Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – August 2, 2019

What’s Inside

  • Governor Signs Marijuana Decriminalization Bill
  • Governor Signs Gun Control Legislation
  • Governor Announces Funding for Critical Infrastructure Improvements at New York Private, Not-For-Profit Colleges and Universities
  • Governor Announces Funding to Support Essential Health Care Services
  • New Proposed Regulations for Student Loan Servicers Announced
  • Former Ibero CEO Exploring State Senate Run
  • Updates, Reminders, and Links
  • Coming Up

Governor Signs Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

This week Governor Cuomo signed legislation (S.6579A/A.8420) decriminalizing marijuana use in New York State. This legislation reduces the penalty for unlawful possession of marijuana to a violation punishable by a fine for amounts under two ounces, and creates a process for individuals who have been convicted for possessing small amounts of marijuana to have their records expunged. The bill will take effect at the end of August.

Governor Cuomo said:

“Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by laws governing marijuana for far too long, and today we are ending this injustice once and for all. By providing individuals who have suffered the consequences of an unfair marijuana conviction with a path to have their records expunged and by reducing draconian penalties, we are taking a critical step forward in addressing a broken and discriminatory criminal justice process.”

Governor Signs Gun Control Legislation

This week, Governor Cuomo signed a package of gun control legislation to extend waiting periods for gun purchases in certain circumstances, a bill to close existing statutory loopholes to prohibit ownership or sale of a bump stock, a bill criminalizing the manufacture, sale, transport and possession of firearms that are undetectable by a metal detector, including 3D printed guns, an expansion of laws requiring the safe storage of firearms, a bill limiting an educational institution’s ability to authorize certain individuals from carrying a firearm on school grounds, and directing State Police to establish statewide regulations aimed at strengthening existing gun buyback programs.

  • Extended Waiting Period (2374/A.2690) – Current federal law requires gun dealers to conduct a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check on a potential purchaser prior to selling a firearm, which immediately provides the dealer with one of three possible notifications. These notifications include “proceed,” “denied,” or “delayed.” In the case of a “delayed” response, the dealer must wait three days before completing the sale, after three days, the dealer can complete the transaction regardless of whether or not the background check is completed in that time-frame. This bill extends the waiting period up to 30 days for the background check to be completed in cases where a delayed notification is issued.
  • Bump Stock Ban (2448/A.2684) – Bump stock devices attach to semi-automatic weapons and allow shooters to fire ammunition faster than a human could pull the trigger manually. This legislation will prohibit the possession, manufacture, transportation, shipment and sale of any items that accelerate the firing rate of firearms, rifles or shotguns.
  • 3D Printed Gun Ban (1414-A/A.0763-A) – This bill amends the penal law to criminalize the manufacture, sale or transport of an undetectable firearm by making such a Class D felony. The bill also makes possession of an undetectable firearm, rifle or shotgun a Class E felony.
  •  Safe Storage (6360/A.8174) – This bill will require firearm owners store their weapons in a locked or otherwise inaccessible location when they live with someone under the age of sixteen or have reason to know will be accessible by someone under the age of sixteen. The bill will continue to permit properly licensed or supervised individuals under the age of sixteen to hunt or practice at a firing range in accordance with existing law. 
  • Preventing School Districts from Arming Teachers (101/A.1715) – This legislation stipulates that educational institutions can’t issue written authorization to carry a gun to any teacher, professor, administrator or other person who is not primarily employed as a school resource officer, law enforcement officer or security guard. The bill applies to all public, non-public, BOCES, charter schools, 853s, special act schools, 4201, and 4410 and will take effect immediately. 
  • Statewide Regulations for Gun Buy Back Programs (2449/A.2685) – This legislation directs the State Police to work with the Department of State to establish regulations for gun buyback programs so that all buyback programs across the state are operated consistently with uniform best practices, and that these programs take place in every county in the state. The bill will take effect 180 days after becoming law.

