Friday Morning Brief October 3, 2025

Oct 2

Written By Michael Avella

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

Member Spotlight

Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli

Assemblyman William Magnarelli joins us to discuss his Central New York-based district, priorities, and some of his achievements as Assembly Chair of Transportation. Prior to being elected to the Assembly, he was an attorney and was heavily involved in community politics. Currently, he serves as the Assembly Chair of Transportation and is a member of various other committees, including Ways and Means, Education, and Rules.

What district do you represent?
I represent the 129th Assembly District. It encompasses approximately three-quarters of the city of Syracuse, including the town of Geddes, which includes the village of Solvay, and the town of Van Buren, which covers half of the village of Baldwinsville.

Any landmarks in your district?
Come downtown and take a look at everything that we have in the inner city. We have numerous beautiful parks, restaurants, and other enjoyable places to visit. Not far from downtown Syracuse, there is a place called University Hill, which includes Syracuse University, Upstate Medical University, Crouse Hospital, Veterans Hospital, and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). It is a very vibrant area with lots of young people. There are also numerous historical museums and societies, such as the Erie Canal Museum and the Everson Museum. There are also numerous entertainment venues, such as the Carrier Dome, which has hosted huge concerts featuring artists like Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones. The district is very vibrant and diverse.

What’s your favorite artist or band?
I enjoy the classics of the '60s and '70s, such as the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. That era of music is probably my favorite.

What about sports teams?
Go orange all the way! I bleed orange. Syracuse is known for its basketball and football teams, but it has also had some great soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse teams that have won national championships. The women's basketball program is going great. I also enjoy the Syracuse Mets, a Triple-A baseball team affiliated with the New York Mets. And we enjoy great baseball during the summer. We have had the opportunity to see some Hall of Famers play in Syracuse.

What was your profession before being elected to the Assembly?
I am an attorney, and I was a partner in a law firm here in Syracuse. My specialty was real estate law, particularly in my later decades of practice.

What inspired you to run for office?
I think it just reached a point where I felt that I could actually give something back to my community. I have always been interested in politics and government. I participated in it as a member of the Democratic committee in the city of Syracuse. I helped on various candidates' campaigns, so I was involved on the outskirts of everything. And then, finally, somebody asked me, 'Why don't you run for office? And it was the right time. My family was pretty much grown, and my kids were becoming adults. So I felt it was the right time to be more involved.

As Assembly Transportation Chair, what are some of the achievements you want to highlight?
The primary focus has been on understanding and investing in our state's infrastructure. We always try to be on top of our infrastructure’s maintenance and repair needs. One of the biggest things I have done since becoming Chair is ensuring that we are investing more in repair and maintenance programs for our roads and bridges. It is something that I will continue to fight for because it is a major piece of what we do.

Budget negotiations consume a significant portion of our time, so after ensuring that we include as much investment as possible in our budget bills, we review all other aspects. We are currently ensuring that these projects are being implemented thoroughly. For example, we are currently examining how rock salt may be contaminating our water systems. We are also looking into the safety of electronic bikes and their batteries. There have been a lot of unexpected consequences of allowing e-bikes, including fires. We are always trying to make things better and safer for the public.

The other thing I am very keen on right now is our traffic laws. I am a big proponent of installing cameras to enhance the safety of motorists and pedestrians. Those who oppose traffic cameras criticize them for being a cash grab. Still, traffic cameras encourage people to drive more safely because if you drive within the law or even close to it, you would not receive a ticket, and municipalities would not generate any revenue. We must ensure that roads are safe for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and workers repairing our roads. Ensuring the safety of everyone on our roads is a huge priority of mine.

What are some of the issues you are keen on focusing on for next year?
My biggest concern is figuring out the impact of the federal government's budget cuts. That is going to be the biggest topic next year during budget negotiations. If we are going to have a billion-dollar gap between our expenses and revenues, and the federal government is not there to help us out, then we are going to have some real problems. It will impact almost all of our programs, from healthcare to social programs to state investment initiatives. We may also need to consider how to raise revenue without harming everyday New Yorkers. And I really hope the cuts do not impact our infrastructure because I will be fighting against that.

