Good morning from New York City, where late last week Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin reached an agreement on a $125.8 billion Fiscal Year 2027 Budget.

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Most notably, the budget is balanced and even adds $350 million to New York City’s General Reserve, after much hand-wringing earlier in the year by Mamdani and his allies over the need to raise income or property taxes to achieve a balanced budget. The Council was successful in pressuring Mamdani to increase funding for a popular rental assistance voucher program, known as CityFHEPS, to the tune of $175 million in FY2027. New Yorkers living at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level will now be eligible for the Fair Fares program, providing half-priced bus and subway fares for nearly 1.3 million residents. Mamdani described an expansion of the program as one of the stops on the route to universal free buses, saying, “We raise this Fair Fares eligibility to a historic amount, and we also do so while being fully committed to delivering buses that are not only fast, but also free. That is part of our medium-term vision, our long-term vision… We can believe and fight for all of these things at the same time.”

Why Mamdani Canceled a Plan to Expand the NYPD

As Mamdani faced a budget crunch and criticism from his allies, he asked the police commissioner if she could manage the department without additional officers. Read more in this report from Elizabeth Kim in Gothamist.

Mamdani also received pointed criticism from NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch after pivoting away from his own proposal to add 580 officers to the NYPD. Talking to reporters, Tisch doubled down, “I believe we need to be adding police officers. We now have a police force that is less than on 9/11, yet the City has grown substantially. The NYPD has successfully thwarted over 50 terrorist attacks… We are also seeing an increase in rapes and felony assaults and subway crimes, so this is of concern to me.” Outside budget, a recommendation from the Quadrennial Advisory Commission to give New York City lawmakers a pay raise remains under consideration. If approved, the mayor would make $305,800 instead of the current $258,750; City Council members would get $175,500, up from their current $148,500 salary; and City Council Speaker Julie Menin would make $194,400 instead of the current $164,500. However, both Mamdani and Menin said they would not accept pay increases this term. Certainly, a pay raise would not mesh well with the public’s anti-establishment, anti-incumbent sentiment.

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In political news, Mo Brown was officially declared the winner over incumbent Bill Magnarelli in the Democratic Primary contest for New York’s 129th Assembly District. On election night, Brown led by a mere 82 votes, but has seen his lead grow to 105 after the Onondaga County Board of Elections counted mail-in and affidavit ballots last week. Magnarelli has held the seat for 28 years and served as the Assembly Transportation Chair for the last 8 years. In a statement, Magnarelli said, “It has been an honor and a privilege to represent the people of Central New York in both the Syracuse Common Council and the NYS Assembly for over 30 years. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. I congratulate Mo Brown on his win and wish him the best of luck. I want to once again thank all of my constituents who have supported me through the years. I am grateful to you all.” Magnarelli embodied the best in public service and will be missed in Syracuse and across New York. Brown, a former Army reservist and County Legislator, will become the 16th member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in the state legislature when they gavel in for the year in January. Brown was a guest on From the Lobby with Jack O’Donnell in 2024 after winning a seat on the Onondaga County Legislature. Listen to the conversation here! 

Why are New Yorkers so skeptical of one of Albany's biggest political proposals: redistricting?

LISTEN as Jack explains why it's proving to be a tough sell. Also: progressive challenges, NYC budget gloom, all-electric buildings law, and why Jack is a proud American!

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OD&A’s End-of-Session Bill Summary highlights the key legislation that crossed the finish line and the issues likely to shape the months ahead. Check it out here, and if you have questions or would like to discuss what it means for your organization, let’s chat!

The enthusiasm for—and success of—the DSA is not limited to the Empire State, as shown by last week’s primary results in Colorado. Democratic Socialist Melat Kiros defeated 15-term Colorado Rep. Diana DeGette on Tuesday, marking one of the largest upsets for the insurgent Left this primary season.

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The Kiros campaign enjoyed major outside support from national progressive figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders and the Working Families Party. DeGette, a longtime progressive who served as one of the House impeachment managers against President Donald Trump in his first term, secured progressive endorsements of her own from Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Rep. Jamie Raskin, but in the end, it was not enough to overcome the wave of anti-establishment and anti-incumbent sentiment that has come to define this Primary cycle.

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Kiros and her fellow Progressive Democrats could spell trouble for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries’ plan to become Speaker of the House should Democrats win a majority in the Lower Chamber this November, with Kiros offering, “If the day comes to vote and he continues taking corporate PAC money, I won’t be voting for him.” 

The United States Supreme Court released decisions in a number of high-profile cases last week, including a challenge by the Trump administration to the Constitutionality of birthright citizenship as guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. In a 6-3 decision, the Court affirmed birthright citizenship and ruled against Trump's Day One Executive Order that sought to bar citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents who either entered the country illegally or are living and working here legally with temporary visas. In the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, “Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights—to freely participate in our political community. The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment extended that promise to 'every free-born person in this land. We keep that promise today.”

Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Order Ending Birthright Citizenship

Read more from Amy Howe of SCOTUSblog.

The decision was a major blow to the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape federal immigration policies, and was celebrated by Democrats as a proper check on Executive power by a coequal branch of government. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul offered on social media, “As the granddaughter of Irish immigrants, I am heartened to see the Supreme Court's decision rejecting the Trump administration's cruel attack on birthright citizenship. For generations, immigrants have come to New York in search of freedom and opportunity, helping build the strongest, most vibrant state in the nation. The Statue of Liberty stands proudly in our harbor, and New York will always stand with those seeking the promise of America.” 

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The Supreme Court also upheld a Mississippi law that allows mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day, but received up to five days later to be counted. In the 5-4 ruling, Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote, “The election-day statutes require the electorate's choice to be made on election day. That occurs so long as election day is the deadline for individuals to vote—as it is in Mississippi. But the election-day statutes do not set a deadline for ballot receipt, so they do not prevent Mississippi from counting ballots postmarked before election day yet received afterward.” The Republican National Committee filed the original lawsuit challenging the ballot grace periods that currently exist in 18 states and territories, including California, Illinois, New York, and GOP-led Mississippi. New York Attorney General Letitia James applauded the Supreme Court’s decision, sharing, “We are stronger as a nation when more people vote. The Supreme Court has upheld this in principle, but it is up to us to make it a reality. Go out, vote, and make your voice heard. My office will never stop fighting to protect your right to do so.” 

In honor of Independence Day, it’s worth pointing out that George Washington has returned to the New York State Capitol.

OD&A’s VP of Public Affairs, Ralph R. Ortega goes ‘On the Record’ with his thoughts on America’s milestone birthday. “There’s never been a doubt in my mind of how proud I am to be an American. Even in these divisive times, I am still confident in the sustainability of our Republic…” Read on!

While not quite as significant as America’s 250th, the Taylor Swift–Travis Kelce wedding at Madison Square Garden sparked a fun reminder: it wasn’t the first “I do” said under the iconic lights of the Garden. They have joined a very select group of couples who’ve turned the legendary arena into a wedding venue. Read on!

Vogue/Photo: Getty Images

FIFA World Cup on X

Finally, the controversy surrounding the egregious red card issued to one of the U.S. Men’s National Team’s standout strikers took another dramatic turn after tournament officials suspended his one-game ban, clearing him to return to the field. Read more!

Good luck to Team USA who faces off against Belgium later today!

 -Jack O’Donnell

Jack breaks down the growing progressive movement & more… 🎙️Is House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries vulnerable? 🎙️Electric mandate 🎙️Why he’s a proud American!

Listen to this episode and catch up on all our past podcasts here!

Go beyond the resumes and titles and get to know the people behind the work at O'Donnell & Associates with our Meet the Team podcast series. Listen as we go ‘From the Lobby’ with candid conversations on politics, government, and life beyond the office. Catch every episode on our employee bio pages here!

More Than Medicine to Ward Off STIs

Rasheed Gonga of OD&A client, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, shares his perspective in this op-ed in the New York Daily News. Click heading or photo to read!

OD&A's Ralph Ortega joins Monica Morales on PIX11's Monica Makes It Happen, representing OD&A client, the Fund for the City of New York, to spotlight the Sloan Public Service Awards and the extraordinary New Yorkers who make a difference every day.

Watch as Monica sits down with Ralph and Danielle Keane, Principal of PS 5 Port Morris School of Community Leadership in the Bronx and one of this year's Sloan Public Service Award recipients. Danielle shares her inspiring journey in education, her unwavering commitment to students and families, and the lasting impact of public service leadership.

Established in 1973, the Sloan Public Service Awards recognize six exceptional public servants each year with $10,000 awards honoring their outstanding service to New Yorkers.

Incredible turnout for Senator Jeremy Cooney’s Rochester Leadership reception!

Jeremy works every single day on behalf of the 585 (and all of NYS!), and we’re lucky to have him in our corner!

OD&A’s Marc Cohen on LinkedIn

Welcome to Summer Vibes! ☀️

Throughout the summer, we'll be asking the O'Donnell & Associates team about their favorite reads, must-watch shows, go-to summer foods, vacation plans, and more. Follow along for a little seasonal inspiration and a fun look at how our hardworking staff makes the most of summer, too!

Summer for me is all about spending time with family and friends. My wife Emily, our two-year-old son Ben, our dog Knox, and I try to make the most of the warm weather, whether that's getting together with friends, taking long weekend trips, or enjoying time outdoors.

One of my favorite summer sayings is that the only thing better than owning a lake house is having friends who own a lake house. Fortunately for us, we have some very generous friends who are kind enough to share theirs, so you'll often find us spending a weekend by the water whenever we get the chance.

When we're not doing that, there's a good chance we're tracking down a local ice cream shop. Pittsford Dairy is a family favorite, and no Rochester summer feels complete without a few (dozen) trips there.

Pittsford Farms Dairy & Bakery

After a busy year, I'm looking forward to keeping things simple: family time, good friends, a few good TV shows, and making memories with Ben while he's still young enough to think hanging out with his parents is fun.

Marc is OD&A’s VP of Government Affairs in Rochester. Learn more about him here!

Read more!

July 6, 1957: John Lennon and Paul McCartney met for the first time in a Liverpool church hall, launching one of music's greatest partnerships. Seven years later, they and George Harrison and Ringo Starr became the Beatles, and a worldwide phenomenon. Take a look back!

Abbey Road Tribute on Facebook

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest- growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

Politico: Democratic Socialists are Coming for 2028

Good morning. Today is the anniversary of 1950’s Miracle on Green, one of the greatest World Cup upsets of all time, when the American team, not much more than a hastily assembled group of ragtag amateurs, defeated an English team dubbed the “Kings of Football.”

Here’s the story: England entered the game 23-4-3 since World War II with a roster bursting with professional footballers from its domestic leagues.

The Americans had lost seven straight international matches and their team included a dishwasher, two postal workers, a teacher, and a mill worker. One newspaper called them “a band of no-hopers drawn from many lands.”

American Heritage

As the game kicked off, England had 3-1 odds to win the World Cup, while our boys were at a cool 500-to-1. American skipper Bill Jeffrey admitted, “We have no chance.” Over 30,000 fans gathered in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and watched England attack.

American Heritage

They cheered as the American keeper, Frank Borghi, stopped shot after shot. A former minor league catcher who drove a hearse in St. Louis, Borghi stood on his head. A late first-half header put the Americans in the lead, and Borghi kept them there.

Only one reporter—Dent McSkimming of the St. Louis Dispatch—was there to witness the feat, and he had paid his own way! McSkimming later reported, "It was as if Oxford University sent a baseball team over there and it beat the Yankees.” Both teams were soon eliminated, and we will gloss over the final, but it is a fantastic example of what is possible at the World Cup.

Good luck to Team USA as they take on Bosnia Herzegovina on Wednesday and to local favorite Brazil as they face Japan later today!

Here in New York City, the dust is still flying after last week’s Primary Elections sent new shockwaves through the Democratic Party. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his allies in the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) won big, going 3-3 in Congressional races and picking up a host of state legislative seats as well. 

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Mamdani put his political capital behind a trio of congressional candidates against incumbents and in open seats, more “establishment” Democrats backed by the Establishment, including Governor Kathy Hochul and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The results speak for themselves. In the 10th Congressional District, incumbent Democrat Dan Goldman lost handily to the Mamdani-endorsed Brad Lander in a race that laid bare the party’s divisions over Israel (Lander is not a member of DSA, but was a key part of the Mamdani slate).

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Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, with the support of Mamdani and the DSA, defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the 7th District, despite the endorsement of powerful retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez. In NY-13, Darializa Avila Chevalier, a doctoral student known for participating in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, defeated Adriano Espaillat, a five-term congressman and chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Mamdani framed the insurgent endorsements as an extension of his campaign promise to make life affordable by challenging the status quo, saying during a cable news appearance, “I made a promise to New Yorkers that I would use every tool at my disposal to actually transform this city into one that they could afford. And one of those tools is using your political capital to ensure that the people who will fight hardest for that same agenda are going to be there, whether it’s in Albany or whether it’s in D.C.” 

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The progressive energy flowed down the ballot as well, with the DSA winning at least seven seats in the state Legislature, nearly doubling their presence in Albany. Four of those candidates defeated other Democrats to claim open seats, while three unseated incumbents. Grace Mausser, co-chair of the New York City DSA, said that the wins demonstrate the staying power of the DSA, telling reporters, “These victories prove that the democratic socialists are building a winning coalition. While the Democratic establishment and MAGA fascists ignore the needs of working people, democratic socialists are speaking to the ever-growing base of voters demanding we end the war, abolish ICE, tax the rich, and win universal healthcare.” The DSA momentum was strong enough that only one incumbent with a DSA challenger—friend of the firm Jordan Wright in the 70th Assembly District—successfully defended his seat. 

Are New York incumbents in trouble this November?

LISTEN as Jack explains the shifting political landscape, and how candidates who rely on the old playbook could have a tougher road ahead…

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Jeffries adroitly downplayed the rift with the progressive wing of the party and the accusation that Mamdani is making enemies by challenging incumbents, telling reporters, “The mayor and I agree to strongly disagree about some of his endorsements, and he’s got work to do in terms of the conversations that he’s going to have with Members of Congress moving forward.” It should be noted that Mamdani successfully convinced the DSA to forgo a primary challenge to Jeffries this cycle, though he may not be as lucky in 2028. At the DSA victory party on Tuesday, chants of “you’re next” broke out as Jeffries appearance on CNN was aired. 

Heastie: Demographics, Voter Frustration Helped Defeat Incumbents

The leader of the Democratic-controlled New York Assembly attributed the wave of successful Democratic Socialist-backed candidates in Tuesday's party primary to changing demographics and frustration among voters. Read more from Robert Gavin of The Buffalo News.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie took the DSA gains in his Chamber in stride, with as many as five of his conference’s incumbents losing their seats. Heastie offered, “The electorate is very uneasy. As much as they’re unhappy with Republicans, sometimes parties here in control can kind of pay a price. These are changing communities, and the voters sometimes change who they want to have represent them.”

The primary results mean roughly 10 percent of the Democratic Conference will be DSA members in 2027, but Heastie is not worried: “Current DSA members, I get along with. I get along with the mayor of the city of New York. We all vote together, we all work together, so I’m not concerned about people’s identities and how they won a primary.”

WBEN’s Primary Night Coverage

Listen here as our Jack O’Donnell weighed in on the Primary Day results as they came in with WBEN host Joe Beamer. He joined the show starting at 9:30 p.m.

Despite not having a primary challenger herself, Governor Kathy Hochul did not emerge from Tuesday’s races unscathed. Only one of her endorsed candidates, Assemblyman Micah Lasher, won. Lasher defeated a crowded primary field in NY-12, and she, like Jeffries, was on the losing end of the contests in the 10th and 13th Congressional Districts.

At the state level, Hochul endorsed incumbent state Senator and Erie County Democratic Committee Chair Jeremy Zellner, who lost handily to Assemblyman Jonathan Rivera (more on that race later). Hochul, who leads the Democratic Party in New York, indicated she is ready to move on from Tuesday’s results and unify the party heading into November. Talking to reporters, Hochul said, “What I already spoke to the mayor about was, how do we harness this energy and this excitement about the political process … and direct that against the biggest threat to our country, and that’s Donald Trump.” 

In Brooklyn, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn’s six-year reign as party boss could be coming to an end after progressive challengers associated with the New Kings Democrats won a majority of seats on the county’s 42-member executive committee. Bichotte Hermelyn did not comment on her future as the county party’s leader, instead saying she remains focused on flipping a handful of GOP-held congressional seats in Southern Brooklyn, offering, “Change is hard for many—even when it’s your own party. I believe that you embrace the winners, even those you were not with, and you move forward with change. I think yesterday’s results, all of these unprecedented victories, say that progress requires both reflection and renewal. My priority is to be supportive of our members and to continue to build a team, a party, whether I’m county leader or not."

Should the Erie County Democratic Chair who lost his Senate seat in an upset continue to lead the party?

Watch as Jack joins the News 4 Buffalo team for a Primary Day debrief. The full interview is here.

Bichotte Hermelyn is not the only county party boss whose standing is troubled. Erie County Democratic Chair Jeremy Zellner was routed by progressive Assemblyman Jonathan Rivera in the 61st state Senate District, raising serious questions about his ability to lead the party going forward. Zellner was the incumbent after choosing himself as the candidate in a Special Election earlier this year to fill the seat vacated by Sean Ryan’s move to Buffalo City Hall. To add insult to injury, his endorsed candidate in the race for the 149th Assembly District, Karen Hoak, lost an even more lopsided race against Rivera’s endorsed candidate, Adam Bojak. Rivera’s victory was also a notable victory for organized labor, especially New York’s powerful building trades, who were firmly behind the Assemblyman while all the region’s elected officials lined up with Zellner. 

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A new poll from Siena University released last week shows Hochul with a 43-44% favorability rating, up from 41-46% in April, and her job approval rating is 53-42%, up from 48-44% in April. In a head-to-head matchup with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the poll shows Hochul growing her lead to 20 points, 52-32%, from 16 points, 49-33%, in April. The poll also found that a majority of voters identify the cost of living as the main issue facing New York. Significantly, a plurality of voters said the proposed mid-decade redistricting amendments are bad for New York. We will be watching this one as it is on track for a public vote in November 2027. 

OD&A’s End-of-Session Bill Summary highlights the key legislation that crossed the finish line and the issues likely to shape the months ahead. Check it out here, and if you have questions or would like to discuss what it means for your organization, let’s chat!

In case you missed it, Hochul announced she is forming an exploratory committee to determine the viability of bringing the Winter Olympics back to New York. A special shoutout to our friend Assemblyman Bobby Carroll for making this a reality. Further good news is that he will be on the committee, helping to move this forward. 

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Finally, in these partisan times, a bitter fight is taking flight in Florida.  A campaign is underway to unseat the mockingbird as Florida's official state bird and give the flamingo the title instead. Read on!

 -Jack O’Donnell

Jack goes ‘From the Lobby’ with a Primary Day recap: 🎙️Biggest takeaways 🎙️Should incumbents be scared? 🎙️Can Progressives deliver on their big promises?

Listen to this episode and catch up on all our past podcasts here!

Go beyond the resumes and titles and get to know the people behind the work at O'Donnell & Associates with our Meet the Team podcast series. Listen as we go ‘From the Lobby’ with candid conversations on politics, government, and life beyond the office. Catch every episode on our employee bio pages here!

Niagara County Legislator Chris McKimmie, Chad Fifer, CEO of the Aquarium of Niagara, Legislator Sam Farruggia, Legislator Jeffrey Elder

Congratulations to our client, the Aquarium of Niagara, on receiving a $62,170 award from the Niagara County Legislature's Cultural Endowment Fund. The funding recognizes the Aquarium's important contributions to education, tourism, and the community. Created to support organizations that strengthen Niagara County's arts and cultural sector, the endowment reflects the Legislature's continued investment in the institutions that help make the region a great place to live and visit.

The OD&A team was there as Council Member Mitch Nowakowski held his Pride Happy Hour fundraiser, a great evening celebrating Pride Month and supporting his re-election campaign. It was wonderful to see so many community leaders, advocates, and supporters come together to celebrate Buffalo's vibrant LGBTQ+ community and recognize the importance of building an inclusive city.

Welcome to Summer Vibes! ☀️

Throughout the summer, we'll be asking the O'Donnell & Associates team about their favorite reads, must-watch shows, go-to summer foods, vacation plans, and more. Follow along for a little seasonal inspiration and a fun look at how our hardworking staff makes the most of summer, too!

I love summer and hope to be outside as much as possible! Short runs, biking, and music in the park. For TV and Netflix-style entertainment, I like great action movies like "One Battle After Another" and films that make you think, like "Sinners." Most recently, I saw “Michael” and love anything by Steven Spielberg. My favorite TV shows include Yellowstone, Dutton Ranch, and Marshals. I have also watched all seasons of Bridgerton.

For reading, I enjoy any of James Patterson's Alex Cross series and any Walter Mosley books. A very interesting book I just finished is "Soul to Soul: A Black Russian Jewish Woman's Search for Her Roots" by Yelena Khanga. It gave me amazing insights into Russian and Black cultures and their intersection.

I've been a vegetarian for over 50 years, but I guess you'd call me a pescetarian, since I love shrimp, grouper, and crab cakes and do eat dairy. Though I agree with my colleague Lauren about the mint-chip ice cream, Perry's "Bittersweet Symphony" is also my favorite. It's coffee ice cream with big chunks of dark chocolate throughout. (I don't drink or like coffee, but this ice cream has me hooked 🙂). Of course, I can't leave out visits to Dairy Queen & Anderson's!

As for plans, I attend the Babel Author Series and the BPO as often as my schedule allows. I am also looking forward to my trip to the Obama Presidential Center in November. The tickets have been selling fast!!

Ellen is OD&A’s Senior Advisor for Health Care. She was recently recognized by Influential Women. Learn more about her here!

More photos here!

June 29, 2007: Apple Inc.’s first mobile “smartphone,” the iPhone, went on sale, and it revolutionized the industry. The device started at $499 for a 4GB model. Critics said the phone was too expensive to do well in the market. Read on!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest- growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

Good morning from Utica, New York. On this day in 1848, antislavery Democrats from various states gathered here to nominate former president Martin Van Buren for another run for president. The delegates were unhappy with the National Democracy’s selection of a prominent advocate of popular sovereignty, United States Senator Lewis Cass of Michigan, to lead the ticket.

They were called the Barnburner faction of the Democratic Party after a Dutch story about a farmer who burned down his barn in order to rid himself of rats.

Van Buren was also nominated by other delegates under the banner of the Liberty Party in Buffalo in August 1848. Van Buren had not been particularly antislavery during his term of office, but had lost the 1844 Democratic nomination to James K. Polk because of his opposition to the annexation of Texas, proof (to his supporters at least) that he was a martyr to the subservience of the party to slave interests.

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Van Buren was never supposed to win, but his almost 25% in New York helped throw our Electoral Votes to the winner, Whig candidate Zachary “Old Rough and Ready” Taylor (his running mate, Millard Fillmore, helped in New York as well).

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In more policy-focused news, we are watching as lawmakers in the New York City Council follow the lead of their colleagues in Albany with a pair of bills to protect consumers from surveillance and dynamic pricing. The first bill would prevent companies from using personal data to set individualized prices in real time, known as surveillance pricing, while the other measure would prohibit grocery stores from increasing the price of an item more than once in a 24-hour period. Speaking on the proposed legislation, Council Speaker Julie Menin said, “New Yorkers should be protected from this type of price inconsistency and unpredictability, and more importantly, they deserve to understand how and why it's happening.” Some advocates, however, believe the City bill, unlike its state counterpart, lacks the teeth necessary to achieve the legislative intent, with Jeremy Espinosa of the United Food and Commercial Workers offering, “We believe this bill is too permissive. Laws that prohibit price gouging, but not the technology that makes it possible, create loopholes that companies can easily exploit.” More to come here.

Statewide, we have been watching New York’s transition and consolidation of the Medicaid consumer-directed personal assistance program, also known as CDPAP. The United States Justice Department is suing the Hochul administration over the issue. The civil suit alleges that New York Health Commissioner James McDonald and Medicaid Director Amir Bassiri made false or misleading statements regarding their handling of the transition from hundreds of fiscal intermediaries administering the CDPAP program to just one—Public Partnerships LLC. The CDPAP transition dates back to 2024 when lawmakers agreed on the consolidation to reduce the state’s Medicaid spending by $500 million, but the process was marred by false starts, confusion, and pushback from some of the 200,000 New Yorkers who rely on the home healthcare program. In a statement, Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate said, “New York’s failure to police a favored vendor that unlawfully siphoned millions of dollars of Medicaid funding is egregious and betrays the public trust. The Justice Department is acting to ensure that federal laws regarding truthful statements and fair dealing in federal health care programs are upheld.”

‘People Shouldn’t See How the Sausage is Made’: Inside New York’s Troubled Medicaid Home Care Transition

The Hochul administration has pushed back on those claims, arguing that the lawsuit is yet further politicization of the Justice Department to target Trump’s political foes. A spokesperson for the New York State Department of Health offered, “This baseless complaint is the latest attempt by Washington Republicans to score political points at the expense of vulnerable New Yorkers. It is inexcusable and completely lacking in merit. The fact of the matter is, this administration saved CDPAP from a fiscal crisis by removing hundreds of wasteful administrative middlemen. In the process, we reduced costs for state and federal taxpayers while protecting home care for those who need it.”

Governor: NYS and PPL Working Through “Hiccups” in New CDPAP System

Here's the conversation Investigative Reporter Jennifer Lewke had with the Governor about this topic back in April of 2025…

WHEC.com • Jennifer Lewke

PPL, the financial services company that was ultimately selected to administer the program, also pushed back on the allegations from the GOP, saying in a statement, “PPL was selected through a transparent, competitive process to strengthen and modernize New York’s CDPAP program, and we are proud of our work to deliver greater accountability, consistency, and support for the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who rely on it.’ Worth noting, the transition has drawn considerable scrutiny from Democrats in New York, as well, especially in the New York State Senate.

Congressman Nick LaLota on X

Long Island welcomed Vice President J.D. Vance last week to ostensibly promote the Trump administration’s efforts to root out waste, fraud, and abuse, but the appearance quickly transmogrified into a campaign rally for Mike LiPetri, the Republican favorite to win tomorrow’s primary election to run against Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi. From behind the Vice Presidential seal, Vance said, "I'm not asking you to vote for Mike LiPetri because you're going to agree on every single issue, I'm asking you to vote for him because, unlike Suozzi, he's going to fight for you,” before dramatically adding that Suozzi is “the worst congressman in the entire United States.”

JD Vance Stumps for Long Island Republicans

The vice president campaigned for Mike LiPetri ahead of the midterms. More in City & State NY.

Vance’s superlative-filled rant did not end there, calling “Katie” Hochul the “worst governor in America” and labeling New York City “one of the most dangerous cities in the world.” Suozzi appeared in the parking lot of the event after Vance had left to push back on Vance’s litany of grievances with him, telling reporters, “He said I was the worst congressman in the United States of America! He also said I was an anti-Semite! He also said I was crazy! He also said a lot of absurd things! The bunting, the stages, the personnel, the seats, everything was paid for with outside vendors. This was paid for with federal money. This was billed as a federal official event to talk about fraud. Instead, it was a 100-percent political hit job.” Assuming LiPetri prevails tomorrow, the General Election will be a rematch of 2024, where LiPetri came within 4 points of flipping Suozzi’s seat. 

Anthony Constantino on X

Vance was not the only high-profile Republican in New York last week; firebrand GOP Congressman and House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan traveled to the Empire State to campaign for Anthony Constantino in the 21st Congressional District, currently represented by Elise Stefanik. In a statement, Jordan offered, "Anthony Constantino has spent his life creating American jobs and supporting Made in America businesses. While some Washington politicians and corporate special interests have shipped our manufacturing overseas, Anthony has been right here building opportunity for New York families.” Constantino will first have to get by Assemblyman Robert Smullen, who enjoys the support of the state’s Conservative and Republican Parties, in tomorrow’s primary contest. Trump’s endorsement of Constantino, largely attributed to the “Vote for Trump” sign he erected along the New York State Thruway during the 2024 campaign, put him at odds with party officials in New York who had hoped to clear the path for Smullen. Democrats are counting on bitter feelings after the Primary and a divided electorate to put the seat into play in the General. We shall see.

OD&A’s Ralph Ortega goes 'On the Record’ with a NY Primary Watch. His final installment features the ugly race to replace Rep. Elise Stefanik in NY-12, who’s lining up to run against Rep. Mike Lawler in NY-17, and more.  Read on, and catch up on our previous primary race breakdowns here.

