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

I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.

THIS WEEK, BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE UNVEILED THEIR RESPECTIVE ONE-HOUSE BUDGET RESOLUTIONS IN RESPONSE TO GOVERNOR KATHIE HOCHUL'S EXECUTIVE BUDGET.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE'S BUDGETS IS WHETHER OR NOT TO TAX WEALTHY NEW YORKERS.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS PROPOSED INCREASING TAXES ON WEALTHY NEW YORKERS TO HELP SUPPORT SERVICES AND TO FUND INITIATIVES ACROSS THE STATE.

MEANWHILE, GOVERNOR KATHIE HOCHUL HAS CONSISTENTLY OPPOSED TAX INCREASES FOR THE WEALTHY.

THIS STARK DIFFERENCE SETS UP WHAT COULD BE A CONTENTIOUS FIGHT BETWEEN THE TWO THROUGHOUT BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS.

AND APART FROM INCREASED TAXES, THE LEGISLATURE HAS ALSO PROPOSED MEASURES TO HELP NEW YORKERS WITH THE HIGH COST OF UTILITY RATES AND ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE STATE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY ARE PROPOSING FOR THIS YEAR'S STATE BUDGET, WE ARE JOINED IN THE STUDIO BY KATE LISA OF CITY AND STATE NEW YORK AND SAMUEL KING OF WXXI AND THE NEW YORK PUBLIC NEWS NETWORK.

HERE'S THAT CONVERSATION.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME ON THE SHOW TODAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> YEAH.

AND IT WAS QUITE A BUSY WEEK AT THE STATE CAPITOL WITH BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE UNVEILING THEIR ONE-HOUSE BUDGET RESOLUTION.

WE KNOW THESE ARE NON-BINDING RESOLUTIONS IN RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT SHE UNVEILED BACK IN JANUARY.

SO BEFORE WE DIVE INTO THE SPECIFICS, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BIG TAKEAWAYS FROM WHAT WAS UNVEILED THIS WEEK?

>> SO I THINK THAT THE MAIN THING IS, OBVIOUSLY, TAXES, THE FIGHT TO INCREASE TAXES ON THE WEALTHIEST NEW YORKERS IS SOMETHING THAT THE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY BOTH SUPPORTED FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

IT'S JUST NEVER BECOME LAW.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE GOVERNOR AND EVEN THE PREVIOUS GOVERNOR HAVE PUSHED BACK ON A LITTLE BIT, BUT YOU KNOW, THERE IS-- THERE'S DEFINITELY MOMENTUM FROM PROGRESSIVES, FROM PEOPLE FURTHER TO THE LEFT THAN GOVERNOR HOCHUL.

ESPECIALLY WITH MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI'S WIN IN THE CITY.

IT JUST MADE THAT WHOLE PLATFORM A HUGE POINT OF THIS BUDGET.

SO THE FACT THAT THE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY, AGAIN, SAID, HEY, WE BACK THE MAYOR.

WE WANT TO GIVE A LOT MORE MONEY, HELP FILL THE CITY'S BUDGET GAP.

I THINK THAT WAS THE BIGGEST THING.

IT'S ALSO INTERESTING THAT THEY DID REJECT THE GOVERNOR'S CAR INSURANCE REFORMS THAT SHE PROPOSED THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO TRY TO GET THOSE RATES DOWN.

SO THOSE THINGS STOOD OUT TO ME.

>> YEAH.

>> AND WHAT THE REVENUE IS SUPPOSED TO PAY FOR.

YOU MENTIONED THE NEW YORK CITY STUFF, BUT THERE'S THE OTHER UPSTATE MUNICIPALITIES, TOO.

THEY'RE EXPECTED TO GET MORE MONEY FOR SCHOOLS, MORE MONEY FOR SUNY AND CUNY AND MORE SYSTEM WORKERS PROVIDING THEM THAT RAISE.

GETS TO THINKING FROM THE DEMOCRATS IF WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE SPENDING IN THESE AREAS, MAKE THESE INVESTMENTS, WE'RE GOING TO NEED THE REVENUE TO MATCH IT.

>> YEAH.

AND KATE, AS YOU SO ELOQUENTLY TOLD US, THE LEGISLATURE PUT IN INCREASED TAXES FOR WEALTHY NEW YORKERS FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, AND IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID TIME AND TIME AGAIN, SHE'S NOT INTERESTED IN THAT EVERYBODY MA.

