Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

January 10, 2021

What’s Inside

  • Governor Announces Booster Requirement for Health Care Workers
  • Governor Hochul Announces Administration Appointments
  • Governor Announces Appointments to Fill Judicial Vacancies
  • Independent Redistricting Commission Releases Competing Proposals
  • Governor Issues Proclamation for Special Elections to Fill Open Assembly Seats
  • Assemblymember Niou Announces Primary Run for State Senate
  • Political Updates
  • Coming Up

Governor Announces Booster Requirement for Health Care Workers

The Governor announced today during a COVID briefing that health care workers in New York will be required to receive a COVID vaccine booster within two weeks of being eligible to receive it. The new booster requirement will be subject to medical exemptions, but, not religious exemptions and there will be no test-out option. According to the Governor, the requirement will need approval from the Public Health and Health Planning Council (PHHPC) which will hold a special meeting on Tuesday January, 11. The Governor also announced that nursing home visitors will require a negative COVID test within 24 hours of visitation. The Governor requests that test are taken prior, but, suggested nursing homes will be provided with test supplies to accommodate visitors. Visitors will also be required to wear surgical masks, cloth masks will not be allowed.

Governor Hochul Announces Administration Appointments

The Governor announced new administration appointments, including the following:

Tania Dissanayake, Deputy Secretary for Housing – Most recently, Tania served as Deputy Director for the City of New York Mayor’s Office of State Legislative Affairs, where she acted as an advisor to its Director and Senior administrative officials on critical matters impacting New York City while assisting in overseeing the Office’s Legislative Representatives and Senior Advisors.

Marcos Gonzalez Soler, Deputy Secretary for Public Safety – Most recently, Marcos served as director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) of the City of New York where he worked since 2015. MOCJ advises the Mayor on public safety strategy and, together with partners inside and outside government, develops solutions to the City’s public safety problems.

James Katz, Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Workforce – He joins the Executive Chamber from the Office of the Manhattan Borough President, where he served as Deputy Borough President and led high profile land use negotiations, served as a trustee and Audit Chair of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System, and represented the Borough President on the boards of many of the city’s parks conservancies and Business Improvement Districts. Prior to joining the Borough President’s Office, Katz was an Executive Vice President and the Chief of Staff at New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) for seven years. In that capacity, he was a senior officer of the corporation and played a central role in many of New York City’s high profile land use, capital construction and economic development efforts.

Governor Hochul said:

As we make our comeback from the COVID-19 pandemic, I am committed to appointing the most dedicated and qualified public servants to work with me in delivering results and solving problems for New Yorkers. Tania Dissanayake, Marcos Gonzalez Soler, and James Katz bring a wealth and diversity of experience to my administration and I am proud to appoint them for the tremendous talent they will bring to bear in service to the people of New York State.

Governor Announces Appointments to Fill Judicial Vacancies

The Governor announced three appointments to fill vacancies in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Third Department, as follows:

Honorable Lisa Fisher – Lisa Fisher serves as Justice of the Supreme Court in the Third Judicial District since she was elected in 2015. Prior to the Supreme Court, Justice Fisher was an Assistant Public Defender of the Family Court Division at the Ulster County Public Defender’s Office from 2011 to 2014. Justice Fisher previously worked as a Sole Practitioner from 1994 to 2013.

Honorable Andrew G. Ceresia – Andrew Ceresia has served since 2017 as a Justice in the Third Judicial District of the Rensselaer County Supreme Court. From 2011-2016, Justice Ceresia was an Acting Justice in the Third Judicial District of the New York State Supreme Court. Concurrently, he was a Judge of the Rensselaer County Court from 2009 to 2016. In 2009, Justice Ceresia was appointed a County Court Judge by Governor David A. Paterson. From 2005 to 2009, he served as an Appellate Court Attorney in the Third Department of the Appellate Division of the NYS Supreme Court. In 2005, Justice Ceresia was an Acting Judge in for the City Courts of Albany, Rensselaer, and Hudson. He also served as a Town Judge for North Greenbush from 2004 to 2009. Justice Ceresia was an Attorney at Carter, Conboy, Case, Blackmore, Maloney, and Laird from 1999 to 2004. From 1998 to 1999, Ceresia was an Appellate Court Attorney in the Third Department of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court.

