[ THEME MUSIC ] 1 ON THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW," NEW YORK'S DEADLINE FOR A NEW STATE BUDGET IS COMING UP.

WE'LL HAVE A FEW UPDATES FROM THE STATE CAPITOL AND TELL YOU WHAT TO EXPECT WITH THIS WEEK'S PANEL AND LATER, WHAT MATTERS TO UPSTATERS IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.

WE'LL DISCUSS.

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.

WE NOW HAVE LESS THAN THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE NEW YORK STATE BUDGET IS DUE, BUT IF YOU WERE AT THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK, YOU WOULDN'T REALLY KNOW IT.

WE HAVE THE USUAL RUSH OF ADVOCATES HOSTING RALLIES AND PRESS CONFERENCES ON WHAT THEY WANT IN THE BUDGET BUT NOT MUCH ELSE.

THAT'S BECAUSE BOTH THE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY WERE BUSY PUTTING TOGETHER THEIR ONE HOUSE BUDGETS.

THOSE ARE BASICALLY A REBUTTAL TO HOCHUL'S PLAN AND IT'S WHEN NEGOTIATIONS ACTUALLY START.

WE'RE EXPECTING BOTH CHAMBERS TO PASS THEIR ONE HOUSE BUDGETS NEXT WEEK, AND THAT WILL GIVE US A BETTER SENSE OF WHERE LAWMAKERS STAND ON TOP ISSUES.

GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL, MEANWHILE, SPENT PART OF THE WEEK DEFENDING HER BUDGET PLAN, INCLUDING A CHANGE TO THE STATE'S BAIL LAWS.

THE PROGRESSIVES IN THE LEGISLATURE DON'T LIKE.

HERE'S WHAT SHE SAID IN ROCHESTER THIS WEEK.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 2 PROTECTING SOCIETY IN A WAY THAT PEOPLE WOULD THINK IS COMMON SENSE AND SO MANY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE HAVE STEPPED UP IN SUPPORT.

OTHERS HAVE NOT, AND I WANT TO SAY IT'S COURAGEOUS WHEN SOMEONE CAN STAND UP AND SAY, I KNOW WE NEED THIS CHANGE.

I KNOW IT'S HARD, BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT IT HAS TO HAPPEN.

>> LET'S START THERE WITH THIS WEEK'S PANEL.

JOSH SOLOMON IS FROM THE TU AND REBECCA LEWIS IS FROM CITY AND STATE.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

JOSH, ON THE BAIL REFORM ISSUE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE BEEN PING-PONGING BACK AND FORTH FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS.

DO YOU HAVE A SENSE THAT IT WILL BE A BIG ISSUE AGAIN THIS YEAR IN THE BUDGET RIGHT NOW?

GOVERNOR HOCHUL HAS THIS PROPOSAL THAT WE JUST MENTIONED BEFORE TO TAKE OUT THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE MEANS STANDARD FOR JUDGES TO USE FOR CERTAIN CHARGES.

SO WHAT'S YOUR SENSE ON THAT RIGHT NOW?

>> I THINK THE BEST EXAMPLE OF IT IS WHEN SHE WAS IN ROCHESTER, SHE HAD SENATOR COONEY THERE WHO WAS BACKING HER PROPOSAL AND THEN LATER IN THE DAY, HE TOLD THE "NEW YORK POST" THAT HE WASN'T NECESSARILY BACKING HER PROPOSAL.

>> OH.

[LAUGHTER] OOPS.

>> SO WHERE IT'S LEFT RIGHT NOW, IT'S A LITTLE CONFUSING.

I THINK THAT'S AN INDICATION THAT SENATE DEMOCRATS MAY NOT HAVE AN APPETITE FOR IT.

GOVERNOR WANTS IT.

IT MAY BE ONE OF THOSE PIECES THAT WE'RE HEARING ABOUT 3 HORSE TRADING IN THE FINAL HOUR.

>> RIGHT.

THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING.

I'M THINKING IF THEY CIRCLE BACK TO THE JUDICIAL TRAINING ASPECT OF IT, I KNOW THAT WAS A BIG TOPIC IN THE PUBLIC PROTECTION BUDGET HEARING JUST A FEW WEEKS BACK.

THAT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE.

BECAUSE WHEN THEY WERE DOING KNIT 2019, WHEN THEY WERE DOING BAIL, THE VERY FEW REPORTERS WERE COVERING THE ACTUAL NEGOTIATIONS PART OF IT, AND I JUST REMEMBER IT BEING SO COMPLICATED AT THE TIME.

THAT WAS THE FIRST BAIL LAW.

IT WASN'T THE AMENDMENT.

