Friday Morning Brief July 19, 2024

Jul 18

Written By Michael Avella

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

Member Spotlight

Samra Brouk

Senator Samra Brouk joined us to discuss her priorities and experiences in the Senate and her Rochester-based Senate district. She first entered public service by volunteering in the Peace Corps in rural Guatemala and then worked on Stacy Abram’s gubernatorial campaign in 2018. As a Senator, she has focused on improving the lives of working-class mothers across the state and addressing the mental health crisis. Currently, she is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Mental Health and a member of various committees, such as on Children and Families, Health, and Internet and Technology.

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 represent Senate District 55. When I first ran for office, this district branched from the shores of Lake Ontario, through the City of Rochester, and 70 miles south through the Finger Lakes. Now, after redistricting, my district includes a larger portion of the City of Rochester and its surrounding suburbs.

What was your profession before becoming a legislator – did it inspire you to run for office?
Before running for office, I worked for a number of nonprofits and tech start-ups. I also spent time in Georgia working on Stacey Abram’s first gubernatorial campaign in 2018. Before all of that, I served in the Peace Corps as a volunteer in rural Guatemala. Collectively, my experiences inspired me to serve in public office.

What kind of music do you like - any favorite bands/artists?
I was a music theater kid and still love anything Broadway. If it’s not that, it’s Beyoncé. Unless I’m with my 2-year-old, in which case anything Ms. Rachel.

Favorite foods? Any favorite places to eat in your district?
I’m Ethiopian, so Ethiopian food is always top of my list — we have a relatively large Ethiopian population in Rochester and some great options to choose from.

What do you like to do in your free time? Any favorite activities?
My work and my two-year-old keep me busy so free time is pretty hard to come by! When I’m home I love taking neighborhood walks with the family and we are regulars at the coffee shop around the corner.

As the Chair of the Committee on Mental Health, what are your priorities and what do you see happening next year?
I’m always working on ways that we can make New York more effective in serving those with mental health conditions. Some of the ways we do that are to make sure that our workforce earns a fair salary, that those in crisis receive the support they need, and that our young people especially receive culturally competent care. This year we also passed Daniel’s Law through committee in the Senate with a unanimous vote. I’m looking forward to continuing that progress as we work to reform our mental health and substance use crisis response system.

What are/is your greatest/proudest legislative achievement(s) this year and throughout your career?
I’ve been a vocal champion of expanding doula care for birthing people in New York State and as of January 1, 2024 we finally offer statewide Medicaid reimbursement for doula care. I’m also incredibly proud of my legislation to create a Community Doula Directory, which the Governor signed into law in November.

Are there any other members that you find yourself working with a lot or enjoy hanging out with in particular?
I have to give a shoutout to all of the mothers of small children in the Legislature. This work is challenging, as is raising a family, and we often lean on each other for support and to make sure our priorities are moving forward.

Is your office focusing on anything right now before session starts or starting to plan on your priorities & goals for next year?
My office recently launched our inaugural Youth Mental Health Advisory Board. We want to uplift youth voices in the issues that affect them most, and with recent reporting showing that young people are struggling with their mental health in record numbers, I felt that there was no better time to engage teens in my district on this issue.

What advice would you give to young folks getting into politics?
Do it. We need diverse voices and perspectives in government, and we need people who reflect the growing needs of New Yorkers across the state.

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

Earlier this month, Governor Hochul joined Congressman Pat Ryan in announcing the completion of the $60 million restoration of the 103-year-old Wurts Street Bridge in Ulster County. Wurts Street Bridge connects the city of Kingston with the rest of Downstate and is one of the first suspension bridges built in the Hudson Valley. The bridge will now have new bridge decks, supporting trusses, a climate control system that will reduce long-term maintenance costs, and wider sidewalks for pedestrians. The restoration of Wurts Street Bridge builds upon Hochul’s commitment to improving the state’s bridge infrastructure, such as the $517.5 million restoration of the two Bronx River Parkway bridges and the $4.7 million restoration of bridges in Herkimer County.