Tomorrow’s primary contests will test the political power of some of New York’s most prominent Democrats, many of whom are on opposite sides of contested congressional primary races. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, tasked with protecting incumbents as Democrats try to regain control of the lower Chamber, has endorsed Rep. Dan Goldman, who is in serious danger of losing to Mamdani’s endorsed candidate in NY-10, former NYC Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander. The two are also at odds in NY-13, where Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, is facing a tough primary challenge from progressive and DSA-backed Darializa Avila Chevalier. Jeffries has worked overtime to promote Espaillat, including brokering a political truce between the district’s Black and Dominican power brokers to counter the influence of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Rep. Greg Meeks, who represents Queens and Chairs the Queens Democratic Party, said to reporters, “Our communities aren’t going to gamble on untested leadership. That’s why Adriano has my support and the backing of leaders Harlem trusts like Cordell Cleare, Jordan Wright, and Yusef Salaam.” That race in particular has drawn a tidal wave of outside spending, with BOLD America, a group backing Hispanic candidates, spending $2 million on ads boosting Espaillat, and American Priorities, a super PAC opposing AIPAC, spending nearly $1 million supporting Avila Chevalier. Mamdani’s hope that his base will propel progressive challengers to victory is predicated on voter turnout levels that match or surpass the turnout for his election last year, but early voting results have shown that the surge of younger, more progressive voters has not materialized in this election cycle. Will it?

What will the primary elections tell us about the direction of the Democratic Party?

LISTEN as Jack goes ‘From the Lobby’ on whether progressive candidates can build on their recent momentum, and what the results could mean for politics far beyond New York.

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In Washington, D.C., Congress reached an agreement on a bipartisan, bicameral housing bill, known as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The bill, which represents the most comprehensive piece of housing legislation in decades, will place limits on institutional investors purchasing single-family homes, incentivize local governments to loosen restrictive zoning and permitting rules, update federal definitions to allow for more cost-effective manufactured housing designs, and expand FHA-backed mortgage access for loans under $100,000 to assist rural counties and low-cost markets. The agreement comes after months of negotiating between the two Chambers, with a final vote expected when the House returns from recess tomorrow. Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott said in a statement, “This bill is the result of years of work to lower costs, expand housing supply, cut red tape, protect taxpayers, and help more Americans achieve the dream of homeownership.” Leadership in both parties views the legislation as an answer to affordability concerns set to dominate the midterm elections. 

Senate, House Reach Deal on Major Housing Legislation

The two chambers have agreed on a way to reconcile differences in their respective versions of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, so it can move to a final vote.

Multifamily Dive

President Donald Trump is facing a mess of his own making in the Senate after his social media post last week upended GOP hopes of confirming the newest member of his national security team and reauthorizing a controversial surveillance law. The Senate Intelligence Committee was forced to cancel its confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton to serve as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) after Trump said Clayton would not attend unless Senators also voted to confirm James McDonald as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (although McDonald had not been formally nominated). 

Trump has new demands for Congress. Here’s how they all connect.

What the president wants on intelligence, spying powers, and voter rules. Read more from the Wall Street Journal.

Trump also signaled that he would not sign an extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) unless his partisan elections bill, known as the SAVE America Act, is included. The episode has left many Republican Senators frustrated, with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) offering, “The president’s timing and communication needs improvement. I think it’s unfortunate. It throws a kicker into the system when we get going, and then we have to readjust.” Some Senators, particularly those who are retiring or lost primary contests to Trump-endorsed challengers, are no longer willing to act as a rubber stamp for the White House. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who announced his retirement last year after breaking with Trump on legislation, said, “Look, we are not the manufacturing department of the Article II branch—we are the board of directors for the Article II branch. You start treating us like that, coordinating with us like that, we won’t have these embarrassing setbacks.” Democrats have made it clear that they will not vote for a FISA renewal until a permanent DNI is in place, noting that Trump’s pick for interim DNI, FHFA administrator Bill Pulte, lacks the statutorily required experience in the intelligence community. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said, “The president’s latest intervention only underscores a simple reality: the biggest obstacle to resolving these issues has not been Senate Democrats or Senate Republicans. It has been the chaos and confusion coming from the White House itself.” 

In the latest primary news, Georgia Rep. Mike Collins won the GOP runoff against former college football coach Derek Dooley to take on incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in one of this year’s most competitive Senate races. The primary contest became a political proxy war between Trump, who provided a last-minute endorsement to Collins, and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who supported Dooley’s campaign. The real winner of the extended GOP primary was Ossoff, who spent the intervening months aggressively fundraising and bolstering his national profile. At the end of April, Ossoff had $32.5 million on hand compared to Collins’ $1.7 million. Trump and Kemp were on the same side in the gubernatorial runoff, although it was not enough to lift their preferred candidate, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, past billionaire businessman Rick Jackson. Jackson, a healthcare executive, poured nearly $100 million of his own money into his campaign and will now face Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms in the November General Election. 

In Oklahoma, GOP Rep. Kevin Hern won the primary race for the state’s open Senate seat after former Sen. Markwayne Mullin was nominated to serve as the Department of Homeland Security Secretary. However, it was not smooth sailing for Trump’s other endorsed candidates in the Sooner State. In the 1st Congressional District, Rep. Mark Tedford bested Trump-endorsed candidate Jackson Lahmeyer, but since neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote, the two will head to a runoff on August 25th. Similarly, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond narrowly beat Trump-endorsed former state Sen. Mike Mazzei in the gubernatorial primary, though those two will be headed to the August runoff as well. 

In Alabama, former Judge Everett Wess won the Democratic Senate runoff last week for the Senate seat vacated by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor this year. Wess will now run against Republican Rep. Barry Moore, a Trump ally, who easily defeated his primary challenger. 

The Maryland GOP criticizes the Democratic plan for a July special session on redistricting.

Read more from The Baltimore Sun.

Maryland is officially entering the national redistricting wars following last week's announcement that Democratic leaders plan to call a Special Session after tomorrow’s primary elections to pass a constitutional amendment that will go before voters in November. Maryland’s current delegation is a 7D-1R split, but Democrats are clamoring for an 8D-0R map to counter GOP efforts elsewhere. State Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Democrat, killed any hope of enacting a new map for 2026, but appears to have dropped his opposition for 2028 in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision to gut the Voting Rights Act. A primary challenge that materialized after he blocked the 2026 redistricting likely also impacted his decision to stand down.  

Finally… A city famous for its pubs appears to have met its match. Boston bar owners are scrambling after the influx of Scottish World Cup fans drank the city dry.  Read on!

Boston Taproom

 -Jack O’Donnell

Jack with a Primary Day preview and more: 🎙️NY budget gloom & doom 🎙️Why are people leaving the state? 🎙️World Cup experience!

Listen to this episode and catch up on all our past podcasts here!

Go beyond the resumes and titles and get to know the people behind the work at O'Donnell & Associates with our Meet the Team podcast series. Listen as we go ‘From the Lobby’ with candid conversations on politics, government, and life beyond the office. Catch every episode on our employee bio pages here!

M&T Bank Corporation Elects Jerry Jacobs Jr. to Board of Directors

"Jerry brings a strong track record of leadership and operational execution, along with deep ties to Western New York and a clear commitment to the people and places he serves," said René Jones, M&T chairman and chief executive officer. Read more in this news release from M&T Bank.

DEC Chooses UB as State's Hub for Great Lakes Study

The University at Buffalo is the state's new hub for research on the Great Lakes. Read more in The Buffalo News.

Goo Goo Dolls React to New Aquarium Penguin "Iris"

After winning a naming contest by a landslide, OD&A client, the Aquarium of Niagara names its newborn Humboldt penguin chick Iris. Read more in The Buffalo News.

One of the highlights of the Erie County Bar Association’s Annual Meeting was the swearing-in of Maura O’Donnell as President of the Association.

The occasion was made even more special as Maura was sworn in by her father, Judge John F. O’ Donnell, with her mother, Denise O’Donnell, proudly in attendance.

It was a memorable day that celebrated family, service, and leadership in our community.

Congratulations to President Maura O’Donnell as she begins her term leading one of the nation’s outstanding bar associations.

Jeffrey Freedman on LinkedIn

The OD&A team attended a Regional Economic Development Council workshop, where state officials outlined the 2026 Consolidated Funding Application. The CFA provides access to more than 20 funding opportunities across eight state agencies.

Applications are due July 31, 2026.

The program is designed to help communities, nonprofits, and businesses secure support for projects that drive growth and investment across New York.

OD&A was there as Assemblymember Karen McMahon held her campaign kickoff fundraiser. Since her election in 2018, McMahon has represented the 146th Assembly District, serving Amherst and Williamsville after a distinguished three-decade career as a law clerk in both state and federal courts.

Welcome to Summer Vibes! ☀️

Throughout the summer, we'll be asking the O'Donnell & Associates team about their favorite reads, must-watch shows, go-to summer foods, vacation plans, and more. Follow along for a little seasonal inspiration and a fun look at how our hardworking staff makes the most of summer, too!

My top shows at the moment are The Queen’s Gambit, which I just finished watching for a second time, and Ted Lasso. If I had to pick one go-to summer food, I’d quote Mr. Lasso: “Ice cream’s the best. It’s kinda like seeing Billy Joel live. Never disappoints.” Mint chip is the best flavor, and that’s a hill I’ll die on!

I’m currently reading The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, a sensational novel set in the mid-1800s. Magical realism and a few more mystery novels are also on the 'books' for this summer’s reads. Before heading to the Big Apple, I'm looking forward to spending time with my family and lots of beach days!

Lauren was recently promoted to Associate at OD&A. Learn more about her here!

More here!

June 22, 1944: President Roosevelt signs the G.I. Bill of Rights, providing WWII soldiers with 52 weeks of unemployment insurance; money for higher education and job training; and government-backed, low-interest mortgages and loans in order to ease their transition into civilian life. Look back here!

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Photo Collection

12 Jaw-Dropping Upstate NY Waterfalls From hidden gems to iconic cascades, these breathtaking Upstate New York waterfalls belong on your summer bucket list. Check them out!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

Governor Hochul Announces Investments in Western New York and Highlights Affordability Agenda

Good morning from Queens, New York, the home of New York’s 52nd Governor, Mario Cuomo, born on this day in 1932. Read more.

We are watching the dust begin to settle in Albany after a whirlwind end to the 2026 Legislative Session.

Thanks to our friends at Capitol Confidential, we have a tally of which lawmakers were most effective in passing legislation. Assemblymember Amy Paulin, Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, led the way with 46 bills passing both the Senate and Assembly. Senator James Skoufis was a close second with 40 bills passing both Chambers, followed by Senator Michelle Hinchey at 34, Senator Monica Martinez at 31, and Senator Pete Harckham at 30, rounding out the top five. All but 13 members of the legislature—11 Republicans and 2 Democrats—had at least one bill that passed both Chambers. 

Will Governor Hochul sign the data center moratorium?

🎙️LISTEN as Jack goes ‘From the Lobby,’ on what’s next after this year’s session. Also: why the final budget is now $9 billion higher & the impact of a leadership shakeup in Albany.

OD&A on LinkedIn

Governor Kathy Hochul officially approved the state budget last week, and in a bit of a surprise, the accompanying budget financial plan revealed that the total price tag of the budget will now be $277 billion! That’s a lot of money, and the total is up, significantly, from the $268 billion previously announced. According to the Department of Budget, the upward adjustment was due to additional access to federal funding, not higher state spending. Much of the additional $9 billion comes from a federal trust fund that will help offset the costs of New York’s expanded Medicaid program, known as the Essential Plan. The financial plan also provided less rosy projections for New York’s out-year budget gaps, now projected at $6.4 billion in 2028, $10.5 billion in 2029, and $14.7 billion in 2030. Those increases are largely attributed to the enhanced benefits to the Tier VI pension system that Hochul and lawmakers negotiated as part of the budget process, as well as growing school aid projections.

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The Citizens Budget Commission, New York’s respected nonpartisan fiscal watchdog group, offered a deep analysis on the financial plan, writing in a statement, “What’s crystal clear is that despite very strong revenues, the State squandered the opportunity to stabilize its fiscal future. It kept its rainy day reserves virtually flat, even amid mixed economic currents. It layered billions of dollars of spending on top of a base it already could not sustain. This year’s total budget comes in at $277.0 billion. Adjusted State Operating Funds spending—what comes directly from New Yorkers' pocketbooks—reaches $174.1 billion, a 9.7 percent increase. Over the past decade, State spending has grown $40.6 billion higher than inflation.” The reality of an election year—like this—certainly helps make this next year’s problem, but what of next year? Combined with the chaos that the midterm elections could unleash in Washington, budget negotiations in 2027 could make 2026 look like fun . . . let’s just say that next year, the OD&A team will not be making vacation plans in April (or May or June). 

4 Things for the NYC Construction Industry to Know About the NY State Budget

Our Jack O’Donnell calls the budget "a step in the right direction" because it creates an "opportunity to build and opportunity to work." Read more on what the budget could mean for the construction pipeline in NYC!

Under Construction News • Brendan Spiegel

OD&A’s Ralph Ortega goes 'On the Record’ as he joined the fireside chat at Global Strategies Group where Partner Justin Lapatine interviewed New York City Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Leila Bozorg. Bozorg says New York City goes for ‘all of the above’ on affordable housing. Read on!

In Washington, D.C., the four-month partisan standoff over funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol has officially ended after the House passed a $70 billion funding package last week to fund those agencies for three years. Democrats had refused to include the funding in the larger spending bill passed earlier this year without major reforms to ICE, prompting Republicans to use the budget reconciliation process to circumvent Democratic opposition. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who was brought in to replace Kristi Noem after questions were raised about her control over the agency and her ethically dubious procurement processes, assured lawmakers that DHS agents would now be seeking judicial orders to enter private residences and would be subject to more rigorous training, but it was not enough to get Democrats to drop their opposition. During a hearing earlier this month, Mullin told Democratic appropriators, “You would never get to ‘yes,’ and so we walked away and did reconciliation.” 

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President Donald Trump has called on Republicans in Congress to take up another reconciliation bill this summer to provide an additional $350 billion to the Pentagon, among his other priorities. However, many Republicans, especially in the Senate, are not jumping at the opportunity to provide further funding for an unpopular war in Iran. Another reconciliation package would risk further highlighting the divides within the GOP after Trump’s proposed amendments to the last reconciliation bill—funding for a 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom and his $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund—led to Republican infighting before being dropped from the final package. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), unburdened after losing his primary challenge to a Trump-endorsed challenger earlier this month, said of another reconciliation bill, “It’s going to be an enormously heavy lift in this environment to get that done, particularly with just Republican votes.” In addition to the fiscal hawks who oppose reconciliation, Senators facing tough general election races worry that the reconciliation process would give Democrats an opportunity to offer amendments that would force them to take tough votes. Senate Majority Leader John Thune was noncommittal when asked about the prospects of another reconciliation vote, telling reporters, “We know we’ve got to do more for defense. The question is, ‘What would the Democrats be for?’ We’ll find out. One of the theories of the case is that Democrats are not going to be willing to support additional funding for national security.”

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Trump also wants his Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, which would require people to show documented proof of citizenship when registering to vote, to be included in the next reconciliation bill, though the measure failed to gain a simple majority when it was offered as an amendment to the last reconciliation bill. Senator Mitch McConnell, the former Senate leader, offered his thoughts at an Air Force appropriations hearing: “I think it’s safe to conclude there will not be another reconciliation bill. So it’s really not an option.” The Appropriations Committee Chair, Senator Susan Collins, facing a challenging election, concurred, saying, “I agree with that assessment.”

Farewell to the great historian Gordon Wood. Wood’s books made the Founding Fathers—and the entire American Revolution—come alive for me.

These works were a big part of a semester in law school studying the time period and, more specifically, the actual fight within the states to ratify the Constitution.

Congratulations to Team USA on a resounding victory to kick off its World Cup campaign! U-S-A! Fair play to Brazil for a hard-fought draw against a plucky, up-and-coming Moroccan side. Watching it all unfold was quite a thrill for the O'Donnells.

We were also joined by two of New York's top leaders, who have stood firm that the World Cup, despite being played in East Rutherford, New Jersey, was really a New York event? Even X called them out on it here! Also, speaking of New York... what a time to be in the City! The Knicks electrified fans by capturing their first championship in 53 years, sending the city into a wild celebration. As the chants echoed across town, one message rang especially true: Jalen Brunson for president!

Twitter tweet

Finally… How today’s kids are discovering the band I've been listening to since Brothers in Arms captivated me back in 1985. Read on!

Facebook photo

 -Jack O’Donnell

Jack unpacks the bizarre Legislative Session and more: 🎙️Power shift coming to Albany 🎙️Will NY voters approve redistricting? 🎙️Impact of ICE funding approval

Listen to this episode and catch up on all our past podcasts here!

Go beyond the resumes and titles and get to know the people behind the work at O'Donnell & Associates with our Meet the Team podcast series. Listen as we go ‘From the Lobby’ with candid conversations on politics, government, and life beyond the office. Catch every episode on our employee bio pages here!

AI Spots Hidden Security Flaws in Hundreds of 5G Smartphones

Read more about the new research led by UB that discovered attackers can exploit a brief gap before devices confirm that a network connection is legitimate.

University at Buffalo/Keith Page

A well-deserved recognition for an exceptional leader and a valued client!

Congratulations to Dawn H. Burlew Schmidt, President of Watkins Glen International, on being named to City & State New York’s 2026 Who’s Who in Sports list. Read on!

OD&A LinkedIn

Thank you to the 160+ Young Professional members who joined us for BNP Forward!

Our sincere appreciation to all of our speakers, which included OD&A’s Michael Greco, for sharing their personal paths and insights on how they’re taking ownership of their careers and making an impact in the community in their own unique ways. Your willingness to invest in this group of emerging leaders made a lasting impression on everyone in the room. Read on!

Buffalo Niagara Partnership on LinkedIn

6 Public Servants Receive Sloan Public Service Award From FCNY

Winners of the Sloan Public Service Award receive $10,000 and a commemorative portrait. Read more from Spectrum News NY1.

How to Network Like a Pro (Even If You Know Nobody in the Room) with OD&A’s Marc Cohen

Had a great conversation with Martin Grizzanti on his podcast about something that doesn't get talked about enough: the power of relationships. Check it out!

OD&A’s Marc Cohen on LinkedIn

Welcome to Summer Vibes! ☀️

Throughout the summer, we'll be asking the O'Donnell & Associates team about their favorite reads, must-watch shows, go-to summer foods, vacation plans, and more. Follow along for a little seasonal inspiration and a fun look at how our hardworking staff makes the most of summer, too!

I kick off my summer with an annual Memorial Day weekend visit to Coney Island, where I start by enjoying a delicious Nathan's hot dog. Coney Island is where hot dogs were invented, and going to the original Nathan's right off the boardwalk is a must. The dogs and fries are SOOO good! Also, the seafood. I recommend the fried clams.

The beach is awesome. While it's quiet, with few waves, it's still perfect for families with young kids.

I used to bring my four, who are all grown-up now. And then, there are the rides. I recommend Eldorado, an old 1970s, disco-themed bumper car ride that promises, "You'll bump your ass off!"

Facebook photo

And right nearby is the Freak Bar, which features vintage video game cabinets and pinball machines that you can play for free! And it's right underneath the Coney Island Museum. And yes, there's the Cyclone roller coaster. I prefer to watch and take pictures rather than ride. I've ridden in the past, and yes, it's a jolting, good time! These days, I prefer the Spook-a-Rama haunted house ride. Take a loved one with you in this dark and scary ride, and hold on tight.

As for reading: I just finished "The Gods of New York," by Jonathan Mahler and pivoted over to some fiction, "The City We Became," by N.K. Jemisin. On deck is Jack's book, "Bitten by the Tiger," and for my upcoming trip to Virginia Beach, I'll be reading "The Wright Brothers," by David McCullough. That last book matters to me because I draw inspiration from Wilbur and Orville Wright. They persistently experimented with gliders on an open field in Kill Devil, North Carolina, on the Outer Banks near where I stay in Virginia Beach. Then, after months and months of failed take-offs, they managed to fly on Dec. 17, 1903.

Read all about it!

And not just once, four times! Each time, they got a little bit further. The site where this took place is now a national monument. I've made a pilgrimage there almost every year for the past decade or so. It's a summertime tradition for me. I've dragged a few people out there to see the monument too, including my kids, whom I tell, "Dream big. Work hard. Have faith. The Wright Brothers did it, and now we fly!" 

Also, I'm a huge summer-movie guy, and this year has not disappointed! I saw "The Mandalorian and Grogu" twice already. I also saw "The Devil Wears Prada 2," which I recommend if you liked the first movie. The cast is perfect. I'm a huge fan of Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci. Tucci especially. I love his character, Nigel. Everyone needs a Nigel in their lives! Next up, yes... I'm going to see "Masters of the Universe," because I'm a geek and pop culture junkie who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s. Those were summers with Star Wars and Star Trek movies, Indiana Jones and Ghostbusters, too. And the reviews for the He-Man movie are surprisingly good, even with Jared Leto in the movie! I hear he's actually quite good as "Skeletor," the villain!

Lastly, I'm always going on retro video game and computer console expeditions.

What that means, especially in the summer, is I go to thrift stores, flea markets, retro video game and computer shops, or meet-ups with Facebook Marketplace sellers, seeking out these classic machines.

Console Central at The Strong Museum in Rochester

I'm a fan of Atari, especially. I've found some gems in summers past and look forward to finding more this year. I'll be on the hunt when I go to the Brooklyn Comic Con this weekend, and when I go down to Virginia. Several of the machines I have in my home office are behind glass at the Strong Museum of Play. I'm in retro geek heaven every time I go there. It's a reason to visit Rochester! 

Ralph is VP of Public Affairs at OD&A. Read his bio here!

See more!

June 15, 1954: The Eisenhower administration stages the first annual "Operation Alert" (OPAL) exercise, an attempt to assess the USA's preparations for a nuclear attack. The drills continued until 1961 when they were canceled due to dwindling public support and increased anti-war protests. Look back here.

An instructor at Harvard teaching a lesson on Operation Alert, 1956.

Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday in Upstate NY Two New York landmarks have earned a spot on a list of “must-see” Revolutionary War sites to help mark the country's big birthday. Read on!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

A salute to retiring Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris. Photo: NY Senate Democrats

Good morning from Albany, New York, where both houses of the Legislature adjourned sine die last week, officially marking the end of the torturous 2026 Legislative Session. It was the least productive session of the Hochul era, with a total of 759 bills passing both houses of the legislature compared to the average of 891 bills passed during each year of Hochul’s tenure. Still, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins believes the quality of bills is more important than the quantity, telling reporters, "Even though there's an uncertainty in terms of the budget duration, there was a certainty about our agenda. So, I can say that I'm leaving here feeling that we've accomplished the important things that we needed to accomplish.” 

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Both houses advanced amendments to the state constitution that, if approved by voters in 2027, would allow New York to enter the national redistricting fray in 2028. The measure would empower the Legislature to redraw the state’s election districts while also removing the current constitutional language that prohibits partisan gerrymandering.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie outlined the reasoning for the amendments, telling reporters, “We want to be able to have as much flexibility in our districts as other states around the nation. This thing about asking New York to play fair while everybody else is playing ruthless, I think, is not right to ask us this.” This will need to pass a new legislature in 2027 and then be approved by voters in a statewide referendum.

The Senate and Assembly both passed a package of bills dealing with data centers, with the most notable provision being a one-year moratorium on data center construction. The final bill reflected a compromise from the originally proposed three-year moratorium, but the package still received intense opposition, notably from the state building trades.

Other highlights of the package include a requirement that data centers provide benefits to the communities where they are located, more robust energy-efficiency and environmental standards, and higher energy rates to reflect their substantial impact on the grid. 

The One Fair Price Act, sponsored by Senator Rachel May and Assemblymember Emerita Torres, got across the finish line and will prevent companies from using an individual’s data to set personalized prices. The legislation was a major priority for New York Attorney General Letitia James, though the Assembly declined to pass a companion bill that would have protected consumers from surveillance pricing and the technology that makes it possible in grocery and drug stores. 

What if the price you see at a store isn't the same price someone else sees?

LISTEN as Jack explains how surveillance pricing works and why Albany is weighing a crackdown, as he joins anchor Susan Arbetter of Capital Tonight.

OD&A on LinkedIn

The Assembly also punted on advancing the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act for a third straight year, despite substantive amendments from the bill sponsors intended to make the legislation more palatable for industry. The amended version of the bill would have required companies to achieve a 30% reduction in single-use plastics over the next twelve years, and while Heastie said he was personally supportive, the votes were not there. Heastie offered, “I'm a yes on the bill. But you need 76 yeses to pass a bill, and we don't have that.”

We will have a deeper dive into some of the other 769 bills next week.

NY Essential Plan Income Cutoff Leaves Middle Earners Without Affordable Coverage

More than 450,000 people are about to lose their health insurance, and small business owners say they are running out of options. More from WHEC.com.

Legislators left for the year without addressing the nearly half-million New Yorkers who are set to lose their low-cost, state-subsidized health coverage, known as the Essential Plan, due to changes at the federal level. The Senate and Assembly considered several proposals for the state to cover the costs, but ultimately decided that uncertainty about costs and eligibility prevented them from enacting a suitable plan. Stewart-Cousins implied Hochul was to blame, offering, “We did try—we suggested different ways. The governor was frankly not a supporter. So we are looking at, yes, that situation in July.” 

Peoples-Stokes Delivers Final Words on Assembly Floor in Emotional Sendoff

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes on Friday concluded the final session of her nearly 24-year career in the State Capitol, but not before the Buffalo Democrat urged colleagues not to be silent in the face of injustice.

Buffalo News • Robert Gavin Albany Bureau Chief

Elsewhere, Republicans in Alabama won a big victory in the nationwide redistricting wars last week with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling 6-3 that the state can adopt a congressional map drawn in 2023 that would likely result in a 6-1 Congressional District split for Republicans and would eliminate one of the state’s two majority Black districts, which are both currently held by Democrats. This is the first major ruling on racial discrimination in redistricting since the Court severely narrowed a key provision in the Voting Rights Act that, up until April, protected majority-Black districts. The ruling has already had negative impacts on Black political representation in states like Louisiana and Tennessee, and the most recent ruling on the Alabama case could have ripple effects for other Southern states looking to make similar changes. 

Primary elections rolled on across the country last week, including in Iowa where state Rep. and former Paralympic gold medalist Josh Turner won the Democratic primary for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat defeating state Sen. Zach Wahls. Turner will now face Republican Ashley Hinson in November to replace outgoing GOP Senator Joni Ernst. Republicans have enjoyed double digit margins in statewide races for the better part of the 21st century, though the race is emerging as a sleeper battle that could help determine who has control of the upper chamber come 2027. In the Republican gubernatorial primary, Businessman Zach Lahn defeated Trump’s endorsed candidate, Rep. Randy Feenstra. Lahn's message in favor of regenerative farming and against large agricultural corporations made him a favorite of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, and his narrow upset victory further highlights the divisions in the GOP and lays bare the limits of Trump’s political power outside of the Beltway. 

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In New Jersey, Democrat Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, defeated a crowded primary field and will face incumbent GOP Rep. Tom Kean Jr. for the state’s 7th District. Kean, a two-term incumbent, has made national news recently for his nearly three-month absence from Congress due to an undisclosed medical issue. The 7th District, which spans Democratic commuter suburbs in the east to deep-red rural towns in the west, as well as Trump’s Bedminster Golf Club, is one of the few truly competitive congressional seats left. In 2024, Trump carried the district by 1 point, and in 2025, Democratic Governor Mikie Sherrill won the district by 1 point. In her victory speech, Bennett offered, “The difference between the two of us could not be clearer: I spent 15 years serving our country in uniform as a Navy helicopter pilot where I swore an oath to protect and defend the constitution, while Tom Kean, Jr. has sworn an oath to Donald Trump and his D.C. party bosses who are jacking up costs and ripping away access to health care.” 

Bennett Named to DCCC’s ‘Red to Blue’ List

Two days after her decisive Democratic primary victory in the 7th congressional district, Rebecca Bennett has been added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s list of top House challengers.

New Jersey Globe • Joey Fox

In California, results are still rolling in from the state’s jungle primary system, but we know at least one of the candidates who will advance to the General Election in November: former Biden health secretary Xavier Becerra. More than 60 candidates were on the ballot to replace Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term limited, but two Democrats, Becerra and billionaire Tom Steyer, and one Republican, Trump-endorsed commentator Steve Hilton, separated themselves from a large pack that included Democrats like former Rep. Katie Porter, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, as well as Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. California will likely still be counting ballots for weeks, but as it stands, Hilton has a slight edge over Steyer for the opportunity to face Bacerra in November. In the race for Mayor of Los Angeles, Democratic incumbent Mayor Karen Bass will advance to the general election after receiving 34.8% of the vote tallied so far. Councilmember Nithya Raman is currently trailing former reality TV star Spencer Pratt for the second spot in November’s election, though Pratt is only in the lead by 1.1 points with Raman making up more ground every day. 

OD&A’s Ralph Ortega goes 'On the Record’ with what you need to know about the 2026 primary contests across New York State on June 23. This week, he’s checking in with AOC, Ritchie Torres, Tom DiNapoli, and more, in this latest installment of our primary preview series. Read on!

Finally… The World Cup is set to kick off this week with the United States opening up against Paraguay on Friday at 9 pm and Brazil’s Hexa mission launching on Saturday at 6 pm. I’ll be there for that game! You can follow all the action here!

 -Jack O’Donnell

What is lobbying really all about?

