Friday Morning Brief Dec 8, 2023

Dec 7

Member Spotlight:

Senator Rob Rolison

Senator Rob Rolison joined us to discuss his first year as a Senator and his district! Before being elected as Senator, he worked in the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department's Patrol Division for twelve years and then as a Detective for fourteen years. He was also the mayor of the City of Poughkeepsie from 2016 to 2022. He currently sits on various committees, including as a ranking member on the Committee of Children and Families, as well as on Cities 2.

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?
I am proud to represent the 39th State Senate District, in the heart of the Hudson Valley. The district includes parts of three counties – Dutchess, Orange, and Putnam – and features a diverse mix of urban, suburban, and rural communities. The people here are just as diverse and welcoming as the place we call home.

What was your profession before becoming a legislator – did it inspire you to run for office?
I served my community as a police officer for 26 years and entered public service as a county legislator and later mayor. Law enforcement work inspired me to take the next step because I wanted to serve in another capacity where I believed I could be helpful to others. I continue to find myself putting these real-life experiences to good use today in county, city, and now state government service.

What kind of music do you like - any favorite bands/artists?
I’m a big music fan and particularly fond of Motown, R&B and jazz -- everything from James Brown to Chris Botti to Earth, Wind & Fire, Marvin Gaye, and Diana Krall.

How about sports - any favorite NY sports team or play any sports?
New York Giants, Mets, Knicks, and Rangers. In high school I regularly ran cross country and track, which I enjoyed very much.

Favorite foods? Any favorite places to eat in your district?
We are privileged to have so many incredible restaurants in our district and the Hudson Valley at large; there are too many to list. My wife Lori and I love the opportunity to dine out, as our taste in food runs the gamut.

What do you like to do in your free time? Any favorite activities?
When we are not in session in Albany or helping constituents back in the district and attending events, I appreciate some downtime at home with family and exploring the diversity of our district with Lori. We also spend time with our beloved dog, Madison, and cherish every minute we spend with our precious granddaughter, Alena.

What are your top priorities for your district?
My top priorities in serving the people of our district are reducing crime and the high cost of living, as well as protecting our environment and natural resources so that future generations can continue to enjoy the rich natural bounty of the Hudson Valley.

What are/is your greatest/proudest achievement(s) throughout your career?
I’m so proud to have helped start the Children’s Cabinet during my time as the City of Poughkeepsie’s mayor. I also consider my advocacy for children and families and the vulnerable of our society who need assistance important. Finally, I am honored to have played a part in turning around the City of Poughkeepsie, a great community, helping to save it from fiscal ruin and placing it on solid financial footing.

Are there any other members that you find yourself working with a lot or enjoy hanging out with in particular?
I have a great and productive working relationship with members on both sides of the aisle. I will continue to partner with those who are serious about getting things done and delivering for the people of our state.

Is your office focusing on anything right now before session starts or starting to plan on your priorities & goals for next year?
We are busy doing both. In the weeks ahead, our office will continue its constituent casework and assistance for residents of the 39th District. At the same time, I continue to advocate for crime victims and their families as we prepare for the new legislative session.

What advice would you give to young folks getting into politics?
Simply put: do not be afraid to get involved. Our collective future as a state and nation depends on your involvement. As difficult and divisive as it can sometimes be, public service provides a lasting reward. It’s been a privilege to serve others.

Any last comments you want to mention?
It has been an honor to be a member of the New York State Senate. I have enjoyed every minute of my time in public service to the people of our great state.

Are you a public official or staffer that would like to be featured in our spotlight or do you know someone that would? 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

Last Friday, Governor Hochul and Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong, Sr. signed an extension of the current gaming compact between the state and the Seneca Nation. Initially set to expire tomorrow, the gaming compact will run through March 31st, 2024. It will renew automatically afterward unless the state or the Seneca Nation decides to withdraw or a new gaming compact is agreed upon. Although the terms of the compact are left unchanged, negotiations for a long-term gaming compact are expected to continue in the coming weeks.

