Friday Morning Brief October 23, 2026

Written by Michael Avella

Member Spotlight

Phara Souffrant Forrest

Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest joins us to discuss her district, background, and priorities for this year’s legislative session and next year. Before being elected to the Assembly, she served her community as a nurse and advocated for tenant protections as a tenant organizer. Currently, she chairs the Task Force on New Americans and serves on various other committees, including on Health, Higher Education, and Insurance.

What district do you represent?
I am the New York State Assemblymember representing the 57th District, which consists of the neighborhoods of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill as well as parts of Bed Stuy and Crown Heights.
 
What are some landmarks in your district/What is your district known for?
There are so many! I immediately think of Fort Greene Park and the surrounding cultural institutions like Brooklyn Academy of Music. In Clinton Hill we have Pratt College, and in Crown Heights we have Medgar Evers College. Eastern Parkway, the site of the West Indian Day Parade, runs through my district.
 
What was your profession before being elected to the Assembly?
I am a nurse. I’ve worked in a lot of settings, including hospitals, but my job as I ran for office was as a field nurse visiting new mothers at home after they gave birth.
 
Did your previous work inspire you to run for office? Or was it something else?
Seeing how the conditions of my patients’ lives impacted their ability to receive good healthcare absolutely inspired me to run for office.  I think seeing how patients were treated in healthcare with the nurses staffing ratio, was definitely one part of running for office, but while I was a nurse, I was also a tenant organizer of my building, and fought to pass the Housing Stability & Tenant Protection Act of 2019, was a major motivating force in her decision to run for office and stand up for tenants like myself across the state.
I work on a lot of healthcare legislation and do tap into my skills as a nurse.
 
As Chair, you recently released the annual Task Force on New Americans Report. What highlights or recommendations from the report do you want to share?
The New York State Assembly Task Force on New Americans advocates for public policies and state budgetary priorities to build support for systematic and structural changes that will allow for the full integration of immigrants into the social, economic, and political systems of our state.

In this report, we highlight last session’s policy and budgetary wins and identify future priorities that will help improve the lives of the more than 4.6 million immigrants who call New York State their home while working to build support for systematic and structural changes that will allow for the full integration of immigrants into the social, economic and political systems of our society.

This year, as chair of the Taskforce, I was proud to help secure over $7 million in funding for legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children, who are some of the most vulnerable people in our immigration system and often have to represent themselves in deportation proceedings. I also fought for language in the state budget that will restrict the ways that local governments can collaborate with ICE.
 
What are some of your legislative priorities for next year?
We can’t deliver on some of our most important movement goals, like universal childcare and social housing, if the wealthy don’t pay their fair share. That’s why I’ve introduced a bill to raise income taxes on millionaires by 2%. I’m also fighting to expand mental health treatment across the state, by creating new avenues to divert people from the criminal legal system. And I’ve introduced bills to pilot a four-day work week, to give workers more time to live their lives. In nursing, we’re already familiar with a four-day week, and many other industries could benefit from it as well.
 
Are there any local issues you want to highlight?
Unfortunately, due to the federal government’s cuts, many New Yorkers are losing health insurance coverage at the same time as safety net hospitals like the one in my district are losing funding. This is leading to a crisis of care and we absolutely need to expand coverage and ensure providers have enough funding to offer quality care. I would love to see New York State move toward a single-payer healthcare system, so we don’t have to be dependent on our employers for healthcare.
 
You have been serving in the Assembly since 2021 - what advice would you give to the incoming class of legislators?
Congratulations to the incoming class of legislators! As a public servant, you have a duty to those who you serve. Additionally, make sure to take time to rest and be yourself! Don’t lose yourself in the process.
 
For high school and college students in your district who want to get more involved in politics, what advice would you give them?
Call up your representative to see how they voted on the issues you care about. If you don’t like the answer, organize with your friends and neighbors. Read the news and then dig deeper! Do a power analysis of the issues you care about and find out who has the power to decide them and how you can influence them. Politics is a mindset, and there are always opportunities to build relationships and get organized.


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

Hochul Still Leading Blakeman in Latest Poll

Earlier this week, a new Quinnipiac University poll was released showing Hochul leading her GOP challenger, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, by about 14 percentage points. Out of 1,167 likely voters that were surveyed, the poll shows Hochul with 55% support, with 41% favoring Blakeman. Compared with last month’s Quinnipiac poll, Hochul lost about 5 percentage points, suggesting a closer race that aligns with current polling averages. Notably, last month's Siena poll, which was released on the same day as the previous Quinnipiac poll, showed Hochul leading Blakeman by just 9 points. Meanwhile, a Marist and Emerson College poll released earlier this month shows Hochul leading Blakeman by 11 and 12 percentage points, respectively.

