With assistance from Shawn Ness
New from New York
Happening now:
- Gov. Kathy Hochul may consider shorter extenders.
- A new parks attendance record thanks to the eclipse.
- Some advocates slept in the War Room.
- The Hochuls’ income in 2023 is out.
DAYS THE BUDGET IS LATE: 12
The state budget is now entering its third week of being overdue. One potential way to move the process forward is through a stopgap spending bill that expires after 24 hours, which could keep lawmakers in Albany and engaged in negotiations.
As of now, there is no clear indication that Hochul plans to take this step after the current budget extender expires on Monday. Lawmakers are confident they can reach a deal in the near future.
However, discussions about the 24-hour tactic have taken place in the governor’s office, according to a source familiar with the conversations.
If implemented, the 24-hour strategy would be a departure from Hochul’s current approach of issuing budget extender bills timed to meet weekly state worker payroll needs.
While some lawmakers are not enthusiastic about the idea, others believe it could help accelerate the budget process, which has been hindered by disagreements over housing policy.
Despite differing opinions, there is a consensus that it is time to finalize the budget and any steps that expedite the process are welcome.
Historically, governors have utilized their influence over lawmakers during budget negotiations. In 2017, then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo sent the Legislature a temporary spending plan to pressure lawmakers into reaching a deal, which ultimately happened.
The current deadlock is centered around a housing plan, with tensions rising as lawmakers struggle to agree on tenant protections. This impasse has resulted in the third missed budget deadline in as many years.
As discussions continue, the state government remains funded through a recent extension measure approved by the Assembly and signed by Hochul.
Outside Hochul’s office, older adults and disabled New Yorkers protested a budget proposal that could impact home care services. The proposal aims to consolidate administrative tasks under a single company, raising concerns about care options and payment delays for aides.
Amidst these developments, the income of the Hochul family in 2023 has come to light, with First Gentleman William Hochul earning $1.5 million from Delaware North before leaving the company.
As the budget negotiations continue, the state of New York remains in a state of uncertainty and anticipation for a resolution. — Nick Reisman and Jason Beeferman
WAR ROOM RALLY: After older adults and disabled New Yorkers spent a long night sleeping in the Capitol’s War Room, they gathered outside Hochul’s office today to protest a budget proposal to enlist a single company to handle payroll and other administrative tasks for New Yorkers who hire their own home care aides.
The New York Caring Majority, a coalition of health care advocacy groups, claim the proposal to replace hundreds of fiscal intermediaries — most of which are run by licensed home care agencies — with a single vendor under a no-bid contract would limit care options and delay payments to aides.
The consolidation is intended to reduce Medicaid spending under the consumer-directed personal assistance program, or CDPAP, which has ballooned from $6 billion in state and federal spending in 2021 to $9 billion in 2023.
“We are calling on Governor Hochul, the Assembly and Senate to work with the disability community to develop sensible and measured reforms to CDPAP in this year’s budget that target the real problems in the system and maintain the integrity of this invaluable program,” Lindsay Miller, executive director of the New York Association for Independent Living, said in a statement. — Shawn Ness and Maya Kaufman
THE FIRST FAMILY’S PAY: The Hochul family’s income soared to $1.9 million in 2023, thanks to $1.5 million First Gentleman William Hochul made from Delaware North.
William left the Buffalo-based hospitality company in August. However, his pay more than doubled from the previous year, thanks to a series of bonuses and other compensation he received upon leaving the firm. Despite being with the firm since 2016, his role was closely examined as the state became involved in issues such as funding for a new Buffalo Bills stadium. He has been working at Manhattan law firm Davis Polk since January.
The governor’s salary from the state is set at $250,000 by law. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor granted former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin’s request for more time to appeal his federal bribery case. Benjamin’s team is hoping to clarify government corruption under the law through his case.
Mayor Eric Adams defended a new policy requiring elected officials to obtain approval from City Hall before meeting with high-level agency staff and commissioners. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams expressed concerns about the policy, stating that it could hinder government partnerships.
Implementing the terms of the right-to-shelter settlement will take time, but the city is making progress. Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isom mentioned the closure of waiting rooms for migrants and efforts to provide additional stays in city shelters for those with extenuating circumstances.
Nearly one million people visited New York state parks during a recent stretch, setting a record. Governor Kathy Hochul was among the visitors to see the eclipse at Niagara Falls State Park, while Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz traveled to Ohio for clearer skies to view the event.
— Jason Beeferman
OH, RATS: New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is alerting healthcare providers about a rise in cases of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection linked to rat urine. Six cases have been reported this year, with 24 cases in 2023 – surpassing previous years’ totals. Between 2001 and 2020, the city averaged only three cases annually, but numbers have been increasing, especially in warmer and wetter months. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice, and if untreated, it can lead to kidney failure, meningitis, and liver damage. From 2001 to 2023, there were six deaths out of 98 locally acquired cases in the city. — Maya Kaufman
DECEPTIVE ADS: Attorney General Tish James announced securing over $1 million in penalties and refunds from Northwell Health for misleading New Yorkers by billing for emergency room visits instead of Covid-19 test kits. James stated that during the height of the pandemic, Northwell caused unnecessary worry by sending ER bills for Covid-19 tests. Northwell owes over $400,000 in refunds to 2,000 patients and $650,000 in penalties to the state. Northwell’s vice president of public relations, Barbara Osborn, mentioned that they cooperated with the investigation and voluntarily settled without admitting wrongdoing. The investigation began after complaints of receiving ER bills after Covid tests, revealing signs for testing sites at three locations. — Shawn Ness
— City schools are encouraging superintendents to advocate for mayoral control. (POLITICO Pro)
— A homeless man stole a FDNY fireboat, but was unable to start the engine, drifting down the Hudson River. (Daily News)
— Michael Cohen discussed Donald Trump’s hush money case before the trial beginning Monday. (POLITICO)