Earlier this week, Hochul announced that Saratoga Race Course will host the annual Belmont Stakes in 2024, as Belmont Park on Long Island is being renovated. Its renovation is expected to generate $1 billion in construction-related economic impact, 740 new jobs, and $155 million in annual economic activity upon completion. The upcoming Belmont Stakes will begin on June 6th and continue through June 9th, with the New York Racing Association increasing the purse of the Belmont Stakes from $1.5 million to $2 million. Annual horse racing in the state generates about $3 billion in annual economic impact and maintains 19,000 jobs.

To improve healthcare for children in the state, Hochul announced a $17.7 million award to expand HealthySteps, an evidence-based, interdisciplinary pediatric primary care program that provides early childhood mental and physical care. The awards will help establish 46 new pediatric sites next year, and the plan is to build up to 224 sites by 2027. The Office of Mental Health awarded $7 million to create 46 new sites and $10.7 million to expand 51 existing sites. The expansion of HealthySteps was part of Hochul’s $1 billion Mental Health Plan in the 2024 Budget that includes promoting youth-centered initiatives to improve youth mental and physical health.

Hochul also announced more than $4.6 million investment in medical scholarship programs to further invest in the improvement of the state’s healthcare system. The new investment will help support more than 750 students managed by medical schools across the state and attract a diverse pool of applicants for the state’s physician workforce. By diversifying the physician workforce, the new investment seeks to address health disparities and inequities that many minority communities face in addition to improving access to care. “For far too long, communities of color in New York have faced disparities in their access to health care and, as a result, have endured poorer health outcomes from their underrepresentation in the medical field. By increasing our commitment to programs that champion diversity in medicine, we can ensure that our state’s healthcare workforce is more representative of our state’s population and help right historic wrongs,” Hochul explained.

To improve the mental health system in the state, Hochul announced new conditional funding for 13 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics that create integrated care models and assist in closing gaps in coverage. Thirteen clinics were provided $265,000, with six new clinics in NYC and seven existing clinics being elsewhere across the state. The clinics will provide care to any individual needing assistance for mental health or substance use regardless of their ability to pay. The conditional funding was part of the 2024 Budget, which expanded funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics by $14.7 million in Hochul’s $1 billion Mental Health Plan, as well as including initiatives to improve access to care and closing gaps in coverage.

On Wednesday, Hochul announced the $100 million Affordable Housing Connectivity Program to connect 100,000 affordable housing units with high-speed broadband infrastructure. The new Affordable Housing Connectivity Program is a competitive grant program federally funded by the US Treasury Department under the America Rescue Plan. The new program builds upon Hochul’s priority to increase the housing supply and the $1.3 billion ConnectALL initiative, which seeks to close the state’s digital divide, as highlighted by the recently released plan and initial proposals to increase reliable broadband infrastructure. “With work, school, and essential government services going digital, affordable homes need affordable, reliable broadband, and this funding will help bolster our efforts to build housing equipped with the basic tools that New Yorkers need to succeed,” Hochul explained. Internet service providers are encouraged to apply.

Yesterday, Hochul announced the first-of-its-kind collaboration between university researchers and state emergency managers with the creation of the state’s Weather Risk Communication Center at the University at SUNY at Albany. The new center will receive $1.5 billion in funding annually to ensure that the center can serve as a clearinghouse for critical weather information and develop new emergency service tools. This ensures that the state can quickly adapt and respond to unpredictable and extreme weather events from climate change. “As we face the rising risk of extreme weather events, I’m proud to establish New York’s Weather Risk Communication Center to strengthen our preparedness and keep New Yorkers informed and safe before, during, and after emergencies,” explained Hochul.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Legislature Released 2024 Session Calendar

Earlier this week, the Legislature released their session calendar for 2024! Session will start on January 3rd and end on June 6 for a total of 61 days. Of note, primaries in NYS (excluding the Presidential, which will be in April) will be held on June 25 so many believe session could end (relatively) on time to allow for campaigning back in districts.

