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

I'M DAN CLARK.

THE LEGISLATURE HAD THE WEEK OFF THIS WEEK WITH LAWMAKERS TAKING A SHORT BREAK FROM THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION, BUT THEY'RE BACK NEXT WEEK FOR A FINAL ROUND OF HEARINGS ON THE STATE BUDGET.

IN THE MEANTIME, THIS WEEK, WE'VE GOT A FEW UPDATES FROM THE CAPITOL, AN INTERVIEW WITH ASSEMBLY LEADER WILL BARCLAY AND MORE.

BUT FIRST, WE TOLD YOU LAST WEEK ABOUT THE LATEST WITH GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S NOMINEE FOR CHIEF JUDGE.

THAT NOMINEE, HECTOR LaSALLE, WAS REJECTED LAST WEEK BY THE SENATE, AND A LAWSUIT OVER HOW DEMOCRATS INITIALLY TRIED TO DO THAT APPEARS TO BE MOVING FORWARD, BUT GOVERNOR HOCHUL SAID THIS WEEK THAT SHE DOESN'T EXPECT TO PICK A NEW MOMMY UNTIL AFTER THE STATE BUDGET DEADLINE AT THE END OF MARCH.

I KNEW THAT IF MY NOMINEE WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL THAT THIS WAS GONNA SET US BACK, AND THE SENATE SEEMS TO BE OKAY WITH THAT.

.

YES, WE HAVE SOME CATCH-UP TO DO BECAUSE IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE A DIVIDED COURT AND IT'S A 6-6 COURT.

SO I'M ANXIOUS TO GET THAT FILLED.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE THE TIME REQUIRED.

SO THE BUDGET WILL BE DONE BEFORE THEN, I SUSPECT.

MORE ON THAT WHEN IT 2 HAPPENS, BUT STAYING NOW AT THE STATE CAPITOL, MEMBERS OF THE BLACK, PUERTO RICAN, HISPANIC AND ASIAN LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS HELD THEIR ANNUAL WINTER CONFERENCE IN ALBANY LAST WEEKEND.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, THE CAUCUS HAS A LOT OF POLITICAL POWER IN ALBANY.

THEY LED THE CHARGE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES IN RECENT YEARS, BUT THEIR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IS A LOT MORE THAN THAT.

THIS YEAR, IT INCLUDE A PUSH FOR MORE FUNDING FOR SAFETY NET HOSPITALS IN THE STATE BUDGET.

THOSE ARE HOSPITALS THAT PRIMARILY SERVE LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES WHERE MANY RESIDENTS ARE EITHER ON MEDICAID OR UNINSURED ALTOGETHER.

IN NEW YORK CITY, THEY SERVE ABOUT HALF THE CITY'S POPULATION, ACCORDING TO LAWMAKERS, AND MOST PATIENTS, THEY SAY, ARE FROM COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

SO WHEN THOSE HOSPITALS DON'T HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES OR FUNDING OR STAFF, THAT CAN HAVE A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON THE STATE'S MOST MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES AND CAUCUS MEMBERS SAY GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S PROPOSED BUDGET PLAN IS AT LEAST $700 MILLION SHORT ON FUNDING FOR THOSE HOSPITALS AND WANT TO SEE A DEEPER INVESTMENT FROM THE STATE.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER KARINES REYES, WHO'S ACTUALLY A REGISTERED NURSE HERSELF.

THE MONEY IS NOT THERE TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, AND WE NEED TO START ENSURING THAT OUR 3 SAFETY NET HOSPITALS SURVIVE BECAUSE IF THEY CLOSE, IF THE HOSPITALS IN OUR COMMUNITIES CLOSE, THE IMPACT TO THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITIES IS GOING TO BE SO DETRIMENTAL THAT THERE WON'T BE ENOUGH RESOURCES IN OUR STATE TO COMPENSATE FOR IT.

AND SOME LAWMAKERS SAY THAT SAFETY NET HOSPITALS SHOULD GET A BOOST OF AT LEAST A BILLION DOLLARS IN THE BUDGET.

BUT MOVING ON NOW TO A NEW SEGMENT WE'RE CALLING NEW YORK BY THE NUMBERS.

IT'S A SEGMENT WE'RE GOING TO USE TO TELL YOU ABOUT SOMETHING AT THE CAPITOL USING A NUMBER.

THIS WEEK THAT NUMBER IS 8.5.

YOU MIGHT REMEMBER LAST YEAR WHEN HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS WERE SEEKING MORE FUNDING FROM THE STATE.

THOSE ARE WORKERS SPREAD ACROSS A BUNCH OF FIELDS, INCLUDING CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, CERTAIN MENTAL HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND MORE, AND LAST YEAR'S STATE BUDGET, THEY GOT A FUNDING BUMP OF 5.4%, WHICH WAS ABOUT HALF OF WHAT THEY ASKED FOR.

THAT BRINGS US TO 8.5.

SPECIFICALLY 8.5%.

