1 [ THEME MUSIC ] >> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."

I'M DAN CLARK.

THERE'S NOW LESS THAN A WEEK BEFORE THIS YEAR'S STATE BUDGET IS DUE AND USUALLY BY THIS TIME, WE SORT OF KNOW WHAT'S ON THE TABLE AND WHAT'S NOT.

BUT THIS YEAR, IT'S A LITTLE FUZZY AND THAT'S BECAUSE UNLIKE PAST YEARS, WE'RE NOT REALLY GETTING REGULAR UPDATES FROM LAWMAKERS OR THE GOVERNOR.

PART OF THAT IS THE PANDEMIC, PEOPLE AREN'T REALLY WALKING THE HALLS LIKE THEY USED TO AND TO THEIR CREDIT, LEADERS FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE TOOK QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS THIS WEEK ON WHERE THINGS STAND, BUT WE'VE ALSO SEEN THIS PATTERN FROM THE HOCHUL ADMINISTRATION OF DECLINING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON MAJOR POLICY ISSUES IN PUBLIC AND FROM THE PRESS.

THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID TO REPORTER THIS WEEK WHEN THEY TRIED TO ASK HER ABOUT THE STATE BUDGET.

>> I'VE COMMIT TO MY PARTNERS AND THE LEGISLATURE THAT I WILL BE NEGOTIATING THE BUDGET THIS PUBLIC SO WE HAVE TEN MORE DAYS TO GO.

WE'RE WORKING ON PIT THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO SAY ON THAT.

>> SINCE THEN, HOCHUL HAS BEEN NEGOTIATING THE BUDGET WITH LAWMAKERS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS WHICH ISN'T ALL THAT UNUSUAL FOR PLANET ALBANY.

BUT SHE HIT A SNAG WITH A 2 SURPRISE 10-POINT PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN THAT SHE NOW WANTS IN A FINAL BUDGET DEAL BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

SHE'S BEEN TRYING TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR THAT PLAN IN THE LAST FEW DAYS BUT IT LOOK LIKE THAT MIGHT NOT BE MUFF TO CONVINCE LAWMAKERS.

DARRELL CAMP REPORTS.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >>Reporter: THERE'S LESS THAN A WEEK LEFT BEFORE THE STATE BUDGET IS DUE BUT THE FUTURE OF ONE HOT BUTTON ISSUE COULD NOT BE LESS CLEAR.

THAT ISSUE IS THE STATE'S BAIL REFORM LAW.

BAIL REFORM WENT INTO EFFECT BACK IN 2020 AND ELIMINATED CASH BAIL FOR MOST NON-VIOLENT CRIMINAL OFFENSES.

[ SIRENS ] SINCE THEN, CRIME HAS GONE UP IN NEW YORK AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

OPPONENTS OF BAIL REFORM HAVE ATTEMPTED TO LINK THOSE TWO THINGS SAYING THE LAW IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIGHER RATES OF CRIME.

SUPPORTERS SAY THAT'S NOT TRUE AND THERE'S BEEN NO NON-PARTISAN STATISTICAL ANALYSIS THAT TIES THE RISING CRIME TO BAIL REFORM.

BUT THE CONVERSATION AROUND BAIL REFORM CHANGED LAST WEEK AFTER AN INTERNAL CRIME PLAN FROM THE HOCHUL ADMINISTRATION WAS LEAKED TO THE PRESS.

THE PLAN WOULD GIVE JUDGES MORE POWER TO HOLD SOMEONE BEFORE TRIAL FOR CERTAIN FELONIES AND GUN CRIMES.

HOCHUL CONFIRMED THAT PLAN TO REPORTERS THIS WEEK BUT SHE SAID SHE WOULD 3 NOT SPEAK ABOUT IT WITH THE PRESS.

>> I KNOW THIS IS VERY INTERESTING TO THE MEDIA, BUT I DO KNOW THAT NEW YORKERS ARE MOST INTERESTED IN RESULTS, AND I KNOW HOW TO GET RESULTS.

>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BRIAN BENJAMIN IS TAKING THE LEAD ON NEGOTIATING PUBLIC SAFETY WITH LAWMAKERS AND HAD A MEETING TO TALK IT OUT WITH THEM THIS WEEK.

WHILE HE INITIALLY DECLINED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE MEDIA ON BAIL REFORM, HE LATER APOLOGIZED AND TOLD REPORTERS THAT CONVERSATIONS ON THE PLAN WERE STILL ONGOING.

>> I WAS A PART OF BAIL REFORM ONE AND TWO.

WE BELIEVE IT'S A GOOD THING.

WE ALSO BELIEVE GIVEN WHAT WE'RE SEEING THAT THERE ARE SOME AMENDMENTS THAT SHOULD BE A PART OF THAT, BUT REMEMBER THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN THAT IS BROADER THAN BAIL REFORM.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ISSUES OF PRE-TRIAL SERVICES.

>>Reporter: THE PLAN IS RELEVANT FOR BUDGET TALKS BECAUSE PARTS OF IT INCLUDE FUNDING FOR THINGS LIKE PRE-TRIAL SERVICES BUT THE NON-MONETARY ITEMS IN THE PLAN HAVE PROMPTED A STRONG REACT FROM LAWMAKERS.

