May 23, 2025 • 26 mins
We sit with State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) to discuss a push for the 21st Century Antitrust Act which would work to increase state regulation on monopolies in the state and Senate Democrats' priorities through the end of the year. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) joins us to unpack the FY '26 state budget, controversial bills in the lower chamber and the possibility of extending the legislative session.
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(00:00):
[ THEME MUSIC ]
(00:19):
>> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.
FOR YEARS, STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE
BEEN PUSHING TO REGULATE
BUSINESS MONOPOLIES IN NEW YORK.
THE 21ST CENTURY ANTITRUST ACT
WOULD UPDATE THE STATE'S LAWS TO
TACKLE MONOPOLIES IN THE MODERN
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT.
IF ENACTED, THE STATE WOULD
(00:39):
CRACK DOWN ON CERTAIN BUSINESS
ENTERPRISES, SUCH AS BIG
TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES AND MAKE IT
HARDER FOR THEM TO CONTROL THE
MARKETPLACE.
SUPPORTERS SAY THAT THE
LEGISLATION IS LONG OVERDUE AND
ARE HOPEFUL THAT IT WILL MAKE IT
PAST THE LEGISLATIVE FINISH LINE
BEFORE JUNE.
THE BILL HAS ALSO BEEN
INTRODUCED IN THE ASSEMBLY
(01:00):
CHAMBER BY THE MAJORITY LEADER
AND IN RECENT MONTHS, THEY
SECURED SUPPORT FROM A MAJOR
LABOR UNION GROUP.
BUT CRITICS, INCLUDING THE
BUSINESS COUNCIL OF NEW YORK
STATE ARGUE THAT IF ENACTED, IT
WOULD ACTUALLY COST THE STATE
THOUSANDS OF JOBS AND NEGATIVELY
IMPACT THE ECONOMY.
IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, WE'LL SIT
(01:22):
DOWN WITH STATE SENATE DEPUTY
MAJORITY LEADER, MIKE GIANARIS
TO UNPACK THE PUSH TO REGULATE
MONOPOLIES IN THIS STATE.
WE'LL ALSO DIVE INTO WHAT MADE
FOR A VERY EVENTFUL STATE BUDGET
SEASON THIS YEAR.
HERE'S THAT INTERVIEW.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING
US HERE TODAY, LEADER.
(01:42):
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> NOW YOU'VE BEEN PUSHING FOR
LEGISLATION KNOWN AS THE 21ST
CENTURY ANTITRUST ACT, WHICH
WOULD ESSENTIALLY REGULATE
MONOPOLIES IN THE STATE.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS
LEGISLATION AND WHY IT IS
IMPORTANT FOR NEW YORKERS?
>> SURE. IN THEORY, MONOPOLY IS
ALREADY REGULATED.
THE PROBLEM IS WE HAVEN'T
UPDATED OUR LAWS IN 100 YEARS
(02:03):
AND SO THESE LAWS WERE WRITTEN
WHEN THE ROBBER BARRONS AND THE
STEEL INDUSTRY WERE THE ONES WHO
WERE DOMINATING THE ECONOMY, BUT
NOW WE HAVE A COMPLETELY
DIFFERENT LANDSCAPE.
IT'S MORE THE BIG TECH COMPANIES
THAT ARE IN THESE DOMINANT
POSITIONS AND THE PROBLEM IS THE
LAWS, AS THEY EXIST, DON'T
REALLY CONTEMPLATE OR THINK
ABOUT HOW TO TACKLE THE PROBLEMS
(02:24):
ASSOCIATED WITH MONOPOLIES IN
THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT, THE
DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT.
AND SO WE'RE ENDEAVORING TO
STRENGTHEN THESE LAWS, GIVE THEM
MORE TEETH, CHANGE THE STANDARD
BY WHICH THEY OPERATE AND ALSO
ALLOW UNILATERAL CONDUCT TO BE
COVERED.
UNDER THE CURRENT LAWS, YOU NEED
TWO ENTITIES TO COME TOGETHER,
(02:45):
CONSPIRE TO CONTROL THE MARKET.
BY PRICE FIXING OR WHATEVER
TOOLS THEY MIGHT USE.
BUT THE PROBLEM IS, CURRENTLY
THESE BIG COMPANIES ARE ENGAGING
IN INDIVIDUAL CONDUCT THAT IS
AFFECTING THE MARKETPLACE
DETRIMENTALLY.
FOR EXAMPLE, YOU MIGHT HAVE A
COMPANY THAT HAS A SEARCH ENGINE
THAT THEN CONTROLS WHICH RESULTS
(03:06):
APPEAR HIGHER UP ON THE LIST AND
THEN THEY MAY HAVE A FINANCIAL
INTEREST IN THE ONES THAT THEY
PLACE HIGHER.
SO THEREFORE, THEY'RE HURTING
THE COMPETITION AND ULTIMATELY
HURTING CONSUMERS BECAUSE THEY
ARE CONTROLLING WHAT CONSUMERS
SEE AND WHAT CONSUMERS GET TO
CHOOSE FROM.
THEY CAN DO THAT UNILATERALLY.
THEY CAN DO THAT BY THEMSELVES.
(03:26):
THAT BEHAVIOR IS NOT COVERED
UNDER THE CURRENT LAW.
THAT'S ONE EXAMPLE OF THE THINGS
THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET AT.
THE BIGGER PROBLEM IS THAT THESE
BIG TECH COMPANIES HAVE BECOME
INCREDIBLY POWERFUL AND ARE
CONTROLLING NOT JUST THE
MARKETPLACE BUT OFTENTIMES THEY
ATTEMPT TO CONTROL EVEN
GOVERNMENT DECISION MAKING.
IT'S BECOME A VERY DANGEROUS
ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT FOR THAT
(03:47):
REASON AND WE WANT TO STRENGTHEN
THE LAWS HERE IN NEW YORK TO
DEAL WITH THAT.
>> NOW, OF COURSE, THIS ISN'T A
NEW MEASURE.
IT'S BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE
LEGISLATURE FOR THE PAST FEW
YEARS, BUT WITH JUST A FEW WEEKS
LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION
THIS YEAR, WHY ARE YOU HOPEFUL
THAT IT WILL MAKE IT PAST THE
FINISH LINE?
>> WE PASSED IT IN THE SENATE
BEFORE.
WE'RE WORKING HARD TO GET OUR
COLLEAGUES IN THE ASSEMBLY TO
(04:07):
JOIN US.
THIS YEAR, THE MAJORITY LEADER
IN THE ASSEMBLY CRYSTAL PEOPLES
STOKES HAS INTRODUCED IT
SO THAT HAS GIVEN US A VERY POWERFUL
SUPPORTER AND SPONSOR ON THE
ASSEMBLY SIDE.
THE TEAMSTERS NATIONALLY HAVE
DECIDED THAT THIS IS SOMETHING
THAT IS A PRIORITY FOR THEM, AND
THEY ARE LEANING IN TO TRY TO
HELP GET IT DONE IN THE
ASSEMBLY.
SO HOPEFUL MORE THAN IN PREVIOUS
YEARS THAT WE'RE AT A POINT
(04:28):
WHERE IT CAN PASS BOTH HOUSES
AND GET TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.
>> AND THE BUSINESS COUNCIL
ASSERTED THAT THIS LEGISLATION,
IF ENACT, WOULD NEGATIVELY
IMPACT THE ECONOMY AND JOBS IN
THIS STATE.
CAN YOU TELL US YOUR PERSPECTIVE
ON THESE CONCERNS BY THE
COUNCIL?
>> WHAT A SURPRISE THAT THE
ENTITY THAT REPRESENTS THE BIG
COMPANIES THAT ARE DOMINATING
(04:48):
THE MARKETS IS AGAINST SOMETHING
THAT WOULD REGULATE THE BIG
COMPANIES THAT ARE DOMINATING
THE MARKETS.
THEY'RE RUNNING A SEVEN FIGURE
AD CAMPAIGN.
THE BUSINESS COUNCIL DOES NOT
HAVE THAT TYPE OF BUDGET.
I'VE KNOWN THEM A LONG TIME.
THAT MEANS TO ME THAT THESE
COMPANIES THAT WOULD BE DIRECTLY
AFFECTED BY THIS LEVEL OF
REGULATION ARE INVESTING IN
STOPPING THIS FROM HAPPENING.
(05:09):
IT MEANS THEY'RE SCARED IT'S
GOING TO HAPPEN.
I'M GLAD THEY'RE SCARED IT'S
GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE THEY ARE
ACTUALLY ENGAGING IN BEHAVIOR
THAT IS DETRIMENTAL TO THE
ECONOMY, AND THEY DON'T WANT TO
BE STOPPED.
SO WHAT WE ARE DOING IS HELPING
SMALL BUSINESSES, HELPING
MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES WHO ARE
CURRENTLY BEING SQUASHED AND
PUSHED OUT OF THE MARKETS BY THE
BIG BOYS TO GET A FOOTHOLD AND
(05:29):
HAVE SOME REGULATION THAT HELPS.
>> DOES THE BUDGET THIS YEAR
CARVE OUT ANY REGULATIONS FOR
MONOPOLIES IN THE STATE THIS
YEAR?
>> NO, THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THE
BILL, AND SO IT'S NOT A BUDGET
ISSUE IN THE SENSE THAT WE'RE
SPENDING STATE DOLLARS TO DO
THIS.
THIS IS ABOUT EMPOWERING THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL TO HAVE GREATER
ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY AGAINST
WHAT THESE COMPANIES ARE DOING.
(05:50):
>> AND ON THE BUDGET, WHAT ARE
YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS ON THE
BUDGET THIS YEAR AND ON THE
PROCESS?
>> IT WAS NOT TERRIFIC.
THE GOVERNOR INCREASINGLY HAS
BEEN DECIDING THAT THE WAY TO
ACHIEVE POLICY GOALS IS TO USE
THE BUDGET PROCESS.
THAT IS NOT WHAT WAS INTENDED TO
BE.
THE BUDGET SHOULD BE ABOUT THE
(06:11):
STATE SPENDING ITS DOLLARS IN
WAYS THAT HELP THE PEOPLE OF
THIS STATE AND INVESTING OUR
RESOURCES INTELLIGENTLY.