Our Jack O'Donnell shares his personal and professional journey in the latest episode of the Empire State Entrepreneurs and NY Business Law Podcast, hosted by David Pfalzgraf, Jr. of law firm, Rupp Pfalzgraf LLC. They discussed:
👉 His years working in politics and overcoming health challenges
👉 How he "fell into" lobbying—and never looked back
👉 Why lobbying isn't what most people think it is
👉 The important role advocacy plays in shaping policy and driving change
It's an honest conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the reality behind one of the most obscure careers. Worth a listen!

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Jack on the final days of the Legislative Session and more: 🎙️Downside of redistricting wars 🎙️Balancing regulation with economic growth 🎙️Hot races on Primary Day

Listen to this episode and catch up on all our past podcasts here!

Go beyond the resumes and titles and get to know the people behind the work at O'Donnell & Associates with our Meet the Team podcast series. Listen as we go ‘From the Lobby’ with candid conversations on politics, government, and life beyond the office. Catch every episode on our employee bio pages here!

Sen. Gounardes and AM Rosenthal's Bill to Ensure Childcare Epinephrine Access Passes State Legislature

The OD&A NYC team is proud to have helped secure passage of this important legislation on behalf of our client, the Elijah-Alavi Foundation. The new law requires state-licensed child care centers to stock epinephrine devices and train staff to respond to allergic emergencies. Read on!

Genco Named UB’s 16th President

Caroline Attardo Genco, who will join UB Aug. 10, has served as provost and senior VP at Tufts since 2022. Read on!

GALLERY: Trillium Health 'White Party'

OD&A client, Trillium Health, hosted its biggest fundraiser of the year at the Mercantile on Main downtown on Saturday night. See photos and story here!

WHAM

The OD&A team attended the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) meeting last week to learn more about the economic priorities and emerging opportunities shaping regions across New York State. The event brought together business leaders, academic institutions, government officials, and community organizations for meaningful discussions on long-term growth, investment, and regional development. It was also a chance to connect with key stakeholders, strengthen existing relationships, and gain a deeper understanding of initiatives that could influence future economic and business opportunities throughout the region.

Welcome to Summer Vibes! ☀️

Throughout the summer, we'll be asking the O'Donnell & Associates team about their favorite reads, must-watch shows, go-to summer foods, vacation plans, and more. Follow along for a little seasonal inspiration and a fun look at how our hardworking staff makes the most of summer, too!

I always find myself reading sci-fi in the summertime, and right now I’m rereading Ursula Le Guin’s The Dispossessed—it’s an all-time favorite of mine. I’m about halfway through a rewatch of Girls, but I’m excited for the new season of House of the Dragon, even if it's bad! This summer, I’m planning to spend a weekend or two with some college friends down on the Jersey Shore, but mostly I’m just excited to be back in NYC after finishing college. There’s always so much to do in the city over the summer, and I can't wait to see Romeo & Juliet for this summer’s Shakespeare in the Park!

Emily was recently promoted to an Associate position at OD&A. Read more about her here!

Read more!

June 8, 1968: Funeral services are held for Robert F. Kennedy three days after he was fatally shot in California. He is later laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, just 30 yards from the grave of his older brother, John F. Kennedy, who was also assassinated. Take a look back here.

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17 Classic Upstate NY Ice Cream Stands That Still Stand Strong From the Adirondacks to Western New York, here are the ice cream shops that have been favorites for 50+ years. Read on!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

Governor Hochul on X

Good morning from Albany, New York, where bells should be ringing, lobbyists dancing, and legislators rejoicing in celebration of the successful adoption of the 2026/2027 New York State Budget. Instead, many of us are seized by the existential dread of . . . the end of session! There are only four days—including today—remaining in the scheduled legislative calendar. The legislature can always go into overtime (and likely will at least hit extra time), but as Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins likes to say, “Trust the shaded boxes!” More on that below.

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The budget was completed a mere 57 days after the original due date of April 1 and hit new heights with a $269 billion bottom line, significantly higher than the $260 billion originally proposed by Governor Kathy Hochul and about $15 billion over last year’s total spend. Significantly, that increase in spending comes without any increase in personal or corporate tax rates.

Here are a few highlights:

Climate & Energy

Hochul achieved a key goal with significant changes to the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) despite the issue not being on the table at the start of budget negotiations. Nonetheless, Hochul successfully leveraged the budget process to ‘convince’ the legislature to delay the implementation of a greenhouse gas emission reduction program for another two years. The rollbacks also drop the 2030 deadline for a 40% reduction in emissions, set a new, non-binding 2040 target for a 60% reduction in emissions, and quite significantly change the formula used to calculate emissions, making it easier for the state to reach those goals. 

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In response to rising utility rates, the budget includes $1 billion for utility rebate checks, providing a one-time payment of $200 for joint filers and $100 for single filers. Utility companies will now also have to undergo a more stringent process with the Public Service Commission (PSC) to justify rate-increase requests. In addition to tying executive pay to new affordability metrics, utility companies will also have to provide the PSC with a second, “budget-constrained” proposal when seeking a rate increase. 

This year’s budget will again include $1 billion for the Sustainability Futures Program, intended to support green job development and fund climate mitigation projects, despite Hochul omitting it from her original budget proposal. It also funds clean water infrastructure programs to the tune of $750 million and provides $450 million for the Environmental Protection Fund. The Empower+ program, which funds energy-efficiency upgrades for moderate- and low-income households, received $200 million in the final budget. 

This Budget Truly Addresses the Affordability Crisis

A budget message from Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins on Empire Report.

Education & Childcare 

Overall, Foundation Aid rose to $27.4 billion, up $200 million from last year, with every school district receiving at least a 2% increase. The budget also made changes to the formula to give more weight to districts with students in foster care or experiencing homelessness, and to students who are English language learners. The budget delayed the state’s 2027 electric school bus mandate, giving districts an additional 5 years to begin purchasing zero-emission buses and until 2040 to operate only zero-emission buses. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani received a two-year extension on his control over New York City public schools, despite suggestions on the campaign trail that he would not seek a renewal of those powers. Separate, stand-alone legislation is expected to pass this week to defer and delay specific class-size mandates for NYC schools as well.

Furthermore, the state is providing $1.6 billion to achieve statewide universal pre-K, along with a requirement that school districts have enough seats for all interested 4-year-olds by the 2028-2029 school year. The budget also includes $1.2 billion in continued funding for the state’s childcare assistance voucher program for low and moderate-income families. 

“We are officially done with the budget… only 307 days before the next one is due,” says our Jack O’Donnell.

Jack joins WBEN to discuss climate rollbacks, immigration reform, childcare improvements, and NY’s potential bid for the 2042 Winter Olympics. Listen here!

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Housing 

The final budget makes changes to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) that will wholly exempt certain projects from the very detailed review process in an effort to spur housing development. Under the new law, housing projects with up to 250 units in New York City, up to 300 units in other urban areas outside of New York City, and up to 100 units elsewhere in the state will be exempt from SEQRA. The exemption will also apply to certain park projects, public school construction in New York City, and water infrastructure projects. Lawmakers also authorized a renewal of an affordable housing tax credit that provides some landlords with a tax break equal to the cost of renovations. 

Healthcare 

Health and human services providers contracted with the state will see a 2.7% increase in payments, below the 4% requested by both the Senate and Assembly. To offset skyrocketing Medicaid costs, the state proposed a permanent tax on managed care organizations (MCOs), taxing Medicaid insurers 0.35% of total premium revenue each year. A temporary version of the MCO tax was included in the budget three years ago and has generated over $3 billion in revenue for the state, though the permanent tax is still subject to federal approval. 

New York passes a nearly $269B budget… how long can the state afford this growing bottom line?

Our Jack O'Donnell dives into that and more as he joins News 4 Buffalo for a budget debrief after the late spending plan was finally approved during a marathon session that lasted until midnight. Watch here.

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Auto Insurance 

Hochul achieved much of the change she was pushing for on auto insurance, including redefining “serious injury” to reduce ballooning payouts to accident victims that are driving up insurance premiums. The budget further changes the law to bar an individual from receiving any compensation if they were found to be more than 50% liable for the crash. Lawmakers included provisions to prevent insurance companies from using an individual’s education level, homeownership status, zip code, or occupational status to determine premiums. Companies will also be barred from using “flex rating,” a practice whereby they can raise rates by up to 5% while the state debates final approval. 

Immigration 

On immigration, the budget bans local law enforcement agencies from entering into contracts to assist federal immigration authorities, known as 287(g) agreements, but does not go as far as banning all informal cooperation, as called for in the New York For All Act. The budget provides an avenue for New Yorkers to sue federal immigration authorities for alleged violation of their civil rights, retroactively effective to January 2025, and establishes sensitive locations, such as churches, schools, healthcare facilities, and private homes, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be barred from entering without a signed judicial warrant. The state’s Office of New Americans was allocated $84 million—up $10 million from last year—to cover legal fees for people in immigration proceedings. 

NY’s new budget: underwhelming, and didn’t need to take this long…

LISTEN as Jack goes ‘From the Lobby’ on:🎙️Why the messy budget process won’t change🎙️Next year’s dynamic in Albany🎙️What gets done on redistricting

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As mentioned above, the late budget has significantly reduced the time lawmakers have to consider standalone legislation. With both houses scheduled to gavel out for the year on Thursday, it is sure to be a whirlwind of a week as members and advocates make their last-ditch efforts to get legislation across the finish line and, just as often, put their skills to work to stop legislation short. As we have highlighted in past memos, the “Protecting Consumers and Jobs from Discriminatory Pricing Act” sponsored by Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris and Assemblymember Michaelle Solages continues to gain momentum since passing the Senate in May. The bill prohibits the use of electronic shelf labels and surveillance pricing in retail food and drug establishments and is a top legislative priority of New York Attorney General Letitia James.

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Lawmakers are also set to consider high-profile recycling legislation known as the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. The sponsors, Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Deborah Glick, and environmental advocates are eager to advance landmark climate legislation against the backdrop of rollbacks to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), and are hoping that recent amendments will assuage the concerns that prevented the bill from receiving a vote in the Assembly last year—all signs point to a vote on this one, but that’s not set in stone.

Key Changes to SB 1464-A: New York’s Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act

The OD&A team created a summary of the key changes from the original bill to the amended version. Give it a read here!

In addition, data privacy advocates are pushing the New York Privacy Act, which would require companies to obtain affirmative consent before processing a user’s personal data and another bill, the New York Health Information Privacy Act, which was vetoed by Hochul last year, but has since been amended to take a narrower approach, including exceptions for data already governed by other regulations and restricting protections to health data collected while an individual is physically in New York. Gianaris and Assemblyman Alex Bores had a late introduction last week, proposing legislation to levy a 100% tax on any New Yorker who receives a payment from the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” that was established by President Donald Trump to compensate “victims of lawfare and weaponization,” including those convicted of crimes on January 6th, 2021. 

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The better part of one of the remaining days is likely to be used to advance a pair of constitutional amendments that would allow New York to enter the national redistricting fray. The first amendment would allow the state to engage in mid-decade redistricting and change how voting occurs on the Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) to prevent the body’s five Democrats and five Republicans from deadlocking. The second amendment would change the broader constitutional language that restricts partisan gerrymandering, potentially setting up a scenario where Democrats are favored in 23 of the state’s 26 congressional districts. However, a new map would not take effect until 2028 at the earliest and would also require approval in a statewide vote in the Fall of 2027. Discussions are also underway to pass judicial district legislation, something akin to last year’s legislation that earned the rare distinction of being pocket-vetoed by Hochul.

Redistricting Battle Set to Escalate Ahead of 2028 Elections

For Americans fed up with partisan redistricting, there’s bad news on the horizon: The gerrymandering war is just heating up. More from The Hill.

Redistricting continues to be the order of the day across the country as well. In Alabama, state officials are elevating their redistricting fight to the United States Supreme Court after a lower federal court blocked the state from implementing a congressional map drawn in 2023. The new map would likely result in a 6-1 Congressional District split for Republicans and would eliminate one of the state’s two majority Black districts, which are both currently held by Democrats.

Florida appears to be well on its way to implementing the new partisan map proposed by Governor Ron DeSantis and approved by the Legislature in late April. A Florida Circuit Court judge declined to block the new map for the 2026 elections, citing time constraints, “The election machinery of the state is already underway. The primary is less than three months away, and the general is less than six months.” The ruling is not the last legal challenge the new map will face, but it provides a much smoother path for DeSantis and his Republican allies.

Louisiana, which brought the original redistricting case to the Supreme Court that ultimately gutted the Voting Rights Act, approved a new map last week that will eliminate one of the two majority-Black districts in the state and will likely give the GOP a 5-1 advantage, compared to the current 4-2 makeup.

South Carolina Republicans, in defiance of President Donald Trump, officially killed a plan to draw a new map that would have eliminated the state’s lone Democratic seat. The Republicans who thumbed their nose at Trump could face the same fate as Republican lawmakers in Indiana who voted to forgo partisan redistricting and subsequently lost primary elections to Trump-backed challengers. Worth watching.

Mamdani Endorses Espaillat's Primary Challenger Avila Chevalier

Mamdani formally endorsed the fellow Democratic Socialists of America member last week. Read more from Spectrum News.

In New York political news, Mamdani made a cable news appearance on Thursday alongside Darializa Avila Chevalier, a fellow member of the Democratic Socialists of America, to endorse her primary campaign against sitting Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the 13th Congressional District. Along with his endorsement, Mamdani offered, “It will take a new generation of leadership to ensure that the heartbeat of this party is once again the struggles of the working class, and in electing a champion like Darializa to represent Uptown Manhattan and the Bronx, we could have exactly that in Congress.” Espaillat, who chairs the influential Congressional Hispanic Caucus, has represented the district since 2017 and was the first formerly undocumented Member of Congress. Mamdani's endorsement was met by Governor Hochul just one day later, endorsing Espaillat and setting up yet another political proxy war with the first-term mayor. On social media, Hochul said, Congressman Espaillat has delivered real results to improve the lives of New York families. I’m proud to support my friend, and know he’ll continue putting New Yorkers first and being a leading voice for our communities in Congress.” Hochul and Mamdani are on opposite sides of the NY-10 Primary as well, with Hochul endorsing incumbent Dan Goldman and Mamdani backing New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. 

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A decision in the lower courts overturning a Public Campaign Finance Board decision denying Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman access to matching funds was reaffirmed, dismissing the Finance Board's appeal and potentially unlocking up to $4 million in public funding for Blakeman. The cash is much needed for the Blakeman campaign, which is millions of dollars behind Hochul’s $20 million plus cash on hand. Speaking to the press, Blakeman said, “We all knew from day one that this was dirty politics. That this was something that was done to try and frustrate our ability to get matching funds, even though we complied with everything that was required under the statute.” 

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In Texas, state Attorney General Ken Paxton easily won the Republican primary runoff against incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn. The result was largely expected after Trump, much to the chagrin of other GOP senators and the national party, endorsed Paxton over Cornyn late in the race. Many Republicans fear that the race to hold the seat against Democratic state Senator James Talarico will now be much more competitive and much more expensive than it would have been for Cornyn. Paxton has had a slew of legal and ethical challenges while in office, leading to his fellow Republicans to impeach him in 2023, though he was ultimately acquitted in the Senate. There were also runoff primary elections on the House side, in which two incumbents lost their seats. Freshman Rep. Christian Menefee soundly defeated longtime incumbent Representative Al Green by more than a 2-to-1 margin after redistricting pitted the two Democrats against each other. Former U.S. Representative Colin Allred—who dropped out of his 2026 U.S. Senate bid to run for the House—unseated incumbent Representative Julie Johnson, with approximately 54% of the vote.  

OD&A’s Ralph Ortega goes 'On the Record’ with what you need to know about the 2026 primary contests across New York state. The June 23rd election is less than a month away, and OD&A is keeping a close watch on the hottest races.  Read the first in a series of primary election previews here.

In an exciting development, New York took the next formal step toward submitting a bid to host the Winter Olympics in New York City and Lake Placid. This idea continues to gain support and rightfully so. Kudos to MOA Bobby Carroll for getting this started and Governor Hochul for advancing it further.

What the World Cup Could Mean for the U.S. Economy

FIFA forecasts billions of dollars in added economic output. More from ABC News.

If you’re like us, you’re very excited about the World Cup. Either way, it’s worth flagging these three videos: Come Together, England’s team reveal, Brazil’s Hexa Mission, and this official song from Bosnia. It’s a banger.

Finally, the Libertarian Party is staying true to its roots and pushing back against restrictive mandates, even from their own.  Its latest battle over personal freedom? A call for a dress code at its convention. Read on!

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 -Jack O’Donnell

Jack on the budget deal and more: 🎙️ Why it didn’t have to be this late 🎙️ Should the budget deadline be extended? 🎙️ Advice for next session

Listen to this episode and catch up on all our past podcasts here!

Go beyond the resumes and titles and get to know the people behind the work at O'Donnell & Associates with our Meet the Team podcast series. Listen as we go ‘From the Lobby’ with candid conversations on politics, government, and life beyond the office. Catch every episode on our employee bio pages here!

Empire AI is already making rapid progress in drug discovery.

A Q&A with the University at Buffalo’s Venu Govindaraju on the project’s long-term benefits to New York. Read more in City & State NY.

What Affordability Actually Means

When voters speak with unusual clarity, the obligation of government is not interpretation, but faithful implementation. Read more from OD&A client, Fund for the City of New York, in the Daily News.

2026 Sloan Public Service Awards

We made it to the 2026 Sloan Public Service Awards, recognizing the finest public servants in the greatest city in the world. Thank you to these incredible individuals & to the Fund for the City of New York for helping to make this prestigious recognition possible.

OD&A’s Ralph Ortega on LinkedIn

Read more!

June 1, 1980: CNN (Cable News Network) launched from its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, as the world's first 24-hour, all-television news network. Read more! Watch the dedication by its founder, media mogul Ted Turner here. Watch its first broadcast here.

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Three New York Communities Among Best Places to Live in U.S. The rankings are based on quality of life, job market strength, value, and residents’ desire to live in each area. Read on!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

Good morning from Waterloo, New York—the birthplace, in 1866, of Memorial Day. 

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In Albany, the latest budget of Governor Kathy Hochul’s tenure continues to lurch and wobble toward a conclusion. Lawmakers succeeded in passing two of the nine budget bills last week (along with a fourteenth extender!) before returning home for rest, a reset, and campaigning over this holiday weekend. The Senate and Assembly passed the Education, Labor, Housing, and Family Assistance (ELFA) bill on Wednesday and Public Protection and General Government (PPGG) on Thursday, both largely along party lines. While the bulk of the budget will be in Article VII legislation coming soon, there were a couple of big pieces in the two bills passed last week.  

The ELFA bill ensures a minimum 2% increase in Foundation Aid for every school district, with additional weightings (and dollars) for high-need districts and for students experiencing homelessness or in foster care. The language extends mayoral control over New York City public schools for another two years and sets timelines for implementing full-day pre-K for 4-year-olds statewide. In addition, the ELFA bill adopts legislation from Senator Chris Ryan to delay the state’s mandate for public school districts to transition to electric buses. Districts will now have until 2032 to begin purchasing zero-emission buses and until 2040 to completely transition their fleets. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie indicated there could be more money coming to school districts to help them plan for the transition, telling reporters, “We haven't nailed down that breakdown on the money, but there will be something to still help along with infrastructure and purchasing the buses.”

The legislature also included narrow language tailored to the River Ring housing development in Brooklyn. Lawmakers did away with the 421-a tax credit in 2022, but allowed projects already under development to claim the lucrative incentive, provided construction was completed by 2031. The River Ring development will miss that deadline, prompting lawmakers to remove the 2031 language in this year’s budget for narrow exceptions. Heastie offered, “In order for the project to go, they didn’t think they could make it in time, so they asked us for an extension. An agreement was worked out between the developer, the YMCA was involved, and the local Assemblymember supported it.” 

OD&A’s Ralph Ortega goes 'On the Record’ at the Citizens Budget Commission breakfast as President Andrew Rein sits down with NYC Budget Director Sherif Soliman, a week after Mayor Zohran Mamdani introduced the city’s $124.7 billion executive budget for FY27. What are the spending priorities of this latest executive budget, and what’s expected from Albany in terms of support for the city? Read on!

The PPGG bill passed by lawmakers includes a number of protections for immigrants as well as venues for accountability for overreach by federal immigration authorities. The bill formally bans 287(g) agreements between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which previously allowed local police to be deputized by ICE to assist with immigration enforcement. This provision is likely to become a recurring topic on the campaign trail as Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the GOP nominee for governor, oversees one of the seven counties that has a 287(g) agreement in place. Earlier this month, Blakeman told reporters, “It’s not constitutional, and it’s boneheaded to say my police department and sheriff’s department can’t cooperate with federal agencies who are lawfully doing their job.” The legislation also prevents employees of local governments—such as school employees and public hospital workers—from assisting federal immigration authorities without a signed judicial warrant, and restricts ICE entry to health care facilities, childcare centers, houses of worship, housing accommodations, non-public schools, parks, or polling places. Law enforcement will be prohibited from wearing masks or concealing their identities in public, and this will provide an avenue for individuals to sue ICE officers for rights violations.

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Non-immigration provisions include a measure requiring 3D printers to have “blocking technology” that prevents them from printing firearm components, as well as new guidance on areas where drones are prohibited, specifically schools and large public gatherings of more than 500 people.

On auto insurance, companies will be barred from using an individual’s education level, homeownership status, zip code, or occupational status to determine premiums. Insurance companies will also be barred from using “flex rating,” a practice whereby they can raise rates by up to 5% while the state debates final approval. 

Will Albany help the 450K New Yorkers losing healthcare due to federal cuts?

On this week’s ‘From the Lobby,’ our Jack O'Donnell says probably not… and says the debate is about more than just the price tag. LISTEN here!

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The fourteenth, and likely penultimate, budget extender passed last week runs through tomorrow, when legislators are expected to convene early to pass the final extender and vote on the Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation Bill (TED), which is expected to print later tonight. The hope as of press time—of frankly all of us—is to pass the rest of the budget on Wednesday (perhaps into Thursday) and have at least a short, regular Legislative Session on Friday morning. One of the final pieces to close has been the highly anticipated changes to the Tier 6 pension system for public employees. While the full language has not been released, we understand the agreement will allow teachers to retire at age 58 with 30 years of service instead of the current standard of 63, lower employee contributions to a range of 3-5.75%, increase a cap on overtime calculated in retirement benefit from 15% to 25% of wages for those in the State Police and Fire Retirement System, and change the overtime retirement cap for other public employees from approximately $22,000 to $30,000. The changes are expected to come with a $557 million annual price tag, with New York State covering $118 million while local governments remain on the hook for the rest. 

NYC Tax on Cash Home Purchases Would Hit New Yorkers Hoping to Bypass High Mortgage Rates

“This is a grasp for revenue,” says our Jack O'Donnell. He talks to Mansion Global about a new real estate levy—a 1% surcharge on all-cash transactions over $1 million—added to the state budget. Read on!

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While the budget has taken up most of the oxygen this session, there is no shortage of standalone bills being considered before the legislature gavels out for the year on June 4th. ALERT: Reminder, there are eight scheduled legislative session days remaining. In addition to the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act and the surveillance pricing bills we highlighted last week, lawmakers are considering a handful of proposals dealing with data privacy.

Key Changes to SB 1464-A: New York’s Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act

The OD&A team created a summary of the key changes from the original bill to the amended version. Give it a read here!

One high-profile bill, the New York Privacy Act, would require companies to obtain affirmative consent before processing a user’s personal data. Another bill, the New York Health Information Privacy Act, was vetoed by Hochul last year, but has since been amended to take a narrower approach, including exceptions for data already governed by other regulations and restricting protections to health data collected while an individual is physically in New York. 

New York’s live event ticketing and resale regulations are set to expire on June 30th and will require a reauthorization from the legislature.

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The Affordable Concerts Act, sponsored by Senator James Skoufis, would extend the current regulations while adding new restrictions capping secondary market resale prices, although his proposal is seen by much of the industry as too much of a giveaway to the biggest supporter of the bill—Live Nation/Ticketmaster—especially after their clear defeat during a trial brought in part by New York’s indomitable Attorney General Tish James (the Court’s proscriptions are not due until 2027). 

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In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the Voting Rights Act that is set to decimate minority representation in the South, New York’s legislature is planning to vote on two amendments to the state constitution to allow New York to combat GOP gains elsewhere. The first amendment would allow mid-decade redistricting, while the other would change the composition of the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) to avoid a deadlocked commission. Heastie justified the push for amendments, saying last week, “We can’t be asked to play by a different set of rules than other states are and even more aggressively in Republican-dominated states.” However, given the timing and logistical constraints that accompany constitutional amendments, a new map would not take effect until 2028 at the earliest and would also require approval in a statewide vote in the Fall of 2027.

One idea everyone, spurned by Trump or not, should get behind is the push by the House to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted 48-1 to include the measure in a broader transportation bill that is heading to the floor for a vote. Trump posted on social media, “It’s time that people can stop worrying about the ‘Clock,’ not to mention all of the work and money that is spent on this ridiculous, twice-yearly production. We are going with the far more popular alternative, Saving Daylight, which gives you a longer, brighter Day—And who can be against that—This is an easy one!” Similarly, the House voted 396-13 to advance a housing affordability package that will curb private equity firms from buying single-family homes, expand loans to construct housing, and push local governments to streamline permitting rules. Who said bipartisanship was dead?

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In case you missed it, Trump was in Suffern, New York, on Friday for an event at Rockland Community College alongside Rep. Mike Lawler, calling him “fantastic” and a “pain in the ass” over the SALT deduction expansion. You can watch Trump’s remarks here. Lawler, who is in one of the country’s toughest Congressional races this year, defended the visit from the polarizing president in an interview with Spectrum News here.

Finally, farewell to Schlitz. The famous Midwest beer that had been brewed since before the Civil War has been discontinued. Read on!

 -Jack O’Donnell

Healthcare Heroes Spotlight: Honoring Jack’s Leadership

Jack was honored last week at Schneps Media’s Healthcare Heroes celebration, which recognizes the outstanding contributions and dedication of healthcare leaders and advocates across New York from Manhattan to Montauk.

The event brought together some of the region’s most influential healthcare professionals to celebrate excellence, innovation, and service across the industry. Hosted by Schneps Media, the evening highlighted the impactful work being done to strengthen healthcare systems and support communities throughout the state. Well done, Jack!

Jack goes ‘From the Lobby’ on the budget voting and more: 🎙️Will Upstate municipalities get state aid increases? 🎙️Trump stumps for Rep. Lawler 🎙️Sabres’ wild ride!

Listen to this episode and catch up on all our past podcasts here!

Go beyond the resumes and titles and get to know the people behind the work at O'Donnell & Associates with our Meet the Team podcast series. Listen as we go ‘From the Lobby’ with candid conversations on politics, government, and life beyond the office. Catch every episode on our employee bio pages here!

Governor Hochul Announces Nearly $170 Million Two-Phase Expansion for Barilla’s Livingston County Manufacturing Facility

Deputy CEO Kim Harriman of OD&A client, Avangrid, said, “At Avangrid, we are committed to powering connections where they matter most. The expansion of Barilla highlights the critical role that access to affordable, reliable energy plays in driving economic development across New York State. Through creative solutions and strong collaboration, this project came to fruition—creating jobs and helping local communities thrive.” Read on!

BNP Forward is just two weeks away! We’re excited to bring together our BNP Young Professional members on June 4 for an energizing afternoon of learning and fresh perspectives at downtown music venue Electric City…

A special group of leaders and emerging professionals will share their experiences and ideas on how they're thoughtfully investing their time and energy into making Buffalo Niagara a better place to work and live, including OD&A’s own Michael Greco. Learn more here!

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Read here!

May 25, 1787: The Constitutional Convention opened in Philadelphia, where 55 state delegates, initially charged with amending the Articles of Confederation, later drafted the Constitution of the United States. Read on!

Upstate NY Ballpark on ‘Most Nostalgic’ List For visitors, Sahlen Field in Downtown Buffalo always hits it out of the park! Read on!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

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Good morning from Albany, New York, where hope for a budget deal springs eternal! Could that elusive agreement be in the offing before Memorial Day? It all depends on who you ask. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie expressed his optimistic view of passing budget bills later this week, while Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris offered a contrarian view of this, his last budget before leaving office later this year, saying the chances of wrapping up the budget this week are “very slim.”

Gianaris: The chances of passing the budget this week are ‘very slim.’

Read more from Spectrum News political Multimedia Journalist Jack Arpey here.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins continued with her usual formula—noting progress has been made—declared this budget to be “entering the beginning of the end.” In the meantime, lawmakers passed a 12th budget extender and are set to pass another one today to fund state operations as negotiations continue to lurch towards an end.

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Details of various agreed-upon budget items continue to emerge, including additional cash assistance for New York City to help Mayor Zohran Mamdani close the $5.4 billion budget gap without raising property taxes or cutting services. Hochul announced an additional $4 billion in state aid, comprising expected revenue from the pied-à-terre tax on second homes, $2.3 billion in pension restructuring, funding for universal childcare, and over $500 million in relief from class-size mandates in public schools. In a statement, Hochul said, “Today, we are fulfilling the promise to make free universal childcare a reality, making significant investments in education, public safety, and infrastructure while providing the city the resources they need to continue to fund critical services for New Yorkers.” Mamdani’s first budget as mayor will keep spending largely flat for fiscal year 2027, but the influx of state aid and new revenue streams allowed Mamdani to forgo dipping into New York City’s reserves to fund the $124.7 billion budget.