AMONG THEM IS ASSEMBLY MEMBER LATRICE WALKER, ONE OF THE ARCHITECTS OF THE ORIGINAL PLAN THAT PASSED BACK IN 2019.

SHE SAID THERE'S BEEN 4 A WAVE OF MISINFORMATION ABOUT BAIL REFORM SINCE IT WAS ENACTED AND THAT LAWMAKERS SHOULDN'T PLAY INTO THAT.

>> BUT EVERY TIME WE LOOK AT THE MEDIA AND THE NEWS, WE ARE SEEING CASES THAT ARE BAIL ELIGIBLE NOT RECEIVING BAIL BECAUSE JUDICIAL ADVOCACY IS HAPPENING AT ITS WORSE.

THE JUDGES DO NOT WANT TO SEE BAIL REFORM WORK JUST LIKE THE PBA, JUST LIKE THE BENEVOLENCE ASSOCIATION, JUST LIKE THE POLICE COMMISSIONER!

>>Reporter: WALKER IS ALSO AGAINST JUDICIAL DISCRETION FOR BAIL WHICH SOMETHING THAT MANY REPUBLICANS HAVE CALLED FOR IN RECENT MONTHS BUT NOT ALL DEMOCRATS OF LIKE MIND WHEN IT COMES TO POSSIBLE CHANGES.

LONG ISLAND SENATOR TODD KAMINSKY, WHO RAN FOR NASSAU COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY LAST YEAR, SAID THERE SHOULD BE ROOM TO REFINE EXISTING LAWS.

>> BUT PEOPLE CERTAINLY USE IT AS A WEAPON, AND MAKE FALSE FACTS ABOUT IT, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THERE AREN'T SOME IMPORTANT THINGS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

I BELIEVE THAT NO ONE SHOULD BE HAVING A HARD LINE >>Reporter: WHILE DEMOCRATS ARE SPLIT ON THE ISSUE, REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN LARGELY UNITED AGAINST THE CURRENT BAIL REFORM LAWS.

THEY'VE CALLED FOR JUDGES TO HAVE MORE DISCRETION TO HOLD SOMEONE BEFORE TRIAL BASED 5 ON THEIR PERCEIVED THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND IT IS PLAYING INTO THIS YEAR'S ELECTIONS AS WELL.

CONGRESSMAN LEE ZELDIN, WHO IS THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR, SAYS THAT HOCHUL IS NOT TAKING THE ISSUE SERIOUSLY.

>> YESTERDAY, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE WILL TO DO THE RIGHT THING HERE.

SO STRATEGICALLY, SHE HAS REALLY LEFT ALL NEW YORKERS IN A BIND.

>>Reporter: THE LEADERS IN BOTH HOUSES DO SEEM OPEN TO NEGOTIATIONS BUT THEY ARE CASTING DOUBTS ON AN AGREEMENT BEING REACHED DURING BUDGET TALKS WITH A DEADLINE SO CLOSE.

ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CARL HEASTIE.

>> MEMBERS WILLING TO TALK ABOUT ALL OF THESE ISSUES, BUT I JUST DON'T KNOW IF TWO AND A HALF DAYS IS ENOUGH TIME.

>>Reporter: SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS SAYS OPPONENTS OF BAIL REFORM HAVE MISCHARACTERIZED ITS IMPACT ON PUBLIC SAFETY BUT DID TELL REPORTERS THIS WEEK THAT IF THEY FIND WAYS TO IMPROVE THE LAW, THEY WOULD BE OPEN TO THAT.

>> WELL, IN THE INTERVENING DAYS, I CONTINUE AND MY CONFERENCE WILL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE THINK IS RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK STATE AND I BELIEVE THAT IF 6 WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT, WE WILL TRANSCEND POLITICS ESPECIALLY POLITICS OF LIES.

>> WITH JUST DAYS LEFT BEFORE THE STATE BUDGET IS DUE, IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE WE KNOW WHAT'S IN THAT PLAN, BUT WILL THAT PLAN INCLUDE CHANGES TO BAIL REFORM?

WELL, WE WON'T KNOW UNTIL THEN.

FOR "NEW YORK NOW," I'M DARRELL CAMP IN ALBANY.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> AND THERE'S A LOT MORE TO WORK OUT IN THE WEEK AHEAD.

LET'S GET TO IT WITH THIS WEEK'S PANEL.

KAREN DeWITT IS WITH NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC RADIO AND ZACH WILLIAMS IS FROM CITY AND STATE.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

>> SURE THING.

>> THANK YOU.

>> REALLY INTERESTING WEEK IN TERMS OF TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT.

THIS IS HOW WE LED THE SHOW THIS WEEK AND DARREL'S PACKAGE THAT WE JUST SAW, WE SAW A CLIP OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BRIAN BENJAMIN RUNNING AWAY FROM THE PRESS AFTER A PRESS CONFERENCE, HE WAS IN THE PRESS DESK ASKING QUESTIONS.

>> VALIANTLY ON ZACH'S BEHALF AND OTHERS AS YOU CAN HEAR IN THAT CLIP TRYING TO GET HIM TO ANSWER.

>> IT'S USUALLY NOT THAT INTERESTING IN STATE 7 POLITICS.

YOU'RE USUALLY NOT CHASING PEOPLE DOWN CORRIDORS.

