Friday Morning Brief August 9, 2024

Aug 8

Written By Michael Avella

Please note that for the summer, the Morning Brief will be sent out on a bi-weekly basis

Member Spotlight

Crystal Peoples-Stokes

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes joined us to discuss her role in the day-to-day operations of the Assembly, her district, and her experiences. She has been the Majority Leader since December 2018 and has represented her hometown of the City of Buffalo as an Assemblymember since 2003. She first served her community as a teacher before joining the Erie County Legislature from 1993 to 2002. She is a well-known advocate for minority and women-owned businesses, criminal justice reform, and investing in disenfranchised communities of color in the state.

What district do you represent? Can you describe it for those that have never been there and highlight anything of particular interest about your district?
The 141st Assembly District in the City of Buffalo. I’m born and raised in this district. We have 4 colleges and universities, 3 libraries, a Frederick Law Olmsted designed MLK Jr. Park, the Buffalo Museum of Science, the historic Shea’s Performing Arts theater, the Ralph Wilson Explore & More Children’s Museum and much more. Sadly and tragically, the 5/14 Tops Shooting happened in my district. The victims’ families, store staff, and community are resilient and strong, but it will take time to heal from this senseless act of domestic terrorism and violence.

What was your profession before becoming a legislator – did it inspire you to run for office?
I served in the Erie County Legislature from 1993 until 2002, being appointed as Majority Leader in 1998.

What kind of music do you like - any favorite bands/artists?
I enjoy diverse genres of music: gospel, jazz, R&B, classical.

How about sports - any favorite NY sports team or play any sports?
Football. “Real women love football” LOL. I love my hometown Buffalo Bills, the only NFL team that actually plays in NYS!!! Honorable mention goes to the Baltimore Ravens.

Favorite foods? Any favorite places to eat in your district?
Buffalo is known for having great food. There are too many restaurants to name. Breakfast is my favorite meal. Some of my favorite foods are caesar salad, avocado, and smoked salmon.

What do you like to do in your free time? Any favorite activities?
I love to read and relax, preferably with a view on the water.

What are/is your proudest achievement(s) throughout your legislative career?
My proudest achievements are:

858 E. Ferry Street – remediating a contaminated site within a community of color which allowed a church to build residential housing.

Covering the Rt. 33 Kensington Expressway, an up to $1 billion public reclamation project about to get underway this year. It will restore a section of Humboldt Parkway (part of a municipal park system) that was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (who also designed NYC’s Central Park). It will restore property values and physically reconnect neighborhoods that were ripped apart in the 1950’s with the construction of the expressway on black residents’ front lawns.

Passing the decriminalization of cannabis and the expungement of over 400,000 nonviolent low level marijuana convictions for New Yorkers.

Passing the MRTA (Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act) which legalizes adult use cannabis with a goal of up to 50% of licenses being provided to social equity applicants and a dedicated 40% of cannabis tax revenue being invested back into disenfranchised communities of color that were negatively impacted from the war on drugs.

Providing resources to ensure that there’s a nurse in every Buffalo Public School.

Passing community schools legislation that would enable Say Yes Buffalo to be the major provider of wrap around services for students and their families.

Helping secure over $10 million from New York State for Say Yes Buffalo so that they can provide internships, scholarships for college and training programs in perpetuity for all Buffalo Public & Charter School students.

Leading the local effort of raising over $8 million from the Assembly for the new Albright Knox Gundlach Art Gallery (AKG).

What are your top priorities for your district in particular?

Ensuring that our future generations of students are reading, writing and doing math at grade level.

Ensuring that the City of Buffalo remains affordable for everyone to reside in and raise their families.

Ensuring that everyone has access to training and workforce development opportunities for family-sustaining career paths.

For those who do not know, what is the role of the Assembly Majority Leader?
The Majority Leader and floor staff schedule legislation to be considered on the floor, prepares the floor calendar, advances the goals of the Assembly Speaker on the chamber floor.

Are there any other members that you find yourself working with a lot or enjoy hanging out with in particular?
I’m able to work with everyone from both sides of the aisle, especially my Majority (Democratic) Conference colleagues in pursuit of and implementation of our conference goals.

What advice would you give to young folks wanting to get into politics?
First and foremost, put away any selfish, self-serving thoughts if one desires to serve as an elected official. One must realize and see themselves as a public servant.

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!

