[ THEME MUSIC ] >> ON THIS WEEK;S EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW," GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES TWO NOMINEES TO FILL VACANCIES ON THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT, THE COURT OF APPEALS; AND THERE'S AN APPETITE FOR ETHICS REFORM IN THE LEGISLATURE, BUT WILL THERE BE ANY MOVEMENT BEFORE A SESSION ENDS IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS?

ZACH WILLIAMS FROM CITY AND STATE AND DAVE LOMBARDO FROM THE CAPITAL PRESS ROOM ARE HERE TO DISCUSS.

THEN, AS GUN VIOLENCE SPIKES STATEWIDE INCLUDING IN THE CAPITOL CITY OF ALBANY, ASSEMBLYMEMBER PAT FAHY JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT LEGISLATION AIMED AT REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE.

LATER, WE'LL TELL YOU ABOUT A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR MORE LENIENCY FOR PEOPLE WHO VIOLATE PAROLE AND WHY DEMOCRATS SUPPORT IT.

I'M DARRELL CAMP AND THIS IS "NEW YORK NOW."

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

I'M DARRELL CAMP IN FOR DAN CLARK.

WE NOW KNOW WHO IS GOING TO BE FILLING TWO SEATS ON NEW YORK'S HIGHEST COURT, THE COURT OF APPEALS.

THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO ANNOUNCED HIS TWO PICKS FOR THE COURT.

THOSE ARE NASSAU COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY MADELINE SINGAS AND JUSTICE ANTHONY CANNATARO, THE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE OF THE NEW YORK CITY CIVIL COURT.

SINGAS WOULD BE REPLACING JUSTICE LESLIE STEIN, WHO IS RETIRING NEXT MONTH WHILE CANNATARO WILL REPLACE JUSTICE PAUL FEINMAN WHO DIED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

AT THE SAME TIME, CUOMO SAID THIS WEEK THAT THE JOINT ON PUBLIC ETHICS CREATED BY HIM IS IN NEED OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGE.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THOSE STORIES ARE ZACH WILLIAMS FROM THE CITY AND STATE MAGAZINE AND DAVE LOMBARDO FROM THE CAPITAL PRESS ROOM.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING ABOUT THESE TWO APPOINTEES?

>> WELL, THEY'RE NOT SAYING MUCH AT ALL ABOUT JUDGE ANTHONY CANATARRO, AND WE ARE GONNA MOVE PAST HIM MOVE TO THE HIGHLIGHT WHICH IS NASSAU HIGHLIGHT DISTRICT ATTORNEY MADELINE SINGAS.

SHE IS SOMEONE PEOPLE KNOW LARGELY BECAUSE OF HER ROLE LOOKING INTO ERIC SCHNEIDERMAN AT THE BEHEST OF GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO, AND WE HEARD SOME REAL PUSHBACK AGAINST HER FROM LIBERALS OF NEW YORK ESPECIALLY THE CRIMINAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK STATE WHO SAY RIGHT NOW SOMEONE LIKE HER WITH HER BACKGROUND AND HER FOCUS ON PUTTING PEOPLE AWAY AS OPPOSED TO, SAY, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE OR MORE PROGRESSIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES, SHE'S NOT THE RIGHT PERSON.

NORMALLY, WE SEE THIS PROCESS, THE SENATE CONFIRMATION OF JUDGES IS A REAL RUBBER STAMP IN NEW YORK.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IN THE FINAL TWO WEEKS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> I'M CURIOUS.

ZACH, DO YOU THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE PUSHBACK?

BECAUSE THE PERSON WHO APPOINTED THESE TWO APPOINTEES IS IN A LOT OF HOT WATER RIGHT NOW?

>> YOU KNOW, TIME IS RUNNING OUT THE STATE SENATE ONLY HAS UNTIL JUNE 10TH TO APPROVE THIS THIS YEAR.

THE KEY DATE IS REALLY AUGUST 2ND.

IF SINGAS GETS APPOINTED BY THAT DATE AND RESIGNS AS D.A., THAT WOULD TRIGGER A SPECIAL ELECTION TO REPLACE HER BY NOVEMBER AND IT'S ELECTION TIME IN CITY AND STATE.

