May 2, 2025 • 26 mins
Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders have reached a general state budget agreement three weeks after the initial deadline. However, state leaders are working on a few outstanding issues, and lawmakers still need to pass budget bills before the final budget can officially be enacted. We unpack the details of the agreement with Jimmy Vielkind of WNYC and Austin C. Jefferson of City & State. State Sen. Rachel May (D - Chair of Consumer Protection Committee and Legislative Commission on Rural Resources) joins us to unpack consumer protection and environmental priorities this year.
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(00:00):
[THEME MUSIC]
(00:19):
>> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S
EDITION OF NEW YORK NOW.
I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL AND
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HAVE COME TO
A GENERAL AGREEMENT ON THE FINAL
STATE BUDGET.
THIS AGREEMENT, OF COURSE, COMES
ABOUT THREE WEEKS AFTER THE
INITIAL APRIL 1ST BUDGET
DEADLINE AND TOTALS TO ABOUT
$254 BILLION.
(00:40):
IN A RED ROOM ANNOUNCEMENT AT
THE STATE CAPITOL, THE GOVERNOR
TOUTED THE MANY PROPOSALS THAT
SHE'S BEEN PUSHING THAT
ULTIMATELY DID MAKE IT INTO THE
BUDGET DEAL.
THOSE PROPOSALS INCLUDE CHANGES
TO DISCOVERY LAWS, CELL PHONE
RESTRICTIONS IN SCHOOLS,
INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT AND
REFUND CHECKS.
(01:01):
BUT THE FINAL BUDGET IS NOT
QUITE DONE JUST YET.
STATE LEADERS ACKNOWLEDGE THERE
ARE A NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING
ISSUES THAT STILL NEED TO BE
WORKED OUT.
AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE
ALSO NEED TO VOTE ON THE ACTUAL
BUDGET BILLS BEFORE THE FINAL
BUDGET CAN OFFICIALLY BE
ENACTED.
LEADERS SAY THEY ARE HOPEFUL
(01:22):
THAT CAN HAPPEN AS SOON AS NEXT
WEEK ALTHOUGH NOT CONFIRMED.
TO DISCUSS THIS YEAR'S BUDGET
CYCLE AND THE GOVERNOR'S
ANNOUNCEMENT, WE ARE JOINED BY
JIMMY VIELKIND OF WNYC AND THE
NEW YORK PUBLIC NEWS NETWORK, AS
WELL AS AUSTIN JEFFERSON OF CITY
AND STATE NEW YORK.
(01:44):
THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR
JOINING ME HERE TODAY.
>> HAPPY TO BE HERE.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.
>> NOW, NATURALLY, I WANTED TO
START WITH THE GOVERNOR'S
ANNOUNCEMENT OF A GENERAL BUDGET
DEAL BETWEEN LEADERS.
WE KNOW THAT THIS DOES NOT
NECESSARILY MEAN A FINAL STATE
BUDGET.
LAWMAKERS STILL NEED TO VOTE ON
THE ACTUAL BUDGET BILLS BEFORE
THE BUDGET CAN BE ENACTED, BUT I
WANTED TO JUST GET YOUR GENERAL
(02:04):
REACTION TO THAT ANNOUNCEMENT BY
THE GOVERNOR AND THE TIMING OF
IT.
WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF IT?
>> WELL, GOVERNORS HAVE THE
PREROGATIVE OF ANNOUNCING THE
BUDGET, KIND OF ON THEIR OWN
TERMS, AND THAT'S CERTAINLY WHAT
WE SAW GOVERNOR HOCHUL DO THIS
WEEK.
SHE WANTED TO EMPHASIZE THAT THE
MAIN POLICY PRIORITIES THAT SHE
SAW IN THIS SPENDING PLAN, IN
(02:25):
HER ESTIMATION, SHE HAS
ACHIEVED.
THAT INCLUDES SOME KIND OF AN
AFFORDABILITY AGENDA, WHICH WILL
INCLUDE REBATE CHECKS FOR MIDDLE
CLASS NEW YORK FAMILIES.
IT INCLUDES A BELL TO BELL BAN
ON STUDENTS' CELL PHONE USE.
IT INCLUDES CHANGES TO THE
DISCOVERY PROCESS.
THAT'S THE WAY THAT EVIDENCE IS
SHARED BEFORE A CRIMINAL TRIAL.
(02:46):
AND IT ALSO INCLUDES CHANGES TO
THE STANDARD BY WHICH A PERSON
CAN BE INVOLUNTARILY COMMITTED
FOR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.
AND I GUESS THE FIFTH ONE IS
RESTRICTIONS ON THE WEARING OF
MASKS IN PUBLIC.
SO, HOCHUL ACHIEVED GENERAL
AGREEMENT WITH LEGISLATIVE
LEADERS ON THOSE THINGS.
SHE DECLARED VICTORY, SHE
STARTED TOURING THE STATE TO
GAIN POLITICAL POINTS, AND SHE'S
(03:07):
LEFT IT TO LAWMAKERS TO WORK OUT
THE REST.
NOW, THAT IS A BREAK FROM OTHER
YEARS OF COVERING THE BUDGET, IN
WHICH YOU HAVE A GUBERNATORIAL
ANNOUNCEMENT, GENERALLY ABOUT 36
HOURS BEFORE BILLS START GETTING
PRINTED AND ALL THE FINER POINTS
GET WORKED OUT.
SO HOCHUL MAY HAVE TAKEN THAT
VICTORY LAP A LITTLE EARLIER
THAN PREVIOUS GOVERNORS, AND AS
(03:29):
WE RECORD THIS, WE STILL HAVE
NOT SEEN FINALIZED BUDGET
LEGISLATION AND YOU'RE STARTING
TO HEAR SOME MORE GRUMBLING BY
RANK AND FILE LAWMAKERS WHO ARE
WONDERING WHEN THERE ACTUALLY
WILL BE A FULL BUDGET DEAL.
>> YEAH, AND I WANTED TO GET
INTO SOME OF THE POLICY THAT
HAVE BEEN DRIVING NEGOTIATIONS.
WE SAW A BIG FOCUS THIS YEAR
AROUND DISCOVERY REFORM.
(03:50):
THE GOVERNOR WANTED TO CHANGE
HOW AND WHEN PROSECUTORS MUST
TURN TURN OVER EVIDENCE IN COURT
CASES.
MEANWHILE MEMBERS OF THE
LEGISLATURE FELT THAT THERE WERE
OTHER WAYS TO ADDRESS COURT
DISMISSALS WITHOUT NECESSARILY
TINKERING WITH THE ENTIRE
SYSTEM.
SO WHY WAS THIS SUCH A
CONTENTIOUS ISSUE THROUGHOUT
BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS THAT
ULTIMATELY STALLED NEGOTIATIONS
(04:11):
FOR SOME TIME?
>> I THINK FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE
REFORMERS, IT REALLY FELT LIKE
GOING BACK ON THAT PROMISE TO
MAKE A MORE EQUITABLE CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SYSTEM.
BECAUSE THE IDEA BEHIND I THINK
DISCOVERY INITIALLY WAS JUST
THAT WE WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE WHO
ARE INVOLVED IN JUSTICE SYSTEM A
CHANCE AT A FASTER TRIAL, A
BETTER CHANCE AT GETTING THEIR
SIDE HEARD WITHIN A TRIAL.
(04:32):
AND TO GO BACK ON THAT BY
SAYING, WELL, ONLY CERTAIN KINDS
OF INFORMATION NEED TO BE
SHARED, AND ONLY ON A CERTAIN
TIMELINE, AND NOW THE JUDGE HAS
FAR MORE LEEWAY OF DECIDING WHAT
IS OR ISN'T A SORT OF, YOU KNOW,
A MALPRACTICE ON THE SIDE OF A
PROSECUTOR.
I THINK TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IT
FELT LIKE WE'RE KIND OF GIVING
UP ON THE IDEA OF GIVING NEW
YORKERS A CHANCE AT GETTING
THEIR SIDE HEARD IN COURT.
(04:54):
I UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WAS
IMPORTANT TO THE GOVERNOR, BUT I
THINK IF YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO
HANGS THEIR HAT ON, YOU KNOW,
MAKING A BETTER JUSTICE SYSTEM
FOR NEW YORKERS, IT DEFINITELY
FEELS LIKE WE'RE GOING IN THE
WRONG DIRECTION.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> I WAS SURPRISED THAT THIS
DEBATE OCCUPIED SO MUCH OXYGEN
IN BUDGET TALKS BECAUSE IT IS
VERY, VERY, VERY MUCH IN THE
WEEDS.
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO
(05:15):
UNDERSTAND.
I'VE STRUGGLED AS A BROADCASTER
TO QUICKLY CONVEY TO PEOPLE WHAT
WE'RE EVEN TALKING ABOUT.
AND AUSTIN, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY
RIGHT.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS
CRITICAL AND A RED ALERT FOR
PEOPLE WHO HAVE ADVOCATED FOR A
FAIRER CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
THAT GIVES MORE RIGHTS TO
CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS.
I THINK FROM GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S
PERSPECTIVE, SHE WANTED TO BE
(05:37):
SEEN AS TAKING A STANCE THAT
WOULD IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY.
AND SO BY STANDING WITH
PROSECUTORS, BY STANDING WITH
NEW YORK CITY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS
SPECIFICALLY, WHO HAVE SAID THAT
THIS LAW RESULTED IN AN INCREASE
IN CASE DISMISSALS, HOCHUL IS
ABLE TO SAY THAT SHE TOOK AN
(05:57):
ACTION THAT WILL HELP INCREASE
PUBLIC SAFETY, WHETHER IT'S
ACTUALLY GOING TO WORK, WHETHER
IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO DRAG
THINGS DOWN, THAT REMAINS TO BE
SEEN.
