Friday Morning Brief Dec 6, 2024

Dec 5

Written By Michael Avella

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

Member Spotlight Assemblyman John McDonald

Assemblyman John McDonald joins us to discuss his district, priorities, and experiences in the Assembly. Before becoming an Assemblymember in 2013, he was the Mayor of Cohoes and a pharmacist for his community. He is still a practicing pharmacist and has been for over 40 years. Currently, he is the Chair of Local Government and serves on various committees, such as Health, Higher Education, and Ways and Means.

What district do you represent? Can you describe it to those who have never been there?
I represent the 108th Assembly district, which includes parts of Saratoga County, Rensselaer County, and Albany County. I like to call it the River District because it starts at the top with the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers and then transcends southerly down the Hudson, with Troy, East Greenbush, and many communities on each side of the river.

What was your occupation before running for office? Did it lead you to run for office?
To this day, I am a practicing pharmacist. I’ve been a pharmacist for about 40 years now. I was also the Mayor of Cohoes from 2000 to 2013 until I was elected to the Assembly. So, I’ve had one foot in the private sector and the other foot in the public sector. I tried to use my experiences in the private sector when dealing with certain issues—I’m a fan of local government, small businesses, and healthcare.

What kind of music do you like? Do you have any favorite bands/artists?
I grew up in an era when Springsteen was huge, but I am actually a big podcast guy. Whenever I have free time, I listen to podcasts a lot. They’re usually about politics, healthcare, and a little bit about what’s going on in the world. I try to listen to podcasts that are more localized. For example, Troy Story is a local podcast about various interesting and influential characters from this city.

How about sports? Do you have any favorite NY sports team or any favorite sports/activities to play?
Those who know me always say these two things: I drink a lot of Stewart’s coffee, and I like to play golf. Golf is my release, and when I really unplug. And when I play I am a decent golfer. But I don’t play golf in a competitive way; I always use it as an opportunity to unwind a little bit and relax. Besides that, I always root for the New York teams—the Knicks, Giants, Yankees, Mets, and Notre Dame.

What’s your favorite food? Do you have any recommendations for eating in your district?
108th Assembly District has plenty of great options. For example, DeFazio’s is famous for its pizzas in the Capital Region. But I am really not the type to go out to a restaurant, sit down, and eat. I like to be available to the public, and it’s hard to be available to the public when you’re sitting down with your family having dinner.

Throughout your time in the Legislature, what are your proudest achievements?
I’m very proud of and think it’s the most important thing I do as an elected official: working with constituents on their myriad concerns. I pride myself on being very approachable, and I always invite people to come forward with ideas or issues that I can help them with. At the end of the day, I always try to work on solutions that the people want and that work. People always say to me “Why is it when I ask you how things are going you say Great?" Well my response is this – I prefer to look at life as half full vs. half empty because it is more fun. And I look to work with people vs against them because it is much harder to work against people then with them.

What are your top priorities for your district in 2025? Any other priorities for 2025?
I’m very concerned about local governments and their fiscal health. I’m worried about the education funding formula, a big issue earlier this year. I will be working on those two issues impacting my district and constituents. Another important issue is the opioid epidemic, and I will be working on that as well. Related to that, I think the continuum of healthcare, particularly in Upstate New York, will be a big issue next year. We need to figure out how to properly support our long-term care facilities and address staffing shortages, a bigger issue in attracting more people to Upstate New York. This is a bipartisan issue, so I work with my Upstate colleagues on both sides.

Additionally, my district has untapped potential for economic development. It is very beautiful, diverse, and economically attractive. So, I’m working with mayors in my district to ensure that we can continue working on projects that will improve the district. I really think that will benefit the community.

What advice would you give to young folks in your district who want to get into politics?
I think it’s important to get involved. Get involved with a local political party that fits your ideals. Work with the members and leaders of that political party, and see what you can do to help support good candidates. But importantly, young folks should get involved in their community. Go to school board meetings, library boards, or council meetings. Meet and volunteer with your local legislators. I know national politics is always on the news, and it might be easier for young folks to learn more about it, but it’s equally important to know your local legislators. Not only does local politics matter, but everyone needs to be engaged in all levels of politics.

