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The Week Ahead in New York Politics, January 29


New York City Hall

New York City Hall


What to watch for this week in New York politics:

State budget hearings continue this week in Albany, where the joint legislative hearings will focus on topics including economic development and education, discussing programs and outlays in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s recently-released executive budget plan. 

On Tuesday, state Senator John DeFrancisco is expected to announce whether he will seek the Republican nomination for governor.

New City Council Speaker Corey Johnson will give remarks on Tuesday morning at the Association for a Better New York, a prominent business group.

Mayor de Blasio is expected to release his preliminary budget for next fiscal year on Thursday of this week (next Monday, February 5, de Blasio is scheduled to testify in Albany at a state budget hearing).

Like last week, this week is likely to feature a good deal of discussion of how New York city and state are responding to the recently passed federal tax reforms, and larger questions round budgeting for the next fiscal year -- the state’s fiscal year begins April 1, the city’s begins July 1 -- as well as issues like congestion pricing and MTA funding, which are coming into focus as key areas of debate this budget cycle in New York.

Meanwhile, President Trump will deliver his first State of the Union address Tuesday night, which many in New York will be watching.

There's a good deal happening all over the city and state this week, with several other events to be aware of - see our day-by-day rundown below.

***Do you have events or topics for us to include in an upcoming Week Ahead in New York Politics?
e-mail Gotham Gazette editor Ben Max: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.***

The run of the week in detail:

Monday
The State Legislature will be in session on Monday in Albany.

At the State Legislature on Monday, there will be a joint legislative hearing on the executive budget proposal relating to economic development at 10:30 a.m.

At 10 a.m. Monday, the New York City Campaign Finance Board will hold a public hearing “regarding the 2017 citywide elections.”

On Monday starting at 10 a.m., schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña will be at P.S. 150 in Sunnyside where she "will visit classes using the DOE's Passport to Social Studies curriculum at PS 150 in Queens. She will visit a 5th grade "living history museum," a 3rd grade class learning about China by creating travel brochures, and a 2nd grade class learning about New York City transportation."

At 11 a.m. Monday, Governor Andrew Cuomo will make an announcement at Nassau Coliseum.

At 11 a.m. Monday at City Hall, “the de Blasio Administration will join Citi Community Development and the National Disability Institute to announce the launch of a national public-private initiative that encourages municipalities to expand financial empowerment and economic inclusion to people living with disabilities and their families. The announcement includes the launch of a local initiative that seeks to improve the financial stability ofthe one million New Yorkers living with a disability.”

At 1:30 p.m. Monday in Albany, “New York State legislators will join a statewide coalition to launch an aggressive legislative campaign to create safer consumption spaces (SCSs), also known as supervised injection facilities (SIFs), in New York State. The coalition, known as “End Overdose NY,” is comprised of public health and healthcare professionals, faith leaders, family members of those struggling with opioid dependency, drug treatment providers as well as people in recovery, and those still actively using drugs...Earlier in the day, the coalition will be holding a legislative briefing on the “End Overdose New York” drug policy platform, a 3-point program for a comprehensive and compassionate response to ending overdose across the state.” Participants will include Assemblymembers  Linda Rosenthal, Richard Gottfried, Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Diana Richardson, and Luis Sepúlveda, and leaders of a variety of groups like VOCAL-NY, Drug Policy Alliance, and others.

At 6 p.m. Monday, City & State will host a ceremony honoring its “50 Over Fifty 2018” honorees at the Mezzanine NYC in the Financial District. Honorees include former Council Speaker Christine Quinn, 1199SEIU President George Gresham, Citizens Budget Commission President Carol Kellermann, and Yankees President Randy Levine. City & State will also honor individuals winning a “Lifetime Achievement” award, including former Mayor David Dinkins, the Rev. Al Sharpton, former Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, outgoing Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina, CUNY Chancellor James Milliken, and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten.

Mayor de Blasio will make his weekly Monday evening appearance on NY1’s Inside City Hall in the 7 and 11 p.m. hours. Mayor de Blasio will also make remarks Monday evening at the People’s State of the Union at The Town Hall.

Tuesday
The State Legislature will be in session on Tuesday in Albany.

At the State Legislature on Tuesday, there will be a joint legislative hearing on the executive budget proposal relating to public protection at 9:30 a.m.

At 8 a.m. Tuesday, the Association for a Better New York will host City Council Speaker Corey Johnson for a “Power Breakfast” at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan, where the speaker will “discuss his priorities for the next council.” Public Advocate Letitia James and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer will be among those in attendance.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics will meet on Tuesday in Albany.