THE REASON IT WAS THE LATEST
IT'S BEEN IN OVER A DECADE IS
BECAUSE WE SPENT AN INORDINATE
AMOUNT OF TIME DISCUSSING AND
NEGOTIATING ON POLICIES THAT HAD
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH
THE BUDGET.
IT'S BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAS
GREATER POWER DURING THE BUDGET
(06:32):
PROCESS AND UNDER OUR
CONSTITUTION, AND SHE'S
ATTEMPTING TO USE THAT TO RAM
THROUGH HER POLICY OBJECTIVES
WHEN THAT'S SOMETHING THAT
SHOULD BE HANDLED OUTSIDE THE
CONTEXT OF THE BUDGET.
>> AND WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO
MAKE THE PROCESS EVEN BETTER?
>> WELL, WE HAVE A DILEMMA HERE.
IT'S REALLY ABOUT USING THE
RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH THE
GOVERNOR TO KEEP THOSE
(06:53):
DISCUSSIONS SEPARATED FROM THE
BUDGET.
UNFORTUNATELY, COURT DECISIONS
OVER THE YEARS HAVE MADE IT
CLEAR THAT GOVERNORS ARE ALLOWED
TO DO WHAT SHE HAS DONE.
BUT IT IS DRAGGING OUT BUDGET
LATER THAN IT NEEDS TO BE AND IT
IS INSERTING NON-BUDGETARY
CONVERSATIONS INTO THE BUDGET
PROCESS.
IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE, BUT WE'RE
(07:13):
TRYING TO GRAPPLE WITH THE FACT
THAT THIS IS WHAT WE'RE FACED
WITH IN THE MEANTIME.
WE COULD HAVE THE SAME LEVEL OF
CONVERSATION ON ALL THESE ISSUES
EITHER BEFORE THE BUDGET PROCESS
OR AFTER IT, BUT UNFORTUNATELY,
SHE HAS DECIDED TO MAKE IT BE
PART OF THE BUDGET CONVERSATION
WHEN IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE.
>> AND REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS AND
GOOD GOVERNMENT GROUPS ACROSS
THE STATE HAVE CALLED FOR
(07:35):
LEADERS TO NOT USE MESSAGES OF
NECESSITY ON BUDGET BILLS WHEN
THEY ARE BEING VOTED ON.
THEY SAY THAT THE PUBLIC, THE
PRESS IS LAWMAKERS DESERVE TO BE
ABLE TO LOOK THROUGH THE BUDGET
BILLS BEFORE THEY ARE ACTUALLY
VOTED ON.
SO I WANTED TO GET YOUR
PERSPECTIVE ON THESE CONCERNS
AND DO YOU THINK THAT THE STATE
SENATE WILL EVER TAKE UP THE
POSITION OF NOT USING MESSAGES
(07:57):
OF NECESSITY ON BUDGET BILLS?
>> MESSAGES OF NECESSITY ARE A
TOOL PROVIDED FOR UNDER OUR LAWS
AND CONSTITUTION.
THEY EXIST FOR A REASON.
I WOULD ARGUE WHEN THE BUDGET
IS, IN FACT, LATE AND WE'RE
ANXIOUS TO HAVE IT BE LESS LATE
THAT WAITING LONGER IS NOT
BENEFICIAL IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE REPUBLICANS, WHEN THEY HAVE
(08:18):
CONTROL OF THE SENATE FOR THE
BETTER PART OF A HUNDRED YEARS,
USED THEM WITH REGULARITY
HONESTLY TO MUCH GREATER DEGREE
THAN WE HAVE BEEN USING THEM
SINCE WE OBTAINED THE MAJORITY
SIX YEARS AGO.
AND SO IT'S NOT IDEAL IN TERMS
OF GOOD GOVERNANCE.
BUT IT'S REALLY A BYPRODUCT IN
THE FACT THAT THE BUDGET AS LATE
AS IT WAS, AS WE JUST DISCUSSED,
(08:39):
I WISH IT WASN'T AND IF THE
POLICY THAT WAS NON-BUDGETARY
WAS NOT PART OF THE CONVERSATION
IT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN.
BUT WE FACE WHAT'S IN FRONT OF
US AND HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT, AND
I THINK THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND
OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES
THROUGHOUT THE STATE WERE
ANXIOUS FOR THE BUDGET TO BE
CONCLUDED.
>> AND YEAR AFTER YEAR, THERE
HAVE BEEN INCREASED CALLS FOR
TRANSPARENCY ON THE BUDGET
PROCESS.
(09:00):
THIS YEAR, THOSE CALLS WERE EVEN
MORE PERTINENT WITH THE LOOMING
CUTS COMING DOWN FROM WASHINGTON
SERVING AS A BACKDROP ON BUDGET
NEGOTIATIONS.
SO I WANT US TO GET YOUR
PERSPECTIVE.
HOW TRANSPARENT DO YOU THINK THE
BUDGET PROCESS IS, AND WHAT ARE
THE STEPS THAT LEADERS CAN TAKE
TO MAKE IT EVEN MORE
TRANSPARENT?
>> IT'S NOT TERRIBLY
TRANSPARENT.
(09:20):
BUT WE HAVE THREE PARTIES AND WE
ALL HAVE WORK TOGETHER.
IF YOU WANT TO MAKE IT MORE
TRANSPARENT, WHICH I WOULD
CERTAINLY BE IN FAVOR OF, WE ALL
HAVE TO AGREE TO THAT.
WE CAN'T DO IT UNILATERALLY.
WE, AS A SENATE, HAVE DONE WHAT
WE COULD TO MAKE THE PROCESS
MORE OPEN AND FAIR.
IN FACT, OUR REPUBLICAN
COLLEAGUES THE DAY WE PASSED THE
BUDGET WERE COMPLIMENTARY OF OUR
APPROACH IN THE SENATE.
(09:41):
WE PROVIDED THE MINORITY WITH
THE INFORMATION AHEAD OF TIME,
SO THEY HAD AMPLE AMOUNT OF TIME
TO ANALYZE IT AND COMMENT ON IT.
WE HAD THE BILLS OUT THERE AS
EARLY AS WE COULD BEFORE WE
PASSED IT.
BUT WE CAN'T ENGAGE IN AN OPEN
PROCESS IF THE OTHER PARTIES
THAT WE NEGOTIATE WITH AREN'T
(10:01):
ALSO ON BOARD WITH THAT.
>> ARE YOU SAYING THAT THE
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER WOULD HAVE TO
LEAD THE EFFORTS TO MAKE IT EVEN
MORE TRANSPARENT?
>> WE'D ALL HAVE TO BE PART OF
IT.
WE WOULD HAVE TO EMPOWER THE
CONFERENCE COMMITTEES TO BE MORE
PUBLIC AND ENGAGE IN ADDITIONAL
MEETINGS AND HAVE THAT
INFORMATION BE OUT THERE FOR
PUBLIC CONSUMPTION.
IT'S REALLY A PROBLEM WE HAVE AS
(10:23):
IT RELATES TO TIMING BECAUSE IF
EVERYTHING IS WORKING ON THE
SCHEDULE AS IT SHOULD BE AND THE
BUDGET'S ON TIME, ALL OF THESE
THINGS CAN HAPPEN MORE EASILY,
BUT ONCE WE'RE LATE, THERE'S A
SCRAMBLE TO FINISH IN TIME SO
THAT WE DON'T CREATE ADDITIONAL
HARM TO THE RESIDENT OF THE
STATE BEYOND WHAT IS ALREADY
HAPPENING BECAUSE OF THE
LATENESS OF THE BUDGET.
SO ALL THESE ISSUES KIND OF WORK
(10:44):
TOGETHER.
IF WE TAKE THE POLICY OUT OF IT,
IF WE'RE DEALING WITH THE BUDGET
AND OPEN AND TRANSPARENT AHEAD
OF TIME AND IF THE BUDGET IS ON
TIME, THAT WOULD BE THE IDEAL.
SO WE TRY AND HAVE ALL OF THAT
HAPPEN OR AS MUCH OF IT HAPPEN
AS POSSIBLE, BUT ONCE THE
BUDGET'S LATE, ONCE THE
NON-BUDGET POLICIES ARE INSERTED
IN THERE, IT FORCES OUR HAND ON
A LOT OF THESE OTHER ISSUES.
(11:05):
>> AND WITH JUST A FEW WEEKS
LEFT UNTIL THE END OF THE
LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WHAT WOULD
MAKE FOR A SUCCESSFUL SESSION
FOR YOUR CONFERENCE?
>> WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO TACKLE
THE ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT
FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE.
WE MENTIONED THE ANTITRUST BILL,
AND THAT'S A BIG PRIORITY OF
MINE AS WE'RE SCRAMBLING TO THE
END HERE.
WE HAVE A VERY COMPRESSED
TIMEFRAME.
WE HAVE A LITTLE LESS THAN A
(11:25):
MONTH TO GO BEFORE WE ADJOURN
THE SESSION ENTIRELY.
WE NORMALLY WOULD HAVE ALMOST
THREE MONTHS OF POST-BUDGET
ACTIVITY.
ONCE AGAIN, LATE BUDGET IS NOW
IMPACTING ALL THE REST OF OUR
WORK.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF BILLS THAT
ARE PRIORITIES FROM MY
COLLEAGUES THAT WILL BE PASSING
HUNDREDS OF BILLS IN THE NEXT
THREE OR FOUR WEEKS.
THAT WILL TACKLE THE
AFFORDABILITY CRISIS THAT ARE
(11:46):
AFFECTING SO MANY PEOPLE AND
MAKE PEOPLE SAFER IN THEIR
COMMUNITIES.
ALL OF THE THING WE KNOW WE HAVE
TO DO AND WE HAVE LESS TIME TO
DO IT.
AND WE'LL BE WORKING EXTRA HARD
TO GET THAT DONE.
>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH
STATE SENATE DEPUTY MAJORITY
LEADER MIKE GIANARIS.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
FOR MORE ON OUR INTERVIEW WITH
THE STATE SENATE DEPUTY MAJORITY
LEADER, YOU CAN VISIT OUR
(12:07):
WEBSITE.
THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.
AND AS THE LEADER TOLD US, THIS
YEAR'S STATE BUDGET WAS DELAYED
BECAUSE OF SEVERAL CONTROVERSIAL
POLICY ITEMS.
