Friday Morning Brief Dec 20, 2024

Dec 19

Happy Holidays from the D&A team!

We will be resting up and gearing up for session to start, so the newsletter will be on hold until the new year!

Member Spotlight: Assemblywoman Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas

Assemblywoman Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas joins us to discuss her district, priorities, and experiences in the Assembly. Before becoming an Assemblymember, she served her community as a reproductive justice advocate and brings her experiences into the Assembly to champion for immigrant rights, racial justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, healthcare access, labor protections, and gender equity. She is currently the Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Trafficking and serves on various committees, such as Children and Families, Health, and Social Services.

What district do you represent? Can you describe it for those that have never been there?
I represent the 34th Assembly District, which includes parts of Astoria, Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and Woodside in Queens. This area of Queens is one of the most diverse communities in New York and across the country. There is a reason why Queens is known as ‘The World’s Borough!’ We have more than 250 languages and dialects spoken in the district. It is made up predominantly of Latinos but also includes vibrant South Asian, Himalayan, Middle Eastern, Greek, and North African communities.

What was your occupation before becoming an Assemblymember? Did it inspire you to run for office?
I spent much of my career as a reproductive justice advocate, most notably as the Executive Director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice for nearly fifteen years. In that role, I had the privilege of working with some of the fiercest advocates for gender justice and bodily autonomy. One of the most impactful moments of my career was working alongside the reproductive rights community to help develop and pass the Affordable Care Act (ACA) during the Obama administration.

I was also part of several national coalitions advancing the priorities of the abortion access, immigrant rights, and gender justice movements, as well as the advocacy efforts of the Latinx community across the country. Yet, the most meaningful work I did at the Latina Institute was investing in the leadership of multigenerational Latinas across the country. Watching them organize for abortion rights in some of the reddest states and witnessing their mobilization at state and federal capitols to advocate for or against life-altering legislation was truly powerful.

This experience inspired me to run for office—to be a voice for a district that is predominantly Latinx and people of color.

What kind of music do you like – any favorite bands/artists?
I love to dance and I love my Latinx culture. I’m into anything that gets the party started! I love Salsa, Merengue, Reggeaton, Pop and House music. Dua Lipa basically saved my life during my first year in office.

Favorite sports team?
Hands down, the New York Liberty! It is so important to invest in sports for women and girls. And I have also been a long-time Mets fan and vividly remember the 1986 World Series. Let’s go Mets!

Favorite food? Any restaurants you want to highlight that are in your district?
One thing I do love is good food! I have the best restaurants in my district and many of them know me and my family well. I always say “pick a country, and I will bring you to its food!” There are so many delicious places to dine in the district, it’s hard to choose one! I would suggest heading to Corona Plaza to visit the assortment of street vendors who cook up delicious food from Mexico, Guatemala, and other Latin American countries. I spotlight restaurants and street vendors on my Instagram monthly, so if anyone wants recommendations I would visit instagram.com/votejgr

You have been a leader in advocating for reproductive rights. What issues regarding reproductive rights do you see still affecting New Yorkers?
I am proud that New York has been a leader in the fight for reproductive justice. This year, I was excited to pass legislation in the state budget that codified the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Fund into law. This fund ensures recurring and essential funding for abortion providers across the state.
However, we still have work to do. We need to expand this fund to cover the practical needs that people seeking abortion care may face—such as lodging, food, childcare, translation services, and more.
In this recent election, voters passed Prop 1, which codifies reproductive health care access, including the right to an abortion, into our state constitution. But there is still much to be done. The reproductive health community has been sounding the alarm and urgently needs more funding, including additional abortion funds. We must also increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for medication abortion and abortion care later in pregnancy.
Reproductive justice is an intersectional fight. Safe housing, food security, bodily autonomy, and more form the comprehensive framework people need to live and thrive. So, we must continue to work on expanding access to housing, healthcare, and food security for all New Yorkers

What are your proudest legislative achievements throughout your career?
I have 3:

1 - Passing legislation to establish and codify the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Fund. As an abortion justice advocate, it was an extension of my previous work to ensure we are providing a recurring investment of $25 million to abortion providers.

2 - As the lead sponsor of the Universal School Meals Act I was proud to champion this issue in 2023 and 2024 and secured $136 million to expand access to free breakfast and lunch in schools to 86% of students in New York. That is about $160 in savings that each family who has access to the program will see per child in grocery spending each month.

3 - This year my legislation to provide continual healthcare coverage to children from birth to age 6 was passed in the state budget. Last week the U.S Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved the waiver application submitted to them to enact the change. This means that once a child is enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the parents would not have to fill out onerous paperwork each year to re-enroll them and their health insurance coverage would continue without disruption until the age of 6. This will be a major help to working class families and communities of color, including Latino families, who see a high rate of churn or disenrollment from healthcare coverage.