Early last week, Hochul joined Congressman Jerry Nadler and US Senators Chuck Schumer and Corey Booker in announcing $6.88 billion in federal funding for the Gateway Development Commission’s Hudson Tunnel Project. The $6.88 billion in federal funding will support the Hudson Tunnel Project to build two additional tracks and rehabilitate the existing two tracks, which is expected to support 95,000 jobs. The federal funding for the Hudson Tunnel builds upon previous cooperations between the state and the federal government, such as $13 million in federal funding for the state emergency services in April and $40 million federal funding for the state’s semiconductor industry earlier this month. “This full funding grant agreement will provide the critical resources needed to deliver an essential piece of infrastructure that will bring millions of visitors to New York every year,” Hochul explained.

Last week, Hochul announced the public opening of the $44 million La Mora Senior Apartments project in Yonkers. La Mora Senior Apartments is an affordable 60-unit energy-efficient building developed in partnership with Yonkers’ Municipal Housing Authority and the state Homes and Community Renewal. The opening of La Mora Senior Apartments builds upon Hochul’s commitment to expanding the state’s housing access, such as extending the 421-a tax incentive, approving the 485-x tax incentive, and the $25 billion Housing Plan. “My administration is dedicated to making our state more affordable for New Yorkers, and these apartments will give seniors the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community that is tailored to their needs,” Hochul explained. In addition to La Mora Senior Apartments, the construction of Summit, a 113-unit affordable housing development in Yonkers, was also completed earlier this week.

On Monday, Hochul began her statewide listening tour to discuss the issue of smartphone use in schools with parents, teachers, administrators, education leaders, and technology experts. Monday’s roundtable at Guilderland High School kickstarted the tour, and additional roundtables will be announced in the coming months. The listening tour supports Hochul’s commitment to addressing youth mental health and the effects of technology and social media on students and builds upon the enactment of the SAFE for Kids Act and Child Data Protection Act. “I’m working with all stakeholders across the state to develop effective solutions on smartphones that help protect our kids’ mental health and deliver the best results for our schools,” Hochul explained.

Earlier this week, Hochul announced the start of the construction of Sunrise Wind, an offshore wind project off of Bellport on Long Island. Developed by Ørsted, the 924-megawatt Sunrise Wind is expected to power about 60,000 homes after its completion in 2026. The construction is also expected to create and support more than 800 jobs. Alongside the announcement, the state’s fifth offshore wind solicitation is now public, with proposals due on September 9th. The next offshore wind solicitation and construction of Sunrise Wind builds upon the state’s 10-Point Action Plan to support the state’s transition into a renewable energy economy guided by CLCPA. “These projects will create good-paying union jobs and demonstrate that New York is leading the nation to build the offshore wind industry,” Hochul explained.

On Wednesday, Hochul joined NYC Mayor Eric Adams to celebrate new NYPD data highlighting decreased crime in MTA subway stations. The data shows that transit crime is now 11% lower than in 2019, 27% down over the past four weeks, and 8% down since the beginning of this year. Hochul explained that the decrease in transit crimes was due to her five-point plan for tackling crime on trains, the first meeting of the Subway and Transit Safety Task Force, and increased efforts to find housing and mental health services for unhoused individuals in train stations. “Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority, and it’s clear that the proactive measures we’re taking to prevent and reduce violence on our subways are working,” Hochul explained. This comes after Hochul announced a double-digit decline in violent and overall crimes on Long Island on Tuesday.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Hochul Signs Summer Tourism Bills

Earlier this month, Hochul signed two bills to help promote tourism in the state. One bill signed by Hochul prohibits mandating the use of credit cards as a means of payment in state parks and historical sites. “I believe it is a commonsense measure to ensure all residents, particularly those that predominantly utilize cash, are afforded equitable access. No one should be denied the opportunity to enjoy these prized sites based on their method of payment,” the bill Senate sponsor Monica Martinez explained. The other bill signed by Hochul extends the authorization for certain operators of leased personal watercraft to be exempt from the boating safety certificate. Both bills are expected to support the state’s initiative to promote summer tourism and Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” summer campaign.

