WELCOME TO THIS MONTH'S EDITION OF THE CAPITOL PRESSROOM.

WE ARE BRINGING YOU COVERAGE FROM THE NEW YORK STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONVENTION AND HEARING FROM ADVOCATES FROM MARGINALIZED NEW YORKERS.

ALL THAT AND MUCH MORE COMINGS UP NEXT.

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

THANK YOU.

>> I'M DAVID LOMBARDO AND YOU ARE WATCHING "THE CAPITOL PRESSROOM," A COLLECTION OF INTERVIEWS WITH POLITICAL LEADERS, POLICYMAKERS, ADVOCATES AND JOURNALISTS COVERING IT ALL.

ON THIS MONTH'S EDITION, WE ARE GOING TO BRING YOU OUR INTERVIEW WITH DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR JAY JACOBS WHO WE SAT DOWN WITH IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DEMOCRATIC STATE PARTY FINISHED UP THEIR CONVENTION IN JANUARY.

>> THE CONVENTION IS A PROCEDURAL EVENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF GETTING PEOPLE ON THE BALLOT BUT A BIT OF A PEP RALLY AND I'M CURIOUS, MOVING FORWARD, HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT COMBINING THOSE TWO ELEMENTS?

THE SUBSTANTIVE INFRASTRUCTURE THINGS AS WELL AS KEEPING PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT THE PARTY?

>> WE ARE COMING OUT OF THIS CONVENTION WITH A FAIR AMOUNT OF ENTHUSIASM AND UNITY.

WE HAVE TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT WE STAND FOR, WHAT IS IMPORTANT AND WHAT WE HAVE TO KEEP FOCUSED OPERATE I THINK THAT WE HAVE GOT A GOVERNOR WHO IS ENERGIZED.

YOU I THINK THE PROGRAMS SHE IS PROMOTING ARE POPULAR IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THEY'RE GOING TO RESONATE WITH PEOPLE AND I THINK WE HAPPEN TO BE GOING AGAINST A UNIQUELY UNQUALIFIED CANDIDATE IN THE SENSE THAT HE IS ON THE WRONG SIDE OF SO MANY ISSUES THAT PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK BELIEVE IN.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A PRETTY GOOD TIME OF IT.

>> YOU MENTION THIS IDEA OF WHAT DEMOCRATS STAND FOR AND THERE HAS BEEN A CRITIQUE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN SOME PARTS OF THE STATE, INCLUDING NEW YORK, THAT IT HAS LANCHLY BEEN ABOUT THE ANTI-TRUMP PARTY.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE DEMOCRATS IN NEW YORK REPRESENT, BEYOND THE SO CALLED RESISTANCE, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE ISSUES DEMOCRATS UP AND DOWN THE BLOT WILL AND SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT 234 NEW YORK?

>> I THINK IT'S ABOUT INCLUDING EVERY FAMILY IN NEW YORK IN THE AMERICAN DREAM.

I THINK IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE FIGHTING TO MAKE THEIR LIVES MORE AFFORDABLE.

WE ARE FIGHTING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR CHILDREN GET GOOD EDUCATION.

WE THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.

WE ARE FIGHTING FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME TO THIS COUNTRY AND WANT TO MAKE A NEW LIFE FOR THEMSELVES JUST LIKE SO MANY BEFORE US HAVE ALL COME TO THIS COUNTRY.

MY ANCESTORS CAME TO THIS COUNTRY THE SAME WAY.

SO WE HAVE CERTAIN BELIEFS.

WE ARE ALSO FIGHTING TO MAKE SURE THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION IS PREEMINENT AND STILL RESPECTED BOTH IN WASHINGTON AND OF COURSE IN OUR STATE OF NEW YORK.

IRTHINK THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS PEOPLE HERE HAVE TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OUR PARTY AND THE OTHER PARTY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY HAS GOT ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, QUALITY HEALTHCARE.

WE THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE ARE GOING TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT GOES ALONG WITH ENSURING THE ECONOMIC VITALITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS IS A PARTY THAT HAS TO STEP OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE.

I AGREE WITH YOU THAT MAYBE IT SHOULDN'T ALL BE ABOUT JUST WE DON'T LIKE TRUMP.

I THINK IT'S-- BUT IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT HOW THE POLICIES, EVEN THE WORDS OF DONALD TRUMP ARE SO DENY GRADING EVERYTHING THAT-- DENIGRATE EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE COME TO KNOW AND BELIEVE IN THAT AMERICA IS ABOUT.

IS THAT THE COUNTRY WE REALLY WANT TO BE?

TODAY I READ THAT HE PUT UP AN AWFUL RACIST PIECE ON HIS TRUTH SOCIAL AND KEPT IT UP THERE FOR 12 HOURS.

>> PORTRAYING THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND HIS WIFE AS GORILLAS.

AWFUL.

IS THAT OUR AMERICA?

REALLY?

IS THAT WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR?

WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE GOING TO FIGHT AGAINST THAT.

>> I WAS STRUCK BY SOMETHING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID DURING HER REMARKS, WHICH WAS THE IDEA THAT EVEN IF WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS ON SUBSAFETY,-- ON PUBLIC SAFETY, IF PEOPLE DON'T FEEL SAFE, THEN WE AS A PARTY, THE DEMOCRATS, NEED TO ADDRESS THEIR CONCERNS.

AND IN THE PAST, ESPECIALLY IN DWOO, THERE WAS MAYBE A RELUCTANCE TO ENGAGE ON THAT SAFETY TO REALLY TALK ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE WERE FEELING.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE IN 2026?

WHAT IS THE CONVERSATION AROUND PUBLIC SAFETY THAT DEMOCRATS CAN ENGAGE IN THAT YOU THINK WILL CONNECT WITH VOTERS AND NOT NECESSARILY PUT THEM ON THE DEFENSIVE BECAUSE HISTORICALLY REPUBLICANS ARE SEEN AS THE LAW AND ORDER PARTY?

>> WELL, I THINK WE HAVE TO DO MORE THAN HAVE A CONVERSATION.

I THINK WE HAVE TO HAVE ACTION.

THE GOVERNOR HAS.

LOOK AT THE SUBWAYS, THE MONEY SHE HAS PUT INTO PUTTING LAW ENFORCEMENT ON TO THE SUBWAYS.

AND SHE HAS DONE THAT.

AND THE SUBWAYS ARE NOW A LOT SAFER.

WE ARE SECURING THE TURNSTILES SO LESS PEOPLE ARE JUMPING IN AND GETTING IN AND THEN, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HOMELESS AND OTHERS ON THE TRAINS.

SO YOU KNOW, WE ARE MAKING THE CITY SAFER, FROM THE SUBWAYS TO THE STREETS.

PEOPLE SHOULD FEEL SAFE WHETHER YOU ARE IN THE SUBURBS, UPSTATE NEW YORK, CERTAINLY IN ANY ONE OF OUR CITIES.

YOU SHOULD FEEL SAFE COMING AND GOING TO WORK IN YOUR PLACES OF WORSHIP, CERTAINLY IN YOUR HOMES AND YOUR COMMUNITIES.

AND WE ARE DOING THAT.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK PEOPLE WILL SEE.

SO I DONE KNOW THAT SAFETY IS GOING TO BE THE ISSUE THAT IT WAS BACK IN 2022 WHEN THE WHOLE COUNTRY SUFFERED FROM A CRIME WAVE THAT WAS POST COVID.

THE REPUBLICANS WERE VERY GOOD IN 2022.

THEY WERE GREAT AT MAKING IT ABOUT, WHAT THEY REFERRED TO AS CASHLESS BAIL.

AND TO BE HONEST, IT REALLY WASN'T ABOUT CASHLESS BAIL.

THAT'S NOT WHAT BROUGHT THE CRIME TO THE CITY.

THERE MAY HAVE BEEN EXAMPLES OF TIMES WHERE THE BAIL SYSTEM DIDN'T WORK.

BUT OVERWHELMINGLY THAT WAS NOT THE CAUSE.

BUT THEY WON ON IT.

AND FORTUNATELY NOT THE GOVERNORSHIP BUT A NUMBER OF RACES THEY WON ON.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO LET THAT HAPPEN.

WE ARE GOING TO BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT THAT AND CLEAR ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING TO MAKE OUR CITY STREETS SAFER.

>> ONE OF THE AREAS OF AMBIGUITY AT LEAST RIGHT NOW AS WE TALK IN EARLY FEBRUARY ABOUT THE ELECTION SEASON IS WHAT SOME OF THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS MIGHT LOOK LIKE.

SO THINKING ABOUT NEW YORK CITY, THE DISTRICT THAT IS REPRESENTED BY STATEN ISLAND.

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS GOING FORWARD?

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU CAN PLAN OR OR SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO BE REACTIVE TO WHAT THE COURTS MIGHT DO AND THERE WAS A CRITIQUE ABOUT THE EFFORT OF THE STATE PARTY OR THE GOVERNOR TO REALLY HELP THOSE DOWN BALLOT CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR CONGRESS ESPECIALLY IN THE PURPLE DISTRICTS.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE IN 2026 GIVEN THE SUCCESS YOU HAD IN 2024.

ARE THERE LESSONS YOU ARE LOOKING TO UTILIZE THIS GO AROUND THAT MAYBE WERE IN PLAY IN 2024 AND NOT 2022.

>> I'M GOING TO REJECT THAT CRITIQUE FROM 2022.