THAT'S HOW MUCH MORE IN FUNDING THOSE WORKERS WANT TO SEE IN THIS YEAR'S STATE BUDGET TO RAISE WAGES HIGHER FOR STAFF TO COMBAT TURNOVER AND KEEP UP WITH INFLATION.

SENATOR JOHN MANNION, A DEMOCRAT, CHAIRS THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON DISABILITIES.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] 4 THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT PROVIDING FOR THEIR FAMILY AND PROVIDING CARE THAT'S BASED ON TRUST, THAT'S BASED ON RESPECT, THAT'S BASED ON RELATIONSHIPS.

IT IS A VOCATION FOR OUR DSPs AND WE HAVE LEFT THEM BEHIND.

GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S BUDGET PLAN INCLUDES A 2.5% INCREASE WHICH WORKERS SAY IS NOT ENOUGH.

MORE ON THAT AS BUDGET TALKS CONTINUE.

BUT STICKING WITH HEALTH NET ADVOCATES ARE ASKING GOVERNOR HOCHUL AND THE LEGISLATURE TO UNDO A CUOMO-ERA MEDICAID CHANGE THAT THEY SAY WILL END CRITICAL SERVICES FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

IT'S A BIT WONKY AND IN THE WEEDS BUT THREE YEARS AGO, THE STATE WAS TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO CUT COSTS IN MEDICAID AND ONE CHANGE THAT WAS APPROVED WOULD AFFECT COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS UNDER A FEDERAL PROGRAM CALLED 340B.

THAT PROGRAM ALLOWS THOSE PROVIDERS TO GET PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AT A DISCOUNT.

AS LONG AS THEY USE THOSE SAVINGS TO PROVIDE MORE SERVICES TO THEIR COMMUNITIES, BUT THE STATE WANTS TO MAKE A CHANGE IN MEDICAID THAT WOULD END THAT AND THEN TRY TO FILL THAT GAP SOME OTHER WAY.

THEY SAY IT WILL SAVE THE STATE MONEY AND MAKE THE MEDICAID PROGRAM MORE EFFICIENT AND EASIER TO NAVIGATE FOR BENEFICIARIES AND THE THOUGHT IS THAT IF IT SAVES THE STATE MONEY, SOME OF IT 5 COULD BE REINVESTED IN THOSE COMMUNITIES, BUT THAT'S NOT GUARANTEED.

THE CHANGE IS SET TO TAKE EFFECT ON APRIL 1st, BUT SENATE HEALTH CHAIR GUSTAVO RIVERA SAYS HE WANTS TO STOP THAT FROM HAPPENING.

BUT THEN THE IMPACT THAT IT WOULD HAVE ON THE PROVIDERS WHO USE THIS PROGRAM AS A WAY TO SAVE MONEY AND MORE IMPORTANTLY INVEST THOSE SAVINGS INTO THE LIVES OF VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, IT MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE AS IT IS THE REASON WHY FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THIS, SINCE THIS WAS PROPOSED.

I OPPOSED IT, AND I WILL CONTINUE TO OPPOSE IT.

WE'LL LET YOU KNOW IF ANYTHING CHANGES THERE.

AND STAYING AT THE CAPITOL NOW, AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, REPUBLICANS ARE CURRENTLY IN THE MINORITY IN BOTH THE STATE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY, AND THAT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO GET LEGISLATION THROUGH THAT THEY SUPPORT UNLESS IT'S A BIPARTISAN ISSUE, BUT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, IN PARTICULAR, NEW YORK'S PARTY HAS FLIPPED THE SCRIPT, USING PUBLIC EVENTS AND HOT BUTTON ISSUES TO SWAY PUBLIC OPINION.

USUALLY FOCUSING ON CRIME AND THE STATE'S RISING COSTS OF LIVING.

ONE REPUBLICAN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THAT STRATEGY IS ASSEMBLY MINORITY LEADER WILL BARCLAY FROM CENTRAL NEW YORK.

WE SPOKE THIS WEEK ABOUT THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION, 6 TOP ISSUES FACING NEW YORKERS, AND MORE.

[ THEME MUSIC ] ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN LEADER WILL BARCLAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON.

OF COURSE, ANYTIME.

LET'S START WITH YOUR PRIORITIES.

YOU HAD A VERY BIG PRESENCE AT THE CAPITOL THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS TALKING ABOUT ISSUES LIKE AFFORDABILITY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM IN PARTICULAR.

WHAT DO YOU SEE FOR THIS YEAR?

IT'S A STRANGE YEAR.

IT'S THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE'RE KIND OF NOT OUT OF COVID BUT I THINK EVERYTHING IS BACK TO NORMAL AT THE CAPITOL FOR THE MOST PART.

WHERE'S YOUR CONFERENCE RIGHT NOW CERTAINLY CRIME, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, WE HAVE SEEN POLLING RECENTLY OUT THAT SAID 97% OF NEW YORKERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT CRIME.

WE SAW THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION, LEE ZELDIN ALMOST WON THE GOVERNORSHIP RIDING ON CRIME.