EVERYONE IS LOOKING AT STATE SENATOR TODD KAMINSKY WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED AND A SPOKESPERSON FOR HIM DIDN'T EXACTLY SAY HE RULED OUT A RUN.

I'M AKSI CURIOUS PER DAVE'S COMMENTS WHAT THE POLITICAL LEFT MIGHT PUT UP IF A SPECIAL ELECTION IS TRIGGERED IF ALL THESE DOMINOES FALL IN TIME TO TRIGGER THAT SPECIAL ELECTION.

>> JUST HANGING OVER ALL OF THIS IS THE FACT THAT POTENTIALLY FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD, IF THERE'S EVER A TRIAL TO REMOVE GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO FROM OFFICE, THESE TWO APPOINTEES, IF THEY'RE CONFIRMED AND TAKE THE BENCH IN TIME, COULD POTENTIALLY SERVE ON A TRIAL THAT WOULD BE ABOUT REMOVING THE GOVERNOR FROM OFFICE.

AND WHETHER THE SENATE EVEN WANTS TO CONFIRM SOMETHING-- ANYONE FROM THE GOVERNOR WHO THEY ARE SAYING, YOU KNOW, A MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATS SAY SHOULD RESIGN.

>> SO ANOTHER MAJOR ISSUE THAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW IS ETHICS REFORM.

IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A MAJOR TOPIC IN NEW YORK BECAUSE OF THE PERCEPTION OF INCESSANT CORRUPTION HERE.

>> PERCEPTION?

[LAUGHTER] >> I SHOULD SAY THE EVIDENCE, THE PROOF'S IN THE PUDDING.

THE SENATE MOVED ON THAT THIS WEEK AND THE ASSEMBLY DIDN'T EXACTLY-- ZACH, I WANT TO GO TO YOU FIRST ON THIS ONE.

WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED AS FAR AS ETHICS REFORM GOES?

>> I THINK WE'RE JUST SEEING THAT THE TWO CHAMBERS GOING THEIR SEPARATE WAY.

THE STATE SENATE HAS REALLY MOVED FORWARD WHICH ONE MIGHT SAY IS TRYING TO PROD THE ASSEMBLY TO DO THE SAME.

IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT REPLACING JCOPE IN A DEFINITIVE WAY, IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO TAKE UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

THERE'S A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT'S BEEN PROPOSED.

IT'S BEEN KIND OF GOING THROUGH THE WORKS.

ACTUALLY, ONE OF THE KEY REASONS WHY IT HASN'T PASSED WAS EXACTLY HOW-- IT WAS DETERMINED HOW IT WOULD DEAL WITH SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST PEOPLE IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH IN THE FUTURE.

THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE FIGURED OUT TO SET UP A PUBLIC INTEGRITY COMMISSION WHO WOULD APPOINT ITS MEMBERS AND EXACTLY WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO INVESTIGATE STILL REMAINS VERY MUCH UP IN THE AIR.

IT WOULD TAKE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO REALLY DEFINITIVELY REPLACE JCOPE AND THAT MEANS IT WOULD HAVE TO PASS THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR AND THEN IN THE NEXT LEGISLATURE AND THEN GO BEFORE THE VOTERS THAT FOLLOWING NOVEMBER.

>> NOW, DAVE, SOMETHING THAT I FOUND INTERESTING WAS WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAID ABOUT JCOPE.

I THINK ZACH FINK HAD ASKED HIM ABOUT IT AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AND HE WENT ON A THREE TO FIVE-MINUTE RANT ABOUT HOW IT'S ESSENTIALLY USELESS.

WHAT WAS YOUR TAKE ON THAT?

WHY DO YOU THINK HE TOOK THAT POSITION?

>> I THINK HE USED THE TERM-- MEANINGLESS IS THE ONE HE THREW OUT THERE, WHICH IS HILARIOUS BECAUSE THIS IS A BODY THAT HE CREATED TEN YEARS AGO WITH THE HELP OF THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AT THE TIME.

BOTH OF WHOM HAVE NOW GONE TO JAIL FOR CORRUPTION AND I THINK HE'S JUST SORT OF THROWING OUT SOME TERMS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT'S POPULAR.

