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

I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.

FOR YEARS, THE ISSUE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING HAS BEEN PERTINENT ACROSS DIFFERENT PARTS OF STATE, PROMPTING ELECTED OFFICIALS TO TAKE ACTION.

A SEPTEMBER 2026 POLL COMMISSIONED BY OPEN NEW YORK, A NON-PROFIT HOUSING GROUP, FOUND THAT ABOUT 92% OF VOTERS FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE STATE.

THE POLL ALSO FOUND THAT THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD SPENDS ABOUT 35% OF THEIR MONTHLY INCOME ON HOUSING.

TO COMBAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONCERNS, STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR LEGISLATION TO EXPAND THE LOW-INCOME TAX HOUSING TAX CREDITS FOR RESIDENTS.

THE BILL PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE IN THE MOST RECENT LEGISLATION SESSION, AND NOW AWAITS GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL'S REVIEW.

HOUSING ADVOCATES AND LAWMAKERS TOLD OUR TEAM THIS WEEK THAT THEY ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN THE BILL BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, OUR ELISE KLINE BRINGS US A DEEP DIVE ON THE ISSUE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS WELL AS THE IMPACT OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL POLICIES.

HERE'S THAT STORY.

>> FOR MANY NEW YORKERS, HOUSING IS ONE OF THEIR MOST STRENUOUS COSTS.

NEW YORK STATE REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE STATES, WITH HIGH HOUSING COST BURDENS, ACCORDING TO A 2024 STATE COMPTROLLER ANALYSIS REPORT.

TERRI LEONARD, ALBANY RESIDENT, SAYS AS A RENTER, HOUSING COSTS ARE CHALLENGING, AND WHILE HER RENT HASN'T GONE UP TOO MUCH IN RECENT YEARS, SHE WORRIES THAT COULD CHANGE, SEEING FRIENDS AROUND HER DEAL WITH SPIKING RENT INCREASES.

>> IT'S A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF MY BUDGET EVERY MONTH.

>> LEONARD ADDS SHE FEELS THE STATE'S HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IS POOR.

>> IN OTHER REGIONS, IT SEEMS TO BE MORE AFFORDABLE, EVEN OUTSIDE OF MAJOR CITIES AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> JEANETTE HART, A SINGLE MOM WITH THREE KIDS, LIVES IN WESTERLO IN ALBANY COUNTY.

SHE SAYS HOUSING COSTS ARE OUT OF REACH FOR HER AND HER FAMILY.

>> HOUSING COSTS AS A SINGLE MOTHER IS RIDICULOUS.

I CAN'T AFFORD RENT.

I CAN'T AFFORD UTILITY BILLS.

I CAN'T AFFORD FOOD.

I'M STRUGGLING WITH THREE KIDS.

>> HART ADDS, WITH WINTER COMING, SHE IS VERY WORRIED ABOUT NAVIGATING HOUSING COSTS THAT ARE NOT MANAGEABLE FOR HER AND HER FAMILY.

>> SO AS A SINGLE MOM, IT'S TERRIFYING.

IT'S COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY SCARY.

>> CHERLYNN CHASE, AN ALBANY COUNTY RESIDENT, SAYS SHE IS ALSO STRUGGLING WITH HOUSING COSTS DESPITE WORKING TWO JOBS.

>> I WAS ACTUALLY RECENTLY DISPLACED BECAUSE OF A FLOOD; I LIVED IN COEYMANS HOLLOW.

THE FLOOD CAUSED ME AND MY CHILDREN TO BE HOMELESS.

YEAH, AND THEN TO FIND A NEW PLACE THAT'S IN MY BUDGET, IT'S REALLY, REALLY HARD, EXTREMELY HARD.

>> FOR MANY STATE LAWMAKERS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES TO TACKLE AS A LEGISLATIVE BODY.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, STATE LAWMAKERS PASSED A BILL TO EXPAND THE PROCESS FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS.

STATE SENATOR BRIAN KAVANAGH, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF MANHATTAN AND A SPONSOR OF THE BILL IN THE SENATE, SAYS THIS BILL IS AN EFFICIENT WAY TO HELP THE STATE INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS.

>> A LOT OF THE WAY WE FUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS THROUGH TAX CREDITS.

SO GOVERNMENTS DO GRANT MONEY DIRECTLY TO DEVELOPERS TO BUILD HOUSING, BUT THEY ALSO PROVIDE TAX CREDITS, AND THE WAY THAT TYPICALLY WORKS IS THAT THE DEVELOPER OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING WILL GET THE TAX CREDITS AND THEN THEY CAN SELL THOSE CREDITS TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO'S PAYING TAXES, WHO COULD USE THOSE TAX CREDITS TO REDUCE THEIR TAX BURDEN, AND THAT'S WHY THEY PAY FOR THE CREDITS.