I GUESS MAYBE THE AMENDMENTS WILL BE EASIER, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE WATCHING OBVIOUSLY.

REBECCA, I WANT TO TURN TO YOU.

WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS?

I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A BUDGET THAT HAS A LOT OF SMALLER ISSUES.

MAYBE A FEW BIG ISSUES.

I'M CURIOUS WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT.

>> JUST FROM MY OWN COVERAGE, GOOD CAUSE EVICTION IS A BIG ONE.

COMES UP PRETTY CONSISTENTLY.

A BUNCH OF LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS PUT OUT A LETTER CALLING ON THE GOVERNOR AND ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS AND CARL HEASTIE TO SUPPORT IT AT A STATEWIDE LEVEL BECAUSE IT'S ALL THE LOCAL LAWS ARE GETTING STRUCK DOWN WITH JUDGES SAYING GOT TO DO IT AT THE STATE LEVEL.

>> RIGHT.

>> THAT CON CONTINUES TO BE A BIG ISSUE FOR A LOT OF LAWMAKERS.

THE MTA IS ANOTHER BIG ISSUE.

IT'S AN ISSUE FOR THE GOVERNOR AND EVERYONE'S ON 4 DIFFERENT SIDES.

THE GOVERNOR WANTS THE CITY TO PAY FOR IT, THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY TO PAY FOR IT, MAYOR ADAMS DOESN'T WANT TO PAY FOR IT.

THE LEGISLATORS WANT TO TAX THE RICH AND MAKE BUSES FREE.

EVERYONE'S ON DIFFERENT SIDES.

THE MTA NEEDS MONEY.

>> THE MTA IS SUCH A COMPLICATED ISSUE BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE MTA SERVICE ZONE DO NOT LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY.

I LIVE IN ALBANY.

I CARE ABOUT THE MTA BECAUSE I AM DOING THIS JOB.

IF I DID NOT-- IF I WAS NOT DOING THIS JOB, I WOULDN'T CARE ABOUT THE MTA.

I'M WONDERING IF THAT CHANGES THE DYNAMICS OF THE CONVERSATIONS THAT PEOPLE ARE HAPPENING ABOUT THAT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> YOU KNOW, I AM BORN AND RAISED DOWNSTATE.

TOOK COMMUTER RAIL, LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY.

IT'S SO HARD FOR ME TO TELL BECAUSE THE MTA IS EVERYTHING.

>> YEAH.

>> THE MTA IS EVERYTHING.

IF IT'S, YOU KNOW, IF THE LIRR IS STRIKING, YOU'RE NOT GETTING TO WORK.

>> YEAH >> IF THE TRAINS AREN'T RUNNING, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T GET TO-- IF YOU'RE IN THE OUTER BURBS, YOU CAN'T GET INTO MANHATTAN.

I CAN'T WRAP MY MIND AROUND PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO LIVE IN ALBANY.

[LAUGHTER] PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE MTA, BUT IT'S A BABY.

WE COME BACK TO UPSTATE 5 VS. DOWNSTATE ISSUES AND YOU REALLY DON'T GET MUCH MORE DOWNSTATE ISSUES THAN THE MTA, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE FIRST THING THAT SOMEONE WILL PROBABLY THINK OF THE MTA IS NEW YORK CITY AND THE SUBWAYS.

>> RIGHT.

>> IF YOU LIVE IN ALBANY, WHAT DO YOU CARE?

>> RIGHT.

EXACTLY.

BUT ON A GRANDER SCALE, I SHOULD SAY THAT PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE SERVICE ZONE SHOULD CARE BECAUSE, FOR ONE, THE MONEY THAT YOU HAVE GOING TOWARD THE MTA, YOU HAVE TO RAISE IT SOMEHOW AND THAT COULD AFFECT PEOPLE UPSTATE, OR YOU HAVE TO CUT FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE AND THAT COULD AFFECT PEOPLE FROM UPSTATE.

THAT IS SOMETHING FOR THE PEOPLE TO WATCH AND NOT TO SAY THAT THE MTA IS LITERALLY THE LIFE BLOOD OF NEW YORK CITY, AND IF IT FAILED OR CONTINUES TO FAIL I SHOULD SAY, THE ECONOMY OF THE CITY JUST CAN'T GROW AND RECOVER.

SO SUPER IMPORTANT.

JOSH, TURNING BACK TO YOU, BESIDES THE BAIL REFORM ISSUE, WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING THESE NEXT FEW WEEKS?

>> ONE OTHER PIECE ON MTA IS THAT IT'S SO MUCH TIED TO THE CONTROVERSIAL ELEMENT OF THE GOVERNOR'S HOUSING PLAN.

