Friday Morning Brief Jan 3, 2025

Jan 2

Written By Michael Avella

Happy New Year from the D&A team!

Member Spotlight Assemblyman Landon Dais

Assemblyman Landon Dais joined us to discuss his district based on the Bronx, priorities, and experiences in the Assembly. Before being elected in a special election last year, he served his community as an attorney advocating for small businesses, nonprofits, and families impacted by marijuana arrests. Currently, he is on various committees, such as on Banks, Housing, Small Business, and Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry

What district do you represent? Can you describe it for those that have never been there?
I represent the amazing 77th District in the Southwest Bronx. While I don’t technically represent Yankee Stadium, it’s part of the area that defines our community. The district includes vibrant neighborhoods like Claremont, Concourse, Highbridge, Mount Eden, and Morris Heights.

What music do you like? Any favorite bands/artists?
I have an eclectic taste in music. For hip-hop, I enjoy legends like Jay-Z, Biggie, Outkast, Camp Lo, and Devin the Dude. In soul music, I’m a fan of James Brown, The Temptations, Curtis Mayfield, and Marvin Gaye. When it comes to Latin music, I love Ruben Blades, Héctor Lavoe, Marc Anthony, and Johnny Ventura.

What about sports? Any favorite NY sports team?
I love sports and have the privilege of being a youth baseball coach in my district. Coaching the kids is always rewarding, especially when our field is in the shadows of Yankee Stadium. Naturally, the Yankees are one of my favorite teams. I’m also a die-hard (and long-suffering) Jets fan, and I’m a huge supporter of the New York Knicks. Whether it’s playing, coaching, or watching, sports are a big part of my life.

Favorite food? Any restaurant recommendations in your district?
When I started in office, we didn’t have many dining options, but I’m thrilled to see more restaurants opening up. Enhancing our hospitality industry is a priority for me. Recently, a new food hall opened in Bronx Terminal Market with five restaurants, including a fantastic Jamaican spot called Rice & Peas & Tings. My favorite local Dominican spot is La Lechonera Criolla on Edward L. Grant Highway, and for drinks and wings, I recommend Credit Life, also on Edward L. Grant. My goal is to continue attracting quality restaurants, including a new food hall planned for Ogden Avenue.

What was your occupation before running for office? Did it lead you to run for the Assembly?
I’m an attorney and business consultant with experience in government and community affairs. My legal background prepared me for the policy and legislative aspects of this role, while my work in lobbying and campaign management helped me build strong relationships with stakeholders. Honestly, I hadn’t planned to run for office, but I’m glad I did because I believe I can make a meaningful difference in our community.

What issues do you think are impacting your district the most?
My primary goal is to create more economic opportunities for my community. We need businesses in the district to grow and hire more local residents. Economic growth can help address other challenges like affordable housing, crime, and quality of life. For example, a new EV rental company, Joulez, recently acquired 1,300 Fisker cars. We’re working to ensure they thrive in our district and hire local residents. Additionally, we’re collaborating with the Bronx EOC’s EV charger vocational training program to prepare our workforce for these opportunities. Holistic approaches like these are how we address socioeconomic challenges and focus on sustainable solutions.

Aside from local issues impacting your district, are there any statewide issues you want to focus on for the 2025 legislative session?
New York faces many challenges, but my priority is ensuring New Yorkers know I hear them, see them, and am fighting for them. One major statewide issue I want to address is upgrading and safeguarding our aging infrastructure. To remain a global economic leader, New York must retrofit its infrastructure for the future. I’m particularly focused on securing our electrical grid and keeping utility prices affordable for residents. Investing in affordable, clean energy will also prepare us for AI and electrification mandates. This transition presents an opportunity to create thousands of good-paying union jobs, benefiting young people in districts like mine.

What advice would you give to young folks who want to be more involved in politics?
First and foremost, it’s important to be solution-oriented. People want leaders who are actively improving their quality of life. Second, meet the community where they are and communicate your efforts clearly and effectively. Good messaging is just as important as the work you’re doing. Lastly, be authentic. People appreciate leaders they can trust and believe in.

