The Governor announced applications are now available for the second round of New York’s $40 million Biodefense Commercialization Fund. The Fund, which awarded $15.3 million in grants to eight startups and 10 academic centers in April, was established to accelerate the development and commercialization of life science research innovations that address serious infectious disease health threats while creating jobs and encouraging continued growth.

Eligible companies that are developing promising diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, and other innovations to prevent, treat or mitigate serious infectious disease threats can apply for grants of up to $4 million. New York’s academic research institutions also may apply for grants of up to $500,000 to help fast track advanced intellectual property in life sciences. An emphasis will be placed on supporting the development of innovations with the highest potential for commercial viability.

The deadline to apply is October 6, 2022 at 5 p.m. EDT. More information can be found here.

Governor Hochul said:

Governor Announces Federal and State Funding to Construct Battery Technology and Manufacturing Facility

The Governor announced Binghamton University will receive a combined investment of $113.7 million to support the creation of Battery-NY, a technology development, manufacturing, and commercialization energy storage hub. In addition to $50 million in state funding first announced by Governor Hochul in her 2022 State of the State address, Binghamton University was selected by the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration to receive $63.7 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge, a national competition that is providing investments to develop and strengthen regional industry clusters across the country, that also enhance economic equity, create good-paying jobs, and further the United States’ global competitiveness. Binghamton University was one of 21 chosen out of more than 500 applications originally which were narrowed to sixty applicants in round two of the challenge.

Governor Hochul said:

Farm Laborers Wage Board Makes Recommendations Regarding Overtime Threshold

The Farm Laborers Wage Board submitted its final report to Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon, voting to recommend reducing the state overtime threshold for farm workers from 60 hours per week to 40 hours per week. If the report is accepted by the commissioner, the overtime threshold would be reduced gradually over the course of the next ten years, according to the following schedule:

• 52 hours per week beginning on January 1, 2026
• 48 hours per week beginning on January 1, 2028
• 44 hours per week beginning on January 1, 2030
• 40 hours per week beginning on January 1, 2032

Labor Commissioner Reardon will have 45 days to review the report and recommendations and announce her decision. The Labor Department will publish a notice of receipt of the report in local newspapers sometime between September 7 and September 11. People can submit objections or recommendations to the commissioner within 15 days after that publication.

The Grow NY Farms Coalition released the following statement following the wage board’s vote:

“New Yorkers depend on the viability of local family farms. Yet, recommendations put forth by the Department of Labor in the Farm Laborers Wage Board report will put the future of farming in New York at risk. In fact, this report and its recommendations are not reflective of the significant data and research conducted by academics and industry experts, or the majority of public testimony provided throughout the public hearing process. We urge Governor Hochul to direct Commissioner Reardon and the Department of Labor to dismiss this report and pause any decisions relating to overtime until the USDA Census of Agriculture is released in 2024, which will help inform potential changes to our state’s volatile, fragile, and necessary agriculture industry.”

Yuh-Line Niou Will Not Run for Congress on WFP Ballot Line

Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou announced this week that she would not challenge Democratic primary winner Dan Goldman for the right to represent New York’s 10^th congressional district.  Assemblymember Niou was defeated narrowly by Goldman in the crowded primary. It was speculated that Niou may challenge Goldman on the Working Families Party ballot line which may well have produced a different result in a less crowded race.