With assist from Shawn Ness
THE SENATE’S JUICY SECRET: It’s been round for many years, but some lawmakers stated that they had by no means even heard of it.
The backroom nature of the state Senate’s Working Guidelines group was chronicled in a New York Focus story revealed this morning.
And whereas the existence of the group (WRG, for these within the know) has been talked about in information articles lengthy earlier than as we speak’s Focus article, the story shines a recent highlight on the best way Albany works for — but typically out of sight of — the folks of New York.
“There is no transparency in the legislative process,” Democratic state Sen. Leroy Comrie, of Japanese Queens, advised Playbook. “Who told you there was transparency? We’re in the state Legislature. Working rules is something that has been existing for decades and people that are worried about transparency are not focused on what’s important.”
Comrie’s flippant remarks could also be a shock to authorities goo-goos, however it’s additionally a sober evaluation of the best way payments turn out to be legislation in the complete Legislature — and never simply the state Senate.
As one member of the state Meeting factors out, the lawmaking physique — which, since COVID has relentlessly restricted journalists’ entry to the areas outdoors its chamber — additionally makes essential choices with little rationalization to rank-and-file members and the general public.
“We don’t have a Working Rules committee,” Higher West Aspect Democrat Daniel O’Donnell advised Playbook. “We have a rules committee, but, you know, it’s up to Carl to decide what bills move. It’s the same thing.”
“How does the bill get on the Rules Committee agenda? It’s called Carl Heastie’s head,” O’Donnell famous, referring to the Meeting speaker.
The Senate’s Working Guidelines Group is alleged to be round 10 members and is made up of high-ranking legislators who meet in secret to determine what payments could make it to the ground — and which of them die — throughout the closing week of session. Lawmakers say it’s a wanted software that’s used to whittle down the 1000’s of payments which might be left standing as the tip of session nears.
“You’re taking a group of legislators — diverse by race, gender, geography and political opinion — and you’re putting them in a room together to work things out in the best interests of everyone,” stated Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat. “That’s our model for anything controversial in the Senate. I think it’s a sign of the terrific leadership of Andrea Stewart-Cousins that that’s how we work.”
Senate Majority Spokesman Mike Murphy agreed, and likewise clarified that any invoice may be conferenced by the complete convention at any time, it doesn’t matter what occurs within the WRG. The group solely meets for a couple of week throughout the finish of session, he stated.
Lawmakers advised Playbook that payments generally find yourself within the secret group — and even die there — with out the lead sponsors even understanding.
“Sometimes we’re informed about a bill being moved into [the Working Rules group], but it’s not like an automatic thing,” state Sen. Julia Salazar stated.
Whereas the Focus story made the group’s existence appear sinister, most lawmakers approached by Playbook had been prepared to, at the least begrudgingly, talk about the open secret on the file.
Aside from Orange County’s state Senator James Skoufis, that’s. “I’m not at liberty to speak about working rules,” Skoufis stated with a smile. “I appreciate your doggedness in asking, though.”
Skoufis is listed as one of many members of the WRG within the Focus story. State Sen. Jamaal Bailey, who’s aligned with Heastie and can also be listed as a member of the group, gave the same reply:
“I don’t want to have the conversation about the conversations or the inner workings,” he stated. “I just think it’s a conversation for the leadership. I think it’s important for us to be able to move bills.” — Jason Beeferman
NEW YORK ROLLS OUT ENERGY ASSISTANCE: New York is the primary state to go stay with federal funds from the Inflation Discount Act for power effectivity tasks for low-income residents. U.S. Power Secretary Jennifer Granholm joined Gov. Kathy Hochul and Sen. Chuck Schumer to spotlight the brand new program in New York Metropolis on Thursday.
“We’re making real progress, something that’s tangible,” Hochul stated. “We’re going to affect people’s ability to adjust, adapt and lower their energy bills.”
The Power Division introduced final month that the state was the primary to get its software permitted below the $8.8 billion federal program meant to assist householders reduce their power prices and make their properties extra power environment friendly.
New York is now launching the primary section of its $158 million residence electrification and equipment rebates program and can achieve this by the state’s EmPower+ program, which serves householders and renters with incomes beneath 80 % of their space median. Houses as much as 4 items are eligible below the primary section, which is able to help the set up of air sealing, insulation, air flow, warmth pumps, and different electrical upgrades. As much as $14,000 is accessible in rebates per family, Granholm stated.
