The Future of the Democratic Party in New York | New York NOW | THIRTEEN

Transcript

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK’S EDITION OF “NEW YORK NOW.”

I’M SHANTEL DESTRA.

THE NEWLY MINTED CHAIR OF THE DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE IS FOCUSED ON BUILDING SUPPORT FOR INCUMBENT MEMBERS IN HOPES TO SECURE A SUPERMAJORITY IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

STATE SENATOR SHELLEY MAYER, WHO IS A LONGTIME LEGISLATOR REPRESENTING WESTCHESTER COUNTY, REPLACES FORMER STATE SENATOR MIKE GIANARIS IN LEADING THE COMMITTEE.

MAYOR’S TENURE BEGINS AT A TIME WHEN THE PARTY IS FEELING HISTORICAL PRESSURE FROM THE PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES AFTER BIG WINS IN THE JUNE PRIMARY ELECTIONS THIS YEAR.

THOSE WINS SPARK SOME SPECULATION ON HOW MORE MODERATE DEMOCRATS WILL WORK WITH THE PROGRESSIVE FLANK.

IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, I SAT DOWN WITH SENATOR MAYER TO UNPACK HER STRATEGY FOR ELECTIONS, BUILDING MOMENTUM FOR CANDIDATES AND THE FUTURE OF HER PARTY.

HERE’S THAT CONVERSATION.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> THANKS FOR JOINING US ON THE SHOW TODAY, SENATOR.

>> THANK YOU, SHANTEL.

IT’S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> OF COURSE.

ABSOLUTELY.

NOW, YOU WERE RECENTLY APPOINTED CHAIR OF THE DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATE CAMPAIGN FINANCE COMMITTEE.

SO CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF YOUR GOALS THAT YOU HAVE FOR THE COMMITTEE MOVING FORWARD?

>> FIRST OF ALL IS MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF OUR INCUMBENT DEMOCRATIC SENATORS IN THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE GET RE-ELECTED.

THAT’S PRIORITY ONE.

I’M CONFIDENT THEY WILL.

BUT IT TAKES WORK AND CAMPAIGNS.

I’VE BEEN INVOLVED IN CAMPAIGNS AND I KNOW HOW MUCH WORK IT TAKES.

THEN WE HAVE WONDERFUL NEW CANDIDATES RUNNING AGAINST SOME OF OUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES, AND THAT’S– WE HOPE TO GAIN A SUPERMAJORITY AND TO GAIN MORE SEATS, AND I THINK THE MOOD OF NEW YORK STATE RIGHT NOW AND THE MOOD OF AMERICA RIGHT NOW IS FOR CHANGE AND FOCUS ON AFFORDABILITY AND LOOKING AT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE SENATE DEMOCRATS, I’M CONFIDENT WE’RE GOING TO DO VERY WELL.

BUT THAT’S WHAT MY JOB IS TO ENSURE THAT WE WIN AND WE GAIN NEW SEATS.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE MAIN RACES THAT YOU’RE HOPING TO RAMP UP FUNDING SUPPORT FOR IN THE WEEKS UNTIL NOW AND ELECTION DAY?

>> WELL, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF IN THE FIRST PLACE, AS I MENTIONED, INCUMBENTS WHO THEY HAVE DISTRICTS WHERE THEY WON DESPITE CHALLENGES IN THEIR OWN DISTRICT.

THEIR DISTRICT MAY BE MORE CONSERVATIVE AND MAY HAVE TRADITIONALLY ELECTED A REPUBLICAN SENATOR.

I WAS THERE WHEN MANY OF THESE REPUBLICAN SENATORS FROM ARE THE HUDSON VALLEY AND SOUTHERN TIER DISTRICTS AND WE’RE GOING TO CHANGE THAT.

WE’RE GOING TO HOLD ONTO THEM AND WE’RE GOING TO WORK AT IT.

PEOPLE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND EVEN IF THEY’RE REPUBLICANS AND NOT ENROLLED IN ANY PARTY THAT HAVING A STRONG DEMOCRAT MAJORITY MEANS THAT THEIR INTEREST WILL BE REPRESENTED BY SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO FIGHT FOR THEM, FOR THEM AS THE CONSTITUENTS OF THAT PERSON.

THAT’S POINT ONE.

POINT TWO, WE HAVE SOME OPEN SEATS.

WE HAVE SENATOR MARTINS IS LEAVING.

