Friday Morning Brief June 2, 2023

Jun 1

Legislature Hopeful to Pass Clean Slate Before the End of Session

Governor Hochul, Speaker Heastie and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins told reporters on Wednesday that with only one more week of session left this year, significant pieces of legislation are unlikely to pass except for Clean Slate, with Stewart-Cousins saying, “Clean Slate is probably the one.” This comes after the leaders of the Legislature met with Hochul with promises from all parties to finalize Clean Slate before session ends next week.

Clean Slate would seal misdemeanor and felony records - excluding sexual offenses - after a specific time period after incarceration, making them unavailable to prospective employers and the public. In certain cases, the records could be unsealed, such as when applying for firearms, a law enforcement job, or if the DMV has to check on a person’s traffic convictions. Although Hochul and leaders of the Legislature seek to pass Clean Slate, negotiations over the time period are still ongoing. “We’re just down to the technical changes,” explained Hochul. On the other hand, GOP lawmakers have criticized Clean Slate, arguing that it would hinder public safety. Nevertheless, criminal justice advocates, labor unions and business groups have supported Clean Slate.

Regarding affordable housing, Stewart-Cousins explained that there was “nothing to report,” indicating that Good Cause Evictions would not pass this year. In her press conference on Wednesday, she explained that any legislation on housing should be “part of a larger, comprehensive package that includes tenant protections.” Heastie, in his separate press conference, explained that “everyone is acknowledging the [housing] issue” but that “there really needs to be time for collective buy-in, and I’m just not sure that was able to happen with the housing program.” The comments came after lawmakers and NYC officials lobbied in the Capital to tackle the housing issue before the end of the session.

When questioned whether the session will end on schedule on June 8th, Stewart-Cousins answered, “I do intend that we’ll be done June 8th, June 9th, or something like that” as she referred to the "shaded boxes" that indicate session days on the legislative calendar.

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

On Memorial Day, Hochul delivered remarks honoring the state’s veterans in the recent establishment of the state’s first Veterans Cemetery. The state first established the cemetery after its land ownership was transferred from Seneca County, which will provide burial options for its veterans and their families. "The first State Veterans Cemetery honors brave men and women and the sacrifices they made to defend our freedom, preserve our democracy, and ensure our safety, and I am proud to commemorate this commitment to our veterans and their families to ensure they can rest in peace,” Hochul said. In addition, landmarks across the state were illuminated red, white, and blue in honor of Memorial Day.

Hochul kicked off her Environmental Bond Act Listening Tour on Tuesday in Buffalo, highlighting its importance on the state’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a renewable economy. The Bond Act prioritizes investments in environmental justice, climate change mitigation, shoreline restoration, flood resilience, water quality, open space conservation, recreational resources, and green jobs. Two new virtual meetings on June 26, 6:00 p.m., and July 26, 6:00 p.m. have been announced in addition to two meetings in Brooklyn and Bronx.

Central New York: June 8, from 1 to 3 p.m., State University of New York Cortland, Corey Union Function Room
North Country: July 14, 1 to 3 p.m., North Country Community College, Sparks Athletic Complex Alumni Gymnasium
Capital Region: July 20, 1 to 3 p.m., University at Albany, Campus Center Auditorium
Brooklyn: August 9, 6 to 8 p.m. Brooklyn College
Lower Hudson: August 15, 1 to 3 p.m., Westchester County Center, Little Theater
Bronx: August 22, 6 to 8 p.m., La Central YMCA gymnasium
Long Island: August 24, 1 to 3 p.m., Suffolk County Community College, Suffolk Credit Union Arena

To register to participate in any of the Environmental Bond Act Listening Tour locations, please click here.

In support of small businesses across the state, Hochul announced her Interagency Small Business Tour in Utica, Troy, Buffalo and Rochester. The tour will highlight state programs and services designed to help support state businesses by providing information on licensing, regulations, taxes, grants and training. The tour will also include representatives from the state’s Department of Labor, Department of Departments of State and Tax and Finance, the Workers’ Compensation Board and Empire State Development. “Small businesses are the core of New York’s economy - creating local jobs, reenergizing neighborhoods, and bringing communities together,” Hochul said. To register to participate in any of the listening tour, please click here.

