Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – December 11, 2018

What’s Inside

  • Governor to Deliver 3rd Inaugural Address on Ellis Island
  • Compensation Committee Recommends Pay Increases, Tied to Reforms
  • Smart Schools Review Board Approves Funding
  • State Comptroller Increases State Pension Fund’s Sustainable Investment Program
  • Developers Sentenced to Prison for Bid Rigging
  • Profiles of Newly-Elected State Legislators
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

Governor to Deliver 3rd Inaugural Address on Ellis Island

Last Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo announced that he will deliver his 3rd inaugural address on January 1, 2019 on Ellis Island, the historic gateway for over 12 million immigrants coming to the United States.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“In these stormy times, Ellis Island is an enduring symbol of who we are as a nation. This historic gateway to America reminds us of the core values that built our state and our country, and it will serve as a fitting location to launch a new term fighting for New Yorkers and for the soul of this nation. New York has always been a beacon of hope and opportunity, and today more than ever we are called upon to lead the way forward and set a progressive example for the rest of the country to follow.”

Compensation Committee Recommends Pay Increases, Tied to Reforms

On Thursday, the New York State Compensation Committee voted in favor of pay raises for the Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, the 213 members of the state Assembly and Senate as well as cabinet-level officials.

Under the committee’s recommendations, the Governor’s salary would increase from $178,000 today to $250,000 in 2022.  State lawmakers, who currently earn $79,500, would have their salaries increased to $110,000 in 2019, to $120,000 in 2020, and $130,000 in 2021.

The pay raises will go into effect unless the Legislature rejects them.  The pay increase for these officials would be their first in 20 years.

The committee also recommended limiting outside income for state legislators to 15 percent of their salary, which is the rule for members of Congress, and the elimination of committee stipends (commonly known as “lulus”) for all but the top legislative leaders. (The committee will not release its final recommendation until next Monday, so the exact details of what members are recommending will not be known until known until then.) A number of good government groups expressed support for the limits on outside income and stipends.

Some have argued that the Compensation Committee does not have the legal authority to address the issues of “outside income” and legislative stipends.  It is possible that this will result in a court challenge or legislative action in the upcoming legislative session.

Smart Schools Review Board Approves Funding

Last week, Gov. Cuomo announced that the Smart Schools Review Board approved some $416 million in spending for 57 projects around the state. The Board approved $383 million for technology updates and connectivity in New York City schools — $250 million for wired and wireless broadband connectivity and $133 million for in-classroom tech such as laptops, desktop computers, tablets and charging carts.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“Through the Smart Schools Bond Act, we are bringing every classroom into the 21st century by equipping them with modern broadband and other technology and in the process knocking down barriers to inequality. This funding will help ensure every child in New York has the tools they need to compete in the economy of the future.”

To date, the Board has distributed about $1.3 billion of the $2 billion authorized by voters in 2014.

State Comptroller Increases State Pension Fund’s Sustainable Investment Program

On Friday, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced an increase to the New York State Common Retirement Fund’s Sustainable Investment Program, raising its total commitment to $10 billion. An additional $3 billion will be invested in sustainable assets, which may include real estate or private equity, low-carbon index funds or green bonds.

Comptroller DiNapoli said:

“Climate change poses a significant threat to our investments. Smart, sustainable investments protect the long-term value of the Fund and at the same time can be a powerful tool for helping to address the risk of climate change. The current Administration in Washington may have withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, but in New York ‘We Are Still In’ and committed to making the Paris Agreement’s goals a reality. I’m determined to keep New York State’s pension plan well-funded and invested in the emerging low carbon global economy.”

Climate change activists have called on Comptroller DiNapoli to divest all state pension funds from fossil fuel-related investments, but he has resisted doing so. He said that he prefers to use the state’s $207 billion pension fund to pressure high-emissions industry companies to evaluate climate risks and take other measures to address climate change.

Developers Sentenced to Prison for Bid Rigging

Last Monday, a federal judge sentenced Buffalo developer Louis Ciminelli to 28 months in prison and ordered him to pay a $500,000 fine for his role in for conspiring to rig the bids on $855 million in state contracts relating to the Governor’s Buffalo Billion initiative. Ciminelli, the owner of LPCiminelli, will remain free on bail pending an appeal.