Although Hochul is leading Blakeman in overall voters in the recent Quinnipiac poll, it also shows Blakeman leading Hochul among independent voters with a 51%-44%, reversing the previous Quinnipiac poll’s suggestion that Hochul is leading with independent voters and also aligning it with other polls, which have suggested that Blakeman may actually be the candidate leading with independents. At this point during the last gubernatorial cycle, Hochul was found to be leading then-GOP gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin by 4 percentage points.

Additionally, the poll suggests that Hochul’s favorability fell, with 46% of those surveyed viewing her negatively and 45% viewing her positively. Last month, Hochul had a slight net positive favorability with 3 percentage points. Similarly, 40% of those surveyed view Blakeman negatively, and nearly 25% say they don’t know who he is. Overall, cost of living and the economy were the top two issues, with 22% for cost of living and 19% for the economy. Notably, 13% of those surveyed said that immigration was their top concern.

Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

This week, Hochul announced the arrest of 16 individuals following a joint investigation by the State Police and DFS into staged automobile accidents and fraudulent insurance claims. The investigation uncovered nearly $500,000 in more than a dozen attempted fraudulent claims statewide. The arrests come after Hochul and the Legislature agreed to include auto insurance reforms in this year’s Final Budget to combat staged crashes, strengthen enforcement, and address fraudulent claims that drive up insurance costs. “We’re cracking down on fraudsters and making it clear that New York will not tolerate criminals gaming the system at the expense of hardworking families,” said Hochul.


To crack down on fraud, improve affordability, and protect consumers, Hochul announced a coordinated state and federal effort to combat fraud in the Medicaid-funded Social Adult Day Care program. In collaboration with the state Department of Health, the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General, the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the FBI, and other law enforcement partners, the announcement follows a month-long investigation targeting more than 100 providers suspected of fraudulent or illegal activities. Additionally, Hochul directed state health officials to strengthen oversight of payments and conduct a comprehensive review of the program, with recommendations due by year's end.

On Monday, Hochul joined NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani to announce the second phase of the city’s free K-2 program, adding 10,000 seats and bringing the total to 12,000 beginning in fall 2027. Specifically, the expansion will extend the program to every school district in the Bronx and all of Staten Island. Supported by a $1.2 billion state investment, the initiative also complements efforts to expand 3-K, universal pre-K, and childcare assistance for working families. The expansion is expected to advance Hochul's broader universal childcare agenda by reducing costs and allowing more parents to remain in the workforce and increasing access to early childhood education.


Over the weekend, Hochul signed a bill that will quadruple the state personal income tax credit for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers, increasing the annual credit from $200 to $800 for individuals and from $400 to $1,600 for married couples. The expanded benefit will take effect beginning in tax year 2027, allowing eligible volunteers to claim the increased credit when filing their taxes in 2028. Under the bill, volunteers may claim either the state income tax credit or a qualifying local property tax exemption. The bill builds on Hochul’s priority of supporting first responders while also helping local fire and ambulance departments address recruitment and retention challenges. “This tax credit puts more money back in their pockets and shows our appreciation for the lifesaving services they provide every day,” said Hochul.

Late last week, Hochul announced that the state HEAP program will begin accepting applications early next month to provide financial assistance to approximately 1.5 million households struggling with rising energy costs. Additionally, Hochul announced that the base benefit for heating fuels has been increased by an additional $90 for oil, kerosene, and propane and $65 for wood, pellets, and coal. HEAP is expected to remain a state priority to ensure affordable energy, especially during winter. “As the weather gets colder, my administration is ensuring New Yorkers can utilize the Home Energy Assistance Program to help heat their homes and address rising costs,” said Hochul.


Last Thursday, Hochul joined NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani in celebrating the completion of 385 permanently affordable apartments and continued construction of another 453 affordable homes at Innovation Urban Village in Brooklyn. After its completion, the project is expected to provide nearly 2,000 affordable homes across 10 buildings, with childcare services, community programming, workforce development programs, neighborhood retail, and open space. The project supports Hochul’s $25 billion Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, and it is expected to stay on track. “Today, we’re celebrating a huge milestone for the East New York community — a place where generations of New Yorkers will be able to live and flourish as a result of bold choices and a grand vision for New York’s future,” said Hochul.

