[ THEME MUSIC ] >> ON THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW," THE STATE BUDGET IS DUE IN ABOUT A WEEK.

WE'LL TELL YOU WHERE THINGS STAND WITH THIS WEEK'S PANEL AND ASSEMBLY MEMBER ED RA, THE HIGHEST RANKING REPUBLICAN ON THE ASSEMBLY HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE JOINS US TO DISCUSS.

PLUS, A FEW CAPITOL UPDATES.

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

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

I'M DAN CLARK.

THERE'S NOW ABOUT A WEEK UNTIL THE NEW YORK STATE BUDGET IS DUE ON MARCH 31ST.

TOP LAWMAKERS AND GOVERNOR HOCHUL STILL SEEMS CONFIDENT THEY'LL STRIKE A DEAL IN THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS.

BUT THEY'RE STILL DIVIDED ON SOME PRETTY BIG ISSUES >> LIKE PUBLIC SAFETY.

HOCHUL HELD A RARE CAPITAL PRESS CONFERENCE THIS WEEK TO PUSH HER PREFERRED PUBLIC SAFETY PROPOSALS, INCLUDING A CHANGE TO BAIL REFORM.

RIGHT NOW, IF SOMEONE IS CHARGED WITH A BAIL-ELIGIBLE OFFENSE, JUDGES HAVE TO DECIDE IF THEY'LL BE HELD ON BAIL OR RELEASED.

AND THE CURRENT LAW SAYS THAT WHATEVER THE JUDGE DECIDES MUST BE BASED ON THE QUOTE LEAST RESTRICTIVE MEANS.

SO SOME JUDGES, ACCORDING TO HOCHUL HAD TAKEN THAT TO MEAN THAT BAIL SHOULD NOT BE SET AND THAT THE PERSON CHARGED SHOULD BE RELEASED BEFORE THEIR TRIAL AND GOVERNOR HOCHUL SAYS, THAT'S LED TO CONFUSION IN THE COURTS FOR SOME OF THESE BAIL-ELIGIBLE CASES.

SHE WANTS TO DROP THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE MEANS LANGUAGE SO IT'S CLEAR THAT JUDGES CAN SET BAIL IN THOSE CASES.

BUT PROGRESSIVES IN THE LEGISLATURE DISAGREE, SAYING THAT WOULD LEAD TO MORE PEOPLE IN JAIL WHO HAVE NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME, AND IT'S A PRETTY BIG DISAGREEMENT TO RESOLVE IN THE NEXT WEEK, BUT GOVERNOR HOCHUL SAID THIS WEEK, SHE'D BE WILLING TO DELAY THE BUDGET TO GET WHAT SHE WANTS.

>> IF HISTORY IS AN INDICATOR, I THINK PEOPLE KNOW I FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT CERTAIN ISSUES, PARTICULARLY PROTECTING NEW YORKERS.

THAT'S WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO, SO I FEEL CONFIDENT TO BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE AN ON-TIME BUDGET IF&IF WE DON'T, IT'S BECAUSE THERE ARE CONTINUING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT MATTERS THAT I CONSIDER EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

>> ON THE SAME DAY CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES RALLIED AT THE CAPITOL AGAINST HOCHUL'S PLAN.

THEY WANT THE BAIL LAW LEFT ALONE AND SAY THAT INSTEAD THE STATE SHOULD PUT MORE FUNDING INTO PRE-TRIAL SERVICES, DIVERSION PROGRAMS AND OTHER JAIL ALTERNATIVES AND THEY ALSO WANT NEW TENANT PROTECTIONS AND HEALTH CARE FUNDING IN THE BUDGET.

STATE SENATOR JESSICA RAMOS.

>> WHY DO WE WANT ALL THOSE THINGS?

BECAUSE THAT IS PUBLIC SAFETY!

BECAUSE IF YOU LIKE PUBLIC SAFETY, IF YOU'RE HONEST ABOUT WANTING PUBLIC SAFETY, THEN YOU'LL DECLARE WAR ON POVERTY!

>> BUT GOVERNOR HOCHUL IS GETTING SOME EXTRA SUPPORT THIS YEAR.

"THE TIMES UNION" AND THE "NEW YORK TIMES" REPORTED THIS WEEK THAT FORMER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR MIKE BLOOMBERG HAS QUIETLY FUNNELED $5 MILLION INTO A MEDIA CAMPAIGN SUPPORTING HOCHUL'S AGENDA, AND IT'S NOT SITTING WELL WITH PROGRESSIVES WHO WANT HIGH INCOME EARNERS IN NEW YORK, LIKE BLOOMBERG, TO PAY MORE IN TAXES TO THE STATE, AND THE IDEA WOULD BE TO USE THAT MONEY TO PROVIDE MORE SERVICES AND RELIEF TO LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME NEW YORKERS.

