WELCOME TO THIS MONTH'S EDITION OF THE PRESS "THE CAPITOL PRESSROOM" WHERE WE CONSIDER WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE PRIMARIES MEAN FOR THE AND.

DISABILITIES.

ALL THAT AND MORE COMING UP NEXT.

I'M DAVID LOMBARDO AND YOU ARE WATCHING "THE CAPITOL PRESSROOM," A COLLECTION OF INTERVIEWS WITH POLITICAL LEADERS, POLICYMAKERS, ADVOCATES AND JOURNALISTS COVER ALL OF IT.

UP FIRST CHECKING IN WITH KELLIE OWENS, HEAD OF THE STATE OFFICE FOR THE PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT OF AN UNFLATTERING AUDIT BY THE STATE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.

WE TALK WILL THE REVIEW AND OFFICE'S CAMPAIGN TO UPDATE COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POLICIES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> I APPRECIATE BEING HERE.

>> SO ONE OF THE BIG HEADLINES FROM A RECENT STATE COMPTROLLER'S AUDIT IS NOT ALL THE PHONE CALLS AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS TO THE STATE'S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOT LINE IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2025 GOT CONNECTED SUCCESSFULLY.

ONE REVIEW FOUND 6% OF CALLS WERE NOT CONNECTED.

HOW DOES THAT REVIEW COMPARE TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE HOT LINE AND ITS RESPONSIVENESS?

>> LET ME TELL YOU MY EXPECTATIONS OVERALL IS THAT WE ARE HERE TO HELP SURVIVORS.

I'M GOING TO SHARE A PERSONAL STORY WITH YOU.

I STARTED THIS WORK AT THE LOCAL YWCA.

AND I STARTED IN COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND THAT KIND OF STUFF BUT EVERYBODY AT A LOCAL PROVIDER HAS TO BECOME TRAINED TO BE AN ADVOCATE.

AND I HAD THE BECOME AN ADVOCATE AND ONE PARTICULAR NIGHT, IT WAS CHRISTMAS EVE, WE GOT A CALL TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL TO PICK UP A MOM WHO HAD BEEN BADLY BEATEN AND HER SON.

HER SON WAS ABOUT THE SAME ABLE AS MY KIDS-- SAME AGE AS MY KIDS THE LITTLE BOY CAME IN AND THE MOM CAME IN, LITTLE BOY HAD A BROKEN LEG AND HE WAS IN HIS CHRISTMAS PAJAMAS.

AND HE, HIS MAIN CONCERN THAT NIGHT WAS WHETHER OR NOT SANTA WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND HIP.

SO WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE WORK THAT WE DO AND THE WORK WE DO AT POOPED, THE WORK THAT THE OPWDD THE LOCALS DO, THE HOT LINE DOES, NO CALL SHOULD EVER BE MISSED AND THAT'S WHAT I REMEMBER EVERY TIME I THINK ABOUT THIS AUDIT AND HOW WE CAN DO SO MUCH BETTER.

AND THAT'S WHAT DRIVES ME.

IT'S WHAT I EXPECT OF THE SYSTEM.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO THIS WORK, IT'S HEART BREAKING WORK.

IT'S EITHER GOING TO BREAK YOUR HEART EVERY DAY OR IT'S GOING TURN YOU INTO STONE.

IT'S TURNED ME TO STONE.

BUT YOU KNOW,-- AND IF YOU COME TO THIS WHERE YOU THINK WE CAN'T SAVE EVERYBODY, THEN DON'T DO THIS WORK.

>> CLEARLY THE INTENTIONS ARE THERE.

SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THIS AUDIT AND THIS FOCUSING ON THE HOT LINE IN PARTICULAR, WHAT SAFEGUARDS OR INSTITUTIONAL CHECKS AND BALANCES CAN BE IN PLACE OR ARE NOW IN PLACE TO ENSURE THAT 1: PEOPLE'S CALLS AND TEXT MESSAGES AND WEB COMMUNICATIONS ARE BEING RESPONDED AND 2: THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING RESPONDED TO IN THE LANGUAGES THEY NEED TO, WHICH IS ANOTHER CONCERN RAISED BY THE AUDIT?

>> YEP, SO, WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF CHANGES TO OUR CONTRACT WITH THE PROVIDER, AND IN THAT WE HAVE REQUIRED THEM TO DO THEIR OWN TESTING AS WELL AS WE ARE DOING QUALITY TESTING OURSELVES NOW.

SO WE ARE CALLING AND WE ARE TEXTING AND CHATTING AND DOING IT IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS CAN-- THAT THINGS ARE OPERATING THE WAY THEY SHOULD.

I WILL SAY THIS.

I THINK THAT THE HOT LINE-- SO IN NEW YORK STATE THERE IS THE NATIONAL HOT LINE, THE STATE HOT LINE, NEW YORK CITY HOT LINE AND THEN EVERY LOCAL PROVIDER HAS A HOT LINE.

I THINK IT'S TIME TO CHANGE THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS.

AND THAT MEANS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT OPWDD TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT CAN THERE BE A NEW WAY TO DO THIS.

IT'S VERY ANTIQUATED IN THE WAY THAT WE DO IT.

DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S WRONG.

IT'S JUST I THINK THERE IS A BETTER WAY FOR US TO DO THIS WORK TOGETHER AS A STATE AND REALLY GET PEOPLE TO THE PLACES THEY NEED FOR THE HELP AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

AND THAT MIGHT MEAN THE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION, IT MIGHT MEAN A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS BUT WE'VE REALLY STARTED THAT PROCESS TO LOOK AT HOW DO WE DO THIS BETTER ACROSS THE STATE BECAUSE IT'S A LOT OF DUPLICATION OF SERVICES AS WELL.

>> DO YOU ENVISION ONE DOOR FOR PEOPLE TO WALK THROUGH SO TO SPEAK?

I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW THAT MAYBE ALLOWS YOU TO COORDINATE AND ORGANIZE THINGS, THE ARGUMENT AGAINST THAT IS HAVE AS MANY DOORS AS POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO GET INTO THE SYSTEM?

>> I THIS I THERE IS AN ANSWER TO THAT.

WHEN I WAS AT THE LOCAL, PEOPLE CALLED THE LOCAL HOT LINE.

AND THE STATE HOT LINE SERVES A PURPOSE BUT THE STATE HOT LINE SHOULD BE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE-- AND WE ARE-- TO THE LOCAL AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

SO THAT'S THE SYSTEM THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS TO REALLY TRY TO FIND OUT HOW DO WE DO THIS BETTER.

>> I WANT TO TURN TO ANOTHER ELEMENT OF THE AUDIT WHICH HAS TO DO WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION AND OVERSIGHT OF STATE'S ENOUGH IS ENOUGH INITIATIVE WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO ADDRESS SEXUAL VIOLENCE ON COLLEGE CAP PUSSES.

THE AUDIT FOUND THAT CAMPUSES WERE NOT FULLY LIVING UP TO THEIR PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS AS PART OF THE GRANTS THEY GET FROM YOUR OFFICE.

ADDITIONALLY, I'VE GOT A COUPLE YEARS WORTH OF INTERVIEWS FOR THE PRESS PRESS WHERE-- "THE CAPITOL PRESSROOM" WHERE ACTIVISTS ARE SAYING DOZENS OF COLLEGE CAMPUSES ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE MANDATES OF THIS INITIATIVE NOT NECESSARILY PARTNERING WITH THE ORGANIZATION S THAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE.

WHERE DO YOU THINK-- WHERE DO THINGS STAND WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS WORK?

>> YEAH, BEFORE THIS AUDIT, WE REALLY STARTED THINKING ABOUT WHAT DOES-- AND WE WORKED WELL WITH THE ADVOCATES, ABOUT WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF ENOUGH IS ENOUGH LOOK LIKE.

AND YOU KNOW, THE ENOUGH IS ENOUGH LAW HAS THE STATE ED, WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE ENFORCEMENT PIECE AND THEN US, WHO WORKS WITH THE ADVOCATE COMMUNITY, TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE CONNECTIONS TO THOSE COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

THIS YEAR THERE IS A REQUIRED CONNECTION BETWEEN THE COLLEGE CAMPUSES AND THE PROVIDERS SO THE COLLEGE HAS TO SAY WE ARE WORKING WITH THESE PEOPLE AND THERE IS AN MOU IN PLACE.

THAT REQUIRES THEM TO DO THAT.

>> STATE ED IS GOING TO BE DOUBLE CHECKING THAT?

>> WE ARE GOING TO CHECK THAT.

STATE ED DOES THEIR STUFF ON ENOUGH IS ENOUGH SIDE.

OUR MONITORING WILL BE AROUND THAT.

OUR CONTRACTS ARE WITH THE LOCAL PROVIDERS, NOT WITH THE COLLEGES.

SO OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROVIDERS ARE DOING WHAT THEY SAY THEY SHOULD DO, WHICH IS HARD SOMETIMES WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE A COOPERATIVE COLLEGE CAMPUS AND WARE GOING TO STEP UP OUR EFFORTS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FACILITATING SOME OF THOSE RELATIONSHIPS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN GREAT IN THE PAST.

>> AND ONE OF THE THINGS I FELT LIKE WAS NOT NECESSARILY EMPHASIZED IN THE COMPTROLLER'S TAKE ON THIS WAS RESOURCES.