Additionally, last week Hochul announced a $10 million state grant to develop the first community center in Jackson Heights, Queens. Part of the broader $33.8 million state, NYC, federal, and private partnership, the new Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens community center is expected to offer after-school programs, early childhood education, workforce development, senior programming, and other recreational activities for residents living in and around Jackson Heights, with up to 10,000 children expected to be served. The investment complements Hochul’s broader Unplug and Play initiative by expanding access to affordable recreational and community space. “We’re not just building a community center — we’re helping kids learn skills and explore their talents, and as New York’s first mom Governor, I’ll always ensure our kids have a safe space to grow,” said Hochul.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Hochul Officially Directs the State to Join Federal "Freedom Scholarships" 

Even after public pushback from Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Hochul announced that she is directing the state to opt into the federal “Freedom Scholarships,” which were created with the passage of HR1. With the state's participation, individual taxpayers can donate up to $1,700 to a scholarship-granting organization and get a dollar-for-dollar tax rebate from the federal government. In contrast, the organization will then give the money to qualifying families for tuition or other education expenses. While some lawmakers and advocates argue that the program will take limited resources away from public schools, Hochul explained that she believes the program “has the potential to bring millions of additional dollars to New York students and families without taking a single dollar from public schools or our state or local budgets.”


Hochul Announces New Wave of 75 Regulatory Changes to Improve the Delivery of Government Services

Earlier this week, Hochul announced that she has directed several state agencies to advance a series of a dozen proposed regulatory changes to cut red tape and improve the delivery of governmental services. Part of her EXPRESS NY initiative, the 75 regulatory changes are expected to save an estimated 2.5 million individuals 5 million hours of waiting time and “tens of millions of dollars.” Currently, up to 120 regulatory changes have been made or planned as part of the EXPRESS NY initiative, which was first announced earlier this June. It remains to be seen if the regulatory reform will continue into next year's legislative session.

Assembly GOP Lawmakers Urge for More Disclosure on Discount Energy for Data Centers

After it was reported that five data centers across the state were receiving discounted energy through the NYPA’s ReCharge program, Assembly Republican lawmakers sent a letter to NYPA President and CEO Justin Driscoll to provide greater disclosure about the discounts. Reiterating that the lawmakers do not want the discounts to be canceled, they instead explained that more information about the discounts is needed to analyze whether they provide an adequate benefit for the state. “New Yorkers should know what benefits are being provided to these facilities through state-administered programs,” Assembly Republican Leader Ed Ra explained. The letter also criticized Democratic lawmakers and Hochul for pushing the state toward an electric energy grid. “New Yorkers should know what benefits are being provided to these facilities through state-administered programs,” the letter states.

Lawmakers Shut Down City of Albany's Commuter Tax Proposal

With the City of Albany facing a budget deficit, the City Council passed a resolution asking the Legislature to authorize the city to impose a commuter tax. However, the resolution drew pushback from surrounding lawmakers, with Albany-based Assemblymember Gabriella Romero calling the proposal “not serious policymaking” and Schenectady-based Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara calling it " outrageous!” and “out of touch.” Additionally, Hochul, who must also approve alongside the Legislature, tweeted the commuter tax as “Not happening.”

However, Albany’s budget deficit comes as several municipalities in the state face deficits, with Buffalo also projecting a $103 million deficit for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and NYC facing a multibillion-dollar outyear budget gap. Additionally, counties warn of their own fiscal uncertainties due to recent changes to federal SNAP rules, which now require counties to cover 75% of all SNAP costs, or at least $168 million annually.

State Received Higher Than Expected Tax Revenue Amidst Projected Budget Gaps

In a report by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli last week, the state collected $7.3 billion more in taxes between April and September. Partly due to strong Wall Street performance, the state collected more personal income and business tax receipts. However, this follows a July report in which DiNapoli also warned that the state is projecting a $31.8 billion budget gap by 2030, driven by rising costs and federal funding cuts. The report also warns that declining enrollment in the state's universal free school meals, due to changes in federal SNAP rules, may reduce federal funding.

Notably, a day before the report's release, Hochul Budget Director Blake Washington sent a letter to agencies asking them not to request additional funding for next year’s budget. Washington explained that while the state is experiencing a positive economic outlook, which is in part due to the growth in the AI industry, the positive economic outlook may not last, as “states and local governments continue to examine the environmental, social, and economic concerns around the buildout of AI infrastructure, a slowdown of the investment may lead to a cooling of the equities market with an outsized impact on New York State’s receipts.”

ELECTION UPDATES

Hochul and Blakeman's Spar in Only Televised Debate of the Race

Last week, Hochul and Blakeman participated in the race's only televised debate, ending a series of televised debates for statewide offices. During the debate, the topic of President Trump was brought up several times by Hochul, who explained that Trump’s policies were to blame for the elevated cost of living and that Blakeman would be a rubber stamp for Trump. “None of this has to be this way, and you support every single thing that Donald Trump does,” Hochul remarked to Blakeman during the debate.