CERTAINLY CRIME, WE'D LIKE TO SEE BAIL BACK TO JUDGES' DISCRETION ON BAIL, RAISE THE AGE, BUT WE CERTAINLY CAN'T GO ANY FARTHER.

THE PROGRESSIVES WANT TO GO FARTHER.

THEY WANT TO DO ELDERLY PAROLE.

THEY WANT TO DO MORE WITH, I GUESS, MORE WITH BAIL.

I'M HAPPY THAT THE GOVERNOR, I'M HAPPY MAYOR ADAMS, THE D.A.

IN ALBANY COUNTY, ALL OF THEM ARE TALKING ABOUT 7 GETTING BACK AND LOOKING AT CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

IS IT FRUSTRATING SOMETIMES WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THESE ISSUES?

BECAUSE YOU ARE THE ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN LEADER.

YOU'RE IN THE MINORITY.

SO IT WOULD BE A VERY RARE FORWARD BILL FOR YOUR CONFERENCE 0 COME TO THE FORE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

BUT I WOULD ARGUE THAT YOUR CONFERENCE AND THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE ARE THE TWO MOST OUTSPOKEN CONFERENCES ON ROLLING BACK BAIL REFORM, MAKING CHANGES TO IT AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

IS IT FRUSTRATING TO BE IN THAT POSITION TO NOT BE ABLE TO DO IT LEGISLATIVELY BUT TO DO IT PUBLICLY?

WELL, I HAVE A HIGH TOLERANCE FOR FRUSTRATION OBVIOUSLY WORKING IN ALBANY AS LONG AS I HAVE.

[LAUGHTER] WE DO FEEL LIKE WE'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

I WOULD REMIND YOU THAT'S PERSONALLY ON BAIL IT HAS BEEN REVISITED TWICE UNDER THE FORMER ADMINISTRATION AND WE DO FEEL LIKE WE HAVE THE BULLY PULPIT.

WE HAVE A VOICE OUT THERE AND CLEARLY, IT'S NOT JUST US.

I MEAN, IT IS NEW YORKERS.

I THINK THE DEPOSITS, WE PICKED UP FIVE SEATS IN OUR CONFERENCE THIS YEAR.

MOSTLY IN NEW YORK CITY AND IN LONG ISLAND WHERE CRIME REALLY WAS A CENTRAL ISSUE.

I DO THINK, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY WE WOULD BE ABLE TO PASS LEGISLATION RIGHT 8 AWAY AND GET IT DONE BUT I DO THINK WE ARE HAVING AN EFFECT ON IT AND IT'S WORKING.

SO WE'LL SEE WHERE IT GOES, YOU KNOW, WITH THE WAY THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS SET UP WITH THE PROGRESSIVES, YOU KNOW, THESE ALWAYS VERY TOUGH HURDLES TO DO, BUT I DO FEEL OPTIMISTIC THAT WE CAN GET SOMETHING DONE WITH IT.

LET ME TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET BECAUSE BAIL REFORM IS KIND OF IN THERE.

SHE WANTS TO MAKE A CHANGE ON IT TO ELIMINATE SOMETHING CALLED THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE MEANS.

THE JUDGES HAVE TO FOLLOW THAT STANDARD IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO WITH SOMEBODY WHEN THEY ARE ARRESTED AND BROUGHT INTO COURT.

THEY HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT HAPPENS TO THAT PERSON BASED ON THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE MEANS.

RIGHT.

IT'S BEEN ARGUED THAT CONVINCES A JUDGE BASICALLY AND INFLUENCES A JUDGE TO GO MORE LENIENT THAN THEY WOULD HAVE WITHOUT THAT IN THE LAW.

GOVERNOR IS I TRYING TO MAKE THAT CHANGE IN THE BUDGET OF THE DO YOU THINK IT GOES FAR ENOUGH?

IT DOESN'T, BUT WE'RE HAPPY WITH THAT CHANGE.

AT LEAST THEY'RE ADDRESSING SOME OF THE PROBLEMS.

WE'D LIKE TO SEE DISCRETION, AS I SAID, FOR JUDGES PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO DANGEROUS MS. TO THE COMMUNITY.

OTHER STATES 9 THAT HAVE DONE BAIL REFORM, I THINK NEW JERSEY HAS THAT.

WHY WE CAN'T DO THAT-- YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER BACK IN THE ROCKEFELLER DRUG LAW DAYS, THEY WANTED TO GIVE JUDGES MORE DISCRETION ON SENTENCING.

NOW FOR SOME REASON WE DON'T TRUST THE JUDGES.

WE DON'T WANT TO GIVE THEM ANY DISCRETION WHEN IT COMES TO BAIL.

THERE NEEDS TO BE MIDDLE GROUND.

I ALWAYS SAID THAT WE'RE OPEN TO DOING SOME REFORM WITH BAIL, BUT UNFORTUNATELY WHAT, AGAIN, THE PROGRESSIVES AND THE LIBERALS HAVE DONE IN THE LEGISLATURE IS, YOU KNOW, TAKING IT WAY TOO FAR.