ESPECIALLY BRIAN BENJAMIN WHO HAS A REPUTATION AS BEING ONE OF THE MORE APPROACHABLE MEMBERS OF THE STATE SENATE.

>> YEAH.

>> HE'S REPRESENTING AN ADMINISTRATION THAT HAS PUT TRANSPARENCY AT THE TOP OF THE LIST IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY WANT NEW YORKERS TO IDENTIFY THEM WITH AND YET, THE GOVERNOR, HERSELF, WON'T SPEAK IN PUBLIC ABOUT HER BAIL PLAN AND SHE LEFT HER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OUT TO DRY.

IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE HE KNEW WHAT TO DO.

>> YEAH.

I AGREE.

I WONDER-- THE THING ABOUT IT AS I THINK ABOUT THIS ON MY NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS-- [LAUGHTER] ABOUT HOW THE PRESS STRATEGY IS COMING FROM THE HOCHUL ADMINISTRATION, AS TO IS THIS DELIBERATE IN THE SENSE OF LIKE THEY'RE TELLING THEMSELVES LET'S NOT BE VERY OPEN WITH THE PRESS, OR IS IT JUST THEY'RE-- YOU KNOW, THEY'RE BUILDING THEIR PLANE AS THEY FLY?

WHAT DO YOU THINK, KAREN?

>> I THINK IT'S HER FIRST BIG MISSTEP THAT SHE'S HAD, AND I REALLY THINK THAT SHE COMPLETELY LOST THE MESSAGING ON BAIL REFORM CHANGES AND NOW SHE'S GETTING IT FROM BOTH SIDES BECAUSE AT FIRST, SHE WAS ACTING LIKE SHE WAS GOING TO TAKE THE LEAD AT THE LEGISLATURE, WAIT FOR MORE 8 DATA BEFORE DECIDING AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE'S THIS TEN-POINT MEMO THAT'S LEAKED TO THE "NEW YORK POST" THAT HAD-- I MEAN, IT DOESN'T COMPLETELY OVERHAUL BAIL REFORM BUT IT MAKES SIGNIFICANT CHANGES.

>> IT DOES.

>> THEN SHE WAITS SIX DAYS BEFORE SHE TALKS ABOUT IT IN PUBLIC.

I KNOW ZACH AND I WERE AT A PRESS CONFERENCE WAY BACK ON MONDAY WHERE WE TRIED TO GET HER TALK ABOUT IT AND SAID, YOU KNOW, IF THIS IS YOUR POSITION, WHY DON'T YOU JUST MAKE A PUBLIC PRESENTATION?

SHE WAS SAYING I DON'T WANT TO NEGOTIATE IN PUBLIC.

>> THEN SHE RELEASES AN OP-ED IN THE DAILY NEWS.

>> I COULD SCREAM INTO THIS MICROPHONE THAT'S HOW I FEEL RIGHT NOW.

IT DROVE ME CRAZY JUST TO SEE THAT.

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I ACTUALLY TAKE THE OTHER TACTIC.

I FIND IT KIND OF INTERESTING BECAUSE SHE'S BEEN DOING SO WELL.

SHE'S ALMOST BEEN TEFLON.

LIKE THERE'S BEEN LITTLE THINGS.

CERTAINLY, I'VE REPORTED ON THINGS THIS OTHER POLITICIANS MIGHT BLOW UP INTO SOMETHING BIG.

SHE KIND OF GOES ON AND NOBODY PAY ANY ATTENTION TO IT.

I WAS JUST GONNA SAY THIS IS MORE SERIOUS THAT SHE HAS TO DO BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

>> RIGHT.

9 >> UP 'TIL NOW IT'S BEEN PUBLIC APPEARANCES ON HER TERMS, HER STATE OF THE STATE MESSAGE, HER BUDGET AND THIS IS REALLY WHERE YOU HAVE TO DO THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF GOVERNING.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND THAT'S WHERE IT'S SHOWING UP.

THEY HAVEN'T DONE THIS BEFORE.

LIKE YOU SAID, THEY ARE BUILDING THE PLANE WHILE THEY'RE FLYING IT.

[LAUGHTER] NOW IT'S SHOWING.

>> YEAH.

AND I, UM, I LOST A GREAT THOUGHT THAT I HAD WHILE YOU WERE TALKING, KAREN.

>> I'M SORRY.

[LAUGHTER] >> NO WORRIES.

>> I HAVE THAT AFFECT ON PEOPLE.

>> I WOULD ADD THAT I THINK THE GOVERNOR, TO GIVE HER CREDIT, FINAL THOUGHT, IS SHE DOES HAVE A KNACK FOR REALLY FINDING ISSUES THAT RESONATE WITH NEW YORKERS BEYOND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE IN ALBANY TO-GO COCKTAILS.

SHE'S MAKING A BIG PUSH DOWN THE LINE TO THE FINAL BUDGET NEGOTIATION.

SHE KNOWS THAT NEW YORKERS, MAYBE SOME AT THIS TABLE, LIKE A TO-GO COCKTAIL, AND YOU KNOW, SOME 1920s, '30s LAWS 10 SHOULDN'T STAND IN THE WAY.

UNFORTUNATELY WITH BAIL, IT'S NOT ONE OF THOSE ISSUES THAT IS JUST AUTOMATICALLY POPULAR.

>> YEAH.