While Mamdani was ultimately unsuccessful in lobbying Albany to allow him to raise taxes on the wealthy directly, he has pointed to the pied-à-terre tax and a repeal of a city unincorporated tax credit as ways he is making good on his campaign promise. At his budget presentation, Mamdani offered, “For too long, working New Yorkers have been told that austerity was the answer to adversity. This budget rejects that failed politics. We are restoring fiscal stability without slashing the services people depend on, without raising property taxes, and without asking working families to pay for a crisis they did not create. Instead, we are making government work for the people of this city: securing support from Albany and taxing the rich so we can invest in housing, safety, childcare, parks, libraries, and the public goods that make New York the greatest city in the world.” 

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We are also hearing details about that pied-à-terre tax and some general ideas around potential Tier 6 changes, including all Tier 6 employees being able to retire at 58 (down from 63), lower pension contribution rates, and about $30,000 of yearly overtime earnings would be counted in workers’ final average (up from $21,500). To be clear, neither of those issues appears fully agreed upon, but they seem close. Another big unresolved piece is the 450,000 New Yorkers losing health coverage in July as a result of HR1 (generally, enrollees who make between 200% and 250% of the federal poverty line). It is both an expensive as well as a moral dilemma. Speaking to reporters, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie acknowledged the need for the state to find a way to help, calling the situation “heartbreaking.” He acknowledged the cost of this coverage, saying, “We’ve kind of bounced around some ideas, but no matter which iteration you try to come up with, it still requires the state to come up with billions. I’m not sure the money is there under our current tax structure. So, we talk about it, we care about it, but I don’t know if we’re going to be able to solve that.” Reports indicate several other Article VII issues—basically additional policy pieces of the budget with strong fiscal impact—remain under discussion.

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While lawmakers continue to wrestle with the budget, they have also turned attention to standalone legislation as the end of Session on June 4^th  is rapidly approaching. In fact, including today, there are just 12 days left. Last week, the Senate passed a package of bills aimed at increasing consumer protection and cracking down on unfair or onerous business practices. Among the packages was the “Protecting Consumers and Jobs from Discriminatory Pricing Act” sponsored by Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris and Assemblymember Michaelle Solages. The bill prohibits the use of electronic shelf labels and surveillance pricing in retail food and drug establishments and is a top legislative priority of New York Attorney General Letitia James. The package also comprises other bills, including a measure to cap refueling charges on rental vehicles and legislation to eliminate hidden junk fees by requiring sellers to disclose the total price of goods or services. Stewart-Cousins said last week, “At a time when many New Yorkers are still struggling to make ends meet and keep food on the table, we are advancing a package of practical, consumer-focused reforms designed to put money back in people’s pockets and crack down on unfair business practices.” 

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The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act continues to make its way through the traditional legislative process, with the Senate Finance Committee set to consider the bill tomorrow. The sponsors, Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Deborah Glick, and environmental advocates are eager to advance landmark climate legislation against the backdrop of rollbacks to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), and are hoping that recent amendments will assuage the concerns that prevented the bill from receiving a vote in the Assembly last year.

Key Changes to SB 1464-A: New York’s Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act

The OD&A team created a summary of the key changes from the original bill to the amended version. Give it a read here!

Even with the concession of a 30% reduction over 12 years, down from the original 50% goal, Glick is not counting on businesses to suddenly drop their opposition, telling reporters, “Make no mistake, no matter how much we try to address the concerns of industry, which we have done at every turn, they simply do not want to change how they operate.” Heastie indicated last week that the new version of the bill will be conferenced, potentially setting up a floor vote before gaveling out for the year. 

Albany’s budget is late again, so how does this fight stack up to past showdowns?

Jack takes a look back as he goes 'From the Lobby.’ Also:▪️Policy vs. spending inside budget talks ▪️Crackdown on data-based pricing▪️Wins and worries in the NYC budget

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The delayed state budget has also provided an avenue for legislation that might not otherwise get across the finish line before the end of Session. A bill from Senator Chris Ryan that would delay the state’s controversial electric school bus mandate by five years is reportedly gaining momentum in budget discussions. Under the current law, school districts will be required to purchase exclusively electric buses starting next year and convert their entire fleet by 2035. Ryan has argued that the fiscal and practical realities of implementing the mandate have warranted a delay, telling reporters, “Some big concerns about the availability of the buses, the affordability, the efficacy. In many of my rural districts, they really don’t drive far enough on a charge.” Some of Ryan’s fellow Democrats have expressed tacit support for the delay if it leads to a smoother rollout, with Assemblymember Sarah Clark offering, “If we’re going to look at pushing out the mandate or the years by which we have to comply, I do think we have to figure out as a state some real direction to give each of our school districts. So many of them have unanswered questions that they just don’t know where to go to get answers.” Hochul has not specifically commented on the electric school bus mandate, but the delay would align with her rationale for rolling back the CLCPA.  

Hochul, flanked by Revolutionary War-era re-enactors, announced a two-day event over Memorial Day Weekend at Jones Beach State Park to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. The event will consist of a historical village with reenactments, live musical performances, and a synchronized drone show. You can find more information here. 

On the redistricting front, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster ordered lawmakers back into a special session last week to consider a new map that would eliminate the state’s lone Democratic seat currently held by Rep. Jim Clyburn. McMaster had previously indicated he would not initiate a special session, but has seemingly given in to the pressure from Trump, who posted on social media, “South Carolina Republicans: BE BOLD AND COURAGEOUS, just like the Republicans of the Great State of Tennessee were last week! Move the U.S. House Primaries to August, leave the rest on the same schedule.”

In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp has already punted on redrawing congressional maps for November’s election, but has called the legislature into a special session next month to consider redistricting for 2028. By considering the new map years in advance, Kemp will guarantee a favorable map for the GOP in 2028 even if Democrats make gains in the state legislature and win the governor’s mansion in November. The redistricting assault by the GOP has forced Democrats to take a second look at states where implementing a new map was previously thought to be unfeasible, including Maryland. National Democrats have ramped up pressure on the state to enact a new map favorable to Democrats, but have run into two roadblocks—one practical and one ideological. Maryland’s primary elections are currently slated for June 23rd, with early voting starting in less than a month, leaving little time to draw, vote on, and enact new maps without moving the election. Democrats will also have to overcome opposition from Democratic state Senate President Bill Ferguson, who has so far resisted Governor Wes Moore's pleas to play ball on redistricting. The disagreement has led Moore to withhold a planned endorsement of Ferguson, who is facing a tougher-than-expected reelection campaign.  

The current political climate has forced Democrats to be strategic and creative in their opposition to Trump and the Republicans, both of which were on display in Nebraska last week. Instead of backing a long-shot Democratic bid for the Senate, party leaders threw their weight behind independent Dan Osborn, who has a much better chance of unseating Republican incumbent Senator Pete Ricketts. To prevent a rogue Democrat from winning the primary and splitting general election votes with Osborn, the state Democratic Party successfully supported Cindy Burbank, who vowed to drop out after the primary and consolidate her support behind Osborn. Nebraska Democrats also got their desired result in the primary election for the state’s 2nd Congressional District, where political organizer Denise Powell narrowly defeated state Senator John Cavanaugh. Had Cavanaugh won, the state’s Republican governor would have been able to appoint a replacement to serve out the remainder of his term, which could have impacted how the state allocates Electoral College votes in the 2028 presidential election. Nebraska is one of two states that awards an Electoral College vote to the winning presidential candidate in each congressional district. Republicans already hold a supermajority in the Nebraska legislature, but some Democrats expressed concern that losing a seat in a reliable district would empower the GOP to change how the state allocates electoral votes in presidential elections. 

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West Virginia also held elections last week, where Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito won reelection against a crowded primary field, getting 66.5 percent of the vote, with her top competitor, state Sen. Tom Willis, getting 18.9 percent. Capito, who was endorsed by Trump, will face Democrat Rachel Fetty Anderson this fall. 

In Louisiana, President Trump continues to shape the Republican Party to his will, continuing his never-ending revenge tour by sending Senator Bill Cassidy into retirement. Cassidy was decisively defeated in Saturday’s Republican Primary, five years after voting to convict President Donald Trump during an impeachment trial over the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The incumbent finished behind U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, who capitalized on the power of Trump’s endorsement, and John Fleming, the state treasurer. Letlow and Fleming will compete in a runoff on June 27. It was just the latest example of Trump’s control over the Republican Party as he approaches the twilight of his second term, where his broad approval rating has not been affected by the challenges that have not had any impact on Republican Primary voters. Unlike some other senators who declined to run again after crossing Trump, Cassidy pushed hard for reelection and spent nearly double the combined amount of his opponents.

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Across the pond, King Charles III delivered the King’s Speech at the ceremonial opening of Britain’s Parliament, complete with Black Rod and all the other associated pomp and circumstance. The speech, which is written by the current government, comes as Prime Minister Kier Starmer fights for his political future after suffering brutal losses in the May 7th elections. Starmer’s Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, is reportedly preparing a leadership challenge, as is Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, though the latter needs to find a constituency and become a Member of Parliament before he can have a go.

Meanwhile, the Irish continue to work to right the wrongs of history and give everyone their due. Look no further than Cork, where the Cork City Council is considering erecting a statue of the mosquito that bit Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell during his terrible siege of the city amid terror and war crimes. The mosquito would be recognized for this heroic bite that directly contributed to Cromwell’s death from Malaria.

The Irish Buzz… The story is funny enough, but the Facebook comments might be even better. Check out the reactions to the very Irish debate unfolding in Cork here!

Finally, Japan is taking a novel approach to wildlife management. 

A special note about our Junior Associate, Elsie O’Donnell. Today, Elsie turns 9 years old, but her charm, intelligence, laughter, and fierce loyalty know no age. Her birthday wish? A Game 7 victory tonight for the Buffalo Sabres! If you listen closely to the television broadcast, you will likely hear her belting out: “Ooh ahhh, Sabres on the Warpath!” Happy birthday, Elsie, and Let’s Go Buffalo!

 -Jack O’Donnell

Jack on the simmering budget talks and more: 🎙️Can lawmakers change the budget process? 🎙️Data-driven pricing crackdown 🎙️Shakeup in the governor’s race

Listen to this episode and catch up on all our past podcasts here!

“Meet the Team” is our new podcast series highlighting the people who drive our firm’s success. ICYMI, listen as we go ‘From the Lobby’ with some members of our staff!

Sr. Advisor for Health Care Dr. Ellen Grant Chief of Staff Diane Ong VP of Public Affairs Ralph Ortega Senior Associate Michael Greco VP of Government Affairs Marc Cohen Senior Advisor & Head of NYC Practice Kara Hughes

VP and Policy Director Jim Moore Fellow Emily Sullivan Director of Communications Joanna Pasceri Associate Peter McGowan Associate Lauren Voorhees

Grant Funds UB Jacobs School's Effort to Help Homeless in WNY

A new street medicine training program for medical residents from OD&A client, the University at Buffalo, will focus on providing care for homeless people throughout Erie and Cattaraugus counties. Read more in the Buffalo News.

The Fund for the City of New York today announced the recipients of the 2026 Sloan Public Service Awards, widely regarded as one of New York City’s highest honors for career public service. The awards recognize six exceptional public servants whose leadership, innovation, and commitment have strengthened public institutions and improved the lives of New Yorkers across housing, healthcare, sanitation, education, libraries, and public spaces. For more on this year’s honorees, read the press release here!

VP of Public Affairs Ralph Ortega goes “On the Record” with the team at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s new Hell’s Kitchen facility, as the organization expands its HIV/AIDS prevention services deeper into New York City, bringing critical care and outreach to an area with growing need. Ralph sits down with Eddie Dillard for a behind-the-scenes look at the new space and its mission here!

Read more.

May 18, 1964: The David Frost interview with Paul McCartney airs as part of the BBC television program 'A Degree Of Frost.' Frost and McCartney discuss songwriting, the Beatles ambitions, and their upcoming movie, but the chat was most notable because Frost suggested Paul might finally retire in the year 2010. Take a look back here!

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100 Best New York City Restaurants in 2026 In a city packed with great food, it’s easy to overlook just how special these restaurants are. Consider this your reminder. Read on!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

Governor Hochul announces a state budget deal.

Good morning from Albany, New York, where things are a mess . . . even by Albany’s unique standards. We are clearly past the beginning of the end, but we seem to be nowhere near the end of the end or, you know, a passed and enacted budget.

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The story so far: Thursday, in the Capitol’s Red Room, flanked by her senior team, Governor Kathy Hochul declared: “I’m very proud to announce that we’ve reached a general agreement for the fiscal year 2027 state budget!” Hochul outlined her budget wins and accomplishments in what could only be described as a victory lap (more on those details to come). Notably, the announcement of a budget agreement featured only one of the three parties necessary for it to become law, and it is a maxim of Albany that who is in on the announcement matters as much as what is announced.

“A bizarre day even by Albany standards,” says our Jack O’Donnell.

Watch as Jack joins the team at News 4 Buffalo to talk about where the on-then-off-again budget deal stands.

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The wisdom of that maxim became clear an hour or so later when a visibly perturbed Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie offered a very different take on Hochul’s announcement and the entire budget process: “This is what I’m telling you all is wrong with this process, and I’m saying this to you all very clearly: I’m never doing this again. Budgets are supposed to be about money, not policy.” Heastie later added that there is still a lot of work to do to iron out the outstanding fiscal issues, saying, “There’s so many open issues on money. We signed off on nothing major.” Senate Deputy Leader Mike Gianaris agreed there was no budget.

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That is broadly where things stand this morning. As the Memo went to print, it was unclear if the Leaders had met over the weekend, but the tenth extender will expire today, and we expect legislators to vote on an additional extender before the end of the day.

Is it a deal or no deal for the NYS budget?

Governor Hochul announced an agreement on a state budget last week, but was quickly shut down by legislative leadership. So what's actually going on? Albany insider Jack O'Donnell from O'Donnell & Associates explains as he joins the morning team on WBEN. Listen here!

Heastie went out of his way on Friday to make clear his frustration was with the process and not with Hochul, offering “The governor and I had a really good conversation. My issue was never with her. I feel like I have an amazing relationship with the governor. My concern was more of the process. I do think we’re very close on the budget and expect we’ll get it done in short order.”

Even if the deal is not yet done, it is worth taking a look at Hochul’s announcement because much of this, if not all, will be in the final budget.

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According to Hochul, the final budget will clock in at $268 billion and will not include any income or corporate tax increases. Every school district in the state will see at least a 2% increase in state aid, while funding for universal childcare programs will increase by $1.7 billion. Hochul indicated that many of her proposals regarding auto insurance will be included in the final budget, including a narrower definition of “serious injury” and caps on payouts to drivers found to have been engaging in criminal activity at the time of a crash. Insurance companies will also be prohibited from using an individual’s education level, zip code, occupation, or homeownership status to set individual insurance rates. To spur housing development across the state, the final budget will include changes to modernize the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). The result will exempt housing developments on previously disturbed land with up to 500 units in high-density areas of New York City, up to 250 units elsewhere in New York City, up to 300 units in urban areas outside of New York City, and up to 100 units in rural areas. The package will also include exemptions for public works projects such as parkland development, clean water infrastructure, and public schools within New York City. 

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On immigration, the final budget will prohibit local law enforcement from being deputized by ICE under formal 287(g) agreements and establish a state law allowing individual New Yorkers to sue federal immigration authorities for alleged violations of their constitutional rights. In addition, the immigration package will ban law enforcement from wearing masks while on duty and prohibit ICE from carrying out immigration enforcement in sensitive locations, including schools, libraries, healthcare facilities, polling locations, and private residences. Other public protection initiatives in the budget will likely also include a requirement that 3D printers in New York include software that prevents them from being used to manufacture 3D-printed firearms. The budget will also enact a new “super speeders” law in New York City that will require repeat offenders to install speed-limiting devices in their vehicles; Hochul offered, “You will not flout our laws, and you will not endanger children, pedestrians, and other drivers who deserve to feel safe on our highways.” 

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On climate, Hochul appears to have succeeded in scaling back the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which calls for a 40% reduction in emissions by 2030—a goal that the state was well on its way to missing. Throughout negotiations, Hochul insisted the changes were necessary to prevent untenable utility cost increases, and she reiterated that message at her press conference last week, saying, “New York has led and will continue to lead on clean energy and climate. But reality is harsh. We can not meet the current timelines without driving energy costs higher. The facts bear that out, and I cannot let that happen.” Under the revised, compromise plan, the state will have to promulgate regulations for a cap-and-invest program to reduce carbon emissions by 2028, and will have until 2040 to achieve a 60% reduction in emissions. The deal will also include a change to the formula used to calculate carbon emissions from a 20-year to a 100-year time frame. Hochul also adopted a proposal from the Assembly to provide $1 billion in energy rebates to offset rising utility costs, as well as to implement a “Ratepayer Protection Plan.” That proposal includes measures to reform how the Public Service Commission (PSC) evaluates requests from utility companies for rate increases, such as tying executive pay to customer affordability and requiring utility companies to present a ‘budget contained’ option to the PSC that keeps operating and capital costs below the rate of inflation. 

New York Readies Rollback From One of the Strictest Climate Laws

Gov. Kathy Hochul says the pullback is necessary to protect New Yorkers from soaring energy prices. Read more from Bloomberg.

Bloomberg.com

The devil is in the details in state budgets, and many details here remain unknown, including the fate of changes to the Tier 6 pension program. Nonetheless, reactions to Hochul’s announcement have already begun to roll in. The Environmental Defense Fund believes the final budget as described by Hochul, leaves a lot to be desired, sharing in a statement, “Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature appear to be on the precipice of passing a state budget with sweeping rollbacks to New York’s landmark climate law, which will result in more pollution in our communities and delayed investments in clean, affordable energy.” The Citizens Budget Commission, a nonpartisan fiscal watchdog group, raised concerns over the ever-increasing size of New York’s budgets, saying in a statement, “What we do know is that the budget is bigger, but not likely better for fiscal stability compared to the Governor’s proposal. Adding $5 billion above the Executive proposal for fiscal year 2027 likely grows future budget gaps, increasing the chance New York hits a self-inflicted fiscal wall.” The CBC also gave credit where it is due, offering, “SEQR reforms are an incredibly important step forward that will reduce the cost and increase the speed of needed housing production. Kudos to the Governor for her leadership and to the Senate for making it even stronger. Reforms to auto insurance that fix New York’s liability standards and control unjustified outsized payouts will save New Yorkers money. Unfortunately, the final deal didn’t include the Governor’s smart proposal to fix joint and several liability. We applaud the Governor’s leadership to ensure New York balances greenhouse gas emissions reduction with affordability for New Yorkers; modifying the emissions goals is a smart choice.”

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Republican Bruce Blakeman, previewing his messaging for the campaign trail, was expectedly critical, saying, “Kathy Hochul's budget is a triple threat to your wallet: more taxes, record spending, and a utility bill crisis with no end in sight. In fact, it should be labeled hazardous for your bank account.” Stay tuned as we await the actual budget bills for more details. 

What’s the political fallout for Gov. Hochul during this budget fiasco?

LISTEN as Jack goes ‘From the Lobby’ to sort out the tense talks on the overdue spending plan after the governor clashed with legislative leaders over her budget announcement.

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The late budget has forced lawmakers to begin considering standalone legislation on a parallel track, as the last day of session on June 4th inches closer. New York Attorney General Tish James continues to throw her considerable political weight behind a pair of consumer protection bills to end surveillance pricing, a practice where companies use a customer’s personal data to set individualized prices. The Protecting Consumers and Jobs from Discriminatory Pricing Act, sponsored by Deputy Senate Majority Leader Mike Gianaris and Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, would ban surveillance pricing in grocery stores and pharmacies and prohibit companies from using electronic shelf labels, which are the devices they use to implement individualized pricing. The other bill, the One Fair Price Act, sponsored by Senator Rachel May and Assemblymember Emerita Torres, would apply a blanket ban on surveillance pricing across all industries. At a press conference, James said, “These predatory pricing schemes use algorithms to analyze where you live, your spending habits, and even whether or not you're in a hurry, all to determine the highest price that you will pay. Then, they charge you that price. Not a fair price. Not one price. Your highest price.” Both bills enjoy the support of prominent public and private-sector unions, including the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU). 

“They’re trying to walk and chew gum at the same time,” says our Jack O'Donnell.

WATCH here as he joins Susan Arbetter from Capital Tonight to break down the endgame in Albany, as lawmakers juggle a late budget and a session that is running out of runway.

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The sponsors of the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA), Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Deborah Glick, made sweeping amendments to the bill last week in the hopes of finally getting it across the finish line this year. In a statement announcing the revisions in the legislation, Harkham said, “Through long and engaged dialogue with stakeholders, we have forged a middle ground with these amendments to our bill, and now we are working to finally gain the necessary legislative and executive approvals that will save New Yorkers millions of dollars each year while helping to protect our environment.” If enacted, the bill would require packaging producers with more than $5 million in net revenue and responsible for more than 2 tons of annual packaging waste to reduce their packaging by 10% within 3 years and 30% within 12 years.

Key Changes to SB 1464-A: New York’s Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act

The OD&A team created a summary of the key changes from the original bill to the amended version. Give it a read here!

Notable amendments include updated definitions and adjusted timelines to bring New York in line with other states that have implemented similar programs, namely California and Minnesota. The newest version of the bill also removes enforcement authority from the Inspector General and transfers those responsibilities to the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Attorney General’s office. Keep an eye out over the next month to see if these changes are enough to convince Assembly leadership to get on board, or if time will run out again.

In political news, a new Siena poll found that Hochul’s approval rating and popularity are down, but her lead over GOP gubernatorial challenger Bruce Blakeman is growing. The poll shows Hochul’s favorability rating at 41-46%, her lowest favorability rating since June 2025, and her job approval rating at 48-44%, her lowest job approval rating since April 2025.

The silver lining for Hochul is her lead over Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman edged up three points to 49-33%, from 47-34% in March. According to the poll, voters say, 49-32%, New York’s best days are still ahead, rather than behind us, and 7%, likely all Buffalo Sabres fans, say New York’s best days are taking place now. The poll also found Pope Leo XIV, America’s first Pope, has a favorability rating of 55-19%. 

In Albany, Democrats get serious about redistricting—without admitting they’ll gerrymander.

Rep. Joe Morelle and state leaders want to respond to partisan Republican redistricting in kind, but insist it will all be above board. Read more in City and State NY.

Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) was in Albany last week to begin discussing the constitutional and legal hurdles that Democrats need to overcome to implement mid-decade redistricting. The trip comes as Hochul and other prominent New York Democrats vowed to redraw Congressional maps after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, which empowered GOP-led states across the country to redraw favorable maps without regard for minority representation. Speaking to reporters, Morelle laid out his reasoning for fighting fire with fire, saying, “What’s clear is, in the South in particular, those state legislators have made the decision that they’re going to do the most partisan gerrymandering necessary, so we’re going to respond in kind. I’d love to have a national standard. …But I don’t want New York, and I don't want Democrats to disarm and lead to a permanent majority by the Republicans because they engage in partisan gerrymandering.” Morelle and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have stopped short of calling for a nakedly partisan gerrymander in New York, but Hochul has expressed support for a Constitution Amendment to disband the Independent Redistricting Commission, the independent body created in 2014. 

Even if Hochul and her allies are successful in passing an amendment to disband the IRC and ultimately implement a new map, it is unclear whether it would survive the inevitable legal challenges. That was the case in Virginia, where the state’s Supreme Court struck down the Congressional redistricting approved by voters in April. Voters in the Commonwealth voted 52 to 48% for a Constitutional Amendment to allow the state to redraw Congressional maps, but the Court ultimately agreed with a lawsuit from Republicans and ruled that the legislature made procedural errors when implementing the ballot question.

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The ruling is a major blow to Democrats, who were hoping an additional 4 seats in Virginia would help them keep pace with GOP efforts elsewhere in the country. Republicans in Florida, Louisiana, and Alabama have begun redrawing their maps, and Tennessee, a late entrant in the redistricting wars, approved a new map last week that will likely eliminate that state’s lone remaining Democratic-held seat. 

Any moral reservations in the GOP about the long-term consequences of national gerrymandering were quickly replaced by the political realities on display in Indiana. After several GOP lawmakers blocked redistricting efforts in Indiana earlier this year, Trump-backed groups poured millions into campaigns to unseat the holdouts—with President Donald Trump himself endorsing their challengers. Of the eight Republicans who crossed Trump on redistricting, five of them lost reelection on Tuesday. David McIntosh, president of the Club for Growth, which contributed $2 million targeting GOP incumbents, said, “It’s a signal to Republicans everywhere: we want you to think of yourself as a team, help each other win, and don’t just be lone actors out there beating your chest or proving your ground, and I think that’s an important signal as the party gets ready for the midterms.”

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Not everyone in the GOP was happy with the allocation of resources and argued that the the $13.5 million could have been better spent elsewhere, particularly targeting Democrats. Steve Bannon, a former advisor to Trump in his first term, said, “That’s $13.5 million we didn’t have [available] to spend on Virginia. That same cash backing the MAGA grassroots in voter engagement and canvassing saves four seats—stopping Spanberger cold in her tracks.” 

Farewell to John Sterling, the longtime voice of the New York Yankees, who died last week at the age of 87. You can find some of his most iconic calls here. 

Congratulations to the band Kneecap! The group is on track to have the first-ever Irish-language album at the top of the charts in the UK. Check it out!

Photo: Mal McCann

Finally, we have all been there. Still, it’s a bit shocking to learn that even Pope Leo XIV has trouble reaching an actual human when calling customer service.  Read on!

 -Jack O’Donnell

Jack and Yves-Richard Blanc

VP of Public Affairs Ralph Ortega goes “On the Record” with photographer Yves-Richard Blanc. Known for capturing authentic, polished portraits, including OD&A’s professional headshots, Blanc has become a go-to photographer for leaders across the political, nonprofit, and private sectors. Read more about his passion for photography and connection to the Buffalo community here!

Jack on the budget tug-of-war and more: 🎙️Impact of the turmoil on talks 🎙️Hochul’s declining approval ratings 🎙️Did Jack sing ‘O Canada?’

Listen to this episode and catch up on all our past podcasts here!

“Meet the Team” is our new podcast series highlighting the people who drive our firm’s success. ICYMI, listen as we go ‘From the Lobby’ with some members of our staff!

Sr. Advisor for Health Care Dr. Ellen Grant Chief of Staff Diane Ong VP of Public Affairs Ralph Ortega Senior Associate Michael Greco VP of Government Affairs Marc Cohen Senior Advisor & Head of NYC Practice Kara Hughes

VP and Policy Director Jim Moore Fellow Emily Sullivan Director of Communications Joanna Pasceri Associate Peter McGowan Associate Lauren Voorhees

Great day in Albany with Patrick Moynihan and Lisa Moynihan from Tracer Labs, and OD&A teammates Jim Moore and Peter McGowan!

We had the opportunity to sit down with legislative and agency leaders to talk through the TrustID platform and the real impact it has on reducing fraud. At a time when fraud is becoming more sophisticated, especially targeting vulnerable populations, solutions that strengthen identity verification and protect public resources matter!

OD&A’s Marc Cohen on LinkedIn

Thank you to Congressman Joe Morelle!

Thank you to the Congressman and his team for meeting with Oak Orchard Health Center CEO Marco Altieri and Rochester Hope leadership to discuss strengthening services and support for immigrant communities across our region. Read on!

OD&A’s Marc Cohen on LinkedIn

Aquarium Board Member Josh Veronica of the BNP, Mo Sumbundu of Empire State Development, OD&A’s Michael Greco

Greco with Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino

OD&A was proud to sponsor and attend Savor del Mar hosted by our client, Aquarium of Niagara. The after-hours event featured delicious food, special programming, and the opportunity for guests to explore the Aquarium in a unique evening setting.

Several members of the OD&A team were in attendance to support this favorite community event and celebrate the Aquarium’s continued impact on education, conservation, and engagement across the region and beyond!

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May 11, 1928: Radio station WGY, in Schenectady, New York began America’s first regularly scheduled television broadcasts. Most of the viewers were on the technical staff at nearby General Electric, which had designed the system and was using the broadcasts to refine its equipment. Read more here. Watch a video here.

Upstate NY City Named One of America's Best ‘Antique Capitals’ Love antiquing? There’s a vibrant Upstate city that's becoming a hotspot for treasure hunters and beyond! Read on!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

Governor Hochul on X

Good morning from Albany, New York and May the Force Be With You!

New York’s budget is over a month late and counting. Legislators will pass a ninth extender later today. There is some hope that it may be the last. Reading the tea leaves at the Capitol suggests some progress on outstanding policy issues. For instance, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie indicated the leaders have discussed the actual fiscal details of the budget (a sure sign of progress) while Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins offered that the budget process is “approaching the end of the middle.” 

