Friday Morning Brief October 31, 2025

Oct 30

Written By Michael Avella

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

Member Spotlight

Assemblyman Noah Burroughs

Assemblyman Noah Burroughs joins us to discuss his Long Island-based district, priorities, and some of his extensive legislative work in his first year in the Legislature. Before being elected, he was an educator and an advocate for his community on various issues. Currently, he is a member of various committees, including on Correction, Labor, and Transportation.

What district do you represent?
I represent the 18th Assembly district. It encompasses the communities of Hempstead, Roosevelt, Uniondale, Freeport, Lakeview, West Hempstead, and parts of Garden City and Baldwin.

What are some landmarks in your district that you recommend visiting?
Several places in the district are popular or well-known. For example, we have several important colleges and universities, like Hofstra. The village of Hempstead is a vital part of our district, and the Nassau Hub is located there. We also have popular parks like Denton Green Park. Garden City is also a landmark in itself, with the fifth-largest mall in the country. We are also trying to redevelop numerous downtown areas in our district.

What about music? Any favorite music, artists, or bands?
Nas. He visits the Capital sometimes, so you might see him if you are in the Capital. I also love going to some of his events or concerts, and it’s always a good time.

What about sports?
I am a little biased, but I am a Jets fan. I also like watching the Yankees and the Mets. I also don’t mind watching the Islanders or the Rangers. I’m always rooting for the New York team when they play teams based outside the state.

What was your profession before becoming an Assemblymember?
I was an educator. So, I was a teacher, and I taught history. I’m also a football coach. I did that for 20-21 years.

Did your background as an educator inspire you to run for office?
My inspiration came from my family's commitment to doing something positive for the community. My dad was a civil rights activist. So I grew up with stories of things he had done with Martin Luther King and the SCLC, where he worked as a staffer when he was very young. He had made significant strides in advocating for civil rights. And I grew up with that mentality of giving back to the community.

In your first year in the Assembly, what were some of the issues you worked on?
One of the issues we worked on was finding a permanent solution to the challenges between charter schools and public schools. We have schools competing with each other, and one of the main concerns is how to ensure both types of schools can coexist without unnecessary competition.

We also had to identify funding in the state budget — over $23 million —to prevent one of the school buildings from closing. In addition, there’s another area in my district that needed financial support to maintain its staff, and another area that’s losing money because of competition from religious and charter schools.

Altogether, about five districts in my area have been affected. Increasing state and foundation aid was one of the key wins we achieved in the state budget. That was a major victory, and the governor was very receptive to ensuring that school districts received the funding they needed. I’m happy the governor agreed to do as much as possible to ensure schools were made whole through the school budget.

Another great victory that I’m proud of is securing funding for hospitals—especially for safety-net hospitals—to help keep them afloat. Nassau County University Medical Center, in my district on Long Island, is one of those hospitals that really needs support.

We also had other important wins, such as funding for daycare assistance and universal school lunch programs, both of which are crucial to my district.

Another accomplishment I’m proud of is a bill I sponsored that was passed to help reduce our carbon footprint and promote greener practices. The legislation requires new buildings with off-street parking to include charging stations for electric vehicles. It’s important to note that this isn’t a costly mandate—it's supported by county, state, and federal rebates for developers, so it doesn’t negatively impact their projects.

What are some of the priorities you might be working on next year?
There are some other priorities I’d like to focus on. We need to pay more attention to family-related issues, things that often go unnoticed but can really harm or divide families. In some cases, government programs or incentives are implemented with good intentions but unintentionally hurt families and schools.

We also need to take a closer look at tax incentives and relief. I don’t think we’re doing enough to support our seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. Those are the groups in our communities that truly need help, and I want to make it a priority to push for stronger tax breaks and support for them.