IN THE LOWER CHAMBER ASSEMBLY
SPEAKER CARL HEASTIE AND THE
DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY HAVE LONG
HELD THE POSITION THAT POLICY
SHOULD BE SETTLED OUTSIDE OF THE
(12:28):
BUDGET, AND THIS YEAR WAS NO
DIFFERENT.
BUT EVEN GIVEN THAT POSITION,
THE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER HAS ALSO
ASSERTED THAT THIS YEAR'S BUDGET
MAY BE THE BEST BUDGET IN HIS 25
YEARS IN THE CHAMBER.
WE SAT DOWN WITH THE SPEAKER TO
UNDERSTAND WHAT MAKES THIS
BUDGET SO GREAT AND HIS
PRIORITIES THROUGH THE END OF
(12:49):
THE SESSION.
HERE'S THAT CONVERSATION.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING
THE TIME TO SIT DOWN WITH US,
SPEAKER.
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> I WANT TO GET YOUR OVERALL
THOUGHTS ON THE FINAL STATE
BUDGET.
WERE YOU HAPPY WITH THE FINAL
PRODUCT?
>> YEAH. AS I'VE BEEN SAYING, I
THINK THIS MAY BE THE BEST
BUDGET IN MY 25 YEARS HERE IN
(13:10):
THE ASSEMBLY.
NOT A FAN OF THE PROCESS BUT THE
FINAL PRODUCT WAS I THINK
SOMETHING THAT CHECKED A LOT OF
BOXES FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.
>> WHAT WERE SOME OF THOSE
BOXES, WOULD YOU SAY?
>> YOU KNOW, MIDDLE CLASS TAX
CUT, CHILD TAX CREDIT, FREE
SCHOOL MEALS FOR ALL CHILDREN
(13:32):
ACROSS THE STATE, PAYING OFF THE
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE DEBT
WHICH NOW ALLOWS US, WHICH IS
LIKE A TAX BREAK TO SMALL
BUSINESSES, AND ALSO ALLOWS US
TO WE WERE SAY 40 SOMETHING IN
TERMS OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
IN THE COUNTRY.
THIS NOW, I THINK, PUTS US IN
THE TOP 20 AFTER DOING THIS.
(13:54):
THIS IS JUST SOME OF THE
EXAMPLES OF THINGS THAT I THINK
CHECKED A LOT OF BOXES FOR
PEOPLE IN THE STATE.
>> SO WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF
WHEN IT COMES TO THE FINAL
PRODUCT?
HOW DO YOU THINK THE ASSEMBLY
PLAYED A ROLE IN THE FINAL
PRODUCT THIS YEAR?
>> YOU KNOW, I'M OKAY WITH
EVERYTHING.
I'M FINE WITH EVERYTHING.
I THINK WE PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN
(14:16):
THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE DEBT
BEING PAID OFF.
ALSO, YOU KNOW, MY ROLE IN
NEGOTIATING WITH THE FIVE CITY
D.A.S, INCLUDING MIKE MCMAHON
WHO IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE
STATEWIDE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
ASSOCIATION.
BUT I TELL YOU, WE PLAYED A ROLE
IN EVERYTHING, EVEN IF IT'S
SOMETHING THAT THE GOVERNOR
(14:36):
READS IN THEIR EXECUTIVE BUDGET,
THE LEGISLATURE, YOU KNOW, HAS
THE RIGHT TO REVIEW MAKE
RECOMMENDATIONS AND MAKE CHANGES
SO I'D SAY, YOU KNOW, I THINK
PART OF THE BUDGET WE PLAYED A
ROLE IN.
>> AND AS YOU SAID, THE PROCESS
CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT EVERY
YEAR.
IT'S VERY EXTENSIVE.
IT'S BEEN LATE THE PAST FEW
YEARS AND THIS YEAR, IT WAS 38
DAYS LATE WHICH IS THE LATEST
(14:57):
STATE BUDGET IN ABOUT 15 YEARS.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HOW THE
PROCESS WENT THIS YEAR?
>> WELL, I THINK THE-- THE
CONSTITUTION AND THEN THE
READING OF THE CONSTITUTION BY
THE COURT OF APPEALS ABOUT 20
YEAR AGO HAS GIVEN OUTSIZED
LEVERAGE TO THE GOVERNOR AND LET
ME BE VERY CLEAR.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT KATHY HOCHUL.
THIS IS SOMETHING EVERY GOVERNOR
(15:19):
HAS PLAYED SINCE PATAKI THAT
THEY FEEL THEY HAVE THE MOST
LEVERAGE IN THE BUDGET.
THAT'S WHY THEY ATTACH THEIR
POLICY PRIORITIES TO THE BUDGET,
AND THEY ALSO BELIEVE THE FACT
THAT LEGISLATORS DON'T GET PAID
DURING THIS IS LIKE A DOUBLE
LEVERAGE BETWEEN THE POWERS THAT
THE COURT OF APPEALS HAS GRANTED
THEM THROUGH SILVER VS. PATAKI
(15:41):
AND THE FACT THAT LEGISLATORS
DON'T GET PAID.
AND I CAN BE CLEAR, NOT ONE
LEGISLATOR COMPLAINED.
IT'S LIKE WE'RE KIND OF USED TO
IT AND KIND OF BUILT IN.
I JUST DON'T THINK THE PROCESS
IS GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.
THE PROCESS IS BEST WHEN THE
COEQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
ARE ACTUALLY COEQUAL AND NOT THE
(16:04):
SCALES BEING TIPPED BETWEEN THE
GOVERNOR HERE AND THE
LEGISLATURE.
IT'S A FRUSTRATING PROCESS, BUT
AGAIN, THE END PRODUCT WORKED.
>> SO IF YOU COULD MAKE CHANGES
TO THE BUDGET PROCESS, IS THERE
A WAY THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO DO
THAT?
WHAT COULD YOU SEE THAT COULD
POTENTIALLY CHANGE HERE THAT
MIGHT MAKE IT BETTER?
(16:24):
>> I MEAN, ANY CHANGES WOULD
HAVE TO PROBABLY BE I'D SAY
THROUGH THE CONSTITUTION.
ALL GOVERNORS JUST DECIDE NOT TO
INSTILL POLICY IN THE BUDGET
THAT DOESN'T HAVE A FISCAL WITH
IT.
BUT THE ACTUAL CHANGES WILL
PROBABLY HAVE TO BE DONE-- WOULD
HAVE TO BE DONE IN A
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WHICH
IS A VERY DIFFICULT UNDERTAKING.
(16:47):
>> AND YOU SAID MANY TIMES YOU
DON'T LIKE POLICY IN THE BUDGET
AND THERE WAS POLICY IN THIS
YEAR'S BUDGET.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT BEING
IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, THE FINAL
PRODUCT OF SOME OF THE POLICIES
THAT CAME OUT IN THE FINAL
PRODUCT?
>> WELL, FOR US IN THE ASSEMBLY,
WE BELIEVE A BUDGET SHOULD JUST
BE A FISCAL DOCUMENT.
BUT IF THERE'S AN ARTICLE 7 OR
POLICY THAT HAS A FISCAL NOTE
(17:07):
ATTACHED TO IT, BY ALL MEANS WE
SHOULD LOOK TO DO IT.
BUT JUST BECAUSE GOVERNORS FEEL
THEY HAVE THE MOST LEVERAGE DOES
NOT MEAN THAT POLICY SHOULD BE
BROUGHT UP.
GOVERNORS STILL HAVE THE RIGHT
TO INTRODUCE PROGRAM BILLS.
THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO VETO
BILLS.
BUT, LIKE I SAID, EVERY GOVERNOR
HAS USED THIS LEVERAGE SINCE
GOING BACK TO PATAKI.
(17:28):
>> HOW DO YOU THINK IT PLAYED A
ROLE IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET IN IS
THAT WHAT PUSHED IT INTO
OVERTIME?
>> NOT NECESSARILY.
EVEN THE THINGS THAT THE
GOVERNOR HAS RAISED IN HER
BUDGET WERE THINGS THAT WE
SAID,-I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE
SENATE, THEY ARE THINGS THAT I
AS A SPEAKER AND KNEW AS A
CONFERENCE THAT WE WERE OKAY IN
(17:49):
HANDLING AND DEALING WITH IT IN
TERMS OF THE CHANGES TO
DISCOVERY.
AS IN NO ONE WANTS CASES TO BE
DISMISSED ON TECHNICALITIES OR
INCONSEQUENTIAL THINGS SO WE
WERE VERY CLEAR ON THAT.
WE WERE ALSO VERY CLEAR THAT WE
WANTED PEOPLE WHO, YOU KNOW,
REALLY CAN TAKE CARE OF
THEMSELVES TO GET THE PROPER
(18:11):
ATTENTION AND HELP AND RESOURCES
BUT ALSO PEOPLE, IF THEY--
WHETHER THEY'RE INVOLUNTARILY
COMMITTED OR NOT THAT THERE'S
RESOURCES SO THAT PEOPLE DON'T
STAY IN THIS CYCLE.
SO THESE ARE THINGS WE ALL KIND
OF AGREED WITH, BUT, YOU KNOW,
GOVERNORS LIKE TO USE THE
LEVERAGE OF I'M NOT DOING A
BUDGET TO KIND PUSH THINGS IN
(18:34):
THEIR WAY.
I DON'T THINK IT WAS NECESSARILY
NECESSARY.
>> AND THE FINAL BUDGET PRODUCT
REFLECTED SOME ISSUES OF
AFFORDABILITY.
BUT THE GOVERNOR REALLY MADE A
GOAL AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS
PROCESS, BUT SOME LAWMAKERS,
BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS,
HAVE SAID THEY DIDN'T FEEL THIS
BUDGET REALLY TACKLED THAT
ISSUE.
I'M WONDERING HOW DO YOU FEEL
HOW AFFORDABILITY FIT INTO THE
(18:55):
FINAL BUDGET PRODUCT THIS YEAR?
>> I THINK IT WAS A LOT-- IF
PEOPLE WERE EXPECTING ONE HUGE
THING, I MEAN THERE WERE A LOT
OF VERY GOOD THINGS.