Any last comments you want to mention?
It’s an honor to serve my community. I’ve been very fortunate for my constituents to trust me to serve them in the Assembly. I look forward to continuing to serve my community as long as the people will allow me.

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

Late last month, Hochul announced the launch of the County Infrastructure Grant Program, which would provide up to $50 million for counties to develop small to medium-scale county-led infrastructure projects. The new grant program would ease the fiscal burden of counties improving or upgrading their local infrastructure in anticipation of new and future housing development projects. The grant program builds upon Hochul’s commitment to encourage local-led housing initiatives to increase the state’s housing supply and decrease the state’s housing cost. Hochul explained that the grant program “offers an actionable blueprint for creating thriving communities by incorporating additional housing as a part of infrastructure project plans.”

To further support the state’s initiatives to increase housing supply, Hochul announced that 18 nonprofits and local governments across the state were awarded $40 million to help rehabilitate up to 600 vacant apartments. The awards under the new Vacant Rental Improvement Program prioritize rehabilitation projects aimed toward low- and moderate-income tenants. “We must use every tool in our toolbox to address the housing crisis in New York, including preserving and improving the assets we have,” explained Hochul.

Early last week, Hochul announced eight appointees for the SUNY Downstate Community Advisory Board in conjunction with the leaders of the Legislature. The SUNY Downstate Community Advisory Board will make recommendations for a $750 million development plan for the hospital by April 1st. All appointees are representatives of the local hospital and academic community. The advisory board comes after Hochul and the leaders of the Legislature agreed to invest $400 million into the hospital and establish the advisory board to develop plans to ensure the fiscal viability of SUNY Downstate to continue serving Brooklyn residents who depend on the hospital for care.

Last week, Hochul announced Micro Bird’s acquisition of a Nova Bus facility at Plattsburgh to maintain the facility’s manufacturing operation of electric and non-electric commercial and school buses. The acquisition comes after Nova Bus announced its intentions to close the facility at Plattsburgh, which would have resulted in over 300 employees at the facility losing their jobs. Supported by Hochul to continue on her commitment to increase investment in Western and Upstate New York, the acquisition would also maintain the facility’s investment into the local Plattsburgh and the wider North Country’s economy. “New York’s manufacturing sector is in the midst of a major renaissance and is a major driver of our economy,” said Hochul.

Joined by lawmakers and Queens DA Melinda Katz, Hochul announced the success of a $2 million organized retail theft bust. The retail theft bust resulted in first-ever charges of fostering stolen goods, codified into law by the 2025 Enacted Budget and a key part of Hochul’s Five Point Plan for combatting retail theft. Hochul explained that the successful retail theft bust highlights the state’s action of combatting retail theft effectively and efficiently. “Keeping New Yorkers safe is my number one priority, and as we enter the holiday shopping season, we will continue focusing our efforts to ensure people feel safe,” said Hochul.

Earlier this week, Hochul announced an investment of $63.9 million towards security upgrades for nonprofit organizations. With the state investment, 336 nonprofit organizations at risk of hate crimes will be able to improve their physical security and cybersecurity infrastructure. The state investment is complemented by $44.8 million in federal funding towards security upgrades for 223 nonprofit organizations. The latest investment builds upon Hochul and the state’s commitment to combatting hate crimes, which have increased in the last year, especially in Jewish and Muslim communities across the state. “Creating a place where all New Yorkers feel safe, accepted, and supported — no matter what may set them apart,” explained Hochul.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

201 Bills Awaiting Action from Hochul

With the year coming to a close and lawmakers preparing for the upcoming legislative session in January, Hochul has been taking action on the hundreds of bills that the Legislature passed in June. As of Thursday afternoon, 88 bills are on Hochul’s desk, and 113 bills remain to be delivered. One notable bill that is currently on Hochul’s desk would require emergency or exempted contracts to be publicly published. While the bill was passed unanimously by the Legislature and with support from Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, it was vetoed by Hochul last year due to the bill potentially “limiting the state’s ability to enter into contracts under an emergency order.” The current bill would only require a paragraph about the contract instead of the vetoed version requiring contracts to be published in its entirety after 30 days and an explanation of the contract.

