Friday Morning Brief May 2, 2025

May 2

Written By Michael Avella

Member Spotlight

Senator April Baskin

Senator April Baskin joins to discuss her Western New York-based district, priorities, and her determination to advocate for her community. Before being elected to the Senate, she was an education advocate and served in the Erie County Legislature. Currently, she is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Procurement and Contracts. She also serves on various other committees, including on Cities 2, Local Government, and Commerce, Economic Development & Small Business.

What district do you represent?
I represent New York's 63rd district, which encompasses Buffalo, New York, the town of Cheektowaga, and the city of Lackawanna in upstate western New York.

Any landmarks or restaurants in your district that you want to highlight?
There are many landmarks and areas in the district that everyone should visit. For example, we are about a 20-minute drive from Niagara Falls on the American side. There are several monuments that represents stops on the Underground Railroad before crossing over into Lewiston, New York and then eventually into Canada. In terms of restaurants, there are many great restaurants. To be fair, I will highlight one in each municipality that I represent. You got to go to Mulberry’s Italian Restaurant in the city of Lackawanna. If you are in the city of Buffalo, you want to go to Elton’s, a family-owned diner. In the city of Buffalo, there’s this new soul food spot on Hertel Avenue called Heaven’s Countertop. There are many more great restaurants, and I encourage everyone to visit and check out all of the restaurants in the district.

What’s your favorite music? Favorite bands or artists?
I do have a favorite genre, but I’m not somebody that picks out favorites a lot. I’m a fan of old-school 80s and 90s hip hop. I’m really into this genre called new jack swing, a combination of 90s R&B and hip hop. And every time I drive back and forth from Buffalo to Albany or Albany to Buffalo, you can bet a paycheck that I am blasting some form of new jack swing.

And what about sports? Do you have any favorite New York sports team?
Bills Mafia! I'm from Buffalo, so we don't have a choice. The Bills players and the gods of the Bills just come down into the hospital room and convert us into that faith.

What was your occupation before being elected to the Senate?
I was a teaching artist in New York City and Buffalo. I was a professional artist who went into high and middle schools, where I would advocate for art programs in public schools when the public school systems were cutting art programs. When I moved back to Buffalo, I pursued that same type of career and joined AmeriCorps. I was also a full-time graduate student as well. I then also served on the Erie County Legislature for seven years and presided as the Chairwoman of the body for six of those seven years.

What experiences do you hope to bring to the Senate from your time in the Erie County Legislature?
From my time in the Erie County Legislature, I was able to advocate for my community heavily. Still, I felt like I could be doing more and ready to build on all the amazing work that I was afforded to do with my colleagues. So, I'm just prepared to take all the initiatives I started in the county to the state level. Some of the things that I fought for were the community benefits agreement to be attached to the new stadium deal for the Buffalo Bills stadium. That community benefits agreement is a strong, robust, legally binding agreement that will help the communities I represent. I also fought for maternal health and health equity with the first bill to establish the county government's first-ever office of health equity. I also fought for public art through a new county public art law that I advocated for, which will require the county to send out RFPs to artists in the community to be able to make a living wage to do beautification projects across the county.

I believe all the work that benefits working families and small businesses could be done at the state level. Our country's backbone is built through people who own small businesses and are driving local commerce. And so I was privileged when I was appointed Chair of the Procurement and Contracts Committee in the Senate. I was immediately able to dive in and introduce a slate of bills as a new member of the Senate that will help this local small business community across New York State have better opportunities to get contracts with the state. So, I'm building on the work that I've done.

From your vast on-the-ground experience serving your community, what local issues do you think are impacting your district the most?
Neighborhoods are struggling with economic mobility. That ranges from having a huge void in homeownership to a huge void in walkable communities. So, even if you get a chance to be a homeowner, it might be difficult for you to walk to a local grocery store, coffee shop, or laundromat. When people can go home and feel safe and proud in their community, they are better citizens and feel more obligated to contribute to society. My goal is to build up the neighborhoods and give control back to the communities with a focus on affordable mortgages, affordable rent, and affordable commercial space. It’s really important to create these neighborhoods where people are excited to live there, know their neighbors, and can walk to a corner to get the resources they need.

