Greetings from Albany, NY
In this edition, we provide updates on recent legislative actions, an overview of the New York gubernatorial debate, a review of the Division of the Budget call letter, background on the proposed Albany commuter tax, and share other important information.
Governor Hochul Signs Several Bills into Law
Governor Hochul has signed 364 bills into law this year. In the last two weeks alone, she signed 52. Several she considered this week are either local bills or extensions of current laws.
Here’s a look at some of them:
- Provides an exemption for certain parcels of land from licensing restrictions for on-premises alcohol consumption for certain manufacturers and wholesalers of alcoholic beverages (A8796)
- Relates to fees and exemptions in unemployment insurance proceedings and extends effectiveness (A10343)
- Extends certain provisions relating to supermarkets providing excess edible food to food relief organizations (A10344)
- Extends provisions relating to the establishment of the mercury thermostat collection act (A11392)
- Extends provisions relating to public hearings on proposed rules (S10586)
There are 394 bills that passed both houses that have not yet been transmitted to Governor Hochul for action. Although she can request these bills at any time, it is more likely that she will consider most of the remaining bills after the election.
Four more bills have been introduced recently. They are:
- Establishes a learning module to provide education on tickborne illnesses in the state of New York (S10720)
- Authorizes a person to limit the gambling self-exclusion to online platforms (S10721)
- Prohibits healthcare non-compete agreements and certain restrictive covenants (S10722)
- Enacts the Bicycle Traffic Safety Education Alternative act (S10723)
Early Voting in New York Begins Tomorrow
Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election begins tomorrow, Oct. 24.
All 150 Assembly seats and 63 Senate seats are on the ballot, along with races for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, members of Congress, and NY Supreme Court justices. Democrats currently hold a 41-22 majority in the Senate, and 103-47 majority in the Assembly, but this election could bring significant turnover as numerous lawmakers have chosen not to seek re-election, are running for other offices, or were defeated in their primary races.
According to the NYS Board of Elections, there are 13.5 million registered voters in New York; approximately 6.4 million are enrolled Democrats, 3 million are Republicans, 3.4 million are unaffiliated and the balance are enrolled in other parties. To date, NBC News is reporting that in New York, 512,371 mail-in ballots were requested and so far, 169,886 of those have been cast.
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