CapCon: Hochul in DC, NY's Next DEC Commissioner, GOP Senate pick, Thursday Reads
CapCon: Hochul in DC, NY's Next DEC Commissioner, GOP Senate pick, Thursday Reads
Gov. Kathy Hochul chats hot topics in D.C., Harckham on the next DEC commissioner, who Republicans picked to challenge Gillibrand, and more.
Good afternoon — it’s Thursday, and National Margarita Day.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024
TODAY’S CAP CON: Hochul says she misses the Tea Party, Republicans choose Gillibrand’s challenger, what the Senate EnCon chair wants in the next DEC Commissioner, Thursday reads, and more.
🔨 Is Tomorrow a Session Day? No.
❄️ Tonight’s Weather: Albany: Showers likely, mid 30s. New York City: Rain likely, low 40s. (National Weather Service)
🏛️ Hochul on Politics, Israel, Migrants: “I miss the Tea Party. I miss John Boehner,” an exasperated Gov. Kathy HOCHUL told an audience in Washington, D.C., Thursday.
Hochul, speaking at Politico’s 2024 Governors Summit, sought to frame the modern Republican Party as an extremist rendition of their predecessors leading into this year’s elections.
She slammed Republican members of Congress from New York for not pushing leadership to support and pass bipartisan immigration legislation this month.
She also said Democrats should hammer Republicans on the issue of abortion, saying that strategy worked in last week’s NY-3 election.
“I am involved in these House races. The path for Hakeem Jeffries to become speaker goes right through the state of New York,” Hochul said.
Israel: Hochul stopped short of calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, but said she’s concerned about civilian casualties in the conflict.
Some Democrats considered further to the left than Hochul have joined calls for a ceasefire, including Reps. Jamaal Bowman, Nydia Velázquez, and others.
Rep. Dan Goldman also sent a letter to President Joe Biden Thursday calling for a temporary ceasefire. Rep. Jerry Nadler signed on.
Hochul found herself in hot water this past weekend after she compared the war to a hypothetical conflict with Canada. She later apologized for the comment, calling it a “poor choice of words.”
On Thursday, she reaffirmed her support for Israel, but said she’s also concerned about the deaths of civilians. More than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, according to territory officials.
“People are questioning Israel’s right to defend themselves. I will not question that right, ever,” Hochul said. “But also we are deeply concerned about civilian casualties.”
Migrants: Hochul also repeated her support for stronger border restrictions, but pushed back on claims that law enforcement officers can’t coordinate with federal immigration authorities in New York.
“That narrative is false,” she said. “There are no barriers to law enforcement, state or local, to work with the federal government.”
But that’s not necessarily true, according to a memo from New York Attorney General Letitia James.
A state appellate court ruled in 2018 that local and state law enforcement officers aren’t allowed to detain immigrants over civil immigration matters, like their documentation status.
Those officers can’t arrest an immigrant for the purpose of referring them to federal immigration authorities, according to the memo.
They also can’t unnecessarily delay the release of an immigrant who’s arrested on a criminal charge to make it more likely for those authorities to detain them.
“A warrantless detention to enforce civil immigration laws is unauthorized by New York law,” James wrote.
There’s also the Protect Our Courts Act, a state law approved four years ago that prevents federal immigration officers from arresting immigrants traveling to or from a state courthouse.
🔴 Republicans Pick U.S. Senate Nominee: Mike SAPRAICONE was picked by Republicans on Thursday to challenge Sen. Kirsten GILLIBRAND, a Democrat, in her bid for reelection this year.
Party leaders voted to choose Sapraicone as their nominee at this year’s nominating convention in Binghamton.
Sapraicone was competing for the nod with businessman Josh Eisen, who had former Gov. George E. Pataki’s support, and media personality Cara Castronuova.
But he’d already shored up support from key Republicans in Nassau and Suffolk counties, which carry a lot of weight in the party.
Sapraicone pitched himself as a candidate who will focus on support for law enforcement and the state’s business climate in this year’s elections, and framed that as counter to Gillibrand’s views.
He’s a retired detective from the New York City Police Department, where he worked for two decades.
He then operated a large private security company on Long Island.
“We believe that Americans deserve a government that works for them, not against. We believe in supporting law enforcement officers and first responders who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe,” Sapraicone told delegates.
Filings with the state Board of Elections show Sapraicone also has money to spend, at least when it comes to campaigns.
He’s been a frequent contributor to Republicans on Long Island in recent years, filings show.
He gave more than $30,000 to the Nassau County Republican Committee in 2023 alone, for example.
Another Republican could choose to challenge him by collecting signatures to get on the ballot for a primary election in June, but it’s unclear if that will happen.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
🌲 N.Y.’s Next DEC Commissioner: New York will have to find a new commissioner for the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Current Commissioner Basil Seggos is stepping down.
Seggos made the announcement to staff on Wednesday, and plans to stay on for a bit before he’s gone for good.
But Hochul will now have to choose his successor, who will be partly responsible for leading the state through the initial years of its widespread climate strategy.
