Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

December 5, 2022

What’s Inside

  • Governor Announces Round XII of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative Awards
  • Department of Health Commissioner Announces Resignation
  • Commission on Judicial Nomination Submits Candidates for Court of Appeals Vacancy
  • Governor Makes Final Nominee to New Ethics Panel
  • Manual Recount Begins in New York’s 50th State Senate District
  • Assembly and Senate Minority Leaders Re-Elected
  • Assembly Considers Voting Against Seating Brooklyn Republican
  • Independent Redistricting Commission Releases Draft Assembly Maps
  • Political Updates
  • Coming Up

Governor Announces Round XII of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative Awards

The Governor announced that more than $68 million has been awarded to support 74 projects across New York State through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Round XII included core capital grant and tax-credit funding from Empire State Development, which was made available on a continuous and competitive basis. The application for Empire State Development Grant funds remains open, and applications are being reviewed on an on-going basis until funds are exhausted. Applicants can apply through the Consolidated Funding Application.

A full list of 2022 awards can be found here.

Governor Hochul said:

Through the Regional Economic Development Councils, we continue to make strategic investments across New York that align with each community’s top priorities. I’m proud to announce this next round of awards that were recommended by stakeholders who live and work in the regions they represent. This investment will help bring more opportunity for New Yorkers, spur economic development, and fuel the future success of communities across our state.

Department of Health Commissioner Announces Resignation

Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett released the following statement via press release:

I have submitted my resignation as New York State Health Commissioner effective January 1, 2023, when I will return to the Harvard Chan School of Public Health. This was a very difficult decision. I have tremendous admiration for the work our staff has done during a very difficult year responding to COVID, mpox, polio and the day-to-day challenges of protecting New Yorkers’ health. I am leaving now so the next commissioner can have the chance to lead this great department for a full 4-year term under the leadership of Gov. Hochul. I am grateful that the Governor gave me the opportunity to serve as commissioner, and I know that the department and public health will be in good hands thanks to her leadership and the incredible talent and dedication of the staff. Though I am moving back to Massachusetts, I will always be a New Yorker, and I look forward to cheering on the department’s accomplishments in the coming years.

Commission on Judicial Nomination Submits Candidates for Court of Appeals Vacancy

The Commission on Judicial Nomination, tasked with evaluating and recommending candidates for vacancies on New York’s Court of Appeals, released a report providing seven candidates from which the Governor must choose to fill the vacancy left by Chief Judge Janet DiFiore’s resignation. the Governor is required to make her appointment from among this list no sooner than December 8, 2022 nor later than December 23, 2022. The State Senate then, within 30 days after receipt of the Governor’s choice, must confirm or reject the appointment.

The Commission’s seven nominees (in alphabetical order) to the Governor are:

  • Anthony Cannataro, Associate Judge of the New York Court of Appeals and Acting Chief Judge;
  • Abbe R. Gluck, Esq., Alfred M. Rankin Professor of Law and Faculty Director of the Solomon Center for Health Law and Policy, Yale Law School; and Professor of Internal Medicine (General Medicine), Yale Medical School;
  • Hector D. LaSalle, Presiding Justice, Appellate Division, Second Department;
  • Jeffrey K. Oing, Associate Justice, Appellate Division, First Department;
  • Alicia Ouellette, Esq., President and Dean, Albany Law School;
  • Edwina G. Richardson-Mendelson, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives, Judge of the Court of Claims and Acting Justice of the Supreme Court; and,
  • Corey L. Stoughton, Esq., Attorney-in-Charge, Special Litigation and Law Reform, The Legal Aid Society

Governor Makes Final Nominee to New Ethics Panel

The Governor announced that Kaylin Whittingham has been nominated as the Executive Chamber’s third and final nominee to the Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government. In accordance with the Independent Review Committee’s procedures, upon completion of the public comment period, the nominee will be presented to the Independent Review Committee for qualification review.

Ms. Whittingham is the former president of the Association of Black Women Attorneys and currently is the Principal and Managing Attorney at Whittingham Law, her law firm specializing in the laws of professional responsibility for lawyers. Previously, Ms. Whittingham was the Staff Counsel of the Attorney Grievance Committee in the First Judicial Department in the Appellate Division for the New York State Supreme Court, and a Staff Attorney in the Mental Hygiene Legal Service.

