Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – September 11, 2020

What’s Inside

  • Governor Signs Legislation
  • Governor Announces CARES Act Funding for Child Care Providers
  • Governor Launches COVID-19 Dashboard for School District Testing
  • SUNY Launches COVID-19 Case Tracker
  • New Unemployment Benefit to Begin Next Week
  • Political Updates
  • Reminders, and Links
  • Coming Up

Governor Signs Legislation

The Governor signed legislation (S8617B/A10832) and announced agreement on a chapter amendment requiring all public employers to create plans to protect workers in the event of a state disaster emergency involving a communicable disease. The plans would apply to both the state and localities, including school districts. Plans must be submitted to unions and labor management committees within 150 days, and plans need to be finalized by April 1, 2021.

The Governor also signed legislation (S08129/A10249) reconstituting the September 11 Workers Protection Task Force. The legislation extends the existence of the Task Force for 5 years through June 2025. The Bill expands the required purview of the Task Force to include analysis of average processing times for disability claims, notices of approval rates for claims, lack of disability coverage for public employees who participated in response but were not members of a retirement system at the time. The appeals processes and opportunities to synchronize benefits and identify individuals who participated in the 9/11 response will also be studied by the Task Force.

Governor Announces CARES Act Funding for Child Care Providers

The Governor announced $88.6 million in federal CARES Act funding is available to assist child care providers through NY Forward grants as they adjust their programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will be allocated as follows:

  • $20 million to support child care scholarships for children of essential workers.
  • $20 million for rental assistance for school-based child care programs that have been displaced by the pandemic.
  • $20 million to support grants for closed child care programs to reopen or restructure under new guidelines for social distancing.
  • $28.6 million will provide grants for child care providers to pay for half of the cost (up to $6,000) to open a new classroom.

Child care providers can apply for the funding at https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until December 31, 2020.

Governor Launches COVID-19 Dashboard for School District Testing

The Governor announced the launch of “The COVID-19 Report Card“, an online dashboard which will track real-time COVID-19 infections and testing operations of every New York school and school district. The Governor acted by Executive Order directing schools, local health departments, labs and all testing sites properly collect and report COVID-19 testing data for students and staff at each school in New York State.

Governor Cuomo said:

“Facts empower people to make informed decisions for the health and safety of themselves and their families. The COVID-19 Report Card will give parents, faculty and students the most up-to-date information on the status of their school and their school district’s testing and results. I urge our school communities to stay vigilant and be smart.”

SUNY Launches COVID-19 Case Tracker

On the heels of Oneonta’s decision to proceed in a fully remote format for the remainder of the semester, SUNY has announced the creation of a COVID case tracker for the entire system. The centralized dashboard will provide real time, up-to-date information on COVID-19 cases, testing, and quarantine and isolation space availability across SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities.

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras said:

“As coronavirus cases spring up on our college campuses, we are reviewing real-time case data around the clock. This data is crucial to helping SUNY make quick, smart decisions that contain COVID-19 and protect our campus communities. With the launching of this new COVID-19 Case Tracker dashboard, everyone can now access that same data. Controlling this virus is a team effort. As we ask everyone to rise to the challenge and act responsibly, we owe students, faculty, staff, and surrounding communities transparent, easily-accessible, up-to-date case information. If we are all informed and resolve to work together to make data-driven decisions in the interest of public safety, we can keep COVID-19 cases down and have a successful semester.”

New Unemployment Benefit to Begin Next Week

Unemployed New Yorkers may begin to receive an additional $300 per week federal unemployment benefit as soon as next week. The Department of Labor has said that up to 2.4 million New Yorkers are eligible to receive the benefit, though some may be required to submit an additional certification. The benefit was established by an Executive Order signed by President Trump in the wake of the expiration of the $600 per week coronavirus benefit. So far, FEMA has released funding for the first three weeks of the benefit.

Political Update

House races worth watching.

Scott Stringer announces candidacy for Mayor of New York City.

Monroe County Democratic Executive Director steps down.

 Endorsements

CSEA endorses Joe Biden for President.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorses Antonio Delgado for re-election.

NFIB releases endorsement list for state legislative races.

Reminders and Links

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

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

Forbes 400, List of Wealthiest Americans here.

Coming Up

The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on September 14 and 15.

The Senate will hold a public hearing concerning the Twenty-First Century Antitrust Act (S.8700/Gianaris) on September 14.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on the impacts of COVID-19 on individuals struggling with a substance use disorder and the availability of supportive services on September 15.

The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on September 17.

The Senate will hold a joint public hearing to examine and identify whether and how potential homebuyers of color suffer illegal and unequal treatment by real estate agents on Long Island on September 17.

JCOPE will hold its next meeting on September 22.

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on the impact of COVID-19 on state-funded student financial aid and access opportunity programs on September 22.

The Senate will hold a public hearing on the impact of COVID-19 on prisons and jails on September 22.