Any other comments you want to mention?
Last year was challenging, as I wasn’t expecting to hold elected office. I was sworn in during budget season, while preparing for a tough reelection campaign. Despite the challenges, the community recognized I brought in over 2.1 million dollars in STEM grants for schools in our district, and I passed two major bills as a rookie Assemblymember: the Deed Theft Bill and the Civil Court Judge Expansion. The Deed Theft Bill, a collaboration with Attorney General Tish James and Senator Zellnor Myrie, tackles a critical issue in our communities. The Judge Expansion Bill, developed with Senator Brad Hoylman-Siegel, created 28 new judgeships, including three in the Bronx. This expansion allowed Bronx Chairman Jamaal Bailey to continue elevating qualified, diverse candidates, including two Latinos, to the bench. This demonstrated that the South Bronx community rewards those who work hard for them. I make it a priority to be present in my community, so they know: I hear them, I see them, and I fight for them!

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!

Aung Hset/D&A

2025 Legislative Session Scheduled to Start on January 8th

The first day of the legislative session is scheduled for January 8th. Lawmakers are set to focus on various issues, such as affordability, education, and healthcare. Further, some lawmakers are also considering passing bills to “Trump-proof” the state, such as immigration protections to counteract Trump’s possible mass deportation plans.

Immigration Protections

While bills like the New York for All Act, Dignity Not Detention Act, and the Access to Representation Act have support from Democratic lawmakers, Hochul did express some openness to collaborating with Trump to deport undocumented immigrants who are convicted of a crime. “With Trump assuming the presidency…we must do all we can to protect our immigrant neighbors,” Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas explained.

Affordability

With Hochul explicitly saying she wants to tackle affordability in 2025 and voter surveys highlighting affordability as a top issue, lawmakers are poised to pursue bills that alleviate affordability concerns. Recently, Hochul unveiled her first State of the State proposal to send a $300 or $500 “Inflation Refund,” and NYC Mayor Eric Adams proposed to eliminate income taxes on certain low-income families with dependents. While the minimum wage has increased throughout the state since January 1st and was codified to increase in the following years, many lawmakers believe that the cost of living is still too high to be covered by the increased minimum wage.

Housing

While the Legislature and Hochul agreed to a housing deal last year that includes building incentives and tenant protections, this year lawmakers are expected to prioritize housing vouchers. The Housing Access Voucher Program, which would subsidize the cost of rent, garnered bipartisan support last year but was opposed by Hochul due to its high cost. Lawmakers estimate that the program would cost about $250 million a year, while Hochul estimates that the cost would be about $6 billion a year.

Education

After lawmakers successfully opposed Hochul’s attempt to remove the “hold harmless” provision in the Foundation Aid formula last year, leaders of the Legislature and Hochul agreed to push back the issue to 2025 and directed the Rockefeller Institute of Government to study the issue. The reportrecommended overhauling the Foundation Aid formula, removing “hold harmless,” and eliminating a $500 per student funding floor. However, some lawmakers still remain opposed to the elimination of “hold harmless,” arguing that it will result in less funding for schools in their districts. Additionally, it is expected that Hochul will propose some form of restrictions on using cell phones in the classroom with some support from lawmakers and advocates.

Healthcare

Related to affordability, lawmakers are expected to tackle the cost of healthcare in the upcoming legislative session. Last year, lawmakers agreed to eliminate insulin copays for private insurance and passed a bill to require private insurance to provide coverage for at least two EpiPens for less than $100 annually. Some lawmakers may pursue bills to reduce the cost of other prescription drugs. “We can actually, number one, improve the total outcome, and two, reduce unnecessary wasteful spending,” explained Assemblymember John McDonald.

Other Possible Priorities Include:

Public Safety
Mental Health
Criminal Justice
MTA Funding
Environment
Infrastructure Funding
Labor Protections

Don Pollard/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

Early last week, Hochul announced that the state had awarded 165 projects to support water infrastructure upgrades in communities statewide. Funded through the DEC’s Water Quality Improvement Project and Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Mapping Grant, more than $225 million has been awarded to support projects focused on improving water quality, promoting flood resiliency, protecting drinking water sources, and mapping storm sewer in urban areas. The funding builds upon the state’s commitment to strengthening climate resiliency and modernizing water infrastructure.

Last week, Hochul announced that the state’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission issued a final siting permit for the Somerset solar array. The solar array is expected to generate 125 megawatts of clean, renewable energy or enough electricity to power more than 25,000 average-sized houses in the town of Somerset. The project is located in a former coal plant, making the issued permit the first in the state to repurpose a former industrial site. The project supports the state’s climate agenda for an affordable transition into a clean energy economy and ensures the clean energy transition does not negatively impact families.

