Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – November 13, 2020

What’s Inside

  • Governor Announces New COVID Restrictions
  • Senator Rachel May Wins Re-Election
  • Governor Cuomo Announces Cashless Tolling will Begin November 13
  • Assembly Minority Leader Tests Positive for COVID-19
  • NYSUT Launches Their Own COVID Tracking Website
  • Political Updates
  • Reminders, and Links
  • Coming Up

Governor Announces New COVID Restrictions

The Governor announced new restrictions on bars, restaurants, gyms and residential gatherings in New York State. Effective Friday at 10 p.m., bars, restaurants and gyms or fitness centers, as well as any State Liquor Authority-licensed establishment, will be required to close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily. Restaurants will still be allowed to provide curbside, food-only pick-up or delivery after 10 p.m., but will not be permitted to serve alcohol to go. The Governor also announced that indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences will be limited to no more than 10 people.

The Governor also announced a planned weekend summit with the Governors of neighboring states in order to coordinate and align coronavirus policies.

Governor Cuomo said:

“What we’re seeing is what they predicted for months. Who was listening. The scientists all predicted. We’re seeing a national and global COVID surge, and New York is a ship on the COVID tide, right. Yesterday, we actually saw, no I’m sorry, today, we’ve seen the country set a new record in terms of COVID cases, believe it or not. Record established on April 15th. So it is really getting much, much worse by the day.”

Senator Rachel May Wins Re-Election

Senator Rachel May has declared victory over her opponent Sam Rodgers in the race for the 53rd State Senate District. May only led by 136 votes after Election Day, but, absentee ballots counted so far have given her a commanding lead.

Senator May said:

“This has been an election year unlike any we’ve ever seen and the fact that so many people voted, whether by absentee ballot, early voting, or in person on Election Day, gives me hope for the future of our democracy.”

Governor Cuomo Announces Cashless Tolling will Begin November 13

The Governor announced cashless tolling will go live on the New York State Thruway ahead of schedule. The official switch will take place in the overnight hours of Friday November 13 to limit impact to traffic. At the time cashless tolling goes live, cash will no longer be accepted as a form of payment at toll booths and printed toll tickets will not be handed out. NY E-ZPass has released a new TollsNY mobile app to help drivers manage E-ZPass accounts, find and pay Tolls by Mail invoices, and get account alerts for tolls accrued at Thruway, MTA, and Port Authority tolling sites.

Governor Cuomo said:

“The completion of this exciting new project will help Thruway travelers save time, as well as reduce traffic, cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality all along the system. Getting this cashless tolling system done and getting it done early shows that -even in these trying times – New York will never stop innovating and never stop building for its future”

Assembly Minority Leader Tests Positive for COVID-19

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay announced this week that he has tested positive for COVID-19. Barclay has told the Syracuse Post-Standard that his symptoms are mild.

Barclay said:

“Since the start of the outbreak, I have taken social-distancing guidelines and prevention protocols very seriously, and I encourage others to continue to do so. I’m optimistic for a quick turnaround in the near future.”

NYSUT Launches Their Own COVID Tracking Website

New York State United Teachers has officially launched NYSUTCovidTracker.org to track coronavirus health and safety concerns. According to the Union, the website will help obtain reports of health and safety violations identified by school staff members, parents and community members.

NYSUT President Andy Pallotta said:

“A consistent flow of information about the safety of our schools is critical for educators, students and families, and this website is designed to help us all stay vigilant as the school year rolls on. Though we know some districts are working closely with their staffs to put health and safety first, problems still exist around the state. By empowering educators and community members to report their concerns, it’s our hope that we can elevate the voices of those who otherwise may go unheard.”

Political Updates

Absentee data offers clues in pending state Senate battle.

Still counting: Hinchey and Amedure, Metzger and Martucci.

NY Post: Some NY races may flip after absentees counted.

Long Island races to watch as absentee ballots eventually are counted.

Katko clinches over Balter.

Max Rose concedes to Nicolle Malliotakis.

Suozzi tells supporters he expects to win.

Absentee counting begins in Renna Vs. Mannion for Senate District 50.

Democrats call for ending bipartisan boards of election.

Reminders and Links

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

City & State NY’s The 2020 Westchester Power 100 here.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins says no plans for fall special session.

Coming Up

The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on November 16 and 17.

JCOPE will hold its next meeting on November 17.

The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on November 19.

The Senate will hold a roundtable meeting to discuss maternal and child health in Upstate New York on November 19.