AS A RESULT, WE'RE SEEING THE CRIME RATES SPIKE.

I WANT TO MOVE ON TO AFFORDABILITY.

I FEEL LIKE AS MUCH AS CRIME IS A TOP ISSUE FOR NEW YORKERS, AFFORDABILITY IS SOMETHING THAT LIKE I WOULD SAY MOST NEW YORKERS DON'T EXPERIENCE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE SENSE THAT MOST NEW YORKERS ARE NOT ARRESTED AND GO TO JAIL.

BUT EVERY NEW YORKER HAS AN ISSUE WITH AFFORDABILITY UNLESS THEY HAVE A LOT OF MONEY.

GOOD FOR THEM.

THAT'S NOT ME.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE STATE SHOULD DO HERE?

I MEAN, I TALK ABOUT THIS WITH PEOPLE ALL THE TIME.

IT'S SUCH A BIG ISSUE.

YOU COULD LOOK AT THINGS LIKE TAXES, TAX BREAKS.

YOU COULD LOOK AT INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE TO MOVE IN.

WHERE DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD START IN THAT CONVERSATION?

10 WHEN YOU'RE IN A HOLE, THEY SAY STOP DIGGING.

THAT'S ONE THING WE OUGHT TO BE DOING.

WE HAVE FOR THE LAST DECADE AND A HALF BEEN ON THIS TAX-AND-SPEND TRAIN, I GUESS SO WE HAVE TO CHANGE THAT TRAJECTORY.

THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, WE HAD, WHAT, $220 BILLION AND NOW SHE'S PROPOSING A $228 BILLION BUDGET.

WHEN YOU COMPARE US TO OTHER STATES LIKE FLORIDA, TEXAS, AND EVEN CALIFORNIA, WHICH I THINK IS $280 BILLION AND THEY HAVE TWICE THE AMOUNT OF POPULATION, THIS CERTAINLY IS NOT A TRAJECTORY THAT WE CAN STAY ON AND PEOPLE ARE LEAVING.

THEY'RE MOVING.

WE LOST 400,000 PEOPLE DURING COVID AND OVER THE LAST DECADE, WE LOST OVER A MILLION PEOPLE.

THEY'RE NOT LEAVING BECAUSE WE'RE SPENDING NOT ENOUGH IN NEW YORK STATE.

I THINK IF WE-- WE DON'T HAVE TO CUT.

IF WE SLOW THE GROWTH OF SPENDING, IT WOULD GO A LONG WAYS.

THEN WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE POLICIES, AS YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE, THE CLCPA, THE CLIMATE LEADERSHIP CLIMATE PROTECTION ACT, WHICH IS GOING TO PUT MORE AND MORE ONEROUS TO TRY TO GET CLIMATE CONTROL, I GUESS, AND IT WILL PUT ONEROUS COSTS ON ALL NEW YORKERS.

THOSE THINGS WE NEED TO DELAY OR VISIT AND MAKE SURE THAT THE COST OF LIVING DOESN'T CONTINUE TO CLIMB IN NEW YORK STATE.

RIGHT.

YOU'RE REFERRING 11 TO NOT JUSTICE, BUT IT'S KNOWN PUBLICLY AS THE DEBATE OVER GAS STOVES, BUT IT AFFECTS SO MUCH MORE THAN YOUR GAS STOVE, BUT WHAT THE STATE IS BASICALLY SAYING IS IF YOU HAVE AN EXISTING GAS STOVE KEEP IT AND WHEN IT BREAKS, WE WANT YOU TO CONVERT TO AN ELECTRIC.

OR IF YOU ARE BUILDING A WHOLE HOUSE-- AGAIN, NOT ME.

I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY, BUT THEN YOU HAVE TO NOT USE A GAS STOVE.

BASED ON THE CLIMATE-- THE SCOPING PLAN FROM THE CLIMATE ACTION COUNCIL AND THE GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDING IT.

IT'S KIND OF A LONG PROCESS THERE.

DO YOU SEE A MIDDLE GROUND THERE?

DO YOU THINK IT'S THAT WE NEED TO DO THIS ON A SLOWER TRAJECTORY?

DO YOU THINK WE SHOULDN'T DO IT AT ALL.

?

I THINK THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

WE'RE ALL FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY.

I DON'T KNOW WHO'S AGAINST THAT.

YEAH.

RIGHT NOW, WHEN THE WIND DOESN'T BLOW OR THE SUN DOESN'T SHINE, WE HAVE NO WAY TO STORE ELECTRICITY.

IT SEEMS THAT WE'RE PUTTING THE CART IN FRONT OF THE HORSE ON THIS.

WE DEFINITELY NEED TO SLOW IT DOWN.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ALL OF A SUDDEN SWITCH OVER TO COMPLETE RENEWABLE ENERGY.

YEAH.

I THINK THE DEADLINES ARE UNREALISTIC.

