Friday Morning Brief July 11, 2025

Jul 10

Written By Michael Avella

Please note the brief will be sent on a bi-weekly basis for the summer.

Member Spotlight

Assemblyman Patrick Carroll

Assemblymember Patrick Carroll joins us to discuss his Hudson Valley-based district, priorities, and some of the policies he worked on during this year's legislative session. Prior to being elected to the Assembly, he served his community as a Council Member for the Town of Clarkstown, as well as an attorney in the community. Currently, he serves on various Assembly committees, including Consumer Affairs and Protection, Election Law, and Judiciary.

What district do you represent?
I represent the 96th Assembly district in Rockland County. It covers the Towns of Clarkstown and Haverstraw, the Village of Nyack, and the hamlet of South Nyack.

What are some of the most popular landmarks in your district?
My district is home to Mount Moor Cemetery in West Nyack, a historic cemetery known as the final resting place of dozens of African-American veterans who honorably served our country dating back to the Civil War. The district also includes the Garner Historic District in West Haverstraw, a collection of landmarked factory buildings that have been repurposed to celebrate our region’s art, culture, and history.

My district has many state parks including, Nyack Beach State Park, Hook Mountain State Park, Rockland Lake State Park, and High Tor State Park.

What is your favorite music? Any favorite bands/artists?
I listen to a wide array of music from classic rock to country to rap but if I had to pick one favorite artist it would be Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. One of my favorite concerts years ago was seeing them at an outdoor venue with my younger brother. I wish I had gotten to more shows before Tom Petty passed.

What about NY sports teams?
I’m a proud New Englander, born and raised in Rhode Island. I’m a fan of the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics. However, my favorite NY sports teams are any of the teams my four girls play for.

What was your profession before becoming an Assemblymember?
I served on the Town Council in the Town of Clarkstown for 7 years before my election to the Assembly. My experience in local government provides a strong understanding of the issues facing our community. I’m also a practicing attorney with clients in various fields.

What statewide issues did you try to address in your first year in the Assembly?
Affordability, safety, and education. I’m proud that the state budget included record funding for education, universal school meals, tax cuts for middle-class and working families, and needed reforms to our criminal justice system.

What about local issues?
I’ve developed a good relationship with municipal leaders and non-profit leaders in my district and I’ve sought to ensure that Rockland gets its fair share from the state. I’m also extremely proud of my staff that have worked to solve countless constituent cases ranging from unemployment to housing to traffic safety, and more.

Any advice for young folks who want to be more involved in politics?
Meet and network with as many people as possible. Find local candidates and causes that resonate with you and see how you can help.

Any last comments/summer plans?
It’s good to be back home in Rockland County. I’m going to spend time with my wife and children just enjoying each other's company.

Are you a public official or staffer that would like to be featured in our spotlight? If so, reach out to your favorite D&A team member or contact us at team@dickinsonavella.com to set up an interview!

Aung Hset/D&A

Budget Director Warns of Upcoming Budget Gaps After the Passage of the Big Beautiful Bill

Yesterday, the state Budget Director, Blake Washington, warned that the "Big Beautiful Bill Act", recently signed by President Trump, will result in a $750 million loss for the state in Q4 of this fiscal year (January to March 2006). Additionally, Washington warned that the state is anticipated to lose up to $3 billion in federal aid for the next fiscal year. Washington also explained that the $750 million gap and the $3 billion gap may change after a “better picture” of the total impact of the federal budget bill.

The budget gaps are mostly due to the reduction of federal aid for Medicaid, with the biggest impact on the state’s Essential Plan. While Washington explained that the DOB and the DOH have been analyzing how many individuals will lose their healthcare coverage, it has been estimated that over 1.5 million individuals will lose their coverage next year. Hochul has also released a breakdown of possible healthcare impacts by congressional districts.

In addition to Medicaid cuts, Washington explained that the state’s healthcare providers will lose approximately $1.8 million from the federal rescission of the state's MCO tax, as well as federal funding for hospitals in both rural and urban areas. Lastly, food assistance will also be impacted by the federal budget bill, with Washington estimating that about $100 million will be lost for SNAP in the state. While lawmakers agreed to give Hochul the authority to adjust state spending if revenue drops by up to $2 billion, Washington explained that Hochul will make any final decisions in consultation with leaders of the Legislature. “I think it’s a dialogue between the Governor and the leaders in the Legislature,” said Washington.

