on aggravated cruelty towards animals; enact “Tucker’s Law”; expand and strengthen the sale of exotic animals ban; enact the “Big Five African Trophies Act” and would work to further enhance penalties for animal fighting.

More information on each piece of legislation included in the package can be found in the Senate Democratic Majority’s press release here.

NYS Comptroller Issues Report on COVID-19 Pandemic Funds

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has issued a report announcing that due to historic federal pandemic relief funds, New York had a favorable per capita balance of payments to the federal government. This is the third year in a row that New York has had a positive balance of payments, after a long history of sending more to Washington than it receives.

Key findings in DiNapoli’s report:

  • New York generated $18,388 per capita, ranking it third in per capita contribution to the federal treasury, which was 32.4% higher than the national average of $13,888.
  • New York received $19,464 per capita, ranking it 11th in per capita federal spending, which was 9.3% higher than the national average of $17,804.
  • New York’s share of federal spending (6.5%) was higher than its share of the nation’s population (5.9%) and below the state’s share of total taxes paid (7.8%).
  • Federal expenditure areas where New York ranks high include Medicaid ($2,742 per capita, 4th), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ($529 per capita, 7th), Rental Assistance and Public Housing ($271 per capita, 1st), and Transit ($154 per capita, 1st).
  • Federal expenditure areas where New York ranks low include Federal Employees Wages and Salaries ($437 per capita, 42nd), Veterans Benefits ($415 per capita, 49th), Federal Employees Retirement ($201 per capita, 50th), and Highways ($94 per capita, 49th).

Comptroller DiNapoli said:

The response to the dire economic conditions brought on by the pandemic boosted federal aid for New York and all other states. As this relief comes to an end, New York’s balance of payments with Washington may again turn negative as federal support returns to pre-pandemic levels. The federal budget is an effective way to produce more equitable outcomes for all Americans, and I hope this report contributes to a constructive dialogue towards that goal.

New Interim Commissioner of DEC

Reports have been confirmed this week that Sean Mahar will become the Interim Commissioner of the Department of Conservation (DEC), beginning Monday, April 15. Sean will fill the vacancy in the department created by the departure of Basil Seggos. Since 2022, he served as the Deputy Commissioner for DEC under Seggos.

Before that, Sean was Chief of Staff overseeing external agency affairs and operations and guiding implementation of key agency priorities and previously was the Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs for the department. Before joining DEC, Sean was the Director of Government Relations and Communications for Audubon New York where he led efforts to advance state and federal conservation policies and build support for wildlife conservation initiatives in the state, including climate change adaptation strategies. More information on Sean can be found here.

Governor Announces Acting President & CEO of DASNY

Governor Hochul has announced Robert J. Rodriguez as Acting President and CEO of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY). He was appointed by the authority’s Board of Directors. Robert currently serves as New York’s Secretary of State and will take on his new role beginning May 8. At this time, he will serve in an Acting capacity until confirmed by the New York State Senate. At this time, Governor Hochul has not appointed a successor to fill the vacancy of Secretary of State.

As Secretary of State, Robert Rodriguez oversaw the Department of State and advanced initiatives to provide a better quality of life and expand opportunities for all New Yorkers. Before joining the administration as Secretary of State, Mr. Rodriguez served as a member of the New York State Assembly for 11 years, representing Assembly District 68, where he focused on protecting and creating affordable housing, bringing good jobs into the community, and ensuring children received a quality education. More info can be found here.

Governor Hochul said:

As Secretary of State, Robert has been a skilled manager, a sharp tactician, and a devoted public servant for the people of New York, and I have the utmost confidence that he will continue to succeed in this new role. DASNY staff stepped up in extraordinary ways to fulfill the authority’s mission while my office conducted its search for new leadership, and I look forward to continuing our partnership with Robert at the helm.

Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said:

I am honored to be appointed as the next President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York. I want to thank Governor Hochul and the DASNY Board of Directors for the privilege to serve in this capacity. DASNY’s financing, construction, and grants management on behalf of science, health, and educational not-for-profits is the foundation for stronger, inclusive, and more sustainable communities across the State of New York.

Assemblymember Jean-Pierre Not Seeking Re-election

On Monday, Assemblymember Kimberly Jean-Pierre issued a statement announcing that she will not be seeking re-election in November. The Assemblymember has represented the 11th Assembly District on Long Island for 10 years since being elected initially in 2014. In her statement, the Assemblymember noted that she will be taking on “an exciting new challenge” that will be announced soon. The Assemblymember currently chairs the Assembly’s Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

In The News

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

City & State NY’s 2024 Who’s Who in Government Relations here.

Some deposits delayed but state paychecks on time, Comptroller says.

Kathy Hochul gets on board with key parts of NY ‘Good Cause’ rent-control bill as state budget housing deal nears.

State resources available to assist public schools with electric buses.

Hochul rolled back proposed education changes, for now. What does that mean?

Push to get NY HEAT Act in state budget as negotiations continue.

Clean energy transmission battle pits speed against worker, farm protections.

Albany lawmakers inch closer to landmark housing package – and nobody loves it.

NYS lawmakers plan to extend budget talks through April 16.

School aid cuts out, Good Cause Eviction in? 5 things to watch as NY budget grinds on.

Third candidate enters Orange County State Senate race.

Bipartisan group to Hochul: Release $3M withheld from NY veterans.

New York is winding down contract with migrant services operator.

Help wanted: New York’s biggest climate job.

Last call for dry towns? New York weighs lifting post-Prohibition law that let towns keep booze bans.

Dozens of NY lawmakers open to reject budget over housing.

New York Assembly Housing Committee Chair Linda Rosenthal discusses division in emerging housing deal.

New York eyes crackdown on illicit weed shops. Will it work?

New York Republicans see hope in Trump’s latest abortion stance.

Queens Democrats seek to clarify squatters having ‘no rights’ in New York.

School districts concerned as NY budget negotiations drag on, Foundation Aid remains a question mark.

Coming Up

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

The Senate will hold a public hearing exploring unequal access to loans in New York’s mortgage banking and credit industry on May 7.

The Senate will hold a public hearing on oversight of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, major Port Authority capital projects including the JFK redevelopment and Port Authority Bus Terminal replacement, and Port Authority contracting on May 10.

The Senate 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 for improvement on May 15.