PEOPLE HAVE TO REMEMBER WE HAD A REDISTRICTING DEBACLE SO WE WERE IN THE COURTS AND HAD LATE PRIMARIES IN LATE AUGUST.

EVERY ONE OF THE DISTRICTS WE LOST AND BELIEVE WE SHOULD HAVE WON HAD A PRIMARY IN LATE AUGUST.

THE REPUBLICANS DIDN'T HAVE THAT BUT IN ONE AND THEIRS WAS NOT A HARD FOUGHT PRIMARY.

WE ONLY HAD EIGHT OR NINE WEEKS TO RUN A GENERAL ELECTION AND WE PAID THE PRICE FOR IT.

WE ALSO HAD THE OVERRIDING ISSUES OF CASHLESS BAIL AS THEY CALL IT.

THE BAIL REFORM PROGRAM THAT WAS PREVALENT, YOU KNOW, THROUGHOUT THE MEDIA DISCUSSIONS.

SO A LOT WAS GOING ON THERE.

WE HAD A COORDINATED CAMPAIGN.

IT WASN'T AS GOOD-- I'LL GIVE YOU THAT-- AS WAS WE DID IN '24 AND THE GOVERNOR RAISED $6 MILLION IN 2024 AND WE GOT OFF THE GROUND WITH A VERY STRONG COORDINATED CAMPAIGN.

AND WE BROUGHT SOME OF THE SEATS BACK, RIGHT?

AND WE ARE GOING TO DO IT AGAIN.

WE HAVE PLANS FOR A COORDINATED CAMPAIGN.

I WOULD HOPE THAT ANTONIO DELGADO WHO I RESPECT, I LIKE HIM, I WOULD HOPE HE WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THE LANDSCAPE HERE AND UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN WANT TO CHALLENGE THE GOVERNOR.

I DON'T THINK IT'S REASONABLE THAT YOU DO.

I THINK SHE HAS GOT A GREAT RECORD, DONE A GREAT JOB.

I THINK THE POLLS SO THAT.

BUT YOU KNOW, AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A PRIMARY, IT'S GOING TO COST $6 MILLION AT LEAST.

AND THAT'S MONEY THAT COULD BE BETTER SPENT ON THESE COORDINATED RACES IN THESE CONGRESSIONALS TO MAKE HAKEEM JEFFRIES THE SPEAKER.

WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR EYES ON THE BALL.

NOBODY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE MISSION.

THAT'S AN ARMY SAYING, YOU KNOW.

THERE IS NO PERSON MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE MISSION.

THE MISSION THIS YEAR CLEARLY IS TO WIN THE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AND ANYTHING THAT TAKES US A STEP AWAY FROM THAT, I THINK IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO RECONSIDER.

I WOULD JUST HOPE THAT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND UNDERSTAND THAT HIS TIME MAY COME BUT MAYBE IT'S NOT NOW.

AND LET'S COME TOGETHER UNITED AS THIS BODY HAS CALLED FOR AND MARCH ON TO TAKE THESE SEATS.

AND MORE SEATS PERHAPS.

WE MAY HAVE THE TENNEY SEAT IN PLAY AND STEFANIK SEAT IN PLAY.

THIS IS GOING TO BE QUITE A YEAR GIVEN THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT HAVING SUCH A HUGE IMPACT ON THE OUTCOME OF AN ELECTION.

WE'VE HAD THAT TO OUR DETRIMENT AND I HAVE A VERY GOOD CONFIDENCE THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THAT TO OUR BENEFIT THIS NOVEMBER.

SO LET'S TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

>> WELL, LASTLY, ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, IF WE REWIND TO THE SUMMER OF 2025, YOU WERE FACING SOME CALLS TO RESIGN IN LIGHT OF THE DIVISION BETWEEN YOURSELF AND THE GOVERNOR OVER WELL THEN ASSEMBLYMEMBER MAMDANI'S BID TO BE MAYOR.

I HAD FAITH IN YOU THAT YOU WERE GOING TO WEATHER THE STORM.

BUT I'M CURIOUS, DID YOU EVER THINK YOU MIGHT NOT BE BACK HERE IN THIS ROLE AT THE 2026 CONVENTION?

>> AT MEETINGS OF THE STATE PARTY, SMALLER MEETINGS WHEN WE HAVE FORMER CHAIRS IN THE AUDIENCE, I ALWAYS RECOGNIZE THE FORMER CHAIRS.

AND I TELL PEOPLE, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS RECOGNIZE-- IF YOU ARE A CHAIR, ALWAYS RECOGNIZE THE FORMER CHAIRS BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO BECOME ONE.

AND IT'S JUST IN THE JOB THAT I HAVE, AND IT'S LIKE RIDING THE BULL BUT TRYING TO GET THE BULL TO GO IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S NOT EASY.

SO I'M ALWAYS READY, YOU KNOW, FOR THE POSSIBILITY THAT YOU KNOW, LOOK, IF THE FOLKS THAT ARE IN THE LEADERSHIP IN THE PARTY HERE AND THE GOVERNOR CERTAINLY WANTS SOMEBODY ELSE.

>> THE GOVERNOR IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOLK.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

BUT I LOOK TO CARL HEASTIE AND ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS AND OUR SENATORS AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, TOO.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M NAVIGATING THE JOB THAT I HAVE, NOT TO THEIR DETRIMENT AS I'VE SAID, BUT TO THEIR BENEFIT.

I'M ALWAYS PREPARED FOR THAT.

IN WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS PAST SUMMER, LOOK, THIS WAS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE THAT I HAD TO GO ON AND I DID.

AND I'LL NEVER TAKE MY JOB OVER PRINCIPLE.

>> WANT TO STAY ON PAST NOVEMBER?

>> WE'LL HAVE TO SEE ABOUT THAT.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT EVERYBODY FEELS.

I'LL TALK TO FOLKS AND WE WILL SEE.

LOOK, I ENJOY IT.

IT'S NOT AN EASY JOB.

I ENJOY IT.

I LOVE THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE COMMITTEE AND COUNTY CHAIRS.

I'VE HAD A LOT OF GOOD FRIENDS I'VE MADE AND I SUSPECT THEY'LL STAY FRIENDS WHEN I'M OUT OF OFFICE AS WELL IF IT COMES TO THAT BUT IN THE MEANTIME I'M DEDICATED TO DOING THE JOB, ELECTING DEMOCRATS AND SEEING WHAT HAPPENS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JAY.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> FOR MORE POLITICAL TALK WE'LL BRING YOU OUR CONVERSATION WITH NICK REISMAN, ALBANY BUREAU CHIEF FOR POLITICO NEW YORK.

THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> LOOKING AT MY THINGS FROM EARLY FEBRUARY, WE HAVE GOVERNOR HOCHUL PICKING A RUNNING MATE, THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR BRUCE BLAKEMAN PICKING A RUNNING MATE.

THE POTENTIAL CHALLENGER TO KATHY HOCHUL ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, ANTONIO DELGADO DROPPING OUT.

THE ASSEMBLYMEMBER MINORITY LEADER STEPPING DOWN FROM HIS LEADERSHIP AND SOMEBODY FILLING THAT SPOT AND THE DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER IN THE SENATE ANNOUNCING HE IS GOING TO RETIRE AND SETTING IS UP A GAME OF MUSICAL CHAIRS IN 2027.

SO ANYTHING TICKING OUT IN THE SHORT-TERM OR LONG-TERM FOR PLANET ALBANY.

>> I THINK WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SOMETHING OF A PRETTY GOOD POLITICAL MOMENT FOR KATHY HOCHUL.

HER POLL NUMBERS ARE ACTUALLY INCREASING A LITTLE BIT.

THEY'RE STILL NOT WHERE I THINK YOU KNOW, ANYBODY WOULD WANT THEM TO BE.

BUT SHE IS CERTAINLY BETTER THAN SHE HAS BEEN OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS SHE HAS BEEN IN OFFICE NUMBER ONE.

SHE PICKED ADRIAN ADAMS AS HER RUNNING MATE DESPITE THE MINI REVOLT IN BROOKLYN THAT LASTED ABOUT 48 HOURS.

A SELECTION THAT APPEARS TO BE WIDELY PRAISED.

I THINK SHE IS HOPING THE THIRD TIME IS GOING TO BE A CHARM WITH HER RUNNING MATE AFTER THE BRYAN BEN AM GIN AND ANTONIO DELGADO DISASTERS AND YOU HAVE A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE BUM BLING OUT OF THE GATE.

IT'S OBVIOUSLY SHAPING UP TO BE A PRETTY BAD YEAR POLITICALLY FOR REPUBLICANS, CONSIDERING THAT THEY'RE THE PARTY IN POWER.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS INCREASINGLY UNPOPULAR.

HIS MASS DEPORTATION CAMPAIGN IS INCREASINGLY UNPOPULAR AND POTENTIALLY GOING TO BE FACING VOTER BACKLASH AS WELL.

MEANWHILE, HERE YOU HAVE GOVERNOR HOCHUL WHO HAS BEEN PROPOSING A BUNCH OF MEASURES TO PUT GUARD RAILS ON ICE AND THE OTHER FEDERAL IMMIGRATION EFFORTS.

THAT'S GOT A LOT OF APPROVAL WITH VOTERS.

AND THEN AT THE SAME TIME, YOU HAVE HAD A REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN THAT HAS HAD A LOT OF SELF INFLICTED WOUNDS.

BLAKEMAN HAS NOT CLOSED THE DEAL WITH A NUMBER OF UPSTATE CONSERVATIVES.

PEOPLE WHO WERE SUPER FANS OF ELISE STEFANIK AND REALLY WANTED HER TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR AND FEEL LIKE HE ELBOWED HER OUT OF THE RACE.

AND THEN HAVE YOU THE DEBACLE WITH THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SELECTION WHERE INITIAL WILL I HE WAS SET TO PUT FULTON COUNTY SHERIFF GIOODINO.

THAT LASTED THE ENDS OF THE SUPER BOWL AND HE BOWED OUT AND THEN PICKED ANOTHER RURAL SHERIFF, TODD HOOD, MADISON COUNTY SHERIFF TODD HOOD MAKING IT SEEM INTERCHAFINGABLE.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ABOUT WHO THESE RUNNING MATES ARE BECAUSE LET'S FACE IT MOST NEW YORKERS DON'T KNOW WHO THE PEOPLE ARE BUT IT ADDS UP TO A CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS FOR THE BLAKEMAN CAMPAIGN AND CUMULATIVE SUCCESSES FOR KATHY HOCHUL.

>> I WANT TO UNDERSCORE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING THERE BECAUSE THIS IS A BLUE STATE.

IT'S A MID TERM ELECTION WHERE REPUBLICANS ARE IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

THINGS ARE HISTORICALLY WORSE OFF FOR THEM.

AND GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL HAS IN TECHNICAL TERMS, A BOAT LOAD OF MONEY ALREADY.

REPUBLICANS NEED TO RUN A PERFECT CAMPAIGN TO BEAT ALL OF THOSE CHALLENGES AND WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS NOT A PERFECT CAMPAIGN.

>> I HAVE MADE THE ANALOGY BEFORE AND I STAND BY IT, IT'S VERY, VERY DIFFICULT FOR A REPUBLICAN TO WIN STATEWIDE IN NEW YORK.

IT HASN'T HAPPENED GOING ON 24 YEARS NOW.

THE LAST TIME WAS IN 2002 WHEN GEORGE PATAKI WON A THIRD TERM.

IT'S NOT IMPOSSIBLE.

IT'S BASICALLY A SHOT FROM HALF COURT IN BASKETBALL.

HAVE YOU TO HAVE A LOT OF CONDITIONS THAT SIMPLY WILL GO YOUR WAY.

CLOSEST GUY TO DO IT WAS LEE ZELDON IN 2022 AND THAT WAS SIX POINTS.

THIS ISN'T HORSESHOES.

CLOSE DOES NOT COUNT AT THE END OF THE DAY.

YOU HAVE TO GET TO 51%.

KATHY HOCHUL HAS FIVE YEARS-- FOUR AND A HALF YEARS ON THE JOBMENT AS YOU SAID, SHE HAS BEEN RAISING AT A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT CLIP.

SHE HAS TO RETURN SOME OF THE MONEY BECAUSE SHE WAS PLANNING FOR THE PRIMARY THAT NEVER MATERIALIZED BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, DEMOCRATIC ENROLLMENT ADVANTAGE.

ADVANTAGE OF DONALD TRUMP BEING DEEPLY UNPOPULAR IN HIS NATIVE STATE.

ALL THESE THINGS ADD UP TO A PRETTY SUCCESSFUL YEAR.

AT THIS RATE, AT THIS VERY POINT IN TIME FOR KATHY HOCHUL.

>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ANTONIO DELGADO DROPPED HIS CAMPAIGN A FEW DAYS AFTER A FEW THINGS DID NOT GO HIS WAY, THAT INCLUDED THE NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ENDORSING GOVERNOR HOCHUL AND THE NEW YORK WORKING FAMILIES PARTY, PROGRESSIVE THIRD PARTY SAYING WE ARE KNOT GOING TO ENDORSE DELGADO OR HOCHUL.

WE ARE JUST GOING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> WE ARE SEEING AN INTERESTING DEGREE OF PRACTICING NAH TISM FROM THE LEFT FLAPPING OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY RIGHT NOW.

MAMDANI OBVIOUSLY HAS A LOT OF STUFF HE NEEDS TO GET DONE IN ALBANY TO SHOW SHE HAS HAD A SUBSTANTIVELY SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE.

OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A LOT OF SCEPTICISM THAT A 34-YEAR-OLD DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST CAN GOVERN THE CITY'S LARGEST CITY AND HE NEEDS KATHY HOCHUL ON HIS TEAM.

HE HAS MADE THE CALCULATED DECISION TO ENDORSE HER EARLY ON IN THIS PROCESS BEFORE THE BUDGET IS EVEN REMOTE REMOTELY CLOSE TO BEING FINALIZED.

>> A LOT OF LEVERAGE.

>> ENDORSING HER OVER ANTONIO DELGADO POLLING LAST I CHECKED, AROUND 11% OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SO IT WAS EASILY CONSIDERED A LONG SHOT AND YOU HAVE THE LEFT LEANING BALLOT LINE AND WORKING FAMILIES PARTY.

WEIGHING IN AT ALL AND PUTTING IN A PLACE HOLDER THERE AND THAT REFLECTS A PRAGMATISM THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN FROM THE WFP IN THE PAST WHEN THEY HAD GONE TO WAR WITH ANDREW CUOMO BY ESSENTIALLY ANNOUNCING THEY WOULD BACK CYNTHIA NIXON, ONE OF HIS LEFT LEANING CHALLENGERS IN 2018.

THIS TIME AROUND THEY'RE SAYING WE ARE GOING TO STAY OUT OF THIS ENTIRELY AND IN THAT THAT REFLECTED A CERTAIN DEGREE THAT ANTONIO DELGADO WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY TO WIN THE JUNE PRIMARY AND MAYBE AT THE SAME TIME THEY TRIED TO EXERT SOME LEVERAGE OVER KATHY HOCHUL BUT SHE DOESN'T NEED THE WORKING FAMILIES PARTY ULTIMATELY, CERTAINLY NOT GOING INTO JUNE AND MAYBE NOT EVEN GOING FOO THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION.

THE WFP NEEDS A NAME ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER BECAUSE THEY WANT TO RETAIN THEIR BALLOT STATUS.

>> WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS REALLY IMPORTANT THERE BECAUSE IF THE GOVERNOR MAKES A CALCULATION THAT I DON'T NEED TO BE ON THAT BALLOT LINE TO WIN IN NOVEMBER, WHOEVER THE WFP IS GOING TO NOMINATE, UNLESS IT'S JESUS, IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GET THAT THRESHOLD THAT THEY NEED TO RETAIN THE AUTOMATIC BALLOT ACCESS, WHICH IS WHAT MAKES THEM A FORCE TO THE DEGREE THAT THEY ARE A FORCE IN NEW YORK POLITICS.

>> WE NEED SOMEBODY WITH VERY, VERY HIGH NAME RECOGNITION IN ORDER TO, I DON'T KNOW IF IT NEEDS TO BE ON THE MAGNITUDE OF THE LORD, BUT IT DOES NEED TO BE , LIKE YANKEE FANS, MAYBE ANY QICH LENT BUT IT NEEDS TO BE SOMEONE WHO HAS REMARKABLY HIGH NAME REBOUNDING NICKS BUT AT THE SAME TIME THAT WOULD ULTIMATELY BE A A VICTORY IF THEY WERE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT BECAUSE KATHY HOCHUL, AT LEAST AT THIS POINT WHERE WE ARE SITTING RIGHT NOW IS ON A GLIDE PATH TO THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION AND HEAVILY FAVORED TO WIN IN NOVEMBER.

>> SO A CHANGE THAT MOST NEW YORKERS ARE NOT GOING TO FEEL, BUT ONE THAT WE NOTICE IN THE CAPITOL IS THE ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP AND ASSEMBLYMEMBER WILL BARCLAY HAS ANNOUNCED HE IS NOT RUNNING AGAIN.

HE HAS BEEN IN THE LEADERSHIP POST FOR FIVE OR SIX YEARS NOW AND INSTEAD OF BEING A LAME DUCK LEADER, HE STEPPED DOWN IN FEBRUARY.

AND LONG ISLAND ASSEMBLYMEMBER ED RA WHO HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE NOW, IS GOING TO BE STEPPING IN AS LEADER.

WATCHING WHAT IF ANYTHING ARE YOU WATCHING FOR?

FOR CONTEXT, AND VIEWERS, THE ASSEMBLYMEMBER REPUBLICANS MAKE UP A TEENY TINY PORTION OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THUS DON'T HAVE A LOT OF POWER THERE.

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING FROM ED RA.

>> ONE THING THAT IS NOTABLE HERE IS THAT NOW YOU HAVE ALMOST ALL OF THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAVE FOR SENATE MINORITY LEADER ROBERT ORTT FROM THE BUFFALO AREA.

NOW THEY'RE FROM THE DOWNSTATE REGION, METRO REGION, FROM THE MTA SERVICE AREA, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO REFER TO AS DOWNSTATE.

THAT IS NOW VIRTUALLY THREE OUT OF THE FOUR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN THE LEGISLATURE ARE REPRESENTED BY DOWNSTATE LAWMAKERS, OBVIOUSLY THE GOVERNOR IS FROM BUFFALO BUT IT'S INTERESTING THAT THEY WENT WITH LONG ISLANDER CONSIDERING JUST THE AMOUNT OF POWER THAT LONG ISLAND REPUBLICANS CURRENTLY HAVE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN NEW YORK.

