March 14, 2025 • 26 mins
The Assembly and State Senate released their respective one-house budget proposals officially kicking off budget negotiations. We dive into lawmakers' approach to affordability this year - centered around housing, tax credits and wages. State Sen. Kevin Parker (D - Chair, Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee) joins us to discuss the push to help New Yorkers against high utility rates.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
[ THEME MUSIC ]
(00:19):
>> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.
THIS WEEK, BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE
LEGISLATURE RELEASED THEIR
RESPECTIVE ONE-HOUSE BUDGET
RESOLUTIONS.
BOTH CHAMBERS REJECTED PARTS OF
THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE BUDGET
PROPOSAL WHILE ADDING SOME OF
THEIR OWN PROVISIONS.
THE MAIN DEVIATIONS WERE AROUND
INVOLUNTARY CONFINEMENT,
(00:40):
DISCOVERY REFORM AND THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED REBATE
CHECKS.
STATE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER,
ANDREA STEWART-COUSIN, TOLD
REPORTERS THAT HER CONFERENCE
CRAFTED THE BUDGET WITH A FOCUS
ON AFFORDABILITY.
>> THE SENATE DEMOCRAT MAKE
JOTTER IS FIGHTING TO KEEP NEW
YORK AFFORDABLE AND PROVIDE REAL
(01:01):
RELIEF FOR FAMILIES, WORKERS AND
SMALL BUSINESSES.
>> AND WHILE TAKING QUESTIONS
FROM REPORTERS, ASSEMBLY SPEAKER
CARL HEASTIE REITERATED HIS
CHAMBER'S POSITION THAT SPECIFIC
POLICY ITEMS SHOULD BE DISCUSSED
OUTSIDE OF BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS.
>> THE GOVERNOR HAS THE RIGHT TO
RAISE ANYTHING AT THE TABLE.
(01:21):
JUST LIKE THE SENATE DOES.
THE SENATE PUT A LOT OF POLICY
INTO THEIR BUDGET.
BUT THIS IS JUST SOMETHING THAT
THE ASSEMBLY DECIDED A FEW YEARS
AGO THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE
MOST OF THE BUDGET DISCUSSION ON
ACTUAL NUMBERS FOR THE STATE.
>> NOW THAT THE LEGISLATURE'S
RESOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN RELEASED,
THE GOVERNOR AND LEADERS CAN
OFFICIALLY START NEGOTIATIONS IN
(01:43):
GOOD FAITH.
IT'S ALSO CLEAR THAT THE MAIN
FOCUS OF THE TRIO HEADING INTO
BUDGET TALKS IS AFFORDABILITY.
NOW THAT CAN BE DONE IN A
VARIETY OF WAYS, SUCH AS
FOCUSING ON HOUSING, WAGES AND
TAX CREDITS.
SO TO UNPACK THE DIFFERENT WAYS
TO ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY IN THE
STATE THIS YEAR, HERE'S OUR
(02:03):
ELISE KLINE WITH A DEEP DIVE.
>> STATE LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO
ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY BEFORE THE
LEGISLATIVE SESSION COMES TO AN
END IN JUNE.
THEY ARE TRYING TO TACKLE THE
ISSUE ON SEVERAL FRONTS,
INCLUDING HOUSING, WAGES, AND
TAXES.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONTINUES
THIS YEAR TO BE A BIG TOPIC OF
DISCUSSION AS BUDGET
CONVERSATIONS MOVE TOWARD A
FINAL BUDGET.
(02:23):
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF HOMES
AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL
COMMISSIONER RUTHANNE VISNAUSKAS
SAYS THE BIGGEST WAY TO BRING
DOWN HOUSING COSTS IS THROUGH
SUPPLY.
>> ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE CAN
HELP BRING DOWN THAT PRESSURE
AND THE RISING COSTS IS BY
HAVING MORE SUPPLY.
SO WE NEED TO WORK WITH
LOCALITIES TO GET MORE HOUSING
BUILT.
WE NEED TO WORK WITH OUR
FOR-PROFIT AND NONPROFIT
COMMUNITY TO GET MORE HOUSING
BUILT.
(02:44):
>> VISNAUSKAS SAYS SHE PLANS TO
CONTINUE WORKING WITH
LEGISLATURE AND THE EXECUTIVE
CHAMBER ON BUILDING MORE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS.
>> ONLY THROUGH THIS SORT OF
WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND
THE EXECUTIVE YEAR-OVER-YEAR
SORT OF APPROVING ALL OF THESE
MEASURES, WE'RE GOING TO BUILD A
REAL SET OF POLICIES AND SET OF
FUNDING PROGRAMS THAT WILL
SUPPORT NEW YORKERS, AND PEOPLE
WILL FEEL LESS STRESS AROUND
HOUSING AND FEEL LESS STRESS
ECONOMICALLY.
(03:05):
>> SOME DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS ARE
ALSO PUSHING FOR HOUSING POLICY
IN THE BUDGET THAT WOULD
ESTABLISH A STATE HOUSING ACCESS
VOUCHER PROGRAM.
THE MEASURE HAS BEEN PUT IN
LAWMAKERS' ONE-HOUSE BUDGET
PROPOSALS FOR THE PAST FEW
YEARS, BUT IT HASN'T MADE IT
INTO THE FINAL VERSION.
THE GOVERNOR PREVIOUSLY VOICED
CONCERNS ABOUT FUNDING FOR THIS
PROGRAM IN THE BUDGET TAKING
AWAY FROM OTHER PROGRAMS.
STATE SENATOR BRIAN KAVANAUGH,
DEMOCRAT AND CHAIR OF THE
(03:25):
HOUSING COMMITTEE REPRESENTING
LOWER MANHATTAN, SAYS IT'S A
WIDELY SUPPORTED MEASURE AND
HOUSING VOUCHERS AREN'T A NEW
CONCEPT TO IMPLEMENT.
>> VOUCHER PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN
AROUND FOR HALF A CENTURY AND
YOU KNOW, GOVERNMENTS, FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT, OTHER STATE
GOVERNMENTS MAKE VOUCHERS
AVAILABLE.
THEY MAKE A SPECIFIC NUMBER OF
VOUCHERS AVAILABLE AND THE
AMOUNT THAT THE PROGRAM COSTS
DEPENDS ON THE NUMBER OF
VOUCHERS THEY MAKE AVAILABLE.
(03:45):
SO THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT COULD BE
LAUNCHED VERY
SUBSTANTIAL IN A WAY THAT WOULD
MANAGE THE FISCAL IMPACT.
>> ELIZABETH MACKEY, A COMMUNITY
LEADER FOR VOCAL NEW YORK'S
HOMELESS UNION, SAYS THIS
PROGRAM PASSING THROUGH THE
BUDGET WOULD MEAN MORE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOTH FOR
UNHOUSED NEW YORKERS AND NEW
YORKERS UNABLE TO AFFORD RISING
RENT PRICES.
>> WE REALLY WANT TO LET THE
GOVERNOR KNOW THAT THIS BILL IS
(04:07):
VERY IMPORTANT TO PASS BECAUSE
HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT AND
THAT WE NEED MORE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING NOT JUST FOR THOSE IN
THE SHELTER, BUT FOR THOSE WHO
CANNOT AFFORD THESE HIGH RENTS
THAT ARE OUT HERE THAT BURDEN
THE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS
HERE IN NEW YORK CITY.
>> MACKEY, WHO IS CURRENTLY
HOLDING A CITYFHEPS VOUCHER, HAS
BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THIS ISSUE
FOR OVER TWO YEARS AFTER
(04:28):
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND
THE CHALLENGES THAT CAME WITH
NAVIGATING FINDING HOUSING.
>> I WAS UNHOUSED FOR A YEAR,
BUT IT FELT LIKE TEN YEARS
BECAUSE OF THE SYSTEMS THAT IS
OUT HERE AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW
HOW TO ADVOCATE THE SYSTEM OF
BEING HOMELESS, YOU CAN GET
LOST.
>> MACKEY SAYS SHE USED HER
TOOLS AND RESOURCES WORKING
PREVIOUSLY FOR THE CITY, BUT SHE
(04:48):
STILL FACED CHALLENGES SUCH AS
WAITING LONG PERIODS OF TIME IN
A SHELTER BEFORE GETTING A
VOUCHER.
MACKEY ADDS THE STATE OF
SHELTERS IS POOR.
>> IT'S LIKE YOU GOT TO FIGHT
FOR EVERYTHING.
YOU GOT TO FIGHT FOR A BLANKET,
FIGHT FOR A PILLOW.
YOU JUST GOT TO FIGHT FOR YOUR
LIFE TO BE IN THE SHELTER.
>> MACKEY SAYS SHE'S FRUSTRATED
LAWMAKERS AND THE EXECUTIVE
OFFICE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PASS
THIS MEASURE, BUT SHE HOPES THEY
FIGHT HARDER THIS YEAR.
(05:09):
A FIGHT SEEMS TO BE WHAT
LAWMAKERS PLAN TO BRING FOR THIS
POLICY MEASURE, TRYING TO GET IT
IN THE FINAL STATE BUDGET.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER LINDA ROSENTHAL,
A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
HELLS KITCHEN AND CHAIR OF THE
HOUSING COMMITTEE IN THE
ASSEMBLY, STRESSES THE VOUCHER
PROGRAM WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT
IMPACT FOR NEW YORKERS BY
PROVIDING THEM WITH A LADDER OUT
OF POVERTY.
>> IN THE STATE, WE NEED TO
PROVIDE VOUCHERS FOR PEOPLE SO
(05:32):
THEY CAN STAY IN THEIR
APARTMENTS AND ALSO ESCAPE
HOMELESSNESS.
>> SOME REPUBLICANS SAY THEY ARE
SUPPORTIVE OF THE MEASURE, BUT
THEY HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MEANS
TESTING, A PROCESS TO ENSURE
INDIVIDUALS ARE ELIGIBLE BASED
ON THEIR SALARY.
STATE SENATOR JACK MARTINS IS A
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF
NASSAU COUNTY, SAYS IN ORDER FOR
THIS PROGRAM TO WORK PROPERLY,
THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO ENSURE
(05:53):
PEOPLE IN BAD FAITH DON'T TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF IT.
>> IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE TRULY
AFFORDABLE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE
THAT AFFORDABILITY IS THERE FOR
PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY NEED IT AND
IT DOESN'T BECOME ABUSED BY
THOSE WHO RECEIVE IT WHEN THEY
NEEDED IT, AND THEN REFUSE TO
GET OUT TO MAKE ROOM FOR
SOMEBODY ELSE WHO WILL NEED IT
DOWN THE ROAD.
