Friday Morning Brief May 3, 2024

May 2

Written By Michael Avella

Member Spotlight

Aileen Gunther

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther joined us to discuss her western Hudson Valley-based district and her over 20 years of experience in the Legislature. Before being elected to serve her constituents in the Assembly, she dedicated her life to helping those in need as a registered nurse in her community. She currently Chairs the Assembly Committee on Mental Health and serves as a member of various other committees, such as on Women’s Health, Agriculture, Health, and Racing and Wagering. After serving her constituents for over 20 years, she announced her retirement at the end of this year.

What district do you represent? Can you describe your district for those who have never been there?
I represent the 100th district and was the 100th woman elected to the New York State Assembly. I represent Sullivan County, which is very rural and runs along Delaware County. Many young people are coming into my district and changing the district for the better. In Middletown, NY, which I also represent, I have seen a lot of young folks moving in, changing the demographics in a very positive way. With more folks coming and living in my district, the local industry and economy can grow. I also represent Wallkill, a home for many firefighters, police officers, and teachers. My district is a very diverse and interesting area.

What do you like the most about your district?
It really depends on where I am in the district. There are so many things I love about my district. In Middletown, there are many great restaurants and stores where you can go shopping. In Sullivan County, it’s a beautiful place to raise a family. It has the Delaware River, where you can go kayaking, and nearby, there are a lot of great places to hike. It’s also fun for summer visits with our little log cabins in the woods near beautiful nature.

Any favorite restaurants in your district?
Unlike my children, I’m not really a foodie, but there is this great restaurant near my house. There are many great places to eat in the district, especially near Bethel Woods, the home of the original Woodstock.

What was your profession before becoming a legislator?
I am a registered nurse. I worked in a hospital as an infectious disease nurse. Back then, we had a high number of HIV folks in terms of population, so I worked a lot with folks at the beginning stage of HIV to make sure they were as healthy as possible. Afterward, I did risk management and performance improvement. I loved my work at the hospital and am still friends with those I worked with.

Did your time as a nurse inspire you to run for office?
I love helping people, and that’s what I like doing. And as a legislator, your goal is to help people. I love helping people in my community, and I deeply care about my community. As a nurse, I made sure I could do everything I could to help people in need, and I continued that as a legislator.

What kind of music do you like? Any favorite genres or artists?
I love the Beatles and Michael Jackson. I also like the Temptations. But I also love all kinds of music. My son is a music teacher, so we love and listen to all types of music together. He also plays three different types of instruments, and he would play guitar or trumpet with the family outside, sipping wine and singing. It’s old-fashioned, but it’s really fun.

Any favorite NY sports team?
Well, I’m from the Bronx, so I like the Yankees. Derek Jeter is one of my favorite athletes. I actually went to the same school as his mom.

As the Assembly Chair of Mental Health, what issues are you focusing on this year?
I think the biggest issue is access to treatment. A lot of children in the state have a hard time getting a psychiatrist. So, a lot of these kids are not able to get the proper medication that they need, even though we know many of our children are dealing with anxiety or depression. Social media has impacted our children’s mental health, but their access to mental health treatment hasn’t increased.

Are there any other priorities in your district that you are focusing on?
Affordable housing is a big issue. We don’t have enough housing in our community. People are living in hotels, which costs a lot of money and is not a proper way for a child or a family to live. Additionally, our infrastructure is old and needs more investment. When there is an electricity outage due to a big storm, companies don’t have the money to fix it long-term. Temporarily repairing our outdated infrastructure does not solve the problem. Also, you can’t build new housing without upgrading our infrastructure – you can’t do much if you don’t have water or electricity.

Any plans after your retirement from the Assembly?
I’m a little sad about it, and I don’t know if I jumped the gun on it. But I still want to be involved in politics in some form or another. I also still have my nursing license. I will do a little bit of traveling with my family, but I’m not 100% sure yet what I will be doing when I retire.

Any memorable experience from your time in the Assembly?
My favorite bill I worked on was the Safe Staffing bill. That was a big bill for me. The bill established adequate nursing staffing standards and aimed to improve our healthcare facilities for patients, nurses, and doctors. Our mantra for the bill is “Safe Staffing Saves Lives.” I also have various bills I worked on that I’m very proud of. I’ve always aimed to ensure that all New Yorkers’ lives are better, whether on affordability or mental health; I want to ensure that we can leave a better future for our children.

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!

Social Media Set to be a Post-Budget Issue

During her State of the State in January, Hochul expressed her support for a bill that would limit algorithmic-based feeds for minors and another bill that would limit websites from collecting data from minors. Although the two proposals were not included in the Final Budget, Hochul and lawmakers indicated that they plan to push for the bill’s passage before the end of session on June 6th. The Senate Majority spokesperson explained that the bills are “definitely something we want to get done and will be discussing in the coming weeks.”