Lawmakers Urge Hochul to Sign HOPP Bill

Last week, a group of lawmakers urged Hochul to sign a bill that would codify the Homeowner Protections Program, also known as HOPP. During this year’s budget negotiations, lawmakers and Hochul agreed to $40 million in funding for HOPP, which provides legal counseling and services for low-income homeowners. However, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle passed a bill to codify HOPP in the final week of session to make the program permanent. “People’s lives and staying in their homes shouldn’t be a bargaining chip,” Assembly sponsor Michaelle Solages explained. Currently, the bill hasn’t been delivered to Hochul’s desk. However, Assembly Housing Chair Linda Rosenthal remains optimistic, explaining, “There’s no valid reason [for Hochul] not to sign it because it’s such a necessary program.” Senate sponsor and Housing Chair Brian Kavanagh also agreed, explaining that he believes Hochul understands the necessity.

Lawmakers Urge Hochul to Sign Childcare Bills

Assemblymember Sarah Clark and Senator Samra Brouk are urging Hochul to sign a bill that would enable families to get childcare support as they wait for their applications to be processed. Lawmakers and childcare advocates argue that the bill would make it easier for low-income families to access childcare while working or studying in school. Brouk explained that signing the bill would “create a fill gap during that period.” Another bill Clark and other advocates are pushing for Hochul to sign is the bill that would eliminate the requirement that families make a certain amount of money to be eligible for assistance. Clark explained that the current law “[penalizes] the lowest paid work workforce,” and 10,000 families across the state will become eligible if the bill is signed. During this year’s session, the issue of childcare was a bipartisan issue, with members from both sides of the aisle advocating for making childcare more accessible and affordable.

Micro-Mobility Devices Legislative Package Signed by Hochul

Last week, Hochul signed a legislative package addressing micro-mobility device safety and battery fires. Bills regarding e-bikes, e-scooters, mopeds, and lithium-ion batteries were heavily advocated by lawmakers this year due to a reported surge of lithium-ion battery fires and accidents by micro-mobility devices, with the FDNY stating 150 people were injured and 18 were killed last year. Some of the bills signed by Hochul are also expected to hold battery makers accountable and support firefighters. “Electric assist mobility devices are essential for New York workers, but the dangers posed by lithium-ion batteries have gone unchecked for too long and have led to too many fires in our communities,” Senator Iwen Chu said of the reasoning behind the legislative package. Some of the bills in the legislative package are:

Lithium-Ion Battery Standards: establishes standards for lithium-ion batteries for sale
Moped Registration: requires mopeds to be registered by dealers at the point of sale
Supporting Firefighters: requires the state to provide training materials for first responders to fight lithium-ion battery fires

Supreme Court Judge Blocks Cap On Outside Income for Lawmakers

On Wednesday, state Supreme Court Judge Alison Napolitano agreed to block a law that caps how much income lawmakers can make outside of their public salaries. Lawmakers approved the cap in late 2022 as part of a bill that raised lawmakers’ salaries by 29%. However, ten Republican lawmakers filed a lawsuit against the cap on the basis that it violated the state constitution and asked for a preliminary injunction while the lawsuit is ongoing. While the cap is blocked, the pay raise is already in effect. Republican lawmakers praised the ruling by Judge Napolitano, with Senate Republican Leader saying, “This ruling affirms that principle and protects the ability of citizens from all walks of life to serve in the state Legislature.”

Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani Joins Growing List of Possible Challenges to Mayor Adams

This week, DSA-affiliated Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani is reportedly considering a challenge to NYC Mayor Eric Adams in next year’s Democratic mayoral primary. Although NYC-DSA praised Mamdani for his advocacy for “tenants and public transit riders” while in office, they did not confirm nor deny the rumors of his consideration to run for mayor. It is also rumored that Mamdani is looking to run for the Working Families Party, which is trying to support a progressive primary challenge to Adams. Currently, former NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer and Senator Zellnor Myrie are fundraising for their candidacy, while NYC Comptroller Brad Lander is expected to make his formal announcement later this month to challenge Adams. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo has reportedly said he would run if Adams is indicted over alleged federal campaign violations. Senator Jessica Ramos is also reportedly considering running for mayor.

2024 Election Updates

Hochul To Run For Second Term in 2026

Earlier this month, Hochul indicated that she will run for a second term in 2026 and that Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado will still be her running mate. “2026 may be a long way off, [but] I’m running. I’m preparing for that race.” This comes as some speculated that Hochul was looking for a position in the Biden Administration and potential primary challenges due to her decision to pause congestion pricing abruptly in the last week of session. Delgado’s campaign spokesperson also confirmed that he will be running in 2026, making him the first Lt. Governor in four previous administrations to stay with the Governor for more than one term. “I have a very strong relationship with my lieutenant governor. We communicate regularly. He is doing a phenomenal job traveling the state promoting some of his signature initiatives, so I’m very happy with what we’re doing now,” Hochul explained.