AND THE MONEY THEY PAY THEN GOES INTO SUBSIDIZING THE CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> SENATOR KAVANGH SAYS HE BELIEVES THIS BILL, IF SIGNED, WILL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON FINANCING THE BUILDING OF MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> WE'VE PASSED THIS BILL THROUGH BOTH HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATURE; IT GOT BROAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT ALL OVER THE STATE.

A LOT OF OUR DEVELOPERS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE STATE HAVE SAID THIS WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT BOOST TO THEIR EFFORTS.

>> ASSEMBLY MEMBER LINDA ROSENTHAL, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF MANHATTAN AND A LEAD SPONSOR OF THE BILL IN THE LOWER CHAMBER, AGREES, STRESSING THE BILL WILL HELP EXPAND PROGRAMS THE STATE USES TO BUILD MORE LOW-INCOME HOUSING UNITS.

>> RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE MORE THAN 260,000 UNITS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED THROUGH LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX FINANCE CREDITS.

AND SO THAT IS ONE VERY USEFUL TOOL TO AID IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSING ACROSS THE STATE.

>> SOME STATE LAWMAKERS WHO VOTED FOR THE BILL SAY THIS BILL COULD BRING MORE DEVELOPERS TO THE NEW YORK MARKET TO BUILD MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> SOME SAY NEW YORK IS HARD TO DO BUSINESS WITHIN.

RIGHT?

BECAUSE OUR LABOR IS HIGHER, OUR COSTS ARE HIGHER.

AND SO IF WE CAN LOWER THE TRANSACTION COSTS, IF WE CAN LOWER THE FINANCING COSTS, THAT MAKES IT A LITTLE BIT MORE PALATABLE FOR SOME OF THOSE FOLKS.

>> RUTHANNE VISNAUSKAS, COMMISSIONER OF THE NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF HOMES AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL, SAYS BUILDING AND PRESERVING EXISTING AFFORDABLE HOMES IS A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

>> I WOULD SAY, WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW WAYS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DEVELOPERS THAT WE WORK WITH ACROSS THE STATE.

>> THE BILL PASSED BOTH HOUSES NEARLY UNANIMOUSLY.

IT NOW WAITS TO BE SENT TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

A SPOKESPERSON FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAYS THE GOVERNOR WILL REVIEW THE LEGISLATION.

STATE LEGISLATIVE SPONSORS ARE CONFIDENT THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN THIS BILL INTO LAW BECAUSE IT WILL HELP THE STATE BUILD WITHOUT HAVING TO INVEST STATE DOLLARS.

>> I THINK THAT SHE WILL SIGN THIS; THE GOVERNOR IS VERY KEEN ON BUILDING MORE HOUSING FOR THE STATE.

IT'S CALLED THE STATE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT.

THESE CREDITS WILL BE FAR MORE VALUABLE THAN THEY ARE NOW, AND IT WILL INCREASE PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS.

>> ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THE U.S.

CONGRESS RECENTLY PASSED LEGISLATION THAT COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON NEW YORK'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING MARKET.

IT'S CALLED THE ROAD TO HOUSING ACT.

THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION INCLUDES A VARIETY OF HOUSING REFORMS, INCLUDING LIFTING CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, BUILDING MORE HOUSING, STREAMLINING AND REMOVING RESTRICTIONS FOR REVIEW AND BUILDING PROCESSES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND MORE.

THE BILL PASSED CONGRESS AND THE U.S.

SENATE WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN JUNE.

AFTER 10 DAYS IN WHICH THE PRESIDENT DID NOT TAKE ACTION ON THE BILL, THE BILL BECAME PUBLIC LAW.

REPRESENTATIVE PAUL TONKO SAYS THIS LEGISLATION IS NEEDED AND WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE NATION'S HOUSING CRISIS.

>> I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE THAT A LOT OF SEGWAYS TO PROGRAMS THAT WILL ENABLE PEOPLE TO HAVE THAT DREAM OF HOMEOWNERSHIP FULFILLED.

AND YOU KNOW, EVERYONE WAS RECOGNIZING THAT SOME OF THE DRACONIAN CUTS MADE TO PROGRAMS THAT ARE SEGWAYS FOR VARIOUS CONSTITUENT GROUPS OUT THERE TO HOME OWNERSHIP, OR MORE AFFORDABLE RENTALS, WERE ALL DENIED AND DESTROYED.