Honorable Eddie McShan – Since his election in 2020, Eddie McShan has served as an Associate Justice in the First Judicial Department of the Appellate Term of the New York State Supreme Court. Justice McShan also serves as a Justice in the Twelfth District of the New York State Supreme Court. Additionally, Justice McShan is an Adjunct Professor in the Business and Paralegal Department at Bronx Community College CUNY since 1998. At the New York State Supreme Court, he was an Acting Justice from 2016 to 2018 and a Hybrid Acting Justice in 2015. From 2013 to 2018, Justice McShan was a Judge on the Civil Court for New York City. He served as a Special Referee for the New York State Supreme Court from 2008 to 2012.

Governor Hochul said:

New Yorkers deserve the best and the brightest upholding their justice system, and I have no doubt that these three appointees will serve with honor and distinction. With diverse experience and background, I am proud to appoint these justices to the Appellate Division and am certain that their service will further the interests of justice for New Yorkers.

Independent Redistricting Commission Releases Competing Proposals

The Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) was unable to reach a consensus once again, releasing competing proposals along party lines. The legislature can – and likely will – reject the plan forcing the IRC to return to deliberations for its final attempt to reach a consensus. The final plan is due to the legislature by no later than February 28, provided these initial plans are rejected. If that last attempt is also rejected by the legislature, or vetoed by the Governor, the legislature will have the ability to draw their own maps, where democrats hold supermajorities in both houses.

Governor Issues Proclamation for Special Elections to Fill Open Assembly Seats

The Governor issued a proclamation declaring that a special election will be held to fill the vacancies in the 60th and 72nd Assembly Districts on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. The special election will fill the vacancies created by former Assembly Members Charles Barron and Carmen De La Rosa, who are now serving as members of the New York City Council.

Governor Hochul said:

With two vacant seats remaining open in the New York State Assembly, I am declaring a special election to ensure the residents of the 60th and 72nd Assembly Districts are fully represented in the State Legislature. I wish both Charles Barron and Carmen De La Rosa well in their new roles as Members of the New York City Council and look forward to working with the new leaders that will be chosen by the residents of these districts to continue delivering results for New Yorkers.

Assemblymember Niou Announces Primary Run for State Senate

Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou, a progressive, announced a primary to fellow progressive Democrat State Senator Brian Kavanagh earlier this month.  Kavanagh began his political career as an aide to Mayor Ed Koch and has represented lower Manhattan and a small part of western Brooklyn in the Senate since 2017. Before that, he served in the Assembly for 10 years.

Political Updates

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

City & State NY’s Winners and Losers of 2021 here.

City & State NY’s The 2021 Energy & Environment Power 100 here.

NY Senate majority leader on Hochul’s State of the State.

Cuomo expected to appear virtually in court on forcible charge as DA seeks dismissal.

Cuomo spokesman releases lengthy statement following Albany County charges being dropped, end with “Stay tuned.”

Adrienne Adams declares victory in the City Council speaker race.

NY1: Incoming Council Speaker Adrienne Adams lays out her priorities.

Former Rep. Rangel endorses Hochul’s election to full term.

Democratic Socialist Illapa Sairitupac pivots to Assembly race.

Maryjane Shimsky to challenge Tom Abinanti for Assembly in primary.

New York continues to lead the nation in population decline.

India Walton, former Buffalo mayoral candidate, to join Working Families Party.

Democratic lawmaker ‘joining’ with GOP to become president of Monroe County Legislature.

Coming Up

The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on January 10 and 11.

The Senate will hold a public hearing to discuss the effectiveness of business subsidies and tax incentives in meeting New York State’s economic development goals on January 14.

The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on January 20.

JCOPE will hold its next meeting on January 25.