Friday Morning Brief June 20, 2025

Jun 19

Written By Michael Avella

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

Member Spotlight

Assemblyman Micah Lasher

Assemblymember Micah Lasher joins us to discuss his Manhattan-based district, priorities, and policies he worked on during this year's legislative session. Before being elected to the Assembly, he dedicated his life to public service, serving as Director of Policy to the Governor, Chief of Staff to the State Attorney General, Director of State Legislative Affairs for NYC, and as an aide to Congressman Jerry Nadler. Currently, he serves on various committees, such as on Children and Families, Environmental Conservation, and Corporations, Authorities & Commissions.

What district do you represent?
I represent the 69th Assembly District, which is in Manhattan. It covers the northern half of the Upper West Side, Manhattan Valley, and Morningside Heights.

Any landmarks or restaurants that you want to highlight?
Regarding landmarks, we've got Central Park and Riverside Park. Columbia University and the Metropolitan Museum of Art are also in the district. So, we have some great institutions and public spaces and one of the city's best pizza places. And I say that not just because I think so, but spots like Mama's Too on Broadway between 105th and 106th made many of the city's top lists.

What is your favorite music? Any favorite bands or artists?
Bruce Springsteen is my favorite.

What about your favorite NY sports team?
I am a Knicks and Yankees fan.

What was your profession before being elected as an Assemblyman?
I've spent the better part of my career in government. Most recently, I was a policy director for Governor Kathy Hochul before running for Assembly. I joined her administration shortly after it was formed.

What statewide issues are you trying to address in your first year in the Assembly?
My focus has been on ways that the State of New York can fight back and fill in for the federal government. In this moment of the Trump administration and all the damage that it's that it's doing, I think it’s important. So, I’ve spent a lot of my energy figuring out our legislation that can protect New Yorkers who have been put at risk by the Trump Administration and finding areas where the state can do the work the federal government has abdicated. We need to be more directly involved with our constituents, fight back the harm caused by the federal government, and defend our core values as a state.

What about local issues?
Many of the issues I've worked on legislatively have a local tie-in. So, I was very interested in the issue of discovery reform this year. Discovery is the obligation that is attached to the prosecution of cases. We have genuine public safety issues in the City of New York and my district. And so I thought that was an important area for us to make some progress on. Likewise, the mental health crisis is an issue that I've worked on for many years, including while I was in the governor's office. And I thought that was something important to deal with this year. These are both areas where I introduced legislation, and they were addressed in the state budget. In the case of mental health, a proposal that I put forward was incorporated into the adopted budget to enable psychiatric nurse practitioners to do evaluations for involuntary hospitalization. Housing costs continue to be a huge issue in my district, city, and state. Addressing the state housing issue has a local component, even though it’s a broader policy issue, and I have a range of bills that tackle different pieces of that puzzle.

Any advice for young folks who want to get more involved in politics?
We desperately need talented people to go into public service. John Adams was reported to have said to his son about politics, “If honest men won't do it, then think of who will.” I think that’s incredibly important to think about. I would say that I think there's enormous value in creating a real foundational background and understanding depending on what you're interested in, both politics and policy. It takes work, effort, focus, and time to hone your public service skills. It’s also important to recognize that you cannot be an expert on everything. However, after many years of public service, you will pick up various pieces of the political landscape and policy issues differently.

Any summer plans?
I am looking forward to spending time with my family! I am also looking forward to just going out to dinner with my family on a weeknight without planning it well ahead.

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!

Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Arrested by ICE Agents

On Tuesday, ICE agents arrested NYC Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander while he was escorting an asylum-seeker out of a courtroom in Manhattan. While the federal Department of Homeland Security said Lander assaulted a federal law enforcement officer, videos recorded by reporters at the scene show Lander was holding onto the asylum-seeker and asking ICE agents for their judicial warrant. “You don’t have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens… I’m not obstructing. I’m standing right here in the hallway,” Lander repeatedly said in the videos.