What is your office doing before the next year's legislative session starts?
Before next year, we’re focusing on getting all of our legal paperwork in order. That way, when the next session begins, we’re not creating things on the spot—we’re simply distributing the information. This allows us to easily share details with colleagues or anyone else interested in the bill. The goal is to avoid rushing to finish paperwork while also trying to explain everything. Instead, we can clearly present what the bill is and what the plan entails.

Any last comments?
I was raised with a strong sense of fortitude, vision, and foresight—to recognize when something is wrong and to work toward making it right. My purpose in being elected to the Legislature is to help correct many of the social ills we face. Some of these issues stem from outdated laws that need to be revised.

I see my role as serving as a bridge to help close the gaps created by those antiquated laws — laws that often divide communities and groups. My goal is to help build a more unified, inclusive community and to serve as a light for doing what’s right. Whenever I see an opportunity to move things in a positive direction, you can always expect me to take that fight and push it forward.

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!

Aung Hset/D&A

Lawsuit Filed Against the State & Legislature to Redistrict a Congressional Seat

On Monday, a lawsuit was filed against various NYS officials and the Legislature alleging that the Staten Island and South Brooklyn-based congressional district dilutes Black and Latino voters. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that the combined Black and Latino population on Staten Island has grown to 30% in the last 40 years but is “routinely and systematically unable to influence elections” in the district. As a result, the lawsuit requests that the judge order the state to redraw the congressional district with parts of Lower Manhattan being included. GOP Representative Nichole Malliotakis criticized the lawsuit as “frivolous” and a way to “upend our congressional district.”

The lawsuit comes as Hochul, leaders of the Legislature, and Democratic lawmakers are discussing ways to counter GOP-led redistricting in other states. While it is not known if the judge will order the’ district to be redrawn, Senate Deputy Leader Mike Gianaris explained that the Legislature is “anxious to get in the game that is being played by the red states on redistricting off cycle.” Currently, Gianaris, alongside Assemblymember Micah Lasher, is a sponsor of abillthat would allow the state to redistrict if other states do so first. However, as the bill would amend the state Constitution, it must be passed by two consecutive legislatures and would then require voter approval, meaning new districts wouldn’t be possible until 2028 at the earliest.

Hochul has promised to “fight fire with fire” against GOP-led redistricting in other states, explaining that “If they’re going to rig the system, I refuse to sit on the sidelines and let our democracy further erode any more than it already has under the Trump administration.” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie have expressed support for redistricting mid-decade and for retaining the current Independent Redistricting Commission, established in 2014 as part of bipartisan redistricting reform.

The current maps were drawn by the Legislature last year but were an amended version of the maps previously recommended by the Independent Redistricting Commission. In reaction to the lawsuit, the state Republican Party Chair Ed Cox called it a “naked attempt to disenfranchise voters in NY-11 and elect a Democrat to this congressional district contrary to the will of voters.”

Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

Last week, Hochul announced the state’s intention to fully cover the more than $35 million in annual Medicaid funds lost by Planned Parenthood centers. With Planned Parenthood providing reproductive care throughout the state with 47 clinics, which serve over 200,000 patients annually, Hochul reiterated her support for protecting access to affordable reproductive care services, which include contraception, STI/HIV prevention, prenatal, menopausal, mental health, and cancer screenings for all sexes and genders. “I’ve directed the state to fund these vital services, protecting access to health care that thousands of New Yorkers rely on. I will always stand up for reproductive rights and the health care that New Yorkers deserve,” explained Hochul.

Late last week, Hochul touted the recent success of the MTA's “tap-to-go” fareless system, with ridership hitting over 4.5 million two days in a row and surpassing 3 billion taps. Additionally, Hochul touted the state’s investments in improving transit safety and reliability, as well as the completion of 980 OMNY vending machines across all 472 stations. The transition towards a “tap-to-go” fareless system is part of the state and MTA’s plan to move away from the traditional MetroCard to increase convenience and address fare evasion.