Hochul will deliver her State of the State on Tuesday, January 9, and the Executive Budget is due on Tuesday, January 16th. As mandated by the state Constitution, the final Budget must be approved by April 1st.

Longtime Voice of the Assembly to Retire

Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry, whose voice has become well-known to anyone who has listened to or watched the Assembly’s proceedings, announced that he would retire at the end of next year. Aubry has been a long-time champion of criminal justice reforms, with many lawmakers hailing him as being at the forefront of criminal justice reform, starting with his efforts to repeal the state’s Rockefeller Drug Laws in the late 2000s. Alongside his retirement announcement, Aubry endorsed District Leader Larinda Hooks to succeed him, calling her “the most honest, experienced, and qualified candidate.” Alongside Hooks, former Senator Hiram Monserrate is also running. Monserrate unsuccessfully challenged Aubry in 2020 and 2022 but has steadily built community support and positioned himself differently from Aubry on a few key issues, such as on a potential casino outside of CitiField.

GOP Hopeful Nick Paro to Run for John Mannion's Seat

Last week, Salina Town Supervisor Nick Paro announced his campaign for John Mannion’s Senate seat. Mannion is vacating his seat at the end of next year to run for Congress. With Oswego County legislator Jim Rowley dropping out of the Republican primary on Tuesday, Paro will be the only Republican candidate for Mannion’s seat. Paro has already garnered the support of local GOP legislators and party leaders, and many GOP lawmakers view Mannion’s seat as one of their best opportunities to pick up a seat in the Senate; Mannion won his seat by only ten votes in 2022. Paro explained that his campaign is focusing on public safety, the economy, and local issues. Currently, three Democratic candidates are also running for the seat: Assemblymember Al Stirpe, former Oswego County Legislature Minority Leader Tom Drumm, and Onondaga County Legislature Minority Leader Chris Ryan.

Brad Schwartz to Run for Jack Martin's Long Island Senate Seat

On Tuesday, former film editor Brad Schwartz announced his campaign for the Long Island Senate seat currently held by Republican incumbent Jack Martin. The seat also overlaps with former Representative George Santos’ old seat. This will be Schwartz’s second attempt as he dropped out of the 2018 Democratic primary for the same seat in favor of Anna Kaplan, who went on to win the general election but lost to Martins in 2022. Schwartz explained that he will be running on local issues such as the environment, taxes, transportation, healthcare, schools, and a focus on affordability, explaining that the affordability crisis “makes it unaffordable for young families to either stay here or move here.” There are two other possible challengers in the Democratic primary that have filed to run: Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan and businessman Adam Muhammad Azam.

Local Nassau County Legislator To Run for Senator Kevin Thomas Seat

Late Wednesday night, Nassau County Legislator Siela Bynoe announced her campaign to succeed Senator Kevin Thomas, who is leaving his Long Island Senate seat to run for Congress. Bynoe is running on a platform of expanding housing, improving public education, and growing the state’s health care workforce. “There is more to be done to improve access to medical and behavioral health care. There is more to be done to create housing options for our young people, for families, and for our seniors,” Bynoe explained. Bynoe also noted her experience with the Republican-controlled Nassau County Legislature is a benefit, explaining that her district “would be better served having had someone with steep experience in government and direct service.” Also in the race to succeed Thomas is Assemblymember Taylor Darling, who has launched her campaign in late September and already won the endorsement from Thomas.

OTHER UPDATES

Santos Expelled From Congress

George Santos was voted to be expelled from Congress last Friday, with over 100 House Republicans voting with Democrats. Santos is the sixth member in congressional history to be expelled, as expulsion is the harshest form of punishment in the House. Santos’s expulsion came after the House Ethics Committee released a report that “there was substantial evidence” that Santos violated federal criminal laws, as he is currently facing about two dozen federal charges for allegations of campaign finance violations and fraud. With his expulsion, Hochul called for a special election to replace Santos on February 13, with the Democratic and Republican parties nominating their candidates. The Democrats nominated former Representative Tom Suozzi yesterday. Retired police detective Mike Sapraicone is vying for the Republican nomination alongside Air Force Veteran Kellem Curry, and Nassau County legislator Mazi Pilip is also being considered. The upcoming special election to replace Santos is one of the various competitive congressional elections in the state, with President Biden winning the district in 2020 but the GOP winning the district in 2022.