On the day before Christmas, Hochul announced that the Nourish New York program had distributed more than 100 million meals to families across the state. Originally launched as an emergency relief program during COVID-19, the program was codified in November 2021 and continues to help feed families facing food insecurity — additionally, the program purchases directly from the state’s farms and agribusinesses, economically supporting farmers. The program has since received $50 million in annual state funding, totaling more than $175 million. "Over the last four years, the impact of Nourish New York has skyrocketed, distributing more than 100 million meals to those facing food insecurity while also supporting New York’s farms,” explained Hochul.

Late last week, Hochul announced that more than 1,000 households have received $51 million in grants to support affordable homeownership. The grants, administered by Homes and Community Renewal’s Office of Community Renewal, help low- and moderate-income families make repairs, accessibility modifications, or safety upgrades to their homes, replace manufactured homes, and provide down payment assistance for first-time buyers. The grants support Hochul’s $25 billion Housing Plan to create and preserve 100,000 affordable homes in the state.

On New Year’s Day, Hochul announced that the state delivered about $6.5 billion in food assistance to low-income families throughout 2024 from SNAP. With 3 million individuals or 1.7 million households receiving SNAP each month, Hochul also calls on Congress to continue its support for SNAP, which is a federally funded program. “We need congressional leaders to step up and maintain funding for SNAP, an absolutely critical program that so many working families, families with children, and seniors across New York depend on to purchase food, feed their loved ones, and make ends meet,” explained Hochul.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Next week, the Legislature is scheduled to be in session on Wednesday
The State of the State is scheduled to be on Tuesday, January 14th

Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

End of Year Bill Signatures and Vetoes

Right before the end of 2024, Hochul signed or vetoed the rest of her 104 bills, with only one bill relating to transportation aid for schools waiting for approval or veto. In total, Hochul signed 678 bills and vetoed 124 bills for 2024. One prominent bill vetoed by Hochul was the Grieving Families Act, making it her third veto of the bill. Similar to her two previous vetoes, Hochul explained that the bill would “pose significant risks to consumers, without many of the changes I expressed openness to in previous rounds of negotiations.” Senate sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal said he would reintroduce the bill in the upcoming legislative session. One notable bill that Hochul approved was the Climate Change Superfund Act, which will require major polluters to pay a combined $3 billion a year for climate resiliency projects for the next 25 years. The new fund is expected to total up to $75 billion.

New Year, New Laws

With the start of a new year, a set of new laws will take effect. From minimum wage to prenatal leave for pregnant workers, some of the new laws in effect are

Minimum Wage

The hourly minimum wage for non-tipped workers in NYC, Westchester, and on Long Island will increase by $0.50 per hour totaling to $16.50 per hour. In the rest of the state, non-tipped workers will also see an increase of $0.50 per hour, totaling $15.50 per hour. In 2026, non-tipped workers will see another increase of $0.50 per hour, with $17 in Downstate and $16 in the rest of the state. In 2027, minimum wage increases will be automatically tied to the inflation rate.

DMV New Point Structure

Starting today, the DMV will automatically begin enforcing its new point structure with harsher punishment. Under the new system, driving with or under the influence will give the driver 11 points, and a driver’s license can be suspended after 11 points or more over two years. A driver’s license can also be suspended after attaining 9 points or more over two years from speeding tickets. Other infractions, including illegally passing a stopped school bus, will have their points increased.

Elimination of Insulin Copays

Building upon the previous limit of $100 a month on insulin copays, individuals under private individual, small-group, or large-group policies will no longer have to pay copays for insulin. According to DFS, about 60,000 individuals in the state are expected to benefit from the new law.

Prenatal Leave for Pregnant Workers

Under the new law, private employers are required to provide pregnant women with up to 20 hours of paid prenatal care. The prenatal leave law applies to both part-time and full-time employees and can be supplemented by the state’s paid family leave program, which covers two-thirds of a new parent’s salary for 12 weeks after giving birth.

