Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – September 4, 2020
What’s Inside
- Governor Announces Casino and NYC Mall Re-Openings
- SUNY Oneonta Becomes First College to Shut Down In-Person Classes
- Governor and Labor Leaders Send Federal Funding Request Letter
- NYC Delays School Re-Opening
- Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District Named
- Binghamton Mayor Chosen to Lead New York Conference of Mayors
- Political Updates
- Reminders, and Links
- Coming Up
Governor Announces Casino and NYC Mall Re-Openings
The Governor announced malls in New York City will be allowed to reopen starting September 9 with a 50 percent occupancy limit. Malls will be subject to safety protocols, including strict enforcement of face coverings, social distancing, additional staff to control occupancy, traffic flow and seating to avoid crowding and enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols. Malls must also have enhanced air filtration, ventilation and purification standards in place in order to open. No indoor dining will be allowed in these malls.
The Governor also announced casinos and video lottery terminal facilities will be allowed to reopen starting September 9 with a 25 percent occupancy limit. Similar safety protocols to malls will be required and they must also have enhanced air filtration, ventilation and purification standards in place in order to open. Casinos must leave six feet of distance between operating machines. No table games will be allowed unless and until casinos put in place physical barriers between players and the Gaming Commission approves those barriers. No beverage or food service will be allowed on the gaming floor.
SUNY Oneonta Becomes First College to Shut Down In-Person Classes
SUNY Oneonta has become the first college to shut down in-person education and rely solely on remote learning. Rapid spread of the virus was attributed to off campus parties. Initially, the school moved to two-week remote learning after 100 positive tests for the virus. That number jumped to 300 cases quickly thereafter prompting on campus closure for the remainder of the semester.
SUNY Oneonta President Barbara Jean Morris said:
“”While this is sudden news and something no one wanted, the risk to our campus and Oneonta community is too great. I know the vast majority of our students have been diligent in protecting our campus since day one. We [are] committed to do everything we could to mitigate this situation, and today, that means ending residential housing for this semester.”
Governor and Labor Leaders Send Federal Funding Request Letter
Governor Cuomo, joined by prominent New York labor leaders today called on Congress to provide $59 billion to address catastrophic budget shortfalls that impact the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of workers in the state.
Full text of letter:
Dear Federal Representative:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, New York State is in an impossible financial situation.
State and local governments are facing an approximate $59 billion shortfall this year and next. New York City, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey individually all face unmanageable shortfalls. Likewise, private sector businesses have seen lost revenue and tens of thousands of jobs lost.
There is no combination of state efforts that will address this financial crisis without federal assistance. Even if state and local governments cut expenses, increase taxes, and reduced services, the revenue shortfall would still be in the billions of dollars. Moreover, forcing state and local governments to take such actions would only further the pain and extend the period of time for the nation’s economy to recover. Virtually all economists agree that forcing state and local governments to lay off employees and reduce services will negatively impact the national recovery. We saw that with the last fiscal crisis in 2007-2009, and we know that it will play out again.
Much damage has been done by this federal administration – policies like the SALT tax “reform” that increased taxes on New Yorkers, and discriminatory policies that tout “savings” while further marginalizing vulnerable New Yorkers. The federal administration has already achieved many of its political priorities in prior legislation passed in response to COVID. We cannot allow another piece of legislation to pass without protecting New Yorkers.
New York State requires $30 billion in funding in the current fiscal year and next to avoid massive disruption. Likewise, New York City requires $9 billion, local governments outside of New York City require $4.5 billion, the MTA $12 billion and the Port Authority $3 billion. The Port Authority’s projects rebuilding LaGuardia and JFK Airports are currently employing thousands of private sector construction workers. The MTA’s $51 billion capital plan will be on hold, and East Side Access and a revitalized Penn Station will be lost, maybe forever. We must not lose these jobs and these projects – they are necessary to cementing New York’s economic future. Hospitals, schools and public employees have done heroic work during Covid and must now be protected, especially as we reopen schools and anticipate additional health challenges in the Fall. The legislation must also repeal the damaging and offensive SALT tax “reform,” which cost the people of the State of New York as much as an additional $15 billion each year.
If we stand united, we cannot be defeated. We must stand united at this time in history.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Mario Cilento
George Gresham
Gary LaBarbera
John Samuelsen
Michael Mulgrew
Andrew Pallotta
Henry Garrido
Wayne Spence
Mary Sullivan
NYC Delays School Re-Opening
New York City and its teacher union has agreed to delay the start of in person classes for two weeks. In person education will begin on September 21, while remote learning will begin September 16.
United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew said:
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District Named
Antoinette T. Bacon, an associate deputy attorney general for the U.S. Department of Justice, has been named acting U.S. attorney for New York’s Northern District. Bacon will become the first female U.S. attorney in the district, which encompasses 32 counties stretching from Kingston to the Canadian border and west to Syracuse. Bacon replaces Grant Jaquith, who was sworn in as judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims.
Binghamton Mayor Chosen to Lead New York Conference of Mayors
Binghamton Mayor Richard David has been elected to serve as the 95th President of the New York State Conference of Mayors. His term will begin immediately and continue through Dec. 31, 2021.
Mayor David said:
“I am very proud to accept the presidency of the New York State Conference of Mayors. Local government is the government closest to the people. This fact has been proven more clearly than ever over the course of the past six months, as municipal officials have been in the forefront of fighting COVID-19 and restoring economic opportunity in New York. I look forward to leading our city and village membership as we pursue increased Federal funding and essential State aid, protection of local home rule, and strive to make our communities better places to live, work and raise a family.”
Political Updates
Dueling internal polls in the Katko/Balter race tell different stories.
State of Politics: What Hudson Valley Dem candidates want here.
A look at the State Senate race for Jacobs vacant seat.
Reminders and Links
City & State NY’s Weekly Winners and Losers here.
Coming Up
The Assembly Mental Health Committee will hold a public hearing concerning the impact of COVID-19 on individuals with either a mental illness or an intellectual or developmental disability on September 8.
The Assembly will hold a joint public hearing concerning the impact of COVID-19 on food insecurity in New York State on September 9.
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 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.