Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – November 13, 2018

What’s Inside

  • Governor Takes a Victory Lap, Urges Moderation by Incoming Senate Majority
  • Underwood to Return to Solicitor General Post Under New Attorney General
  • Cuomo Administration Personnel Changes
  • Assembly Speaker Releases 2019 Legislative Priorities List
  • Governor Announces Large-Scale Offshore Wind Solicitation
  • Governor Announces Funding for Supportive Housing
  • Governor Announces Funding for After School Programs
  • Profiles of Newly-Elected State Legislators
  • Political Update
  • Coming Up

Governor Takes a Victory Lap, Urges Moderation by Incoming Senate Majority

Last Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo appeared on a radio show, where he celebrated the Democrats’ Election Day successes (including his own), but said that he thinks the incoming Senate Democratic majority understands the need for moderation.

The Governor received about 3.4 million votes, the largest number that any governor has ever received. The approximately 59 percent of the vote he received was the eighth-highest share of the vote for any governor in state history. Voter turnout was significantly higher than in recent midterm elections.  About 5.7 million people cast a ballot in New York this year, up from the 3.9 million in 2014 and 4.7 million in 2010.]

The Governor explained why he thought the incoming Senate Democratic Majority would not push its agenda too far, too fast.  He said:

“I think she [incoming Senate Majority Leader Andrew Stewart-Cousins] understands the complexity … and she feels it, and her conference is a sophisticated conference. The people who won, these were very smart candidates, they’re sophisticated candies, so they understand that they have to represent the district, but they also understand that the conference has to represent the body politic statewide.”

If you still haven’t had enough midterm election news, check out some state “election takeaways” from City & State New York and Gannett, an election recap from Gotham Gazette, and an interactive map of State Senate race results.

Underwood to Return to Solicitor General Post Under New Attorney General

On Thursday, State Attorney General-elect Letitia James announced that current Attorney General Barbara Underwood will serve as her Solicitor General, a job Underwood held from 2007 until this May. After Eric Schneiderman resigned as Attorney General in May, Underwood was chosen by the Legislature to replace him. Her term ends on December 31.

Attorney General-elect James said:

“Since May of this year, Barbara Underwood has carried the mantle, serving New Yorkers as the state’s top law enforcement officer.  She is an exceptionally qualified attorney who has the experience and skills we need to continue taking on the greatest challenges facing our state. I am honored and proud to make this appointment and to have her serve alongside me.”

Cuomo Administration Personnel Changes

As Gov. Cuomo prepares for his third term in that office, some administration staff turnover is expected.

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos said this week that he will be leaving the position that he has held since 2015. He previously served as the Governor’s Deputy Secretary for the Environment.  The current Deputy Secretary for the Environment, Venetia Lannon, is also leaving the administration.

Rose Harvey, who has served as the commissioner of the state’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation since the Governor took office in January 2011, is also leaving her position.

Former Assemblyman Sam Roberts is leaving his position as Commissioner of the state’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).

Joe Lhota has resigned as Chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Fernando Ferrer, the MTA’s current Vice Chair, will serve as Acting Chair.

Assembly Speaker Releases 2019 Legislative Priorities List

Last Wednesday, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) released a list of some of the issues that the Assembly will be focusing on in 2019.  The Speaker noted that many of the assembly’s priorities have been blocked by a Republican-led Senate, and that he looks forward to working with incoming Senate Majority Leader Andrew Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers)

The Assembly Majority’s 2019 legislative priorities include addressing inequalities in education; update the state’s election laws; improving infrastructure; reforming the criminal justice system; curbing gun violence; reforming rent laws; passing the Child Victims Act to extend the statute of limitations for criminal and civil sexual abuse cases; protecting women’s reproductive rights, making health care more affordable; and economic development.

Speaker Heastie said:

“The 2018 elections marked a turning point in New York politics that has the potential to reverberate for generations to come if we listen to the voters who spoke so loudly on Election Day….In recent years, we have had to contend with a Republican Senate that limited our progress. But last night, New Yorkers and people across the country voted overwhelmingly to reject the status quo. Now it is up to us to deliver the results working with the new Senate Democratic Majority.”

Governor Announces Large-Scale Offshore Wind Solicitation

On Thursday, Gov. Cuomo announced that the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has issued a comprehensive solicitation seeking 800 megawatts or more of new offshore wind projects for New York, the state’s first step toward its goal of 2,400 megawatts of offshore wind by 2030. The awards for 25-year contracts are expected in the spring.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“This action is a watershed moment in New York’s renewable energy development efforts as we work to establish a secure, reliable and cost-effective clean energy future. New York will continue to combat climate change, investing in robust offshore wind development and clean energy that provides a path toward a greener and more sustainable future in our state and around the world.”

