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

I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.

THIS YEAR, THE STATE BUDGET PROVIDED FUNDING FOR THE STATE PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, ALSO KNOWN AS SUNY, TO SUPPORT A SLEW OF INITIATIVES.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE STATE WILL BE PROVIDING FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR ADULTS BETWEEN THE AGES 25 AND 55, A PROGRAM KNOWN AS SUNY RECONNECT.

THE BUDGET ALSO PROVIDED $114 MILLION IN INCREASED OPERATE BEING AID FOR CAMPUSES, BUT APART FROM THAT STATE FUNDING, THE THREAT OF CUTS COMING FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL IS STILL LOOMING.

AT THE MOST RECENT STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY ADDRESS, CHANCELLOR JOHN KING TOOK THE TIME TO SOUND THE ALARM ON CUTS THAT COULD IMPACT DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION AS WELL AS RESEARCH AT THE PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES.

WE SAT DOWN WITH SUNY CHANCELLOR JOHN KING TO UNPACK THE STATE FUNDING FOR SUNY AND THE IMPACT OF FEDERAL CUTS.

HERE'S THAT CONVERSATION.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME HERE TODAY, CHANCELLOR.

>> THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> OF COURSE.

NOW A FEW WEEKS AGO, YOU DELIVERED YOUR STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY ADDRESS.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR SPEECH AND YOUR OVERALL VISION FOR SUNY THIS YEAR?

>> YEAH.

WELL, THERE'S LOTS OF GREAT NEWS TO REPORT AROUND SUNY'S PROGRESS.

SO THE CORE MESSAGE WAS SUNY IS ON THE MOVE.

WE HAD ENROLLMENT INCREASES THIS PAST FALL FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.

THAT WAS GREAT TO SEE.

IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE HAD BACK-TO-BACK YEARS OF ENROLLMENT GROWTH ACROSS ALL SECTORS IN YEARS.

WE'VE GOTTEN TREMENDOUS SUPPORT FROM THE STATE, WHICH HAS ALLOWED TO US MAKE A LOT OF PROGRESS TOWARDS OUR GOAL OF DOUBLING RESEARCH ACROSS THE SUNY SYSTEM.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT OUR STUDENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO LAUNCH, SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, OUR ASAP AND ACE WRAP-AROUND SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR LOW INCOME STUDENTS THAT ARE TWO- AND FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS AND LOTS OF REQUEST GOOD NEWS TO REPORT.

SO OF COURSE THERE WAS LOTS TO HIGHLIGHT ON THE FEDERAL LANDSCAPE.

OUR WORRY THAT THE CUTS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE WILL AFFECT SUNY.

>> CAN YOU TELL US HOW YOU'RE HOPING TO NAVIGATE THOSE CUTS WHEN IT COMES TO, FOR EXAMPLE, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION, ON THAT FRONT?

>> LOOK, SOME THINGS ARE JUST CORE VALUES OF SUNY.

WE'RE COMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESS.

WE'RE COMMITTED TO RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP, AND WE'RE COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

THOSE ARE CORE VALUES FOR NEW YORK STATE.

THOSE IDEALS WERE EMBEDDED IN OUR FOUNDING STATUTE.

SO DEI IS IN OUR DNA AT SUNY.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK TO MAKE SURE WE SERVE NEW YORKERS FROM EVERY PART OF THE STATE.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT STUDENTS HAVE A SENSE OF BELONGING ON OUR CAMPUSES, NO MATTER THEIR BACKGROUND.

THAT SAID, WE ARE WATCHING VERY CAREFULLY WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS DOING AROUND RESEARCH.

WE DO ABOUT $700 MILLION A YEAR IN SPONSORED RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AT SUNY THAT ARE FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

THAT $700 MILLION IS DRIVING RESEARCH ON ALZHEIMER'S, CANCER, THE TREATMENT OF 9/11 FIRST RESPONDERS.

RENEWABLE ENERGY, TECHNOLOGY THAT'S IMPORTANT TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.

SO WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT IT.

WE'VE SEEN OF THAT $700 MILLION OF FEDERAL SUPPORT, WE HAVE SEEN 50 MILLION CUT ALREADY.

CUTS CUT ARBITRARILY WITH VERY LITTLE EXPLANATION.

WE'RE WORRIED THAT COULD BE LARGER IF SOMETHING OF THE THINGS BEING DISCUSSED IN CONGRESS WERE TO HAPPEN.

WE'RE WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS, MEMBERS OF OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION STAND UP FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THESE RESEARCH DOLLARS ARE TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TO THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF NEW YORKERS.

