Friday Morning Brief May 31, 2024

May 30

Written By Michael Avella

Member Spotlight

Jake Ashby

Senator Jake Ashby joined us to discuss his Capital Region-based Senate district, priorities, and experiences in the Legislature. Prior to being elected as a Senator, he served as an Assemblymember from 2018-2022. Dedicated to serving his community throughout his life, he first entered public service by serving in the Army Reserves for two tours in Afghanistan and Iraq and in Africa to support a humanitarian mission. He then served his community as a Rensselaer County legislator. Currently, he is the Ranking Member of the Senate Committees on Aging and Veterans, Homeland, Security and Military Affairs.

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 the 43rd Senate District. It includes all of Rensselaer County, parts of Washington County, and a northern section of Albany County, including the Town of Colonie.

What was your profession before becoming a legislator – did it inspire you to run for office?
I think serving in the military really sparked my interest in public service. In some ways, that was a void I was looking to fill when I came home. I don’t know if I would’ve gotten involved in government otherwise.
As an occupational therapist , I worked as a clinician, in rehab management, as the operator of a practice and as an educator. I think I have a pretty balanced view of the healthcare system that’s been especially valuable for my work on the Health Committee. It’s not abstract for me, and I think I can identify when some legislation that’s well intended might have unintended impacts on quality of care, access to care or prohibitive cost.

What kind of music do you like - any favorite bands/artists?
Everything from jazz to classic rock to alternative to country. Pearl Jam and The Allman Brothers are favorites.

What about sports? Any favorite NY sports team?
Bills, Yankees, Knicks.

What’s your favorite food?
Hard to beat a great steak.

Do you have any favorite restaurants to eat at in your district?
In regards to the previous question, the Barnsider in Colonie. Lo Porto’s in Troy as well.

What are the top priorities in your district in particular?
Veterans services, shoring up our healthcare workforce, and striking a balance between protecting our environment and making sure we have reliable, affordable energy. We can’t continue to lead the nation in population loss and think that we’re doing enough on the affordability and the public safety front. If we want a different outcome, we need to try different things.

What are/is your proudest achievement(s) throughout your career?
As a veteran, it was pretty meaningful to help build the coalition in the Legislature that elevated the Division of Veterans’ Services to a full-fledged, cabinet-level department.

As the ranking member of the Senate Veterans Committee, are there any priorities you want to focus on?
Last session, our bipartisan bill to accelerate the naturalization process for undocumented family members of veterans and active duty military personnel passed both houses of the Legislature for the first time. I’d love to see the governor’s signature on it this year.  We have a bipartisan commitment on the committee to getting the governor to release tax-check off funds for veterans’ services. A recent comptroller audit proved that millions of dollars in funding for these charitable causes is being held up by the administration.
More globally, I want the department to truly become a one-stop-shop for veterans’ services. Neighboring states allocate much more funding to a dedicated, comprehensive department. That doesn’t just make it easier for veterans to navigate government and secure benefits they deserve, it qualifies their states for more federal funding. We really need to staff up the department.

Are there any other members that you find yourself working with or enjoy hanging out with in particular?
On my side of the aisle, Sen. Palumbo and Assemblywoman Walsh. Assemblywoman Cruz and Assemblyman Vanel and I have worked together on some bipartisan bills, and Assemblyman McDonald and I have partnered on quite a few local issues here in the Capital Region. They’re all detail-oriented legislators and really good people.

What advice would you give to young folks wanting to get into politics or run for office?
Make sure you know why you’re getting into it.

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!

Movement on Major Bills Before End of Session

With one more week until lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn for the year on June 6th, the Legislature is considering a flurry of high-profile bills. Although Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has always said to "trust the shaded boxes” of the legislative calendar, Speaker Carl Heastie explained that the Assembly will likely convene on June 7th to wrap up any remaining bills.

A major push by lawmakers and Hochul this year are the SAFE for Kids Act and Child Data Protection Act, with Hochul writing an op-ed and promoting the bills on Tuesday including on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. The bills have garnered support from many lawmakers, including Attorney General Letitia James and the Legislative Mom Squad, to promote and protect youth mental health. However, Stewart-Cousins indicated this week that Hochul has not personally reached out to her about the bills in the last two weeks and explained that Hochul has not made any hard demands about the bills.

Another recent legislative push has been to close the “Weinstein Loophole” by allowing prosecutors to call witnesses to the stand to testify on allegations unrelated to a defendant’s criminal charges. However, Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin explained earlier this week that the bill’s passage would “not be happening” this year due to concerns expressed by some lawmakers and defendants’ rights groups over the bill’s potential to disproportionately wrongfully convict Black and Latino defendants. Instead, Paulin explained that other lawmakers want to wait until next year before closing the loophole. “I was devastated because I believe that without this change, serial rapists will not be convicted in New York as easily as they should be, causing a problem for primarily women out there to be raped,” explained Paulin.

