WELCOME TO THIS MONTH'S EDITION OF "CAPITOL PRESSROOM" WHERE WE ARE EXPLORING SERVICES TO CRIME VICTIMS, EFFORTS TO ADDRESS PROBLEM GAMBLING AND GETTING TO KNOW A NEW FACE AT THE CAPITOL.

ALL THAT AND MORE COMING UP NEXT.

>> THIS PROGRAM IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MEMBERS OF WCNY.

THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ I'M LOP LOME AND YOU ARE WATCHING "CAPITOL PRESSROOM," A COLLECTION OF POLITICAL LEADERS, POLICYMAKERS AND ADVOCATES AND JOURNALISTS COVERING ALL OF IT.

UP FIRST THIS MONTH, BEA HANSON, DIRECTOR OF THE STATE OFFICE OF VICTIM SERVICES WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPPORTING MORE THAN 200 VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN NEW YORK, INCLUDING EMERGENCY SHELTERS, CIVIL LEGAL HELP AND CRISIS COUNSELING.

HERE IS THAT CONVERSATION.

>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

>> I WANT TO START WITH YOUR INTERACTION OR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AND THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF HOSTILITY FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TOWARD THE UNDOCUMENTED POPULATION, TRANSPARENCY NEW YORKERS AND I'M CURIOUS WHETHER THAT IS IMPACTING YOUR ABILITY RIGHT NOW OR MAYBE PERSPECTIVELY TO SERVE THIS POPULATION WHEN THEY ARE IN NEED OF CRIME VICTIM SERVICES?

>> WELL, I THINK WE ARE SEEING FEAR IN COMMUNITIES, FEAR IN UNDOCUMENTED COMMUNITIES AND TRANSPARENCY COMMUNITIES ABOUT ACCESS TO SERVICES.

BUT THE REALITY IS IN NEW YORK STATE WE ARE CONTINUING TO SERVE UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE AND TRANSPARENCY PEOPLE AND-- TRANSGENDER PEOPLE AND ANYBODY WHO HAS BEEN A VICTIM OF CRIME AND VIOLENCE.

ANY WORK THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN DOING HAS HAD NO IMPACT ON US AND OUR ABILITY TO DO OUR WORK.

THERE WAS A LAWSUIT THAT NEW YORK STARTED WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER STATES TO CHALLENGE THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION'S, ANY KIND OF ROLL BACKS OR REQUIREMENT AS ROUND IMMIGRATION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE STOPPED MOVING FORWARD IN ANY OF THOSE AREAS BECAUSE OF THAT LAWSUIT.

SO WE ARE ABLE TO SERVE UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE AND TRANSGENDER PEOPLE LIKE ANY OTHER NEW YORKERS.

>> ARE YOU WORRIED, MOVING FOAFERRED, AS A PASS THROUGH AGENCY FOR SOME FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT THE MONEY WILL YOU GET IF THE FUTURE WILL COME WITH STRINGS ATTACHED AND SAYS YOU CAN'T HELP THIS POPULATION.

YOU CAN'T HELP THIS POPULATION AND IF THEY ARE PASSING SOME SORT OF RULES AND RESTRICTIONS LIKE THAT,WHAT OPTIONS ARE YOU LEFT WITH?

>> WELL, SO FAR THAT HASN'T HAPPENED.

SO WE ARE VERY COMMITTED.

GOVERNOR HOCHUL IS VERY COMMITTED.

SHE HAS TALKED OVER AND OVER AGAIN ABOUT HOW THIS IS A SAFE PLACE FOR ALL NEW YORKERS, WHETHER THEY'RE DOCUMENTED OR NOT.

AND REGARDLESS OF GENDER IDENTITY.

AND THAT IS MY COMMITMENT AS WELL.

AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CHALLENGE AND SUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGE ANYTHING THAT HAS COME FORWARD FROM THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE DEMAND FOR CRIME VICTIM SERVICES AND PEOPLE ACTUALLY COMING FORWARD TO TRY TO UTILIZE THEM BECAUSE IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, AND THE IDEA THAT MAYBE SOME PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE INTERACTING WITH STATE GOVERNMENT SERVICES OR THE NON-PROFITS THAT YOU CONTRACT WITH.

AT THE SAME TIME THE STATE HAS BEEN TRYING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO SEEK CRIME VICTIM SERVICES, CREATING OTHER PATHWAYS SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, TO GET THAT PROCESS GOING.

ARE YOU SEE ANY DEMONSTRABLE CHANGES IN THE REQUEST FOR CRIME PSYCH-- FOR CRIME VICTIM SERVICES?

>> IT IS TOO EARLY TO TELL.

WE HAD A LAW THAT PASSED THAT WENT INTO EFFECT DECEMBER 31 OF 25.

>> SURE.

>> AND IT WILL ALLOW VICTIMS TO NOT HAVE TO GO TO LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ASK FOR COMPENSATION AND REQUEST THOSE FUNDS.

SO THEY CAN GO TO A VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROVIDER.

THEY CAN GO TO A MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER OR A DOCTOR, MEDICAL PROVIDER.

WE ARE ANECDOTALLY I HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM PEOPLE THAT THEY'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

SOME OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE FUND THAT WORK IN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW LAW AND HAVE GONE THROUGH A PROCESS SO THAT THEY CAN CERTIFY THAT SOMEBODY WAS A VICTIM OF A CRIP.

WE WILL SEE THE UPTICKS BUT IT'S TOO EARLY TO SELL.

>> WHAT, IF ANYTHING, IS BEING DONE TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF AVOIDING LAW ENFORCEMENT TO FILE A CRIME VICTIMS CLAIM?

>> WE ARE DOING AN AD CAMPAIGN THAT IS GOING TO BE COMING OUT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS THAT WILL BE ON ALL FORMS OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

SO INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK AND LINKEDIN AND SO WE HOPE PEOPLE WILL FOLLOW AND SHARE THOSE.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH NEW YORK CITY AND WE HAVE INFORMATION ON THE LINK KIOSKS IN NEW YORK CITY ABOUT ACCESS TO CRIME VICTIM COMPENSATION.

WE HAVE NEW BROCHURES WE HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTING.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH OUR LOCAL VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO GET THE WORD OUT.

WE ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN DO AND ANY WAY THAT FOLKS CAN SUPPORT THAT INFORMATION AND LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY CAN ACCESS RESOURCES, THEY CAN ACCESS SERVICES, COUNSELING SERVICES, CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES, COMPENSATION SERVICES WITHOUT NECESSARILY REPORTING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> IT'S ONE THING TO CREATE MORE PATHWAY FOR PEOPLE TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF SEEKING SOME SORT OF SUPPORT.

IT IS ANOTHER THING TO ACTUALLY APPROVE THOSE CLAIMS.

SO WHY SHOULD PEOPLE EXPECT THAT THIS WILL BE RESULTING IN ADDITIONAL APPROVALS?

BECAUSE I CAN IMAGINE SOME PEOPLE MIGHT SAY THEY'RE GOING TO VIEW THIS CLAIM MAYBE WITH MORE SCRUTINY OR MAYBE NOT TAKE IT AS EASIER BECAUSE I DIDN'T GO TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WHAT SORT OF MECHANISMS ARE IN PLACE SO YOU CAN PROBABLE APPROVE THE PEOPLE THAT GO THROUGH THESE NEW WAYS OF FILE ING A CLAIM?

>> WE ARE DOING TRAINING WITH THE VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS AND MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS ABOUT LOU TO CERTIFY A CLAIM AND WE ARE GOING BASED ON THEIR CERTIFICATION AND THEIR EXPERT OPINION ABOUT WHETHER THIS PERSON WAS A VICTIM OF A CRIME.

WHAT WE HAVE HAD TO DO BEFORE THAT IS DOUBLE CHECK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

LAW.

IS SUPER BUSY.

-- LAW ENFORCEMENT IS SUPER BUSY.

IT IS HARD TO GET HOLD OF THEM AND COULD TAKE MONTHS AND MONTHS TO GET HOLD OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO CONFIRM THE CRIME ACTUALLY HAPPENED.

WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT ANYMORE.

WE CAN DO THAT WITH THE PROVIDERS THAT ARE CERTIFYING IT WAS A CRIME.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY GOING TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THAT WHOLE PROCESS TO TAKE PLACE.

>> STICKING WITH THE FUNDING THAT IS AVAILABLE, THERE HAS BEEN INCREASED TO THE CAPS ON FUNERAL AND BURIAL EXPENSES ALLOWED, AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR VICTIMS OF FINANCIAL SCAMS.