SO I'M CURIOUS, YOU KNOW, HOW WILLING DOES THE LEGISLATURE SEEM TO WANT TO HOLD THE LINE ON THIS AND POTENTIALLY STALL BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS UNLESS THIS IS, YOU KNOW, PUT INTO THE STATE BUDGET?

>> WHEN WE HEARD FROM BOTH SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS, CARL HEASTIE IN MORE DETAIL THIS WEEK.

THEY SAID THESE NEGOTIATIONS ARE GOING TO BEGIN, BUT THEY KIND OF THINK THEY CAN MAYBE PUSH THE GOVERNOR ON THIS.

THEY BOTH-- WHILE THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY'S PROPOSALS DIFFER ON WHAT KIND OF TAX INCREASE THEY WANT, IT'S CLEAR THAT THEY JUST WANT IT TO BE HIGHER TAXES FOR THE LARGEST CORPORATIONS AND PEOPLE WHO MAKE OVER $5 MILLION A YEAR.

SO-- BUT THE GOVERNOR ALSO THIS WEEK SAID THAT SHE'S CONCERNED HOW THAT COULD AFFECT THE STATE'S TAX BASE.

SHE'S WORRIED THIS COULD DRIVE OUT THE HIGHEST EARNERS IN THE STATE.

SO I GUESS IT'S GOING TO DEPEND WHO'S READY TO HOLD THE LINE, HOW LATE THEY'RE WILLING TO MAKE THE BUDGET.

THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN IT COMES TO FEDERAL FUNDING THAT SEEMS TO COME UP TIME AND TIME AGAIN FROM BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE.

HOW MUCH DOES THE CONCERNS AROUND FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS HELP OR HINDER THE LEGISLATURE WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE THIS CASE TO THE GOVERNOR AND GET THIS MEASURE IN THE STATE BUDGET?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S ONE THING THAT THE DEMOCRATS THIS WEEK TALKED A LOT ABOUT THAT WE HEARD THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN LIZ KRUGER TALK ABOUT THIS.

THIS CUTS $9 BILLION OR SOME NUMBER LIKE THAT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH IS WHY THEY FEEL THEY CAN'T FILL EVERYTHING ARE BUT IT LEADS BACK TO THEIR PROPOSALS OF TAXING THE RICH, TAXING THE BIG CORPORATIONS TO TRY TO FILL THOSE GAPS AND DEAL WITH SOME OF THE PROGRAMS LIKE MEDICAID AND OTHERS TO TRY TO FIND SOME WAY TO MAINTAIN THOSE SERVICES IN A WAY THAT CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE NEW YORK.

>> AND OF COURSE, NATURALLY, IT IS A RE-ELECTION YEAR FOR BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE.

HOW MUCH DOES THAT PLAY INTO HOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE APPROACHING BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS THIS YEAR?

>> WELL, I THINK YOU SEE LIKE WE'VE HEARD AFFORDABILITY.

THAT IS SORT OF THE BUZZ WORD OF THE YEAR IN NEW YORK.

SO WHEN IT COMES BACK TO-- WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE TAXING CONVERSATION, WE MENTION EVEN THE GOVERNOR THIS WEEK, AGAIN, KIND OF BEING RELUCTANT TO COMMIT TO RAISING INCOME TAXES, DOES THAT MEAN SHE, YOU KNOW, CONTINUES WITH THE CORPORATE TAX, COMPROMISES ON THAT, YOU KNOW, SINCE CORPORATIONS AREN'T NECESSARILY THE MOST POPULAR PLACE RIGHT NOW AND ALSO WHEN IT COMES TO, YOU KNOW, THE UTILITY ISSUE.

YOU UTILITY BILLS.

FINDING SOME WAYS TO DO THAT.

WE SAW THE LEGISLATURE, AT LEAST THE ASSEMBLY PUT IN THEIR REBATES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO THAT'S ANOTHER THING WE HEARD ALL WEEK IS AFFORDABILITY, AND I THINK THAT'S LIKE TOP OF MIND FOR THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE IN THESE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS.

>> AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE FUNDING FOR LOCAL TOWNS AND CITIES ACROSS THE STATE, HOW DO THE LEGISLATURE APPROACH THAT?

YOU KNOW, KATE, YOU MENTIONED THE BUDGET DEFICIT IN NEW YORK CITY.