Besides the social media bills and closing the “Weinstein Loophole,” lawmakers and environmental groups are also pushing for a series of environmental bills before the Legislature adjourns next week, including the Heat Act and the expansion of the Bottle Bill, which would include wine and hard cider containers and double the deposit to 10 cents. There also was a recent push by lawmakers and advocates to pass the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, which would require companies to reduce plastic packaging.

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

Alongside the Mental Health Association in New York State, Hochul highlighted her $1.5 million investments in the Mental Health First Aid training programs. Offered by MHANYS and other organizations, the Mental Health First Aid training programs offer age-specific training to adults or teens to help those facing mental health challenges or substance use disorders. The ongoing investment in Mental Health First Aid training programs builds upon the 2025 Enacted Budget’s priority to invest in youth mental health, such as allocating $2 million to expand peer-to-peer mental wellness efforts among young people across the state. Additionally, Hochul further urges the passage of the SAFE for Kids Act and the Child Data Protection Act to further support youth mental health. “Meeting with advocates and families across the state has only reinforced my commitment to advance legislation to combat addictive social media feeds and protect kids online,” Hochul explained.

On Tuesday, Hochul announced six appointments to the AAPI Commission to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. Formed in November 2023, the AAPI Commission is tasked with advising and coordinating programs to increase the welfare of the AAPI community in the state. Additionally, Hochul issued a proclamation declaring May as the state’s AAPI Heritage Month. The AAPI Commission and the proclamation build upon previous actions to empower and support the state’s AAPI community, such as enacting a bill to make Lunar New Year and Diwali public school holidays.

On Wednesday, Hochul released the state’s first-ever Youth Workers Bill of Rights. First announced in her 2024 State of the State, the Youth Workers Bill of Rights seeks to ensure labor protections for youth employees throughout the state. Key protections in the Youth Workers Bill of Rights are:

Minimum wage
Safe and discrimination-free workplaces
The ability to file a complaint without fear of retaliation

The Youth Workers Bill of Rights builds upon Hochul’s commitment to addressing last year’s child labor violations that the State Comptroller’s Office reported and the Protect Youth Workers Pledge. “My administration is taking action to ensure that our youngest workers feel empowered, protected, and well-informed, and by fulfilling my State of the State commitment to creating our first-ever Youth Workers Bill of Rights, we are continuing to make strides toward making New York the safest and most worker-friendly state in the nation,” Hochul explained.

Yesterday, Hochul announced the transformation of Syracuse’s Moyer Carriage and Car Factory into a 128-unit, mixed-use affordable housing apartment. The 128-unit apartment would be developed in mind for households earning at or below 60 percent of the area median income, with 50 units with supportive services provided by Catholic Charities of Onondaga County. The 128-unit apartment builds upon Hochul’s commitment to increasing the housing supply, including extending the 421-a tax incentive, the Housing Compact, and the $25 billion Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 housing units. “The adaptive reuse of the Moyer Carriage and Car Factory transforms an important relic of this region’s past into new, modern housing in the heart of Syracuse’s North Side that will accommodate a growing workforce for years to come,” Hochul explained.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Next week, the Legislature is scheduled to be in session Monday to Thursday (and possibly into the weekend)
Barring any special sessions, next week is the last week of legislative session for the year

Assembly Passes Severe Weather Event Insurance Coverage Legislative Package

Assembly Insurance Chair David Weprin and Speaker Carl Heastie announced the passage of a legislative package that would expand insurance coverage for severe weather events. The passage of the legislative package comes as lawmakers, businesses, and homeowners have been advocating for more insurance coverage as severe weather events have increasingly become more common. “These bills [would] expand coverage to homeowners and help them prepare for the future as we continue to fight against climate change in New York,” Heastie explained. “This is a much-needed next step to expand coverage, keep premiums affordable, and keep New Yorkers covered,” Weprin added. Some of the bills included in the legislative package are:

Homeowner Natural Disaster Preparedness: would require the DFS to implement the homeowner natural disaster preparedness, home safety, and loss prevention program
Expansion of Coastal Market Assistance Program: would expand C-MAP eligibility to properties within one mile of certain water bodies.
Sale of “Parametric Insurance”: would authorize the sale of “parametric insurance.”