Lander was detained until Hochul arrived at the courthouse and pushed for his release. “This is a sorry day for New York and our country,” Hochul said at the press conference after releasing Lander. The arrest brought various lawmakers, including mayoral candidates, into the courtroom, condemning the arrest. Andrew Cuomo, who is a frontrunner in the mayoral race, condemned the arrest as a “latest example of the extreme thuggery of Trump’s ICE out of control.” Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, who is in second in many of the polls, condemned ICE for not following the law and “terrorizing people across this country.”

Lander’s arrest was the latest in a series of arrests or detainments of Democrat lawmakers across the country by federal agents, leading some lawmakers to call for a special session to pass the New York for All Act, which would prohibit state and local law enforcement from sharing and working with ICE agents. Although advocates and lawmakers heavily pushed for the bill to pass before session concluded, it failed to pass either chamber. “We must hold a special session, and we must start that session by passing NY4All to stand up to Trump’s unchecked ICE raids terrorizing our neighborhoods,” said Senator Jabari Brisport.

Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

On Monday, Hochul announced the disbursement of $13.7 million to 19 farm and food organizations through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program. The funding is expected to expand the state’s food supply chain by providing farms and food organizations with capital and technical assistance, enhancing coordination, and improving farmers' access. The disbursement of funds builds upon the state’s commitment to invest in the agriculture industry, uplift harmers, and address regional food insecurity. “Farmers are our lifeblood – they nourish our families and fuel our economy, and it is more important than ever that we invest in projects that bolster our local food supply chain here in New York State,” said Hochul.

Early this week, Hochul joined lawmakers and Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to announce the completion of a $45 million Regional Food Hub in the Bronx. The first-of-its-kind 60,000-square-foot cold storage facility will allow the local food hub to increase its food distribution to 20 million pounds by 2034 and create 200 new jobs. The state invested over $19 million in the food hub, building upon the state’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and improving the connection between upstate food producers and the downstate market. “The New York State Regional Food Hub is a game-changer for families and farmers across New York,” said Hochul.

On Tuesday, Hochul joined lawmakers, community leaders, labor, and hospital groups to celebrate the $1 billion investment in SUNY Downstate Hospital. With the $1 billion, SUNY Downstate Advisory Board will use the money for a plan developed in part with the input from the local community. The investment comes after SUNY Downstate faced a $100 million annual deficit and was at risk of closure last year. With the approval of the Legislature, the state will invest $50 million in annual capital allocations for the next seven years for a total investment of $1 billion. This historic $1 billion investment into SUNY Downstate Hospital will contribute to modernization and infrastructure efforts that will lead to a brighter future for this community,” said Hochul.

On Wednesday, Hochul announced the start of a $23.6 million project to build Bull’s Head Empowerment Center in Rochester. The center will reuse and expand an existing building into a mixed-used center with workforce development programming, not-for-profit services, local businesses, and a 24-hour daycare center. The project would be supported by the state's $3 million investment. The project is part of the state’s $300 million Regional Revitalization Partnership, encouraging public-private partnerships for local economic development and downtown revitalization. “The public-private Regional Revitalization Partnership is serving as a national model and catalyst for economic development. This investment in the Bull’s Head Empowerment Center in Rochester represents another shining example of the initiative’s success, “ said Hochul.

Earlier this week, Hochul announced the completion of a $11 million wastewater collection and treatment facilities improvement project in Waddington. Funded by the state’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative, the project rehabilitated existing sewer lines, constructed new storm sewers and catch basins, replaced pumps, modernized the main pump station, and repaired the treatment plant. The project builds upon the state’s commitment to upgrading and modernizing existing water infrastructure, with the Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative funding 134 projects since 2019.

