Wrapping up the first week of 2018’s legislative session, we’re heading into a fiscally challenging year though remind me that challenges - particularly the continued cuts from Washington - also bring opportunities for creativity. Stay warm this weekend and here are good reminders of winter weather safety tips for at home and on the road.

Governor's State of the State Address. Governor Cuomo delivered his State of the State address which was sobering regarding the $4 billion deficit faced this year - unlike the last five years where we have entered the New Year with a surplus of funds - yet upbeat with a determination to tackle these challenges and fight the cuts from Washington. The 90-minute speech included dozens of topic and proposals, which I briefly summarized below and encourage you may visit the Governor's website for many more details. One of my favorite parts of the speech was an emphasis on the overall NY philosophy to promote economic growth while continuing our social progress - despite the continual bad news from Washington. I agree with this approach as we need to keep the focus on growing businesses and jobs while continuing to make critical investments in our future - including education, the environment, and infrastructure.

Economy, Jobs, and Infrastructure

Tax Reform. To loud applause, the Governor announced plans to sue the federal government over the recently enacted tax reform bill and indicated a planned overhaul of New York’s tax structure to minimize the negative impact of the new federal law on New York' s economy and taxpayers. The Governor also proposed further lowering the personal income tax for middle income New Yorkers through a variety of means - including a possible shift in reliance on state income taxes to payroll taxes, which we will hear more about in the coming weeks. I look forward to seeing further developments with this proposal and am actively researching these proposals here and in other states.

Jobs. As renewable energy sources produce a larger share of New York's electricity, New York must also address the intermittency of clean resources like wind and solar that are not continuously available. To address these energy challenges and further New York's climate and clean energy goals, the Governor is launching an initiative to deploy 1,500 megawatts of energy storage - representing the largest commitment per capita by any state - by 2025 and employ 30,000 New Yorkers in this industry. This investment, coupled with large proposed investments in workforce development and bridging the skills gap, signal a move in New York to prepare for the jobs of the future.

Infrastructure. By eliminating the need to stop at a toll, cashless tollbooth technology improves the driving experiences, expedites traffic flow and benefits those who live near tollbooths by reducing congestion-related emissions. Governor Cuomo plans to implement cashless tolling technology on all toll collection points along the Thruway, encouraging faster travel and public health benefits. Governor Cuomo will additionally launch a statewide Smart Street Lighting program to convert 500,000 street lights to LED technology by 2025, and effort which I have been a strong and early supporter of- including passing a bill in 2015 to promote smart street lights.

Sexual Harassment and Domestic Violence

Combating Sexual Harassment in the Workplace. Proposed comprehensive reforms to protect women's rights include legislation to prevent public dollars from being used to settle sexual harassment claims against individuals, void forced arbitration policies in employee contracts, and mandate that any companies that do business with the state disclose the number of sexual harassment adjudications and nondisclosure agreements they have executed.

Removing Firearms from Domestic Abusers. New York law prohibits the possession of firearms for individuals convicted of felony or "serious" offenses. However, this excludes certain misdemeanor offenses involving domestic violence, such as assault and battery crimes or strangulation. To ensure that all domestic violence offenders are held to the same standard, Governor Cuomo will advance legislation to include all domestic violence misdemeanors on the list of prohibited offenses. This is a particularly important proposal and one I strongly favor, considering that a woman whose abuser has access to a firearm is five times more likely to die at the hands of her abuser.

Criminal Justice

Reshape Bail and Pretrial Detention. The Governor is proposing legislation that will eliminate monetary bail for those facing misdemeanor and non-violent felony charges. Instead, people will be released either on their own recognizance or with non-monetary conditions imposed by the court, such as reporting to a pretrial services agency.

K-12 and Higher Education

Ban Lunch Shaming Statewide. Lunch shaming is a disgraceful practice in some schools where children are publicly humiliated in front of their peers by adults for not having money for lunch. The Governor will propose a law that when passed, would immediately end the practice of lunch shaming of any kind.

Expand Pre-Kindergarten for 3- and 4-Year-Olds in High-Need Schools Across the State. In recent years, the State has more than doubled its commitment to pre-kindergarten from $385 million to more than $800 million. In addition, since Governor Cuomo introduced three-year-old pre-kindergarten in 2015, more than $30 million is now dedicated to high-need three-year-olds alone. The Governor will continue to invest in pre-kindergarten by investing an additional $15 million to create 3,000 new slots for three and four-year-olds in high-need schools around the state.

Tackling Student Debt. The Governor will advance a comprehensive plan to further reduce student debt that includes creating a Student Loan Ombudsman at the Department of Financial Services; requiring all colleges annually provide students with estimated amounts incurred for student loans, such as the amount of student loans incurred to date, a range of the total payoff amount including principal and interest.

Update on My Net Neutrality Legislation. In response to more bad news from Washington, I introduced legislation to deny state contracts to internet service providers who do not comply with net neutrality principles has continued to garner attention as more states look to introduce legislation ensuring these principles. This bill uses the "power of the purse" to push back against new FCC regulations which have abandoned the principles of a free and open internet that protect access for consumers, small businesses, and innovators across New York.

NYSDOT To Upgrade Crosswalk in McKownville. I recently received confirmation that NYSDOT will include the proposed pedestrian crosswalk on Western Ave at Brookwood Ave in McKownville as part of their planned repaving of Route 20 - with more news to come on bike lanes further out Western Ave! I could not be more appreciative of the responsiveness of NYSDOT to my request for this crosswalk as well as the continued advocacy from County Legislator Paul Miller and Town Supervisor Peter Barber! This upgrade will increase pedestrian safety along a busy corridor of Western Ave., and I thank all the McKownville residents for their patience and for their continued advocacy!

Community Updates & Events

Fahy Office Annual Open House in the LOB. Mark your calendars! I will be hosting my annual office open house on Friday, January 26th from 8:30-10:00 AM in room 452 of the Legislative Office Building. This annual event is an opportunity to see my office in action and view work by amazing local artists. Light refreshments will be served.

At the River I Stand Film Screening honoring MLK. The African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region will host a showing of the movie, “At the River I Stand” on Thursday, January 11th, at Giffen Elementary School, 274 South Pearl Street, Albany, from 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm. This timely and moving documentary recounts the two months leading to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s death in 1968, coinciding with the 65-day strike of 1300 Memphis sanitation workers.

Preservation League to Offer Planning Grants. The Preservation League of New York State is announced this week the availability of its 2018 Preserve New York Grant Program to qualified not-for-profit groups and municipalities seeking funding for the preservation or restoration of historic buildings or structures with an arts or cultural purpose.

Preserve New York grants range between $3,000-10,000 and require a 20% cash match from each applicant. Eligible project types include Historic Structure Reports, Building Condition Reports, Cultural Landscape Reports, and Cultural Resource Surveys. Interested applicants MUST first call the League at (518) 462-5658 x 10 in order to discuss a project and receive an application. Applications are not available online.

As always, for the latest news or for upcoming events, please visit my office online, on Facebook, on Twitter, or my Times Union blog. If you would like to reach my office, please feel free to send us a note, or give us a call at (518) 455-4178.

Pat