YOU LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE NOMINATION OF WRY'S BLAKEMAN, NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR, IN LARGE PART THIS NOMINATION IS ABOUT ENSURING THAT YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF DOWN BALLOT SUCCESS PRIMARILY IN THE NEW YORK CITY SUBURBS ON THE G.O.P.

SIDE.

IT MAY NOT EVEN BE ABOUT WINNING STATEWIDE ELECTION.

I THINK ED RA'S RISE TO THE MINORITY LEADERSHIP POST, IT'S A POWERLESS POSITION, ALMOST AS POWERLESS AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S JOB.

BUT I THINK THIS IS ABOUT A BROADER STORY ABOUT HOW LONG ISLAND REPUBLICANS ARE RESURGENT RIGHT NOW ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THINGS IN NEW YORK POLITICS.

THE BIG DIFFERENCE THOUGH IS WHEN THEY WERE LAST AT THE HEIGHT OF THEIR POWER, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE AL DA MAT OWE YEARS, THEY WERE ABLE TO ELECT STATEWIDE DEBATES AND THE BEST THINGS YOU CAN DO THESE DAYS IS NOT SENATE MAJORITY LEADER OR ASSEMBLY SPEAKER.

REPUBLICANS HAVEN'T HELD CONTROL OF THE ASSEMBLY IN MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY AT THIS POINT.

BUT REALLY TALKING ABOUT WHAT SORT OF POST THEY CAN GRAB AND THAT NOW IS LIKE THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP JOBS.

>> ONE, YOU ARE THE VOICE OF THE ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS.

BUT SECOND OF ALL, THERE ARE THINGS MEMBERS NEED TO BRING HOME TO THEIR DISTRICTS 678 THERE ARE SOME NOMINAL AMOUNT OF LOCAL BILLS THAT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO PASS.

AND I THINK THAT IS ONLY AND WILL BARCLAY HAD A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH SPEAKER HEASTIE.

>> AND HEASTIE PUT OUT A STATEMENT BASICALLY CONGRATULATING HIM ON WHAT A WONDERFUL RUN.

YOU WERE A GREAT PARTNER TO WORK WITH.

HIBED HIM A LITTLE BIT SOMETHING YOU DON'T NECESSARILY SEE IN POLITICS THESE DAYS BUT A REMINDER THAT UNLIKE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL WHERE EVEN IN THE MINORITY DEMOCRATS CAN SHAPE LEGISLATION, CAN WITH HOLD VOTES AND ACTUALLY LED TO SOME GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS INCLUDING THE MOST RECENT ONES.

BUT IN THE STATE ASSEMBLY IN ALBANY AND THE SENATE FOR THAT MATTER, IT IS A TOP DOWN INSTITUTION CONTROLLED BY THE MAJORITY POWER PARTIES WINNER TAKE ALL AND ONE OF THE REASONS REPUBLICANS ARE SO MIRED IN THE MINORITY OVER THE LAST HALF CENTURY OR SO IS BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF POWER VESTED IN THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY AND IF YOU UPSET THE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER BY MAKING A QUIXOTIC GOAL TO CAPTURE THE MAJORITY SOMEHOW AGAIN, THAT IS A ONE-WAY TICKET TO LOSING OFFICE SPACE, LOSING MONEY, LOSING OUT ON JOBS AND A LOT OF G.O.P.

LEADERS NOT JUST WILL BARCLAY BUT A LOT OF G.O.P.

LEADERS OVER THE YEARS HAVE MADE A SIMILAR CALCULATION.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

NEXT UP I'LL SHARE OUR CONVERSATION WITH KEI WILLIAMS.

HEAD OF THE NEW PRIDE AGENDA WHICH ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF THE LGBTQ NEW YORKERS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> I WANT TO START WITH THE ISSUE OF MEDICAID SERVICES COVERING GENDER AFFIRMING CARE.

AND WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT PROVIDERS CAN'T GET PAID FOR THIS AND EVEN GOING AS FAR AIS TO SAY WE ARE GOING TO ADD YOU TO THE MEDICAID EXCLUSION LIST IF YOU PROVIDE THIS TYPE OF CARE.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR FROM STATE POLICYMAKERS AS IT PERTAINS TO MEDICAID AND CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH GENDER AFFIRMING CARE.

>> I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO LEAD WITH IS THAT GENDER AFFIRMING CARE IS WHAT IT SAYS.

AFFIRMING CARE.

IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY TARGET ONE GENDER OR THE OTHER.

>> AND A RAPING OF SERVICES.

>> CISGENDER BOY, THE HGH, HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE THAT HELPS CISGENDER BOYS WHO WANT TO GET THEIR GROWTH SPIRIT GOING.

A RANGE OF WAYS IT IS EXECUTED.

WE HAVE SEEN THIS OVER AND OVER WITH THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE CARVEOUT AS ROUND COVERAGE AND TARGETING THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY.

FOR US WE ARE LOOKING FOR STATED TO SHOW UP, LOOKING FOR THE STATE TO PUSH BACK AND FILL IN THE GAP WHEREVER POSSIBLE.

WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE A DIFFICULT SEASON AND DIFFICULT SESSION ON THAT.

THERE ARE SOME PIECES OF LEGISLATION AND THERE IS A REQUEST FOR GENDER AFFIRMING CARE FUNDING TO EXECUTEDDED AND ESTABLISHED IN THE STATE LEVEL ALONG WITH A PIECE OF POLICY THAT ASSEMBLYMEMBER ROSENTHAL IS CARRYING THAT WOULD MANDATE THE NEW YORK STATE CONTINUE TO FILL IN THE GAP AROUND MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR GENDER AFFIRMING CARE.

>> FROM A PRACTICAL PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE MEDICAID IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM BY THE STATE, ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT STANDING UP A SEPARATE PROGRAM THAT IS GOING TO AUGMENT WHAT MEDICAID WOULDN'T BE COVERING UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

>> IT'S A 50-50.

THE FEDERAL PUTS UP SOME, THE STATE DOES REGARDLESS OF WHAT COMES DOWN, WE KNOW THAT HEALTHCARE COVERAGE IS SOMETHING WE DEEPLY BELIEVE IN AS A HUMAN RIGHT ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYBODY.

AND SO WE ARE HOPING THAT IN THE SENSE OF HAVING THERE BE MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR GENDER AFFIRMING CARE, THAT THE STATE WILL CONTINUE TO DO ITS PART AND THEY WILL BE UTILIZED AS LEVERAGE TO PUSH BACK IN TERMS OF THE COST THAT ARE HAPPENING.

WE KNOW WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION WHENEVER THERE IS A PUSH BACK, WE SEEM TO WIN.

WE ARE HOPEFUL FOR THAT AS WELL.

YOU KNOW, I WON'T GET INTO IT TOO DEEP BUT NEW YORK CITY ESTABLISHED A GENDER AFFIRMING CARE LAST SESSION AND THERE IS A TEMPLATE HERE OF CITIES AND STATES PUTTING FORTH THEIR OWN FUNDING MECHANISMS.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE LOOKING INTO AS WELL.

>> WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE GENERALS OF NEW YORKERS NOT HAVING ACCESS TO GENDER AFFIRMING CARE?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO TO YOUNG PESH, OLD PERSON, IF THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO GENDER AFFIRMING CARE.

>> GENDER AFFIRMING CARE IS JUST ONE PART OF ANYBODY'S EXPERIENCE AND WE SAY AT THAT TIME WITH DEEP EMPHASIS THAT GENDER AFFIRMING CARE IS CARE THAT BELONGS TO EVERYBODY.

SO FOR US, THE RISK IS KNOWN, RIGHT?

WHEN YOU COME-- NOT JUST YOU BUT PARTICULARLY WITH YOUTH, DEEP IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND SUICIDE IDEATION.

OTHER CONCERNS AROUND SPECIFICALLY SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE SO IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR YOUTH TO HAVE ACCESS TO THAT.

AND THERE ARE FOLKS THAT DON'T TRANSITION TO MUCH LATER IN LIFE, THEIR 20S OR 30S.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE CARE THAT THEY DESIRE AND THAT THEY DESERVE AND THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

>> I WANT TO STICK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH, WHICH HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS PAID A LOT OF LIP SERVICE TO AND EVEN BUT SOME MONEY BEHIND.

WHAT, IN PARTICULAR, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FOR THOSE LGBTQ YOUTH AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS?

>> YEAH, WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THE GOVERNOR PUT IN HER EXECUTIVE BUDGET THAT DAME OUT LAST MONTH, THE EXECUTION OR ESTABLISHMENT OF A $1.8 MILLION LGBTQ YOUTH SUICIDE HOT LINE TO PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.

WE KNOW THAT LGBTQ YOUTH HAVE DIFFERENT MENTAL HEALTH IMPACTS DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT.

SO SEEING HER PUT THE HOT LINE IN HER BUDGET IS SOMETHING WE WERE EXCITED ABOUT AND GRATEFUL FOR.

IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE LAST YEAR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DEFUNDED 988 SUICIDE HOT LINE SERVICES, PARTICULARLY IMPACTING THE TREVOR PROJECT WHICH DIRECTLY SERVICES LGBTQ YOUTH.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE NEW PRIDE AGENDA WORKED REALLY HARD ON LAST YEAR IN TERMS OF GETTING OUR FOOT IN THE DOOR AND SAYING WAIT, NEW YORK NEEDS TO MEET THIS MOMENT AND FILL THE GAP.

