Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

November 14, 2025

What’s Inside

  • State Agrees to Delay New York’s All-Electric Buildings Mandate
  • Governor Announces Regeneron Investment in Saratoga County
  • Governor Announces Winners of the Grow-NY International Food and Agriculture Business Competition
  • Governor Announces Emergency Assistance for SUNY Community College Food Pantries
  • Stefanik Picks Up Endorsements; Blakeman Weighs Primary
  • Mamdani Announces Fuleihan to Serve as First Deputy Mayor 
  • In the News
  • Coming Up 

State Agrees to Delay New York’s All-Electric Buildings Mandate

New York has agreed to postpone implementation of its plan to require new buildings be all-electric, a rule that was set to be enforced starting January 1, 2026. The state consented in a court submission to delay the law’s execution until the Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals provides a decision on this issue.

Referred to as the All-Electric Buildings Act, this legislation was included in the 2023 state budget and prohibits new gas connections in buildings that are under seven stories tall beginning January 1. The law would extend to all subsequent constructions after January 1, 2029. Regulations were adopted as part of the state’s building and energy code this summer.

Two years ago, gas and construction industry associations filed lawsuits aiming to prevent the law’s enforcement, claiming it contradicts federal regulations regarding gas appliance management, similar to a successful lawsuit in California, filed the restaurant association against the City of Berkeley.

This policy has been subject to renewed scrutiny due to rising construction expenses amid a climate of limited affordable housing, along with concerns regarding potential pressure on the future power grid. A report released by the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) in October warned that within five years, New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley might experience reliability challenges with their electric grids, attributed to increased demands from cryptocurrency, data mining, and a transition from fossil fuels to electric energy.

These worries have led to requests for a postponement of the All-Electric Buildings Act. Last month, moderate Democrats in the state Assembly signed a letter urging Governor Kathy Hochul to consider a delay. 

 

Governor Announces Regeneron Investment in Saratoga County

The Governor announced that Regeneron Pharmaceuticals will create 1,000 new jobs as part of a $2 billion investment at its new facility in Saratoga Springs. The company plans to utilize a more than one million square foot property it recently purchased. The project would encompass the design, reconstruction and fit-out of the existing space, with potential for additional expansion. Empire State Development has agreed to support Regeneron’s plans and job creation goals with up to $35 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits.

The new facility in Saratoga Springs will allow Regeneron to nearly double its existing manufacturing capacity in New York State. The project is expected to support approximately 500 short-term design and construction jobs, and create at least 1,000 full-time, permanent jobs. This project will bolster the company’s efforts in manufacturing and developing medications to fight the spread of infectious diseases, as well as continue to improve its oncology capabilities as well as a wide range of other life altering diseases.

Governor Hochul said:

For decades, Regeneron has been one of our great success stories — now, they are doubling down by creating 1,000 good paying jobs and expanding the biotech industry that transforms lives across the world. Regeneron’s choice to once again invest in New York State is proof that our continued commitment to innovation and talent is working. New Yorkers deserve the incredible momentum we are seeing in advanced manufacturing and life sciences.

Governor Announces Winners of the Grow-NY International Food and Agriculture Business Competition

The Governor announced Brekland as the grand-prize winner of the seventh annual Grow-NY business competition. The competition awarded a total of $3 million in prize money — including a $1 million grand prize — to seven of the 20 finalists selected for the Grow-NY business accelerator.

Winners were announced at the Grow-NY Summit, a two-day event in Canandaigua where finalists pitched their business plans to a panel of expert judges. Each winning company will establish operations in the region for at least one year and provide a modest equity stake to Cornell University, helping to fund future food and agriculture entrepreneurship programs. The competition is administered by Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement and is focused on enhancing the emerging food, beverage and agriculture innovation cluster in Central New York, Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions.

Brekland – the million dollar grand prize winner – is building a novel, biodegradable foam coating that brings new, in-field functionality to crop protection products.

Other competition winners include the following:

$500,000 Winner: Mothership Materials, New York, NY – Mothership Materials transforms agricultural waste into carbon-negative feedstocks — such as glucose and cellulose — that power the foods, fuels and fabrics of the future.

$500,000 Winner: Seen Nutrition, Ithaca, NY – Seen Nutrition is a food tech startup in the menopause market, initially focused on bone health, with a patented dietary calcium chew made with dairy produced in Central New York.

$250,000 Winner: Living Ink Technologies, Berthoud, CO – Living Ink repurposes renewable biomass waste, like algae, into sustainable black printing inks and pigments.

$250,000 Winner: Trebe Biotech, Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina – Trebe Biotech uses insect larvae to produce faster, more scalable and cost-efficient bioproxducts for animal health, such as recombinant proteins and vaccines.

$250,000 Winner: Whipnotic, New York, NY – With a patented nozzle technology, Whipnotic creates whipped creams infused with all-natural fruit juices and flavor Essences.

$250,000 Winner: ZILA BioWorks, Renton, WA – ZILA converts vegetable oils into high performance, low carbon, recyclable bio-epoxy resins for use in industrial composites, coatings and adhesives.

The public also participated in the competition by voting for the “Wegmans Audience Choice” award, which went to Finger Foods Farm of Bloomfield, NY, earning them $10,000.

Governor Announces Emergency Assistance for SUNY Community College Food Pantries

The Governor announced an emergency investment of nearly $550,000 in assistance for SUNY community college food pantries and related efforts to help campuses address the ongoing food insecurity crisis as a result of the longest federal government shutdown in United States history. The emergency assistance announced by Governor Hochul will help the food pantries located at each of SUNY’s 30 community colleges restock supplies and support students in need.