>> THAT YOU HAVE KIND-- AND YOU HAVE POWERFUL INTERESTS THAT ARE PUSHING AGAINST HER.

>> UH-HUH.

>> I AGREE WITH YOU.

THIS IS KIND OF THE BIG-- FIRST BIG MISSTEP.

SHE'S HAD SO MANY SUCCESSFUL THINGS RESPONDING TO HURRICANES, THINGS HAVE GONE WELL AND NOW SHE'S REALLY BEING CHALLENGED AT THE HARDEST TIME OF THE YEAR, ONE WEEK BEFORE THE BUDGET DEADLINE AND IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM LIKE HER ADMINISTRATION WAS QUITE READY FOR WHAT THEY WERE PUTTING OUT THERE.

>> LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, THEY DON'T WANT TO DO IT.

>> RIGHT.

>> IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE SHE'S CONVINCED THEM YET.

LIKE THEY REALLY CHAMPION THE BAIL REFORM CHANGES AND THEY REALLY BELIEVE IN THEM BECAUSE THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT SHOWS BLACK AND BROWN NEW YORKERS HAVE BEEN ADVERSELY IMPACTED BY BAIL.

WHILE WHITES CAN USUALLY MAKE BAIL AND GET OUT.

BLACK AND BROWN NEW YORKERS ARE STUCK IN JAIL.

SO THEY HAVE LEGITIMATE REASONS FOR THIS AND THEY DON'T WANT TO 11 TAKE A STEP BACK.

ACTUALLY, I WAS THINKING ABOUT THIS MORNING.

THEY'VE DONE A BUDGET WAY MORE TIMES THAN GOVERNOR HOCHUL HAS.

>> YEAH.

>> AND ESPECIALLY, YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR, FORMER GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO, HE WASN'T AS INVOLVED WITH THE BUDGET PROCESS AS HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE PEOPLE TO BELIEVE.

>> THERE WAS SOME OTHER STUFF GOING ON.

[LAUGHTER] >> YEAH.

YEAH, HIS SCANDALS WERE BEGINNING THEN.

SO THE LEGISLATURE IS GETTING BETTER AT DRIVING THIS PROCESS, AND IT'S JUST GOING TO BE REALLY INTERESTING IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS >> IT'S A REALLY INTERESTING POINT.

WE'VE SEEN IN RECENT YEARS EVER SINCE THE DEMOCRATS TOOK OVER THE STATE SENATE THAT THERE'S BEEN KIND OF A PUSH TO ASSERT THE POWER OF THE LEGISLATURE WHICH, ON PAPER, SHOULD BE MORE POWERFUL THAN THE GOVERNOR.

>> UH-HUH.

>> THEY CAN OVERRIDE VETOES AFTER ALL, BUT HISTORY SHOWS THAT NEVER REALLY HAPPENS AND YOU KNOW, I AGREE THAT THE GOVERNOR, YOU KNOW, MONTHS AGO, WE WERE WONDERING, OH, SHE'S GOING 12 TO GIVE AWAY THE STORE BECAUSE OF HER ELECTION.

SHE WANTS THEIR SUPPORT BUT NOW SHE'S NOT FACING AS COMPETITIVE OF A PRIMARY.

SOME MIGHT DISAGREE WITH THAT, OF COURSE.

BUT WE DO HAVE TO ASK, WHAT DO THE LAWMAKERS WANT AND WHAT IS SHE WILLING TO GIVE IN ORDER TO SAVE FACE ON BAIL OR MAYBE EVEN GET ALL OF HER CHANGES?

THERE ARE A FEW THINGS IN THAT PLAN THAT COULD BE A BASIS FOR COMPROMISE.

MORE MONEY FOR DISCOVERY REFORM, MORE MONEY FOR MENTAL HEALTH, STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> RIGHT.

>> BUT I'M REALLY WONDERING AND WHO I'M REALLY WATCHING ARE STATE LAWMAKERS.

EVERY TIME THEY HIGHLIGHT SOMETHING THEY WANT, I WONDER MAYBE THEY'LL GET THIS IN EXCHANGE A FOR A LITTLE LEEWAY WITH THE GOVERNOR.

>> EXACTLY.

THAT'S THE GAME IN ALBANY, YOU DO THIS AND YOU GIVE ME THAT.

WE HAVE TO SEE IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THE BUDGET TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

WE HAVE ABOUT TWO MINUTES LEFT.

I WANT TO GO OVER THE BUDGET-- NOT REALLY OVER THE BUDGET.

[LAUGHTER] I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT IN GENERAL.

ABOUT WHAT WE KNOW AND WHAT WE DON'T KNOW.

KAREN WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS IN TERMS OF WHAT WE KNOW IS GOING TO BE THE BUDGET AND WHAT WE DON'T KNOW IS GOING 13 TO BE IN THE BUDGET?

>> WELL, I'M ALSO LOOKING AT TO SEE HOW MUCH MORE OF THE LEGISLATURE WILL GET AWAY WITH SPENDING THAN THE GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED.

BUT IF YOU COUNT IT UP, THEY WANT TO SPEND $6 BILLION MORE AND HOCHUL HAD A BUDGET THAT WAS BALANCED FOR FIVE YEARS.

SO IF THERE'S MORE SPENDING IN THAT, WE'RE GOING TO END UP WITH FUTURE DEFICITS.