SO HOW IS THE LEGISLATURE APPROACHING HELPING THE CITY BUT ALSO OTHER COMMUNITIES IN NEW YORK STATE?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WE TALKED ABOUT NEW YORK CITY, THE GOVERNOR HAD PROPOSED HER $1.5 BILLION IN HER BUDGET AMENDMENTS, AT LEAST ON THE ASSEMBLY SIDE THERE IS MORE MONEY FOR NEW YORK CITY ON TOP OF THAT AND THE SENATE AS WELL.

ASSEMBLY PROPOSING MORE MONEY FOR CITIES LIKE BUFFALO, WHICH HAD SOME FISCAL CHALLENGES AND THEY MADE THE CASE THAT THEY NEED SOME MORE DIRECT ASSISTANCE.

ALBANY WILL BE GETTING SOME MORE MONEY UNDER THESE PROPOSALS AND CITIES LIKE ROCHESTER PLUS THE MAJOR-- THE OTHER TOWNS AND CITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

SO THIS IS THE ASSEMBLY AND THE SENATE SAYING WE HEAR YOU.

OF COURSE, THE TIN CUP DAY WHEN ALL THE MAYORS CAME INCLUDING MAYOR MAMDANI IN NEW YORK AND THE MAYORS OF THE UPSTATE CITIES, THAT WAS HEARD.

IT MAY NOT BE ALL THAT THEY WANTED BUT AT LEAST THE SENATE ASSEMBLY SIDE SAYING IF WE'RE GOING TO BRING IN ANY MORE REVENUE, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SPREAD THIS AROUND TO OTHER COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

>> YEAH.

AND ANOTHER THING THAT STRUCK ME WAS IMMIGRATION.

I DON'T THINK I SAW TOO MUCH OF THAT IN THE ONE-HOUSE BUDGET PROPOSALS.

I KNOW GOVERNOR KATHIE HOCHUL PROPOSED MANY MEASURES TO PROTECT IMMIGRANTS WORKERS IN HER ONE BUDGET PROPOSAL AND THERE WAS TALK AROUND OMNIBUS PACKAGE AROUND IMMIGRATION.

DO YOU HAVE ANY INKLING WHERE THOSE MEASURES STAND RIGHT NOW?

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY'RE KIND OF IN A HOLDING PATTERN.

IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY MADE PROGRESS WHEN WE TALKED TO THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, BOTH STEWART-COUSINS AND HEASTIE THIS WEEK, THEY SAID THEY'RE GETTING CAUGHT UP ON SOME LANGUAGE.

THEY WOULDN'T GIVE DETAILS WHAT THAT IS AS THEY TEND NOT TO.

THEY SAY THEY DON'T WANT TO NEGOTIATE IN PUBLIC, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT'S A PACKAGE THAT WILL BE SEPARATE FROM THE BUDGET.

NOW THAT WE ARE IN EARNEST BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS, MAYBE WE WILL SEE THAT BE PUT ON THE BACK BURNER FOR A FEW WEEKS.

EVEN THOUGH, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS A PRIORITY FOR THEM TO GET DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT MAYBE THEY'LL SURPRISE US.

I HAVE A FEELING, YOU KNOW, WE WILL STILL HEAR AND SEE THAT GET DONE SOONER THAN LATER.

>> YEAH.

AND ARE THERE ANY OUTSTANDING MEASURES THAT WEREN'T INCLUDED IN THE ONE-HOUSE BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT ARE TOP OF MIND FOR YOU AS YOU DO YOUR REPORTING?

IT SEEMS LIKE IN YEARS PRIOR IN THE FINAL HOUR OF BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS, SOMETHING COMES OUT OF LEFT FIELD AND SURPRISES ALL OF US IN THE PRESS CORPS.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WE SHOULD KEEP ON OUR RADAR AT THIS JUNCTURE?

>> IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE.

WE HAD THE UNIONS MAKE A BIG PUSH FOR FOUR TO TIER 6 FOR PENSIONS AND I GUESS IN THE FIVE.

THE SENATE DIDN'T COMMIT TO ANYTHING.

THE GOVERNOR APPEARED AT THE RALLY SAYING I WILL FIGHT FOR YOU BUT NOT-- YOU KNOW, NOTHING SPECIFIC.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THAT IS IN THE BUDGET THIS YEAR AND WHAT THAT DOES TO THINGS.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SORT OF IS OUT THERE AS A QUESTION.