Hochul and Other Democratic Governors Express Support for President Biden

With Democratic Congressmembers publicly and privately calling on President Biden to step down as the Democratic nominee for president, Hochul has touted her support for Biden. After a meeting with a group of Democratic governors earlier this month, Hochul said, “President Joe Biden is in it to win it, and all of us said we pledged our support to him,” and “We feel very confident in his abilities.” Minnesota Governor and Chair of the Democratic Governors Association Tim Walz added, “The governors have his back, and we’re working together just to make very, very clear on that.” The growing dissent against Biden’s nomination comes after Biden’s performance in the June 27th Presidential Debate, with Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado recently breaking with Hochul and joining the calls for Biden to step down.

Trump Accepts GOP Nomination Amidst Debates Over Biden's Democratic Nomination

This week was the Republican National Convention, and Donald Trump accepted the Republican presidential nomination for the third time in a row last night. Although many GOP officials, celebrities, and lawmakers attended the Convention, including Nikki Haley, who endorsed Trump on Tuesday night, many prominent GOP figures did not attend, including former Vice President Mike Pence, former President George W. Bush, and former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Ohio Senator JD Vance also accepted the GOP vice presidential nomination after months of speculation over Trump’s potential Vice President pick. The Republican National Convention comes after Saturday’s assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee is moving ahead with its controversial plan to virtually nominate President Biden, with rules and dates for the virtual vote set to be published next week. This comes amidst a growing debate amongst Democratic officials over President Biden’s viability to win the November election, with some prominent Democratic leaders calling for Biden to step down as the nominee. Although the Democratic Party can lock in a nominee before the Democratic National Convention on August 19th, many hope to end the debate over Biden’s viability before August 7th to ensure ballot access in battleground states like Ohio. Currently, Biden said he would only consider dropping out if he is diagnosed with a “medical condition that emerged.”

OTHER UPDATES

State Comptroller's Audit on Clean Energy Transition

On Tuesday, NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released an audit of the Public Service Commission and NYSERDA on their current steps to meet the goals set by the CLCPA. While the audit found that the state is “moving in the right direction to transition to renewable energy,” it also warned that “better planning, monitoring of progress and timely assessment of risks by PSC is needed to achieve our ambitious clean energy goals.” Specifically, the audit explained that the Public Service Commission and NYSERDA relied on outdated data and miscalculated the state’s ability to reach 70% renewable electricity sources by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2040 mandates. The report comes after the Public Service Commission and NYSERDA released a report earlier this month stating that the state might not reach its clean energy goal by 2030. The Public Service Commission has 180 days to respond to the audits.

NYC Budget Agreement

Just hours before the June 30th deadline, NYC Mayor Eric Adams, NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and the Council agreed to a 2025 final budget deal after weeks of contentious debates over agency budget cuts and accusations of budget mismanagement. The $112.4 billion final budget reversed various agency budget cuts, such as restoring $58 million in cuts to libraries and $53 million to cultural institutions. However, the three DSA Councilmembers who voted against the budget deal explained that they were disappointed that not all of the budget cuts were reversed, with Councilmember Shahana Hanif saying, “Ultimately, this is a restoration budget that prevents funding for essential services from going bad to worse.”

Bill to Increase NYC Council Authority Allowed to Move Forward by Mayor Adams

After back-and-forth discussions between Mayor Adams and the NYC Council, Adams allowed a bill to increase the Council’s authority over 21 commissioner-level appoints to go into effect, allowing it to be on a citywide referendum in November. Originally, Councilmembers were bracing for a potential veto by Adams. However, the new Charter Revision Commission is reviewing recommendations to change the existing city law that would prevent the bill from being on a referendum in November. Council spokesperson explained that Adams’ allowing the bill to be enacted “is tacit approval” or “a blatant admission that his Charter Revision Commission’s mission is simply to block New Yorkers from exercising this democratic right.” If the bill fails to be in a referendum in November, the bill states that it must be voted on in a special election.

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