BUT GOING INTO A 2026 EXPECTED
RE ELECTION CAMPAIGN FOR
GOVERNOR HOCHUL, SHE WANTED TO
USE THIS BUDGET TO GAIN
ACHIEVEMENTS, UPON WHICH SHE
COULD BUILD A REELECTION
(06:18):
MESSAGE.
AND I THINK, AGAIN, HAVING THAT
ABILITY TO SAY I STOOD WITH
PROSECUTORS IS SOMETHING THAT I
EXPECT WE'RE GOING TO BE HEARING
A LOT MORE OF FROM THE GOVERNOR,
PARTICULARLY IN THE CONTEXT OF A
CAMPAIGN NEXT YEAR.
>> YEAH. I AGREE WITH THAT.
I MEAN, I THINK THIS YEAR, MORE
THAN EVER, WE SAW THE GOVERNOR
APPLY MORE FORCE THAN USUAL,
RIGHT?
LIKE SHE BROUGHT IN DISTRICT
(06:38):
ATTORNEYS FROM ACROSS THE STATE
TO DRIVE HOME THAT MESSAGING
THAT THERE NEEDED TO BE REFORMS
TO DISCOVERY LAW AND SHE SORT OF
DOUBLED DOWN ON HER TAKE THAT A
GOOD BUDGET IS BETTER THAN AN ON
TIME ONE.
SO THAT WAS SUPER INTERESTING TO
ME AND WE'LL SEE WHETHER OR NOT
THAT WAS AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY.
BUT I WANTED TO TURN TO MASS
BANS ACROSS THE STATE.
JIMMY, I KNOW YOU'VE DONE SOME
(06:59):
REALLY AWESOME AND THOROUGH
REPORTING ON THIS ISSUE.
SO CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE
IMPETUS OF THE PROPOSAL BY THE
GOVERNOR?
>> WELL, THIS ACTUALLY STARTED
LAST YEAR.
THERE WERE SOME VIDEOS THAT
CIRCULATED ON SOCIAL MEDIA
SHOWING PRO PALESTINIAN
PROTESTERS ON NEW YORK CITY
SUBWAY CARS, I THINK THE BEST
WAY TO DESCRIBE IT IS HARASSING
RIDERS, AND THESE PEOPLE WERE
WEARING MASKS.
(07:21):
AND SO THAT LED TO CONCERN AND
OUTCRY, PARTICULARLY FROM JEWISH
GROUPS WHO SAID THAT THEY'RE
CONCERNED THAT PEOPLE ARE
WEARING MASKS UNDER THE CLOAK OF
ANONYMITY AND HARASSING,
HARASSING PEOPLE WHO ARE JEWISH,
WHO APPEAR TO BE JEWISH BY
WEARING A SKULL CAP OR OTHER
RELIGIOUS GARB.
AND HOCHUL AT THE TIME DENOUNCED
(07:42):
THAT.
AND THEN OVER THE COURSE OF
BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS, THIS WAS
SORT OF A LATE ADD FOR HER.
THERE HAD BEEN A PIECE OF
LEGISLATION PERCOLATING IN THE
STATE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY,
WHICH WOULD HAVE DONE TWO
THINGS.
IT WOULD HAVE CREATED A NEW
CRIME OF QUOTE UNQUOTE MASKED
HARASSMENT AND IT ALSO WOULD
HAVE INCREASED THE PENALTIES FOR
(08:04):
PEOPLE WHO ARE WEARING A MASK TO
CONCEAL THEIR IDENTITY WHILE
THEY ARE PERHAPS COMMITTING
HARASSMENT OR ASSAULT OR SOME
OTHER UNDERLYING CRIME.
HOCHUL KIND OF WENT ALL OVER THE
PLACE IN THE COURSE OF BUDGET
NEGOTIATIONS ON THIS ISSUE.
FIRST SHE SAID SHE BACKED THAT
PIECE OF LEGISLATION.
THEN WE HEARD THAT SHE WAS
(08:24):
SOFTENING TO SAY WE JUST WANT TO
HAVE SOME KIND OF A PENALTY
ENHANCER, AND THAT SOFTENING
HAPPENED BECAUSE IT WAS REALLY
DIFFICULT FOR HER TO EXPLAIN AND
FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO EXPLAIN,
WELL, YOUR INTENT IS THAT YOU'RE
WEARING A MASK FOR MEDICAL
REASONS.
YOUR INTENT IS THAT YOU'RE
WEARING A MASK FOR MEDICAL, FOR
(08:44):
RELIGIOUS PURPOSES.
BUT JIMMY, YOU WEARING A MASK,
YOU'RE CLEARLY GONNA HARASS
SOMEBODY.
YOU'RE UNDER ARREST, YOU'RE NOT
UNDER ARREST, YOU'RE NOT UNDER
ARREST.
AND THAT POTENTIAL FOR DISPARATE
ENFORCEMENT, AND PARTICULARLY
HOW WE'VE SEEN OVER TIME, LAWS
WHERE THERE'S DISCRETION FOR
ENFORCEMENT HAVE IMPACTED BLACK
AND BROWN PEOPLE AND LOW INCOME
PEOPLE, THAT LED STATE LAWMAKERS
(09:05):
TO REALLY PUSH BACK.
SO WHERE LAWMAKERS HAVE
APPARENTLY FINALLY LANDED, AND I
HAVE TO SAY WE HAVE NOT ACTUALLY
SEEN THE LANGUAGE ON THIS DEAL,
WAS TO CREATE AN ADDITIONAL
CHARGE AGAINST A PERSON WHO
COMMITS AN UNDERLYING SERIOUS
OFFENSE, SOMETHING LIKE PETTY
LARCENY, SOMETHING LIKE
HARASSMENT, AND THAT IF THEY ARE
(09:26):
WEARING A MASK TO CONCEAL THEIR
IDENTITY WHILE THEY ARE
COMMITTING SAID UNDERLYING
OFFENSE, THERE CAN BE AN
ADDITIONAL CHARGE AGAINST THEM.
SO, THE GOVERNOR CAN SAY, AS SHE
DID THIS WEEK, THAT SHE IS
GETTING TOUGH AND PUTTING
PENALTIES ON PEOPLE WHO ARE
USING MASKS TO CONCEAL THEIR
IDENTITY, BUT HOPEFULLY AND
(09:48):
PERHAPS AVOIDING SOME OF THOSE
CONCERNS ABOUT DISCRETION AND
DISPARATE IMPACT IN THE
ENFORCEMENT.
>>> AND ANOTHER BIG ISSUE WITH
CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS.
THE GOVERNOR WANTED TO IMPLEMENT
WHAT WAS CALLED A BELL TO BELL
BAND ON CELL PHONES FOR STUDENTS
AND PARENTS ARGUED, YOU KNOW,
THEY WANTED TO BE ABLE TO
COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR CHILDREN
(10:08):
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.
ULTIMATELY, THE GOVERNOR DID GET
THAT IN THE FINAL BUDGET DEAL
FROM WHAT SHE'S ANNOUNCING, BUT
I WANTED TO DISCUSS WITH YOU
ALL, HOW DID THAT ISSUE TAKE
SHAPE THROUGHOUT THE BUDGET
PROCESS THIS YEAR?
>> SO I THINK IT HELPED HER A
LOT THAT STATE LAWMAKERS AND THE
TEACHERS UNIONS WE'RE PRETTY
MUCH ON BOARD FROM THE
BEGINNING.
IT WAS MORE GETTING DISTRICTS
(10:29):
AND PARENTS TO UNDERSTAND, I
GUESS, HOW THIS WOULD PLAY OUT.
I MEAN, HER STRATEGY OF HAVING
LAW ENFORCEMENT GO TO SCHOOLS
AND SORT OF EXPLAIN, LIKE, WE'RE
NOT GOING TO PUT YOUR KIDS IN A
SITUATION WHERE THERE'S NO ONE
THERE TO HELP THEM.
IT'S JUST THAT TEACHERS AND THE
POLICE, WE ARE THE RESOURCES,
NOT THE PHONES.
I THINK THAT MESSAGE TOOK A
WHILE TO COMMUNICATE, BUT I
(10:49):
THINK THEY GOT THERE OVER TIME
WHERE LAWMAKERS FELT VERY
COMFORTABLE SAYING WE'RE GOING
TO DO THIS.
>> RIGHT AND ANOTHER BIG ISSUE
OF COURSE WAS INVOLUNTARY
COMMITMENT BEING USED AS A MEANS
TO HELP OR ADDRESS PEOPLE
BATTLING MENTAL ILLNESS.
SO HOW DID THAT ISSUE ULTIMATELY
TAKE SHAPE?
>> REALLY AND AGAIN THIS IS
REALLY DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE
HAVING NOT SEEN THE EXACT BUDGET
(11:10):
LANGUAGE BUT WHAT I UNDERSTAND
FROM MY REPORTING IS THAT
HOCHUL'S PUSH TO BROADEN THE
STANDARD FROM SOMEONE WHO IS
DEMONSTRATING THAT THEY WILL BE
A REPRESENT A RISK OF IMMINENT
HARM TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS
THAT'S EITHER SOMEONE TALKING
ABOUT SELF HARM OR SUICIDE OR
SOMEONE THREATENING VIOLENCE
AGAINST ANOTHER PERSON TO
SOMEONE WHO ESSENTIALLY AS WE
(11:31):
UNDERSTAND IT IS EVINCING THAT
THEY CANNOT CARE FOR THEIR BASIC
NEEDS, NOT FEEDING, NOT
CLOTHING, NOT SEEKING MEDICAL
CARE FOR THEMSELVES.