STATE SENATOR JABARI BRISPORT.

>> IT IS SO DISGUSTING, SO DISGUSTING TO SAY I DON'T WANT TO PAY MY TAXES.

I'D RATHER THROW AWAY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO TRY AND FORCE A BUDGET THAT HIKES FARES ON WORKING CLASS NEW YORKERS, THAT RAISES TUITION ON SUNY AND CUNY, THAT ALLOWS RENTS TO KEEP SPIRALING UP, THAT DOESN'T ADDRESS SPIRALING HEALTH CARE COSTS.

IT IS DISGUSTING.

IT IS DECEITFUL AND IT IS SELFISH AND GREEDY.

>> LET'S GET INTO IT WITH THIS WEEK'S PANEL.

ANNA GRONEWALD IS FROM POLITICO AND JOSH SOLOMON IS FROM THE TIMES UNION.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

I WANT TO START WITH THIS BLOOMBERG NEWS, JOSH.

YOU HAD A STORY THIS WEEK KIND OF REVEALING THIS AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY THING.

IT'S A PAC, WHAT IS IT?

BLOOMBERG IS SPENDING $5 MILLION TO FUND THIS DIRECT MAIL CAMPAIGN THAT'S INFLUENCED THE BUDGET.

DO WE KNOW WHY?

>> BEFORE I SAY I REVEALED IT, ANNA HAD IT IN THE PLAYBOOK FIRST.

>> THAT IS TRUE.

THAT IS TRUE.

[LAUGHTER] >> I REVEALED A LITTLE MORE DETAIL.

>> YES.

>> NICK VAN DOSE REVEALED THE BLOOMBERG BIT.

>> YES.

>> IT'S REPORTED THAT BLOOMBERG'S GIVING $5 MILLION TO SOMEONE TO HAVE THE TV CAMPAIGN, MAILERS, THE WHOLE DEAL TO SUPPORT HOCHUL'S BUDGET.

IT'S LIKE TOP LINE ITEMS FROM IT WITHOUT GETTING INTO ANY OF WHAT THE OPPOSITION IS.

WHAT YOU SEE ON THE MAILER IS A D.C.

ADDRESS AND IT SAYS PAID FOR BY AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY.

WHAT'S AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY?

THEY ARE SOMEWHAT ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION OUT OF D.C IT APPEARS THAT THEY ARE RUNNING THE CAMPAIGN.

THEY WILL NOT TELL YOU THAT.

>> THEY SHARE A LOT OF THE SAME STAFF.

>> THEY HAVE THE STAFF, THE ADDRESSES, THE PHONE NUMBER, THE BANK.

SOME OF THEIR-- THERE'S AT LEAST ONE TV AD THAT THE FCC INFORMATION SAYS, DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION.

>> SO THEY'RE GASLIGHTING EVERYBODY.

>> YOU CAN SAY THAT.

>> I WILL SAY THAT.

[LAUGHTER] >> THEY'RE ALL CONNECTED AND IT APPEARS THAT THEY'RE RUNNING THE CAMPAIGN.

IT'S THE SAME AD BUYS.

THEY'RE USING THE SAME AD COMPANY THAT THEY DID FOR HOCHUL DURING THE CAMPAIGN SEASON.

>> INTERESTING.

ANNA, YOU HAVE COVERED MULTIPLE BUDGETS.

WHAT KIND OF IMPACT CAN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAVE ON THIS KIND OF PROCESS?

IF AT ALL.

>> I THINK IT'S UNCLEAR.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN DONE VERY REGULARLY TO TRY TO GET VOTERS TO INFLUENCE THEIR LAWMAKERS TO INFLUENCE THE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS, WHICH ARE STILL KIND OF I WOULDN'T SAY EARLY BECAUSE THE BUDGET'S BEEN OUT ABOUT A WEEK, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF FLUX THERE.

[LAUGHTER] I THINK MAYBE THIS SOUNDS A LITTLE BIT TOO CYNICAL BUT IT'S HARD TO GET PEOPLE TO EVEN COME OUT TO VOTE.

>> YES.

>> I CAN'T IMAGINE EXPLAINING TO THEM THAT THERE'S SOME IDEAS BEING THROWN AROUND IN ALBANY, YOU NEED TO CALL YOUR LAWMAKERS ABOUT THESE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS THAT EVEN US IN THE PRESS HAVE DIFFICULTY DECIPHERING SOMETIMES.

>> RIGHT.

WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT BEFORE THIS, THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE MEANS THING WITH BAIL, IT'S JUST SO DIFFICULT FOR ME TO EVEN EXPLAIN IT TO OUR AUDIENCE FOR TELEVISION BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A COMPLICATED TOPIC.

>> IT'S SUCH AN INTERESTING PERCEPTION.

WHY DOES KATHIE HOCHUL NEED THIS RIGHT NOW?

