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NY's High-Stakes Issues, Rising Tensions, Federal Budget Backlash
Jack O’Donnell
May 19, 2025
Good morning from Albany, New York, where the end-of-session melee continues unabated. This past Thursday was the last day of unlimited introductions in the state Senate (the Assembly’s has already passed), leading to a flurry of final bill introductions. More here and here. Both houses are in session today and will be in town through Thursday.
There is a great deal at stake, but here are a few high-profile issues worth watching. If you have questions about any of these or the thousands of other live bills, please don't hesitate to let us know. We want to help.
The high-profile death of inmates in New York prisons, as well as the wildcat strike by corrections officers, have renewed legislators’ focus on overhauling the prison system. One piece of legislation, known as the Earned Time Act, seeks to alleviate some of the pressure on the state’s stressed corrections system by increasing the pathways by which inmates can reduce their sentence through prison programming and good behavior. Assemblymember Erik Dilan, chair of the Assembly Corrections Committee, offered, “The Earned Time Act is one of those that hasn’t cleared my committee, it was subject to budget negotiations, and I think to myself and a lot of members, the language that was done in the budget was not satisfactory.”
Another bill, known as Elder Parole, would permit inmates who have served for more than 15 years and are over the age of 55 to apply for parole. There is also a comprehensive package of bills dedicated to Robert Brooks, the inmate who was killed at Marcy Correctional Facility last year. His father, Robert Ricks, attended a legislative hearing last week where he told lawmakers, “Every time I come in this building, I want to cry. Not just because my son passed away and this is a constant reminder, but because this is where the power is. I know that if the desire to make a difference is there, the people in this building can make a difference.” Among the provisions included in the Brooks package are an expansion of the State Commission on Correction, authorizing representatives from the Correctional Association of New York to conduct unannounced visits at state prisons and increased disciplinary power for the commissioner of DOCCS.
What’s causing the increasing tensions in the NY Legislature after this year’s budget process?
Listen to Jack’s take below as he joins the morning team at @WBEN!
🎧 to the full interview➡️ audacy.com/podcast/a-new-…
— O'Donnell & Associates (@odandassociates)
3:13 PM • May 16, 2025
On the environment and climate resiliency, advocates and their allies in the legislature are again pushing for the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act after passing it in the Senate last year. The bill would require certain businesses to reduce their use of plastic packaging by 30% over the next twelve years and “to register with a packaging reduction organization to develop a packaging reduction and recycling plan.” There has been an intense lobbying effort underway to oppose the bill, including from Target, Coca-Cola, and the American Chemistry Council, who have been targeting lawmakers with recent ads.
You can see why I am so passionate about passing the Packaging Reduction & Recycling Infrastructure Act.
Look at the packaging for a little dog collar battery.
And we pay for the disposal!
— Senator Pete Harckham (@SenatorHarckham)
1:06 PM • May 18, 2025
The bill sponsors remain undeterred, with Senate sponsor Pete Harckham offering, “This legislation represents the strongest Extended Producer Responsibility framework in the nation. It will reduce waste, plastics, and toxins, contributing significantly to a cleaner, more sustainable environment.” Advocates are also still pursuing the NY HEAT Act, legislation that aims to catalyze the state’s transition to renewable energy and away from natural gas, as well as the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, which would require mandatory greenhouse gas emission disclosures for businesses in New York with over $1 billion in revenue and create an emissions reporting platform where the disclosures will be publicly accessible.
Supporters of Medical Aid in Dying will be focused on the Senate in the final weeks of the session after the Assembly voted 81-67 to advance a measure earlier this year allowing for terminally ill patients to end their lives with the assistance of a healthcare professional. Senate sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal believes he has the votes to pass the bill, but Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins would need to bring it to the floor for a vote first. Some lawmakers have expressed concerns about the moral implications raised by the legislation, and several groups, including the New York State Catholic Conference, have come out in opposition.
ICYMI, a stunner in yesterday’s @timesunion revealing the so-called Medical Aid in Dying Act is silent on what drugs may be used for the suicide cocktail, as well as serious issues with the medications in other jurisdictions.