As the Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Trafficking, what issues do you see arising in 2025?
Right now, I am working on getting the New York CARES Act passed. This piece of legislation would provide vital resources to undocumented victims of crime, including victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and torture regardless of immigration status. Under the incoming presidential administration, we are bound to see victims suffer in profound ways with mass deportations and separation of families. This issue is also deeply important in my local community and I believe that resources, not criminalization, can help address the needs of survivors and victims.

What are some of the issues that are impacting your district that you want to tackle in 2025?
Locally, my focus will be on creating a safer and more equitable environment for everyone. This includes improving street safety, improving transportation options, expanding healthcare access, and strengthening protections for immigrants. The challenges facing my neighbors are the same as those impacting working-class and middle-class New Yorkers across the state: affordability.
In 2025, I will work to secure the remaining funding for universal school meals, increase the benefit amount for SNAP (food stamps), and push forward bold policies that support everyday New Yorkers. My goal is to tackle the issues that matter most to working families and ensure that all of us can thrive.

What advice would you give to young folks getting into politics? Or young folks that want to be involved but are disillusioned with politics?
When thinking about disillusionment with politics, I am reminded of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s quote: "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." This work is tough, but it’s incredibly rewarding because it gives you the opportunity to serve your community in meaningful ways. Legislative progress can take time—sometimes years. We have over 70 bills before the legislature, but only a handful move forward, and even fewer are actually signed into law. So, patience and endurance are essential in this field.
There’s also a significant personal sacrifice. I spend a lot of time away from my own family, but I’m fortunate to have an amazing partner and son who support me and give me the grace to do this work.
If you want to get involved, invest your time locally in your community. Be ready to roll up your sleeves. Join a community-based organization, political club or volunteer with your local elected official. You’ll work directly with constituents, helping neighbors access critical resources in times of need. Elected officials also draft legislation that can positively impact their lives. We also organize community services like turkey distributions during Thanksgiving, paper shredding events, and backpack giveaways in advance of the school year.
Like anything else, you need to maintain a positive attitude, be persistent and remember not to take things personally. It’s a challenging job, but it’s worth every moment of it.

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!

Don Pollard/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

Early last week, Hochul announced the state’s first-ever Inflation Refund as her first proposal for the 2025 State of State. Hochul’s Inflation Refund would deliver a combined $3 billion in direct payments to about 8.6 million taxpayers. Under the proposed plan, single taxpayers making less than or equal to $150,000 a year would receive $300, and joint taxpayers making less than or equal to $300,000 a year would receive $500. The Inflation Refund proposal comes as Hochul aims to address the high cost of living issue in the upcoming Budget cycle. “My agenda for the coming year will be laser-focused on putting money back in your pockets, and that starts with proposing Inflation Refund checks,” explained Hochul.

To further address the cost of housing, Hochul announced the new Block-by-Block affordable housing program. The new program will provide up to $300,000 in subsidy for constructing a single-family home and $400,000 for a two-family home in Albany, Syracuse, Binghamton, Rochester, and Buffalo. The program is expected to allow the new homes to be sold to buyers who earn up to 60% of the Area Median Income. The program supports Hochul’s commitment to ensuring affordable access to homes throughout the state. “This latest program exemplifies our comprehensive approach to creating more affordable housing, revitalizing entire neighborhoods, and ensuring our communities can thrive for generations to come,” explained Hochul.

Last week, Hochul announced that the state is accepting RFPs for expanding affordable broadband access under the federal-funded $644 million ConnectALL Deployment Program. The program will allow accepted applicants to install broadband services at hard-to-reach homes and small businesses for 69,111 locations throughout the state. The new program supports Hochul’s commitment to closing the state’s digital divide, strengthening the state’s online infrastructure, and achieving universal broadband access. “High-speed internet is as essential as electricity in today’s world – it’s critical for education, jobs, healthcare, and staying connected with family and friends,” explained Hochul.

On Tuesday, Hochul presided over the state’s Electoral College to officially certify the state’s vote for president and vice president. At the end of the proceedings, Hochul exclaimed her support for the abolition of the Electoral College and called for a national popular vote for president and vice president. “The Electoral College does not contribute to the overriding principles set forth in our Constitution. It’s time to amend the Constitution,” explained Hochul. Hochul also said that if Congress moves forward with amending the Constitution to abolish the Electoral College, she will be “ready to do [her] part.”

On Wednesday, Hochul touted her five-point MTA train safety plan and announced her plan to add an additional 250 National Guard members to be deployed in MTA train stations. Hochul explained that since the plan’s implementation in March, crime within the MTA system has been down 10% and 42% since January 2021. Additionally, Hochul announced that the MTA has installed security cameras in every train car. The five-point MTA train safety plan and additional National Guard members build upon Hochul’s commitment to focus on public safety and improve coordination between NYC and the state over tackling violent crimes within the MTA system. “By working hand-in-hand with the MTA and New York City, we are deterring crime, making it safer for all riders, and restoring public confidence in the system,” Hochul said.