>> AND BESIDES HIGHLIGHTING IN YOUR SPEECH, HOW ARE YOU PLANNING TO SOUND THE ALARM TO THESE CUTS?

HAVE YOU HAD ANY COMMUNICATION WITH FEDERAL OFFICIALS OR MEMBERS OF THE NEW YORK CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ABOUT THE THREATS?

>> YES.

AND WE'RE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME REACHING OUT TO OUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

I PERSONALLY HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH MANY OF THE MEMBERS, TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH.

REALLY TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO NOT ONLY REJECT THE TRUMP CUTS BUT WE SHOULD BE DULLING DOWN.

WE SHOULD BE INVESTING MORE TO GET TO CURES FOR DISEASES.

WE SHOULD BE INVESTING MORE TO ADDRESS OUR ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS WITH CHINA, FOR EXAMPLE, AND INDUSTRIES LIKE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE OR QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY.

I'VE ALSO BEEN TALKING WITH THEM ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID SYSTEM.

YOU KNOW, THE PELL GRANT PROGRAM, WHICH HELPS LOW INCOME STUDENTS ATTEND COLLEGE,S THEY CRUCIAL FOR US.

NEARLY HALF OF OUR ENTERING STUDENTS AT SUNY USE THE PELL GRANT PROGRAM.

AND MANY LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME NEW YORKERS RELY ON THE FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM TO ACCESS HIGHER EDUCATION.

SO WE NEED TO PROTECT THOSE.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS PROPOSED CUTS TO THE FEDERAL PELL GRANT.

THAT WOULD BE A DISASTER.

NOT JUST FOR SUNY BUT FOR NEW YORK STATE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR THE COUNTRY.

WE NEED MORE NURSES.

WE NEED MORE FOLKS WHO ARE TRAINED FOR THE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY.

NOT LESS.

AND SO IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR MEMBERS OF OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO STAND UP.

>> HOW DO THESE THREATS IMPACT THE WAY THAT YOU ARE HOPING THAT THE STATE WILL PROVIDE FUNDING FOR SUNY?

DO YOU THINK THERE SHOULD BE, FOR EXAMPLE, A PERCENTAGE INCREASE YEAR OVER YEAR?

>> LOOK, THE SAD REALITY AND THIS IS TRUE IN EDUCATION AND IT'S ALSO TRUE IN HEALTH CARE.

THE STATES ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE UP FOR FEDERAL CUTS AT THE SCALE OF WHAT'S BEING TALKED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OR BY CONGRESS.

SO THE BEST THING WOULD BE FOR CONGRESS IN A BIPARTISAN WAY TO REJECT THOSE CUTS AND ACTUALLY INVEST IN EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE.

IF THEY DON'T, THAT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE FOR OUR INSTITUTIONS AND INSTITUTIONS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

GOVERNOR HOCHUL AND THE LEGISLATURE HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB, THOUGH, OVER THE LAST THREE BUDGETS THAT I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH INVESTING IN SUNY.

WE'VE SEEN THE LARGEST INCREASE IN STATE SUPPORT IN DECADES.

WE'VE SEEN, FOR EXAMPLE, THE FIRST BACK-TO-BACK INCREASES IN OPERATING SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN DECADES, AND THIS YEAR, IMPORTANTLY, THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE COMMITTED TO SOMETHING CALLED SUNY RECONNECT, WHICH WILL MAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FREE FOR ADULTS 25 TO 55 IN HIGH DEMAND WORKFORCE AREAS, ADVANCED MANUFACTURING, CYBERSECURITY AND I.T., HEALTH CARE, JOBS LIKE NURSING, WHERE WE HAVE A DESPERATE NEED.

AS WELL AS GREEN JOBS AND RENEWABLE ENERGY.

SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT SUNY RECONNECT.

ACTUALLY WAS AT ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES, DUCHESS COMMUNITY COLLEGE JUST TODAY CELEBRATING WHAT SUNY RECONNECT TO MEAN.

IT'S LIFE-CHANGING FOR SOMEONE WHO MAYBE IS RIGHT NOW THEY'RE DRIVING FOR UBER.

THEY CAN BARELY MAKE ENDS MEET.

THEY CAN BARELY COVER THEIR COSTS OF HOUSING AND FOOD.

THEY CAN COME TO ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES, GET TUITION, FEES, BOOKS AND SUPPLIES COVERED AND COMPLETE A NURSING PROGRAM AND END UP MAKING 70, 80 GRAND A YEAR, TRANSFORMATIVE FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> I'M CURIOUS WHAT THE AWARENESS WILL LOOK LIKE TO MAKE SURE NEW YORKERS ARE IN THE KNOW ABOUT THIS NEW POLICY.