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

Late last month, Hochul announced that more than $64 million has been awarded to 43 projects to encourage community revitalization and investments. The awards were given through the state’s Restore New York Communities Initiative and were designed to help support local governments in encouraging new commercial investments through community revitalization, growing local housing, and increasing the local tax base. The awards build upon Hochul’s commitment to support local economic development through ensuring strategic investments, such as investing an additional $10 million for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and $100 million for NY Forward. “Revitalizing and rehabilitating vacant and blighted areas of our communities brings new energy and investments that support local and regional growth,” Hochul explained.

Early last week, Hochul joined US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to announce a $405 federal grant for improving the state’s electrical transmission and distribution system across Long Island and the Rockaways. Funded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, the state will be able to upgrade and modernize the Long Island Power Authority’s electrical infrastructure to help mitigate the impacts of future extreme weather events. Some key components of the five-year project include replacing 11,000 utility poles, upgrading 1,281 miles of electrical primary wire, and hiring about 100 new electrical line workers. This builds upon Hochul’s priority to upgrade and modernize the local power and electrical grid after various extreme weather events impacted local communities across the state.

Last week, Hochul joined NYC Mayor Eric Adams in announcing the closure of over 1,000 illegal cannabis dispensaries in NYC after the expansion of local cannabis enforcement powers. In total, the NYC Multi-Agency Task Force closed down 779 stores, while the state Cannabis Enforcement Task Force closed down 230 stores across the state. With the closures, Hochul and Adams explained that legal cannabis dispensaries in NYC have increased 72% on average, with a third of the dispensaries seeing a 100% increase in sales. “Earlier this year, I enacted new enforcement powers to quickly and permanently close the thousands of illegal cannabis retailers across New York selling potentially dangerous products — many of which are marketed to children and teens — and siphoning sales from hard-working, licensed store owners,” Hochul explained.

Late last week, Hochul announced the start of construction of a $5 million critical drinking water project to replace lead water service lines in the City of Rochester. The project is also supported by a $3 million Water Infrastructure Improvement grant from the state Environmental Facilities Corporation to support Rochester’s plan to replace all lead service lines by 2030. The project and state funding are part of the state’s $30 million Lead Service Line Replacement Program and Hochul’s commitment to improve the state’s clean water infrastructure. “Ensuring access to clean, safe water for all New Yorkers is a top priority,” Hochul explained.

Earlier this week, Hochul announced $17.2 million in awards through the Family-Centered Services Initiative to strengthen social services throughout the state. The initiative will help alleviate local social services departments’ staffing shortages and better serve low-income families. With the funding, local departments can hire one to seven full-time credentialed staff. First announced in Hochul’s 2024 State of the State, the Family-Centered Services Initiative builds upon Hochul’s commitment to strengthen social service networks and help address the needs of low-income families.

Throughout the last month, Hochul has been holding roundtable discussions with local educators, mental health experts, parents, and tech experts to address smartphone usage in schools. So far, Hochul has held roundtable discussions in the Capital Region, Long Island, Southern Tier, Western New York, and recently in Yonkers earlier this week. Joined by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and other lawmakers, Hochul explained that the roundtable discussions will help her formulate a statewide policy to tackle excessive smartphone use in schools to address students’ mental health and academic success. “Our young people can succeed in the classroom when they’re learning and growing – not clicking and scrolling,” Hochul said.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Kenny Burgos Resigns From the Assembly

Earlier last month, Assemblymember Kenny Burgos released a statementannouncing his retirement from the Assembly, effective immediately. Burgos explained that he is stepping down after “heartfelt discussions with my wife as we prepare for the joys and challenges of our expanding family and open a new chapter in our lives.”

Burgos leaves to lead the New York Apartment Association (the result of a merger between The Rent Stabilization Association and the Community Housing Improvement Program).

With his resignation, the Bronx Democratic Party will select a candidate to replace Burgos in the November election. Currently, the Bronx Democratic Party said they are supportive of the state Democratic Committee Member Emerita Torres being the candidate.

Senator Cooney Urges Hochul to produce a "100-Day Plan" for the MTA

Late last month, Senate Transportation Chair Jeremy Cooney wrote an op-ed calling for Hochul to create a “100-day plan” to replace the financial shortfall that the MTA is facing due to the pausing of congestion pricing. Cooney explained that the MTA needs an “alternative method of financing” or reinstate “a version of the congestion pricing plan.” “Regardless of which of these options we choose, it’s clear that we can’t keep the MTA waiting until the next state budget or beyond,” Cooney added. This comes as the debate over congestion pricing continues, with NYC Comptroller Brad Lander formally filing two lawsuits against the pausing of congestion pricing a day after the publication of Cooney’s op-ed. Lander filed one lawsuit based on the state’s environmental laws and another based on the legality of the pause. Currently, there are no plans for a special session to address the MTA financial shortfall.