Regarding a possible special session later this year, Washington hinted that it may not be necessary, but did not rule it out if “more unknowns” arise. Currently, Washington explained that the state plans to conduct further analysis on the federal budget bill and work with fiscal secretaries for both chambers. “These are going to require some really challenging discussions in the next handful of months and into next year’s budget,” said Washington.

Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

Alongside lawmakers, leaders of the Legislature, and D&A’s client Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, Hochul held a press conference announcing that the state paid off nearly $7 billion of federal Unemployment Insurance debt through the FY2026 Enacted Budget. With the UI debt paid off, the maximum weekly benefit to unemployed workers will increase from $504 to $869 by October. Additionally, employers are expected to save an average of $100 per employee in 2026 and $250 in 2027. “This is about doing what’s right — raising benefits for unemployed New Yorkers who need support, cutting costs for businesses that are driving our economy forward, and putting money back into New Yorkers’ pockets,” said Hochul.

Early last week, Hochul announced the launch of a new website to help school districts implement bell-to-bell restrictions on phones in classrooms. The new website is expected to guide school districts in meeting the statewide standards for restricting phones in classrooms and provide information on the availability of financial resources. The website was launched after the FY2026 Enacted Budget approved a statewide ban on phones in classrooms, adopting a bell-to-bell model with a requirement that school districts publish their implementation plans by August 1st. “As we prepare for the coming school year, my team is continuing to provide the necessary resources and tools to ensure school districts finalize and publish their distraction-free policy by the August 1st deadline,” said Hochul.

Last week, Hochul announced the disbursement of more than $36 million to 48 county-led projects. Disbursed through the first round of the County Infrastructure Grant Program and administered by the Empire State Development, the awarded projects will upgrade water infrastructure, sewers, roads, community facilities, and affordable housing developments. The projects are expected to boost tourism, revitalize neighborhoods, and build over 2,750 new homes. The awards build upon the state’s commitment to promoting local economies and support Hochul’s $25 billion Housing Plan to build or preserve 100,000 affordable housing units.

On Tuesday, Hochul announced the disbursement of $3 million for three EV installation projects. Disbursed through NYSERDA’s Vehicle Grid Integration Program, the three awarded projects will integrate EV chargers into the state grid. In addition to the awards, the state will disburse $4 million for future EV technology projects aimed at monitoring, transmitting, and controlling EV charging data. The awards build upon the state’s commitment to transitioning its economy into a renewable, green economy and support the state’s Climate Agenda.

Earlier this week, Hochul announced that the network adequacy regulations for mental health treatment are in effect. The new regulation will require health insurance to ensure an initial mental health appointment within 10 business days of the request or seven calendar days after hospital discharge. Otherwise, enrollees must be offered out-of-network care at the in-network cost-sharing rate. The regulations build upon Hochul’s priority to better address mental health needs in the state and support previous actions to expand access to mental health treatment. “These new regulations will help remove barriers that often force individuals and families to pay out-of-pocket for care or forgo treatment altogether,” explained Hochul.

Yesterday, Hochul announced the approval of a new 140 MW solar project in Madison County. Approved by ORES, the Oxbow Hill Solar facility, the 24th clean energy project approved by ORES since 2021, is expected to provide renewable power to approximately 23,000 average-sized homes and offset over 177,000 metric tons of CO2. The project is also expected to create 330 jobs during construction. The approval of the project supports the state’s priority to build new renewable energy projects and complete the state’s Climate Agenda.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Barring special session in the Fall, the Legislature is set to reconvene in January 2026

Capital Region Lawmakers to Introduce Bills to Curb the Use of Flare Guns

After a string of violent incidents involving a flare gun in Albany on the Fourth of July Celebration Night, Senator Pat Fahy and Assemblymembers Gabriella Romero and John McDonald announced the coming introduction of two bills that would close loopholes and restrict the use of flare guns. One bill would prohibit the sale of flare guns to individuals under the age of 21, and another bill would criminalize the use of a flare gun as a weapon to cause bodily harm or property damage. “Flare guns were never designed to be weapons, but they are now being weaponized and used to inflict destruction, panic, and pain within our communities, including right here in the Capital Region with the outrageous and unacceptable violence we saw over the Fourth of July weekend,” explained Fahy, who is set to sponsor both bills in the Senate.