I MEAN, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH HIM SAYING, YEAH, WE NEED TO REFORM JCOPE; HE'S NOT GOING TO BE LIFTING A FINGER TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, JCOPE UPHOLDS THE STATUS QUO IN ALBANY.

THAT'S GOOD FOR HIM.

THAT'S GOOD FOR THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, WHO I ALSO DON'T THINK HAVE A HUGE AMOUNT OF INTEREST IN REFORMING THIS BODY AND THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO BE AFRAID OF JCOPE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY ON THEIR WAY OUT.

THEY DON'T--NO CASE HAS EVER BEEN BROUGHT BY JCOPE THAT'S LIKE, WOW, THEY'RE GOING AFTER THIS PERSON.

WOW, THAT PERSON IS RESIGNING RIGHT NOW AND OH, JCOPE IS GOING AFTER THEM.

THAT'S GREAT.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS BASICALLY FEELING A LITTLE ON THE DEFENSIVE AND YOU KNOW, HE SOMETIMES SEEN AS THE PERSON HOLDING UP JCOPE.

I THINK HE JUST FELT LIKE, YOU KNOW, I'LL THROW OUT SOME WORD SALAD.

>> IT'S INTERESTING THAT YOU MENTION THE LEGISLATOR LEADERS' ROLE IN THIS AND CUOMO LOVES TO POINT OUT AND HE DID THE OTHER DAY, WELL, IF THEY WANT TO REPLACE IT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE IT IN A WAY THAT PEOPLE CAN INVESTIGATE THEM.

OBVIOUSLY, IT'S THE LEGISLATORS' FAULT THAT NOTHING HAS CHANGED.. NOT ME, THE GOVERNOR, WHO ESTABLISHED THIS WAY BACK WHEN WITH THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AT THAT TIME.

>> SPEAKING OF ETHICS AND THE GOVERNOR, I'LL TOSS THIS TO YOU FIRST, ZACH.

I DIDN'T PASS THE BAR.

I KNOW A LITTLE BIT.

EVERYBODY'S PUBLIC OPINION IS THAT THE LAWYERS ARE THE ONES WHO ALWAYS WIN WHEN IT COMES TO ANY LEGAL ACTION.

[LAUGHTER] THAT BEING SAID, WE'VE GOT A BIT OF AN UPDATE, IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT, ON THE IMPEACHMENT PROBE AND THE UPDATE WAS ABOUT MONEY FOR THE MOST PART.

THAT WAS THE BIG HEADLINE.

WHAT ARE WE GETTING?

>> THE ASSEMBLY AND JUDICIARY COMMITTEE FACED CRITICISM FOR SUPPOSED $250,000 CAP ON THE MONEY ALLOCATED TO HIRE OUTSIDE LAWYERS TO INVESTIGATE THE GOVERNOR.

THANK GOODNESS-- POOR LAWYERS ALERT, THEIR HELP IS ON THE WAY.

JUDICIARY CHAIR, CHARLES LEVINE, SAID THIS CAP ISN'T-- IT IS A CAP BUT YOU HAVE MANY CAPS AND THERE COULD BE ANOTHER CAP THAT IS ABOVE THAT $250,000, SO MORE MONEY IS ON THE WAY.

MORE LAWYERS CAN CASH IN ON THIS.

BUT IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, I THINK THE BIG THING IS, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO BALANCE THE NEED TO HAVE A SERIOUS INVESTIGATION WITH THE NEED TO BE QUICK ENOUGH SO THAT THE PUBLIC JUST DOESN'T LOSE INTEREST IN THIS.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF CRITICISM ON ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CARL HEASTIE FOR CARRYING THE GOVERNOR'S WATER ON THIS.

SLOW-WALKING AN INVESTIGATION THAT MAY OR MAY NOT CONCLUDE ANYTIME SOON.

>> DAVE, I'M CURIOUS.

HOW MUCH COULD WE END UP SPENDING AS TAXPAYERS ON THIS PROBE?