— NYS Catholic Conference (@NYSCatholicConf)
11:52 AM • May 16, 2025
All those issues generate passionate support as well as opposition and will generate significant lobbying efforts over the next few weeks. One issue that should unite everyone in New York is an effort underway to modernize New York State’s reading curriculum to ensure the use of evidence-based literacy practices, beginning with the passage of A2687/S5569, legislation which establishes a Center for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia within the State Education Department. Studies have shown that as many as one in five children have dyslexia or another phonemic awareness issue, but to date, New York lacks a comprehensive statewide approach to identifying and addressing their needs. Educational research has unequivocally demonstrated that early identification of dyslexia, coupled with intervention and multisensory sequential phonics instruction, drastically improves academic outcomes. The Center was a recommendation of the Dyslexia Task Force, and this year’s budget included $250,000 to launch the center!
A strong crowd of students, parents & educators gathered at the Capitol for the 10th Annual Dyslexia Advocacy Day to share their stories & call for evidence-based literacy policies. Every child deserves the chance to learn to read & NY has a responsibility to make that a reality
— Jo Anne Simon 文雅麗 🟧 (@JoAnneSimonBK52)
7:12 PM • May 14, 2025
This legislation, along with the rest of a comprehensive package of related bills, was a focus of the 10th annual Dyslexia Advocacy Day last week. Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon welcomed students, teachers, parents, and school administrators to Albany to tell their stories and discuss ways for New York State to be more inclusive, supportive, and effective in teaching literacy. Thank you especially to Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal for sharing his daughter’s story and to Assembly Member Bobby Carroll for sharing his journey. Thank you also to Sens. Robert Jackson and John Liu, and Assembly Members Marianne Buttenschon, Al Taylor, Tommy John Schiavoni, and others for supporting Dyslexia Day.
Even when the legislature ultimately gavels out for the year, a lot of uncertainty, especially economic questions and challenges, will remain unsettled. The state budget granted Governor Kathy Hochul the ability to make mid-year budget cuts if tax revenue drops by more than $2 billion, but there is still the prospect of the legislature returning to session later this fall to address federal cuts or respond to a flailing economy. Subscribe to the Monday Morning Memo as we continue to follow this story.
Nearly 30 NY senators have signed onto a state Constitutional Amendment proposal to rein in the governor’s power over the budget. Do you support this Constitutional Amendment? Vote in our poll below!
In Washington, D.C., House Republicans' internal divisions are bursting into public view as deep philosophical disagreements within their conference have severely dimmed their prospects of passing “one big, beautiful bill” by Speaker Mike Johnson’s Memorial Day deadline... and raising questions about how ambitious any finally agreed-upon bill can be. Johnson and House GOP leadership suffered an embarrassing defeat on Friday after several fiscal conservatives voted against advancing the bill out of the House Budget Committee. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), one of the no votes, said during the markup, “This bill falls profoundly short. It does not do what we say it does concerning deficits.” The holdouts are seeking substantive changes to the proposal, including an expedited timeline for imposing work requirements on Medicaid recipients. Many of the GOP’s proposed “pay-fors” are not scheduled to take effect until after Trump leaves office, an accounting trick aimed at minimizing the political damage of the cuts, but carries deficit implications that have resulted in pushback from spending hawks.
This conundrum that the House Republican conference faces—catering to the MAGA base versus pursuing policies that help protect and expand their majority—was perfectly personified this week in a public back-and-forth between Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY). In response to Lawler’s threat to vote against any GOP spending package that does not address the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, MTG published a lengthy tweet criticizing Lawler, saying, “Mike Lawler usually isn’t the guy in the conference with the best ideas, after all we lost a Republican held seat to a Democrat the last time Republicans voted for one of his “great” strategy. Now Mike Lawler is a NO on Trump’s big, beautiful bill because he won’t accept a SALT cap increase from $10K to $30K per year.”