THAT’S AN OPEN SEAT IN LONG ISLAND.

WE HAVE OTHER SEATS WHERE WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES WITH GREAT CANDIDATES THAT ARE MOVING FORWARD IN NEW YORK CITY AND ALL OVER THE STATE, AND SO WE’RE WORKING HARD WITH EACH OF THOSE CANDIDATES TO MAXIMIZE THEIR CAMPAIGNS, THEIR FINANCES AND TO DO WELL.

>> AND LOOKING AT PAST YEARS AND ELECTIONS WHAT ARE SOME OF THE INITIATIVES LED BY THE DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN FINANCE COMMITTEE THAT YOU THINK WERE EXECUTED WELL, THAT YOU’D LIKE TO BUILD ON THROUGHOUT YOUR TENURE?

>> WELL, LOOKING BACK TO WHEN I WAS ELECTED IN A SPECIAL ELECTION, 2018 WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE SHIFT FROM A TRADITIONAL REPUBLICAN MAJORITY TO THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY.

THAT TOOK A TREMENDOUS GRASS ROOTS EFFORT.

HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS.

MAYBE EVEN THOUSANDS OF BIG GROUND GAME RAISING MONEY.

OBVIOUSLY, YOU HAVE TO DO TV, PRINT AND SOCIAL MEDIA AND ALL THOSE THINGS BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT BOTH SIDES ARE DOING AND WE’RE GOING TO ENGAGE FULLY.

SO THAT WAS A CAMPAIGN AND THEN IN 2018, WE GAINED ALL THESE NEW MEMBERS AND WE’VE CONTINUED TO GAIN NEW MEMBERS AND WE WILL JUST USE THIS VERY SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY THAT MIKE GIANARIS HAD WHEN HE WAS THE HEAD OF IT FOR ALL THESE YEARS AND CONTINUE TO GO DOWN THE SAME PATH, BUT YOU KNOW, NUANCED FOR THE MOMENT WE’RE IN, WHICH IS WE HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO IS UNPOPULAR IN NEW YORK STATE.

WE HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO’S RUNNING, AN ATTORNEY GENERAL, A COMPTROLLER.

WE HAVE A TICKET THAT, I THINK, THE VAST MAJORITY OF NEW YORKERS KNOW IT IS GOOD FOR NEW YORK.

SO WE’RE GOING TO BE RUNNING OUR OWN CAMPAIGNS AND OUR OWN CANDIDATES STRONGLY AND WITH ENOUGH MONEY TO WIN.

>> AND RELATED TO THAT, HOW DO YOU PLAN TO WORK WITH LARGER POLITICAL PARTIES?

SPECIFICALLY, THE STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND PARTY CHAIR, JAY JACOBS, FOR STRATEGIZING ON SOME OF THOSE UPCOMING ELECTION.

>> WELL, WE’RE VERY PLEASED THAT THERE’S A COORDINATED CAMPAIGN IN MANY AREAS OF THE STATE.

I WAS AT THE OPENING OF SENATOR HARCKHAM’S CAMPAIGN OFFICE IN MOUNT KISCO, WHICH WAS GREAT, AND THE STATE IS PAYING FOR THAT.

SO IN PLACES WHERE WE HAVE AN EFFECTIVE COORDINATED CAMPAIGN, WE’LL TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF WORKING WITH ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES TO GET THINGS DONE.

OUR FOCUS IS ON THE SENATE AND THE DEMOCRAT MAJORITY.

THAT’S THE JOB I HAVE AND I INTEND TO DO IT.

EVERY TIME WE CAN COORDINATE WITH OUR COLLEAGUES, A DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES, THE MORE THE MERRIER, THE BETTER IT IS.

>> AND WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE PROGRESSIVE INSURGENT CANDIDATES THAT HAVE BEEN VICTORIOUS IN THIS YEAR’S ELECTIONS, BOTH IN NEW YORK CITY AND ACROSS THE STATE?

>> WELL, ONE THING I ALWAYS POINT OUT IS WE ALREADY HAVE THREE SO-CALLED DSA MEMBERS WITHIN THE SENATE DEMOCRAT MAJORITY.

THEY’RE FIGHTING FOR MANY OF THE SAME THINGS THAT THE REST OF US, THAT PEOPLE LIKE ME ARE FIGHTING FOR, AFFORDABLE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, AFFORDABLE FOOD, PROTECTING RENTAL TENANTS, MANY OF US HAVE BEEN FIGHTING ON THESE SAME ISSUES FOR SO LONG, AND WE HAVE WHAT I CALL A BIG TENT DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

WE HAVE ROOM.

WE HAVE ROOM TO AGREE AND DISAGREE, BUT AT THE END, WE’RE FIGHTING AGAINST A FORCE MUCH BIGGER THAN OUR INTERNAL DIFFERENCES, WHICH IS WHAT IS COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON AND THE POLICIES THAT ARE REALLY HURTING NEW YORKERS IN TERMS OF HEALTH CARE, FOOD INSECURITY, HOUSING, LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING.

THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON AND WE’LL– WE’LL ALL GET TOGETHER AT THE END OF THE DAY AND FIND COMMON GROUND, BUT WE HAVE A BIGGER PROBLEM THAN OUR OWN INTERNAL DIFFERENCES, WHICH IS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON AND HOW IT AFFECTS EVERYDAY NEW YORKERS.

THE PRICE AT THE PUMP IS SOMETHING PEOPLE CARE ABOUT MUCH MORE THAN WHAT LABEL IS ON YOUR DEMOCRATIC TICKET.

>> YEAH.

SO HOW SHOULD CANDIDATES IN YOUR COMMITTEE BE THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY MOVING FORWARD?

GIVEN THESE WINS BY THE PROGRESSIVE MEMBERS, ARE THERE ANY OPPORTUNITIES FROM YOUR PURVIEW YOU THAT THINK THE COMMITTEE COULD BUILD ON WITH THESE WINS?

>> AGAIN, I THINK THE PHILOSOPHY I JUST DESCRIBED, WHICH IS IF YOU’RE A DEMOCRAT AND YOU WIN AS A DEMOCRAT, WE WILL ALL WORK TOGETHER ON COMMON GOALS.

WE MAY DISAGREE.

I SAY IT’S LIKE THANKSGIVING.

MY FAMILY ALL DISAGREES AT THE TABLE ABOUT EVERYTHING, INCLUDING POLITICS, AND AT THE END, WE WALK AWAY AND WE ARE ON THE SAME PATH, AND THAT IS WHAT IT IS ABOUT.

WE’RE ON A PATH THAT THERE COULDN’T BE A MORE PIVOTAL MOMENT IN AMERICA’S HISTORY WHERE BEING A DEMOCRAT AND STANDING FOR DEMOCRATIC VALUES, STANDING FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO AFFORD, YOU KNOW, A QUART OF MILK AT THE GROCERY STORE, WHAT CEREAL COSTS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, THESE ARE THE ISSUES WE’RE FIGHTING ABOUT, AND WE’RE NOT GOING TO GET DETERRED BY INTERNAL DIFFERENCES ABOUT STRATEGY AND INDIVIDUAL THINGS.

WE HAVE LOTS IN COMMON, AND THAT’S WHAT– WITH LEADERSHIP ON OUR COUSINS, WE’VE BEEN TOTALLY FOCUSED ON THE COMMON GOALS OF DEMOCRATS AND NEW YORKERS.

>> AND LOOKING AT THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE POLITICAL AISLE, HOW DO YOU PLAN TO MITIGATE THE WAYS IN WHICH REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES MAY TRY TO PAINT THE RISE OF DEMOCRATIC SOCIAL VALUES IN A NEGATIVE OR UNFAVORABLE LIGHT?

>> WELL, I THINK YOU JUST NEED TO TALK TO ORDINARY VOTERS.

I’M AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.

I TALK TO PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE, YOU KNOW, VOTED FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP, BUT THEY’RE MAD NOW, AND THEY WANT CHANGE, AND THEY WANT SOMEONE AUTHENTIC, WHO REPRESENTS THEIR NEEDS.

IT’S GOING TO PUT THEIR ISSUES FIRST.

SO REPUBLICANS CAN SAY WHAT THEY WANT ABOUT SOME BIG, YOU KNOW, TERRIBLE THING THAT THEY THINK IS HAPPENING.

THERE IS A TERRIBLE THING HAPPENING AND IT IS HAPPENING TO OUR NEW YORKERS.

DEMOCRATS ARE FOCUSED ON THAT.

SO YOU NEED REAL CANDIDATES WHO KNOW THEIR COMMUNITIES, WHO SPEAK TRUTHFULLY AND AUTHENTICALLY AND ARE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

WE’RE GOING TO WIN WITH THAT MESSAGE BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT PEOPLE WANT.

PEOPLE OF ALL POLITICAL PERSUASIONS.

>> AND HOW DO YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE ENGAGING WITH VOTERS AND SECURING CAMPAIGN FINANCE FUNDS DURING THE NON-ELECTION YEARS?

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING WHEN THERE AREN’T BIG, FLASHY RACES AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE MEDIA?

>> WELL, WE’RE PROUD OF WHAT WE’VE ACHIEVED.

WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO RAISE MONEY BECAUSE WE ARE VIEWED AS A CONFERENCE THAT IS OPEN TO EVERYONE.

WE LISTEN TO OPINIONS AND DISAGREE.

WE’RE NOT AFRAID TO HAVE PEOPLE WITH DIFFERING VIEWS COME AND SEE US.

THAT’S THE WAY I RUN IT.

THAT’S THE WAY THE MAJORITY LEADER RUNS IT.

THAT’S THE WAY OUR CONFERENCE IS AND THEN WE TAKE LEADERSHIP.

EELECTING ELECTED OFFICIALS MEANS YOU HAVE TO DO THINGS THAT ARE TOUGH SOMETIMES.

LIKE UTILITY RATE REGULATION, OUR CONFERENCE HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY THE LEADER ON BEHALF OF INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE FIGHTING BACK AGAINST THE APPROVAL OF THESE INCREDIBLY HIGH RATES THAT CANNOT BE JUSTIFIED.

WE’RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

SO WE RAISE MONEY BECAUSE WE HAVE A RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENT, A RECORD OF OPENNESS, VERY HIGH PROFESSIONALISM AND THE BEST PRACTICES OF BEING IN GOVERNMENT.

WE TAKE DEMOCRACY SERIOUSLY AND I’M VERY CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO RAISE MONEY AND WE’LL CONTINUE TO BUILD OUR MAJORITY.

>> AND LASTLY, AS YOU MENTIONED BEFORE, FORMER STATE SENATOR MIKE GIANARIS, WAS YOUR MOST RECENT PREDECESSOR WHO LED THE COMMITTEE FOR SOME TIME.

SO WHAT ADVICE DID THE SENATOR LEAVE YOU WITHIN TERMS OF LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGY FOR ELECTIONS?

>> WELL, ONE, I’M GLAD HE HASN’T LEFT.

HE REMAINS A CONSULTANT TO THE DEMOCRATIC SENATE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, AND I’M VERY, VERY COMMITTED TO GETTING AS MUCH ADVICE AS I CAN FROM HIM.

HE HAS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE OF BUILDING OUR MAJORITY AND BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL MAJORITY THAT ACCOMPLISHED THINGS.

IT’S NOT JUST DEMOCRATS ARE IN CHARGE.

IT’S DEMOCRATS ARE IN CHARGE AND THEY HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE IF THE PEOPLE’S LIVES THEY SERVE.

I KNOW IN MY DISTRICT, YOU KNOW, WHERE I’M OUT AND ABOUT AND TALKING TO REGULAR PEOPLE, NOT INVOLVED IN POLITICS, THEY WANT TO KNOW, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE RESPONSIVE.

YOU ARE RECEPTIVE.

YOU CARE ABOUT US.

THAT’S WHAT DEMOCRATS ARE PROUD AND WE’LL CONTINUE TO DO SO.

SO MIKE GIANARIS, NOT ONLY HIS REPUTATION, BUT HIS RECORD OF BUILDING A STRONG DEMOCRAT MAJORITY AND TRANSLATING THAT INTO ACTUAL ACHIEVEMENTS, I LOOK TO LEARN AS MUCH AS I CAN FROM HIS EXAMPLE.

>> WELL, THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CONNECTING WITH US, SENATOR.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

IT’S A PLEASURE TO BE ON YOUR SHOW.

>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH STATE SENATOR SHELLEY MAYER, CHAIR OF THE DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND REPRESENTING THE 37TH STATE SENATE DISTRICT.

[ THEME MUSIC ] NOW TURNING TO ANOTHER IMPORTANT TOPIC.

IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, WE’LL DIVE INTO THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON RARE AQUATIC SPECIES AND ECOSYSTEMS IN THE STATE.