On Thursday, a federal judge sentenced Syracuse developer Joseph Gerardi to 30 months in prison and a $500,000 fine for his role in a bid-rigging scheme relating to state developments in the Syracuse area. Gerardi, an executive at COR Development Co., will also remain free on bail pending an appeal.

On Friday, a federal judge sentenced COR co-founder Steven Aiello to three years in prison and a $500,000 fine for conspiring to bribe a state official and of playing a role in the rigging of competitive bids for state construction contracts. Aiello will have to report to prison on March 1 unless a judge allows him to remain free on bail while appealing his conviction.

Profiles of Newly-Elected State Legislators

Senate

Democrat Andrew Gounardes defeated incumbent Republican State Senator Martin Golden in the 22nd Senate District in Brooklyn.  Gounardes, who most recently served as counsel to the Brooklyn Borough President, supports New York City’s school-zone speed camera program; a statewide single-payer healthcare system; the Reproductive Health Act; and addressing climate change.

Democrat Jen Metzger was elected to replace Republican John Bonacic, who did not run for re-election.  Metzger will represent the 42nd Senate District, which includes parts of Orange, Ulster and Delaware counties, and all of Sullivan County.  Most recently, she founded and served as Director of Citizens for Local Power, which helps communities in the Mid-Hudson Region transition to a locally-based, clean energy economy. Her legislative priorities include fully funded schools; property tax relief; healthcare for all; and a statewide clean energy economy that creates good local jobs.

Assembly

Democrat Charles Fall won the race to replace fellow Democrat Matt Titone, who ran successfully for Surrogates Court. He will represent the 61st Assembly District, which includes the north shore of Staten Island.  He previously served as chief of staff to the city Park Department’s Staten Island commissioner.  His legislative priorities include improving transportation; improving health care; addressing the opioid epidemic; fair funding for public education; and increasing funding for youth programming, including after-school and summer programs.

Republican Robert Smullen was elected the seat formerly held by Republican Marc Butler, who did not run for re-election.  He will represent 118th Assembly District, which includes all or parts of Herkimer, Fulton, Oneida, Hamilton and St. Lawrence counties. Smullen retired from the Marine Corps in 2015 after serving 24 years. He served three combat tours in Afghanistan and as executive director of the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District.  His legislative priorities include reducing the tax burden; eliminating unfunded mandates; and reducing state regulations.

Democrat Jamie Romeo will replace fellow Democrat Joe Morelle, who was elected to Congress. She will represent the 136th Assembly District, which includes Irondequoit, Brighton, and the east side of Rochester. She previously served as executive and chairwoman of the Monroe County Democratic Committee, and as chief of staff for State Senator Ted O’Brien. Her legislative priorities include sustainable economic development; ensuring funding for public schools; and universal healthcare.

Political Update

Governor Cuomo Again Rules Out 2020 Run

In an interview with WNYC last Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo again said he will not run for president in 2020.  He said “I am ruling it out…I ran for governor, I have a full plate, I have many projects—I’m going to be here doing the job of governor.”

Listen to the full interview here.

Attorney General-Elect James Name Transition Committee

Attorney General-Elect Tish James has named 36 people, including former federal and state prosecutors, lawmakers, academics and litigators from across the state to her transition team.

See the full list of her transition team members here.

Winners & Losers

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

Coming Up

On December 12, the Assembly’s Veteran’s Affairs Committee is holding a public hearing in Albany on veterans’ employment programs.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) holds its next meeting on December 13.

On December 14, the State Board of Elections meets.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on December 18.

On December 18, the annual award ceremony for the state’s Regional Economic Development Councils will be held in Albany.

On January 1, 2019, Gov. Cuomo will deliver his 3rd inaugural address on Ellis Island, the historic gateway for millions of immigrants coming to the United States.

The New York State’s 2019 legislative session begins on Wednesday, January 9.

On January 23, the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee is holding a public hearing “to examine recycling-related issues.”