WHAT LAWMAKERS SEEM TO HAVE DONE
IS PUT MORE SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
ON THE FRONT AND THE BACK END OF
THAT.
THEY HAVE PUSHED TO HAVE MORE
(11:51):
NON POLICE RESPONDERS BE
INVOLVED IN CASES WHERE
EMERGENCY CALLS COME IN FOR A
PERSON IN SEEMING DISTRESS AND
ALSO TO MAKE SURE THAT ONCE THAT
PERSON IS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL,
THERE'S MUCH MORE PLANNING ON ON
THE BACK END BEFORE THEY'RE
RELEASED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY
ARE CONNECTED WITH SERVICES OVER
THE LONG TERM AND NOT INVOLVED
IN SOME SORT OF A REVOLVING
(12:12):
DOOR.
>> IN THE LAST 30 SECONDS THAT
WE HAVE LEFT, I WANTED TO HEAR
FROM EACH OF YOU IF THERE WAS
ANYTHING THAT SURPRISED YOU THIS
YEAR IN THE BUDGET PROCESS.
>> I MEAN, I THINK TWOFOLD JUST
HOW LONG THIS IS TAKING, ONLY
BECAUSE I THINK THE START OF THE
YEAR, A LOT OF US WERE UNDER THE
IMPRESSION THAT THIS WAS A NO
FRILLS BUDGET, JUST SOME PRETTY
STRAIGHTFORWARD PUBLIC SAFETY
(12:33):
REFORMS, MAYBE THE THINGS WE
TALKED ABOUT.
IN THEORY SHOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN
THAT MUCH LONGER THAN THE APRIL
1ST DEADLINE, BUT HERE WE ARE IN
MAY.
AND BEYOND THAT, I MEAN, I THINK
THE HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM THAT
SHE'S BEEN AGAINST FOR YEARS TO
BRING THAT BACK AT THE LAST
SECOND SEEMINGLY, EVEN AT THE
FUNDING LEVEL IS MUCH LOWER THAN
THE LAWMAKERS HAD INITIALLY HAD
(12:54):
IN MIND, IT'S A VERY SURPRISING
ABOUT FACE FOR HER, ESPECIALLY
SINCE THE POINT BEING MADE THAT
AFFORDABILITY COULD BE ADDRESSED
THROUGH THIS, IT DIDN'T SEEM TO
FAZE HER.
>> JIMMY?
>> I AGREE EXACTLY WHAT YOU
SAID, AUSTIN.
THE HOUSING ACCESS VOUCHER
PROGRAM WAS A SURPRISE, AND THE
TARDINESS OF THIS BUDGET WAS
STRIKING TO ME.
THAT ALSO HAPPENED AT A TIME
WHERE WE'RE SEEING MAJOR FISCAL
(13:16):
RISKS TO NEW YORK UNFOLD.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS
TALKING ABOUT REDUCING FUNDING
FOR STATES THROUGH BUDGETARY
PROGRAMS.
THAT'S WHAT THE RHETORIC IS FROM
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.
NEW YORK RECEIVES MORE THAN $90
BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS IN A
$250 PLUS BILLION SPENDING PLAN.
AND ALSO WE'RE SEEING THE
ECONOMIC CONDITION BECOME MUCH
MORE UNCERTAIN AS THE IMPACT OF
(13:37):
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TARIFFS ROLL
THROUGH THE ECONOMY AND CAUSE
GYRATIONS IN THE STOCK MARKET.
SO I WAS SURPRISED THAT THAT WAS
REALLY NOT PART OF THE
CONVERSATION AS LAWMAKERS WERE
CRAFTING THIS BUDGET.
>> WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S
ALL THE TIME THAT WE HAVE FOR
THIS MORNING, BUT THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO
SPEAK WITH US.
>> THANKS, SHANTEL.
>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH
(13:57):
JIMMY VIELKIND OF WNYC AND THE
NEW YORK PUBLIC NEWS NETWORK, AS
WELL AS AUSTIN JEFFERSON OF CITY
AND STATE NEW YORK.
AND FOR MORE ON THE GENERAL
BUDGET AGREEMENT, YOU CAN VISIT
OUR WEBSITE AT NYNOW.ORG.
NOW TURNING TO ANOTHER IMPORTANT
(14:17):
TOPIC.
LAST WEEK, ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVOCATES JOINED LAWMAKERS AT
THE STATE CAPITOL TO PUSH FOR
THE BIGGER BETTER BOTTLE BILL.
THIS IS A MEASURE THAT WOULD
INCREASE THE STATE'S BOTTLE
DEPOSIT AMOUNT FROM FIVE TO TEN
CENTS PER BOTTLE.
SUPPORTERS ARGUE IT'S AN
IMPORTANT MEASURE IN ADDRESSING
POLLUTION ACROSS THE STATE.
(14:39):
IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, WE SIT
DOWN WITH STATE SENATOR RACHEL
MAY TO UNPACK ENVIRONMENTAL AND
CONSUMER PROTECTION PRIORITIES
AT THE CAPITOL THIS YEAR.
HERE'S THAT INTERVIEW.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US
TODAY, SENATOR.
>> OH, IT'S MY PLEASURE.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
AND, YOU KNOW, EARLIER THIS
(14:59):
YEAR, YOU WERE APPOINTED CHAIR
OF THE CONSUMER PROTECTION
SENATE COMMITTEE.
NOW I WANTED TO GET YOUR
PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT ARE SOME OF
THE BIGGEST THREATS TO CONSUMER
PROTECTION IN THE STATE AND HOW
ARE YOU HOPING TO ADDRESS THESE
ISSUES AS CHAIR?
>> YEAH. SO A FEW MONTHS AGO I
MIGHT HAVE ANSWERED THAT
QUESTION DIFFERENTLY.
I WOULD SAY THE BIGGEST THREAT
TO CONSUMER PROTECTION IN THE
(15:19):
STATE IS THE THREAT COMING FROM
WASHINGTON BECAUSE THIS
PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION HAS
DONE EVERYTHING IT CAN TO GUT
THE CONSUMER FINANCIAL
PROTECTION BUREAU AND A NUMBER
OF OTHER KINDS OF PROTECTIONS
THAT CONSUMERS HAVE COME TO
EXPECT WITH THE FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION.
(15:39):
YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST LIKE WE
CAN'T HAVE AS MUCH TRUST IN SOME
OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE BUYING
AS CONSUMERS.
AND SO THAT I THINK IT'S MADE
STATE LEVEL LEGISLATION THAT
MUCH MORE IMPORTANT.
BUT EVEN WITHOUT THAT, CONSUMERS
ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW
(16:00):
THEIR DATA IS BEING USED AND
SURPRISE FEES AND HIDDEN
REQUIREMENTS.
WE JUST PUT A BILL ON THE AGENDA
THAT ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES
CARRIES BECAUSE APPARENTLY CAR
(16:21):
DEALERS, CAR MANUFACTURERS ARE
SELLING CARS WITH CERTAIN
FEATURES TO THEM AND THEN THE
CONSUMER GETS CHARGED TO HEAT
THEIR SEATS OR SOMETHING LIKE
THAT.
LIKE YOU HAVE TO PAY A
SUBSCRIPTION TO DO THAT AND
NOBODY'S EXPECTING THAT WHEN
THEY BUY IT.
SO SURPRISE CHARGES LIKE THAT TO
MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE AT THE
(16:42):
VERY LEAST AWARE AHEAD OF TIME
AND PREFERABLY PROTECTED FROM
THOSE KINDS OF THINGS AT ALL.
>> AND OF COURSE, I WANTED TO
TOUCH BASE ON SOME OF YOUR
ENVIRONMENTAL PRIORITIES, ONE OF
WHICH IS THE PFAS DISCHARGE
DISCLOSURE ACT, WHICH WOULD
ESSENTIALLY MAKE INDUSTRIAL
POLLUTERS HAVE TO DISCLOSE
(17:02):
INFORMATION AROUND MONITORING
AND INCREASED TRANSPARENCY.
SO, I WANTED TO GET YOUR
PERSPECTIVE ON, YOU KNOW, WHY
YOU DECIDED TO TAKE THAT ON AND
WHY YOU THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.
>> YEAH. SO, I ACTUALLY WAS ON
THE EPA'S LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ADVISORY COUNCIL AND WE WERE,
THE THING THAT I WAS MOST
INVOLVED IN WAS THE PFAS
(17:23):
REGULATIONS AT THE FEDERAL
LEVEL.
THESE ARE FOREVER CHEMICALS THAT
GET INTO OUR BODIES.
WE ALL HAVE THEM IN OUR BODIES
AND THEY HAVE OUR CARCINOGENIC
PROPERTIES.
THEY ARE ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS.
AND SO FIGURING OUT HOW TO KEEP
THEM OUT OF THE WATER IN
PARTICULAR IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
(17:45):
BUT IF WE DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S
COMING IN TO THE WATER, IT'S
VERY HARD FOR THE PEOPLE WHO
REGULATE OUR DRINKING WATER TO
FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET IT OUT.
AND SO THIS IS A BILL THAT
BASICALLY SAYS IF YOU ARE
EMITTING PFAS INTO THE WATER, IF
YOU'RE AN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCER IN
SOME WAY, IF YOU MANAGE A
(18:07):
PRIVATE WATER TREATMENT FACILITY
OR A PUBLIC WATER TREATMENT
FACILITY, YOU NEED TO DISCLOSE
ANY PFAS DISCHARGES, AND THAT
WAY, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY
IN CHARGE OF TRYING TO MAKE OUR
DRINKING WATER SAFE WILL KNOW
HOW TO AT LEAST START KEEPING IT
(18:28):
OUT OF THE WATER SUPPLY.