THIS YEAR, STATE LAWMAKERS PASS SEVERAL BILLS MEANT TO EXTEND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION’S MANAGEMENT OF THIS ISSUE.

WHILE THE STATE BUDGET ALSO ALLOCATED OVER $100 MILLION IN FUNDS FOR FISH HATCHERIES ACROSS THE STATE.

OUR ELISE KLINE HAS MORE IN THIS NEXT STORY.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> CLIMATE CHANGE’S WARMING TEMPERATURES AREN’T JUST IMPACTING NEW YORKERS ON LAND, FISH, CRABS, CLAMS AND OTHER AQUATIC SPECIES ARE ALSO FEELING THE HEAT.

ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL AND NEW YORK STATE CLIMATE IMPACT ASSESSMENT, RISING WATER TEMPERATURES, HEAVY STORMWATER RUNOFF, AND OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ARE THREATENING MARINE AND FRESHWATER SPECIES.

>> THOSE ALONE.

THOSE CONDITIONS OBVIOUSLY HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT.

YOU HAVE WHOLE ECOSYSTEMS SHIFTING AT VARIOUS TIMES, EITHER TO MOVE IN SEARCH OF BETTER HABITATS FOR PREY THAT’S CHANGING IN TERMS OF DISTRIBUTION.

>> OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS ADD AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS PLAY A BIG ROLE IN NEW YORKERS’ EVERYDAY LIVES, WITHOUT MANY OF US REALIZING IT.

THEY HELP FACILITATE FRESH WATER AND FOOD, IN ADDITION TO SUPPORTING LOCAL RECREATION ACTIVITIES, JOBS, AND THE ECONOMY.

>> AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS ARE VERY MUCH EMBEDDED IN THE CULTURE OF MOST OF OUR LIVES, WHETHER WE REALIZE IT OR NOT.

FOR EXAMPLE, JUST IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, 40% OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK GET THEIR DRINKING WATER FROM THE GREAT LAKES WATERSHED.

SO EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT AN AVID FISHER, EVEN IF YOU DON’T GO OUT AND VISIT OUR AQUATIC RESOURCES ON A REGULAR BASIS, YOU ARE VERY MUCH CONNECTED TO THESE ECOSYSTEMS BY SIMPLY LIVING IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

>> AND NEW YORK STATE LAWMAKERS AGREE, WANTING TO PROTECT THE STATE’S MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS.

STATE SENATOR RACHEL MAY, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF SYRACUSE AND A RANKING MEMBER OF THE SENATE’S ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION COMMITTEE, SAYS SHE WORRIES ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF WARMER WATERS, HIGHLIGHTING THAT THE LESSER AMOUNT OF OXYGEN IN WARMER WATER CAN HURT FISH AND CAUSE BIG STORMS.

>> IT GIVES THEM HEAT STRESS, AND THEY’RE MORE LIKELY TO CATCH A DISEASE OF SOME KIND OR BECOME PREY TO A PRESIDENT TORE OF SOME KIND BECAUSE THEY ARE STRESSED OUT BY THE WARMER WATER.

AND IT’S ALSO WARM WATER, ESPECIALLY IN OCEANS.

THAT’S WHAT LEADS TO WORSE HURRICANE ACTIVITY AND BIGGER STORMS, AND THOSE STORMS CAN THEN EXACERBATE ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS AND DEPLETE THE OXYGEN EVEN MORE.

SO YOU CAN HAVE MASSIVE FISH DIE-OFFS BECAUSE OF THOSE STORMS THAT ARE CAUSED BY WARMER WATER.

>> DURING THE MOST RECENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, STATE LAWMAKERS PASSED SEVERAL BILLS TO RENEW THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION’S MANAGEMENT OF SPECIES BEING IMPACTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE, SUCH AS JONAH CRABS, SUMMER FLOUNDER, AND WELK.

SENATOR PETE HARCKHAM, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF HUDSON AND THE CHAIR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION COMMITTEE, SAYS THESE BILLS ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE STATE HAS THOUSANDS OF MILES OF FRESHWATER AND SALTWATER SHORELINE AND COASTLINE AND PROTECTING ECOSYSTEMS PROTECTS THE STATE’S WATER.

>> THEY’RE SERIOUS BILLS BECAUSE THEY’RE ON ONE-YEAR EXTENDERS.