THE GOVERNOR WANTED TO DO A
REBATE CHECK, A REFUND TO PEOPLE
WHO ACTUALLY WE PAID MORE IN
SALES TAX BECAUSE OF, YOU KNOW,
(19:16):
THE INFLATION FACTOR ON THE COST
OF GOODS.
THERE'S THE CHILD TAX CREDIT.
THERE'S THE MIDDLE CLASS TAX
CUT.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS.
SO THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS
THAT HOPEFULLY WILL PUT MONEY
BACK IN THE TAXPAYERS' POCKETS.
>> AND FOUNDATION AID WAS ALSO A
BIG THING IN THE BUDGET THIS
(19:37):
YEAR.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HOW THAT
ENDED UP COMING TOGETHER IN THE
FINAL BUDGET PRODUCT?
IS THEY GOING TO ACHIEVE, YOU
KNOW, POSITIVE CHANGES THAT SOME
EDUCATION ADVOCATES WERE HOPING
THAT IT WOULD?
>> WELL, I'D SAY AT LEAST WE
WERE USING THE RECENT DATA.
BEFORE THIS YEAR, WE WERE USING
DATA INFORMED TO US DATING BACK
ABOUT-- OVER 20 YEARS AGO.
(19:59):
IT'S AN UPDATED FORMULA.
I'M SURE WE'RE GOING TO STILL
NEED TO LOOK TO INCORPORATE
OTHER THINGS THAT WERE SUGGESTED
FROM THE ROCKEFELLER REPORT.
I THINK WE'LL GO FROM THERE, BUT
IT WAS A GOOD START THIS YEAR.
>> SO YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT HOW IT
COULD PLAY OUT IN TERMS OF THE
SCHOOLS?
>> WELL, IT'S MORE MONEY.
(20:20):
IT'S MORE MONEY THAN INFLATION
SO I THINK EVERY YEAR WE TRY TO
GIVE AS MUCH MONEY TO THE
SCHOOLS SO THEY CAN GIVE OUR
KIDS FIRST CLASS EDUCATION.
>> AND TAKING A STEP AWAY
INTEREST BUDGET FOR A SECOND,
THE MEDICAL AID AND DYING BILL
THAT PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME
IN MANY YEARS.
IT'S BEEN STALLED.
HOW DO YOU THINK CAME TO BE,
(20:42):
CAME TO THE FLOOR?
>> I THINK THE ADVOCATES WORKED
AT THE BILL.
THEY TALKED TO MEMBERS AND THE
BILL SPONSOR.
THEY PUT IN THE HARD WORK THAT
PEOPLE SHOULD PUT IN.
OFTENTIMES THERE'S VERY LIMITED
SUPPORT AND PEOPLE STILL COME
AND DEMAND THAT THE LEGISLATURE
(21:02):
PASSES BILLS, BUT I'VE ALWAYS
SAID THIS IS A MEMBER-DRIVEN
CONFERENCE.
WHEN THERE WAS ENOUGH SUPPORT,
WE'D MOVE THE BILL FORWARD.
THEY WORKED AT THIS FOR A FEW
YEARS.
THEY JUST WORKED AND GOT PEOPLE
TO COMMIT TO SAYING THEY WOULD
VOTE FOR IT AND IN SOME CASES,
THEY ACTUALLY CHANGE SOME
(21:22):
MEMBERS' MINDS.
SO IT'S OLD-FASHIONED, YOU KNOW,
ELBOW GREASE THAT THE ADVOCATES
PUT IN TO GET THE BILL PASSED
AND THE BILL'S SPONSORS, SO AMY
WAS ALSO THE CHAIR AND SHE PUT
IN A LOT OF WORK AS WELL.
>> AND THERE'S ONLY A FEW WEEK
LEFT OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP PRIORITIES FOR
(21:43):
THE NEXT FEW WEEKS?
>> WELL, WE LOST ABOUT A MONTH
INTO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION
DEALING WITH THE BUDGET.
SO I EXTENDED AT LEAST ON THE
ASSEMBLY SIDE, WE'RE GOING TO DO
THREE MORE DAYS OF SESSION TO
TRY TO CONCENTRATE ON PASSING
MEMBERS PRIORITY BILLS, A LOT OF
LOCAL, BUT I WOULDN'T SAY
(22:03):
THERE'S ONE HUGE POLICY ITEM
THAT'S JUMPING OUT OF THE SO
IT'S REALLY JUST TRYING TO GET
TO PASSING THE MEMBERS' BILLS
AND TRYING TO MAKE UP FOR TIME
THAT WE LOST DURING THE BUDGET.
>> SO WILL LARGER BILLS LIKE THE
PACKAGING REDUCTION ACT MAKE IT
TO THE FLOOR?
I KNOW THAT WAS LAST MINUTE IT
DIDN'T MAKE IT IN THE LAST
SESSION.
>> WELL, WE CONFERENCED THE
BILL.
WE'RE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT
(22:23):
WHERE WE'RE GOING TO GO WITH
THAT.
>> OKAY. SO THERE MIGHT BE TIME,
BUT YOU MIGHT RUN OUT OF TIME.
>> WELL, AGAIN, IT'S REALLY UP
TO THE MEMBERS.
WHAT HAPPENS WITH CONFERENCE
BILLS, MEMBERS SPEAKING IN THE
FAVOR OF THE BILL.
THEY MAY HAVE CHANGES IN THE
BILL.
THEY MAY SAY THEY'RE AGAINST THE
BILL AND OFTENTIMES WE REACH OUT
(22:44):
TO MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT SPOKEN
YET.
SO WE'RE STILL SPANNING THE
ENTIRE CONFERENCE TO SEE WHERE
THEY ARE.
>> SO YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT THE
SESSION WILL BE EXTENDED ABOUT
THREE DAYS.
ARE YOU THINKING ANY LONGER THAN
THAT?
WHAT ARE YOU HOPE THAT WILL COME
OUT OF EXTENDING IT THREE DAYS?
>> I'M HOPING THOSE THREE DAYS
HELP US MAKE UP FOR, I'D SAY,
(23:04):
MAYBE THE 15 OR SO SESSION DAYS
THAT WE MISSED.
JUST AN ATTEMPT TO GIVE THE
MEMBERS A LITTLE MORE TIME AND
ATTENTION FOR THEIR BILLS
BECAUSE THE STAFF WAS
PRE-OCCUPIED.
OUR PROGRAM AND POLICY STAFF WAS
PRE-OCCUPIED BY DEALING AND
NEGOTIATING WITH THE BUDGET, AND
SO JUST TRYING TO GIVE A LITTLE
(23:25):
MORE TIME FOR THE STAFF AND THE
MEMBERS AND THE ADVOCATES TO
KIND OF GET IT PUT ON THE BILLS
>> HOW LIKELY IS IT THAT YOU
WILL POTENTIALLY HAVE TO COME
BACK FOR A SPECIAL SESSION?
I KNOW IN THE FINAL BUDGET,
THERE WAS A PROVISION TO ALLOW
THE GOVERNOR TO MAKE CUTS.
IF THERE ARE POTENTIALLY CHANGE
AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
(23:46):
DO YOU THINK IT'S LIKELY SHE'LL
MAKE THOSE CUTS ON HER OWN, OR
WILL YOU BE CALLED BACK FOR A
SPECIAL SESSION?
>> I THINK PEOPLE'S
INTERPRETATION OF WHAT WE
GRANTED THE GOVERNOR-- THE
GOVERNOR HAS THE ABILITY TO
SUGGEST CUTS, BUT IT WOULD HAVE
TO-- THE FIRST $2 BILLION WORTH
OF CUTS HAVE TO BE FILLED WITH
RESERVES.
SO ANYTHING ABOVE $2 BILLION IN
(24:07):
CUTS, THE GOVERNOR CAN MAKE A
SUGGESTION BUT THE LEGISLATURE
HAS THE ABILITY TO SAY YES OR SO
SAY NO, BUT ALSO I KNOW IN
WORKING WITH THIS GOVERNOR,
SHE'S NOT JUST GOING TO DROP X
AMOUNT OF CUTS ON US WITHOUT ANY
CONVERSATION OR INTERACTION.
SO THE GOVERNOR HAS THE ABILITY
TO SUGGEST CUTS AND IF WE AGREE
(24:27):
WE DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.
IF WE DON'T LIKE THE CUTS THAT
THE GOVERNOR'S SUGGESTING, WE
CAN PASS A RESOLUTION TO COME UP
WITH OUR OWN THAT THE GOVERNOR
CAN ACCEPT OR VETO.
>> SO YOU THINK IT'S LIKELY YOU
GUYS MIGHT HAVE TO COME BACK?
>> THAT'S ANOTHER QUESTION FOR
OUR SEVEN REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS IF THEY DO THINGS THAT
(24:48):
MAKE US COME BACK.
THAT'S NOT A QUESTION I CAN
ANSWER.
BUT IF THE REPUBLICAN-- THE
REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT, REPUBLICAN
SENATE, REPUBLICAN HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES MAKE DEVASTATING
CUTS TO THE STATE OF NEW YORK,
WE'LL COME BACK AND DEAL WITH IT
AND REMIND THE PEOPLE OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK WHO ARE PEOPLE
(25:10):
RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING US BACK
TO THAT POINT.
>> I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR TAKING TIME TO SIT DOWN WITH
US, SPEAKER.
>> MY PLEASURE.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON THE
SHOW.
>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH
ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CARL HEASTIE.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> AND FOR MORE ON OUR
DISCUSSION WITH SPEAKER HEASTIE,
YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.
(25:30):
AGAIN, THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.
IN ADDITION TO COVERING THE NEWS
OF WEEK, THE STATE CAPITOL PRESS
CORPS FOLKS FUN AT STATE LEADERS
FOR THE 123RD ANNUAL LCA SHOW.
THE THREE-HOUR COMEDY SHOW RECAP
THE NEWSWORTHY MOMENTS IN STATE
POLITICS FROM THE YEAR.
(25:50):
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL AND STATE
SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER ROB
ORTT ALSO DELIVERED REBUTTALS
THAT DID NOT DISAPPOINT.
FOR AN EXCLUSIVE RECAP OF THE
SHOW, YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE TO OUR
NEWSLETTER AT
NEWSLETTER.NYNOW.ORG, OR SCAN
THE QR CODE ON YOUR SCREEN.