On Monday, Hochul unveiled a new $215 million Housing Acceleration Fund to speed up the construction of shovel-ready mixed-income housing projects across the state. The new initiative will use low-cost loans to fill financing gaps and leverage private capital, combining $100 million state investment with $115 million from private lenders. The initiative is expected to build 1,800 new homes and an additional $1 billion in total housing investment. This supports Hochul’s $25 five-year Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes. “This new, innovative loan program is a powerful new tool to help jumpstart the construction of mixed-income housing in communities across the state,” explained Hochul.

On Tuesday, Hochul opened the fourth annual Disability Rights and Employment Awareness Month (DREAM) Symposium. The symposium is expected to facilitate inclusive employment by connecting New Yorkers with disabilities to employers, resources, and assistive technology. Additionally, Hochul announced a new marketing video campaign to recruit and promote people with disabilities for state jobs, and established a Center for Assistive Technologies in partnership with the state OPWDD and SUNY at Albany. This builds upon the state’s commitment to support people with disabilities and ensure economic opportunities for them.

On National First Responders Day, Hochul announced new resources to support mental health and wellness among first responders, including a Responder Wellness Program Primer, a mental health awareness video, and a dedicated first responder wellness webpage. The three new resources were created as part of the state’s ongoing recognition of the mental health issues many first responders face, in collaboration with the state DHSES. This builds upon the recent expansion of supportive services for first responders in response to the state’s First Responder Mental Health Needs Assessment. “With new tailored resources aimed at strengthening wellness programs and mental health treatment, we’re supporting those who support us,” explained Hochul.

On Wednesday, Hochul touted the state’s progress in addressing incidents of domestic violence, which includes investing in new training requirements for law enforcement. The latest training requirements would take effect next year, requiring new police recruits to complete a 16-hour Domestic Incident Response module focused on trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and culturally responsive practices. The latest training requirements complement the $20.2 million STRIVE initiative, which has trained 1,000 professionals across 17 counties to improve coordination among law enforcement, prosecutors, and community organizations. “We’ve made significant progress… but our work is far from finished,” said Hochul.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

There are currently 338 bills awaiting action by Hochul

Deborah Glick Announces Her Intention Not to Run for Reelection

Last week, Assemblymember Deborah Glick, the first openly LGBTQIA+ lawmaker in the Legislature, announced her intention to not run for reelection. First elected in 1990, Glick has represented parts of Manhattan since and is currently the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation. Throughout her tenure, Glick was instrumental in pushing for the 2011 legalization of same-sex marriage in the state and was the Assembly sponsor of a bill that codified the right to an abortion in 2019. “It has been a difficult decision at this time, and the time may never be right, but my constituents deserve a representative who can work hard every day for them,” said Glick. In response to her announcement, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie praised Glick as a reliable “source of advice and wise counsel” in the Assembly.

Lawmakers Criticizes Acquittals in Robert Brooks Case

After the verdicts of several officers involved in the fatal beating of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional resulted in the acquittal of two officers, lawmakers and advocates criticized the acquittal. “While I am disappointed by the acquittals, I respect the jury’s decision,” said Hochul. Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Chair Julia Salazar called the verdict “outrageous,” explaining that the two officers evaded “legal accountability for their role in killing Mr. Brooks.” Salazar also explained that the verdict highlighted the need for reforms in state prisons and urged Hochul to sign theomnibus prison bill, which would increase transparency in those facilities. Hochul has not indicated whether she will sign or veto the bill.

Hochul Seeking to Legally Delay CLCPA Regulations

After a state judge ordered the state to publicly release regulations to implement the CLCPA or change the law, Hochul said she will “sit down with the Legislature” to delay the deadline established by the CLCPA. Under the current version of the law, the DEC was statutorily obligated to promulgate regulations to meet the mandates of the CLCPA by January of last year. However, the DEC has not published any regulations, and Hochul has publicly raised concerns about the costs of the CLCPA’s mandates. “How can I continue to put our eggs in that basket when the industries won’t even build it?” Hochul explained the rising cost of electrifying the state energy grid. However, Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger explained, “I just can’t see that there will be any appetite in the Senate to kneecap CLCPA [next] session.”