Yesterday, Hochul announced that the Hudson Boulevard Collective will create a $1.35 billion mixed-use development at 418 Eleventh Avenue in Manhattan. The development will be the first project in NYC to be able to build a residential Floor Area Ratio above 12.0, creating 1,349 residential units with 404 permanently affordable homes. The development comes after the 2025 Enacted Budget, which included a zoning reform to allow certain developments to build a residential Floor Area Ratio above 12.0. This builds upon Hochul’s previous actions to address the low housing supply in the state, such as the 421-a and 485-x tax credits, the Pro-Housing Communities Program, and a five-year $25 billion Housing Plan.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

The Remaining Bills Awaiting Action from Hochul

As of Thursday night, 103 bills are on Hochul’s desk, and only two remain to be delivered. A recent notable bill signed by Hochul will require health insurers to cover EpiPens and cap the out-of-pocket cost at $100. The bill received bi-partisan support from both the Democrats and the Republicans. A recent notable bill vetoed by Hochul was the LICH Act, which would require hospitals to host a public forum and give advance notice of a planned closure. Hochul explained that the bill would not “balance [the greater transparency goal] against the financial reality that struggling hospitals face and changes in the health care service delivery.” However, Hochul wrote in the veto memo that she would propose reforms for the hospital closure process. The two bills that remain to be delivered to Hochul are:

Assemblymember Gary Pretlow to Chair the Assembly Ways and Means Committee

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie plans to appoint Assemblymember Gary Pretlow as the Chair of Ways and Means. Currently, the Ways and Means Committee is chaired by Assemblymember Helene Weinstein, who is retiring at the end of the year. The Assembly Ways and Means Committee takes the lead during the budget cycle for the Assembly and weighs on on bills with a fiscal impact. With Pretlow possibly chairing the Ways and Means Committee, Speaker Heastie would have to appoint a new chair for the Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee, which Pretlow currently holds. Rumors are swirling about at least 3 or 4 possible candidates to take his place.

Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh Appointed as Minority Leader Pro Tempore

Following the departure of Assembly GOP second-in-command, Assemblymember Andy Goodell, Assembly GOP Leader William Barclay announced that Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh will succeed Goodell as the Minority Leader Pro Tempore. Walsh, who was first elected to the Assembly in 2016, currently represents parts of southern Saratoga, northern Schenectady, and eastern Fulton counties. Walsh is the third woman in Assembly history to hold the position of Minority Leader Pro Tempore. “I’m delighted with the opportunity to lead debate during session proceedings, to collaborate and draw from the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our conference members, and to provide a strong counterpoint in the Assembly Chamber,” explained Walsh.

Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal Renames his Vaccine Bill to RFK, Jr Act

Last week, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal announced the renaming of a bill that would create an opt-out immunization information system for adults to the Registry for Keeping Justified Records (RFK, Jr) Act. The bill was renamed in anticipation of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr’s nomination to lead the federal DHHS. “Our statewide vaccine infrastructure is more important than ever as we face the threat of vaccine skeptics like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. taking the helm of the US [DHHS] and dictating vaccine policy at the federal level,” explained Hoylman-Sigal.

Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus Releases Its 2025 Agenda

Earlier this week, the legislative Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus released its 2025 People’s Budget Framework “Agency & Action” for the 2025 legislative session. BPHA Caucus explains in the framework, “With a new federal administration incoming, the Caucus is calling on the state to defend its residents and build community capacity to deliver on key priorities like affordable housing, the cost-of-living crisis, and a quality education for all students.” Some of the top priorities of the Caucus are:

Enhancing SNAP by creating the “SNAP4ALL” program
Enacting the Access to Representation Act to guarantee legal counsel for immigrants facing deportation
Fully funding and updating the Foundation Aid formula while keeping the “hold harmless” provision
Expanding and modernizing Temporary Disability Insurance

“By presenting our own budget priorities, we lead in shaping a conversation around affordability, economic justice and really setting a tone and having meaningful solutions,” BPHA Caucus Chair Assemblymember Michaelle Solages explained.

Lawmakers and Advocates Plan to Push for Criminal Justice Reform Package

This week, criminal justice advocates and activists held rallies for the Time Earned Act, the Second Look Act, and the Marvin Mayfield Act (formally the Eliminate Mandatory Minimums Act) in NYC, Albany, Buffalo, Long Island, Westchester, Syracuse, and Rochester. While the issue of public safety is gradually becoming a top issue over criminal justice for various lawmakers, some lawmakers explained that the three criminal justice bills would improve public safety. Assemblymember Anna Kelles, the sponsor of the Earned Time Act, explained that the bills would “reduce violence inside prisons” and “allow for effective reintegration back into society upon completion of a sentence, and improve public safety for all.” Senate Chair of the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction added, “A vast majority of New Yorkers…understand that safety and justice go hand-in-hand.”