AND THE DV WORLD IS NOT FIRST, SECOND, THIRD OR FOURTH WHEN IT COMES TO PRIORITIES.

SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE RANGE OF SERVICES THAT ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN THIS AUDIT, HOW DOES A LACK OF RESOURCES OR MAYBE NOT ALL OF THE RESOURCES THAT YOU MIGHT THINK ARE DESERVED, IMPACT ALL OF THIS WORK AND THE OVERSIGHT THAT YOU DO IN YOUR OFFICE?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IS IN NEW YORK STATE FUNDED ACROSS SIX STATE AGENCIES.

AND THERE IS MONEY OUT THERE, BUT IT SOMETIMES IS COMPETITIVELY BID.

SO DV PROVIDERS-- DV AND SEXUAL ASSAULT PROVIDERS ARE COMPETING AGAINST OTHER VICTIM SERVICES AGENCIES.

OR THEY'RE COMPETING AGAINST EACH OTHER.

AND THAT IS A SYSTEM THAT OPWDD HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT SINCE I HAVE BEEN AT OPWDD THAT WE NEED TO REALLY THINK ABOUT HOW DO WE FUND DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE SERVICES IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

HOW TO WE MAKE THE FEDERAL FUNDS THAT COME IN, WHICH ARE NOW FEDERAL FUNDS COMING IN AND THE STATE DOLLARS WORK TOGETHER IN A WAY THAT IS MORE IMPACTFUL FOR SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICE PROVIDERS.

WE CONTINUE TO SAY THAT.

WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO WORK WITH OUR SISTER STATE AGENCIES TO GET THEM TO COLLABORATE AROUND HOW DO WE REALLY FUND AND HOW DO WE LOOK AT DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE SERVICES WHICH ALSO NEEDS US TO MODEL POLICY.

>> WELL, I MEAN IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO THAT, WE MIGHT AS WELL MAKE YOU THE HOST OF THE SHOW.

BUT I'LL TAKE YOUR LEAD AND TURNING AWAY FROM THE AUDIT, YOUR PHS IS IN THE PROCESS OF REVAMPING THE STATE'S MODEL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POLICY FOR COUNTIES WHICH WAS WRIES WRITTEN BACK WHEN THE YANKEES HAD A DYNASTY IN THE MID 90s.

HOW IS THE POLICY USED NOW AND ARE THERE LIMITATIONS BASED ON WHEN IT WAS WRITTEN?

>> SURE, THE LAST TIME IT WAS UPDATED WAS 1998.

>> A HECK OF A YANKEES TEAM, LIKE I SAID.

AND.

>> AND IT'S NOT BAD POLICY.

IT'S JUST NOT INCLUSIVE POLICY AND IT DOESN'T TOUCH THE ALL OF THE SYSTEMS IN WHICH A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE VICTIM MAY BE OPERATING.

THERE IS A LOT OF CONCENTRATION ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO TALK ABOUT HOUSING AND WHAT IS HOUSING MODEL POLICY LOOK LIKE WHEN IT COMES TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

HEALTH HEALTH POLICY OR EDUCATION POLICY LOOK LIKE.

WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE PREVENTION AREA.

AND WHAT SHOULD THAT LOOK LIKE IF WE ARE DOING IT?

SO THAT MODEL POLICY HAS GOT TO BE UPDATED.

IT IT WILL DRIVE-- IT SHOULD DRIVE HOW THE STATE LOOKS AT AND FUNDS AND DEVELOPS PROGRAMS AROUND DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

WE ARE ALSO WORKING WITH THE COUNTIES BECAUSE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POLICY.

THERE IS A STATE POLICY AND COUNTY POLICY.

WE ARE HAVING GREAT SUCCESS AT THE COUNTIES.

WE DO OUR REGIONAL COUNCILS.

AND A LOT OF FOLKS, WHO WERE NOT AROUND IN 1998, ARE SAYING WHAT?

THIS IS GREAT.

WHY HAVEN'T WE BEEN USING THIS?

SO IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE TRANSFORMATIONAL ONCE WE GET EVERYBODY ON ON THE SAME PAGE.

THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE REALLY, REALLY, REALLY INTO IT.

AND TRYING TO DECIDE HOW DO WE REALLY DO THE WORK THAT IS OUTLINED HERE.

AND WHAT DO WE NEED TO CHANGE IN THE MODEL POLICY?

WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> IS THIS GOING TO BE A CULTURE CHANGE FOR SOME COUNTIES?

OBVIOUSLY IT SOUNDS LIKE SOME ARE RIP ROARING READY TO GO BUT OTHERS MIGHT HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF 1998.

>> I DO.

>> BUT IS THIS GOING TO BE A BIG DEAL FOR SOME COUNTIES?

ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE TO PUSH SOME PEOPLE ALONG?

>> YEAH, I THINK WHAT WILL BE INTERESTING IS, YOU KNOW, IN THE 1990S, OUR RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE HAS BEEN A CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSE AND WE INVEST THAT WAY.

WE INVESTED IN, YOU KNOW, PROSECUTION, WE INVESTED IN POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

WE INVESTED IN SHELTER-BASED SERVICES.

THIS MODEL POLICY WILL HOPEFULLY HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE THINGS THAT'S HAPPEN BEFORE THAT THAT WE NEED TO BE ADDRESSING.

AND HOW ARE WE BUILDING SYSTEMS THERE.

HOW ARE WE TALKING TO SCHOOLS.

HOW ARE WE HELPING TO BUILD HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT KEEP US OUT OF THAT CRISIS MODE.

SO I DO THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A SHIFT AND I THINK THAT SOME OF THOSE FOLKS THAT HAVE TRADITIONALLY BEEN IN CHARGE ARE GOING TO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF A SHIFT AWAY FROM, OKAY, YES, WE GOT TO HAVE A STRONG ROBUST CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THAT HAS TO WORK BUT SO DOES THE HOUSING SYSTEM FOR DV OR S.A.

VICTIM WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE PRACTICAL EFFECT OF THE BROADER CHANGES ON THE CONSUMERS OF THE SYSTEM?

IS THE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS?

WHAT DOES THIS ACTUALLY MEAN FOR THEM IF YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL IN IMPLEMENTING THIS CULTURE SHIFT?

>> IT WILL MEAN THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT JUMPING FROM SYSTEM TO SYSTEM.

IT WILL MEAN THAT THE COMMUNITIES ARE COORDINATED AROUND THEIR RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC AND GENDER-BASE VIOLENCE.

SO IF YOU ARE TELLING YOUR STORY TO AN ADVOCATE, YOU ARE TELLING YOUR STORY TO THE HIGH RISK TEAM IN THAT AREA.

AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL IT AGAIN TO SEVEN OTHER PEOPLE.

THEY DON'T CARE THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WORKS THIS WAY, THE COURSE SYSTEM THIS WAY, AND ADVOCATES WORK THIS WAY.

ALL THEY WANT IS HELP AND WE ARE HOPING WITH A COORDINATED COMMUNITY RESPONSE, THAT WILL BE THE WAY THAT THEY FEEL THE SYSTEM TREATS THEM.

>> KELLIE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU DAVID, I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME ON.

>> AND NOW FROM WILLOW BEAR, COMMISSION AT THE STATE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

WE STAT WITH COMMISSIONER BAER AFTER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ISSUED A MEMO RELAXING THE DEPARTMENT OF JCHT COMMITMENT TO ENSURING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OR MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS ARE SERVED IN THEIR DMUNTSZ.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE TIME.

THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT WHAT THIS MEMO FROM THE D.O.J.

COULD MEAN AND WHETHER IT MIGHT BE FOLLOWED BY STATUTORY CHANGES OUT OF WASHINGTON D.C.

BUT FOR RIGHT NOW, IF NEW YORK POLICYMAKERS REMAIN COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLES OF THE OLMSTEAD RULING FROM THE U.S.

SUPREME COURT WHICH CALLED FOR THE STATE TO SERVE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN THOSE MOST INTEGRATED SETTINGS FOR THEIR NEEDS, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE SUBSTANTIVE IMPACT OF THIS MEMO FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?

>> I THINK YOU HIT IT RIGHT ON THE MARK THAT NEW YORK STATE HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO THE MOST INTEGRATED SETTINGS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FOR DECADES, REMAINS COMMITTED.

THE GOVERNOR WAS QUOTED THIS WEEKEND AS SAYING WE KNOW WHAT IS AT STAKE IN NEW YORK, RIGHT?

WE HAVE LEARNED THROUGH LIVING THROUGH THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION AND HORRORS OF WILLOWBROOK, WHAT IT MEANS TO INSTITUTIONALIZE PEOPLE UNNECESSARILY AND THE NEW YORK STATUTES LAWS, POLICY REGULATIONS, ARE AS STRONG AS THEY CAN BE IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THAT WE REMAIN AS COMMITTED AS POSSIBLE TO COMMUNITY INTEGRATION HERE.

>> AND I KNOW YOU HEARD FROM THE SCHLEP DISABILITIES CHAIR ABOUT THIS AND THEY WERE REQUESTING, ARE THERE PARTS OF OUR STATUTES THAT NEED TO BE UPDATED.

ARE THERE RULES AND REGULATIONS AT THE STATE LEVEL THAT NEED TO BE UPDATED.

ARE THERE ANY SORT OF UNANSWERED OR QUESTIONS OR VARIABLES ABOUT THE STATE'S COMMITMENT AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT NEED TO BE EXPLORED AT THIS POINT?