Leaders of the Legislature Reject MTA Capital Plan

On Christmas Eve, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie rejected the MTA’s Five-Year Capital Plan. The leaders of the Legislature cited concerns that $33 billion of the $65 billion Capital Plan does not have an identified funding mechanism. While the rejection leaves the MTA without official approval for its proposed project for repairs and upgrades, Stewart-Cousins and Heastie explained that the funding issue can be “solved during the upcoming legislative session in the context of the State Budget negotiations.” However, MTA CEO Janno Leiber calls the rejection a “Catch-22 scenario.” The rejection comes amidst the upcoming start of Congestion Pricing and after Hochul expressed her support for the Capital Plan with possible state funding in the Budget.

Lawmakers Call for More Prison Accountability After Robert Brooks' Death

After video recordings of the assault and killing of Robert Brooks in Marcy Correctional Facility were publicly released by Attorney General Letitia James last week, various lawmakers call for strengthening protections for incarcerated individuals and additional checks and balances on correctional facilities staffers. Senator Julia Salazar, the Chair of Crime, Victims, Crime and Correction Committee, explains that the Legislature “must act swiftly to pass legislation to…fully hold accountable anyone who has contributed to horrific violence in New York’s prisons and jails.” The Black Legislative Task Force also called for more “legislative resolutions” and the arrest and prosecution of 14 staffers who were involved in the killing. “Correctional officers are not judge and jury nor executioners,” explained Assemblymember Chantel Jackson, the Chair of the Black Legislative Task Force.

Republican Senators Urge Hochul to Pay off UI Fund Debt

After Hochul unveiled her “Inflation Refund” plan, Republican Senators George Borrello, Dean Murray, and Pam Helming sent a letter urging Hochul to dedicate state funds to paying off about $6 billion in Unemployment Insurance Fund debt owed to the federal government. The senators explained that UI Fund debt results in higher unemployment insurance premiums for small businesses. “Instead of following the commonsense approach of other states and using some of the billions in federal COVID aid to pay down the unemployment debt, the Governor unfairly shifted the burden to businesses and employers through the Unemployment Insurance Assessment Surcharge,” explained Borrello. Senator Dean Murray also explained that paying off the UI Fund debt will lower the cost of goods, explaining, “By eliminating a massive expense for employers and businesses, we are helping them and allowing them to lower the costs of goods and services.”

OTHER UPDATES

New Jersey Claims Congestion Pricing Cannot Start After Judge Ruling

After both New Jersey and Hochul both touted victory after US Senior Judge Leo Gordon’s decision on a Congestion Pricing lawsuit filed by New Jersey, New Jersey filed a request to clarify Gordon’s decision days before the start of Congestion Pricing on Sunday. Out of the ten lawsuits regarding congestion pricing, New Jersey’s lawsuit was considered by many to be the most serious lawsuit. While Gordon’s decision did not explicitly direct the MTA to halt its Sunday starting date, New Jersey’s attorneys argued that Gordon’s decision stated that the federal government “acted arbitrarily and capriciously in approving the MTA’s plan” and thus “more consideration is needed before the current congestion pricing proposal may take effect.” Gordon is set to hold a hearing on New Jersey’s request later this afternoon.

Former NYPD Chief's Home Raided by Law Enforcement

Yesterday, law enforcement agents raided the home of former NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey. The new NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch explained, “At my direction, the Internal Affairs Bureau of the New York City Police Department is working with law enforcement authorities to investigate allegations against former Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey.” Late last month, Maddrey stepped down after allegations of sexual harassment abrupted. The raid against Maddrey comes amidst allegations of corruption against Mayor Eric Adams and his former aides. However, a spokesperson for Mayor Adams explained that he is “working in close coordination with Police Commissioner Tisch as the NYPD conducts its investigation.”

Uncertainty Over Mike Johnson's Speakership Post

With the 119th Congress scheduled to begin later today, it will be the first time since 2019 that the Republicans hold a majority in the House and Senate at the same time. While Republican John Thune is already set to be the next Senate Leader, Speaker Mike Johnson is facing some opposition from his own party to continue as Speaker for another term due to Republican infighting over government funding two weeks ago. Johnson has warned that if the Speaker is not elected on time, it might lead to delays in certifying Trump’s presidential victory. “There is an acute understanding of that fact. The problem is [that] we have some more colorful members who [may] view things differently,” said Johnson. As of Thursday afternoon, it has been reported that at least a dozen Republicans in the House are undecided or against Johnson being reelected as Speaker.

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