>> YEAH.

>> I THINK THAT-- THAT IS WHAT SHE HAS PITCHED TO US AS HER TOP ISSUE AND THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO END UP BEING A LOT OF PROBABLY THE NEGOTIATIONS OF, WELL, I 6 WANT TO KEEP THIS INTACT, SO WHAT ABOUT THIS AND WHAT ABOUT THAT?

MAYBE WITH BAIL, WE WILL TALK ABOUT HOUSING VOUCHERS AND ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR THAT.

MAYBE WE'LL GIVE YOU A LITTLE OF THIS FOR A LITTLE OF THAT.

WE SAW THE GOVERNOR BEING WILLING TO DO SOME HORSE TRADING LAST YEAR INCLUDING WITH THE BUFFALO BILLS STADIUM.

SO I'M CURE CROUSE ABOUT WHAT KIND OF LAST-MINUTE DEVELOPMENTS HAPPEN ON THAT BUDGET AND HOW HOUSING PLAYS INTO IT.

>> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD .

BECAUSE AS OUR VIEWERS MAY REMEMBER LAST YEAR, THE BAIL ISSUE REALLY DIDN'T POP UP SIGNIFICANTLY UNTIL I THINK TWO, MAYBE ONE WEEK BEFORE THE BUDGET, OR MAYBE I'M THINKING OF THE BUFFALO BILLS STADIUM THAT CAME UP DAYS BEFORE THE BUDGET PASSED.

>> THE BILLS LIKE-- THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE TIMING WITH THE NFL AND WHEN EVERYTHING CAME INTO LINE, WHICH JUST HAPPENED TO BE THE WEEK BEFORE THE BUDGET THAT SHE THEN ANNOUNCED WE'VE STRUCK A DEAL.

AND THIS IS HOW MUCH MONEY WE'RE GOING TO GIVE AND THE LAWMAKERS SAID, WHAT?

[LAUGHTER] WE'RE GIVING A BILLION DOLLARS FOR WHAT?

>> YEAH.

>> WHERE IS THAT COMING FROM THE BUDGET?

HAVEN'T WE JUST BEEN NEGOTIATING FOR A BILL DOLLARS FOR CHILD CARE?

THAT PLAYED A LAST-MINUTE ROLE IN THAT SHE DIDN'T TIP THAT HAND EARLIER.

7 >> IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE LAWMAKERS EVENTUALLY WENT ALONG WITH IT.

THEY WERE VERY SURPRISED BUT ACQUIESCED TO THE DEAL IN SOME FORM OF THAT.

WHAT I'M REALLY LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW IN ALBANY IS THE POWER DYNAMICS BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE.

UNDER ANDREW CUOMO, THERE WAS A LOT OF POWER FOR THE GOVERNOR IN THE BUDGET PROCESS, AND THERE STILL IS THAT STATUTORY POWER FOR THE GOVERNOR AND THE PRECEDENT THERE.

BUT I'M WONDERING AS-- AS THINGS MOVE FORWARD AND THE FAR LEFT FLANK OF THE LEGISLATURE CONTINUES TO GROW, IF THAT DYNAMIC CHANGES.

JOSH, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

>> I THINK THAT THE-- WHAT WE'RE SEEING FROM SENATE DEMOCRATS SO FAR IS THAT THEY'RE AWARE OF KIND OF THE POWER THAT THEY HAVE AT THE MOMENT, BOTH AFTER THE REJECTION WITH JUSTICE LaSALLE.

THEY REALLY FLEXED THAT POWER.

THEY'RE QUICK TO TELL YOU THAT, HEY, WE OUTPERFORMED THE GOVERNOR ON THE BALLOT.

>> YEAH.

>> WE WERE DOWN BALLOT AND WE DID BETTER THAN HER THROUGH AND THROUGH.

SO-- SHE DIDN'T NECESSARILY STUMP FOR US.

SO WE DON'T NECESSARILY NEED TO LISTEN TO WHAT HER PRIORITIES ARE.

WE CAN LISTEN TO WHAT OUR CONSTITUENTS' PRIORITIES ARE.

SO I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF BIG SHOW OF THEIR POWER.

>> I THINK SO TOO.

YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT THAT SOME OF 8 THEM WERE VERY UPSET THAT THE GOVERNOR DID NOT DO MORE TO CAMPAIGN FOR THE STATE SENATE, DEMOCRATS IN PARTICULAR, OR VISIT REGIONS OF THE STATE WHERE THERE WERE COMPETITIVE RACES.