I GUESS I'M LOOKING FOR IS THERE GOING TO BE A GAS TAX HOLIDAY?

I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> ETHICS REFORM.

IT SEEMS LIKE THAT IS NOT HAPPENING.

>> RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, LIKE THIS IS THE PERENNIAL ISSUE.

[LAUGHTER] I PUSH IT A LOT IN TERMS WHEN WE TALK TO LAWMAKERS BECAUSE IT JUST SEEMS LIKE ONE PART OF THE YEAR THERE'S THIS OUTRAGE OF ETHICS, ETHICS, ETHICS, AND THEN WE GET DOWN TO THE WIRE AND EVERYBODY'S LIKE, ETHICS?

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT.

I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.

THAT'S SOMETHING TO WATCH.

MAYBE NOT DURING BUDGET MAYBE AFTER BUDGET.

ZACH, WHAT DO WE KNOW IN TERMS OF THE NEXT FEW DAYS?

>> WHEW!

WELL, BAIL REFORM IS ON THE LINE.

WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THERE.

MAYORAL 14 CONTROL SEEMS TO BE OUT OF THE BUDGET.

SO NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS WILL HAVE TO FIGHT TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CITY SCHOOLS AFTERWARDS.

MAYBE GET A FEW YEARS EXTENSION, BUT I THINK ETHICS REFORM IS REALLY SOMETHING THAT'S GETTING LOST IN THE MIX.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GOVERNOR WHO CAME TO POWER AFTER A GOVERNOR RESIGNED BECAUSE OF ETHICS SCANDALS.

>> YEAH.

>> SHE'S MADE TRANSPARENCY A BIG THING.

SHE PROMISED TO CHANGE THE WAYS OF ALBANY OF THE HOW MANY GOVERNORS HAVE WE SEEN SAY THAT?

AND NOW SHE SEEMS TO BE THE LATEST ONE TO GIVE UP ON THE 5-YARD-LINE ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE'S SPENDING HER POLITICAL CAPITAL ON BAIL AND NOT ETHICS REFORM.

>> SPEAKING OF 5-YARD-LINE, BUFFALO BILLS STADIUM.

>> OH!

>> OH!

>> IS THAT GOING TO BE-- >> THEY'RE APPROVING THE DEAL.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT-- >> IS THAT GOING TO BE IN IT?

WHAT IS THAT GOING TO LOOK LIKE?

HOW MUCH IS NEW YORK STATE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS STADIUM?

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO IS JUST UNASHAMED BUFFALO BILLS FAN AND IT PUTS HER IN AN AWKWARD POSITION.

>> I GUESS ON THE PLUS SIDE 15 OF LOOKING AT THAT-- WELL, THERE'S TWO SIDES, RIGHT?

IF YOU GIVE A BILLION DOLLARS FOR THE BUFFALO BILLS STADIUM, GREAT FOR BUFFALO.

IF YOU DON'T DO THAT, MAYBE THAT BILLION DOLLARS COULD BE SPENT ELSEWHERE.

I THINK THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION IN TERMS OF THAT RIGHT NOW WE ARE OUT OF TIME WE GOT TO LEAVE IT THERE.

KAREN DeWITT FROM NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC RADIO.

ZACH WILLIAMS FROM CITY AND STATE, THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> STAYING NOW WITH THE STATE BUDGET, LAWMAKERS IN ALBANY ARE MOVING CLOSER TO A DEAL ON THE SO-CALLED CLEAN SLATE ACT.

THAT'S A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW SOMEONE'S CRIMINAL RECORD TO BE SEALED AFTER THEY SERVED THEIR SENTENCE AND WAITED A FEW YEARS WITHOUT ANOTHER CONVICTION.

THAT IDEA HAS SUPPORT FROM GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL AND DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE SENATE WHO WANT IT IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, AS WE TOLD YOU, THAT'S DUE IN LESS THAN A WEEK.

SO THE NEXT FEW DAYS COULD BE MAKE OR BREAK.

AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING.

FOR MORE ON THAT, I SPOKE WITH THE BILL'S SPONSOR, SENATOR ZELLNOR MYRIE, AND GARRETT SMITH, A SUPPORTER OF THE BILL FROM THE CENTER FOR COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES, A CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY GROUP.

[ THEME MUSIC ] 16 SENATOR MYRIE AND GARRETT, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> ALWAYS GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> SO THIS IS A BILL THAT WE'VE ACTUALLY COVERED A LOT ON THIS SHOW.

IT'S THE CLEAN SLATE BILL.

IT WOULD ESSENTIALLY LET PEOPLE WIPE THEIR CONVICTIONS AFTER A CERTAIN WAITING PERIOD AFTER THEIR SENTENCE.

SO IF YOU SERVED A MISDEMEANOR, THEN YOU WAIT THREE YEARS AND YOU COULD HAVE THAT CONVICTION CLEARED.

IF YOU SERVE A FELONY, YOU HAVE TO WAIT SEVEN YEARS AND THEN HAVE THAT CONVICTION CLEARED.

FIRST QUESTION FOR YOU, SENATOR MYRIE, I'M WONDERING, ARE ANY CRIMES EXCLUDED FROM THAT LIST?

>> SO WHAT CLEAN SLATE DOES-- THIS IS AN ANTIPOVERTY BILL.

