5 unresolved issues in Albany

From: POLITICO New York Playbook PM - Monday Jun 06,2022 08:37 pm

Jun 06, 2022

Assemblyman Chris Tague, R- Catskill, listens while debating legislative gun bills in the Assembly Chamber at the state Capitol on the last scheduled day of the 2022 legislative session Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Albany, N.Y.

The legislative session ended Saturday after the state Assembly worked overtime to finish. The Senate packed it in early Friday.

There was a flurry of deals, albeit done in an orderly fashion without many late-night surprises, perhaps only that the Senate changed course and passed a partial ban on cryptocurrency mining at fossil fuel plants.

Nonetheless, even with a package on gun control and abortion rights, some matters were left on the cutting room floor — likely left for a new session with a newly elected Legislature in January.

“I think it was a very successful legislative session. Many of our initiatives were also in the budget, so you look at balance at what we accomplished: It was extraordinary,” Gov. Kathy Hochul told reporters after signing the gun control package into law.

Here are five unfinished items:

Clean Slate: Lawmakers were unable to reach a deal on a parole reform bill that would seal most criminal records after individuals have completed their sentences. The Senate passed it, but in the final hours the Assembly didn't bring the legislation to a vote, even after the state Education Department and lawmakers appeared to address some professional licensing concerns about the bill language.

Constitutional amendment: While an abortion-rights package was approved, an effort to enshrine New Yorkers’ abortion rights in the state constitution was scrapped. The push for state-level Equal Rights Amendment continues to vex lawmakers, who can’t agree on language that would also provide constitutional-level protections to other groups of New Yorkers.

Renewable energy: The “Build Public Renewables Act” passed the Senate , but didn't make it to the floor of the Assembly. The act would have given the New York Power Authority broad ability to develop and own new renewable projects, which proponents viewed as a way to better meet the state’s renewable energy mandates.

Wrongful convictions: The Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act would have provided additional opportunities for convicted New Yorkers to try to prove their innocence in court by allowing them more access to petition to have their cases heard.

Court system: The third branch of government, the judicial branch, is pushing for a major overhaul to consolidate its antiquated court system. Legislation to do that wasn’t approved this year.

IT’S MONDAY: It’s the Monday after the end of the six-month legislative session in Albany. Who is still tired? Please stick with our Playbook PM as we parse the end of the session, the goings-on in City Hall and the upcoming gubernatorial primaries.

From the Capitol

A JOURNALISM COALITION: Journalism groups sent a letter to Hochul urging her to veto a measure that would restrict the sale of body armor in the wake of the mass shootings in Buffalo and in Texas. The effort failed. Hochul signed the measure as part of a larger gun-control package.

The concern was that the bill would make it difficult for journalists, including photographers, to apply to wear protective armor when they cover violent scenes.

“The legislation is well-intentioned but includes a serious flaw that jeopardizes the safety of journalists,” Deadline Club President Colin DeVries said in a statement. The legislation exempts members of an “eligible profession” from the new restrictions, but doesn’t specifically include journalists, which the groups said might make it difficult for reporters and photographers to be able to buy the equipment they would need at a dangerous scene. — Joseph Spector

OFFICIALLY, SPECIAL: On Saturday, Hochul made it official through a proclamation. The special elections to fill the vacancies in the 19th and 23rd congressional districts, which run through the Hudson Valley and Southern Tier, respectively, will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 23.

The special elections will fill the vacancies created by the resignations of Democratic Rep. Antonio Delgado, who was appointed lieutenant governor, and Tom Reed, a Republican who resigned. The elections means candidates running for the seats would need to be elected and also maybe running in primaries the same day — then would have to run for election in November to House seats under new district lines. — Joseph Spector

ON THE BEATS

HEALTH: New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who is running for governor, called on Hochul to authorize a citywide pilot that will allow overdose prevention centers to operate 24/7. “It is up to the governor right now to authorize this,” he said at a press conference today after touring one of the centers, which are run by nonprofit OnPoint NYC. “Let’s find a compassionate way to deal with [open air drug use]. This has worked in many other countries, and it is working here.” When the supervised consumption sites are closed, drug users are turning to the subway stations, streets and parks to use, Williams said.

The overdose prevention centers in Upper Manhattan are the nation’s first sanctioned facilities that allow people to use illegal drugs under medical supervision. The governor is unlikely to authorize the pilots and direct $2 million in funding to cover services offered at the sites until the U.S. Department of Justice issues guidance for states and localities to open supervised consumption sites. “That’s incredible. Two million dollars to run these sites 24 hours a day,” Williams said. “We’re saving that from preventing the ambulances from coming in the first place.”

Williams is running to Hochul’s left in New York’s gubernatorial race. “Governor Hochul is deeply and personally committed to combating the opioid epidemic, and all options are on the table to save lives,” said spokesperson Hazel Crampton-Hays. “Together with our Department of Health and Office of Addiction Services and Supports we will continue to explore the efficacy of this approach and how it impacts our communities to determine how best to reduce harm and keep New Yorkers safe.” — Amanda Eisenberg

PARKS AND RECREATION: The state Department of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation has added a new "Trip Planning" feature on empiretrail.ny.gov

The Empire State Trail was completed last yea r and is longest statewide multi-use trail in the country, spanning 750 miles from Buffalo to Albany, and from New York City through the Hudson and Champlain valleys to Canada. The trip planning feature includes downloadable GPS routes and other resources such as access to maps and guidebooks.

"The updated website is a great tool for visitors to plan the ideal trip and will help bolster New York's regional tourism strategies." State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said in a statement.

The Campaign Trail

HOCHUL DEFENDS JACOBS: Hochul took note of the plight of GOP Rep. Chris Jacobs in her native Western New York after he announced Friday he would not seek re-election amid Republican backlash over his support of limited gun control after mass shootings in Buffalo and Texas.

Hochul used to represent parts of the region in Congress and was supported by the NRA during her time in office — a backing she now has rejected.

She said it was “tragic to not even allow people with different opinions to bring their own life experiences. I mean, Congressman Jacobs used to be a school board member in the City of Buffalo; he lived in the city of Buffalo. He knew this community well, and for the party not to be able to express his views on what needs to happen to start saving lives, it’s a real indictment on the party overall.”

COMING TOMORROW: Tuesday night will be the first debate among the three Democratic candidates for governor: Hochul, Rep. Tom Suozzi and Williams.

Hochul has sizable leads in recent polls, so expect her opponents to try to hammer her record while she talks about her successes since taking office less than a year ago.

The 7 p.m. debate will be hosted by CBS2's Maurice DuBois and political reporter Marcia Kramer in partnership with WCBS Newsradio 880. It can be watched on CBS affiliates across New York and will be live-streamed on CBS News New York.

NEW GIG: Richard Fife is leaving his gig as a senior adviser to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to return to campaign work. Among his clients will be Dan Goldman, who is running in a newly created open congressional seat in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. Goldman was the lead counsel to House Democrats in their first impeachment investigation against former President Donald Trump. Fife will remain as an outside adviser to Bragg. — Joe Anuta

AROUND NEW YORK

— Port Jervis installed a historic marker at the site of the lynching of a Black man in 1892. The marker notes that “No one was held accountable” for the murder.

— Lawyers for Amazon are heading to court to defend the company against several allegations related to a recent unionization drive on Staten Island.

— A developer in Coxsackie is seeking permissions from the town to build a hotel. Except that he already built it.

— Federal prosecutors are opposing former Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano’s bid to stay free on bail while he appeals his corruption conviction.

— A symposium in Rochester focused on the connection between health and hair care.

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