Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

May 16, 2025

What’s Inside

  • Legislative Session Recap
  • Seneca Nation Announces Governor’s Visit to Apologize for State’s Role in Thomas Indian School
  • Governor Announces Inflation Checks Initiative
  • Governor Announces Launch of New Round of NYFIRST Program
  • Court of Appeals Agrees to Hear Arguments on Even Year Local Elections
  • Senator James Skoufis Named to DNC People’s Cabinet
  • Poll Shows Cuomo Dominating Mayor’s Race
  • In the News
  • Coming Up

Legislative Session Recap

The Legislature convened Monday-Thursday this week for a regular scheduled session. Both chambers are now adjourned until Monday, May 19, for a scheduled four-day session week.

Following the passage of New York’s FY 2026 Budget last week, the Assembly has issued its Summary of Recommended Changes to the Executive Budget. The full summary can be read here. 

Additionally, this week, the Senate highlighted a package of legislation it passed to safeguard and aid survivors of domestic violence in New York State.

The legislation passed would:

  • Award meaningful compensation to crime victims deprived of essential personal property;
  • Establish statewide waiting list priorities for domestic violence survivors who have applied for public housing;
  • Require law enforcement officers to conduct lethality assessments when responding to domestic violence incidents; and
  • Allow domestic violence survivors to opt out of or be released from a shared contract without penalty.

More information on the Senate’s legislation can be found here.  

Seneca Nation Announces Governor’s Visit to Apologize for State’s Role in Thomas Indian School   

Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca and New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans for Governor Hochul to visit Seneca Nation Territory to apologize for New York State’s role in the Thomas Indian School atrocities. The Seneca Nation is set to welcome Governor Hochul to its Cattaraugus Territory on Tuesday, May 20, when Governor Hochul will issue a long-awaited official apology to the Seneca people, as well as all former students and their descendants from various Indigenous Nations, for the State of New York’s role in the operation of the Thomas Indian School. Governor Hochul’s visit is believed to be the first time a sitting Governor has officially visited Seneca Nation Territory.

Seneca Nation President J.C. Seneca said:

The severity of the wounds inflicted on our children warrants the historical significance of our Nation welcoming Governor Hochul to the Cattaraugus Territory. The atrocities that our children suffered at the Thomas Indian School have remained hidden in the shadows for far too long. At long last, our people will hear, directly from the Governor, the words we have waited lifetimes for the State of New York to say — ‘We’re sorry.’

Governor Hochul said:

No words or actions will ever be able to undo the pain and suffering of the Seneca people and other Indigenous peoples across the State, but by visiting the Seneca Nation and the site of the Thomas Indian School we will mark a new day in our relations. As we prepare to officially recognize the horrifying shortcomings of our past, I thank President Seneca for his advocacy on behalf of the Seneca people and his invitation to the Cattaraugus Territory, and I look forward to further strengthening the relationship between the Seneca people and the State of New York.

Governor Announces Inflation Checks Initiative

Included in the FY 2026 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul announced that inflation refund checks of up to $400 will be sent to eligible New Yorkers this fall. These checks are estimated to reach 8.2 million households throughout the state. The Governor assured New Yorkers that they don’t have to do anything to receive a check. All information on the inflation refund checks can be found here.

You are eligible for an inflation refund check if, for tax year 2023, you:

  • Filed Form IT-201, New York State Resident Income Tax Return;
  • Reported income within the qualifying thresholds below; and
  • Were not claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return.

Refund Check Breakdown:

  • Joint tax filers with income up to $150,000 will receive a $400 check.
  • Joint tax filers with income over $150,000 but no greater than $300,000 will receive a $300 check.
  • Single tax filers with income up to $75,000 will receive a $200 check.
  • Single tax filers with incomes over $75,000 but no greater than $150,000 will receive a $150 check.

Governor Hochul said:

Starting in October, over 8 million New Yorkers will get an inflation refund because it’s simple — this is your money and we’re putting it back in your pockets. I’ll never stop fighting to help your family address the rising cost of living — and that’s why I also delivered on my promise to cut taxes for the middle class, expand the child tax credit and ensure free school meals for every student.