>> AND WHO WOULD BE IN CHARGE
OF, YOU KNOW, ENSURING THAT
THESE INDUSTRIAL POLLUTERS ARE
ACTUALLY COMPLYING WITH THE LAW
AND DISCLOSING THAT INFORMATION?
>> SO THE DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION WILL
HAVE TO SET UP A SET OF
PROCEDURES FOR THAT BUT IT'S
GOING TO BE THEIR JOBS.
>> AND I KNOW THAT YOU'VE BEEN
(18:49):
INTERESTED IN PUSHING FORWARD
THE BIGGER BETTER BOTTLE BILL
WHICH HAS BEEN GETTING A LOT OF,
YOU KNOW, SUPPORT AND ENERGY
AROUND IT.
THE BILL WOULD ESSENTIALLY ALLOW
MORE BOTTLES TO BE ABLE TO BE
ABLE TO USE THAT BOTTLE FEE AND
ALSO INCREASE THE BOTTLE FEE.
SO CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE
ENERGY AROUND THAT BILL?
>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.
(19:09):
BUT I WANT TO STEER YOU AWAY
FROM THE WORD FEE BECAUSE IT IS
A DEPOSIT, PEOPLE PAY THE
DEPOSIT BUT THEY CAN GET IT BACK
AND THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO
IT AND IN FACT A RECENT POLL
SHOWED THAT NEW YORKERS FAVOR
RAISING THE DEPOSIT FROM FIVE
CENTS TO TEN CENTS.
THE BOTTLE BILL ORIGINALLY
PASSED IN 1983 AND FIVE CENTS IN
(19:30):
1983 AND FIVE CENTS IN 2025 ARE
TWO REALLY DIFFERENT THINGS.
WE NEED 10 CENTS TO BE MORE OF
AN INCENTIVE FOR PEOPLE TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM.
IT'S BEEN INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL
OVER THOSE 42 YEARS.
BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF
CONTAINERS HAVE BEEN PULLED OUT
OF THE WASTE STREAM AND THEY
(19:52):
ARE, BECAUSE THEY GET RETURNED,
THEY'RE MUCH MORE USABLE FOR
RECYCLING.
THEY'RE MUCH CLEANER OR
UNCONTAMINATED, YOU KNOW, SO WE
WANT MORE OF THOSE CONTAINERS.
BUT RIGHT NOW, EVERY TIME A NEW
BEVERAGE IS INTRODUCED, LIKE
ICED TEAS OR SPORTS DRINKS
(20:15):
AREN'T COVERED RIGHT NOW BECAUSE
THEY DIDN'T EXIST AS BEVERAGES
THAT PEOPLE BOUGHT IN SINGLE USE
CONTAINERS, THE LAST TIME THE
BILL WAS UPDATED.
SO WE HAVE TO UPDATE IT TO
INCLUDE MORE AND MORE BEVERAGES.
FOR ME, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT
BECAUSE MY DISTRICT IS JUST EAST
OF THE SENECA MEADOWS LANDFILL.
TRUCKS FROM NEW YORK CITY AND
(20:37):
NEW ENGLAND COME THROUGH
SYRACUSE EVERY MINUTE,
PRACTICALLY, TAKING TRASH TO
THAT LANDFILL AND THAT LANDFILL
WANTS TO EXPAND, BUT WE DON'T
WANT IT TO EXPAND.
BUT THE ONLY WAY WE STOP
LANDFILLS FROM EXPANDING IS IF
WE ARE FIGURING OUT HOW TO
REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WASTE
THAT'S GOING, THAT'S, YOU KNOW,
NEEDS A PLACE TO GO.
(20:59):
AND THE BOTTLE BILL IS ONE
REALLY IMPORTANT WAY TO PULL A
LOT OF MATERIAL OUT OF THE WASTE
STREAM.
>> AND WHAT WAS THE THINKING
BEHIND THE 10 CENTS NUMBER?
IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
INCREASE THAT AMOUNT?
>> WELL, SO FIVE CENTS IN 1983
IS EQUIVALENT TO MORE LIKE 15
CENTS NOW.
BUT 10 SEEMED TO BE A ROUNDER
(21:21):
NUMBER I GUESS AND EASIER TO
EXPLAIN IN A WAY BECAUSE EVEN
THOUGH YOU CAN GET IT BACK
PEOPLE FEEL IT AT THE CHECKOUT
COUNTER AND WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE
TO FEEL A LOT OF SHOCK.
CONNECTICUT RAISED IT TO 10
CENTS.
IT'S BEEN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL.
(21:43):
WE'RE HOPING THAT WE CAN MATCH
THAT.
>> YEAH. AND IT'S MY
UNDERSTANDING, OF COURSE, THIS
ISN'T A NEW MEASURE.
THERE WAS A LOT OF ENERGY AROUND
IT LAST YEAR.
SO WHY ARE YOU HOPEFUL THAT
THINGS WILL PROGRESS THIS YEAR?
>> I THINK THE MAIN REASON FOR
HOPE THIS YEAR IS BECAUSE WE'RE
ALSO PUSHING TO PASS THE
PACKAGING REDUCTION ACT.
(22:04):
IT DID PASS THE SENATE LAST YEAR
AND ALMOST PASSED THE ASSEMBLY
LAST YEAR.
AND THAT WOULD PUT THE ONUS ON
PRODUCERS OF PACKAGING TO FIGURE
OUT A WAY TO TAKE THAT PACKAGING
BACK.
AND A LOT OF THE BOTTLERS WHO
(22:25):
MAY HAVE BEEN RESISTING THE
BIGGER BOTTLE BILL DON'T
NECESSARILY WANT TO BE IN THAT
NEW SYSTEM, THEY WOULD RATHER BE
IN A SYSTEM THAT THEY'RE
FAMILIAR WITH EVEN IF IT
INVOLVES A HIGHER DEPOSIT OR
MORE BEVERAGES.
SO I THINK A LOT OF THE
(22:46):
COMPANIES THAT ARE AFFECTED BY
THIS ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO WANT
TO BE IN THE BOTTLE BILL BECAUSE
BETWEEN THOSE TWO, WE'RE TRYING
TO COVER ALL THE PACKAGING THAT
THERE IS OUT THERE.
>> AND YOU ALSO HAVE BEEN
PUSHING FORWARD LEGISLATION
KNOWN AS THE RAINWATER STORM
MANAGEMENT BILL THAT WOULD
ESSENTIALLY ALLOW COMMUNITIES TO
(23:07):
BETTER PREPARE FOR FLOOD EVENTS.
I KNOW THAT IT'S BEEN PASSED IN
THE SENATE, BUT HAS NOT MADE IT
ONTO THE FLOOR IN THE ASSEMBLY.
SO I WANTED TO GET YOUR
PERSPECTIVE ON YOUR
CONVERSATIONS WITH THE ASSEMBLY
SPONSOR TO GET IT OVER THE STATE
OF FINISH LINE BEFORE THE END OF
THIS YEAR.
>> YEAH, SO THE RAIN READY BILL
IS A REALLY IMPORTANT BILL.
RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE WATER,
(23:31):
STORMWATER, OR WASTEWATER
AUTHORITIES AROUND THE STATE
THAT ARE GIVEN THEIR
AUTHORIZATION BY THE
LEGISLATURE, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE
THE AUTHORITY TO REGULATE
STORMWATER ONLY WASTEWATER.
BUT WE'RE SEEING IN THOSE
MUNICIPALITIES AND ALL
(23:52):
MUNICIPALITIES, THEY'RE DEALING
WITH MORE AND MORE STORMWATER
ALL THE TIME BECAUSE WE'RE
HAVING MORE INTENSE, MORE
INTENSE FLOODING, STRONGER RAIN
EVENTS, THAT KIND OF THING.
AND STORMWATER HAS BECOME A HUGE
EXPENSE DEALING WITH THESE
SUDDEN INFLUXES OF WATER TO
THEIR SYSTEMS.
SO, THE CITY OF NEW YORK IS ONE
(24:13):
OF THOSE.
CUYHOGA COUNTY, WHICH I
REPRESENT, IS ONE OF THOSE.
THERE ARE ABOUT SEVEN OR EIGHT
OTHERS AROUND THE STATE THAT
HAVE THIS PROBLEM THAT THEY
AREN'T AUTHORIZED TO REGULATE
STORM WATER IN ANY WAY, BUT THEY
NEED THOSE TOOLS.
THEY EITHER NEED TO BE ABLE TO
CREATE INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE TO
DO GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT
WILL PULL SOME SOME OF THE
(24:35):
STORMWATER OUT OF THE WASTE
SYSTEM OR OTHER JUST TAKING
OTHER MEASURES TO TO DISCOURAGE
INCREASED FLOW OF STORMWATER
INTO THEIR SYSTEMS SO IT'S A BIG
DEAL.
IT'S A HUGE DEAL FOR NEW YORK
CITY.
(24:56):
AND MY PARTNER IN THE ASSEMBLY,
THE SPONSOR OF THIS BILL,
REPRESENTS NEW YORK CITY, AND SO
SHE'S I THINK SHE'S GONNA HAVE A
PRETTY EASY TIME GETTING THIS
PASSED BECAUSE NEW YORK CITY
WANTS IT TO.
>> WOW, WELL, SOUNDS LIKE VERY
IMPORTANT WORK UNFORTUNATELY
THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR
TODAY, BUT WE THANK YOU SO MUCH
(25:18):
FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SPEAK
WITH US TODAY, SENATOR.
ABSOLUTELY THIS HAS BEEN A
PLEASURE.
>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH
STATE SENATOR RACHEL MAY, CHAIR
OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON
CONSUMER PROTECTION AND
LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON RURAL
RESOURCES.