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Along those lines, Governor Kathy Hochul stopped into the LCA late last week for a brief gaggle (another sure sign the end is at least within sight). One highlight was Hochul saying this could be the week… at least for a handshake deal (the practicalities of passing the budget would still involve additional days of debate and votes). Hochul also said that rebate checks for utility ratepayers remain on the table, as does more education aid for NYC, and, in response to a question about free buses for NYC, that "municipalities that want to pay for free buses certainly are at liberty to do so."

In justifying her optimism, Hochul emphasized that “our teams are going to continue working day and night for the entire weekend.” Conversations the OD&A team had over the past 72 hours confirm that legislative, budget, and senior staff were working hard all weekend.

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In less optimistic notes, Hochul confirmed that sticky wickets remained, including details of her proposed pied-à-terre tax for high-value non-residential homes in New York City, but said her budget folks were working with NYC to determine a valuation method.

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Hochul made some exciting news, dropping, “We had a very productive meeting today to launch our exploratory committee for the Olympics” before refusing to answer any questions or provide additional information. The effort for a Lake Placid-New York City Winter Olympics bid has been championed by Assemblymember Bobby Carroll, who has done an excellent job developing and promoting his brainchild. The idea is one OD&A fully endorses. Let’s go! 

The auto insurance debate in the overdue NY budget… “It resembles springtime in Buffalo,” says our Jack O’Donnell.

LISTEN to where the issue stands as he joins the morning team at WBEN.

OD&A on LinkedIn

Last week, we discussed auto insurance in detail, and there were further staff discussions between the Houses and the Executive this weekend.

On immigration, Hochul and lawmakers appear to have a deal within reach that will include sanctuary protections preventing local law enforcement from coordinating with federal immigration authorities unless there is probable cause that an individual committed a crime. The agreement will also add new sensitive locations where immigration authorities are barred from conducting enforcement operations, including public spaces, and even permit private businesses to refuse entry to federal agents. Hochul has resisted calls from the Legislature to adopt New York for All, but has gone further than her original immigration proposal, which included a ban on “287-g” agreements with ICE to deputize officers and restricted sensitive locations to schools, hospitals, and churches. A spokesperson for Hochul said last week, “Gov. Hochul is committed to keeping New York communities safe, which is why she has proposed a common-sense set of policies to hold ICE accountable while protecting the constitutional rights of every New Yorker. The governor remains focused on working with the Legislature to keep federal overreach out of New York, and any changes to the proposal have come as a direct result of requests from the Legislature.” Let’s call this close.

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Hochul is also dealing with her push to roll back provisions in the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). In her latest proposal to lawmakers, New York would set a 2028 deadline to submit regulations for a nascent cap-and-invest program rather than the originally proposed 2030 deadline. The offer also includes a non-binding 2040 target for a 60% reduction in emissions, keeps the original 2050 deadline for 85% reductions, and would change the accounting methodology to bring New York in line with other states. Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins is heralding the latest offer as a win for her conference, telling reporters, “We were never comfortable with the governor’s proposal for 2030. We’ve been pushing and pushing to get the date up. Getting it to 2029 took quite a lot. So the governor is now saying 2028, so it is certainly better than it was. I think it’s taken a long time with a lot, a lot of effort to get this movement, and I think the movement is in the right direction.” Hochul has insisted the push for these changes is about protecting New Yorkers from skyrocketing utility costs rather than a desire to water down climate protections, declaring, “We were sued, we were the defendants in this case, and a judge ruled against us, and that’s why I’m using this time to work with the Legislature to give a longer runway, further out, based in the reality of today that cost pressures have to be factored into this. We cannot ignore the fact that there are businesses and families who will be hurt if we don’t have a different timetable and also a different calculation.” Let’s call this, also, close.

VP of Public Affairs Ralph Ortega joined the OD&A team for a lobby day with the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. The union is pursuing a legislative agenda that includes ensuring school construction projects incorporate fair labor practices and provide a living wage. Assembly Member Solages delivered remarks in support of the legislation. Read the conversation here.

There was also back and forth on taxes this week with Progressives, especially in New York City, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani, continuing their efforts to pressure Hochul into further tax increases to address New York City’s budget gap. Mamdani, this time with the support of City Council Speaker Julie Menin, floated changes to the Pass Through Entity Tax (PTET), a workaround of the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions that allows business owners to pay individual state taxes through a business-level tax. Paying individual taxes at the business level allows owners to deduct state taxes as a business expense, thus deducting their federal taxable income. Under the Mamdani/Menin proposal, PTET would be cut from a 100% rebate to a 75% rebate, which the duo argues would generate roughly $1 billion in additional revenue for NYC. Hochul, unamused by the laundry list of tax hike options coming from her fellow Democrats, dismissed the proposal, saying simply, “It’s not happening. We’re not changing PTET.” The PTET plan comes amid the backdrop of a report from New York City Comptroller Mark Levine that cast doubt on Hochul’s projection that her pied-à-terre tax will generate $500 million in revenue for New York City. The report reads in part, “We find that, before adjusting for these factors, our choice of tax rates and brackets could raise almost exactly $500 million from a little over 11,200 properties. However, revenues could be reduced to between roughly $340 million and $380 million based on assumptions on exclusions for rented units and behavioral changes following the imposition of the tax." Combined with Heastie telling New York City lawmakers to agree on the size of their deficit and take a look at their own spending, we are considering this an issue with still more work to be done.

Hochul also offered a bit of a look behind the curtain with her thoughts on late budgets. Speaking to reporters last week, flanked by a poster board that read “good things happen in April,” Hochul touted a list of policy accomplishments that she has been able to secure in budget overtime during her tenure as governor. Hochul mused, “Everything I’ve stood for and fought for is for the betterment of the people of this state. The necessary bail changes, which took two late budgets to get through, the necessary discovery changes, the involuntary confinement to help people who are living off the streets without proper care, cellphones, the cellphone ban, which has been extraordinary. I’d prefer to be done on time. My hands are ready to shake, but we’ve just got to work through some more details because my priorities are very important to me.” The comments come after Heastie's pointed criticism of the budget process. Although making clear that he was upset with the way the game is rigged, not the players themselves, Heastie directed much of his ire at the press for not covering the structural inequities in the budget process. Earlier in April, Heastie declared, "There is something wrong with this process, and you all don’t write about it. You all write about it happening; I don’t think you write about what it really means. A governor’s budget quite possibly takes up 80% of a session, but in a few days, we’re going to be in May. I have to try to pass all of the priority bills the members want in a month.”

New York FY27 Assembly & Senate One-House Budget Analysis - O'Donnell & Associates

O'Donnell & Associates' One-House budget analysis of New York's FY27 Assembly and Senate proposals—covering taxes, housing, healthcare, education, and more. Read here!

In political news, Mamdani’s political aura took a hit this week after his endorsed candidate, Lindsey Boylan, lost her race to replace now state Senator Erik Bottcher on the New York City Council.

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Bottcher’s former Chief of Staff, Carl Wilson, was declared the winner with roughly 43% of first-choice votes in New York City’s ranked choice voting system. Wilson was endorsed by Council Speaker Julie Menin, giving her another victory in the political proxy war with Mamdani that has unfolded since he took office. 

The Supreme Court threw fuel onto the gerrymandering flames with a landmark ruling demolishing a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. In a 6-3 ruling, the Court threw out decades of precedent around Section 2 of the VRA, a provision that outlawed discrimination in elections on the basis of race that has been interpreted to allow the use of racial demographics in redistricting to protect the voting power of minority groups. The challenge arose from Louisiana’s new Congressional map that created a second majority-minority district. In his opinion for the Court, Justice Samuel Alito argued that Louisiana did not have an interest compelling enough to justify race-based redistricting, writing, “the Constitution almost never permits the Federal Government or a State to discriminate on the basis of race.”

The decision could have devastating consequences for Democrats in the deep south and many Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, are calling on decision makers in states including Tennessee, South Carolina, Louisiana, Florida, and Mississippi to press the advantage. Some states have already held primaries while others, including Louisiana’s are now on hold.

In response, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries vowed to meet Republicans in the political gutter, promising further retaliatory redistricting in solid blue states. Speaking to reporters, Jeffries said, “All options are on the table as we get through the 2026 election and look to the future. As many governors have already indicated, we will be prepared to respond in states like New York, Illinois, and Maryland, as well as in Colorado, in advance of the 2028 election.”

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Hochul was equally combative, positing on social media, “The Supreme Court has been chipping away at our elections for years. It is clearly carrying out Donald Trump’s will with this decision. New York has always led the fight for voting rights, and we’ll lead again. I’m working with the Legislature to change New York’s redistricting process so we can fight back against Washington’s attempts to rig our democracy.” Stewart-Cousins echoed those remarks at the Democratic Rural Caucus event this weekend. This has been a messy process and one that is sure to further turn off many voters, but with this decision, the process is far from over. Stay tuned, as this will not be the last you hear about redistricting ahead of November’s midterms and the 2028 presidential election. 

While American/Canadian relations may be temporarily frayed, the City of Good Neighbors is extending that courtesy to our friends to the North. It was really cool to be a part of it.

Finally, Scottish soccer fans have been left howling after a major sportswear giant rolled out a new line of pet-sized kits, but notably left Scotland’s men’s national team on the sidelines. Read on!

Adidas photo

 Two great moments for OD&A’s Junior Associates this week!

Thomas O’Donnell presented his impressive science project regarding speed, aerodynamics, and Hot Wheels at the Elmwood Franklin School Science Fair. The project showcased his hard work, creativity, and excellent public speaking. We are very proud of him!

Meanwhile, Elsie O’Donnell was showered with ribbons for her performance at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center’s Spring Horse Show. Once again, she demonstrated confidence, determination, and her growing equestrian skills. Well done Elsie! We are very proud.

 -Jack O’Donnell

Congratulations to our Jack O’Donnell, 2026 Healthcare Heroes Honoree!

What an honor to be recognized as a Healthcare Heroes honoree by Schneps Media.

This recognition belongs to the entire OD&A team, but especially Jim Moore, Kara Hughes, Diane Ong, and Marc Cohen who are all key players in our healthcare practice. Thank you, as always, to our clients. They are the ones saving and transforming lives. It is a privilege to support their work and missions. Their commitment to serving our most vulnerable communities is what drives this work forward, helping expand access, advance equity, and improve outcomes across New York. Click photo to read on…

Jack O’Donnell on LinkedIn

How can Jack help your nonprofit? Connect with him here!

Jack on the run-up to a budget deal and more: 🎙️Reforming the budget process 🎙️Another push for the wealthy to pay more 🎙️SCOTUS voting rights ruling

Listen to this episode and catch up on all our past podcasts here!

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“Meet the Team” is our new podcast series highlighting the people who drive our firm’s success. This week we go ‘From the Lobby’ with Kara Hughes, OD&A’s Senior Advisor and Head of NYC Practice. From campaigns, to a New York senator’s office, to New York City Hall, Kara has built her career on the inside of government and politics.

She has shaped legislation, navigated crises, and now advises clients on how to move ideas forward. In this episode: 🎙️9/11 redevelopment & recovery efforts 🎙️What it takes to push policy past the finish line 🎙️NYC’s challenges and opportunities 🎙️Recharging & how she starts every day Give it a listen!

Earned-Wage Access Rules Should Protect Consumers, Not Credit Unions

When the car breaks down or the rent deadline moves up, waiting weeks for the payroll cycle is not an option for many New Yorkers. Read more in the Rochester Beacon.

Great to see so many leaders and community members out at today’s open house with Cook Properties CEO Jeffrey Cook!

Touring these homes in person makes it clear: modern manufactured housing is high quality, thoughtfully designed, and, importantly, attainable. At a time when New York is searching for real solutions to its housing crisis, this model offers a path forward that is both practical and scalable. Proud to be part of the conversation and excited about what comes next.

OD&A’s Marc Cohen LinkedIn

Watch a report on the Cook Properties Open House from Channel 10 News in Rochester here.

Janne Sirén Leaves Legacy of Dramatic Transformation at Buffalo AKG

Janne Sirén, who led the Buffalo AKG through the most significant expansion in its 165-year history and helped reshape its role in Western New York’s cultural landscape, will step down as director Oct. 31 after more than 13 years leading the organization. Read more in The Buffalo News.

Read more!

May 4, 1970: Ohio National Guard members fired into a crowd of Kent State University students protesting the Vietnam War, killing four and wounding nine. The event triggered a nationwide student strike and dealt a significant blow to the Nixon presidency.

Take a look back.

New York's 11 Most Scenic Drives From lush green views, stunning lakes and waterfalls to some urban hot spots, these are the areas that you will want to explore this spring! Read on!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

Senator Harckham on X: Climate Protestors in Albany on Earth Day

Good morning from Albany, New York, where legislators will celebrate President Ulysses S. Grant’s birthday by passing a seventh budget extender. Grant spent his last days in nearby Wilton, New York, close to Saratoga Springs, and completed his Personal Memoirs there. General Grant’s face is carved into the walls of the Capitol, and a historical marker commemorates the spot where his body rested “on the way to its final resting place.”

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If he were living today in Wilton, his residence in Manhattan would be subject to Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed pied-à-terre tax, an annual surcharge on non-primary residences valued at $5 million or more. That proposal, Hochul insists, is where the debate about raising taxes begins and ends. Nonetheless, progressive advocates and influential labor unions continue to push for additional tax increases on corporations and wealthy individuals. In a letter sent to Hochul, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a group of influential unions, including the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council and District Council 37, urged leadership to support the Senate’s proposed statewide corporate tax increase and the Assembly’s proposed personal income tax increase. The letter reads in part, “At this pivotal moment in the budget process, New York’s leaders face a clear choice: Stand with working families confronting an escalating affordability crisis, or protect the ultra-wealthy and most profitable corporations that have long avoided paying what they owe.”

Hochul insists she’s done raising taxes, but unions and the left want more.

A massive group of unions and left-leaning organizations are demanding leaders not take the foot off the gas in fighting for more taxes.

Read more in the New York Post

Many lawmakers, especially those representing New York City, support these broader tax increases, given that the revenue expected from the pied-à-terre tax, estimated at $500 million, will do little to close New York City’s looming $5.4 billion budget gap. Senator Andrew Gounardes, who represents parts of Brooklyn, said, “The number we’re talking about is really small compared to the really unmet needs that exist for the city and the state. Five hundred million is nothing to sneeze at, but there’s a lot more we can do.” 

In addition to taxes, another major unresolved budget issue is Hochul’s unresolved changes to the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Reports indicate a recent leaders' meeting saw two options on the table. The first offered a 2029 deadline to adopt regulations to implement a cap-and-invest program (regulations originally due in 2024), and a 2040 deadline to meet emission reduction targets. The second path included Hochul’s originally proposed 2030 deadline for cap-and-invest and a 2050 deadline to achieve an 85% reduction in emissions from 1990 levels.

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While lawmakers have been more willing to give Hochul movement on the timelines rather than on changes to the emissions accounting methodology (which were not part of the leadership talks), some members and climate advocates feel they are being forced to choose between two bad options. Deborah Glick, Chair of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, said last week, “The suggestions from the governor were inadequate. These aren’t minor tweaks; these are serious changes. The science is telling us we have a shortened horizon, not a lengthened one. A big piece of the sticking point is when are we actually going to see regs? We know there is a process after we get regs, and that takes time. There is public comment, and people dig into the regs, so if you are already late on the regs, pushing them out another four or five years is not helpful.”

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Speaker Carl Heastie tried to assuage those concerns, arguing that the proposed options are just part of the negotiating process, telling reporters, “Sometimes when you try to resolve something, you put ideas out there, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the final or the only, but at some point you have to figure a path out. There was a discussion of two possible options, but I don’t think those are the final discussions.” The proposals were met with intense pushback from environmental advocates who were less gracious than Heastie, with Earthjustice’s New York Policy Advocate Liz Moran, saying, “It’s embarrassing that the Governor of NY’s climate agenda amounts to ‘no we can’t!’ when the Governors of TX, VA, IL, and CA—who also live in Trump’s America—continue to build out renewables and lower costs for struggling Americans.” In response, a spokesman for Hochul clapped back, “The advocates would rather bury their heads in the sand rather than recognize the very real challenges New York and other states with ambitious climate targets are facing. Reckless policies coming out of Washington, D.C., are driving prices up across the board, and New Yorkers cannot be expected to shoulder higher costs. Governor Hochul is pushing for common-sense reforms that will ensure New York remains a national climate and clean energy leader while prioritizing affordability for all New Yorkers and businesses.” Lawmakers are making progress on another issue, Hochul’s plan to reform the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to streamline the environmental review process for major housing developments. Heastie said that the Assembly has backed off on one of the more contentious sticking points, mandating prevailing wage for the fast-tracked projects, telling reporters, “It was put on the table, but it’s been taken off the table.” 

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The biggest issue holding up budget progress is Hochul’s plan to change auto insurance rules, and progress there remains elusive, with Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris calling it “the thorniest of the issues still pending.” Hochul is reportedly willing to back off on the plan to change the joint and several liability standard for defendants who are less than 50% at fault in exchange for lawmakers supporting everything else in her proposed package. Heastie explained why that specific proposal was a sticking point for his conference, telling reporters, “We were always concerned. You have a person who may have 25/50 auto insurance coverage, they hit a bus full of people, and if the bus is nowhere at fault and there are 50 people on the bus and they all get injured, they’re all looking at the 25/50 person. It’s really about people who get hurt in accidents—do they have the ability to get pain and suffering? So it is a conversation that is on the table.” It remains unclear whether that concession will be enough to get the legislature, which is skeptical that caging liability law will actually result in lower insurance premiums, to agree. Proponents of the plan have pointed to other states, such as Florida, which implemented similar reforms in 2022 and have seen incremental rate reductions in subsequent years. Speaking to reporters last week, Hochul said, “My expectation and the only motivation I have in pursuing this is to see premiums decline. What we expect will happen is that we start removing some of the unique aspects of New York, which is liability laws that end up with enormous jackpot payouts in court that you don’t see in other cases. I mean, that’s a huge driver. Plus, the laws on fraud need to be tightened up. I want stricter penalties. I want more aggressive enforcement.” 

To reach a deal, other significant pieces have become part of the conversation. One change is in how car insurance companies can automatically increase their rates without final approval from the state, specifically eliminating “flex rating,” which allows them to increase rates by up to 5% without prior approval from the state Department of Financial Services. Also on the table are proposed changes to New York’s “excess profits” law that require car insurance companies to return profits to policyholders above a threshold now set at 21%.

Together, that is at least positive, maybe some movement towards a potential budget deal.

OD&A’s VP of Public Affairs Ralph Ortega joined the Citizens Budget Commission’s monthly fireside chat where CBC President Andrew Rein interviewed Jackie Bray, the state's Director of State Operations. Bray, new to the role, called Gov. Hochul “incredibly fiscally responsible” as she and the Legislature continue to negotiate the long-overdue budget. Read on!

New York FY27 Assembly & Senate One-House Budget Analysis - O'Donnell & Associates

O'Donnell & Associates' One-House budget analysis of New York's FY27 Assembly and Senate proposals—covering taxes, housing, healthcare, education, and more. Read here!

In political news, some Republicans are having buyer's remorse over the national redistricting battle begun by President Donald Trump and Texas Republicans. On Tuesday, voters in Virginia narrowly approved a Democratic redistricting plan that could allow the party to pick up as many as four new seats in the midterm elections. In a response to GOP redistricting efforts in Texas (and elsewhere), Virginia held a referendum on a constitutional amendment that sought to authorize the Democratic-controlled Legislature to bypass the state’s bipartisan redistricting commission and implement a new congressional map through the end of the decade. A judge in Virginia blocked the state from certifying the election results, though the state’s Attorney General, Jay Jones, has vowed to appeal the decision.

Judge Blocks Virginia From Using New Congressional Maps, 1 Day After Redistricting Vote Passes

A state court judge blocked Virginia from moving forward with a redistricting effort, a roadblock in Democrats' efforts to redraw the state's congressional maps. More from CBS News.

As it currently stands, the GOP plan appears to have backfired, leaving Democrats in the same, if not slightly better, position than before the national redistricting fight began. All eyes are now on Florida, where the pressure will be on Governor Ron DeSantis to deliver a new map that could gain Republicans between 3 and 5 seats. The odds are stacked against DeSantis, as the Special Legislative Session starts on Tuesday and he has yet to propose a new map. Any changes this late in the game are also likely to draw a flurry of legal challenges. Even with favorable maps, GOP congressional candidates could be in for a rough November. A new report by the Cook Political Report found Democrats leading Republicans by six points on a generic congressional ballot. 

Are Democrats making real gains heading into the midterms?

LISTEN as Jack takes it on ‘From the Lobby.’ Also:🚗Why Governor Hochul won’t give up on auto insurance reform🏙️How the proposed $5M second-home tax is catching on⚽World Cup costs & why New Jersey is in Jack’s crosshairs!

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Of course, elections are not generic. Candidates matter, but money matters, too. A major ad buy from the Congressional Leadership Fund, the GOP Super PAC controlled by House Speaker Mike Johnson, has provided some insight into the Republican roadmap for maintaining control of the lower chamber. The $153 million ad buy will span across 38 media markets, including $13.9 million in South Texas, $20.4 million in Michigan, $18.6 million in New York City, and $12.6 million in Central California.

While a lot of the airtime reserved by Republicans is dedicated to defense, the $272 million ad-buy from the Democratic House Majority PAC is largely focused on offense. Mike Smith, the President of House Majority PAC, said in a statement, “With Trump’s numbers down wildly across the board, particularly on the economy and cost of living, it has given us an opportunity to go deeper and communicate with voters that traditionally voted Republican or haven’t voted at all, who are willing to take a chance on Democrats.” Even with the redistricting uncertainty, the group made a $20 million ad buy in Florida media markets, with $9 million in the Miami market to target GOP Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar and Carlos Gimenez, $6.6 million in the Tampa area for races against GOP Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Laurel Lee, and $3.9 million in the Orlando area to focus on embattled Republican Rep. Cory Mills. Other nontraditional spends include $13 million in South Texas for three competitive races and $11 million across Iowa, focused on Republican Reps. Zach Nunn near Des Moines and Mariannette Miller-Meeks in eastern Iowa. Stay tuned.

Finally, just when Mets fans thought it couldn’t get worse, the blows keep coming. It started with a seemingly harmless hug between Mr. Met and NYC Mayor Mamdani, spiraling into what fans are now calling the “Curse of the Mambino.” As if that wasn’t enough, even The New York Times piled on with a correction that only added to the pain!

 -Jack O’Donnell

Congratulations to our Marc Cohen, 2026 Who’s Who in Energy!

As VP of Government Affairs at O'Donnell & Associates, LLC, Marc is helping power New York’s future by guiding major battery storage projects that strengthen the grid and advancing clean energy across Upstate. Well-deserved recognition for transformative work shaping what’s next. Click photo for more!

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How can Marc help you? Connect with him here!

Jack goes ‘From the Lobby’ on the budget latest and more! 🎙️Small signs of progress 🎙️Push for Upstate pied-à-terre tax 🎙️Why World Cup sticker shock in New Jersey has raised Jack’s ire!

“Meet the Team” is our new podcast series highlighting the people who drive our firm’s success. This week we go ‘From the Lobby’ with Lauren Voorhees, a University of Toronto grad stepping into a full-time role in NYC.

Lauren is bringing a mix of legal insight, global experience, and next-gen thinking to her expanded Associate position. We get into: 🎙️How politics & psychology intersect 🎙️Advancing equal justice 🎙️How to win support for nonprofits 🎙️Lessons from living across Europe 🎙️World Cup energy! Give it a listen!

Big news from Goodwill of the Finger Lakes!

Thanks to Assemblymember Jennifer Lunsford, Goodwill secured $200,000 to purchase a textile shredder—a huge step forward for the circular economy! Right now, only about 15% of textiles are reused or recycled, with the rest ending up as waste. That means 17M tons of textile waste annually into landfills. This investment helps change that by giving new life to worn, torn, and non-sellable clothing! Grateful to the Assemblymember and her amazing staff for their leadership in supporting smart, practical solutions like this that make a real difference!

OD&A’s Marc Cohen on LinkedIn

WATCH: BronxNet’s Sahtrese McQueen reports on the Fund for The City of New York’s “True Cost of Living Report" for New York City, which cites that over 46% of New Yorkers struggle to meet basic necessities.

Read here!

April 27, 1981: The future quietly clicked into place… literally! The world’s first commercial computer mouse made its debut, hitching a ride on a sleek, wildly expensive personal computer that promised tomorrow… but became a spectacular flop. Take a look back here!

One of America’s Top Glamping Campgrounds is in Upstate NY A new ranking reveals the top destination for glamorous camping is right here in our own backyard. Take a look!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

NYS Assembly Photo

Good morning from Albany, New York, where lawmakers will pass a fifth budget extender later today. This after the third and fourth extenders were passed last week. Expect this, too, to run only a couple of days, keeping legislators in town and creating at least the appearance of progress. 

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The week past included Senate Democrats canceling conference on Tuesday, a clear signal that the sides remain far apart and some tension spilling into the public domain with Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris placing the blame squarely on Governor Kathy Hochul, telling reporters, “Movement is slow, frustration is growing. What it will take is flexibility from the executive.” Hochul took issue with that and outright accused the Trial Lawyers of lying about her auto insurance proposal, telling reporters, “I was responding to criticism that was trying to infer that we are the roadblocks, that we’re not trying to cooperate, we’re not trying to move this process along. And that is not true. When I don’t hear the truth, I’ll always call it out, including the trial lawyers that he is defending who are lying about cases.”

Are campaign donations driving the NY governor’s auto insurance reforms?

LISTEN here as Jack adds context ‘From the Lobby.’ Also:🎙️Tax hike that helps Mamdani & Hochul🎙️Blakeman cornered: fair or political hit?🎙️Buffalo Sabres rebirth!

A spokesperson for Hochul was less diplomatic, saying in a statement, “If Sen. Gianaris is interested in making progress, he should urge his colleagues to support the governor’s efforts to lower auto insurance rates, rather than defending a broken system that benefits the trial lawyers—one of the top donors to the Senate Campaign Committee he controls.” Gianaris said later in the week that the dust-up was in the “distant past,” but the episode is emblematic of the dysfunction that has become a hallmark of the budget process. More optimistically (albeit only slightly hopeful) was Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, indicating “incremental progress,” and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie telling reporters that “things are progressing” and that while “none of the big issues are settled,” they are still nearing a deal.

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In a big win for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Hochul has launched a proposal for a tax on property owners who have second homes in New York City worth more than $5 million, a so-called pied-à-terre tax. The proposal comes amid the backdrop of Mamdani’s threats to raise property taxes across New York City without an income tax increase to address his city’s $6 billion budget gap. The tax would be an annual surcharge on both in-state and out-of-state residents who own homes, condominiums, and co-ops in New York City, but do not declare them as primary residences.

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In a statement, Hochul said, “New York City is the greatest city in the world, and the people who call it home should not be left carrying the burden alone. As Governor, I understand the importance of stabilizing the city’s finances without compromising on essential services New Yorkers count on. If you can afford a $5 million second home that sits empty most of the year, you can afford to contribute like every other New Yorker.” Mamdani has touted the proposal as a big win for his “tax the rich” agenda, saying in a statement last week, “Alongside the governor, our administration is fighting every day to make sure we address this fiscal deficit fairly, where the wealthy contribute what they owe and our budget reflects our commitment to the working New Yorkers being priced out of our city.”

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The Hochul administration has estimated that the new policy would impact 13,000 properties across New York City and would generate $500 million annually. Some are having trouble squaring this with Hochul’s no new taxes rhetoric. The Real Estate Board of New York, the top lobbying group of the real estate industry, slapped a banner across the top of its website reading “Stop the pied-à-terre tax” and urged members to contact state representatives to voice their opposition. “This annual tax will weaken the city’s broader economy—all without addressing its fiscal problems in the first place. Albany should focus on policies that encourage investment and housing production to create a more affordable city, not ones that stifle its growth,” declared REBNY president James Whelan in a statement. That said, most folks with a second home worth over $5 million are likely not voting in New York, and Hochul is able to deliver for Mamdani and his progressive coalition while also keeping her promise on personal income taxes and corporate rates; all together a net win for Hochul.

Even in the midst of budget negotiations, Hochul had time to take an unsolicited phone call from former New Yorker President Donald Trump, who would be subject to the proposed pied-à-terre tax (although that was apparently not the impetus for the phone call). Describing the contents of the discussion to reporters last week, Hochul said, “He called me, he just wanted to talk... I don't know. Whenever I have someone of influence on a phone call, I'm gonna fight for New York no matter what the topic is, we're also very interested in expanding nuclear. There's some decisions being made on a Department of Energy program that will help facilitate my big ambition to build more nuclear in the State of New York that has been built in the last 30 years anywhere in the country. And I'm real excited about this as I'm trying to figure out what our new energy future looks like in light of all those headwinds that we're facing. So I never miss an opportunity to champion what my priorities are for New York.” When pressed for more detail, Hochul said, "I don't know what he said. Oh, he said something to the effect of, 'You got to make sure crime doesn't come up with the City. We don't want people leaving the City.’…I just listen...it's hard to describe.” 