At 11 a.m. Public Advocate James will host a press conference "calling on the FCC to protect the Lifeline Program."

On Tuesday at 11 a.m. "at Staten Island Borough Hall, Borough President James S. Oddo, District Attorney Mike McMahon, and technology company Uber will announce a continuation of their partnership that began on Thanksgiving Eve to combat drunk driving. They will announce the availability of free Uber rides on Sunday to allow football fans to arrive safely home after the big game as well as the local sponsors of this important initiative."

At approximately 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman "will hold a media availability after a critical DACA hearing in federal court," at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, in Brooklyn. "A federal judge will hear arguments on Attorney General Schneiderman’s motion for a preliminary injunction to block President Trump’s attempt to end DACA. After the hearing, Attorney General Schneiderman, DREAMers and their legal representatives, and advocates will hold a media availability outside the courthouse. Attorney General Schneiderman leads a coalition of 17 Attorneys General that filed suit to protect DREAMers and preserve DACA."

At about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at the state Capitol in Albany, Senate Democrats will announce "campaign finance reform and good government legislation" at a press conference led by Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

At 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, the New York City Board of Elections will hold a commissioners’ meeting.

On Tuesday at 3 p.m. at the 79th Precinct in Brooklyn, "Mayor de Blasio and Police Commissioner O’Neill will hold a media availability to make an announcement regarding body cameras. This event is open press. There will be Q-and-A." City Council Speaker Corey Johnson will participate in the press conference as well.

State Senator John DeFrancisco is expected to announce his candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn - Electronics Parkway Liverpool.

At 6 p.m. Tuesday, the New York Housing Conference will host Juliette Michaelson, Executive Vice President of the Regional Plan Association, for its “Thought Leader Speaker Series” at LMHQ in the Financial District. Michaelson will present the RPA’s Fourth Regional Plan to the NYHC.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, City Council Member Costa Constantinides will give his 2018 State of the District address for the 22nd Council District at P.S. 17 in Astoria, Queens. He will be joined by “special guest” Council Speaker Corey Johnson. Public Advocate Letitia James will also deliver remakrs.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Comptroller Scott Stringer will deliver remarks at JustLeadershipUSA's “The State of #CLOSErikers” event, at New York Society for Ethical Culture.

President Trump will deliver his first State of the Union address Tuesday night at 9 p.m.

Wednesday
The full City Council will hold a stated meeting at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Council Speaker Johnson may hold a pre-stated press conference.

Also at the City Council on Wednesday: the Committee on Finance will meet at 10 a.m.

At the State Legislature on Wednesday, there will be a joint legislative hearing on the executive budget proposal relating to elementary and secondary education at 9:30 a.m.

At 10 a.m. Wednesday, the NYC Clergy Roundtable will host NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill at “Healing of our City: A Faith and Community Conversation with NYPD” at the New Jerusalem Worship Center in Jamaica, Queens. The commissioner will answer questions from the community on a range of topics.

At 10 a.m. Wednesday, the City Planning Commission will hold a public meeting at Spector Hall.

At 9 a.m. Wednesday, City & State will host its 2018 P3 Summit at NYU’s Kimmel Center, convening “New York's transportation infrastructure leaders and P3 experts for a day-long, dynamic program of candid discussion and thought-provoking presentations on the complexities of public-private partnerships and the ways to successfully execute and manage P3s.” Several panels consisting of government officials, advocates, and business leaders will discuss these issues throughout the day.

Thursday
At 8 a.m. Thursday, the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce will host “The Future Series: Reforming the Property Tax in NYC” at the Rosenthal Pavilion at NYU’s Kimmel Center. Jacques Jiha, Commissioner of the City’s Department of Finance, will deliver a keynote address. A panel will also convene, consisting of REBNY President John Banks, Citizens Budget Commission President Carol Kellermann, Policy Director at Tax Equity Now NY Martha Stark, and NYU Law professor Vicki Been.

Mayor de Blasio is expected to present his preliminary budget proposal for fiscal year 2019, which begins July 1, on Thursday at City Hall.

At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, U.S. Rep Adriano Espaillat will host his 2018 State of the District Address for New York’s 13th Congressional District at the Vagelos Education Center in Washington Heights.

Friday and the weekend
Mayor de Blasio is expected to make his weekly Friday morning appearance on WNYC radio’s The Brian Lehrer Show.

***
Have events or topics for us to include in an upcoming Week Ahead in New York Politics? E-mail Gotham Gazette executive editor Ben Max any time: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (please use "For Week Ahead" as email subject).

***
by Ben Brachfeld and Ben Max
@GothamGazette



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