>> THE BILL IS CURRENTLY STILL
BEING WORKED OUT IN COMMITTEE.
(06:14):
HOWEVER, THE MEASURE WAS PUT
INTO LAWMAKERS ONE-HOUSE BUDGET
PROPOSALS, WHICH MEANS THEY WILL
BE A PART OF BUDGET TALKS WITH
THE GOVERNOR.
IN THE LAST FEW ONE-HOUSE BUDGET
RESOLUTIONS, WHICH ARE THE
LEGISLATURE'S BUDGET PROPOSALS,
LAWMAKERS HAVE ASKED FOR $250
MILLION IN THE FINAL BUDGET FOR
THIS MEASURE.
LAWMAKERS STUCK WITH THE SAME
ALLOCATION THIS YEAR.
ROSENTHAL SAYS SHE HOPES THE
GOVERNOR WHO HAS NOT GIVEN THE
GREEN LIGHT FOR THIS MEASURE IN
(06:34):
THE FINAL BUDGET OVER THE LAST
FEW YEARS, FINALLY SEES THE
URGENCY OF THIS ISSUE.
BUT IT'S EVEN MORE IMPORTANT
THIS YEAR WITH ALL THE CUTS IN
HUD COMING DOWN, PERHAPS THE END
OF VOUCHERS, FUNDING FOR PUBLIC
HOUSING.
IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
THAT THE STATE SET UP AND TAKE
CARE OF RESIDENTS.
>> STATE LAWMAKERS AND
(06:54):
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE ALSO
PUSHING FOR OTHER MEASURES TO
ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY, TAXES.
IN HER EXECUTIVE BUDGET
PROPOSAL, GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL
PROPOSED CUTS TO MIDDLE CLASS
TAXES, INFLATION REBATE CHECKS,
AND EXPANDING THE CHILD TAX
CREDIT.
SOME FISCAL POLICY EXPERTS WHO
TESTIFIED AT A RECENT BUDGET
HEARING TOLD WMHT THE GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET MEASURES ARE NOT AN
EXECUTIVE AFFORDABILITY AGENDA.
NATHAN GUSDORF, THE EXECUTIVE
(07:15):
DIRECTOR OF THE FISCAL POLICY
INSTITUTE, SAYS THE MIDDLE CLASS
TAX CUTS, FOR EXAMPLE, WOULDN'T
HAVE THAT SIGNIFICANT OF AN
IMPACT ON LOWER INCOME NEW
YORKERS.
>> SO EVERYONE LIKES THE IDEA OF
A TAX CUT.
UNFORTUNATELY, A BILLION DOLLARS
SENT TO SUCH A LARGE POPULATION
TRANSLATES INTO A PRETTY SMALL
AMOUNT OF MONEY TO PEOPLE WHO
ACTUALLY RECEIVE THE BENEFIT.
FOR A MIDDLE CLASS HOUSEHOLD, IT
(07:36):
COMES OUT TO $15 A MONTH, WHICH
NEEDLESS TO SAY IS NOT REALLY
NOTICEABLE.
GUSDORF ALSO SAYS THE STATE
WOULD GET A BETTER RETURN ON ITS
INVESTMENT BY PUTTING DOLLARS
INTO PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND
SERVICES SUCH AS CHILDCARE,
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND
TRANSPORTATION.
AND SOME LAWMAKERS LIKE STATE
SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
THE BRONX, AGREE.
>> WHEN WE INVEST IN PUBLIC
(07:57):
SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION-- WHEN
WE INVEST IN THOSE THINGS, WE
MAKE IT SO THAT ECONOMIC
ACTIVITY CAN OCCUR.
>> SOME LAWMAKERS ALSO FEEL
MEASURES LIKE A POLICY TO
ESTABLISH A WORKING FAMILIES TAX
CREDIT WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT
IMPACT FOR FAMILIES.
STATE SENATOR ANDREW GOUNARDES,
A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
BROOKLYN AND THE SPONSOR OF THE
TAX CREDIT BILL, SAYS NEW
(08:17):
YORKERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE
RICH TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR
FAMILIES.
>> HERE'S A FACT.
THREE OUT OF THE TOP TEN CITIES
IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FOR CHILD POVERTY ARE RIGHT HERE
IN NEW YORK STATE.
THAT IS CRIMINAL.
>> THE LEGISLATION, IF PASSED,
WOULD GIVE FAMILIES UP TO $1,600
PER CHILD ANNUALLY TO PAY FOR
ESSENTIALS LIKE GROCERIES, RENT,
(08:39):
AND CHILDCARE.
THE MEASURE WOULD ALSO BE TIED
TO INFLATION TO ADDRESS RISING
COSTS.
JASMINE GRIPPER, THE CODIRECTOR
OF THE NEW YORK STATE WORKING
FAMILIES PARTY, SAYS WHILE THE
GOVERNOR HAS ATTEMPTED TO PUT
MONEY BACK IN NEW YORKERS'
POCKETS THROUGH THE BUDGET
PROPOSAL MEASURES LIKE EXPANDING
THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, NEW
YORKERS NEED MORE.
>> THE GOVERNOR'S CHILD TAX
CREDIT WOULD MOVE THE MAXIMUM
AMOUNT FROM $300 TO $1,000 PER
(09:01):
CHILD, BUT THE WORKING FAMILIES
TAX CREDIT WOULD GO FROM $300 TO
$1,600 PER CHILD SO MORE MONEY
IS IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS.
>> GRIPPER ADDS THE WORKING
FAMILIES TAX CREDIT ALSO EXPANDS
STATE ASSISTANCE BEYOND THE AGE
OF 4 TO THE AGE OF 17.
SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ACROSS
THE AISLE SAY THEY NEED TO
REVIEW THE DETAILS OF THE BILL,
BUT THEY SUPPORT THE CONCEPT OF
(09:21):
PROVIDING RELIEF TO WORKING
FAMILIES.
THIS MEASURE MADE IT INTO
LAWMAKERS ONE-HOUSE BUDGET
PROPOSALS.
SENATOR GOUNARDES SAYS HE FEELS
GOOD ABOUT THE SUPPORT THE BILL
HAS.
ANOTHER MEASURE FROM LAWMAKERS
AND ADVOCATES ARE PUSHING FOR TO
TACKLE AFFORDABILITY IS WAGES.
SOME LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO
PASS A BILL THAT WOULD INCREASE
THE MINIMUM WAGE OUTSIDE OF NEW
YORK CITY.
STATE SENATOR JESSICA RAMOS, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
QUEENS, SAYS THIS IS A WAGE
(09:42):
DISPARITY ISSUE FOR UPSTATE
WORKERS, AND IT NEEDS TO BE
ADDRESSED.
>> THE COST OF LIVING, OF
COURSE, IS HIGH ACROSS THE STATE
AND THERE'S ALSO SOMETHING TO
SAY ABOUT A PERSON'S VALUE WHEN
IT COMES TO THE WORK THEY'VE PUT IN
YOU KNOW, A WORKER WHO DOES THE
WORK UPSTATE IS NOT DIFFERENT
THAN A WORKER WHO DOES THE WORK
(10:03):
DOWNSTATE AND DESERVES THE SAME WAGE
>> STEPHANIE HESLOP, A FOOD
SERVICE WORKER AT CORNELL
UNIVERSITY, HAS SEEN FIRSTHAND
HOW DIFFICULT THE PRESSURES OF
LIVING COSTS CAN BE.
SHE SAYS EVERY DOLLAR MATTERS,
AND THIS LEGISLATION, IF PASSED,
WOULD BE LIFE-CHANGING FOR A LOT
OF PEOPLE.
>> I HAVE COWORKERS WHO ARE AT
OR PAST RETIREMENT AGE WHO ARE
WORKING MULTIPLE, PHYSICALLY
(10:26):
DEMANDING JOBS.
IT'S REALLY HEARTBREAKING.
I HAVE COWORKERS LIVING OUT OF
THEIR CARS ON SECTION 8.
MANY OF MY COWORKERS CAN'T
AFFORD TO LIVE IN ITHACA OR EVEN
IN TOMPKINS COUNTY BECAUSE IT'S
SO EXPENSIVE.
>> WHILE THE BILL HASN'T PASSED
IN PREVIOUS YEARS, RAMOS FEELS
(10:46):
GOOD ABOUT ITS CHANCES THIS YEAR
LAST YEAR, SHE SAYS THE PRIMARY
FOCUS ON WAGES WAS TYING THE
MINIMUM WAGE TO INFLATION, NOW
THAT THEY'VE ACHIEVED THAT THEY
CAN FOCUS ON DISPARITIES LIKE
THIS ONE.
SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SAY
LEGISLATORS HAVE ALREADY DEALT
WITH THE WAGE ISSUE, AFTER
INCREASING THE MINIMUM WAGE LAST
YEAR TO $15 AN HOUR AND TYING IT
TO INFLATION.
MEANWHILE, STATE SENATOR TOM
O'MARA, REPRESENTING PARTS OF
(11:08):
THE SOUTHERN TIER AND A RANKING
MEMBER OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE,
SAYS CHANGES TO THE MINIMUM WAGE
HAVE HAPPENED TOO QUICKLY, AND
HE HAS CONCERNS ABOUT ADDITIONAL
CHANGES NEGATIVELY IMPACTING
BUSINESSES.
>> I SUPPORT IT, THE MINIMUM
WAGE INCREASES FROM IT WAS, BUT
NOT AT THE RATE THAT WE'VE
JUMPED TO.
IT'S ON AUTOPILOT NOW.
THIS YEAR WAS THE LAST YEAR OF
(11:29):
AN AUTOMATIC 50% PER HOUR
PHASE-IN INCREASE.
IT'S GOING TO FOLLOW-- TRACK THE
CPI GOING FORWARD.
SO THAT'S GOING TO GO UP.
IT'S CONCERNING BECAUSE IT IS
DRIVING UP THE COST OF DOING
BUSINESS.
>> BUT, RAMOS ARGUES THE COST OF
BUSINESS WILL CONTINUE TO GO UP
IF CUSTOMERS AND CLIENTS DON'T
HAVE DISPOSABLE INCOME TO SPEND.
(11:50):
>> SO I THINK IT'S WISE TO HELP
PRODUCE MORE CUSTOMERS WITH MORE
PURCHASING POWER AND THAT MEANS
RAISING THE WAGE.
>> SOME REPUBLICANS ALSO SAY
THEY FEEL DEMOCRATS ARE ON A
DIFFERENT PAGE WHEN IT COMES TO
TACKLING AFFORDABILITY.