(26:10):
WELL, THAT'S IT FOR THIS EDITION
OF "NEW YORK NOW."
THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE
YOU NEXT WEEK.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>>ANNOUNCER (26:35):
FUNDING FOR "NEW
YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
(00:19):
>> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.
FOR YEARS, STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE
BEEN PUSHING TO REGULATE
BUSINESS MONOPOLIES IN NEW YORK.
THE 21ST CENTURY ANTITRUST ACT
WOULD UPDATE THE STATE'S LAWS TO
TACKLE MONOPOLIES IN THE MODERN
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT.
IF ENACTED, THE STATE WOULD
(00:39):
CRACK DOWN ON CERTAIN BUSINESS
ENTERPRISES, SUCH AS BIG
TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES AND MAKE IT
HARDER FOR THEM TO CONTROL THE
MARKETPLACE.
SUPPORTERS SAY THAT THE
LEGISLATION IS LONG OVERDUE AND
ARE HOPEFUL THAT IT WILL MAKE IT
PAST THE LEGISLATIVE FINISH LINE
BEFORE JUNE.
THE BILL HAS ALSO BEEN
INTRODUCED IN THE ASSEMBLY
(01:00):
CHAMBER BY THE MAJORITY LEADER
AND IN RECENT MONTHS, THEY
SECURED SUPPORT FROM A MAJOR
LABOR UNION GROUP.
BUT CRITICS, INCLUDING THE
BUSINESS COUNCIL OF NEW YORK
STATE ARGUE THAT IF ENACTED, IT
WOULD ACTUALLY COST THE STATE
THOUSANDS OF JOBS AND NEGATIVELY
IMPACT THE ECONOMY.
IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, WE'LL SIT
(01:22):
DOWN WITH STATE SENATE DEPUTY
MAJORITY LEADER, MIKE GIANARIS
TO UNPACK THE PUSH TO REGULATE
MONOPOLIES IN THIS STATE.
WE'LL ALSO DIVE INTO WHAT MADE
FOR A VERY EVENTFUL STATE BUDGET
SEASON THIS YEAR.
HERE'S THAT INTERVIEW.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING
US HERE TODAY, LEADER.
(01:42):
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> NOW YOU'VE BEEN PUSHING FOR
LEGISLATION KNOWN AS THE 21ST
CENTURY ANTITRUST ACT, WHICH
WOULD ESSENTIALLY REGULATE
MONOPOLIES IN THE STATE.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS
LEGISLATION AND WHY IT IS
IMPORTANT FOR NEW YORKERS?
>> SURE. IN THEORY, MONOPOLY IS
ALREADY REGULATED.
THE PROBLEM IS WE HAVEN'T
UPDATED OUR LAWS IN 100 YEARS
(02:03):
AND SO THESE LAWS WERE WRITTEN
WHEN THE ROBBER BARRONS AND THE
STEEL INDUSTRY WERE THE ONES WHO
WERE DOMINATING THE ECONOMY, BUT
NOW WE HAVE A COMPLETELY
DIFFERENT LANDSCAPE.
IT'S MORE THE BIG TECH COMPANIES
THAT ARE IN THESE DOMINANT
POSITIONS AND THE PROBLEM IS THE
LAWS, AS THEY EXIST, DON'T
REALLY CONTEMPLATE OR THINK
ABOUT HOW TO TACKLE THE PROBLEMS
(02:24):
ASSOCIATED WITH MONOPOLIES IN
THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT, THE
DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT.
AND SO WE'RE ENDEAVORING TO
STRENGTHEN THESE LAWS, GIVE THEM
MORE TEETH, CHANGE THE STANDARD
BY WHICH THEY OPERATE AND ALSO
ALLOW UNILATERAL CONDUCT TO BE
COVERED.
UNDER THE CURRENT LAWS, YOU NEED
TWO ENTITIES TO COME TOGETHER,
(02:45):
CONSPIRE TO CONTROL THE MARKET.
BY PRICE FIXING OR WHATEVER
TOOLS THEY MIGHT USE.
BUT THE PROBLEM IS, CURRENTLY
THESE BIG COMPANIES ARE ENGAGING
IN INDIVIDUAL CONDUCT THAT IS
AFFECTING THE MARKETPLACE
DETRIMENTALLY.
FOR EXAMPLE, YOU MIGHT HAVE A
COMPANY THAT HAS A SEARCH ENGINE
THAT THEN CONTROLS WHICH RESULTS
(03:06):
APPEAR HIGHER UP ON THE LIST AND
THEN THEY MAY HAVE A FINANCIAL
INTEREST IN THE ONES THAT THEY
PLACE HIGHER.
SO THEREFORE, THEY'RE HURTING
THE COMPETITION AND ULTIMATELY
HURTING CONSUMERS BECAUSE THEY
ARE CONTROLLING WHAT CONSUMERS
SEE AND WHAT CONSUMERS GET TO
CHOOSE FROM.
THEY CAN DO THAT UNILATERALLY.
THEY CAN DO THAT BY THEMSELVES.
(03:26):
THAT BEHAVIOR IS NOT COVERED
UNDER THE CURRENT LAW.
THAT'S ONE EXAMPLE OF THE THINGS
THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET AT.
THE BIGGER PROBLEM IS THAT THESE
BIG TECH COMPANIES HAVE BECOME
INCREDIBLY POWERFUL AND ARE
CONTROLLING NOT JUST THE
MARKETPLACE BUT OFTENTIMES THEY
ATTEMPT TO CONTROL EVEN
GOVERNMENT DECISION MAKING.
IT'S BECOME A VERY DANGEROUS
ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT FOR THAT
(03:47):
REASON AND WE WANT TO STRENGTHEN
THE LAWS HERE IN NEW YORK TO
DEAL WITH THAT.
>> NOW, OF COURSE, THIS ISN'T A
NEW MEASURE.
IT'S BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE
LEGISLATURE FOR THE PAST FEW
YEARS, BUT WITH JUST A FEW WEEKS
LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION
THIS YEAR, WHY ARE YOU HOPEFUL
THAT IT WILL MAKE IT PAST THE
FINISH LINE?
>> WE PASSED IT IN THE SENATE
BEFORE.
WE'RE WORKING HARD TO GET OUR
COLLEAGUES IN THE ASSEMBLY TO
(04:07):
JOIN US.
THIS YEAR, THE MAJORITY LEADER
IN THE ASSEMBLY CRYSTAL PEOPLES
STOKES HAS INTRODUCED IT
SO THAT HAS GIVEN US A VERY POWERFUL
SUPPORTER AND SPONSOR ON THE
ASSEMBLY SIDE.
THE TEAMSTERS NATIONALLY HAVE
DECIDED THAT THIS IS SOMETHING
THAT IS A PRIORITY FOR THEM, AND
THEY ARE LEANING IN TO TRY TO
HELP GET IT DONE IN THE
ASSEMBLY.
SO HOPEFUL MORE THAN IN PREVIOUS
YEARS THAT WE'RE AT A POINT
(04:28):
WHERE IT CAN PASS BOTH HOUSES
AND GET TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.
>> AND THE BUSINESS COUNCIL
ASSERTED THAT THIS LEGISLATION,
IF ENACT, WOULD NEGATIVELY
IMPACT THE ECONOMY AND JOBS IN
THIS STATE.
CAN YOU TELL US YOUR PERSPECTIVE
ON THESE CONCERNS BY THE
COUNCIL?
>> WHAT A SURPRISE THAT THE
ENTITY THAT REPRESENTS THE BIG
COMPANIES THAT ARE DOMINATING
(04:48):
THE MARKETS IS AGAINST SOMETHING
THAT WOULD REGULATE THE BIG
COMPANIES THAT ARE DOMINATING
THE MARKETS.
THEY'RE RUNNING A SEVEN FIGURE
AD CAMPAIGN.
THE BUSINESS COUNCIL DOES NOT
HAVE THAT TYPE OF BUDGET.
I'VE KNOWN THEM A LONG TIME.
THAT MEANS TO ME THAT THESE
COMPANIES THAT WOULD BE DIRECTLY
AFFECTED BY THIS LEVEL OF
REGULATION ARE INVESTING IN
STOPPING THIS FROM HAPPENING.
(05:09):
IT MEANS THEY'RE SCARED IT'S
GOING TO HAPPEN.
I'M GLAD THEY'RE SCARED IT'S
GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE THEY ARE
ACTUALLY ENGAGING IN BEHAVIOR
THAT IS DETRIMENTAL TO THE
ECONOMY, AND THEY DON'T WANT TO
BE STOPPED.
SO WHAT WE ARE DOING IS HELPING
SMALL BUSINESSES, HELPING
MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES WHO ARE
CURRENTLY BEING SQUASHED AND
PUSHED OUT OF THE MARKETS BY THE
BIG BOYS TO GET A FOOTHOLD AND
(05:29):
HAVE SOME REGULATION THAT HELPS.
>> DOES THE BUDGET THIS YEAR
CARVE OUT ANY REGULATIONS FOR
MONOPOLIES IN THE STATE THIS
YEAR?
>> NO, THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THE
BILL, AND SO IT'S NOT A BUDGET
ISSUE IN THE SENSE THAT WE'RE
SPENDING STATE DOLLARS TO DO
THIS.
THIS IS ABOUT EMPOWERING THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL TO HAVE GREATER
ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY AGAINST
WHAT THESE COMPANIES ARE DOING.
(05:50):
>> AND ON THE BUDGET, WHAT ARE
YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS ON THE
BUDGET THIS YEAR AND ON THE
PROCESS?
>> IT WAS NOT TERRIFIC.
THE GOVERNOR INCREASINGLY HAS
BEEN DECIDING THAT THE WAY TO
ACHIEVE POLICY GOALS IS TO USE
THE BUDGET PROCESS.
THAT IS NOT WHAT WAS INTENDED TO
BE.
THE BUDGET SHOULD BE ABOUT THE
(06:11):
STATE SPENDING ITS DOLLARS IN
WAYS THAT HELP THE PEOPLE OF
THIS STATE AND INVESTING OUR
RESOURCES INTELLIGENTLY.
THE REASON IT WAS THE LATEST
IT'S BEEN IN OVER A DECADE IS
BECAUSE WE SPENT AN INORDINATE
AMOUNT OF TIME DISCUSSING AND
NEGOTIATING ON POLICIES THAT HAD
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH
THE BUDGET.