IT IS, AS YOU MENTIONED, A PRETTY HUGE INVESTMENT.

>> WE'RE REACHING OUT IN EVERY WAY WE CAN THINK OF.

WE'RE REACHING OUT ONLINE.

WE'RE REACHING OUT THROUGH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, WHICH IS VERY EXCITED ABOUT SUNY RECONNECT.

I'M GONNA USE TIME THIS SUMMER TO VISIT OUR CAMPUSES TO HIGHLIGHT AND DRAW ATTENTION TO THIS PROGRAM.

IT'S A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY.

AND WE DON'T WANT ANYONE TO MISS OUT.

THERE ARE ACTUALLY MORE THAN 4 MILLION NEW YORKERS IN THE WORKFORCE WHO DO NOT HAVE A COLLEGE DEGREE.

THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM.

WE WANT THEM TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.

>> CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE INCREASE IN OPERATING AID PROVIDED FROM THE STATE BUDGET?

WHAT WILL THAT LOOK LIKE AND FEEL LIKE FOR STUDENTS ON CAMPUS?

>> SO IMPORTANT.

YOU KNOW, OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, THE STATE HAS INVESTED MORE THAN $400 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL OPERATING AID FOR OUR SUNY STATE-OPERATED CAMPUSES.

THESE ARE OUR FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS.

IT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT INVESTMENT.

PRIMARILY WHAT IT WILL HELP US DO THIS YEAR IS COVER THE COST OF RAISES FOR OUR FACULTY AND STAFF, BUT THE IMPORTANT THING, IF THE STATE DIDN'T STEP FORWARD WITH THOSE RESOURCES, WE GOT 114 MILLION IN INCREASED OPERATING THIS YEAR.

IF THEY DIDN'T STEP FORWARD WITH THOSE DOLLARS, IT ACTUALLY WOULD FEEL LIKE A CUT ON CAMPUSES.

SO THOSE DOLLARS ARE HUGELY IMPORTANT TO COVER WELL-DESERVED RAISES FOR FACULTY AND STAFF, BUT OVER THE THREE YEARS, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO USE THAT $400 MILLION INVESTMENT NOT ONLY TO COVER FACULTY AND STAFF RAISES, BUT ALSO TO INVEST IN SUPPORTS FOR OUR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, SUPPORTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, EXPANDING RESEARCH ACROSS OUR CAMPUSES, FUNDING INTERNSHIPS.

WE HAVE A GOAL THAT WE WANT EVERY SUNY UNDERGRADUATE TO HAVE AN INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE, SO IMPORTANT FOR THEIR SUCCESS IN CAREERS AFTER THEY GRADUATE.

SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S DEEP BELIEF IN SUNY'S ROLE IN THE FUTURE OF THE STATE.

>> AND WHEN IT COMES TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, HOW WILL SUNY SORT OF PRIORITIZE ITS BENEFITS WHILE ALSO REGULATING SOME OF THE THREATS THAT COME WITH AI?

>> YEAH.

WE HAVE A FANTASTIC PROJECT AT UNIVERSITY OF BUFFALO CALLED EMPIRE AI.

REALLY AN INCREDIBLE VISION FROM THE GOVERNOR TO MAKE A SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT IN DEVELOPING SUPER COMPUTING CAPACITY AT UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO THAT CAN THEN BE LEVERAGED BY FACULTY MEMBERS AT OUR FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY CENTERS AS WELL AS PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES, COLUMBIA, CORNELL, RPI.

THEY'RE ALL ABLE TO ACCESS THIS COMPUTING POWER SO THAT THE RESEARCHERS CAN TACKLE QUESTIONS FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD.

HOW DO WE USE AI TO IMPROVE THE DIAGNOSIS OF DISEASE?

HOW DO WE USE AI TO ANALYZE WEATHER PATTERNS TO BETTER PREDICT EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS THAT MIGHT CAUSE FLOODING OR OTHER DAMAGE.

SO VERY EXCITING WORK HAPPENING AT UB, THANKS TO THE GOVERNOR'S INVESTMENT.

WE ALSO HAVE A CENTER AT UB FOCUSED ON SOME OF THE RISKS THAT AI MAY POSE.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT TO BE CAREFUL WITH AI THAT WE DON'T HAVE DEEP FAKES, FOR EXAMPLE, DISTORTING OUR DEMOCRACY.

