Friday Morning Brief May 30, 2025

May 29

Written By Michael Avella

Member Spotlight

Assemblyman Harvey Epstein

Assemblyman Harvey Epstein joins us to discuss his Manhattan-based district, priorities, and some of his legislative achievements in the Assembly. Prior to being elected to the Assembly, he was heavily involved in his community by serving on a community board and working in a free legal service office. Currently, he serves on various Assembly committees, including Housing, Environmental Conservation, and Ways and Means. He is also currently running for NYC Council.

What district do you represent?
I represent the 74th Assembly District, which encompasses the East Side of Manhattan, including the neighborhoods of the Lower East Side, East Village, StuyTown, Murray Hill, Kips Bay, and Tudor City.

Are there any landmarks in your district that you want to highlight?
There are so many landmarks in the district. The UN is probably one of the most iconic buildings in the world. The Flatiron Building at 23rd Street is also probably the most photographed building in the country. Gramercy Park is a huge, iconic location in the neighborhood. So many iconic spaces in the district have deep roots, from the small tenement buildings to post-war construction-era public housing.

What’s your favorite NY sports team?
I’ve been a Mets fan my whole life. I’m also a huge Knicks fan. I love watching the Liberty play. New York has many great and talented sports teams.

What about music? Any favorite genres or artists?
I’m a big Kid Cudi fan. His music and how it speaks to me is unique and different from many others. But there’s a lot of different genres that I like.

What was your profession before being elected to the Assembly?
I’m a lawyer by trade. I represented folks in a free legal services office and then ran legal services offices before getting elected.

Did it inspire you to run for office?
Yes, of course. I saw firsthand the problems that people are experiencing and how the law can negatively impact people's ability to function in the world. We must use the law to help people improve their lives. And that's really what I try to do in the Assembly by advocating for changes in the laws that negatively impact people’s lives.

Any legislative achievements that you wish to highlight?
I’m proud that I was able to help push for the rent reforms in 2019 and the Good Cause Eviction that we passed last year. Tenants now have more protections and rights than ever before, which will help alleviate hardships faced by an untold number of New Yorkers. I’ve done a lot of bills on consumer rights, environmental protection, and higher education. I’m also proud to help push for bills that would protect immigrant communities. So, I've been lucky to have advocated for a lot of legislation that will positively impact people.

Are there any statewide issues you are hoping to address this year?
We still have a housing crisis. We’re not building enough affordable housing in the city and state. The housing crisis also exacerbates the state’s mental health crisis. We are not building enough supportive housing for people with mental health needs. We also don’t have enough beds for people with mental health issues. Addressing education is also important because accessible and affordable quality education is also out of reach for many families. We must guarantee easier access to high-quality, affordable education to ensure our next generation can succeed. I’m not just talking about higher education or student loans, but also Pre-K, internships, and youth programs. These are the serious issues we must address to help people.

Any local-specific issues you are hoping to address this year?
We have a community center we're trying to save. It's called Charas. It was taken away from the neighborhood 25 years ago, and we just got back into our community's hands. It's a big issue for our neighborhood. The issues I talk about around mental health and housing obviously impact my neighborhood. We have a lot of public housing in disrepair that we need to fix, and we're not doing a good job there. There are a lot of pieces of the puzzle that can be used to improve the lives of New Yorkers. We need a livable city and state, which includes sanitation. Our streets aren't clean enough, and sanitation isn't picked up. We're not recycling and composting in a meaningful way. We're not making waste reduction effectively. We’re falling short of lots of things to advance our climate goals, our education goals, and our housing goals. So, I'm trying to pinpoint those issues and figure out how we can advance them.

What advice would you give young folks wanting to get more involved in politics?
There are a lot of issues and advocacies that need the help of young folks. There are many ways to figure out what issues you want to focus on or care about, but once you figure it out, there are a lot of organizations you can work with. You can also join a local community board, a Democratic club, or a Young Dems group. Ultimately, there are a lot of spaces to be active in. But you have to be willing to be part of the fight and be in the conversation to move forward. What doesn’t work is not getting involved. Just being actively involved in one issue will go a long way and have a meaningful impact on the world.

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!

Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Sprint to the End of Session

With two more weeks of session before it is scheduled to end, lawmakers held their last regularly scheduled committee meetings this week. While the Assembly plans to extend their session for an extra few days, the Senate has not confirmed that it will follow suit. Neither chamber has indicated which bills will be prioritized in the last days of session, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said the Legislature does not expect to pass an omnibus bill before the session ends. Instead, Stewart-Cousins explained that they will be focused on passing standalone bills.