Lawmakers Defend NYC Mayor Eric Adams' City of Yes

This week, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymembers Alex Bores, Maritza Davila, Zohran Mamdani, Tony Simone, and Emérita Torres signed onto an amicus brief led by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher in support of Mayor Eric Adams’s City of Yes. The amicus brief comes after a Staten Island-based civic association filed a lawsuit against the City of Yes. The lawsuit alleges that the City of Yes was lacking in the general sufficiency of its policy’s environmental review of its analysis of water and sewer infrastructure. However, the Adams Administration argues that the policy has taken necessary steps to account for local infrastructure. The oral arguments for the lawsuit are scheduled for Wednesday.

DOH's Settlement on CDPAP Transition

Earlier this week, the state DOH reached a settlement in a class action lawsuit against the ongoing CDPAP transition. Under the settlement, the state will implement new requirements and postpone the final registration date by August 1st. A federal judge will decide on the terms of the settlement after a hearing on August 6th. The settlement comes after the Senate Investigations Chair James Skoufis and Senate Health Chair Gustavo Rivera postponed a Senate Hearing on the CDPAP transition due to requests by the DOH. “While we are incredibly disappointed about this recent development, our commitment to hold this crucial hearing this summer has not wavered, and we will notify stakeholders and the public as soon as we have a new date,” Skoufis and Rivera explained. The CDPAP transition into a single fiscal intermediary has been met with bipartisan criticisms and the introduction of several bills to change or halt the transition.

Lawmakers to Introduce the MELT Act to Address Use of Masks by ICE Agents

In response to growing reports of ICE agents using masks to carry out arrests, lawmakers announced the upcoming introduction of the MELT Act. Sponsored by Assemblymember Tony Simone, the MELT Act would require ICE agents and other law enforcement personnel to display visible identification and prohibit them from wearing face coverings while interacting with the public. The bill comes after growing concerns amongst lawmakers about the increasing presence of ICE agents statewide, as well as the introduction of Congressmember Nydia Velázquez's No Masks for ICE Act in Congress. “[ICE agents] are disappearing people to extranational prisons with no due process...The MELT Act will restore accountability over these masked vigilantes," explained Simone.

Assemblymember JGR Considering Challenging Senator Jessica Ramos

After the Democratic mayoral primary for NYC, it was reported that Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas is considering a primary challenge against Senator Jessica Ramos. The consideration comes after Ramos endorsed former Governor Andrew Cuomo for mayor, resulting in significant criticism, including González-Rojas calling Ramos' endorsement “disappointing.” Although González-Rojas confirmed that she is considering a primary challenge, she explained, “A lot of conversations are happening, no decisions are made.” It is reported that González-Rojas may make the decision sometime next month.

Possible 2026 Political Musical Chair After Lawmakers Won City Primaries

In addition to Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani winning the Democratic mayoral primary for NYC, Senator Sean Ryan won his Democratic mayoral primary for Buffalo, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal won his Democratic primary for Manhattan Borough President, and Assemblymember Harvey Epstein won his NYC Council race. With all four lawmakers favored to win their respective November general elections, four special elections are expected to take place sometime next year. While there are speculations and rumors about who will succeed the four lawmakers, it is rumored that Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera will run for Ryan’s Senate seat. It was also previously reported that Assemblymember Tony Simone wants to run for Hoylman-Sigal’s Senate seat. Rivera and Simone running will result in two additional special elections next year.

OTHER UPDATES

Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani Wins Democratic Mayoral Primary for NYC

On the night of June 24th, the Democratic primary for NYC Mayor, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani won the primary, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo, who was leading in almost all of the polls, won 36.3% of the total votes in round one, while Mamdani won 43.7% of the votes. In round three, Cuomo won 43.8% of the total votes, while Mamdani won 56.2%, the most votes won by any other mayoral candidate in NYC primary election history. After his victory in the Democratic primary election, various lawmakers and labor unions have officially endorsed or given support to Mamdani, with Congressmember Adriano Espaillat endorsing Mamdani yesterday.