IN THE LOWER HUDSON VALLEY WITH STATE SENATOR ELIJAH REICHLIN-MELNICK.

I MEAN, THAT'S A PERFECT EXAMPLE THERE.

HOCHUL DIDN'T GO INTO ROCKLAND COUNTY AND HE BLAMED HIS LOSS BASICALLY ON THAT.

[LAUGHTER] SO THAT'S INTERESTING.

WE HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT, REBECCA.

I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE LAST WORD.

AS WE'RE LOOKING OVER THESE NEXT FEW WEEKS, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME SHAKE-UPS IN THE HOCHUL ADMINISTRATION.

THIS IS YEAR TWO.

AS WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW THEY ARE DOING THIS PROCESS.

HOW DO YOU VIEW THAT RIGHT NOW?

DOES IT SEEM TO BE, YOU KNOW, THE TRAIN'S A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THE TRACKS THIS YEAR OR NOT?

>> IT'S-- IT'S SO HARD TO SAY.

GOING BACK TO ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE-- >> YEAH.

>> THIS IS HER FIRST, LIKE, REAL YEAR AS GOVERNOR.

SHE'S BEEN ELECTED.

SHE'S GOT FOUR YEARS.

SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A RE-ELECTION, AND SHE STARTS IT WITH WHAT TURNED OUT TO LARGELY BE A POINTLESS FIGHT OVER JUSTICE LaSALLE FOR CHIEF JUDGE, AND IT LEAVES A LOT OF PEOPLE QUESTIONING SORT OF WHO'S GIVING HER THIS ADVICE.

IS IT HER DECISION-MAKING?

IS IT DECISION-MAKING FROM PEOPLE IN HER ADMINISTRATION THAT SHE'S LISTENING TO?

AND SEEING SORT OF THESE SHAKE-UPS 9 HAPPENING IN HER ADMINISTRATION, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY AT SUCH A CRUCIAL TIME AS LESS THAN A MONTH BEFORE THE BUDGET.

>> RIGHT.

>> IT LEADS TO MORE QUESTIONS OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S GOING ON ON THE SECOND FLOOR, BEHIND THOSE CLOSED DOORS?

DOES SHE HAVE RELIABLE PEOPLE WHO ARE GIVING HER GOOD ADVICE, OR IS IT STILL SORT OF FIGURING OUT HOW TO BE THE GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK?

WHICH IS FAIR, BUT YOU KNOW, SHE'S STILL NEWLY ELECTED BUT SHE'S BEEN DOING IT FOR CLOSE TO TWO YEARS NOW.

IT CERTAINLY DOESN'T INSPIRE THE MOST AMOUNT OF CONFIDENCE ESPECIALLY FROM OTHER OFFICIALS IN THE CAPITOL.

>> YEAH.

I HEAR A LOT OF THE SAME THINGS.

SO I GUESS WE'LL SEE HOW THAT SHAKES OUT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

REBECCA LEWIS FROM CITY AND STATE.

JOSH SOLOMON FROM THE TU, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

I APPRECIATE IT.

ALL RIGHT.

STAYING AT THE CAPITOL NOW, WE TOLD YOU LAST WEEK ABOUT GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S PROPOSAL TO RAISE TAXES ON CIGARETTES AND BAN MENTHOL-FLAVORED TOBACCO.

JUST A QUICK RECAP, THE TAX ON THAT PROPOSAL, THE TAX ON A PACK OF CIGARETTES WOULD GO UP A DOLLAR TO $5.35, AND LAST WEEK, WE TOLD YOU ABOUT HOW CONVENIENCE STORES ARE AGAINST THAT BECAUSE IT WOULD CUT INTO THEIR REVENUE.

THIS WEEK, WE SPOKE TO SUPPORTERS OF HOCHUL'S PROPOSAL.

LIKE HOCHUL, THEY SAY THAT RAISING THE CIGARETTE TAX AND BANNING MENTHOL WILL GET MORE PEOPLE TO STOP SMOKING AND THAT HAS WORKED BEFORE IN NEW 10 YORK.

THAT WAS TWO DECADES AGO WHEN NEW YORK CITY INCREASED THE LOCAL TAX ON CIGARETTES.

AT THE TIME, THE TAX HAD GONE FROM 8 CENTS PER PACK TO $1.50, AND AT THE SAME TIME, THE STATE HAD ALSO BANNED SMOKING IN THE WORKPLACE.

SO BY 2004, ACCORDING TO THE U.S. CDC, NEARLY 200,000 PEOPLE IN NEW YORK CITY HAD STOPPED SMOKING.

AND ACCORDING TO A SURVEY DONE BY THE CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE HIGHER TAX WAS A BIG PART OF THAT.

