Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

December 19, 2025

What’s Inside

  • Governor to Sign Medical Aid in Dying Act in New York
  • Office of Cannabis Management Announces Members of New Advisory Panel
  • Downstate Casino Licenses Approved
  • Syracuse Mayor Announced as Director of New York State Canal Corporation
  • Governor Announces Strategic Partnership Between NY CREATES and SCREEN
  • Assembly Speaker Implements Sanctions Against Assemblymember Edward Gibbs
  • Assemblymember Ken Blakenbush Announces Retirement
  • In the News
  • Coming Up

Governor to Sign Medical Aid in Dying Act in New York 

This week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced an agreement with the Legislature to make the controversial medical aid in dying available to terminally ill New Yorkers with less than six months to live. The bill, sponsored by Assemblymember Amy Paul and Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, with the agreed-upon amendments, will be passed and signed in January, and the law will go into effect six months later. More information can be found here. 

The bill, as passed by the Legislature, initially had a number of protections in place to ensure that no patient was coerced into utilizing medical aid in dying and no doctor or religiously affiliated health facility was forced to offer medical aid in dying. However, with amendments made by the Governor, the bill will have some additional guardrails that include:

  • A mandatory waiting period of 5 days between when a prescription is written and filled.
  • An oral request by the patient for medical aid in dying must be recorded by video or audio.
  • A mandatory mental health evaluation of the patient seeking medical aid in dying by a psychologist or psychiatrist.
  • A prohibition against anyone who may benefit financially from the death of a patient from being eligible to serve as a witness to the oral request or an interpreter for the patient.
  • Limiting the availability of medical aid in dying to New York residents.
  • Requiring that the initial evaluation of a patient by a physician be in person.
  • Allowing religiously oriented home hospice providers to opt out of offering medical aid in dying.
  • Ensuring that a violation of the law is defined as professional misconduct under the Education Law.
  • Extending the effective date of the bill to six months after signing to allow the Department of Health to put in place regulations required to implement the law, while also ensuring that healthcare facilities can properly prepare and train staff for compliance.

Governor Hochul said:

New York has long been a beacon of freedom, and now it is time we extend that freedom to terminally ill New Yorkers who want the right to die comfortably and on their own terms. My mother died of ALS, and I am all too familiar with the pain of seeing someone you love suffer and being powerless to stop it. Although this was an incredibly difficult decision, I ultimately determined that with the additional guardrails agreed upon with the legislature, this bill would allow New Yorkers to suffer less–to shorten not their lives, but their deaths.

The Governor also penned an op-ed in the Albany Times Union, outlining her support for medical aid in dying, which can be read here.  

Office of Cannabis Management Announces Members of New Advisory Panel 

This week, the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced the 15 members selected to serve on the Cannabis Education Advisory Panel (CEAP), a statewide group of experts who will provide guidance on the development and review of youth-focused cannabis education materials. As OCM develops a new public health campaign and expands educational resources available for young people and families, the Panel will advise the Office on messaging, tone, cultural relevance, and scientific accuracy to better address the needs of young people, parents, caregivers, and trusted adults across New York State.

The New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) and the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) will also participate in the Panel to encourage statewide coordination of cannabis messaging.

The Cannabis Education Advisory Panel (CEAP) will include the following members:

  • Amanda Serrano
  • Bishop Dr. H Bernard Alex
  • Darryl Gaines Jr. 
  • Deborah A. Levine, LCSW
  • Esther “Queen Mixxy” Lelievre
  • Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D. 
  • Jonathon Chaffee B.A. 
  • Joseph Dragone, Ph.D. 
  • Logina Mostafa, MPH
  • Mark Bobb-Semple
  • Michael Mendoza, MD MPH, MS
  • Miesha Marzell, PhD
  • Nicholas Batson, M.D. 
  • Stephanie Campbell
  • Tazmara Anderson MPH, CHES

More information can be found in OCM’s press release here.   

Downstate Casino Licenses Approved

The New York State Gaming Commission this week approved three downstate casino licenses, marking a major milestone in the state’s long-awaited expansion of full-scale gaming. The licenses were awarded through a competitive process established to boost economic development, generate tax revenue, and create jobs in the New York City metropolitan area.

Each of the three new casino projects—expected to include hotel, dining, and entertainment facilities—will move forward with local approvals and state oversight before breaking ground. Collectively, the developments are projected to deliver billions in investment and hundreds of millions in annual revenue for education and community programs across New York.

The approved licenses include those for Bally’s Corporation doing business as Bally’s Bronx, Queens Future, LLC doing business as Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, and Genting New York, LLC doing business as Resorts World New York City. The full meeting can be watched here. 

Following the approvals, Governor Hochul issued the following statement:

Today’s vote by the New York State Gaming Commission is the culmination of a multi-year, community-driven process to ensure that casino licenses were only awarded to proposals that had local support, clear community benefits and sustainable economic plans. I thank Chair O’Dwyer and the entire commission for their work to get the best possible outcomes for New Yorkers throughout this process.

The three approved casinos will generate billions of dollars for the MTA and education, create tens of thousands of jobs and deliver real benefits to their surrounding communities. Each of the projects made significant commitments to their communities and to New York State, and the Gaming Commission was clear that they will hold these projects accountable and make sure they keep their promises. That is what New Yorkers expect and what they deserve.