Bill Conrad and Democratic Lawmakers Urge Hochul to Delay All-Electric Building Mandate

Last week, a letter led by Assemblymember Bill Conrad and signed by several Democratic lawmakers, was sent to Hochul urging her to delay the all-electric building mandate. Currently set to take effect in January, the mandate will prohibit the installation of gas stoves and furnaces in most new buildings. “These all-electric new building mandate timelines will disincentivize new housing projects and aggravate the housing crisis across the state,” the letter explained. The letter comes after Republican Senators sent a similar letter to Hochul last month, and as the state Independent System Operator warned that the state energy grid is gradually becoming more unreliable. While Hochul has not committed to a delay, she explained that she is “going to look at this with a very realistic approach” with a focus on “affordability.”

Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Hochul and Lawmakers Rally in Support to AG Tish James

Before Attorney General Tish James’ arraignment late last week, lawmakers including Hochul, the Democratic nominee for NYC mayor Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, and several representatives rallied in her support and criticized federal charges against her as political revenge. James, who previously led a felony case against President Trump and his businesses, convicted him of all 34 counts of falsifying business records. The Trump Administration now alleges that James committed one count of bank fraud and one count of making false financial statements on her mortgage application in Virginia. "If they can do this to the attorney general of a state like New York, heaven help the rest of us, [be]cause they can come after anyone," remarked Hochul.

Hochul Looking for Ways to Protect Undocumented Immigrants from ICE Next Session

Earlier this week, Hochul said she has “been tabletopping exercises” with lawmakers and advocacy groups to better protect undocumented immigrants from federal ICE agents. “We have all these strategies related to schools and churches and getting information out,” Hochul further explained. In addition to meeting with immigration advocacy groups, Hochul said she will meet with business leaders. The push to better protect the immigrant community comes as ICE agents have been publicly detaining alleged undocumented immigrants across the country and as President Trump deployed the National Guard to various cities. Additionally, US DHS and federal ICE agents recently conducted a public raid on Canal Street in Manhattan targeting street vendors, resulting in backlash from local and state lawmakers. Lawmakers have already begun advocating for New York for All to be passed next year, which would prohibit state and local law enforcement from working with federal immigration enforcement. While Hochul has not committed to the bill, she explained that she will be “having conversations” with lawmakers on a myriad of immigration protection bills.

*Guardian CEO Andrew McMahon, Assemblymember DIlan, Senator Bailey, Assemblymember Weprin, Assemblymember Cruz and Guardian Chief Legal Officer Kermitt Brooks*

Lawmakers Join Guardian Life Insurance's Town Hall

This week, Assemblymembers Erik Dilan, David Weprin, Catalina Cruz and Pam Hunter (via zoom) and Senator Jamaal Bailey joined D&A client Guardian for an employee town hall. At the town hall, employees from Guardian were able to discuss the importance of affordable life insurance, economic trends, and good governance. Employees were also able to raise their own concerns with the lawmakers highlighting the importance of listening and collaborating with constituents.

Hochul Reiterates Her Position on Not Raising Taxes

After Hochul attended Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign rally for NYC mayor alongside Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, she reiterated her position that she will not increase taxes. The reiteration comes as Hochul was met with chants of “tax the rich” during her remarks. Hochul explained that while she hears “people’s voices,” she has to "balance governing this state and making sure that those people who are actually the reason we have a generous, supportive budget that helps lift people up.” Hochul further explained that the wealthiest 1.5% “cover about a third of our budget” and that she’s concern about their outmigration. If elected, Mamdani would need the Legislature's and Hochul's approval to increase taxes, for which Stewart-Cousins and Heastie have expressed support.