WE'VE GOT TO BE CAREFUL THE AI IS NOT REINFORCING BIASES THAT ALREADY EXIST IN SOCIETY.

SO WE'VE GOT RESEARCHERS THINKING HARD ABOUT THOSE QUESTIONS AND DOING IMPORTANT WORK IN THAT SPACE AS WELL.

AND WE'RE COMMITTED TO GROWING THIS EFFORT.

THIS YEAR'S STATE BUDGET INCLUDES AN ADDITIONAL $90 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF EMPIRE AI.

SO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP GROWING THAT WORK.

WE ALSO HOPE IT WILL MAKE US A NATIONAL LEADER IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TIED TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

THERE ARE SOME GREAT IDEAS THAT COULD DRIVE AMAZING COMPANIES THAT COULD PRODUCE TREMENDOUS VALUE AND EMPLOYMENT FOR NEW YORKERS, SO WE ARE ALSO EXCITED ABOUT THAT POSSIBILITY.

>> AND LASTLY, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR LONG-TERM GOALS FOR, YOU KNOW, THE SUNY SYSTEM IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS?

WHAT DO YOU WANT SUNY TO LOOK LIKE?

>> YEAH.

TWO THINGS THAT ARE MAYBE MOST IMPORTANT.

ONE IS, THERE'S A PLACE FOR EVERY NEW YORKER AT SUNY.

WHETHER SOMEONE NEEDS A SHORT-TERM MICRO CREDENTIAL TO ADVANCE IN THE WORKPLACE, OR IS GOING TO GET A ONE-YEAR CERTIFICATE THAT IS GOING TO ALLOW THEM TO GO WORK AT MICRON WHICH IS BUILDING A NEW CHIP FAB AND SYRACUSE WILL TRANSLATE IT TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JOBS IN THE SYRACUSE AREA, OR THEY'RE COMING FOR AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE, BACHELOR DEGREE OR GRADUATE DEGREE, WE OFFER EVERYTHING IN EVERY DISCIPLINE ACROSS OUR 64 CAMPUSES.

SO WANT NEW YORKERS TO KNOW THAT.

SO WE WANT TO GROW ENROLLMENT AND MAKE SURE THOSE STUDENTS WHO COME FINISH AND LEAVE WITH A MEANINGFUL DEGREE OR CREDENTIAL THAT ALLOWS THEM TO ACCESS OPPORTUNITY AND THE ECONOMY.

THE OTHER THING WE WANT TO HELP DRIVE NEW YORK'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HEALTH CARE OR THE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING RENAISSANCE WE'RE EXPERIENCING OR GROWING OFFSHORE WIND OR GEOTHERMAL.

WE AT SUNY CAN BE A KEY DRIVER OF OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STUDENTS AND FOR COMMUNITIES.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE DOING INCREDIBLE WORK ON QUANTUM AT STONEY BROOK, ON BATTERY TECHNOLOGY AT BINGHAMTON.

THESE CAN BE MAJOR ECONOMIC DRIVERS ON LONG ISLAND AND THE SOUTHERN TIER.

WE WANT TO ACCELERATE OUR WORK ON RESEARCH.

IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE NEED OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO INVEST IN THE RESEARCH, THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND HIGHER EDUCATION THAT OVER THE LAST 75 YEARS HAS DRIVEN SO MUCH ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY.

>> WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SPEAK WITH US TODAY, CHANCELLOR.

>> THANKS SO MUCH.

>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH SUNY CHANCELLOR JOHN KING.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FUNDING FOR SUNY, YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.

NOW TURNING TO ANOTHER IMPORTANT TOPIC.

AS WE DISCUSSED LAST WEEK ON THE SHOW, THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION HAS OFFICIALLY COME TO A CLOSE.

EVERY YEAR, THE LEGISLATURE COMMEMORATES THE END OF SESSION WITH THE FEW TRADITIONS TO KEEP THE SPIRITS OF LAWMAKERS UP.

THOSE TRADITIONS INCLUDE SNEAKER DAY AND THE SENATE INDULGING IN COOL TREATS AS THEY FINISH DEBATING ON THE LAST FEW BILLS.

OUR ELISE KLINE HAS THAT STORY.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> EACH YEAR, LEADING UP TO THE END OF LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR YEAR THERE ARE MANY COMPETING PRIORITIES AND SOMETIMES HUNDREDS OF BILLS TO PASS IN A SMALL WINDOW OF TIME.

MANY LAWMAKERS SAY THE END-OF-SESSION CRUNCH TIME IS BRUTAL TO GET THROUGH.