>> I HAVE NO QUESTION ABOUT NEW YORK STATE'S COMMITMENT IN THIS AREA.

WE HAVE MADE CONSISTENT ACHIEVEMENTS AND INVESTMENTS IN COMMUNITY-BASED LIVING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, WHETHER THAT'S DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, MENTAL ILLNESS, SENSORY DISABILITIES, RIGHT.

WE HAVE GOT AN AMENDMENT JUST IN THE LAST TWO YEARS TO THE STATE CONSTITUTION, WHICH ADDS DISABILITY AS A PROTECTED CLASS FOR EQUAL PROTECTION.

THAT'S HUGE.

THAT'S MORE THAN ALMOST ANY OTHER STATE IN THE NATION HAS.

SO OUR COMMITMENT HERE IS CLEAR.

I THINK WHAT IS DISHEARTENING AND WHAT PEOPLE FEEL FEARFUL ABOUT IS THE ENFORCEMENT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, RIGHT?

SO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SETS VERY BROAD LAWS, RULES, POLICIES, THE STATES IMPLEMENT THOSE, MAKE SOME OF THEIR OWN AND WHEN THAT IS IMPLEMENTED AND OPERATIONALIZED AT THE LEVEL THAT PEOPLE FEEL IT IN THEIR OWN LIFE, IT DRIVES DOWN FROM THE FEDERAL ENFORCEMENT AND SO WHETHER OR NOT NEW YORK HAS THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WHICH WE DO, HAS RULES ON THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW, WHICH WE DO, HAS ITS OWN BINDING PRECEDENT AND CASELAW, WHICH WE DO, I THINK THERE IS STILL RIGHTFULLY FEAR AT THE LACK OF POTENTIAL ENFORCEMENT FROM THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION.

>> WHAT WOULD BE THE ENFORCEMENT NEED IN NEW YORK IF STATE POLICYMAKERS, LIKE YOU SAID, ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THAT MOST INTEGRATED CARE?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I THINK IN NEW YORK MUCH LESS IMPACT THAN POTENTIALLY IN SOME OTHER STATES.

SO WE ARE HEARING FROM THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY AT LARGE, RIGHT?

AND WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAKES A POSITION POTENTIALLY TO BRING BACK, RESCIND SOME OF THE POLICIES, WHICH THEY HAVEN'T DONE YET.

THIS LEGAL MEMO HAS NOT OVERTURNED THE ADA.

IT HAS NOT OVERTURNED OLMSTEAD BUT IT CERTAINLY SIGNALS THE POTENTIAL THAT SOME ADDITIONAL POLICIES COULD CHANGE AND THAT STATES HAVE MUCH MORE DISCRETION TO ENFORCE THEIR OWN POLICIES BASED ON THE NEW INTERPRETATION.

SO I THINK IN NEW YORK, I ABSOLUTELY HAVE LESS OF THAT FEAR.

>> WELL, ARE THERE OTHER TOOLS OR AVENUES, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MORE SPECIFICALLY COULD POLL OR UTILIZE TO TRY TO FORCE NEW YORK TO CHANGE ITS POLICIES; FOR EXAMPLE, ARE THERE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT COULD COME WITH STRINGS ATTACHED IN THE FUTURE AND THUS SORT OF SET YOU ON A PATH TOWARDS FORCED RELIANCE ON MORE INSTITUTIONALIZED CARE?

>> I DON'T WANT TO GO TOO FAR DOWN THE ROAD BUT THAT'S WHY THIS FIRST STEP OF POTENTIAL LACK OF ENFORCEMENT IS TROUBLESOME, RIGHT BECAUSE THAT DRIVES WHERE FEDS SPEND MONEY.

>> WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS CONVERSATION THROUGH THE LENS OF YOUR OFFICE AND THE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THAT YOU SERVE, BUT YOU WERE NOT THE ONLY COMMISSIONER TO COME OUT WITH A STATEMENT ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

WE ALSO HEARD FROM THE STATE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH IS IT YOUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS POPULATIONS BEYOND JUST THOSE PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL OR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE OLMSTEAD DECISION WAS FOCUSED ON TWO WOMEN WHO HAD MENTAL ILLNESS AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

IT WAS AN INTERPRETATION OF THE ADA AND HOW IT IMPACTS PEOPLE WITH ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY.

SO IT CERTAINLY IS A MUCH BROADER POTENTIAL IMPACT THAN JUST ON THE OPWDD SERVICE SYSTEM.

>> AND WHAT SORT OF CONCERNS HAVE YOU HEARD FROM STAKEHOLDERS, WHETHER IT'S THE FAMILIES THAT COULD BE I AM PANLTED-- IMPACTED OR THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT YOU CONTRACT WITH THIS PROVIDE THESE SERVICES.

WHAT SORT OF FEEDBACK HAVE YOU BEEN GETTING IN RECENT DAYS AND WEEKS?

>> THIS TRIGGERED A LOT OF FEAR IN THE COMMUNITY, A LOT OF RENEWED SENSE OF A NEED TO ADVOCATE.

WE ARE CELEBRATING-- WE JUST CELEBRATED THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE OLMSTEAD DECISION.

WE HAVE THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA COMING UP NEXT WEEK.

AND IN NEW YORK, I THINK WE COLLECTIVELY FELT LIKE WE WERE PAST NEEDING TO STAND UP FOR THE VERY BASIC TENETS OF THE OLMSTEAD DECISION.

SO THERE IS A LOT OF RENEWED ENTHUSIASM AND INTEREST FROM THE ADVOCACY COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN FEARFUL OF WHAT COULD POTENTIALLY COME FROM THIS FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION.

WE SAW MEDICAID CUTS THAT THANKFULLY DIDN'T IMPACT US IN NEW YORK BUT WE HAVE BEEN ON ALERT FOR TWO YEARS ABOUT WHAT POTENTIAL IMPACT COULD HIT THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY.

AND THIS WAS ONE MORE SORT OF SIGNAL OF WHAT THEY COULD POTENTIALLY BE THINKING IN WASHINGTON.

>> WELL, CLEARLY NEW YORK IS RHETORICALLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS IDEA OF KEEPING PEOPLE IN THE MOST INTEGRATED SETTINGS AS POSSIBLE.

BUT WHAT WOULD YOU POINT TO IN RECENT YEARS IN TERMS OF EITHER STATUTORY CHANGES OR FUNDING COMMITMENTS THAT EMBODY THAT COMMITMENT TO OLMSTEAD OR THE ADA MORE BROADLY?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S JUST RHETORICAL.

WE HAVE THE NEW YORK STATE CONSTITUTION THAT WE AMENDED.

WE HAVE LAWS IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS LAW IN NEW YORK STATE.

WE HAVE OUR WAIVER AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT EXPLICITLY OUTLINES HOW WE SERVE PEOPLE IN THE MOST INTEGRATED SETTING TO MEET THEIR NEEDS.

I ASSUME THE SAME IS TRUE WITH THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND IN THE PHYSICAL DISABILITY SPACE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AS WELL.

SO ALL OF THE WORK WE DO, THE INVESTMENTS THAT THIS GOVERNOR HAS MADE MADE IN ACCESSIBLE HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION MORE ACCESSIBLE AND TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THEIR HOMES IN THE COMMUNITY, REALLY IS NOT RHETORICAL AT ALL.

WE HAVE MADE THOSE INVESTMENTS AND HAVE RENEWED THAT COMMITMENT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

>> CAN YOU FLESH OUT A LITTLE MORE THE FUND SIDE OF THINGS BECAUSE I THINK PEOPLE WOULD OFTEN SAY YOU LOOK TO THE BUDGET, YOU LOOK TO THE SPENDING AS EVIDENCE OF SOMEONE'S PRIORITIES.

SOME OF THEIR COMMITMENTS.

AND YOU KNOW, A CONCERN MIGHT BE, WELL, IS NEW YORK SPENDING ENOUGH?

ARE THEY GOING FAR ENOUGH IN TERMS OF THE GOALS.

WHAT WOULD YOU POINT TO AS FAR AS SPENDING THAT WOULD BE EMBLEMATIC OF THAT COMMITMENT.

>> OUR AGENCY ALONE, THE BUDGET GREW 30 MILLION WITH NEW SERVICES DOLLARS ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WE INVEST YEAR OVER YEAR AND FIVE CONSECUTIVE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY-BASED LIVING SETTINGS BY HAVING SUPPORT STAFF AND ALL THE THINGS THAT OUR NON-PROFITS INTO ED TO CONTINUE TO SERVE PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THERE IS A $25 MILLION INVESTMENT THIS YEAR THAT WE SPENT ON MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY HAD BETTER ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

IF THEY HAD DISABILITIES.

THERE HAVE BEEN-- WE MADE $15 MILLION INVESTMENT IN AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HOUSING PROJECTS JUST FOR OPWDD AND I KNOW IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SPACE, ET CETERA, THERE HAVE BEEN A GREAT NUMBER OF THE SIMILAR INVESTMENTS.

THIS GOVERNOR INVESTED MORE IN MENTAL HEALTH THAN ANY OTHER GOVERNOR THAT I'M AWARE OF.

OBVIOUSLY OUTSIDE OF SORT OF MY AREA OF EXPERTISE.