OTHER UPDATES

NYC Voters Turnout Surge Amidst Mayoral General Election

With election day just a couple of days away and early voting ongoing, Democratic nominee and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa are in the final push of their campaigns. Although the first couple of days of early voting were fueled by older voters age 55 and up, voters age 25-34 made up the largest share of turnout in the last couple of days. According to unofficial data from the NYC BOE, 372,111 voters cast early ballots by the end of Wednesday, surpassing the number from the 2021 general election. As of now, several polls show Mamdani leading Cuomo with varying leads, ranging from 25 points to 10 points. Voter turnout for this year’s mayoral general election is expected to be one of the highest in NYC’s history.

Upstate, Western New York, and Central New York Cities' Mayoral Elections

In addition to the NYC mayoral election, voters in other cities will also be voting for mayor, including Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, and Rochester. In Albany, Democratic City Auditor Dorcey Applyrs is poised to succeed Democratic incumbent Kathy Sheehan, who decided not to run for reelection. In Syracuse, Democratic Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens is running to succeed Democratic incumbent Ben Walsh. Owens is facing a Republican challenger, an independent candidate, and a community activist. If Applyrs and Owens win their races, they would both be the first Black mayors and the second female mayors in their cities' history. In Buffalo, Democratic Senator Sean Ryan is expected to win his mayoral race against Republican and independent candidates. In Rochester, Democratic incumbent Malik Evans is running for reelection and faces Conservative Party small-business owner Louis Sabo.

North Country Voters to Elect Assemblymember to Succeed Billy Jones

Voters in Clinton County, Franklin County, and parts of Essex County will also be voting for a new Assemblymember to succeed Billy Jones, who resigned earlier in September to lead Clinton Community College as a Vice President. Democrats are hoping to retain their only state Democratic lawmaker in the North Country with Michael Cashman, who has been the Town Supervisor of Plattsburgh. Republicans are hoping to flip the seat with Brent Davison, a retired State Police officer and troop commander. With the number of registered Democrats, Republicans, and independents roughly equal, both candidates are running on “common sense” politics and public safety.

Aung Hset/D&A

NYC's 2025 Ballot Measures

In NYC, voters will also be presented with a vote on several city-specific ballot measures in addition to one statewide ballot measure on whether the state’s Olympic Regional Development Authority should build on 350 acres of land near Lake Placid. Four of the city-specific ballot measures are related to housing, with the last measure asking voters whether to move local elections to presidential election years. Advocates of this measure argue that moving local elections to presidential election years will save the city’s BOE $42 million every two years and increase voter turnout. Opponents of the measure disagreed and argued that it would drown out local issues.

The four housing-related ballot measures, which Mayor Eric Adams spearheaded, have been advocated as a way to fast-track new housing projects. However, the majority of City Councilmembers opposed the measures, framing them as a way to take power away from local communities. Prop 4, which is seen as the most contentious measure, would establish a new three-member board appointed by the mayor, Council Speaker, and local Borough President, and authorized to override the City Council’s decisions to reject or modify housing projects. Advocates, including NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, explained that a way to fast-track affordable housing projects is needed.

Federal Government Shutdown Continues Amidst Looming SNAP Benefit Cuts

With the government shutdown entering its second month and the GOP-led stopgap bill rejected for the 13th time, Democratic lawmakers have signaled they will not vote on a Republican-led bill unless negotiations over ACA tax credits take place. Republican lawmakers have so far not taken steps to negotiate with Democrats. However, with the shutdown continuing, SNAP benefits are expected to be halted tomorrow, and funding for Section 8 public housing likely to run out after November. While there are discussions to hold votes on standalone bills to fund certain parts of the government, such as for the military and federal employees, it is expected that the bill to fund SNAP benefits throughout the shutdown will not be put on the floor. “There’s not a high level of interest in doing carve-outs, or so-called ‘rifle shots,’” explained Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune. In anticipation, Hochul announced a state of emergency for food insecurity and an additional state investment of $65 million.

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