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Legistlative Update - November 22, 2017
November 7th Elections
The recent elections resulted in several current members of the Senate and Assembly who were elected to new positions, thus creating eleven vacancies in January, 2018:
Current Position --> New Position
- Senator Latimer --> Westchester County Executive
- Senator Diaz --> NYC Council
- Assemblyman Kavanagh --> SD 26 (Squadron Seat)
- Assemblyman Gjonaj --> NYC Council
- Assemblyman Moya --> NYC Council
- Assemblyman McLaughlin --> Rensselaer County Executive
- Assemblyman Kearns --> Erie County Clerk
- Assemblyman Lupinacci --> Huntington Town Supervisor
- Assem1blyman McKevitt --> Nassau County Legislature
- Assem1blyman Graf --> Islip District Court Judge
In addition, the recent elections also produced three special elections for Senate and Assembly seats that were already vacant, thus electing individuals to fill those seats in January, 2018:
- 27th Assembly District – Daniel Rosenthal (Simanowitz Seat)
- 71st Assembly District – Alfred Taylor (Farrell Seat)
- 26th Senate District - Brian Kavanagh (Squadron Seat)
The Governor has not announced if there will be a date for special elections to fill the eleven vacancies come January, 2018.
Speakers Press Release - http://nyassembly.gov/Press/20171108/
Assembly Hearing
The Assembly Higher Education Committee will conduct a public hearing on December 12, 2017 to collect testimony on the Excelsior Scholarship Program and Enhanced TAP. This hearing is required pursuant to NYS Assembly Rules, Rule IV, Section 4(b):
- Consistent with the provisions of subdivision d of section one of Rule IV hereof, the chairperson of each standing committee shall call at least one public hearing after the adoption of the state budget regarding the implementation and administration of programs of departments, agencies, divisions, authorities, boards, commissions, public benefit corporations and other entities within the jurisdiction of such committee. The purpose of such public hearing shall include, but not be limited to, the impact, if any, of the state budget on the implementation and administration of the programs within such entities' jurisdiction.
- http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2017/09/flanagan-hires/
The Chancellor will be presenting testimony at this hearing.
Hearing Notice - http://assembly.state.ny.us/write/upload/publichearing/20171114a.pdf
Assembly Leadership Changes
Speaker Heastie recently announced new leadership positions and committee chairs for the 2018 legislative session:
LEADERSHIP:
- Chair, Majority Conference - Steven Otis (replacing Michael Simanowitz)
- Vice Chair, Majority Conference - Ron Kim (replacing Steven Otis)
- Secretary, Majority Conference - Walter T. Mosley (replacing Ron Kim)
STANDING COMMITTEES:
- Chair, Ways and Means – Helene Weinstein (replacing Denny Farrell)
- Chair, Corporations, Authorities & Commissions - Amy Paulin (replacing Jeffrey Dinowitz)
- Chair, Election Law - Charles D. Lavine (replacing Michael Cusick)
- Chair, Energy - Michael Cusick (replacing Amy Paulin)
- Chair, Ethics & Guidance - Aravella Simotas (replacing Charles Lavine)
- Chair, Judiciary - Jeffrey Dinowitz (replacing Helene Weinstein)
- Chair, Libraries & Education Technology - Didi Barrett (replacing Dan Quart)
LEGISLATIVE COMMISSIONS:
- Chair, Administrative Regulations Review - Dan Quart (replacing Aravella Simotas)
Speaker’s Press Release - http://nyassembly.gov/Press/20170918/
Legislative Staff Changes
Senate:
David Previte replaces Beth Garvey as the Senate Majority Counsel
Assembly:
Zack Saccocio replaces Stephanie Lord as the Assembly Minority Ways & Means analyst for Higher Education
Governor Staff Changes:
Governor Cuomo recently announced that Cathy Calhoun will be the new Director of State Operations, replacing Jamie Rubin.
Press Release - https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-administration-appointments-33
Higher Education Legislation
Attached is our summary of legislation approved by the Senate and Assembly that impacts SUNY and higher education. Note that the MOE and 5 Year Capital Plan proposals have yet to be sent to the Governor for final action.
2018-19 Budget Proposal
The Board of Trustees gave final approval to SUNY’s 2018-19 budget proposal to the Governor last week:
