1 [ THEME MUSIC ] >> ON THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW," HOCHUL HINTS AT HER STATE OF THE STATE.

WE'LL DISCUSS.

THEN, WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE NEW YORK WORKING FAMILIES PARTY.

STATE DIRECTOR SOCHIE NNAEKMEKA JOINS US.

AND LATER, NEW YORK IS GETTING A NEW CHIEF JUDGE.

WE'LL HAVE A PREVIEW.

PLUS, A NEW EDITION OF ON THE BILL.

I'M DAN CLARK AND THIS IS "NEW YORK NOW."

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

I'M DAN CLARK.

WE'RE NOW LESS THAN A MONTH OUT FROM GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, AND WE ALREADY HAVE SOME CLUES ON WHAT WILL BE IN IT.

HOCHUL JOINED NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS AT AN EVENT THIS WEEK PUT ON BY THE GROUP OF BETTER NEW YORK, OR ABNEY.

IT'S AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NONPROFIT.

BOTH HOCHUL AND THE MAYOR LAID OUT A FEW IDEAS FOR BOOSTING THE CITY'S ECONOMY AND CULTURE, BUT BOTH SAID THAT'S EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

NEW YORK CITY STILL HASN'T FULLY RECOVERED THE NUMBER OF JOBS LOST DURING THE PANDEMIC, ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

BUT AS THOSE JOBS COME BACK, NEW YORK HAS ANOTHER PROBLEM.

ITS HOUSING CRISIS, AND IT'S 2 SOMETHING THAT HOCHUL SAYS SHE'LL HAVE A PLAN FOR NEXT MONTH.

>> SO THE JOBS ARE THERE.

THE HOUSING'S NOT.

AND THAT'S WHY MY UPCOMING STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS I WILL PUT FORTH A COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING PLAN AND WITHIN THIS, IT WILL INCLUDE THE BUILDING OF 800,000 NEW UNITS OF HOUSING OVER THE NEXT DECADE, AND I WANT TO MAKE IT SOONER THAN THAT.

>> THEN ON THURSDAY, HOCHUL SPOKE TO REPORTERS AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

LET'S GET INTO THAT AND MORE WITH JOSH SOLOMON FROM THE TIMES UNION.

JOSH, THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.

>> NO PROBLEM.

>> SO YOU ASKED THE GOVERNOR-- SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

IT WAS A COMBO WINTER STORM WARNING AND A REFLECTION ON KIND OF HER FIRST 18 MONTHS OR SO IN OFFICE.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HOUSING RIGHT BEFORE THIS.

YOU ASKED HER ABOUT SOMETHING ABOUT GOOD CAUSE OF ACTION.

IT'S A BILL-- IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE COMPLICATED THAN I WANT TO GET INTO ON THE AIR, BUT IT'S A BILL THAT WOULD BASICALLY FORCE LANDLORDS TO HAVE A GOOD CAUSE TO EVICT SOMEONE AND THOSE CAUSES ARE LISTED IN THE LEGISLATION.

WE DON'T HAVE TO GET INTO IT.

ANY INDICATION ON WHERE SHE STANDS?

3 >> SHE WAS VERY COMMITTED TO NOT COMMITTING ON THE ISSUE.

>> YEAH.

>> WHICH SHE TYPICALLY DOES ON LEGISLATION.

SO IT'S NOT OUT OF THE ORDINARY FOR HER TO KIND OF AVOID TAKING A HARD STANCE ON IT, BUT WE KNOW THAT THE REASON IT'S IMPORTANT TO FIND OUT WHERE SHE IS ON IT IS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION FOR PROGRESSIVES AND FOLLOWING AN ELECTION, WHERE PROGRESSIVES WEREN'T NECESSARILY MOTIVATED TO GO OUT AND VOTE AND THE GOVERNOR'S FIGURING OUT HOW TO MAKE HER COALITION IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THEY STILL HAVE SUPER MAJORITIES, IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW MUCH SHE GIVES ROOM TO AN EXTREMELY PROGRESSIVE PIECE OF LEGISLATION OR PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT PROGRESSIVES LOVE.

AND THE BIG PIECE OF IT THAT IS CONTROVERSIAL IS SOME WOULD ARGUE IT INCLUDES A PIECE OF RENT STABILIZATION IN IT, WHICH PROPONENTS OF IT SAY NO, BUT THAT'S KIND OF WHERE IT BECOMES REALLY DIFFICULT.

>> RIGHT.

THIS HAS BEEN A FEW YEARS OF TRYING TO NEGOTIATE A VERY-- VERY THIN LINE BETWEEN WHAT PROPERTY OWNERS LIKE ABOUT IT.

THEY DON'T REALLY LIKE ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND WHAT RENTERS LIKE ABOUT IT, PARTICULARLY PROGRESSIVES, YOU'RE RIGHT.

THAT'S JUST ONE OF THESE 4 HOUSING ISSUES FOR HER STATE OF THE STATE THAT I WANT TO GET INTO A LITTLE BIT.

BEFORE WE GOT ON THE AIR, YOU MENTIONED THAT SHE DOESN'T MENTION A LOT ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING JUST YET.

I'M REALLY CURIOUS BECAUSE LAST YEAR, HER STATE OF THE STATE, SHE MADE A VERY BIG FOCUS ON HOUSING IN TERMS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND I'M CURIOUS ABOUT WHERE SHE TAKES FROM IT HERE.

ANYTHING IN YOUR CRYSTAL BALL?

[LAUGHTER] >> THE CRYSTAL BALANCE-- WELL, THE GOVERNOR DURING A HOUSING CONFERENCE SPEECH A COUPLE WEEKS AGO IN MANHATTAN GAVE WHAT SHE CALLED A TRAILER TO THE MOVIE, AND THE MOVIE BEING THE STATE OF THE STATE ON JANUARY 10th.

>> HMM.

>> SHE SAID REPEATEDLY, HOUSING'S GOING TO BE THE TOP PRIORITY.

SHE'S CALLING IT HOUSING AND AT THIS SPEECH, SHE STARTED OFF SAYING, LAST YEAR WE DID $25 BILLION OVER 5 YEARS FOR 100,000 HOMES BUT SPECIFICALLY UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BROAD-SWEEPING HOUSING POLICY, ANYWHERE FROM CREATING A STATE OFFICE TO HELP WITH PLANNING FOR HOUSING AND HAVE MORE OF A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT IT.

5 >> YEAH.

>> TO ZONING IN THE SUBURBS WHICH THEY'RE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT IN TERMS OF THE RATE OF BUILDING HOUSING.

SO THAT NOT ONLY ARE THEY CONCERNED ABOUT THE BUILDING OF HOUSING AND THE ZONING BEHIND IT, BUT THEY'RE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT ACCESS TO THAT HOUSING FOR WHOM HOW WORKFORCE HOUSING, THE WHOLE GAMUT.

I MEAN, WE'RE GOING TO REALLY SEE A BIG PITCH ON IT.

>> WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT HOUSING IN THE SUBURBS, DOES THAT INCLUDE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS?

WHICH IS A (LAUGHTER) IT'S BASICALLY THE OPTION FOR SOMEBODY TO CONVERT THEIR PROPERTY INTO A HOME FOR SOMEBODY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE USE THE EXAMPLE OF AN AGING PARENT WHO NEEDS SOMEWHERE TO LIVE.

THAT GOT INTO A LITTLE BIT OF A MESS LAST YEAR.

I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT'S UP WITH IT.

HAVE YOU COVERED THAT?

>> I HAVE, AND IF YOU HEAR THE WORDS ADU, ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT, KNOW THAT YOU'RE HEARING A VERY POLITICALLY CHARGED TERM.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS UNTIL BEFORE LAST YEAR.

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT IT WAS SO CONTROVERSIAL.

WHY IS IT CONTROVERSIAL?

>> WELL, THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME DISTASTE IN THE SUBURBS.

PARTICULARLY IN WESTCHESTER AND LONG ISLAND OF, DO WE ALLOW THIS?

AND 6 RATHER, WHO SHOULD ALLOW IT?

AND IT REALLY GOES BACK TO THE QUESTION OF HOME RULE ON ZONING AND WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD CHANGE-- THE STATE SHOULD CHANGE ITS POLICY ON, IS THE STATE GOING TO SAY THIS IS ALLOWED BY RIGHT?

BECAUSE WE'RE SO CONCERNED ABOUT THE THREAT OF A HOUSING CRISIS THAT WE NEED TO CREATE MORE HOUSING, WHETHER IT BE FOR A GRANDMOTHER, FOR A RECENT COLLEGE GRAD, OR FOR, YOU KNOW, A YOUNG PERSON COMING TO THE COMMUNITY AND WANTING TO COMMUTE INTO THE CITY THROUGH METRO NORTH OR SOMETHING, RIGHT?

>> UH-HUH.

>> FOLKS-- IT MAY MORE OR LESS BE THAT IS THE ISSUE AND IT'S MORE SO, WE SHOULD DECIDE IT.

LET US DECIDE HOME BY HOME BY HOME LOCAL ZONING BOARDS.

>> I SEE.

>> LOCAL PLANNING BOARDS AND THAT'S HOW WE CONTROL WHAT OUR COMMUNITY LOOKS LIKE AND THAT'S WHAT WE PAY TAXES FOR AND THAT'S WHAT WE DESERVE A RIGHT TO DO.

>> IT'S AN INTERESTING ISSUE AND IT CAME UP AND IT SEEMED TO BE GETTING SOME STEAM LAST YEAR AND IT WAS LIKE TENNIS.

THE BALL CAME OVER AND THE INTEREST AGAINST IT WAS PFFT, (LAUGHTER) IT VANISHED VERY QUICKLY LAST YEAR.

IT WAS JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT HOCHUL SEEMED GO REALLY STRONG ON 7 AND THEN NOT, AND KIND OF ABANDONED IT AT THE WAYSIDE WE HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT.

THE GOVERNOR MADE SOME INTERESTING COMMENTS REGARDING THE STATE'S FINANCES HEADING INTO NEXT YEAR AS WELL, SAYING THAT, YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR, IT WAS LOOKING GOOD.

THIS YEAR, WE DON'T REALLY KNOW.

WHAT DO YOU GET FROM THAT?

>> WELL, SHE TOOK A LOT OF HEAT FROM PROGRESSIVES LAST YEAR.

>> YEAH.

>> WHO WANTED HER TO SPEND DOWN ALL OF THE ONE-TIME MONEY THAT THEY WERE GETTING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES FROM HOME CARE TO HEALTH CARE TO CHILD CARE.

SHE SPENT SOME OF THE MONEY ON IT BUT NOT ALL OF MONEY.

SHE KEPT IT IN RESERVES AND THAT RESERVE MONEY, WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS SAYING SO FAR, IS HOPEFULLY GOING TO PAD THE LANDING REGARDING ANY POTENTIAL MILD RECESSION, AND THEY'RE HOPING THAT WILL PRESERVE THEM FROM ANY-- HAVING TO INSTITUTE A TAX HIKE OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE.

BUT IT'S STILL VERY EARLY.

>> RIGHT.

SHE DID SAY ALSO THAT SHE IS NOT-- WELL, I DON'T REMEMBER QUITE HOW SHE PHRASED IT.

SHE DOES NOT FORESEE ANY TAX INCREASES WHICH WILL PROBABLY UPSET PROGRESSIVES WHO ARE LOOKING FOR HIGHER TAXES ON THE WEALTHY, AS WE WILL GET INTO 8 LATER IN THE SHOW.

SO STICK AROUND.

FOR NOW, THANK YOU SO MUCH, JOSH SOLOMON FROM THE TIMES UNION.

WE'LL LEAVE IT THERE.

>> NO PROBLEM.

>>> TURNING NOW TO NEW YORK POLITICS.

WHEN YOU HEAD TO THE POLLS EACH NOVEMBER, YOU MIGHT NOTICE THAT A CANDIDATE'S NAME IS ON MULTIPLE PARTY LINES.

REPUBLICANS WILL OFTEN ALSO BE ON THE CONSERVATIVE LINE AND DEMOCRATS WILL SOMETIMES ALSO RUN ON THE WORKING FAMILIES PARTY LINE.

IT'S A NATIONAL PARTY, BUT IT WAS FOUNDED RIGHT HERE IN NEW YORK IN 1998 AND SINCE THEN, PROGRESSIVES HAVE FOUND A HOME IN THE WFP.

FAST FORWARD TO TODAY AND THE WFP HOLDS A LOT OF POWER IN NEW YORK ESPECIALLY AMONG DEMOCRATS.

SO IT WAS NO SURPRISE THAT THE PARTY PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTIONS.

ORGANIZING AROUND PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS IN KEY RACES.

FOR MORE ON THAT, WE CAUGHT UP THIS WEEK WITH SOCHIE NNAEKMEKA, THE STATE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW YORK WORKING FAMILIES PARTY.

[ THEME MUSIC ] SOCHIE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING BACK.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> SO GLAD TO BE ON WITH YOU, DAN.

>> SO I WANT TO START WITH LAST MONTH'S ELECTIONS.

YOU HAD A REALLY BIG NUMBER LAST MONTH IN THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR SPECIFICALLY.

SO LOOKING AT 2018, ANDREW 9 CUOMO GOT ABOUT 114,000 VOTES ON THE WFP LINE.

THIS YEAR, GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL GOT 250,000 VOTES, MORE THAN DOUBLE.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

>> WELL, WE HAD BEEN PROUD TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING WITH A COALITION OF DEMOCRATS UP AND DOWN THE STATE AND ACTUALLY SPEAK TO THE VALUES OF WORKING FAMILIES AND THIS YEAR WITH GOVERNOR HOCHUL, THE TOP TICKET, WE GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO VOTERS ABOUT WHAT MATTERED MOST TO THEM, INCREASED HOUSING AFFORDABILITY, INVESTING IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, TAKE ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS HEAD ON AND WE FIND THAT WHEN PEOPLE ARE CONNECTED TO THE VALUES BEHIND THEIR VOTE, THEY'RE MORE PERSUADED TO COME OUT AND VOTE.

SO THAT'S BEEN OUR STRATEGY THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

WE'RE GLAD THAT WE'RE INCREASING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WORK ON WORKING FAMILIES PARTY LINE, WHETHER THEY'RE DEMOCRAT, WORKING FAMILIES, OR OTHER UNAFFILIATED VOTERS, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO SEE THOSE TOTALS GET BIGGER OVER THE YEARS AHEAD.

>> YOU KNOW, AT THE SAME TIME, REPUBLICANS DID MAKE SOME GROUND IN SOME KEY AREAS OF THE STATE LIKE LONG ISLAND AND THE LOWER HUDSON VALLEY, SOME OTHER AREAS AS WELL.

I'M WONDERING BECAUSE I THINK YOUR PARTY'S PROBABLY THE FURTHEST AWAY FROM THE REPUBLICAN 10 IDEOLOGY, THEIR VALUES, DOES THAT CONCERN YOU AT ALL THAT WE SEE THIS REPUBLICAN SURGE IN THOSE AREAS?

>> WHAT WAS CLEAR IS THAT REPUBLICANS FOUGHT TOOTH AND NAIL FOR THEIR VOTES.

THEY CAME OUT ORGANIZED AND QUITE RABID HONESTLY IN THIS POLITICAL MOMENT DETERMINED TO PULL PEOPLE TOWARD THEIR PROGRAM.

UNFORTUNATELY THEIR PROGRAM IS ONE OF FEAR-MONGERING WITHOUT MUCH SOLUTIONS BUT WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE REAL VISCERAL RESPONSES THAT VOTER DOES COME OUT, WHETHER IT IS CRIME, WHETHER IT IS RISING COSTS THERE ARE THOSE KINDS OF GUT RESPONSES THAT DO MOVE VOTERS AND WHAT DEMOCRATS NEED TO DO AND WHAT WORKING FAMILIES DEMOCRATS, IN PARTICULAR, NEED TO DO IN RESPONSE IS PUT OUT A VISION AND A PROGRAM, RIGHT, THAT IF WE WANT TO ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY, PEOPLE KNOW ALSO THIS REALLY THAT SAFE HOUSING AND YOUTH PROGRAMS AND ACCESSIBLE TRANSIT ALSO ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY, AND SO WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE NOT SEEDING AROUND FEAR-MONGERING AND DOG WHISTLES THAT DO BRING A BASE OUT, BUT THEN OFTEN LEAVE PEOPLE FEELING MORE CYNICAL, LESS TRUSTFUL AND MORE ALIENATED FROM THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> YEAH.

IT DOES FEEL LIKE THERE IS SORT OF A DIVIDE ON MESSAGING BETWEEN A LOT OF DIFFERENT PARTIES, A LOT OF 11 DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS.

I THINK REPUBLICANS DID, AS YOU SAID, A VERY, VERY GOOD JOB CAMPAIGNING.

I THINK THEY DID A GREAT JOB GETTING TO THE PEOPLE WHO THEY THOUGHT WOULD VOTE FOR THEM.

WHEREAS, DEMOCRATS, I THINK, TOOK SOME OF THEIR RACES FOR GRANTED.

I MEAN, WHEN YOU LOOK AT TWO YEARS FROM NOW WHEN WE DON'T HAVE A RACE FOR GOVERNOR, BUT WE DO HAVE A RACE FOR PRESIDENT, WHAT DOES YOUR STRATEGY LOOK LIKE THEN?

HOW DO YOU GET TO THESE VOTERS AS YOU WERE SAYING THAT JUST DON'T SEEM TO WANT TO BUDGE ON CERTAIN ISSUES?

>> WHAT WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT IS THAT DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN, THANKFULLY, WAS NOT A MONOLITH.

SO YOU SEE PEOPLE, FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE LEO WEBB, WHO IS A NEW STATE SENATOR, JOINING A COALITION OF WORKING FAMILIES DEMOCRATS FROM THE BINGHAMTON/ITHACA AREA, WHO REALLY HAD AN ORGANIZED FIRST STRATEGY TALKING TO VOTERS IN VERY DIFFERENT PARTS OF HER DISTRICT WHAT WAS SHARED MESSAGING ABOUT SHARED VALUES, AND SARAHANA SHRESTHA, WHO ALSO WON AN ASSEMBLY SEAT IN THE HUDSON VALLEY DID IT BY DOGGEDLY KNOCKING ON EVERY SINGLE DOOR IN HER DISTRICT THAT ALSO SPAN FROM RURAL AREAS TO KINGSTON AND PLACES IN BETWEEN.

WE'RE GONNA HIT THE GROUND RUNNING STARTING ON, YOU KNOW, JANUARY 1st, 2023 FOR THOSE 2024 CONGRESSIONAL SEATS WE VERY 12 TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE SENDING A NEW YORK STATE DELEGATION THAT HAS WORKING PEOPLES INTEREST FRONT AND CENTER, AND THAT MEANS FLIPPING THOSE SEATS THAT WERE LOST IN THE CYCLE BECAUSE THE CYCLE WAS A FLUKE, WE ARE SURE ABOUT IT, AND WE HAVE TO BE ORGANIZED TO ENSURE THAT FLUKE DOES NOT LEAD INTO LONG-TERM DISASTROUS POLICIES FOR WORKING PEOPLE IN NEW YORK STATE.

>> SO AS WE MENTIONED THE VOTES FOR YOUR PARTY JUST KEEP GOING UP.

SO THAT MEANS YOU HAVE MORE POWER IN ELECTIONS.

IT ALSO MEANS THAT YOU HAVE MORE POWER AT THE STATE CAPITOL AS MORE DEMOCRATS GET ONTO YOUR LINE, AS MORE PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THAT YOUR LINE EXISTS.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE LAWMAKERS DO WITH THESE BIG WINS THAT YOUR PARTY ORGANIZED AND HELPED DELIVER?

>> I DEFINITELY SEE POWER COMING FROM OUR MEMBERSHIP.

WE ARE GROUNDED AND ANCHORED IN THE FACT THAT WE KNOW THAT WORKING PEOPLE SHARE A COMMON AGENDA AND IT'S GOVERNMENT THAT HAS TO MEET THE PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT.

WE'RE HITTING THE FLOOR IN ALBANY TO PUSH FOR INVESTING IN OUR NEW YORK, RAISING TAXES ON THE WEALTHY TO INVEST IN THE COMMON GOOD TO FULLY FUND EDUCATION AND INVEST IN CUNY AND SUNY TO ADDRESS THE CLIMATE CRISIS HEAD ON THROUGH THE BUILD PUBLIC RENEWABLES ACT AND OTHER BIG CLIMATE MEASURES AND TO RAISE THE WAGE FOR 13 ALL WORKING PEOPLE INCLUDING HOME HEALTH WORKERS, AND SO WITH A BROAD POPULAR WORKING PEOPLES AGENDA, WE WANT TO BUILD THE POWER THAT REFLECTS WHAT COMMUNITIES WANT UP AND DOWN THE STATE AND DELIVER FOR THEM IN NEW YORK.

ESPECIALLY IN THIS MOMENT WHEN AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, WE'RE ASSUMING REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO BE PRETTY OBSTRUCTIONIST IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

NEW YORK HAS TO LEAD THE WAY.

>> DO YOU SEE THE LEGISLATURE MOVING MORE TOWARDS THE PRIORITIES THAT ARE ALIGNED WITH THE WFP RATHER THAN MORE ESTABLISHMENT POSITIONS ESPECIALLY AS YOU WIN MORE RACES WITH CANDIDATES THAT, I THINK, WERE MORE FOCUSED ON THE WFP THAN BEING ON THE DEMOCRATIC LINE?

>> I BELIEVE THE ENERGY HAS BEEN GROWING AND MOUNTING AND THE CRIES HAVE BEEN LOUDER, RIGHT, WE'VE BEEN ALL SAYING THAT THE HOUSING CRISIS MUST BE TOP ON THE LIST.

BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT VOTERS ARE SAYING AND THAT REALLY AFFECTS PEOPLE ACROSS ALL LINES OF DIFFERENCE, GEOGRAPHY, RACE, AGE, AND WE'RE SEEING GOVERNOR HOCHUL SAYING ON DAY ONE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE HOUSING CRISIS.

WE'RE SEEING THE CALL FOR GREATER INVESTMENTS.

WE'RE RECOGNIZING THAT TWO YEARS AFTER RAISING TAXES ON THE ULTRA WEALTHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY OF THE RIGHT WING 14 TALKING POINTS ABOUT BILLIONAIRE FLIGHT AND ECONOMIC CRUMBLE.

RIGHT?

NONE OF THOSE THINGS HAVE HAPPENED.

EVERY YEAR AS PROGRESS GETS MADE, OUR AGENDAS BECOME MORE POPULAR, WE SEE THE COALITION GET BIGGER AND WE START TO DELIVER MORE, AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE FOCUSED ON NEXT YEAR, DELIVERING MORE WITH AND FOR WORKING PEOPLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, WE WILL SEE HOW IT SHAKES OUT.

SESSION STARTS IN JANUARY.

SOCHIE NNAEKMEKA, THE STATE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW YORK WORKING FAMILIES PARTY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU, DAN.

BE WELL.

>> AND THE WFP AND OTHER ADVOCACY GROUPS ARE ALREADY RALLYING AROUND WHAT THEY'RE CALLING THE INVEST IN OUR NEW YORK CAMPAIGN AHEAD OF NEXT YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IT'S A PACKAGE OF BILLS THAT WOULD ENACT NEWS TAX HIKES ON WEALTHY NEW YORKERS AND LARGE CORPORATIONS AND USE THAT MONEY TO FUND SERVICES, LIKE EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE.

CAROLYN MARTINEZ-CLASS IS WITH THE ADVOCACY GROUP CITIZENS ACTION.

>> THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT SHOULD BE REFLECTED IN OUR BUDGET.

SO WE TREAT BUDGET AS MORAL DOCUMENTS.

IF WE TREAT THEM AS THE STATE'S PRIORITIES THEN WE HAVE TO BE MAKING INVESTMENTS IN OUR PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUSTAINED 15 OUR ECONOMY, WHO HAVE SUSTAINED US THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND WHO ARE NOW SUFFERING FROM EQUAL RECOVERY.

>> NEXT YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS SCHEDULED TO START THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY.

BUT MOVING ON NOW TO A NEW EDITION OF ON THE BILL, WHERE WE TELL YOU ABOUT A BILL OUT OF ALBANY YOU THAT MIGHT NOT HEAR ABOUT OTHERWISE.

THIS WEEK, WE'RE DOING SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT AND TALKING ABOUT THE BOTTLE BILL THAT'S A LAW ENACTED IN THE '80s THAT ADVOCATES SAY NEEDS AN UPDATE.

IT'S ACTUALLY THE LAW THAT ALLOWS YOU TO TAKE YOUR CANS AND BOTTLES AND REDEEM THEM FOR 5 CENTS EACH, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT NOT ALL BOTTLES AND CANS CAN BE REDEEMED, AND A GROUP OF ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN CALLING ON LAWMAKERS FOR YEARS NOW TO CHANGE THAT.

THEY WANT MORE CONTAINERS TO BE COVERED UNDER THE LAW SO PEOPLE CAN REDEEM THEM AND THEY'LL GET RECYCLED.

THEY ALSO WANT THE DEPOSIT RAISED FROM 5 CENTS TO 10 CENTS.

ERICA SMITKA FROM THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FROM NEW YORK STATE IS ONE OF THE ADVOCATES CALLING FOR THAT CHANGE.

>> WE ARE ALREADY SEEING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN OUR STATE WITH AN INCREASE IN EXTREME TEMPERATURES, EXTREME STORMS, ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS, AND STRESS 16 ON OUR ECOSYSTEMS.

AND ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, WASTE IS ACCOUNTABLE FOR 12% OF ALL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN NEW YORK STATE.

SO MODERNIZING A BILL THAT WOULD REDUCE-- WOULD INCREASE RECYCLING AND REDUCE LITTER SHOULD BE A NO-BRAINER.

>> IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN ON THE TABLE FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW WITHOUT MUCH ACTION.

SO WE'LL SEE IF THAT CHANGES NEXT YEAR.

IN THE MEANTIME, GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL NOW HAS LESS THAN A WEEK TO ANNOUNCE HER PICK FOR A NEW CHIEF JUDGE.

THAT'S AFTER FORMER CHIEF JUDGE, JANET DIFIORE, RESIGNED OVER THE SUMMER.

SINCE THEN, AN INDEPENDENT STATE COMMISSION HAS PUT TOGETHER, BY LAW, A SHORT LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR THE JOB.

AND IT'S AN IMPORTANT ONE.

THE CHIEF JUDGE OF NEW YORK LITERALLY MANAGES AN ENTIRE BRANCH OF STATE GOVERNMENT, THE STATE COURT SYSTEM, AND THEY ALSO LEAD THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT, THE COURT OF APPEALS.

IT'S A BIG JOB.

THAT COULD HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON THE STATE AND FOR A PREVIEW, I SPOKE THIS WEEK WITH BRIAN GINSBERG, AN APPELLATE ATTORNEY WHOSE ARGUED AT THE COURT OF APPEALS AND A PARTNER AT THE LAW FIRM HARRIS BEACH.

BRIAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THIS WEEK.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> OF COURSE.

ANYTIME.

SO 17 WE NOW HAVE THE LIST-- THE SHORT LIST OF FINALISTS FOR OUR NEW CHIEF JUDGE IN NEW YORK.

I WANT TO SEE YOUR TAKE-AWAY FIRST.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE LIST?

>> WELL, MY TAKE-AWAY IS THAT IT'S A VERY IMPRESSIVE LIST OF FINALISTS THAT THE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL NOMINATION HAS PUT TOGETHER.

FOLKS FROM DIVERSE PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUNDS, ALL OF WHOM, IN MY VIEW, HAVE AMPLE JUDICIAL SKILLS AND TEMPERMENT TO DO THE JOB OF AJUDICATING CASES ON THE COURT OF APPEALS AND ALSO ALL THE FOLKS WHO HAVE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF MANAGERIAL EXPERIENCE LEADING DIFFERENT TYPES OF LARGE ORGANIZATIONS.

IN SOME CASES, VERY BUSY APPELLATE COURTS, WHO WOULD BE WELL SUITED TO THE MANAGERIAL WORK OF THE CHIEF JUDGE AS WELL.

OF COURSE, THE OFFICIAL TITLE THERE IS NOT SIMPLY CHIEF JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS BUT CHIEF JUDGE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND ANY OF THE FOLKS ON THIS IMPRESSIVE SHORT LIST WOULD BE WELL POISED TO LEAD THE NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM.

>> YEAH.

WE HAVE SEVEN DIFFERENT PEOPLE WITH SEVEN VERY DIFFERENT CAREER TRAJECTORIES IN SOME CASES.

I'M WONDERING IF ANYBODY STOOD OUT TO YOU IN PARTICULAR ON THIS LIST.

TO ME, YOU HAVE HECTOR LaSALLE, THE PRESIDING JUSTICE FROM THE APPELLATE DIVISION SECOND DEPARTMENT 18 DOWNSTATE.

THAT ONE JUMPED OUT TO ME, BUT I'M CURIOUS TO SEE IF ANYBODY YOU THINK HAS A BETTER CHANCE THAN OTHERS.

>> IT'S HARD FOR ME TO PICK A FRONTRUNNER BASED ON THIS LIST.

JUSTICE LaSALLE IS CERTAINLY VERY IMPRESSIVE.

AS ARE THE OTHER SIX MEMBERS OF THE LIST.

I THINK, REALLY, IN EACH OF THE CANDIDATES' OWN WAY, THEY BRING-- THEY MAKE A VERY COMPELLING CASE FOR BEING NOMINATED AND CONFIRMED AS THE NEXT CHIEF JUDGE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

>> HOW DO YOU THINK THIS CHANGES THE COURT?

WE DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THIS PERSON WOULD SERVE.

OF COURSE, IT WOULD DEPEND SORT OF ON THEIR AGE.

THERE'S A MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE OF 70 FOR JUDGES IN NEW YORK STATE.

SO WE DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THIS PERSON WOULD BE IN THE POSITION.

BUT CAN YOU DESCRIBE FOR OUR VIEWERS WHO ARE KIND OF NEW TO THIS WHAT KIND OF IMPACT A NEW CHIEF JUDGE HAS ON THE COURT SYSTEM AND THE COURT OF APPEALS?

>> WELL, I THINK A NEW CHIEF JUDGE COULD REALLY HAVE A PROFOUND IMPACT ON THE COURT OF APPEALS.

THE CHIEF JUDGE, LIKE ALL JUDGES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, GETS A VOTE IN DECIDING CASES THAT COME BEFORE THE COURT, RULING FOR ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.

ALSO IMPORTANTLY, THE CHIEF JUDGE LIKE THE OTHER JUDGES GETS A VOTE AS 19 TO WHAT CASES THE COURT DECIDES TO ACCEPT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THE COURT OF APPEALS UNIQUE AMONG COURTS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, DECIDE WHAT CASES IT WANTS TO DECIDE.

UNLIKE FOR CASES AJUDICATED ON THE MERITS, WHERE IT GENERALLY TAKES FOUR VOTES TO RULE IN FAVOR OF ONE SIDE IN TERMS OF FILLING UP THE COURT'S DOCKET, IT HE ONLY TAKES THE VOTE OF TWO JUDGES AND IN A CRIMINAL CONTEXT, ONLY ONE JUDGE TO PLACE A CASE ON THE COURT OF APPEALS' DOCKET FOR LATER DECISION THROUGH A PROCESS CALLED GRANTING LEAVE, AND THERE ARE NO BRIGHT LINE RULES FOR WHEN LEAVE SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BE GRANTED.

IT'S REALLY IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER TO A LARGE EXTENT.

AND FOR THAT REASON, THE NEXT CHIEF JUDGE, IN ADDITION TO HAVING A LARGE IMPACT ON THE CASES THAT COME BEFORE THE COURT, WILL HAVE A VERY LARGE IMPACT ON DECIDING WHAT CASES COME BEFORE THE COURT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> YOU KNOW, YOU'RE A PRACTICING ATTORNEY, OBVIOUSLY, A PARTNER AT HARRIS BEACH.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE MAJOR CHALLENGES FOR A CHIEF JUDGE COMING INTO THE STATE COURT SYSTEM RIGHT NOW?

