Plugged In @ Hinman Straub
October 4, 2024
What’s Inside
- Division of Budget Releases Call Letter to State Agencies
- Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Former Governor Andrew Cuomo
- Strike at U.S. East and Gulf Coast Ports Suspended
- Governor Announces State Funding to Improve Public Safety Response to Domestic Violence
- Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs Taken Into Custody
- In the News
- Coming Up
Division of Budget Releases Call Letter to State Agencies
Kicking off the start of the New York State budget process, The Director of the NYS Division of the Budget (DOB) has sent state agency leaders the official request to submit their proposed spending plans for the upcoming year. This request, known as the “Budget Call Letter,” establishes the parameters for those submissions and sets the tone for the Executive Budget process. The official letter can be found here.
The tone of this year’s letter is similar to last year as it calls for flat spending by all agencies. Budget Director Blake Washington has asked agency heads to not exceed the total Fiscal Year 2025 Enacted Budget funding levels, excluding one-time investments. Agency budget requests are due no later than October 17, 2024.
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Former Governor Cuomo
On Monday, Eastern District of New York Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall granted a motion to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit against Andrew Cuomo over a state directive that forced nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients was tossed by a judge Monday – with the ex-governor’s camp claiming “justice has prevailed.”
The lawsuit was initially filed by Daniel Arbeeny, of Brooklyn, who argued in the suit that his father’s death was caused by a 2020 state health department order that required nursing homes to admit COVID-19 patients.
Strike at U.S. East and Gulf Coast Ports Suspended
The strike on the east coast among the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) has been suspended until January 2025. The ILA has agreed to suspend the strike while they continue negotiations and hopefully reach an agreement with the United States Maritime Alliance. At this time, they have extended their contract until January 15, and agreed to a tentative deal on wages.
According to reports, ILA wages will increase 61.5% over six years under the tentative agreement.
Governor Hochul issued the following statement:
Governor Announces State Funding to Improve Public Safety Response to Domestic Violence
This week, Governor Hochul announced $35 million state investment to improve the public safety response to intimate partner abuse and domestic violence, and better address the needs of victims and survivors. The five New York City District Attorneys’ Offices will share $5 million while law enforcement and services providers in 20 counties outside of the five boroughs will share $23 million to implement evidence-based strategies to enhance the safety of survivors and hold individuals who harm accountable for their actions.
The State Division of Criminal Justice Services is working with the State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence to ensure coordinated community responses and that interventions are rooted in survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practices. Up to $7 million will allow the State to provide training and technical assistance, risk assessment tools, and investigative support to participating agencies and improve the domestic violence reduction efforts of state agencies.
A breakdown of the awards per region is below. More information can be found in the Governor’s press release here.
Region/Award
New York City / $5,000,000
Long Island / $3,626,322
Mid Hudson / $3,260,470
Capital Region / $3,309,659
North Country / $647,344
Mohawk Valley / $1,564,378
Central New York / $2,930,093
Southern Tier / $750,767
Finger Lakes / $2,779,586
Western New York / $4,131,381
Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs Taken Into Custody
According to reports, police took Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs into custody yesterday, after he allegedly interfered with NYPD officers as they pulled over his brother’s car in Manhattan, sources said. Gibbs later admitted he should not have intervened and warned New Yorkers to “respect car stops” while speaking outside the police station.
“Officers don’t know who they are pulling aside and I added to that fear,” he added.
“I was wrong.”
In The News
City & State NY’s weekly Winners and Losers of this week here.
Adams confidant steps down amid federal corruption investigations.
Hochul told Adams to clean house in private call but has not asked him to resign.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown to leave office in October.
New York State Senator Pete Harckham discusses nuclear power, Equal Rights Amendment.
New York’s Affordable Broadband Act is back in court. Why it’s being challenged again.
Top Dems push for Tish James to run for NYC mayor if Eric Adams is ousted.
Rockefeller Institute President Robert Megna comments on efforts to update Foundation Aid formula.
New York City Sheriff’s Office exceeded 2024 overtime budget by 542 percent.
New York child care providers are bleeding workers as federal money dries up.
What kind of mayor will Christopher Scanlon be? Buffalo will soon find out.
Prosecutors say they may bring additional charges against Eric Adams and indict others.
Action groups gives Hochul grade of ‘D-minus’ on climate progress.
Buffalo Common Council deals with impact of coming mayoral resignation.
Is Andrew Cuomo the Commercial Real Estate Industry’s Favorite for Mayor?
Treasurer for little-known Brooklyn candidate is charged in fraud scheme.
Coming Up
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.
The NYS Assembly will hold a public hearing to examine the administration of the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment on October 9.