AND FOR MORE ON OUR CONVERSATION
WITH STATE SENATOR RACHEL MAY,
(25:38):
YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.
AGAIN, THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.
WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS
EDITION OF NEW YORK NOW.
THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE
YOU NEXT WEEK.
[THEME MUSIC]
(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.
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL AND
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HAVE COME TO
A GENERAL AGREEMENT ON THE FINAL
STATE BUDGET.
THIS AGREEMENT, OF COURSE, COMES
ABOUT THREE WEEKS AFTER THE
INITIAL APRIL 1ST BUDGET
DEADLINE AND TOTALS TO ABOUT
$254 BILLION.
(00:40):
IN A RED ROOM ANNOUNCEMENT AT
THE STATE CAPITOL, THE GOVERNOR
TOUTED THE MANY PROPOSALS THAT
SHE'S BEEN PUSHING THAT
ULTIMATELY DID MAKE IT INTO THE
BUDGET DEAL.
THOSE PROPOSALS INCLUDE CHANGES
TO DISCOVERY LAWS, CELL PHONE
RESTRICTIONS IN SCHOOLS,
INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT AND
REFUND CHECKS.
(01:01):
BUT THE FINAL BUDGET IS NOT
QUITE DONE JUST YET.
STATE LEADERS ACKNOWLEDGE THERE
ARE A NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING
ISSUES THAT STILL NEED TO BE
WORKED OUT.
AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE
ALSO NEED TO VOTE ON THE ACTUAL
BUDGET BILLS BEFORE THE FINAL
BUDGET CAN OFFICIALLY BE
ENACTED.
LEADERS SAY THEY ARE HOPEFUL
(01:22):
THAT CAN HAPPEN AS SOON AS NEXT
WEEK ALTHOUGH NOT CONFIRMED.
TO DISCUSS THIS YEAR'S BUDGET
CYCLE AND THE GOVERNOR'S
ANNOUNCEMENT, WE ARE JOINED BY
JIMMY VIELKIND OF WNYC AND THE
NEW YORK PUBLIC NEWS NETWORK, AS
WELL AS AUSTIN JEFFERSON OF CITY
AND STATE NEW YORK.
(01:44):
THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR
JOINING ME HERE TODAY.
>> HAPPY TO BE HERE.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.
>> NOW, NATURALLY, I WANTED TO
START WITH THE GOVERNOR'S
ANNOUNCEMENT OF A GENERAL BUDGET
DEAL BETWEEN LEADERS.
WE KNOW THAT THIS DOES NOT
NECESSARILY MEAN A FINAL STATE
BUDGET.
LAWMAKERS STILL NEED TO VOTE ON
THE ACTUAL BUDGET BILLS BEFORE
THE BUDGET CAN BE ENACTED, BUT I
WANTED TO JUST GET YOUR GENERAL
(02:04):
REACTION TO THAT ANNOUNCEMENT BY
THE GOVERNOR AND THE TIMING OF
IT.
WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF IT?
>> WELL, GOVERNORS HAVE THE
PREROGATIVE OF ANNOUNCING THE
BUDGET, KIND OF ON THEIR OWN
TERMS, AND THAT'S CERTAINLY WHAT
WE SAW GOVERNOR HOCHUL DO THIS
WEEK.
SHE WANTED TO EMPHASIZE THAT THE
MAIN POLICY PRIORITIES THAT SHE
SAW IN THIS SPENDING PLAN, IN
(02:25):
HER ESTIMATION, SHE HAS
ACHIEVED.
THAT INCLUDES SOME KIND OF AN
AFFORDABILITY AGENDA, WHICH WILL
INCLUDE REBATE CHECKS FOR MIDDLE
CLASS NEW YORK FAMILIES.
IT INCLUDES A BELL TO BELL BAN
ON STUDENTS' CELL PHONE USE.
IT INCLUDES CHANGES TO THE
DISCOVERY PROCESS.
THAT'S THE WAY THAT EVIDENCE IS
SHARED BEFORE A CRIMINAL TRIAL.
(02:46):
AND IT ALSO INCLUDES CHANGES TO
THE STANDARD BY WHICH A PERSON
CAN BE INVOLUNTARILY COMMITTED
FOR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.
AND I GUESS THE FIFTH ONE IS
RESTRICTIONS ON THE WEARING OF
MASKS IN PUBLIC.
SO, HOCHUL ACHIEVED GENERAL
AGREEMENT WITH LEGISLATIVE
LEADERS ON THOSE THINGS.
SHE DECLARED VICTORY, SHE
STARTED TOURING THE STATE TO
GAIN POLITICAL POINTS, AND SHE'S
(03:07):
LEFT IT TO LAWMAKERS TO WORK OUT
THE REST.
NOW, THAT IS A BREAK FROM OTHER
YEARS OF COVERING THE BUDGET, IN
WHICH YOU HAVE A GUBERNATORIAL
ANNOUNCEMENT, GENERALLY ABOUT 36
HOURS BEFORE BILLS START GETTING
PRINTED AND ALL THE FINER POINTS
GET WORKED OUT.
SO HOCHUL MAY HAVE TAKEN THAT
VICTORY LAP A LITTLE EARLIER
THAN PREVIOUS GOVERNORS, AND AS
(03:29):
WE RECORD THIS, WE STILL HAVE
NOT SEEN FINALIZED BUDGET
LEGISLATION AND YOU'RE STARTING
TO HEAR SOME MORE GRUMBLING BY
RANK AND FILE LAWMAKERS WHO ARE
WONDERING WHEN THERE ACTUALLY
WILL BE A FULL BUDGET DEAL.
>> YEAH, AND I WANTED TO GET
INTO SOME OF THE POLICY THAT
HAVE BEEN DRIVING NEGOTIATIONS.
WE SAW A BIG FOCUS THIS YEAR
AROUND DISCOVERY REFORM.
(03:50):
THE GOVERNOR WANTED TO CHANGE
HOW AND WHEN PROSECUTORS MUST
TURN TURN OVER EVIDENCE IN COURT
CASES.
MEANWHILE MEMBERS OF THE
LEGISLATURE FELT THAT THERE WERE
OTHER WAYS TO ADDRESS COURT
DISMISSALS WITHOUT NECESSARILY
TINKERING WITH THE ENTIRE
SYSTEM.
SO WHY WAS THIS SUCH A
CONTENTIOUS ISSUE THROUGHOUT
BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS THAT
ULTIMATELY STALLED NEGOTIATIONS
(04:11):
FOR SOME TIME?
>> I THINK FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE
REFORMERS, IT REALLY FELT LIKE
GOING BACK ON THAT PROMISE TO
MAKE A MORE EQUITABLE CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SYSTEM.
BECAUSE THE IDEA BEHIND I THINK
DISCOVERY INITIALLY WAS JUST
THAT WE WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE WHO
ARE INVOLVED IN JUSTICE SYSTEM A
CHANCE AT A FASTER TRIAL, A
BETTER CHANCE AT GETTING THEIR
SIDE HEARD WITHIN A TRIAL.
(04:32):
AND TO GO BACK ON THAT BY
SAYING, WELL, ONLY CERTAIN KINDS
OF INFORMATION NEED TO BE
SHARED, AND ONLY ON A CERTAIN
TIMELINE, AND NOW THE JUDGE HAS
FAR MORE LEEWAY OF DECIDING WHAT
IS OR ISN'T A SORT OF, YOU KNOW,
A MALPRACTICE ON THE SIDE OF A
PROSECUTOR.
I THINK TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IT
FELT LIKE WE'RE KIND OF GIVING
UP ON THE IDEA OF GIVING NEW
YORKERS A CHANCE AT GETTING
THEIR SIDE HEARD IN COURT.
(04:54):
I UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WAS
IMPORTANT TO THE GOVERNOR, BUT I
THINK IF YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO
HANGS THEIR HAT ON, YOU KNOW,
MAKING A BETTER JUSTICE SYSTEM
FOR NEW YORKERS, IT DEFINITELY
FEELS LIKE WE'RE GOING IN THE
WRONG DIRECTION.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> I WAS SURPRISED THAT THIS
DEBATE OCCUPIED SO MUCH OXYGEN
IN BUDGET TALKS BECAUSE IT IS
VERY, VERY, VERY MUCH IN THE
WEEDS.
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO
(05:15):
UNDERSTAND.
I'VE STRUGGLED AS A BROADCASTER
TO QUICKLY CONVEY TO PEOPLE WHAT
WE'RE EVEN TALKING ABOUT.
AND AUSTIN, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY
RIGHT.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS
CRITICAL AND A RED ALERT FOR
PEOPLE WHO HAVE ADVOCATED FOR A
FAIRER CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
THAT GIVES MORE RIGHTS TO
CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS.
I THINK FROM GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S
PERSPECTIVE, SHE WANTED TO BE
(05:37):
SEEN AS TAKING A STANCE THAT
WOULD IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY.
AND SO BY STANDING WITH
PROSECUTORS, BY STANDING WITH
NEW YORK CITY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS
SPECIFICALLY, WHO HAVE SAID THAT
THIS LAW RESULTED IN AN INCREASE
IN CASE DISMISSALS, HOCHUL IS
ABLE TO SAY THAT SHE TOOK AN
(05:57):
ACTION THAT WILL HELP INCREASE
PUBLIC SAFETY, WHETHER IT'S
ACTUALLY GOING TO WORK, WHETHER
IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO DRAG
THINGS DOWN, THAT REMAINS TO BE
SEEN.
BUT GOING INTO A 2026 EXPECTED
RE ELECTION CAMPAIGN FOR
GOVERNOR HOCHUL, SHE WANTED TO
USE THIS BUDGET TO GAIN
ACHIEVEMENTS, UPON WHICH SHE
COULD BUILD A REELECTION
(06:18):
MESSAGE.