THIS IS A HOUSING BILL, AN EDUCATION BILL, AN ECONOMICS BILL.

IT'S ABOUT GIVING PEOPLE ANOTHER CHANCE TO BE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF THEIR SOCIETY, OF THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND IT DOES SO BY THE AUTOMATIC SEALING, AS YOU DESCRIBED, FOR CERTAIN CONVICTIONS.

THERE ARE CERTAIN LIMITATIONS TO THIS.

THE COURTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT STILL HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE RECORDS AND IF YOU ARE REGISTERED ON THE SEX OFFENSE REGISTRY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AUTOMATIC SEALING WOULD NOT APPLY TO YOU.

BUT THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE OF THIS IS THAT IF 17 YOU HAVE BEEN CONVICTED, IF YOU HAVE SERVED YOUR TIME, YOU DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE.

YOU DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO GET YOUR EDUCATION AND TO GET A JOB SO THAT YOU CAN UPLIFT YOURSELF AND UPLIFT THOSE AROUND YOU.

>> SO GARRETT, YOU HAVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THIS.

YOU HAVE A FELONY CONVICTION THAT WAS LATER OVERTURNED BECAUSE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.

I'M WONDERING IF YOU CAN EXPLAIN HOW THIS AFFECTS PEOPLE'S LIVES PERSONALLY AND INDIVIDUALLY.

IF I HAVE A CONVICTION ON MY RECORD, WHAT KINDS OF OBSTACLES DOES THAT PRESENT TO ME AS A PERSON IN SOCIETY?

>> WELL, THAT'S A REALLY GREAT QUESTION.

IT'S FUNNY THAT YOU MENTION IT THAT WAY AND FRAME IT IN THAT MANNER IF I HAD MY CONVICTION HISTORY IN FRONT WHEN I WOULD MEET SOMEONE OR WHEN THEY WOULD MEET ME, THAT'S BEING PART OF THEIR FIRST IMPRESSION OF ME, I WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT AS FAR-- I FELT-- I PERSONALLY FEEL I WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT AS FAR AS I CURRENTLY AM GIVEN THAT CIRCUMSTANCE.

[ CHANTING ] I LOOK AT PEOPLE THAT CAME ALONG THIS JOURNEY WITH ME AND YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE THE VARIOUS THINGS THAT'S GOING ON THIS THEIR LIFE, BUT THEN THEY CAN'T, YOU KNOW, GO TO THE TYPE OF SCHOOL THAT THEY WANT TO GO TO.

18 EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE MERITS FOR IT AND THEY CAN'T GET THAT SAME TYPE OF JOB.

EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE MERITS FOR IT, IT IS STILL BEING HELD AGAINST THEM AND THAT IMPACTS THEIR OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THEM PROJECTING FORWARD.

SO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU REMOVE THE SYSTEMIC BARRIERS OR THOSE MANMADE TYPES OF BARRIERS FROM A PERSON'S LIFE WHERE IT CAN JUST REALLY BE ABLE TO WALK THAT PATH, WELL, WHATEVER CARDS THEY MAY HAVE BEEN DEALT, RIGHT?

I'M NOT SAYING THAT WE NEED TO HAND OUT MEAL TICKETS TO PEOPLE, I'M SAYING WHATEVER CARDS THAT PERSON HAS DEALT WITH, LET THAT BE ENOUGH WITH THEIR LIFE.

EVERYTHING ELSE, WE SHOULDN'T HAVE THE SYSTEMIC BARRIERS IN PLACE ON TOP OF THE LIFE BARRIERS THAT PEOPLE ARE ALREADY DEALING WITH.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO DO WITH THAT.

>> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SYSTEMIC BARRIERS, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THINGS IF SOMEBODY IS GOING TO APPLY FOR A FULL-TIME JOB, THEY MAY HAVE A BACKGROUND CHECK AND A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER MAY SEE A PREVIOUS CONVICTION AND SAY I DON'T WANT THAT PERSON WORKING HERE.

THE SAME THING IN CERTAIN TYPES OF HOUSING SITUATIONS.

SO I'M WONDERING, BECAUSE WE HAVE CLEAN SLATE, THE BILL, AND AS I EXPLAINED, THERE WILL BE A WAITING PERIOD BETWEEN THE END OF A SENTENCE AND 19 WHEN A CONVICTION IS SEAL.

I WANT TO ASK THIS TO YOU FIRST, GARRETT.

IN THAT INTERIM TIME, WHICH I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT FOR SOMEBODY WHEN THEY ARE TRYING TO REINTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE STATE SHOULD BE DOING TO SUPPORT THOSE PEOPLE DURING THAT GAP?

>> MY THING IS THIS.

WHEN A PERSON'S COMING OUT, RIGHT, PERSON GETTING INTO THE COMMUNITY, WHAT I LOOK AT CLEAN SLATE DOING AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT OVERARCHING UNDERSTANDING OF IT, CLEAN SLATE IS INSTILLING HOPE FOR THAT PERSON.

IT'S INSTILLING THEM WITH THAT DRIVE FOR RESILIENCE.

WHATEVER YOUR ROCK BOTTOM MAY BE, WHATEVER YOUR BAGGAGE MAY BE, YOU ARE AT THAT ROCK BOTTOM, BUT IF YOU HAVE SOME SENSE OF HOPE OR SOME SENSE OF LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL, YOU WILL WORK TOWARD WHATEVER IT MAY BE, BUT I DON'T FEEL LIKE THE STATE SHOULD BE LIKE-- I'M NOT HERE TO TELL WHAT THE STATE WHAT TO DO BASICALLY.

