Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

August 23, 2024

What’s Inside

  • NYS Leaders Attend the Democratic National Convention
  • Governor Announces Re-nomination for the Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government
  • Court of Appeals Upholds Early Mail Voter Act
  • Governor Highlights Statewide Decline in Crime
  • In The News
  • Coming Up

NYS Leaders Attend the Democratic National Convention

This week, the Democratic National Convention (DNC) took place in Chicago Illinois where Vice President Kamala Harris was formally nominated as the Democratic candidate in the 2024 Presidential Race against former President Donald Trump. Vice President Harris accepted the nomination alongside her running mate Tim Walz.

A wide variety of Democratic leaders throughout the country attended the convention, including New York State’s leadership such as Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. Governor Hochul took to the DNC stage to fully endorse Vice President Harris’ candidacy and provided further remarks surrounding the country’s current political landscape. Her full remarks can be watched here.

Governor Announces Re-nomination for the Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the re-nomination of Commission Member on Ethics in Lobbying and Government, Michael A. Cardozo. The public will have three weeks to comment on the nominee, who will then be presented to the Independent Review Committee. Public comment on this renomination can be submitted online.

Governor Hochul said:

The Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government is an independent, fair-minded ethics agency that provides greater transparency and accountability for New Yorkers and helps restore trust in government. I am proud to renominate the well-respected, independent legal expert, Michael A. Cardozo, to the Commission for consideration by the Independent Review Committee, and I remain committed to providing any support necessary to the Commission and the Committee to help ensure they are successful in carrying out their mission

Court of Appeals Upholds Early Mail Voter Act

The New York State Court of Appeals issued a 6-1 ruling on Tuesday in the Elise Stefanik v. Kathy Hochul case regarding New York’s Early Mail Voter Act. The court ultimately rejected the lawsuit, upholding a state Supreme Court judge’s decision that a law created in 2023 that allows any registered voter to request an early mail ballot is constitutional. The law was initially challenged by U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik and backed by her respective Republican Party.

Following Tuesday’s ruling, Governor Hochul issued the statement below:

Generations of Americans fought to secure and protect the right to vote, and we have a responsibility to continue removing the barriers that persist today that prevent far too many people from exercising that right. Today’s ruling is a significant victory for democracy and another loss for those who seek to disenfranchise New Yorkers and undermine access to the ballot.

Governor Highlights Statewide Decline in Crime

This week, Governor Hochul announced that shooting incidents with injury declined 29 percent through July 2024 compared to the same seven-month period last year, as reported by police departments participating in New York State’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative.

This 29 percent decline reflects 351 shooting incidents with injury from January 1 through July 31, 2024, compared to 497 incidents from January 1 through July 31, 2023.

The following police departments reported particularly significant declines in shootings through July 2024 compared to the same seven-month period last year:

  • Yonkers: 57 percent decline
  • Nassau County: 56 percent decline
  • Suffolk County: 50 percent decline
  • Rochester: 35 percent decline
  • Syracuse: 32 percent decline

Governor Hochul said:

Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority. Our comprehensive efforts to bring down gun violence are working – and I’ll never stop fighting to ensure safe communities all across our state.

In The News

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

New Data shows decline in opioid overdose deaths in New York over past 12 months.

Letitia James fights to preserve Trump’s penalty over $450 million.

Lawmakers ask for state probe into OTB buyouts.

Questions mount over New York state’s timeline to change Medicaid program.

Alice Green, Albany civil rights champion, dies suddenly at 84.

Economic emergency disaster loans now available for upstate New York businesses.

New York Democrats show strength at DNC, but hurdles remain at home.

Airport CEO Calderone asks for a new contract, board asks him for ‘respect.

5 takeaways from the Democratic Convention.

Half of New York students score below grade level on state tests.

Norris’ chief of staff running for 144th District seat.

Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins on breaking the highest glass ceiling.

Environmentalists call for Hochul to sign CO2 fracking ban.

Questions mount over New York state’s timeline to change Medicaid program.

New York acting cannabis chief says changes made in wake of OGS report.

City is anxious for developers to sign up for 421-a extension as deadline nears.

Lawsuit challenging Nassau’s mask ban filed in federal court.

Coming Up

The Boards of Regents will hold its next meeting on September 9 and 10.

The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government will hold their next meeting on September 18.

The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on September 19