>> ALSO SOMETHING THE LEGISLATURE DID KEEP IN THERE WAS INTERESTING OF NOTE.

THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED NEW TAX ON SMOKE FREE NICOTINE PATCHES.

BOTH THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY KEPT THOSE IN THERE.

THEY REJECTED SOME NEW TAXES LIKE THAT IN THE PAST.

SO IT IS INTERESTING THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT THERE IS SOME THINGS OF THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL, BUT OBVIOUSLY THAT THEY ARE SAYING, LOOK, WE HAVE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHY ON IT.

OTHERS, THEY'RE IN AGREEMENT ON.

MAYBE THAT WILL MOVE A LITTLE FASTER THAN WE'D EXPECT.

>> LASTLY, THIS WEEK IN THE MEDIA AVAILABILITY, ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CARL HEASTIE SAID THAT WE SHOULDN'T EXPECT A BUDGET THAT IS SUPER LATE.

HE POINTED TO THE FACT THAT THERE WASN'T TOO MUCH POLICY IN THE BUDGET I WITH WE KNOW HE DOES NOT LIKE.

SO DID THAT SURPRISE YOU AT ALL?

WHEN DO YOU THINK THE FINAL BUDGET WILL ULTIMATELY BE ENACTED?

I KNOW OBVIOUSLY YOU DON'T HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL.

HOW DO YOU THINGS WILL SORT OF PAN OUT?

>> THAT'S SORT OF THE CONSENSUS.

IT MAY NOT BE APRIL 1ST, BUT IT MAY NOT BE THAT MUCH LONGER THAN APRIL 1ST.

YOU LOOK AT THE CALENDAR, THERE'S THAT NICE TWO-WEEK BREAK THAT EVERYONE WANTS TO TAKE AND IN RECENT YEARS YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TAKE I.T.

BECAUSE THE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS SPREAD THAT LONG.

WE KEEP HEARING IT WILL BE DOWN TO THE END OF THE MONTH.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

THERE WILL BE SURPRISES ALONG THE WAY.

>> ALSO, TOO, THERE ARE RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS THAT FALL AROUND APRIL 1ST THAT COULD BE A MOTIVATOR, BUT ALSO THEN IT COULD BE A MOTIVATOR TO GIVE THEM MORE TIME TO, YOU KNOW, SIT IT OUT LIKE THEY HAVE IN YEARS PAST, BUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE HAS BEEN WHAT'S HELD UP THE BUDGET IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, PUSHED IT INTO EARLY MAY EVEN.

THERE IS NO REALLY BIG CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROPOSAL ON THE LINE HERE.

SO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF THE CLIMATE DEBATE RISES TO THAT LEVEL AND TAXES ALSO USUALLY, TOO, THE LEGISLATURE HAS PUSHED FOR HIGHER TAXES ON THE WEALTHY BEFORE AND IT DOESN'T REMAIN A LARGE, YOU KNOW, STICKING POINT.

THEY KIND OF GET OVER IT PRETTY QUICKLY.

I THINK THE SPEAKER IS A LITTLE OPTIMISTIC.

I HAVE A FEELING IT'S GOING TO BE HARDER THAN THEY'RE THINKING.

MAYBE THIS YEAR THEY WILL GET ON TIME SO IT WILL LOOK THE BEST ON ALL OF THEM.

>> CERTAINLY A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY.

THANK YOU, BOTH, FOR YOUR FANTASTIC REPORTING ON THIS TOPIC.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> WE WERE SPEAKING WITH KATE LISA OF CITY AND STATE NEW YORK AND SAMUEL KING OF WXXI AND THE NEW YORK PUBLIC NEWS NETWORK.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> NOW TURNING TO ANOTHER IMPORTANT TOPIC.

IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, WE SAT DOWN WITH HOUSE COMMITTEE CHAIR GUSTAVO RIVERA AHEAD OF THE SENATE'S ONE-HOUSE BUDGET RELEASE TO UNPACK THE HEALTH CARE PRIORITIES ON THE DOCKET THIS YEAR.

WE ALSO SPOKE AT LENGTH ABOUT THE CURRENT STATE OF THE CDPAP PROGRAM AND THE SUPPORT AROUND THE NEW YORK HEALTH ACT.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

[ THEME MUSIC ] THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US BACK ON THE SHOW TODAY, SENATOR.

>> PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU.

>> WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE HEALTH CARE PRIORITIES THAT YOU'RE PUSHING FOR IN THE STATE BUDGET THIS YEAR?

I KNOW THE STATE SENATE IS DAYS AWAY FROM RELEASING ITS ONE-HOUSE BUDGET PROPOSAL.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU'RE PARTICULARLY EXCITED ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS?

>> WELL, I THINK THE FIRST THING THAT WOULD I HAVE TO SAY AS OPPOSED TO EXCITEMENT, IT'S IMMENSE CONCERN AND IT IS IMMENSE CONCERN ABOUT THE ACTIONS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, BOTH IN THIS YEAR AND IN THE COMING YEAR BECAUSE, AS WE KNOW, THE CUTS THAT WERE-- THAT HR1 POSED COME IN DIFFERENT TRANCHES, IF IT YOU WILL.

IT'S LIKE WE ALREADY GOT HIT IN THE BAT-- WITH A BAT IN THE HEAD ONCE.

THE OTHER BAT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HEAD IS COMING IN JANUARY OF NEXT YEAR.

THAT CERTAINLY REFERS TO CHANGES IN CRITERIA FOR THE ESSENTIAL PLAN AS WELL AS WORKFORCE REQUIREMENTS FOR MEDICAID.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE PURPOSELY PUT FORTH BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO REALLY STRIKE AT THE HEART OF HEALTH COVERAGE FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE.

SO THE HOPE IS THAT THE RESPONSE FROM THE STATE IS ONE THAT ACTUALLY TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE IMPACT THAT THOSE FEDERAL ACTIONS ARE GOING TO HAVE.

I THINK THAT THE GOVERNOR DID SOME THINGS BUT DID NOT GO FAR ENOUGH AND WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF DISCUSSING WITHIN THE SENATE WHAT THE RESPONSE IS GOING TO BE FROM US.

I CERTAINLY, SPOILER ALERT, WILL LIKELY WANT TO GO A LOT FURTHER THAN I'M ABLE TO CONVINCE MY COLLEAGUES TO GO IN THE ONE HOUSE AS WELL AS THE GOVERNOR.

BECAUSE I THINK THAT THESE ARE-- THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE NEED-- THERE'S BREAKS IN THE HEALTH SYSTEM THAT HAVE ALREADY EXISTED FOR MANY YEARS THAT I HAVE TALKED ABOUT FOREVER.

AND WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS JUST MAKING IT WORSE.

SO IT'S EXACERBATING IMMENSE PROBLEMS IN HEALTH CARE DELIVERY IN THE STATE.

AND SO I THINK THAT WE NEED TO ACTUALLY BE MORE AGGRESSIVE IN BOLD IN WAYS THAT WE TRY TO SOLVE IT AND IT IS MY HOPE THAT I CAN GET TO SOME OF THAT INTO THE ONE-HOUSE RULE.

WE'LL SEE.

>> IT'S NO SECRET THAT MEDICAID TAKES UP A BIG PORTION OF THE STATE BUDGET AND YOU HIGHLIGHTED THE CONCERN AROUND FEDERAL CUTS, BOTH THIS YEAR AND IN THE YEARS AHEAD, SO I'M CURIOUS IS THERE A SPECIFIC DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT, YOU KNOW, THE CONFERENCE IS GOING TO BE ASKING FOR TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM IN THE YEARS TO COME?

>> THERE WILL BE A SUGGESTION BECAUSE AS I'M SURE THAT YOU KNOW AND FOR YOUR VIEWERS, THE WAY THAT IT WORKS IN THE-- THE WAY THAT IT WORKS IN THE BUDGET PROCESS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE GOVERNOR PRESENTS HER BUDGET PROPOSAL.

THIRTY DAY AFTER THAT, SHE DOES 30 DAYS AMENDMENTS, AND BASED ON EVERYTHING BEING DISCUSSED, SHE SAYS THIS IS MY FINAL OFFER.

THEN THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY DO A BUDGET AND THEY SAID IF IT WAS UP TO US, THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

THEN WE TAKE THE THREE ERRINGS HAVES AND DECIDE ON WHAT WE FINALLY VOTE ON.

THE ONE-HOUSE THAT WE WILL DISCUSS SHORTLY IS A RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL, AND I AM-- AND WE'RE STILL IN THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT THAT'S GONNA BE.

I DON'T HAVE A NUMBER FOR YOU, BUT I DO THINK THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO OUTLINE CERTAINLY FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET IT INTO THE ONE-HOUSE.

CERTAINLY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE NEED MORE REVENUE AND THAT MEANS TAXING THE WEALTHY TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.

THERE'S A HOST OF BILLS THAT ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION THAT I HOPE ARE INCLUDED.

AMONG OTHER BILLS, MY BILL TO TAX CAPITAL GAINS AT THE SAME RATE THAT YOU OR I WOULD GET TAXED OR ANY OF YOUR VIEWERS WOULD GET TAXED ON THEIR-- ON WHAT THEY MAKE FROM THEIR WAGES.

CAPITAL GAINS ARE NOT TAXED AT THE SAME LEVEL.

SO IF WE DO THAT, WE CAN PROBABLY GET SOMETHING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD FROM 10 TO $12 BILLION OF NEW REVENUE.

THAT'S JUST ONE OF THE BILLS UNDER CONSIDERATION.

THE REASON FOR THIS IS NOT ONLY DO WE NEED TO HAVE THE WEALTHY PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE, BUT THE CUTS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, NOT ONLY IN HEALTH BUT ACROSS THE BOARD ARE SO SERIOUS, THAT WE'RE GOING TO NEED REVENUE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE UP FOR THAT GAP.

WE'RE NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE UP EVERYTHING THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAKES AWAY, BUT WE NEED TO HAVE SOME REVENUE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT HOW TO PROTECT THE MOST VULNERABLE ACROSS OUR STATE AND SO ALTHOUGH I CAN'T GIVE YOU A NUMBER, I CAN SAY THAT I'M CERTAINLY PUSHING FOR US TO INCLUDE MORE REVENUE GENERATORS IN THE BUDGET AS WELL AS SOME MEASURES TO AVERT SOME OF THE WORST ASPECTS OF THE FEDERAL CUTS, PARTICULARLY TO THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

>> AND THE STATE'S MOVE TO TRANSITION NEW YORKERS ENROLLED IN THE CONSUMER DIRECTED PERSONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DEFINITELY RESULTED IN A LOT OF CRITICISM FROM LAWMAKERS AND ADVOCATES AND THAT COMPANY BEING PPO IN THE END, AND I KNOW THERE WERE A LOT OF HICCUPS ALONG THE WAY WITH THE TRANSITION FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT MEETING SPECIFIC DEADLINES.

SO HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT THINGS RIGHT NOW IN THAT PROCESS?

AND YOU KNOW, GIVEN THAT WE'RE YEARS FROM WHEN IT WAS ACTUALLY PASSED IN THE LEGISLATURE, ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THE OUTCOME RIGHT NOW?

>> I'VE BEEN PRETTY-- I'VE BEEN PRETTY PUBLIC AND CLEAR ABOUT MY FEELINGS ON THIS.

I THOUGHT THAT THE SYSTEM NEEDED SOME-- DEFINITELY NEEDED SOME RENEWAL, IF YOU WILL, SOME REFORM, BUT I DID NOT BELIEVE THAT IT WAS, EXCUSE ME, THE WISEST MOVE TO MOVE TO A SINGLE TO MIDDLE AREA.

I HAVE BEEN VERY PUBLIC ABOUT THAT.

THE ADMINISTRATION IS CLAIMING THAT BASED ON THESE CHANGES THAT THE GOAL WAS TO SAVE $500 MILLION.

THAT'S WHAT THEY ALLEGED WOULD BE SAVED BY THE SWITCH, AND THEY'RE SAYING THAT THEY SAVED $1.2 BILLION.

I HAVE YET TO SEE THE SPECIFICS ON THIS, WHICH IS NOT NEW.

THE BUDGET DANCE, IF YOU WILL, ALWAYS INCLUDES CLAIMS BY THE EXECUTIVE ABOUT THINGS THAT THEY WILL DO THAT IF WE DO THIS, WE'RE GOING TO-- I'M GOING TO PROPOSE THIS, AND IF WE TO THIS, THEN WE'RE GOING TO SAVE X AMOUNT OF MONEY.

THEN WE ASK THEM, OKAY, CAN YOU SHOW US HOW THAT WORKS, AND WE ARE RARELY SHOWN THOSE NUMBERS IF THAT MATH.