>> WELL, IF YOU PLAY OUT THE STRING THE WAY CHUCK LEVINE HAS ENVISIONED IN WHICH HE THINKS THERE'S A POTENTIAL FOR THIS INVESTIGATION TO TAKE MONTHS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, BUT I THINK THAT THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS IS GOING TO BE ACCELERATED IN JUNE WHEN I THINK WE'RE GOING TO FINALLY GET AT LEAST AN INTERIM REPORT FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S INVESTIGATION AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO REALLY SET THE AGENDA AND IF THINGS DON'T MOVE FROM THERE, THEN I GUESS WE COULD SEE POTENTIALLY THE ASSEMBLY TAKING ITS SWEET TIME AND END SPENDING $750,000, A MILLION DOLLARS, BUT I THINK THIS WHOLE SITUATION AND WHOLE DYNAMIC IS GONNA REALLY CHANGE IN TWO TO THREE WEEKS.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S SLOWING DOWN ON THAT FRONT.

JUST ONE MORE THING.

IS THAT SIGNIFICANT?

>> IT'S SIGNIFICANT IF THE ASSEMBLY FOLLOWS SUIT AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE LAWS.

RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE JUST ONE-HOUSE PRESS RELEASES.

>> ZACH, YOUR POSITION ON THAT.

>> I THINK THE ASSEMBLY SHOWED THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE MOVING QUICK ON THIS.

THE SPEAKER DID APPOINT A NEW TASK FORCE TO DISCUSS SEXUAL HARASSMENT REFORMS.

>> WHOA!

>> THAT'S ALBANY SPEAK FOR WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO IT NOW.

WE'RE GOING TO DO IT LATER.

WE HAVE DAVE; WE'VE GOT ZACH, I APPRECIATE BOTH OF YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SO OVER THE PAST WEEK, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN NEW YORK'S CAPITAL CITY OF ALBANY REPORTED THREE GUN-RELATED HOMICIDES AND A TOTAL OF AT LEAST NINE SHOOTING VICTIMS ALL OVER THE SPAN OF JUST A FEW DAYS.

INCREASES IN GUN VIOLENCE ARE SOMETHING THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT TENDS TO EXPECT AS THE WEATHER GETS WARMER.

THEY SAY THAT'S NO REASON TO STOP PREVENTION EFFORTS.

WE SPOKE ABOUT THAT MEASURE AND HOW IT WOULD WORK.

I AM SITTING DOWN WITH ASSEMBLY MEMBER PAT FAHY AND LAST MONTH, YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT YOU WERE SPONSORING-- COSPONSORING LEGISLATION WITH ZELLNOR MYRIE CONCERNING GUN VIOLENCE AND SPECIFICALLY AS IT RELATES TO THIS AREA BUT THIS BILL OBVIOUSLY WOULD AFFECT THE ENTIRE STATE.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE MEASURE THAT YOU'RE COSPONSORING?

HOW WOULD THAT HELP PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE?

>> IT'S A NEW BILL TRYING TO CARVE A NEW PATH IN GOING AFTER GUN VIOLENCE BY ADDRESSING SOME OF THE GUN SAFETY MEASURES AND REALLY OPENING UP THIS DOOR TO HOLD GUN MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS CIVILLY LIABLE.

THEY RECEIVED FEDERAL PROTECTIONS ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO, FEDERAL IMMUNITY BUT WE THINK WE CARVED A NEW PATH HERE, TO BEGIN TO GO AFTER THOSE MANUFACTURERS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT NEW YORK HAS PROBABLY THE TOUGHEST GUN LAWS IN THE COUNTRY.

YET WE STILL HAVE WAY TOO MUCH GUN VIOLENCE.

IF I TOOK YOUR PHONE TODAY, I COULDN'T GET INTO YOUR PHONE.

YOU COULDN'T GET INTO MINE WITHOUT THE PROPER THUMBPRINT.

WHY NOT DO THE SAME FOR GUNS?

>> SO WHAT EXACTLY MOTIVATED THIS?

>> WELL, HA, WHAT MOTIVATES THIS IS A 30-YEAR MOTIVATION FOR ME.

I SUPPORT EVERY APPROPRIATE GUN OWNER AND WE HAVE MANY LAW-ABIDING GUN OWNERS BUT WE STILL HAVE WAY TOO MUCH GUN VIOLENCE, ESPECIALLY WITH HANDGUNS.

ESPECIALLY FROM VIRGINIA AND OTHER STATES THAT HAVE LOOSER GUN LAWS.

THE LAST STATISTIC I SAW, 74% OF GUN CRIMES ARE STILL COMMITTED WITH GUNS COMING IN FROM OUT OF STATE.