Governor Cuomo said:

“For too long gun violence has plagued communities across our nation and while the federal government turns a blind eye, New York continues leading the way forward to protect our families and our children. By signing these measures into law we are strengthening our nation-leading gun laws – banning devices whose sole purpose is to create the most bloodshed in the shortest timeframe and providing law enforcement the tools they need to stop firearms from falling into dangerous hands.”

Governor Announces Funding for Critical Infrastructure Improvements at New York Private, Not-For-Profit Colleges and Universities

Governor Cuomo announced $21.3 million in grants for capital projects at 35 colleges and universities across New York. The funding comes from the Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program (HECap) and is awarded by the HECap Board, which provides matching grants to private, not-for-profit colleges and universities for projects that create construction jobs and drive investment in communities across the state. The complete list of awards is as follows:

  • Adelphi University – $1,000,000 for the renovation of six student housing facilities
  • Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – $253,820 for the renovation of the Biology Laboratory for Health Sciences Education
  • Canisius College – $278,350 for the replacement of the roof of the science building
  • Clarkson University – $750,000 for the renovation of the Educational Resources Center Atrium, including purchase & installation of equipment
  • Columbia University – $1,000,000 for the construction of an open space, including a series of plazas, streetscapes & green spaces
  • The Cooper Union – $181,582 for the advancement of science and art technology upgrades at The Cooper Union
  • Daemen College – $282,072 for the phase B upgrades to the science facilities
  • D’Youville College – $76,750 for the creation of an incubator for nursing and interprofessional care, including purchase of equipment & furniture
  • Fordham University – $1,000,000 for the renovation of open space, including a new front entrance & community park
  • Hofstra University – $715,000 for the renovation & upgrades to two student residential facilities
  • Iona College – $1,000,000 for the renovation of the Hynes Athletics Center East
  • Long Island University – $618,250 for the construction of a Confocal Microscopy Core Laboratory
  • Manhattan College – $1,000,000 for phase 4 renovation to the Leo Engineering Building
  • Maria College – $1,000,000 for the creation of new campus entrances & accessibility upgrades to two buildings
  • Marist College – $744,398 for the renovation of an office space as well as purchase & installation of equipment
  • Marymount Manhattan College – $437,500 for the modernization of elevators at Marymount Manhattan College
  • Medaille College – $1,000,000 for the construction of baseball/softball fields
  • Mercy College – $750,000 for the purchase of equipment & furniture for the Mercy Manhattan Campus
  • Molloy College – $1,000,000 for the construction of a residence hall
  • Nazareth College – $312,500 for the replacement of windows in Smyth Hall
  • New York Academy of Art – $59,375 for the purchase of safety, technology, and classroom equipment
  • New York Medical College – $450,000 for the expansion of the Bio Inc. Facility
  • Niagara University – $1,000,000 for upgrades to the Kiernan Center
  • Pace University – $1,000,000 for the renovation of the sixth floor classroom at One Pace Plaza West
  • Paul Smith’s College – $75,385 for the renovation and upgrades to the Freer Science Building including furniture and equipment
  • Rochester Institute of Technology – $1,000,000 for the expansion & upgrade of RIT’s Semiconductor & Microsystems Fabrication Laboratory
  • Sarah Lawrence College – $712,500 for the purchase & installation of a new HVAC system
  • Bonaventure University – $1,000,000 for the purchase of equipment for Francis Hall
  • Francis College – $50,000 for phase 2 upgrades to the college library
  • John’s University –  $381,035 for technology upgrades at the Staten Island campus
  • Joseph’s College – $170,000 for renovations to the Dillon Center observation rooms, as well as construction of bathrooms
  • Thomas Aquinas College – $78,149 for the purchase of equipment & furniture
  • University of Rochester – $1,000,000 for the expansion of Helen Wood Hall
  • Utica College – $312,711 for campus-wide improvements to safety & security equipment
  • Wagner College – $600,000 for the construction of an athletic facility

Governor Cuomo said:

“New York has a world-class education system, and we must continue to invest in our educational institutions to provide New York students with an optimal living and learning environment to succeed. These investments in our college campuses will not only benefit our next generation of leaders, they will also strengthen our communities and provide an economic boost to the entire state.”  