ARE YOU FINDING THAT PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY GETTING TO ENJOY OR GET TO UTILIZE THESE HIGHER THRESHOLDS, OR ARE THE AWARDS GOING OUT STILL IN KEEPING WITH THE LOWER CAPS THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE BEFORE?

>> NO, WE ARE REALLY SEEING THE HIGHER CAPS BEING UTILIZED ALREADY.

OUR FUNERAL CAP WENT FROM $6,000 TO $12,000.

AND ANOTHER PIECE OF THAT IN ADDITION TO THE CAPS BECAUSE WE KNOW FUNERAL COSTS ARE REALLY EXPENSIVE.

AND THE OTHER PIECE OF IT IS THAT WE ELIMINATED THIS CONCEPT OF CONTRIBUTORY CONDUCT WHERE WE WOULD REDUCE AWARDS IF THE PERSON WHO WAS KILLED WAS INVOLVED IN SOME KIND OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

BUT WE KNOW THAT IT'S OFTEN MOMS OR GRANDMAS THAT ARE PAYING FOR THE FUNERAL OF THEIR LOVED ONE.

AND IF THEY WERE SOMEHOW INVOLVED IN SOME SORT OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OR HAD A GUN OR SOMETHING, THOSE SOMETIMES, THOSE REWARDS WERE GETTING REDUCED BUT THAT'S NOT HAPPENING ANYMORE.

WE ARE FULLY PAYING OUT THE AWARDS.

THE OTHER PIECE THAT IS HAPPENING AROUND SCAMS AND FRAUD IS THAT THE CLAIMS USED TO BE ONLY $100, THAT WAS ALL WE COULD PAY OUT.

NOW WE CAN PAY UP TO $2500 WHICH HELPS A LOT.

AND ONE REASON IT REALLY HELPS, WE FOUND MAKE?

IS THIS A ZERO SUM GAME OR ARE YOU ABLE TO HELP THE SAME AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH HIGHER THRESHOLDS?

>> HELP THE SAME AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH HIGHER THRESHOLDS.

THE MONEY COMING FROM COMPENSATION COMES FROM A SEPARATE POOL THAN THE FUNDING FOR VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS AND IT COMES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BASED ON THE LAST THREE YEARS OF USE.

SO WE ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR COMPETITION AND DON'T SEE AN ISSUE FOR DOING THE WORK AND PROVIDE MORE FUNDING SO THAT VICTIMS ARE NOT PAYING OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF A CRIME.

>> STICKING WITH THE IDEA OF FEDERAL SUPPORT, THERE IS A LOT 6, AT LEAST RHETORIC FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CRIME VICTIMS AND BEING TOUGH ON CRIME.

WHAT DOES THAT TRANSLATE TO IN TERMS OF DOLLAR AMOUNTS THAT ACTUALLY FLOW TO STATES LIKE NEW YORK FOR VICTIM SERVICES?

>> I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY ADDITIONAL MONEY COMING FROM THE WHITE HOUSE FOR CRIME VICTIMS.

AND I WISH THERE WERE.

THE FUNDING THAT WE GET THROUGH THE OFFICE OF VICTIM SERVICES, ACTUALLY DOESN'T COME FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

IT DOESN'T COME FROM TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

IT COMES FROM FINES AND FEES.

SO IT'S FEDERAL PROSECUTION OF CASES AND FINES AND FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT REALLY FUNDS THE COFFERS FOR THE OFFICE OF VICTIM SERVICES AND OTHER STATE ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO SIMILAR KIND OF WORK.

I THINK THE FEAR IS THAT IN THE LAST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, WE KNOW THAT THEY WEREN'T PROSECUTING SO MANY WHITE COLLAR CRIMES AND THAT'S WHERE THE BULK OF THE MONEY COMES FROM.

AND THE FEAR IS THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN.

AND SO WE WILL SEE REDUCTIONS IN THE FEDERAL COFFERS.

WHAT GOVERNOR HOCHUL HAS DONE FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS IS MAKE SURE THAT THE STATE WILL COVER ANY KIND OF REDUCTION IN FEDERAL AWARD SO THAT WE ARE NOT SEEING ANY OVERALL REDUCTION IN FUNDING TO CRIME VICTIM SERVICES.

>> WELL, LASTLY, I WANT TO COME BACK TO AN ISSUE THAT WAS KIND OF A PROBLEM LAST YEAR THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE FUNDING FOR THE VICTIM SERVICES PROVIDERS THAT YOU CONTRACT WITH.

THEY WERE RED FLAGS RAISED WITH THE PROCUREMENT ISSUE AND THE COMPTROLLER HAD YOU GO BACK TO SQUARE ONE SORT OF EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE IN THE SYSTEM WERE ABLE TO GET THEIR PAST LEVEL OF FUNDING.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT YOU ARE IN THE PROCESS OF HANDING OUT SOME OF THE MONEY AGAIN THROUGH AN UPDATED PROCUREMENT PROCESS.

WHERE DO THINGS STAND AND HAS THAT RESULTED IN MEANINGFUL SETBACKS FOR THE PROVIDERS YOU CONTRACT WITH THAT MIGHT BE EXPECTING HIGHER LEVELS OF FUNDING IN THE LAST GO AROUND?

>> YEAH, IT WAS A DISAPPOINTING THING FOR US, BUT WE GOT THROUGH IT.

AND WE WERE ABLE TO EXTEND THE CURRENT GRANTEES FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

SO I THINK WITH THE RFA THEY DIDN'T GET, SOME ARE GOING TO GET MORE, SOME ARE GOING TO GET LESS.

THEY ENDED UP GETTING THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY SO THERE WAS STABILITY FOR ALL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE FUNDED.

IN ADDITION, THERE WERE ABOUT 30 NEW PROGRAMS THAT WERE SLATED TO GET FUNDING.

THE GOVERNOR ADDED EXTRA MONEY TO BE ABLE TO FUND THOSE FOR A YEAR AS WELL.

SO I THINK WE ARE IN A GOOD POSITION COMING INTO THIS NEW SOLICITATION THAT CAME OUT AND WE ARE JUST-- WE GOT ALL OF THE APPLICANTS JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO.

AND ARE SLATED TO MOVE FORWARD AND WORK WITH THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE AND GET FUNDING OUT WHEN THE NEW FUNDING YEAR STARTS.

>> THAT WAS A BIG STICKING POINT.

THE IDEA THERE WOULD BE MORE ORGANIZATIONS BROUGHT INTO THE FOLD AT THE SAME TIME THOUGH, I HAD HEARD FROM SOME ORGANIZATIONS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY FUNDED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO SEE A DROP IN SOME OF THEIR FUNDING.

HAVE YOU RESPONDED OR ADDRESSED THAT, GIVEN THE ADDITIONAL TIME THAT YOU HAVE HAD WITH THIS PROCUREMENT PROCESS OR IS IT THE CASE THAT SOME OF THE PROVIDERS WHO HAD BEEN GET AGO WARDS IN THE PAST MIGHT SEE AT THE KLEINS IN THE-- DECLINES AT THE FUTURE AS PART OF THE BROADER EXPANSION?

>> I THINK THE NEED IS GREAT.

AND I THINK THE BIG ISSUE IS OFFINGS OF VICTIM SERVICES OR ANY ONE AGENCY IS NOT GOING TO MEET EVERYBODY'S NEED.

WE HAVE SEEN REDUCTIONS IN FEDERAL MONEY DIRECTLY TO SERVICE PROVIDERS THROUGH THE FEDERAL OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME AND OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.

THOSE FUNDINGS HAVE GONE DOWN.

AND I KNOW GOVERNOR HOCHUL HAS TALKED ABOUT IN MANY CASES WHEN THE FEDERAL MONEY GOES DOWN, STATE CAN'T PICK UP EVERYTHING.

SO I THINK WE ARE GOING TO DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS.

WE WANT TO REALLY ENCOURAGE COUNTIES AND CITIES AND PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS TO REALLY PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE SERVICES THAT ARE CRITICALLY NEEDED TO HELP VICTIMS OF CRIME ACROSS STATE.

>> WELL, BEA, THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE TIME AND THANKS FOR THE WORK YOU DO.

>> THANKS FOR LETTING ME BE HERE.

>> IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW MAY BE IN NEED OF VICTIM SERVICES CALL 1-800-247-8035.

AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO SHARE AN EXCERPT OF A CONVERSATION WE RECORDED WITH A NEW FACE AT THE STATE CAPITOL, FORMER NEW YORK CITY COUNCILOR ERIK BOTCH BOTTCHER WHO WON A FECIAL ELECTION THIS YEAR.

>> YOU WERE INITIALLY PURSUING A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT BEFORE PIVOTING AT THE END OF LAST YEAR FOR A SEAT IN THE STATE SENATE WHERE YOU COULD DO THE MOST GOOD IMMEDIATELY AND IDENTIFIED HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT AS THREE SPECIFIC AREAS IN NEED OF ATTENTION RIGHT NOW.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE PRIORITIES AS IT PERTAINS TO THOSE THREE AREAS NOW THAT YOU ARE HERE IN PLANET ALBANY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

AND THAT IS CORRECT.

I WAS ONING-- I WAS RUNNING FOR CONGRESS FROM THE POSITION OF BEING A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND THIS STATE SENATE OPPORTUNITY WAS SUCH AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO GET STARTED RIGHT AWAY TO FILL THE SEAT FILLED BY FORMER STATE SENATOR BRAD HOYLMAN-SIGAL WHO IS THE MANHATTAN BURROW PRESIDENT-- MANHATTAN BOROUGH PRESIDENT AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS AN IMPACTFUL BODY BECAUSE SO MANY ISSUES THAT WE HAVE STRUGGLED WITH AT THE STATE LEVEL AND AT THE CITY LEVEL REQUIRE STATE LEADERSHIP AND THAT'S WHY ON SO MANY DIFFERENT ISSUES, INCLUDING THOSE ISSUES THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED, I'M REALLY EXCITED TO GET TO WORK.

LET'S TAKE MENTAL HEALTH AS AN EXAMPLE.

IN NEW YORK CITY, I CAN'T GO FAR WITHOUT SEEING PEOPLE DYING ON THE STREET FROM UNTREATED SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS AND THAT IS A FAILURE OF ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND IT'S DECADES AND DECADES IN THE MAKING.

WE SAW JUST OVER THE WEEKEND WHAT HAPPENED AT GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL, A TRAGEDY WITH PEOPLE ATTACKED RANDOMLY.

THE PERSON WHO DID IT SHOT FATALLY BY THE POLICE.

AT THE CITY LEVEL WE HAVE MADE QUITE A BIT OF PROGRESS DURING MY FIRST TERM ON THE CITY COUNCIL IN HIGHLIGHTING THIS ISSUE AND BRINGING IT TO THE FORE.

ADDRESSING THE CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS.

BUT THE TRUTH IS THAT SO MUCH IS NEEDED.

AND AT THE STATE LEVEL, I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH OUR GOVERNOR, MY COLLEAGUES IN THE STATE SENATE TO CONTINUE TO BUILD OUT THE CONTINUUM OF CARE.

EVERY PIECE FROM THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE PEOPLE ARE TAKEN WHEN THEY'RE HAVING A SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, TO THE RESPITE BEDS WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO WHEN THEY ARE RELEASED FROM THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

>> THE TRANSGLITION SO WE DON'T HAVE PEOPLE RELEASED DIRECTLY BACK INTO HOMELESS SHELTERS AND ON TO THE STREET: TO LONG-TERM CARE.

RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS, PLACES FOR THEM TO LIVE, TO CLUBHOUSES, PLACES LIKE FOUNTAIN HOUSE WHICH IS IN OUR DISTRICT.

I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF ONE ADDITIONAL POLICY AREA THAT I HAVE-- THAT I'M REALLY EXCITED TO LEAD ON AND THAT IS GUN SAFETY.

>> YOU HAVE TWO BILLS ABOUT THAT ALREADY.

>> I HAVE TWO BILLS.

ONE BILL CALLED FRANCESCO'S LAW, WHICH WILL REQUIRE THE SAFE STORAGE OF FIREARMS IN NEW YORK STATE.

AND BRING NEW YORK STATE IN LINE WITH OTHER STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT REQUIRE PEOPLE WHO HAVE FIREARMS TO KEEP THEM SAFELY SECURED AT HOME.

THAT IS A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT IS MY TOP PRIORITY THIS YEAR.

IT DIDN'T PASS THE SENATE LAST YEAR.

IT WAS PASSED BY-- SPONSORED BY MY PREDECESSOR BRAD HOYLMAN-SIGAL SO I AM GOING TO BE WORKING REALLY HARD TO GET THAT PASSED.

IT'S NAMED AFTER A YOUNG MAN NAMED FRANCESCO ON LONG ISLAND WHO ENDED HIS OWN LIFE WITH AN UNSECURED FIREARM HE FOUND IN HIS PARENTS HOME.

>> AS A TEENAGER.

>> AS A TEENAGER.

I HAVE BEEN VERY OPEN ABOUT BEING A SURVIVOR OF SUICIDE ATTEMPTS WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER.

MY FATHER DID NOT HAVE A GUN IN THE HOME.

IF HE HAD, I WOULD NOT BE HERE RIGHT NOW.

FULL STOP.

SUICIDE ATTEMPTS BY GUN ARE SUCCESSFUL OVER 90% OF THE TIME SO ALL WE ARE GOING TO SAY IS PEOPLE NEED TO SECURE THEIR FIREARMS AT HOME.

WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS THE LAW OF THE LAND IN NEW YORK STATE.

ANOTHER PIECE OF LEGISLATION WILL REQUIRE GRAPHIC WARNING SIGNS IN GUN STORES.

WE KNOW THAT PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGING IS MOST EFFECTIVE WHEN THERE IS A GRAPHIC, WHEN THERE IS AN IMAGE ATTACHED TO IT.

AND THIS IS A BILL THAT I PASSED AT THE CITY COUNCIL LAST FALL.

IT HAS NEVER BEEN DONE IN THE UNITED STATES.

NEW YORK CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING VISUALS THAT WILL GO ON THE WALLS OF GUN STORES.

SIMILAR TO, THINK ABOUT CIGARETTE PACKS IN OTHER COUNTRIES THAT HAVE A VISUAL THAT DRIVES HOME THE DANGERS OF THAT CONSUMER PRODUCT.

AND I CAN'T THINK OF A DEADLIER CONSUMER PRODUCT THAT SHOULD HAVE A STRONG PUBLIC HEALTH WARNING AT THE POINT OF PURCHASE.

WE ARE GOING TO GET THAT PASSED AND HAVE THAT ALL ACROSS NEW YORK STATE.

>> SO I'M GLAD YOU BRING UP THE GUN CONTROL ISSUES BECAUSE IT SPEAKS TO ONE OF THE AREAS I WAS CURIOUS ABOUT, WHICH IS THE IDEA OF YOU ARE COMING FROM REPRESENTING NEW YORK CITY MORE BROADLY, WHICH MIGHT HAVE A CERTAIN PERSPECTIVE TO NOW BEING A STATEWIDE POLITICIAN.

WHILE YOU HAVE YOUR DISTRICT AND THE PAROCHIAL ISSUES THERE, YOU STILL HAVE TO WEIGH ON STATE CONCERNS.

SOMETHING LIKE GOVERNOR HOCHUL-- SOMETHING LIKE GUN CONTROL IS SOMETHING THAT DIVIDES NEW YORKERS.

THE GUN OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE IN NEW YORK CITY IS DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT THAN UPSTATE NEW YORK.

SO HOW, IF AT ALL, ARE YOU LOOKING TO GET AC PLI MATED TO THE ISSUES AND-- AC PLI MATED AND ISSUES-- ACCLIMATED OUTSIDE OF THE BIG APPLE.

>> I AM GLAD YOU ASKED.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS.

MY HOMETOWN HAS A POPULATION OF 950 PEOPLE.

I SPENT THE FIRST 1 YEARS OF MY LIFE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF UPSTATE NEW YORK AND I STILL HAVE A STRONG CONNECTION TO THAT REGION.

MY FAMILY IS STILL THERE.

SO I SPEND TIME THERE EVERY YEAR AND I AM REALLY EXCITED TO WORK ON STATEWIDE ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE WHOLE STATE.

AND I THINK THAT PERSPECTIVE WILL BE HELPFUL AS I SPEAK WITH MY UPSTATE COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE DIFFERENT CONSTITUENCIES.

I KNOW THEIR CONSTITUENCIES, TOO, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING THAT PERSPECTIVE.

MY FATHER IS A GUN OWNER NOW.

AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT THIS LAW WILL ENSURE THAT HE SAFELY SECURES HIS FIREARMS AND I THINK RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THAT THEIR FIREARMS SHOULD BE SAFELY SECURED AT HOME.

AND IT'S TOTALLY COMPATIBLE WITH RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP.

SO THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THE UPSTATE-DOWNSTATE DICHOTOMY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORK AGO CROSS THE BOARD WITH ALL-- WORKING ACROSS THE BOARD WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS.

>> YOU ARE THE THIRD, I BELIEVE IN A STRING OF OPENLY GAY MEN TO SERVE IN THIS SPECIFIC STATE SENATE SEAT WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY LED BY THOMAS DWAYNE WHO WAS, AS FAR AS I'M AWARE, THE FIRST OPENLY GAY MAN IN THE STATE SENATE.

DOES THAT HISTORY COME WITH ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOU?

>> IT SURE DOES.

I ALSO REPRESENT THE HISTORIC ALLY LFUCG NEIGHBORHOODS IN OUR COUNTRY, REALLY OUTSIDE OF SAN FRANCISCO, IT'S THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF FLBT PEOPLE IN THE KUN---- THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF LGBTQ PEOPLE INCLUDING THE INN.

IT WAS THE EPICENTER OF DEATH DURING THE H.I.V./AIDS EPIDEMIC DURING THE DARKEST DAYS OF THE EPIDEMIC.

AND I CARRY THAT RESPONSIBILITY VERY STRONGLY WITH ME TO ADVOCATE FOR FULL EQUALITY FOR ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, NOT JUST CISGENDER GAY AND LESBIAN PEOPLE, BUT TRANSGENDER, GENDER NON-CONFORMING, PEOPLE WHO HAVE YET TO REALIZE THE KIND OF PROGRESS THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS REALIZED.

AND TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT AGAINST H.I.V.

AND AIDS, WHICH IS VERY MUCH REAL, VERY MUCH ALIVE AND IN THE FACE OF THESE CUTS FOR FEDERAL PROGRAMS LIKE RYAN WHITE, AND THE EFFORTS TO STRIP PEOPLE OF ACCESS TO ANTI-RETRO VIRAL MEDICATION, THOSE ARE CAUSES THAT I TAKE VERY, VERY SERIOUSLY.

THINGS THAT I HAVE FOUGHT FOR AS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND I WILL AS A STATE SENATOR.

>> AND NOW WE TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE ISSUE OF PROBLEM GAMBLING, AN ISSUE THAT IS GETTING AND DESERVES INCREASED ATTENTION IN NEW YORK AS THE STATE CONTINUES TO GROW THE NUMBER OF LEGAL CASINOS, SPORTS WAGERING AND MOBILE SPORTS WAGERING AND CASINOS IN NEW YORK CITY AND PREDICTION MARKETS AND EVERYTHING THEY MIGHT ENTAIL.

HOW PREPARED DO YOU FEEL LIKE NEW YORK HAS BEEN TO ADDRESS PROBLEM GAMBLING ASSOCIATED WITH ALL THESE DIFFERENT FORMS OF GAMBLING AS THEY HAVE COME ONLINE?

>> I WILL BE HONEST.

I THINK WE GROCERY UNDERESTIMATED WHAT THE IMPACT WOULD BE ON PEOPLE WHO DEVELOP A COMPULSION FOR GAMBLING.

I DON'T THINK WE ANTICIPATED THE GROWTH IN THAT WHEN WE LEGALIZED THE MOBILE SPORTS WAGERING.

BUT WE ARE STARTING TO SEE THE TRENDS, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE BEGIN TO REALLY ADDRESS THIS IN A SERIOUS WAY.

>> AND THERE IS SERIOUS DIALOGUE GOING ON ABOUT THIS AT THE CAPITOL RIGHT NOW.

IN FACT EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE ASSEMBLY PASSED A PACKAGE OF BILLS, SOME OF WHICH WERE YOURS, AND I'M CURIOUS, WHAT IF ANY OF THEM STOOD OUT TO YOU AS PARTICULARLY MEANINGFUL FOR THIS MOMENT RIGHT NOW IN ADDRESSING PROBLEM GAMBLING?

>> I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A BROADER ANSWER TO THAT.

>> HIJACK THE SHOW.

GO FOR IT.

>> YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN PUTTING MONEY INTO PROBLEM GAMBLING FOR A WHILE NOW.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID IN CONCERT WITH LEGALIZING MOBILE SPORTS WAGERING IS WE PUT A LOT MORE MONEY TOWARDS OASAS, THE OFFICE OF ADDICTION SERVICES , TO ADDRESS TREATMENT AND RECOVERY, AS WELL AS SOME DATA GATHERING TO UNDERSTAND THE PREVALENCE.

>> SURE.

>> AND I THINK WHAT IS BECOMING CLEAR IS THAT, FROM OUR OWN RESEARCH THAT THE GAMING COMMISSION HAS DONE ABOUT THE NUMBER OF CALLS TO THE HOT LINE, AS WELL AS NATIONWIDE RESEARCH, NOW THAT MANY STATES HAVE LEGALIZED SPORTS WAGERING AND MOBILE SPORTS WAGERING, IS THAT THERE IS A STRONG CORRELATION BETWEEN MOBILE SPORTS WAGERING AND PROBLEM GAMBLING.

IN SPECIFIC DEMOGRAPHICS, PARTICULARLY YOUNG MEN.

>> SURE.

>> AND SO WE COULD CONTINUE TO PUT MONEY INTO THIS, BUT THE TREND LINE SUGGESTS THAT IT WOULD BECOME LIKE A GIANT HOLE THAT WE WOULD JUST CONTINUOUSLY PUT MONEY INTO BECAUSE THE PROBLEM DOESN'T GO AWAY.

THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO IS TO, THROUGH STATUTE AND REGULATION, PUT SOME REQUIREMENTS ON THE COMPANIES THEMSELVES TO BUILD SAFEGUARDS INTO THE GAMES SO THAT WE PREVENT, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, COMPULSIVE PLAY FROM DEVELOPING.

AND THAT'S WHAT THIS PACKAGE, THE SIX BILLS THAT WE PASSED, THE FIRST STEP ALONG THAT PATH.

>> SO IN TERMS OF THESE BILLS THAT HAVE MOVED THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY, THERE IS LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ADDRESS THE VOLUNTARY SELF-EXCLUSION LIST.

MAKING THAT SAY ELECTRONIC.

THERE IS THE IDEA OF KNOWING YOUR CUSTOMERS AND BEING AWARE OF SORT OF THE AT-RISK BEHAVIOR THAT SOMEBODY MIGHT DEMONSTRATE.

THERE IS ALSO THE IDEA OF ADVERTISING RESTRICTIONS ON MOBILE WAGERING.

THAT'S AN INTERESTING ONE BECAUSE WE SEE SPORTS WAGERING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

NOT JUST FOR THE PEOPLE WATCHING SPORTING EVENTS BECAUSE IT'S UNINDATED WITH THAT COVERAGE BUT OTHER THINGS ARE BEING INUNDATED WITH SPORTS WAGERING ADS AS WELLING.

WHAT SHOULD THE RULES OF THE ROAD LOOK LIKE FOR THIS MOVING FORWARD?

>> SO, WHAT WE STARTED WITH IN THE BILL THAT YOU REFERENCED IS JUST SAYING THE SAME RULES THAT APPLY TO CASINO SHOULD APPLY TO THE CASINO THAT IS IN YOUR POCKET.

>> SURE.

>> RIGHT?

SO MOBILE SPORTS WAGERING SHOULD HAVE TO CONFORM TO THE SAME ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS THAT OR RESTRICTIONS THAT CASINOS DO.

SO THAT'S, I THINK, JUST THE FIRST STEP.

I THINK ULTIMATELY, WE WANT TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF ADVERTISING THAT HAPPENS IN THE GAME BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE ARE SEEING, PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE, MOST OF THEIR BEDDING HAPPENS WHILE THE GAME IS HAPPENING.

>> THAT'S WHERE THE ACTION IS.

>> THAT'S WHERE THE ACTION IS.

AND SO FOR THEM, THE ADVERTISING IS BECOMING A PROMPT TO PLACE THE NEXT BET, AND WE WANT TO TRY AND-- FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE A RISK PROFILE HIVE, WE WANT TO SLOW THAT DOWN.

THAT'S WHERE THE COMBINATION OF THE ADVERTISING RESTRICTIONS AND KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER BILL REALLY INTERSECT.