I'M STILL IMMENSELY CONCERNED MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE BECAUSE THIS IS A POPULATION THAT IS A VULNERABLE POPULATION, THAT REQUIRES CONTINUITY OF CARE AND I BELIEVE THAT SOME OF THE HICCUPS, AS YOU CALLED THEM IN THE PROGRAM'S TRANSITION, WERE POTENTIALLY HARMFUL TO SO MANY NEW YORKERS.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO MOVING FORWARD LEGISLATIVELY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STATE HAS MORE OF AN ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE MORE OVERSIGHT OVER THESE TYPES OF-- OVER THESE TYPES OF PROGRAMS AND SO WE'RE DISCUSSING A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT PIECES OF LEGISLATION TO DO THAT GOING FORWARD, BUT AS OF RIGHT NOW, I'M JUST, YOU KNOW, I'M STILL WAITING TO SEE THAT MATH.

>> THIS WEEK, THE "NEW YORK POST" ACTUALLY REPORTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS GOING TO BE LOOKING INTO THE EXECUTIVE CHAMBER FOR ISSUES WITH THE BIDDING PROCESS AS IT RELATES TO PPOS SECURING THE STATE CONTRACT FOR CDPAP.

ANY REACTION TO THAT REPORTING?

>> I WOULD SAY THAT THE THING IS THAT I'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR AND VERY PUBLIC OF MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE WHOLE PROCESS.

I WOULD SAY THAT THIS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS NOT PROVEN ITSELF TO BE A SERIOUS ACTOR OR GOOD FAITH ACTOR.

WE HAVE SEEN HOW THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS WEAPONIZED THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND OTHER AGENCIES TO ATTACK POLITICAL ENEMIES.

SO I DON'T-- I DON'T NECESSARILY TAKE THE CONCERNS THAT THEY EXPRESS AS SERIOUS.

BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT THEY'VE DONE IT IN OTHER PLACES WHERE THEY TAKE A SMALL CLAIM AND THEN THEY MAKE THIS ENORMOUS, YOU KNOW, THIS ENORMOUS STATEMENT, OH THIS IS COMPLETELY FRAUDULENT AND THEN THEY ACT TO TAKE AWAY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM STATES.

THIS IS WHAT THEY DID IN MINNESOTA AND POTENTIALLY WHAT THEY'RE PREPARING TO DO IN NEW YORK STATE.

AND AGAIN, IT IS NOT AS A-- IT IS NOT IN RESPONSE TO ACTUAL FRAUD AND ABUSE AND WASTE.

YOU KNOW, REMEMBER DOGE?

REMEMBER THOSE PEOPLE?

REMEMBER THE SETUP OF THE NOTION THAT THERE IS ALL OF THIS WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE IN GOVERNMENT AND AS OPPOSED TO THAT IS WHAT YOU HAVE IS AN ADMINISTRATION THAT HAS WEAPONIZED AGENCIES, HAS WEAPONIZED THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IN WAYS THAT ARE JUST ABOUT ATTACKING POLITICAL ENEMIES.

SO I THINK THAT WE-- NOW AGAIN, THE CONCERNS THAT I'VE SHARED HAVE BEEN PUBLIC AND HAVE BEEN VERY CLEARLY STATED OUT THERE.

I THINK THAT I HAVE MORE THAN A-- MORE CREDIBILITY THAN DR.

MEHMET OZ.

LOOK AT SOME OF HIS PAST SHOWS AND SOME OF THE STUFF HE WAS TALKING ABOUT IN SOME OF HIS SHOWS IN THE PAST.

THIS IS NOT A SERIOUS PERSON.

I WOULD SAY MY CONCERNS CARRY A LITTLE BIT MORE WEIGHT THAN THE ONES THAT MIHMET OZ HAS.

>> ANOTHER BILL YOU'VE BEEN PUSHING FOR IS THE NEW YORK HEALTH ACT, WHICH WOULD ESTABLISH A UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE PLAN FOR NEW YORKERS.

I KNOW THAT HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, AROUND FOR SOME TIME, BUT HOW WERE YOU HOPING TO ULTIMATELY GET IT ACROSS THE LEGISLATIVE FINISH LINE THIS YEAR AND SORT OF GARNER MORE SUPPORT FOR THE BILL?