>> WHAT DOES GUN VIOLENCE LOOK LIKE IN THE 109TH DISTRICT?

>> GUN VIOLENCE IS EVERYWHERE.

I PERSONALLY LIVE IN ALBANY.

I'M A PROUD ALBANY RESIDENT.

MY CHILDREN WENT TO THE ALBANY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AS YOU KNOW AS MOST URBAN AREAS AROUND THE COUNTRY, WE HAVE SEEN INCREASED VIOLENCE SINCE COVID.

WHEN I SAY GUN VIOLENCE, I ALSO MEAN GUN SUICIDES AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

WHEN A GUN IS IN THE HOME, WE KNOW A WOMAN IS MORE-- AND THERE'S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, A WOMAN IS MUCH MORE LIKELY TO BE KILLED IN THOSE INCIDENCES WHEN A GUN IS THAT ACCESSIBLE.

IT'S NOT JUST GUN VIOLENCE THAT WE MAY READ ABOUT IN THE STREETS.

THIS IS GUN VIOLENCE IN THE HOME, WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SUICIDE, AND MORE.

>> SPECIFICALLY AS IT RELATES TO THIS MEASURE, FRONT TO BACK, HOW DO YOU START LITIGATION?

HOW DOES END?

HOW LONG IS THAT PROCESS?

CAN YOU JUST WALK ME THROUGH IF THIS WERE TO PASS HOW A REGULAR PERSON WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS LAW?

>> WELL, THIS IS-- IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE CRIMINAL PIECE, RIGHT?

SO LET'S SAY IN THE MOST RECENT CASE HERE IN TROY, A HORRIFIC INCIDENT WHERE A CHILD WAS KILLED IN A DRIVEBY SHOOTING--PARALYZED WITH A DRIVEWAY SHOOTING THE PERPETRATOR HAS NOT BEEN FOUND BUT THE GUN HAS BEEN FOUND.

IN THIS CASE, EVEN THOUGH THERE MAY NOT BE A CRIMINAL CASE PAUSE THE PERPETRATOR HASN'T BEEN FOUND, THE FACT THAT GUN DID NOT HAVE SAFETY MEASURES, THE FACT THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY OWNED OR BOUGHT OUT OF STATE AND YET WAS READILY ACCESSIBLE TO ANYBODY WHO ACQUIRED IT, THE GUN MANUFACTURER COULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR NOT HAVING APPROPRIATE SAFETY MEASURES ON THAT GUN, AND AS YOU'VE SEEN WITH CAR SAFETY SEATS, WITH CARS, WE KNOW IT'S NOT JUST--WELL, RECKLESS DRIVERS AND A CAR MAY BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE OR DRUNK DRIVERS ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, IF A MANUFACTURER HAS A FAULTY MECHANISM, FAULTY SAFETY SEATS IN THERE, FAULTY SEAT BELTS OR AIR BAGS, THEY CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

IT'S A SIMILAR TYPE OF APPROACH HERE.

>> WHAT EXACTLY DETERMINES, THOUGH, THE APPROPRIATE MEASURES FOR A GUN?

BECAUSE IT'S DIFFERENT FROM A STROLLER OR EVEN A VEHICLE.

THOSE THINGS ARE NOT MEANT TO BE DANGEROUS.

GUNS ARE WEAPONS.

SO WHEN YOU SAY COMMON SENSE MEASURES OR SOME SORT OF ACCOUNTABILITY, WHAT EXACTLY IS IT THAT WOULD TAKE AWAY THE RECKLESS NATURE OF GUN DISTRIBUTION?

>> IT COULD BE A VARIETY.

THAT THAT'S A GOOD POINT.

IT COULD BE A VARIETY OF MEASURES.

MY FAVORITE IS THE FACT THAT ON MY PHONE, IF I LOST MY PHONE TOMORROW, SOMEBODY CANNOT ACCESS MY PHONE.

MY PHONE IS NOT A WEAPON, OF COURSE, BUT THE FACT THAT IT HAS A THUMBPRINT CODE ON IT, NO ONE CAN ACCESS IT.