This week, Hochul sent an announcement reminding homeowners of their possible eligibility for the state’s STAR tax relief this summer and fall. More than three million homeowners are expected to receive $2.2 billion in tax relief, with families with income below $500,000 receiving $350 to $600 and seniors with income below $107,300 receiving $700 to $1,500. The amount of STAR will be based on local school taxes and vary based on the county. The disbursement of STAR benefits supports the state’s effort to support existing homeowners and Hochul’s 2025 legislative Affordability Agenda. “From tax credits to child care assistance and much more, we’re continuing to put more money back in New Yorkers’ pockets,” said Hochul.

2025 SESSION WRAP-UP

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

This year, 856 bills passed both chambers of the Legislature
Hochul has 723 bills left to sign or veto between now and the end of the year

Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Lawmakers Convened 2025 Legislative Session With Talks of Affordability

The 2025 legislative session convened on January 8th with Hochul, leaders of the Legislature, and rank-and-file lawmakers publicly pledging to address affordability as the main issue. In her opening speech, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (who became the longest-serving Democratic Senate Majority Leader, 1st woman, and 1st Black woman in the Majority Leader position this year) explained, “We know the challenges ahead require maintaining and strengthening our resolve to make New York more affordable.” In his separate opening speech, Speaker Carl Heastie said, “One thing we keep hearing over and over again is that the cost of living remains too high.”

In her fourth State of the State address at the Egg Performing Arts Center (instead of the usual Assembly chamber), Hochul also outlined affordability and public safety as one of her main priorities. In her Affordability Agenda, Hochul included inflation rebate checks, universal free school meals, middle-class tax cuts, an increase in the child tax credit, and increased state investment in childcare.

Hochul also announced plans to address public safety in her State of the State address, including expanding involuntary commitment and reforming the state’s discovery laws to expand prosecutorial powers. While lawmakers were mostly supportive of Hochul’s agenda for addressing affordability, many were hesitant about her public safety agenda.

Aung Hset/D&A

2025 Joint Budget Hearings

After Hochul released her Executive Budget with full details of her Affordability Agenda, lawmakers started their Joint Budget Hearings. One notable Budget Hearing was on Tin Cup Day, where NYC Mayor Eric Adams testified in front of lawmakers amidst his reelection campaign and federal corruption charges at the time. Senator Jessica Ramos and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, two lawmakers challenging Adams for mayor, questioned him on his agenda for addressing affordability, previous NYC budget cuts, and reluctance to criticize President Trump.

The concerns about federal budget cuts and Trump’s antagonistic attitude toward state lawmakers were also repeatedly brought up throughout the hearings. On the first day of the Budget Hearings, Trump issued(then rescinded) an executive order freezing all federal funding, which would have jeopardized $93 billion in federal funding to the state. At one hearing, lawmakers even ascertained the idea of withholding state funding from the federal government, although many recognized the idea as possibly illegal.

Some other issues brought up by the Budget Hearings were:

MTA Funding
School Aid Formula
Immigrant Protections
Classroom Phone Ban
Environmental Protections
Utility Costs
Healthcare Funding
CDPAP Transition
State Correctional Facilities

Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Hochul Proposed Guardrails on NYC Mayors

Amidst the Budget Hearings, Hochul announced proposed guardrails on NYC Mayor Eric Adams. The proposed guardrails came as Adams faced backlash from the DOJ seeking to dismiss his corruption charges due to an alleged quid pro quo agreement, a series of high-level resignations from his administration, and calls for resignation from Democratic lawmakers and leaders. While Hochul contemplated removing Adams from office, she proposed four guardrails on Adams and future NYC mayors instead. “Wills of the voters…preclude me from any other action,” explained Hochul.

The proposed guardrails would have increased the state's ability to oversee Adams and his administration, allowed the NYC Council to hire outside counsel to litigate federal actions, and increased funding for the State Comptroller Office to review NYC’s finances. However, the proposed guardrails were never codified due to the NYC Council not passing a home rule message and several Democratic lawmakers criticizing Hochul’s proposals as state overreach.

