Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

April 18, 2022

What’s Inside

  • Lieutenant Governor Arrested, Resigns
  • Public Service Commission Approves Two Renewable Transmission Contracts
  • Governor Announces Biodefense Commercialization Fund Awards
  • Governor Issues Proclamation for Special Election
  • Governor Signals Support for Third Party Ballot Line
  • Senator Boyle Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection
  • Assemblymember Barnwell Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection
  • Political Updates
  • Coming Up

Lieutenant Governor Arrested, Resigns

Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin resigned on Tuesday, shortly after his arrest on charges including bribery, fraud, conspiracy and falsification of records. Benjamin is accused of participating in a scheme to obtain campaign contributions from a real estate developer in exchange for Benjamin’s agreement to use his influence as a state senator to get a $50,000 grant of state funds for a nonprofit organization the developer controlled. Benjamin pleaded not guilty Tuesday at an initial appearance in Manhattan federal court. He was released and bail was set at $250,000. The terms of his release call for his travel to be restricted and bar him from returning to the state capitol in Albany.

Benjamin’s resignation itself provides no relief for Governor Hochul, as his name will remain on the ballot in the coming primary barring death or disqualification – the time for him to decline nomination has already past. Benjamin could potentially, if allowed by the court, move out of state which would disqualify him for the ballot or the legislature could pass a bill adding to the reasons for which a candidate would be disqualified. According to the Senate Democratic Conference spokesman, however, the Senate does not plan to pass legislation allowing Benjamin off the ballot.

In a brief statement following Benjamin’s resignation, Governor Hochul said:

I have accepted Brian Benjamin’s resignation effective immediately. While the legal process plays out, it is clear to both of us that he cannot continue to serve as Lieutenant Governor. New Yorkers deserve absolute confidence in their government, and I will continue working every day to deliver for them.

Public Service Commission Approves Two Renewable Transmission Contracts

The Public Service Commission has approved contracts with Clean Path New York LLC for its Clean Path NY project and H.Q. Energy Services Inc. for its Champlain Hudson Power Express project to deliver renewable solar, wind and hydroelectric power from upstate New York and Canada to New York City. These transmission projects are the largest contracted for New York State in the last 50 years.

Governor Hochul said:

New York continues to lead the nation with innovative green energy initiatives and has been an example to the rest of the world how to confront the perils of climate change, the existential threat of our time. Today’s decision is a major step forward in achieving New York State’s goal of 70 percentage of our energy from renewable resources, while paving the way for thousands of high-quality jobs, spurring billions in economic activity, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, and ushering in a cleaner, greener New York for all.

Governor Announces Biodefense Commercialization Fund Awards

The Governor announced the first round of awardees of the $40 million New York State Biodefense Commercialization Fund. The program was created to accelerate the development and commercialization of life science innovations that address serious infectious disease threats including COVID-19 and its variants. Upon board approval by Empire State Development, eighteen grants will be awarded for a total grant commitment of $15,292,418. As a result of this application round, grants are being recommended for eight startup companies and 10 academic institutions. These grants would help bring to market infectious disease solutions, including diagnostics, therapeutics and other innovations that address or mitigate the spread of serious infectious diseases. A total of 177 applications were received; 104 were from startup companies and 73 from academic institutions.

Governor Hochul said:

New York State was hit first and hit hardest by COVID-19, and even as New York continues its progress in combatting this virus and building back stronger, we’re taking measures to ensure we’re prepared for the future. These grants help promote the growth of New York State’s visionary life science companies, while also increasing our preparedness against current and future infectious disease threats, helping create a safer, stronger Empire State for years to come.

Governor Issues Proclamation for Special Election

The Governor issued a proclamation declaring that a Special Election to fill the vacancy in the 58th Assembly District will be held on Tuesday, May 24th. The Special Election will fill the vacancy created by Nick Perry, who will serve as U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica.

Governor Hochul said:

Ambassador Nick Perry has led an illustrious career, and with his distinguished appointment he continues his trajectory forward. We wish him all the best in his new role as U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica. New Yorkers deserve to be represented in the fullest capacity, and an election to fill the Ambassador’s seat is necessary to ensure their voices are heard. I look forward to working with the next elected leader and encourage people living in the 58th District to get out and vote.

Governor Signals Support for Third Party Ballot Line

The Governor signaled her support for the creation of a third party ballot line, as proposed by Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs. Jacobs suggested last week that a new ballot line could help incumbent Democrats in the upcoming election. The Governor’s support came prior to the arrest and resignation of her Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin, which now complicates her ability to run on a third party line. Because the office of governor and lieutenant governor run separately in a primary with the winners fusing and running as a single ticket in the general, if the ballot lines are not identical (Same Governor and Lieutenant Governor), votes for Governor Hochul on the third party line would not aggregate to her total. The third party line is still a viable option for state senate and assembly members, though the idea has been met with skepticism by senate leadership.

Senator Boyle Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection

State Senator Phil Boyle announced that he would not be seeking reelection. Boyle has served in the Senate since 2012. Prior to that he served in the Assembly from 1994 to 2003 and from 2006 to 2013. Immediately upon announcing his decision, Senator Weik announced she would be running for reelection in his district (redistricted lines moved her home into his district) avoiding a rematch the former Senator Monica Martinez.

Assemblymember Barnwell Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection

Assemblymember Brian Barnwell announced this week that he would not be seeking reelection. Barnwell was originally elected in 2017 in an upset primary victory over incumbent Margaret Markey. Barnwell did not provide a reason for his decision, though his district has changed considerably in the redistricting process.

Political Updates

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

Here’s who Hochul might choose to replace Brian Benjamin as her No. 2.

Gov. Hochul’s chief of staff pays price for disastrous vetting of Brian Benjamin: sources.

Analyzing Gov. Hochul team’s vetting process of Brian Benjamin.

Hochul promises ‘much better vetting process’ for next Lieutenant Governor.

NY Times: The Deep-Pocketed Developer Who Helped Take Down the Lieutenant Governor here.

Washington Post: What if New York’s political leadership wasn’t an embarrassing mess? Here.

Politico: ‘It must be really sad to be him’: Women who spoke out against Cuomo rebuild as he attempts revival here.

Vielkind: ‘Depends on how you spin it’ here.

Hochul receives union endorsements.

Cuomo’s comeback gets more difficult as he stays out of Democratic primary.

Ex-Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano sentenced to 12 years in prison, wife gets 15 months.

Andrew Giuliani rips Lee Zeldin as Cuomo clone in ugly GOP ballot battle.

The City: Brooklyn Democratic Party Filed Forged Signatures to Knock Rivals Off Ballots, Fellow Dems Allege.

Coming Up

JCOPE will hold its next meeting on April 26.

The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on May 12.

The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on May 16 and 17.