WE KNOW NEW YORKERS REALLY CARE ABOUT THIS SO ESTABLISHING A HOT LINE IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO AND HOPE THE GOVERNOR IS ABLE TO ACTUALLY EXECUTE.

WHEN IT COMES TO THAT, RIGHT, NEW YORKERS DO HAVE ACCESS TO CARE, RIGHT?

WE ARE A SAFE HAVEN STATE.

WE PROCLAIM OURSELVES TO BE ONE AT LEAST.

AND SO FOR US, WE KNOW THAT LGBTQ YOUTH MIGHT HAVE ACCESS TO THERAPY SERVICES.

MY AC ACLU SEAS TO SUPPORTIVE SPACES BUT THE TREVOR PROJECT DID A REPORT LAST YEAR AND LESS THAN 10% OF THE YOUTH HAVE ACCESS TO HOT LINES OR A TEXT CHAT BOT TO HELP THEM THROUGH THE MENTAL STRUGGLES SO THAT'S WHY WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL.

WE ALSO HAVE SOME LEGISLATION INTRODUCED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO BUILDING UP TO MAKE SURE THE HOT LINE HAPPENS WITHIN THE BUDGET AS WELL.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE EXECUTION OF SOMETHING LIKE BECAUSE THIS IS A SPECIFIC GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE SPECIFIC NEEDS.

I IMAGINE YOU WANT PEOPLE ANSWERING THE HOT LINE WHO UNDERSTAND THOSE NEEDS.

IS THERE A REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE STATE IS GOING TO BE IN A POSITION TO HAVE CULTURALLY COMPETENT CARE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT HOT LINE?

>> YEAH, WE KNOW THAT NEW YORK HAS SOME OF THE STRONGEST EQUALITY RIGHTS AND PRACTICES HERE IN THE COUNTRY ACCORDING TO MOVEMENT ADVANCEMENT PROJECT.

WE ARE ONE OF THE TOP TWO STATES TIED WITH CONNECTICUT, CORRECT?

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF TRAINING.

WE HAVE AGENDA, WE HAVE A CULTURALLY NORMALCY OF ACCEPTANCE OF OUR VALUES.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING TO HAPPEN WITH THE 988 HOT LINE WOULD BE FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE THE TRAINING, RIGHT, WHO KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS TO RESPOND TO THAT COMMUNITY.

THERE DOES CURRENTLY EXIST IF YOU WERE TO CALL 98, YOU CAN CALL 988 AND RECEIVE SOMEONE'S TREATMENT BUT THERE IS NOTHING SPECIFIC FOR LGBTQ FOLKS OR YOUTH FOLKS AND THIS ENCOMPASSES WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN PUTTING FORTH AS WELL.

SHE HAS BEEN DOING A LOT OF STUDENT PROTECTIONS, THE A.I.

BAN, PHONE BAN.

WE THINK THIS IS AN ADDITION ON TO MAKING SURE THAT SPECIFICALLY LGBTQ YOUTH MARGINALIZED YOUTH HAVE THE SAFE SPACES AS WELL.

>> WHAT ABOUT EFFORTS TO CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR KIDS SO THAT THEY ARE FREE FROM BULLYING?

I KNOW THERE IS LEGISLATION ON THAT FRONT AS WELL TO ADDRESS THE DISCRIMINATION AND PREVENT BULLYING OF LGBTQ YOUTH, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, ONE OF OUR PIECES THAT WE ARE FOCUSING ON THIS YEAR IS THE BEACON ACT.

AND THE BEACON ACT WOULD DO TWO THINGS.

IT WOULD STRENGTHEN THE ALREADY EXISTING DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT, DASA WHICH WENT INTO THE RECORDS THAT IS PART OF THE NEW PRIDE AGENDA'S LEGACY OF WORK ENSURING THAT STUDENTS HAVE SAFE PROTECTIONS WITHIN CLASSROOMS AND SCHOOLS, PARTICULARLY WITH THEIR GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND WHO WE SERVE AS A COMMUNITY AND ORGANIZATION SO WE HAVE FOLKS WHO MIGHT BE QUEER AND MIGRANT IN STUDENTS WHO ARE YOUNGER FOLKS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS LEGISLATION THAT CONTINUES TO IMPLEMENT DASA AND STRENGTHEN DASA.

SOMETHING WE ARE LOOKING FOR AS WELL.

IT WOULD HELP TO END BULLYING AND HARASSMENT FOR STUDENTS ACROSS NEW YORK STATE AND I THINK ALSO GIVE MORE IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT BE THAT HAVING ACTUAL COORDINATOR, RIGHT IN EVERY COUNTY OR EVERY DISTRICT.

THERE IS MORE TO BE WORKED OUT BUT THAT'S ONE PIECE OF LEGISLATION WE ARE LOOKING AT.

>> ONE WIN THAT THE LGBTQ MOVEMENT HAD A FEW YEARS AGO WAS THIS TRANSGENDER WELLNESS FUND AND, AGAIN, LOOKING FOR MORE FUNDING IN THAT IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.

HOW DO YOU THINK THAT PROJECT HAS BEEN GOING SO FAR?

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THE WAY THAT MONEY HAS BEEN FLOWING AND BEEN DISTRIBUTED?

AND MOVING FORWARD, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR OTHER THAN I ASSUME, MORE MONEY.

>> THE LORENA BORJAS TRANSGENDER WELLNESS AND EQUITY FUND KNOWN AS STARTED OFF AS A $3 MILLION INVESTMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATOR.

THEY SHARE BOTH OF THE INVESTMENTS.

IT HAS GROWN TO $4.75 MILLION IN TOTAL CONTINUOUS FUNDING YEAR OVER.

WE WERE REALLY GRATEFUL AND EXCITED FOR THAT AND THAT INVESTMENT HAS PRIMARILY COME THROUGH THE EXECUTIVE CHAMBER AND THERE OF ADD ONS FOR THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH.

THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR THINKING ABOUT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR THESE FOLKS.

THIS YEAR WE ARE ASKING FOR A $10 MILLION TOTAL PACKAGE ON THE WELLNESS AND EQUITY FUND AND ACING ASKING FOR THE ADD ONS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ABLE TO MEET THE MOMENT.

IT IS A STATEWIDE FUND AND STATE STATEWIDE INITIATIVE AND SERVICES PROGRAMS IN BUFFALO AND ROCHESTER ACROSS CENTRAL NEW YORK DOWN TO LONG ISLAND.

AND ACROSS THE FIVE BOROUGHS SO IT IS A STATEWIDE FUND THAT MEETS PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.

IT SUPPORTS TRANS LEADING AND TRANS-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE AND SOING THAT THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE UNDERFUNDED ESPECIALLY AT THIS POINT IN TIME WHERE FUNDING HAS BEEN SO STRIFE AND STRICKEN FOR MOST ORGANIZATIONS.

RIGHT NOW IT IS STILL A FACT THAT ONLY 5 CENTS OUT OF EVERY $100 THAT GOES TO A LGBTQ ORGANIZATION ENDS UP IN A TRANS SERVING OR TRANS-LEADING ORGANIZATION.

THAT'S WHY THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED NAMED AFTER LORE REFUGEE ABORAJAS A LATINA TRANSGENDER ACTIVIST FROM QUEENS MAKING SURE NEEDS WERE BEING MET AND STEPPING UP TO PROVIDE 134 OF THOSE SUPPLEMENTS AS WELL.

>> HAS IT BEEN GOING OUT IN A TIMELY FASHION AND GOING OUT TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF DOING THIS WORK OR IS IT GOING TO MAYBE SOME OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE JUST HISTORICALLY DONE A BETTER JOB OF APPLYING FOR MONEY?

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT TRACK RECORD SO FAR?

>> YEAH, WE KNOW STATE FUNDING OR GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS, THERE IS OFTEN DELAY IN PAYMENT PROCESS.

THAT IS SOMETHING ORGANIZERS HAVE TALKED ABOUT FROM THE CITY TO THE STATE LEVEL BUT IT IS FUNDING THAT SHOWS UP AND HAS MADE A REAL TRUE IMPACT.

RECENTLY WE HAVE DONE A STATE SURVEY OF THE 20 PLUS ORGANIZATIONS ASKING HOW HAS THIS BEEN SUPPORTING YOU?

THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS.

THERE ARE ARTS AND CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS, HEALTH AND WELLNESS ORGANIZATIONS AND LEGAL CLINICS AND HOT LINES THAT ARE USING THESE SERVICE.

IN TERMS OF THE EXPANSION WHY WE NEED IT IN THIS MOMENT IS ENSURING THAT THE ORGANIZATIONS ON THE GROUND ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE THE SERVICES, RIGHT?

IF WE ARE OPERATING FROM BEHIND PACKAGE, WE NEED MORE EXPANSION, YOU KNOW, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MEETING THE MOMENT AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

I WILL ALSO SAY THAT THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DOING THE WORK IS A VARIETY AS WELL.

THEY'RE VERY DIVERSE.

VERY SMALL ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE JUST BLACK TRANS WOMEN, RIGHT?

AND UPSTATE NEW YORK, BUT YOU ALSO HAVE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE GLIST, WESTERN NEW YORK DOING QUEER LGBTQ YOUTH WELLNESS PACKAGES AND PROGRAMS ACROSS ALL OF WESTERN NEW YORK.