Lawmakers Express Support for Teamsters' Strike Against Amazon

On Wednesday, after the Teamsters announced a nationwide strike against Amazon, various lawmakers expressed their support for the strike against Amazon. The strike comes after Amazon seeks to re-do an election that led to the Teamsters’ victory at a warehouse in Staten Island. Senator Andrew Gounardes supports the strike, explaining, “The law is clear. These workers chose to form a union. Amazon must recognize them and bargain in good faith.” Some lawmakers, including Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, joined the strikes. During the strike yesterday, NYPD arrested various workers on the picket line, leading to Senate Deputy Leader Mike Gianaris calling out against the NYPD. “The Teamsters have a right to strike, and our police should be protecting them, not Jeff Bezos.”

Lawmakers Rally for $600 Million Water Infrastructure Investment

Yesterday, Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymembers Chris Burdick and Steve Otis joined advocates in a rally for a $600 million investment in clean water infrastructure in the 2026 Budget. In the 2025 Enacted Budget, Hochul and leaders of the Legislature agreed to a $500 million investment towards the state’s water infrastructure. However, advocates and lawmakers explained that more funding is necessary to ensure the state can properly fund programs supporting localities to modernize and improve their water infrastructure. Senator Pete Harckham, one of the leading advocates in the Senate, explained, “[Water infrastructure] funding is essential to good public health, economic development and creating good jobs.”

OTHER UPDATES

Eric Adam's Former Chief Advisor Indicted on Criminal Charges

A few days after announcing her resignation, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, the chief advisor to NYC Mayor Eric Adams, surrendered to the Manhattan DA’s Office to face criminal charges yesterday morning. This comes as the Manhattan DA and NYC DOI investigate Lewis-Martin for corruption over alleged claims that Lewis-Martin accepted payments benefitting her son’s business. The DA and NYC DOI’s charges are separate from the federal investigation against Adams for corruption. “I am being falsely accused of something. I don’t know exactly [what] it is,” said Lewis-Martin on Monday. Currently, Lewis-Martin is indicted on bribery conspiracy and money laundering charges.

Federal Government Shutdown Looms

On Wednesday night, Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Speaker Mike Johnson’s recent bipartisan spending deal has been scrapped after President-elect Donald Trump denounced it and threatened to primary Republican lawmakers that vote for the deal. The now-dead spending deal, which includes various Democrat-backed provisions such as PBM reform, would have extended government funding until March due to Congress never approving a budget plan for FY 2025.

Trump and his allies advocate for a spending deal that does not include any provisions the Democrats support and a debt limit suspension. However, a hastily produced spending plan supported by Trump failed to pass the House yesterday afternoon, with 38 Republicans voting against the plan due to the inclusion of the suspension of the debt limit. The Trump-supporting spending bill would have extended government funding until March and suspend the debt limit until 2027. The federal government will run out of funding if Congress cannot agree to a spending deal by the end of today.

Rumors of Primary Challenges Against Hochul

After weeks of speculation, Lt. Governor Antiono Delgado reposted an article about his possible primary challenge against Hochul. While Delgado did not confirm that he would challenge Hochul in 2026, observers are highlighting that Delgado is attempting to carve a path for himself to run against Hochul. Many observers are also speculating that Congressmember Ritchie Torres is planning a primary challenge against Hochul, while Congressmember Mike Lawler is planning to run for Governor on the GOP line.

Firm Spotlight

D&A Vice President Eglantina Haxhillari was recently named to City & State's2024 Responsible 100! Tina's excerpt below:

Job description

I represent clients across a broad spectrum of industries, including in labor, education, technology, housing and nonprofits – to name a few. My role is to advocate for these clients and assist them in navigating the ever-changing landscape of New York state government. I help to identify and develop legislative priorities and craft creative strategies to ensure their policy initiatives are successfully implemented. The most rewarding aspect of my job is collaborating with passionate advocates and dedicated government leaders who genuinely strive to make a positive impact through policy.

Defining social responsibility

I’m a strong believer in our responsibility as individuals and as a collective to leave the world better than we found it. I’d like to think I do this through my work in many ways, by advocating for better-paying jobs and essential benefits for employees, fighting for equitable learning opportunities and a sustainable future for students, increasing housing affordability and supply for New Yorkers, tackling systemic inequalities and advancing social justice initiatives for marginalized communities. We have a social responsibility when shaping policy. Every action we take holds significant meaning.

Best advice

Take time to reflect and refresh. Acknowledge challenges, setbacks, successes and achievements. Learn from each experience then let them go. Start the new day with a fresh perspective.

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