Hochul Signs Voting Rights Legislative Package

On the 59th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 passage, Hochul signed a legislative package to strengthen voting rights and accessibility. The voting rights legislative package comes amidst the ongoing presidential election and after years of the Legislature passing various voting rights bills, such as the state John Lewis Voting Rights Act. “Over the past six years, New York has made incredible strides to improve our elections and give more voters a chance to fully participate in our democracy. As Senate Elections Chair, I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished but know we have more work to do,” Senator Zellnor Myrie said. Some of the bills signed by Hochul in the legislative package include:

Expanding Absentee or Early Mail Voting: allow pre-registered voting ballots to apply for absentee or early mail voting ballots
Curing Ballots: speed up the process of curing ballots
Expanding Criteria for Poll Watchers: allow most state attorneys to serve or volunteer as poll watchers
Standardizing Candidates: establish a standard ordering criteria for candidates appearing on the ballot

Senator Skoufis Secures Grant for His District

Earlier this week, Senator James Skoufis announced that he had secured a $54,000 grant for the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson Police Department in his district. With the $54,000 grant, the police department can purchase a patrol SUV. “One of my primary responsibilities as an elected official is to ensure taxpayer dollars come right back home to make a difference in our community, and investing in our police department and public safety is doing exactly that,” Skoufis explained. Many in Cornwall-on-Hudson support the funding, explaining that it keeps the police department’s equipment up to date in a fiscally responsible way.

Democratic Lawmakers Quickly Endorse Kamala Harris for President

After President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential race and Vice President Kamala Harris quickly became the apparent Democratic nominee, many lawmakers, including Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James, quickly endorsed her for President. Speaker Carl Heastie explained that he and Harris have a “close connection” with his family and that Harris’ candidacy “will energize American citizens, and as President, she will continue to lead this great nation to prosperity.” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins also endorsed Harris, explaining that Harris is “amazingly accomplished” and “the right messenger at the right time to take on the former President Trump and his 2025 agenda.” Some lawmakers, such as Senators Jeremy Cooney and John Liu, are leading mobilization efforts for Harris.

2024 Election Updates

Brad Lander Announces His Candidacy For NYC Mayor

Last week, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander formally announced his campaign for mayor, joining a growing list of Democratic primary challengers against Mayor Eric Adams. As a former Councilmember representing the Park Slope neighborhood in Brooklyn, he co-founded the City Council’s Progressive Caucus and aimed to be the progressive candidate against Adams. “I’ve been working my whole life on affordable housing and tenant protections and community development for a more affordable city,” Lander explained. Currently, former NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer and Senator Zellnor Myrie are fundraising for their candidacy. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani and Senator Jessica Ramos are also reportedly considering challenging Adams, while Former Governor Andrew Cuomo has reportedly said he would run if Adams is indicted over alleged federal campaign violations

Kamala Harris Officially the Democratic Nominee for Presiden

On Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris garnered enough delegates to become the official Democratic nominee for President after weeks of pressure for President Biden to withdraw from the election. Just a day after, Harris chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate after weeks of speculation between Walz, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. Harris and Walz will now head to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19 with renewed support from Democratic voters nationwide. The National Finance Chair for the Democratic National Committee remarked, “A credential to get into the Chicago Democratic National Convention is a hotter ticket than a Taylor Swift concert.”

OTHER UPDATES

NYC Charter Revision Commission Approves Ballot Proposals

After the NYC Charter Revision Commission released its final report for November’s five ballot proposals, the Commission made several last-minute changes. One notable change is decreasing the time the City Council must give the mayor and public from 30 days to 45 days for a notice before voting for public safety-related legislation. The last-minute changes came after the City Council and advocates heavily criticized the move as executive overreach. Although some observers view the Comission’s move as a way to deescalate tensions between Adams and the City Council, the City Council still criticized the last-minute changes as “extreme hypocrisy of this rushed, anti-democratic process.”

Nassau County Legislators Pass Mask Transparency Act

On Monday, Nassau County legislators passed the Mask Transparency Act, making it illegal to wear masks or other facial coverings in public for non-medical, cultural, or religious reasons. The Mask Transparency Act was passed along party lines, with 12 Republicans voting for the bill while seven Democrats abstaining. The Mask Transparency Act was passed amidst growing concerns about the public usage of masks due to growing public protests and antisemitic incidents, with Hochul even floating a similar proposal last month. Some Democratic lawmakers are open to banning masks in certain settings, with Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz and Senator James Skoufis sponsoring a bill that would ban masks in public demonstrations.

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