Opponents of the bill indicated that the bills would face a legal challenge if passed, but the bills’ Senate sponsor, Andrew Gournades, explained that the bills are necessary. “Families are depending on us. Kids are depending on us. We should not let kids’ mental health be monetized for Big Tech’s financial gains.” “This is the best approach,” Assembly sponsor Nily Rozic added. The bills also have the support of AG Letitia James, who rallied with advocates earlier in April and explained in November, “Young New Yorkers are struggling with record levels of anxiety and depression, and social media companies that use addictive features to keep minors on their platforms longer are largely to blame.”

The bills come as states and public officials nationwide have publicly supported restrictions on minors using social media, with NYC Mayor Eric Adams filing a lawsuit against TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube in February for “fueling the nationwide youth mental health crisis.” In November, Hochul sent a letter to Meta, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Google urging them to “take meaningful action” on instances of hate speech on their platforms. Currently, Rozic and Gournades are gathering input from stakeholders, with Rozic indicating that the bills will start moving through committees in the coming weeks.

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

This week, Hochul announced the nomination of former Assemblymember Walter Mosley for Secretary of State. Mosley served in the Assembly from 2013 to 2020 and was on various committees, such as the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, the Hispanic Task Force, and the Jewish Caucus. If confirmed by the Senate, Mosley will be the 69th Secretary of State, succeeding Robert Rodriguez, who will be the new acting president and chief executive officer of the state’s Dormitory Authority. “Walter Mosley’s public service in the New York State Assembly and his years of leadership in his community have given him the skills and experience necessary to lead this Department into the future,” explained Hochul.

On Monday, Hochul announced the availability of $7.34 million in Environmental Justice Community Impact Grants for communities most vulnerable to pollution and climate change. Administered by the state Department of Environmental Conservation and from the Environmental Protection Fund, community-based organizations can receive up to $100,000 in funding for projects that address environmental and public health concerns in impacted neighborhoods. The grant funding builds upon the CLCPA’s goal of setting aside 35%, with a 40% goal, of renewable investment into benefitting disadvantaged community.

Earlier this week, Hochul launch the three-year $10 million Mohawk Valley Empowers Grant Program to strengthen the Mohawk Valley’s regional workforce. The program will prioritize increasing workforce participation, expand wraparound services, and support career readiness to address Mohawk Valley’s flat workforce participation rate, which has remained 60% until 2011. Mohawk Valley Empowers Grant Program collaborates with six counties, nine colleges, industry experts, and 22 non-profit partners. “Our strategic partnerships with educational and industry stakeholders will help to develop a robust talent pipeline, create accessible pathways to jobs, and make the Mohawk Valley a place for New Yorkers to build their careers,” explained Hochul.

On Tuesday, Hochul held a roundtable with college leaders and industry experts to discuss the future of the Empire AI Consortium, which was approved in the 2025 Enacted Budget. The ten-year $275 million funding for the Empire AI will create an AI computing center on the University at Buffalo’s campus, which participating colleges can use. The data and research by Empire AI will be open to the public and businesses across the state. The Empire AI builds upon Hochul’s Innovation Agenda, which aims to expand the state’s technology industry by collaborating with Micron for a 20-year, $100 billion investment to create a semiconductor plant in Clay, Onondaga County.

On Wednesday, Hochul, alongside lawmakers, retail workers, and small business owners, held a rally in celebration of Hochul’s five-point plan to combat retail theft being included in the 2025 Enacted Budget. The five-point plan includes:

Increase criminal penalties for assaulting a retail theft worker to a felony
Allowing prosecutors to combine the value of stolen goods when filing larceny charges
Making it illegal to sell stolen goods online
Investing $40.2 million for dedicated Retail Theft Teams and 100 new State Police personnel dedicated to combatting organized retail theft
$5 million tax credit for small businesses to install new security measures, with a $3,000 tax credit for any small businesses that spend the threshold amount on retail theft prevention measures.

Including Hochul’s five-point plan in the 2025 Enacted Budget builds upon Hochul’s strategies to combat gun violence with programs such as the Gun Involved Violence Elimination Initiative, which allocates funding to local law enforcement in 21 counties outside of NYC. “Here in New York, we are standing up to organized retail theft, backing our businesses and their workers with the full force of the law, and restoring that sense of security and peace of mind so they can focus on what they do best,” Hochul said.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Next week, the Legislature is scheduled to be in session Monday to Wednesday
Five weeks of session remains until the Legislature adjourns on June 6th

Lawmakers Criticize Monroe County DA Sandra Doorley

]After Monroe County DA Sandra Doorley was caught on camera attempting to dodge a speeding ticket last Friday, five Democratic lawmakers from the Greater Rochester Area called for an investigation into her conduct. Signed by Assemblymembers Sarah Clark, Harry Bronson, Jen Lunsford and Desmond Meeks, and Senator Samra Brouk, the statement explained that Doorley attempting to dodge the speeding ticket was an “unacceptable behavior” and an “abuse of power.” Even if Doorley resigns, the statement explains that she “should be investigated, and ethical charges should be brought.” Doorley also faced criticism from some GOP lawmakers and local Rochester lawmakers.