AND THE KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER BILL, WHAT WE ARE DOING IS REQUIRING THAT THE PLATFORMS DEVELOP PROFILES OF THEIR PLAYERS; IDENTIFYING THOSE WHO ARE LOW RISK, MEDIUM RISK AND HIGH RISK.

RECOGNIZING THAT THERE IS PROBABLY A PATH THAT PEOPLE CAN GO FROM LOW TO MEDIUM TO HIGH.

AND THAT ONCE WE HAVE THAT STRUCTURE IN PLACE, WHERE THAT PROFILING IS BUILT, BASED ON BEHAVIOR, SO BASED ON THE TYPE OF PLAY, THE SPEED OF PLAY, THEIR BEHAVIOR WITH RESPECT TO WITHDRAWALS, WE CAN THEN STEP FORWARD AND SAY, OKAY, NOW WE ARE GOING TO SAY AS PEOPLE PROGRESS DOWN THAT PATH, YOU NEED TO TURN UP THE PROTECTIONS SO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF IN PLAY ADVERTISING THEY SEE.

REDUCE THE PROMPTS THEY GET.

PUT LIMITS ON HOW MUCH THEY CAN BET.

HOW FREQUENTLY THEY CAN BET.

BASED ON AN UNDERSTANDING BASED ON BEHAVIOR OF WHERE THEIR RISK PROFILES ARE.

SO THIS KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER APPROACH CREATES THAT FRAMEWORK.

I THINK WE'VE TAKEN SOME STEPS WITH ADVERTISING TO KIND OF MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE NOT EXCESSIVE.

AND THAT THEY PROVIDE THAT REQUIREMENT, THE FULL TIME THEY HAVE TO LIST OUT THE HELP LINE SO THAT IF YOU ARE SEEING IT, NOT ONLY ARE WE ADVERTISING THE GAME BUT WE ARE ADVERTISING HOW YOU CAN GET HELP IF THERE IS A PROBLEM.

SO THIS IS JUST THE FIRST STEP BUT I THINK THESE TWO THINGS ARE CONNECTED.

>> STICKING WITH THAT BROADER THEME WITH TRYING TO PREVENT A PROBLEM FROM MATERIALIZING, ANOTHER BILL THAT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE ASSEMBLY HAS TO DO WITH A TASK FORCE, PROP BETS AND THESE ARE THE BETS THAT ARE A LITTLE MORE FUN THAN JUST WHO IS GOING TO WIN A GAME.

THIS COULD BE HOW MANY REBOUNDS SOMEONE IS GOING HAVE.

IT COULD BE HOW LONG THE NATIONAL ANTHEM IS GOING TO GO FOR, ALTHOUGH I THINK THAT ONE MIGHT BE ILLEGAL UNDER NEW YORK'S RULES.

BUT WHAT DO YOU SEE WHEN YOU LOOK AT PROP BETS AS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM?

>> I THEIR THERE ARE TWO-- I THINK THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF PROBLEMS.

CERTAIN KINDS OF BETS CAN BE EASILY MANIPULATED.

SO IF THERE IS A LOT OF-- YOU KNOW, THE GAMES TRY TO EVEN OUT THE MONEY WAGERED ON OVERS AND UNDERS.

>> AND THAT IS-- FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR.

THIS IS BASICALLY IF THEY SAY DAVID LOMBARDO IS GOING HAVE 10 REBOUNDS, YOU CAN SAY OVER OR YOU CAN SAY DAVE IS 5'8" WHAT IS HE DOING IN THE NBA, LET'S TAKE THE UNDER.

>> THANK YOU FOR EXPLAINING.

THE PLATFORMS TRY TO EVEN IT OUT, RIGHT?

BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO LOSE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

BUT IF, SAY, YOU SEE THE MONEY IS ALL GOING SUBSTANTIALLY ON THE OVERS, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE GAME COULD BE MANIPULATED SO THAT THE PERFORMANCE IS ACTUALLY UNDER AND THAT WOULD PROVIDE A PAYDAY FOR THE PERSON WHO BETS ON THE UNDER.

AND WE HAVE SEEN THAT.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME HIGH PROFILE CASES.

>> SURE.

>> SO I THINK WE WANT TO LOOK AT PROP BETS TO SAY HOW CAN WE MINIMIZE THE POTENTIAL THAT THE INTEGRITY OF THE GAME SUFFERS BASED ON THE WAGERING THAT IS HAPPENING.

THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM AND SOMETHING WE NEED TO FOCUS ON.

SPORTS, WE WANT PEOPLE TO BELIEVE THAT THE GAME IS NOT FIXED; THAT THERE IS AN ACTUAL PERFORMANCE-BASED OUTCOME THAT IS GOING TO MATTER.

THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THAT STATISTICALLY, 94% OF THE TIME THE HOUSE WINS ON THOSE PROP BETS.

SO IF YOU HAVE A-- IF YOU ARE NOT USING JUST YOUR ENTERTAINMENT DOLLARS, BUT YOU HAVE WAGERED YOUR HOUSING PAYMENT FOR THAT MONTH, AND YOU ARE HOPING TO GET IT BACK, BETTING ON THOSE PROP BETS IS NOT THE WAY TO DO IT.

BECAUSE 94% OF THE TIME THE HOUSE WINS.

THAT'S HOW THEY MAKE THEIR MONEY.

AND SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO TIE IN THIS NOTION OF RISK PROFILING AND THE TYPES OF BETS PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO, BECAUSE IF YOU ARE JUST HANGING OUT AND YOU ARE HAVING FUN AND YOU GOT 100 BUCKS TO SPEND AND YOU ARE SAYING I WANT TO BET ON HOW OFTEN CARRIE IS GOING TO JUMP UP IN HER SEAT.

OKAY.

THAT'S GREAT.

BUT THAT'S NOT A WAY TO MAKE A LIVING.

>> ALTHOUGH I AM A LITTLE EXCITED ON GAMBLING ON THE STATE SCHLEP.

THAT'S ME AND MY PROBLEM.

>> WE COULD TALK ABOUT PREDICTION MARKETS SO I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO BET MORE THAN THEY CAN AFFORD.

AND THESE PROP BETH, WHICH ARE FUNNY AND FUN AND APPEALING, AND THE PARLEYS LOOK LIKE I COULD REALLY MAKE A LOT OF MONEY IF I HIT ALL FIVE OF THESE.

>> STACKING UP THE PROP BETS.

>> YOU ARE NOT GOING TO.

WE SHOULD ALL TAKE A STATISTICS CLASS.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO.

AND SO I THINK THERE ARE-- AND THAT'S WHAT THE TASK FORCE IS GOING TO LOOK AT.

IS THE INTERSECTION OF STATISTICAL PROBABILITY, RISK PROFILING AND THE ECONOMICS OF PROP BETS.

SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THAT COME TO FRUITION.

>> LASTLY, WE REFERENCED THE EMERGENCE OF PREDICTION MARKETS.

THESE ARE ESSENTIALLY COMMODITIES REGULATED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL A FANCY WAY OF SAYING GAMBLING IN ANOTHER FORM.

WHAT, IF ANYTHING, CAN THE STATE DO TO REGULATE THIS AND DO YOU SEE THIS AS A PARTICULARLY NEFARIOUS FORM OF DE FACTO GAMBLING GIVEN THAT IT CREATES SO MANY MORE OPTIONS OF BETTING BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BET ON THE OSCARS.

YOU WANT TO BET ON WHETHER NEW YORK IS GOING TO DO UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE THIS YEAR.

YOU WANT TO BET ON WHO IS GOING TO WIN THE CONGRESSIONAL RACE.

IT'S ALL OUT THERE.

>> THERE IS MENTION MARKETS.

HOW MANY TIMES IS DAVE GOING TO USE A PARTICULAR PHRASE.

>> SURE.

>> THAT'S A FORM OF BETTING AS WELL.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO CROSS OFF THIS CROSSWALK?

SO THESE ARE REGULATED ONLY BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE CFTC, COMMODITIES FUTURES TRADING CORPORATION.

>> I'LL TAKE YOUR WORD FOR IT.

>> YEP, BUT IN THE CONSTITUTION AND BY LAW, THE STATES HAVE THE RIGHT-- HAVE THE SOLE RIGHT TO REGULATE GAMBLING IN THEIR STATES.

SO THESE MARKETS ARE OPERATING ILLEGALLY IN STATES.

>> BECAUSE YOU FEEL LIKE THEY'RE GAMBLING.