However, Blakeman criticized Hochul for avoiding her record, saying, “You talk about Donald Trump all the time, because you don’t want to talk about your record.” Blakeman also reiterated some of his policy differences with President Trump, including his support for abortion rights and the expansion of guest worker programs. Other issues raised during the debate included immigration, data centers, and AI. Notably, Mamdani was only mentioned a few times by Blakeman, who many observers expected to be consistently brought up by Blakeman to criticize Hochul.

Blakeman Criticzes Hochul and Mamdani for Daylight Manhattan Train Station Shooting

After man was shot in a Midtown Manhattan train station, Blakeman rode the subway and the LIRR to lay out his public safety agenda in opposition to Hochul. Calling Hochul “pro-criminal,” Blakeman explained that there have been seven cases of murder on the train so far this year and that “It’s up almost 100 percent under Zohran Mamdani and Kathy Hochul. Stop telling New Yorkers that it’s safe. You’ve made it less safe. Nobody feels safer. I will make you safe.” However, Hochul has so far defended her public safety record with her spokesperson explaining that she “has invested $4 billion in policing and public safety, from cops, cameras, and barriers on our subways to cracking down on hate crimes and ghost guns.”

Mamdani to Join Hochul in Brooklyn Campaign Trail 

This week, it was reported that NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani will join Hochul in campaigning for Hochul in Brooklyn, with both of them expecting to distribute campaign literature together later today and hold a canvassing event on Sunday. This follows a campaign ad Mamdani released that criticized Bruce Blakeman and reiterated her support for Hochul, citing her collaboration on universal childcare and closing the city budget deficit. This also follows Hochul joining Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pat Ryan on a campaign tour in the Hudson Valley. While Mamdani has reiterated his support for Hochul, it remains to be seen whether his supporters would turn out for her.

OTHER UPDATES

Hochul Urges DHS to Release ICE-Detained State Employee

Two days after a Venezuelan asylum-seeker who was working as a state employee at SUNY Brockport was detained by federal ICE agents, Hochul called on the DHS to release the employee. "He is a law-abiding husband, father, and New York State employee with federal authorization to work through 2029,” explained Hochul. However, federal officials maintained that the employee overstayed his visa, but his wife disputed those claims, explaining that he has a pending case for affirmative asylum. The detention of the employee comes after federal ICE agents shot a man while his daughter was in the car with him in NYC and comes amid an uptick in federal immigration enforcement actions in the state. Additionally, Hochul also called on DHS to release a notable Chinese restaurant owner from Livingston County alongside the state employee. 

Elon Musk's SpaceX Testifies Before NYC Council 

After receiving a subpoena from the NYC Council and threats of asking the state Supreme Court to enforce compliance, Elon Musk’s SpaceX agreed to testify before the Council and Speaker Julie Menin last week. This follows SpaceX's earlier refusal to testify before the full Council alongside other AI companies at the nearly 10-hour hearing three weeks ago. During the hearing, lawmakers criticized SpaceX for failing to protect individuals from deepfakes, even though SpaceX explained that it trains its AI models to “refuse assistance with dangerous activity evaluated for risks.” After the hearing, Menin explained that the recent hearings “call into question, more than ever, the need for strong, stringent, common-sense regulation.”

Horse Carriage Drivers' Union to Sue NYC Over Romanch's Law

After Mamdani and Menin announced an agreement to ban the horse carriage industry in Central Park by June 2028 through the passage of Romanch's Law, the horse carriage drivers' union threatened to sue the city. The union alleges that the bill violates both the U.S. and state Constitution and claims that it will be the “first time in City history that a previously licensed profession was banned.” However, Menin, who has been advocating for the bill's passage, reiterates that NYC will implement a transition plan for horse carriage drivers and that the bill is constitutional.

Other Interesting Friday Reads

Bruce Blakeman and Kathy Hochul social media tacts diverge in hope for viral boost - Newsday
 
How NY Gov. Hochul, Bruce Blakeman would tackle rising electric, heat bills - Gothamist
 
A NY GOP Aide Built His Candidate’s Website — And a Rival’s – New York Focus
 
State Senate Democrats want veto-proof margin – Times Union
 
Harckham and Esposito Battle it Out for State Senate in District 40 | Yonkers Times
 
New York progressives have a plan to achieve energy affordability: make power public – Central Current
 
Top Mamdani Aide Fired Amid City Hall Shake-Up - The New York Times
 
Mamdani Appoints De Blasio Alum Liz Vladeck to Lead Labor Relations Office | The City Reporter — NYC News
 
How AI divided a powerful chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America | Semafor
 
Nikole Hannah-Jones grills city NYC schools chancellor on long-awaited desegregation plan - City & State New York
 
Brad Lander Is Detained by Israeli Military in West Bank During Volunteer Trip - The New York Times

Trump is creating ‘perfect storm for a terrible census.’ Here’s what you can do about it – New York Groove

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