Friday Morning Brief April 11, 2025

Apr 10

Written By Michael Avella

Member Spotlight

Assemblyman Pat Burke

Assemblyman Pat Burke joins us to discuss his Western New York-based district, priorities, and passion for advocating for his constituents in Albany. Before being elected to the Assembly, he served his community as an Erie County Legislator and a political science professor at SUNY Buffalo State. Currently, he is the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Cities and the Great Lakes Watershed Task Force. He also serves on various other committees, including on Banks, Science & Technology, and Tourism, Parks, Arts & Sports Development.

What district do you represent?
I represent the 142nd district in Western New York. It consists of Buffalo, Lackawanna, West Seneca, and Orchard Park.

Can you describe your district for those who have never been there? Any landmarks/restaurants you wish to highlight?
It’s Buffalo - so we’re talking about some of the best bars, restaurants and WINGS you could imagine. Wing recommendations in no particular order: Doc Sullivans, Buffalo Irish Center, Nine-Eleven Tavern, Duff’s, Mineo’s. Between wing stops, you must see: Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna, an incredible engineering and architectural feat that people come from around the globe to see. The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens on South Park or the Burchfield Nature and Art Center in West Seneca are incredible places to unwind. There is nowhere in the world like Highmark Stadium, where the Bills have played for the last fifty years. And Cazenovia Park - at the top of the street I grew up on - is one of Fredrick Law Olmstead’s hidden jewels.

What's your favorite music? Favorite bands/artists?
Hmmm… If I'm ranking my favorite bands:
1) The Pogues
2) NOFX
3) Wu-Tang Clan
4) Bob Marley and the Wailers
5) The Beatles

What is your favorite NY sports team?
Come on now? Do you even have to ask? The only NFL team in the state of New York, The Buffalo Bills!

What was your profession before becoming an Assemblymember? Did it inspire you to run for office?
Before being elected to the Assembly, I served my community in South Buffalo on the Erie County Legislature. I’ve also been a professor of Political Science at SUNY Buffalo State University - my alma mater.
I’ve always been interested in public service and civics. I ran a mock election for my grade school for the 1996 Presidential election. It was a landslide victory for Slick Willy in Miss. Haseltine’s 6th grade class. Even then, I knew that this was something I had always wanted to do.

As the Chair of Cities, what issues do you see arising this year?
I’m the first non-NYC Chair of Cities in the history of the Assembly. With that comes a different perspective. While I won’t ignore the importance of NYC as the economic and cultural center of the world, I will emphasize that there are 61 other cities in this state that need to be properly recognized and supported. While we work on city related policy across NYS, there will still be plenty of NYC related items before my committee including joint bidding, design build, and parkland alienation in Queens or The Bronx.

Can you describe the role of Chair of the Great Lakes Watershed Task Force in the Assembly - what does it focus on?
The Great Lakes are one of the most valuable natural resources in the world. I have spent 12 years working in government to ensure their long term health. As we face a climate crisis which is undeniably caused by human activity, we will also face a shortage of accessible fresh water. Fortunately, New York State has two of the five Great Lakes. It is our job to be stewards of the Great Lakes and prepare for significant changes in the climate. It is a very real possibility that New York will become a climate refuge because of the Great Lakes and we are still unprepared for that possibility. I’m so appreciative that Speaker Heastie created the Task-Force and afforded me the privilege of leading it.

What local issues do you see impacting your district & constituents the most?
Certainly, the severity and frequency of Buffalo’s snowstorms is an important local issue. We are getting generational storms every year now. We have to find better approaches to extreme snow events in WNY. In 2022, we experienced what can only be described as a blizzard/hurricane on Christmas. Over 50 people were killed. Most of those deaths were preventable. Whether it is building resilience, improving infrastructure, improving emergency procedures, and modes of communication, the state has a role to play in making sure the people of WNY are safe from these devastating weather events.

What advice would you give to young folks that want to get involved in politics?
Just keep showing up and finding ways to be helpful. Also, read Plunkitt of Tammany Hall! Some of the best and worst political lessons can be derived from that book!

Any last comments you wish to highlight?
I’ll leave you with a quote from my political hero, Theodore Roosevelt, who also served on the Cities Committee back in 1882. Fortunately, things have changed since he served on the committee 143 years ago!
“Assemblyman, are you happy with your appointment to the Committee on Cities?” -Reporter
“[I am] just where I wished to be. Altogether the Committee is just about as bad as it could possibly be. Most of the members are positively corrupt, and the others are singularly incompetent.” -Theodore Roosevelt

Are you a public official or staffer that would like to be featured in our spotlight? If so, reach out to your favorite D&A team member or contact us at team@dickinsonavella.com to set up an interview!

Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Budget Negotiations at a Standstill

Yesterday, lawmakers passed the 4th budget extender to fund state government until Tuesday. Although lawmakers expressed some optimism last week on the status of budget negotiations, many expressed otherwise early on this week. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins explained that the budget negotiations are still “at the very beginning of the end” with a “pause.” She and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie explained that the “pause” was due to discussions around various high-profile policy items. However, Heastie explained that progress has been made on some of these.

Without giving out the details, Hochul’s Budget Director Blake Washington said lawmakers are considering changes to the payroll mobility tax to help fund the MTA's $64.5 billion Capital Budget. Reportedly, the changes would increase payroll taxes for the highest-earning businesses operating in the MTA region and direct the MTA to address fare evasions. “The principle is that broad-based actions, not just confined to the city of New York … and some level of shared sacrifice,” explained Washington. “On the list of must-dos, [the MTA] one, I think, has probably been resolved,” said Heastie.

Additionally, Heastie said there has been progress on Hochul’s involuntary commitment proposal. Hochul's proposal to broaden the requirements for involuntary commitment was met with resistance from several lawmakers in both chambers. While not confirmed, Heastie explained that there has been progress to include language that would require a discharge plan to continue treatment after hospitalization and allow some counties to create crisis response teams similar to Daniel’s Law.

While lawmakers have tentatively agreed to Hochul’s “bell-to-bell” classroom phone ban proposal, changes to the state’s discovery laws and mask ban remain major sticking points. Stewart-Cousins explained that the Legislature “philosophically” agreed with Hochul to change the state’s discovery laws but disagreed over the language. Members of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus are urging leaders of the Legislature and Hochul to codify People v. Bay, which established that the current law already prevents case dismissals. However, Hochul and DAs across the state argue that People v. Bay has not resolved the uptick in dismissals.

On the mask ban, Stewart-Cousins and Heastie explained that lawmakers in both chambers are still divided over Hochul’s mask ban proposal. Many lawmakers argue that the mask ban will disproportionately impact Black and Latino communities and negatively impact public health. Additionally, other lawmakers expressed concerns about implementing a mask ban due to the Trump Administration possibly weaponizing it.

While the Legislature is scheduled for a two-week break next week, lawmakers will reconvene on Tuesday to pass another extender or agree to a final budget agreement. “As long as the budget is still open, we will do our job and show up and make sure we keep [the] government running,” said Stewart-Cousins.

Aidin Bharti/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

On Monday, Hochul announced the start of a $86.7 million pavement rehabilitation project in Westchester County. The project will rehabilitate 12 bridges and pavement repair in a five-mile stretch of the I-95 between Pellham Manor and Mamaroneck. The project will also implement new traffic and pedestrian safety improvements, including new guiderail and lights. The projects build upon the state’s previous projects to enhance the state’s road infrastructure, including a $61.5 million pavement improvement project along I-90 in Ontario and Monroe counties. “Strengthening our infrastructure across the State remains a top priority,” said Hochul.

Early this week, Hochul announced that the renovation of Sullivan County International Airport has reached its final construction stages and is slated to be completed later this Spring. Started in May 2023 and supported by Hochul’s $230 million Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, the airport will be modernized, expanded, and energy efficient. The airport construction builds upon Hochul’s commitment to boost local Upstate economies and supports the state’s energy efficiency goals. “Our airports serve as vital gateways to our communities that invite visitors and drive local economies by facilitating tourism and generating opportunities for business development,” explained Hochul.

On Tuesday, Hochul announced starting a $43 million affordable housing development project at Saratoga Springs. Springs West Apartments, a 98-unit affordable housing development, will be supervised by Saratoga Springs Housing Authority when completed and reserved for households earning up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income. The construction of the development supports Hochul’s $25 billion five-year Housing Plan to build or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across the state. “The new buildings and 98 new apartments at Springs West are a perfect example of my commitment to expanding the supply of affordable, safe, and modern homes across New York,” explained Hochul.