>> RIGHT.

>> I THINK THERE ARE-- THERE ARE YOU A LOT OF HYPOTHESES BUT IT SEEMS LIKE SHE COULD BE LOOKING INTO KIND OF A TOUGH BATTLE AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE PERCEPTION SHE WANTS TO PUT OUT THERE THAT I NEED MIKE BLOOMBERG'S MONEY TO HELP ME WITH MY BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT SAYS BETWEEN THE DYNAMIC BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR IN IS THIS KIND OF A DIVIDE?

ARE WE JUST TALKING ABOUT MORE OF THE-- NOT FAR LEFT BUT PROGRESSIVE MEMBERS VERSUS HOCHUL?

ARE THE MODERATES ON HER SIDE A LITTLE BIT?

>> I THINK WE SOMETIMES LIKE TO BLOW UP THE IDEA THAT NO ONE IS GETTING ALONG AND EVERYONE IS REALLY MAD AT EACH OTHER ALL THE TIME.

>> RIGHT.

>> I THINK THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT EVERYONE CAN AND WILL SIT DOWN AND AGREE ON, BUT THERE IS AN IDEA THAT THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF TENSION AMONG THE LEGISLATURE NOT ONLY FROM KATHIE HOCHUL'S PROPOSALS, NOT QUITE AS FAR LEFT AS SOME GROUPS WOULD WANT BUT AFTER THIS WHOLE DEBACLE EARLIER THIS YEAR WITH HER CHIEF JUDGE PICK.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT, THAT HAS BEEN QUITE THE NEWS STORY FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

I'M INTERESTING TO SEE IF THAT DIVIDE BECOMES MORE OF A PUBLIC REAL THING.

YOU HAD, WITH ANDREW CUOMO, WHEN WHENEVER ANYBODY WENT UP AGAINST ANDREW CUOMO, HE HIT RIGHT BACK REGARDLESS OF REGARDLESS OF HOW LIGHT THE BLOW WAS, ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THEY COULD NEVER TAKE A PUNCH.

WITH HER OFFICE I DON'T SEE THEM THAT WAY.

SHE HAS SAID THAT SHE WANTS TO BE A MORE COLLABORATIVE GOVERNOR.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT MEANS SHE WANTS TO COLLABORATE WITH PROGRESSIVES.

I DON'T KNOW IF SHE'S GOING TO GO ON THE ATTACK AGAINST THEM NECESSARILY.

ONE ISSUE THAT IS KIND OF DEFINING THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION IS THIS BAIL REFORM DEBATE THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT.

JOSH, YOU'VE COVERED THIS A LOT.

THE GOVERNOR'S SEEKING THIS CHANGE THAT SHE KIND OF THINKS AS A BIG CHANGE, THE PROGRESSIVES THINK OF IT AS A BIG CHANGE OF REMOVING LEAST RESTRICTIVE MEANS.

DO YOU SEE THAT AS A BIG DIVISION IN THESE FINAL DAYS OF THE STATE BUDGET?

WE SAW THAT LAST YEAR WITH BAIL REFORM.

IS IT THE SAME THIS YEAR?

>> I THINK I SAID ON THE SHOW RECENTLY THAT I WASN'T SURE HOW BIG OF A DEAL IT WOULD BE.

>> YEAH.

>> OBVIOUSLY, I WAS WRONG.

[LAUGHTER] IT'S-- IT'S EMERGING TO BE A BIG DEAL.

SHE HELD THE RED ROOM THIS WEEK.

SHE BROUGHT OUT FOUR MODERATE STATE SENATORS EARLIER IN THE DAY FOR PROGRESSIVE STATE SENATORS, INCLUDING BRAD HOYLMAN-SIGAL WAS A FLOOR ABOVE RAILING AGAINST HER.

YOU COULD SEE THAT THE NUMBERS GAMES, HOW MANY SENATORS DOES SHE HAVE IN HER SUPPORT, IT'S CURIOUS.

THE ISSUE ON BAIL SHE SAYS SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT JUDGES' DISCRETION AND WANTING TO KIND OF MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER WE SAID THE LAW IS, THAT'S GOING TO BE WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE AND YOU CAN'T NECESSARILY, EVERY TIME THERE'S A NEWS STORY FOR THE NEXT, YOU KNOW, 12 MONTHS AND YOU'RE SAYING, WELL, THAT PERSON COULD HAVE BEEN HELD BUT THEY WEREN'T HELD PRE-TRIAL.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE STATE'S FAULT, AND THAT'S KIND OF WHERE IT IS.

IT'S NOT SHIFTING THE BLAME BUT IT'S SAYING THIS IS COMPLETELY ON YOU, JUDGES.

>> IT'S THIS-- THIS ISSUE IS REALLY ENGRAINED IN POLITICS, I THINK, AT THIS POINT ESPECIALLY BECAUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE DONE A VERY, VERY EFFECTIVE JOB OF TRYING TO CONNECT THE RISE IN CRIME TO BAIL REFORM.

THERE'S NO EVIDENCE THAT SAYS THOSE TWO THINGS ARE CONNECTED.

ON THE FLIP SIDE, I THINK DEMOCRATS HAVE HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE TRYING TO SHINE A POSITIVE LIGHT ON BAIL REFORM.

YOU SEE CRIMINAL JUSTICE GROUPS TALKING ABOUT HOW IT'S BENEFITED PEOPLE WHO DON'T LOSE THEIR JOBS BECAUSE THEY DON'T GET INCARCERATED BEFORE THEIR TRIAL.

THEY GET TO STAY WITH THEIR FAMILIES BEFORE TRIAL.

AND OF COURSE, THEY HAVEN'T BEEN CONVICTED YET.

IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE ISSUES THAT I DON'T KNOW IS EVER GOING TO GO AWAY.

SO I'M INTERESTED TO SEE, THIS CHANGE WOULD CHANGE ONE LINE OF THE LAW.

I WONDER IF WE HAVE A BIGGER CHANGE NEXT YEAR OR IF IT KIND OF FIZZLES OUT AFTER THIS?

WE ONLY HAVE A FEW MINUTES LEFT.

I DON'T WANT TO SPEND IT JUST TALKING ABOUT BAIL.

I WANT TO GO TO BOTH OF YOU.

OVER THE NEXT WEEK, WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING?

WHAT ARE THESE ISSUES THAT THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR SEEM TO NEED TO COME TOGETHER THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP TRACK OF THE NEXT YOU CAN COUPLE OF DAYS?

>> THE BIG ONE, ESPECIALLY ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNOR, IS THE HOUSING PLAN THAT SHE PUT OUT.

>> YEAH.

>> I THINK SHE DOES WANT IT TO BE A KIND OF LEGACY ISSUE OVER THE NEXT DECADE.

SHE SAYS SHE WANTS TO BUILD 800,000 NEW UNITS.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE FLEXIBLE ACCORDING TO WHO YOU SPEAK WITH.

THE LEGISLATURE SAYS YOU CAN'T REALLY FORCE THESE MUNICIPALITIES TO BUILD IN A SPECIFIC WAY.

HOW ABOUT WE JUST INCENTIVIZE THEM TO AND WE GIVE THEM REASONS TO DO IT OUR WAY AND HOCHUL, I THINK, WANTS TO GO A LITTLE BIT STRONGER.

IT'S BECOME A BIG FIGHT.

THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON THE BEST WAY TO GET THIS HOUSING BUILT.

I THINK EVERYONE AGREES ON THE OVERLYING PREMISE, BUT IT'S VERY, VERY COMPLICATED AND IT COULD TAKE A LOT LONGER THAN A WEEK TO FIGURE OUT A GOOD HOUSING PLAN FOR THE STATE FOR THE NEXT DECADE.

>> I WONDER IF-- BECAUSE THE HOUSING THING WITH ALLOWING LOCAL ZONING TO BE OVERRIDED, I THINK THAT'S THE BIG STICKING POINT.

I'M WONDERING IF THAT DOES GO THROUGH FOR WHATEVER REASON IF HOCHUL IS ABLE TO CONVINCE THE LEGISLATURE, IF THERE'S JUST A LAWSUIT AND IT GETS STRUCK DOWN.

I FEEL LIKE WE TALK ABOUT THESE ISSUES SOMETIMES AND SIX MONTHS LATER THAT ALL WAS FOR NOTHING.

JOSH, WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS?

>> I DO THINK THAT THE SUBURBS HOUSING PART OF IT MAY JUST BE A BARGAINING CHIP OF SENATE DEMOCRATS OR THE LEGISLATURE SAYING, WELL, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO EARN THAT BACK.

>> YEAH.

>> WE GENERALLY AGREE WITH YOU BUT WE'RE GOING TO WORK OUT THE DETAILS AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO EARN THAT BACK.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S INTERESTING ON THE HOUSING FRONT IS WHAT THE ASSEMBLY AND SENATE CHAIRS ARE IN FAVOR OF GOOD CAUSE EVICTION.

THE TOP PROGRESSIVE PRIORITY, THE MENTAL HEALTH CHAIRS ARE IN FAVOR OF AN 8.5% COLA, COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT, FOR WORKERS.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE MORE EXPENSIVE PIECES OR BIGGER IDEAS IN THE BUDGET THAT THE LEGISLATURE WANTS AND HOCHUL HAS IT PUT INTO YOUR BUDGET.

THAT COULD BE AN INTERESTING PIECE.

IT'S NOT JUST FRINGE MEMBERS OF THE PARTY THAT WANT IT.

IT'S THE CHAIRS OF THESE COMMITTEES.

>> RIGHT, EXACTLY.

YOU KNOW, THE BUDGET IS SUCH A COMPLICATED, WONKY THING I WISH WE COULD TALK ABOUT EVERY ISSUE THAT'S INVOLVED IN IT.

I WANT TO OPEN UP AN OPEN-ENDED QUESTION TO ANNA ON THE WAY OUT OR JOSH, YOU CAN ANSWER TO.

[LAUGHTER] THIS IS GOVERNOR'S HOCHUL SECOND BUDGET.

LAST YEAR, WE SAW A LOT OF THINGS BLOW UP IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS.

DOES IT LOOK LIKE IT'S A SMOOTHER RIDE THIS YEAR MAYBE?

>> YOU KNOW, I'M NOT SURE.

I THINK LAST YEAR NOT ONLY WAS IT KIND OF A SHORTER TIME LINE AFTER SHE CAME INTO OFFICE AND SHE HAD TO GET HER BUDGET THROUGH, BUT EVERYONE IS STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT EACH OTHER'S OPERATING STYLES.

I THINK THIS YEAR THEY'RE UNDERSTANDING A LITTLE BIT MORE AND PEOPLE DO SEEM TO BE TALKING MORE.

LIKE WE'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED THE DYNAMICS ARE PRETTY FROT AND EVERYONE IS STILL TRYING TO DECIDE HOW MUCH THEY CAN NEEDLE EACH OTHER AND WHETHER OR NOT THAT WILL BE EFFECTIVE.

SO I DON'T HAVE A CLEAR IDEA YET WHETHER THIS SEEMS BETTER.

WE DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL NINE DAYS LATER LAST YEAR, BUT I DO THINK THAT PEOPLE PROBABLY UNDERSTAND AT A BASE LEVEL HOW TO TALK TO EACH A LITTLE BIT MORE.

WE'LL SEE IF THAT HELPS.

>> I HOPE SO.

JOSH, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

I'M SORRY.

[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

ANNA GRONEWALD FROM POLITICO, JOSH SOLOMON FROM THE TU, THANK YOU BOTH.

ALL RIGHT.

STICKING WITH THE STATE BUDGET, IF YOU WERE WITH US LAST WEEK, YOU'LL KNOW THAT ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CARL HEASTIE JOINED US TO CHAT ABOUT WHAT DEMOCRATS IN HIS CHAMBER WANT TO SEE IN THE BUDGET.

SO THIS WEEK, WE WANTED TO BRING YOU ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE, THIS TIME FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER ED RA IS THE HIGHEST RANKING REPUBLICAN ON THE ASSEMBLY HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, THE MAIN COMMITTEE INVOLVED IN THE BUDGET.

WE SPOKE THIS WEEK ABOUT THIS YEAR'S STATE BUDGET, WHAT REPUBLICANS WANT, AND MORE.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER RA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS, DAN.

>> OF COURSE.

LET'S START WITH HOUSING.

YOU ARE FROM LONG ISLAND.

YOU REPRESENT A DISTRICT ON LONG ISLAND WHERE THE GOVERNOR'S HOUSING PROPOSAL HAS LEFT A LOT OF PEOPLE UPSET.

JUST TO RECAP FOR OUR AUDIENCE, SHE WANTS TO BUILD 800,000 NEW HOMES OVER THE NEXT DECADE BUT THE CATCH IS ONE PART OF HER PROPOSAL WOULD ALLOW DEVELOPERS TO OVERRIDE LOCAL ZONING LAWS TO GET IT DONE IF THAT LOCALITY IS LAGGING BEHIND ITS HOUSING GOALS.

TELL ME WHAT YOU'RE HEARING ON LONG ISLAND ABOUT THAT.

>> YEAH.

SO JUST THE CONCEPT OF OVERRIDING LOCAL ZONING IS CAUSING A LOT OF OPPOSITION, BUT REALLY ON TOP OF THAT IT'S BEEN THE TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PIECE OF IT THAT ALSO MANDATES HALF-MILE RADIUS AROUND EVERY LONG ISLAND RAILROAD STATION BEING ABLE TO ALLOW FOR 50 UNITS PER ACRE.

TO PUT THAT INTO CONTEXT, I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE 50 STATIONS IN NASSAU COUNTY.

I HAVE 16 THAT ARE ADJACENT TO MY DISTRICT ALONE AND IT'S A LEVEL OF DENSITY THAT REALLY YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FIND ANYWHERE IN NASSAU COUNTY CURRENTLY.

SO IT BRINGS UP A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT WATER AND ROADS AND SEWERS AND ALL OF THE SERVICES THAT OUR RESIDENTS COUNT ON.

>> SO I DON'T WANT TO MISREPRESENT YOUR POSITION.