BUT ALL TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY LIVING, COMMUNITY SUPPORTS, RIGHT, FOR PEOPLE TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK SOME OF THE NEXT STEPS ARE BECAUSE WE HAVE HEARD FROM PEOPLE IN THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY THAT SAY THEY HAVE A FEAR THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN THE PARENTS DIE, THAT THEIR KIDS GOING TO HAVE TO END UP IN AN INSTITUTIONAL SETTING BECAUSE MAYBE THEY WON'T HAVE AN ADVOCATE FOR THEM OR THERE WON'T BE A SPACE IN THE GROUP HOME NEAR WHERE THEY LIVE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE NEXT STEPS THAT COULD BE PUSHED ALONG TO ADVANCE THAT GOAL OF THE MOST INTEGRATED CARE?

>> YEAH, WE IN 2024, COMMITTED TO THE HARNESSING OLMSTEAD PROGRESS FOR EVERYONE ACTION PLAN.

THE HOPE PLAN THAT'S GOING THROUGH THE MOST INTEGRATED SETTINGS COUNCIL.

RENEWED OLMSTEAD PLAN FOR THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

WHICH REALLY SPEAKS TO HOW WE CONTINUE AS A STATE TO PROGRESS IN TERMS OF THOSE TENETS OF OLMSTEAD IN TERMS OF THE MOST COMMUNITY-BASED SETTINGS POSSIBLE SO THAT WORK CONTINUES THROUGH THE MISC.

AND IN TERMS OF THE CONCERNS THAT YOU HIGHLIGHT ABOUT WHAT SOUNDS LIKE THE OPWDD SERVICE SYSTEM SPECIFICALLY I MEAN WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT HOW WE CONTINUE TO INVEST IN MAKING SURE THERE ARE AS MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AS POSSIBLE.

AND A TON OF WORK GOES ON EVERY YEAR.

WE MOVE AND FIND HOMES FOR PEOPLE ALL THE TIME IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN EVERY SORT OF LEVEL ALONG THE CONTINUUM OF OUR SERVICE SYSTEM.

>> YOU MENTION THAT EFFORT TO UPDATE THE OLMSTEAD PLAN.

IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE IN 2025.

THERE WAS THAT MEETING OF THE MOST INTEGRATED, I'M GOING TO BUTCHER THE ACRONYM SETTING COORDINATING COUNCIL.

>> THAT WAS EXACTLY IT.

BACK MAINTAIN SPRING WHERE THEY SUGGESTED THAT WAS UNDER LEADERSHIP OR EXECUTIVE REVIEW.

WHAT IS THE TIMELINE FOR PUTTING SOMETHING LIKE THAT OUT AND SHOULD I GET HUNG UP ON THAT BEING LATE?

IS THAT JUST NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL?

WHAT IS THE READ ON THAT SOME?

>> I THINK THAT PLAN IS A BIG DEAL.

NOT THE SAME AS READING INTO IT, RIGHT?

SO WE HAD AN EXTENDED BUDGET SEASON THIS YEAR.

WE ALL KNOW THAT.

THAT PLAN IS VERY IMPORTANT THE CHIEF DISABILITY OFFICE LEADS THE MOST INTEGRATED SETTING COORDINATING COUNCIL AND HAS BEEN A FIERCE ADVOCATE FOR THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY AND MAKING SURE THAT PLAN IS COMPREHENSIVE AND VALUABLE AND IMPLEMENTABLE ACTIONABLE AS POSSIBLE AND I EXPECT WE WILL SEE IT SOON.

>> LASTLY I WANT TO COME BACK TO WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO SERVE SOMEONE IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND WHY THAT ULTIMATELY IS PREFERRABLE THAN INSTITUTIONAL CARE WHICH MIGHT TAKE SOMEBODY OUT OF STATE.

THERE ARE OPTIONS FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE AND WHY THE OUTCOMES ARE, YOU KNOW, SO MUCH BETTER AND WHY FAMILIES PREFER THIS?

AND WHY THEY ARE CONCERNED?

>> COMMUNITY-BASED LIVING IS WHAT WE ALL WANT FOR OURSELVES AND FOR EVERYONE ELSE, RIGHT?

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE.

IT'S HOW YOU INTERACT WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR OPPORTUNITIES FOR HAVING EMPLOYMENT, FOR MAKING FRIENDS, FOR BEING INVOLVED IN A CHURCH GROUP OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOUR INTERESTS ARE.

IT'S ABOUT LIVING AN ORDINARY LIFE JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WITHOUT A DISABILITY, RIGHT, GETS THE CHANCE TO DO.

>> AND FOR MORE ON THIS TOPIC VISIT "THE CAPITOL PRESSROOM" PODCAST FEED FOR OUR INTERVIEW WITH SCHLEP DISABILITIES CHAIR ANGELO SANTABARBARA.

NOW WE WILL CHECK IN WITH PHIL STEC A CAPITAL REGION DEMOCRAT WHO AUTHORED LEGISLATION REQUIRING SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO PROMPTLY RESPONSIBILITY TO SEARCH WARRANTS.

HERE IS THAT INTERVIEW.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU CARRIED LEGISLATION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY THAT ADDRESSES THE TIMELINESS OF COMPLIANCE BY SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS WITH SEARCH WARRANTS THEY MIGHT RECEIVE.

WHAT IS THE IMPETUS FOR THIS LEGISLATION?

>> WE HAD A CONSTITUENT WHOSE GRANDSON HAD DIED AS A RESULT OF SOME DRUG THAT HE BOUGHT ON THE INTERNET AND IT WAS TAINTED WITH FENTANYL AND THAT'S WHAT CAUSED HIS DEATH.

THE POLICE WERE ALREADY ON TO THAT PARTICULAR DRUG DEALER.

A SEARCH WARRANT HAD BEEN ISSUED TO THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANY, BUT THERE WASN'T TIMELY COMPLIANCE AND THAT IS WHAT RESULTED IN THE INDIVIDUAL'S DEATH.

>> SO 72 HOURS TO COMPLY WITH A SEARCH WARRANT IS THE LANGUAGE THAT IS IN YOUR LEGISLATION.

DOES THAT MEAN THAT ANY INFORMATION THAT IS REQUESTED NEEDS TO BE HANDED OVER WITHIN THAT TIME PERIOD?

DO YOU NEED TO MAKE A GOOD FAITH GESTURE THAT YOU ARE GETTING THE BALL ROLLING?

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT WITH THIS?

>> WELL, I THINK THE LEGISLATION CLEARLY REQUIRES COMPLIANCE, MEANING PROVIDE THE INFORMATION, WHETHER THERE IS GOING TO BE STALLING AND HORSING AROUND, I CAN'T ANSWER THAT.

I WOULD HOPE NOT.

I WOULD HOPE THEY WOULD REALIZE THAT THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT, CAN SAVE LIVES, BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN ACTUAL PRACTICE.

THESE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES HAVE BECOME SO POWERFUL AND SO, IN MANY WAYS, ARROGANT, THAT I'M NOT SO SURE THEY CAN SEE THE ERROR OF THEIR WAYS.

>> WELL, WHAT WOULD BE SORT OF THE ENFORCEMENT TOOL THAT A LOCAL PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE COULD TURN TO IF, AS YOU SAY, THIS POWERFUL SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM SAYS NO THANK YOU OR IT'S GOING TO TAKE US LONGER.

>> THEY WOULD HAVE TO ASK THE COURT TO HOLD THEM IN CONTEMPT AND CONTENT CAN-- CONTEMPT CAN INVOLVE FINES, IMPRISONMENT.

IT WOULD BE THAT KIND OF A PROCESS.

>> SO THIS IS NOT A UNIQUE LEGISLATION TO NEW YORK.

I SAW THAT I THINK COLORADO HAD SOMETHING SIMILAR.

BUT DESPITE THE FACT THAT OTHER STATES ARE DOING SOMETHING LIKE THIS, HOW DO YOU GET AROUND ANY SORT OF MAYBE FIRST AMENDMENT CONCERNS OR FOURTH AMENDMENT CONCERNS ABOUT SEARCH AND SEIZURE.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU ARE TRYING TO NAVIGATE HERE AT ALL?

>> NOT REALLY BECAUSE THE FIRST AMENDMENT OR FOURTH AMENDMENT CONCERNS WOULD BE IN THE NATURE OF THE WARRANT ITSELF.

SO IF THEY WERE SEEKING, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING THAT WAS PROTECTED UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT LIKE YOUR COMMUNICATIONS WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES ABOUT ISSUES THAT YOU RAISE ON THE SHOW, THAT WOULD CLEARLY BE PROTECTED UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

IT WOULD NOT BE A VALID WARRANT.

BUT THE PROPER THING TO DO WOULD BE TO NOT IGNORE IT BUT TO MOVE TO QUASH IT.

AND THEN YOU HAD ASKED ABOUT FOURTH AMENDMENT SO YOU CAN'T ISSUE A SEARCH WARRANT THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY PARTICULARIZED.

WHAT THEY USED TO CALL A GENERAL WARRANT IS WHAT THE CONSTITUTION PROHIBITS.

YOU CAN'T JUST SAY I WANT TO SEE ANY AND ALL OF THIS BECAUSE I MIGHT FIND SOMETHING THERE.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE DISCREET PROBABLE CAUSE TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS THAT THERE IS ILLEGAL ACTIVITY GOING ON.

>> AND YOU MENTION THE IDEA OF QUASHING ONE OF THESE WARRANTS.