One standalone bill lawmakers have strongly pushed; and which passed in the Senate this week, was the Grieving Families Act. Although both chambers have passed the bill for the last three years, Hochul has vetoed it every year. Advocates of the bill argue that the bill would update the state’s wrongful death law by allowing compensation for emotional damage. However, opponents of the bill say that the enactment of the bill would result in increased insurance, liability, and medical malpractice costs. Although lawmakers have passed the Senate bill, the Assembly bill still must move through committee before being put on the floor for a vote.

Another notable bill passed in the Senate this week was the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. Sponsored by the two Environmental Conservation Chairs, Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Deborah Glick, the bill would require private businesses to reduce their packaging by 30% over the next 12 years and ban various chemicals used in packaging. Advocates argue that the bill would reduce waste and improve public health. However, opponents of the bill explain that the bill would increase costs for manufacturers and consumers and lead to shortages of certain products. The bill also passed the Senate last year but failed to pass in the Assembly.

Lawmakers in both chambers are also considering various bills to reform the state correctional facilities and ways to legislatively address potential impacts from the federal government, including the NY for All Act

Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

Early this week, Hochul announced an additional 9% decline in statewide shootings and a 15% decline in shooting victims from January 2025 through April 2025 compared to the same period last year. Data from the State Division of Criminal Justice Services highlights that it is the lowest level of shootings and shooting victims since the state began tracking the data in 2006. Touting her gun-related programs and initiatives, Hochul explained that the police departments with the GIVE Initiative have been the most effective. “Since taking office, my administration has been laser-focused on eliminating gun violence and reducing the number of gun-related injuries and fatalities across the State,” said Hochul.

On Tuesday, Hochul announced an agreement with General Motors to invest $888 million in the Tonawanda plant to produce a small-block V-8 engine. The new project will involve new machinery, equipment, and facility renovation. Supported by the state’s Empire State Development performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits, the project is expected to support 870 jobs and be completed by 2027. The project builds upon the state’s commitment to attracting advanced manufacturing projects to boost local economic development. “Today’s $888 million investment is great news for the hundreds of workers at the plant and builds on New York’s manufacturing legacy by providing world-class products to the global market,” explained Hochul.

On Wednesday, Hochul announced the completion of a $67 million redevelopment of 141 affordable apartment units in Troy. John P. Taylor Apartments is a seven-story mixed-use building that is energy efficient and meets the EPA Energy Star Multifamily New Construction and Enterprise Green Communities PLUS criteria. The redevelopment is part of the larger state-supported revitalization plan for Troy and supports Hochul’s $25 billion Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide. “This comprehensive project delivers 141 modern, energy-efficient affordable homes and significant infrastructure improvements that support the city’s continued efforts to revitalize its downtown waterfront,” explained Hochul.

Earlier this week, Hochul announced that Belmont Park will host the 2027 Breeders' Cup World Championships following a $455 million capital construction project for Belmont Park. The capital construction project is expected to generate $1 billion in construction-related economic impact, $155 million in annual economic output, and $10 million in new state and local tax revenue yearly. This supports the state’s commitment to projects to generate local economic development and boost tourism in the state. “Thanks to the investments we are making at Belmont Park, the long-held dream of bringing the prestigious Breeders’ Cup back to New York will soon be a reality,” said Hochul.

Alongside NJ Governor Phil Murphy, Hochul broke grounds on Dyer Ave deck-overs to commemorate the starting of the construction of a new Midtown Bus Terminal at Port Authority. The project will begin the replacement of the existing 75-year-old bus terminal with a modernized terminal with more space and accessibility options. Additionally, the new terminal is expected to be net-zero and accommodating to all-electric bus fleets. The terminal's modernization is part of the wider state effort to upgrade the existing public transportation infrastructure to promote economic development and regional interconnectivity. A new Midtown Bus Terminal will deliver an enhanced experience for millions of riders, breathe new life into the surrounding neighborhood, and ensure that this gateway to the City is one New Yorkers can be proud of for generations to come,” said Hochul.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Next week, the Legislature is scheduled to be in session Wednesday to Friday

Senate Passes Memorial Day Legislative Package

In honor of Memorial Day, the Senate passed a legislative package to help address some of the concerns of veterans living in the state. The package builds upon some of the provisions advocated by the Legislature and included in this year’s Enacted Budget. “Our Senate Democratic Conference has made it a priority to invest in mental health services, housing assistance, workforce training initiatives, and other resources that veterans rely on to thrive,” explained Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “From property tax exemptions to expanding educational opportunities for veterans and families, we are investing in their futures back to civilian life and ensuring they receive the support they deserve,” said Senate Chair of Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. Some of the bills in the legislative package are:

Real Property Tax Exemption for Active-Duty Military Personnel: would allow municipalities to adopt a real property tax exemption for active-duty service members.
Real Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans: would allow municipalities to adopt a full real property tax exemption for veterans with a 100 percent service-connected disability.
Veteran Family Educational Attainment Act: would allow qualified veterans to transfer their unused tuition awards and benefits to their spouse or children.