Aung Hset/D&A

Legislature's One House Budget Response to Hochul's Budget Priorities

After the conclusion of the Budget Hearings, the Senate and Assemblyreleased their respective One-House Budget proposals. While both chambers largely accepted Hochul’s policy items, lawmakers were hesitant to fully agree to Hochul’s proposals to expand involuntary commitment and reform the state’s discovery laws. Both the Senate and Assembly One-House Budgets rejected the proposal to reform the state’s discovery laws. Regarding the proposal to expand involuntary commitment, the Assembly rejected the proposal, while the Senate only accepted a portion of the proposal.

The Assembly also rejected Hochul’s proposal to ban phones in classrooms while the Senate approved it. The proposal to ban phones in classrooms was one of Hochul’s top policy items, framing it as a mental health issue. Both chambers agreed to Hochul’s proposal to cut taxes for families earning below 150% of the federal poverty line. However, both chambers broke from Hochul in increasing corporate and income taxes for those in the top two income brackets.

Aung Hset/D&A

Discovery Reform and Surprise Mask Proposal Stall Budget Negotiations

Although many lawmakers initially predicted an on-time budget for this year, budget negotiations began to stall over discovery. While some lawmakers supported Hochul’s proposal to change the state’s discovery laws to expand prosecutorial power, many lawmakers disagreed with Hochul’s language. Members of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus, supported by many public defender groups, sought to codify People v. Bay. Hochul, some lawmakers, and district attorneys instead wanted to roll back some restrictions on prosecutors’ handling of evidence.

In addition to discovery law changes, Hochul announced a surprise proposal to include a mask ban in the budget negotiations with lawmakers. Specifically, Hochul wanted to include a specific bill that would establish masked harassment offenses as a crime. Similar to budget negotiations over discovery law, lawmakers were split on restricting the use of masks. Lawmakers in support argue that restricting the use of masks would help address public safety and cases of antisemitism. However, lawmakers opposing the proposal argue that restricting masks would disproportionately impact Black and Latino communities and negatively impact public health.

Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Lawmakers and Hochul Approve Latest State Budget in 15 Years

After a month of the April 1st deadline, Hochul announced a “general agreement” on the $252 billion Final Budget. While the Final Budget bills were not released until a week after, the announcement signified that lawmakers had reached a consensus on several contentious budget items, including discovery law changes, expanding involuntary commitment, and funding for the MTA Capital Budget plan.

All of Hochul’s policy items were included in the Final Budget, including changes to the state’s discovery laws for increased prosecutorial powers, classroom cellphone bans, inflation rebate checks, expansion of involuntary commitment, and mask restrictions. While some policy items were watered down, such as on masks, Hochul touted the Final Budget as a victory for her administration. However, the approval of the Final Budget more than a month after the due date left lawmakers with less than 20 legislative session days to pass other legislation.

Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Lawmakers' Frustration Over Governor's Budget Powers

Due to budget negotiations taking longer than expected, many lawmakers expressed frustration with Hochul. Notably, Senator James Skoufis publicly criticized the Governor and introduced a series of legislation that would empower the Legislature. Many lawmakers, including Speaker Heastie, explained that Hochul’s insistence on including her policy proposals led to the delayed budget agreement. Although an increased number of lawmakers signed on to the 2025 version of the state constitutional amendment that would limit a Governor’s power during the budget talks, both Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins downplayed the push for a constitutional amendment.

Aung Hset/D&A

Lawmakers Passed Hundreds of Bills Before Session Conclude

In the last few weeks of session, lawmakers passed a flurry of bills in both chambers. In the Senate alone, 810 bills passed in their last week, while the Assembly passed about 400. While many bills passed in both chambers were related to local issues, several high-level bills were also passed.

One bill passed in both chambers was the RAISE Act, which would impose various regulations on using advanced AI models or AI systems that meet certain computational thresholds and cost $100 million or more. The RAISE Act was one of the bills included in the AI legislative package that was heavily advocated by lawmakers in both chambers. Lawmakers were hoping to advance more bills relating to AI amidst a possible federal moratorium on states implementing AI regulations.