Any statewide issue that you want to focus on this year?
The entire Democratic Senate Conference is committed to affordability. As a mother raising two children on a fixed income, I understand the importance of ensuring people can access what they need, like childcare, affordable homes, and affordable groceries. So, my ultimate biggest goal is to ensure that everything we put into the state budget will keep money in the pockets of people who provide for families and put food on the table.

What advice would you give young folks wanting to be more involved in politics?
Politics all start with a desire and a heart of service. Being in public service means having an endless heart to serve people. And that means everything from the cliché of giving your shirt off your back to someone in need to helping out your neighbors or friends in crisis in the middle of the night. To start in public service, I recommend finding somebody currently running for office with a shared passion for serving people. With all the craziness in our horrid political climate across the nation, the one thing that keeps me grounded and the one thing that keeps me sound is finding like-minded people who truly believe that it is our human obligation to make our community better. And when someone is uncomfortable, has less than us, or does not have a voice, um, it is my job to use every privilege I have to create a space for that person to have what I have. And so you want to find that in yourself before you jump into local government or public service. And then, when you do back a candidate who believes what you believe, work hard for them. Knock doors, raise money, you know, learn the issues. Help them out because getting elected is no easy feat. And so you learn to be a better servant to others by serving others.

Any last comments you wish to mention?
I will end by saying it's hard right now, and anybody pretending it’s not is living in a false narrative. Given our current political climate, people are anxious, scared, or unsure of what to do. But I want to encourage people to remember that every day you wake up is a blessing in disguise: an opportunity to do something kind and make the world a better place. I’m afraid that we're getting very, very far, far away from decent humanity and kindness and basic principles of, um, just being brothers and sisters and community. When you lose that in government or politics, you enter a dangerous warzone where people have lost a sense of self. So please don’t get caught up if you are glued to the news and believe everyone has forgotten how to be a decent human being. Remember that you still have an opportunity to help change that.

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!

Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Hochul Announces "General Agreement" on the Final Budget

On Monday evening, Hochul announced that she and leaders of the Legislature had reached a “general agreement” on the final budget. The tentative $254 billion agreement on the final budget, which is an increase of $2 billion from Hochul’s initial budget proposal, highlights a variety of Hochul’s policy goals. While the budget bills haven’t been released and Speaker Carl Heastie explained that negotiations over fiscal matters are still ongoing, Hochul said she announced the “general agreement” to “report on my priorities that I laid out in my State of the State address.”

At the announcement, Hochul confirmed that the Legislature has agreed to change the state’s discovery laws. One of the main changes was changing the discovery requirements from “related” materials to “relevant” ones, allowing judges to consider the prejudice that missing evidence causes against the defendant, and separating the speedy trial law and discovery requirements.

Hochul also confirmed that the Legislature has agreed to her proposal to broaden the requirements for involuntary commitment for those who are at a “substantial risk of physical harm due to an inability to meet their basic needs.” Under the agreement, NPs would also have the power to involuntarily commit individuals, emergency medical services will be required to transport involuntary commitment cases to receive care, and expand Kendra’s Law.

On masks, Hochul explained that lawmakers agreed to a compromise to create a new Class B misdemeanor for individuals accused of committing a felony or Class A misdemeanor. Originally, Hochul advocated for the inclusion of a billthat would create a new crime for individuals using masks “for the primary purpose of menacing or threatening violence against another person or placing another person or group of persons in reasonable fear for their physical safety.”https://future.mta.info/capitalplan/

Hochul also announced that the state would fund the MTA's $68 billion Capital Plan by implementing a “modest” increase in payroll mobility tax on businesses with over $10 million in payroll while cutting the tax rate for small businesses by 50% in the entire MTA region. Additionally, Hochul reiterated the confirmation that the bell-to-bell classroom phone ban will be in the final budget.

Aside from many of Hochul’s budget policy priorities, lawmakers are still negotiating the remaining fiscal issues, with the Legislature passing the tenth budget extender yesterday. Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger and Assembly Ways and Means Chair J Gary Pretlow explained that yesterday’s budget extender will be until Wednesday and expressed optimism that the budget bills will be ready by the beginning of next week.

Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

After announcing the “general” budget agreement with lawmakers, Hochul started her statewide budget tour at a YMCA and Albany County District Attorney's office. At the YMCA, she highlighted the importance of tripling the size of the state’s child tax credits, inflation refund checks, and cutting taxes to increase affordability in the state. At the Albany County District Attorney's office, she also highlighted the importance of the changes in the state’s discovery laws for ensuring public safety. Additionally, Hochul also touted her budget agreement’s investment in subway public safety on Thursday. “When it comes to keeping New Yorkers safe - I refuse to back down,” said Hochul.