Governor Hochul said:

As the consequences of the longest federal government shutdown in history drag on, millions of New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet and facing a food insecurity crisis. My administration will continue to take action and use all of the tools and resources at our disposal to protect New Yorkers and ensure they receive the food support they need and deserve.

Stefanik Picks Up Endorsements; Blakeman Weighs Primary

U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik, feeling some pressure from Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman who is said to be considering a primary, has announced a variety of endorsements from Republican county leaders throughout the state following her campaign kick-off on Friday for the 2026 gubernatorial election in New York.

On Monday, Stefanik’s campaign announced that nine GOP county executives have expressed their support for her bid, which includes:

  • Chautauqua County Executive Paul Wendel
  • Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss
  • Dutchess County Executive Susan Serino
  • Montgomery County Executive Peter Vroman
  • Oneida County Executive Tony Picente
  • Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon II
  • Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus
  • Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne
  • Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin

The congresswoman from North Country has already secured endorsements from nearly all the Republican county chairs, positioning her favorably as the likely nominee for the party.

Meanwhile, Nassau County Executive Blakeman spoke with a local television reporter about his possible candidacy for Governor of New York.

“So many leaders in business, politics, and the community have encouraged me to consider running for Governor,” Blakeman shared. “I responded by saying, ‘I will take this seriously. I plan to travel throughout the state, engage with people, and listen to their concerns.’ It’s important for me to understand local matters across the state. I have a vision for New York State and am seriously thinking about running for Governor; if I find strong support for my campaign, then I will move forward.”

Republican Party Chair Ed Cox expressed in his endorsement of Stefanik, “There will be no Republican primary, and a year from now, Elise will lead our team to victory against Kathy Hochul, ending one-party Democratic control, and making New York affordable once more.”

Blakeman stated that he would reach a decision regarding his potential candidacy in the upcoming weeks. The state Republican Party is set to convene in early next year to officially nominate their candidate.

Mamdani Announces Fuleihan to Serve as First Deputy Mayor

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani made a significant announcement on Monday by choosing Dean Fuleihan, a prominent and experienced figure in the city and state administration, to be his principal deputy in City Hall.

This position marks a return for Fuleihan, who is 74 years old and previously held the role of first deputy mayor under former Mayor Bill de Blasio until 2021. Fuleihan’s duties will include managing the everyday functions of city governance.

To achieve his campaign promises, Mamdani must convince state legislators and Governor Hochul not only to endorse his proposals but also to generate billions in new funding, either via new taxation or alternative solutions. Although Ms. Hochul expressed her willingness to collaborate with Mr. Mamdani, particularly concerning the childcare program, she expressed doubts over other aspects of his agenda.

Fuleihan has spent many years in Albany, notably serving as a senior aide to former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. He entered Mr. de Blasio’s administration in 2013, managing the mayor’s Office of Management and Budget, where he played a crucial role in negotiating labor agreements and implementing universal prekindergarten, a landmark achievement of the mayor.

Later, he was promoted to the position of first deputy mayor. In this capacity, he took on the role of acting mayor when Mr. de Blasio was out of state and assisted in managing a challenging dynamic with President Trump during the initial term of his presidency.

Fuleihan’s appointment is likely to intensify the parallels drawn between Mamdani and de Blasio, the former progressive mayor of the city, who concluded his term with unsatisfactory approval ratings.

In The News

City & State NY’s Weekly Winners and Losers here.

NY Gov. Hochul’s running mate shortlist includes Brooklyn DA, state lawmaker.

Hochul’s taxing times.

New poll shows Stefanik 3 points behind Hochul in New York governor’s race.

Who could replace Elise Stefanik in NY-21?

Bruce Blakeman on potential NYS Governor run: “We don’t have coronations in our party.”

Nassau Exec Bruce Blakeman rails that GOP governor race shouldn’t turn into Kamala-style ‘coronation.’

Bruce Blakeman to stump in upstate NY as he weighs taking on Rep. Elise Stefanik in GOP gov’s race.

Hochul’s budget director: Tax hike on the wealthy ‘the last thing on my mind.’

Hochul a ‘no’ on Mamdani’s free bus plan; ‘yes’ on statewide universal child care.

Mamdani and Hochul Discuss Their Challenges: Trump and Child Care.

New York delays implementing law that would ban natural gas in new homes and buildings.

Power for the public: Hochul’s practical thinking on natural gas pipeline.

Political strategist discusses why Democrats folded on government shutdown.

Democrats focus on affordability over climate goals as midterm elections loom.

Huntley launches new Assembly campaign against Zinerman.

Jeffries stalls effort to restore federal workers’ bargaining rights.

Mamdani and Hochul have to work together. It won’t be easy.

Ex-N.Y. governors’ aide goes on trial on charges she sold influence to China, got kickbacks for masks.

Coming Up

The Senate will hold a public hearing on the cost and availability of insurance for residential property on November 18.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on lead service line replacement programs on November 20.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing to receive an update on the ConnectALL broadband program on November 21.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on New York’s horse racing industry on November 21.

The Senate will hold a public hearing to discuss risks, solutions, and best practices with respect to the use of artificial intelligence in consequential or high-risk contexts, and related issues, such as classification of the types and risk levels of AI uses, frameworks for auditing AI tools for bias, and transparency improvements on January 15.