Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

October 18, 2024

What’s Inside

  • Governor Touts Decline in Gun Violence
  • Comptroller Audit Finds State Agency Mishandled Housing Discrimination Complaints
  • NYS Private Sector Employment
  • Governor Announces Second Workforce Symposium
  • In the News
  • Coming Up

Governor Touts Decline in Gun Violence

The Governor held a press conference in the Red Room of the State Capitol to announce new data that shows reported gun violence in New York State is at its lowest point since the state started tracking this data in 2006.

Shooting incidents with injury declined 26% through September 2024 compared to the same nine-month period last year, as reported by the 28 police departments outside of New York City that participate in New York State’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative. A total of 170 fewer individuals were injured by gun violence in Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative communities, with significant decreases in shooting incidents with injury reported in Niagara Falls, Rochester, Syracuse, Troy, Utica and on Long Island.

The following police departments reported particularly significant declines:

  • Utica: 52%
  • Troy: 48%
  • Niagara Falls: 40%
  • Rochester: 38%
  • Nassau County, Hempstead, Suffolk County (Long Island): 36%
  • Syracuse: 29%

Governor Hochul said:

Public safety is my number one priority, and New York is leading the nation with proven initiatives that are making communities safer. Our record investments in law enforcement and in critical programs like the GIVE initiative are making a real difference in every corner of our state, and my administration will continue fighting to keep New Yorkers safe.

More information can be found here.

Comptroller Audit Finds State Agency Mishandled Housing Discrimination Complaints

According to an audit released by the State Comptroller, the New York State Division of Human Rights (DHR) failed to properly investigate dozens of housing discrimination cases. The report indicates that auditors reviewed only 306 of 2,236 housing discrimination complaints made to DHR from April 2019 to October 2023. Key findings include:

  • DHR does not have adequate controls the intake of housing discrimination complaints, resulting in lost and unprocessed complaints as well as some complaints inappropriately being deemed defective.
  • DHR does not have procedures in place to ensure complaints are handled timely.
  • Investigators were not properly trained and supervised.
  • HUD cases were improperly prioritized over non-federal cases.

The audit makes several recommendations to correct the issues found. The audit can be read in its entirety HERE.

Comptroller DiNapoli said:

New Yorkers who face housing discrimination are told they can report it to the state Division of Human Rights and that it will be investigated, but the agency often failed to do its job. It lost cases due to carelessness and failed to properly or quickly investigate others. Tenants whose complaints were mishandled may have been left to face continued discrimination or forced to move. The agency should establish new procedures that ensure complaints are handled with the attention and respect they deserve. It is encouraging that the agency is taking steps to address the issues raised by this audit.

NYS Private Sector Employment

According to preliminary seasonally adjusted figures, released by the New York State Department of Labor (DOL), the number of private sector jobs in New York State decreased over the month by 2,900, or less than 0.1%, to 8,392,500, in September 2024. The number of private sector jobs in the U.S. increased by 0.2% in September 2024.

New York State’s private sector jobs (not seasonally adjusted) increased by 115,800, or 1.4%, over the year in September 2024, which matched the 1.4% increase in the number of private sector jobs in the U.S.

New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held constant at 4.4% in September 2024. At the same time, New York State’s labor force (seasonally adjusted) decreased by 3,400. As a result, the statewide labor force participation rate decreased from 61.3% to 61.2% in September 2024.

The full report can be found here.

Governor Announces Second Workforce Symposium

Governor Hochul recently announced New York State’s second annual Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Workforce Symposium. The symposium brought together DEIA practitioners and leadership from across State agencies to strategize about both the current DEIA landscape and emerging trends.

Led by the Governor’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the daylong in-person event consisted of expert speakers, workshops, award presentations, wellness opportunities and strategic relationship building. This year’s symposium features a plenary on the current legal landscape of DEIA in addition to five workshops related to the current needs and emerging trends in DEIA to ensure that New York State’s DEIA initiatives are both effective and sustainable:

  • Developing Leadership Buy-in for DEIA Efforts
  • Expanding Equity from the Inside Out
  • Integrating Trauma-Informed Approaches with DEIA
  • Strengthening Accountability in DEIA through Self-Care
  • Developing a Community of Practice for DEIA Practitioners: What’s Next for DEIA Practitioners and How is the Work Evolving?

Governor Hochul said:

Diversity is New York’s greatest strength — it is embodied in our history of social justice and our intrinsic commitment to civil rights. As DEIA efforts are attacked across the nation, we have focused on building the most diverse administration in the State’s history, and cementing a more equitable and more inclusive future for New Yorkers.

Governor’s Chief Diversity Officer Julissa Gutierrez said:

Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State is not just responding to the challenges of today but setting a bold new standard for inclusive governance. We are dedicated to creating a government that reflects the strength and richness of our diverse communities — where systems are just, opportunities are equitable, and every employee belongs. Today’s second annual New York State DEIA Symposium is a moment for us to energize our efforts, deepen our commitment, and continue building a workforce that is truly reflective of the people we serve.

Additionally, awards were provided to and celebrated those who have demonstrated excellence through their efforts to recruit and retain talent, foster an inclusive and accessible workplace, and promote equity in policies and programming. The three awards were presented to:

  • New York State Department of Labor
  • Minosca Alcántara, Executive Director, New York State Bridge Authority
  • Talia Santiago-Bonds, Chief Diversity Officer, New York State Office of Mental Health

In The News

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

Progressives warn state’s plan won’t produce enough renewable energy.

Where’s the money? more than 400,000 missing from Bronx Democratic party disclosures.

Rift mounts between specialized police, Hochul after 4th retirement bill veto.

Voting law to be decided by N.Y.’s top court ahead of election.

Hotel licensing bill offers exemption to small hotels as it heads to a vote.

As Cuomo eyes return to politics, critics mobilize.

Matching funds help candidates in close Assembly races.

John Mannion fires back over abusive workplace claims as House ad war escalates.

John Mannion often split with Democrats in Albany. What would he do in Congress?

Hochul advancing $16.7M in Seneca casino revenue to Buffalo and two other WNY cities.

Home care supplier: New York state needs more time for Medicaid changes.

Rachel May, Caleb Slater trade barbs in feisty New York state Senate debate.

New York officials call for big oil to be prosecuted for fueling climate disasters.

Inside the ‘permission structure’ of Kathy Hochul’s decision on whether to remove Eric Adams from office.

Fewer New Yorkers moving out of state, U.S. Census Bureau says.

Could second-home owners swing New York’s swing districts?

Coming Up

The NYS Assembly will hold a public hearing to examine issues and challenges impacting libraries throughout the state.

The New York State Board of Regents will hold its next meeting on November 4 and 5.