Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

October 17, 2022

What’s Inside

  • Governor Signs Legislation Ending the Practice of Charging Additional Fees on Outstanding Student Debt
  • Governor Announces Second Round of Abortion Provider Support Fund Awards
  • Governor Announces Federal Funding for Emergency Preparedness and Counterterrorism Efforts
  • Temporary Stay on Concealed Carry Restraining Order Issued
  • Political Updates
  • Coming Up

Governor Signs Legislation Ending the Practice of Charging Additional Fees on Outstanding Student Debt

The Governor signed legislation (S.7862B/A.10261) adding a provision to the state finance law prohibiting state agencies from collecting a 22 percent fee when enforcing debt collection on educational debt. Various state agencies collect educational debts owed to the State, and when unable to collect through traditional means, these debts may be referred to the Office of the Attorney General’s Civil Recoveries Bureau. Prior to the signing of this legislation, state law provided that the Attorney General recover its costs in pursuing collection of this educational debt through an additional fee of up to 22 percent of the outstanding debt.

Governor Hochul said:

When students across New York spoke up about the difficulties of digging out of debt, my administration listened. By signing this legislation, we are removing a barrier to higher education and ensuring that students can graduate without debilitating debt that has disproportionately hurt students least able to afford it. Every New Yorker deserves access to a quality education without fear of getting trapped in a cycle of debt.

Governor Announces Second Round of Abortion Provider Support Awards

The Governor announced $13.4 million awarded in the second round of the Abortion Provider Support Fund to 37 providers, covering 64 clinical sites to further expand access to abortion services in New York.

Second round awardees are:

  • A Bronx Women’s Medical Pavilion, PC: 1 clinic
  • Albany Medical College: 1 clinic
  • All Women’s Medical Office Based Surgery, PLLC: 2 clinics
  • Buffalo Women Services, LLC: 1 clinic
  • Choices Women’s Medical Center: 1 clinic
  • Community Healthcare Network, Inc.: 3 clinics
  • Erie County Department of Health: 1 clinic
  • Flushing OBGYN PC: 1 clinic
  • Juniper Midwifery and Nurse Practitioner, PLLC: 1 clinic
  • Maimonides Medical Center: 5 clinics
  • Montefiore Medical Center: 1 clinic
  • Mount Sinai Beth Israel: 1 clinic
  • Mount Sinai South Nassau Family Medical Center: 2 clinics
  • Mount Sinai West Hospital: 1 clinic
  • New York City Health + Hospitals/Bellevue: 1 clinic
  • New York City Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst: 1 clinic
  • New York City Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan Hospital: 1 clinic
  • New York City Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health: 1 clinic
  • New York City Health + Hospitals/WOODHULL: 1 clinic
  • New York City Health + Hospitals, Queens: 1 clinic
  • New York Presbyterian Hospital: 1 clinic
  • North Central Bronx Hospital: 1 clinic
  • North Shore University Hospital: 2 clinics
  • NYU Langone Hospitals: 4 clinics
  • OB GYN Associates, Inc.: 2 clinics
  • Parkmed NYC, LLC: 1 clinic
  • Professional Brooklyn Gynecology Services—PBGS, LLC: 1 clinic
  • Rendr/Triboro Medical: 2 clinics
  • South Shore University Hospital: 1 clinic
  • Stony Brook University Hospital: 1 clinic
  • SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University—University Hospital of Brooklyn: 3 clinics
  • The Mount Sinai Hospital: 1 clinic
  • Unity Hospital of Rochester: 1 clinic
  • University Gynecologists and Obstetricians, Inc.: 2 clinics
  • University of Rochester Medical Center: 1 clinic
  • Weill Medical College of Cornell University: 9 clinics
  • Westchester Medical Center: 3 clinics

Governor Hochul said:

New York State is committed to protecting reproductive rights, and as other states wage a war on abortion access we will continue to be a safe harbor. To ensure access to reproductive health care, we must provide the resources and support providers need. I will not stand by and allow women to be subjected to government-mandated pregnancies.

Governor Announces Federal Funding for Emergency Preparedness and Counterterrorism Efforts

The Governor announced $246 million in federal funding to support counterterrorism and emergency preparedness efforts across New York. The funding, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through its FY2022 Homeland Security Grant Program, supports regional homeland security preparedness efforts, including planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise activities. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Homeland Security Grant Program is comprised of three separate risk-based grants aimed at assisting state, local, and tribal efforts in preventing, preparing for, protecting against, and responding to acts of terrorism. Those programs are the State Homeland Security Program, the Urban Area Security Initiative and Operation Stonegarden.

More information and awards can be found here.

Temporary Stay on Concealed Carry Restraining Order Issued

A federal judge granted an interim administrative stay to the temporary restraining order issued last week by a lower court regarding New York’s recently passed concealed carry gun law. The ruling by U.S. Circuit Judge Eunice C. Lee means that the law will remain in effect until a three-judge panel from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals considers a full stay.

Attorney General Letitia James said:

I am pleased that the full Concealed Carry Improvement Act will stay in effect and continue to protect communities as the appeals process moves forward. My office will continue our efforts to protect the safety of everyday New Yorkers and defend our common-sense gun laws.

Governor Hochul said:

The interim administrative stay of the district court’s temporary restraining order is an important and appropriate step and affirms that the Concealed Carry Improvement Act will remain in effect during the appeals process. My top priority will always be to keep New Yorkers safe, and we will continue working with the Office of the Attorney General to defend our gun safety laws.

Political Updates

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

Gov. Kathy Hochul leads Rep. Lee Zeldin in campaign cash on hand — $10.9M to $4.5M.

Hochul Leading Zeldin in latest Marist Poll.

New York Business Council endorses Hochul in governor’s race.

Newsday poll: Strong support for abortion rights, concerns about crime, housing affordability.

New York League of Conservation Voters issues endorsements in key races.

Zeldin campaign seizes on shooting outside his home.

Deputy BP Diana Richardson fired from Brooklyn Borough Hall over toxic workplace.

Buffalo News Editorial Board: Dark money drives elections in unhealthy secrecy.

Newsday Opinion endorsements 2022.

Republicans call out Democratic state Senate candidate Ostrelich for comments from April event.

Hochul orders investigation into Connetquot school Pride flags ban.

Could Chris Jacobs’ political future include an Erie County executive run?

Newsday: LIPA commission is already a fiasco.

Coming Up

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on primary prevention services in New York on October 18.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on public assistance benefits in New York on October 26.

The Senate will hold a public hearing on deed theft on October 27.

The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on November 14 and 15.

The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on November 17.