AND I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF REFORMS AND RESTORATIONS THAT WE NEED TO MAKE IN REGARD TO PROGRAMMING THAT REALLY SPEAKS TO AFFORDABILITY OF ESSENTIALS.

>> DEBORAH VANAMERONGEN, A POLICY ADVISORY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING & REAL ESTATE, NIXON PEABODY, SAYS THE ROAD TO HOUSING ACT WILL GET RID OF SOME REGULATORY OBSTACLES TO THE PRODUCTION AND PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

VANAMERONGEN SAYS CERTAIN FEDERAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE BUILD AMERICA BUY AMERICA ACT, OR BABA, REQUIRE ALL IRON, STEEL, MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS USED IN FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO BE PRODUCED IN THE U.S., WHICH CAN LIMIT AND DELAY HOUSING PRODUCTION.

>> IT'S MADE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRODUCTION REALLY CHALLENGING BECAUSE A LOT OF THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO BUY TO BUILD A BUILDING ARE NOT AMERICAN-MADE.

SO YOU HAVE TO GO FOR A WAIVER.

WELL, THE LEGISLATION REQUIRES HUD TO ACTUALLY TRY TO EXPEDITE THAT PROCESS, TO TRY AND BE EXPANSIVE ABOUT THEIR WAIVER AUTHORITY.

THEY RECOGNIZE, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS RECOGNIZE THAT BABA IS STANDING IN THE WAY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRODUCTION.

SO THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE IT MORE STREAMLINED.

>> SOME STATE LAWMAKERS SAY THE NEW FEDERAL LAW IS A VERY POSITIVE STEP.

>> IT'S BOTH HOUSES OF THE FEDERAL LEGISLATURE ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS, COMING TOGETHER TO SAY THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES HAVE AN OBLIGATION.

AMERICANS DO EXPECT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO HELP WITH ONE OF THE GREAT CRISES THAT WE FACE IN SO MANY COMMUNITIES: THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS.

SO, IT WILL MAKE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO PRODUCE ADDITIONAL HOUSING.

>> IT'S REALLY VERY EXPANSIVE AND IT HITS A NUMBER OF KEY POINTS, BASICALLY REMOVING THE BARRIERS AND THE RED TAPE THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH BUILDING NEW HOUSING.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS DIFFICULT HERE IN NEW YORK STATE IS WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT MANUFACTURED HOUSING AND MODULAR HOUSING.

THOSE ARE TYPICALLY MUCH BIGGER LIFTS HERE IN NEW YORK STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO MAKE THAT A MORE VIABLE OPTION FOR PEOPLE AND I AGREE WITH THAT.

>> SOME HOUSING ADVOCATES STRESS, HOWEVER, THE LEGISLATION STILL NEEDS FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS.

>> I THINK THE SIGNIFICANT THING TO KNOW ABOUT THE ROAD FOR HOUSING ACT IS THAT IT CAME WITH NO ADDITIONAL FUNDING, SO IT'S A GREAT FIRST STEP, BUT WE'RE REALLY GOING TO NEED FOLKS IN WASHINGTON TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP AND FUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT THE LEVEL NEEDED.

>> VISNAUSKAS SAYS WHILE THEY WAIT FOR FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS, THE STATE'S DIVISION OF HOMES AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL IS GOING THROUGH THE SECTIONS OF THE NEW FEDERAL LAW, SUCH AS THE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS WAIVER PROVISION THAT COULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE STATE.

>> WE'RE WORKING THROUGH ALL THOSE PROVISIONS, AND WE'LL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERYTHING THAT'S IN THERE THAT ALLOWS US TO GET HOUSING BUILT QUICKER AND CHEAPER IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

>> SOME NEW YORKERS, HOWEVER, FEEL STATE AND FEDERAL LEADERS COULD BE DOING A LOT MORE TO HELP NEW YORKERS THROUGH THE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS.

>> THE STATE COULD BE DOING A WHOLE LOT.

THEY CAN BE PUTTING CAPS ON HOW MUCH PEOPLE CAN CHARGE FOR RENT.

THEY COULD BE MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE, WHEN WE'RE WORKING, WE GET LIVING WAGES, NOT HOURLY WAGES, LIVING WAGES.

WORKING TWO AND THREE JOBS WHILE TRYING TO RAISE YOUR CHILDREN IS EXCEEDINGLY HARD.

ALMOST FEELS LIKE IMPOSSIBLE.

>> EXPANDING RENT STABILIZATION OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK CITY IS SOMETHING STATE LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO HEAVILY CONSIDERING.