>> THEY ARE GAMBLING.

AND WE ARE-- THE STATE IS TAKING STEPS, JUST AS MANY STATES ARE-- TO END THE ROLE THAT THOSE ENTITIES PLAY IN THE GAMING UNIVERSE IN EACH STATE.

SO WE HAVE THE CEASE AND DESIST LETTERS HAVE GONE OUT.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS SIGNED ON TO LAWSUITS.

WE ARE REALLY WORKING ON TRYING TO GET THEM OUT OF NEW YORK, THAT WE HAVE A ROBUST SET OF REGULATIONS BECOMING MORE ROBUST TO MANAGE THE UNIVERSE OF GAMBLING OPTIONS.

AND THESE ARE NOT IN OUR UNIVERSE.

>> ASSEMBLYMEMBER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME I APPRECIATE IT.

>> MY PLEASURE, DAVE.

>> NOW WE WILL CONSIDER GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S EFFORT TO DELAY AND ROLL BACK THE IMPLEMENTATION DESIGNED TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN NEW YORK.

WE CHECKED IN REMOTELY WITH JAMIE DICKERSON, SENIOR DIRECTOR FOR CLIMATE AND CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAMS AT THE ACADIA CENTER.

HERE IS AN EXCERPT OF THAT CONVERSATION.

>> I WANT TO START WITH THE CRUX OF THE ARGUMENT FROM GOVERNOR HOCHUL, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY THAT THE WORLD HAS REALLY CHANGED SINCE THE ADOPTION OF THE CLIMATE LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY PROTECTION ACT IN 2019, AND THE GOVERNOR POINTS TO BOTH THE INCREASED COST OF PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING AS WELL AS THE HOSTILITY OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TOWARD PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING RELATED TO GREEN ENERGY.

AND THAT'S A ROAD BLOCK YOU HAVE ACTUALLY ACKNOWLEDGED WAS NOT ANTICIPATED WHEN THE STATE WAS CRAFTING ITS PLAN FOR REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND THE AFTERMATH OF ADOPTING THIS LAW.

HOW DO YOU THINK THE STATE SHOULD HANDLE ALL OF THESE VARIABLES THAT HAVE EMERGED?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I MEAN I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY BACK IN 2019, NO ONE WAS THINKING THAT THIS TRANSITION WOULD BE EASY BUT I DON'T THINK ANYBODY COULD HAVE PREDICTED IT WOULD BE AS HARD AS IT HAS PROVEN TO BE FOR NEW YORK AND THE REST OF THE REGION WORKING ON THESE POLICIES.

AND IT IS A "BALANCING ACT."

THERE HAVE UNDOUBTEDLY BEEN HEAD WINDS NEW YORK HAS FACED.

NO ONE COULD PREDICT THE PANDEMIC, THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND THE SECOND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

AT THE SAME TIME I DO THINK IN FAIRNESS THERE HAVE BEEN TAILWINDS THAT FOLKS WORKING ON DECARBONIZATION HAVE BENEFITED FROM BROADLY.

SPEAKING ON A GLOBAL LEVEL WE HAVE SEEN CONTINUED COST DECLINES IN LOTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE GOING TO BE ENCOURAGING THE LONG-TERM ACHIEVEMENT OF THE GOALS LIKE BATTERY STORAGE.

INFLATION REDUCTION ACT FOR THREE YEARS AND SO, I DO THINK THERE HAVE BEEN HEAD WINDS AND TAILWINDS.

FUNDAMENTALLY, AS I SAID, AS I WROTE IN THE PIECE THAT I DID, NEVER BEFORE IN HUMAN HISTORY REALLY HAVE WE SEEN SUCH DRAMATIC ADVANCEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF BOTH PRODUCING, CONSUMING STORING AND TRANSMITTING ENERGY AS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

SO THAT IS A MAJOR TAILWIND WE DO NEED TO CONSIDER.

>> ONE OF THE CHANGES THAT THE GOVERNOR IS LOOKING TO MAKE IS THE TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT WOULD HELP US ACHIEVE THE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS IN LAW.

THE GOVERNOR HAS ARGUED THAT RIGHT NOW IS NOT THE APPROPRIATE CRUX OF HOW I'M APPROACHING THIS QUESTION IS THAT MAKING PROGRESS ON CLIMATE AND IMPROVEMENT ON AFFORDABILITY DO NOT HAVE TO BE AT ODDS.

WHEN IT'S DONE RIGHT THEY CAN CAN BE MUTUALLY SUPPORTIVE.

IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF CIRCUMSTANCES WE ARE TALKING WERE ABOUT THE SAME SET OF SOLUTIONS THAT GET AT THE CORE DRIVERS OF EMISSIONS AND RISING ENERGY COSTS, WHICH IN THIS CASE I THINK IS FOSSIL FUEL COMMODITY COSTS AND THEIR VOLATILITY, LEGACY INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS FOR GAS AND ELECTRIC.

AND A VARIETY OF OTHER FACTORS DRIVING COST INCREASES RECENTLY.

SO FOR ME, YOU KNOW, I THINK BOTH AND CAN BE ACHIEVED.

BOTH FOR NEW YORK AND FOR OTHER NEIGHBORING STATES.

AND IN THIS CASE, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO REMIND OURSELVES THAT EVEN THOUGH WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CLIMATE AND EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS, WHAT THAT WILL RIVER IS IMPROVEMENTS THAT FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES FEEL IN THEIR DAILY LIVES FROM THEIR HOUSING, THEIR TRANSPORTATION, HOW ABUNDANT AND EFFICIENT AND AFFORDABLE IT IS, GIVING THEM AREY LEAF ON THEIR BILLS, LESS EXPOSURE TO THE VOLATILE PRICES.

I THINK THAT CONTROL ASPECT FOR NEW YORK, A SHIFT FROM REALLY BEING ON THE RECEIVING END OF THE GLOBAL ENERGY GEOPOLITICS THAT WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW TO BEING IN THE DRIVERS SEAT.

THAT, I THINK IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO THREAD THIS REALLY DIFFICULT NEEDLE RIGHT NOW.

>> WELL, THAT POTENTIAL OUTCOME THAT YOU JUST FRAMED IS QUITE DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE HIGHLIGHTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WHO CITES A REPORT FROM THE NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, YOUR FORMER EMPLOYER, WHICH ESTIMATES THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS RELATED TO THIS LAW WOULD ULTIMATELY COST NEW YORKERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN TERMS OF SHOWING THEIR WORK, THERE IS A COUPLE PAGE MEMO THAT THEY BACK THIS UP WITH.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT SCENARIO THAT THEY LAID OUT AND DOES THAT REPRESENT A GOOD FAITH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAW?

>> I THINK THAT ANALYSIS, OBVIOUSLY I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE AGENCY ANYMORE SINCE I'M NOT THERE.

FROM WHAT I COULD TELL, THAT WAS PURPOSELY INTENDED TO DEPICT WHAT I WOULD CALL ONE SIDE OF THE RIVER BANK, SO TO SPEAK.

SORT OF THE STRICTEST IMPLEMENTATION REALITIES.

BUT I THINK WHAT I WOULD POINT TO AS LIKE THE MOST I LUST IDENTIFY-- THE BEST PATH FORWARD IS THE EXTENSIVE ANALYSIS SINCE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT SINCE THE AGENCY HAS CONDUCTED SINCE 2023-2024 WHICH IS A MIDDLE OF THE RIVER AMBITIOUS AND AFFORDABILITY CAP AND INVEST PROGRAM, WHICH I THINK AT THE TIME AND I THINK IT STILL IS FAIR TO SAY IS THE CASE, WOULD BE THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO MEET THE STATE'S TARGETS.

I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS LOST TO HISTORY BUT IN BETWEEN THE DRAFT SCOPING PLAN THE STATE FINISHED UP IN 2021, AND THE FINAL SCOPING PLAN THAT WAS FINALIZED IN LATE 2022, CAP AND INVEST, THE ADDITION THEREOF WAS THE PRIMARY ADDITION, NOT THE ONLY BUT THE BIGGEST ADDITION TO THAT FINAL PLAN.

>> SURE.

>> AND THAT WAS BECAUSE OF THE RECOGNITION ABOUT HOW CRITICAL IT WOULD BE AS A COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO ENSURE THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE TARGETS AND, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY MAKING THE ABILITY TO MAKE REAL PROGRESS IN A RELATIVELY SHORT TIMEFRAME.

