Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

January 10, 2024

What’s Inside

  • 2025 Legislative Session Kickoff
  • 2025 State of the State
  • Governor Launches Application Period for Programs Supporting Victims & Survivors of Crime
  • Governor Announces Funding for Rail and Port Infrastructure Projects
  • NYS Congressional Delegation to Negotiate SALT Tax with President-Elect Trump
  • In the News
  • Coming Up

2025 Legislative Session Kickoff

The 2024 legislative session kicked off on Wednesday with both the Assembly and Senate convening for roughly an hour each. Both legislative leaders provided opening remarks before their members. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie’s opening remarks can be found here.

Subsequently, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins joined Capital Tonight with Susan Arbetter on Wednesday night to discuss her conference’s priorities during this year’s legislative session, including taxation, SALT, housing, migrants, and affordability. The full interview can be watched here. Assembly Speaker Heastie also spoke with Capital Tonight in an interview on Tuesday, which can be watched here. 

Yesterday, both leaders announced leadership positions, as well as new Committee Chairs for the 2025 Legislative Session:

In addition, the Assembly Minority Conference, led by Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, announced leadership and committee assignments, which can be accessed here.

The 2025 legislative session calendar includes 62 session days, up from one day last year, and began Wednesday, January 8, and will tentatively conclude on Thursday, June 12.

The Legislature will reconvene on Monday and Tuesday next week.

2025 State of the State

As a reminder, Governor Kathy Hochul will present her 2025 State of the State Address on Tuesday, January 14 at 1:00 p.m. in the Hart Theater at The Egg in Albany. Over the last several weeks, Governor Hochul has teased several proposals, that will be included in her State of the State Address, which will be a part of her priorities this budget and legislative season.

The proposals recently announced include the following:

The Governor is scheduled to release her Executive Budget by Tuesday, January 21. The Governor will also have the option to deliver an Executive Budget presentation, to support her policy goals laid out in her State of the State policy book. The Governor has not yet announced a date and time for the Executive Budget presentation.

Once the Executive Budget is submitted, Governor Hochul may submit amendments to her original proposal after 21 and 30 days. The Senate and Assembly will release their respective one-house budget proposals in early to mid-March, kicking off final negotiations between both legislative leaders and the Governor ahead of the final budget due date, which is April 1.

Governor Launches Application Period for Programs Supporting Victims & Survivors of Crime

This week, Governor Hochul announced the opening of the application period for $379.5 million to fund programs and services for victims and survivors of crime for three years beginning October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. The deadline for programs to apply for funding is March 19.

New York State’s Office of Victim Services (OVS) is seeking applications from community-based organizations, law enforcement agencies, hospitals, and other entities across the state to provide free and confidential services to victims and survivors, including individual counseling, civil legal help, emergency shelter, support groups, case management and other assistance.

Governor Hochul secured $100 million in state funding annually for the three-year period to offset expected decreases in Federal Victims of Crime Act funding to ensure these essential services continue to be available for individuals and families in the immediate aftermath of a crime — and for as long as they need support to recover and heal — in communities where they live.  

OVS seeks applications from agencies and organizations that address their communities’ specific needs; encourage innovation in the field; offer trauma-informed services and support; and assist victims and survivors who face barriers to getting help, such as older adults, young men of color, individuals targeted by hate crimes, persons with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. The agency must meet federal and state requirements to fund programs that serve victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and gun violence; expand access to underserved individuals; and for the first time, OVS has designated $2 million annually to address existing gaps in services for Indigenous people.

Governor Announces Funding for Rail and Port Infrastructure Projects

Governor Hochul has announced $101.8 million in state funding is available through the Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program. This program funds rail and port projects across the state, boosting New York’s trade corridors and its position as a global commerce destination, while enhancing safety. Funding applications will be accepted through April 7, 2025. Funding can be applied for here.

The Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program is administered by the New York State Department of Transportation. Winning projects will be selected through a competitive solicitation process and rated based on established criteria that include a benefit cost analysis, adherence to regional economic development plans, safety enhancements, compatibility with other private and public investments, and actions that enhance resilience and reduce climate risk.

Governor Hochul said:

New York State is committed to investing in our rail network to ensure that the raw materials and products that fuel so much of our economy continue to get where they need to go safely and as efficiently as possible. This funding will help us further modernize our rail infrastructure, allowing our local businesses to get the products they need when they need them. I urge anyone with qualifying projects to apply and help us invest in the future economic well-being of our state.

NYS Congressional Delegation to Negotiate SALT Tax with President-Elect Trump

This weekend, U.S. House Republicans will meet with President-Elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, where the New York Congressional Delegation is expected to make their pitch for raising the cap on the federal deduction for state and local taxes, known as SALT. However, in interviews with Spectrum News, both N.Y. Representatives Mike Lawler and Nick LaLota expressed their doubts surrounding a full restoration of the SALT deduction.

Following this news, Governor Hochul issued the following statement:

The New York Republican delegation owes middle class New Yorkers a full repeal of the SALT cap. This cap has cost New Yorkers as much as $12 billion every year since it took effect in 2018, robbing middle-class families of their hard-earned money. Republicans have drained billions directly from the pockets of their own constituents, and now it’s time for them to deliver. No excuses. No half measures. It’s all or nothing – New Yorkers deserve a full repeal.

In The News

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

Shinnecocks ask appellate court to suspend order threatening billboards.

MTA eyes new taxes, fees to plug $33B budget hole — even after NYC’s $9 congestion toll.

City’ $2B medical debt forgiveness program to begin after delay.

Former Assembly candidate pleads not guilty in mailer theft case.

Climate mandates, cost of living top NY lawmakers’ priorities as session begins.

5 things to watch as 2025 New York legislative session begins.

N.Y. Assembly Speaker: ‘I assume raising revenue will absolutely be on the table’ this legislative session.

Constitutionality of New York’s ethics panel argued before state’s top court.

Advocates renew push to legalize physician-assisted death.

Home from deployment, New York state Senator prepares for new legislative session.

New York state Senator Dan Stec discusses upcoming legislative session.

New York City economy set employment records and gained unprecedented strength, report finds.

A new Dem strategy: Embrace Trump’s winning agenda.

Mobility tax, other fees to prop up flailing MTA even after congestion toll — but Hochul’s plans remain secret.

Trump DOJ officials may have tried to influence 2020 election through media leaks: IG report.

Cuomo to tap longtime ally for likely New York City mayoral bid against Eric Adams.

Hochul seeks to Limit Private-Equity Ownership of Homes in New York.

Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts surpasses $5 billion milestone for New York State education.

Sources: Hochul expected to announce support for funding universal school meals in next budget.

Law meant to make bail more affordable in New York isn’t working, report finds.

Legislative session kicks off with focus on cost of living, Trump.

Attorney General orders 54 medical transport companies to cease fraudulent billing.

Albany Democrats kick off 2025 session with a renewed focus on affordability.

New tax could reap billions for New York’s Medicaid program.

GOP pols push MTA boss to resign after brushing off transit crime as New York braces for even more taxes, fees.

Federal grand jury has heard more evidence in case against Mayor Adams.

What is “Cap and Invest”?

Albany already revising new antipollution law after gas industry pushback.

New York pot regulators sued again, this time over ‘proximity’ of stores.

Cannabis store operators call for loan forgiveness.

Coming Up

The NYS Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on January 13 and 14.

Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State Address will be held on January 14, at 1p.m.

The PSC will hold its next meeting on January 23.