Governor Announces Funding to Support Essential Health Care Services

Governor Cuomo announced $187 million in funding to support 25 statewide projects that are designed to protect and transform New York State’s health care system. This funding from the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program is intended to improve patient care through the development of high-quality medical facilities and programs serving the inpatient, primary care, mental health, substance use disorder and long-term care needs of communities throughout the State. A complete list of the awards is as follows:

Capital Region

  • Columbia Memorial Hospital – $17,356,000 to retire debt to better position the organization to modernize and right-size inpatient facilities and expand community-based outpatient services;

 Central New York

  • Liberty Resources, Inc. – $5,762,489 to retire debt to better position the organization to increase capacity for primary care, substance use disorder treatment, mental health and health home services;

 Finger Lakes

  • Frederick Ferris Thompson Hospital – $9,616,887 to purchase a new Electronic Health Record system to facilitate integration with the University of Rochester Medical Center;
  • Rochester General Hospital – $4,943,826 for capital improvements to expand the Center for Refugee Health to increase access to primary care, dental and behavioral health services;
  • United Memorial Medical Center – $7,500,000 to construct a new Healthy Living Campus to increase access to primary and behavioral health services;

 Long Island

  • John T. Mather Memorial Hospital of Port Jefferson NY, Inc. – $6,750,000 for capital improvements to relocate and expand behavioral and substance use disorder treatment services including Medication Assisted Treatment, adolescent psychiatric partial hospitalization services, and an outpatient crisis center;
  • Mercy Medical Center – $6,875,750 to construct a new Outpatient Behavioral Health Center to expand services and integrate primary care;
  • Charles Hospital – $4,237,500 for capital improvements to expand the Emergency Department to increase capacity and accommodate residents seeking medically supervised detoxification services;

 Mid-Hudson

  • Catskill Regional Medical Center – $12,900,000 to retire debt to better position the organization to preserve essential services, develop a telehealth network and expand behavioral health services;
  • Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center, Inc. – $11,991,300 for capital improvements to renovate the main site facility in Mt. Vernon to preserve access to essential health care services;
  • John’s Riverside Hospital – $29,084,615 to retire debt to better position the organization for long-term sustainability;
  • The Mental Health Association of Westchester, Inc. – $4,594,720 to construct a new health center to expand primary, integrated behavioral health care, dental and specialty care;

 Mohawk Valley

  • Charles T. Sitrin Health Care Center, Inc. – $3,235,065 for capital improvements to modernize facility and upgrade technology including a new Electronic Health Record system to enhance operational efficiency;
  • Rome Memorial Hospital, Inc. – $3,051,469 for capital improvements to expand program and rehabilitation services and the senior behavioral health unit at the hospital’s nursing home;

 New York City

  • Premium Health – $3,000,000 to retire debt and use the resulting operating budget savings to implement a medically integrated nutrition program, a care management program, and other initiatives to more fully engage patients and families in achieving health care goals;
  • Reality House, Inc. – $5,443,300 to construct an addition to the facility to expand residential substance use disorder treatment services and integrated, outpatient primary and behavioral health care services;
  • Mary’s Center, Inc. – $5,799,610 to construct a new health center to expand access to integrated primary and behavioral health care services;
  • The Puerto Rican Organization to Motivate, Enlighten, and Serve Addicts, Inc. (PROMESA) – $1,195,955 to renovate the Clay Avenue Health Center to expand integrated primary care and mental health services;

 Northern New York

  • Alice Hyde Medical Center – $1,542,615 for capital improvements to purchase telemetry monitoring equipment, upgrade the pharmacy, and relocate and expand the Women’s Health Center;
  • Town of Massena, NY – $20,000,000 to retire debt and support the conversion of Massena Memorial Hospital from a public to a voluntary non-profit hospital affiliated with St. Lawrence Health System as part of an overall sustainability plan to preserve essential health care services in the Town of Massena;