ALSO WE HAVEN'T DONE ANY COST BENEFIT IS WHAT I WAS 12 GETTING AT BEFORE.

THIS IS GOING TO BE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO IMPLEMENT.

NEW YORK'S ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMETHING LIKE .5 OF GLOBAL EMISSIONS.

EVEN IF WE SPEND BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND WE'RE SUCCESSFUL IN IMPLEMENTING ALL THESE POLICIES THAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, WE GO COMPLETELY GREEN, YOU KNOW, GREEN ENERGY AND COMPLETELY ELECTRIFIED, IT'S NOT REALLY GOING TO HAVE THAT BIG OF AN IMPACT ON GLOBAL EMISSIONS.

SO I THINK DEFINITELY IF WE COULD DELAY IT AND I THINK THERE'S A NATURAL PROGRESSION GOING TOWARD RENEWABLES AND I THINK THAT'S FINE.

WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE THAT.

YEAH.

WE CAN'T DO IT OVERNIGHT.

YEAH.

I SEE THIS ISSUE FROM A PERSPECTIVE OF LIKE MORE OF AN UPSTATE PERSPECTIVE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

BECAUSE WHEN I TALKED TO PEOPLE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY LIVE IN MORE REMOTE AREA OF THE STATE, SO I'M TALKING ABOUT PLACES LIKE THE NORTH COUNTRY.

WHERE I LIVE.

EXACTLY.

WHERE YOU LIVE AND MORE OF THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE, THEIR CONCERN IS THAT THE ELECTRIC GRID MAY NOT BE RELIABLE ENOUGH.

SO IF THEY LOSE THEIR GAS STOVE AND THEIR POWER GOES OUT, HOW ARE THEY GOING TO HEAT THEIR HOME OR COOK 13 THEIR FOOD?

IT'S A BIG ISSUE LIKE THAT AND THERE'S SO MUCH TO THINK ABOUT.

IT NEEDS A DOSE OF REALITY IN IT, OBVIOUSLY, AND AGAIN, WE'RE ALL FOR CLEAN CLIMATE.

YOU KNOW, I'M AN OUTDOORSMAN.

I LOVE THE ENVIRONMENT.

I'M ALL FOR HELPING THAT.

BUT WE NEED REALITY BACK INTO THE SITUATION.

ON AFFORDABILITY, IT'S TOUGH TO THINK ABOUT IT IN A WAY THAT-- THAT REGULAR NEW YORKERS, IT COULD HAVE THIS DIRECT IMPACT ON THIS THEM QUICKLY.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE GET LOST IN THE AFFORDABILITY ISSUE.

BECAUSE IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE TO LIVE HERE.

WE KNOW THAT.

EVERYBODY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT.

THE DEMOCRATS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.

REPUBLICANS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.

EVERYBODY DOES.

I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD CHANGE HERE.

IT SEEMS LIKE WE'VE BEEN ON THIS TRAJECTORY FOR A LONG TIME.

DO YOU THINK IT'S LOWER TAXES?

DO YOU THINK IT'S OTHER INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE TO STAY?

AGAIN, WE GOT TO STOP DIGGING WHEN WE'RE IN THIS HOLE.

WE CAN DO A FEW THINGS.

FOR INSTANCE, THE GAS TAX.

WE HAVE A MORATORIUM ON THE GAS TAX FOR LAST YEAR.

THAT'S PUT BACK ON AGAIN.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT ROLLED BACK.

WE HAVE A BILL OUT THERE TO TAKE SALES TAX OFF FOOD THAT YOU GET IN THE GROCERY STORE THAT YOU TAKE HOME TO EAT.

14 SO THERE'S LITTLE THINGS THAT COULD PROVIDE IMMEDIATE RELIEF TO NEW YORKERS.

BUT ULTIMATELY, WE HAVE TO JUST STOP THIS TAX-AND-SPEND TRAJECTORY.

IT DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO MAKE DRASTIC CUTS.

I ALWAYS TALK ABOUT SCHOOL AID FORMULA.

IF WE CAN UPDATE THAT SCHOOL AID FORMULA WHERE WE DRIVE THAT MONEY TO LOW WEALTH DISTRICTS INSTEAD OF HIGH WEALTH DISTRICTS, WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO INCREASE, YOU KNOW, SCHOOL AID FUNDING BY 10% EVERY YEAR.

THERE'S THINGS THAT WE COULD DO MORE EFFICIENT IN HEALTH CARE.

THE OTHER THING IS THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WHERE IT LOOKS LIKE $11 BILLION WORTH OF FRAUD.

WE CAN DO THINGS TO BE MORE EFFICIENT IN GOVERNMENT THAT I DON'T THINK WILL BE SOME DRACONIAN CUTS THAT WILL AFFECT EVERYBODY.

I THINK WE NEED TO GET OFF THIS.

EVERY YEAR WE INCREASE SPENDING BY 5 TO 10%.

THAT'S JUST NOT SUSTAINABLE.

YEAH.