THE STATE'S 1974 EMERGENCY TENANT PROTECTION ACT WAS EXPANDED OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK CITY IN 2019, HOWEVER, SOME LOCALITIES HAVE FOUND IT CHALLENGING TO PROVE THEIR VACANCY RATE IS LOW ENOUGH TO DECLARE A HOUSING EMERGENCY AND ALLOW THEM TO OPT INTO RENT STABILIZATION.

THE RENT EMERGENCY STABILIZATION FOR TENANTS ACT OR THE REST ACT WOULD ALLOW FOR ALTERNATIVE METHODS SUCH AS USING PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DATA RATHER THAN CONDUCTING THEIR OWN SURVEY, REDUCING THE BUILDING UNIT REQUIREMENT, AND ALLOWING FOR RENT STABILIZATION FOR BUILDINGS BUILT MORE THAN 15 YEARS AGO WHICH ARE CURRENTLY EXEMPT UNDER THE STATE'S 1974 STATUTE.

SOME STATE LAWMAKERS SAY THIS BILL, IF PASSED, WOULD HELP LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK CITY TO OPT INTO IMPLEMENTING RENT STABILIZATION.

>> WHAT ALLOWS CLOSE TO A MILLION, MORE THAN A MILLION, PEOPLE TO REMAIN IN NEW YORK CITY IS BECAUSE OF OUR RENT STABILIZATION SYSTEM.

IT'S JUST NOT THE SAME THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> DURING THE MOST RECENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, HOWEVER, THE REST ACT DID NOT MAKE IT OUT OF COMMITTEES.

ROSENTHAL, A SUPPORTER OF THE BILL, SAYS THE REST ACT HAS A LOT OF SUPPORT, BUT THIS PAST YEAR RAN UP AGAINST THE CLOCK TO GET TO THE FLOOR.

ROSENTHAL ADDS LAWMAKERS ALSO PLAN TO PUSH FOR MORE FUNDING FOR HOUSING VOUCHERS, WHICH PROVIDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO RESIDENTS ACROSS THE STATE THROUGH LOCAL HOUSING AND SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES.

IN THE LAST TWO BUDGETS, THE STATE ALLOCATED $100 MILLION TOTAL FOR THE HOUSING VOUCHER ACCESS PROGRAM.

>> SOME STATE LAWMAKERS SAY THEY WANT TO SEE CLOSER TO 250 MILLION NEXT BUDGET.

>> WHILE WE HAD 50 THE FIRST YEAR AND 50 THE SECOND YEAR, WE NEED A LOT MORE.

AND THAT WILL BE ONE OF OUR GOALS NEXT SESSION: TO RAMP UP THE NUMBER OF VOUCHERS THAT ARE AVAILABLE ACROSS THE STATE.

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST WAYS THAT GOVERNMENT HELPS PEOPLE COVER THEIR HOUSING COSTS IS PROVIDING A VOUCHER, AND VOUCHERS ARE A REALLY GOOD TOOL BECAUSE THEY PAY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT A HOUSEHOLD FAMILY CAN PAY, AFFORDABLY, BASICALLY NO MORE THAN 30 PERCENT OF INCOME, AND THE FAIR MARKET RENT OF THE APARTMENT THAT THEY MIGHT BE LIVING IN.

>> SOME STATE LEADERS WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE MORE FUNDING FOR HOUSING VOUCHERS.

>> WE ALWAYS WANT TO SEE MORE FUNDING FOR HOUSING VOUCHERS.

THERE'S DEFINITELY A NEED.

OBVIOUSLY, THOSE NEEDS NEED TO BE BALANCED WITH A LOT OF OTHER NEEDS THAT ARE FACING NEW YORK STATE.

BUT GOVERNOR HOCHUL IS VERY FOCUSED ON AFFORDABILITY, AND SHE UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> STATE LAWMAKERS AND LEADERS ALSO STRESS THAT WHILE THEY NAVIGATE MORE POLICIES AROUND THIS ISSUE, TENANTS HAVE PROTECTIONS RIGHT NOW, HIGHLIGHTING THE GOOD CAUSE EVICTION ACT WHICH WENT INTO EFFECT IN 2024.

THE GOOD CAUSE EVICTION ACT ALLOWS TENANTS LEGAL RIGHTS TO CHALLENGE LANDLORDS FOR UNFAIR RENT INCREASES AND EVICTIONS.

SOME STATE LAWMAKERS AND LEADERS SAY THEY ARE PLEASED TO SEE THE POLICY PROGRESSING IN ITS IMPLEMENTATION.