NEARLY HALF OF THOSE ASKED, ABOUT 45% SAID IT WAS THE HIGHER TAX THAT DROVE THEM TO QUIT, OR AT LEAST TRY.

AND SUPPORTERS SAY HOCHUL'S PROPOSAL WOULD DO THE SAME AND REVERSE DECADES OF TARGETING TOWARD BLACK NEW YORKERS.

SHANEQUA CHARLES IS ONE OF THOSE SUPPORTERS.

SHE LOST HER MOTHER TO SMOKING-RELATED ILLNESS.

>> WE KNOW THAT IT'S INTENTIONAL.

WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE TARGETING US.

WE KNOW THAT YOU DON'T MEAN US ANY GOOD.

SO THIS IS WHY TODAY, HERE, ON THIS THESE PROPERTY AND THIS LOCATION IN ALBANY WE ARE SAYING THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE.

WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL HAVE THE COURAGE TO STAND UP.

>> MORE ON THAT IN THE COMING WEEKS AS THE STATE BUDGET COMES TOGETHER, BUT FIRST, WE TOLD YOU A LOT ABOUT WHAT MATTERS TO NEW YORK CITY IN THIS YEAR'S STATE BUDGET, AND THAT'S BECAUSE SOME OF THE BIG CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES THIS YEAR AFFECT NEW YORK CITY MORE THAN THE REST OF THE STATE.

LIKE HOW GOVERNOR HOCHUL AND LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING ON NEW FUNDING FOR THE MTA OR HOW CHARTER SCHOOLS WANT TO EXPAND 11 IN NEW YORK CITY.

THOSE ISSUES MATTER UPSTATE AS WELL JUST IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

BUT AS LONGTIME CAPITOL WATCHERS KNOW, WHEN NEW YORK CITY ISSUES COME UP, THEY HAVE A HABIT OF DOMINATING THE CONVERSATION AND SOMETIMES THAT CAN LEAVE UPSTATERS FEELING SHORT-CHANGED.

SO THIS WEEK, WE WANTED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE ABOUT WHAT MATTERS TO UPSTATERS IN THIS YEAR'S STATE BUDGET.

FOR THAT, WE TURNED TO JUSTIN WILCOX WHO LEADS UPSTATE UNITED, AN ADVOCACY GROUP FOR ISSUES UPSTATE.

TAKE A LOOK.

JUSTIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> IT'S MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> ANYTIME.

I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT UPSTATERS WANT IN THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I THINK YOU HAVE YOUR FINGER ON THE PULSE OF WHAT UPSTATERS ARE LOOKING FOR THIS YEAR MORE THAN A LOT OF PEOPLE.

TELL ME WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR.

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, PROBABLY, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE SIENNA POLL.

UPSTATERS REALLY CARE ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING AND THAT'S, FRANKLY, THE SAME FOR OUR BUSINESSES IN UPSTATE NEW YORK.

IT'S THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS IN THE STATE.

SO REALLY, THE CONCERNS THAT I'M HEARING ABOUT FROM TAXPAYERSS, FROM RESIDENTS, YOU KNOW, FROM BUSINESSES, FROM EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS, IT'S REALLY THE SAME.

IT'S THE COST OF LIVING IN NEW YORK AND THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS IN NEW YORK.

>> YOU KNOW, ONE ISSUE THAT NEW YORKERS ARE FACING RIGHT NOW 12 WITH INFLATION IS KIND OF THIS ISSUE OF WHERE WAGES ARE.

THE GOVERNOR HAS A PROPOSAL IN HER STATE OF THE STATE AND THE STATE BUDGET THIS YEAR, TO TIE THE MINIMUM WAGE TO INFLATION MOVING FORWARD, WHICH MEANS THAT BASICALLY AS INFLATION GOES UP, THE MINIMUM WAGE WOULD GO UP WITH IT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT PROPOSAL?

HOW WOULD IT AFFECT UPSTATERS?

>> YEAH.

LOOK, YOU KNOW, LET ME JUST SAY, THE MINIMUM WAGE PROPOSAL, THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE MINIMUM WAGE, WHICH IS REALLY CLOSE TO $15 ACROSS THE STATE-- WE'RE STILL A LITTLE BIT BEHIND IN UPSTATE NEW YORK.

I THINK WE'RE AT 14.25.

THE REST OF THE STATE IS AT 15.

YOU KNOW, AT A TIME WHEN WE ARE FACING INFLATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE TO COMBAT THAT IS TRYING TO TAKE MONEY OUT OF THE ECONOMY.

RIGHT?