Tuesday, June 6, 8:30 a.m. - Mohawk Valley Community College, Information Technology Center, Utica
Tuesday, June 6, 5:30 p.m. - Hudson Valley Community College, Bulmer Telecommunications Center, Troy
Tuesday, June 13, 8:30 a.m. - Jacqueline Vito LoRusso Alumni & Visitor Center, 667 Grant Street, Buffalo
Wednesday, June 14, 8:30 a.m. - Rochester Educational Opportunity Center, 161 Chestnut Street, Rochester

Last Friday, Hochul announced the first round of a $4 million grant to be awarded to SUNY campus-led offshore wind training and workforce development programs. SUNYs that were awarded were:

Alfred State College
University at Buffalo
Farmingdale State College
Hudson Valley Community College
Suffolk County Community College
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Stony Brook University

The grants were awarded from the Offshore Wind Training Institute and designed to help prepare students in the offshore wind industry, such as in construction, manufacturing, and maintenance. The grants will help support the state’s goal to transition into a renewable economy and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. The second round of awards will be announced in the summer of 2023.

On Wednesday, Hochul joined SUNY Chancellor John King’s 2023 State of the University Address, remarking on the importance of SUNYs on families across the state. Touting SUNYs as the “engines of social mobility,” Hochul explained how education can help low-income families garner wealth and workforce experiences and the importance of state support for SUNYs to ensure its curriculum meet the “21st-century demands.” Highlighting her recent investment of $1.4 billion for SUNY capital projects, $163 million for operating funds, and $75 million for workforce developments, Hochul iterated her support for making SUNYs affordable, accessible, and desirable for the graduating high school seniors in the state.

On Wednesday, Hochul iterated the state’s support for the childcare workforce by announcing the $500 million Workforce Retention Grant Program, which will support about 150,000 caregivers. The 150,000 caregivers can now attain bonuses ranging from $2,300 to $3,000 and recruit new staff with sign-on and referral bonuses under the new program. This new program will support the 2024 Budget priority to expand the childcare workforce and make childcare more accessible to New Yorkers. The application for the new program is set to open on July 13. “I’m really proud to announce our $500 million Workforce Retention Grant Program. This is how we’re going to bolster New York State’s childcare workforce,” explained Hochul.

Earlier this week, Hochul announced that the state’s Green Bank had surpassed $2 billion in cumulative financial commitments to support the state’s transition into a renewable economy and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. The Green Bank has invested $5.5 billion in private and public decarbonization, clean energy, energy storage, and sustainable infrastructure projects, with estimated reductions of more than 41 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

LEGISLATIVE/BUDGET UPDATES

1 week of session remains before the legislature adjourns until Jan
Next week, the Legislature is scheduled to be in session Monday - Thursday (but likely into Friday/Saturday)

Lawmakers and NYC Officials Rally for Affordable Housing

With only a few sessoin days left and affordable housing remaining a pivotal issue in the state, NYC Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer and Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz joined lawmakers urging the Legislature to pass bills related to affordable housing. NYC officials are asking the Legislature to pass bills enabling office conversions to affordable housing, changing the Floor Area Ratio – which limits the height of skyscrapers in the city – and renewing or replacing the 421a tax break – a tax break for developers. This comes after Hochul’s housing plan in the 2024 Budget was rejected by lawmakers and as lawmakers are currently debating over housing and tenants’ rights. Lawmakers that joined Torress-Springer and Katz’s call for affordable housing bills were:

Senator Gounardes
Senator Sepúlveda
Assemblymember Rajkumar
Assemblymember Burgos
Assemblymember Bores
Assemblymember Simone
Assemblymember Cunningham
Assemblymember Gibbs

Good Cause Eviction Protest in the Assembly Chamber

As lawmakers debate over the affordable housing crisis, housing activists in the Assembly Chamber disrupted proceedings on Wednesday to demand passage of Good Cause Eviction by throwing two dozen paper airplanes from the Chamber’s front balcony onto the Assemblymembers. Good Cause Eviction would limit landlords from evicting tenants except for lease violations and rent increases of more than 3%, or 1.5 times the local consumer price index, to adjust for inflation. Landlords have warned that the passage of Good Cause Eviction would raise housing prices and put more strain on the housing market. Good Cause Eviction and other housing measures seem unlikely to pass in this year’s session as leaders of the Legislature were unable to reach a housing deal with Hochul during and after the Budget negotiations.