Governor Hochul said:

The Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government is a crucial body aimed at holding government accountable and increasing transparency and accountability to benefit New Yorkers. I am pleased to nominate Ms. Whittingham for the Committee’s review and look forward to continuing our work to support the Commission’s efforts to restore trust in government.

Manual Recount Begins in New York’s 50th State Senate District

The manual recount of all cast ballots in the 50th State Senate district began this week. The race ended on election night with Republican challenger Rebecca Shiroff with a few hundred vote lead. After the counting of absentee ballots, incumbent Democratic Senator John Mannion took the lead by 51 votes, triggering an automatic hand recount. The process of manually tallying all votes is likely to take weeks but is not likely to change the outcome.

Assembly and Senate Minority Leaders Re-Elected

Central New York Assemblyman Will Barclay was re-elected minority leader of the Assembly Republican Conference. Barclay was first elected to the state Assembly in 2002 and has led the Assembly Republicans since 2020.

Barclay said:

I am profoundly grateful to the members of this Conference for the confidence and trust they’ve placed in me. It’s an honor to work alongside them. Day in and day out, they’re fighting to improve the lives of the people they represent. With the start of a new legislative session right around the corner, I’m looking forward to getting back to Albany and continuing our efforts to make New York safer, more affordable and more prosperous for families and businesses.

Republican State Senator Robert Ortt was re-elected minority leader of the Senate Republican Conference. Ortt was first elected to the state Senate in 2014 and took over as minority leader in 2018 after John Flanagan resigned to pursue a private sector opportunity.

Ortt said:

It is incredibly humbling to earn the support of my Senate Republican colleagues to continue serving in the critical role of Minority Leader. I thank my colleagues and the New Yorkers they represent for their continued trust and faith in my leadership. As we approach a New Year and new session with eight energetic new members and our outstanding returning members, our expanded Conference will continue to be a leading voice of reason and common sense in Albany. There is much more work to be done to make our state safer and more affordable for all.

Assembly Considers Voting Against Seating Brooklyn Republican

The Assembly is considering a vote against seating the Republican winner of an Assembly race in Brooklyn, Lester Chang, because they argue that he may not have moved into the borough one year prior to the election as required by law. Earlier this month, Chang defeated longtime Democratic incumbent Peter Abbate in Southern Brooklyn’s 49th District 52% to 47%. By law, Chang would have to have lived in the district for one year. But because of redistricting this year, he only has to have lived in the borough. The Assembly argues that because he voted last year in Manhattan and did not register to vote in Brooklyn until earlier this year, that he is not qualified to hold the seat.

Speaker Heastie is tasking the Judiciary Committee to begin a review and to complete its work by the end of the month. The completed review will be forwarded to the new Assembly for consideration when it convenes in January.

Independent Redistricting Commission Releases Draft Assembly Maps

The Independent Redistricting Commission released a draft Assembly map ahead of their December 2nd deadline. The map will now be subject to a public comment period and potential revisions. This map is the first work by the commission that has been submitted by the entire commission, as previous attempts resulted in two sets of maps being released along party lines. The commission will hold public hearings from Jan. 9 to March 1 across the state on the newly drawn map. The deadline for the commission to present a final map to the state Legislature is April 28, 2023.

Political Updates

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

Campaign donations, spending in NY governor’s race highest in 20 years.

Brooklyn Democratic machine appoints Little Pakistan residents to party posts without their knowledge.

Politico: New York Democrats didn’t defend their bail law changes. It bit them at the polls.

The GOP can thank suburban N.Y. for its slim control of the House.

‘I knew the vote would be close, but I didn’t think that close’: Iwen Chu’s History-Making Win in Brooklyn’s New 17th State Senate District.

Ethics commissioner apologizes for lapse in judgment.

House Democrats pick Hakeem Jeffries to succeed Nancy Pelosi.

New York state Sen. Tom O’Mara: One-party rule in Albany means lack of oversight.

Assemblyman Ashby prepares move to state Senate.

Serino encouraged to run for Dutchess County Executive.

Coming Up

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on the accuracy and effectiveness of the consumer credit reporting system on December 6.

The Senate will hold a public hearing to solicit feedback on S.15-A and S.7514 (parole eligibility) on December 7.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on home-based long-term care services on December 12.

The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on December 12 and 13.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on student learning loss on December 14.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on the future of public libraries on December 15.

The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on December 15.

The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government will hold their next meeting on December 20.