Another notable bill that was passed in both chambers is the bill that would end the 100-ft rule for new gas hookups. If signed by Hochul, the bill would end the requirement that utility companies install gas hookups and instead would only allow the installation if requested by the consumer. The bill was a backup plan in case lawmakers could not pass the Consumer Savings and Reliability Act, an alternative to the NY HEAT Act.

A notable bill that failed to pass both chambers was the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. While the bill passed the Senate, it was not put on the Assembly floor for debate. Heastie explained that while he “personally was a ‘yes’ on the bill,” there weren’t enough votes in the Assembly for its passage. Advocates explained that they will continue to work on the bill to ensure its passage when lawmakers reconvene.

Delgado Announces Primary Challenge Against Hochul

Amidst the last weeks of session, Lt Governor Antonio Delgado announced his intention to challenge Hochul for Governor in the June 2026 Democratic primary. His announcement comes after reports of a deteriorating relationship between Delgado and Hochul that started last year over President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign. Before his announcement, Delgado already announcedhis intention not to run for reelection with Hochul. Although Democrat lawmakers in the Legislature and Congress have called for him to resign from Hochul’s Administration, it remains to be seen if he will.

Aung Hset/D&A

Lawmakers Pass State Prison Omnibus Bill Before Leaving Albany

Before lawmakers left Albany, both chambers were able to pass an omnibus billthat would address inmate deaths in state correctional facilities. The push for reforming the state prisons comes after reported high-profile inmate deaths, a testimony from the DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello, and weeks of negotiations between lawmakers and advocates. While the omnibus bill left out several bills advocated by the BPHA Caucus’ Robert Brooks Blueprint for Justice & Reform, lawmakers remain hopeful that the omnibus bill would increase accountability in state prisons. Lawmakers also explain that they would continue to advocate for the bills left out of the omnibus bill.

Lawmakers' Ongoing Challenge Against CDPAP Transition

One continuous issue throughout this year's session was the CDPAP transition. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have urged Hochul and the DOH to stop or alter the transition but ultimately failed to pass legislation to address it. Senate Health Chair and vocal critic of the transition, Gustavo Rivera, sponsors one bill that would reverse the transition and another bill that would change the scope of the transition. However, with both bills failing to pass both chambers, he and Senate Investigation Chair James Skoufis recently announced a public hearing to investigate the transition. The challenge against the transition is expected to continue into next year.

OTHER UPDATES

Cuomo Still Leading in the NYC Democratic Mayoral Primary

In the final days of the Democratic primary for the NYC mayoral race, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani has been slowly catching up in various polls to former Governor Andrew Cuomo. However, in a recent poll, Cuomo will win the Democratic primary with a 10-point lead over Mandani. In the first round of voting, the poll shows Cuomo also leading Mandani by 12 points, with NYC Comptroller Brad Lander in third place. If Mamdani wins the Democratic primary, Cuomo will still be running in the general election on an independent line. Additionally, NYC Mayor Eric Adams dropped out of the Democratic primary to run as an independent. As of Wednesday night, over 166,000 primary voters have voted early. The NYC Democratic primary election date is on Tuesday, June 24th.

Firm Spotlight

D&A's Partners Mike Avella (Sr.) and Chrissy Dickinson were recently named to City & State's 2025 Albany Power 100 List! Mike & Chrissy's excerpt below:

Michael Avella and Christina Dickinson formed a business partnership in 2009 and have since broadened their client base to include a mix of multinational corporations, tech startups and nonprofits, including Delaware North, the Orthodox Union, Nassau County and the New York Mets. Avella, Dickinson and their staff have been at the forefront of advancing same-sex marriage, cannabis legalization, an overhaul of the state’s voting policies and expanding the state Film Tax Credit Program, which has expanded this economic sector statewide.

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