>> I BELIEVE WHOLEHEARTEDLY THAT WE HAVE TO FUNDAMENTALLY TRANSFORM THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN THE U.S NOT JUST THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT THE U.S.

THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT THIS COUNTRY IS THE ONLY COUNTRY, THE ONLY COUNTRY IN WHICH YOU CAN GO BROKE BECAUSE YOU GET SICK.

THAT IS AN OBSCENITY THAT WE LIVE WITH EVERY DAY AND JUST TINKERING AROUND THE EDGES IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

SO WE NEED TO MOVE TO A SINGLE-PAYER SYSTEM.

THAT IS ULTIMATELY WHAT THE NEW YORK HEALTH ACT WOULD DO.

IT WOULD GUARANTEE EVERYBODY HEALTH CARE IRREGARDLESS OF AGE, WEALTH IMMIGRATION STATUS.

IF YOU ARE A NEW YORKER OR YOU ARE FULL-TIME EMPLOYED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, YOU WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM.

SO I BELIEVE THAT THIS PARTICULAR MOMENT WHERE WE HAVE THE-- WE WERE ALREADY IN A CRISIS MOMENT, BUT AS I REFERRED TO EARLIER, THE CUT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS IMPOSED ON THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM ARE GOING TO HAVE A BROAD IMPACT NOT JUST ON THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SERVED BY PUBLIC-- BY PUBLIC PROGRAMS LIKE MEDICAID, BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE STRIPPING BASIC HEALTH COVERAGE AND THAT MEANS INSURANCE FROM MOST-- FROM A WHOLE BUNCH OF PEOPLE.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO STOP GETTING SICK JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE INSURANCE.

THEY'RE JUST GOING TO RELY ON DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE SYSTEM WHICH IS GOING TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE REST OF IT.

SO I BELIEVE THAT THE NEW YORK HEALTH ACT IS A SOLUTION TO SOLVE THIS, AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE YEAR TO PUSH FOR BOLD SOLUTIONS.

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION DIRECTLY, I WANT TO BUILD MOMENTUM AROUND THE FACT THAT WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A CRISIS AND THE CRISIS THAT WE ARE IN THAT IS SO SERIOUS REQUIRES SERIOUS AND BOLD SOLUTIONS.

AND I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A REAL CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS WITH THE PROFIT MODE AT ITS CORE AND HOW CONTINUING TO KEEP THE PROFIT MODEL AT ITS CORE SERVES NO ONE.

EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT IS WATCHING THIS CAN YOU TELL A STORY ABOUT THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILY MEMBER, THEIR NEIGHBORS, THEIR COWORKERS IN WHICH THEY HAD TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR HEALTH CARE THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR HEALTH AND HAD EVERYTHING TO DO WITH WHETHER THEY COULD AFFORD THAT CARE.

THAT IS AN OBSCENITY.

WE NEED TO MOVE AWAY FROM THAT.

AND I BELIEVE THE NEW YORK HEALTH ACT IS THE WAY TO DO SO.

AND THAT THIS MOMENT WHERE SUCH SERIOUS CRISIS THAT WE'RE IN, BOLD SOLUTIONS ARE NECESSARY.

THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS THAT WILL RAISE THE TEMPERATURE AND VOLUME ON THIS.

>> WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS?

>> I'M NOT ANNOUNCING THEM YET.

WE'RE WORKING ON THEM, BOTH INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY.

BOTTOM LINE IS I THINK THIS NEEDS TO RAISE-- WE NEED TO RAISE THE TEMPERATURE ON THIS, CONTINUING TO TINKER AROUND THE EDGES DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

WE NEED TO GO TO THE CORE OF THE PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THAT THE STATE OF NEW YORK CAN.

I SAY ALL THE TIME, STATE OF NEW YORK DOES NOT HAVE JUST AN OPPORTUNITY.

THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS AN OBLIGATION TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY AND TO DEMONSTRATE HOW TO DO IT AND THAT'S WHAT I HOPE THAT WE GET TO DO HERE.

>> WELL, CERTAINLY A LOT ON THE DOCKET, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS ALL THE TIME THAT WE HAVE FOR TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CONNECT WITH US, SENATOR.

AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA, REPRESENTING THE 33RD STATE SENATE DISTRICT IN THE BRONX AND CHAIR OF THE SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."

THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >>ANNOUNCER: FUNDING FOR "NEW YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.