Friday Morning Brief June 30, 2023

Jun 29

Few Upsets in 2023 Primaries

2023 state primaries for various competitive local races concluded on Tuesday. From Mayor Mike Spano of Yonkers winning his Democratic primary in a bid for his 4th term to Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard of Mount Vernon winning her Democratic primary – the first Mayor to do so in two decades – many incumbents won their primary races setting the stage for the November general election. Many believe that the low turnout in this year’s primary helped the incumbents. In NYC, where 21 of the 51 city council seats were primaried, 15 city council incumbents running won their primary, including Democrat Christopher Marte, who was challenged by three other candidates.

However, in District 42, the incumbent Councilmember Charles Barron is predicted to lose his primary to Chris Banks. Banks, a community activist, is projected to receive nearly 51% of the votes over Barron’s 43%, with 99% of scanners reporting. Barron, a former member of the Black Panther Party, represented East New York for nearly 20 years and was an influential local leader. However, Banks - who was supported by a handful of unions - has seemingly defeated Barron, calling his victory a “referendum on Charles’ last 20 years in the district.” Reacting to his defeat, Barron explained that he was proud of his administration’s achievements. “No elected official in the history of our community has brought in three new schools – $88 million – $70 million worth of renovated parks, 20,000 units of affordable housing,” explained Barron. Barron was also an elected Assemblymember from 2014 – defeating Banks, who also ran for the same office – until the end of 2021. Banks is expected to win his heavily Democratic district in the November general election.

In another notable primary result, Yusef Salaam, one of the Exonerated Central Park 5 members, won the Democratic primary in the Harlem 9th District, defeating Assemblymembers Inez Dickens and Al Taylor. Referring to his wrongful conviction and imprisonment with four other Black and Latino teenagers for the rape of a white female jogger in Central Park in 1989, his struggle with the city’s criminal justice system became a central part of his campaign. “This campaign has been about those who have been counted out. This campaign has been about those who have been forgotten,” explained Salaam. Salaam will win the primary outright if his vote totals hold after absentee ballots are counted. Both Inez and Dickens explained they would continue championing for Harlem and work alongside Salaam as he is expected to win the heavily Democratic district in the November general election.

Aside from Salaam’s and Bank’s victories in their competitive primary races, you can read down below on another handful of competitive primaries. The primary elections come as voters are concerned with the asylum-seekers crisis, affordability, housing, criminal justice and rising crime rates.

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

On Tuesday, Hochul issued a proclamation declaring June 27th as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Screening Day, emphasizing the importance of mental health and encouraging individuals to undergo screenings. The proclamation supports veterans of the armed forces and first responders who experience PTSD after their service. "It is essential to prioritize our mental health and break the barriers of stigma because healing begins with awareness," said Hochul.

Earlier this week, Hochul, joined by Senators Chuck Schumer, Kristen Gillibrand, and the rest of the state’s Congressional Delegation, announced that $664 million in federal funding had been allocated for the state. The $664 federal funding was from the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program and given to the state’s ConnectALL program, which will be used for providing fiber optic infrastructure to locations that lack broadband service. This comes after the Federal Communications Commission released data highlighting over 140,000 unserved locations in the state and nearly 38,000 locations with minimal internet speeds.

After updating NYers on the air quality on Tuesday, Hochul also informedthat the Federal Highway Administration’s Finding of No Significant Impact in their environmental assessment of the state’s planned congestion pricing program in Downtown Manhattan, allowing the program to move forward. With the FHA’s approval, the Central Business District Tolling program will develop a recommended toll structure report and analysis for the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA). If the TBTA approves the tolling structure, the program could begin as early as May 2024.

