Plugged In @ Hinman Straub
September 13, 2024
What’s Inside
- Governor Signs Legislation to Support 9/11 Victims
- Governor Signs Legislation and Launches Awareness Campaign to Prevent Suicide and Promote Mental Health
- Governor to Undergo Procedure for Skin Cancer
- State Senator Launches Primary Race Against NYC Mayor
- In the News
- Coming Up
Governor Signs Legislation to Support 9/11 Victims
In remembrance of the fallen and honoring the victims of the 9/11 attacks, Governor Hochul signed legislation to support the victims. The Governor signed three pieces of legislation. The first, authorizes former Port Authority police officer Anthony Vavaro, a member of the New York State Local Police and Fire Retirement System, to be deemed to have died as the natural and proximate cause of an accident sustained in the performance of duty. Officer Vavaro died in a car accident on September 11, 2022, while travelling to a September 11th memorial ceremony in Manhattan.
The second piece of legislation signed, authorizes an application by Lieutenant Paul Adam’s widow, without being time barred, for conversion of his disability retirement benefit to an accidental death benefit for victims of the 2001 World Trade Center disaster on his behalf.
The final piece of legislation signed renames the bridge on State Route 9 crossing the Ausable River in Peru (Clinton County) as the “Captain Christopher J. Garrow Memorial Bridge.”
Governor Hochul said:
Subsequently, Governor Hochul announced the launch of a new campaign to identify and encourage individuals who may have been impacted by the devastation of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in Lower Manhattan and Western Brooklyn to enroll in federal benefit programs, including the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. The 9/11 Notice Act, signed into law by Governor Hochul in 2023, requires businesses located in the New York City disaster area to ensure that affected individuals are made aware of their rights to register for the two programs, which provide medical care and compensation for eligible individuals with WTC-related illnesses.
More information on both programs, including how to enroll or register, is available on the newly created website, ny.gov/september11. Lastly, Governor Hochul issued a Proclamation in commemoration of the attacks, which can be viewed here
Governor Signs Legislation and Launches Awareness Campaign to Prevent Suicide and Promote Mental Health
Governor Hochul signed legislation this week, as well as announced a new statewide campaign to help prevent suicide and promote mental health. The legislation signed (Student Lifeline Act), requires colleges across New York State to print information about the State’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on all student ID cards.
In conjunction with Suicide Prevention Month in September, the Governor and the State’s Office of Mental Health launched a $5 million campaign to raise awareness of 988, which is free, confidential, impartial, and can be accessed any time of the day or night by phone, text, or chat.
The Student Lifeline Act, sponsored by Senator Samra Brouk and Assembly Member Sarah Clark, requires all college student ID cards in New York to contain information about the 988 Lifeline by 2025. Under this law, colleges must also provide resources to students describing when to utilize the 988 number. Any colleges that do not issue ID cards will still be required to distribute the 988 information annually to students through other materials.
Led by the State’s Office of Mental Health, New York’s statewide $5 million public awareness campaign will feature the slogan, ‘We Hear You,’ and is aimed at encouraging more New Yorkers to use the State’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline whenever they or someone they know is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. Ads will be featured on multiple platforms, including social media; billboards, signage on college campuses and at events; during sporting events; on traditional television and radio; and on other digital platforms, such as streaming music and video services.
Governor Hochul said:
Governor to Undergo Procedure for Skin Cancer
During an event in Manhattan on Thursday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced to reporters that she will be undergoing a procedure this week to treat basal cell carcinoma, a skin cancer, on her nose.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and, when detected early, is highly treatable. The cancer usually is slow-moving and has a high survival rate, though it can spread deeply into the skin if undetected.
Governor Hochul also urged New Yorkers to stay vigilant about their own health and to use sunscreen and protect their children from sun exposure. The Governor also asked that New Yorkers get tested for this disease regularly.
State Senator Launches Primary Race Against NYC Mayor
New York State Senator Jessica Ramos has announced that she will challenge New York City Mayor Eric Adams in next year’s Democratic primary election, becoming the first woman to join the race for 2025. Her video announcement can be watched here.
During an interview about her 2025 run for Mayor, Senator Ramos said:
“I love my city, I want my children to love my city, and I want the city to be the best that it can be. This campaign is my love letter to the city.”
Senator Ramos has represented the 13th New York State Senate District in Queens since 2019 and chairs the Senate’s Labor Committee.
In The News
City & State NY’s weekly Winners and Losers of this week here.
Governor Hochul signs eight laws to protect NY workers and boost safety.
Garnell Whitfield preparing to run for the Mayor of Buffalo.
As New York Board of Regents meets, Foundation Aid study looms over funding discussions.
New York faces tough competition for national chip lab, especially from Oregon.
Cuomo blames Trump as he defends COVID-19 policies before Congress.
Top aide to embattled NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban linked to Chinese Communist Party.
Harris and Trump attend same 9/11 ceremony hours after their first debate.
Cuomo legal bills have cost N.Y. taxpayers $25.4 million and counting.
New York State pauses $3M fair housing testing program.
Proposed bill would mandate recess for young school children.
MTA Needs up to $92B for transit upgrades, maintenance through 2029, report says.
Some N.Y. Senate GOP members want bipartisan commission to probe ex-aide charged with being Chinese agent.
IBM taking more space at Albany NanoTech as it ramps up hiring.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul says she met with Bob Iger about bringing more production to the state.
Gianaris: Law change amid $25M Cuomo legal fees ‘the right thing to do’.
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban resigns.
State Senator Jabari Brisport urges Hochul to sign child care block grant bill.
Coming Up
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.
The NYS Assembly and Senate will hold a joint public hearing to examine the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program on September 17.
The New York State Board of Regents will hold its next meeting on October 7 and 8.
The NYS Assembly will hold a public hearing to examine the impact and effectiveness of economic development programs funded in the enacted 2024-25 State Budget on October 8.