IT'S BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAS
GREATER POWER DURING THE BUDGET
(06:32):
PROCESS AND UNDER OUR
CONSTITUTION, AND SHE'S
ATTEMPTING TO USE THAT TO RAM
THROUGH HER POLICY OBJECTIVES
WHEN THAT'S SOMETHING THAT
SHOULD BE HANDLED OUTSIDE THE
CONTEXT OF THE BUDGET.
>> AND WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO
MAKE THE PROCESS EVEN BETTER?
>> WELL, WE HAVE A DILEMMA HERE.
IT'S REALLY ABOUT USING THE
RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH THE
GOVERNOR TO KEEP THOSE
(06:53):
DISCUSSIONS SEPARATED FROM THE
BUDGET.
UNFORTUNATELY, COURT DECISIONS
OVER THE YEARS HAVE MADE IT
CLEAR THAT GOVERNORS ARE ALLOWED
TO DO WHAT SHE HAS DONE.
BUT IT IS DRAGGING OUT BUDGET
LATER THAN IT NEEDS TO BE AND IT
IS INSERTING NON-BUDGETARY
CONVERSATIONS INTO THE BUDGET
PROCESS.
IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE, BUT WE'RE
(07:13):
TRYING TO GRAPPLE WITH THE FACT
THAT THIS IS WHAT WE'RE FACED
WITH IN THE MEANTIME.
WE COULD HAVE THE SAME LEVEL OF
CONVERSATION ON ALL THESE ISSUES
EITHER BEFORE THE BUDGET PROCESS
OR AFTER IT, BUT UNFORTUNATELY,
SHE HAS DECIDED TO MAKE IT BE
PART OF THE BUDGET CONVERSATION
WHEN IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE.
>> AND REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS AND
GOOD GOVERNMENT GROUPS ACROSS
THE STATE HAVE CALLED FOR
(07:35):
LEADERS TO NOT USE MESSAGES OF
NECESSITY ON BUDGET BILLS WHEN
THEY ARE BEING VOTED ON.
THEY SAY THAT THE PUBLIC, THE
PRESS IS LAWMAKERS DESERVE TO BE
ABLE TO LOOK THROUGH THE BUDGET
BILLS BEFORE THEY ARE ACTUALLY
VOTED ON.
SO I WANTED TO GET YOUR
PERSPECTIVE ON THESE CONCERNS
AND DO YOU THINK THAT THE STATE
SENATE WILL EVER TAKE UP THE
POSITION OF NOT USING MESSAGES
(07:57):
OF NECESSITY ON BUDGET BILLS?
>> MESSAGES OF NECESSITY ARE A
TOOL PROVIDED FOR UNDER OUR LAWS
AND CONSTITUTION.
THEY EXIST FOR A REASON.
I WOULD ARGUE WHEN THE BUDGET
IS, IN FACT, LATE AND WE'RE
ANXIOUS TO HAVE IT BE LESS LATE
THAT WAITING LONGER IS NOT
BENEFICIAL IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE REPUBLICANS, WHEN THEY HAVE
(08:18):
CONTROL OF THE SENATE FOR THE
BETTER PART OF A HUNDRED YEARS,
USED THEM WITH REGULARITY
HONESTLY TO MUCH GREATER DEGREE
THAN WE HAVE BEEN USING THEM
SINCE WE OBTAINED THE MAJORITY
SIX YEARS AGO.
AND SO IT'S NOT IDEAL IN TERMS
OF GOOD GOVERNANCE.
BUT IT'S REALLY A BYPRODUCT IN
THE FACT THAT THE BUDGET AS LATE
AS IT WAS, AS WE JUST DISCUSSED,
(08:39):
I WISH IT WASN'T AND IF THE
POLICY THAT WAS NON-BUDGETARY
WAS NOT PART OF THE CONVERSATION
IT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN.
BUT WE FACE WHAT'S IN FRONT OF
US AND HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT, AND
I THINK THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND
OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES
THROUGHOUT THE STATE WERE
ANXIOUS FOR THE BUDGET TO BE
CONCLUDED.
>> AND YEAR AFTER YEAR, THERE
HAVE BEEN INCREASED CALLS FOR
TRANSPARENCY ON THE BUDGET
PROCESS.
(09:00):
THIS YEAR, THOSE CALLS WERE EVEN
MORE PERTINENT WITH THE LOOMING
CUTS COMING DOWN FROM WASHINGTON
SERVING AS A BACKDROP ON BUDGET
NEGOTIATIONS.
SO I WANT US TO GET YOUR
PERSPECTIVE.
HOW TRANSPARENT DO YOU THINK THE
BUDGET PROCESS IS, AND WHAT ARE
THE STEPS THAT LEADERS CAN TAKE
TO MAKE IT EVEN MORE
TRANSPARENT?
>> IT'S NOT TERRIBLY
TRANSPARENT.
(09:20):
BUT WE HAVE THREE PARTIES AND WE
ALL HAVE WORK TOGETHER.
IF YOU WANT TO MAKE IT MORE
TRANSPARENT, WHICH I WOULD
CERTAINLY BE IN FAVOR OF, WE ALL
HAVE TO AGREE TO THAT.
WE CAN'T DO IT UNILATERALLY.
WE, AS A SENATE, HAVE DONE WHAT
WE COULD TO MAKE THE PROCESS
MORE OPEN AND FAIR.
IN FACT, OUR REPUBLICAN
COLLEAGUES THE DAY WE PASSED THE
BUDGET WERE COMPLIMENTARY OF OUR
APPROACH IN THE SENATE.
(09:41):
WE PROVIDED THE MINORITY WITH
THE INFORMATION AHEAD OF TIME,
SO THEY HAD AMPLE AMOUNT OF TIME
TO ANALYZE IT AND COMMENT ON IT.
WE HAD THE BILLS OUT THERE AS
EARLY AS WE COULD BEFORE WE
PASSED IT.
BUT WE CAN'T ENGAGE IN AN OPEN
PROCESS IF THE OTHER PARTIES
THAT WE NEGOTIATE WITH AREN'T
(10:01):
ALSO ON BOARD WITH THAT.
>> ARE YOU SAYING THAT THE
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER WOULD HAVE TO
LEAD THE EFFORTS TO MAKE IT EVEN
MORE TRANSPARENT?
>> WE'D ALL HAVE TO BE PART OF
IT.
WE WOULD HAVE TO EMPOWER THE
CONFERENCE COMMITTEES TO BE MORE
PUBLIC AND ENGAGE IN ADDITIONAL
MEETINGS AND HAVE THAT
INFORMATION BE OUT THERE FOR
PUBLIC CONSUMPTION.
IT'S REALLY A PROBLEM WE HAVE AS
(10:23):
IT RELATES TO TIMING BECAUSE IF
EVERYTHING IS WORKING ON THE
SCHEDULE AS IT SHOULD BE AND THE
BUDGET'S ON TIME, ALL OF THESE
THINGS CAN HAPPEN MORE EASILY,
BUT ONCE WE'RE LATE, THERE'S A
SCRAMBLE TO FINISH IN TIME SO
THAT WE DON'T CREATE ADDITIONAL
HARM TO THE RESIDENT OF THE
STATE BEYOND WHAT IS ALREADY
HAPPENING BECAUSE OF THE
LATENESS OF THE BUDGET.
SO ALL THESE ISSUES KIND OF WORK
(10:44):
TOGETHER.
IF WE TAKE THE POLICY OUT OF IT,
IF WE'RE DEALING WITH THE BUDGET
AND OPEN AND TRANSPARENT AHEAD
OF TIME AND IF THE BUDGET IS ON
TIME, THAT WOULD BE THE IDEAL.
SO WE TRY AND HAVE ALL OF THAT
HAPPEN OR AS MUCH OF IT HAPPEN
AS POSSIBLE, BUT ONCE THE
BUDGET'S LATE, ONCE THE
NON-BUDGET POLICIES ARE INSERTED
IN THERE, IT FORCES OUR HAND ON
A LOT OF THESE OTHER ISSUES.
(11:05):
>> AND WITH JUST A FEW WEEKS
LEFT UNTIL THE END OF THE
LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WHAT WOULD
MAKE FOR A SUCCESSFUL SESSION
FOR YOUR CONFERENCE?
>> WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO TACKLE
THE ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT
FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE.
WE MENTIONED THE ANTITRUST BILL,
AND THAT'S A BIG PRIORITY OF
MINE AS WE'RE SCRAMBLING TO THE
END HERE.
WE HAVE A VERY COMPRESSED
TIMEFRAME.
WE HAVE A LITTLE LESS THAN A
(11:25):
MONTH TO GO BEFORE WE ADJOURN
THE SESSION ENTIRELY.
WE NORMALLY WOULD HAVE ALMOST
THREE MONTHS OF POST-BUDGET
ACTIVITY.
ONCE AGAIN, LATE BUDGET IS NOW
IMPACTING ALL THE REST OF OUR
WORK.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF BILLS THAT
ARE PRIORITIES FROM MY
COLLEAGUES THAT WILL BE PASSING
HUNDREDS OF BILLS IN THE NEXT
THREE OR FOUR WEEKS.
THAT WILL TACKLE THE
AFFORDABILITY CRISIS THAT ARE
(11:46):
AFFECTING SO MANY PEOPLE AND
MAKE PEOPLE SAFER IN THEIR
COMMUNITIES.
ALL OF THE THING WE KNOW WE HAVE
TO DO AND WE HAVE LESS TIME TO
DO IT.
AND WE'LL BE WORKING EXTRA HARD
TO GET THAT DONE.
>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH
STATE SENATE DEPUTY MAJORITY
LEADER MIKE GIANARIS.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
FOR MORE ON OUR INTERVIEW WITH
THE STATE SENATE DEPUTY MAJORITY
LEADER, YOU CAN VISIT OUR
(12:07):
WEBSITE.
THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.
AND AS THE LEADER TOLD US, THIS
YEAR'S STATE BUDGET WAS DELAYED
BECAUSE OF SEVERAL CONTROVERSIAL
POLICY ITEMS.
IN THE LOWER CHAMBER ASSEMBLY
SPEAKER CARL HEASTIE AND THE
DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY HAVE LONG
HELD THE POSITION THAT POLICY
SHOULD BE SETTLED OUTSIDE OF THE
(12:28):
BUDGET, AND THIS YEAR WAS NO
DIFFERENT.
