Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

August 15, 2025

What’s Inside

  • New Siena Poll Released
  • Governor Appoints Chair of NYS Workers’ Compensation Board
  • DEC Announces Leadership Appointments
  • Governor Announces First AI Specialized Degrees
  • Governor’s Chief of Staff Departs to Aid Reelection Campaign
  • In the News
  • Coming Up

New Siena Poll Released

This week, a new Siena Poll was released which found that Governor Kathy Hochul’s job approval and favorability ratings are up a little from June. Hochul has a 42-44% favorability rating; it was 42-47% in June. Her job approval rating is 53-42%, up from 50-45% in June.

The Governor’s lead in a potential gubernatorial race against Rep. Elise Stefanik fell to 14 points, 45-31%, down from a 23-point lead in June, 47-24%. Stefanik’s favorability rating is 27-32%, with 41% saying they don’t know or never heard of her. Nearly half of voters say they are at least somewhat familiar with Stefanik, but only 29% say she has the right experience to be governor, and by 49-37%, they say if she was elected governor, it would be bad for New York.

The poll also sampled support and opposition for various New York State proposals, most enjoying majority support with the exception of mid-decade redistricting, which had a 1 percentage point plurality of support, 35%-34%.

The poll also examined President Donald Trump’s favorability in New York, voters’ views on the so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ concerning healthcare for undocumented immigrants in the state, and concerns over rural hospitals, proposed constitutional amendments, and more.

Full results are available in Siena’s press release here.

Governor Appoints Chair of NYS Workers’ Compensation Board

This week, Governor Hochul appointed Freida D. Foster as Chair of the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). Ms. Foster has been a Board member since 2009 and Vice Chair since 2016. Former Chair Clarissa M. Rodriguez stepped down from her role as Chair in July and will continue to serve as Board Member. Board Member Renee Delgado has been appointed Vice Chair. Governor Hochul appointed Ms. Delgado as Board Member in 2022.

Governor Hochul said:

New Yorkers deserve trusted, well-experienced individuals serving them and putting their best interests forward. I look forward to working with Chair Foster and Vice Chair Delgado in their new capacities as the Board continues their work in protecting the rights of employees and employers and ensuring our workers get the benefits they need.

More information can be found here. 

DEC Announces Leadership Appointments

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced four key appointments to leadership positions at the agency this week. 

The new appointments are as follows:

  • Michelle Marchello, Executive Deputy Commissioner (Starting Sept. 8, 2025)
  • Anthony Luisi, General Counsel
  • Matt Franklin, Deputy Commissioner for Public Protection
  • Sean Mahar, Regional Director for DEC’s Region 4

Commissioner Lefton issued the following statement:

I am excited to announce several key additions to DEC’s talented leadership team as we continue to carry out our critical mission to protect New York’s natural resources and the communities that depend on them. DEC welcomes proven leaders Michelle Marchello, Tony Luisi, Matt Franklin, and Sean Mahar to serve in these important leadership roles and looks forward to seeing these exceptional professionals bring their extensive knowledge and experience to the Department.

More information on the appointments can be found in the DEC’s press release here. 

Governor Announces First AI Specialized Degrees

Governor Hochul has announced the first-of-their-kind AI specialized degrees to be offered to University at Buffalo (UB) students beginning this fall. The academic programs combine the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence with traditional academic disciplines, including communication, economics, geography, language, logic, and policy analysis.

The new programs will prepare students for the anticipated growth of AI applications across various industries. The AI majors and minors were supported by $5 million in State funding awarded by Governor Hochul for SUNY’s new Department of AI and Society initiative, which at UB is expected to enroll more than 300 students each year by 2030.

On Wednesday, State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. joined researchers, faculty, and students from UB to announce the new academic programs ahead of the 2025-2026 academic year. Students interested in applying for UB’s new AI programs should contact the university at buffalo.edu/admissions.

Governor Hochul said:

New York State’s investment in artificial intelligence for the public good is paving the way for generations of New Yorkers to understand and utilize this supercomputing power to its fullest potential. Through University at Buffalo’s new degree programs, students will have the latest in AI education to help them pursue research and careers that will continue to evolve with further AI advancements.

Governor’s Chief of Staff Departs to Aid Reelection Campaign

According to reports, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Stacy Lynch, will depart the administration in September to serve as a senior advisor to Hochul’s reelection campaign. The Governor credited Lynch with helping negotiate state budgets, rent relief for NYCHA tenants, and leading an investment in SUNY Downstate Medical Center.

Governor Hochul said:

I am extremely fortunate to have had Stacy Lynch serve as my Chief of Staff for the past three years, and I am grateful she will continue to advise my campaign going forward. Stacy leaves our administration and our state stronger, and I am deeply thankful for her leadership, partnership, and friendship.

In The News

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

Carlina Rivera to resign from NYC Council for affordable housing job.

N.Y. faces cumulative state budget gap of $34.3B through FY 2029, comptroller says.

Andrew Cuomo’s primary endorsers have been pretty quiet.

Delgado’s day job: MIA, or victim of Hochul’s vengeance?

NT Gov. Kathy Hochul slights Zohran Mamdani in live TV reality check, hints she may not endorse: ‘Many differences’.

The 5 most vulnerable assemblymembers.

Union warned Hochul’s office prison officers wanted to strike before walkout.

As his rivals attack, Mamdani focuses on a different enemy: Trump.

The comeback begins: Chris Collins on his arrest, prison – and his new congressional campaign.

Mamdani leads Cuomo by 19 points, while Stefanik is catching up to Hochul.

New York Hospitals brace for changes to controversial drug discount program.

Environmentalists: N.Y. food labels bill would prevent food waste, save families money.

N.Y. Assembly Education Committee chair hedges on lockdown reform bill.

Ex-Aide to Andrew Cuomo goes nuclear on former boss — with spicy Jeffrey Epstein, ‘abuse’ slapdowns.

More students pass after NY adjusts test scoring.

N.Y. businesses brace for impacts of U.S. tariffs.

Former NY-21 candidate announces bid to replace Assemblyman Billy Jones.

New York’s most powerful Democrat hasn’t enforsed Mamdani. Yet.

DiFiore, 7 other former judges, back ban on migrant arrests at courthouses.

Homeless People said they were paid to be listed as donors for a Senate candidate.

Times Square casino bid faces public ahead of key vote – and it was ‘union against union’.

Coming Up

The Senate will hold a public hearing to examine the Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) transition to a single statewide fiscal intermediary – new date August 21.

‘The Board of Regents will hold their next meetings on September 8 and 9.

The PSC will hold its next meeting on September 18.