IT WE HAD THE SAME WITH GUNS WHEN THEY WERE COMING UP THAT IRON PIPE LINE OR BEING SOLD AT GUN SHOWS AND END UP HERE IN NEW YORK DESPITE ALL THE GUN SAFETY MEASURES THAT WE HAVE, NO ONE COULD USE THAT UNLESS THE ORIGINAL OWNER TRANSFERRED TITLE AND WE KNEW WHO THE TITLE WAS-- JUST AS YOU DO WITH A CAR, YOU TRANSFERRED TITLE TO GET THE KEYS TO A CAR OR GET THE GET ACCESS TO A CELL PHONE.

IT WOULD BE THE SAME TYPE OF APPROACH.

MAYBE IT'S A THUMBPRINT.

>> I DO THINK THAT YOU ARE GOING TO RUN INTO RESISTANCE FROM REPUBLICANS.

IT'S KIND OF OBVIOUS.

>> YES.

>> BUT THEY ARE IN THE MINORITIES IN BOTH HOUSES.

SO FUNCTIONALLY WHEN IT COMES TO PASSING THIS, THE ONLY THING YOU NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT IS WHETHER OR NOT MEMBERS OF YOUR PARTY ARE GOING TO RESIST THIS.

CAN YOU TAKE THE TEMPERATURE OF THE ASEM BLIT RYE NOW AS IT RELATES TO THIS MEASURE?

>> WELL, KUDOS TO THE SPEAKER, KUDOS TO THE ASSEMBLY AND THE STATE SENATE, AGAIN, I'M SO PROUD TO BE A PART OF A BODY THAT HAS BEEN SO AGGRESSIVE ON GUN CONTROLS AND GUN SAFETY.

I'M THE ONE THAT SPONSORED THE BILL A FEW YEARS AGO ON BUM STOCKS TO MAKE SURE THEY COULD NOT BE MANUFACTURED, DISTRIBUTED OR SOLD, AND I THINK NEW YORK HAS LED THE COUNTRY IN TRYING TO ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE AND INCREASE GUN SAFETY.

THIS IS A NEW PATH FORWARD TRYING TO GO AFTER THE MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS, BECAUSE AS AGGRESSIVE AS NEW YORK HAS BEEN, WE STILL HAVE WAY TOO MUCH VIOLENCE.

>> AS I'M COMING TO A CLOSE HERE, ON THE DEVIL ADVOCATES SIDE ONCE AGAIN, DO YOU THINK THERE'S A MIXED MESSAGE COMING FROM THE LEGISLATURE WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS THAT IS SORT OF, VERY ORIGINAL MEASURE, WE'LL SAY.

THERE'S NO PRECEDENT FOR IT.

WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING KIND OF ABSTRACT LIKE THIS BEING PROPOSED AND YOU HAVE SOMETHING LIKE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS THAT ARE SORT OF CREATING AMNESTY FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY BE INVOLVED IN THAT ACTIVITY, IS THAT SORT OF COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO THE GOAL THAT YOU ARE PRESENTING HERE WHEN IT COMES TO GUN VIOLENCE SPECIFICALLY?

>> NO.

WE-- WE ACTUALLY THINK THAT THIS COULD BE SO FAR-REACHING, I'M EXCITED TO WORK WITH SENATOR MYRIE ON THIS.

HE HAD THE ORIGINAL BILL AND I JUMPED ON IT TO WORK WITH HIM.

HE'S GOT IT IN THE SENATE.

I HAVE IT IN THE ASSEMBLY.

I THINK THIS COULD OPEN A WHOLE NEW PATH FORWARD BECAUSE AS MUCH WORK HAS BEEN DONE, WE KNOW THERE'S ALWAYS LOOP HOLES.

SO WE HAVE TO BE AGGRESSIVE, RIGHT?

THERE'S ALSO PENDING GHOST GUN LEGISLATION BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN SO MANY END ROADS AND WE HAVE TO JUST KEEP CLOSING THOSE, BUT WE ALSO KNOW REGARDLESS OF HOW AGGRESSIVE WE HAVE BEEN, THE MANUFACTURERS ARE NOT TAKING ENOUGH RESPONSIBILITY.

WE ARE TRYING TO BE RESPECTFUL OF LEGITIMATE GUN RIGHTS BUT WE'RE SAYING MORE CAN BE DONE ON SAFETY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, ASSEMBLY MEMBER.