STATE SENATE MINORITY LEADER ROB
ORTT, REPRESENTING PART OF
NIAGARA COUNTY, ORLEANS COUNTY,
AND PARTS OF MONROE COUNTY, SAYS
DEMOCRATS' SOLUTION TO
AFFORDABILITY IS SPENDING STATE
(12:10):
DOLLARS ON DIFFERENT MEASURES.
WHILE REPUBLICANS FEEL THERE ARE
OTHER WAYS.
>> THE ONLY ANSWER IT SEEMS TO
BE-- FROM THE DEMOCRATS SEEMS TO
BE THIS SPEND MORE TAX DOLLARS,
RIGHT, NOT TO GIVE IT BACK PER
SE OR NOT TO TAKE LESS, BUT
THEY'RE GROWING THE BUDGET.
I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL
WAS EIGHT BILLION MORE.
I'LL KEEP SAYING THIS.
(12:30):
I'VE SAID IT MANY TIMES.
I'M SURE MY MEMBERS ARE TIRED OF
HEARING IT.
IF WE COULD SPEND OUR WAY TO
AFFORDABILITY, WE'D BE THERE.
>> REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS HAVE
INTRODUCED TWO BILLS INTENDING
TO ACHIEVE AFFORDABILITY BY
CUTTING TAXES ON CASH TIPS AND
OVERTIME.
ORTT SAYS A MEASURE LIKE THIS
ONE GOES FURTHER THAN THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL OF A
ONE-TIME REBATE CHECK.
>> I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING
DIFFERENT ABOUT LETTING PEOPLE
KEEP MONEY THEY WENT AND WORKED
(12:52):
FOR IN THEIR POCKET.
>> STATE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER
ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS,
REPRESENTING PARTS OF
WESTCHESTER, ARGUES THIS POLICY
PROPOSED BY REPUBLICANS IS
TIRED.
>> THE FACT THAT THEY'RE ECHOING
TALKING POINTS FROM THE
PRESIDENT QUITE HONESTLY, I
DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT IS AN
ORIGINAL THOUGHT.
AND HE SAYS HE'S GOING TO DO IT
ON A NATIONAL LEVEL.
(13:12):
SO HE SHOULD, YOU KNOW, DO THAT.
SO IF THEY COME WITH SOME
ORIGINAL THOUGHT, WE'RE ALWAYS
WILLING TO HEAR BECAUSE, AGAIN,
WE ARE ALL FOCUSED ON MAKING
SURE NEW YORKERS' LIVES ARE
BETTER.
>> O'MARA SAYS IT'S GOING TO BE
CHALLENGING FOR LAWMAKERS TO
COME TOGETHER ON THESE ISSUES IN
THE BUDGET.
>> IT'S VERY TENUOUS BECAUSE
WE'RE COMING AT IT FROM
COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ANGLES.
(13:34):
WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE NEW YORK
STATE AS AFFORDABLE AS POSSIBLE.
THE DEMOCRATS' PERSPECTIVE IS
LET'S JUST TAKE MONEY FROM THIS
GROUP AND SHIFT IT OVER TO THIS
GROUP SO THIS GROUP CAN AFFORD
TO PAY THE OUTRAGEOUS COSTS OF
LIVING IN NEW YORK.
THAT'S-- THAT'S NOT A-- THAT'S
NOT A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.
>>THE FINAL BUDGET IS DUE APRIL
1ST AND LAWMAKERS STILL HAVE A
(13:54):
WAYS TO GO TO SORT OUT THEIR
DIFFERENCES ON AFFORDABILITY
ISSUES.
IN THE COMING WEEKS, LAWMAKERS
WILL BE NEGOTIATING WITH THE
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE BEFORE THE
BUDGET IS FINALIZED.
ELISE KLINE, "NEW YORK NOW."
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> AND A PART OF AFFORDABILITY
NATURALLY HAS TO DEAL WITH
HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES INCLUDING
UTILITY RATES.
(14:15):
STATE SENATOR KEVIN PARKER, WHO
SERVES AS CHAIR OF THE STATE
SENATE ENERGY AND
TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE,
HAS A LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE AIMED
AT ADDRESSING HIGH UTILITY RATES
FOR NEW YORKERS.
THE SENATOR IS PUSHING FOR IT TO
BE INCLUDED IN THE FINAL ENACTED
BUDGET.
WE SAT DOWN WITH THE SENATOR TO
UNPACK THE PACKAGE AND DISCUSS
(14:37):
THE WAYS IN WHICH SOLAR ENERGY
AND FEDERAL FUNDING CAN ALSO
HELP COMBAT THOSE HIGH RATES.
HERE'S THAT CONVERSATION.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING
THE TIME TO CONNECT WITH US
TODAY, SENATOR.
>> I'M REALLY HAPPY TO HAVE THIS
OPPORTUNITY.
>> WE'RE EXCITED TO BE HERE AND
FIRST, I WANTED TO GET INTO YOUR
NEWLY INTRODUCED LEGISLATIVE
(14:58):
PACKAGE MEANT TO MODERNIZE
UTILITY PROCESSES IN THE STATE
AND HELP NEW YORKERS WITH THOSE
HIGH ENERGY BILLS.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT?
>> YES. WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I'M
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENERGY AND
TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
HERE IN THE STATE SENATE.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE KNOW
HAPPENING BOTH IN MY DISTRICT IN
BROOKLYN ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW
YORK AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS
AN AFFORDABILITY GAP.
(15:19):
PEOPLE JUST HAVING A REALLY,
REALLY HARD TIME MAKING THEIR
ENDS MEET.
WE ALL KNOW ABOUT THE PRICE OF
EGGS, BUT PEOPLE ALSO IN
REALTIME EXPERIENCING THAT SAME
KIND OF, YOU KNOW, STICKER SHOCK
WHEN THEY GET THEIR UTILITY
BILLS EVERY MONTH.
AND SO WE CREATED A PACKAGE THAT
WE PASSED IN THE NEW YORK STATE
SENATE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO THAT
(15:39):
REALLY GOES TO UTILITY
AFFORDABILITY AND SO THERE ARE A
BUNCH OF PROGRAMS THAT ACTUALLY
EXIST ALREADY FOR SENIORS AND
FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE LOW INCOME
AND ONE OF THE BILLS I PUT IN IS
A BILL THAT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY
CONNECT PEOPLE TO THOSE PROGRAMS
INSTEAD OF YOU HAVING AS AN
INDIVIDUAL PERSON TO DO THE
RESEARCH AND CALL THE UTILITY
(16:01):
AND YOU KNOW, FIND OUT WHAT
PROGRAM AND APPLY AND SO ON AND
SO FORTH.
SO WE WANT TO MAKE IT AS EASY AS
POSSIBLE FOR NEW YORKERS TO HOLD
ONTO THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY.
>> FROM YOUR PURVIEW, IS THERE
ANYTHING THAT THE STATE COULD BE
DOING MORE OF IN REGARDS TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO
HELP NEW YORKERS, YOU KNOW,
COMBAT THESE HIGH UTILITY RATES?
(16:21):
>> ABSOLUTELY.
IN FACT, ONE OF THE OTHER BILLS
I HAVE IS A FIXED COST BILL THAT
LOOKS AT THE FIXED COSTS THAT
COME OUT OF THE PSE AND TRY TO
REDUCE THOSE COSTS, SUCH THAT,
YOU KNOW, AGAIN WE CAN LOWER
UTILITY RATES.
I THINK THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE,
YOU KNOW, JUST A-- A
RE-EXAMINING OF THE CRITERIA
THAT THE PSE IS USING TO DECIDE
(16:43):
RATE CASES.
YOU KNOW, BUT IT IS A
COMPLICATED EQUATION GIVEN THE
FACT THAT UTILITIES ALSO HAVE TO
MAINTAIN THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE.
SO ON ONE HAND, THEY HAVE TO
MAINTAIN THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE.
THEY DO THAT THROUGH RATE, YOU
KNOW, RATE CASES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, WE HAVE, YOU
KNOW, YOU KNOW, UTILITY
CUSTOMERS WHO CAN'T AFFORD THEIR
(17:03):
BILLS.
SO CREATING A BALANCE THROUGH
ALL OF THOSE THINGS IS REALLY
IMPORTANT AND THEN WHAT PUTS
MORE STRESS ON THIS PROCESS AS A
STATE LEGISLATOR IS THE FACT
THAT WE HAVE UNRELIABLE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT, RIGHT, WHERE WE'RE
NOT GETTING ANY HELP.
IN FACT, JUST THE OPPOSITE, AND
SO YOU KNOW, EVERYONE IS TRYING
TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE NEXT
BEST OPPORTUNITY TO BOTH LOWER
(17:25):
RATES BUT ALSO PROVIDE THE KIND
OF SERVICE THAT PEOPLE NEED AND
DESERVE FROM THE UTILITIES, BOTH
FROM THE TELECOM SIDE, ENERGY
SIDE AND WATER.
>> HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROVIDE HELP
TO NEW YORKERS ON THIS ISSUE?
>> WELL, IT DEPENDS ON WHAT
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
LET ME TELL YOU, FIRST, ON THE
TELECOM SIDE, THERE WAS SOME
(17:46):
MONEY UNDER THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION IN THE IRA
LEGISLATION FOR THE BUILD-OUT OF
HIGH SPEED BROADBAND.
BUILDING OUT HIGH-SPEED
BROADBAND IS REALLY, REALLY
CRITICAL IN URBAN AREA AND RURAL
AND SUBURBAN AREAS FOR WHAT IS
REFERRED TO AS THE LAST MILE
ISSUE AND GETTING TO A CERTAIN
AREA BUT GETTING IT TO FROM THE
(18:07):
ROAD TO YOUR HOUSE
BECOMES A PROBLEM, SO CERTAINLY
THAT'S A PLACE THAT THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT CERTAINLY COULD
PROVIDE RESOURCES.
ON THE ENERGY SIDE, PARTICULARLY
AS WE KIND OF TRANSITION TO A
CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY, YOU KNOW,
IT'S KIND OF THREE AREAS OF
CONCERN.
ONE IS ACTUALLY GETTING CLEAN
ENERGY ASSETS INTO THE GROUND TO
(18:27):
PRODUCE ELECTRONS.
THOSE INTERCONNECTIONS FROM THE
GENERATION PROJECTS INTO THE
GRID, RIGHT, NEED TO BE SMOOTHER
AND THIS IS THE AREA THAT WE
REALLY COULD USE SOME HELP FROM
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON IS
TRANSMISSION LINES.