Governor Announces Funding for Supportive Housing

Last week, Gov. Cuomo announced that the state has awarded over $40 million for 11 supportive housing projects for that will create 276 supportive housing units for veterans, survivors of domestic violence and individuals with mental illness. The awards, made available through the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, will help fund supportive housing projects in Albany, Bronx, Niagara, New York, Ontario, Suffolk and Tompkins counties.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“These projects will provide some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers with the resources they need to stabilize their lives.  This administration is committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to safe, decent, affordable housing and to ending the homeless crisis once and for all.”

Governor Announces Funding for After School Programs

On Thursday, Gov. Cuomo announced that $6.8 million in Empire State After-School Program funding has been awarded to 15 high-need school districts and community-based organizations across the state. This funding will support the availability of 4,250 new slots to these programs, bringing the total number up to 89,000.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“After-school programs not only help students stay on track outside the classroom, but offer at-risk youth the opportunity for socialization and access to critical services they may not otherwise receive.  By bolstering our after-school programs across the state, we can guide even more students toward the path to success and ensure each and every New York student has the opportunity to thrive.”

Profiles of Newly-Elected State Legislators

There will be 17 new State Senators and 21 new Assemblymembers taking office in January 2019.  Between now and the end of the year, Plugged In will provide brief profiles of these newly-elected members.

Senators

In Suffolk County’s 3rd Senate District, Democrat Monica Martinez will replace Republican Tom Croci, who did not run for re-election.  Martinez has served as a Suffolk County legislators since 2013.  She previously taught high school social studies and served as an Assistant Principal at a middle school.  Her legislative priorities include “enacting gun-safety measures, supporting public education, protecting women’s health care, leading the fight against violent gangs like MS-13, and fighting back against the Trump and Washington Republican assault against New York,”

In the 11th Senate District in Queens, Democrat John Liu will replace fellow Democrat Tony Avella, whom he beat in a primary. Liu previously served as New York City Comptroller from 2010 to 2013, and as a New York City Council member 2002 to 2009.  Liu’s priorities include protecting immigrants and making sure that workers are treated fairly.

In Manhattan’s 31st Senate District, Democrat Robert Jackson will replace fellow Democrat Marisol Alcantara.  Jackson was a New York City Council member from 2002 to 2013.  He supports funding the state’s public schools; strengthen rent laws to protect tenants; supports the NY Health Act; ethics reform, election reform and criminal justice reform.

In the Capital Region’s 43rd Senate District, Republican Daphne Jordan was elected to replace fellow Republican Kathy Marchione, who did not run for re-election.  She previously served as Halfmoon Town Councilmember and as Chief of Staff to Senator Marchione.  Her legislative priorities include tax relief; economic development; cutting wasteful government spending and job-killing red tape; and opposing unfunded state mandates that drive up property taxes.

Assembly Members

 In Suffolk County’s 9th Assembly District, Republican Mike LiPetri defeated incumbent Democrat Christine Pellegrino.  LiPetri, an attorney, has promised to “fight to cut spending, reduce entitlements and decrease New York’s property taxes,” and to “create new job opportunities by incentivizing small business growth and eliminating burdensome regulations.”

In Nassau County’s 21st Assembly District, Democrat Judy Griffin defeated incumbent Republican Brian Curran.  Her legislative priorities include reducing the property tax burden; improving health care; protecting the environment and supporting public education.

In the 87th Assembly District in the Bronx, Democrat Karine Reyes was elected to replace fellow Democrat Louis Sepulveda, who was elected to the State Senate in April.  Her legislative priorities include improving access to health care; better education; job creation and protecting workers’ health and safety.

In the 133rd Assembly District in the Finger Lakes region, Republican Marjorie Byrnes was elected to replace fellow Republican Joe Errigo, whom she beat in the September primary. Her priorities include infrastructure, school safety, term limits and protecting Second Amendment rights.

In Erie County’s 142nd Assembly District, Democrat Patrick Burke defeated incumbent Erik Bohen.  Burke was elected to the Erie County legislature in 2013.  His legislative priorities include growing the economy; protecting drinking water; and addressing the opioid crisis.

Political Update

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.

The Albany Times Union also published a list of New York’s Election Day winners & losers.

Coming Up

Later today, the New York State Compensation Commission holds its first meeting.

On November 15, the Assembly Elections Committee is holding a public hearing to “examine ways to improve access to voting, both in person and by absentee ballot, including through early voting and no-excuse absentee ballot reforms.

On November 16, the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee is holding a public hearing in Albany “to examine recycling-related issues.”

On November 16, the Assembly Judiciary Committee is holding a public hearing in New York City “to examine the current status and potential expansion of electronic filing of court papers in New York.”

On November 19, the Assembly Committees n Codes, Health, Government Operations and Alcoholism and Drug Abuse are holding a public hearing in Buffalo “to seek input on proposals to legalize, regulate and tax adult use of marijuana in New York.” A second hearing will be held in Binghamton on November 20.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) holds its next meeting on November 27.

The state Board of Regents holds its next meeting on December 10 and 11.

On December 14, the State Board of Elections meets.