Capital Region Lawmakers Celebrate AIM Funding Increase

Earlier this week, Assemblymembers Pat Fahy and John McDonald joined mayors from the Capital Region to celebrate the passage of a $50 million boost in AIM funding in the Enacted Budget. Cities use AIM funding to afford various services, such as paying for supplies and wages for police officers and firefighters. With the $50 million increase in AIM funding being the first such increase in 15 years, lawmakers, mayors, and advocates explained that the funding increase will help lower the cost of essential services for cities amidst rising costs and inflation. “Local governments are not immune from inflation or rising costs, and this funding helps to alleviate local tax burdens on residents while supporting critical services,” explained Assemblymember Pat Fahy.

Senator Scarcella-Spanton Calls for Extra Precautions for Verrazano Bridge's Safety

On Tuesday, Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, along with Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, toured the coast of Staten Island near the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to understand the likelihood of a catastrophic event happening to the Verrazano. The tour comes after a cargo ship brought down the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in April. After the tour, Scarcella-Spanton and Fossella called for a computer-generated crash simulation with the Verrazano to ensure the rock foundation under the Verrazano can stop a rogue ship from hitting the bridge's structure. “It is an extra layer of protection…that’s why it’s important to have the simulation done,” Scarcella-Spanton explained.

Lawmakers Rally for Nail Salon Technicians

Earlier this week, Assemblymember Harvey Epstein and Senator Jessica Ramos held a rally with advocates in support of the Nail Salon Minimum Standards Council Act. The rally comes after a report highlighting that nail salon technicians, who are predominantly composed of Asian and Latin American immigrant women, are more likely to experience reproductive health issues compared to the general population. The Nail Salon Minimum Standards Council Act would create working condition standards that address wage theft and health risks. “Everyone deserves to work somewhere that pays them [and] protects them from harm. We must pass the Nail Salon Minimum Standards Council Act to establish a sectoral council to address these issues,” Epstein explained.

PRIMARY & ELECTION UPDATES

Tim Kennedy Wins Tuesday Special Election

On Tuesday night, Senator Tim Kennedy won his special election for Brian Higgins’ Buffalo-based congressional seat. According to the state’s unofficial results, Kennedy won 68% of the total votes, while GOP candidate Gary Dickson won 32%. Kennedy vowed to focus on reproductive rights, immigration, and stronger gun laws. “We need to elect pro-democracy, anti-MAGA candidates all around the country this November, and it starts here in this room in Buffalo, New York, tonight,” Kennedy said in his victory speech. “He brings a wealth of legislative experience from his time in the New York State Senate and has a record of delivering results as chair of the influential Transportation Committee,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said.

Peter Abbate's Removal From Democratic Ballot

On Friday, a state judge ruled that Peter Abbate’s petition to get on the Democratic ballot to challenge Assemblymember Lester Chang was invalid, alongside petitions filed by Democratic District Leaders Victoria Kelly and Jimmy Li. With Abbate’s removal from the Democratic ballot, Brooklyn Democrats will not have a candidate in the general election to challenge Chang. Although Abbate said he is “certain” that Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair and Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn worked to ensure he did not get on the ballot, Bichotte-Hermelyn denied the accusation. Abbate was the Assemblymember for the district for 36 years until he was defeated by Chang in 2022.

Former Assemblymember Mike LiPetri Announces Congressional Campaign

Late last week, former GOP Assemblymember Mike LiPetri officially announced his campaign for the Republican nomination to challenge Representative Tom Suozzi. LiPetri served in the Assembly from 2019 to 2021 until his unsuccessful run for the 2nd Congressional seat. LiPetri explained that his tenure in the Assembly demonstrated “that politics can be a force for good when guided by integrity and dedication” and that he “intends to continue championing the interests of Long Islanders and providing them with the representation they deserve.” “There’s a difference between Tom wanting to help himself and me, who wants to help the people and make a difference,” LiPetri added.

OTHER UPDATES

NYPD Removed Protests at Columbia University and City College

On Tuesday night, NYPD, at the request of Columbia University President Minouche Shafik, arrested 109 protestors from the Columbia University campus and arrested 173 protestors from City College at the request of City College. The police mobilization comes after protestors seized and barricaded an academic building on Columbia University’s campus. Mayor Adams also iterated that the protests were being influenced and radicalized by “outside agitators” and “professionals.” Although many leading Democrats, including Hochul and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, defended the NYPD intervention, many other lawmakers criticized the move. “Whether you agree or disagree with student protests…the disproportionate scale of force by the NYPD with which they were met last night is an attack on free speech and student safety,” Senator Jessica Ramos explained.

With the pro-Palestinian encampment and protests removed from Columbia University, Senate Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Higher Education Chair Toby Ann Stavisky, and Government Operations Chair James Skoufis to request Shafik appear before a joint public meeting over her handling of the protests. Citing her inability to defuse the protests and instances of antisemitism in the protests, Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt explained that she “must provide answers and inform the Legislature of her plan going forward to put an end to these violent, anti-Jewish protests and hold those students who are participating accountable.”

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