THIS ALLOWS THE DEC TO DO MANAGEMENT THEY NEED TO DO TO KEEP OUR FISHERIES HEALTHY AND TO KEEP OUR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTHY, AND SO WE NEED TO PASS THESE ANNUALLY.

>> THE BILLS PASSED NEARLY UNANIMOUSLY IN BOTH HOUSES THIS YEAR.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER JUDY GRIFFIN, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF NASSAU COUNTY AND A SPONSOR OF THE JONAH CRAB MANAGEMENT BILL, SAYS KEEPING ECOSYSTEMS HEALTHY AND BALANCED ALSO HELPS KEEP AQUACULTURE AND THE FISHING INDUSTRY STRONG.

JONAH CRABS HAVE BECOME A BIG FISHING TARGET SINCE LOBSTERS HAVE BECOME MORE SCARCE IN NEW YORK DUE TO WARMING WATERS, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION.

>> I THINK EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS IS SO WE KEEP THE BAYS AND OUR OCEANS PROLIFERATING WITH SEA LIFE.

SO IT’S IMPORTANT TO TAKE THIS INTO ACCOUNT AND REALLY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHAT CHANGES COULD BECOME– WHAT WE COULD START SEEING WITH OUR WARMER WATERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> MCDEARIS ADDS COLD WATER SPECIES LIKE JONAH CRABS, ARE NOT TOLERATING CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS VERY WELL.

THEIR SHELLS ARE BECOMING MORE BRITTLE.

>> CRUSTACEANS, CRABS, OYSTERS, MOLLUSKS, THINGS LIKE THAT ARE VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO OCEAN ACIDIFICATION.

THEY RELY ON CARBONATE, WHICH IS PRODUCED IN THE OCEAN AS A RESULT OF THE ABSORPTION OF CARBON DIOXIDE THAT PRODUCES COMPOUNDS THAT ARE LESS READILY AVAILABLE TO THEM TO ACTUALLY USE IN THE BUILDING OF THEIR SHELLS.

>> SOME STATE LAWMAKERS SAY THEY ALSO WORRY ABOUT CRUSTACEANS LIKE LOBSTERS AND MOLLUSKS LIKE SCALLOPS.

>> WE USED TO HAVE A BOOMING LOBSTER INDUSTRY AND THE LOBSTERS DIED OFF IN THE LONG ISLAND SOUND AND WHETHER IT’S CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE WATER TEMPERATURE INCREASE, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ISSUES, AND WE’VE HAD REALLY SIGNIFICANT ISSUES IN RECENT YEARS WITH SCALLOPS.

>> SENATOR PALUMBO ADDS DEC MANAGEMENT IS CRITICAL TO KEEPING SPECIES HEALTHY.

HE ADDED THE DEC, WHILE THEY DO A GOOD JOB, OFTEN RELIES ON OLDER DATA SETS AND SEEMS TO BE UNDERSTAFFED, STRESSING THE NEED FOR MORE FUNDING IN GENERAL FOR THEIR MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS.

JOHN MANISCALCO, BUREAU CHIEF OF THE DEC’S MARINE FISHERIES, SAYS POPULATIONS OF SEA LIFE HAVE VARIED WITH ONGOING RESEARCH, BUT THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW OCEAN ACIDIFICATION COULD BE PLAYING A ROLE IN THEIR WELLBEING.

MANISCALCO SAYS SUMMER FLOUNDER ARE CURRENTLY DOING OKAY, HIGHLIGHTING A 2014 STUDY FROM THE EUROPEAN GEOSCIENCES UNION DEMONSTRATING HOW OCEAN ACIDIFICATION, OR ELEVATED CARBON DIOXIDE LEVELS, CAN SIGNIFICANTLY HARM EARLY LIFE STAGES FOR SUMMER FLOUNDER.

>> WE’RE NOT ABOVE THE BIOMASS TARGET, THE KIND OF OUR OPTIMAL OR IDEAL COASTWIDE ESTIMATE OF ABUNDANCE AT THIS POINT, BUT WE’RE CLIMBING THERE.

>> MANISCALCO SAYS OVERALL BECAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE, MANAGING WHERE MARINE SPECIES CAN SUCCESSFULLY REPRODUCE HAS BECOME A CHALLENGE.

>> THERE’S WINNERS AND LOSERS, CERTAINLY.