On Tuesday, Hochul announced the starting construction of a $59 million affordable apartment project in Newark, Wayne County. Coventry Commons will be developed at the historic former Reed Manufacturing Company’s factory and reserved for households earning up to 80% of AMI. Oversee by the state Homes and Community Renewal, the development is expected to be energy-efficient and all-electric with heat pump technology for space conditioning and domestic hot water heating. The construction builds upon the state’s commitment to build up the state’s housing supply and support Hochul’s $25 billion Housing Plan.

Earlier this week, with President Trump reaching his first 100 days in office, Hochul outlined the recent impact of the federal administration on the state. In her outline, Hochul highlighted that state-supported programs and initiatives have lost $1.3 billion in federal funding, drop in Canadian and European tourism, cancellation of a wind energy project, and the impacts of tariffs on businesses in the state. The outline comes as Hochul has been steadily shifting her stance on collaboration with President Trump since his actions against congestion pricing. “The first 100 days of the Trump Administration have been rife with chaos and uncertainty, from on-again, off-again tariffs to cuts to vital programs,” said Hochul.

On Monday, Hochul joined the MTA in releasing updates on the MTA’s effort to combat fare evasion. In the update, Hochul and the MTA highlighted that train fare evasion dropped to 30% from the second quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2025, bus fare evasion dropped for three consecutive quarters, and 150 stations have implemented new turnstile gates. The updates come as Hochul reiterated her support for the MTA and decreasing crime in MTA stations and trains. “We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal — including increased enforcement efforts and new infrastructure — to prevent fare evasion, hold perpetrators accountable, and keep these numbers trending in the right direction,” said Hochul.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Next week, the Legislature is scheduled to be in session Monday to Thursday

There is an expectation that budget bills will finally be ready for a vote next week

Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Hochul and Legislature Agree to $50 Million for HAVP

After announcing the “general agreement” on the final budget, Hochul explained that the state would include “about $50 million” to establish the Housing Access Voucher Program. Advocates, landlord groups, tenants, labor unions, and lawmakers have been pushing for the program for the last three years but resisted by Hochul. Hochul’s Budget Director, Blake Washington, even reiterated Hochul’s position two weeks ago, citing that the state does not have enough money to fund the program. The recently approved $50 million funding for the program would be short of the $250 million that advocates, and lawmakers were pushing for, but Hochul explained that the state would be “moderating the costs and keeping an eye on the program because this has potential to escalate a great deal.”

Budget Discussions of Paying Off State UI Debt Back on the Table

After Hochul explained that the issue of the state fully paying off the $6.5 billion unemployment debt was dead in the budget negotiations on Monday, it was reported that leaders of the Legislature are considering ways to pay off the debt fully. Hochul previously explained that the state does not have enough money to fully pay off the $6.5 billion unemployment debt that has mostly occurred during the COVID-19 Pandemic but would only pay the interest. Various business leaders, organizations, and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have urged Hochul and the Legislature leaders to consider pathways to pay off the debt.

Hochul Proposes to Have Authority to Cut State Spending in an Emergency

This week, it was reported that Hochul is advocating for changes in the final budget that would allow her to cut up to $2 billion in state spending without official approval from lawmakers if state revenue drops unexpectedly. “I want to make sure that I can work with lightning speed if a crisis arises of the magnitude that would call for this trigger,” explained Hochul. Senate Finance Chair Liz Kruger also confirmed the proposed changes, adding that the Legislature would have to develop its own emergency spending reduction plan if they do not agree to Hochul’s proposal. The proposal comes as lawmakers acknowledge the possibility of a special session later this year due to Congress's consideration of federal spending cuts to Medicaid and other services.

Courtesy of Corinne Carey

Assembly Passes Medical Aid in Dying Act

On Tuesday, the Assembly passed the Medical Aid in Dying Act, marking the first time the bill passed in either chamber. The bill would give patients who have received a terminal diagnosis and a prognosis of six months or less to live a choice to use medication to end their lives with assistance from their doctors. The bill was narrowly passed with 81 votes in favor with more than a dozen Democrats and all Republicans voting against the bill. In the rally before the votes and during the debate on the floor, various Democrat lawmakers shared their personal stories in favor of the bill. Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin cited her sister’s battle with ovarian cancer in favor of the bill, explaining “She shouted out every five minutes, ‘When am I going to die already? The pain is so severe.’” In statement, Heastie praised the passage saying, “This is about giving individuals autonomy, dignity and choice at the end of their lives.”