New York FY27 Assembly & Senate One-House Budget Analysis - O'Donnell & Associates

O'Donnell & Associates' One-House budget analysis of New York's FY27 Assembly and Senate proposals—covering taxes, housing, healthcare, education, and more. Read here!

In Washington, D.C., Congress returned from its two-week recess with a long to-do list, but GOP infighting in the House quickly derailed leadership’s plans. The White House and Speaker Mike Johnson had been working for weeks on a vote to renew controversial government spy powers, known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, but had to settle for a two-week extension after 12 Republicans voted with almost all Democrats against the longer renewal. Johnson tried to downplay the vote’s significance, telling reporters, “We were very close tonight. There’s some nuances with the language, and some questions need to be answered, and we’ll get it done. The extension allows us the time to do that.” Despite Johnson’s public messaging, the embarrassing defeat is not only illustrative of the need to make further changes to the warrantless surveillance program, but one of the most notable instances of the GOP’s right flank defying Trump on a major floor vote.

Republicans Buck Trump to Reject 18-Month FISA Extension

Congress on Friday approved a short-term extension for a critical foreign surveillance program after GOP leaders failed to secure a longer term extension amid clamoring from some of their members for reforms to protect Americans’ privacy. More from CNN.

In the days leading up to the vote, Trump pleaded with Republicans to get on board with a clean extension, posting on social media, "I am asking Republicans to UNIFY and vote together on the test vote to bring a clean Bill to the floor. We need to stick together.” The public pressure did little to sway the holdouts, with Rep. Lauren Boebert offering, “The folks who are saying we want these reforms within FISA, we mean what we say, and that's not something that we're going to sidestep.” The Senate passed a short-term extension late on Friday to prevent the program from lapsing, and Johnson will now head back to the drawing board to bring a new bill to the floor in the next two weeks.  

In political news, The Cook Political Report shifted four Senate races in the Democrats’ favor, though the GOP remains favored to maintain its majority. In her analysis, the Report’s Senate and Governors Editor, Jessica Taylor, noted, “At the core of the GOP’s problems is President Donald Trump and his dipping approval ratings. Nothing he has done lately has boosted his party’s prospects—including an unpopular military action in Iran that sent gas prices skyrocketing, even as he has dismissed voters’ concerns about affordability.”

New Report Suggests Democrats Have Better Odds in Some Upcoming Senate Races

NPR's A Martinez asks Jessica Taylor of the Cook Political Report about a new report on the midterm outlook for U.S. Senate races. Listen here.

The updated projections moved two races from “Toss Up” to “Lean Democrat”—the fight to succeed retiring Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Sen. Jon Ossoff’s (D-Ga.) reelection campaign. In North Carolina, former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper is now favored to defeat former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley. Recruiting Cooper to run for Senate was seen as a major get for Democrats, given that he had won statewide elections in a state Trump had won three times. In Georgia, a crowded GOP primary field features Reps. Buddy Carter, Mike Collins, and former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley, all vying for the chance to unseat incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff.

The report also moved Sen. Jon Husted’s (R-Ohio) race from “Lean Republican” to “Toss Up,” and Sen. Pete Ricketts’s (R-Neb.) reelection attempt from “Solid Republican” to “Lean Republican.” Husted was appointed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to fill the seat vacated by Vice President J.D. Vance and will likely face former Senator Sherrod Brown, who is looking to resurrect his political career after losing to Senator Bernie Moreno in 2024. Ricketts was also appointed to his seat in 2023 to replace former Senator Ben Sasse and is running against independent candidate Dan Osborn, who lost to Republican Senator Deb Fischer in 2024. We will be watching these races very closely.

Finally, the founder of New York City’s ubiquitous SantaCon is on the naughty list after being arrested on charges of federal wire fraud last week. Read on!

SantaCon NYC

 -Jack O’Donnell

Congratulations to our Kara Hughes, 2026 Who’s Who in Government Relations!

Our Kara Hughes knows how to get the deal done! OD&A’s Senior Advisor and Head of NYC Practice has been named to City & State NY’s 2026 Who’s Who in Government Relations list! Kara brings the substance and strategy needed to shape policy and get it over the finish line! Click photo to learn more about her work!

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How can Kara help you? Connect with her here!

Jack goes ‘From the Lobby’ on the budget tensions and more! 🎙️Tax hike shift on the wealthy 🎙️Blakeman on the FOX-TV hot seat 🎙️Buffalo Sabres are back!

“Meet the Team” is our new podcast series highlighting the people who drive our firm’s success. ICYMI, listen as we go ‘From the Lobby’ with some members of our staff!

Sr. Advisor for Health Care Dr. Ellen Grant Chief of Staff Diane Ong VP of Public Affairs Ralph Ortega Senior Associate Michael Greco VP of Government Affairs Marc Cohen

VP and Policy Director Jim Moore Fellow Emily Sullivan Director of Communications Joanna Pasceri Associate Peter McGowan

HIV Positive and Finding One's Calling: An Interview with Rasheed Gonga of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation The nonprofit's advocacy lead in the Northeast discusses his life's journey and priorities for the AHF as he goes ‘On the Record’ with OD&A’s VP of Public Affairs Ralph R. Ortega. Read on!

Fund for the City of New York Report Highlights Financial Struggles of Working New Yorkers

Watch this ‘In Focus’ interview with FCNY’s Dr. Lisette Nieves and Dr. Aldrin Bonilla from Spectrum News NY1.

America’s Most Charitable Companies 2026

M&T Bank (an outstanding O'Donnell & Associates, LLC client!) was just recognized as the #1 overall company on Newsweek’s America’s Most Charitable Companies 2026 list! This is what real, consistent community investment looks like—showing up, giving back, and supporting organizations and people in meaningful ways year after year. Thank you M&T for setting the standard and for the impact you continue to have across the communities you serve! Click to see the full list!

OD&A’s Marc Cohen on LinkedIn

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Read here!

April 20, 1777: The first New York State Constitution is formally adopted by the Convention of Representatives of the State of New York, meeting in the Upstate town of Kingston. The Constitution opened by acknowledging that any reconciliation between Britain and the American colonies was unlikely, making it necessary to establish a new government in New York to maintain peace, stability, and order. Read on!

New York Names Its 10 Best Burgers New York voters have spoken, and 10 burgers are now battling for the title of best in the state. Sink your teeth into these finalists!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

Assembly ML Peoples-Stokes, a champion for organ and tissue donation, promoting the 2026 Doorways to Donation Act.

Good morning from Albany, New York, where Thomas Jefferson’s birthday today has come—and will go—without a final budget. Tomorrow, lawmakers are expected to pass a third short-term extender to cover state payroll and other essential services. The question remains, how long will the extender run?

Both extenders so far have been one-week budget extenders, a change from past years when Governor Kathy Hochul only authorized two or three-day extenders in order to hold legislators’ feet to the fire as negotiations continue. The longer timeframe is a welcome development for rank-and-file members, with Assembly Member Al Stirpe offering, “Maybe they’re trying to be nice to us.” He continued, “We can leave and go back to our districts and actually do something. The worst part is having to just stand around and wait for somebody to say, ‘Well, there’s an agreement.’ Us just spending money being here without any chance of accomplishing anything is really not very smart. So in that respect, it’s a good thing we’re doing it this way.” The length of this extender is anyone’s guess, but conventional wisdom over the last few days has been predicting another week. The length of the extender is also an indication of how close—or how far away—negotiations remain.

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According to all sources, the Legislature and Executive Chamber have not even begun conversations on dollars and cents—or table targets in budget parlance—instead continuing to work towards closing out the larger policy issues first. The biggest outstanding policy issue is Hochul’s proposed auto insurance regulations, with Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris declaring, “I don’t think we’re close.” Gianaris later added, “One of the reasons we haven’t made a lot of progress is we keep asking for data to justify the claim that fraud is driving higher insurance rates. There is no guarantee in anything she’s proposed that any savings that accrue to the insurance companies will be passed on to consumers at the end of the day.” Hochul took issue with that characterization, telling reporters last week, “It’s not me saying so, it’s proof from other states with the same reforms implemented. They have seen their prices, their premiums, go down. That is what my expectation is, and I’m convinced that will happen. We’re also looking at what we are capping insurance companies at. I don’t want excessive profits made by the insurance companies. I don’t want the trial lawyers lining their pockets from all of these outrageous cases they bring, because you know who is paying for that? Our drivers.” Both sides continue to dig in as they also invest in advertising and sponsorships, a brief glimpse into how many dollars are at stake here. This fight has a few more rounds left to go.

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Number two on the policy list? Changes Hochul is looking for regarding New York’s landmark climate law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). These negotiations remain particularly opaque as Hochul has not officially offered any amendments to the climate law in her proposed budget. The only details we have are an op-ed published in the Empire Report in late March. That said, we know Hochul’s rationale, based on a now-infamous NYSERDA memo, is to spare New Yorkers thousands of dollars a year in higher gas and electric costs. The CLCPA requires electric systems to be zero-emission by 2040. To attain this goal, 70% of the state’s electricity must be generated by renewable energy by 2030, and only zero-emission sources qualify as “renewable energy systems.” Reports indicate that Hochul wants to change the time horizon for measuring the global warming impact from 20 years to 100 years, add additional methods to the list of eligible renewable energy systems, and make additional technical amendments about what qualifies as zero-emission. Some folks argue that this all combines to benefit national gas production. A more in-depth look is here. Also worth a read, Hochul has company in this space.

As these (and a few others, including SEQRA changes) are resolved, the focus of the two women and a man in a room will turn to fiscal issues. That discussion will start with how much revenue the state has, and while Hochul continues to insist that her new budget will not include new taxes, proponents for increasing taxes on the wealthy are not backing down. A gaggle of protesters confronted her last week at a press conference at the Javits Center. Hochul waved at the protesters and said, “My friends follow me everywhere. What people may not realize, everything I’m doing is focused on trying to put money back in their pockets to make life more affordable in New York. And I will be unrelenting in that quest.”

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City Council Speaker Julie Menin provided Hochul some additional political cover, pushing back on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s assertion that he will be forced to raise property taxes if Albany does not give him the authority to hike income taxes. Speaking at the National Action Network, the social justice advocacy group founded by Al Sharpton, Menin said, “We’re also focused in the City Council on making sure that we are protecting the Black community. And by doing that, I say we have said a hard ‘No’ to raising property taxes by 9.5 percent. That is unacceptable, because if we were to do that, we would be hurting Black communities across our city.”

Mamdani indicated last week that raising property taxes is undesirable but said he is left with no choice in the face of New York City’s looming budget gap, telling reporters, “That it is a path of last resort, one that we will spend every single day looking to avoid as we pursue a path of working with Albany to increase taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers, the most profitable corporations and end the drain that has characterized the city’s relationship with the state.” 

New York FY27 Assembly & Senate One-House Budget Analysis - O'Donnell & Associates

O'Donnell & Associates' One-House budget analysis of New York's FY27 Assembly and Senate proposals—covering taxes, housing, healthcare, education, and more. Read here!

Further complicating budget negotiations is the news that Liz Krueger, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, suffered a mild stroke earlier this month. Reports indicate that she is recovering and in touch with staff and her colleagues. I first got to know Senator Krueger during her first run for the Senate, and then got to know her better soon thereafter as a volunteer on her ultimately successful Special Election campaign. Few in New York match her wit, wisdom, command of the budget process, or her fidelity and advocacy in support of her beliefs. We wish her a speedy recovery.

Crystal Peoples-Stokes to Retire from State Assembly

Jack talks to WBEN’s Tom Puckett about the announcement from the prominent WNY politician that she’s not running for reelection.

Another point of personal privilege, a well-deserved thank you to Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, who announced last week that she will not be seeking reelection after serving in the Assembly for the past 23 years. I was honored to get to know her during her time in the Erie County Legislature, and I am proud to have worked on her 1998 Congressional campaign, her first race for the Assembly, and her first winning Assembly race. She has been a force in our community and in Albany her entire career. In an age when politicians like to talk, Crystal has always been the kind of leader who listened... and then got something done. I am grateful for her leadership, friendship, and all she has done for New York, especially Western New York. She will serve through the end of the year, but will be sorely missed.

🔊Why are so many state lawmakers heading for the exits?

LISTEN to Jack’s take as he goes ‘From the Lobby.’ Plus:🎙️Who could replace Crystal Peoples-Stokes as Majority Leader?🎙️Biggest budget fight 🎙️Conflicting NYC polls

In political news, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman has filed a lawsuit against the New York State Public Campaign Finance Board (PCFB) and the State Board of Elections (BOE) seeking to overturn his campaign’s disqualification from millions of dollars in public campaign funds. The PCFB disqualified Blakeman in March because his running mate, Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood, failed to submit the required paperwork. However, the Blakeman campaign has argued that his campaign registered in December, and the new state law requiring governor and lieutenant governor candidates to run and file as a single ticket did not take effect until January, nor did anyone inform the campaign about the changing requirements. This continues to be a black eye for Democrats and democracy. If Blakeman’s lawsuit is successful, he could have access to up to $7 million in public financing. 

Political Shakeups & Voter Impact

Byron Brown, Brian Higgins, and Joe Emminger are among area elected leaders who have stepped away in the middle of their terms. Jack weighs in with WBEN’s Tom Puckett.

Georgia held a Special Runoff Election last week to fill the seat vacated by former Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Republican attorney Clay Fuller, Trump’s pick to fill the seat, defeated Democrat Shawn Harris in the 14th Congressional District, giving Mike Johnson slightly more breathing room as he continues to navigate one of the slimmest majorities in history. However, Democrats are finding a silver lining in the results. In 2024, Trump won the district by almost 37 points, and Greene won by about 29 points. Fuller defeated Harris by only 12 points on Tuesday, marking the largest swing against the GOP in seven House special elections during President Donald Trump's second term, compared with the 2024 presidential results. We will see in seven months whether that swing ultimately holds or is enough to change control of Congress. Of course, Democrats continue to have their own problems: a sexual assault scandal in the California governor’s race and a House ethics problem in Florida.

2026 CPR House Race Ratings

The CPR House Race Ratings assess the competitiveness of all 435 House elections.

Well done to New York State Commissioner of Labor Robert Reardon for naming the Albany DOL HQ after Frances Perkins. Perkins is an inspiration to many of us.

While some are heading further into space, others are opening a new frontier underwater.

Finally, reports of the death of the world’s oldest tortoise appear to be premature.  At 193 years old, you’d think nothing could faze him—but the internet nearly buried him! Read on!

 -Jack O’Donnell

Congratulations to our Michael Greco, 2026 Trailblazer in Transportation!

We are thrilled to announce that Greco, OD&A’s Senior Associate, has been named to the prestigious list by City & State NY. The list highlights influential leaders driving smarter, stronger transportation policy across the state. Click his photo to learn more about his work!

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Jack goes ‘From the Lobby’ on the budget crawl and more! 🎙️Who could replace AM Peoples-Stokes as Majority Leader? 🎙️Biggest budget fight 🎙️Conflicting NYC polls

“Meet the Team” is our new podcast series highlighting the people who drive our firm’s success. ICYMI, listen as we go ‘From the Lobby’ with some members of our staff!

Sr. Advisor for Health Care Dr. Ellen Grant Chief of Staff Diane Ong VP of Public Affairs Ralph Ortega Senior Associate Michael Greco VP of Government Affairs Marc Cohen

VP and Policy Director Jim Moore Fellow Emily Sullivan Director of Communications Joanna Pasceri Associate Peter McGowan

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OD&A’s Marc Cohen on LinkedIn: Weather Cooperates With New Goodwill Store Opening

For anyone keeping track (I am), every time Goodwill of the Finger Lakes opens a new store, the weather shows up! Today in Chili was no exception. But more importantly, this new location is another step forward in a mission that goes far beyond retail. Every donation given a second life helps power critical services across our community, from 2-1-1 and 9-8-8 to the Goodwill Learning Academy and workforce development programs that change lives. Thank you CEO Jennifer Lake and your team for making it happen!

More here!

April 13, 1943: FDR dedicates the Jefferson Memorial in honor of former President Thomas Jefferson. Calling the memorial a “shrine to freedom,” FDR spoke of the parallels between Jefferson’s challenges in the founding of the republic, and those being experienced at the time by a nation embroiled in a world war.

Look back here!

Best New York Towns For Retirement The secret to retiring in New York? It’s all about location! Which communities are ranked the best for starting your next chapter? Check out the list!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

The New York State Senate Chamber

Good morning from Buffalo, New York, where Dyngus Day is definitely a thing.

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Tomorrow, the OD&A Team will join the state legislature in Albany, where the state budget is officially five days late and the discussion centers around the length of the next short-term extender rather than the substance of the budget. Furthermore, it appears little to no negotiations have happened since the last extender was passed, although the holiday weekend certainly was a factor in the absence of real discussion. Nonetheless, with no immediate end in sight, lawmakers will need a new budget extender before Wednesday to ensure payroll and other obligations are met. 

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As highlighted in last week’s Monday Morning Memo, Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal to delay and modify emissions mandates originally adopted through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) has been one of the main issues holding up any budget movement, yet lawmakers say they have still not seen actual budget language from the Executive Chamber, which makes it difficult to negotiate. Liz Krueger, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, told reporters last week, “We still don’t think we have full language from the governor of what she’s actually proposing. I wish I could tell you there was a specific proposal in writing to share with everyone. But we don’t have one.”

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At the same time, Hochul is holding the line on her plan to lower auto insurance costs despite skepticism from colleagues in the state legislature and intense pushback from the Trial Lawyers Association. When asked about the timing of a final budget last week, Hochul offered, “We have to be louder than the special interests who are trying to hijack my agenda, which is exclusively focused on affordability for New Yorkers. Will it be done on time? I always strive for an on-time budget. It’s due April 1, but I’m just trying to persuade people that I’m fighting for New Yorkers.” 

Just ask Jack: What’s the impact of a late state budget?

LISTEN as Jack joins the morning team at WBEN to discuss the late budget, including the issues holding up the process and how long talks are expected to drag on.

In addition to the CLCPA amendments and auto insurance reform, Hochul and the legislature still need to reach an agreement on issues such as immigration protections, tax increases, and public-sector pension reforms.

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Even with the plethora of issues still on the table, Budget Director Blake Washington is optimistic that the process will not drag into May as it did last year. Speaking to reporters at the Capitol last week, Washington said, “Once everybody returns from the holiday season, we hit the ground running, and I don’t think it should be very long after that. I don’t see any reason it should drag into a repeat of last year. That being said, the governor has been very, very clear on what her needs are out of this process.”

Of course, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie will help dictate the timing of a final budget, and both have been lukewarm on some of Hochul’s major proposals. On auto insurance reform, Heastie offered, ”The fact that if, God forbid, you are the primary reason there is an accident, you will no longer be entitled to pain and suffering. That is a pretty serious thing for people to accept.” Stewart-Cousins did not outright reject Hochul’s proposed amendments to the CLCPA, but highlighted the need to include measures aimed at addressing rising utility rates in the short-term, saying, “Any conversation has to include things that are really going to help people, I think the Assembly put something in its one-house that would offer rebates or whatever, which we are open to.” 

New York FY27 Assembly & Senate One-House Budget Analysis - O'Donnell & Associates

O'Donnell & Associates' One-House budget analysis of New York's FY27 Assembly and Senate proposals—covering taxes, housing, healthcare, education, and more. Read here!

The politics of an election year make negotiations a little more complicated, especially for the majority members facing primaries from their left flanks, but also as a factor for Hochul. There is plenty of speculation that Hochul is happy to travel the state talking about affordability—promising savings to ratepayers on auto insurance and preventing price increases tied to climate goals—and standing as the bulwark against personal income and corporate tax increases is a place where Hochul is very comfortable. They are not wrong. She is, in her own words, “… just trying to persuade people that I’m fighting for New Yorkers.” That eliminates, or at least limits, any urgency to have a budget done soon. Pick up a good book because it may be a bit.

There is a little more action in New York City, where federal prosecutors unsealed a 20-page indictment accusing two nonprofit leaders of fraud related to their work running city-funded homeless shelters. According to a search warrant used in the investigation, federal prosecutors are also probing whether an aide to Hochul, Debbie Louis, and New York City Council Member Farah Louis (the two are sisters) accepted kickbacks in conjunction with appropriating city dollars to BHRAGS Home Care Corp. The search warrant also names Edu Hermelyn, the husband of Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who also serves as Chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party. The Louis sisters have not been formally accused of any wrongdoing, but federal investigators raided both of their residences last month, seizing cell phones and other electronics. The indictment alleges that Ronald Tirelus and Roberto Samedy, who helped lead BHRAGS Home Care Corp., stole money from the non-profit and accepted kickbacks from vendors seeking to do business with BHRAGS. In a statement, a spokesman for the non-profit said, "For more than 50 years, BHRAGS has served New Yorkers in need with integrity and the highest ethical standards, and we take the allegations against Mr. Samedy seriously.” Debbie Louis has been placed on administrative leave from Hochul’s office, while Council Member Farah Louis has not been seen at City Hall since news of the investigation was made public. 

In other concerning news, New York State’s public campaign matching funds program is off to a shaky start for its first gubernatorial race, with Hochul opting out of the program and her GOP challenger, Bruce Blakeman, being denied access because of a technicality. The Public Campaign Finance Board ruled 4 to 3 on a strictly partisan vote that Blakeman was disqualified from the program because his running mate, Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood, did not submit paperwork to qualify for matching funds. This was a new requirement introduced late in 2025, and the Board did not create a form that included spaces for the governor and lieutenant governor. Further, in the past, the Board has made other candidates aware of similar paperwork errors and has allowed them sufficient time to remedy those mistakes. That courtesy—or fairness—was not extended in this case. Republican Brian Kolb, Vice Chair of the Public Campaign Finance Board and former Assembly Minority Leader, said of the decision, “This is an abomination of trying to do bureaucratic nonsense, to try to eliminate candidates for an election and it defeats the whole purpose of a public campaign finance board to give confidence to the voters, to the donors that want to participate.” The decision is a blow to the Blakeman campaign as he tries to keep pace with Hochul, who already has $20 million cash on hand. 

While Blakeman still lags in fundraising, a new poll released by Siena University last week offered some hope for his campaign. The survey found Hochul leading Blakeman 47-34%, down from the 20-point lead she held in February. In a statement, Blakeman said, “We’re closing the gap at lightning speed because New Yorkers need real relief from Kathy Hochul’s cost-of-living crisis, and they'll get it with my plan to cut income taxes, slash utility bills in half, and make New York affordable.” Hochul’s favorability rating, 45-42%, and her job approval rating, 52-40%, remain largely unchanged, but independents now favor Blakeman by seven points after favoring Hochul by five points in past polls. Hochul’s campaign released a statement after the latest poll, saying, “Every day, Kathy Hochul is delivering for New Yorkers—lowering costs, investing billions to keep families safe, and standing up to Donald Trump—while Bruce Blakeman is offering the opposite: higher prices, Medicaid cuts, and letting Trump’s ICE trample on New Yorkers’ rights. That’s how you become a six-time loser, and it’s why Blakeman is being rejected again.” It is too early to tell if this is real movement in the campaign or a reflection of the national mood. Learn more by listening to our From the Lobby podcast this week and stay tuned.

Thanks to a Good Friday confession, calm has been restored at a pub in South West England after its beloved cuddly mascot disappeared, courtesy of one too many drinks.

Finally, it started with a truckload of stolen KitKat bars and all the makings of a PR nightmare. But instead of melting down, the brand leaned in, and the chocolate heist turned into a surprisingly sweet win. Read on!

nestle.com

 -Jack O’Donnell

Jack goes ‘From the Lobby’ on the late budget and more: 🎙️How long will talks drag on? 🎙️Blakeman’s campaign funding snafu 🎙️NYC budget battle

“Meet the Team” is our new podcast series highlighting the people who drive our firm’s success. ICYMI, listen as we go ‘From the Lobby’ with some members of our staff!

Sr. Advisor for Health Care Dr. Ellen Grant Chief of Staff Diane Ong VP of Public Affairs Ralph Ortega Senior Associate Michael Greco VP of Government Affairs Marc Cohen

VP and Policy Director Jim Moore Fellow Emily Sullivan Director of Communications Joanna Pasceri Associate Peter McGowan

UB Secures Funding for Cross-Border Supply Chains

Rep. Tim Kennedy announces the School of Management will receive $1.03 million in federal funding to help small- and medium-sized businesses navigate the challenges of cross-border trade. Read on!

WATCH: PIX11’s Monica Morales is joined by Aldrin Rafael Bonilla, Executive Vice President for OD&A client, Fund for the City of New York, for a powerful conversation on the true cost of living and why nearly half of working New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet, plus real solutions for families right now.

More here!

April 6, 1980: 3M introduces Post-it Notes, and they are an instant sensation! From desks to fridges to offices, those sticky squares became a daily essential and are still wildly popular today. Find out how they were discovered here!

29 Ways to Entertain Your Kids in New York City This Spring Need some ideas for shaking off the winter doldrums in the Big Apple? Check out these ideas!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

Senate One-House Budget Includes 15% Increase For Upstate Public Transit

Good morning from Albany, where the New York State 2026-2027 Budget is about to be late. Again.

The Legislature passed one important bill—a debt services package of about $10.6 billion—last week, but the wait is on for a budget extender bill to continue to fund state government (and pay state workers) as an agreement on the remaining budget bills is not close. During the floor debate on that bill, powerful Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger declared, “I can assure everyone here we will not have budget bills completed before the April 1 deadline.”

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The biggest question today is the term of that extension; presumably past Passover, Easter, and Dyngus Day. “Normally it would be for a week,” Assembly Ways and Means Chair J. Gary Pretlow mused during the Assembly floor debate. “But the calendar this year is really working against us in this entire budget process.” Worth noting, state legislators are not paid until the entire budget is passed. Of course, everyone in Albany says a late budget is better than an on-time budget.

A number of high-profile issues remain, notably Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposals on climate and auto insurance, as well as, to a lesser extent, Hochul’s proposal on building/making changes to the SEQRA process. Deputy Senate Majority Leader Mike Gianaris last week blamed the delay on these non-fiscal issues: “This is the problem when you start inserting non-budget items into the budget. On the numbers, we could wrap this budget up by next week. But the things we’re caught up on are policy debates that don’t really have, strictly speaking, anything to do with the state budget.”

Wall Street's 2025 Bonuses Reached Unprecedented Levels

Read more from ABC News.

A budget flag for next year? A new report from state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli predicts Wall Street bonuses to come in at 9 percent higher than last year. Good numbers, especially if you work on Wall Street. However, the New York City financial plan envisioned the Wall Street bonus pool to be 15 percent higher, and New York’s Executive proposal predicted it would be 26 percent higher. “This is good news,” DiNapoli said. “It doesn't mean it's great news, because the city and the state were anticipating an increase in the bonus pool, and actually, the numbers we have are probably just a little bit shy of what had been initially anticipated.” More of a next year problem. Another concern? The Comptroller found that New York’s securities industry continues to lose workers. After a 30-year high of 201,500 employees in 2024, the state clocked 198,200 workers in that sector last year.

Back to this year, one of the key sticking points continues to be Hochul’s proposal to crack down on auto insurance fraud in the hopes of driving down premiums for New Yorkers. The New York Trial Lawyers Association remains in staunch opposition, arguing that the proposal will “take away New Yorkers’ rights to fair and adequate compensation,” and that insurance companies will not pass savings on to consumers. Despite the intense opposition from outside groups and many in the legislature, the proposal is a key tenet of Hochul’s affordability agenda, and she does not appear to be backing down. A Hochul spokesperson said, “Governor Hochul is committed to enhancing safety on New York's roads and driving down the exorbitant costs of auto insurance for everyone. Governor Hochul's plan will bring down costs, hold bad actors accountable, and put an end to fraudulent stunts that put people in harm's way.” Democrats in the Senate have a more nuanced view, according to Deputy Leader Gianaris, and are worried about a ripple effect: “Some of the solutions that have been advanced might encourage insurance companies to claim fraud on just about every claim because that would allow them to withhold payments from what I gathered from the governor’s proposal.” More to come.

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Hochul and her colleagues in the legislature remain divided on rollbacks of the state’s flagship 2019 Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act (CLCPA) amid soaring utility prices. Hochul has argued that changes are needed to address affordability concerns and has proposed changing how the state accounts for methane gas emissions and pushing the deadline for cap-and-invest guidelines to 2030. In an op-ed earlier this month, Hochul wrote, “These impossible emission reduction targets… only used by NY and one other state… will ensure our failure despite all of our efforts and billions of dollars spent.”

As the budget battle in Albany drags on, who wins the fight over climate rollbacks? 🌎

Listen as Jack goes ‘From the Lobby’ on what’s dividing lawmakers and how it could play out. Also:🎙️Immigration debate🎙️Mamdani’s new strategy🎙️Lawler’s limos & Blakeman’s woes

Environmental advocates and their allies in the legislature are not convinced that changes to the law are necessary, with Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Deborah Glick offering, “You cannot change science, and the issue of the accounting method, regardless of whether it is consistent with other states or, even an international body, the science has advanced.”  

Could State Legislators Be Warming to Hochul's Proposed Climate Act Changes?