HOWEVER, A FEW UNIQUE TRADITIONS THAT TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE CAPITOL BRING SOME REPRIEVE FOR LAWMAKERS.

SNEAKERS AND SNOWCONES.

THREE YEARS AGO, STATE SENATORS ZELLNOR MYRIE AND JAMAAL BAILEY CREATED SNEAKER DAY TO TRY TO HELP LAWMAKERS COME TOGETHER ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND HAVE A LITTLE FUN WITH FASHION.

>> IN OCTOBER, THERE IS THIS SNEAKER DAY, BUT WE CREATED THE NEXT DISCUSSION IN NEW YORK TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING SOMETHING HERE AT THE CAPITOL THAT'S FUN, THAT'S ALL-ENCOMPASSING, THAT'S BIPARTISAN, THAT BRINGS EVERYBODY IN, AND SNEAKERS ARE A WAY TO EXPRESS YOURSELF.

>> BAILEY SAYS THERE HAS BEEN MORE PARTICIPATION EACH YEAR FROM LAWMAKERS, STAFFERS, LOBBYISTS AND EVEN REPORTERS.

THIS YEAR ON SNEAKER DAY, MANY LAWMAKERS CAME IN SPORTING THEIR CHOSEN STYLES.

STATE SENATOR NATHALIA FERNANDEZ, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF THE BRONX AND WESTCHESTER, SAYS SNEAKER DAY IS NOT ONLY GREAT FOR END-OF-SESSION FUN BUT FOR COMFORT.

>> AFTER ALL SESSION WALKING IN HE'S HEELS, TODAY WAS SUCH A RELIEF AND THE RELAXER THAT WE ALL NEEDED ESPECIALLY ME AT LEAST.

BUT YEAH.

I LOVE IT.

AND IT'S SUCH A GREAT WAY FOR MEMBERS TO SHOW, YOU KNOW, THEIR STYLE PREFERENCE.

MAYBE SOME CREATIVITY, SOME CLASSIC LOOKS.

I DID GO WITH THE CLASSIC NIKE AIR MAX SO FEELING THE COMFORT OF WALKING ON AIR, LITERALLY.

>> OTHER DEMOCRATS LIKE STATE SENATOR COONEY, REPRESENTING MONROE COUNTY, SAYS HE PARTICIPATES IN THE TRADITION EVERY YEAR.

HE SAYS IT'S ONE OF BEST TRADITIONS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> WE HAVE TO WEAR SUITS AND TIES ALL YEAR ROUND BUT FOR THIS DAY, WE GET TO WALK ON THE SENATE FLOOR AND GET TO WEAR OUR NIKES OR OUR SNEAKERS, WHATEVER WE CHOOSE.

>> WHILE NOT EVERY REPUBLICAN MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATE PARTICIPATED THIS YEAR, THOSE THAT DID SAID THEY ENJOYED THE COMFORT OF SNEAKERS ON THE HARD CAPITOL FLOORS AND EXPLAINED HOW THE TRADITION BRINGS LAWMAKERS TOGETHER DURING TENSE TIMES.

STATE SENATOR JAMES TEDISCO, A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING SARATOGA COUNTY, SAYS HE THINKS THIS IS END-OF-SESSION TRADITION HELPS LAWMAKERS SEE THEMSELVES AS A TEAM.

>> THIS KIND OF TURNS IT MORE TOWARDS SOMETHING WE AGREE UPON COLLECTIVELY.

IT'S FUN.

WE COME HERE.

WE WEAR OUR SNEAKERS ON THAT DAY, AND WE LET DOWN OUR PARTISANSHIP FOR A WHILE.

IF ONE THING IT SHOULD BE A TEAM WORKING IN THE BEST BIPARTISAN WAY IT CAN, IT SHOULD BE THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

>> STATE SENATOR GEORGE BORRELLO, A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF THE FINGER LAKES, SAYS PARTICIPATING IN SNEAKER DAY SENDS A POSITIVE MESSAGE TO NEW YORKERS.

>> IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT CAN SHOW THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK THAT EVEN THOUGH WE'RE HERE TO DEBATE OUR SERIOUS PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES ON THESE BILLS, WE CAN STILL DO A FEW THINGS THAT BRING US ALTOGETHER.