What advice would you give to young folks who are interested in getting involved in politics?
First of all, I would say to get involved. If you want to get involved, get involved. I don't know of a candidate I have ever dealt with who is not looking for people to volunteer on their campaign. I am not aware of any party apparatus that would not welcome volunteers and help with the party. I am not aware of any advocates who are pushing for one policy or another who would not welcome volunteers joining them, whether in a demonstration, door-to-door outreach, or leafleting. If you are engaged, you will not be discouraged because you are working towards a goal that you are passionate about. I implore all of our young people to get involved, because you cannot let the folks you disagree with dictate what is going to happen in your future.

Any last comments?
I am optimistic about our future. I know many people are not at this point, but being my age, I have seen a lot. And there have been ups and downs politically, internationally, nationally, and even locally. I have seen things come and go. It is what we make of it. And that is what I was trying to say before. If you are concerned about the direction our country, state, or local government is taking, then get involved. Moreover, it does not mean that you have to run for office. It does not even mean that you volunteer for any of these things. However, what it does mean is that your responsibility is to become aware of the issues of the day and then use that information to vote. That is the bare minimum. I urge young people to get involved because they change the future.

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!

Eric Adams Ends Re-election Campaign

After months of speculation, NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced on Sunday that he is ending his reelection campaign. In his announcement video, Adams said he is “proud to say that we took that victory four years ago and turned it into action, making this city better for those who have been failed by government,” but decided to drop out due to the “constant media speculation about my future and the Campaign Finance Board’s decision to withhold millions of dollars have undermined my ability to raise the funds needed for a serious campaign.”

The announcement comes as Adams has faced pressure from various angles to drop out of the race, with some pushing for him to drop out to provide an easier path to victory for former Governor Andrew Cuomo. It was also alleged that Adams was offered various jobs by business entities and President Trump, including the Ambassadorship to Saudi Arabia and a post at the federal HUD. However, Adams has reiterated that he is dropping out due to the media’s negative coverage of his campaign and stated that he will continue to perform his duties as mayor. “Although this is the end of my reelection campaign, it is not the end of my public service,” said Adams.

In his announcement video, Adams did not endorse Cuomo, Mamdani, or the GOP candidate Curtis Silwa. Instead, he urged the voters to “choose leaders not by what they promise, but by what they have delivered.” In response to Adams’ announcement, Mamdani likened Adams to Cuomo, saying, “The billionaire-backed politics which found its home in Eric Adams is finding its home in Andrew Cuomo today. He is running for that second term.” Mamdani also criticized Trump for his interest in the mayoral race. “He ran a campaign speaking about cheaper groceries and a lower cost of living…The difference is that he has shown no interest in delivering on that agenda… Our campaign is sincere in these commitments, and that's what scares him.”

Cuomo, in his response to Adams’ announcement, “applaud[s] his selflessness,” explaining that Adams put his “personal ambition aside for the good of the city.” Cuomo also explained that with Adams dropping out, “There's now more attention on just me than just Mr. Mamdani, it is a two-person race... Now we can juxtapose the two philosophies, and people can see those facts." "This is now a much larger election where more New Yorkers will vote. And I am telling you, and I'm out there every day, New Yorkers do not support what Mamdani supports," added Cuomo. Sliwa, in turn, explained that he is the “only candidate who can defeat Mamdani.”

Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

Last week, Hochul announced more than $26 million in Long Island Investment Fund awards to support five housing developments in Nassau and Suffolk counties. The projects, which represent nearly $467 million in overall investment, are expected to create close to 750 new homes, including affordable, workforce, and transit-oriented housing. The developments are also expected to provide supportive services for veterans and individuals with disabilities. The awards are part of the $350 million Long Island Investment Fund, which was established to support the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council in creating jobs and fostering economic growth. The awards build upon Hochul’s five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

Late last week, Hochul announced the completion of a $45 million pavement improvement and safety enhancement project along I-90 in Chautauqua County. The project resurfaces approximately 70 lane-miles between exits 59 and 60, including repairs, new asphalt surfaces, interchange and U-turn upgrades, and safety improvements such as increased vertical clearance for 16 bridges, guiderail enhancements, and pier protection. The project builds upon the state’s commitment to improve infrastructure and protect motorists and pedestrians. “By modernizing the Thruway system through significant repaving investments, we can ensure a safe and reliable roadway for all travelers,” said Hochul.