Senate Republicans Criticize the Passage of Packaging and Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act

In response to the Senate Democrats passing the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, Senate Republicans held a press conference criticizing the passage for imposing “new mandates and additional burdensome red tape.” Citing a study, Senate Republicans explain that the bill would increase consumer costs to $1 billion annually over five years. “This is nothing more than a crushing mandate that will make it more expensive to do business in New York and lead to higher costs on consumer goods at a time when so many New Yorkers are struggling,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.

Aung Hset/D&A

Lawmakers Continue to Look for Reforming State Prisons

Before the end of session, Democrat lawmakers are hoping to pass a series of bills to reform the state’s correctional facilities. With both Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Carl Heastie previously stating it as a priority, lawmakers are hoping to increase transparency and accountability in the state prisons. Last week, the Senate passed abillthat would expand the Commission of Corrections, which oversees the conditions of state prisons. In the Assembly, it is one of 30 bills lawmakers currently reviewing. “They’re trying to figure out which bills are going to have the most impact,” explained Assembly sponsor Emily Gallagher. The call for state prison reforms comes after two fatal beatings of two incarcerated individuals by prison staffers, and DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello testified that 46 inmates have died in state prisons.

Republican Lawmakers Criticizes Cattle Threshold Bill

After a bill that would prohibit the state from greenlighting cattle farms to expand above the 700 cattle threshold was publicized this week, many Republican lawmakers criticized the bill for neglecting the needs of Upstate farming communities. Currently, cattle farms must obtain a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation permit from the DEC to have more than 700 cattle. However, the bill’s sponsors, Senator Jabari Brisport and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal explain that only large-scale farms can obtain the permit, which economically hurts smaller farms and the local environment. Republican lawmakers disagreed and criticized the Democrat sponsors for being out of touch with Upstate communities. “It is peak Albany to have self-avowed Socialist NYC legislators who don’t have a single farm near their district trying to crush already struggling upstate farms,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.

Lawmakers' End-of-Session Push for Wines in Grocery Stores

As an end-of-session push to allow grocery stores to sell wine in the state, Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblymember Pam Hunter amended their bill to allow liquor stores to sell snacks, tobacco, and drink mixers and added stricter rules for supermarkets to sell wines. Many lawmakers and bill advocates explain that the bill's passage would benefit state wineries, small businesses, and consumers. However, opponents of the bill have raised various concerns about the bill. While the Senate passed the bill last year, the bill failed to pass the Assembly. "I'm not giving up hope that's something I could even try to move this year,” said Krueger.

Courtesy of the Office of Senator Pat Fahy

Lawmakers Rally for the SAFE AIR Act

Earlier this week, Senator Pat Fahy and Assemblymember Michaelle Solages held a rally in advocacy for their recently introduced SAFE AIR Act. The SAFE AIR Act would prohibit any state entities from contracting with commercial airlines that have been involved in any ICE-involved deportations. The bill comes after the Trump Administration increased the number of deportations and used a commercial airline company to carry out some deportations. Fahy, Solages, other lawmakers, and advocates argue that the bill would encourage commercial airlines not to work with the federal government. “Our SAFE AIR Act will prohibit contracting with airlines in NY that remove people without due process through contracts with ICE and end taxpayer subsidies for jet fuel purchases, which account for millions of dollars each year,” explained Fahy.

Aung Hset/D&A

Senator Harckham Rallies For ASAP Act

Earlier this week, Senator Pete Harckham joined environmental and labor advocates in a rally for Accelerate Solar for Affordable Power (ASAP) Act. The ASAP Act would raise the state’s rooftop and community solar goal to 20 gigawatts by 2035 and direct the PSC to implement further financial incentives. Harckham explained that the bill would help the state reach the CLCPA mandate of 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and zero-emissions electricity by 2040. “This legislation will create good-paying jobs, expand access to affordable energy, and move us toward a healthier, more equitable future,” said Harckham.

OTHER UPDATES

Federal Judge Blocks Federal DOT From Stopping Congestion Pricing

On Tuesday, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order against the Trump Administration from forcing the MTA to end congestion pricing. A day later, the judge strengthened the restraining order and directed the Trump Administration not to take additional steps to dismantle congestion pricing while the case is ongoing. These actions came after the federal DOT and Secretary Sean Duffy threatened to withhold highway funding for the state if the MTA continues implementing congestion pricing. In response to Wednesday’s ruling, a spokesperson for the DOT said they are “looking at all available legal options, including an appeal.”

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