>> ANOTHER TRADITION LAWMAKERS ENJOY TOGETHER IN ALBANY IS THE CELEBRATORY SNOWCONES TO COMMEMORATE THE CLOSING OUT OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AS THE FINAL HOURS OF SESSION IN THE SENATE CHAMBERS WRAP UP, THE SENATE SECRETARY HELPS COORDINATE DELIVERING THE CLASSIC SUMMER TREAT, SNOWCONES, TO THE MEMBERS AND STAFFERS.

THE TRADITION DATING BACK TO THE 190S IS BELOVED BY MANY STATE LAWMAKERS.

>> MY FAVORITE FLAVOR IS LEMON, AND I KNOW THERE'S ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF FLAVORS, BUT I WAS BROUGHT UP-- I WOULD REJOICE WHEN MY DAD AND MY MOM WOULD BRING MYSELF AND TWO BROTHERS TO GET LEMON ICE IN SCHENECTADY.

>> STATE SENATOR KRISTEN GONZALES, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF BROOKLYN, QUEENS AND MANHATTAN, SAYS THE SNOWCONES ALSO KNOWN AS ITALIAN ICE, ARE NOSTALGIC FOR HER AS WELL.

>> WHENEVER I WENT TO THE PARK WITH MY MOM, YOU KNOW, THERE WOULD BE THE LITTLE CART WITH THE ITALIAN ICEES AND I WAS ALWAYS-- COCONUT'S MY FAVORITE FLAVOR.

I KNOW IT CAN BE CONTROVERSIAL.

YOU CAN ADD ME IN THE DMS.

I WILL DIE ON THIS HILL, COCONUT'S THE BEST FLAVOR, AND THEY ALWAYS HAVE THAT.

SO I'M VERY HAPPY.

>> MANY LAWMAKERS' G- TO FLAVOR IS LEMON.

>> I LIKE LEMON ICE.

YOU KNOW, I MIGHT BE A LITTLE TRADITIONAL.

>> STATE SENATOR TOBY ANN STAVISKY, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF QUEENS, SAYS FOR HER LEMON ICE IS MORE THAN JUST A REFRESHING CHOICE.

>> IN QUEENS WE HAVE THE LEMON ICE KING.

SO LEMON ICE TO ME, THAT'S A GREAT TRADITION.

>> SOME LAWMAKERS, LIKE STATE SENATOR LIZ KRUEGER, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING THE UPPER EAST SIDE OF MANHATTAN, SAYS SHE LIKES TO EXPLORE ALL THE FLAVORS.

>> I TRY A LITTLE ONE OF A BUNCH OF THEM BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT FLAVORS.

SO I WON'T TELL I HAVE A FAVORITE.

ALTHOUGH I DO LIKE MANGO.

>> AND KRUEGER ISN'T ALONE.

OTHER LAWMAKERS LIKE TO TRY MULTIPLE FLAVORS.

>> CHERRY'S MY FAVORITE AND THE TRADITIONAL LEMON.

SOMETIMES I GO BACK FOR A SECOND ONE, BUT DON'T TELL ANYBODY.

[LAUGHTER] >> COONEY SAYS THE ICY SUMMER TREAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A MUCH-NEEDED BREAK AND TALK TO OTHER MEMBERS AND STAFFERS.

>> IT'S A CHANCE TO JUST SPEND A COUPLE MOMENTS.

GET TO KNOW PEOPLE, BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS AND TRY TO BE POSITIVE ABOUT THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING ON BEHALF OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

>> COONEY ADDS THE END-OF-SESSION TRADITIONS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE YEAR.

>> THEY'RE IMPORTANT.

TRADITIONS HELP US MARK THE MOMENT.

IT'S A HEAVY TIME IN ALBANY.

WE'RE TRYING TO PASS REALLY COMPLEX BILLS AND OFTENTIMES THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL BILLS HAPPEN THE LAST TWO WEEKS.

SO IT'S A MOMENT OF LEVITY WHERE WE CAN COME TOGETHER.

>> SENATOR BORRELLO AGREES.

>> YEAH.

THERE'S CERTAINLY THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT ELEMENT TO THIS, RIGHT, THAT THIS IS A STRESSFUL JOB.

THE END OF THE SESSION IS VERY STRESSFUL AND YOU KNOW, LITTLE THINGS LIKE THAT, IT HELPS.

I THINK THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK STATE, AGAIN, I THINK THEY LIKE TO SEE US AT LEAST AGREE ON SOME THINGS.

>> STATE SENATOR MAJORITY LEADER, ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF WESTCHESTER, SAYS THE TRADITIONS CONTEMPORARY AND OLD, ARE IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE.

>> THE END OF SESSION CAN BE SO TENSE AND SO-- SO ROUGH.