On Wednesday, Hochul announced the disbursement of 18 grants to first responders, corrections agencies, and veterans’ organizations. In total, the CARES UP initiative will provide up to $60,000 over two years for expanding suicide prevention programs and OMH will provide up to $40,000 over two years for expanding mental health and wellness initiatives. The disbursement of grants builds upon DHSHS’s February survey of first responders’ mental health, which highlights high levels of stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression amongst first responders. “This funding will ensure these organizations and agencies are better equipped to cultivate resilience and mental wellness among their ranks to help properly address stress and trauma they encounter in the line of duty,” said Hochul.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Next week, the Legislature is scheduled to be in session on Tuesday (and possibly further and sporadically over the nexts two weeks, depending on budget negotiations).

Aung Hset/D&A

Local DAs Tout Support for Hochul's Discovery Proposal

To increase support for Hochul’s discovery law changes to be included in the final budget agreement, four local DAs visited the Capital early this week. On Monday, the Bronx DA Darcel Clark and Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg argued that the Hochul’s proposal would address the issue of cases being thrown out based on technicalities while ensuring fairness for defendants. “I believe in public safety and fairness at the same time, and these tweaks in the law will still keep both,” explained Clark. On Tuesday, Albany County DA Lee Kindlon and Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez also touted their support for Hochul’s proposal at the Capital. "It is not a complete repeal, it is not a backwards movement, it is simply tweaking what we have now," explained Kindlon.

Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Hochul Proposes to Change Primary Rules for Governors and LGs

On Monday, Hochul reportedly told lawmakers she wants to include a new budget policy proposal that would allow Governors and Lieutenant Governors to run together in a primary. The new proposal comes after LG Antonio Delgado announced that he would not run for reelection with Hochul and publicly weighing a possible primary challenge against her. While lawmakers did not oppose the proposal, many expressed frustration with another last-minute policy proposal for the final budget agreement. “It seems every day we have new policies being brought up,” said Stewart-Cousins. While there is a bipartisan bill that would allow Governors and Lieutenant Governors to run together in a primary, Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara, who is helping with the bill, disagreed with Hochul’s move and said, “The budget should be the budget, dollars, [] cents, and funding that goes to our communities.”

Aung Hset/D&A

Heastie Introduces Bill to Limit Governor's Budget Powers

On Wednesday, Heastie introduced a bill to ensure lawmakers would get their paychecks during a late budget if a Governor included policy items in their budget proposals. Heastie and other lawmakers explained that the current lawprohibiting paychecks to lawmakers if the budget is delayed allows Governors to include last-minute policy proposals. “Governors like to use that leverage and can become cavalier thinking that the promise of [lawmakers] not getting paid kind of induces members to agree to a budget sooner," said Heastie. Senate Deputy Leader Mike Gianaris defended Heastie's bill, explaining, “I think it’s born out of a frustration that we all share about the continued insistence on non-budgetary policy items into this budget conversation,” Heastie explained that the bill is not a direct attack on Hochul but on the existing structure of the budget process. “We’re not trying to go to war with Governor Hochul,” said Heastie.

Hochul and Leaders of the Legislature Considering Public Campaign Finance Law Changes

Earlier this week, it was reported that Hochul, Stewart-Cousins, and Heastie are considering to amend the state’s public campaign finance laws in the final budget agreement. Specifically, Hochul and leaders of the Legislature are considering allowing contributions greater than $250 to be eligible for a matching fund and tweaking the pay-back what money you did not use provision. Notably, the Legislature passed the bill that would implement some of the changes but was ultimately vetoed by Hochul in 2023. It remains to be seen if changes to the state’s public campaign finance laws are included in the final budget agreement.

Aung Hset/D&A

Senate Passes Animal Welfare Legislative Package

This week, the Senate passed an animal welfare legislative package in honor of Animal Advocacy Day and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. This year's animal welfare legislative package builds upon last year’s legislative package to protect racehorses and exotic animals from inhumane treatment. "It is our duty to stand up for the voiceless and those who can’t protect themselves, which includes our beloved pets and animals,” explained Stewart-Cousins. “Our pets are family—they count on us for love and care, and they shouldn’t be left to suffer because their owner walked away and left them behind,” added Senate Agriculture Chair Michelle Hinchey. Some of the bills in the legislative package are:

Insurance Policy Restriction: would prohibit renters' insurance policies from refusing to provide coverage based upon the breed of the dog a policyholder has
Devocalization of Dogs and Cats: would restrict the practice of surgical devocalization on dogs and cats unless it’s medically necessary
Abandoned Animals Property Inspection: would require landlords to inspect the property for abandoned animals within three days of a property being vacated
Animal Fighting as a Criminal Act: would increase criminal penalties for operating or facilitating animal fighting games