IF A SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM DOES DECIDE, I WANT TO TRY TO STOP THIS.

I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THIS.

I SEE A POTENTIAL CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE, WOULD THAT PAUSE THAT 72-HOUR CLOCK.

>> THAT WOULD BE UP TO THE COURT.

>> OKAY, AND DO YOU THINK, FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO PAUSE TO YOUR-- TO AIR OUT THOSE CONCERNS.

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE QUESTIONS ARE.

IF YOU HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF DRUG TRAFFICKING, IT IS VERY HARD TO ARGUE AND MAKE THAT SOMEHOW BECAUSE YOU ARE A SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANY, THAT THE FIRST AMENDMENT IS INVOLVED IN SOME WAY.

PARTICULARLY IF THE POLICE KNOW, YOU KNOW, WHAT ACCOUNT THE PARTICULAR ACTIVITY IS COMING FROM, THEY PARTICULARIZE THAT.

I WOULD SAY THAT I WOULD THINK THAT ANY TYPE OF ACTION BY THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANY TO TRY AND STOP COMPLIANCE WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE.

>> I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT POINT YOU BRING UP.

THE PARTICULAR ACCOUNTS.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY JUDGES GOING TO BE AUTHORIZING WIDE FISHING EXPEDITIONS.

YOU ARE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO SAY THIS USER OR MAYBE THIS LIST OF USERS ARE WHERE WE ARE GOING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> SO IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING THIS BILL, IT WAS AMENDED AND ULTIMATELY ABANDONED THE REQUIREMENT THAT COVERED PLATFORMS HAVE A DEDICATED HOT LINE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WAS THAT A POLICY DECISION WHERE YOU SAID ULTIMATELY WE DON'T THINK THIS MAKES SENSE OR WAS THAT MORE OF A POLITICAL DECISION OF, HEY, IF WE WANT TO MOVE THIS BILL, WE HAVE TO STRIKE THIS?

>> THE OBJECTION TO THAT PROVISION, WHICH DOES EXIST, I BELIEVE IN THE COLORADO BILL, WAS RAISED BY ASSEMBLY STAFF ON THE GROUNDS THAT FOR SOME REASON IT WAS UNFAIR TO THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES.

I DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT.

A DEDICATED PHONE LINE DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU HAVE ONE SINGLE PERSON SITTING THERE 24 HOURS A DAY.

>> MARK ZUCKERBERG IS MANNING THE PHONE.

>> EXACTLY.

>> IT MEANS THAT YOU HAVE A PHONE THAT WHOEVER IS ON THAT DUTY, IT WOULD KICK TO THAT PERSON TO RESPOND.

I THINK IT WAS A VERY REASONABLE REQUIREMENT THAT REQUIRED MINIMAL INVOLVEMENT BY THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES, BUT SOMETIMES IT'S BETTER TO JUST LET IT GO AND GET THE BILL PASSED THAN TO GET INTO A DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT.

>> THAT ISSUE THOUGH THAT YOU RAISE ABOUT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT, HAVING SOMEONE TO CALL, IS A BROADER CONCERN THAT WE SEE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES LIKE IF SOMEONE'S ACCOUNT IS HACKED OR IF SOMEONE MAYBE COMMITTED SUICIDE AND THEY WANT TO CLOSE OFF THIS ACCOUNT, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU THINK THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE CONSIDERING IN THE FUTURE CREATING?

>> I THINK THINK ELIMINATING THAT PART OF THE BILL IS I MISTAKE FOR THE REASONS YOU CITE BECAUSE THEY, THE POLICE NEED TO HAVE SOME, THEY NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE TO GO TO, NOT TO BE LOST AND BOUNCED AROUND, AS WE ALL CAN BE BY VARIOUS CORPORATE ENTITIES.

SO I THINK THAT WE WILL SEE HOW IT WORKS.

HOPEFULLY IT WILL WORK AS IS AND WON'T KNEE NEED THAT BUT IT WAS SHORT SIGHTED TO NOT INCLUDE THAT IN THE BILL AND AGAIN IT'S A MINIMAL REQUIREMENT.

THESE ARE COMPUTER COMPANIES.

THEY CAN CERTAINLY BOUNCE A PHONE CALL TO ANY NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

SO I DIDN'T SEE IT-- TO THIS DAY, I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY NOT A VERY SENSIBLE ARGUMENT.

>> WELL, I WAS CURIOUS THOUGH, DO YOU THINK THERE IS A CASE TO BE MADE FOR AN EVEN BROADER SET OF HOT LINES AND, HEY, IF YOU HAVE HAD YOUR ACCOUNT HACKED OR IF YOU ARE TRYING TO CLOSE IT, HERE IS WHO YOU CALL BECAUSE EVEN YOUR OWN ASSEMBLY SPEAKER HAD HIS TWITTER ACCOUNT HACKED AND COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO RECLAIM IT.

>> I HAVE HAD THAT GO FACEBOOK WHERE WHERE IT WAS A FACEBOOK PROFILE OUT ABOUT ME THAT HAD ALMOST TOTALLY INACCURATE DATA.

TRYING TO GET IT CLOSED WAS A STRUGGLE.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS CLOSED AT ALL.

I THINK I MAY HAVE GIVEN UP.

I EVEN WROTE A LETTER TO THE GENERAL GENERAL COUNSEL OF META.

>> THAT SPEAKS TO THE ISSUE.

WHO DO YOU REACH OUT TO?

>> IT'S TERRIBLE AND YOU CAN'T GET PEOPLE ON THE PHONE WITH A LOT OF THESE COMPANIES TO GET ANYTHING DONE.

SO THAT'S A WHOLE PROBLEM IN THAT INDUSTRY.

IT'S NOT LIKE THEY'RE NOT MAKING ENOUGH MONEY.

>> WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHETHER IT'S THIS BILL OR SOME OF THE OTHER EFFORTS THAT YOU HAVE SEEN IN ALBANY TRY TO REGULATE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, DOES IT SEEM LIKE THERE IS A WILLINGNESS TO POLICE THESE GUYS OR IS THERE AN ARGUMENT?

>> I THINK THERE IS A REAL WILLINGNESS AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN STRONG ON PROTECTING CHILDREN PARTICULARLY FROM THE HAZARDS OF SOCIAL MEDIA SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK MOST OF WHAT IS BEING DONE IS WITH CHILDREN BECAUSE THE ARGUMENT FOR PROTECTION IS GREATER.

THERE IS A GREATER ABILITY TO REGULATE FIRST AMENDMENT SPEECH WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDREN THAN THERE IS WITH ADULTS SO I HAVEN'T-- YOU KNOW, I HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING THAT WAS INTRUSIVE WITH RESPECT TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT IN THIS AREA EXCEPT FOR WITH RESPECT TO TRYING TO PROTECT CHILDREN.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS HIGH ON THE MINDS OF MANY, MANY PEOPLE.

>> ASSEMBLYMEMBER THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, DAVE.

>> AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO HIGHLIGHT THE STATE'S BUMPY ADOPTION OF THE SO CALLED SCIENCE OF READING.

AN EVIDENCE-BASED METHOD OF TEACHING KIDS TO READ WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE UNIFORMALLY ADOPTED ACROSS NEW YORK BUT OUR NEXT GUEST, NEW YORK FOCUS EDUCATION REPORTER MELISSA MANO HAS OBTAINED RECORDS THAT NOT ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE ON BOARD WITH THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT.

WE SPOKE WITH MELISSA IN OUR STUDIO AT THE CAPITOL EARLIER THIS SUMMER.

BACK IN 2024 GOVERNOR HOCHUL SPEARHEADED AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE LITERACY RATES IN THE EMPIRE STATE PUSHING THROUGH A BILL REQUIRING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ALIGN THEIR READING CURRICULUM WITH THE SO CALLED SCIENCE OF READING.

CAN YOU EXPAND ON THE PROBLEM THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS TRYING TO ADDRESS AT THE TIME AND WAS THERE A REASON TO THINK EDUCATION FOR READING WAS LACKING IN NEW YORK IN SOME WAY?

>> TOTALLY.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO SET THE SCENE NATIONALLY.

SO ACROSS THE COUNTRY, OVER THE PAST DECADE, SCHOOLS HAVE EXPERIENCED A DECLINE IN PERFORMANCE, PREDOMINANTLY IN READING AND MATH.

IN EDUCATION, WE LOVE TO BLAME EVERYTHING ON THE PANDEMIC.

THIS TREND BEGAN PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

BUT CERTAINLY LIKE THE SUBSEQUENT DISRUPTION TO IN-PERSON LEARNING EXACERBATED IT.

EXPERTS HAVE BEEN CALLING THIS THE LEARNING RECESSION.

IT'S REALLY NOT CLEAR WHAT DROVE IT.

I MEAN PEOPLE HAVE CITED SORT OF A DISMANTLING OF TEST-BASED ACCOUNTABILITY, HIGHER CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM AND A RISE IN SOCIAL MEDIA USE USAGE BUT THOSE ARE ALL BEST GUESSES.

BUT IN RESPONSE TO THAT, WE HAVE REALLY SEEN A WAVE OF STATE-LED LEGISLATIVE REFORM TO VOARS VERSE THOSE-- TO REVERSE THOSE TRENDS AND THE HIGHEST OF WHICH IS THE SCIENCE OF READING WHICH WITHOUT GETTING TOO MUCH IN THE WEEDS BUT I ASK IF YOU WANT ME TO.