Many lawmakers, unions, and observers noted that Mamdani’s focus on affordability contributed to his primary victory. “He understands our city doesn't work if every day New Yorkers, the very people that keep it moving forward, can’t afford to live here,” Espaillat explained for his reasoning to endorse Mamdani. Mamdani will face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, Republican nominee Curtis Silwa, and independent Jim Walden in the November general election. While Cuomo is still on the independent ballot line for the general election, his campaign is still considering whether to actively campaign or not.

President Trump Threatens NYC and Mamdani

Earlier this week, in a televised Cabinet meeting, President Trump threatened to federally take over NYC if Mamdani gets elected as mayor in the November general election. “If a communist gets elected to run New York, it can never be the same. We have tremendous power at the White House to run places when we have to…Maybe we’re going to have to straighten it out from Washington,” said Trump. However, many legal observers note that Trump cannot legally take over the city government. This comes after Trump threatened to withheld federal funding from NYC if Mamdani “doesn’t behave himself” as mayor and questioned his citizenship and naturalization documents.

Trump’s remarks resulted in Democratic lawmakers defending Mamdani, with Hochul saying, “I don’t care if you’re the President of the United States, if you threaten to unlawfully go after one of our neighbors, you’re picking a fight with 20 million New Yorkers — starting with me.” Congressmember Ritchie Torres, who has criticized Mamdani’s policy proposals, also defended him, saying, “For a sitting President to casually threaten to arrest and deport a US citizen who won a major-party nomination is disgraceful.”

Hochul and MTA Touts Congestion Pricing Success

Amidst threats from the federal administration over congestion pricing and an ongoing lawsuit, Hochul and the MTA announced that the program has successfully reduced traffic and raised enough revenue to fund transit improvements. Specifically, it is expected that the program will be on track to raise $500 million by the end of 2025. The announcement touting congestion pricing comes after the federal government was barred from taking retaliatory measures against the state and allowing the program to continue pending further court proceedings. “We’ve also fended off five months of unlawful attempts from the federal government to unwind this successful program and will keep fighting - and winning - in the courts. The cameras are staying on,” said Hochul.

Cold Spring Habor Laboratory's Topping-Out Ceremony with ESD and AM Lavine

Yesterday, D&A client Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory held a topping-out ceremony for their Foundations for the Future project with students, faculty, ESD CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight, ESD Board Chair Kevin Law, CSHL Board of Trustees Chair Marilyn Simons and Assemblymember Chuck Lavine. The Foundations for the Future is a seven-acre project to provide critical research in neuroscience, cancer treatments, and harnessing AI to treat neurological disorders.

*The Mike's Avella were immortalized On the final beam at Cold Spring Harbor Lab's latest project.*

Firm Spotlight

D&A's Mike Avella Jr. and Tina Haxhillari were recently named to City & State's 2025 Casino & Sports Betting Trailblazers! Mike & Tina's excerpts below:

Mike's Excerpt:
Albany veteran Mike Avella Jr. has been deeply involved in Mets owner Steve Cohen’s bid to bring a casino to the Citi Field parking lots as the state gets closer to awarding up to three full downstate casino licenses. Avella’s efforts have been centered on parkland alienation for the Citi Field parking lots to allow the project to move forward – and state lawmakers just approved the change. Avella’s other clients include Rush Street Gaming, Capital Region Gaming LLC and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council.

Tina's Excerpt:
Eglantina Haxhillari is the senior vice president of government relations at the Albany lobbying powerhouse Dickinson & Avella. Her client portfolio includes the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady, Delaware North in Buffalo and International Game Technology. Haxhillari and her colleagues have driven legislative efforts around legalizing mobile sports betting and authorizing casino expansion in New York. She helped casinos navigate pandemic-era restrictions and, more recently, ensured the continuation of the upstate casino tax rate adjustment with the awarding of downstate casino licenses looming.

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