>> WELL, FINALLY, LET'S SAY THE STATUS QUO IS MAINTAINED AND THE STATE FOCUSES ON IMPLEMENTING THE GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION RULES TAKE EFFECT, FOR EXAMPLE, IS THERE FLEXIBILITY IN THE SYSTEM, IN THE LAW, IN THE RULES AND REGULATIONS TO RESPOND TO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES, TO RESPOND TO COSTS THAT MAYBE DON'T DECREASE AS PROJECTED OR ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS THAT DON'T NECESSARILY REALIZE OR OTHER VARIABLES?

I MEAN DO WE HAVE ENOUGH FLEXIBILITY BUILT IN OR IS THAT PART OF THE CONVERSATION THAT WE SHOULD HAVE RIGHT NOW MAYBE TO GIVE POLICYMAKERS A LITTLE MORE CONFIDENCE THAT THEY SHOULD MAINTAIN THE TRAJECTORY THAT THE LAW REQUIRES.

>> I DO THINK THERE IS EXISTING FLEXIBILITY THAT THE POLICYMAKERS AND AGENCIES CAN EXERCISE IN IMPLEMENTING THE RULE.

AND I DO THINK HONESTLY THE PATH FORWARD IS REALLY MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PLAN THAT SWIFTLY INITIATES THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KEY PROGRAMMING AND REGULATIONS THAT NEW YORK HAS CONTEMPLATED LIKE CAP AND INVEST.

AND DOING SO WILL ALLOW NEW YORK TO ENSURE IT MAKES PROGRESS AND STAYS ON THE POSITIVE PATH TO REALLY IMPROVE THE EVERYDAY LIVES OF NEW YORKERS.

SO JUST TO GIVE YOU ONE EXAMPLE OF THAT FLEXIBILITY THAT NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE APPRECIATE, NYSERDA WHEN IT DOES ITS LONG-TERM CONTRACTING FOR LARGE SCALE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS, THEY HAVE SHIFTED TO A CONTRACTING STRUCTURE KNOWN AS INDEX WRECK AND THAT'S DIRECTLY INTENDED TO DO WHAT YOU SAID, WHICH IS ALLOW PROJECTS TO ABSORB SOME OF THE VOLATILITY AND ALSO INSULATE RATEPAYERS FROM THE RISK OF ENERGY MARKET VOLATILITY AND BASICALLY MAKE SURE IF INCOMER MARKET REVENUES DRAMATICALLY SHOOT UP, THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO PAY WAY LESS AND ACTUALLY MIGHT GET SOME MONEY BACK FROM THE MARKETS AND FROM THE DEVELOPERS.

SO, AGAIN, THERE ARE CREATIVE POLICY MECHANISMS THE STATE HAS IMPLEMENTED AND I'M SURE THERE ARE MORE MODELS LIKE THAT THAT CAN BE ADDED AS WELL TO MAKE SURE ON ROUTE FROM THE PATH WHERE WE ARE TODAY TO THE EXISTING MILESTONES IN THE LAW,WE WILL HAVE THAT FLEXIBILITY TO ABSORB, THE SHOCKS AND DISRUPTIONS ALONG THE WAY.

>> JAMIE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, DAVID.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> AND BEFORE WE GO THIS MONTH, WE ARE GOING HIGHLIGHT THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR STATE COMPTROLLER WITH INCUMBENT TOM DiNAPOLI RUNNING FOR HIS FIFTH FULL TERM FACING HIS FIRST INTRAPARTY CHALLENGE.

WE SAT DOWN WITH DAN CLARK TO DISCUSS THE CANDIDATES AND ISSUES IN THIS RACE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> ANY TIME.

>> SO THIS PRIMARY FEELS LIKE A REFERENDUM ON THE ROLE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER, WHICH THE POTENTIAL CHALLENGERS TO INCUMBENT TOM DiNAPOLI ALL LAYING OUT A VISION THAT IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT, A LITTLE MORE EXPANSIVE, A LITTLE MORE AGGRESSIVE THAN WHAT WE HAVE SEEN FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES FROM THE INCUMBENT.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW THESE CHALLENGES ENVISION USING THIS ROLE IF THEY WERE TO BE ELECTED IN NOVEMBER?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO LET'S START WITH HOW THE COMPTROLLER, THE INCUMBENT, VIEWS THE JOB NOW.

HE REALLY VIEWS IT AS A BEHIND-THE-DESK JOB WHERE THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES IS AUDITING STATE AGENCIES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

HIS CHALLENGERS SEE IT AS A JOB WHERE HE SHOULD BE OUT THERE ADVOCATING, OUT IN PUBLIC MAKING HIS POSITIONS KNOWN POLITICALLY, TABLING CERTAIN POSITIONS ON SPECIFIC LEGISLATION, BEING MORE ACTIVE WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

IN REALITY, THIS IS A PRODUCT OF ACTUALLY THE ELECTION OF SO RAN MAMDANI IN NEW YORK CITY WHERE THE CHALLENGERS SAW SO RAN TAKE ON THE DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT AND WIN AND THEY THINK THEY CAN DO THE SAME THING HERE.

>> AND ICY ONE OF THE ISSUES RELATED TO THAT NEW YORK CITY MAYOR'S RACE IS SOMETHING LIKE HOUSING AND WE HAVE SEEN SOME OF THE CHALLENGERS LIKE DREW WARSHAW WHO IS A VETERAN OF THE SPITZER ADMINISTRATION, WHO ARGUES WE CAN USE THIS COMPTROLLER AS OFFICE AS A TOOL TO DEVELOP MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN NEW YORK AND THAT THE CONTROL OF SOMETHING LIKE THE PENSION FUND IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMPTROLLER TO PICK AND CHOOSE SOME WINNERS AND TO INVEST MORE IN PRIORITIES OF THIS GOVERNMENT.

I MEAN IS THAT REPRESENT A MAJOR DEPARTURE WHAT HAVE DiNAPOLI HAS DONE OR DO YOU FEEL THERE ARE WAYS IN WHICH DiNAPOLI HAS USED THE PENSION FUND AND ITS LARGESS TO ADVANCE CERTAIN PRIORITIES.

>> THE PENSION FUND IS JUST A PENSION FUND.

IT'S A PENSION FUND FOR PUBLIC WORKERS.

HIS PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY AS HE SEES IT IS TO KEEP IT AT A HEALTHY LEVEL.

IT'S $290 BILLION AT THE MOMENT.

THROUGH WARSHAW, A VETERAN ALSO OF A NATIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING NON-PROFIT, WANTS TO TAKE $10 BILLION OF THAT AND INVEST IT INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THAT'S A BIG CHUNK OF CHANGE WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING.

IT COULD BUILD QUITE A FEW HOMES.

>> SURE.

>> THE PROBLEM BEING IS DO YOU THEN KEEP THE PENSION FUND HEALTHY BY DOING THAT?

AND HOW MANY TIMES CAN YOU DO THAT BEFORE THE PENSION FUND GETS PUT AT RISK; FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU WANT TO USE AS ONE OF THE CHALLENGERS WANTS TO-- I BELIEVE IT IS ALSO DREW WARSHAW USE PART OF THE PENSION FUND TO FOR UMGHTS COSTS.

HOW MANY TIMES CAN YOU DO THAT BEFORE YOU SAY OKAY, NOW WE HAVE TO LEAVE THE PENSION FUND ALONE?

THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION.

DID DiNAPOLI SAYS THE PENSION FUND IS A BIG PART OF HIS JOB.

BUT IT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE ONLY PART OF HIS JOB SO HE SHOULDN'T USE IT NECESSARILY TO ADVANCE ALL OF HIS PRIORITIES.

THE WAY THAT HE DOES POLICY IS MORE FROM A BROADER POINT OF VIEW.

A BIG RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE IS TO AUDIT THE STATE AGENCIES.

SO HE WILL LOOK AT SPECIFIC STATE PROGRAMS.

MAYBE IT'S AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM AND HIS STAFF CAN DO AN AUDIT THAT SHOWS THAT MAYBE THE STATE ISN'T ADMINISTERING IT EFFECTIVELY.

MAYBE THE MONEY ISN'T BEING SPENT EFFECTIVELY.

THAT'S ANOTHER WAY TO TRY TO ADVANCE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

SO IT'S JUST ANOTHER STRATEGY TOWARDS THE SAME GOAL BUT NOT ONE THAT DiNAPOLI HAS EXPLORED IN THE PAST.