George Latimer Set to Challenge Jamaal Bowman

Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced his primary challenge against Representative Jamaal Bowman earlier this week. Latimer is running on his opposition to Bowman’s stance on the Israel-Hamas War. “In this district, there are people who disagree with the strategies that [Bowman] has taken relative to Israel and foreign policy,” explained Latimer. Latimer also criticized Bowman’s opposition to the recent major Democratic Infrastructure bill. Latimer has explained that he will still focus on progressive policies surrounding housing and abortion and only that Bowman’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict has encouraged him to run. Observers noted that the recent challenge against Bowman is the latest sign of a growing divide in the Democratic Party on the issue of the conflict in Israel.

MTA Approves Congestion Pricing Plan

Earlier this week, the MTA board voted to approve the general guidelines for congestion pricing, including the toll costs, when certain prices will be in effect, and who gets credits. From 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM on weekdays and 9:00 AM to 9:00PM on the weekends, the toll costs would be

$15 for passenger vehicles
$24 for small trucks
$36 for large trucks
$7.50 for motorcycles

For off-hours, which is 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM on weekdays and 9:00 PM to 9:00 AM on the weekends, the toll costs are about 75% less. It is hoped that congestion pricing will generate $15 billion. Low-income drivers earning less than $50,000 a year can apply to pay half-price on the tolls. Drivers using the four tunnels to get into Manhattan and drivers from Long Island and Queens can attain “crossing credits,” so those who already paid tolls to use the tunnels do not have to pay the full congestion fee. However, there are no exemptions for public sector employees such as firefighters and teachers. The MTA plans to implement fares by May or late spring next year. Some lawmakers oppose the plan, such as Senator James Skoufis, who wants a carveout for commuters from Orange and Rockland counties. There will be four public hearings for public comments between February and March.

Mayor Adams in Washington D.C. to Urge More Federal Aid

Yesterday, NYC Mayor Eric Adams went to Washington D.C. to urge President Biden and federal officials for more federal aid with the ongoing asylum-seekers crisis. The recent trip comes as the city faces a $7 billion fiscal cliff and 5% budget cuts across all city agencies. The trip also comes as a recent poll suggesting Adams’s job approval rating of 28%, with 83% of voters being either “very concerned” – at 57% - or “somewhat concerned” – at 26%. The poll also highlighted that about 85% of voters are concerned about the impacts of the ongoing asylum-seekers crisis on the city. “Everybody’s angry right now. I’m angry. That’s why we’re going down to D.C.,” explained Adams.

Firm Spotlight

The D&A Team has once again been named in the City & State’s list of the state’s top lobbyists! We are honored and thank our exceptional clients for placing their confidence in us, and we are proud to do the work we do for them. Excerpt from the list below:

Eglantina Haxhillari, Senior Vice President

Michael Avella Jr., Senior Vice President

Biggest achievement: This was an exciting year for our clients. We were able to continue reforming New York’s elections space by passing some significant voting rights policies. We helped multiple clients advocate for expanding mental health treatment access to help New Yorkers in need and helped pass bills to ensure better testing for cancer and improved access to critical medication. We increased STEM education funding and led advocacy efforts for improving security at at-risk institutions.

Key industries: Technology; voting/elections; education; labor; sports/entertainment; finance

Notable clients: Hotel Trades Council, Verizon, Center for Secure and Modern Elections, Carvana, Orthodox Union/Teach NYS

Other key employees: Michael Avella, Christina Dickinson, Aung Hset