I MEAN, IT'S-- THE BUDGET IS AN INTERESTING THING BECAUSE THERE'S AN ARGUMENT BETWEEN, DO WE RAISE SPENDING, OR DO WE SPEND FLAT AND TRY TO MAKE IT WORK?

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT KIND OF THING, DO YOU THINK-- I KNOW YOU THINK WE SPEND TOO MUCH MONEY ON THE BUDGET OBVIOUSLY.

DO YOU THINK IF WE KEPT FUNDING FLAT, THAT'S JUST A SITUATION OF LOOK AT THE BUDGET TO SEE WHERE WE FIND THOSE EFFICIENCIES AND WE CAN KEEP SPENDING FLAT, OR 15 DO YOU THINK THAT THERE ARE AREAS WHERE WE COULD CUT, I GUESS?

WELL, THERE ARE CERTAINLY AREAS THAT WE COULD CUT.

WE COULD ALSO BE MORE EFFICIENT.

YEAH.

AGAIN, I SAY SLOW THE GROWTH OF SPENDING.

NOT ACTUALLY MAKE CUTS.

AGAIN, WE CAN'T-- WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS COMING SOON.

THIS YEAR, I THINK WE'LL BE ALL RIGHT FROM A BUDGET STANDPOINT.

REVENUE SEEMS TO BE GOOD.

BUT WE HAD A LOT OF FEDERAL AID IN THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT'S GOING AWAY.

.

IF THE STOCK MARKET GOES DOWN, THAT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR 30% OF OUR REVENUES IN THE STATE COMES WALL STREET.

SO I THINK NEXT YEAR, WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE CUTS OR SLOW THE GROWTH OF SPENDING.

RIGHT.

I MEAN, THE GOVERNOR HAS ESPECIALLY SINCE THE ELECTION, TRIED TO MAKE THE CASE THAT SHE IS THE GOVERNOR FOR ALL NEW YORKERS, DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS.

EVERYONE IN BETWEEN.

SHE ALSO WHEN SHE FIRST BECAME GOVERNOR IN 2021, KIND OF INDICATED THAT SHE WANTED MORE COLLABORATION WITH THE MINORITY CONFERENCES IN THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE SHE'S AN UPSTATER.

I THINK SHE'S MORE FAMILIAR WITH THAT KIND OF VIEWPOINT THAT YOU AND SENATOR ROB ORTT SHARE.

16 SHE'S BEEN EXPOSED TO IT MORE AS AN UPSTATER FROM BUFFALO.

DO YOU SEE THAT?

WELL, THAT CERTAINLY WAS MY HOPE WHEN SHE FIRST GOT ELECTED AND THE CONVERSATIONS I HAD WHEN SHE CAME FROM LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND BECAME THE GOVERNOR.

I TALKED ABOUT IT AND SUGGESTED TO HER WE'RE NOT GOING TO AGREE ON EVERYTHING, BUT AS FELLOW UPSTATERS, MAYBE WE CAN WORK ON SOME ISSUES THAT WE COULD SHARE.

THAT SEEMED TO GO A LITTLE BY THE WAYSIDE, FRANKLY, DAN, DURING THE ELECTION WHICH IS NOT SURPRISING, BUT WE HAVE HAD OUTREACH WITH HER THIS YEAR AND I'M OPTIMISTIC.

I THINK WE HAVE A MEETING COMING UP WITH HER SO I'M OPTIMISTIC TO EXPRESS CONCERNS THAT CERTAINLY UPSTATERS BUT FRANKLY ALL NEW YORKERS ARE FEELING AND I GET BACK TO PUBLIC PROTECTION.

I WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR.

I'D LOVE TO WORK WITH MAYOR ADAMS, ANYONE TO, YOU KNOW TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT WHETHER IT'S BAIL REFORM, RAISE THE AGE, ET CETERA.

I'M OPTIMISTIC THAT WE CAN FIND SOME COMMON GROUNDS THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON.

IT'S INTERESTING.

I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD YOU HAVE SEEN THAT TYPE OF OUTREACH UNDER ANDREW CUOMO.

I COULD BE TOTALLY WRONG.

DID YOU?

NO.

NO.

YEAH.

THAT IS A DIFFERENCE.

I COMPLIMENT 17 HER ON THAT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HER GOING FORWARD.

WE WILL SEE WHERE IT LANDS.

ASSEMBLY LEADER WILL BARCLAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU.

[ THEME MUSIC ] WE'LL SEE HOW THAT ALL SHAKES OUT IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND STAYING IN ALBANY NOW, JACQUELINE FRANCHETTI LOST HER DAUGHTER KYRA ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO.

BEFORE THAT, SHE WAS FIGHTING FOR FULL CUSTODY OF KYRA, SAYING HER FATHER, WHO IS OUT OF THE PICTURE WAS VIOLENT AND DANGEROUS, BUT FAMILY COURT JUDGE DISAGREED AND ALLOWED JOINT CUSTODY OF KYRA, BETWEEN JACQUELINE AND THE FATHER.