>> I APPLAUD THE COMMUNITIES UPSTATE THAT HAVE IMPLEMENTED GOOD CAUSE BECAUSE I DO THINK WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO KEEP, JUST RENTS FROM SKYROCKETING, WHICH THEY ARE IN SOME COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING IN SYRACUSE.

I THINK THAT THAT'S IMPORTANT.

>> VISNAUSKAS SAYS GOOD CAUSE EVICTION AND THE STATE'S EMERGENCY TENANT PROTECTION ACT ARE WORKING TOGETHER WELL.

GOOD CAUSE EVICTION, HOWEVER, HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY MORE LOCALITIES.

>> I THINK BOTH OF THOSE TOOLS TOGETHER HAVE GIVEN COMMUNITIES AND LOCALITIES ACROSS THE STATE ANOTHER TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX TO MANAGE THEIR RENTAL STOCK IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> WHILE STATE LAWMAKERS ARE WAITING TO SEE IF THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN SOME OF THE MORE PERTINENT HOUSING PRIORITIES - INCLUDING THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT BILL -- SOURCES TELL ME THEY WON'T GIVE UP.

LAWMAKERS AND HOUSING ADVOCATES PLAN TO COME TO NEXT SESSION MAKING HOUSING ONE OF THEIR TOP PRIORITIES, ESPECIALLY WITH THE STATE'S NEXT FIVE-YEAR HOUSING PLAN UP FOR RENEWAL.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO BRING YOU UPDATES AROUND HOUSING ISSUES, RIGHT HERE ON THE SHOW.

ELISE KLINE, NEW YORK NOW.

>> AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE STATE'S APPROACH TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.

NOW TURNING TO ANOTHER IMPORTANT TOPIC.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER JOHN MCDONALD - WHO REPRESENTS PARTS OF ALBANY, RENSSELAER, AND SARATOGA IN THE LOWER CHAMBERS - SAT DOWN WITH US TO UNPACK SOME OF HIS MOST PERTINENT LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR.

THIS INCLUDES A BILL THAT WOULD PROVIDE A LEGISLATIVE GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESSES IN THE STATE TO MITIGATE THE DISSOLUTION OF PENNIES FOLLOWING A FEDERAL DIRECTIVE.

DAVID LOMBARDO - FROM WCNY'S THE CAPITOL PRESSROOM - LEADS THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE ASSEMBLY MEMBER IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

>> WELL, ASSEMBLY MEMBER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> SO BACK IN 2025, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SUSPENDED THE PRODUCTION OF PENNIES AND DID SO, THOUGH, WITHOUT PROVIDING A LOT OF GUIDANCE OR ANY ADDITIONAL LAWS ON HOW BUSINESSES SHOULD RESPOND TO THE ENSUING SHORTAGE OF THE PENNIES.

YOU'VE GOT A BILL NOW AWAITING THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE THAT WOULD PROVIDE SOME CLEAR GUIDANCE TO BUSINESSES.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE?

>> YEAH, AND TO BE CLEAR, NO ONE DISAGREES WITH WHAT THE PRESIDENT'S TRYING TO DO.

WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PREFERRED, SINCE THERE'S AN ENTITY CALLED THE TREASURY, THAT MAYBE CONGRESS WOULD PASS A BILL TO GIVE THAT CLARITY.

IN THE ABSENCE OF THAT, STATES HAVE BEEN LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES.

AND I'M PART OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE LEGISLATORS.

WE HAD A MEETING WITH THE TREASURY.

AND THEY BASICALLY SAID, YOU GUYS ARE ON YOUR OWN, FIGURE IT OUT.

SO WHAT WE'VE PUT FORTH IS LEGISLATION, PASSED BOTH HOUSES, AS YOU SAID, AWAITING THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE, THAT REALLY MIMICS THE CANADIAN MODEL AND THE EUROPEAN MODEL WHERE WE DO ROUNDING.

>> OH, I WAS GOING TO SAY PUT THE QUEEN'S PICTURE ON THE MONEY.

>> NO, THE QUEEN'S PICTURE'S NOT ON THERE.

NO ONE'S PICTURE'S ON THE BILL.

BUT BASICALLY WE ESTABLISH ROUNDING TECHNIQUES.

AND PEOPLE SAY, WELL, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?

IT'S NOT THE BIGGEST BILL IN THE WORLD, BUT GUESS WHAT?

AS A BUSINESS OWNER, OFTENTIMES BUSINESSES GET HUNG UP ON THE CRAZIEST OF CLAIMS AND PENALTIES AND FINES BECAUSE THERE'S NO CLARITY ON WHAT SHOULD BE DONE.

SO BASICALLY WE SAY IF IT'S ONE OR TWO CENTS, YOU ROUND DOWN.