Lawmakers Urge Eric Adams to Not Interfere with Local Pedestrian Path Opening

This week, Senator Mike Gianaris announced that he joined other state and city lawmakers in calling for NYC Mayor Eric Adams and city DOT to not interfere with the opening of the Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. Originally, the opening was scheduled for March 16, but Adams delayed it for a “full briefing” on the pedestrian path. However, joined by Senators Kirsten Gonzalez and Liz Krueger, Assemblymembers Zohran Mamdani and Alex Bores, and NYC Councilmembers Julie Menin and Julie Won, Gianaris said in the letter that the “reasons given for this delay are not satisfactory” and that city DOT have indicated that the project is complete and ready to open to the public. “Elected officials on both sides of the bridge agree: stop putting our constituents in danger and open the south outer roadway now,” said Gianaris.

Capital Region Lawmakers Rally Against Proposed Tesla Showroom

On Tuesday, Assemblymember Phil Steck and Senator Pat Fahy held a rally with residents in Colonie to oppose plans for a new Tesla showroom. In addition to opposing Elon Musk, Fahy and Steck explained that the showroom will front the costs to local taxpayers due to Tesla’s being unprofitable. “This isn’t about promoting electric vehicles. This is about Elon Musk making more money because he can sell [directly] and not have to abide by the dealer requirement in the state,” said Steck. Additionally, Fahy recently introduced a bill that would revoke Tesla’s permit to operate five in-person sales locations in the state and issue new permits to other electric vehicle manufacturers. “Taxpayers should not have to front the bill for a billionaire’s increasingly unprofitable and volatile company,” explained Fahy.

Aung Hset/D&A

Lawmakers Urge the Passage of the HEART Act

Early this week, a bipartisan group of lawmakers held a press conference sharing their own personal stories about organ donation and celebrating the successes of Donate Life NYS. In the conference, lawmakers also urged the passage and enactment of the HEART Act, which would allow patients to be simultaneously listed at multiple transplant centers. Currently, patients can only be listed at one transplant center per geographic area. Advocates of the bill explain that the HEART Act would expand access to organ donations by breaking down existing barriers.

Per Aisha Tator, Executive Director of Donate Life New York State, "The HEART Act is a long-overdue step toward equity in New York’s transplant system. No one’s chance at life should be limited by an outdated policy or their insurance status. Allowing patients to list at multiple transplant centers will save lives — and for many, it could mean the difference between years of waiting and getting a second chance much sooner.”

“People need to have access to services on an equal basis. It doesn’t matter where you live, how you live, what community you’re from, what your ethnicity is, what your age is, what your job is,” said the Assembly bill sponsor Crystal Peoples-Stokes.

Hochul Announces Special Election for Simcha Felder's Senate Seat

With Senator Simcha Felder officially leaving his Senate seat to serve in the NYC Council earlier this week, Hochul announced a special election on May 20 to fill Felder’s vacant seat. Felder now serves in Assemblymember Kalman Yeger’s former Council seat and represents the same area he previously had as a Councilmember from 2002 to 2010. Currently, Brooklyn Democrats plan to nominate Sam Sutton, the President of the Sephardic Community Federation, to run for Felder's former seat. Brooklyn Republicans have not announced their plans yet.

OTHER UPDATES

Eric Adams Administration Officially Allows ICE Agents on Rikers Island

On Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams announced that his administration will allow ICE agents onto Rikers Island. In an executive order signed by Adams’ First Deputy Mayor, Randy Mastro, ICE agents will open an office in Rikers Island and have the authority to investigate alleged crimes. The order came after Adams met with Trump’s Border Czar Tom Homan, two months ago and agreed to allow ICE agents to enter Rikers Island. Many, including state and city lawmakers, have criticized Adams’ decision, labeling it as quid pro quo and possibly violating the city’s sanctuary laws. Mastro defended the order, explaining that he signed it after “making an independent assessment” and said ICE agents are only allowed to focus on criminal matters and gang violence.

House Republicans Approve Budget Resolution

Yesterday, the House GOP approved a budget resolution that would help President Trump enact his legislative agenda. All but two House Republicans approved the Senate-approved budget resolution after House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune promised to cut at least $1.5 trillion in federal spending cuts. Additionally, Johnson told various House Republicans to remove him from the speakership if he did not follow his promise. With the resolution approved, Johnson and Thune can now write the budget language laid out by the resolution.

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