THEN IN 2016, KYRA WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY THE FATHER WHO THEN TOOK HIS OWN LIFE, AND NOW JACQUELINE IS PUSHING A BILL CALLED, KYRA'S LAW, THAT SHE SAYS COULD PREVENT FUTURE TRAGEDIES.

ALEXIS YOUNG HAS THAT STORY.

[ THEME MUSIC ] (CHANTING) CROWD: PASS KYRA'S LAW!

PASS KYRA'S LAW!

OUGHT YOU'LL COLEMAN IS FOREVER 3 YEARS OLD.

DEVAUGHNTY WILL FOREVER BE 6 YEARS OLD.

GABRIEL WHITE WILL FOREVER BE 7 YEARS OLD.

18 THOMAS FAVA WILL FOREVER BE 8 YEARS OLD.

AVA WOOD WILL FOREVER BE 14 YEARS OLD.

MY TWO-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, KYRA, 1 OF 23 CHILDREN TO BE MURDERED BY THEIR PARENT WHILE GOING THROUGH A CUSTODY CASE, DIVORCE, OR SEPARATION IN NEW YORK STATE SINCE 2016.

THIS NUMBER DOESN'T EVEN TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE STAGGERING NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO ARE COURT-ORDERED INTO THE HOME OF AN ABUSIVE PARENT.

JULIA'S GRANDMOTHER BACK THEN ORDERED JULIA BACK TO HER ABUSIVE MOTHER WHO HAD FIVE OTHER CHILDREN REMOVED FROM HER HOME.

AUTUMN'S MOTHER WENT TO QUEENS FAMILY COURT JUST TWO DAYS BEFORE HER DAUGHTER'S MURDER TO TRY AND PROTECT HER LITTLE GIRL FROM HER ABUSIVE FATHER.

IN EVERY COURTHOUSE IN EVERY COUNTY, CHILDREN ARE BEING COURT ORDERED INTO THE HOME OF A PARENT WHO IS BEATING THEM, RAPING THEM, EMOTIONALLY DESTROYING THEM AT STAGGERING RATES.

AND THE RESULTS ARE ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING.

WE NEED A JUDICIAL SYSTEM, A COURT SYSTEM THAT WILL PROTECT OUR CHILDREN THAT WILL PUT THEIR LIFE AND SAFETY FIRST.

WE NEED KYRA'S LAW.

I WANT TO WALK YOU THROUGH MY CUSTODY CASE BECAUSE LIKE MANY OF YOU, I WALKED INTO NASSAU COUNTY FAMILY COURT THE 19 FIRST DAY THINKING THAT THEY WOULD PROTECT KYRA.

FROM THE VERY FIRST MOMENT I WAS ON DEFENSE TRYING TO PROTECT MYSELF AND KYRA AND TO KEEP HER SAFE.

I TOLD THE JUDGE THAT I WAS BEING STALKED, THREATENED.

THAT I WAS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND EVERYONE KNEW FROM DAY ONE THAT HE WAS SUICIDAL, AND THE JUDGE'S RESPONSE?

SHE YELLED AT ME TO GROW UP.

WE HAD CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES INVOLVED IN KYRA'S CASE.

THEY NOTED HE HAD EXTREME ANGER AND RAGE ISSUES AND AN INABILITY TO CARE FOR HER AT A YOUNG AGE.

(SIGHS) AND THEY LABELED IT LOW RISK.

WE HAD A FORENSIC EVALUATOR-- ACTUALLY THREE IN KYRA'S CASE.

THEY HEARD FROM EYEWITNESSES, SAW DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE OF THE ABUSE, AND IN HIS REPORT, HE RECOMMENDED JOINT CUSTODY BECAUSE HE SAID, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, A FATHER SHOULD ALWAYS PLAY A ROLE IN A CHILD'S LIFE.

IN A HEALTHY BREAK-UP, I AGREE WITH THAT.

IN AN ABUSIVE ONE, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THIS WOULD BE A VERY EASY BILL FOR ME TO COME UP AND START YELLING AND SCREAMING AND START POINTING FINGERS AT JUDGES.

SIMPLE.

VERY EASY.

THE PUBLIC WOULD UNDERSTAND.

YOU HAVE 23 DEAD KIDS.

KYRA SHOULD BE ALIVE.

THERE ARE REASONS FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, BUT WE'RE NOT.

WE ARE NOW GOING TO BE AMENDING THE CURRENT BILL BECAUSE WE'VE HAD PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE OFFICE OF COURT 20 ADMINISTRATION.

I DON'T WANT TO CAST DISPERSIONS ON THEM BUT THE SYSTEM IS GAPPED.

MY LAST MEMORY OF KYRA, SHE HAD JUST LEARNED TO ROLL DOWN A HILL.

SHE TOOK A COUPLE OF AWKWARD TUMBLES DOWN, AND SHE GOT UP AND SHE SAID, I DID IT, MAMA.

I DID IT.

SHE WAS SO PROUD OF HER LATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT.

JUST A FEW DAYS LATER, SHE WAS ON A COURT-ORDERED VISIT WITH HER ABUSIVE FATHER.