IT IS A PHONICS BASED APPROACH GROUNDED IN THE IDEA THAT READING IS NOT INNATE AND REQUIRES EXES POLICE IT INSTRUCTION TO PEACH CHILDREN SKILLS LIKE SOUNDING OUT WORDS, FOR EXAMPLE.

THIS MOVEMENT LIKE REALLY GAINED STEAM IN RESPONSE TO MISSISSIPPI WHERE RIGOROUS LITERACY LAWS COINCIDED WITH MAJOR GAINS IN ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND I THINK MISSISSIPPI IS A GREAT CASE STUDY TO COMPARE NEW YORK TO.

IT IS WIDELY CONSIDERED THE POOREST STATE IN THE NATION.

SPENDS NEIGHBOR A THIRD OF WHAT NEW YORK SPENDS PER STUDENT.

AND YET REALLY WENT ALL IN ON THIS REFORM EFFORT.

WENT FROM BEING, YOU KNOW, 38th I BELIEVE IN THE NATION IN FOURTH GRADE MATH IN 2013 TO 9th IN THE NATION IN 2024.

IT IS ASTOUNDING IMPROVEMENT.

NEW YORK ON THE OTHER SIDE, SPENDS MORE PER STUDENT LIKE I SAID THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

DOES NOT HAVE THE SCORES TO SHOW FOR IT.

I BELIEVE IN 2024 WE WERE RANKED LIKE 23rd FAR BELOW MISSISSIPPI AND FAR BELOW A LOT OF OTHER NORTHEASTERN STATES THAT, YOU KNOW, ARE ARE SIMILAR.

SO THIS LITERACY LAW WAS GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S ATTEMPT AT MAKING UP FOR LOST GROUND.

ESSENTIALLY THE BASIS OF IT WAS REQUIRING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ALIGN INSTRUCTION WITH EVIDENCE-BASED TEACHING, TECHNIQUES, CURRICULA, MATERIALS THAT ALIGN WITH RESEARCH ON HOW CHILDREN BEST LEARN HOW TO READ.

WHAT WE KNOW NOW IS THAT PERHAPS -- OR ADVOCATES PERSPECTIVES IS THAT THE LAW DIDN'T REALLY HAVE THE TEETH TO ENSURE THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAKE THE SHIFT.

IT LEFT IT UP TO INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO EVALUATE WHAT THEY ARE USING IN CLASSROOMS AND DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT IT ALIGNED WITH BEST PRACTICES.

>> CAN YOU EXPAND ON THAT A LITTLE BIT?

BECAUSE IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT HISTORICALLY CURRICULUM DECISIONS HAVE BEEN LEFT UP TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

SO ANYTHING THAT IS GOING TO IMPOSE SOME SORT OF STATE MANDATE OR STATE CONTROL IS GOING TO BE A BIG SHIFT.

SO WAS THIS MORE OF A LIGHT TOUCH OFFER WAS IT A STRONG MANDATE?

>> TERMS OF NEW YORK, IT WAS A STRONG MANDATE BUT IN TERMS OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN BE SUCCESSFUL NATIONWIDE, I WOULD SAY IT WAS THE FORMER.

AND SO, YES, THIS IDEA, NEW YORK IS A REALLY STRONG LOCAL CONTROL STATE, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAID.

CURRICULUM DECISIONS BASICALLY EVERYTHING FROM BUDGET SPENDING, YOU KNOW, CURRICULUM IS DECIDED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD AND BY INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CAMPUSES.

AND THAT MAKES EDUCATION REFORM REALLY DIFFICULT.

SOME EXPERTS HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT STRONG PRODUCTIVE EDUCATION REFORM CAN'T CO-EXIST WITH STRONG LOCAL CONTROL.

IT NEEDS TO COME FROM A CENTRALIZED SYSTEM.

AND SO I WILL BREAK DOWN THE ELEMENTS OF THE LITERACY LAW BECAUSE IT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS NEW EFFORT IN MATH IS MODELED AFTER.

SO, YOU KNOW, THIS LAW REQUIRES THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP AN AND ISSUE BEST PRACTICES IN READING INSTRUCTION, REQUIRED SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO FILL OUT A SURVEY CHECKING YES OR NO TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE ALIGNING WITH BEST PRACTICES.

AND THEN IT ALSO ALLOCATED $10 MILLION TO THE TEACHERS UNION FOR TRAINING.

ADVOCATES HAVE FOUND ISSUES WITH ALL DIFFERENT PARTS OF THIS LAW.

BUT THE PIECE I WAS MOST INTERESTED IN WAS THE SURVEY RESPONSES.

AND YOU KNOW, ON ONE SIDE OF I THINK THIS BIGGER DEBATE IS, YOU CAN'T ASK ADMINISTRATORS TO SAY YES OR NO TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE DOING WHAT THE STATE IS TELLING THEM TO DO.

THERE IS A LOT LEFT UP TO INTERPRETATION THERE.

THE SURVEY DID ASK SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO SUBMIT THE CURRICULA THAT THEY'RE USING IN CLASSROOMS.

THAT IS REALLY THE FIRST LOOK THAT WE HAVE HAD AS REPORTERS INTO THE CURRICULUM BEING USED IN NEW YORK CITY DISTRICT BECAUSE THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT IS, YOU KNOW, THERE IS NO LIST OF APPROVED PROGRAMS THAT THE STATE IS PROVIDING.

THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS VERY DIRECT IN SAYING WE DO NOT RECOMMEND CURRICULA, MAKE, YOU KNOW, APPROVE ANY REQUIRE DISTRICTS TO ADOPT FROM A CERTAIN LIST.

AND SO BY ANALYZING THOSE RESPONSES, YOU KNOW, I FOUND THAT MORE THAN 130 SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN NEW YORK STATE ARE STILL RELYING, EITHER COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY ON PROGRAMS THAT HEAVILY FEATURE THE EXACT EDUCATIONAL TECHNIQUES HOCHUL SET OUT TO REPLACE.

>> DID YOU GET A SENSE OF WHY THAT IS?

IS IT JUST RECALCITRANT SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT THINK THEY KNOW BEST OR MAYBE THEY HAVE HAD GOOD LUCK WITH THEIR BALANCE APPROACH TO LITERACY?

OR IS THIS STEM FROM JUST, I GUESS THE STATUS QUO AND INERTIA THAT IT HAS?

>> I THINK IT'S A MIX.

THERE CERTAINLY IS A BELIEF IN NEW YORK THAT, AMONG ADVOCATES AT LEAST, THAT THE STATUS QUO IS STRONG AND WILL QUINN AND THAT THERE IS HESITATION TO TAKE ON ANYTHING THAT COULD POTENTIALLY DISRUPT OR UPSET THE TEACHERS UNION.

AND SO THIS WAS A CASE OF THAT.

TEACHERS THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN NEW YORK CLASSROOMS WENT THROUGH PIPELINES AND HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT REALLY CHAMPIONED BALANCED LITERACY.

FOR THE LAST TWO DECADES BALANCE LITERACY DOMINATED CLASSROOMS.

A LOT OF STATES HAVE SHIFTED AWAY FROM IT IN RESPONSE TO MOUNTING EVIDENCE IT DOES NOT PRODUCE BETTER EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS AND IN FACT CAN DO THE OPPOSITE, I THINK NEW YORK HAS SORT OF, A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS DOUBLED DOWN ON IT.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE STRONGEST PROPONENTS OF BALANCED LITERACY IS LUCY CALKINS, A COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR.

A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS USE HER UNITS OF STUDY.

IN 2022 SHE BACKTRACKED AND WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS OF REVISING THE CURRICULUM.

THEY SAY IT NOW ALIGNS MORE STRONGLY WITH THE SCIENCE OF READING.

CRITICS BEG TO DIFFER.

THERE IS A BELIEF THAT THIS LAST EFFORT ON LITERACY KIND OF APPEASED TEACHERS MORE THAN IT DID STUDENTS.

OR IT WAS DESIGNED MORE TO ALIGN WITH WHAT TEACHERS WANTED RATHER THAN WE KNOW WORKS FOR CHILDREN.

>> GIVEN THAT HISTORY OF TEACHING THAT BALANCED LITERACY APPROACH IN SCHOOLS, AND, AS YOU POINTED OUT, THIS PAST TRAINING PRACTICE THAT HAS BEEN THE NORM FOR TEACHERS, WAS IT REASONABLE TO EXPECT THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS STARTING IN 2025 WOULD BE ABLE TO ADOPT THIS NEW WAY OF TEACHING LITERACY?

OR SHOULD THERE HAVE BEEN AN EXPECTATION THAT, MUCH LIKE TURNING AROUND A TANKER, THIS IS GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME.

>> I THINK IT'S LESS ABOUT TIMELINE AND MORE ABOUT THE TEETH OF THE LAW, WHICH IS THIS WAS VERY MUCH TELLING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO MAKE THESE CLANKS ON THEIR OWN.

KNOW, THE LAW IN ITSELF SAYS THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST ALIGN WITH BEST PRACTICES BY SEPTEMBER OF 2025.

MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS ADMITTED ON THE SURVEY TO NOT BEING ALIGNED WITH BEST PRACTICES IN THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RESPONSE TO THAT HAS BEEN WE ARE GOING TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.

AT LEAST TO ME THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO SAY WE ARE GOING TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE BY THIS DATE, BY DOING X, Y AND Z SO THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE MAKING THE SWITCH.