AND I THINK, AGAIN, HAVING THAT
ABILITY TO SAY I STOOD WITH
PROSECUTORS IS SOMETHING THAT I
EXPECT WE'RE GOING TO BE HEARING
A LOT MORE OF FROM THE GOVERNOR,
PARTICULARLY IN THE CONTEXT OF A
CAMPAIGN NEXT YEAR.
>> YEAH. I AGREE WITH THAT.
I MEAN, I THINK THIS YEAR, MORE
THAN EVER, WE SAW THE GOVERNOR
APPLY MORE FORCE THAN USUAL,
RIGHT?
LIKE SHE BROUGHT IN DISTRICT
(06:38):
ATTORNEYS FROM ACROSS THE STATE
TO DRIVE HOME THAT MESSAGING
THAT THERE NEEDED TO BE REFORMS
TO DISCOVERY LAW AND SHE SORT OF
DOUBLED DOWN ON HER TAKE THAT A
GOOD BUDGET IS BETTER THAN AN ON
TIME ONE.
SO THAT WAS SUPER INTERESTING TO
ME AND WE'LL SEE WHETHER OR NOT
THAT WAS AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY.
BUT I WANTED TO TURN TO MASS
BANS ACROSS THE STATE.
JIMMY, I KNOW YOU'VE DONE SOME
(06:59):
REALLY AWESOME AND THOROUGH
REPORTING ON THIS ISSUE.
SO CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE
IMPETUS OF THE PROPOSAL BY THE
GOVERNOR?
>> WELL, THIS ACTUALLY STARTED
LAST YEAR.
THERE WERE SOME VIDEOS THAT
CIRCULATED ON SOCIAL MEDIA
SHOWING PRO PALESTINIAN
PROTESTERS ON NEW YORK CITY
SUBWAY CARS, I THINK THE BEST
WAY TO DESCRIBE IT IS HARASSING
RIDERS, AND THESE PEOPLE WERE
WEARING MASKS.
(07:21):
AND SO THAT LED TO CONCERN AND
OUTCRY, PARTICULARLY FROM JEWISH
GROUPS WHO SAID THAT THEY'RE
CONCERNED THAT PEOPLE ARE
WEARING MASKS UNDER THE CLOAK OF
ANONYMITY AND HARASSING,
HARASSING PEOPLE WHO ARE JEWISH,
WHO APPEAR TO BE JEWISH BY
WEARING A SKULL CAP OR OTHER
RELIGIOUS GARB.
AND HOCHUL AT THE TIME DENOUNCED
(07:42):
THAT.
AND THEN OVER THE COURSE OF
BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS, THIS WAS
SORT OF A LATE ADD FOR HER.
THERE HAD BEEN A PIECE OF
LEGISLATION PERCOLATING IN THE
STATE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY,
WHICH WOULD HAVE DONE TWO
THINGS.
IT WOULD HAVE CREATED A NEW
CRIME OF QUOTE UNQUOTE MASKED
HARASSMENT AND IT ALSO WOULD
HAVE INCREASED THE PENALTIES FOR
(08:04):
PEOPLE WHO ARE WEARING A MASK TO
CONCEAL THEIR IDENTITY WHILE
THEY ARE PERHAPS COMMITTING
HARASSMENT OR ASSAULT OR SOME
OTHER UNDERLYING CRIME.
HOCHUL KIND OF WENT ALL OVER THE
PLACE IN THE COURSE OF BUDGET
NEGOTIATIONS ON THIS ISSUE.
FIRST SHE SAID SHE BACKED THAT
PIECE OF LEGISLATION.
THEN WE HEARD THAT SHE WAS
(08:24):
SOFTENING TO SAY WE JUST WANT TO
HAVE SOME KIND OF A PENALTY
ENHANCER, AND THAT SOFTENING
HAPPENED BECAUSE IT WAS REALLY
DIFFICULT FOR HER TO EXPLAIN AND
FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO EXPLAIN,
WELL, YOUR INTENT IS THAT YOU'RE
WEARING A MASK FOR MEDICAL
REASONS.
YOUR INTENT IS THAT YOU'RE
WEARING A MASK FOR MEDICAL, FOR
(08:44):
RELIGIOUS PURPOSES.
BUT JIMMY, YOU WEARING A MASK,
YOU'RE CLEARLY GONNA HARASS
SOMEBODY.
YOU'RE UNDER ARREST, YOU'RE NOT
UNDER ARREST, YOU'RE NOT UNDER
ARREST.
AND THAT POTENTIAL FOR DISPARATE
ENFORCEMENT, AND PARTICULARLY
HOW WE'VE SEEN OVER TIME, LAWS
WHERE THERE'S DISCRETION FOR
ENFORCEMENT HAVE IMPACTED BLACK
AND BROWN PEOPLE AND LOW INCOME
PEOPLE, THAT LED STATE LAWMAKERS
(09:05):
TO REALLY PUSH BACK.
SO WHERE LAWMAKERS HAVE
APPARENTLY FINALLY LANDED, AND I
HAVE TO SAY WE HAVE NOT ACTUALLY
SEEN THE LANGUAGE ON THIS DEAL,
WAS TO CREATE AN ADDITIONAL
CHARGE AGAINST A PERSON WHO
COMMITS AN UNDERLYING SERIOUS
OFFENSE, SOMETHING LIKE PETTY
LARCENY, SOMETHING LIKE
HARASSMENT, AND THAT IF THEY ARE
(09:26):
WEARING A MASK TO CONCEAL THEIR
IDENTITY WHILE THEY ARE
COMMITTING SAID UNDERLYING
OFFENSE, THERE CAN BE AN
ADDITIONAL CHARGE AGAINST THEM.
SO, THE GOVERNOR CAN SAY, AS SHE
DID THIS WEEK, THAT SHE IS
GETTING TOUGH AND PUTTING
PENALTIES ON PEOPLE WHO ARE
USING MASKS TO CONCEAL THEIR
IDENTITY, BUT HOPEFULLY AND
(09:48):
PERHAPS AVOIDING SOME OF THOSE
CONCERNS ABOUT DISCRETION AND
DISPARATE IMPACT IN THE
ENFORCEMENT.
>>> AND ANOTHER BIG ISSUE WITH
CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS.
THE GOVERNOR WANTED TO IMPLEMENT
WHAT WAS CALLED A BELL TO BELL
BAND ON CELL PHONES FOR STUDENTS
AND PARENTS ARGUED, YOU KNOW,
THEY WANTED TO BE ABLE TO
COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR CHILDREN
(10:08):
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.
ULTIMATELY, THE GOVERNOR DID GET
THAT IN THE FINAL BUDGET DEAL
FROM WHAT SHE'S ANNOUNCING, BUT
I WANTED TO DISCUSS WITH YOU
ALL, HOW DID THAT ISSUE TAKE
SHAPE THROUGHOUT THE BUDGET
PROCESS THIS YEAR?
>> SO I THINK IT HELPED HER A
LOT THAT STATE LAWMAKERS AND THE
TEACHERS UNIONS WE'RE PRETTY
MUCH ON BOARD FROM THE
BEGINNING.
IT WAS MORE GETTING DISTRICTS
(10:29):
AND PARENTS TO UNDERSTAND, I
GUESS, HOW THIS WOULD PLAY OUT.
I MEAN, HER STRATEGY OF HAVING
LAW ENFORCEMENT GO TO SCHOOLS
AND SORT OF EXPLAIN, LIKE, WE'RE
NOT GOING TO PUT YOUR KIDS IN A
SITUATION WHERE THERE'S NO ONE
THERE TO HELP THEM.
IT'S JUST THAT TEACHERS AND THE
POLICE, WE ARE THE RESOURCES,
NOT THE PHONES.
I THINK THAT MESSAGE TOOK A
WHILE TO COMMUNICATE, BUT I
(10:49):
THINK THEY GOT THERE OVER TIME
WHERE LAWMAKERS FELT VERY
COMFORTABLE SAYING WE'RE GOING
TO DO THIS.
>> RIGHT AND ANOTHER BIG ISSUE
OF COURSE WAS INVOLUNTARY
COMMITMENT BEING USED AS A MEANS
TO HELP OR ADDRESS PEOPLE
BATTLING MENTAL ILLNESS.
SO HOW DID THAT ISSUE ULTIMATELY
TAKE SHAPE?
>> REALLY AND AGAIN THIS IS
REALLY DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE
HAVING NOT SEEN THE EXACT BUDGET
(11:10):
LANGUAGE BUT WHAT I UNDERSTAND
FROM MY REPORTING IS THAT
HOCHUL'S PUSH TO BROADEN THE
STANDARD FROM SOMEONE WHO IS
DEMONSTRATING THAT THEY WILL BE
A REPRESENT A RISK OF IMMINENT
HARM TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS
THAT'S EITHER SOMEONE TALKING
ABOUT SELF HARM OR SUICIDE OR
SOMEONE THREATENING VIOLENCE
AGAINST ANOTHER PERSON TO
SOMEONE WHO ESSENTIALLY AS WE
(11:31):
UNDERSTAND IT IS EVINCING THAT
THEY CANNOT CARE FOR THEIR BASIC
NEEDS, NOT FEEDING, NOT
CLOTHING, NOT SEEKING MEDICAL
CARE FOR THEMSELVES.
WHAT LAWMAKERS SEEM TO HAVE DONE
IS PUT MORE SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
ON THE FRONT AND THE BACK END OF
THAT.