In support of Pride Month, Hochul announced that $33.5 million would be invested towards the state’s LGBTIA+ community, improving the lives of transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming communities. The $33.5 million investment includes:

$15 million investment in housing for LGBTQ+ seniors
$5 million for gender-affirming housing for the trans community
$12.5 million for American LGBTQ+ Museum at the state’s Historical Society
$1 million in suicide prevention funding for trans youth, expanding the Lorena Borjas Transgender and Non-Binary Wellness and Equity Fund to $3 million

The investment builds upon the 2024 Budget’s investment to help improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ communities across the state. The investment also comes after Hochul signed five bills to make the state a safe haven for the trans youth community, protecting their right to receive addiction treatment and rehabilitation, and removing outdated and stigmatizing terminology in legal documents. "From mental health care to supportive housing, my administration is working tirelessly to find holistic solutions to address the inequities and injustices faced by LGBTQ+ New Yorkers,” explained Hochul.

To support her priority of improving public safety, Hochul announced on Thursday that she has approved raising the maximum age to apply to become a State Trooper from 29 to 34. The recent announcement comes after Hochul included $66 million in the 2024 Budget to fund additional state police academies and increase the number of State troopers. It is hoped that more State Troopers will help the state combat gun and violent crimes. “By raising the maximum age of new recruits, we are widening the pool of people who can help us with this incredibly important work,” explained Hochul

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Speaker's Statewide Summer Tour Begins

Speaker Carl Heastie kicked off his annual statewide summer tour on Tuesday with a stop in Huntington, Long Island. Heastie, joined by Assemblymember Steve Stern, toured the Huntington Highway Department to highlight the importance of funding infrastructure for local governments. “The more we invest in the infrastructure of our communities, the better chance we’re giving future generations,” explained Heastie. Since becoming Speaker in 2015, Heastie has toured throughout the state every summer to boost relationships with local communities and leaders.

Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton Announces the Restoration of Federal Funds for Staten Island Ferry

On Wednesday, Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, who represents North Shore in Staten Island, joined Senator Chuck Schumer in visiting the St. George Ferry Terminal in Staten Island to announce the successful negotiation to restore the $80 million designated to the Department of Transportation for Staten Island Ferry operations. The $80 million investment was part of the larger $843 million for transit agencies nationwide. This comes after congressional Representatives in D.C. voted to rescind the $843 million in unobligated funds in the initially proposed federal debt ceiling deal. “Our ferry is an essential service to all Staten Islanders, and in order for them to run, we need the workers, and we need for them to get paid,” explained Scarcella-Spanton.

Shéár Avory to Challenge Jonathan Jacobson for Hudson Valley Assembly Seat

On the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, Shéár Avory, a Black and Indigenous trans activist, formally announced their run for the Hudson Valley’s Assembly 104th District, challenging incumbent Jonathan Jacobson. If they win, Avory would be the first out trans person elected to any level of government in the state. “I think it’s past time for New York, the home of Stonewall, also to have adequate representation for the trans community,” explained Avory.

2023 PRIMARY UPDATES

Yvonne Flowers Win Democratic Nomination for Poughkeepsie Mayor

In Poughkeepsie, Councilmember Yvonne Flowers defeated the incumbent Democratic Mayor Marc Nelson and local leader Wesley Lee for the Democratic nomination on Tuesday. As of yesterday, with all electoral district reporting, Flowers garnered 706 votes, Nelson with 411 votes, and Lee with 635 votes. Nelson was appointed mayor by the city council after former Mayor Rob Rolison was elected to the Senate last November. His defeat comes after Nelson faced criticism in handling the city’s lead water pipe issues. Flowers will now run against Republican candidate Anthony LaRocca. If elected in November, Flowers will become the city’s first Black mayor.

Competitive NYC Council District 43 Primary

In the new majority Asian southern Brooklyn’s District 43, Susan Zhuang, a chief of staff to Assemblymember William Colton, won the competitive Democratic primary against Wai Yee Chan and Stanley Ng. With the district being 54% Asian, Zhuang would prioritize serving the immigrant community and addressing the concerns of small-business owners. She will now face the eventual GOP nominee for the district in a competitive November general election, as the area in District 43 has voted Republican more favorably in recent years – GOP mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa won roughly 60% of the vote in 2021. Currently in the competitive Republican primary, Ying Tan is leading Vito Labella by less than 30 votes with more than 95% of precincts reported as of Wednesday.