THREE OR FOUR CENTS, YOU ROUND UP.

IF IT'S SIX OR SEVEN, YOU ROUND DOWN TO THE NICKEL.

IF IT'S EIGHT OR NINE, YOU ROUND UP TO ZERO.

AND IT GIVES CLARITY.

IT DOESN'T HURT ANYBODY FINANCIALLY.

IT DOESN'T WEAKEN OR IMPACT THE STATE'S TREASURY IN REGARDS TO WHAT WE COLLECT.

IT ONLY DEALS WITH CASH TRANSACTIONS, CREDIT CARD, DEBIT, ALL THOSE THINGS GO ABOUT AS THEY NORMALLY WOULD.

SO I THINK IT'S NOT THE MOST COMPLICATED.

I THINK IT'S NECESSARY.

PEOPLE ARE, IT'S KIND OF FUNNY WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE PENNY, RIGHT?

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE RUNNING AROUND GATHERING PENNIES BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE A COLLECTOR'S ITEM.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO THEIR BANK AND TRYING TO GET ALL THEIR PENNIES CASHED IN BECAUSE BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING WITH KEEPING UP WITH THE PENNIES UNTIL THERE'S CLARITY.

>> ARE YOU SURPRISED THERE HASN'T BEEN MORE URGENCY AT THE STATE LEVEL TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS?

>> IT'S FUNNY.

I DID TALK TO, YOU KNOW, I TALKED TO TAX AND FINANCE, AND THEY DIDN'T REALLY GET TOO ENERGIZED ABOUT IT.

THEY WEREN'T SAYING IT WAS A BAD IDEA.

THEY JUST WEREN'T -- BUT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, SOMETIMES WITH THE AGENCIES, THEY DON'T TEND TO SHOW HANDS BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION ON LEGISLATION.

SO, YOU KNOW, AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK IT MAKES SENSE.

CONSUMERS SHOULD HAVE SURETY.

BUSINESSES HAVE SURETY.

GOVERNMENTS SHOULD HAVE SURETY.

AND THAT'S WHAT I HOPE THIS BILL DOES.

>> IS THERE ANY REASON WHY THE GOVERNOR MIGHT NOT SIGN THIS?

HAVE YOU HEARD FROM ANY INTERESTED PARTY ABOUT WE CAN'T DO THIS FOR X, Y, Z REASON?

>> I HAVE NOT HEARD A GOOD -- I HAVEN'T HEARD MUCH OF ANYTHING AGAINST THE BILL FROM ANYBODY.

I THINK EVEN, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, TALKING TO OUR OWN ASSEMBLY STAFF, THEY'RE LIKE... DO WE REALLY NEED TO DO THIS?

I SAID, HERE'S THE REASONS WHY.

AND FORTUNATELY, GROUPS LIKE NFIB, THE FOOD INDUSTRY ALLIANCE, THEY VALIDATED SAYING, WE NEED SURETY.

WE WANT TO HAVE IT.

AND QUITE HONESTLY, IN THIS STATE, IF WE COULD DO SOMETHING SIMPLE TO HELP BUSINESS ALONG, WHY NOT DO IT?

>> IS THERE A NATURAL EXPECTATION THAT FIVE, TEN YEARS FROM NOW, WE'RE GOING TO BE SITTING DOWN HERE AND TALKING ABOUT HOW WE'RE ROUNDING TO THE NEAREST DIME AT SOME POINT?

>> YOU KNOW, I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED.

I MEAN, LISTEN, I PERSONALLY DON'T CARRY CASH ANYMORE.

I JUST DON'T.

THERE'S NO REASON TO.

>> YOU'RE THE ONLY BOOMER WHO DOESN'T, I THINK, CARRY CASH AT THIS POINT.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT DOING A COMMERCIAL FOR STEWART'S, BUT MY COFFEE OF CHOICE IS STEWART'S, SO I HAVE A CARD I REFILL ALL THE TIME AND I DON'T NEED TO TOUCH CASH.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT, THAT'S ONE OF THOSE LITTLE UNIQUE THINGS THAT CAME UP DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN PEOPLE WERE AFRAID TO TOUCH ANYTHING.

BUT I KEPT THINKING ABOUT THE POOR CLERK WHO'S GOT TO DEAL WITH THIS ALL THE TIME AND, YOU KNOW, RUNNING A BUSINESS FOR YEARS.

I'M SENSITIVE TO THAT.

SO I DO THINK, YOU KNOW, LISTEN, THE PENNY AT THE END OF THE DAY COSTS THREE AND A HALF CENTS TO PRINT A PENNY.

THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

IT COSTS ABOUT SEVEN CENTS TO PRINT A NICKEL.

AT SOME POINT, THAT CONVERSATION SHOULD BE HAPPENING.

>> WELL, LET'S TURN TO ANOTHER ISSUE YOU'RE LOOKING TO ADDRESS, AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE USE OF NITROUS OXIDE AS BASICALLY A RECREATIONAL INHALANT BY NEW YORKERS.

AND PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE HEARD OF THIS IN TERMS OF LAUGHING GAS, MAYBE IF THEY'RE AT THE DENTIST.

BUT NEW YORK ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE, AT LEAST STARTED TO, IN 2021 WITH RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO AGE ON WHO COULD PURCHASE THESE LITTLE CANISTERS OFTEN USED FOR MAKING WHIPPED CREAM IN, SAY, AN ICE CREAM SHOP AS OPPOSED TO GETTING THE READY-MADE READY WHIP CAN.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE THAT IS INADEQUATE AND IS REQUIRING, AT LEAST FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THIS?

>> I'VE SEEN THIS FIRSTHAND WITH INDIVIDUALS.

NITROUS OXIDE, THINK OF IT AS LIKE AN ANESTHETIC.

IT LITERALLY FREEZES YOUR BRAIN.

BUT ITS CHEMICAL MOIETY IS SUCH, HAS A VERY QUICK ONSET, AND AT THE SAME TOKEN, IT LEAVES THE BODY VERY QUICKLY.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS WHEN PEOPLE USE A LOT OF IT, THEY BECOME ALMOST, I DON'T WANT TO SAY PARALYZED, BUT THEY'RE FROZEN AND THEY'RE INCAPACITATED.

AND SOMETHING DANGEROUS COULD HAPPEN.

BY THE SAME TOKEN, LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS NO WAY OF EVER CATCHING SOMEBODY BEING IN THAT STATE IN REGARDS TO SHOWING UP.

YOU KNOW, USUALLY ALCOHOL, DRUGS, THEY SHOW UP.

THIS ELIMINATES IN THE SYSTEM VERY QUICKLY.

SO THEREFORE, YOU KNOW, OUR APPROACH IS WE'RE NOT TOUCHING THE COMMERCIAL MARKET.

SO I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK, BECAUSE I REMEMBER GOING TO STEWART'S ONE DAY, SEEING THIS SIGN THAT YOU HAVE TO BE OVER 21 TO BUY WHIPPED CREAM.

AND I'M LIKE, THAT SEEMS KIND OF CRAZY.

HOWEVER, WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS NO RETAILER CAN BE SELLING THESE.

THERE ARE RETAIL SHOPS IN THE CITY OF ALBANY THAT I KNOW OF THAT ARE SELLING THESE FOR RETAIL PURPOSES.

>> THE LITTLE CANISTERS.

>> THE LITTLE CANISTERS, THE BIG CANISTERS.

IF PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW ANYBODY, THEY'RE SIMILAR TO LIKE AN OXYGEN CANISTER THAT PEOPLE SEE, A TWO-LITER OXYGEN.

THE INDIVIDUALS I'VE SEEN WOULD HAVE CASES OF THOSE TWO-LITER CONTAINERS SITTING IN THE BACK OF THEIR VEHICLES, AND THEY WERE JUST USING IT TIME AFTER TIME.

I DON'T SAY THIS LIGHTLY.

THEY WERE LITERALLY FRYING THEIR BRAIN.

AND THE BOTTOM LINE IS IT'S VERY ADDICTIVE, LIKE MANY OTHER ITEMS.

AND IF WE COULD SOMEHOW, AT LEAST WHAT WE'RE DOING IN THE BILL, IS WE RAISE THE PENALTIES.

IT'S LIKE A $500 FIRST OFFENSE, $1,000 SECOND OFFENSE TO ANY RETAILER CAUGHT BY ANY AUTHORITY BY SELLING THESE AS A RETAIL PURPOSE.

IT DOES NOT DIMINISH USING IT FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES.

DOES NOT DIMINISH USING IT FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION, BUT STOPS THE RETAIL PERSPECTIVE.

>> AND PEOPLE MIGHT BE THINKING, WELL, NEW YORK HAS LEGALIZED MARIJUANA.

NEW YORK ALLOWS PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND HAVE AS MANY BEERS AS THEY WANT AS LONG AS THEY'RE NOT GOING AND DRIVING.

WHY SHOULD THIS BE SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN'T ACCESS?

>> IN MY RESEARCH, AND I GUESS IN MY OPINION, THIS HAS BEEN UNDER THE RADAR SCREEN FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

IT'S BEEN VERY MUCH READILY AVAILABLE.