WHAT WE REFER TO AS THE GRID.
RIGHT? AND THOSE TRANSMISSION
LINES NEED TO BE REALLY, REALLY
UPGRADED.
CERTAINLY ANY DOLLARS WE CAN GET
FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN
ORDER TO DO THAT WOULD BE, YOU
(18:49):
KNOW, RESOURCES WE DON'T HAVE TO
LOOK TO RATE PAYERS FOR, AND SO
THOSE ARE AREAS I WOULD, YOU
KNOW, TELL THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT YOU WANT TO BE
HELPFUL TO THE PEOPLE ACROSS THE
COUNTRY, THIS IS THE AREA THAT
EVERY SINGLE STATE NEEDS SOME
HELP WITH.
>> AT THE TIME THAT WE'RE
FILMING THIS INTERVIEW, THE
GOVERNOR JUST RECENTLY SENT A
LETTER TO THE CHAIR AND CEO OF
CON EDISON ASKING THEM TO TAKE A
(19:10):
STEP BACK FROM THEIR PROPOSED
RATE HIKE.
I WANTED TO GET YOUR REACTION TO
THAT MOVE FROM THE GOVERNOR.
>> AGAIN, I UNDERSTAND THE
GOVERNOR IS TAKING THE ISSUE OF
UTILITY AFFORDABILITY VERY
SERIOUSLY, AS AGAIN, WE HAVE.
YOU KNOW, WE PASSED A SET OF
BILLS ON FEBRUARY 5TH HERE IN
THE STATE SENATE.
THIS IS A PACKAGE THAT WE
(19:31):
BROUGHT FORWARD FOR THE THIRD
YEAR IN A ROW.
WE'RE NOT NEW TO THIS.
WE'RE TRUE TO THIS.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT UTILITY
AFFORDABILITY IS A MAIN PRONG,
YOU KNOW, IN THE SPOKES OF THE
WHEEL THAT IS TURNING THIS
STATE.
VERY PROUD TO HAVE BEEN ONE OF
THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED WITH
GOVERNOR CUOMO ON GETTING A
(19:53):
TELECOM AFFORDABILITY PACKAGE.
RIGHT NOW, IT'S ABOUT $30 WHEN I
INITIALLY PUT IT IN, I PUT IT IN
AT $10.
WE WOUND UP PASSING THE LAW AT
15 AND THE COURTS MADE US RAISE
IT TO 30.
BUT WE'RE ONE OF THE FEW STATES
IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, MAYBE THE
ONLY ONE THAT ACTUALLY HAS A,
YOU KNOW, INCOME-BASED RATE FOR
(20:14):
HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE
REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT
HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND IS AS
IMPORTANT AS ANY OTHER UTILITY.
THE SAME WAY WE WOULD NOT EVER
PUT ANYONE IN APARTMENT IN A
HOUSE WITHOUT HEAT, HOT WATER
AND ELECTRICITY AND IN THIS
2025, CAN'T PUT SOMEBODY IN A
HOUSE OR APARTMENT WITHOUT HIGH
SPEED BROADBAND AND WE NEED TO
(20:35):
MAKE SURE IT'S AS AFFORDABLE AS
POSSIBLE.
>> WHEN IT COMES TO SOLAR
ENERGY, IS THERE ANY OPPORTUNITY
FOR THE USE OF SOLAR ENERGY TO
HELP ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY OF
UTILITY RATES AND HELP PROTECT
NEW YORKERS?
>> YEAH. SO, YOU KNOW, ONE OF
THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN
THE STATE OF NEW YORK THAT I'M
VERY PROUD OF IS SOMETHING
CALLED THE CLCPA, CLIMATE
LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY
(20:56):
PROTECTION ACT.
IT IS A SET OF ONE OF THE MOST
AUDACIOUS AND CLIMATE GOALS IN
THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
WE REALLY HOPE TO GET TO BE NET
ZERO, NET ZERO BY 2050 IS THE
ULTIMATE GOAL.
WE HAVE SOME INTERMEDIATE GOALS
AS WELL.
SOLAR DEVELOPMENT IS A BIG PART
(21:16):
OF THAT.
PROBABLY THE BASE OF OUR CLEAN
ENERGY LOAD IS ACTUALLY PROBABLY
HYDRO ELECTRIC.
WE KIND OF TAKE IT FOR GRANTED
BECAUSE WE'VE HAD IT FOR SUCH A
LONG TIME AND KIND OF THE STAR
THAT OF THAT SYSTEM IS NIAGRA
FALLS, RIGHT, BUT WE HAVE A HUGE
COMMITMENT TO BUILDING OUT SOLAR
HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(21:37):
WE HAVE A PROGRAM IN NYSERDA,
NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, AND IN
NYSERDA, WE HAVE A PROGRAM
CALLED NY-SUN, AND THAT'S
A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES
INCENTIVES FOR SOLAR DEVELOPMENT
AND UTILITY SCALE SOLAR
DEVELOPMENT, RIGHT.
SO THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF
RETAIL BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO
GET THERE ONE HOUSE AT A TIME.
(21:57):
WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FOR MORE,
AGAIN, UTILITY SCALE PROJECTS TO
PRODUCE CLEAN ENERGY ELECTRONS
AND THEN A LOT OF TIMES THAT'S
PAIRED WITH WIND AND BATTERY
STORAGE.
I REFER TO IT AS THE HOLY
TRINITY OF SUSTAINABLE ENERGY,
RIGHT, SUN IN THE DAY, WIND AT
NIGHT AND BATTERY STORAGE FOR
(22:18):
TIMES THAT YOU DON'T HAVE
EITHER.
SO WE NEED TO BUILD A LOT MORE.
WE HAVE THE RESOURCES HERE IN
THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING TOWARDS THOSE
GOALS.
THE BIG LEGISLATIVE ITEM FOR US
THIS YEAR IS KIND OF CREATING A
STATEWIDE SOLAR SITING BILL THAT
WOULD ALLOW ONE STANDARD ACROSS
THE STATE FOR BUILDING SOLAR SO
(22:39):
THAT SOLAR DEVELOPERS DON'T HAVE
TO NEGOTIATE TERMS IN EVERY
SINGLE MUNICIPALITY ACROSS THE
STATE, WHICH SLOWS DOWN THE
PROCESS AND MAKES IT MORE
EXPENSIVE.
>> AND LASTLY, AS CHAIR OF THE
STATE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY
AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS, I WANTED
TO GET YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON HOW
YOU'RE HOPING THE STATE WILL
APPROACH PROTECTING NEW YORKERS
(23:01):
FROM THESE HIGH UTILITY RATES IN
THE YEARS TO COME IN A WAY THAT
IS SUSTAINABLE FOR THE STATE.
>> WELL, AGAIN, WITHIN THE
CONTEXT OF THE CLCPA, WE REACH
OUR GOALS, THE MORE CLEAN ENERGY
ASSETS WE GET INTO THE GROUND
AND THE BETTER OUR GRID IS AND
THE MORE EFFICIENT OUR GRID IS,
THAT WILL LOWER RATES.
SOME OF IT IS JUST REALLY SIMPLE
(23:23):
SUPPLY AND DEMAND.
RIGHT NOW, THE DEMAND FOR LOAD,
RIGHT, SO THE-- LIKE PEOPLE JUST
NEED MORE ELECTRICITY, RIGHT.
AND THE MORE ELECTRICITY PEOPLE
NEED, THE MORE PEOPLE ARE
PLUGGING STUFF IN, THE MORE
DEMAND THERE IS AND OUR
GENERATION HAS BEEN STAGNANT.
WE REALLY NEED TO UPRAMP OUR
GENERATION.
SO WE'RE DOING THAT WITH KIND OF
(23:43):
AN ALREADY ABOVE APPROACH AS WE
GO FORWARD, AND THE MORE OF THE
CLEAN ENERGY ASSETS THAT WE GET
INTO THE GROUND MEANS THAT WE
HAVE MORE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY.
THAT'S GOING TO LOWER COSTS.
PART OF IT ALSO WILL BE, YOU
KNOW, A LOT OF WEATHERIZATION
WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AS
WELL.
(24:03):
NEW YORKER IS AN OLD STATE.
WE HAVE OLD BUILDINGS.
WE NEED TO RETROFIT THOSE
BUILDINGS.
PEOPLE NEED TO PLUG INTO
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE DHCR,
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
COMMUNITY RENEWAL.
THEY HAVE A NUMBER OF
WEATHERIZATION PROGRAMS AS WELL
AS NYSERDA HAS WEATHERIZATION
PROGRAMS THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO
GET ENERGY AUDITS TO SEE KIND OF
(24:24):
WHERE YOU'RE LOSING ENERGY AT,
HOW TO GET, YOU KNOW, LOW ENERGY
APPLIANCES, LIGHT BULBS, THOSE
KINDS OF THINGS, AND SO PART OF
THIS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY IS US
OR AS INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS AND
BUSINESS OWNERS TO LOOK AT OUR
HOMES, OUR BUSINESSES AND THE
BUILDINGS THAT WE ARE OCCUPYING
(24:45):
AND MAKE THEM AS ENERGY
EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE AND
SIMULTANEOUSLY LEARN WHAT THEY
CALL DEMAND RESPONSE.
SO IF YOU HAVE A DISHWASHER IN
YOUR HOUSE OR WASHER AND DRIER
IN YOUR HOUSE, THE BEST TIMES TO
USE THOSE APPLIANCES ARE REALLY
OFF-PEAK HOURS, RIGHT.
SO DON'T TURN YOUR, YOU KNOW,
(25:05):
YOUR DISHWASHER ON-- I DON'T
HAVE A DISHWASHER.
I AM THE DISHWASHER IN HIGH
HOUSE.
RICH PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF, IF
YOU HAVE A DISHWASHER, TURN IT
ON AT NIGHT BEFORE YOU GO TO
BED, NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
DAY.
THAT USES LESS EXPENSIVE
ELECTRICITY AND THAT WILL KEEP
YOUR BILL LOWER.
SO THOSE DEMAND RESPONSE
PROTOCOLS ARE THINGS THAT NEW
YORKERS NEED TO LEARN IN
(25:26):
ADDITION TO THE THINGS THAT WE
NEED TO DO IN OUR HOMES IN TERMS
OF RETROFITTING OUR HOMES AND
OUR BUILDINGS.
>> WELL, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE
A LOT OF IMPORTANT WORK AHEAD.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S ALL THE
TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE
TIME TO SPEAK WITH US TODAY,
SENATOR.