WE JUST COME OUT OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC THAT AFFECTED THE COURTS QUITE A BIT.

WE'VE ALSO SEEN CHIEF JUDGE-- FORMER CHIEF JUDGE JANET DIFIORE CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF THE COURT OF APPEALS IN CERTAIN WAYS AND 20 ALSO HAVE MAJOR INITIATIVES FOR THE STATE COURT SYSTEM.

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE THIS PERSON'S PRIORITIES COMING IN?

>> WELL, I CERTAINLY THINK FROM A PROGRAMATIC STANDPOINT, THE NEXT CHIEF JUDGE, LIKE THE PRIOR CHIEF JUDGE, WILL HAVE TO FOCUS A LOT ON SORT OF SYSTEMWIDE ISSUES, MAKING SURE THE COURTS AND COURTHOUSES ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL, MAKING SURE THAT NEW YORKERS, NO MATTER WHAT THEIR STATURE, HAVE ADEQUATE ACCESS TO JUSTICE, BUT I THINK BEYOND THAT, THE NEXT CHIEF JUDGE, AGAIN, LIKE THE PRIOR CHIEF JUDGE, WILL HAVE THE MAIN DUTY OF ENSURING THAT CASES ARE DECIDED ACCORDING TO THE RULE OF LAW, AND IN MY VIEW, I THINK THE PRIOR CHIEF JUDGE, CHIEF JUDGE DIFIORE, DID AN EXCELLENT JOB OF THAT, AND I THINK ANY ONE OF THE CANDIDATES ON THE SHORT LIST WOULD DO AN EXCELLENT JOB OF THAT AS WELL, DECIDING CASES THAT COME BEFORE THEM BASED UPON AN APPLICATION OF THE LAW TO THE FACTS WITHOUT REGARD FOR EXTERNAL FACTORS LIKE POWER OR POLITICS OR POPULARITY.

>> YEAH.

ONE ISSUE THAT HAS COME UP DURING THE SELECTION PROCESS IS THAT A LOT OF ADVOCATES WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE GOVERNOR NOMINATE A NEW CHIEF JUDGE WHO HAS SOME PRACTICE IN DEFENSE RATHER THAN PROSECUTION.

WE DO SEE A NUMBER OF JUDGES ON THAT BENCH RIGHT NOW HAVE A HISTORY OF PROSECUTION 21 RATHER THAN DEFENSE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT AS SOMEBODY WHO IS FAMILIAR WITH THIS COURT?

HOW WOULD THAT CHANGE IT?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT IT'S OBVIOUSLY GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S PREROGATIVE TO NOMINATE WHOMEVER ON THE SHORT LIST SHE FEELS WOULD MAKE THE BEST CHIEF JUDGE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT I REJECT THE VIEW ADVANCED BY SOME INTEREST GROUPS THAT FOLKS WHO HAVE PRIOR EXPERIENCE AS PROSECUTORS OR WHO HAVE-- FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE ALREADY SERVING IN JUDICIAL ROLES HAVE DECIDED CERTAIN CASES IN CERTAIN WAYS ARE, IN SOME SENSE, PREEMPTIVELY DISQUALIFIED FROM BECOMING THE NEXT CHIEF JUDGE FROM BEING NOMINATED OR CONFIRMED.

IN MY VIEW, JUDGES OFTEN HAVE TO MAKE UNPOPULAR DECISIONS.

THEIR JOB IS TO APPLY THE LAW TO THE FACTS WHEREVER THAT MAY LEAD, AND EXCELLENCE IN A PRIOR POSITION AS A PROSECUTOR, I DON'T BELIEVE WOULD IMPACT THE JUDGE'S ABILITY TO APPLY THE LAW TO THE FACTS IN A STRAIGHT-FORWARD WAY ON THE COURT OF APPEALS.

I THINK ALL OF THESE CANDIDATES HAVE A VARIETY OF BACKGROUND.

SOME WHO HAVE PROSECUTORIAL EXPERIENCE, ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCE ON THE DEFENSE SIDE AND THERE ARE OTHER FOLKS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE THE PRACTICE OF LAW ENTIRELY.

I THINK WHOEVER IS SELECTED WILL BRING THAT IMPORTANT PROFESSIONAL DIVERSITY TO THE CHIEF JUDGE 22 ROLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE WILL SEE HOW IT SHAKES OUT.

BRIAN GINSBERG, AN APPELLATE ATTORNEY AND A PARTNER AT HARRIS BEACH, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> HOCHUL HAS UNTIL NEXT FRIDAY TO ANNOUNCE HER CHOICE.

UNTIL THEN, 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.