Governor Announces Launch of New Round of NYFIRST Program

The Governor announced a $10 million expansion of the New York Fund for Innovation in Research and Scientific Talent (“NYFIRST”) and the launch of the program’s latest round. The program provides grants to medical schools to attract and retain translational research scientists in New York State, with the broader aim of cultivating biotech startups and fostering sustained economic growth through high-skill job creation and commercial opportunities. Translational research builds on basic scientific research to find new ways to diagnose and treat medical conditions.

Applications for the sixth round of the program will run a full 12 months with rolling reviews, allowing medical schools to submit applications until April 30, 2026. More information can be found on the NYFIRST page of the Empire State Development website.

Governor Hochul said:

Our NYFIRST program has emerged as a transformative force for scientific advancement, turning New York’s medical institutions into powerhouses that attract the brightest minds in research. This $10 million investment reaffirms our dedication to fostering a dynamic life science ecosystem where groundbreaking innovations flourish and create sustainable, high-value jobs throughout our state.

Court of Appeals Agrees to Hear Arguments on Even Year Local Elections  

The Court of Appeals has agreed to an expedited review after Republicans appealed an Appellate Court decision that ruled even year elections for local elections were constitutional. Republican-led counties challenged the law, arguing it conflicted with local county charters, which are locally approved rules for county government. The Appellate Court ruled that while the state constitution allows counties to have their own legislative bodies and adopt alternative forms of government, it does not grant counties exclusive control over how and when local elections are held.

Arguments will be heard the week of September 8th.

Senator James Skoufis Named to DNC’s People’s Cabinet

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Ken Martin has announced that State Senator James Skoufis of Orange County has been named to the DNC’s “People’s Cabinet.”

The initiative, launched in April, elevates “issue experts and policy leaders” within the Democratic Party to lead pushback against President Donald Trump’s Administration. In this role, Senator Skoufis will focus on engaging and energizing young, rural, union, and red state voters. For his first engagement as part of the cabinet, he recently spoke at the Young Democrats of America meeting.

Senator Skoufis represents New York’s 42nd Senate District in the lower Hudson Valley.

Poll Shows Cuomo Dominating Mayor’s Race

A new Marist College poll shows Andrew Cuomo leading the mayor’s race in both first-choice percentage and after ranked choice votes are tabulated. The former governor is the first choice among 37% of potential Democratic primary voters who responded to the poll. Further, the poll shows that Cuomo crosses the 50% threshold needed to win the primary in the fifth round of balloting. 81% of likely Democratic primary voters say the way things are going in New York City are going in the wrong direction. 19% say they are going in the right direction.

In The News

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

State lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul’s policy-laden budget strategy.

Some fired N.Y. correction officers returning through grievance process, as lawmakers gear up for hearing on prison reform.

Foundation Aid still needs full overhaul, Statewide School Finance Consortium argues.

Community Service Society: Proposed cuts to Medicaid ‘a bullseye on the state of New York’.

Cuomo campaign loses matching funds, again.

Despite missteps, Andrew Cuomo maintains commanding lead in New York mayor’s race.

Lawmakers channel budget frustrations with Hochul into bipartisan constitutional amendment push.

State Assembly passes bill clearing the way for Mets owner Steve Cohen’s Citi Field casino.

Real estate titans ‘hold their nose’ and get behind Cuomo with big money.

Patient access groups want NY to scrutinize discount drug program.

State budget carves out some SUNY campuses from MTA payroll tax.

Senate GOPers push back on $10M taxpayer-funded Tish James ‘slush fund’ that could pay her legal bills.

New bill introduced proposing new CDPAP compromise.

In the wake of two deaths and a strike, lawmakers hold hearing as they plot prison reforms.

HHS Sec. Kennedy says cuts at 9/11 health program were a ‘mistake’.

NY’s ‘Medical Sid in Dying’ bill does not specify which lethal drugs.

Liz Krueger endorses Brad Lander No. 1 as he aims for Kathryn Garcia voters.

Coming Up

The Senate will hold a public hearing to evaluate the efficacy of the state’s monitoring and management of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and examine potential legislative solutions on May 21.

The NYS Board of Regents will meet on June 9 and 10.

The PSC will hold its next meeting on June 12.