AGAIN, I THINK THAT COMES FROM HAVING THIS SORT OF DECENTRALIZED APPROACH TO REFORM.

LIKE THE ANTITHESIS OF ACTUAL STRONG REFORM IS NOT HAVING THAT CENTRALIZED SYSTEM.

MANY STATES THAT HAVE DONE THIS SUCCESSFULLY HAVE HAD A LIST OF APPROVED CURRICULA FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO CHOOSE FROM.

THEY HAVE, YOU KNOW, REQUIRED THAT ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE LITERACY COACHES AND THEY HAVE, YOU KNOW, IMPLEMENTED FOR EXAMPLE, MISSISSIPPI THIRD GRADE RETENSION, STUDENTS THAT ARE NOT PROFICIENT IN READING ARE HELD BACK THAT GRADE LEVEL.

THERE IS STATEWIDE REQUIREMENTS THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE HELD TO RATHER THAN BEING TOLD THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING TELL ME YES OR NO IF YOU ARE.

AND SO I THINK THAT RATHER THAN PUSHING BACK A TIMELINE AND RELYING ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT-LED APPROACH, WHAT ADVOCATES WANT TO SEE IS MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT AND THE ADOPTION OF SOME SORT OF STATEWIDE LITERACY FRAMEWORK THAT ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE HELD TO INSTEAD OF LETTING THEM DEVELOP IT ON THEIR OWN.

>> I WANT TO TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE EFFORT TO OVERHAUL THE TEACHING OF MATH IN SCHOOLS, WHICH WHILE THERE ARE PARALLELS TO THIS EFFORT TO UPDATE HOW READING IS TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS, IT DOES SEEM LIKE THERE IS LESS OF A CONSENSUS ON WHAT THE RIGHT WAY TO TEACH MATH ACTUALLY IS OPPOSED TO, AS YOU MENTIONED WITH LITERACY, CONSENSUS ABOUT BACK TO BASICS.

SO AGAIN, SORT OF THE SAME PREMISE.

WHAT IS THE ISSUE IN TEACHING MATH IN NEW YORK?

ARE WE SEEING LACKLUSTER TEST RESULTS AND WHAT IS THE, I GUESS, ALTERNATIVE TO THE STATUS QUO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE ARE SEEING LACK LUSTER PERFORMANCE.

EVEN MORE SO I WOULD SAY IN MATH AND IN READING.

NEW YORK RANKED I BELIEVE 38th IN THE NATION ON FOURTH GRADE MATH ON THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF NATIONAL PROGRESS.

WE ARE FAR BEHIND MOST OTHER NORTH EASTERN STATES OTHER THAN AMANA, MASSACHUSETTS OUTPERFORMED BY BUS 17 POINTS.

THE DISPARITIES ARE PRETTY ASTOUNDING WHEN COMPARING US TO SIMILAR STATES.

MATH IS A HUGE AREA OF CONCERN.

IT'S NOT SURPRISING THAT THE GOVERNOR AND OTHER LEGISLATORS ARE TURNING THEIR ATTENTION TO THIS BUT LIKE YOU MENTIONED, THERE IS NOT THERE IS LESS CONSENSUS IN MATH.

THE RESEARCH HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME, THE MOVEMENT AROUND STATE LED REFORM WITH MATH IS STILL IN INFAN SIMPLE NOT A LOT OF STATES HAVE TAKEN THIS ON AND SO NEW YORK DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF MODELS TO DRAW FROM.

THE SO CALLED MATH WARS AMONG LIKE EDUCATORS AND EXPERTS IS SIMILAR TO READING.

ONE CAMP BELIEVES IN THIS EXES POLICE IT INSTRUCTION THAT CHILDREN LEARN BEST FROM A TEACHER PROVIDING STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTION AND DEMONSTRATING SKILLS.

THINK OF LIKE A TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM WITH A TEACHER AT THE FRONT, WRITING DOWN PROBLEMS ON THE WHITE BOARD, MAKING STUDENTS MODEL IT AFTER THEM.

>> NOW YOU ARE MAKING ME FEEL OLD.

IT WAS A CHALKBOARD.

>> YOU CAN HEAR THE CHALK ON THE CHALKBOARD.

LOVE THAT SOUND.

BUT THEN ON THE OTHER CAMP, YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN A MORE INQUIRY BASED MODEL THAT REALLY TEACHES STUDENTS TO EXPLORE MATH, TO EXPLORE CONCEPTS, TO BUILD A CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY CAN APPLY TO OTHER PROBLEMS.

AND TO REALLY SORT OF LIKE BUILD THIS ENJOYMENT.

THAT MATH SHOULD BE ENJOYABLE.

THE SCIENCE OF MATH, LIKE THE SCIENCE OF READING IS THAT FORMER CAMP, THIS IDEA THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE EXPLICIT STRUTION.

IT IS GREAT FOR KIDS TO ENJOY MATH CLASS BUT THREE NEED TO HAVE FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS IN ORDER TO ENJOY PA THEY'RE LEARNING SO THERE IS A LOT OF DEBATE.

THE THING ABOUT EDUCATION REFORM IS THAT IT'S OFTEN VAGUE.

AND THE LAWS ITSELF ARE OFTEN AROUND LANGUAGE LIKE EVIDENCE-BASED INSTRUCTION.

>> YOU HEAR THAT A LOT.

>> YOU HEAR THAT A LOT.

EVERY TIME I HEAR THAT, I KIND OF WINCE A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE YOU CAN USE THAT.

YOU CAN FIND EVIDENCE FOR ANY SORT OF PEDAGOGY OR IDEOLOGY AND THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS.

THAT'S WHY THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF CURRICULA THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE PURCHASING BECAUSE ANY PROGRAM CAN SAY THEY'RE EVIDENCE-BASED.

THERE IS EVIDENCE FOR ANYTHING, RIGHT?

AND SO I THINK THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAY FOR MATH FROM MY CONVERSATIONS WITH RESEARCHERS AND WE CANS PERTS AND WITH ADVOCATES IS THAT IN ORDER FOR THIS TO BE EFFECTIVE AND FOR IT TO WORK, NEW YORK STATE HAS TO DEFINE EVIDENCE-BASED MATH BECAUSE IT'S NOT CURRENTLY DEFINED IN THE LAW.

AS BEING THAT EXPLICIT INSTRUCTION GROUNDED IN BUILDING FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS.

AND SORT OF PAST ATTEMPTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE IN MATH, THEY HAVE TAKEN MORE OF THAT EXPLORATORY APPROACH SO THAT DOES RAISE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT WITH ADVOCATES.

IT IS UNCLEAR THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS TO PROVIDE THE GUIDANCE BY JANUARY.

THEY'RE IN THE THROES OF IT RYE NOW AND WE WILL SEE IT'S SOMETHING THAT OTHER STATES HAVE GONE THROUGH PROCESS OF DOING BUT THEY HAVE ENLISTED THE HELP OF A LOT OF EXPERTS AND I THINK THAT'S THE HOPE HERE THAT NEW YORK WILL SORT OF OPEN UP AND ENLIST THE HELP OF LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO DO THIS FOR A LIVING RATHER THAN JUST KIND OF GO AT IT ON THEIR OWN.

YEAH, AND WE SHALL SEE.

>> MOST THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> AND BEFORE WE SIGN OFF THIS MONTH, WE ARE GOING TO CONSIDER WHAT THE JUNE LEGISLATIVE PRIMARIES IN NEW YORK MEAN FOR LIFE AT THE CAPITOL NEXT YEAR.

AS A RESULT OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S LEFT FLANK GROWING THEIR RANKS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

WE ARE I AM UNPACKING THIS DEVELOPMENTS WITH POLITICO ALBANY BUREAU CHIEF NICK REISMAN THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> COMING OUT 69 JUNE PRIMARIES THERE IS A NARRATIVE ABOUT THE GROWING PROGRESSIVE WING IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE, THINKING ABOUT THE SCHLEP, THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS DOUBLED THEIR RANKS, 12 MEMBERS.

HOW MUCH STOCK ARE YOU PUTTING INTO THIS IDEA THAT THE CHAMBERS THEMSELVES WILL BE DEMON HAVE TOBLY DIFFERENT.

>> I THINK IN THE STATE ASSEMBLY IN PARTICULAR, YOU HAVE GOT A SPEAKER LIKE CARL HEASTIE WHO IS MOST LIKELY GOING TO HAVE A DEMOCRATIC SUPER MAJORITY WHEN THEY ALL COME BACK IN JANUARY.

WE ARE TALKING A DOZEN MEMBERS OUT OF 150 IN THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER, MORE THAN 100 DEMOCRATS OVERALL.

SO YOU ARE STILL ONLY TALKING ABOUT 10% OR SO OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE.

NOT NECESSARILY ENOUGH TO TRULY COMPLICATE LIFE FOR CARL HEASTIE WHO WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE YEARS IS FAR MORE CONCERNED ABOUT SHORING UP AND BOLSTERING HIS SO CALLED MARGINAL MEMBERS IN PARTS OF UPSTATE NEW YORK, LONG ISLAND, THE HUDSON VALLEY, MODERATE DEMOCRATS WHO ARE OCCASIONALLY CHALLENGED IN DEMOCRATIC PRIERMSZ BY MEMBERS OF THE DSA OR THEY FACE GENUINELY COMPETITIVE GENERAL ELECTION CHALLENGES FROM REPUBLICANS.