I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE DELETERIOUS EFFECTS IT CAN HAVE ON AN INDIVIDUAL.

AND QUITE FRANKLY, IT MAKES THE ROADS MUCH MORE DANGEROUS FOR INDIVIDUALS.

INDIVIDUALS I KNOW HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DRIVE MILES AND MILES AND ARE GOING AROUND KNOCKING DOWN MAILBOXES, AND THANKFULLY THEY'RE NOT HURTING ANYBODY.

BUT I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE ITS DAY.

AND IT'S GOT GREAT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN OUR HOUSE.

KEITH BROWN, WHO WAS UNFORTUNATELY LEAVING US FROM LONG ISLAND, MATT SIMPSON, THEY WERE ONE OF MY BIGGEST ADVOCATES WHEN I FIRST BROUGHT THIS BILL UP.

>> WELL, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE PASSAGE, BECAUSE THIS MOVED THROUGH THE SENATE, ULTIMATELY CAME UP SHORT IN THE ASSEMBLY.

WAS THAT JUST A MATTER OF RUNNING OUT OF TIME, OR WERE THERE PEOPLE -- >> YOU KNOW, I WAS, YOU KNOW, LIKE ANYTHING ELSE, THERE'S A SEASONALITY, AND THEN THERE'S ACTUALLY A WALL.

IT HIT THE WALL AT THE END OF THE DAY.

IT JUST GOT TO THE POINT WHERE ONLY SO MANY BILLS ARE GOING THROUGH.

WE HAD ACTUALLY WORKED AT, I THINK IT WENT TO CONSUMERS FIRST.

I BELIEVE IT WAS CONSUMERS OR CORPORATE.

IT WAS A UNIQUE COMMITTEE, BUT THEN IT GOT TO CODES, BUT IT JUST DIDN'T GO FAR ENOUGH.

>> I MEAN, IT WAS THAT FINISH LINE.

>> IT WAS CLOSE.

I WAS ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY RARE THAT I WILL ACTUALLY GET UP AND SAY TOO MUCH ON THE FLOOR BECAUSE THERE'S ENOUGH PEOPLE TALKING ON THE FLOOR AND WE'RE TRYING TO NOT RUN THE CLOCK OUT.

WE'RE TRYING TO MOVE THINGS ALONG.

I ACTUALLY HAD PREPARED SOME COMMENTS.

I ACTUALLY THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO GET THROUGH IT AND IT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN.

>> IS THIS AN AREA WHERE, IN ADDITION TO TOUGHER MONETARY PENALTIES, THERE NEEDS TO BE TOUGHER CRIMINAL PENALTIES AS WELL?

>> I THINK, LIKE ANYTHING ELSE, I KNOW OUR BODY PRETTY WELL.

WE TRY TO BE SENSIBLE WHEN IT COMES TO WHEN WE'RE GOING TO ENHANCE CRIMINAL PENALTIES.

I ALWAYS TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT THERE ARE MANY OF OUR PUBLIC WORKERS IN DANGER BECAUSE OF PEOPLE'S, THE WAY THEY'RE DRIVING THROUGH PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.

THAT'S WHERE I SUPPORT THAT.

THIS ONE, I WANT TO TAKE AN INCREMENTAL APPROACH.

I THINK INCREMENTAL IS PROBABLY THE BEST WAY TO TAKE IT.

>> AND IS IT YOUR UNDERSTANDING, FINALLY, THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS DISPROPORTIONATELY A PROBLEM FOR KIDS?

IS IT DISPROPORTIONATELY HITTING OTHER COMMUNITIES?

OR IS THIS A BROAD ISSUE?

>> YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, IT IMPACTS ALL DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS, AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THIS ONE -- I'VE SEEN IT IN YOUNG -- I REMEMBER THIS WAS AN ITEM BACK WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND THAT WASN'T YESTERDAY, BY THE WAY.

>> THEY STILL HAD PENNIES BACK THEN.

>> THEY STILL HAD PENNIES BACK THEN.

A PENNY WAS WORTH A PENNY BACK THEN.

>> PROBABLY $2 BILLS, TOO.

>> RIGHT, EXACTLY.

>> WELL, ASSEMBLY MEMBER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

THANKS, DAVID.

>> AND FOR MORE ON THE TOPICS EXPLORED IN THIS WEEK'S SHOW, YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

AGAIN, THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.

YOU CAN ALSO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER BY GOING TO NEWSLETTER.NYNOW.ORG OR BY SCANNING THE QR CODE ON YOUR SCREEN.

WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF NEW YORK NOW.

THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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