IT'S NOT THAT YOU DON'T WANT MORE HOUSING NECESSARILY.

YOU JUST DON'T THINK THIS IS THE WAY TO GET IT DONE?

>> YEAH, CORRECT.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO DIVERSIFY OUR HOUSING STOCK IS IMPORTANT.

A LOT OF VILLAGES HAVE DONE SOME INNOVATIVE THINGS, WHETHER IT'S IN THEIR DOWNTOWNS BUT HAVE FOUND WAYS TO MAKE IT FIT WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE REALLY MOST DIFFICULT THINGS ABOUT THE TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PIECE IS THERE ARE TRAIN STATIONS THAT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THERE IS OPPORTUNITY FOR HOUSING THERE AND THEN THERE'S OTHER ONES THAT ARE SURROUNDED ON ALL SIDES AND THAT ENTIRE HALF MILE IS GOING TO BE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES AND THERE'S REALLY NO SPACE THERE TO PUT, YOU KNOW, LARGE BUILDINGS.

>> SO THE DEMOCRATS ACTUALLY CAME OUT WITH THEIR ONE-HOUSE BUDGETS LAST WEEK AND PUSHED BACK ON THAT ZONING OVERRIDE PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL SAYING THAT THEY INSTEAD WANT TO OFFER INCENTIVES FOR NEW HOUSING.

SO RATHER THAN KIND OF REQUIRE IT, WHETHER IT HAVING IT BE A MANDATE, THEY WANT TO INCENTIVIZE THAT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT?

IS THAT A BETTER WAY TO DO IT?

DO YOU THINK OF A BETTER WAY TO GROW HOUSING ON PLACES LIKE LONG ISLAND?

>> I THINK THAT'S A BETTER WAY TO DO IT.

IT'S MORE OF A CARROT RATHER THAN A STICK APPROACH, BUT I THINK AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECES OF IT WOULD BE HAVING REAL INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS BEHIND IT.

YOU KNOW THE GOVERNOR IS PROPOSING $250 MILLION STATEWIDE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A DROP IN THE BUCKET.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT MORE THAN THAT TO MAKE FRONTING THIS TYPE OF HOUSING VIABLE IN A LOT OF PLACES THAT DON'T HAVE SEWERS.

HAVE YOU BUILT MULTILEVEL APARTMENT BUILDINGS WITHOUT SEWERS?

AND WHAT IMPACT DOES THAT HAVE ON THE ENVIRONMENT HOPEFULLY?

I THINK THE INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS WOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARD MAYBE ALLOWING SOME MUNICIPALITIES TO BE A LITTLE MORE INNOVATIVE.

>> YOU KNOW, SPEAKING OF INFRASTRUCTURE, THERE'S ALSO A PROPOSAL IN THIS YEAR'S STATE BUDGET WHICH THE GOVERNOR AND DEMOCRATS IN THE LEGISLATURE ARE KIND OF AGREED ON, KIND OF NOT AGREED ON.

IT'S THE GAS BAN IN NEW CONSTRUCTION AND I KNOW THAT'S BEEN AN ISSUE IN AREAS OF THE STATE LIKE NORTH COUNTRY AND CATTARAUGUS COUNTY IN PARTICULAR, WHERE YOU HAVE THESE RURAL AREAS THAT ARE CONCERNED THAT IF YOU CUT OFF GAS THEN, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S AN EMERGENCY, THEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO COOK FOOD AND HEAT THEIR HOMES.

DO YOU HAVE THOSE SAME CONCERNS DOWN ON LONG ISLAND AS WELL?

I WOULD ASSUME THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD PROBABLY NOT SIT WELL WITH LOCAL LEADERS THERE TOO.

>> YEAH.

I DO.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MOVING TOWARDS GETTING MORE GREEN, I THINK TOO OFTEN WE DO IT WITH TUNNEL VISION WITHOUT MAKING SURE IT'S REALLY A FEASIBLE THING.

WE SHOULD BE-- NATURAL GAS, I THINK, HAS BECOME A REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF MOVING AWAY ARE MUCH LESS CLEAN SOURCES OF ENERGY OVER THE YEARS.

YOU KNOW, I MEAN, I STILL TO THIS DAY HAVE CONSTITUENTS ALWAYS LOOKING TO MAKE THOSE CONVERSIONS.

SO BANNING IT FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION, I THINK IS GOING TO-- YOU KNOW, GO BACK TO THE HOUSING ISSUE.

IF THERE ARE LESS VIABLE WAYS OF HEATING THESE BUILDINGS AND ALLOWING RESIDENTS TO COOK AND ALL THAT OTHER STUFF, IT MAKES THAT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT DEVELOPMENT.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE ALSO PUSHED BACK ON THIS BUDGET SAYING THAT BOTH THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET AND WHAT DEMOCRATS PROPOSED IN THEIR ONE-HOUSE BUDGET LAST WEEK DIDN'T INCLUDE ENOUGH ON THIS BIG ISSUE IN NEW YORK RIGHT NOW OF COST OF LIVING.