THAT'S ALL I HAD.

>> THANK YOU.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> WITH MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE SHOT IN THE CITY OF ALBANY LAST YEAR AND MORE THAN 15 PEOPLE MURDERED, OFFICIALS ON ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO AVOID A REPEAT OF LAST YEAR'S TRAGEDIES.

SO WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT BILL GOES IN THE COMING WEEKS.

BUT MOVING ON NOW, ON LAST WEEK'S NEW YORK NOW, WE TALKED ABOUT A PROPOSAL CALLED CLEAN SLATE THAT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY EXPUNGE THE CRIMINAL RECORDS OF CERTAIN PEOPLE AFTER THEY FINISHED PAROLE.

BUT HOW HARD IS IT EXACTLY TO FINISH PAROLE?

ASSEMBLY MEMBER PHARA SOUFFRANT FORREST SAYS IT CAN BE INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT IF SOMEONE IS PUNISHED FOR MINOR TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS WHICH COULD LAND THEM BACK IN PRISON.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER PHARA SOUFFRANT FORREST SPOKE TO OUR OWN DAN CLARK ABOUT HER PROPOSAL TO STOP THOSE ISSUES FROM HOLDING SOMEONE BACK.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> ASSEMBLY MEMBER PHARA SOUFFRANT FORREST, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, DAN, FOR HAVING ME.

>> OF COURSE.

ANYTIME.

THERE'S A LOT OF BILLS ON THE TABLE, LIKE ELDER PAROLE, FAIR AND TIMELY PAROLE.

I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT A BILL THAT YOU SPONSOR THAT WE HAVEN'T HEARD THAT MUCH ABOUT, BUT IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.

IT'S CALLED LESS IS MORE AND BASICALLY WHAT IT WOULD DO IS IT WOULD MAKE IT SO TECHNICAL VIOLATION OF PAROLE WOULDN'T SEND SOMEBODY BACK TO PRISON IN MOST CASES.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THE BILL WOULD DO AND MORE DETAIL THAN I LAID IT OUT?

>> RIGHT.

SO THIS BILL, LESS IS MORE, IS A REALLY BILL THAT LOOKS AT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, LOOKS AT THE INCARCERATION SYSTEM AND REALLY TRIES TO TURN IT UPSIDE DOWN IN A WAY WHERE WE'RE NOT-- WE'RE NOT PENALIZING PEOPLE BUT RATHER INCENTIVIZING.

THAT'S THE ROOT OF THE BILL.

I MEAN, WE'RE SENDING BACK PEOPLE TO PRISON FOR THINGS LIKE MISSING A CURFEW BECAUSE THE TRAIN IS LATE OR THEY MISSED AN APPOINTMENT, BUT REALLY, TRYING TO INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE TO BEHAVE WELL WHILE ON PAROLE AND TO GIVE THEM CREDITS, EARNED TIME CREDITS SO THAT WAY BOTH THE PAROLE OFFICER AND THE PAROLEE FEEL LIKE THEY'RE WORKING TOWARD A SUBSTANTIAL GOAL.

>> SO YOU MENTIONED A FEW OF THEM AND I THINK THIS PEOPLE JUST MAY NOT KNOW WHAT PAROLE VIOLATIONS ARE IN TERMS OF THE TECHNICAL ONES THIS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

CAN YOU GO THROUGH A FEW OF THEM JUST SO PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH WHAT PEOPLE ARE BEING HIT WITH RIGHT NOW AND BEING SENT BACK TO PRISON UNDER THE CURRENT LAW?

>> UH-HUH.

THE TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ELIMINATE THE REASONS WHY PEOPLE GO BACK TO PRISON FOR IS VIOLATIONS, SUCH AS SHOWING UP TO CURFEW-- SHOWING UP LATE TO AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR PAROLE OFFICER, CURFEWS, YOU'RE OUT 30 MINUTES EXTRA, YEAH, AND PEOPLE ARE GOING BACK TO JAIL FOR THAT.

ALSO THINGS LIKE DRINKING ALCOHOL, WITH I IS NOT A CRIME FOR YOU AND I, BUT FOR A PAROLEE, YES.