TO ADD SOME LIGHTNESS IS-- IS, I THINK, GOOD FOR THE SPIRIT, GOOD FOR MORALE.

>> SOME LAWMAKERS ADMIRE THE FACT THAT A TRADITION LIKE END-OF-SESSION SNOWCONES IN THE SENATE HAS LASTED NEARLY 50 YEARS.

>> I LOVE THE IDEA OF TRADITION, WHETHER IT BE A POLICY TRADITION OR SOMETHING LIKE WEARING A CRAZY JACKET OR SNEAKERS OR WHATEVER >> SENATOR BAILEY SAYS HE HOPES SNEAKER DAY CONTINUES ON THE WAY THE SNOWCONES HAVE.

>> I AM HOPEFUL THAT SNEAKER DAY WILL LAST, YOU KNOW, PASS THE TEST OF TIME THROUGHOUT DIFFERENT ITERATIONS OF THE SENATE AND WHOEVER-- I'M HOPEFUL THIS WILL BE A TRADITION THAT CONTINUES TO CARRY ON BECAUSE IT IS A DAY THAT-- I DON'T WANT TO CONTINUE TO REPEAT MYSELF, BUT IT REALLY DOES DO SOMETHING SPECIAL.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US IN THE STUDIO TODAY, ELISE.

>> HAPPY TO BE AT THE DESK.

>> OF COURSE.

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT WAS IT LIKE REPORTING AT THE STATE CAPITOL ON THE END OF SESSION TRADITIONS?

>> SO IT WAS QUITE CRAZY TOWARDS THE END OF SESSION, AS YOU KNOW.

TENSIONS ARE BUILDING UP.

THE HOURS ARE COUNTING DOWN INTO THE NIGHT, BUT YOU CAN REALLY SENSE A SHIFT OF JUST ENERGY WHEN THE SNOWCONES COME OUT AND LAWMAKERS ARE WALKING AROUND AND LAUGHING AND TALKING WITH THEIR STAFFERS, SO IT WAS REALLY FUN TO KIND OF SEE THE MOMENT COME TO FRUITION, AND IT'S KIND OF LIKE THE END OF SUMMER WHEN YOU WERE IN SCHOOL.

THAT'S SORT OF LIKE THE VIBE THAT IT FEELS LIKE.

>> YEAH AND WE KNOW THAT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WAS SCHEDULED TO END LAST WEEK BUT THE ASSEMBLY HAD TO WRAP UP A FEW THINGS THIS WEEK.

CAN YOU TELL US KNOW WHAT WERE SOME OF THE TOP PRIORITIES FOR THE LOWER CHAMBER?

>> SO TOWARDS THE LAST-- LAST WEEK, LAST FEW DAYS IN THE ASSEMBLY, THERE WERE LIKE A COUPLE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES THAT WERE REALLY LIKE AT THE FOREFRONT OF WHAT THEY WANTED TO FINISH BEFORE THE TIME RAN OUT IN TERMS OF THEIR EXTENDED TIME THAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE THERE.

SO THE NEW YORK HEAT ACT, OR A PORTION OF IT, WAS REALLY WHAT-- I WOULD SAY WAS LIKE THE MAIN PRIORITY FOR THE WEEK, AND THAT'S ELIMINATING THE 100-FOOT RULE, WHICH IS JUST A PORTION OF NEW YORK HEAT.

IT'S NOT THE WHOLE POLICY.

IT'S JUST A LITTLE, SMALL LITTLE PART OF IT, AND THEY DEBATED THAT AND THAT DID PASS.

IT WAS PRETTY CLOSE.

IT WAS ABOUT, I THINK, 87-51, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> YEAH.

AND I KNOW YOU'VE DONE SOME AWESOME REPORTING ON THE NEW YORK HEAT ACT.

DID THIS COME AS A SURPRISE TO YOU?

>> I DON'T THINK IT WAS A TOTAL SURPRISE TO HAVE IT BE KIND OF SEPARATED BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY THINGS IN THE NEW YORK HEAT ACT AND THIS HAPPENS WITH OTHER POLICIES.

SOMETIMES THINGS GET SEPARATED OUT.

IT'S AN AMENDMENT.

IT'S JUST ONE LITTLE PIECE OF IT IS A BILL ON ITS OWN.

THE REAL QUESTION IS, WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT SESSION WITH THE REST OF IT, REALLY.

BUT LAWMAKERS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY FEEL LIKE THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF IT, 100-FOOT RULE IN TERMS OF AFFORDABILITY.