THEY HAVE PUSHED TO HAVE MORE
(11:51):
NON POLICE RESPONDERS BE
INVOLVED IN CASES WHERE
EMERGENCY CALLS COME IN FOR A
PERSON IN SEEMING DISTRESS AND
ALSO TO MAKE SURE THAT ONCE THAT
PERSON IS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL,
THERE'S MUCH MORE PLANNING ON ON
THE BACK END BEFORE THEY'RE
RELEASED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY
ARE CONNECTED WITH SERVICES OVER
THE LONG TERM AND NOT INVOLVED
IN SOME SORT OF A REVOLVING
(12:12):
DOOR.
>> IN THE LAST 30 SECONDS THAT
WE HAVE LEFT, I WANTED TO HEAR
FROM EACH OF YOU IF THERE WAS
ANYTHING THAT SURPRISED YOU THIS
YEAR IN THE BUDGET PROCESS.
>> I MEAN, I THINK TWOFOLD JUST
HOW LONG THIS IS TAKING, ONLY
BECAUSE I THINK THE START OF THE
YEAR, A LOT OF US WERE UNDER THE
IMPRESSION THAT THIS WAS A NO
FRILLS BUDGET, JUST SOME PRETTY
STRAIGHTFORWARD PUBLIC SAFETY
(12:33):
REFORMS, MAYBE THE THINGS WE
TALKED ABOUT.
IN THEORY SHOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN
THAT MUCH LONGER THAN THE APRIL
1ST DEADLINE, BUT HERE WE ARE IN
MAY.
AND BEYOND THAT, I MEAN, I THINK
THE HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM THAT
SHE'S BEEN AGAINST FOR YEARS TO
BRING THAT BACK AT THE LAST
SECOND SEEMINGLY, EVEN AT THE
FUNDING LEVEL IS MUCH LOWER THAN
THE LAWMAKERS HAD INITIALLY HAD
(12:54):
IN MIND, IT'S A VERY SURPRISING
ABOUT FACE FOR HER, ESPECIALLY
SINCE THE POINT BEING MADE THAT
AFFORDABILITY COULD BE ADDRESSED
THROUGH THIS, IT DIDN'T SEEM TO
FAZE HER.
>> JIMMY?
>> I AGREE EXACTLY WHAT YOU
SAID, AUSTIN.
THE HOUSING ACCESS VOUCHER
PROGRAM WAS A SURPRISE, AND THE
TARDINESS OF THIS BUDGET WAS
STRIKING TO ME.
THAT ALSO HAPPENED AT A TIME
WHERE WE'RE SEEING MAJOR FISCAL
(13:16):
RISKS TO NEW YORK UNFOLD.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS
TALKING ABOUT REDUCING FUNDING
FOR STATES THROUGH BUDGETARY
PROGRAMS.
THAT'S WHAT THE RHETORIC IS FROM
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.
NEW YORK RECEIVES MORE THAN $90
BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS IN A
$250 PLUS BILLION SPENDING PLAN.
AND ALSO WE'RE SEEING THE
ECONOMIC CONDITION BECOME MUCH
MORE UNCERTAIN AS THE IMPACT OF
(13:37):
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TARIFFS ROLL
THROUGH THE ECONOMY AND CAUSE
GYRATIONS IN THE STOCK MARKET.
SO I WAS SURPRISED THAT THAT WAS
REALLY NOT PART OF THE
CONVERSATION AS LAWMAKERS WERE
CRAFTING THIS BUDGET.
>> WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S
ALL THE TIME THAT WE HAVE FOR
THIS MORNING, BUT THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO
SPEAK WITH US.
>> THANKS, SHANTEL.
>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH
(13:57):
JIMMY VIELKIND OF WNYC AND THE
NEW YORK PUBLIC NEWS NETWORK, AS
WELL AS AUSTIN JEFFERSON OF CITY
AND STATE NEW YORK.
AND FOR MORE ON THE GENERAL
BUDGET AGREEMENT, YOU CAN VISIT
OUR WEBSITE AT NYNOW.ORG.
NOW TURNING TO ANOTHER IMPORTANT
(14:17):
TOPIC.
LAST WEEK, ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVOCATES JOINED LAWMAKERS AT
THE STATE CAPITOL TO PUSH FOR
THE BIGGER BETTER BOTTLE BILL.
THIS IS A MEASURE THAT WOULD
INCREASE THE STATE'S BOTTLE
DEPOSIT AMOUNT FROM FIVE TO TEN
CENTS PER BOTTLE.
SUPPORTERS ARGUE IT'S AN
IMPORTANT MEASURE IN ADDRESSING
POLLUTION ACROSS THE STATE.
(14:39):
IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, WE SIT
DOWN WITH STATE SENATOR RACHEL
MAY TO UNPACK ENVIRONMENTAL AND
CONSUMER PROTECTION PRIORITIES
AT THE CAPITOL THIS YEAR.
HERE'S THAT INTERVIEW.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US
TODAY, SENATOR.
>> OH, IT'S MY PLEASURE.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
AND, YOU KNOW, EARLIER THIS
(14:59):
YEAR, YOU WERE APPOINTED CHAIR
OF THE CONSUMER PROTECTION
SENATE COMMITTEE.
NOW I WANTED TO GET YOUR
PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT ARE SOME OF
THE BIGGEST THREATS TO CONSUMER
PROTECTION IN THE STATE AND HOW
ARE YOU HOPING TO ADDRESS THESE
ISSUES AS CHAIR?
>> YEAH. SO A FEW MONTHS AGO I
MIGHT HAVE ANSWERED THAT
QUESTION DIFFERENTLY.
I WOULD SAY THE BIGGEST THREAT
TO CONSUMER PROTECTION IN THE
(15:19):
STATE IS THE THREAT COMING FROM
WASHINGTON BECAUSE THIS
PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION HAS
DONE EVERYTHING IT CAN TO GUT
THE CONSUMER FINANCIAL
PROTECTION BUREAU AND A NUMBER
OF OTHER KINDS OF PROTECTIONS
THAT CONSUMERS HAVE COME TO
EXPECT WITH THE FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION.
(15:39):
YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST LIKE WE
CAN'T HAVE AS MUCH TRUST IN SOME
OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE BUYING
AS CONSUMERS.
AND SO THAT I THINK IT'S MADE
STATE LEVEL LEGISLATION THAT
MUCH MORE IMPORTANT.
BUT EVEN WITHOUT THAT, CONSUMERS
ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW
(16:00):
THEIR DATA IS BEING USED AND
SURPRISE FEES AND HIDDEN
REQUIREMENTS.
WE JUST PUT A BILL ON THE AGENDA
THAT ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES
CARRIES BECAUSE APPARENTLY CAR
(16:21):
DEALERS, CAR MANUFACTURERS ARE
SELLING CARS WITH CERTAIN
FEATURES TO THEM AND THEN THE
CONSUMER GETS CHARGED TO HEAT
THEIR SEATS OR SOMETHING LIKE
THAT.
LIKE YOU HAVE TO PAY A
SUBSCRIPTION TO DO THAT AND
NOBODY'S EXPECTING THAT WHEN
THEY BUY IT.
SO SURPRISE CHARGES LIKE THAT TO
MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE AT THE
(16:42):
VERY LEAST AWARE AHEAD OF TIME
AND PREFERABLY PROTECTED FROM
THOSE KINDS OF THINGS AT ALL.
>> AND OF COURSE, I WANTED TO
TOUCH BASE ON SOME OF YOUR
ENVIRONMENTAL PRIORITIES, ONE OF
WHICH IS THE PFAS DISCHARGE
DISCLOSURE ACT, WHICH WOULD
ESSENTIALLY MAKE INDUSTRIAL
POLLUTERS HAVE TO DISCLOSE
(17:02):
INFORMATION AROUND MONITORING
AND INCREASED TRANSPARENCY.
SO, I WANTED TO GET YOUR
PERSPECTIVE ON, YOU KNOW, WHY
YOU DECIDED TO TAKE THAT ON AND
WHY YOU THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.
>> YEAH. SO, I ACTUALLY WAS ON
THE EPA'S LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ADVISORY COUNCIL AND WE WERE,
THE THING THAT I WAS MOST
INVOLVED IN WAS THE PFAS
(17:23):
REGULATIONS AT THE FEDERAL
LEVEL.
THESE ARE FOREVER CHEMICALS THAT
GET INTO OUR BODIES.
WE ALL HAVE THEM IN OUR BODIES
AND THEY HAVE OUR CARCINOGENIC
PROPERTIES.
THEY ARE ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS.
AND SO FIGURING OUT HOW TO KEEP
THEM OUT OF THE WATER IN
PARTICULAR IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
(17:45):
BUT IF WE DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S
COMING IN TO THE WATER, IT'S
VERY HARD FOR THE PEOPLE WHO
REGULATE OUR DRINKING WATER TO
FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET IT OUT.
AND SO THIS IS A BILL THAT
BASICALLY SAYS IF YOU ARE
EMITTING PFAS INTO THE WATER, IF
YOU'RE AN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCER IN
SOME WAY, IF YOU MANAGE A
(18:07):
PRIVATE WATER TREATMENT FACILITY
OR A PUBLIC WATER TREATMENT
FACILITY, YOU NEED TO DISCLOSE
ANY PFAS DISCHARGES, AND THAT
WAY, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY
IN CHARGE OF TRYING TO MAKE OUR
DRINKING WATER SAFE WILL KNOW
HOW TO AT LEAST START KEEPING IT
(18:28):
OUT OF THE WATER SUPPLY.
>> AND WHO WOULD BE IN CHARGE
OF, YOU KNOW, ENSURING THAT
THESE INDUSTRIAL POLLUTERS ARE
ACTUALLY COMPLYING WITH THE LAW
AND DISCLOSING THAT INFORMATION?
>> SO THE DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION WILL
HAVE TO SET UP A SET OF
PROCEDURES FOR THAT BUT IT'S
GOING TO BE THEIR JOBS.