Hochul repeatedly praised President Joe Biden for supporting this system. “This president is getting the job done,” she stated.
A earlier iteration of EmPower had restricted eligibility to 60 % of state median revenue, which drew criticism for shutting out many low-income New York Metropolis residents.
Officers stated as we speak three extra states — Massachusetts, Michigan and Rhode Island — have utilized to launch their very own packages, bringing the whole variety of states which have utilized for at the least one of many residence power rebate packages funded by the legislation to 17. — Marie J. French and Kelsey Tamborrino
TRUCKERS AGAINST CONGESTION PRICING: The Trucking Affiliation of New York is suing the MTA over the implementation of congestion pricing, claiming the coverage will unfairly goal trucking and logistic firms because of the greater charges they are going to be charged.
Below the pricing plan, vehicles can be charged $24 or $36 for every journey into the congestion zone — relying on measurement and time of day — whereas passenger autos solely have to pay $15.
“To be clear, as an organization, we are not fundamentally opposed to the concept of congestion pricing,” affiliation president Kendra Hems stated throughout a webinar. “However, we cannot get behind a plan that unfairly targets an industry that has no option but to drive into the congestion zone.”
The lawsuit comes as drivers brace for the long-anticipated coverage to take impact in a single month, and underscores the continued opposition.
The affiliation just isn’t on the lookout for a full repeal of the plan, as an alternative requesting the MTA “return to the drawing board” to give you an equitable resolution for all customers.
Truck drivers would not have the freedom to drive into the congestion zone throughout off hours, as was urged by the MTA, as a result of they’re beholden to supply schedules. To that finish, the lawsuit argues MTA officers who’re conscious of truckers’ rigid schedules are unfairly concentrating on them with greater charges.
“As any responsible business does, we deliver when our customers ask us to deliver, which is during prime business hours. That will not change now, but what will change is higher costs for New Yorkers as a result,” Joe Fitzpatrick, vice chair of the affiliation’s board of administrators, stated in an announcement. — Shawn Ness
COVID COMMISSION: State lawmakers and Hochul’s workplace have mentioned in current days the creation of a fee to analyze Covid-19 pandemic insurance policies, 4 folks acquainted with the negotiations advised Playbook.
A invoice forming the fee has stalled for a number of years in Albany. However it’s coming into consideration within the closing days of the legislative session as former Gov. Andrew Cuomo will testify June 11 to a Republican-led Home subcommittee investigating pandemic-era insurance policies.
Cuomo’s preliminary dealing with of the pandemic turned him right into a nationwide star. However he quickly got here below criticism for his administration’s coverage of requiring nursing properties to not flip away Covid-positive sufferers — a rule his staff has defended as being in broad settlement with federal well being pointers on the time. The Division of Justice additionally declined to open a civil rights investigation into the difficulty.
Cuomo resigned in 2021 amid a number of allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate habits.
However at the same time as the previous governor has not dominated out a possible run for New York Metropolis mayor, supporters of forming the fee insist a state investigation isn’t meant to focus on him.
“I’ve always been very emphatic that I don’t see this bill as aimed at pointing fingers at anyone,” former Meeting Well being Chair Richard Gottfried, who helped craft the laws, stated. “I think what is called for is an objective, professional analysis of things that New York did right and things that New York did not get right.”
The fee into consideration by lawmakers would have subpoena energy and be composed of public well being specialists appointed by high Republican and Democratic leaders within the Legislature in addition to the governor. — Nick Reisman
— PAULIN PELEA: Westchester Democrat Amy Paulin obtained right into a “prolonged, heated exchange” with Assemblymember Latrice Walker throughout convention. Walker labored to shoot down Paulin’s intercourse crimes invoice that was drafted within the wake of Harvey Weinstein’s conviction being overturned. (Spectrum Information)
— DINAPOLI TALKS STATE COMMON RETIREMENT FUND: The fund will possible exceed its long-term income forecast when the ultimate numbers are tallied. (The Capitol Pressroom)
— Former state Sen. Jeffrey Klein is taking a web page from Cuomo’s playbook: Klein was accused of forcibly kissing a feminine staffer and has been the topic of a state ethics committee investigation ever since. Now, he’s claiming the physique doesn’t have the constitutional purview to take action. (Occasions Union)
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