Changes to the Climate Act are a sticking point in finalizing the state budget which is likely to be completed late. Read more in the Times Union.

One area where Hochul and environmentalists agree is the need to reform New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to spur multi-unit housing development. At a roundtable on the issue last week, Hochul offered, “For too long, red tape has stood in the way of communities building the housing and infrastructure that New Yorkers desperately need. That’s why this year, I proposed that when a community says yes to housing and to critical infrastructure like clean water and childcare facilities, we are going to let them build.” In further evidence that Albany creates strange bedfellows, proponents of Hochul’s SEQRA reforms include Earthjustice, Citizens Budget Commission, the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), the Regional Plan Association, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Elizabeth Moran, a policy advocate at Earthjustice, said, “We can do both. We can build more housing, and we can protect the environment,” while Andrew Rein, the president at the Citizens Budget Commission, offered, “We’re talking about here modestly sized, multi-unit housing, up to 500 units in the city on the governor’s proposal, up to 100 units outside the city, and this is not in green, field sites previously disturbed or developed sites.” The Senate’s proposal is more expansive, allowing a greater number of housing units to be subject to the reformed SEQRA guidelines, while the Assembly's proposal includes a new prevailing wage requirement and sunsets the reforms in 2029. Stay tuned to see where they land in the final budget.  

New York FY27 Assembly & Senate One-House Budget Analysis - O'Donnell & Associates

O'Donnell & Associates' One-House budget analysis of New York's FY27 Assembly and Senate proposals—covering taxes, housing, healthcare, education, and more. Read here!

Other issues that still need to be ironed out include New York City’s looming $5.4 billion budget gap, with Mamdani and his progressive allies in the legislature pushing for increases in corporate and personal income taxes. Hochul has insisted there will be no tax increases, but is committed to working with Mamdani to plug the budget gap, saying last week, “We’ll also find a path to help the city.” Hochul is also working with the legislature to find a mutually agreeable package of bills to codify immigrant protections and combat what they see as federal overreach. Among the measures being considered are a ban on formal cooperation agreements between local law enforcement agencies and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as 287(g) agreements; prohibiting federal immigration authorities from entering sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and houses of worship; and the creation of a law to allow New Yorkers to sue federal immigration officers for alleged violations of their civil rights.  

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To make the case for her desired policy proposals, Hochul has been traversing the state and holding rallies in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Long Island. The rallies have promoted her “Let Them Build” agenda, focusing primarily on affordability, expediting housing development, and increasing access to childcare. 

Supreme Court Declines to Hear Challenge to New York's Even-Year Election Law

The state Court of Appeals ruled in October that the law is constitutional. More from Spectrum News.

In election news, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case challenging the constitutionality of a New York law that moves almost all local elections to even-numbered years to align with federal election cycles. The law was originally passed in 2023, with proponents arguing that streamlined elections would reduce costs for municipalities and increase turnout for local races. The Supreme Court was the last hope for Republicans seeking to invalidate the law, after the New York Court of Appeals affirmed its constitutionality in October. Senator James Skoufis, the author of the law, offered last week, “Democracy won today—again—and every Republican who set their constituents’ money on fire as they waged this pathetic, no-chance effort owes their taxpayers an apology.”  

In Florida, Democrats flipped two legislative seats in last week’s special election, including the state House district in Palm Beach County that includes Trump’s home of Mar-a-Lago. Emily Gregory, a first-time candidate with a background in public health and mental health administration, defeated Republican Jon Maples, a financial planner who previously held a local council seat. The victory will not change the Florida Legislature's Republican supermajority, but will certainly energize Democrats heading into November’s midterm election. While Democrats have traditionally overperformed in special elections, the GOP incumbent—then-state Rep. Mike Caruso—won the House District 87 by 19 points in 2024. A nice victory for Democrats. 

Finally, a diaper-wearing kangaroo is on the run in Wisconsin. Startled by two barking dogs, Chesney cleared the fence at a petting zoo and has been spotted bouncing all over town, but so far, has eluded capture. Read on!

 -Jack O’Donnell

Jack goes ‘From the Lobby’ with a budget update and more: 🎙️Climate/immigration debate 🎙️Mamdani’s new strategy 🎙️Lawler’s limos & Blakeman’s struggles

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“Meet the Team” is our new podcast series highlighting the people who drive our firm’s success. This week, we’re introducing you to the newest face on the OD&A staff, Peter McGowan!

The WNY native, experienced in campaigns and government relations, is already in the mix in Albany. We get into: 🎙️When this career path first clicked for him 🎙️How government decisions actually happen 🎙️Life in Albany 🎙️Movie obsession & favorite sports teams

OD&A’s Marc Cohen on LinkedIn: Great to Welcome NYS Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy to The Strong Museum of Play  

We’re grateful for Commissioner Moy’s engagement and thoughtful exploration of the museum’s approach to visitor experience, programming, and design. As New York looks to the future of its flagship cultural institutions, there is real value in learning from models like The Strong, which deliver exceptional experiences and meaningful impact. Read more!

Instagram post

Several UB Programs Rank Among the Top 50 in the U.S.

Ranked among the country’s top 10 for dentistry, the School of Dental Medicine highlights UB rankings. Read on!

The 2026 Above & Beyond: Women

City & State is pleased to present the remarkable women leaders who are moving New York forward. Read on!

Read more.

March 30, 1981: President Ronald Reagan is shot and wounded in an assassination attempt by John Hinckley, Jr; three others, including press secretary James Brady, are also wounded. Take a look back here. Watch here how it changed presidential security.

Photo courtesy of Reagan Library

26 New York State Trip Ideas Want to get away without leaving New York State? Here is a list of must-see trips and can’t-miss events in 2026. Check it out!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

Governor Hochul on X

Good morning from Albany, New York, where there are eight days left before the state budget is due, and most of us are preparing for budget overtime! Governor Kathy Hochul’s push to revisit and delay the state’s 2019 flagship climate law, the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act (CLCPA), has dashed the hopes of legislators and lobbyists hoping for an on-time, or at least a more realistic timely, final budget.

Gov. Hochul Op-ed: Climate Action and Affordability Can and Must Go Hand-In-Hand

Read in Empire Report.

In an op-ed in the Empire Report last week, Hochul unveiled changes she is seeking to the CLCPA, focusing mainly on extending the deadlines for emission-reduction mandates. Hochul offered, “We need more time, and so I am proposing we amend the law to require regulations to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions to be issued at the end of 2030. We are seeking to change what emission limits the regulations are tied to—including a new 2040 target as well as the existing 2050 statewide emission limits. Nothing else in the CLCPA is changing regarding the existing statewide emission limit targets, and these new regulations would still require the state to make timely progress, ensuring long-term policy stability.” Hochul is also interested in changing how the state measures its progress on climate goals, writing, “Additionally, we need to change the accounting methodology we use to count emissions to align with the international standards used by the global community and nearly every other U.S. state. Otherwise, these impossible emission reduction targets… only used by NY and one other state… will ensure our failure despite all of our efforts and billions of dollars spent.” 

NY Renews Coalition Responds to Governor Hochul’s Proposal to Weaken New York’s Climate Law

Read its statement here.

Unsurprisingly, environmental advocates are not pleased with Hochul’s proposed rollbacks and will be turning up the heat on members of the legislature to keep the law intact. Liz Moran, a New York policy advocate at Earthjustice, told reporters, “One thing to know, is the Climate Law that the governor is seeking to now roll back through secret backdoor budget negotiations, has been the law of New York state for seven years. The governor has been in office for five of those years, and rather than put the law in place, implement the law and start cutting these high energy bills New Yorkers are suffering from, the governor is looking to roll back this key tool.” Earlier this month, 29 of the 41 Democratic state Senators signed onto a letter affirming that they “categorically oppose any effort to roll back New York’s nation leading climate law,” indicating Hochul will have her work cut out for her in negotiations. 

As Hochul unveils her climate law proposal, the Assembly EnCon chair draws a line.

Glick sees a path to agreement on changing deadlines, but is strongly opposed to altering the accounting methodology. Read more from Spectrum News.

That said, Governors have a lot of power through the budget process. Acknowledging that, Sen. Pete Harckham, Chair of Environmental Conservation, emphasized his deep opposition, but conceded the final budget will likely include changes to the climate law: “If the governor presents something, I believe it will [be in the budget]. The governor is insisting we do it in the budget, and if that’s the case, then we work collaboratively to try to get to a place where she feels she’s not in a jam and we continue to move the state forward.”

Twitter tweet

Another point of contention is Hochul’s proposal to change the insurance law in the hope of lowering auto insurance rates for New Yorkers, setting off a high-profile and expensive lobbying campaign between insurance companies and the Trial Lawyers. A key part of her proposal would cap awards for damages, limiting payouts to individuals found to be more than 50% responsible for an accident. The current law on the books allows individuals to recover damages even if they are mostly at fault for the wreck. The other change would limit what is classified as a “serious injury” to prevent massive payouts that are not proportionate to the extent of one’s injuries, with the goal that limiting payouts might bring down premiums for all New Yorkers. Speaking to reporters last week, Hochul said, “New Yorkers deserve this. They need elected officials who are willing to take on the deeply entrenched interests that have prohibited anyone from even retouching reforms in our legal system or going after criminals. We need a little bit more courage in public life these days.”

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The Trial Lawyers Association, a powerful lobby in Albany representing 3,500 civil attorneys, is skeptical of Hochul’s motives, with Trial Lawyers Association President Andrew Finkelstein saying, “All that is occurring is an effort to take away New Yorkers’ rights to fair and adequate compensation when they've been involved in a traumatic event. And the rights that are being taken away result in increased profits to the insurance company, and that's it.”

Jeff Korek, a past president of the Trial Lawyers, had doubts that the proposed changes would lead to lower premiums, telling reporters last week, “The only things that are definite are death and taxes. I’ve never seen taxes go down, and I have no hope whatsoever that insurance companies are going to start refunding premiums to people in New York. It’s a ruse. It’s not going to happen.” 

New York FY27 Assembly & Senate One-House Budget Analysis - O'Donnell & Associates

O'Donnell & Associates' One-House budget analysis of New York's FY27 Assembly and Senate proposals—covering taxes, housing, healthcare, education, and more. Read here!

Hochul also doubled down on her opposition to any tax increases at a Politico NY forum last week. In her remarks, Hochul declared, “Maybe the first step should be to go down to Palm Beach and see who we can bring back home because our tax base has been eroded… I have to look at the fact that we are in competition with other states that have less of a tax burden on their corporations and their individuals.” The remarks come as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his progressive allies are pushing for an additional 2% citywide income tax on individuals making more than one million dollars, as well as other revenue raisers like lowering the estate tax threshold. 

What’s behind the recent buzz around a unified #Ireland?

LISTEN as our Jack O'Donnell goes ‘From the Lobby’ to explain. Also:🎙️Budget vibe in Albany🎙️Can the governor win climate & auto insurance reforms?🎙️War vote & SAVE Act

In legislative news, New York Attorney General Letitia James is putting her powerful political support behind a bill aimed at preventing surveillance pricing via electronic shelf labels (ESLs). James joined lawmakers and labor unions, including the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and Retail, Wholesale, and Department Stores Unions (RWDSU), to rally against the practice, which uses algorithmic data to set prices tailored to individual shoppers. In her remarks, James offered, “This online pricing model hits hardest where it hurts the most—food, medicine, diapers, and other essentials. We all have all been focused on the issue of affordability across this state.” The legislation is sponsored by Deputy Senate Majority Leader Michael Gianaris and Assembly Member Michaelle Solages. 

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On the campaign side, Hochul and New York Democrats launched a seven-figure ad campaign last week highlighting the relationship between her GOP opponent, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and President Donald Trump. Titled “Suck Up,” the ad portrays Blakeman as unable and unwilling to stand up to Trump, who remains deeply unpopular in the state. In response, Blakeman quipped, “For four years, New Yorkers have been told to ‘suck up’ higher taxes, rising utility bills, soaring insurance costs, and skyrocketing rent under Kathy Hochul. It’s no surprise she’s resorting to attacks instead of answering for the affordability crisis created on her watch.” The most recent public poll, conducted by Siena University, found Hochul with a 20-point lead in a head-to-head matchup against Blakeman. 

Illinois held its primary elections last week. Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton defeated a crowded primary field to replace retiring Senator Dick Durbin. The real winner, however, may be Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who staked considerable cache, as well as millions of dollars, to help Stratton defeat front-runner Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and all but ensure that Democrats will elect another Black woman to the Senate. It was a risky move for Pritzker, who is trying to raise his profile in the party as he mulls a potential 2028 presidential run, given that the Congressional Black Caucus—which supported Rep. Robin Kelly—warned Pritzker that his meddling in the race could split the Black vote and deny either Black candidate from ascending to the Senate. Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller won the open primary for Illinois’ 2nd District, ending Former Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.’s comeback bid after his resignation over a decade ago amid a federal corruption investigation. Jackson, who ultimately served prison time after pleading guilty to misusing $750,000 in campaign funds, had the support of AI stakeholders after signaling openness to the industry, but was unable to overcome Miller’s consolidated political support and contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). 

Opinion | How AIPAC Became a Liability for Democrats in Illinois

Paul Waldman: AIPAC’s goal of keeping Israel a bipartisan cause looks increasingly endangered. Read more on MS NOW.

It was a mixed night for AIPAC as the group has seen a diminished ability to impact Democratic races. In addition to the Miller win, AIPAC’s preferred candidate in Illinois’ 8th District, former Rep. Melissa Bean, defeated a handful of progressive candidates thanks in part to the $4 million AIPAC poured into the race. However, in another high-profile primary, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss won Tuesday’s Democratic primary to succeed Rep. Jan Schakowsky in Illinois’s 9th District. Biss, who has an Israeli mother and has been a vocal critic of Israel’s war in Gaza, defeated social media influencer Kat Abughazaleh, a Palestinian American, and state Senator Laura Fine, AIPAC’s endorsed candidate. 

In case you missed it, check out this fascinating story about our new favorite band. 

Also, special congratulations to Junior Associate Thomas O’Donnell. Last week, his academic performance saw him named to the Fifth Grade Honor Roll!  Marina and I could not be more proud.

Finally, in Trump’s Washington, status isn’t subtle, it’s worn. You can spot it on someone’s feet. A polished pair of leather oxfords, straight from the president himself. Read on!

florsheim.com

 -Jack O’Donnell

Jack on the Albany vibe & more: 🎙️Uphill battle on climate & auto insurance reforms 🎙️Unified Ireland & Jack’s Gaelic message 🎙️War vote & SAVE Act in D.C.

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“Meet the Team” is our new podcast series highlighting the people who drive our firm’s success. This week, we’re flipping the script. Usually, our Joanna Pasceri is the one asking the questions. Today, she’s in the hot seat!

She sits down with OD&A’s Ralph Ortega, VP of Public Affairs, to talk about her journey. Two former reporters. One conversation: 🎙️TV show that inspired her to pursue journalism 🎙️Memorable moments from a longtime TV News career 🎙️Job transitions and OD&A 🎙️What she misses about media and what she doesn’t!

Left to right are: FCNY Executive Vice President Dr. Aldrin Bonilla; Betsy Plum, executive director of the Riders Alliance; Tara N. Gardner, executive director of the Day Care Council of New York; Marjorie D. Parker, CEO and president of JobsFirstNYC; Jerome Nathaniel, director of policy and government relations at City Harvest; and FCNY President Lisette Nieves.

OD&A, led by VP of Public Affairs, Ralph R. Ortega, was honored to join our client, the Fund for the City of New York, for a news conference highlighting its latest “True Cost of Living” report, which underscores the financial strain facing households across New York City.

BronxNet

The report finds that 46% of working-age households are unable to cover essential expenses, including housing, childcare, food, healthcare, transportation, and taxes.

While this marks a slight improvement from the 50% recorded at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the change is modest and largely driven by shifts in household composition and a strengthening labor market, rather than a true easing of affordability pressures.

“While the labor market has strengthened since the pandemic, the underlying costs of living in New York remain extraordinarily high,” said Lisette Nieves, president of the Fund for the City of New York. “Housing and childcare continue to represent some of the largest financial pressures facing families across the city.” Read the report here.

René Jones: M&T Looks to Build on Success to Reshape It for Growth

Read more in Buffalo Business First.

John B. Gibson, Jr. on LinkedIn: Paychex Named One of the World’s Most Ethical Companies

I am thrilled to announce that Paychex has once again been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies®, marking our 18th time earning this elite honor from Ethisphere. This recognition reflects the enduring strength of our values-driven culture and the integrity with which our teams operate. It also underscores our continued commitment to responsible corporate citizenship and our long-standing support of the communities where we live and work. #PaychexProud

Overlooked No More: Eleanor Abbott, the Creator of Candy Land

She invented the game nearly 80 years ago to distract children who were suffering in the hospital during a polio outbreak. Read more in the NY Times.

More parade pictures here!

Upstate NY Burger Joints Battle for Best Hosted by the New York Beef Council, the competition features 42 nominees from across the state, including The Butcher’s Son located inside OD&A client, the Corning Museum of Glass. Read on!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest growing companies for 2025.

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NYS Senate Photo/Facebook

Good morning from Pindar’s Corner, Delaware County. Today is the birthday of Daniel Patrick Moynihan. 

Moynihan had an incredible career as Ambassador to India and the United Nations, a member of the administrations of Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon, and Governor Averell Harriman’s staff, while also serving four terms as a senator from New York. He was a leader on tax issues, foreign policy, & delivering for New York State. His insistence on principle over politics, his foresight in policy, and his academic & intellectual talents are sorely missed today. I often recall one quote from his book, The Politics of a Guaranteed Income: “No one is innocent after the experience of governing. But not everyone is guilty.”

Daniel Patrick Moynihan, 1969. Photo: britannica.com

In Albany, budget season is in earnest after the Senate and Assembly passed their respective One-House budget resolutions last week, staking out their positions as they enter negotiations with the Executive Chamber. Today, the “Mothership” will meet. That is the General Budget Conference Committee, where lawmakers will give their statutorily required update on the status of the final budget.

The OD&A team, led by Chief of Staff Diane Ong and VP & Policy Director Jim Moore, has prepared One-House budget summaries for both the Assembly and Senate, available here.

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A couple of key areas of contention:

Climate

Governor Kathy Hochul and the Legislature remain at odds over the fate of the state’s 2019 landmark climate law, which mandates aggressive emission-reduction targets. Hochul continues to raise the specter of skyrocketing costs of compliance with that law and is expected to use the budget to codify rollbacks and delays in the law. Speaking to reporters last week, Hochul offered, “It was a world that had not seen a global pandemic that disrupted supply chains… followed by some of the highest inflation we've seen in years, racking up the costs once again. And then let's throw on a hostile, very hostile, administration in Washington that basically eliminates the tax incentives that businesses count on when they're going to make investments in renewable energy.” Hochul has not offered a concrete proposal or specifics; nonetheless, many in the legislature are already skeptical.

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Senator Pete Harckham, Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, objected, “It was a painstaking process. It was a very public process, and then for us to attempt to change that in the secrecy of the budget process does not do justice to the law.” Republicans in the legislature have lauded Hochul’s desire to pause implementation of some of the more onerous components of the climate law, with Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra offering, “The conversations come on the table about making some changes to our energy policy. That's something that we fully agree with.” 

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Taxes

Both the Senate and Assembly proposed tax increases on wealthy New Yorkers and corporations, while Hochul remains steadfast in her position that tax increases are unnecessary and harmful, especially in New York City, where she believes local lawmakers can do more to close the city’s $5.4 billion budget gap. Hochul insisted, “Now it's up to the City Council, and I've had conversations with Council members. They're doing their job too, looking at: Is the budget portrayed the way it needs to be? Are there areas of savings? Are there areas where we can be making adjustments? And so, I'm going to let them do their work.” The Senate proposal includes a 0.5-point increase for individuals earning above $5 million and a 1.75-point increase for corporations earning at least $5 million, while the Assembly proposed a 0.2-point increase for individuals above $5 million and a 2-point increase for corporations with at least $10 million in income. The tax increase is a major priority for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is looking for revenue to pay for many of his lofty campaign promises, including universal free buses. Senate Transportation Chair Jeremy Cooney tempered down expectations on free buses last week, telling reporters, “On our way, but not universally.”

To combat what many lawmakers see as federal overreach in immigration enforcement, the Senate and Assembly proposed increasing funding for the state Office of New Americans to $183 million—significantly higher than the $72.4 million included in the Executive Budget. Hochul’s budget includes legislation that affirms the right of sensitive locations, such as churches, hospitals, and schools, to restrict entry to federal immigration authorities without a judicial warrant and provides a pathway for New Yorkers to sue federal officers for alleged violations of their civil rights. Neither House included these proposals; they are pushing for more comprehensive legislation to codify immigrant protections. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins is looking to get “as close as possible” to the New York for All Act, legislation that prohibits formal or informal cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Hochul has not yet gotten on board with New York for All, instead proposing the “Local Cops, Local Crimes Act,” which bans formal cooperation contracts between New York law enforcement and federal agencies. Three-way negotiations are ongoing on this, with the hope of including it in a final budget agreement.

One-House budgets are out… now the bargaining begins! Will there be an on-time budget in NY?

LISTEN as our Jack O'Donnell goes ‘From the Lobby’ with his latest podcast episode.

More broadly, Hochul and the Legislature are hoping for an on-time (or at least timely) budget, although the fight over tax increases could prove especially sticky. 

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Expert Analyzes State Budget One-House Plans, Iran Conflict, and 2026 Elections

Jack joins Casey Bortnick to break down the latest headlines, plus a perfectly placed nod to Carnac the Magnificent, the legendary mind-reader from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Check it out!

In political news, Georgia held a Special Election last week to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene in the state’s 14th Congressional District. Democrat Shawn Harris, a retired Army Brigadier General, ran against former District Attorney Clay Fuller, who has President Donald Trump’s endorsement, along with a plethora of other candidates, with neither leading candidate getting the 50% vote share needed to avoid a runoff in the splintered primary field. While Fuller will be heavily favored in the head-to-head runoff, the seat will remain unfilled for another month as House Republicans navigate a historically low margin. 

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In Mississippi, in a closely watched primary race, Representative Bennie Thompson, the longest-serving Black Democrat in the state's congressional delegation, won his primary for the Second Congressional District amid calls from Democrats across the country for older lawmakers to step aside for a younger generation. Thompson was first elected in 1993. He is one of several Democrats who faced a primary challenge this year from a younger member of his party eager to capitalize on broader frustrations with aging leadership in Washington. Evan Turnage, a lawyer who recently returned to his home state after working as legal counsel for Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, offered a vigorous challenge, but Thompson’s record of steering millions of dollars back home and spending time in the district was enough to keep voters on his side. He remains the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security committee, putting him in line to reclaim the gavel should his party take back the chamber.

Finally, a soccer game the way it is played in our backyard… raw, chaotic, and boiling over with emotion. Tempers erupted during the Brazilian Cup final, and within seconds it turned into a storm of shouting, shoving, and flying jerseys. Read on!

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 -Jack O’Donnell

Jack recaps One-House budget proposals: 🎙️How to cover the spending increases 🎙️Climate fight & rebate checks 🎙️Tone for talks & on-time budget?

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“Meet the Team” is our new podcast series highlighting the people who drive our firm’s success. This week, we hear from Emily Sullivan, an OD&A Fellow. Balancing college classes with her work at OD&A, Emily thrives in the fast lane.

In this episode, we find out how Emily keeps it all moving and what she’s learning along the way: 🎙️Earliest political memory 🎙️Long days working on a presidential campaign in a crucial swing state 🎙️Most memorable OD&A experience 🎙️Thesis topic and favorite meal to cook!

We’re proud to celebrate our Senior Associate, Michael Greco, on being named to City & State NY’s 2026 Albany 40 Under 40, a recognition of the next generation shaping government, politics, business, and beyond. Read more about our rising star! City & State writes:

Michael Greco was thinking of becoming an attorney while he was in college, but an encounter with one of Erie County’s top lobbyists changed his career trajectory.

When the Buffalo native was at the University of Pittsburgh, a friend connected him with Jack O’Donnell, who had attended his high school. Greco sent him an email to learn about his practice. “They were looking to bring someone on to start from the bottom rung, so that’s what I did,” he says.

Greco has gotten used to driving on Interstate 90 to Albany, where he has represented several of the firm’s clients. So far, Greco has worked with the Buffalo Zoo to help expand its campus and the Monroe County Water Authority to upgrade its cyberinfrastructure. He has also helped smaller nonprofit health services providers, including Endeavor Health Services and Horizon Health Services, identify funding.

This year, Greco is seeking to establish a motor sports caucus in the Legislature on behalf of the Watkins Glen International racetrack to recognize racing’s impact in the state. “Tourism is a big driver in this region, and when the economy is precarious that’s the first thing people cut,” he says. “We’re looking for the state to help bridge the gaps.”

OD&A was proud to join our client, M&T Bank, for the grand opening of its new full-service branch at 2976 Third Avenue in the Mott Haven neighborhood of The Bronx. The new branch is another step in M&T Bank’s continued investment in New York City, expanding access to banking services for local residents, families, and small businesses.

We were honored to hear remarks from Congressman Ritchie Torres and celebrate alongside NYC President Blair Ridder, Senior Branch Manager Marlon Barrett, and representatives from the offices of Governor Kathy Hochul, Senator Chuck Schumer, Assemblymember Chantel Jackson, State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda, Speaker Carl Heastie, and Council Member Justin Sanchez.

A great day for the community and for the future of banking in the Bronx!

UB, Broadview Announce $31 Million Partnership

The agreement will result in new names for UB Stadium and Alumni Arena, and financial support for student-athletes and the broader student body. Read on!

OD&A’s Marc Cohen on LinkedIn: Proud to support the Council of Agency Executives of during their advocacy day in Albany today!

We met with state lawmakers to highlight the essential role human service organizations play in our communities, and the urgent need to invest in the human services workforce that supports our most vulnerable neighbors every day. Thank you Senators Jeremy Cooney, Roxanne Persaud, Samra Brouk, and Senator Pam Helming, and Assembly Members Harry Bronson, Josh Jensen, Jennifer Lunsford, Sarah Anderson Clark, and Maritza Davila for making the time!

Trillium Health on LinkedIn: “Community Health Centers were built on a simple idea: Healthcare should be accessible to everyone.”

Trillium Health was proud to host a press conference with Senator Jeremy Cooney, Aqua Porter, the Executive Director of RMAPI, and Lauren Goetz, the owner of Everyday Hands, regarding the Health Equity, Affordability, and Reform Act (HEARA), which would allow New Yorkers to buy into the state's Essential Plan. Jason Barnecut-Kearns, Trillium Health's President and CEO, said, "Community Health Centers were built on a simple idea: healthcare should be accessible to everyone. At Trillium Health, we're proud to serve everyone regardless of their ability to pay. However, Community Health Centers are facing mounting financial pressures that could threaten their long-term stability. We applaud Senator Cooney for proposing a solution that would provide comprehensive healthcare coverage for patients and allow safety net providers to continue to provide primary care and wrap-around services to underserved communities."

OD&A’s Jim Moore and Peter McGowan enjoyed a corned beef dinner in Albany with the American Irish Legislators Society of New York State in celebration of St. Patrick!

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Read here!

March 16, 1985: AP reporter Terry Anderson is abducted in Beirut by Islamic militants and held captive for more than six years. His sister, Peggy Say of Batavia, tirelessly campaigned for her brother’s release, lobbying world leaders and the U.S. government to secure his freedom. Anderson died in 2024 at age 76.

Anderson welcomed home to Ohio in June 1992. Photo By Paul M. Walsh

Irish Pubs in Upstate NY: 17 Places with Authentic Food & Drink Looking for a spot to raise a pint of Guinness, dig into a bowl of Irish beef stew, and maybe even dance a jig? Read on!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

Photo: NYS Assembly Majority

Good morning from Albany, New York, where all eyes are on the Senate and Assembly as we wait for their respective One-House Budget resolutions, expected later today. More on that below. 

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As we predicted last week, the U.S. Supreme Court intervened in New York’s redistricting fight, staying a lower court decision that would have likely flipped control of the 11th Congressional District from Republicans to Democrats. In January, a New York State Supreme Court judge ruled that the 11th District, which includes Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, was drawn in a way that dilutes the power of Black and Latino voters in violation of the state Constitution. The timing of the Supreme Court’s intervention is a bit unusual given that the appeals process is still playing out in state court, but Justice Samuel Alito defended the timing in his decision, writing, “there is an unacceptably strong possibility that the applicants’ appeal in the state court system will not conclude until it is too late for us to review the ultimate decision.” Justice Sonia Sotomayor disagreed, writing in her dissent, “By granting these applications, the Court thrusts itself into the middle of every election-law dispute around the country, even as many States redraw their congressional maps ahead of the 2026 election. It also invites parties searching for a sympathetic ear to file emergency applications directly with this Court, without even bothering to ask the state courts first.”

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The decision is a win for the GOP in general and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis in particular, as she would have faced an uphill reelection battle had the proposed redraw gone into effect.