YOU KNOW, IT'S NO SECRET TO ANYBODY WHO DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.

THEY REALLY CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE HERE A LOT OF THE TIME ANYMORE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE SOLUTION THERE IF YOU WERE TO PUT A PROPOSAL INTO THE BUDGET THIS YEAR?

>> WELL, WE CAME OUT WITH A PROPOSAL LAST YEAR, YOU KNOW, THAT INCLUDED THE GAS TAXES BUT BASICALLY INCLUDED A SALES TAX MORATORIUM ON KIND OF THOSE EVERYDAY ITEMS THAT PEOPLE NEED.

PERSONAL CARE ITEMS, THINGS LIKE THAT THAT PEOPLE ARE BUYING ON A REGULAR BASIS TO HELP JUST WITH THE INFLATION BECAUSE, AS YOU KNOW, WHEN THE COST OF THINGS GOES UP, THE STATE ALMOST IS GETTING A WINDFALL BECAUSE SALES TAX IS A PERCENTAGE SO IF SOMETHING DOUBLES IN PRICE, THE STATE'S MAKING THAT MUCH MORE ON THE SALES TAX ON THAT PARTICULAR ITEM.

SO I THINK A PROPOSAL LIKE THAT COULD REALLY HELP PEOPLE UNTIL SOME OF THESE COSTS ARE TO COME BACK DOWN ON THOSE EVERYDAY ESSENTIAL ITEMS.

>> RIGHT.

EVEN OUTSIDE OF INFLATION, THE COST OF LIVING IN NEW YORK HAS BEEN GOING UP FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST DECADE, A LOT OF PEOPLE MOVE OUT OF THE STATE AND SOME PEOPLE WILL SAY IT'S THE COST OF LIVING.

OTHER PEOPLE WILL JOKE AND SAY IT'S THE WEATHER.

YOU KNOW, WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT EACH INDIVIDUAL PERSON IS DOING NECESSARILY.

>> NO.

>> DO YOU THINK-- WE TALK ABOUT THE STATE BUDGET AS THE SPENDING AND FISCAL DOCUMENT AND WE LIKE TO PUT MONEY INTO IT AND TAKE POLICY OUT OF IT, BUT YOU DO HAVE TWO MONTHS OF SESSION LEFT AFTER THE BUDGET.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT MAYBE THE LEGISLATURE COULD DO ON COST OF LIVING AND AFFORDABILITY OUTSIDE OF THE BUDGET, YOU THINK?

OR, DO YOU THINK THAT'S A CONVERSATION BEST LEFT IN THE SPENDING PLAN?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO OUTSIDE OF THE BUDGET, BUT YOU KNOW, ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO BE SOME TYPE OF TAX BREAK OR SALES TAX MORATORIUM OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE IS GOING TO HAVE DOLLARS ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

SO THAT IS WHAT'S LEFT WITHIN THE BUDGET.

OUTSIDE OF THE BUDGET, WE CAN TALK PERHAPS THINGS LIKE MANDATES THAT DRIVE LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES UP, YOU KNOW, WE'VE DONE SOME DECENT MANDATE RELIEF OVER THE YEARS WITH REGARD TO MEDICATE BUT FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE IN THIS BUDGET A POTENTIAL SHIFT OF MEDICAID DOLLARS ONTO OUR COUNTIES THAT COULD CAUSE HUGE TAX INCREASES TO OUR PROPERTY TAXPAYERS SO THERE'S EVEN THE NOT JUST TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH TRYING TO MAKE IT CHEAPER BUT FIGHTING PROPOSALS LIKE THAT THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT AS WELL.

>> BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME, I WANT TO TURN TO THE GOVERNOR'S CRIME PROPOSALS AND HOW THE DEMOCRATS IN THE LEGISLATURE HAVE KIND OF RESPONDED IT TO.

IT'S A LITTLE WONKY.

SO I'M HOPING THAT OUR VIEWERS READ UP ON THIS.

THE GOVERNOR IS PROPOSING TO TAKE OUT THE WORDS, "LEAST RESTRICTIVE MEANS ON BAIL-ELIGIBLE OFFENSES" WHEN SOMEBODY HEADS TO COURT FOR THEIR PRE-TRIAL DECISION FROM THE JUDGE.

I KNOW IT'S A LITTLE WONKY, BUT THE GOVERNOR SAYS IT WILL ALLOW JUDGES TO HOLD MORE PEOPLE IN JAIL BEFORE THEIR TRIAL BASED ON SOME FACTORS THAT THEY COULD LOOK AT.

I KNOW THAT YOUR CONFERENCE SAYS THAT IS A GOOD START.

WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE?

ARE WE STILL AT THE POINT WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE A FULL REPEAL AND START OVER, OR DO YOU THINK MAYBE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU DO IT IN THIS BUDGET, THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE MEANS PART, AND MAYBE FOLLOW UP ON IT LATER?

>> YEAH, WELL I THINK THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE MEAN PART, THE THING TO REMEMBER IS IT HAS TO BE A BAIL-ELIGIBLE OFFENSE, SO YOU'RE DEALING WITH THAT SITUATION THAT IT'S EITHER ON THE LIST OR NOT.

WE ALWAYS HAVE THESE CASES WHERE SOMETHING HAPPENS AND THEN THEY SAY, OH, THIS WASN'T BAIL-ELIGIBLE.

SO, I THINK THE REAL KEY TO IT WOULD BE ACTUALLY DOING THE DANGEROUSNESS STANDARD.

I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S GOING TO BE A SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING IN AND OUT OF COURT ON A REGULAR BASIS SO THE JUDGE CAN JUST EVALUATE THAT DEFENDANT, THEIR HISTORY AND IF THEY ARE POSING A THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY, KEEP THEM IN JAIL AS OPPOSED TO, YOU KNOW, HAVING THEIR HANDS TIED LIKE THEY DO NOW.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ASSEMBLY HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE RANKER ED RA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING THUS WEEK.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, DAN.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> AND A REMINDER THAT THE STATE BUDGET IS DUE ON THE 31ST.

STICKING WITH THE BUDGET STILL, THOUSANDS OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS CAME TO ALBANY THIS WEEK TO PUSH FOR MORE FUNDING FOR THE STATE'S HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY.

THEY WANT HIGHER REIMBURSEMENT RATES UNDER MEDICAID, MORE FUNDING FOR SAFETY NET HOSPITALS, HIGHER WAGES FOR HOME CARE WORKERS AND A HIGHER STATEWIDE MINIMUM WAGE.

AND THOSE ARE ALL IDEAS THAT GOVERNOR HOCHUL AND THE LEGISLATURE MORE OR LESS AGREE ON, JUST NOT IN THE SAME WAYS.

SO WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY'LL LAND IN THE FINAL STATE BUDGET.

BUT THE LEGISLATURE IS PUSHING FOR MORE HEALTH CARE FUNDING THAN WHAT HOCHUL PROPOSED IN JANUARY.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS.

>> WE ARE FIGHTING EVERY DAY FOR YOU BECAUSE WE KNOW YOU ARE FIGHTING FOR US.

I REPRESENT THE SENATE DEMOCRAT MAKE JOTTER.

WE HAVE YOUR BACK.

>> MORE ON THAT AS IT HAPPENS AND STAYING IN HEALTH CARE NOW AS WE TOLD YOU, GOVERNOR KATHIE HOCHUL IS PROPOSING A NEW STRATEGY THIS YEAR ON MEANT HEALTH CARE IN NEW YORK.

THAT INCLUDES AN INVESTMENT OF A BILLION DOLLARS OVER MULTIPLE YEARS FOR THINGS LIKE MENTAL HEALTH HOUSING, SUPPORT PROGRAMS, NEW INSURANCE COVERAGE AND MORE, BUT MENTAL HEALTH CARE WORKERS WHO RECEIVE STATE FUNDING AND THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE MENTAL HEALTH COMMITTEE SAY HOCHUL'S PLAN FALSES SHORT.

THEY WANT AN 8.5% INCREASE IN STATE FUNDING AND AN ADDITIONAL $500 MILLION ON TOP OF THAT THIS YEAR.

THEY SAY THAT MONEY WOULD PAY FOR HIGHER COSTS FROM INFLATION AND HELP KEEP AN ATTRACT MORE WORKERS IN AN INDUSTRY WITH HIGH TURNOVER.

PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE LOW PAY.

SENATE MENTAL HEALTH CHAIR SAMRA BROUK.

>> RIGHT NOW ACROSS THE STATE WE HAVE A WORKFORCE CRISIS, BUT ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

I SPOKE TO FACILITIES WITH 40% VACANCY RATES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.

WHAT THAT MEANS, THOUGH, IS WHEN ANY OF US NEEDS HELP, THERE'S NOBODY THERE IF THEY'RE UNABLE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN THEIR STAFF.

SO AN 8.5% COLA, AGAIN, IS THE FLOOR.

>> HOCHUL HAS PROPOSED A 2.5% INCREASE WHICH WORKERS SAY IS TOO LOW.

MORE ON THAT AS THE BUDGET COMES TOGETHER.

THAT DOES IT FOR THIS WEEK, THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS WEEK'S "NEW YORK NOW."

HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND BE WELL.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >>ANNOUNCER: FUNDING FOR "NEW YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.