AND WHAT WE'RE DOING IN NEW YORK TO COMBAT INFLATION, RIGHT, IT'S NEGATIVE EFFORTS IS TO ADD MONEY INTO THE ECONOMY, RIGHT, TO PUT MORE MONEY IN PEOPLE'S HANDS AND TO DO THAT THROUGH EMPLOYERS WHO ARE GOING TO BE FORCED TO INCREASE THEIR PRICES, RIGHT?

SO THE PROBLEM IS THIS.

IT'S NOT A GOOD POLICY TOOL TO EVEN ADDRESS WHAT IT IS THAT POLICYMAKERS SAY THEY'RE ADDRESSING, RIGHT?

SO OFTEN, WE HEAR THAT WE NEED TO USE THE MINIMUM WAGE AS A POLICY TOOL TO ADDRESS POVERTY.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE MINIMUM WAGE IS A VERY BLUNT TOOL TO DO THAT, RIGHT?

BECAUSE IT'S OFTENTIMES GOING INTO HOUSEHOLDS THAT THE WELL ARE WELL ABOVE POVERTY.

THERE'S A MUCH BETTER POLICY TOOL THAT 13 MOST ECONOMISTS WOULD SAY DOES WORK TO END INFLATION-- I'M SORRY, NOT INFLATION, BUT POVERTY AND NOT ADD TO INFLATION AND THAT'S THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

.

THAT'S GOING TO GO DIRECTLY INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO NEED IT.

WE KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO GO TO A CERTAIN, YOU KNOW, HOUSEHOLDS THAT HAVE CERTAIN LEVELS OF INCOME.

SO IT'S A PRECISE TOOL TO ADDRESS, TO ADDRESS POVERTY.

>> SO YOU THINK THAT WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE AND TYING IT TO INFLATION.

JUST HAVING A TAX CREDIT INSTEAD.

WOULD THAT BE ENOUGH, YOU THINK, TO KIND OF MAKE PEOPLE WHOLE, OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE THAN THAT?

>> LOOK, IN TERMS OF MAKING PEOPLE WHOLE, THAT'S GOING TO BE REALLY DIFFICULT, RIGHT?

BECAUSE, AGAIN, THERE'S INFLATIONARY PRESSURES HERE AT PLAY, BUT IF YOU ARE REALLY TRYING TO ADDRESS POVERTY, YOU SHOULD PROBABLY TRY TO GET MORE MONEY INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO ARE IN POVERTY, RIGHT?

NOT JUST MORE MONEY INTO THE HANDS OF PEOPLE CURRENTLY MAKING MINIMUM WAGE.

THEY'RE NOT THE SAME.

I ALSO HAVE TO .

OUT, IN TALKING TO A LOT OF NOT-FOR-PROFITS, THIS IS GOING TO ACTUALLY SQUEEZE THEM AS WELL.

RIGHT?

BECAUSE A LOT OF THE FOLKS THAT WORK FOR NOT-FOR-PROFIT AGENCIES DO MAKE AROUND THE MINIMUM WAGE, AND YOU KNOW, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS THESE NOT-FOR-PROFITS ARE GOING TO BE FORCED TO CONSTRAIN THEIR COSTS IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

EITHER BY LAYING OFF EMPLOYEES OR MAKING FOLKS PART TIME.

14 >> SO AS WE LOOK-- BEFORE WE WERE RECORDING THIS INTERVIEW, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT MANUFACTURERS IN NEW YORK AND KIND OF THE DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES THAT HAVE LEFT NEW YORK AND MAYBE NOT ABLE TO GROW HERE.

WE'RE TALKING BEFORE ABOUT INDIVIDUALS IN TERMS OF THE MINIMUM WAGE, A LITTLE BIT ABOUT BUSINESSES.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THOSE BUSINESSES THAT DON'T SEEM TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A LOT OF PROGRESS HERE, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE STATE NEEDS TO DO ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL, LOOK, I WOULD LIKE TO PUT THIS CONVERSATION IN SOME CONTEXT.

>> SURE.

>> BEING FROM ROCHESTER NEW YORK, I HAVE SEEN KODAK, EASTMAN KODAK, GO FROM 62,000 EMPLOYEES IN THE ROCHESTER AREA TO 1,300.

THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE.

AGAIN, THERE'S A LOT OF FACTORS THAT PLAY INTO THAT.

SIMPLY NOT BEING HERE IN NEW YORK THAT LED TO THAT KIND OF DECREASE.

IT'S SORT OF THE ENVIRONMENT THAT WE'RE FACING, RIGHT?

IT'S GLOBALIZATION.