On social media, Malliotakis offered, “The plaintiffs in this case attempted to manipulate our state’s courts to use race as a weapon to rig our elections. That was wrong and, as demonstrated by today’s ruling, clearly unconstitutional. Unfortunately, the politicization of New York’s courts and its judges necessitated action from the nation’s highest court. I thank the Justices who stopped the voters on Staten Island and in Southern Brooklyn from being stripped of their ability to elect a representative who reflects their values.”

Your budget questions answered! OD&A’s Ralph R. Ortega, VP of Public Affairs, was in Midtown Manhattan as Citizens Budget Commission President Andrew Rein hosted New York State Budget Director Blake Washington for a wide-ranging conversation on New York’s fiscal future. Read the interview here!

In New York news, the Division of Budget (DOB), members from both Chambers of the Legislature, and the Comptroller’s office released their Consensus Economic and Revenue Forecast Report, a key milestone in the budget process that informs how much money lawmakers have to work with. There were some differences between the DOB and Democrats in the Legislature over revenue projections, with legislators suggesting receipts could be anywhere from $1.5 billion to $1.9 billion higher than originally projected by the DOB. In the end, the group came to a more conservative estimate, with the report concluding, “The revenue estimates from all parties for FY 2026 and projections for FY 2027 exhibited significant variance, but participants reached consensus on a two-year revenue total range that is $700 million to $800 million above the Executive Budget estimate.” 

It’s a🔥proposal right now… but is hiking taxes on the wealthy in NY a good move?

LISTEN as our Jack O'Donnell goes ‘From the Lobby’ to discuss the drawbacks of this idea. Also:🎙️Who’s Bruce?🎙️Are lawmakers in line for a big raise?🎙️Incentive to reuse empty office space

Nonetheless, lawmakers in the Senate and Assembly will include a proposal to increase personal income taxes in their budget resolutions this week, putting them at odds with Governor Kathy Hochul’s pledge of no new taxes. Proposing additional revenue raisers is nothing new for the state legislature, but the issue is particularly acute (and drawing additional scrutiny) this year, given New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s support for the measure as well as his threats to raise property taxes in New York City if Albany does not increase tax rates on New Yorkers making over $1 million. Mamdani is also pushing for a hike in the corporate tax rate from 9% to 10.8% for financial firms and from 8.85% to 10.62% for non-financial firms. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has remained noncommittal on the specifics of her conference’s tax proposals, but told reporters last week, “In general, we have always believed in this progressive tax structure. We’ve always put forth ways that we can meet the needs of New Yorkers.”

Jack on WBEN’S Hardline with Joe Beamer: 🥊Kristi Noem’s firing 🥊Siena poll: Governor’s race, energy fight, affordability 🥊Primary election in NY Senate District 61 & race for Rep. Elise Stefanik’s seat

Give it a listen starting at 11 am!

Increasing taxes on the wealthy is certainly politically popular, with a recent Siena poll finding New York voters support the Governor and Legislature allowing New York City to raise personal income taxes on City residents earning at least $1 million by a margin of 54-29%. Expect Hochul to continue to draw a line in the sand in opposition.

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Another major point of disagreement between the Executive and the legislature is climate; lawmakers are waiting for the other shoe to drop after a memo released by the Hochul administration outlined the cost increases associated with implementing parts of the state’s 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), specifically the provision known as "cap and invest.” Hochul has not yet publicly called for rollbacks to the CLCPA, but offered last week, “What I’m trying to do is sound the alarm. What I’m foreseeing, then, is for us to meet the goals on the timetable set by the Legislature. There’s going to be enormous costs to families.” Some of her top aides have met with leadership in the legislature and relevant committee chairs, but most lawmakers remain unconvinced or unclear on the next steps. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said last week, “I just want to know what the proposal is, so at this point, I don’t know what there is to discuss. Obviously, there is a memo, and obviously, we are committed to affordability, and we have always said we want to do things right by the environment.” Assemblymember Deborah Glick, Chair of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, is not in favor of watering down the CLCPA, especially if it is rushed through the budget process, telling reporters, “They have floated some trial balloons, most of which have gone pop,” later adding, “Every executive likes to use the pressure of the budget to hold the Legislature hostage. We should have a thorough discussion of where we are going. If anything, it should not be part of the budget.” Hochul has made affordability the centerpiece of her reelection campaign, and the associated costs of implementing the CLCPA, estimated at $4,000 for Upstate households and $2,300 for New York City households, would complicate her messaging.  

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Medicaid—and health spending in general—continues to rise, and there will be some budget issues, including changing policies to support realities around Medicaid coverage in the post-H.R.1 world, funding to support continued innovation in health systems throughout the state, investment of the remaining MCO tax revenue, as well as thornier policy issues such as the Governor’s proposed carveout of Medicaid from the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) Entity.

The DOJ is set to file suit against the Hochul administration over the allegedly rigged revamp of NY’s $11B Medicaid home care program.

The feds will file a formal complaint in the coming weeks, per three sources familiar with the DOJ’s ongoing investigation. Read more in the NY Post.

However, there is a broader consensus in Albany not to go too deep into these health issues in this (election) year. That détente does not extend to Washington: The United States Department of Justice announced a coming lawsuit against the Hochul administration for the handling of the state’s revamped Medicaid home care program. Last year, New York transitioned from hundreds of fiscal intermediaries to just one, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), to run the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) in an effort to find cost savings. DOJ is alleging that the process may not have been above board, focusing on allegations of bid rigging and noncompliance with Medicaid billing rules. Emails unearthed by the Empire Center show that two Hochul aides were discussing transition details with PPL several weeks before lawmakers formally approved the solicitation of bids. Hochul downplayed the lawsuit when asked about it last week, telling reporters, “I don’t know what they’re doing. This is the federal government. This is just another list of areas where they’re using their power to go after blue states only, blue states.” Hochul has stood by the controversial transition decision even as advocates, patients, and some Democratic lawmakers have expressed frustration and called for an extended window for the transition to PPL, citing the projected $1 billion in savings. DOJ has lost much of its professional luster, but Democratic legislators have also hit this issue and the Hochul administration very hard during this transition. Much more to come here.

The 2026 midterm campaign season continued in earnest last week, with Texas and North Carolina holding primary elections. In Texas, both Republicans and Democrats had high-profile, and extremely expensive, primary races for the Senate seat currently held by Senator John Cornyn. On the Democratic side, State Rep. James Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian and former teacher, defeated two-term Rep. Jasmine Crockett 52.5% to 46.2% to be the Democratic nominee in November. Talarico, 36, campaigned on the need to draw in independents and moderate Republicans (and love), while Crockett focused on her brand as a fighter against Trump and Congressional Republicans. This split—growing the vote share by making inroads outside the party versus exciting the party’s base vote—is increasingly playing out in primaries across the country, and the details of this race—marked by extremely high turnout—bear further scrutiny.

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Results were less definitive on the GOP side, with incumbent Senator John Cornyn and state attorney general Ken Paxton heading for a runoff after neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote. That runoff, scheduled for May 26th, is the worst-case scenario for the GOP, as both candidates will have to spend the next two months in an extended primary fight rather than focus time and resources on Talarico for the general. Paxon, who has been marred in corruption allegations and whose wife recently filed for divorce on “biblical grounds,” has portrayed himself as the anti-establishment candidate, telling his supporters last week, “We just sent a message, loud and clear, to Washington. We are not going to go quietly, and we are not going to let you buy the seat.”

Cornyn, who has been in the Senate since 2002, pointed to Paxton’s vulnerabilities in a general election, with his PAC saying in a statement, “Paxton's problems aren't just an issue in a Republican primary; they also threaten to put the Senate seat at risk due to his lack of strength against Democrat nominee Talarico.”

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Trump is expected to make an endorsement in the coming days—hinting at endorsing Cornyn—and has called on the non-endorsed candidate to drop out so the party can focus on November. The voters most loyal to Trump have backed Paxon. Hmm.

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The races were less competitive and controversial in North Carolina, with former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley easily winning their respective primaries. Recruiting Cooper to run was seen as a major get for Democrats, given that he has won statewide in a state that Trump won three times. Whatley got the Republican nod and Trump’s endorsement last year after the president’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, declined to run for the seat being vacated by Republican Senator Thom Tillis. North Carolina is one of the swingiest states and will be instrumental in deciding if Democrats can close the gap in the Senate next year, and the Cook Political Report currently scores the race as a true toss-up. 

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In a late plot twist, Montana Senator Steve Daines announced he will not be seeking reelection, becoming the sixth GOP Senator to bow out of Congress. In a statement, Daines said, “Serving the people of Montana in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate the past 13 years has been the greatest honor of my professional career, and I am grateful to God for allowing me to serve. After wrestling with this decision for months, I have decided I will not seek re-election.” Unlike his other colleagues, the process and timing of Daines’ decision to retire are raising some eyebrows. In an effort to avoid a pesky primary for his hand-picked successor, Daines withdrew his candidacy only minutes before the state’s filing deadline. Four minutes later, Montana U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme filed paperwork to succeed him. Seth Bodnar, the former president of the University of Montana running as an independent, criticized the move, saying, “Steve Daines has so little respect for Montana Republicans that he withdrew at the last minute to coronate his handpicked successor instead of giving them a voice at the ballot box.” This further ensured that no bigger-name Democrat would revisit the race (even though it seems clear now that none of them would have). When Democratic Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia pulled a similar stunt last November, the GOP-led House of Representatives formally censured him for “undermining the process of a fair and free election.” Probably not worth holding your breath to see if the GOP-controlled Senate exercises any ideological consistency. Montana is also looking at an open House race after Congressman Ryan Zinke announced his retirement.

Finally, porch pirates are everywhere these days, but a Florida family got a thief no one saw coming. A Ring camera caught the culprit sniffing around the front door & going after a package. Check it out!

 -Jack O’Donnell

Jack goes ‘From the Lobby’ to talk: 🎙️Blakeman’s recognition problem 🎙️Intensifying tax the rich fight 🎙️Bill to hike legislators’ salaries 🎙️SCOTUS redistricting ruling

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“Meet the Team” is our new podcast series highlighting the people who drive our firm’s success. This week, we hear from OD&A’s VP and Policy Director Jim Moore.

From healthcare funding to emerging tech, Jim works at the center of NY’s biggest issues. In this episode, we talk: 🎙️Storm recovery while serving in Sen. Schumer’s state office 🎙️The challenges facing healthcare nonprofits 🎙️Securing major funding wins 🎙️The Buffalo Sabres’ shot at a playoff run!

Delaware North's New COO Leads Shift to Experiential Hospitality

The $4.4B hospitality company is eyeing growth in collegiate sports venues and cabin-style lodging near national parks as part of its new strategy. Read more in Buffalo Business First. Photo by Mark Mulville.

M&T's René Jones: 'Rorschach Economy' Makes Future Murky

"Like the inkblot test, what you see depends on who you are," wrote M&T Bank CEO René Jones. Read more in Buffalo Business First. Photo by Joed Viera.

League of Legends Among 2026 Video Game Hall of Fame Finalists

The Strong National Museum of Play revealed the 12 finalists for the 2026 World Video Game Hall of Fame, from League of Legends to Frogger. Read more in the Rochester Business Journal.

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Read more!

March 9, 1979: MLB orders all teams to grant female reporters equal locker room access. This followed a 1978 federal ruling in Ludtke v. Kuhn, which found that banning Sports Illustrated reporter Melissa Ludtke from the 1977 World Series locker rooms violated her 14th Amendment rights.

Design by Tom Forget. Photos courtesy Melissa Ludtke. Read her trailblazing story here!

Rochester is the No. 1 City in America for First-Time Homebuyers Find out how other Upstate NY cities stack up. Check out the list here!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

The White House on X

Good morning from Boston, Massachusetts. Today is the birthday of DeWitt Clinton.

The United States Senator, New York Governor, and (appointed) Mayor of New York City was the most influential advocate of and steward for the construction of the Erie Canal, a monumental feat that transformed New York and the entire United States. Clinton was a candidate for president in 1812, running a mostly forgotten, but rather competitive campaign against James Madison.

Gov. Clinton

During Madison’s presidency (and for the period of 1801 to 1913), the president’s Annual Address or State of the Union was delivered in written form. Woodrow Wilson changed that, and last week, President Donald Trump delivered his first State of the Union address of his second term, breaking the record for the longest address to Congress, speaking for an hour and forty-seven minutes. 

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Trump stressed his immigration agenda during the speech, routinely trying to goad Democrats into standing or applauding. With four Supreme Court Justices in attendance, Trump defiantly stated that he still had broad authority to levy tariffs despite the Court’s recent ruling to the contrary, and at one point told lawmakers, “Congressional action will not be necessary.” Some Democrats ignored pleas from leadership for decorum and to avoid outbursts, with Rep. Al Green (D-TX) prominently displaying a sign that read “Black people aren’t apes!”—a reference to a clip posted by Trump earlier this month that depicted the Obamas as apes. Trump, always the showman, awarded the Medal of Honor to a helicopter pilot injured during the raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and announced he was awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Connor Hellebuyck, the goaltender of the gold medal-winning US men’s Olympic hockey team. 

Trump's signature flair and strong denunciation of everyone who disagrees with him will have played well with his base, but fell short on feeling Americans’ pain in the economy. Instead, his insistence that economic indicators prove economic progress (that many working families do not feel) sounded vaguely Biden-esque. Nonetheless, Trump successfully framed, once again, the threat of unfettered immigration (and the Trump administration's response to it) as a simple choice between Republicans and Democrats. This is an issue that Trump himself and Republicans more broadly used to win across the board in 2024 and expect to hear much more of it as we approach the 2026 elections.

In New York, the state legislature wrapped up the final joint legislative budget hearings last week and will now turn its attention to finalizing One-House budget proposals. Both the legislature and Governor Kathy Hochul are keen to avoid any public budget fights in an election year, but disagreements on issues, especially energy and taxes, remain complicated.

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Last week, the Hochul administration circulated a memo outlining the need to change the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), with changes intended to combat rising energy costs. The memo reads in part, “Absent changes, by 2031, the impact of CLCPA on the price of gasoline could reach or exceed $2.23 per gallon on top of current prices at that time; the cost for an MMBtu of natural gas $16.96; and comparable increases to other fuels. Upstate oil and natural gas households would see costs in excess of $4,000 a year, and New York City natural gas households could anticipate annual gross costs of $2,300. Only a portion of these costs could be offset by current policy design.” Speaking to reporters last week, Hochul added, “The world has changed dramatically since 2019—I wish it hadn’t. I’m not going to telegraph what we’re talking about in our negotiations, but I think everybody knows that we have a real problem on our hands.”

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Any changes to the state’s landmark climate law will of course require the cooperation of the legislature, and while there may be an appetite for that among Republicans and some Upstate and Long Island Democrats, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins reiterated last week that her conference is not considering watering down climate protections, telling reporters, “That's not a conversation that we've had.” These difficult choices also seem to be part of the Hochul push to reform the SEQRA process, where many of the considerations that builders and developers see as “delays” are seen by environmentalists as “protections.”

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The debate over energy affordability is spilling over onto the campaign trail as well, with Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman promising he will cut utility bills in half, though his campaign did not provide many details. The pledge is part of a $700,000 ad spend on Facebook targeting Hochul for rising energy bills, with the ad saying, “Utility bills are sky high—and it’s Kathy Hochul’s fault.” In a statement, Blakeman said he would “return $2 billion in unspent NYSERDA funds to ratepayers, cut utility taxes, and eliminate hidden fees in your utility bills. I’ll repeal costly mandates, and I will expand production with natural gas, nuclear, and ‘clean coal’ to increase supply, lower prices, and break New Yorkers’ dependence on expensive, unreliable energy.” Some energy experts, including former Public Service Commissioner John Howard, do not believe Blakeman’s plan is feasible, with Howard offering, “You can’t go half. Nowhere can you go half unless you move to major disinvestment.” 

New York State FY2027 Executive Budget Overview

Comprehensive analysis of Governor Hochul's FY2027 Executive Budget. Expert review of $260B budget covering healthcare, education, housing, transportation, and economic development policy.

The Executive Chamber and the Legislature will also have to resolve the ultimatum on taxes foisted upon them by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. In his budget presentation last month, Mamdani said he would be forced to raise property taxes in New York City if Albany does not raise the tax rate on high-income New Yorkers. Thousands of advocates (with matching hats!) descended on the Capitol last week to drive that point home, though Hochul did not hear the chants as she was in New York City. Both Hochul and the Legislature are standing firm despite the public and private overtures from Mamdani and his allies, with Stewart-Cousins saying last week, “We’ve always been very clear that we’re not trying to raise taxes on working-class families. That would not, I think, be a winning strategy,” and Speaker Carl Heastie calling property tax increases a “non-starter.”

LISTEN: Jack on the ‘Tax the Rich’ rally and more as he goes ‘From the Lobby’ with his latest podcast:

🎙️Costs too damn high & NY exodus
🎙️Dropping job approval ratings for Schumer & Gillibrand
🎙️Trump’s Biden problem at his SOTU address

State Budget Director Blake Washington shared last week that Hochul has not changed her position on taxes, offering, “The governor believes that no New Yorker is dispensable. And she believes that none of this is inevitable—that the performance and the wonderful things we have in New York state that are funded by persons of high income, by businesses, it’s not inevitable.” 

OD&A’s Ralph R. Ortega, VP of Public Affairs, was in Midtown Manhattan as Citizens Budget Commission President Andrew Rein sat down with NYS Budget Director Blake Washington to talk: 🔎Budget Outlook, 🏛️Federal Changes, 🗽NYC Fiscal Crisis, 💰Taxes Read on!

Housing remains a focus for the Legislature, and a proposal from Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes is picking up steam among her colleagues in Albany. The proposal would provide a tax credit to property owners who convert 50% of vacant office space into new residential units.

Proposed tax credit could unlock office-to-apartment conversions across upstate New York.

Read more in Buffalo Business First.

A similar program already exists in New York City, and housing advocates have argued that the tax credit is necessary in Upstate cities to make the projects financially viable. In a statement, Peoples-Stokes said, “The cost of housing has become unaffordable for far too many people in Buffalo and in so many other communities across the state. We need to explore all options to address this problem and ensure as many new residential units as possible enter the market to drive prices down. There is a significant amount of unused office space throughout the state that could be converted to residential units.” Another well-respected legislator, Senator Pat Fahey of Albany, is carrying the legislation in her house. This is an issue to watch.

Read here!

For many lawmakers, this budget season will be their last. While there is always turnover in the Legislature in an election year, this session has seen an unusually high number of members announcing their retirement. In the Senate, Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, Brian Kavanagh, and Alexis Weik are all retiring at the end of the year. On the Assembly side, former Minority Leader William Barclay, Deborah Glick, Stacey Pheffer Amato, Donna Lupardo, Marianne Buttenschon, Nader Sayegh, Vivian Cook, Kenneth Blankenbush, Brian Manktelow, Angelo Morinello, David McDonough, Daniel Norber, and Keith Brown will be leaving Albany. Remarkable.

We continue to watch the redistricting fight play out across the country, including here in New York. The First Department of the Appellate Division ruled that New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission must draw up a new congressional map in the 11th Congressional District, rejecting a request by Republicans to pause the lower court’s ruling while the appellate process plays out. The decision is likely to result in Democrats gaining an additional seat, though Republicans have asked the United States Supreme Court to step in. Stay tuned.

Those Congressional lines weigh heavily, but so do various primaries. Notable this week was the decision by the Working Families Party to endorse Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in NY-7. The race to replace retiring Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez is an early test of Mamdani’s political power. The WFP endorsement of Reynoso puts them at odds with Mamdani’s hand-picked candidate, Assemblywoman Claire Valdez.

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Mamdani and his team had been working behind the scenes to lobby the WFP and influential labor unions to back Valdez, though her team sought to downplay Reynoso's endorsement. Morris Katz, an advisor to Mamdani who is also working on the Valdez campaign, offered, “Personal relationships and institutional connections play a significant role in these kinds of decisions. But voters understand the urgent need to change who has power in this country fundamentally, and because of that, Claire Valdez will be a member of Congress come next year.” Jasmine Gripper, the Working Families Party’s Director, pointed to Reynoso’s experience and relationships in the district, saying, “Antonio has the record of delivering for our communities. That put him head and shoulders above others, and got him the overwhelming majority of the vote… At the end of the day, Zohran is an individual who gets to weigh in as an individual.”  

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Mark Schroeder, Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles for the past seven years, announced he will be retiring next month. Schroeder, a Buffalo native, served in the Erie County Legislature and Assembly before being elected as Buffalo City Comptroller. In a statement, Hochul shared, “During my time serving in local government, I saw first-hand both the critical role the DMV plays in the lives of nearly every New Yorker and how its services badly needed modernization. Then, Mark Schroeder stepped in. In his seven years of service, he has transformed this agency, bringing it into the digital age and reinventing how New Yorkers interact with the essential services it provides. A proud son of Buffalo, Commissioner Schroeder has been a model of public service throughout his career, and I join millions of grateful New Yorkers in wishing him a well-earned retirement.” He also dramatically increased the number of New Yorkers registered with Donate Life’s organ registry. Schroeder is a great example of the hardworking, ethically focused, and results-oriented public servant that New Yorkers are so rightly proud to call their own. He will be missed.

Finally, the most feared man in Nebraska state government isn’t a prosecutor—he’s the auditor. Armed with GPS data, he’s been tracking state workers who use government vehicles for personal errands… and he has the receipts to prove it! Read on!

WSJ

 -Jack O’Donnell

Jack goes ‘From the Lobby’ to talk: 🎙️NY’s high cost of living & exodus 🎙️Schumer/Gillibrand poll woes 🎙️Tax the rich momentum? 🎙️Trump’s SOTU problem

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“Meet the Team” is our new podcast series highlighting the people who drive our firm’s success. This week, we hear from OD&A VP of Government Affairs Marc Cohen.

We spoke with the Amherst native, now based in Rochester, about his impressive background spanning both politics and the business community: 🎙️Lure of a career in public service 🎙️Bridging the gap between business and government 🎙️Biggest worry for businesses today 🎙️The apple of his eye!

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Read more about Constance Baker Motley here.

Read more!

March 2, 1903: The Martha Washington Hotel opens at 29 East 29th Street, making history as New York City's first women-only hotel. Created as a safe, independent space for working women and travelers, it filled a major gap at a time when options for unaccompanied women were limited. With rooms starting at $1.50 a day, it quickly became a trusted home base in the city.

Photo from the Bain News Service photograph collection, Library of Congress

Potty-Themed License Plate Gets Support from Governor Hochul A Long Island grandpa thought his license plate idea had tanked until the Governor gave him a call! Check it out!

Monday Morning Memo has won two PRSA Excalibur Awards.

OD&A is ranked #7 among WNY’s fastest growing companies for 2025.

CSNY names OD&A a 2025 Top Place to Work!

Governor Kathy Hochul with NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani on X

Good morning from Albany, New York, where the Capitol is eerily quiet. Today’s Senate and Assembly Legislative Sessions have been cancelled because of the weather impacting New York City. The week’s schedule has been pushed back a day. The Joint Budget Hearings resume tomorrow, with Higher Education beginning later in the day (delayed from 9.30 am until 12:30 pm), before Labor, Housing, Economic Development, and finally, Taxes before the end of the week.

This is the last week of hearings before the Assembly and Senate turn their full attention towards crafting their respective One-House budget proposals. We expect those to be unveiled in the second week of March.

The revised hearing schedule is here. You can watch the discussions live on the Senate and Assembly websites.

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Taxes were front and center as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled a $127 billion budget plan last week, a proposal featuring a major property tax hike framed as a Hobbesian choice: either Albany raises taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers (and send plenty of it to New York City) or city residents would face a tough 9.5% property tax increase (NYC would also draw down $1.2 billion from their “rainy day” fund to close the $5.4 billion budget gap over the next two years). Speaking to reporters at City Hall, Mamdani offered, “There are two paths that we can walk: One that offers long-term stability and a second one with significant pain that we deeply hope to avoid.” Critics of the plan, including Hochul, suggest Mamdani is offering a false choice; that NYC’s budget can be balanced without drastic tax increases. The optics of Mamdani’s threat were a bit messy, coming on the heels of an announcement by Hochul of a further $1.5 billion aid package for New York City. Hochul has been clear and consistent in her opposition to new taxes and in response offered, “I’m not supportive of a property tax increase. I don’t know that that’s necessary, but let’s find out what is really necessary to close that gap.” 

While New York City can raise property taxes without Albany’s sign-off, Mamdani would nonetheless need the support of the City Council and—in another messy codicil to his announcement—Council leadership have their own reservations: City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Finance Chair Linda Lee released a joint statement that reads in part, “At a time when New Yorkers are already grappling with an affordability crisis, dipping into rainy day reserves and proposing significant property tax increases should not be on the table whatsoever.” Taxing the wealthy was a key part of Mamdani’s policy proposals, intended to fund many of his other campaign promises, including free buses and universal childcare. While we expect Hochul to win this fight, Mamdani will be able to show his coalition that he tried. 

In Washington, D.C., discussions between the White House and Democratic leaders regarding funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appear to be at an impasse, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sharing that the two parties are still “pretty far apart.” Democrats, who believe they have the political momentum following the killing of two protesters in Minneapolis by ICE, are pushing for agents to be unmasked, a tightening of warrant requirements, and an end to roving patrols. Many Republicans in Congress and the Trump White House have said those demands are non-starters: White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair offered, “They’re saying right now, OK, we’re going to close DHS until you basically stop enforcing immigration law in this country. We’re not going to do that.” Republicans have little incentive to compromise, given that the DHS shutdown will have no impact on immigration enforcement, thanks to the billions of dollars they received in last year’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”

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Still, the White House insisted they are negotiating in good faith and have pointed to the withdrawal of ICE from Minneapolis and the expansion of body cameras for officers in the field as notable concessions. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries remains unimpressed, telling reporters, “It is our view that immigration enforcement in this country should be fair, it should be just, and it should be humane. That’s not what’s happening right now in the United States of America, and that’s why ICE needs to be reformed in a dramatic, bold, meaningful, and transformational manner. And if that doesn’t happen, the DHS funding bill will not move forward.”  

OD&A on LinkedIn: Big moment. Big stage. What does President Trump need to convey in his State of the Union speech Tuesday?

LISTEN here for our Jack O'Donnell’s take as he goes ‘From the Lobby’ with his latest podcast.

The DHS shutdown—and immigration enforcement more broadly—will be the backdrop for President Trump’s State of the Union Address tomorrow night, as well as some discussion of tariffs (more on that below). A group of Democratic lawmakers is planning to skip Trump’s address and will instead attend the “People’s State of the Union” rally on the National Mall. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who is among the contingent of Democrats skipping Trump’s speech, commented, “These aren’t normal times, and showing up for this speech puts a veneer of legitimacy on the corruption and lawlessness that has defined his second term.” Trump is ever-present through statements, interviews, and tweets, which frame the SOTU differently than for his predecessors, but Republicans are hoping for a reset (and a refocus) toward economic issues and the affordability challenges so many Americans are facing. Polling continues to show discontent across the electorate and political challenges for Trump and Republicans nationwide, raising the stakes on the speech considerably, even by Trump’s standards, as the midterm elections approach.

In late-breaking news last week, the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump overstepped his authority by imposing tariffs on nearly every U.S. trading partner.

The 6–3 decision will have real impacts for businesses and consumers. Since the start of last year, the federal government has collected more than $200 billion in tariff revenue. The administration had warned that losing the case might mean unraveling trade agreements and potentially issuing sizable refunds, adding another layer of uncertainty to the global trade landscape. Nonetheless, Trump is moving ahead with new tariffs, citing various other grounds for authority. All of that said, this is a developing story, simply the end of the beginning of the tariff discussion, rather than any conclusive resolution, and promises to be a bumpy ride. Combined with Trump’s virulent attack on the Supreme Court and the individual justices in the majority opinion, there will be much more to this story and the reverberations of this decision.

Supreme Court Trump tariff decision impact: What to expect as fight for billions in refunds begins.

The Supreme Court ruling that President Trump's tariffs are illegal will lead companies to seek billions in refunds, but the decision was silent on the issue. Read more from CNBC.

Keep in mind the Supreme Court is expected to have two more decision days next week, when they will make other news, perhaps even on a very important case involving the Voting Rights Act. Buckle up.

Experts Weigh In On 2026 Elections

Albany, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — “…Dollars and cents of governing… it comes down to pocketbooks,” says Jack O’Donnell of O’Donnell & Associates. Watch here.

Liquor Now Added as Part of Continued Push for Sale of Wine at Grocery Stores Across New York

The fight in Albany continues to allow grocery stores to sell New York wines, but now you can add state-based liquors to the mix as well. "I think the movement around wine, and now liquor in grocery stores is sort of natural," says our Jack O'Donnell. More from WBEN.

Comprehensive Analysis of Governor Hochul's FY2027 Executive Budget

Expert review of the $260B spending proposal covering healthcare, education, housing, transportation, and economic development policy.

Read here!

Goodbye to former New York Congressman Richard Ottinger, who passed away last week at the age of 97. Throughout his two stints in the House, Ottinger was a staunch environmental advocate who is credited with helping to clean up the Hudson River and laying the groundwork for the nation’s nuclear energy regulatory framework.