My priority is to raise the cap on SALT, help suburban families, and fix the unfair double taxation. This is a critical issue for New Yorkers and we need to get this done. A higher SALT cap isn't a luxury, it's a matter of fairness for middle class families like first responders,
— Mike Lawler (@lawler4ny)
3:56 PM • May 16, 2025
Lawler, who had plenty of ammunition to respond to the distinguished Congresswoman’s remarks, offered, “Shockingly the “Jewish Space Laser” lady once again doesn’t have a clue what she is talking about. By the way, the reason you enjoy a gavel is because Republicans like me have won our seats. Good luck being in the Majority if we don’t.” After Lawler and a number of other “SALT Republicans” rejected the offer to increase the cap to $30,000, leadership has reportedly upped their offer to a $40,000 cap for individuals and a $80,000 cap for joint filers. Even if the SALT Republicans accept that deal, Johnson will still have to find a way to pay for it and sell it to the other wing of his conference.
Will the battle over SALT derail the “one big, beautiful” budget bill? Listen to Jack’s take as he goes “From the Lobby” with his Monday Morning Minute podcast! Link is below!
In a rare Sunday night meeting, the House Budget Committee approved the GOP tax and spending bill, 17-16, after some changes were made to appease conservative members who blocked its passage on Friday. Speaker Johnson hopes to advance the bill to the House floor by the end of the week.
Finally, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the New York State Museum is presenting an extraordinary opportunity for visitors to see history in real time with the reconstruction of an 18th-century wooden ship, unearthed at the World Trade Center site. More photos here. |
   |  Inside Jack’s Monday Morning Minute podcast: 🎙️Good news in the budget for the NY business community 🎙️What’s behind the budget blowback from NY legislators? 🎙️Who will get the GOP nod in the race for NY governor? 🎙️Will the SALT fight in DC derail the budget bill? |
Client News
 Jack and NASRCC Business Representative Jomo Akono |  OD&A’s Kara Hughes, Tricia Richardson of NASRCC, and Jack |
OD&A team at work in Albany
The OD&A team was proud to join our client, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters along with the NYC District Council of Carpenters for the 2025 Annual Legislative Reception in Albany. The event is held in support of issues, such as prevailing wage and workers compensation, that protect workers and their families.
New to the NYS Legislature
Assemblymember Joseph Sempolinski represents New York’s 148th Assembly District, which includes Allegany and Cattaraugus counties and parts of Steuben County. A lifelong resident of the Southern Tier, Joe brings deep experience in both federal and state government, along with a strong commitment to constitutional principles and public service.
Joe was elected to the State Assembly in November 2024 after previously serving as a member of the United States House of Representatives and as Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Joseph M. Giglio. He also served as District Director for Congressman Tom Reed and Director of Development at Archbishop Walsh Academy in Olean, giving him a well-rounded understanding of government, education, and community needs.
A proud constitutional conservative, Joe is a staunch defender of the First and Second Amendments and advocates for limited government, individual liberty, and fiscal responsibility. He is focused on curbing government spending, reducing mandates, and restoring common-sense energy policies that support economic growth without jeopardizing the state’s future.
With a strong background in education policy—including service on the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor—Joe supports an academic environment that equips students with real-world skills. As a father, he champions parental involvement in curriculum decisions and emphasizes the role families play in student success.
Joe is also a vocal supporter of law enforcement and public safety. He believes state leaders must do more to protect law-abiding citizens, support crime victims, and ensure that communities across New York are safe and secure.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University and earned both a Master of Arts and Master of Philosophy from Yale University. Joe lives in the Southern Tier with his wife, Angie, and their daughters, Joselyn and Madelyn, and is proud to represent the region where he was born and raised.
Do you support a Constitutional Amendment in NY to rein in the Governor's power in the budget process? |
Results of the Last Poll
The U.S. House has passed a bill to make the 'Gulf of America' name change permanent. The Senate must still weigh in. How would you vote?
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This Day in History
May 19, 1962: A birthday salute to President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden, featuring Marilyn Monroe’s rendition of “Happy Birthday, Mr. President,” marking his 45th birthday. |  Credit: © Bill Ray |
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