New York State Legislature Convenes for 2017 Session

Both houses of the New York State Legislature convened today in Albany to launch the 2017 Legislative Session.

As is tradition, legislative leaders of both the Senate and Assembly majorities, as well as the Senate IDC elected their leaders, adopted rules and held their respective opening day receptions. Meanwhile, the Governor is in New York City today, instead of Albany where governors traditionally address the Legislature on the first day of session.

Instead, the Governor is traveling to six separate locations next week to lay out his 2017 agenda. His regional speeches will take place in New York City and Buffalo on Monday, January 9, Westchester and Long Island on Tuesday, January 10 before finishing with Albany and Syracuse on Wednesday, January 11. Specific times and locations have yet to be announced.

It remains to be seen how the current strain between the Legislature and the Governor will impact this year’s legislative cycle. Health care concerns, ethics reforms, the legalization of ride-sharing as well as negotiating a state budget and fiscal plan that addresses an expected budget deficit are just a few of the controversial issues to be considered this year.

Hodes & Landy will continue to utilize this blog to update news regarding the Legislature.