Rochester Lawmakers Criticize Federal Lawsuit Against Rochester's Sanctuary City Status

After the Trump Administration filed a lawsuit against the City of Rochester over its sanctuary city policies, lawmakers representing the Greater Rochester Area criticized the federal administration’s actions and reiterated their support for Rochester maintaining its sanctuary city policy. “Immigrants and refugees have long been a part of Rochester’s rich cultural tapestry. We reject the federal administration’s racist, fear-based policies that attempt to target and dehumanize our friends and neighbors,” Senator Samra Brouk said alongside Assemblymembers Sarah Clark, Demond Meeks, Harry Bronson, and Jen Lunsford. The statement came as Trump Border Czar Tom Homan visited Rochester to show his support for the city’s police officers.

Lawmakers Seek to Strengthen the Protect Our Courts Act

After federal authorities arrested a judge in Wisconsin for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant evade ICE arrest, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Micah Lasher said they will introduce a new bill that would strengthen the Protect Our Courts Act. While the Protect Our Courts Act restricts ICE agents from making civil arrests in and around state, city, and other municipal courts, Hoylman-Sigal explained that the current law could be strengthened by “Raising penalties on federal officers who violate the law…to create the appropriate disincentive and impose the correct penalty on Trump administration officials who are breaking our laws.” Although the federal DHS directive allows ICE agents to make arrests “in or near courthouses” if local or state laws do not preclude it, the state Chief Administrative Judge issued a court-wide memo directing court officers not to interfere with ICE arrests in their courthouses.

Aung Hset/D&A

Lawmakers Rally for New York for All Act

Earlier this week, various lawmakers joined advocates in a rally for the New York for All Act. Advocates and lawmakers argue that the New York for All Act would strengthen protections for immigrant communities by prohibiting state and local government agencies from working with ICE and other federal agencies. Supported by various unions, organizations, and businesses, lawmakers explain that the bill should pass this year due to the Trump Administration’s push for increased deportations. “New Yorkers, no matter their status, deserve protection from the federal government’s harsh enforcement of immigration law,” Assembly sponsor Karines Reyes explained.

Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Let NYC Council Remove the Mayor

Yesterday, Senator Jabari Brisport and Assemblymember Harvey Epstein said they will introduce a bill that would empower the NYC Council to remove a mayor from office if it has three-quarter majority votes. The bill comes as calls for Mayor Eric Adams to resign amplified after federal prosecutors indicted him on corruption charges and later dropped by the Trump Administration, with many calling it an alleged quid pro quo. Under current state and city laws, the governor has the ability to remove a mayor from office but not the City Council. “[Councilmembers] are duly elected and should have the power to make those determinations,” explained Epstein.

OTHER UPDATES

Eric Adams Releases NYC Executive Budget

Yesterday morning, Mayor Eric Adams unveiled his Executive Budget for NYC. Touting it as NYC’s “Best Budget Ever,” the $115 billion budget plan would invest $200 million in education plans and $1.4 billion for “critical programs” that weren’t previously funded, including $675 million in new permanent funding. Additionally, Adams explained that the city would invest $96 million in savings for CUNYs, $298 million for school nurses, and an additional $15.7 million for the city’s public library systems. “This is the budget my mom needed, that my family needed, and, with it, we’re saying to working families: your city has your back,” said Adams.

FIRM SPOTLIGHT

D&A's Katie Neer was recently name to City & State's 2025 Who's Who in Government Relations! Katie's excerpt below:

Katie Neer has quickly established herself as the state’s leading expert on regulatory issues surrounding cannabis. Neer interned for then-U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and was an assistant secretary in the Cuomo administration for three years before moving to Greenberg Traurig and helping shape the state’s legalization of adult-use cannabis. Now at the Albany government relations and consulting firm Dickinson & Avella, Neer has helped cannabis entrepreneurs get licensed, open retail operations and comply with the state’s complex drug regulations. Last year, she co-founded KND Group, a cannabis tech startup.

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