On Monday, Hochul announced $15.5 million in new awards under New York’s ConnectALL initiative to boost mobile and broadband access across the state. The $15.5 million is broken down into approximately $5 million for expanding mobile services in Nassau, Otsego, Schenectady, and Warren counties, and $10 million for broadband and municipal infrastructure efforts in Allegany and Broome counties, to connect over 800 households and extend fiber networks. Additionally, three RFAs are being launched to improve the state's digital infrastructure further. The awards support the state’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and build upon programs including the Municipal Infrastructure Program and the Digital Equity Program.

Earlier this week, Hochul announced a $25 million investment to support statewide on-farm conservation efforts. Funded through the state’s Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution Abatement and Control Program, the investment will support 50 projects across 25 counties, helping farmers adopt water quality practices such as manure management, nutrient storage, buffer zones, and conservation crops. The investment builds upon Hochul’s commitment to support the state’s agricultural industry and protect it from adverse weather impacts. “Our farmers care deeply for the land they work, so it’s critical we provide them with the resources they need and deserve to safeguard our waterways while protecting our communities and our natural resources from climate change,” explained Hochul.

Additionally, on Tuesday, in support of Climate Week, Hochul announced two new grant programs further to support the state’s agricultural industry and water infrastructure. The $24 million Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program is expected to support on-farm efforts that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil health, and enhance resilience against adverse weather events. Additionally, the $2 million Ecosystem-Based Management Program is expected to be awarded to water conservation districts for projects that improve water quality, restore streams, and stabilize river corridors. “These are smart investments that will not only protect and improve water quality and ensure a cleaner, more resilient New York, but they will also support the economic viability of our state’s agricultural industry for generations to come,” said Hochul.

Yesterday, Hochul announced the certification of 13 new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics across the state, tripling the total number of clinics to 39. Administered by the OMH in partnership with the OASAS, the clinics are expected to provide fully integrated, person-centered, and trauma-informed care with minimal to no costs to patients. Each new clinic will be provided $265,000 from the state. The new clinics support Hochul’s commitment to addressing the state's mental health crisis and build upon her 2023 pledge to provide a total of $16.2 million to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. “By tripling these clinics statewide, we are reducing unnecessary hospital visits, fostering relationships among community healthcare providers, and eliminating gaps in our system of care,” said Hochul.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

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

Aung Hset/D&A

Public Hearing on Medicinal Value of Psilocybin

On Tuesday, the Assembly Health Committee held a public hearing on the medicinal benefits of psilocybin. Medical professionals, researchers, and advocates, including members of D&A client New Yorkers for Mental Health Alternatives, testified to the benefits of psilocybin for various communities, including veterans and first responders, in addressing specific health and mental health conditions. The bipartisan group of lawmakers also heard testimony on how psilocybin has yielded positive results in various peer-reviewed studies and how other states and localities have moved forward with allowing access to psilocybin.

Currently, there are four bills in the Legislature would allow some form of access to psilocybin, with Assembly Health Chair Amy Paulin sponsoring a billthat would allow access to psilocybin based on DOH-facilitated licenses. “The committee is very interested in hearing testimony to see what we can do about perhaps making it legal and appropriate for medical providers to dispense a product that they, frankly, have been acknowledging is effective for their patients but have been unable in New York to legally prescribe it,” explained Paulin. Assemblymember Pat Burke also has a bill that would allow for psilocybin-assisted therapy.