THAT IS A BIG DEAL AND THERE ARE OTHER MINOR INFRACTIONS THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE LOOKING AT SOMEONE WHO HAD A 10, 5, 15-YEAR BID GETTING SOMEWHERE ON TIME TO COULD BE A LITTLE BIT MORE DIFFICULT THAN, SAY, YOU AND I.

>> SO THAT LEADS ME TO MY NEXT QUESTION WHICH IS, PEOPLE AS I MENTIONED, MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT AND WHY PEOPLE CARE ABOUT IT.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE PURPOSES AND OF THE BILL IN TERMS OF HOW IS IT GOING TO IMPACT PEOPLE?

HOW WILL THIS HELP PEOPLE?

>> YES.

LESS IS MORE IS VERY IMPACTFUL.

LESS IS MORE WOULD MEAN THAT WE HAVE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON THE POPULATION OF 35,000 PEOPLE WHO ARE CURRENTLY (INAUDIBLE) IN NEW YORK.

WE WOULD ALSO HAVE PEOPLE BACK IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, HELPING OUT THEIR FAMILIES AND WORKING IN JOBS AND THEN ALSO WHEN WE LOOK AT THE IMPACT ON THE STATE AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT $680 MILLION SPENT SHUTTLING PAROLEES IN AND OUT OF THE PRISON SYSTEM, THAT COULD BE A COUNTY OUT IN LONG ISLAND, THAT'S $14 MILLION.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT A BILL LIKE THIS, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A FINANCIALLY-- A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE BILL, BUT THEN A RESTORATIVE BILL, A BILL THAT REALLY IS ABOUT REHABILITATION.

>> I IMAGINE THAT PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE OPPOSED TO THIS BILL WOULD SAY SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T WANT TO GO TO BACK TO PRISON, THEY SHOULDN'T COMMIT THESE TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS OR ANY VIOLATION OF PAROLE.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THEM?

>> I THINK THAT FOR SOMEONE WHO SEES THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS OPPOSITIONAL WOULD SAY THAT BUT WHEN WE TAKE SOMEONE INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, WE'RE SAYING THAT THERE IS HOPE FOR THEM, THAT THEY CAN HAVE A SECOND CHANCE AND SO WHEN WE BUILD UP A SYSTEM WHERE PEOPLE ARE GIVEN SECOND CHANCES AT BEING WHO WE THINK THAT CITIZENS THAT ARE UPSTANDING, THIS BILL DOES THAT.

IT SAYS THAT WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A SECOND CHANCE AND WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW YOU TO BE HUMAN AND WE'RE GOING TO OPEN UP OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO LEARN AND GROW VERSUS JUST PENALIZE YOU WITH MORE TIME BEHIND BARS.

>> SO THIS NOT A NEW BILL.

IT'S BEEN FLOATING AROUND THE LEGISLATURE FOR A FEW YEARS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO GET MORE OF YOUR COLLEAGUES ON BOARD AND GET IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR'S SESSION?

>> I THINK MY COLLEAGUES REALLY NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS BILL NEEDS TO HAPPEN RIGHT NOW.

RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE HAVE FOUR PEOPLE WHO DIED AT RIKERS BECAUSE OF TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS.

THAT MEANS BEFORE THEY WERE EVEN CONVICTED OR EVEN HEARING ABOUT WHETHER THEY COMMIT A NEW CRIME, THEY DIED, RIGHT, BUT THEN ALSO THIS IS HOW WE KEEP MONEY OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE REINVEST THAT MONEY, THAT $680 MILLION TO THINGS THAT-- PROJECTS THAT WE ACTUALLY NEED.

SO BY SUPPORTING THIS BILL, YOU'RE ACTUALLY SUPPORTING THE VERY COMMUNITIES THAT YOU REPRESENT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER FORREST, THANK YOU SO IN FOR BEING HERE.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, DAN.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> PAROLE REFORM IS EXPECTED TO BE A TOP ISSUE IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS OF SESSION, SO THAT'S JUST ONE OF SEVERAL BILLS WE'LL BE KEEPING AN EYE ON AND IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, DON'T FORGET THAT WE HAVE UPDATES FROM THE STATE CAPITOL EVERY DAY ON OUR WEBSITE.

THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG, BUT WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS WEEK'S "NEW YORK NOW."

[ THEME MUSIC ]