Bill Introduced to Build on SAFE for Kids Act

Senator Andrew Gounardes recently introduced the Children’s Online Safety Act to build upon the SAFE for Kids Act. The recently introduced bill would require social media and online gaming platforms to automatically apply certain privacy protections to children’s accounts, such as prohibiting open chat functions and interactions with unconnected users. Gounardes explained that while the concerns over children’s privacy have been concentrated on social media platforms, online gaming platforms have “gone under the radar.” “It’s not the same as seeing someone in their room just scrolling on Instagram for hours on end,” explained Gounardes. The bill comes after the popular online gaming platform Roblox has been the subject of multiple investigations. The bill’s justification memo states, “In 2023, Roblox reported 13,316 instances of child exploitation to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and responded to 1,300 requests for information from law enforcement.”

Eric Adams Urges Lawmakers to Act After Manhattan Triple Stabbing

After a three-hour stabbing spree by an unhoused individual in Manhattan resulted in three people dead, NYC Mayor Eric Adams called on state lawmakers to pass the Supportive Interventions Act. The bill would allow law enforcement to forcibly admit individuals unable to meet their basic needs. Currently, law enforcement officials are only able to forcibly admit individuals if they pose an imminent physical threat to themselves or others. Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton said she plans to reintroduce it in the upcoming legislative session. However, some lawmakers, like Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember-elect Micah Lasher, instead advocate for the HELP Act. The HELP Act would not change the current standard for involuntary commitments but expand on who can authorize psychiatric care. The issue of public safety and mental health is expected to be one of the top issues in the upcoming legislative session.

Democrat Rebecca Kassay Declares Victory Over Assemblymember Ed Flood

Last week, Democrat Rebecca Kassay declared victory for the Long Island-based Assembly seat against the GOP incumbent Ed Flood. Kassay explained that she will “serve with a community-up approach — one that prioritizes transparency, communication, and meaningful action on pressing issues.” Kassay’s victory is one of the three races where the incumbents lost to their challengers on Long Island, with Democrat Assemblymember Gina Sillitti losing to GOP Daniel Norber and GOP Assemblymember Brian Curran losing to Democrat Judy Griffin.

Sean Ryan Announces Campaign for Mayor of Buffalo

Senator Sean Ryan recently announced his candidacy for the mayor of Buffalo. Ryan said that he is running for mayor to help address the needs of Buffalo through “a set of fresh eyes.” Ryan explained that he is focused on addressing Buffalo’s city budget deficit, with some city lawmakers totaling it as much as $40 million. “It’s going to take three years to dig ourselves out of this hole that the city had gotten into with over 20 years of bad leadership,” explained Ryan. Ryan’s announcement for this candidacy comes after former Buffalo mayor Byron Brown stepped down earlier in September.

Senate Democrats Confirm Leadership Posts

This week, Senate Democrats unanimously reelected Andrea Stewart-Cousins as the Majority Leader and President Pro-Tempore. She has served in the Senate since 2007 and was first elected to lead the Senate Democrats in 2019. She will be the longest Democrat to serve as Senate Majority Leader since 1938. Mike Gianaris was reappointed as Deputy Senate Majority Leader and Chair of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee. Jose Serrano was also reappointed as Chair of the Senate Democratic Conference. Stewart-Cousins explained that the Senate Democrats will “focus on fueling a thriving economy, protecting our democracy, and delivering essential resources to our communities” in the upcoming session in January.

Assemblymember Willian Barclay Reelected as Minority Leader

Last week, the Assembly Republicans reelected William Barclay to lead the Assembly Minority Conference. Barclay was first elected to lead the Minority Conference in 2020 and previously served as Deputy Minority Leader, Chair of the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee, and ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee. For the upcoming legislative session, Barclay explained that he and the conference will continue to advocate “to make New York safer, more affordable and a place where every family will choose to build their future.”

Senator James Skoufis Announces Campaign for DNC Chair

Late last week, Senator James Skoufis announced his candidacy for the Chairpersonship of the DNC. Skoufis explained that he is running to provide the DNC with a “fresh perspective” and to “put [money] back into county/state parties & rebuilding our once-big tent.” While Skoufis acknowledged that he is an outsider and a longshot compared to other candidates running for the DNC Chair, he explained that his victories in a majority GOP Senate district can provide a playbook for Democrats. Although no lawmakers have endorsed Skoufis, some, like Senator Julia Salazar, State Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs, NYC Councilmember Justin Brannan, and NYC Council GOP leader Joe Borelli, seem to agree with his message.

Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal Announces Campaign for Manhattan Borough President

Earlier this week, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal announced his campaign for Manhattan Borough President. Hoylman-Sigal previously ran for Brooklyn Borough President in 2021 but trailed behind Mark Levine in the 2021 Democratic Primary. Levine is currently the Manhattan Borough President but is campaigning for NYC Comptroller after NYC Comptroller Brad Lander announced his mayoral campaign against Eric Adams. Currently, Hoylman-Sigal will join the Manhattan Borough President race with NYC Councilmember Keith Powers as the other candidate. Hoylman-Sigal said that if elected as Borough President, he would “build on Mark Levine’s work and move the borough forward.”

Senator Simcha Felder Files to Run for NYC Council

With NYC Councilmember Kalman Yeger elected to the Assembly to replace Assemblymember Helene Weinstein, Senator Simcha Felder filed to run for Yeger’s council seat. “My heart has always been in the day-to-day ability to help people with their problems,” said Felder. Felder previously served in the NYC Council from 2002 to 2010 before becoming a Senator in 2012. A special election for Yeger’s council seat is expected to occur in late February or early March.

OTHER UPDATES

NYC Council Approves City of Yes

After the leaders of the NYC Council and NYC Mayor Eric Adams approved a compromised $5 billion City of Yes Housing Plan, the City Council voted the City of Yes Housing Plan into law with a narrow majority yesterday. The revised plan will impose a three-tiered system for parking mandates, accessory dwelling units on some lots for one- or two-family residences, two to four stories of housing on some commercial zones, some construction of apartments near train or rail lines, and an affordability requirement. The revised plan is expected to create an estimated 80,000 new housing units, with the state promising to provide $1 billion over the next five years.

MTA Board and FHA Approve Revised Congestion Pricing Plan

Right before Thanksgiving holiday, the MTA Board approved the revised Congestion Pricing Plan with a $9 base toll through 2027. The Board also indicated that the tolls would rise to $12 by 2028 and $15 by 2031. Additionally, last week, the FHA officially approved the revised Congestion Pricing Plan, allowing the tolls to begin as early as January 5th, 2025. However, many opponents to the plan, including Congressmember Mike Lawler, have been calling for President-elect Donald Trump to scrap the federal approval of congestion pricing when he steps into office. “We need solutions that improve MTA services and don’t levy additional taxes on hardworking middle-class families,” explained Lawler.

DOH Faces Lawsuit Over CDPAP Changes

Last week, a CDPAP vendor applicant sued the DOH for allegedly “[rigging] the bidding process.” The lawsuit comes after the DOH and Hochul announced that Public Partnership, LLP, a Georgia-based company, was provided a contract to oversee the CDPAP program. The lawsuit alleges that the DOH “structured the process with an apparent eye toward PPL, imposing eligibility requirements that eliminated almost all of PPL’s potential competitors.” The lawsuit asks the judge to block the state’s contract with Public Partnerships. A spokesperson for Hochul argued that the “lawsuit is full of false statements,” and the Legislature approved the “qualifying language” for the bid.

Former Assemblymember Files to Run for NYC Mayor

Former Assemblymember and former Obama aide Michael Blake announced his candidacy to challenge NYC Mayor Eric Adams, becoming the seventh prominent candidate. Blake explained that as mayor, he would address the high cost of living and quality of life issues, such as public safety. Additionally, Blake explained that he differs from other candidates due to him being a “responsible leader who is finding solutions in the middle” while implementing progressive policies. Other prominent challengers to Adams include Senators Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, and possibly Andrew Cuomo. Blake is also running for the Chair of the DNC.

Federal Prosecutors Investigate Former Queens Assembly Candidate

Federal prosecutors recently opened a criminal investigation of Dao Yin, who challenged Assemblymember Ron Kim in the June primary earlier this year. Federal prosecutors are allegedly investigating whether Yin’s campaign used fake donors and forged signatures to unlawfully increase the funds matched by the state by not providing all of the donors’ phone numbers, addresses, and emails. Yin has denied any wrongdoings and said any inconsistencies were due to innocent mistakes. Yin has reportedly received $162,000 in matching funds.

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