>> OH, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
I APPRECIATE IT.
>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH
STATE SENATOR KEVIN PARKER.
(25:46):
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> WELL, THAT DOES 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.
THIS WEEK, BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE
LEGISLATURE RELEASED THEIR
RESPECTIVE ONE-HOUSE BUDGET
RESOLUTIONS.
BOTH CHAMBERS REJECTED PARTS OF
THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE BUDGET
PROPOSAL WHILE ADDING SOME OF
THEIR OWN PROVISIONS.
THE MAIN DEVIATIONS WERE AROUND
INVOLUNTARY CONFINEMENT,
(00:40):
DISCOVERY REFORM AND THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED REBATE
CHECKS.
STATE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER,
ANDREA STEWART-COUSIN, TOLD
REPORTERS THAT HER CONFERENCE
CRAFTED THE BUDGET WITH A FOCUS
ON AFFORDABILITY.
>> THE SENATE DEMOCRAT MAKE
JOTTER IS FIGHTING TO KEEP NEW
YORK AFFORDABLE AND PROVIDE REAL
(01:01):
RELIEF FOR FAMILIES, WORKERS AND
SMALL BUSINESSES.
>> AND WHILE TAKING QUESTIONS
FROM REPORTERS, ASSEMBLY SPEAKER
CARL HEASTIE REITERATED HIS
CHAMBER'S POSITION THAT SPECIFIC
POLICY ITEMS SHOULD BE DISCUSSED
OUTSIDE OF BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS.
>> THE GOVERNOR HAS THE RIGHT TO
RAISE ANYTHING AT THE TABLE.
(01:21):
JUST LIKE THE SENATE DOES.
THE SENATE PUT A LOT OF POLICY
INTO THEIR BUDGET.
BUT THIS IS JUST SOMETHING THAT
THE ASSEMBLY DECIDED A FEW YEARS
AGO THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE
MOST OF THE BUDGET DISCUSSION ON
ACTUAL NUMBERS FOR THE STATE.
>> NOW THAT THE LEGISLATURE'S
RESOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN RELEASED,
THE GOVERNOR AND LEADERS CAN
OFFICIALLY START NEGOTIATIONS IN
(01:43):
GOOD FAITH.
IT'S ALSO CLEAR THAT THE MAIN
FOCUS OF THE TRIO HEADING INTO
BUDGET TALKS IS AFFORDABILITY.
NOW THAT CAN BE DONE IN A
VARIETY OF WAYS, SUCH AS
FOCUSING ON HOUSING, WAGES AND
TAX CREDITS.
SO TO UNPACK THE DIFFERENT WAYS
TO ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY IN THE
STATE THIS YEAR, HERE'S OUR
(02:03):
ELISE KLINE WITH A DEEP DIVE.
>> STATE LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO
ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY BEFORE THE
LEGISLATIVE SESSION COMES TO AN
END IN JUNE.
THEY ARE TRYING TO TACKLE THE
ISSUE ON SEVERAL FRONTS,
INCLUDING HOUSING, WAGES, AND
TAXES.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONTINUES
THIS YEAR TO BE A BIG TOPIC OF
DISCUSSION AS BUDGET
CONVERSATIONS MOVE TOWARD A
FINAL BUDGET.
(02:23):
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF HOMES
AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL
COMMISSIONER RUTHANNE VISNAUSKAS
SAYS THE BIGGEST WAY TO BRING
DOWN HOUSING COSTS IS THROUGH
SUPPLY.
>> ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE CAN
HELP BRING DOWN THAT PRESSURE
AND THE RISING COSTS IS BY
HAVING MORE SUPPLY.
SO WE NEED TO WORK WITH
LOCALITIES TO GET MORE HOUSING
BUILT.
WE NEED TO WORK WITH OUR
FOR-PROFIT AND NONPROFIT
COMMUNITY TO GET MORE HOUSING
BUILT.
(02:44):
>> VISNAUSKAS SAYS SHE PLANS TO
CONTINUE WORKING WITH
LEGISLATURE AND THE EXECUTIVE
CHAMBER ON BUILDING MORE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS.
>> ONLY THROUGH THIS SORT OF
WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND
THE EXECUTIVE YEAR-OVER-YEAR
SORT OF APPROVING ALL OF THESE
MEASURES, WE'RE GOING TO BUILD A
REAL SET OF POLICIES AND SET OF
FUNDING PROGRAMS THAT WILL
SUPPORT NEW YORKERS, AND PEOPLE
WILL FEEL LESS STRESS AROUND
HOUSING AND FEEL LESS STRESS
ECONOMICALLY.
(03:05):
>> SOME DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS ARE
ALSO PUSHING FOR HOUSING POLICY
IN THE BUDGET THAT WOULD
ESTABLISH A STATE HOUSING ACCESS
VOUCHER PROGRAM.
THE MEASURE HAS BEEN PUT IN
LAWMAKERS' ONE-HOUSE BUDGET
PROPOSALS FOR THE PAST FEW
YEARS, BUT IT HASN'T MADE IT
INTO THE FINAL VERSION.
THE GOVERNOR PREVIOUSLY VOICED
CONCERNS ABOUT FUNDING FOR THIS
PROGRAM IN THE BUDGET TAKING
AWAY FROM OTHER PROGRAMS.
STATE SENATOR BRIAN KAVANAUGH,
DEMOCRAT AND CHAIR OF THE
(03:25):
HOUSING COMMITTEE REPRESENTING
LOWER MANHATTAN, SAYS IT'S A
WIDELY SUPPORTED MEASURE AND
HOUSING VOUCHERS AREN'T A NEW
CONCEPT TO IMPLEMENT.
>> VOUCHER PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN
AROUND FOR HALF A CENTURY AND
YOU KNOW, GOVERNMENTS, FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT, OTHER STATE
GOVERNMENTS MAKE VOUCHERS
AVAILABLE.
THEY MAKE A SPECIFIC NUMBER OF
VOUCHERS AVAILABLE AND THE
AMOUNT THAT THE PROGRAM COSTS
DEPENDS ON THE NUMBER OF
VOUCHERS THEY MAKE AVAILABLE.
(03:45):
SO THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT COULD BE
LAUNCHED VERY
SUBSTANTIAL IN A WAY THAT WOULD
MANAGE THE FISCAL IMPACT.
>> ELIZABETH MACKEY, A COMMUNITY
LEADER FOR VOCAL NEW YORK'S
HOMELESS UNION, SAYS THIS
PROGRAM PASSING THROUGH THE
BUDGET WOULD MEAN MORE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOTH FOR
UNHOUSED NEW YORKERS AND NEW
YORKERS UNABLE TO AFFORD RISING
RENT PRICES.
>> WE REALLY WANT TO LET THE
GOVERNOR KNOW THAT THIS BILL IS
(04:07):
VERY IMPORTANT TO PASS BECAUSE
HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT AND
THAT WE NEED MORE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING NOT JUST FOR THOSE IN
THE SHELTER, BUT FOR THOSE WHO
CANNOT AFFORD THESE HIGH RENTS
THAT ARE OUT HERE THAT BURDEN
THE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS
HERE IN NEW YORK CITY.
>> MACKEY, WHO IS CURRENTLY
HOLDING A CITYFHEPS VOUCHER, HAS
BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THIS ISSUE
FOR OVER TWO YEARS AFTER
(04:28):
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND
THE CHALLENGES THAT CAME WITH
NAVIGATING FINDING HOUSING.
>> I WAS UNHOUSED FOR A YEAR,
BUT IT FELT LIKE TEN YEARS
BECAUSE OF THE SYSTEMS THAT IS
OUT HERE AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW
HOW TO ADVOCATE THE SYSTEM OF
BEING HOMELESS, YOU CAN GET
LOST.
>> MACKEY SAYS SHE USED HER
TOOLS AND RESOURCES WORKING
PREVIOUSLY FOR THE CITY, BUT SHE
(04:48):
STILL FACED CHALLENGES SUCH AS
WAITING LONG PERIODS OF TIME IN
A SHELTER BEFORE GETTING A
VOUCHER.
MACKEY ADDS THE STATE OF
SHELTERS IS POOR.
>> IT'S LIKE YOU GOT TO FIGHT
FOR EVERYTHING.
YOU GOT TO FIGHT FOR A BLANKET,
FIGHT FOR A PILLOW.
YOU JUST GOT TO FIGHT FOR YOUR
LIFE TO BE IN THE SHELTER.
>> MACKEY SAYS SHE'S FRUSTRATED
LAWMAKERS AND THE EXECUTIVE
OFFICE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PASS
THIS MEASURE, BUT SHE HOPES THEY
FIGHT HARDER THIS YEAR.
(05:09):
A FIGHT SEEMS TO BE WHAT
LAWMAKERS PLAN TO BRING FOR THIS
POLICY MEASURE, TRYING TO GET IT
IN THE FINAL STATE BUDGET.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER LINDA ROSENTHAL,
A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
HELLS KITCHEN AND CHAIR OF THE
HOUSING COMMITTEE IN THE
ASSEMBLY, STRESSES THE VOUCHER
PROGRAM WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT
IMPACT FOR NEW YORKERS BY
PROVIDING THEM WITH A LADDER OUT
OF POVERTY.
>> IN THE STATE, WE NEED TO
PROVIDE VOUCHERS FOR PEOPLE SO
(05:32):
THEY CAN STAY IN THEIR
APARTMENTS AND ALSO ESCAPE
HOMELESSNESS.
>> SOME REPUBLICANS SAY THEY ARE
SUPPORTIVE OF THE MEASURE, BUT
THEY HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MEANS
TESTING, A PROCESS TO ENSURE
INDIVIDUALS ARE ELIGIBLE BASED
ON THEIR SALARY.
STATE SENATOR JACK MARTINS IS A
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF
NASSAU COUNTY, SAYS IN ORDER FOR
THIS PROGRAM TO WORK PROPERLY,
THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO ENSURE
(05:53):
PEOPLE IN BAD FAITH DON'T TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF IT.
>> IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE TRULY
AFFORDABLE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE
THAT AFFORDABILITY IS THERE FOR
PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY NEED IT AND
IT DOESN'T BECOME ABUSED BY
THOSE WHO RECEIVE IT WHEN THEY
NEEDED IT, AND THEN REFUSE TO
GET OUT TO MAKE ROOM FOR
SOMEBODY ELSE WHO WILL NEED IT
DOWN THE ROAD.
>> THE BILL IS CURRENTLY STILL
BEING WORKED OUT IN COMMITTEE.
