Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies (CPS) announced that Jessica I. Monahan — a transportation policy expert who has secured federal funding for a range of nonprofits, local governments, Fortune 100 companies, emerging businesses, and government contractors — has joined its Washington D.C.-based lobbying team as a senior principal.
April 12, 2021
Last week, Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature came to an agreement on the New York State Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Budget. The Enacted Budget totals $212 billion, roughly 10 percent higher than the FY21 Budget. The final agreement includes a number of major policy items, and avoids budget cuts due to higher than expected state revenues and the application of the first $5.5 billion of the $12.6 billion provided by the federal American Rescue Plan. The Budget includes $29.5 billion in aid to schools, $29 billion in public and private “green economy” investments, $2.4 billion for rent and homeowner relief, $2.4 billion for child care, $2.1 billion for excluded workers, $1 billion for a small business, arts, entertainment and restaurant relief, and $40 million for an arts and cultural organization recovery grant program. On the revenue side, the Budget includes a personal income tax rate increase on individuals making over $1 million, an increase in corporate taxes, and the legalization of mobile sports betting which the Governor forecasts will raise $500 million. In addition, the Budget includes provisions to require internet service providers to offer and advertise low cost broadband, new programs to address systemic injustice, authorization to place a $3 billion environmental bond act on the 2022 ballot, and comprehensive nursing home reform.
Last week, Mayor de Blasio made several COVID-19 related announcements. The Mayor announced the launch of new mobile vaccination efforts and expanded walk-in vaccine sites for New Yorkers 75 and older. The mobile vaccination effort will include a fleet of mobile vaccine vans and busses that will deliver and administer the vaccine directly to communities most in need. The Mayor also announced the AfterCare program, which will support New Yorkers living with the long-term effects of the virus. In terms of reopening news, de Blasio announced that the City’s public beaches and outdoor pools will open on time for the season, which is in contrast to last summer. The City’s beaches will open on Memorial Day Weekend, and outdoor pools will open the day after the last day of school. He was also present at the reopening of the Coney Island Amusement Park on Friday. Finally, the Mayor announced the launch of the City Cleanup Corps, an economic recovery program designed to clean up NYC and directly create 10,000 jobs.
Last Wednesday, Mayor de Blasio announced the appointment of Deputy Mayor Vicki Been as the new Chair of the Hudson River Park Trust. Been has been Deputy Mayor of Housing and Economic Development since 2019, where she oversees 20 agencies, including the Department of Parks and Recreation. She also served in the de Blasio Administration as the Commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development from 2014 to 2017. The Hudson River Park Trust is responsible for designing, building, operating and maintaining Hudson River Park, which stretches for several miles along the western Manhattan shoreline. Been will take over for Basil Seggos, who replaced longtime Chair Diana Taylor in September 2020.
Please contact Katie Schwab or Rose Christ of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies with any questions you may have regarding this note or if you’re interested in ways to engage on these issues.
Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.
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