EVERYBODY SHOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE THEIR OWN LIFE AND WALK THEIR OWN PATH WHETHER THEY NEED THE STATE OR NOT, SEE WHAT I'M SAYIN'?

>> SENATOR MYRIE, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE STATE COULD DO IN THAT GAP?

IF WE ARE GOING TO HEAD TO A CLEAN SLATE BILL THAT DOES HAVE THAT GAP THREE YEARS FOR MISDEMEANORS AND SEVEN YEARS FOR FELONIES WHAT CAN THOSE 20 PEOPLE DO IN THE INTERIM TO REALLY MOVE FORWARD IN LIFE?

IT'S STILL, OBVIOUSLY, AN OBSTACLE DURING THAT TIME IF YOU ARE GOING FOR A FULL-TIME JOB AND SOMEBODY SEES THAT YOU HAVE A CONVICTION.

AND FOR THREE YEARS THAT CAN BE QUITE A LONG TIME EVEN FOR JUST A MISDEMEANOR.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE STATE SHOULD DO?

>> YEAH.

IT'S A TOUGH THING TO ANSWER.

I THINK GARRETT ELOQUENTLY EXPRESSED WHY THERE'S SOME RESERVATION ABOUT HEAVY STATE INVOLVEMENT, BUT I THINK AT THE VERY LEAST, THE STATE COULD BE EDUCATING PEOPLE ON WHAT IS TO COME BECAUSE AS THE BILL OUTLINES, ONE CONVICTION AND THEN THE CLOCK STARTS OVER.

SO THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY BILL IN THAT IT INCENTIVIZES INDIVIDUALS TO REALLY FOCUS ON GETTING TO THAT AUTOMATIC CEILING POINT AND WE HAVE SEEN WITH MANY OF THE REFORMS THAT WE MAKE THAT THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE IS OFTEN THE IMPLEMENTATION.

IT'S OFTEN THAT PEOPLE JUST DON'T KNOW THIS IS AVAILABLE TO THEM.

EVEN OUR CURRENT CEILING STATUTE.

PART OF THE REASON WE WANT TO PASS CLEAN SLATE AND MAKE IT AUTOMATIC IS THAT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT THEY CAN SEAL THEIR RECORDS RIGHT NOW AND IN FACT, HALF OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OF THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE MAKE USE OF THE CURRENT CEILING STRUCTURE.

I THINK AT THE VERY LEAST, THE STATE COULD BE EDUCATING, SENDING OUT 21 MATERIAL, INFORMING PEOPLE THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR IF YOU REMAIN CONVICTION FREE.

>> RIGHT.

>> IS THIS YEAR DIFFERENT?

WE SAW AT THE END OF LAST YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT BOTH THE ASSEMBLY AND THE SENATE SEEM TO COME PRETTY CLOSE TO PASSING CLEAN SLATE.

DO YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN GET IT THIS YEAR?

HAD THINGS CHANGED, TO THE SENATOR?

>> I AM CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THAT THIS YEAR IS DIFFERENT.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN WITH CLEAN SLATE IS A COALITION UNLIKE WHAT WE'VE SEEN FOR ANY OTHER CAMPAIGN ON THESE TYPES OF EFFORTS.

WE HAVE THE PRIVATE INDUSTRY THAT HAS COME OUT IN PRETTY STRONG SUPPORT OF THIS.

WE HAVE THE FAITH COMMUNITY THAT HAS COME OUT IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THIS.

WE HAVE MAJOR LABOR ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE COME OUT IN SUPPORT OF THIS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SAID WE NEED THIS AND WE NEED THIS NOW.

THAT IS AN UNPRECEDENTED COALITION OF INDIVIDUALS THAT I THINK MAKES THIS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST.

MY HOPE IS THAT WE WILL GET THE LEGISLATIVE VERSION OF CLEAN SLATE INTO THE BUDGET.

THERE ARE BUDGET IMPLICATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CLEAN SLATE, AND I'M HOPEFUL.

I THINK THAT WE ARE AT A TIME 22 WHERE WE'RE HAVING A VERY FEVERED CONVERSATION ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY BILL THAT WE CAN UTILIZE TO HELP ADVANCE PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> LET ME SHOOT THAT LAST QUESTION TO GARRETT ABOUT THAT.

I CAN SEE THE OPPOSITION TO THE BILL BEING PEOPLE THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, ACTUALLY, IN TERMS OF SOMEBODY GOES TO APPLY FOR A JOB AND NOW MAN A POTENTIAL EMPLOYER ISN'T ABLE TO SEE THAT SOMEBODY WAS CONVICTED OF SOMETHING.

THAT MIGHT BE RELEVANT TO THAT JOB IN THEIR VIEW.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

HOW DO YOU GET PEOPLE TO SIGN ON TO THIS SIDE OF THE BILL?

>> WELL, LET ME SAY IT FIRST LIKE THIS.