Senate Passes Emergency Service Provider Legislative Package

This week, the Senate passed a legislative package to support emergency medical service providers. The legislative package comes as inflation and higher cost of goods have impacted emergency service providers across the state, decreasing access for municipalities. “By addressing financial, operational, and systemic challenges, we are reaffirming our commitment to the health and safety of all New Yorkers,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins explained. Some of the bills included in the legislative package are:

Uniform Ambulance Service Assessment: would allow the DOH to charge ambulance service providers a universal service assessment fee to cover increased medical assistant payment rates
Increasing Volunteer Firefighter & Ambulance Worker Tax Credit: would increase volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers’ personal income tax credit from $200 to $800 for eligible individuals and from $400 to $1,600 for eligible married joint filers
Strengthening EMS Services: would declare general ambulance services as an essential service, ensure generation ambulance services are properly financed, and create a statewide emergency medical system plan

Lawmakers Rally for the Not on Our Dime Act

On Wednesday, lawmakers joined advocates rallying for the Not on Our Dime Act. Not on Our Dime Act would prohibit nonprofits from contributing to Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Although the rally comes a week after Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez publicly supported the bill, leaders of the Legislature and many other lawmakers criticized the bill, with Assemblymember David Weprin saying, “[Assembly sponsor Zohran Mamdani is] just bringing it up to cause tension.” Speaker Heastie’s spokesperson also said the bill is a “non-starter.” However, Mamdani explained that the bill represents a “majority position” that is “not reflected accurately in the halls of power.”

Lawmakers Rally for Coverage for All

This week, lawmakers joined advocates to rally for Coverage for All, which would require the DOH to seek a federal waiver to provide coverage for undocumented immigrants in the state through the Essential Plan. The rally for the bill comes after the Senate passed the bill two weeks ago. Although the bill has been supported by the state Health Plan Association, advocates, and various lawmakers, the bill has been stalled in the Assembly. “[Coverage for All] is [going to] save us money. It’s the right thing to do. Why is the Assembly and Governor leadership standing in the middle of this?” Senate sponsor and Health Chair Gustavo Rivera said.

Lawmakers Urge Legislature to Pass the Nail Salon Minimum Standards Council Act

Earlier this week, lawmakers, alongside various unions and advocacy groups, sent a letter to the leaders of the Legislature to urge them to pass the Nail Salon Minimum Standards Council Act. The Nail Salon Minimum Standards Council Act would create working condition standards that address wage theft and health risks for nail salon workers. The push for the bill comes after a report highlighted 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 lawmakers that signed the letter are:

Senator Robert Jackson
Senator Jeremy Cooney
Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas
Assemblymember Emily Gallagher
Assemblymember Karines Reyes
Assemblymember Phil Steck
Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky

Assembly Charity Softball Challenge

On Wednesday night, Assembly Democratic and GOP lawmakers faced off against each other in an inaugural New York State Assembly Charity Softball Challenge to raise funds and awareness for food pantries in the Capital Region (as well as for bragging rights and to raise “The People’s House Cup Trophy”). With the state DOH reporting that one-quarter of the state's population is experiencing food insecurity, lawmakers and organizers are hoping that charity softball tournaments can be an annual tradition to show support and raise funds for local food pantries. Assembly Democrats won the game, with the event raising $8,000 for Capital Region food banks.

PRIMARY & ELECTION UPDATES

Assemblymember O'Donnell Endorsed Eli Northrup

On Tuesday, Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell endorsed Eli Northrup to succeed him after he retire this year. Citing Northrup’s background as a public defender, O’Donnell explained that Northrup’s “passion for justice” is the reason for endorsing him. Like Northrup, O’Donnell was also a public defender before becoming an Assemblymember in 2003. Northrup is running against four other candidates, with Micah Lasher running as a front-runner. Various lawmakers, including Senators Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Robert Jackson, and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, have endorsed Lasher. Notably, UFT has recently endorsed Lasher.

Anathea Simpkins and Gabi Madden Cross-Endorsed for Assembly

Earlier this week, Anathea Simpkins and Gabi Madden crossed-endorsed for their respective bids for the Assembly. Simpkins is challenging Assemblymember Emily Gallagher for her Brooklyn-based assembly seat, while Madden is challenging Sarahana Shrestha for her Hudson Valley-based Assembly seat. “I am glad to already be building connections with potential colleagues like Anathea. I know that she and I are ready to deliver results, not rhetoric in Albany for our constituents,” Madden said.

OTHER UPDATES

Mayor Adams' Advisor Walks Out of Council Hearing

As former Senator Diane Savino was announced as the Executive Director of the newly-established NYC Charter Revision Commission in their first meeting, the NYC City Council was conducting its council hearing on a bill that would require the mayor to obtain the Council’s approval on 21 commissioner-level appointments. However, Tiffany Raspberry, the only person from Mayor Adams’ administration to testify, walked out of the hearing after reading a prepared statement and explaining that the Council’s invitation to testify was “in jest,” resulting in her inability to answer any questions by the Council. Before leaving the hearing, Raspberry explained that the bill would “weaponize” appointment confirmation hearings. However, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is expected to bring up the bill to vote as early as the next stated meeting on June 6th. Additionally, Councilmembers expect to override Mayor Adams’ expected veto of the bill on July 18th. “There’s a hold on our calendar. We ain’t taking vacation. We’ve got a council to defend. We’ve got institutions to make sure are durable,” Councilmember Shaun Abreu said.

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