Katz Wins Democratic Nomination for Queens DA

In Queens, Melinda Katz won the Democratic primary in her reelection bid for Queens District Attorney with 71% of the votes over George Grasso, a former judge, and Devian Daniels, a public defender. With her victory on Tuesday night, she is expected to win the heavily Democratic Queens County in the November general election. Katz previously served as Borough President of Queens before being elected to Queens DA in 2019, defeating public defender Tiffany Cabán – who also won the Democratic primary for her reelection bid for her council seat on Tuesday. While as Queens DA, Katz has advocated for Hochul’s bail reforms and explained that she would continue to fight for further bail reforms to tackle the rising crime rate. Katz has secured endorsements from Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams.

Clark Wins Democratic Primary for Her Third Term As Bronx DA

Darcel Clark won her first Democratic primary challenge in the Bronx District Attorney race, defeating progressive challenger Tess Cohen. Although Clark has been criticized for handling abuses at Rikers’ Island and wrongful conviction cases, Clark won 73% of all votes while Cohen garnered 27%. “It was no different from what I was already doing. I just keep my head down and do the work,” explained Clark. With the Bronx GOP not putting forward any candidates for the DA race as of yet, Clark is essentially confirmed for her third term.

GOP Primary Too Close to Call for NYC Council District 13

In the competitive East Bronx’s Council District 13, the GOP primary is still too close to call as Kristy Marmorato is leading George Havranek by a little over 100 votes. The GOP primary has been competitive after the Bronx GOP endorsed Marmorato and removed two other candidates from the ballot. Whomever wins the GOP primary will face the incumbent Velázquez, who is expected to win her four-way primary with 66% of total votes. Bronx GOP leaders believe their party can win the moderate district against Velázquez in the upcoming November general election.

OTHER UPDATES

Hochul and Cox React to SCOTUS Ruling on Affirmative Action

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina as unconstitutional. Writing for the 6-3 majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said that affirmative action “unavoidably employs race in a negative manner” and “involves racial stereotyping.” Writing for the dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that the ruling “further [entrench] racial inequality in education, the very foundation of our democratic government and pluralistic society.” Hochul, reacting to the ruling, tweeted that yesterday’s ruling on affirmative action “is an affront to democracy and equity.” However, the state GOP Chair Ed Cox, explained that affirmative actions are “de-facto race quotas” and a “roadblock” for many. It remains to be seen how the ruling will affect colleges and campuses across the state.

More Than $1 Billion In Handle Surpassed From the Gaming Industry

In a report by the state Gaming Commission earlier this month, online mobile operators in the state took in more than $1 billion in wagers – to a total of more than $22 billion in wagers since January of 2022 – and $1.35 billion bets were accepted online in last month. As a result, a total sports betting handle of at least $1 billion has been set for the ninth consecutive month – a record for the sports betting industry nationwide and putting the state as a top three sports betting state. In total, for May, $151.9 million in gross gaming revenue was generated, with $77.5 million in tax revenues for the state. With the $77.5 million tax revenue in May, the state has passed the $1 billion in tax revenue for all time. Tax revenues will be directed towards the state’s educational aid fund, with $5 million for sports programs for underserved youths and $6 million for responsible gaming education and treatment.

DeSantis's Fundraiser in Rockland County

Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis held a no-notice fundraising event with business leaders at the Rockland County’s Crown Plaza without contacting the county GOP Chair Lawrence Garvey. Garvey noted that he was “disappointed” with DeSantis for not communicating with him about the fundraiser. While Garvey understands that “communication can sometimes be difficult…communication is necessary,” and that DeSantis failed to follow “courtesies and protocols involved” with hosting a fundraiser in his county. DeSantis has since moved to a more private venue after concerns about planned protests at the event.

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