IT'S THE FACT THAT A LOT OF OUR COMPANIES ARE FACING COMPETITORS WITH LOWER COSTS.

SO YOU KNOW, NEW YORK BUSINESSES ARE FACING A TON OF COST INCREASES WHETHER IT'S UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, WHETHER IT'S MINIMUM WAGE, OR, YOU KNOW, WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE IMPACTS OF THE CLCPA, THE CLIMATE LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY PROTECTION ACT.

WE JUST RECENTLY SAW THE PSC, PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, APPROVE IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS A HUGE 15 INCREASE ON PEOPLE'S BILLS.

YOU'RE GONNA SEE INCREASES BETWEEN, I BELIEVE, ANYWHERE FROM 3 TO 16% IN UPSTATE NEW YORK.

THE 16% IS REALLY TARGETED AT INDUSTRIAL USERS OF ENERGY.

THAT'S GOING TO MAKE IT REALLY TOUGH FOR FOLKS AND FOR BUSINESSES TO PAY THOSE BILLS BUT WE'RE LIKELY TO SEE AS A RESULT OF THAT INCREASED PRESSURE ON THE BUSINESS IS EITHER THOSE PRICES ARE GOING TO PASSED ALONG TO CONSUMERS, AND IT'S THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT IS REALLY DIFFICULT FOR NEW YORKERS.

>> DO YOU THINK THE BURDEN IN TERMS OF THE PSC, THOUGH WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT UTILITIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT, DO YOU THINK THE BURDEN IN HELPING CONSUMERS AND RATE PAYERS, DO YOU THINK THAT LIES WITH THE PSC, OR IS IT WITH THESE UTILITY COMPANIES?

I MEAN, AS I'M LOOKING AT MY NATIONAL GRID BILL, I KEEP IT GOING UP AND UP AND UP AND UP AND GENUINELY, I COULD NOT TELL YOU IF THAT'S A PROBLEM WITH NATIONAL GRID OR THE PSC.

>> THESE A GREAT QUESTION, DAN.

I'M GLAD YOU ASKED IT.

THE FACT IS, YOU KNOW, THE PSC AND THE UTILITIES HAD NO CHOICE BUT WHAT?

TO ADDRESS THE TRANSMISSION LINES AND THE NEED TO UPGRADE TRANSMISSION IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE CLCPA.

WHAT WE HAVE IS THE PSC ACTING AS A DE FACTO TAXING AUTHORITY AND IT LEADS PEOPLE TO GET UPSET WITH THE PSC AND GET UPSET WITH THE UTILITIES WHEN, IN FACT, THIS IS 100% THE RESULT OF THE LEGISLATURE AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO TAKE 16 RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

>> IT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

I'M SURE IT'S AN ISSUE THAT A LOT OF NEW YORKERS ARE INTERESTED ESPECIALLY IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS AWE SEE THE STATE'S CLIMATE ACTION COUNCIL SCOPING PLAN START TO TAKE EFFECT.

JUSTIN WILCOX FROM UPSTATE UNITED, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER ISSUES FOR UPSTATERS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN THE COMING WEEKS AS WELL.

ISSUES LIKE EDUCATION AID AND INFRASTRUCTURE WILL ALSO BE PART OF THE STATE BUDGET.

MORE ON THAT OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

BUT TURNING NOW TO NEW YORK BY THE NUMBERS, WHERE WE TELL YOU ABOUT SOMETHING OUT OF ALBANY USING A NUMBER.

THIS WEEK, THAT NUMBER IS 38.

REMEMBER THAT.

WE'RE ACTUALLY USING THAT NUMBER TO FOLLOW UP ON A SEGMENT FROM A FEW WEEKS AGO.

LONG STORY SHORT, THREE YEARS AGO, STATE CREATED A PLAN FOR CUTTING COSTS IN MEDICAID AND PART OF THAT PLAN THAT TAKES EFFECT APRIL 1st WOULD CHANGE HOW MEDICAID PAYS FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

NEW YORK IS MOVING THAT TO A FEE-FOR-SERVICE MODEL CALLED NYRX.

BUT WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT MEAN?

BASICALLY, IT ALLOWS THE STATE TO NEGOTIATE DRUG PRICES AND THAT COULD SAVE THE STATE MONEY, WHICH IS THE WHOLE POINT OF THE CHANGE.

IT WOULD ALSO ALLOW MEDICAID RECIPIENTS TO USE MORE PHARMACIES, WHICH IS SUPER IMPORTANT IN RURAL AREAS, WHERE 17 HEALTH CARE CAN BE REALLY HARD TO FIND AND PHARMACISTS WANT THE CHANGE.