Aung Hset/D&A

Lawmakers Hold Hearing on PSC and CLCPA Goals

In another hearing on Tuesday, the Senate Committees on Energy & Telecommunications and Corporations, Authorities, & Commissions held a joint public hearing on the oversight of PSC and DPS’s implementation of the state’s CLCPA goals. Corporations Chair Leroy Comrie, Energy Chair Kevin Parker, and Senators Mario Mattera, Jessica Ramos, and Brad Hoylman-Sigal heard testimony from PSC Commissioner Rory Christian and representatives from utility companies on the rate case processes, rising energy costs, and the resources required for the state to meet its CLCPA goals. While advocates in attendance raised concerns about the need for public engagement in rate case processes and about rising rates, Christian explained that the current process "depends on robust and transparent public engagement and added that stakeholders are able to participate in the process through presenting testimony, filing comments, or participating in public statement hearings.” Christian also urged lawmakers to ensure that the state has sufficient resources to prevent the ongoing electrification of the grid from resulting in higher rates for consumers.

Lawmakers and Lt. Gov Delgado Endorses $30 Minimum Wage

This week, Assemblymembers Jessica González-Rojas and Claire Valdez joined Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado and a newly launched coalition to raise the state’s minimum wage to $30 per hour. The push for increasing the state minimum wage comes as Democratic frontrunner for NYC mayor, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, promises to raise the city’s minimum wage to $30 by 2030. Delgado, who is challenging Hochul for the Democratic nomination for Governor, said he will work with other lawmakers to raise the state’s minimum wage if he is elected. “Many of us are supporting Zohran in this race and are willing to fight for many of the policies that he is advocating for, which is going to take some state-level action,” explained González-Rojas.

Former Council Candidate Files to Run for Upper East Side Assembly District

On Tuesday, Vanessa Aronson filed to run for the 73rd Assembly District, currently held by Assemblymember Alex Bores. However, Aronson explained that she filed to run for the UES district to “be prepared” in case Bores runs for the outgoing Rep. Jerry Nadler’s congressional seat. “I will not run against Alex Bores,” explained Aronson. Aronson was a former public school teacher and diplomat who came in second in last year’s competitive Democratic primary for then-Councilmember Keith Powers. If Bores decides to run for Nadler’s congressional seat, he must give up his Assembly seat and will be facing off against Assemblymember Micah Lasher, who had worked for Nadler and is seen as an heir-apparent. Currently, Bores has not announced his intention to run for Nadler’s seat.

Democratic District Leader Files to Run for Midtown Assembly District

In another filing, Layla Law-Gisiko, Democratic District Leader for the 75th Assembly District, filed to run for Assembly last week. Law-Gisiko explained that she is exploring a second run for the Midtown district, although she did not confirm an official announcement at this time. Currently, the district is represented by Tony Simone, who is reportedly eyeing a run for Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal’s seat. Hoylman-Sigal is expected to win the general election for the Manhattan Borough President. “There's a lot of movement on the West Side. As a public servant, I think that 2026 will present potential opportunities that I should pursue to better serve my community,” explained Law-Gisiko. Currently, Simone explained that he is still “running for reelection.” Besides Simone, Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal is also reportedly interested in running for Hoylman-Sigal’s seat.

Assemblywoman Pam Hunter Criticizes Trump and Hegseth's Speech to the Military

Earlier this week, Speaker Pro Tempore and Assemblymember Pam Hunter released a statement criticizing President Trump and DOD Secretary Pete Hegseth’s speech to a recent meeting with military generals. Hunter, the only female veteran in the Legislature, called Trump and Hegseth’s remarks "egregious” for “mocking service members based on appearance” and “encouraging violence against civilians.” Additionally, she called for Trump and Hegseth not to politicize the military. “Our veterans deserve more than hollow applause lines, they deserve competent leadership, robust support, and the promise that their sacrifice will be honored, not politicized,” said Hunter.

Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Lawmakers React to Federal Government Shutdown

After the shutdown of the federal government due to Congress failing to pass a spending plan, lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, joined Hochul and Attorney General Tish James in criticizing Congressional GOP leaders and President Trump for causing the government shutdown. “This shutdown is a choice, a deliberate decision by Donald Trump and the Republicans to abandon the very people they were sent to Washington to represent,” said Hochul. “This shutdown will have a rippling effect, and it is the Republican Party who must be held responsible, including the seven GOP members of Congress from New York, and the party infrastructure here at home that enables them,” added Stewart-Cousins. However, Republican lawmakers have blamed Democratic lawmakers and leaders, including Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries. “Today, Congressional Dems would rather shut down the gov’t than keep it funded while policy debates take place,” said Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay

Feds Withhold Federal Funding to State

This week, Hochul sent a letter to federal DHS Secretary Kristi Noem asking her to explain the Trump Administration’s decision to cut $100 million from the MTA for counterterrorism efforts in addition to the previous $87 million cuts. Additionally, on Wednesday, federal OMB Director Russell Vought posted on Twitter that $18 billion in federal funding is being withheld from the state for New York City’s Gateway Project and the Second Avenue Subway. “Roughly $18 billion in New York City infrastructure projects have been put on hold to ensure funding is not flowing based on unconstitutional DEI principles,” explained Vought. The federal DOT further explained that the funds were being withheld for “discriminatory principles.” The recent cuts come as lawmakers face a cumulative $34 billion budget gap and federal cuts from the OBBA that was passed by Congress earlier this year.

OTHER UPDATES

Federal Government Shutdown

With the federal government shutting down at midnight on Wednesday, both Democratic and Republican leaders dug in for a possible extended shutdown and blamed one another. Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged Republican lawmakers to accept their demand for funding healthcare initiatives, including extending ACA subsidies and reversing Medicaid cuts. However, the White House argued that they agree with the Democrats’ demands to reform the healthcare system, but explained that a shutdown was not necessary. “We need to reopen the United States federal government… Then we can discuss this very important issue of health care that the President absolutely wants to fix,” explained White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The shutdown has led President Trump to take steps, including a mass layoff of federal workers and halting federal funding to Democratic states. The most recent being the halting of infrastructure funding for NYC’s Gateway Project and the Second Avenue Subway projects.

Aung Hset/D&A

NYC Councilmembers Introduce Bill to Reform Community Boards Appointees

Last week, a new NYC Council bill that would allow Councilmembers to directly appoint up to half of the members on community boards was introduced by GOP Councilmember Frank Morano and garnered bipartisan support, including Council Speaker candidate Julie Menin. Currently, only the Borough Presidents have the final authority to appoint applicants to the 50-member Community Boards, allowing them to ignore or reject nominations brought by Council members who represent the districts of the respective Community Boards. Community boards have a non-binding vote on any matter but can influence neighborhood-related decisions, such as projects that require land use approval. “This is a reform that makes democracy more democratic and lets voters decide [for] themselves if they want this change,” explained Morano.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli Faces Additional Primary Challenge

Last week, Raj Goyle, a tech businessman based in NYC and a former lawmaker in the Kansas Legislature, announced his primary challenge against State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Goyle is the second candidate to announce a primary challenge against DiNapoli, following Drew Warshaw, an executive of an affordable housing nonprofit, who made the announcement back in May. Both Goyle and Warshaw explained that they are primarying the state’s longest-serving elected official to change the Democratic Party and criticized DiNapoli for not using his power to address affordability issues. “…Tom DiNapoli has squandered 20 years of opportunity to help New Yorkers live better lives. And I won’t do that when I’m comptroller,” said Goyle.

Firm Spotlight
The D&A Team has once again been named in City & State's 2025 Top 50 State Lobbyist List! We are proud of the work we do for our clients and thank them for placing their confidence in us. Our excerpt below:

Biggest accomplishment:

“We are lucky to have had numerous successes over the past year, but our biggest and brightest are probably assisting with passage of a land alienation bill that would allow for development of the Citi Field site in Queens as well as ensuring the extension of the upstate casino tax rate adjustment on behalf of Rivers Casino. We also played a key role in legislative efforts to pay off the unemployment insurance debt and increase the maximum weekly unemployment benefit on behalf of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council.”

Key industries: Gambling, health care, voting rights reform, labor, technology

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