Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

July 19, 2024

What’s Inside

Governor Embarks on a Statewide Listening Tour Addressing Smartphone Use in Schools
Governor Declares Statewide State of Emergency Due to Severe Weather
Governor Signs Legislation to Expand Family and Civil Courts
Assemblymember Announces Resignation
Judge Grants Preliminary Injunction on Legislative Outside Income Cap
Governor Raises $7.3 Million in First Half of 2024
In the News
Coming Up

Governor Embarks on a Statewide Listening Tour Addressing Smartphone Use in Schools

The Governor kicked off a statewide listening tour focused on addressing smartphone use in schools. This listening tour will include roundtable discussions with key stakeholders over the coming months. Stakeholder engagement will play a statewide policy proposal on smartphones in schools is developed and announced later this year.

According to a Pew Research poll released in June, 72 percent of high school teachers nationwide say that students being distracted by cell phones is a major problem in their classroom. The Governor is focused on gathering detailed perspectives on the successes and challenges seen by various schools and stakeholders statewide based on the current patchwork of individual school policies.

Governor Hochul said:

We can help our young people succeed in the classroom by ensuring they’re learning and growing – not clicking and scrolling. That’s why I’m working with all stakeholders across the state to develop effective solutions on smartphones that help protect our kids’ mental health and deliver the best results for our schools.

Governor Declares Statewide State of Emergency Due to Severe Weather

The Governor declared a statewide State of Emergency in response to severe weather impacting communities across New York. Areas in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley, including the City of Rome and areas in Madison County, have incurred severe damage due to high winds and storms, including tornados.

The Executive Order will be in effect through August 15, 2024, unless extended. As part of the Executive Order, the following laws are temporarily suspended or modified, as follows:

Article 5-A of the General Municipal Law to the extent necessary to purchase supplies, services, including construction, and equipment without following the standard notice and procurement processes;
Section 97-G of the State Finance Law, to the extent necessary to purchase food, supplies, services, and equipment or furnish or provide various centralized services to assist affected local governments, individuals, and other non-State entities;
Section 112 of the State Finance Law, to the extent consistent with Article V, Section I of the State Constitution, and to the extent necessary to add additional work, sites and time to State contracts including but not limited to contracts or leases for relocation and support of State operations under Section 3 of the Public Buildings Law; and
Section 163 of the State Finance Law ·and Article 4-C of the Economic Development Law, to the extent necessary to purchase commodities, services, technology and materials without following the standard notice and procurement processes.

Governor Hochul said:

With possible tornado touchdowns across the state, we are standing ready to assist localities however necessary as severe weather continues to move across the state. New Yorkers should be sure to monitor their local forecasts and prepare for hazardous travel and other impacts from these storms.

Governor Signs Legislation to Expand Family and Civil Courts

The Governor signed legislation to reduce case backlog in family and civil courts by expanding the number of judges appointed and elected statewide. The bill increases the number of family and civil court judges throughout New York State by 28. Two will be assigned to Nassau County, two will be assigned to Suffolk County, and one additional judge will be assigned in each of the following counties: Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Erie, Jefferson, Rensselaer, Rockland and Westchester counties. The legislation will also add 16 judges for New York City, including citywide positions that will be distributed across the five boroughs at the discretion of the Mayor of the City of New York.

Governor Hochul said:

Civil and family courts adjudicate some of the most sensitive issues New Yorkers face, and for too long, backlogs and delays have inhibited their ability to function effectively. This legislation gives our courts the tools to tackle the case backlog and carry out the fair and efficient justice system New Yorkers deserve.

Assemblymember Announces Resignation

Assemblymember Kenny Burgos, representative from the 85th Assembly District, announced via a press release that he is resigning. The Assemblymember did not provide a reason for the resignation, but, alluded to preparing for “the joys and challenges of our expanding family.” Burgos was first elected in November of 2020. He replaced Assemblymember Crespo, who left for a position in the private sector.

Assemblymember Burgos’ complete statement attached below:

Judge Grants Preliminary Injunction on Legislative Outside Income Cap

State Supreme Court Judge Alison Napolitano issued a preliminary injunction preventing a cap on outside income for State Legislators taking effect on January 1, 2025. The cap on outside income was set at $35,000 per year and was accompanied by a 29% pay raise for Legislators, making them the highest paid legislature in the country.

Governor Raises $7.3 Million in First Half of 2024

Governor Hochul’s campaign announced raising more than $7.3 million in the first half of 2024, a record-breaking amount for any governor at this point in the election cycle. Of that money raised, $5.8 million comes for Friends for Kathy Hochul for her re-election bid and more than $1.4 million for the state Democratic Party. The governor has over $13.5 million cash on hand in her campaign account and has raised over $22 million for her re-election campaign and the state party since January 2023. Governor Hochul said two weeks ago she plans to run for another four-year term in 2026.

A Hochul Campaign Spokesperson Said:

Governor Hochul is working tirelessly to address the top concerns of New Yorkers, from taking action on affordability and public safety to passing nation leading legislation like prenatal paid leave and restrictions on social media. As leader of the New York State Democratic Party, Governor Hochul is making unprecedented investments in the Party with a focus on flipping the House in 2024 and building an operation that will support Democrats for years to come. This latest fundraising haul underscores the Governor’s widespread support from New Yorkers who are committed to advancing Governor Hochul’s vision and electing Democrats up and down the ballot in 2024 and beyond.

In The News

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

Who could run for New York governor in 2026?

2024 state legislative races to watch.

What does 2026 hold for Kathy Hochul?

New York’s Green Amendment Guarantees the Right to a ‘Healthful Environment.’ Activists Want the State to Enforce It.

Proponents and detractors spend big on New York Equal Rights Amendment.

Here’s how much state Senate and Assembly candidates spent per vote.

Public Service Commission OKs Central Hudson rate increases.

Bad data and miscalculations behind NY’s lagging green energy goals.

New York Idles on Green Transportation Plan.

Daniel O’Donnell on retirement: ‘I would very much enjoy working in the tourism industry.’

What to Know About J.D. Vance, Trump’s Running Mate.

DSA Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani is considering a run for NYC mayor.

Democratic Socialist, staunch Israel critic Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani eying run for NYC mayor.

New York to close 2 upstate prisons this fall following review of facilities.

Coming Up

The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government will hold their next meeting on July 23.

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

The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on September 9 and 10.