WHEN PEOPLE ARE THINKING ABOUT CLEAN SLATE, THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT IT-- IN MOST SITUATIONS THAT I'M SEEING WITH THE OPPOSITION, PEOPLE ARE THINKING ABOUT CLEAN SLATE IN A CRIMINAL LEGAL SENSE.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY WORKING AND LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ARE LIKE THEIR CONVICTION HISTORY IS LIKE TEN PLUS YEARS AGO.

IT'S LIKE A LONG TIME AGO, BUT THEY'RE LIKE WORKING LIKE FOUR, FIVE JOBS, HAVING TO WORK A LOT OF PART-TIME JOBS AND ALL THOSE THINGS TO TRY TO MAKE IT BECAUSE OF THE COST OF LIVING.

THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY 23 DOING THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY.

THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY PAYING TAXES, ALREADY, YOU KNOW, PAYING INTO THEIR COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT IS JUST WORKING IT IN AND FEEDING INTO THE ECONOMY.

THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY VOTING AND THESE PEOPLE ALREADY HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS AND ALREADY DOING STUFF IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO IT'S JUST A MATTER OF A MORAL OPINION RIGHT NOW IN THE EYE OF THE PUBLIC AND NOT A TEN-PART ASPECT WITH SAFEGUARDS.

IT'S REALLY DOES NEW YORK WANT THIS IN A MORAL SENSE AND THEN IT CAN REALLY HAPPEN.

BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE IT'S AT RIGHT NOW.

IT'S A PUBLIC SAFETY BILL.

IT'S A CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.

IT'S A HUMAN RIGHTS BILL FOR ALL THOSE REASONS THAT Z AND I BOTH OUTLINED THROUGHOUT THIS CALL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IT'S A BILL THAT WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH ESPECIALLY AS THE STATE BUDGET COMES TOGETHER.

GARRETT SMITH FROM THE CENTER FOR COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES AND STATE SENATOR ZELLNOR MYRIE, THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT, MAN.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> NOW NOT EVERYONE'S ONBOARD WITH THE CLEAN SLATE BILL.

OPPONENTS SAY THEY'RE 24 CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMEONE APPLYING FOR A JOB IN A FIELD THAT MIGHT BE RELATED TO WHAT THEY WERE CONVICTED OF.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THERE WOULD BE AN ISSUE BUT OPPONENTS SAY THAT BUSINESS OWNERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO KNOW ABOUT THAT PAST CONVICTION.

SENATOR ROB ORTT IS ONE OF THOSE OPPONENTS.

>> WHEN WE KNOW CRIME IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ISSUE FACING NEW YORKERS ACROSS THE BOARD, THEIR ANSWER IN THE BUDGET IS TO WIPE AWAY AND HIDE FROM EMPLOYERS CERTAIN CRIMES, SOME OF WHICH MIGHT BE REALLY SIGNIFICANT AND THAT YOU AS A CUSTOMER OR A CLIENT OR EVEN ANOTHER EMPLOYEE JUST MIGHT WANT TO KNOW.

>> SO WE'LL SEE IF CLEAN SLATE ENDS UP IN THE BUDGET NEXT WEEK OR NOT.

BUT MOVING ON NOW TO ON THE BILL, A NEW SEGMENT WE'RE DOING ON OCCASION TO TELL YOU ABOUT A BILL IN ALBANY THAT YOU MIGHT NOT HEAR ABOUT OTHERWISE.

THIS WEEK, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ALL ELECTRIC BUILDINGS ACT.

IT'S A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE ANY NEW BUILDINGS BUILT AFTER 2023 TO BE POWERED TOTALLY BY ELECTRICITY.

SO THOSE BUILDINGS WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO USE FOSSIL FUELS, LIKE NATURAL GAS AND OIL AS THEIR PRIMARY POWER SOURCE.

THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED TO HAVE SOME FOSSIL FUEL RESERVES IN CASE OF AN 25 EMERGENCY.

REMEMBER THIS IS ONLY NEW CONSTRUCTION.

SO IF YOU ALREADY OWN A HOME OR WANT TO BUY A HOME THAT'S ALREADY BUILT, IT WOULDN'T IMPACT YOU.

IT'S SPONSORED BY ASSEMBLY MEMBER EMILY GALLAGHER AND SENATOR BRIAN KAVANAUGH, BOTH FROM NEW YORK CITY.

KAVANAUGH SAID THIS IS FEASIBLE EVEN FOR RURAL AREAS OF THE STATE, IF NEW YORK GIVES ITS ENERGY GRID AN UPGRADE.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAKE THE GRID INCREASINGLY RELIABLE.

WE ALREADY HAVE PEOPLE RELYING ON ELECTRICITY FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

SO IT'S NOT-- IT'S NOT THAT THIS BILL IS CREATING PROBLEMS WITH RELIABILITY.

SO THAT MEANS-- THAT MEANS EXPANDING OUR CAPACITY FOR GREEN GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION.

>> NOW SUPPORTERS WANT TO SEE THE BILL IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET WHICH, AGAIN, IS DUE NEXT WEEK BUT THEY'RE ALSO PLANNING TO PUSH FOR IT AFTER THE BUDGET IF IT'S NOT INCLUDED.

SO WE'LL SEE WHERE IT GOES.

IN THE MEANTIME, THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS WEEK'S "NEW YORK NOW."

HAVE A GREAT WEEK.

AND BE WELL.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >>Announcer: FUNDING FOR "NEW YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.