>> AND I KNOW THAT YOU'VE BEEN
(18:49):
INTERESTED IN PUSHING FORWARD
THE BIGGER BETTER BOTTLE BILL
WHICH HAS BEEN GETTING A LOT OF,
YOU KNOW, SUPPORT AND ENERGY
AROUND IT.
THE BILL WOULD ESSENTIALLY ALLOW
MORE BOTTLES TO BE ABLE TO BE
ABLE TO USE THAT BOTTLE FEE AND
ALSO INCREASE THE BOTTLE FEE.
SO CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE
ENERGY AROUND THAT BILL?
>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.
(19:09):
BUT I WANT TO STEER YOU AWAY
FROM THE WORD FEE BECAUSE IT IS
A DEPOSIT, PEOPLE PAY THE
DEPOSIT BUT THEY CAN GET IT BACK
AND THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO
IT AND IN FACT A RECENT POLL
SHOWED THAT NEW YORKERS FAVOR
RAISING THE DEPOSIT FROM FIVE
CENTS TO TEN CENTS.
THE BOTTLE BILL ORIGINALLY
PASSED IN 1983 AND FIVE CENTS IN
(19:30):
1983 AND FIVE CENTS IN 2025 ARE
TWO REALLY DIFFERENT THINGS.
WE NEED 10 CENTS TO BE MORE OF
AN INCENTIVE FOR PEOPLE TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM.
IT'S BEEN INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL
OVER THOSE 42 YEARS.
BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF
CONTAINERS HAVE BEEN PULLED OUT
OF THE WASTE STREAM AND THEY
(19:52):
ARE, BECAUSE THEY GET RETURNED,
THEY'RE MUCH MORE USABLE FOR
RECYCLING.
THEY'RE MUCH CLEANER OR
UNCONTAMINATED, YOU KNOW, SO WE
WANT MORE OF THOSE CONTAINERS.
BUT RIGHT NOW, EVERY TIME A NEW
BEVERAGE IS INTRODUCED, LIKE
ICED TEAS OR SPORTS DRINKS
(20:15):
AREN'T COVERED RIGHT NOW BECAUSE
THEY DIDN'T EXIST AS BEVERAGES
THAT PEOPLE BOUGHT IN SINGLE USE
CONTAINERS, THE LAST TIME THE
BILL WAS UPDATED.
SO WE HAVE TO UPDATE IT TO
INCLUDE MORE AND MORE BEVERAGES.
FOR ME, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT
BECAUSE MY DISTRICT IS JUST EAST
OF THE SENECA MEADOWS LANDFILL.
TRUCKS FROM NEW YORK CITY AND
(20:37):
NEW ENGLAND COME THROUGH
SYRACUSE EVERY MINUTE,
PRACTICALLY, TAKING TRASH TO
THAT LANDFILL AND THAT LANDFILL
WANTS TO EXPAND, BUT WE DON'T
WANT IT TO EXPAND.
BUT THE ONLY WAY WE STOP
LANDFILLS FROM EXPANDING IS IF
WE ARE FIGURING OUT HOW TO
REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WASTE
THAT'S GOING, THAT'S, YOU KNOW,
NEEDS A PLACE TO GO.
(20:59):
AND THE BOTTLE BILL IS ONE
REALLY IMPORTANT WAY TO PULL A
LOT OF MATERIAL OUT OF THE WASTE
STREAM.
>> AND WHAT WAS THE THINKING
BEHIND THE 10 CENTS NUMBER?
IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
INCREASE THAT AMOUNT?
>> WELL, SO FIVE CENTS IN 1983
IS EQUIVALENT TO MORE LIKE 15
CENTS NOW.
BUT 10 SEEMED TO BE A ROUNDER
(21:21):
NUMBER I GUESS AND EASIER TO
EXPLAIN IN A WAY BECAUSE EVEN
THOUGH YOU CAN GET IT BACK
PEOPLE FEEL IT AT THE CHECKOUT
COUNTER AND WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE
TO FEEL A LOT OF SHOCK.
CONNECTICUT RAISED IT TO 10
CENTS.
IT'S BEEN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL.
(21:43):
WE'RE HOPING THAT WE CAN MATCH
THAT.
>> YEAH. AND IT'S MY
UNDERSTANDING, OF COURSE, THIS
ISN'T A NEW MEASURE.
THERE WAS A LOT OF ENERGY AROUND
IT LAST YEAR.
SO WHY ARE YOU HOPEFUL THAT
THINGS WILL PROGRESS THIS YEAR?
>> I THINK THE MAIN REASON FOR
HOPE THIS YEAR IS BECAUSE WE'RE
ALSO PUSHING TO PASS THE
PACKAGING REDUCTION ACT.
(22:04):
IT DID PASS THE SENATE LAST YEAR
AND ALMOST PASSED THE ASSEMBLY
LAST YEAR.
AND THAT WOULD PUT THE ONUS ON
PRODUCERS OF PACKAGING TO FIGURE
OUT A WAY TO TAKE THAT PACKAGING
BACK.
AND A LOT OF THE BOTTLERS WHO
(22:25):
MAY HAVE BEEN RESISTING THE
BIGGER BOTTLE BILL DON'T
NECESSARILY WANT TO BE IN THAT
NEW SYSTEM, THEY WOULD RATHER BE
IN A SYSTEM THAT THEY'RE
FAMILIAR WITH EVEN IF IT
INVOLVES A HIGHER DEPOSIT OR
MORE BEVERAGES.
SO I THINK A LOT OF THE
(22:46):
COMPANIES THAT ARE AFFECTED BY
THIS ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO WANT
TO BE IN THE BOTTLE BILL BECAUSE
BETWEEN THOSE TWO, WE'RE TRYING
TO COVER ALL THE PACKAGING THAT
THERE IS OUT THERE.
>> AND YOU ALSO HAVE BEEN
PUSHING FORWARD LEGISLATION
KNOWN AS THE RAINWATER STORM
MANAGEMENT BILL THAT WOULD
ESSENTIALLY ALLOW COMMUNITIES TO
(23:07):
BETTER PREPARE FOR FLOOD EVENTS.
I KNOW THAT IT'S BEEN PASSED IN
THE SENATE, BUT HAS NOT MADE IT
ONTO THE FLOOR IN THE ASSEMBLY.
SO I WANTED TO GET YOUR
PERSPECTIVE ON YOUR
CONVERSATIONS WITH THE ASSEMBLY
SPONSOR TO GET IT OVER THE STATE
OF FINISH LINE BEFORE THE END OF
THIS YEAR.
>> YEAH, SO THE RAIN READY BILL
IS A REALLY IMPORTANT BILL.
RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE WATER,
(23:31):
STORMWATER, OR WASTEWATER
AUTHORITIES AROUND THE STATE
THAT ARE GIVEN THEIR
AUTHORIZATION BY THE
LEGISLATURE, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE
THE AUTHORITY TO REGULATE
STORMWATER ONLY WASTEWATER.
BUT WE'RE SEEING IN THOSE
MUNICIPALITIES AND ALL
(23:52):
MUNICIPALITIES, THEY'RE DEALING
WITH MORE AND MORE STORMWATER
ALL THE TIME BECAUSE WE'RE
HAVING MORE INTENSE, MORE
INTENSE FLOODING, STRONGER RAIN
EVENTS, THAT KIND OF THING.
AND STORMWATER HAS BECOME A HUGE
EXPENSE DEALING WITH THESE
SUDDEN INFLUXES OF WATER TO
THEIR SYSTEMS.
SO, THE CITY OF NEW YORK IS ONE
(24:13):
OF THOSE.
CUYHOGA COUNTY, WHICH I
REPRESENT, IS ONE OF THOSE.
THERE ARE ABOUT SEVEN OR EIGHT
OTHERS AROUND THE STATE THAT
HAVE THIS PROBLEM THAT THEY
AREN'T AUTHORIZED TO REGULATE
STORM WATER IN ANY WAY, BUT THEY
NEED THOSE TOOLS.
THEY EITHER NEED TO BE ABLE TO
CREATE INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE TO
DO GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT
WILL PULL SOME SOME OF THE
(24:35):
STORMWATER OUT OF THE WASTE
SYSTEM OR OTHER JUST TAKING
OTHER MEASURES TO TO DISCOURAGE
INCREASED FLOW OF STORMWATER
INTO THEIR SYSTEMS SO IT'S A BIG
DEAL.
IT'S A HUGE DEAL FOR NEW YORK
CITY.
(24:56):
AND MY PARTNER IN THE ASSEMBLY,
THE SPONSOR OF THIS BILL,
REPRESENTS NEW YORK CITY, AND SO
SHE'S I THINK SHE'S GONNA HAVE A
PRETTY EASY TIME GETTING THIS
PASSED BECAUSE NEW YORK CITY
WANTS IT TO.
>> WOW, WELL, SOUNDS LIKE VERY
IMPORTANT WORK UNFORTUNATELY
THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR
TODAY, BUT WE THANK YOU SO MUCH
(25:18):
FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SPEAK
WITH US TODAY, SENATOR.
ABSOLUTELY THIS HAS BEEN A
PLEASURE.
>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH
STATE SENATOR RACHEL MAY, CHAIR
OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON
CONSUMER PROTECTION AND
LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON RURAL
RESOURCES.
AND FOR MORE ON OUR CONVERSATION
WITH STATE SENATOR RACHEL MAY,
(25:38):
YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.
AGAIN, THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.
WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS
EDITION OF NEW YORK NOW.
THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE
YOU NEXT WEEK.
[THEME MUSIC]
(26:35):
>> FUNDING FOR NEW YORK NOW IS
PROVIDED BY WNET.
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