Non-Religious Substance Abuse Treatment Program on Hochul's Desk

A bill requiring courts to inform defendants of their right to a non-religious substance abuse treatment program was passed in both houses of the Legislature and has now been delivered to Hochul. Lawmakers have expressed support for the bill as it would allow defendants struggling with addiction to attain treatment programs that align with their beliefs and help the state avoid lawsuits by defendants objecting to religious options. However, last year, Hochul vetoed the bill late last December due to concerns about the burden of disclosure requirements for judges. It remains to be seen if Hochul will veto again or approve it into law.

Veteran's Benefit Database Bill Passed the Senate

This week, Senate passed a bill requiring the Department of Veterans’ Services to establish a database of resources for veterans and their families. The database would include general information about existing housing support, substance abuse disorder treatment programs, educational and job benefits, real property tax exemptions, suicide prevention and outreach support, and various other welfare programs and support. This comes after a December hearing where veterans expressed frustration and difficulties obtaining essential welfare information to combat veterans’ homelessness, mental health issues, and substance abuse. Currently, 800,000 veterans live in the state, but only 17% utilize eligible benefits.

Bill Extending Statue of Limitations on Sex Trafficking Passes Senate

The Senate passed a bi-partisan bill extending the statutes of limitations on child sex trafficking in the state. This comes as Senator Cordell Cleare, the bill’s sponsor, and Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg wrote an op-ed supporting the bill earlier this week. Currently, the criminal and civil statute of limitation on child sex trafficking is five years. Under the bill, the civil statute of limitation for child sex trafficking would be increased until the victim becomes 55 years old, and the 5-year criminal statute of limitation would be removed, enabling prosecution to occur at any time.

Senator Cooney on Cannabis Issues Before the End of Session

Earlier last week, Senator Jeremy Cooney joined WCNY’s Capital Pressroom to express his thoughts on the rollout of the state’s legalized cannabis marketplace. As chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Cannabis, Cooney explained that lawmakers should address current outstanding issues surrounding the state’s cannabis market before the end of this year’s session, such as the illegal cannabis marketplace, which has put a strain on the legal market. To listen to his remarks, please click here.

Sneaker Day at the Capital

This Wednesday, lawmakers donned their favorite sneakers and disregarded their business shoes as Sneaker Day overtook the Capital – much to Senator Myrie’s excitement. Everyone showed off their favorite sneakers to cameras and the press, from staffers to protestors to lawmakers to the Majority Leader.

OTHER UPDATES

Albany County & NYC Agree to Better Coordination
In Relocation of Asylum-Seekers

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy and Mayor Eric Adams’s staff met on Wednesday to hash out better coordination and communication regarding the relocation of asylum-seekers in Albany County. This comes after McCoy expressed public frustration with Adams bussing asylum-seekers to Albany County with limited communications between the two even though McCoy publically supports the move. “After initial challenges with communication, I am happy to report that we have an agreement for better communication and coordination with New York City as asylum seekers are relocated,” McCoy’s spokesperson explained after the meeting. Currently, 79 asylum-seekers are relocated to the City of Albany, with more expected to arrive.

NYC Municipal Retirees Filed a Lawsuit Against NYC

On Wednesday, the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court against Adam’s plan to shift 250,000 retirees into the Medicare Advantage Plan. The retirees are asking the court to preliminarily and permanently stop Medicare Advantage automatic enrollment. This comes as Adams seeks to cut down costs in the city and months of opposition from former municipal workers. Municipal retirees argue that the move by Adams does not cover a variety of services unless it’s considered “medically necessary” and accused the city of disregarding healthcare obligations to former municipal workers. Adams and other NYC officials argue that the move would save hundreds of millions of dollars in premiums annually. The date for the hearing is yet to be announced.

Online Voter Registration Portal Now Available

The state Board of Elections formally launched its online voter registration portal on Wednesday. The online voter registration portal will enable eligible New Yorkers to register to vote by simply entering their name, address, and date of birth. This comes as lawmakers seek to make voting and registering to vote easier, such as early voting or mail-in voting.

Hybrid Work Plan Accepted for NYC's Agency Workers

On Wednesday, Eric Adams launched a pilot program with District Council 37, enabling the district council employees to be able to work remotely for two days a week, allowing for greater flexibility. District Council 37 is the largest union of municipal workers in NYC, and an estimated 25,000 of the 90,000 workers will be eligible under the latest move to a hybrid work plan, affecting roughly 30 of the city’s agencies. The plan to hybrid work comes as NYC faces staffing shortages across city agencies. “This new pilot program will protect core services that New Yorkers rely on while offering city workers additional flexibility in their schedules,” explained Adams.

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