BUT EVEN GIVEN THAT POSITION,
THE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER HAS ALSO
ASSERTED THAT THIS YEAR'S BUDGET
MAY BE THE BEST BUDGET IN HIS 25
YEARS IN THE CHAMBER.
WE SAT DOWN WITH THE SPEAKER TO
UNDERSTAND WHAT MAKES THIS
BUDGET SO GREAT AND HIS
PRIORITIES THROUGH THE END OF
(12:49):
THE SESSION.
HERE'S THAT CONVERSATION.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING
THE TIME TO SIT DOWN WITH US,
SPEAKER.
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> I WANT TO GET YOUR OVERALL
THOUGHTS ON THE FINAL STATE
BUDGET.
WERE YOU HAPPY WITH THE FINAL
PRODUCT?
>> YEAH. AS I'VE BEEN SAYING, I
THINK THIS MAY BE THE BEST
BUDGET IN MY 25 YEARS HERE IN
(13:10):
THE ASSEMBLY.
NOT A FAN OF THE PROCESS BUT THE
FINAL PRODUCT WAS I THINK
SOMETHING THAT CHECKED A LOT OF
BOXES FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.
>> WHAT WERE SOME OF THOSE
BOXES, WOULD YOU SAY?
>> YOU KNOW, MIDDLE CLASS TAX
CUT, CHILD TAX CREDIT, FREE
SCHOOL MEALS FOR ALL CHILDREN
(13:32):
ACROSS THE STATE, PAYING OFF THE
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE DEBT
WHICH NOW ALLOWS US, WHICH IS
LIKE A TAX BREAK TO SMALL
BUSINESSES, AND ALSO ALLOWS US
TO WE WERE SAY 40 SOMETHING IN
TERMS OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
IN THE COUNTRY.
THIS NOW, I THINK, PUTS US IN
THE TOP 20 AFTER DOING THIS.
(13:54):
THIS IS JUST SOME OF THE
EXAMPLES OF THINGS THAT I THINK
CHECKED A LOT OF BOXES FOR
PEOPLE IN THE STATE.
>> SO WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF
WHEN IT COMES TO THE FINAL
PRODUCT?
HOW DO YOU THINK THE ASSEMBLY
PLAYED A ROLE IN THE FINAL
PRODUCT THIS YEAR?
>> YOU KNOW, I'M OKAY WITH
EVERYTHING.
I'M FINE WITH EVERYTHING.
I THINK WE PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN
(14:16):
THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE DEBT
BEING PAID OFF.
ALSO, YOU KNOW, MY ROLE IN
NEGOTIATING WITH THE FIVE CITY
D.A.S, INCLUDING MIKE MCMAHON
WHO IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE
STATEWIDE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
ASSOCIATION.
BUT I TELL YOU, WE PLAYED A ROLE
IN EVERYTHING, EVEN IF IT'S
SOMETHING THAT THE GOVERNOR
(14:36):
READS IN THEIR EXECUTIVE BUDGET,
THE LEGISLATURE, YOU KNOW, HAS
THE RIGHT TO REVIEW MAKE
RECOMMENDATIONS AND MAKE CHANGES
SO I'D SAY, YOU KNOW, I THINK
PART OF THE BUDGET WE PLAYED A
ROLE IN.
>> AND AS YOU SAID, THE PROCESS
CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT EVERY
YEAR.
IT'S VERY EXTENSIVE.
IT'S BEEN LATE THE PAST FEW
YEARS AND THIS YEAR, IT WAS 38
DAYS LATE WHICH IS THE LATEST
(14:57):
STATE BUDGET IN ABOUT 15 YEARS.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HOW THE
PROCESS WENT THIS YEAR?
>> WELL, I THINK THE-- THE
CONSTITUTION AND THEN THE
READING OF THE CONSTITUTION BY
THE COURT OF APPEALS ABOUT 20
YEAR AGO HAS GIVEN OUTSIZED
LEVERAGE TO THE GOVERNOR AND LET
ME BE VERY CLEAR.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT KATHY HOCHUL.
THIS IS SOMETHING EVERY GOVERNOR
(15:19):
HAS PLAYED SINCE PATAKI THAT
THEY FEEL THEY HAVE THE MOST
LEVERAGE IN THE BUDGET.
THAT'S WHY THEY ATTACH THEIR
POLICY PRIORITIES TO THE BUDGET,
AND THEY ALSO BELIEVE THE FACT
THAT LEGISLATORS DON'T GET PAID
DURING THIS IS LIKE A DOUBLE
LEVERAGE BETWEEN THE POWERS THAT
THE COURT OF APPEALS HAS GRANTED
THEM THROUGH SILVER VS. PATAKI
(15:41):
AND THE FACT THAT LEGISLATORS
DON'T GET PAID.
AND I CAN BE CLEAR, NOT ONE
LEGISLATOR COMPLAINED.
IT'S LIKE WE'RE KIND OF USED TO
IT AND KIND OF BUILT IN.
I JUST DON'T THINK THE PROCESS
IS GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.
THE PROCESS IS BEST WHEN THE
COEQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
ARE ACTUALLY COEQUAL AND NOT THE
(16:04):
SCALES BEING TIPPED BETWEEN THE
GOVERNOR HERE AND THE
LEGISLATURE.
IT'S A FRUSTRATING PROCESS, BUT
AGAIN, THE END PRODUCT WORKED.
>> SO IF YOU COULD MAKE CHANGES
TO THE BUDGET PROCESS, IS THERE
A WAY THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO DO
THAT?
WHAT COULD YOU SEE THAT COULD
POTENTIALLY CHANGE HERE THAT
MIGHT MAKE IT BETTER?
(16:24):
>> I MEAN, ANY CHANGES WOULD
HAVE TO PROBABLY BE I'D SAY
THROUGH THE CONSTITUTION.
ALL GOVERNORS JUST DECIDE NOT TO
INSTILL POLICY IN THE BUDGET
THAT DOESN'T HAVE A FISCAL WITH
IT.
BUT THE ACTUAL CHANGES WILL
PROBABLY HAVE TO BE DONE-- WOULD
HAVE TO BE DONE IN A
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WHICH
IS A VERY DIFFICULT UNDERTAKING.
(16:47):
>> AND YOU SAID MANY TIMES YOU
DON'T LIKE POLICY IN THE BUDGET
AND THERE WAS POLICY IN THIS
YEAR'S BUDGET.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT BEING
IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, THE FINAL
PRODUCT OF SOME OF THE POLICIES
THAT CAME OUT IN THE FINAL
PRODUCT?
>> WELL, FOR US IN THE ASSEMBLY,
WE BELIEVE A BUDGET SHOULD JUST
BE A FISCAL DOCUMENT.
BUT IF THERE'S AN ARTICLE 7 OR
POLICY THAT HAS A FISCAL NOTE
(17:07):
ATTACHED TO IT, BY ALL MEANS WE
SHOULD LOOK TO DO IT.
BUT JUST BECAUSE GOVERNORS FEEL
THEY HAVE THE MOST LEVERAGE DOES
NOT MEAN THAT POLICY SHOULD BE
BROUGHT UP.
GOVERNORS STILL HAVE THE RIGHT
TO INTRODUCE PROGRAM BILLS.
THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO VETO
BILLS.
BUT, LIKE I SAID, EVERY GOVERNOR
HAS USED THIS LEVERAGE SINCE
GOING BACK TO PATAKI.
(17:28):
>> HOW DO YOU THINK IT PLAYED A
ROLE IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET IN IS
THAT WHAT PUSHED IT INTO
OVERTIME?
>> NOT NECESSARILY.
EVEN THE THINGS THAT THE
GOVERNOR HAS RAISED IN HER
BUDGET WERE THINGS THAT WE
SAID,-I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE
SENATE, THEY ARE THINGS THAT I
AS A SPEAKER AND KNEW AS A
CONFERENCE THAT WE WERE OKAY IN
(17:49):
HANDLING AND DEALING WITH IT IN
TERMS OF THE CHANGES TO
DISCOVERY.
AS IN NO ONE WANTS CASES TO BE
DISMISSED ON TECHNICALITIES OR
INCONSEQUENTIAL THINGS SO WE
WERE VERY CLEAR ON THAT.
WE WERE ALSO VERY CLEAR THAT WE
WANTED PEOPLE WHO, YOU KNOW,
REALLY CAN TAKE CARE OF
THEMSELVES TO GET THE PROPER
(18:11):
ATTENTION AND HELP AND RESOURCES
BUT ALSO PEOPLE, IF THEY--
WHETHER THEY'RE INVOLUNTARILY
COMMITTED OR NOT THAT THERE'S
RESOURCES SO THAT PEOPLE DON'T
STAY IN THIS CYCLE.
SO THESE ARE THINGS WE ALL KIND
OF AGREED WITH, BUT, YOU KNOW,
GOVERNORS LIKE TO USE THE
LEVERAGE OF I'M NOT DOING A
BUDGET TO KIND PUSH THINGS IN
(18:34):
THEIR WAY.
I DON'T THINK IT WAS NECESSARILY
NECESSARY.
>> AND THE FINAL BUDGET PRODUCT
REFLECTED SOME ISSUES OF
AFFORDABILITY.
BUT THE GOVERNOR REALLY MADE A
GOAL AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS
PROCESS, BUT SOME LAWMAKERS,
BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS,
HAVE SAID THEY DIDN'T FEEL THIS
BUDGET REALLY TACKLED THAT
ISSUE.
I'M WONDERING HOW DO YOU FEEL
HOW AFFORDABILITY FIT INTO THE
(18:55):
FINAL BUDGET PRODUCT THIS YEAR?
>> I THINK IT WAS A LOT-- IF
PEOPLE WERE EXPECTING ONE HUGE
THING, I MEAN THERE WERE A LOT
OF VERY GOOD THINGS.
THE GOVERNOR WANTED TO DO A
REBATE CHECK, A REFUND TO PEOPLE
WHO ACTUALLY WE PAID MORE IN
SALES TAX BECAUSE OF, YOU KNOW,
(19:16):
THE INFLATION FACTOR ON THE COST
OF GOODS.
