Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

Coverage of Albany and New York State government – February 19, 2016

What’s Inside 

  • Governor Rallies for Paid Family Leave
  • Governor Announces Judicial Appointments
  • Governor Announces Water Quality initiatives
  • Governor Announces Regional MWBE Series
  • Governor Announces State Participation in Governors’ Energy Accord Coalition
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

 

Governor Rallies for Paid Family Leave

On Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo participated in rallies in support of his paid family leave proposal in New York City and Buffalo.  He also announced that a number of organizations, including the  NYS  Conference of the NAACP, Make the Road NY, New York Communities for Change, and A Better Balance, among others, have joined the joined the “Strong Families, Strong New York” campaign in support of enactment of a paid family leave law in the state.

As part of his Executive Budget, Gov. Cuomo has proposed a twelve week paid leave program, which would be paid for by employees, which is intended to ensure that workers are able to have bonding time with their newborns and to provide care to sick relatives.  After a phase-in period, employees would be able to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave and collect 67% of their average weekly wage, capped at 67% of the state’s average weekly wage.

The Assembly has already approved a paid family leave plan, while the Senate Majority Leader has indicated that there is interest in the proposal in that house.  The Senate’s Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) has said that it plans to make the issue a priority in upcoming budget negotiations.

The Business Council of New York State released an analysis of the various paid family leave proposals which concluded that “if enacted, New York would have the most expansive and least business-friendly Paid Family Leave law in the nation.”  Business Council President and CEO Heather C. Briccetti said:

“New York State employers are already facing a blizzard of federal and state labor law mandates and cost increases. Imposing additional state-level requirements would only add to perception that the Empire State is hostile to business.  Current Paid Family Leave proposals would place an undue burden on small businesses and create a system where business owners will have to comply with separate standards from the state and federal governments.”

 

Governor Announces Judicial Appointments

On Thursday, Gov. Cuomo announced the appointments of 10 judges to fill vacancies in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

In the First Department, which covers Manhattan and the Bronx, the Governor appointed Supreme Court Justices Ellen Gesmer, Marcy Louise Kahn and Troy Karen Webber.

In the Second Department, which includes Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley, the Governor appointed Supreme Court Justices Francesca Connolly and Valerie Brathwaite Nelson.

In the Third Department, which covers twenty-eight counties in the Eastern and Northern portions of the state, the Governor appointed Supreme Court Justices Sharon Aarons and Robert Mulvey.

In the Fourth Department, which covers twenty-two counties in the Western and Central portions of the state, the Governor appointed Supreme Court Justices John Curran, Patrick NeMoyer and Shirley Troutman.

The appointments are not subject to state Senate confirmation.

 

Governor Announces Water Quality initiatives

On Thursday, Gov. Cuomo announced a series of water quality initiatives that are designed to protect public health and the environment. The state has established a Statewide Water Quality Rapid Response Team to identify and develop plans to swiftly address drinking water contamination problems, and the state will propose regulations to regulate mulch processing facilities to strengthen oversight and safeguard natural resources.

These initiatives, as well as others relating to protecting water on Long Island, are described in this presentation.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“Every New Yorker has a fundamental right to clean and safe drinking water.  Water is a priceless resource that requires the highest levels of protection, and I am proud to continue this administration’s legacy of standing up for the environment. We are taking aggressive and proactive steps to ensure clean and healthy communities throughout the state – both for current residents and for generations to come.”

 

Governor Announces Regional MWBE Series

On Monday, Gov. Cuomo announced the state’s third annual Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises Opportunities Expo Series, which are intended “to connect MWBEs with New York State agencies and expert resources to expand opportunities with public sector agencies and technical assistance providers to maximize their opportunities.”

The Expos will be held in Albany (March 10), the Mohawk Valley (April 14), Binghamton (April 27), Buffalo (May 12) and Long Island (June 28).

Gov. Cuomo said:

“Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises play an integral role in New York’s economy and our administration is committed to helping these businesses thrive.  The Opportunities Expo is one of the ways we are providing MWBEs with the resources they need to start and expand their businesses, and create jobs for New Yorkers. I encourage all who are eligible to take part in these events and learn more about how we are increasing opportunity for businesses across the state.”

 

Governor Announces State Participation in Governors’ Energy Accord Coalition

On Monday, Gov. Cuomo announced that New York has signed onto the bipartisan ‘Governors’ Energy Accord Coalition,’ which is a multi-state effort “to develop and implement clean energy policies and initiatives that expand clean energy sources, modernize energy infrastructure and build a clean energy economy.”  In doing so, New York joins 16 other states that have “pledged to diversify energy generation and expand clean energy sources, modernize the energy infrastructure, encourage clean transportation options and work together to make transformational energy policy changes and plan for the needed energy transition to clean, renewable energy.”

Gov. Cuomo said:

“From the creation of a $5 billion Clean Energy Fund to implementing our ambitious Clean Energy Standard, New York is fully committed to our role as a national leader in growing the clean tech economy.  We are proud to join with other states seeking to achieve the same goal and by working together, we can develop an effective national energy policy to ensure a safer, greener and more sustainable future for all.”

 

Political Update

9th Senate District Candidates Release TV Spots

On Monday, Nassau County Democratic State Senate candidate Todd Kaminsky released his first television ad in the special election to replaced former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos. The 30-second commercial highlights Kaminsky’s resume, saying that he “cut his teeth” prosecuting both Republicans and Democrats while working as an assistant U.S. attorney.

Yesterday, Republican candidate Chris McGrath released his two television ads.  The first introduces the candidate to voters; the second warns that a Democratic victory in the race will reduce school aid to the district.

The special election is a critical one given the narrow divide in the state Senate, where Republicans are one seat sort of holding a majority.

Winners & Losers

Each week, City & State New York publishes a list of the week’s political “winners” and “losers.”  Read this week’s list here.

 

Coming Up

The Board of Regents holds its next meeting on Monday, February 22 and Tuesday, February 23.

On Monday, February 22, the Commission on Legislative, Judicial and Executive Compensation will hold an organizational meeting to determine procedure for considering legislative and executive compensation.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) holds its next meeting on Tuesday, February 23.

The state Board of Elections holds its next meeting on February 23.

Lawmakers are scheduled to return to Albany on Wednesday and Thursday next week, February 24 and 25.

On Wednesday, February 25, the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee (along with two Assembly Commissions and a subcommittee) will hold a public hearing “to examine the effectiveness of the State’s E-waste collection program.”

The Senate and Assembly fiscal committee are scheduled to release their Economic & Revenue Reports on or around February 25.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on March 22.

The state’s 2016-17 fiscal year begins on April 1.