THE 100-FOOT RULE IS CUSTOMERS WHO EXIST-- EXCUSE ME, WHO LIVE WITHIN 100 FEET OF AN EXISTING GAS LINE, THEY GET THEIR GAS HOOKUP FOR FREE, AND SO THAT STATUTE HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE LIKE THE '80S, AND THIS LITTLE PIECE OF THE NEW YORK HEAT ACT WOULD ELIMINATE THAT CUSTOMERS WOULD HAVE TO ESSENTIALLY NOW HAVE TO PAY IN ORDER TO HAVE AFFORDABILITY IN THE END FOR NEW YORKERS.

>> AND WE KNOW THAT AT THE END OF SESSION, LAWMAKERS RETURN TO THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS TO, YOU KNOW, BE AROUND THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

DID YOU HEAR ANYTHING ON HOW LAWMAKERS ARE HOPING TO SORT OF RAMP UP SUPPORT THROUGH THE SUMMER LEADING INTO THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> WELL, I KNOW THAT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF RALLIES ON THIS THROUGHOUT SESSION AND OFF-SESSION TIME.

MANY LAWMAKERS ARE DEDICATED TO GETTING ALL OF THE LEGISLATION, ALL THE PIECES OF IT INTO LAW.

I'M SURE THAT THEIR EFFORTS ARE GOING TO BE LIKE REALLY PUSHED IN THIS OFF-SESSION TIME IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS, DOING PRESS CONFERENCES AND LOCAL RALLIES, AND SOMETHING WE SEE A LOT WITH LAWMAKERS ON A NUMBER OF POLICIES.

I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WILL CONTINUE IN TERMS OF THE OFF-SESSION.

>> AND WERE THERE ANY OTHER PRIORITIES IN THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER THIS WEEK THAT TOOK UP THE OXYGEN IN THE ROOM IN TERMS OF DEBATES?

>> SO THERE WAS ANOTHER PIECE OF LEGISLATION CALLED THE PACKAGING REDUCTION ACT, AND THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO END UP GETTING ON THE DEBATE LIST AND IT WAS GETTING REALLY CLOSE, VERY SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR IS THAT IT MADE IT THROUGH ALL THE COMMITTEE IT NEEDED TO.

IT WAS READY TO GO TO THE FLOOR AND IT WAS JUST LAID ASIDE AND IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE IT.

IT WAS JUST BASICALLY THROWN OUT AT THE LAST MINUTE AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR.

SO IT WAS KIND OF DEJA VU FOR THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION WHICH IS ALSO AN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY.

SO ADVOCATES WERE REALLY DISAPPOINTED THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHEN THERE WAS SO MUCH BUILD-UP TO IT AT THE LAST SECOND.

THEY WERE REALLY HOPING IT WOULD MAKE IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE AND IT JUST DIDN'T.

>> YEAH.

WHY WERE THEY SORT OF OPTIMISTIC THAT THIS YEAR WOULD BE THE YEAR THAT IT WOULD MAKE IT OVER THE LEGISLATIVE FINISH LINE?

>> YOU KNOW, IT MADE IT THROUGH THE COMMITTEES THAT IT NEEDED TO.

THEY FELT IT HAD ENOUGH SUPPORT AND IT HAD THE SAME OF SUPPORT LAST YEAR AND THEY FELT WHEN IT GOT TO THE FLOOR THAT IT WAS GONNA PASS, THAT IT WAS GONNA HAVE ENOUGH VOTES.

SO IS SOMETIMES IT'S JUST WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THE WIRE AND THERE'S SO LITTLE TIME, LAWMAKERS FEEL LIKE THE DEBATE WAS GOING TO TAKE TOO LONG, I THINK MAYBE IT WAS A TIME ISSUE AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR.

>> DO YOU KNOW IF THEY'RE CONSIDERING ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL TO SORT OF GET IT OVER THE LEGISLATIVE FINISH LINE NEXT YEAR?

>> I HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANY SPECIFIC AMENDMENTS BUT I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENED AS WE JUST SAW WITH THE NEW YORK HEAT ACT.

THERE WAS JUST A LITTLE PIECE OF IT THAT GOT OVER THE FINISH LINE.

SOMETIMES WITH BIGGER POLICIES THAT WOULD TAKE UP A TON OF DEBATE, SOMETIMES IT'S A LITTLE EASIER TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF SECTION OF IT.

>> YEAH.

THAT MAKES SENSE.

WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR RIGHT NOW, BUT THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR AWESOME REPORTING, ELISE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> OF COURSE.

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

THANK YOU FOR TUNING AND SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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