THERE'S THE CHILD TAX CREDIT.
THERE'S THE MIDDLE CLASS TAX
CUT.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS.
SO THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS
THAT HOPEFULLY WILL PUT MONEY
BACK IN THE TAXPAYERS' POCKETS.
>> AND FOUNDATION AID WAS ALSO A
BIG THING IN THE BUDGET THIS
(19:37):
YEAR.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HOW THAT
ENDED UP COMING TOGETHER IN THE
FINAL BUDGET PRODUCT?
IS THEY GOING TO ACHIEVE, YOU
KNOW, POSITIVE CHANGES THAT SOME
EDUCATION ADVOCATES WERE HOPING
THAT IT WOULD?
>> WELL, I'D SAY AT LEAST WE
WERE USING THE RECENT DATA.
BEFORE THIS YEAR, WE WERE USING
DATA INFORMED TO US DATING BACK
ABOUT-- OVER 20 YEARS AGO.
(19:59):
IT'S AN UPDATED FORMULA.
I'M SURE WE'RE GOING TO STILL
NEED TO LOOK TO INCORPORATE
OTHER THINGS THAT WERE SUGGESTED
FROM THE ROCKEFELLER REPORT.
I THINK WE'LL GO FROM THERE, BUT
IT WAS A GOOD START THIS YEAR.
>> SO YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT HOW IT
COULD PLAY OUT IN TERMS OF THE
SCHOOLS?
>> WELL, IT'S MORE MONEY.
(20:20):
IT'S MORE MONEY THAN INFLATION
SO I THINK EVERY YEAR WE TRY TO
GIVE AS MUCH MONEY TO THE
SCHOOLS SO THEY CAN GIVE OUR
KIDS FIRST CLASS EDUCATION.
>> AND TAKING A STEP AWAY
INTEREST BUDGET FOR A SECOND,
THE MEDICAL AID AND DYING BILL
THAT PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME
IN MANY YEARS.
IT'S BEEN STALLED.
HOW DO YOU THINK CAME TO BE,
(20:42):
CAME TO THE FLOOR?
>> I THINK THE ADVOCATES WORKED
AT THE BILL.
THEY TALKED TO MEMBERS AND THE
BILL SPONSOR.
THEY PUT IN THE HARD WORK THAT
PEOPLE SHOULD PUT IN.
OFTENTIMES THERE'S VERY LIMITED
SUPPORT AND PEOPLE STILL COME
AND DEMAND THAT THE LEGISLATURE
(21:02):
PASSES BILLS, BUT I'VE ALWAYS
SAID THIS IS A MEMBER-DRIVEN
CONFERENCE.
WHEN THERE WAS ENOUGH SUPPORT,
WE'D MOVE THE BILL FORWARD.
THEY WORKED AT THIS FOR A FEW
YEARS.
THEY JUST WORKED AND GOT PEOPLE
TO COMMIT TO SAYING THEY WOULD
VOTE FOR IT AND IN SOME CASES,
THEY ACTUALLY CHANGE SOME
(21:22):
MEMBERS' MINDS.
SO IT'S OLD-FASHIONED, YOU KNOW,
ELBOW GREASE THAT THE ADVOCATES
PUT IN TO GET THE BILL PASSED
AND THE BILL'S SPONSORS, SO AMY
WAS ALSO THE CHAIR AND SHE PUT
IN A LOT OF WORK AS WELL.
>> AND THERE'S ONLY A FEW WEEK
LEFT OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP PRIORITIES FOR
(21:43):
THE NEXT FEW WEEKS?
>> WELL, WE LOST ABOUT A MONTH
INTO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION
DEALING WITH THE BUDGET.
SO I EXTENDED AT LEAST ON THE
ASSEMBLY SIDE, WE'RE GOING TO DO
THREE MORE DAYS OF SESSION TO
TRY TO CONCENTRATE ON PASSING
MEMBERS PRIORITY BILLS, A LOT OF
LOCAL, BUT I WOULDN'T SAY
(22:03):
THERE'S ONE HUGE POLICY ITEM
THAT'S JUMPING OUT OF THE SO
IT'S REALLY JUST TRYING TO GET
TO PASSING THE MEMBERS' BILLS
AND TRYING TO MAKE UP FOR TIME
THAT WE LOST DURING THE BUDGET.
>> SO WILL LARGER BILLS LIKE THE
PACKAGING REDUCTION ACT MAKE IT
TO THE FLOOR?
I KNOW THAT WAS LAST MINUTE IT
DIDN'T MAKE IT IN THE LAST
SESSION.
>> WELL, WE CONFERENCED THE
BILL.
WE'RE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT
(22:23):
WHERE WE'RE GOING TO GO WITH
THAT.
>> OKAY. SO THERE MIGHT BE TIME,
BUT YOU MIGHT RUN OUT OF TIME.
>> WELL, AGAIN, IT'S REALLY UP
TO THE MEMBERS.
WHAT HAPPENS WITH CONFERENCE
BILLS, MEMBERS SPEAKING IN THE
FAVOR OF THE BILL.
THEY MAY HAVE CHANGES IN THE
BILL.
THEY MAY SAY THEY'RE AGAINST THE
BILL AND OFTENTIMES WE REACH OUT
(22:44):
TO MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT SPOKEN
YET.
SO WE'RE STILL SPANNING THE
ENTIRE CONFERENCE TO SEE WHERE
THEY ARE.
>> SO YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT THE
SESSION WILL BE EXTENDED ABOUT
THREE DAYS.
ARE YOU THINKING ANY LONGER THAN
THAT?
WHAT ARE YOU HOPE THAT WILL COME
OUT OF EXTENDING IT THREE DAYS?
>> I'M HOPING THOSE THREE DAYS
HELP US MAKE UP FOR, I'D SAY,
(23:04):
MAYBE THE 15 OR SO SESSION DAYS
THAT WE MISSED.
JUST AN ATTEMPT TO GIVE THE
MEMBERS A LITTLE MORE TIME AND
ATTENTION FOR THEIR BILLS
BECAUSE THE STAFF WAS
PRE-OCCUPIED.
OUR PROGRAM AND POLICY STAFF WAS
PRE-OCCUPIED BY DEALING AND
NEGOTIATING WITH THE BUDGET, AND
SO JUST TRYING TO GIVE A LITTLE
(23:25):
MORE TIME FOR THE STAFF AND THE
MEMBERS AND THE ADVOCATES TO
KIND OF GET IT PUT ON THE BILLS
>> HOW LIKELY IS IT THAT YOU
WILL POTENTIALLY HAVE TO COME
BACK FOR A SPECIAL SESSION?
I KNOW IN THE FINAL BUDGET,
THERE WAS A PROVISION TO ALLOW
THE GOVERNOR TO MAKE CUTS.
IF THERE ARE POTENTIALLY CHANGE
AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
(23:46):
DO YOU THINK IT'S LIKELY SHE'LL
MAKE THOSE CUTS ON HER OWN, OR
WILL YOU BE CALLED BACK FOR A
SPECIAL SESSION?
>> I THINK PEOPLE'S
INTERPRETATION OF WHAT WE
GRANTED THE GOVERNOR-- THE
GOVERNOR HAS THE ABILITY TO
SUGGEST CUTS, BUT IT WOULD HAVE
TO-- THE FIRST $2 BILLION WORTH
OF CUTS HAVE TO BE FILLED WITH
RESERVES.
SO ANYTHING ABOVE $2 BILLION IN
(24:07):
CUTS, THE GOVERNOR CAN MAKE A
SUGGESTION BUT THE LEGISLATURE
HAS THE ABILITY TO SAY YES OR SO
SAY NO, BUT ALSO I KNOW IN
WORKING WITH THIS GOVERNOR,
SHE'S NOT JUST GOING TO DROP X
AMOUNT OF CUTS ON US WITHOUT ANY
CONVERSATION OR INTERACTION.
SO THE GOVERNOR HAS THE ABILITY
TO SUGGEST CUTS AND IF WE AGREE
(24:27):
WE DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.
IF WE DON'T LIKE THE CUTS THAT
THE GOVERNOR'S SUGGESTING, WE
CAN PASS A RESOLUTION TO COME UP
WITH OUR OWN THAT THE GOVERNOR
CAN ACCEPT OR VETO.
>> SO YOU THINK IT'S LIKELY YOU
GUYS MIGHT HAVE TO COME BACK?
>> THAT'S ANOTHER QUESTION FOR
OUR SEVEN REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS IF THEY DO THINGS THAT
(24:48):
MAKE US COME BACK.
THAT'S NOT A QUESTION I CAN
ANSWER.
BUT IF THE REPUBLICAN-- THE
REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT, REPUBLICAN
SENATE, REPUBLICAN HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES MAKE DEVASTATING
CUTS TO THE STATE OF NEW YORK,
WE'LL COME BACK AND DEAL WITH IT
AND REMIND THE PEOPLE OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK WHO ARE PEOPLE
(25:10):
RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING US BACK
TO THAT POINT.
>> I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR TAKING TIME TO SIT DOWN WITH
US, SPEAKER.
>> MY PLEASURE.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON THE
SHOW.
>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH
ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CARL HEASTIE.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> AND FOR MORE ON OUR
DISCUSSION WITH SPEAKER HEASTIE,
YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.
(25:30):
AGAIN, THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.
IN ADDITION TO COVERING THE NEWS
OF WEEK, THE STATE CAPITOL PRESS
CORPS FOLKS FUN AT STATE LEADERS
FOR THE 123RD ANNUAL LCA SHOW.
THE THREE-HOUR COMEDY SHOW RECAP
THE NEWSWORTHY MOMENTS IN STATE
POLITICS FROM THE YEAR.
(25:50):
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL AND STATE
SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER ROB
ORTT ALSO DELIVERED REBUTTALS
THAT DID NOT DISAPPOINT.
FOR AN EXCLUSIVE RECAP OF THE
SHOW, YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE TO OUR
NEWSLETTER AT
NEWSLETTER.NYNOW.ORG, OR SCAN
THE QR CODE ON YOUR SCREEN.
(26:10):
WELL, THAT'S IT FOR THIS EDITION
OF "NEW YORK NOW."
THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE
YOU NEXT WEEK.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>>ANNOUNCER (26:35):
FUNDING FOR "NEW
YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.
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