Southern Tier

  • Alcohol and Drug Council of Tompkins County, Inc. – $5,597,000 to construct a new, 40 bed residential substance use disorder treatment facility in Greenfield to expand access to comprehensive behavioral health services;
  • Alcohol and Drug Council of Tompkins County, Inc. – $1,364,000 to support start-up costs associated with the creation of a new residential substance use disorder treatment facility in Greenfield;
  • Council on Alcohol & Substance Abuse of Livingston County, Inc. – $4,551,000 to construct a new residential and recovery facility to establish a continuum of care for substance use disorders;

 Western New York

  • Northwest Buffalo Community Health Care Center, Inc. – $7,676,625 to purchase property to increase capacity for primary care, dental and behavioral health care services;
  • The Chautauqua Center – $3,000,000 to purchase and renovate a building in Dunkirk to expand integrated primary care, dental and behavioral health care services.

 Governor Cuomo said:

 “While the federal administration continues its years-long campaign to curb critical healthcare protections, we are doubling down on our commitment to ensuring New Yorkers have access to the high-quality and affordable care they need. These investments will continue to build a modern, sustainable and fully integrated health care infrastructure centered on improving the well-being of all New Yorkers.”

New Proposed Regulations for Student Loan Servicers Announced

This week the Department of Financial Services (DFS) proposed new regulations to govern student loan servicers. The proposed regulation is subject to a 60-day comment period following publication in the State Register on July 31, 2019. The Department of Financial Services will then review all received comments and issue a final regulation. Under the proposed regulation, student loan servicers will be required to:

  • Provide clear and complete information concerning fees, payments due, and terms and conditions of loans;
  • Apply payments in borrowers’ best interest, rather than in ways that maximize servicer fees;
  • Inform borrowers of income-based repayment and loan forgiveness options;
  • Maintain and provide to consumers a detailed history of their account;
  • When a borrower’s loan is transferred to a new servicer, ensure all necessary servicing information is transferred with the loan so the borrower’s repayment;
  • Provide accurate information to credit reporting agencies; and
  • Provide timely and substantive responses to consumer complaints.

DFS Superintendent Linda Lacewell said:

“New York’s more than 2 million student loan borrowers, who are already bearing the enormous burden of debt, should not have to suffer abuse by student loan servicers after investing in their education. We look forward to protecting New York students, their families and their futures under this new regulatory regime.”

Former Ibero CEO Exploring State Senate Run

Hilda Rosario Escher, the former CEO of Ibero-American Action League, announced Monday that she plans to explore a run for New York State Senate. Rosario Escher would be running for the New York State Senate’s 56th District seat, which is currently held by Joseph Robach. The 56th Senate District encompasses part of the City of Rochester, as well as Brighton, Clarkson, Gates, Greece, Hamlin, and Parma.

Rosario Escher said in a statement:

“We need to ensure that our leaders in Albany are committed to educating our future, committed to promoting economic growth and prosperity, committed to investing more state aid into the region, and committed to enhancing Rochester and Monroe County for young adults to move here and stay to raise a family.” 

Updates, Reminders, and Links

City & State NY’s Winners and Losers here.

City & State NY’s Political Consultants Power 50 here.

City & State NY’s 40 under 40 here.

Coming Up

The PSC will hold its next meeting on Thursday, August 8.

The New York State Joint Senate Task Force on Opioids, Addiction and Overdose Prevention will hold a public hearing to hear from stakeholders on strategies for reducing overdoses, improving individual and community health, and addressing the harmful consequences of drug use on August 9.

The New York City Regional Economic Development Council will hold an information session on the Workforce Development Initiative on August 20.

The Board of Regents will hold its next meeting on September 9 and 10.

JCOPE will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, September 10.