AND THEN YOU HAVE ORGANIZATIONS IN DOWNSTATE THAT ARE SUPPORTING WITH LIKE MIGRANT RIGHTS SERVICES, DESTINATION TOMORROW IN THE BRONX AND ORGANIZATIONS MORE HISTORIC ORGANIZATIONS LIKE HENDRICK MARTIN INSTITUTE OR NEW YORK FOUNDING SO IT'S A SMALL VARIETY OF SMALL GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS STARTING TO FIND THEIR FEET AND BE ABLE TO SERVICE THE POPULATION WHERE THEY ARE AND MORE RURAL AREAS OR ROCHESTER, MAYBE NOT A RURAL AREA-- >> DEFINITELY NOT.

>> BUT AND PLACES IN THE MORE URBAN CENTERS THAT HAVE A TRACK RECORD.

I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS ABOUT THE FUND IS THAT IT DOESN'T PICK AND CHOOSE.

THERE IS A POWER-IN FROM THE LEGISLATIVE AND A POWER--- POUR IN FROM THE LEGISLATIVE.

AND THAT COMBINED APPROACH HAS ALLOWED US TO MAKE SURE WE ARE HITTING ALL LEVELS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR THIS CONVERSATION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL HAVE MORE ABOUT THAT STORY IN THE FUTURE.

BUT NOW WE ARE GOING CHECK IN WITH BILL GETTMAN, C.E.O.

OF NORTHERN RIVERS FAMILY OF SERVICES, WHICH WORKS IN THE CAPITAL REGION TO SERVE MORE THAN 18,000 KIDS AND ADULTS HELPING THEM NAVIGATE ABUSE, MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS AND A RANGE OF OTHER DEMANDS.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME BILL.

I APPRECIATE.

>> IT GREAT TO BE HERE, DAVID.

>> LET'S BEGIN WITH A RECURRING ISSUE, ALTHOUGH IT HAS A NEW NAME BUT SAME ISSUE.

THE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT THAT NON-PROFIT PROVIDERS ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR FROM THE STATE TO KEEP UP WITH COST OF LIVING BECAUSE EVERYTHING, WHETHER IT'S LABOR OR KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON, GETS MORE EXPENSIVE EVERY YEAR.

AND COMING INTO THIS YEAR'S BUDGET YOU WERE LOOKING FOR A 2.7% COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT.

THE GOVERNOR IN HER BUDGET PROPOSAL CAME OUT WITH 1.7%.

OBVIOUSLY NOT WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

WHAT IS THE SUBSTANTIVE DIFFERENCE THERE?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE THAT 1 PERCENTAGE POINT DIFFERENCE?

IS IT KEEPING DOORS OPEN OR IS IT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE MAYBE PAPERED OVER?

>> IT CAN'T BE PAPERED OVER.

RIGHT NOW OUR WORKFORCE IS UNDER PAID AND OUR COSTS ARE GOING UP.

INFLATION IS GOING UP.

FOOD IS UP ABOUT 14%.

INSURANCE IS UP NORTH OF 15% FOR MOST AGENCIES AND OUR WORKFORCE HAS TO PAY THEIR BILLS.

SO THE GOVERNOR DID PUT IN 1.7 IN HER PG AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.

THE COST OF LIVING FOR AS CALCULATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS 2.7.

SO WE NEED AN ADDITIONAL 1%.

THAT VALUE IS ABOUT $100 SOME WILL AND THAT WILL GO INTO THE PAYCHECK AND POCKETS OF OUR FRONT LINE WORKERS WHO ARE WOEFULLY UNDERPAID.

AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE HOPING THAT THE ADDITIONAL 1% CAN HELP US REDUCE OUR TURNOVER.

TURNOVER IN OUR SECTOR RANGES FROM 25 TO 50%, DEPENDING ON THE WORK YOU DO.

AND THAT HAS AN IMPACT ON QUALITY, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND COSTS.

>> AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE HERE, THIS IS, IN MANY CASES DIRECT HANDS ON CARE FOR SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE IN SOCIETY.

PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.

PEOPLE WHO MIGHT HAVE A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

>> THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO WORK 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

THESE ARE FOLKS WHO RUN THE GROUP HOME OR THE COMMUNITY RESIDENTS OR GO OUT ON MOBILE CRISIS CALLS OR DO MENTAL HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITY.

THEY ARE THERE, HANDS ON, DESPITE THE WEATHER, DESPITE THE CONDITIONS.

AND WE NEED THEM TO BE OUT THERE TO PROTECT OUR KIDS AND FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEN SO THOSE KIDS WHO NEED INSTITUTIONAL OR GROUP CARE.

THEY'RE THE ONES WHO TAKE CARE OF THEM ON SATURDAY NIGHT AT 2 IN THE MORNING.

>> THE BUDGET PROCESS IS A NEGOTIATION PROCESS.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STRUCK ME WHEN I HEARD THE 2.7% ASK IS WHY ONLY 2.7% BECAUSE ONE COMES IN HIGH, ONE COMES IN LOW.

YOU SETTLE IN THE MIDDLE.

DO YOU HAVE A MORE REALISTIC NUMBER.

HEY LET'S DO 4% AND LAND AT THE 2.7% NUMBER FROM THE GOVERNOR?

>> A COUPLE OF PARTS TO THAT.

WE WANT TO STAY TRUE TO THE CLIFF INCREASES.

THE 2.7 IS THE CPI.

THE BUDGET FOLKS SAY WHAT IS YOUR RATIONALE.

PULLING IT OUT OF THIN AIR DOES NOT CONVINCE THE POLICYMAKERS.

>> THERE IS MATH.

COULD YOU SAY YOU HAVEN'T KEPT UP IN THE PAST YEARS.

WE HAVE TO MAKE UP FOR THOSE YEARS AS WELL.

>> WE WANT TO BE SENSITIVE TO THE FINANCIAL STRUCTURE OF THE STATE RIGHT NOW.

THE BUDGET IS A MOVING DOCUMENT.

WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO TAKE 5% OR 6% AS WAS SUGGESTED BY SOME MEMBERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET HEARING PROCESS BUT WE WANT TO BE, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO BE HONEST STEWARDS OF THE GOVERNMENT'S MONEY.

>> STICKING WITH THAT IDEA RECOGNIZING THERE ARE LIMITED RESOURCES.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR FROM THE STATE IN 9 BUDGET PROCESS OR A STAND ALONE BILL THAT YOU THINK WILL MAKE YOUR OPERATIONS MORE SUSTAINABLE OR HAVE OTHER POSITIVE IMPACTS?

>> I THINK THERE ARE WAYS TO CREATE IN EFFICIENCIES IN THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES.

WE HAVE A 9-POINT PLAN CALLED CUT THE RED TAPE.

AND THESE ARE IDEAS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TOGETHER BY OUR SOCIAL WORKERS, DIRECT CARE WORKERS, OUR ASSOCIATIONS.

HOW DO WE MAKE DELIVERY SERVICE MORE EFFICIENT?

FOR-PROFIT COMPANIES DO IT EVERY SINGLING DAY.

HOW DO YOU IMPROVE YOUR PROCESS TO REDUCE COSTS, MAKE THE EXPERIENCE OF DEALING WITH YOU EASIER AND FASTER AND MAKE IT MORE SATISFYING?

SO WE HAVE NINE BIG BUCKETS OF ITEMS WE WANT TO REDUCE THE REGULATIONS.

NEW YORK STATE HAS THE SECOND MOST REGULATIONS IN THE COUNTRY, ONLY TO CALIFORNIA.

WE HAVE 300,000 REGULATIONS IN THE STATE TAKING UP SOME THREE MILLION WORDS.

WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF DELIVERING SERVICES IF WE CUT THE RED TAPE.

A COUPLE EXAMPLES.

SO FIRST, IF YOU COME TO WORK FOR ME AND WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU A GREAT BACKGROUND CHECK AND CHECK YOUR FINGERPRINTS AND CHILD ABUSE HISTORY AND ALL THOSE THINGS.

BUT IF YOU WALK ACROSS OUR PARKING LOT AND WORK IN A MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM, WE HAVE TO RECLEAR YOU AGAIN AT THE SAME COST, SAME RIGOR SAME DELAYS.

THAT MAKES NO SENSE.

WE HAVE TECHNOLOGY TODAY.

WE HAVE A.I., WE HAVE SMART PEOPLE THAT CAN PUT TOGETHER AN EMPLOYEE PASSPORT, FOR INSTANCE.

COMMON SENSE, SAVES MONEY AND SPEEDS UP THE HIRING PROCESS WHICH HELPS CLIENTS.

THE OTHER AREA WE TALK ABOUT A LOT IS THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS.

IF YOU COME INTO OUR SYSTEMS, MENTAL HEALTH, CHILD WELFARE, OASAS, OPWDD, YOU GET ASSESSED FOR YOUR NEEDS, BACKGROUND, WHAT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS, BUT IF YOU MOVE TO ANOTHER PROGRAM OR GET A NEW CLINICIAN, IT'S GOING TO START ALL OVER AGAIN.

YOU HAVE TO DO IT OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

THAT TRAUMATIZES THE FAMILY.

IT TRAUMATIZES THE YOUNG PERSON IN CARE.

AND ADDS DELAYS TO TREATMENT.