(06:14):
HOWEVER, THE MEASURE WAS PUT
INTO LAWMAKERS ONE-HOUSE BUDGET
PROPOSALS, WHICH MEANS THEY WILL
BE A PART OF BUDGET TALKS WITH
THE GOVERNOR.
IN THE LAST FEW ONE-HOUSE BUDGET
RESOLUTIONS, WHICH ARE THE
LEGISLATURE'S BUDGET PROPOSALS,
LAWMAKERS HAVE ASKED FOR $250
MILLION IN THE FINAL BUDGET FOR
THIS MEASURE.
LAWMAKERS STUCK WITH THE SAME
ALLOCATION THIS YEAR.
ROSENTHAL SAYS SHE HOPES THE
GOVERNOR WHO HAS NOT GIVEN THE
GREEN LIGHT FOR THIS MEASURE IN
(06:34):
THE FINAL BUDGET OVER THE LAST
FEW YEARS, FINALLY SEES THE
URGENCY OF THIS ISSUE.
BUT IT'S EVEN MORE IMPORTANT
THIS YEAR WITH ALL THE CUTS IN
HUD COMING DOWN, PERHAPS THE END
OF VOUCHERS, FUNDING FOR PUBLIC
HOUSING.
IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
THAT THE STATE SET UP AND TAKE
CARE OF RESIDENTS.
>> STATE LAWMAKERS AND
(06:54):
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE ALSO
PUSHING FOR OTHER MEASURES TO
ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY, TAXES.
IN HER EXECUTIVE BUDGET
PROPOSAL, GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL
PROPOSED CUTS TO MIDDLE CLASS
TAXES, INFLATION REBATE CHECKS,
AND EXPANDING THE CHILD TAX
CREDIT.
SOME FISCAL POLICY EXPERTS WHO
TESTIFIED AT A RECENT BUDGET
HEARING TOLD WMHT THE GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET MEASURES ARE NOT AN
EXECUTIVE AFFORDABILITY AGENDA.
NATHAN GUSDORF, THE EXECUTIVE
(07:15):
DIRECTOR OF THE FISCAL POLICY
INSTITUTE, SAYS THE MIDDLE CLASS
TAX CUTS, FOR EXAMPLE, WOULDN'T
HAVE THAT SIGNIFICANT OF AN
IMPACT ON LOWER INCOME NEW
YORKERS.
>> SO EVERYONE LIKES THE IDEA OF
A TAX CUT.
UNFORTUNATELY, A BILLION DOLLARS
SENT TO SUCH A LARGE POPULATION
TRANSLATES INTO A PRETTY SMALL
AMOUNT OF MONEY TO PEOPLE WHO
ACTUALLY RECEIVE THE BENEFIT.
FOR A MIDDLE CLASS HOUSEHOLD, IT
(07:36):
COMES OUT TO $15 A MONTH, WHICH
NEEDLESS TO SAY IS NOT REALLY
NOTICEABLE.
GUSDORF ALSO SAYS THE STATE
WOULD GET A BETTER RETURN ON ITS
INVESTMENT BY PUTTING DOLLARS
INTO PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND
SERVICES SUCH AS CHILDCARE,
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND
TRANSPORTATION.
AND SOME LAWMAKERS LIKE STATE
SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
THE BRONX, AGREE.
>> WHEN WE INVEST IN PUBLIC
(07:57):
SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION-- WHEN
WE INVEST IN THOSE THINGS, WE
MAKE IT SO THAT ECONOMIC
ACTIVITY CAN OCCUR.
>> SOME LAWMAKERS ALSO FEEL
MEASURES LIKE A POLICY TO
ESTABLISH A WORKING FAMILIES TAX
CREDIT WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT
IMPACT FOR FAMILIES.
STATE SENATOR ANDREW GOUNARDES,
A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
BROOKLYN AND THE SPONSOR OF THE
TAX CREDIT BILL, SAYS NEW
(08:17):
YORKERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE
RICH TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR
FAMILIES.
>> HERE'S A FACT.
THREE OUT OF THE TOP TEN CITIES
IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FOR CHILD POVERTY ARE RIGHT HERE
IN NEW YORK STATE.
THAT IS CRIMINAL.
>> THE LEGISLATION, IF PASSED,
WOULD GIVE FAMILIES UP TO $1,600
PER CHILD ANNUALLY TO PAY FOR
ESSENTIALS LIKE GROCERIES, RENT,
(08:39):
AND CHILDCARE.
THE MEASURE WOULD ALSO BE TIED
TO INFLATION TO ADDRESS RISING
COSTS.
JASMINE GRIPPER, THE CODIRECTOR
OF THE NEW YORK STATE WORKING
FAMILIES PARTY, SAYS WHILE THE
GOVERNOR HAS ATTEMPTED TO PUT
MONEY BACK IN NEW YORKERS'
POCKETS THROUGH THE BUDGET
PROPOSAL MEASURES LIKE EXPANDING
THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, NEW
YORKERS NEED MORE.
>> THE GOVERNOR'S CHILD TAX
CREDIT WOULD MOVE THE MAXIMUM
AMOUNT FROM $300 TO $1,000 PER
(09:01):
CHILD, BUT THE WORKING FAMILIES
TAX CREDIT WOULD GO FROM $300 TO
$1,600 PER CHILD SO MORE MONEY
IS IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS.
>> GRIPPER ADDS THE WORKING
FAMILIES TAX CREDIT ALSO EXPANDS
STATE ASSISTANCE BEYOND THE AGE
OF 4 TO THE AGE OF 17.
SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ACROSS
THE AISLE SAY THEY NEED TO
REVIEW THE DETAILS OF THE BILL,
BUT THEY SUPPORT THE CONCEPT OF
(09:21):
PROVIDING RELIEF TO WORKING
FAMILIES.
THIS MEASURE MADE IT INTO
LAWMAKERS ONE-HOUSE BUDGET
PROPOSALS.
SENATOR GOUNARDES SAYS HE FEELS
GOOD ABOUT THE SUPPORT THE BILL
HAS.
ANOTHER MEASURE FROM LAWMAKERS
AND ADVOCATES ARE PUSHING FOR TO
TACKLE AFFORDABILITY IS WAGES.
SOME LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO
PASS A BILL THAT WOULD INCREASE
THE MINIMUM WAGE OUTSIDE OF NEW
YORK CITY.
STATE SENATOR JESSICA RAMOS, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
QUEENS, SAYS THIS IS A WAGE
(09:42):
DISPARITY ISSUE FOR UPSTATE
WORKERS, AND IT NEEDS TO BE
ADDRESSED.
>> THE COST OF LIVING, OF
COURSE, IS HIGH ACROSS THE STATE
AND THERE'S ALSO SOMETHING TO
SAY ABOUT A PERSON'S VALUE WHEN
IT COMES TO THE WORK THEY'VE PUT IN
YOU KNOW, A WORKER WHO DOES THE
WORK UPSTATE IS NOT DIFFERENT
THAN A WORKER WHO DOES THE WORK
(10:03):
DOWNSTATE AND DESERVES THE SAME WAGE
>> STEPHANIE HESLOP, A FOOD
SERVICE WORKER AT CORNELL
UNIVERSITY, HAS SEEN FIRSTHAND
HOW DIFFICULT THE PRESSURES OF
LIVING COSTS CAN BE.
SHE SAYS EVERY DOLLAR MATTERS,
AND THIS LEGISLATION, IF PASSED,
WOULD BE LIFE-CHANGING FOR A LOT
OF PEOPLE.
>> I HAVE COWORKERS WHO ARE AT
OR PAST RETIREMENT AGE WHO ARE
WORKING MULTIPLE, PHYSICALLY
(10:26):
DEMANDING JOBS.
IT'S REALLY HEARTBREAKING.
I HAVE COWORKERS LIVING OUT OF
THEIR CARS ON SECTION 8.
MANY OF MY COWORKERS CAN'T
AFFORD TO LIVE IN ITHACA OR EVEN
IN TOMPKINS COUNTY BECAUSE IT'S
SO EXPENSIVE.
>> WHILE THE BILL HASN'T PASSED
IN PREVIOUS YEARS, RAMOS FEELS
(10:46):
GOOD ABOUT ITS CHANCES THIS YEAR
LAST YEAR, SHE SAYS THE PRIMARY
FOCUS ON WAGES WAS TYING THE
MINIMUM WAGE TO INFLATION, NOW
THAT THEY'VE ACHIEVED THAT THEY
CAN FOCUS ON DISPARITIES LIKE
THIS ONE.
SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SAY
LEGISLATORS HAVE ALREADY DEALT
WITH THE WAGE ISSUE, AFTER
INCREASING THE MINIMUM WAGE LAST
YEAR TO $15 AN HOUR AND TYING IT
TO INFLATION.
MEANWHILE, STATE SENATOR TOM
O'MARA, REPRESENTING PARTS OF
(11:08):
THE SOUTHERN TIER AND A RANKING
MEMBER OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE,
SAYS CHANGES TO THE MINIMUM WAGE
HAVE HAPPENED TOO QUICKLY, AND
HE HAS CONCERNS ABOUT ADDITIONAL
CHANGES NEGATIVELY IMPACTING
BUSINESSES.
>> I SUPPORT IT, THE MINIMUM
WAGE INCREASES FROM IT WAS, BUT
NOT AT THE RATE THAT WE'VE
JUMPED TO.
IT'S ON AUTOPILOT NOW.
THIS YEAR WAS THE LAST YEAR OF
(11:29):
AN AUTOMATIC 50% PER HOUR
PHASE-IN INCREASE.
IT'S GOING TO FOLLOW-- TRACK THE
CPI GOING FORWARD.
SO THAT'S GOING TO GO UP.
IT'S CONCERNING BECAUSE IT IS
DRIVING UP THE COST OF DOING
BUSINESS.
>> BUT, RAMOS ARGUES THE COST OF
BUSINESS WILL CONTINUE TO GO UP
IF CUSTOMERS AND CLIENTS DON'T
HAVE DISPOSABLE INCOME TO SPEND.
(11:50):
>> SO I THINK IT'S WISE TO HELP
PRODUCE MORE CUSTOMERS WITH MORE
PURCHASING POWER AND THAT MEANS
RAISING THE WAGE.
>> SOME REPUBLICANS ALSO SAY
THEY FEEL DEMOCRATS ARE ON A
DIFFERENT PAGE WHEN IT COMES TO
TACKLING AFFORDABILITY.
