Off Session Update
Good Morning from New York...
After months of pushing a measured approach amidst Progressive outrage, last week, United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a formal impeachment inquiry in response to Trump's "breach of constitutional responsibilities" in the growing Ukraine scandal. Many outlets have painted supporting impeachment for Democrats as a monolith. However, amidst the landscape of 2020 politics, disparate districts, and incongruous local politics, the decision for Democrats across the country is anything but simple. In all, 12 Democrats have already split with the Speaker.
In New York, in a district Trump won by 10 points in 2016, State Island Democrat, Rep. Max Rose, has said he does not support a 'partisan impeachment process.' In the Central New York's Congressional District 22 that Trump won by 15 points in 2016, Democratic Rep. Anthony Brindisi, who narrowly unseated Republican Claudia Tenney, has also openly split with Democrats. And last Thursday, Governor Cuomo criticized angry 'leftists' for pushing the impeachment process.
What does it all mean? Democrats are playing a mixture of offense and defense in 2020, making any decision in today's super charged partisan atmosphere a complicated web of local politics, vitriol, and protests, extremely difficult. How it all plays out in terms of 2020's races, control of the White House, and for potential gridlock in D.C. on major outstanding issues like the U.S.-Mexico Canada free trade agreement, and Federal Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations, we will have to wait and see...
But for now, back to policy, as we continue to prepare for the Executive Budget, the biggest news in New York State policy development came from Connecticut as Cuomo was in Hartford to meet with Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. The Governors discussed a "regional" approach on recreational cannabis, arguably the largest policy issue on tap for this year's budget and Legislative process, along with joint regulation of e-cigarettes. A recreational bill also failed in Hartford last year. We will have to see what this meeting of the minds means for the bill put forth for the Executive within the supercharged atmosphere of New York State's Legislature. Ultimately, a successful bill in New York must meet the approval of progressives concerned with proper social justice safeguards, and moderates for whom the bill is anything but a slam dunk.
Trump Signs Stopgap Measure, Funding Government through November
President Trump on Friday signed a stopgap funding measure to keep the government running until Nov. 21, an eight-week extension into the new fiscal year that begins early next week. The legislation, which passed in the House last week and the Senate on Thursday, keeps 2019 funding levels in place while Democrats and Republicans look to hammer out a broader spending deal.
Controversy over Trump's proposed border wall has stalled new spending bills. While the House passed 10 of the 12 annual measures early in the summer, the Senate, which requires bipartisan support, has not been able to pass a single appropriations bill for the 2020 fiscal year.
Biden Nosedives in Early-State Polls
Joe Biden’s poll numbers are crumbling in the early nominating states that matter most. Once the dominant front-runner in the Democratic primary, Biden is now marginally trailing Elizabeth Warren in the first caucus state of Iowa and the first primary state of New Hampshire. His South Carolina firewall shows signs of cracking and he’s losing his once-overwhelming lead in Florida, according to a raft of recent polling.
Watchdog Gives New York's Finances an "F"
Never mind claims of a balanced state budget: a new analysis published Tuesday found New York's debts outweigh its revenues by $136.6 billion this fiscal year—or $20,500 per taxpayer.
Those tilted scales are why the think-tank Truth in Accounting awarded the Empire State an F in its annual "Financial State of the States Report," and ranked its fiscal health ninth-worst in the United States. The group blames the imbalance on the state's heavy and unfunded debt to future retirees, particularly in the form of contractually guaranteed health benefits.
Did Cuomo Rig a Commission to Sabotage His Political Foes?
The W.F.P. has accused Mr. Cuomo of creating the State Public Campaign Financing Commission — a group ostensibly concerned with getting money out of politics — as a backdoor tool to dismantle fusion voting, and of handpicking an opponent of fusion voting to sit on it.
The commission’s creation earlier this year had already stirred plenty of suspicion and inspired lawsuits from two third parties, the W.F.P. and the Conservative Party of New York, in July. Then last week came revelations reported by Politico that one of Mr. Cuomo’s appointees might have recruited volunteers to speak against fusion voting at a recent commission meeting in Albany — a move that Mr. Cuomo defended.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, October 10th
Senate and Assembly Health Committees will meet to gather feedback and recommendations from patients, patient advocates, health care providers, health coverage providers, labor, employers and other stakeholders about the New York Health Act and its specific provisions.
Wednesday, October 16th
Senate Education and Budget and Revenue Committees will meet to hear stakeholder input regarding the components
of the Foundation Aid formula in relation to student, district and community
needs with a goal of greater equity in school financing.
Monday, October 28th
The Senate Codes Committee will host a hearing on legislation relating to discovery reform.
Wednesday, October 30th
The Senate Higher Education Committee will host hearing at the University at Buffalo on the financing of public higher education
House GOP Weighs Easing Term Limits on Committee Chairs
House Republicans are considering relaxing their term limits for committee chairmanships, a move that could help stem the tide of GOP retirements that has rattled the party in recent months.
During a steering committee meeting Tuesday night, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy floated the idea of changing the GOP’s long-standing rule that allows members to be the top Republican on a committee for only three terms, regardless of whether they serve in the majority or minority. One idea that was suggested, according to multiple Republican sources who attended the meeting, is allowing a lawmaker’s term as ranking member to not count the same as a chairmanship.
Worth A Read
At the Rugby World Cup, It’s Japan vs. the Hardest Drinking Fans in Sports
"Abbey Road" 50th anniversary: A Track-by-Track Look Back
They Met at a GM Plant. On Their Wedding Day, They Joined the Picket Line
Links from This Weeks's News Around the State & Country
Bipartisan NYC Council Duo Wants to Reform ‘Byzantine’ Special Elections
Washington Idle as Ransomware Ravages Cities Big and Small
2019 Charter Revision Commission Seeks to 'Tweak,' Not Upend City Balance of Power
BOLTON ST. JOHNS
Government Relations & Public Affairs Consulting
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