LET'S COME UP WITH A COMMON ASSESSMENT THAT CAN BE USED ACROSS THE SYSTEMS MENTAL HEALTH, CHILD WELFARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> GENERALLY SPEAKING, WHAT IS THE OBSTACLE YOU ARE FACING WHEN IT COMES TO CUTTING RED TAPE?

IS IT JUST THE FACT THAT THE STATUS QUO HOLDS A LOT OF SWAY IN ALBANY OR ARE THERE STAKEHOLDERS ON THE OTHER SIDES OF THESE ISSUES WHO WILL SAY WE HAVE THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THIS REASON.

WE HAVE TO CLEAR PEOPLE MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THIS REASON.

OR, AGAIN, THIS IS JUST THE STATUS QUO AND IT'S TOUGH TO MOVE SOMETIMES?

>> I THINK THE STATUS QUO IS A KIND WAY OF SAYING IT.

I THINK IT'S BUREAUCRACY.

I THINK IT'S PEOPLE COMING TO THE TABLE WITH THE POSITION OF THE ANSWER IS NO AND WE CAN'T DO IT.

INSTEAD OF SAYING WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO GET THROUGH IT.

THERE ARE COMPLICATIONS TO THIS BUT SMART PEOPLE CAN FIGURE IT OUT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE LEADERSHIP AND THE DIVISION OF THE BUDGET AND THE GOVERNOR'S TO HAVES MAKE NEW YORK A MORE EFFICIENT STATE.

>> SO BIG MESSAGING FOR THE GOVERNOR THIS YEAR IS THIS IDEA OF AFFORDABILITY.

ONE OF THE LENSES SHE IS LOOKING AT THIS QUESTION THROUGH IS CAR INSURANCE.

INSURANCE, WHETHER IT'S CARS OR HEALTH, IS CONSTANTLY INCREASING AND NEW YORK PAYS A LOT MORE THAN WHAT PEOPLE ARE PAYING IN OTHER STATES.

IS THIS AN ISSUE FOR YOU WERE WHETHER IT'S CAR, HEALTH OR OTHER FORMS OF INSURANCE?

>> ALL FORMS OF INSURANCE ARE GROWING AT INCREDIBLE RATES.

HEALTH INSURANCE IS GROWING BY 15 TO 20%.

CAR INSURANCE IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE WE TRANSPORT CLIENTS.

BUT THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING US IS THE ABILITY TO GET LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR OUR AGENCIES.

WE CARE FOR KIDS, YOUNG KIDS AND THE NEED FOR LIABILITY INSURANCE HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE.

MANY OF THE INSURANCE PROVIDERS ACROSS NEW YORK STATE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE DECLINED THE PROVISION IN THE SELLING OF INSURANCE TO FOSTER CARE AGENCIES AND TO CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES BECAUSE OF RISKS.

SO WE ARE ASKING THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS LEGISLATION TO CREATE AN INSURANCE RISK POOL AND TO TRANSITION PLANS SO THAT OUR AGENCIES CAN, IN FACT, HAVE ORDINANCE AT A REASONABLE PRICE SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO CARE FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S KIDS.

>> IS THIS A RECENT PROBLEM OR DO YOU FEEL LIKE A FROG IN BOILING WATER AND IT'S JUST BE GETTING WORSE AND WORSE AND WORSE EVERY YEAR.

>> THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN COMING AT US FOR THE LAST FIVE TO SIX YEARS.

CALIFORNIA HAS BEEN HIT WITH THIS PROBLEM AND HAS LED TO THE DECLINE IN THE REDUCTION OF 19 AGENCIES OUT THERE PROVIDING CARE.

PENNSYLVANIA HAS FACED THIS CHALLENGE.

NEW YORK IS AT THE CUSP IF WE CAN'T BUY INSURANCE IN THE COMMERCIAL MARKETPLACE, WE CAN'T PROVIDE SERVICES.

>> I CAN'T IMAGINE THIS IS A SURPRISE TO ANY OF THE AGENCIES THAT OVERSEE YOU OR MAYBE EVEN THE STATE LAWMAKERS WHO WORK IN THE SPACE.

HAS THERE BEEN ANYTHING SUBSTANTIVE FROM EITHER A REGULATORY APPROACH OR FROM LEGISLATIVE APPROACH TO ADDRESS YOUR CONCERNS AT THIS POINT?

>> WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT-- WE HAVE BEEN TALKING TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, FINANCIAL SERVICES AND THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES BUT THE LEGISLATURE BOTH THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY HAS INTRODUCED A LEGISLATION TO CREATE A RISK POOL FOR OUR SECTOR SO WE ARE HOPING THAT PRODUCES A FAVORABLE RESULT.

>> WHAT IF THERE IS NO ACTION?

DOES THIS MEAN PROVIDERS ARE CLOSING THEIR DOORS, LIMITING THEIR CAPACITY?

WHAT IS THE OUTCAN UM?

>> WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IS WHEN WE GO TO BID OUR INSURANCE AND BUY OUR INSURANCE IF THE INSURANCE PROVIDER SAYS NO OR SAYS IT'S A 70% INCREASE AS THE CASE WITH ONE AGENCY IN NEW YORK CITY, AGENCIES ARE GOING MAKE A DECISION.

DO WE STAY IN THIS BUSINESS ANY LONGER?

KIDS ARE VIEWED AS RISKY BY THE INSURANCE COMPANIES AND THESE ARE KIDS THAT WE SERVE IN CHILD CARE CENTERS, FOSTER CARE CENTER S. THE GOVERNMENT'S KIDS THEY'RE A JOINT RESPONSIBILITY.

PEOPLE HAVE TO STEP UP AND HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

>> LASTLY, IN TERMS OF MEETING LITTLE NEEDS-- MEETING THE NEEDS OF KIDS, A RECENT SETTLEMENT TO RESOLVE AN OUTSTANDING LAWSUIT WHETHER THE STATE WAS MEETING THE NEEDS OF KIDS ON MEDICAID IN TERMS OF GIVING THEM MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, LOCALLY, IN THEIR COMMUNITY AS OPPOSED TO SHIPPING THEM OFF TO INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS.

AND THE STATE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER ANN SULLIVAN WAS ASKED ABOUT THIS ISSUE DURING THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET HEARINGS.

AND SHE SAID THAT THEY'RE GOING TO EMBARK ON AN 18-MONTH PLANNING PERIOD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GO ABOUT MEETING THE CAPACITY NEEDS AND DELIVERING THE CARE AND THEN A TWO TO THREE-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION WINDOW BEFORE THOSE KIDS ACTUALLY ARE DEFINITELY ALL RECEIVING THAT CARE.

BY MY WATCH THAT MEANS WE ARE LOOKING AT FOUR AND A HALF YEARS OF IMPLEMENTATION.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT TIMELINE?

>> WE NEED TO SPEED IT UP.

WE KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEMS ARE.

THE COURT BROUGHT SUNLIGHT TO THE ISSUE.

PROVIDERS HAVE BEEN OUT THERE TALKING ABOUT THESE ISSUES, CONSUMERS, PEERS, STATE HAS HAD NUMEROUS LISTENING TOURS TO TALK ABOUT HOW DO WE SOLVE SOME OF THE BARRIERS TO ACCESS TO CARE.

WE NEED TO SPEED UP THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS.

WE CAN'T WAIT FOUR YEARS.

THERE ARE WAITLISTS IN EVERY COMMUNITY.

ACCESS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

WE NEED TO PUT THE BEST MINDS ON THIS AND GET IT DONE QUICKLY.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING IN THE BUDGET ASIDE FROM PUTTING SOME MONEY ASIDE FOR THE PLANNING STAGE, THAT WOULD BEGIN TO ADDRESS THIS CONCERN?

BECAUSE HAVE I TO IMAGINE SOMETHING LIKE HIGHER MEDICAID RATESSOR ANY SORT OF OTHER TARGETED INVESTMENTS TO BUILD OUT CAPACITY WOULD GET THE BALL ROLLING A LITTLE EARLIER.

>> I THINK TWO THINGS CAN BE DONE FROM THE BUDGET.

ONE IS TO PUT IN SOME RATE ADJUSTMENTS ON INTERIM BASIS TO TRANSITION TO THE NEW SYSTEM BECAUSE THE NEW SYSTEM WILL HAVE HIGHER RATES BECAUSE IT'S CLEARLY UNDERFUNDED NOW AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO SUPPORT THE WORKFORCE.

LOAN FORGIVENESS, ADDITIONAL TRAINING SUPPORT, SIM PRI PHIING THE ON BOARDING PROCESS, THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE PROCESS THAT THE STATE CURRENTLY IMPLEMENTS.

ALL THOSE THINGS COULD BE DONE NOW ALONG WITH MONEY TO TRANSITION THE PROVIDERS TO INCREASING THEIR ACCESS.

ADDING MORE SLOTS, SPEEDING UP THE TIME TO INTAKE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> AFTER WE RECORDED THAT INTERVIEW, GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCED A NEW EFFORT TO ADDRESS RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT ARE DEEMED UNNECESSARY.

WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON WHETHER THE GOVERNOR'S EFFORTS IS RESPONSIVE TO THE CONCERNS THAT BILL GETTMAN BROUGHT UP IN OUR INTERVIEW.