HE SHOT HER NOT ONCE BUT TWICE IN THE BACK WHILE SHE SLEPT.

HE THEN POURED GASOLINE ALL OVER HIS HOME AND HE MURDERED HER IN A MURDER SUICIDE AND KYRA'S MURDER WAS ENTIRELY PREVENTIBLE.

SHE SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN WITH HIM THAT DAY AND THE MURDER OF THESE 22 OTHER CHILDREN TOTALLY PREVENTIBLE.

WE CAN END THIS WITH KYRA'S LAW.

THERE'S A REAL CHANCE THAT BY THE END OF THE SESSION WE WILL HAVE A NEGOTIATED COMPROMISE WITH OCA MOSTLY ONBOARD.

THE FACT THAT EVEN NOW IN 2023 WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE COURT HAVING TO LOOK AT THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO WRITE INTO THE LAW THAT THE FIRST THING IS LIFE AND SAFETY, IT'S SURPRISING THAT WE HAVE TO DO THAT.

KYRA'S LAW DOES THEE THINGS ESSENTIALLY.

FIRST, IT'S GOING TO MAKE THE LIFE AND THE SAFETY OF THE CHILD THE TOP PRIORITY IN A 21 CUSTODY CASE.

SO THAT IF THERE IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THAT HOUSEHOLD, IF THERE'S CHILD ABUSE ALLEGATIONS IN THAT HOUSEHOLD, IT'S A HARD STOP.

THE JUDGE, THE COURT MUST STOP AND CONTEMPLATE WHAT TO DO WITH THAT.

NOT, OH, WELL, THERE ARE A BUNCH OF FACTORS HERE, YOU KNOW, AS THE HEARINGS PLAY OUT OVER THE NEXT MANY MONTHS, WE'LL CONSIDER THOSE ALLEGATIONS.

SECOND THING THAT THIS WILL DO IS IT WILL MANDATE JUDGE TRAINING.

YOU KNOW, THE COURT SYSTEM AND SOME JUDGES, THEY'RE RAISING CONCERNS THEY DON'T HAVE THE TIME AND RESPECTFULLY, I WOULD ARGUE IF YOU WANT TO BE A JUDGE IN NEW YORK STATE, THIS ISSUE, THESE ISSUES ARE SO IMPORTANT, YOU CAN AFFORD TO SPEND A FEW MORE HOURS.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

NOT HUNDREDS OF HOURS.

A FEW MORE HOURS LEARNING HOW TO BEST RESPOND TO THESE TYPES OF CASES.

AND THE THIRD THING THAT KYRA'S LAW WILL DO IS IT STOPS COMMON PRACTICES THAT ALLOW ABUSERS TO GAIN CUSTODY AT THE STAGGERING EPIDEMIC RATES.

THE COURT WOULD HAVE A RISK ASSESSMENT FORM THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DEVELOP AND PUT A CUSTODY CASE THROUGH BECAUSE IF THEY'RE ON THE RECORD SAYING, OKAY, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS 22 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALLEGATION.

I DON'T BELIEVE THIS CHILD ABUSE ALLEGATION AND THEN THEY CONTINUE WITH JOINT CUSTODY OR UNSUPERVISED VISITATION AND SOMETHING HAPPENS TO THAT CHILD, YOU BETTER BELIEVE ALL THE FINGERS WILL BE POINTING BACK AT THAT JUDGE.

KYRA DIDN'T STAND A CHANCE IN NEW YORK'S FAMILY COURT SYSTEM.

SHE SHOULD BE 9 YEARS OLD IN APRIL.

AND I SEE SOME OF HER FRIENDS AND I'M, YOU KNOW, KYRA'S FROZEN IN TIME FOR ME AT TWO YEARS OLD.

I SEE HOW MUCH THEY'VE GROWN AND I'LL NEVER KNOW-- I'LL NEVER KNOW WHAT SHE WANTS TO BE.

WHEN SHE GROWS UP.

I WON'T KNOW WHO HER BEST FRIENDS ARE.

YOU KNOW, CHRISTMAS, PEOPLE ARE GATHERING TOGETHER.

I'M AT A GRAVE SITE.

KYRA DESERVED TO LIVE.

SHE DESERVES SO MUCH MORE AND SHE DESERVED A JUDICIAL SYSTEM THAT WOULD PROTECT HER.

NOT ONE THAT FAILED HER.

[ THEME MUSIC ] AND IN A STATEMENT, A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE STATE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION SAID, QUOTE, UNTIL THERE IS A TIME VERSION OF THE BILL FOR US TO REVIEW, WE DO NOT HAVE ANY OPINION ON IT AT THIS POINT.

THERE IS A VERSION OF THE BILL PUBLICLY AVAILABLE, BUT IT WOULD LIKELY CHANGE AFTER NEGOTIATIONS.

WE'LL CHECK BACK IN WITH OCA IF THAT HAPPENS.

THAT DOES IT FOR 23 THIS WEEK.

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.