STATE SENATE MINORITY LEADER ROB
ORTT, REPRESENTING PART OF
NIAGARA COUNTY, ORLEANS COUNTY,
AND PARTS OF MONROE COUNTY, SAYS
DEMOCRATS' SOLUTION TO
AFFORDABILITY IS SPENDING STATE
(12:10):
DOLLARS ON DIFFERENT MEASURES.
WHILE REPUBLICANS FEEL THERE ARE
OTHER WAYS.
>> THE ONLY ANSWER IT SEEMS TO
BE-- FROM THE DEMOCRATS SEEMS TO
BE THIS SPEND MORE TAX DOLLARS,
RIGHT, NOT TO GIVE IT BACK PER
SE OR NOT TO TAKE LESS, BUT
THEY'RE GROWING THE BUDGET.
I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL
WAS EIGHT BILLION MORE.
I'LL KEEP SAYING THIS.
(12:30):
I'VE SAID IT MANY TIMES.
I'M SURE MY MEMBERS ARE TIRED OF
HEARING IT.
IF WE COULD SPEND OUR WAY TO
AFFORDABILITY, WE'D BE THERE.
>> REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS HAVE
INTRODUCED TWO BILLS INTENDING
TO ACHIEVE AFFORDABILITY BY
CUTTING TAXES ON CASH TIPS AND
OVERTIME.
ORTT SAYS A MEASURE LIKE THIS
ONE GOES FURTHER THAN THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL OF A
ONE-TIME REBATE CHECK.
>> I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING
DIFFERENT ABOUT LETTING PEOPLE
KEEP MONEY THEY WENT AND WORKED
(12:52):
FOR IN THEIR POCKET.
>> STATE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER
ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS,
REPRESENTING PARTS OF
WESTCHESTER, ARGUES THIS POLICY
PROPOSED BY REPUBLICANS IS
TIRED.
>> THE FACT THAT THEY'RE ECHOING
TALKING POINTS FROM THE
PRESIDENT QUITE HONESTLY, I
DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT IS AN
ORIGINAL THOUGHT.
AND HE SAYS HE'S GOING TO DO IT
ON A NATIONAL LEVEL.
(13:12):
SO HE SHOULD, YOU KNOW, DO THAT.
SO IF THEY COME WITH SOME
ORIGINAL THOUGHT, WE'RE ALWAYS
WILLING TO HEAR BECAUSE, AGAIN,
WE ARE ALL FOCUSED ON MAKING
SURE NEW YORKERS' LIVES ARE
BETTER.
>> O'MARA SAYS IT'S GOING TO BE
CHALLENGING FOR LAWMAKERS TO
COME TOGETHER ON THESE ISSUES IN
THE BUDGET.
>> IT'S VERY TENUOUS BECAUSE
WE'RE COMING AT IT FROM
COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ANGLES.
(13:34):
WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE NEW YORK
STATE AS AFFORDABLE AS POSSIBLE.
THE DEMOCRATS' PERSPECTIVE IS
LET'S JUST TAKE MONEY FROM THIS
GROUP AND SHIFT IT OVER TO THIS
GROUP SO THIS GROUP CAN AFFORD
TO PAY THE OUTRAGEOUS COSTS OF
LIVING IN NEW YORK.
THAT'S-- THAT'S NOT A-- THAT'S
NOT A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.
>>THE FINAL BUDGET IS DUE APRIL
1ST AND LAWMAKERS STILL HAVE A
(13:54):
WAYS TO GO TO SORT OUT THEIR
DIFFERENCES ON AFFORDABILITY
ISSUES.
IN THE COMING WEEKS, LAWMAKERS
WILL BE NEGOTIATING WITH THE
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE BEFORE THE
BUDGET IS FINALIZED.
ELISE KLINE, "NEW YORK NOW."
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> AND A PART OF AFFORDABILITY
NATURALLY HAS TO DEAL WITH
HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES INCLUDING
UTILITY RATES.
(14:15):
STATE SENATOR KEVIN PARKER, WHO
SERVES AS CHAIR OF THE STATE
SENATE ENERGY AND
TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE,
HAS A LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE AIMED
AT ADDRESSING HIGH UTILITY RATES
FOR NEW YORKERS.
THE SENATOR IS PUSHING FOR IT TO
BE INCLUDED IN THE FINAL ENACTED
BUDGET.
WE SAT DOWN WITH THE SENATOR TO
UNPACK THE PACKAGE AND DISCUSS
(14:37):
THE WAYS IN WHICH SOLAR ENERGY
AND FEDERAL FUNDING CAN ALSO
HELP COMBAT THOSE HIGH RATES.
HERE'S THAT CONVERSATION.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING
THE TIME TO CONNECT WITH US
TODAY, SENATOR.
>> I'M REALLY HAPPY TO HAVE THIS
OPPORTUNITY.
>> WE'RE EXCITED TO BE HERE AND
FIRST, I WANTED TO GET INTO YOUR
NEWLY INTRODUCED LEGISLATIVE
(14:58):
PACKAGE MEANT TO MODERNIZE
UTILITY PROCESSES IN THE STATE
AND HELP NEW YORKERS WITH THOSE
HIGH ENERGY BILLS.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT?
>> YES. WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I'M
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENERGY AND
TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
HERE IN THE STATE SENATE.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE KNOW
HAPPENING BOTH IN MY DISTRICT IN
BROOKLYN ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW
YORK AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS
AN AFFORDABILITY GAP.
(15:19):
PEOPLE JUST HAVING A REALLY,
REALLY HARD TIME MAKING THEIR
ENDS MEET.
WE ALL KNOW ABOUT THE PRICE OF
EGGS, BUT PEOPLE ALSO IN
REALTIME EXPERIENCING THAT SAME
KIND OF, YOU KNOW, STICKER SHOCK
WHEN THEY GET THEIR UTILITY
BILLS EVERY MONTH.
AND SO WE CREATED A PACKAGE THAT
WE PASSED IN THE NEW YORK STATE
SENATE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO THAT
(15:39):
REALLY GOES TO UTILITY
AFFORDABILITY AND SO THERE ARE A
BUNCH OF PROGRAMS THAT ACTUALLY
EXIST ALREADY FOR SENIORS AND
FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE LOW INCOME
AND ONE OF THE BILLS I PUT IN IS
A BILL THAT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY
CONNECT PEOPLE TO THOSE PROGRAMS
INSTEAD OF YOU HAVING AS AN
INDIVIDUAL PERSON TO DO THE
RESEARCH AND CALL THE UTILITY
(16:01):
AND YOU KNOW, FIND OUT WHAT
PROGRAM AND APPLY AND SO ON AND
SO FORTH.
SO WE WANT TO MAKE IT AS EASY AS
POSSIBLE FOR NEW YORKERS TO HOLD
ONTO THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY.
>> FROM YOUR PURVIEW, IS THERE
ANYTHING THAT THE STATE COULD BE
DOING MORE OF IN REGARDS TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO
HELP NEW YORKERS, YOU KNOW,
COMBAT THESE HIGH UTILITY RATES?
(16:21):
>> ABSOLUTELY.
IN FACT, ONE OF THE OTHER BILLS
I HAVE IS A FIXED COST BILL THAT
LOOKS AT THE FIXED COSTS THAT
COME OUT OF THE PSE AND TRY TO
REDUCE THOSE COSTS, SUCH THAT,
YOU KNOW, AGAIN WE CAN LOWER
UTILITY RATES.
I THINK THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE,
YOU KNOW, JUST A-- A
RE-EXAMINING OF THE CRITERIA
THAT THE PSE IS USING TO DECIDE
(16:43):
RATE CASES.
YOU KNOW, BUT IT IS A
COMPLICATED EQUATION GIVEN THE
FACT THAT UTILITIES ALSO HAVE TO
MAINTAIN THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE.
SO ON ONE HAND, THEY HAVE TO
MAINTAIN THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE.
THEY DO THAT THROUGH RATE, YOU
KNOW, RATE CASES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, WE HAVE, YOU
KNOW, YOU KNOW, UTILITY
CUSTOMERS WHO CAN'T AFFORD THEIR
(17:03):
BILLS.
SO CREATING A BALANCE THROUGH
ALL OF THOSE THINGS IS REALLY
IMPORTANT AND THEN WHAT PUTS
MORE STRESS ON THIS PROCESS AS A
STATE LEGISLATOR IS THE FACT
THAT WE HAVE UNRELIABLE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT, RIGHT, WHERE WE'RE
NOT GETTING ANY HELP.
IN FACT, JUST THE OPPOSITE, AND
SO YOU KNOW, EVERYONE IS TRYING
TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE NEXT
BEST OPPORTUNITY TO BOTH LOWER
(17:25):
RATES BUT ALSO PROVIDE THE KIND
OF SERVICE THAT PEOPLE NEED AND
DESERVE FROM THE UTILITIES, BOTH
FROM THE TELECOM SIDE, ENERGY
SIDE AND WATER.
>> HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROVIDE HELP
TO NEW YORKERS ON THIS ISSUE?
>> WELL, IT DEPENDS ON WHAT
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
LET ME TELL YOU, FIRST, ON THE
TELECOM SIDE, THERE WAS SOME
(17:46):
MONEY UNDER THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION IN THE IRA
LEGISLATION FOR THE BUILD-OUT OF
HIGH SPEED BROADBAND.
BUILDING OUT HIGH-SPEED
BROADBAND IS REALLY, REALLY
CRITICAL IN URBAN AREA AND RURAL
AND SUBURBAN AREAS FOR WHAT IS
REFERRED TO AS THE LAST MILE
ISSUE AND GETTING TO A CERTAIN
AREA BUT GETTING IT TO FROM THE
(18:07):
ROAD TO YOUR HOUSE
BECOMES A PROBLEM, SO CERTAINLY
THAT'S A PLACE THAT THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT CERTAINLY COULD
PROVIDE RESOURCES.
ON THE ENERGY SIDE, PARTICULARLY
AS WE KIND OF TRANSITION TO A
CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY, YOU KNOW,
IT'S KIND OF THREE AREAS OF
CONCERN.
ONE IS ACTUALLY GETTING CLEAN
ENERGY ASSETS INTO THE GROUND TO
(18:27):
PRODUCE ELECTRONS.
THOSE INTERCONNECTIONS FROM THE
GENERATION PROJECTS INTO THE
GRID, RIGHT, NEED TO BE SMOOTHER
AND THIS IS THE AREA THAT WE
REALLY COULD USE SOME HELP FROM
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON IS
TRANSMISSION LINES.
WHAT WE REFER TO AS THE GRID.
RIGHT? AND THOSE TRANSMISSION
LINES NEED TO BE REALLY, REALLY
UPGRADED.