SO THERE IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE A BALANCE BETWEEN CARL EASTY WANTING TO PROTECT THOSE MEMBERS AND ALSO HAVING TO LISTEN NOW TO THESE D DSA ELECTED LAWMAKERS WHO ARE GOING TO TRY AND FLEX THEIR MUSCLE.

THEY'RE GOING TO LEARN AWFULLY QUICK THAT THE STATE ASSEMBLY, THE STATE LEGISLATURE OVERALL IS A VERY TOP DOWN INSTITUTION.

THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE THE SPEAKER HIMSELF CONTROLS ALL OF THE LEGISLATION, WHAT COMES TO THE FLOOR FOR A VOTE, AND ULTIMATELY, WHILE HE DOES LISTEN TO THE CONFERENCE AND SAYS HE WANTS TO LISTEN TO THE WILL OF THE CONFERENCE, AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S THE SPEAKER'S DECISION AS TO WHAT ACTUALLY COMES ON TO THE FLOOR FOR A VOTE.

HE STILL HAS A LOT OF POWER HERE OUTSIDE OF THE DSA.

WE KNOW HE IS HIGHLY SKEPTICAL OF THE FAR LEFT IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SO IT REMAINS TO BE AN OPEN QUESTION JUST HOW MUCH ACTUAL MUSCLE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO FLEX WHEN THEY COME BACK IN JANUARY.

>> THINKING ABOUT THE MATH THOUGH, IN THE CHAMBER, AS YOU POINTED OUT.

THE ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATIC CONSCIENCE HAS MORE THAN 100 MEMBERS AND THERE ARE BILLS, BUDGET BILLS, THAT COULD PASS WITH DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN SUPPORT BUT WE BOTH KNOW THAT'S NOT HOW ALBANY WORK.

CARL, THE SPEAKER NEEDS TO HAVE 76, 776 HIS OWN MEMBERS.

SO IF THE SOCIALISTS CAN MAKE COALITIONS, IF THEY CAN FIND PARTNERS, IF THEY CAN HOLD THE LINE, THEY CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE SOME HEADACHES.

AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THEIR TRACK RECORD, BECAUSE SINCE 2018 WE HAVE HAD A HANDFUL OF DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN BOTH HOUSES, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THEIR TRACK RECORD, DO YOU THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN BUILDING BRIDGES AND REACHING ACROSS THE AISLE WITHIN THEIR OWN PARTY TO PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOT NECESSARILY BE NATURAL ALLIES BUT MAYBE WILL FIND COMMON GROUND?

>> WHAT WE HAVE SEEN WITH SOME LAWMAKERS WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED IN THE PAST MEMBERS OF THE DSA OR ELECTED WITH DSA SUPPORT, I'M THINKING LIKE SENATOR SALAZAR IN THE STATE SENATE, SOMEONE WHO HAS ACTUALLY TAKE ERIN ON SOME OF THE TRAPPINGS OF THE INSTITUTION.

SHE IS SEEN AS A RELATIVELY EFFECTIVE LEGISLATURE.

THE CHAIR OF A PRETTY IMPORTANT COMMITTEE OVERSEEING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND COMMUNITY SUPERVISION AND SO YOU HAVE SEEN SOME OF THESE DSA MEMBERS COME IN AND ACTUALLY WANT TO LEGISLATE, WHICH IS A COMPLICATED TASK.

THE REQUIRES AS YOU SAY, 3WEUDING THE COMPANY LUGSES AND FINDING PARTNERS WITH PEOPLE YOU DON'T NECESSARILY AGREE WITH.

AND THERE IS A PATH TO BEING AN EFFECTIVE LEGISLATOR.

IT'S BORING, IT'S TOUGH.

IT TAKES SOME TIME BUT THERE IS A PATHWAY TO DOING THAT.

AND SOMEBODY LIKE JULIA SALAZAR, AS AN EXAMPLE-- THERE ARE OTHERS, TOO, BUT JULIA SALAZAR IS AN EXAMPLE OF ACTUALLY BEING ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, RACK UP THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

>> AND WHAT ABOUT SORE RAN MAMDANI OF IT ALL.

WE SAW IN 2026 THE NEW YORK CITY MAYOR FOCUSED ON THE AREAS OF AGREEMENT THAT HE HAD WITH THE GOVERNOR ON CHILD CARE AND OTHER AREAS DO YOU THINK THERE WOULD BE A DIFFERENT DYNAMIC AND COULD THAT EMBOLDEN NOT JUST THE DSA MEMBERS BUT PROGRESSIVE MEMBERS MORE BROADLY IN THE LEGISLATE GLUER SO MUCH OF THIS DEPENDS ON WHAT HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOVERNOR HOCHUL IS GOING TO BE LIKE.

WE SAW THIS PAST YEAR, WHERE THE GOVERNOR ESSENTIALLY BAILED OUT THE CITY OF NEW YORK.

THERE WAS A LARGE BUDGET GAP THAT THE MAYOR WAS FACING.

HE HAD A PRETTY COSTLY AGENDA THAT HE WANTED TO ENACT.

AND THE GOVERNOR CAME IN AND DID A MENU OF THINGS, INCLUDING JUST DIRECT CASH, EXPANDED NO COST CHILD CARE, GRANTED THE PETE ATIER TAX NOR NEW YORK CITY.

DID IT WAS NOT LIKE A BROAD BASED THING LIKE AN INCOME TAX INCREASE.

THE GOVERNOR IS AT LEAST, AT THIS RATE, GOING TO BE RE-ELECTED THIS YEAR, OR AT LEAST IS IN PRETTY GOOD POSITION TO BE RE-ELECTED NEXT YEAR.

SO IT DOES REMAIN TO BE SEEN IF THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO FEEL AS BEHOLDEN TO THE MAYOR AS SHE PERHAPS FELT THIS TIME AROUND BECAUSE SHE DID NOT WANT TO BE AT ODDS WITH HIS RATHER ENGAGED AND RATHER VIBRANT POLITICAL COALITION LEE HAS BUILT IN THE CITY.

BUT SHE IS NOT GOING TO BE FACING REELECTION NEXT YEAR IF SHE IS RE-ELECTED SO THERE IS GOING TO BE A BIG QUESTION TO ASK ABOUT WHETHER THE MAYOR IS GOING TO TAKE A MUCH MORE CONFRONTATIONAL APPROACH WITH THE GOVERNOR; WHETHER THE GOVERNOR CONTINUES WHAT HAS BEEN KIND OF A STUBBORN STREAK ON RAISING INCOME TAXES ON RICH PEOPLE AND CORPORATIONS.

AND WHETHER THE MAYOR STARTS HARNESSING HIS GROWING RANKS NOT JUST IN ALBANY BUT IN WASHINGTON D.C., WITH HIS ALLIES FROM THE DSA WHO HAVE WON THESE PRIMARIES.

>> YOU MENTION WASHINGTON D.C.

THAT IS THER TO VARIABLE BECAUSE STATE LAWMAKERS MIGHT COME TO THIS WITH A PLAN BUT DEPENDING WHAT YOU GET OUT OF WASHINGTON D.C., YOU MIGHT SPEND ALL OF YOUR TIME DURING THE SESSION RESPONDING TO WHATEVER IS HAPPENING OUT OF D.C., RIGHT?

>> LOOK, THE MAYOR IS GOING TO ALSO BE FACING WHAT I THINK IS NOW ESTIMATED TO BE A 6.4 BILLION-DOLLAR CITY BUDGET GAP NEXT YEAR AS WELL.

SO THE GOVERNOR HAS MADE QUITE CLEAR-- I TALKED TO HER ABOUT THIS IN AN INTERVIEW RECENTLY WHERE THEY MANAGE THE BUDGET NOW IN NEW YORK CITY.

SHE HAS GIVEN THEM ALL THIS HELP BUT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO START FINDING WAYS OF REDUCING COSTS AND REDUCING EFFICIENCIES.

THAT IS TOUGH TO KIND OF DO A DOGE FOR NEW YORK CITY.

THE MAYOR IS TRYING TO FIND WAYS OF REDUCING COSTS.

BUT HE DOES HAVE SOME PRETTY EXPENSIVE ITEMS THAT HE WANTS TO GET DONE IN HIS OWN RIGHT AS MAYOR OF NEW YORK.

SO THERE IS GOING TO BE A TENSION THAT IS GOING TO BE BUILDING UP COME JANUARY.

>> NICK, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE, DAVE.

>> UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE THIS MONTH.

MY THANKS TO ALL OUR GUESTS AS WELL AS WMHT FOR SHARING THEIR STUDIO WITH US.

FOR DAILY STATE GOVERNMENT COVERAGE CHECK OUT "THE CAPITOL PRESSROOM" WHEREVER YOU DOWNLOAD PODCASTS AND DEEP DIVE INTO THE WORLD OF NEW YORK POLITICS, CHECK OUT OUR INSIDER PODCAST DISPATCHES FROM PLANET ALBANY AND FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE WHERE YOU CAN REVISIT THIS MONTH'S EPISODE OR CHECK UP ON PAST EPISODES.

WE SHARE SHORT DIGESTIBLE INTERVIEWS AT THE CAPITOL.

ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE TEAM AT WCNY, I'M DAVE PALMER.

THANKS-- I'M DAVID LOMBARDO.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.