Whoever she picks will have to be confirmed by the state Senate, which hasn’t been willing to rubber-stamp all of her nominees in recent years.
The Senate rejected Hochul’s first nominee for chief judge, Hector LaSalle, last year.
I was curious about how that might play out, so I got Senate Environmental Conservation Chair Peter HARCKHAM, D-Westchester County, on the phone today to chat about it.
“First and foremost, they have to have a driving passion to protect New York’s environment and the health of New Yorkers,” Harckham said.
He also said it would be important for the next commissioner to be someone who’s willing to work with the Legislature, the environmental community and the state’s business sector.
The right person would also know the agency’s work, he said, “from PFAS, to climate change, to blue-green algae, to issues in the Adirondacks, to solid waste. It’s just such a diverse portfolio.”
And they should have experience in management, Harckham said.
The timeline for choosing a new commissioner is unclear, but Harckham said the Senate will be ready to consider them when they’re chosen.
“I’m sure there will be a thorough vetting and a robust conversation,” he said.
Read more on Seggo's’ departure from the TU’s Joshua Solomon. (Free for CapCon subscribers)
🗺️ Redistricting Mini-Update: The Senate has not made any final decisions related to redistricting, a legislative source close to discussions confirmed to me Thursday.
Senate Democrats met on Monday to chat about it. They don’t like the maps the Independent Redistricting Commission proposed last week, I’m told.
Assembly Democrats plan to meet tomorrow, as Josh also reported Wednesday.
No one in the Legislature has been willing to talk to me on the record about how this could play out, but I’ll keep trying. Feel free to reach out if you’re reading.
Some adjacent news that Josh covered, though, is an effort to prevent so-called “judge shopping” in any potential redistricting lawsuits.
A bill from Sen. Zellnor MYRIE and Assemblyman Bill MAGNARELLI would limit those challenges to courts in Albany.
“It has nothing to do with what we’re doing with the maps at this point in time,” Magnarelli said.
🎤 Goodell’s Goodbye: Assembly Minority Leader Pro Tempore Andy Goodell, the second-highest ranking Republican in the Assembly, said Thursday that he won’t run for reelection this year.
Goodell has often led floor debates for Republicans in the Assembly, and is known to speak against legislation in the chamber.
Fun fact: he’s also the cousin of former NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Goodell told constituents in a post on Facebook Thursday that he’s planning to focus on his work as an attorney. He represents all of Chautauqua County and a small piece of Erie County.
“I am forever indebted to all those who helped me along the way, gave me great advice and counsel, and shared their invaluable time and insights, both at home and in Albany,” Goodell wrote.
Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay said Goodell’s absence will be felt by many, and his leading presence on the Assembly Floor will be greatly missed by both parties.”
Here are some good stories from the week that you might have missed, or we think would be of interest to you.
🖊️ Efforts to conduct an accurate 2030 census taking shape (Times Union)
🧑⚖️ New judicial nominee on tap after shakeup in Saratoga County race (Times Union)
👮 Researchers Say Implementation of Appearance Ticket Reform Varies Greatly Across N.Y. (New York Law Journal)
🏃 Myrie delivers stump speech, but isn’t running for mayor (yet) (City & State)
🧒 New York inspector general to Hochul: Don't leave incarcerated children behind in education reforms (The Buffalo News)
🔫 Where does N.Y. rank on this U.S. map of gun shops that sell most guns used for crime? (Democrat & Chronicle)
🔫 Open Carry: S8609 WALCZYK: Would allow those seeking a gun permit to opt for open carry, which isn’t currently allowed in New York. Applicants could also still apply for concealed carry. (New bill)
🚌 Charter Bus Crash: S8610 KENNEDY: Would require seat belts to be available and worn on charter buses by children eight years or older and younger than 16. It was inspired by the charter bus that crashed in September while carrying students from Farmingdale High School. (New bill)
🔋 Lithium-ion Batteries: A6811B TAPIA: Would require the state to create an exchange program for lithium-ion batteries. It’s geared toward providing a safer option for e-bike delivery workers than secondhand batteries.(New bill)
🔨 Is Tomorrow a Session Day? No.
There are no events scheduled at the Capitol for Friday.
🍹 National Margarita Day: If you’re reading this, I’m going to assume you know what a margarita is. Today celebrates the classic drink, which is popular at Mexican restaurants and in my home.
If you don’t drink, you can still enjoy a non-alcoholic margarita made with lime juice, tonic water, and some flavor. Here’s a well-reviewed recipe.
But if you do drink, I’ll offer a tip to try a margarita made with mezcal if you like the spirit’s smoky flavor.
More from the Times Union (Free for CapCon Subscribers):
Democrats seek to block 'judge shopping' in redistricting case
Court reverses judge who refused to seal Saratoga County child's change of gender records
The Times Union Bill Tracker: Your guide to key bills on the table in this year’s legislative session, compiled by the TU’s Capitol Bureau. Find it here.