BUT NEXT, WE ARE GOING TO BRING YOU OUR FINAL INTERVIEW, WHICH WE RECORDED IN OUR CAPITOL PRESSROOM STUDIO WITH STATE SENATOR JACOBS ASHBY, A CAPITAL REGION REPUBLICAN WHO INTRODUCED LEGISLATION EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT WOULD DEFINE THE FUTURE COLLABORATION OF STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS SUCH AS ICE AGENTS.

THE SOME EASE YOU ARE IS DESIGNED TO KEEP LAW ENFORCEMENT FOCUSED ON CRIMINAL MATTERS AND NOT INTERMINGLED WITH CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

HERE IS THAT CONVERSATION FROM MID FEBRUARY.

LET'S GET INTO THE MEAT AND POE FATE OWES OF YOUR BILL.

WHAT DO YOU ENVISION LOCAL AND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT WORKING WITH IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS LIKE ICE AGENTS AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES WOULD YOU LIKE TO PREVENT?

YOU MENTIONED THE JUDICIAL WARRANTS THERE.

SO YOU EXPAND ON THAT, FOR EXAMPLE.

>> SURE.

SO I THINK STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK WITH FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THE BORDER.

I THINK THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THEM WHEN THEY'RE PURSUING CRIMINAL ELEMENTS.

I THINK THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THEM WHEN THEY'RE IN THE JAILS.

I THINK IF SOMEONE IS DETAINED AND LAW ENFORCEMENT WANTS TO KNOW IF THEY'RE WANTED FOR MURDER, I THINK THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD BE-- MOST LIKELY IS IN SUPPORT OF THAT.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHO THEY ARE HOLDING THERE.

THAT'S WHAT THIS BILL WOULD ALLOW FOR.

WHAT I DON'T THINK IS RIGHT IS WHEN WE ARE PURSUING WARRANTLESS ACTION IN PRESCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS IN GENERAL.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS WHAT MOST PEOPLE LOOK TO IN TERMS OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

AND I THINK THAT'S BECOMING, YOU KNOW, MORE AND MORE INFLAMMATORY?

>> YEAH, YOU MENTIONED SCHOOLS, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU HAVE RESTRICTIONS ON SO CALLED SENSITIVE AREAS AND LIST OUT SCHOOLS, CHILD CARE FACILITIES, HOSPITALS, AND PLACES OF WORSHIP TO SENSE OF LOCATIONS WE EXTEND TO 300 FEET BEYOND THE PROPERTY LINES.

WHY DO YOU DRAW A DISTINCTION THERE?

WHY SHOULD ANY OF THIS STOP AT THE BORDERS OF SCHOOL VERSUS ANY OTHER SORT OF PRIVATE BUT PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INSTITUTION?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE ARE-- I THINK THERE SHOULD BE LIMITATIONS BASED ON WHAT WE'VE SEEN.

AND KEEP IN MIND THAT THERE IS A SUNSET ON THIS BILL.

IT'S ONE YEAR.

AND AGAIN WE DID THAT REALLY TO PROMPT THE DISCUSSION ON THIS.

BUT THERE HAVE BEEN PRECEDENT-- THERE HAS BEEN PRECEDENT FOR SENSITIVE LOCATIONS AND OTHER TYPES OF BILLS, YOU KNOW, SO WE LOOKED AT THAT.

WE LOOKED AT THE DISTANCE.

WE TALKED ABOUT WHAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE, WHAT WOULDN'T BE APPROPRIATE.

BUT REALLY OUR AIM HERE IS TO FOCUS ON WHAT HAS HAPPENED, YOU KNOW, WHY IT'S GONE WRONG AND WHAT WE CAN DO AT THE STATE LEVEL TO PROMPT THE DISCUSSION TO FIX IT.

>> YOU SAID THAT A COUPLE OF TIMES, THE IDEA OF PROMPTING A DISCUSSION AND WE HAVE THE GOVERNOR WHO HAS HIGHLIGHTED SOME CHANGES IN BOTH HER STATE OF THE STATE AND HER BUDGET ADDRESS.

WE'VE GOT DEMOCRATIC PROGRESSIVE LAWMAKERS WHO ARE PUSHING WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE NEW YORK FOR ALL ACT WHICH, AS I READ IT, SEEMS TO BE MORE OF AN EXTENSIVE AND EXPANSIVE VERSION OF YOUR BILL.

SO DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE DISCUSSIONS JUST ARE MISSING THE PARK?

-- THE MARK.

IS THAT THE PROBLEM TO DATE OR DO YOU FEEL THERE ISN'T ENOUGH DISCUSSION?

>> I THINK THAT THEY'RE MISSING THE MARK.

WE HAD STARTED DRAFTING THIS BILL WELL BEFORE THE GOVERNOR HAD RELEASED HERS.

AND IT JUST TIMED THAT WAY.

AND THERE WAS A PERIOD OF TIME-- I STILL HAVEN'T SEEN BILL TEXT ON WHAT SHE IS PUTTING OUT.

I'VE HEARD DISCUSSION.

>> I'VE GOT THE PROGRAM BILLS.

CAN I SEND THEM TO YOU AFTER THIS.

>> THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A DELAY IN THAT.

BUT AGAIN, I THINK THERE IS AN IMBALANCE IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS, RIGHT?

WE PUT OUR BILL OUT THERE.

I WOULD HOPE THAT THEY HAVE TAKEN A LOOK AT IT.

I'M PRETTY SURE THAT THEY HAVE.

AND THE DISCUSSIONS I'VE HAD WITH MY COLLEAGUES.

BUT HOW MANY OTHER REPUBLICANS ARE PUTTING OUT BILLS LIKE THIS?

AND ARE THEY REACHING THE LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP TO WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BE PUSHING ON OUR COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE TO ADOPT SOME OF THOSE PROVISIONS?

I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT OUR BILL, I WOULD SAY-- AND I'M BIASED ON THIS-- IT'S BETTER THAN WHAT THE GOVERNOR PUT OUT BECAUSE IT ALLOWS FOR COOPERATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND IN CERTAIN ASPECTS AND HERS, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, EXCLUDES IT.

AND SOME OF THE WAYS THAT WE HAVE.

AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP THAT BALANCE IN PUBLIC SAFETY.

WE CAN'T LET EMOTIONS GET THE BEST OF WHAT WE WANT POLICY WISE.

>> WELL, YOU BRING UP THE PARTISANSHIP WITH AN ISSUE LIKE THIS.

IF I WERE TO READ YOUR BILL TEXT BLINDLY, IF I DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS FROM CAPITAL REGION REPUBLICAN JAKE ASHBY, I WOULD ASSUME THIS WAS A MODERATE DEMOCRAT'S PROPOSAL.

AND GIVEN THE IMMIGRATION IS A POLITICALLY SENSITIVE ISSUE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, AND BECAUSE WE HAVE A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY HERE IN ALBANY-- I DON'T WANT TO BREAK THIS TO YOU-- YOUR BILL IS NOT GOING TO MOVE.

WHAT MADE YOU STICK YOUR HEAD-- >> WAIT, DAVID, YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME.

>> BREAKING NEWS HERE.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO STICK YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE FOX HOLE AND OFFER UP AN IDEA IN WRITING WHEN THERE IS NO POLITICAL UPSIDE TO IT?

I MEAN THIS, TO BE POLYANA-ISH FOR A SECOND, IT SEEMS LIKE THIS GUY IS ACTUALLY TRYING TO START A DEBATE AND MAYBE I'M NOT BEING CYNICAL ENOUGH HERE.

YOU ARE COG NIGHS AND-- COGNIZANT TO ALL OF THAT, RIGHT?

>> I BELIEVE THERE IS A POLITICAL UPSIDE.

>> YOU MIGHT HAVE DIFFERENT PRIMARY VOTERS THAN SOME OTHER REPUBLICANS.

>> ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE THAT SEE THE VAL-- VALUE ON THIS.

I BELIEVE THERE IS AN UPSIDE AND WE HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE.

WE HAVE DRAFTED IMMIGRATION-RELATED LEGISLATION AND IT PASSED.

WE GOT SUPPORT-- GRANTED IT'S NOT AS BROAD AS THIS, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO GET BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

IT TOOK A NUMBER OF YEARS TO GO THROUGH.

AND I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT THIS LEGISLATION IN ITS ENTIRETY IS GOING TO BE ADOPTED AND PASSED.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT THERE MAY BE PARTS OF IT THAT WILL BE TAKEN, THAT WILL BE LOOKED AT AND SEEN AS ADDED VALUE TO A LARGER POLICY.

AND THAT'S THE WAY TO INFLUENCE THE DISCUSSION AND INFLUENCE POLICY AND I THINK SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES GET THAT.

I DON'T KNOW IF ALL OF THEM GET THAT.

>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW.

MY THANKS TO ALL OUR GUESTS AND MY THANKS TO WMHT FOR LENDING US THEIR STUDIO THIS MONTH.

FOR MORE OF THE CAPITOL PRESSROOM DAILY STATE GOVERNMENT COVERAGE INCLUDING EXTENDED VERSION OF OUR CONVERSATION WITH STATE SENATOR JACOBS ASHBY, CHECK OUT "THE CAPITOL PRESSROOM".ORG OR A DEEPER DIVE OF NEW YORK POLITICS, CHECK OUT OUR INSIDEER PODCAST, DISPATCHES FROM PLANET ALBANY AVAILABLE ON ALL OF YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORMS.

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

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

THANK YOU.