BECAUSE ALLOWING THE STATE TO NEGOTIATE DRUG PRICES DIRECTLY RATHER THAN GOING THROUGH SO-CALLED PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS WILL ACTUALLY PUT MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS THROUGH HIGHER REIMBURSEMENT RATES.

THAT BRINGS US TO THE NUMBER 38.

STEVE MOORE IS A PHARMACIST FROM PLATTSBURGH WHO SAYS THE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES UNDER THE CURRENT MODEL JUST DON'T CUT IT.

>> SO ON AVERAGE, WE'RE GETTING A 50 CENT DISPENSING FEE.

I WROTE A PRESCRIPTION THE OTHER DAY THAT WAS REIMBURSED AT 38 CENTS TOTAL, 30-DAY SUPPLY OF MEDICATION FOR THE PATIENT'S MEDICATION AND IT WAS 38 CENTS.

ALSO IT'S TOUGH.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT RISING MINIMUM WAGE AND YOU KNOW, DO YOU REALLY WANT YOUR PHARMACY EMPLOYEES TO BE MINIMUM WAGE EMPLOYEES?

>> BUT ONE SIDE EFFECT OF THE CHANGE THAT WE TOLD YOU ABOUT A FEW WEEKS AGO IS THAT IT WOULD CUT OFF CERTAIN SAFETY NET FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN A FEDERAL PROGRAM CALLED 340(B), AND THE STATE HAS SAID THEY'LL HOPE THOSE GROUPS BRIDGE THAT GAP BUT THAT'S NOT GUARANTEED.

SO THOSE GROUPS WANT TO STOP THE CHANGE.

WE'LL KNOW MORE WHEN THE STATE BUDGET IS APPROVED, HOPEFULLY AT THE END OF MARCH.

BUT STAYING NOW AT THE STATE CAPITOL, ADVOCATES ARE PUSHING A SHIFT IN STATE GOVERNMENT THAT THEY SAY WOULD DRIVE MORE THAN $2 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING INTO THE STATE'S COFFERS.

THAT WOULD HAPPEN THROUGH SOMETHING CALLED 18 DATA MATCHING.

RIGHT NOW, NEW YORK ADMINISTERS CERTAIN SAFETY NET PROGRAMS AND APPROVES PEOPLE BASED ON ELIGIBILITY.

AMONG THOSE PROGRAMS ARE THE MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM, THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND SNAP, OR FOOD STAMPS, AND THE THINGS ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS IS THAT THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS ARE PRETTY SIMILAR ACROSS THE BOARD.

SO IF YOU QUALIFY FOR ONE OF THEM, YOU MAY VERY WELL QUALIFY FOR THE OTHERS AS WELL, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT.

SO COALITION OF GROUPS LED BY THE AARP ARE CALLING ON THE STATE TO DO SOMETHING CALLED DATA MATCHING.

WITH THAT, BASICALLY IF SOMEONE'S IN ONE OF THESE PROGRAMS, ADVOCATES SAY, THE STATE COULD PROACTIVELY SEE IF THEY QUALIFY FOR THE OTHER ONES AND LET THEM KNOW.

BETH FINKEL IS THE NEW YORK STATE DIRECTOR AT AARP.

>> WHY AREN'T WE ACCESSING BENEFITS TO ALL PEOPLE, OLDER ADULTS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE?

THE SHORT ANSWER IS WE CAN AND WE SHOULD.

TAPPING THIS FEDERAL AID WOULD NOT ONLY HELP HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME NEW YORKERS, BUT WOULD ALSO DRIVE MORE MONEY THROUGH ECONOMIC STIMULUS INTO THE STATE COFFERS AND TO HELP US ADDRESS OTHER STATE BUDGET NEEDS.

>> AND AGAIN, THAT WOULD BE FEDERAL FUNDING NOT STATE.

IN A STATEMENT, THE HOCHUL ADMINISTRATION SAID, QUOTE, NEW YORKER CAN CURRENTLY APPLY FOR MULTIPLE BENEFITS, INCLUDING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, SNAP, MEDICAID, CHILD CARE AND OTHER SERVICES BY COMPLETING ONE APPLICATION.

FEDERAL REGULAR 19 REGULATIONS STRICTLY LIMIT HOW INFORMATION ON SNAP RECIPIENTS CAN BE SHARED WITH OTHER PROGRAMS BUT WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO SEEKING WAYS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO ALL BENEFITS BY INCREASING COORDINATION AND DATA SHARING AMONG PROGRAMS, END QUOTE.

AND A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID THEY'RE REVIEWING THE PROPOSAL.

WE'LL LET YOU KNOW IF ANYTHING CHANGES.

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