>> I WOULD SAY THE COMPTROLLER WILL POINT TO HIS MAIN THING WHEN IT COMES TO THE PENSION FUND THIS IDEA OF BEING A RETURN ON INVESTMENT AND HIS FOCUS ON WHAT IS GOING TO GET THE MOST BANG FOR THE BUCK SO THE EMPLOYERS, IN THIS CASE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, DON'T HAVE TO RAISE TAXES TO AUGMENT THE PENSION FUND.

BUT YOU MENTION THE AUDIT POWER AND RAJ GOYLE, ANOTHER DEMOCRAT LOOKING TO RUN, A KANSAS TRANSPLANT HAS ARGUED THE AUDITS COULD BE MORE AGGRESSIVE WHEN IT COMES TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND THE COMPTROLLER HAS PUSHED BACK ON THIS AND BASICALLY SAID, YOU WANT TO BE LOOKING AT THE PSC, GO SERVE ON THE PSC.

YOU WANT TO DO EXIST, Y, Z AS IT COMES TO LEGISLATION, RUN FOR THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT ARGUMENT OF THE SORT OF RESTRAINED VERSION OR NARROW CASTING OF THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE AS OPPOSED TO MAYBE WHAT WE HAVE SEEN WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WHICH, OVERTHE LAST THREE DECADES PLUS, HAS EVOLVED AND HAS GROWN AS ITS OFFICE HOLDERS PUSH THE LIMITS OF WHAT WHAT MIGHT BE ACCEPTABLE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE LEGISLATURE ITSELF HAS PASSED PLENTY OF LAWS IN THE PAST 10 YEARS TO EXPAND THE POWERS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

WE DON'T NECESSARILY SEE THAT FROM THE LEGISLATURE WHEN IT COMES TO THE STATE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.

RAJ GOYLE IS RIGHT THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE COULD DO A WHOLE SCALE AUDIT OF THE PSC BUT TO WHAT END?

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THERE?

YOU CAN'T DO AN AUDIT OF THE PSC AND THEN SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE UTILITY COMPANY.

IT MAY HAVE NOTHING DO WITH THAT.

WHEN YOU ARE AUDITING THE PSC, YOU ARE AWING-- AUDITING THEIR PRACTICES.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT COULD DESERVE MORE SCRUTINY FROM SOMEBODY LIKE A STATE COMPTROLLER.

NOW IT REALLY DEPENDS ON WHAT OUTCOME YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE THE AGENCY MORE EFFECTIVE OR ARE YOU TRYING TO LOWER UTILITY RATES?

AT THAT POINT WHY NOT JUST RUN FOR THE STATE LEGISLATURE?

IT IS SOMETHING TO TO BE SAID THAT THEIR FIRST RUN AT OFFICE IN NEW YORK IS TO RUN STATEWIDE.

I DON'T BELIEVE EITHER OF THEM HAVE CONSIDERED RUNNING FOR LOWER OFFICE IN CONGRESS OR THE STATE LEGISLATURE, SO THAT BEING SAID, I DON'T KNOW NECESSARILY IF MEMBERS OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAVE POWER THERE, EITHER, YOU KNOW.

IT SEEMS LIKE THAT EVERYBODY SEEMS TO ACKNOWLEDGE UTILITY PRICES ARE TOO HIGH AND NOBODY WANTS TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

>> STICKING WITH SOME OF THE CANDIDATES WHO HAVE RUN FOR LOWER OFFICE BEFORE, ADAM HAS RUN MULTIPLE TIMES FOR CONGRESS.

AND HE, ALONG WITH THE OTHER CHALLENGES HAVE ALL FLAGGED THE STATE COMPTROLLER'S CONTROL OF THE UNCLAIMED FUNDS.

THIS IS $20 BILLION IN THE MONEY THAT THEORETICALLY YOU AT HOME MIGHT HAVE A RIGHT TO.

SO GO TO THE COMPTROLLER'S WEBSITE AND TYPE IN YOUR NAME.

BUT THEY HAVE ARGUED THAT INSTEAD OF MAKING PEOPLE PROACTIVELY SEARCH FOR MONEY, THAT THE STATE SHOULD BE PROACTIVELY RETURNING THIS MONEY TO NEW YORKERS.

HOW BIG OF A DEAL THIS IS FOR VOTERS OR THE GENERAL PUBLIC OR COMPTROLLER DiNAPOLI WHO HAS IMPLEMENTED SOME CHANGES IN THE WAY THEY HANDLE THIS, I MEAN IN RESPONSE TO LEGISLATION THOUGH?

>> I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS ON THE BACK END OF THE UNCLAIMED FUNDS SEARCH AND RECOVERY SYSTEM.

>> SURE.

>> BUT AS SOMEBODY WHO HAS MOVED ABOUT FIVE TIMES IN THE PAST DECADE, I GET REAL CONCERNED ABOUT THE STATE AUTOMATICALLY SENDING ME MONEY.

>> HOW COME?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS GOING TO LAND AT AN OLD ADDRESS.

AT THAT POINT IT MAY NOT COME TO ME.

>> THAT'S THE CONCERN RAISED.

PROACTIVE DISTRIBUTIONS.

>> AT THE SAME TIME THE COMPTROLLER DOES A GOOD JOB OF PUBLICIZING UNCLAIMED FUNDS TO THE PRESS.

I DON'T KNOW NECESSARILY IF THE PUBLIC HEARS THAT.

HE ALWAYS HAS A BOOTH AT THE STATE FAIR, VERY WELL ATTENDED STATE FAIR.

I DON'T KNOW.

AND HONESTLY, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS AN ISSUE ON THE TOP OF VOTERS MINDS.

WHEN WE SAY $20 BILLION IN UNCLAIMED FUNDS, VERY FEW PEOPLE OUT THERE ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE THAN $30 HERE OR THERE IN THESE UNCLAIMED FUNDS.

I KNOW BECAUSE I'VE GONE ON THERE SEVERAL TIMES MYSELF AND FOUND UNCLAIMED FUNDS.

I THINK IT'S THOSE BIGGER ISSUES IN TERMS OF HOW ARE WE GOING TO MAKE STATE GOVERNMENT MORE EFFECTIVE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO HIT HARDER FOR VOTES.

IT'S REALLY A BATTLE OF THE NEWCOMERS, THE CHALLENGER SAYING TOM DiNAPOLI, YOU ARE NOT USING THIS OFFICE EFFECTIVELY TO REPRESENT YOUR CONSTITUENTS WHEREAS THEY'RE SAYING WE WOULD INSTITUTE THESE NEW THINGS IN THE OFFICE TO DO THAT.

WHEREAS TOM DiNAPOLI IS SAYING YOU ARE NOT SEEING WHAT I'M DOING, WHICH IS TRUE.

I MEAN THE STATE COMPTROLLER COMES OUT WITH TAWS EVERY WEEK OF MUNICIPALITIES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND STATE AGENCIES.

IT'S JUST YOU DON'T NECESSARILY CARE IF YOU ARE NOT ONE OF THOSE.

>> IN TERMS THOUGH OF PEOPLE AWARE OF WHAT THE STATE COMPTROLLER IS DOING, POLL AFTER POLL AFTER POLL THIS YEAR HAS REITERATED THE FACT THAT NEW YORKERS HAVE NO IDEA WHO THE STATE COMPTROLLER IS BY A LARGE DEGREE.

ONLY 30% HAVE AN OPINION ABOUT HIM POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TWO MONTHS OUT FROM THE PRIMARY.

IS THAT AN ISSUE FOR AN INCUMBENT LIKE TOM DiNAPOLI.

DOES THAT CREATE AN OPENING FOR ONE OF THE THREE CHALLENGERS IF THEY MAKE IT ON THE BALLOT OR THIS IS AN ISSUE WHERE HE HAS THE INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT, LABOR ORGANIZATIONS OFF THE BALLOT.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME UNLESS THESE NAMES GET BUTCHED OFF THE BALLOT, THAT HE WILL HAVE TO FACE A REAL CAMPAIGN AND A REAL CHALLENGE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION.

WE ARE NOT EVEN GETTING INTO THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR COMPTROLLER.

IT'S A REAL CHALLENGE AND SOMETHING HE SHOULD TAKE SERIOUSLY IF HE IS LOOK LOOKING TO WIN REELECTION.

>> I APPRECIATE YOU JOIN CAN US IN THE STUDIO.

THANKS A LOT.

>> ANY TIME.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW.

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ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE TEAM AT WCNY, I'M DAVID LOMBARDO.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.