5.31.22 Advocacy Alert: What to Expect as Session Nears Finish
Blog Categories
May 31, 2022
The New York State Legislature’s last scheduled session day is Thursday. As lawmakers prepare for elections in November, we expect a busy week of legislative activity. As the Legislature nears the end of session, here are the issues the BNP expects them to tackle:
Gun Control. In the wake of May’s mass shooting in Buffalo, Gov. Hochul has vowed to pass numerous gun control measures. These include raising the age to purchase semiautomatic guns from 18 to 21, strengthening the state’s “Red Flag” law to allow better intervention when an individual shows troubling signs, and requiring handguns to “microstamp” identification numbers on bullet casings to better identify perpetrators of gun crimes.
Abortion. After the unprecedented leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens’ Health Organization, it is expected that the Court’s Roe v. Wade precedent will be weakened, making the legalization of abortion a state issue. In anticipation of the Dobbs decision, Gov. Hochul and Democratic leaders have pushed legal protections for abortion in New York State, including numerous legal protections for abortion providers and women choosing abortions. Some lawmakers have also proposed a fund to assist non-residents who travel to New York to get an abortion.
Climate. The state is considering numerous climate-based proposals. The All-Electric Buildings Act would ban new natural gas hookups. The new Climate Change Superfund Act would charge fossil fuel companies $30 billion dollars as a penalty for past emissions. The Legislature is also considering a two-year moratorium on cryptocurrency mining due to energy usage concerns.
Extended Producer Responsibility. The Senate and Assembly have been divided on how to approach the sweeping recycling reform, but legislative leaders continue to negotiate on this bill.
Economic Development Transparency. Good-government groups have pushed a number of economic development reforms, including ending the state’s Opportunity Zone credits. Also, the Legislature is considering strengthening the Comptroller’s authority over state contracts and preventing nondisclosure agreements from state and local contracts.
The BNP remains in frequent contact with legislative leaders, and will keep you informed of important legislative updates as the session closes.
Related Posts
April 2022 Advocacy Insider
The April 2022 Advocacy Insider is a roundup of important issues we are monitoring that could you and your business.
4.4.2022 Advocacy Alert: Legislature Kicks Budget Can Down the Road
Today, the State Legislature is passing a short-term budget extender, indicating a continued lack of consensus on a budget deal. The extender allows the state government to continue operations while buying time for the Governor and Legislature to reach an agreement on a number of outstanding issues. As we
3.31.22 Advocacy Alert: State Budget to be Late
New York State is poised to miss its budget deadline. The budget is due when the state’s fiscal year begins at midnight tonight. However, lawmakers are returning home tonight without a deal, and they plan to reconvene in Albany on Monday.
3.28.22 Advocacy Alert: Bills to Remain in WNY for Next 30 Years
Today, the Buffalo Bills, Governor Kathy Hochul, and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced an agreement to finance the construction of a new stadium and to keep the Bills in Buffalo for decades to come.