Syracuse Mayor Announced as Director of New York State Canal Corporation

Governor Hochul announced this week that the New York Power Authority (NYPA) has hired Benjamin R. Walsh as the next Director of the New York State Canal Corporation. Walsh has served as the Mayor of Syracuse since 2018.

Walsh succeeds outgoing Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton, who will retire at the end of December. Stratton was appointed to the position in April 2011 and guided the organization through several important milestones, culminating in the recent commemoration of the Erie Canal’s bicentennial.

Governor Hochul said:

Ben Walsh delivered real results for Syracuse, from revitalizing neighborhoods to preparing workers for the jobs of the future. His experience driving collaboration and transformative growth will be an asset as we move into the historic canal system’s third century and will benefit the Canal Corporation, canal communities, and New Yorkers and tourists alike.

Governor Announces Strategic Partnership Between NY CREATES and SCREEN

This week, Governor Hochul announced a strategic international partnership between the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY Creates), the owner and operator of the Albany NanoTech Complex, North America’s most advanced non-profit-led semiconductor R&D center, and SCREEN, a Japan-based semiconductor equipment manufacturing company and leader in wet etching and cleaning applications.

The announcement highlights a shared commitment to promoting advanced chips-related R&D, expanding collaboration, and bolstering workforce development across the high-tech ecosystems of the U.S. and Japan. The new agreement includes SCREEN’s use of 10,000 square feet of cleanroom space within Creates’ new NanoFab Reflection building, currently under construction, 5,000 square feet of office space at Creates’ Albany NanoTech Complex, and more than $75 million in expected spending during the first three years of an overall ten-year R&D partnership. Learn more in the Governor’s press release here. 

According to the Governor’s office, leaders from NY Creates, Empire State Development, and SCREEN Holdings Company Ltd., based in Kyoto, Japan, formalized this operating agreement with a ceremonial signing by Creates President Dave Anderson and SCREEN Holdings President and CEO Masato Goto and President Ian Brown of the new company, SCREEN Advanced Technology Center of America (ATCA), at SCREEN’s Monzennakacho site in Tokyo on December 16.

Assembly Speaker Implements Sanctions Against Assemblymember Edward Gibbs

Today, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced that he is immediately implementing sanctions recommended by the bipartisan Assembly Ethics and Guidance Committee concerning the conduct of Assemblymember Edward Gibbs.

The Ethics Committee found that Assemblymember Gibbs made sexually explicit remarks on the Assembly floor in violation of the Assembly’s Policy Prohibiting Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation. The Committee recommended that the Speaker issue a warning to Assemblymember Gibbs and require that he undergo counseling to address the use of sexually explicit remarks and the use of professional communication. Speaker Heastie has accepted the committee’s recommendations in full.

The full recommendations letter and the letter to Assemblymember Gibbs can be found here. 

Assemblymember Ken Blakenbush Announces Retirement

New York State Assemblymember Ken Blakenbush has announced that he will retire from the Assembly at the end of 2026 and not seek re-election. The Assemblymember represents the 117th Assembly District, which includes areas just south of Massena, east of Watertown, including Carthage, Black River, and Lowville, and down into Oneida County. He has represented this district since 2011.

Yesterday, the Assemblymember endorsed his chief of staff, Tammie Nabywaniec, who also announced her candidacy for the seat.

In The News

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

Siena Poll: Hochul keeps strong lead in race for governor; New Yorkers warm to Mamdani.

Everyone’s waiting on Linda Rosenthal.

With decision looming on  ‘100-foot rule,’ Hochul must again decide how green she will be.

Cashman settling in as region’s newest Assemblymember.

New President of N.Y. Retired Public Employees Association discusses cost of living adjustment.

New City Hall budget boss potentially on tap as Mamdani plans to unveil new appointments.

Zohran Mamdani eyeing lawyer who defended al Qaeda terrorist for top City Hall job: source.

Adams appoints GOP’s Borelli to school panel, stacking another board before Mamdani takes office.

New York Factory Activity Unexpectedly Contracts on Shipments Decline.

Got Milk? Congress passes bill returning whole milk to schools.

Glick endorses Lasher for NY-12.

Adem Bunkeddeko discusses his priorities in bid for N.Y. state comptroller.

Mayor Adams delivers farewell address.

Working Families Party makes early endorsements.

Hochul may veto bill to protect LLC Transparency Act from Trump.

New Yorkers lack savings, turn to debt as costs rise, report says.

Lawsuit seeks to derail NY’s new marijuana tracking system.

With State Senate run looming, Zellner prepares to say goodbye to the Board of Elections.

The primary race for Governor that New York’s GOP doesn’t want.

State Senate education chair pushing Foundation Aid changes, bill barring ICE from entering schools without warrant.

Former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito confirmed to become top internal watchdog at Department of Labor.

Weeks after stepping aside, Ulster town supervisor says he will not resign after all.

Nassau’s state-backed financial watchdog approves county’s $4.4B budget with condition. 

Coming Up

The Assembly will hold a public hearing to receive an update on the status of the ConnectALL initiative on January 8.  

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.