CERTAINLY ANY DOLLARS WE CAN GET
FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN
ORDER TO DO THAT WOULD BE, YOU
(18:49):
KNOW, RESOURCES WE DON'T HAVE TO
LOOK TO RATE PAYERS FOR, AND SO
THOSE ARE AREAS I WOULD, YOU
KNOW, TELL THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT YOU WANT TO BE
HELPFUL TO THE PEOPLE ACROSS THE
COUNTRY, THIS IS THE AREA THAT
EVERY SINGLE STATE NEEDS SOME
HELP WITH.
>> AT THE TIME THAT WE'RE
FILMING THIS INTERVIEW, THE
GOVERNOR JUST RECENTLY SENT A
LETTER TO THE CHAIR AND CEO OF
CON EDISON ASKING THEM TO TAKE A
(19:10):
STEP BACK FROM THEIR PROPOSED
RATE HIKE.
I WANTED TO GET YOUR REACTION TO
THAT MOVE FROM THE GOVERNOR.
>> AGAIN, I UNDERSTAND THE
GOVERNOR IS TAKING THE ISSUE OF
UTILITY AFFORDABILITY VERY
SERIOUSLY, AS AGAIN, WE HAVE.
YOU KNOW, WE PASSED A SET OF
BILLS ON FEBRUARY 5TH HERE IN
THE STATE SENATE.
THIS IS A PACKAGE THAT WE
(19:31):
BROUGHT FORWARD FOR THE THIRD
YEAR IN A ROW.
WE'RE NOT NEW TO THIS.
WE'RE TRUE TO THIS.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT UTILITY
AFFORDABILITY IS A MAIN PRONG,
YOU KNOW, IN THE SPOKES OF THE
WHEEL THAT IS TURNING THIS
STATE.
VERY PROUD TO HAVE BEEN ONE OF
THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED WITH
GOVERNOR CUOMO ON GETTING A
(19:53):
TELECOM AFFORDABILITY PACKAGE.
RIGHT NOW, IT'S ABOUT $30 WHEN I
INITIALLY PUT IT IN, I PUT IT IN
AT $10.
WE WOUND UP PASSING THE LAW AT
15 AND THE COURTS MADE US RAISE
IT TO 30.
BUT WE'RE ONE OF THE FEW STATES
IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, MAYBE THE
ONLY ONE THAT ACTUALLY HAS A,
YOU KNOW, INCOME-BASED RATE FOR
(20:14):
HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE
REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT
HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND IS AS
IMPORTANT AS ANY OTHER UTILITY.
THE SAME WAY WE WOULD NOT EVER
PUT ANYONE IN APARTMENT IN A
HOUSE WITHOUT HEAT, HOT WATER
AND ELECTRICITY AND IN THIS
2025, CAN'T PUT SOMEBODY IN A
HOUSE OR APARTMENT WITHOUT HIGH
SPEED BROADBAND AND WE NEED TO
(20:35):
MAKE SURE IT'S AS AFFORDABLE AS
POSSIBLE.
>> WHEN IT COMES TO SOLAR
ENERGY, IS THERE ANY OPPORTUNITY
FOR THE USE OF SOLAR ENERGY TO
HELP ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY OF
UTILITY RATES AND HELP PROTECT
NEW YORKERS?
>> YEAH. SO, YOU KNOW, ONE OF
THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN
THE STATE OF NEW YORK THAT I'M
VERY PROUD OF IS SOMETHING
CALLED THE CLCPA, CLIMATE
LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY
(20:56):
PROTECTION ACT.
IT IS A SET OF ONE OF THE MOST
AUDACIOUS AND CLIMATE GOALS IN
THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
WE REALLY HOPE TO GET TO BE NET
ZERO, NET ZERO BY 2050 IS THE
ULTIMATE GOAL.
WE HAVE SOME INTERMEDIATE GOALS
AS WELL.
SOLAR DEVELOPMENT IS A BIG PART
(21:16):
OF THAT.
PROBABLY THE BASE OF OUR CLEAN
ENERGY LOAD IS ACTUALLY PROBABLY
HYDRO ELECTRIC.
WE KIND OF TAKE IT FOR GRANTED
BECAUSE WE'VE HAD IT FOR SUCH A
LONG TIME AND KIND OF THE STAR
THAT OF THAT SYSTEM IS NIAGRA
FALLS, RIGHT, BUT WE HAVE A HUGE
COMMITMENT TO BUILDING OUT SOLAR
HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(21:37):
WE HAVE A PROGRAM IN NYSERDA,
NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, AND IN
NYSERDA, WE HAVE A PROGRAM
CALLED NY-SUN, AND THAT'S
A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES
INCENTIVES FOR SOLAR DEVELOPMENT
AND UTILITY SCALE SOLAR
DEVELOPMENT, RIGHT.
SO THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF
RETAIL BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO
GET THERE ONE HOUSE AT A TIME.
(21:57):
WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FOR MORE,
AGAIN, UTILITY SCALE PROJECTS TO
PRODUCE CLEAN ENERGY ELECTRONS
AND THEN A LOT OF TIMES THAT'S
PAIRED WITH WIND AND BATTERY
STORAGE.
I REFER TO IT AS THE HOLY
TRINITY OF SUSTAINABLE ENERGY,
RIGHT, SUN IN THE DAY, WIND AT
NIGHT AND BATTERY STORAGE FOR
(22:18):
TIMES THAT YOU DON'T HAVE
EITHER.
SO WE NEED TO BUILD A LOT MORE.
WE HAVE THE RESOURCES HERE IN
THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING TOWARDS THOSE
GOALS.
THE BIG LEGISLATIVE ITEM FOR US
THIS YEAR IS KIND OF CREATING A
STATEWIDE SOLAR SITING BILL THAT
WOULD ALLOW ONE STANDARD ACROSS
THE STATE FOR BUILDING SOLAR SO
(22:39):
THAT SOLAR DEVELOPERS DON'T HAVE
TO NEGOTIATE TERMS IN EVERY
SINGLE MUNICIPALITY ACROSS THE
STATE, WHICH SLOWS DOWN THE
PROCESS AND MAKES IT MORE
EXPENSIVE.
>> AND LASTLY, AS CHAIR OF THE
STATE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY
AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS, I WANTED
TO GET YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON HOW
YOU'RE HOPING THE STATE WILL
APPROACH PROTECTING NEW YORKERS
(23:01):
FROM THESE HIGH UTILITY RATES IN
THE YEARS TO COME IN A WAY THAT
IS SUSTAINABLE FOR THE STATE.
>> WELL, AGAIN, WITHIN THE
CONTEXT OF THE CLCPA, WE REACH
OUR GOALS, THE MORE CLEAN ENERGY
ASSETS WE GET INTO THE GROUND
AND THE BETTER OUR GRID IS AND
THE MORE EFFICIENT OUR GRID IS,
THAT WILL LOWER RATES.
SOME OF IT IS JUST REALLY SIMPLE
(23:23):
SUPPLY AND DEMAND.
RIGHT NOW, THE DEMAND FOR LOAD,
RIGHT, SO THE-- LIKE PEOPLE JUST
NEED MORE ELECTRICITY, RIGHT.
AND THE MORE ELECTRICITY PEOPLE
NEED, THE MORE PEOPLE ARE
PLUGGING STUFF IN, THE MORE
DEMAND THERE IS AND OUR
GENERATION HAS BEEN STAGNANT.
WE REALLY NEED TO UPRAMP OUR
GENERATION.
SO WE'RE DOING THAT WITH KIND OF
(23:43):
AN ALREADY ABOVE APPROACH AS WE
GO FORWARD, AND THE MORE OF THE
CLEAN ENERGY ASSETS THAT WE GET
INTO THE GROUND MEANS THAT WE
HAVE MORE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY.
THAT'S GOING TO LOWER COSTS.
PART OF IT ALSO WILL BE, YOU
KNOW, A LOT OF WEATHERIZATION
WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AS
WELL.
(24:03):
NEW YORKER IS AN OLD STATE.
WE HAVE OLD BUILDINGS.
WE NEED TO RETROFIT THOSE
BUILDINGS.
PEOPLE NEED TO PLUG INTO
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE DHCR,
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
COMMUNITY RENEWAL.
THEY HAVE A NUMBER OF
WEATHERIZATION PROGRAMS AS WELL
AS NYSERDA HAS WEATHERIZATION
PROGRAMS THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO
GET ENERGY AUDITS TO SEE KIND OF
(24:24):
WHERE YOU'RE LOSING ENERGY AT,
HOW TO GET, YOU KNOW, LOW ENERGY
APPLIANCES, LIGHT BULBS, THOSE
KINDS OF THINGS, AND SO PART OF
THIS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY IS US
OR AS INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS AND
BUSINESS OWNERS TO LOOK AT OUR
HOMES, OUR BUSINESSES AND THE
BUILDINGS THAT WE ARE OCCUPYING
(24:45):
AND MAKE THEM AS ENERGY
EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE AND
SIMULTANEOUSLY LEARN WHAT THEY
CALL DEMAND RESPONSE.
SO IF YOU HAVE A DISHWASHER IN
YOUR HOUSE OR WASHER AND DRIER
IN YOUR HOUSE, THE BEST TIMES TO
USE THOSE APPLIANCES ARE REALLY
OFF-PEAK HOURS, RIGHT.
SO DON'T TURN YOUR, YOU KNOW,
(25:05):
YOUR DISHWASHER ON-- I DON'T
HAVE A DISHWASHER.
I AM THE DISHWASHER IN HIGH
HOUSE.
RICH PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF, IF
YOU HAVE A DISHWASHER, TURN IT
ON AT NIGHT BEFORE YOU GO TO
BED, NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
DAY.
THAT USES LESS EXPENSIVE
ELECTRICITY AND THAT WILL KEEP
YOUR BILL LOWER.
SO THOSE DEMAND RESPONSE
PROTOCOLS ARE THINGS THAT NEW
YORKERS NEED TO LEARN IN
(25:26):
ADDITION TO THE THINGS THAT WE
NEED TO DO IN OUR HOMES IN TERMS
OF RETROFITTING OUR HOMES AND
OUR BUILDINGS.
>> WELL, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE
A LOT OF IMPORTANT WORK AHEAD.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S ALL THE
TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE
TIME TO SPEAK WITH US TODAY,
SENATOR.
>> OH, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
I APPRECIATE IT.
>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH
STATE SENATOR KEVIN PARKER.
(25:46):
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> WELL, THAT DOES 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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