SO LOBSTER IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A LIKELY LOSER, CHALLENGED BY WARMER WATERS AND OF COURSE, LOWER DISSOLVED OXYGEN RATES, AND SO YOU HAVE THAT FISHERY THAT WAS HIGHLY PROMINENT IN PLACES LIKE LONG ISLAND SOUND THROUGH THE MID-’90S.

THAT IS MOSTLY GONE, AND WE DON’T NECESSARILY ANTICIPATE THAT IT’S GOING TO RETURN TO ITS FORMER HEIGHTS.

WINTER FLOUNDER IS ANOTHER SPECIES THAT YOU MIGHT SAY HAS LOST TO CLIMATE CHANGE, NOTHING HAPPENS IN A GOTMENT, NOT EVERYTHING IS FISHERIES MANAGEMENT, BUT YOU HAVE ALL THESE FACTORS THAT PLAY INTO IT.

IT CERTAINLY MAKES IT HARDER FOR SPECIES TO RECOVER.

>> IN ADDITION TO PASSING BILLS TO EXTEND THE DEC’S AUTHORITY TO MANAGE CERTAIN MARINE LIFE, LAST YEAR THE STATE BUDGET INCLUDED $100 MILLION FOR FISH HATCHERIES.

THE FUNDING WAS ALLOCATED THROUGH THE ENVIRONMENTAL BOND ACT POT AND IS INTENDED TO BE USED TO MODERNIZE FISH HATCHERIES ACROSS THE STATE.

STEVE HURST, DEC’S FISHERIES BUREAU CHIEF, SAYS SOME OF THE FISHERIES LIKE THE CATSKILLS HAVE AGING STRUCTURES THAT NEED TO BE REPLENISHED TO CONTINUE OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY.

>> WE NEED TO MAINTAIN THOSE, AND IT COSTS A THEM TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY.

AS YOU CAN SEE, HERE ARE SOME OF OUR PONDS.

THE CONCRETE IS CRUMBLING.

THEY’RE GETTING OLD.

THEY’RE GETTING TIRED.

THANKS TO THE BOND ACT, WE’RE ABLE TO GIVE THEM A SHOT IN THE ARM AND DO SOME IMPROVEMENTS.

>> FISH HATCHERIES HELP MAINTAIN FISH POPULATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL, RECREATIONAL, AND PRESERVATION PURPOSES BY BREEDING.

KATIE PISCITELLO, MANAGER OF THE CATSKILLS FISHERY, SAYS THEY RAISE ABOUT 350,000 BROWN TROUT FISH A YEAR, WHICH HELPS MAINTAIN RECREATIONAL FISHING IN THE CATSKILLS AREA.

>> ALL OF OUR FISH THAT WE RAISE GO BACK TO THE PUBLIC, AND WE HIT UP WATERS THAT ARE HEAVILY SOUGHT AFTER, AND SO IT GIVES A BETTER OPPORTUNITY FOR ANGLERS TO CATCH FISH, BUT IT ALSO TAKES THE PRESSURE OFF ANY WILD FISH THAT ARE THERE AS WELL.

>> HURST SAYS THE CATSKILLS HATCHERY IS KEY TO KEEPING RECREATIONAL FISHING AFLOAT, WHICH GENERATES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ANNUALLY FOR THE STATE.

>> THIS HATCHERY PLAYS AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN PUTTING FISH IN THOSE SYSTEMS THAT CAN NO LONGER, UNFORTUNATELY, PRODUCE TROUT ON THEIR OWN TO A LEVEL THAT CAN SUSTAIN A FISHERY.

THIS HATCHERY FILLS THAT VOID.

ALL OF OUR HATCHERIES FILL THAT VOID.

WE WORK AS A SYSTEM, BASICALLY, TO PROVIDE RECREATIONAL FISHERIES, WHETHER THOSE BE STREAMS, PONDS, LAKES, AS FAR AS THE BIGGEST LAKE ONTARIO, TO PROVIDE THOSE FISHERIES.

NEW YORK STATE IS A TOP FISHING DESTINATION IN THE COUNTRY, ACTUALLY, AND OUR FISH HATCHERIES ARE THE BACKBONE OF THAT.

>> DAVID STORMER, HABITAT RESTORATION DIRECTOR AT RIVERKEEPER, SAYS POPULATION FRESHWATER SPECIES LIKE TROUT AND BASS FISH, THAT MANY OF THE STATE HATCHERIES MANAGE, ARE STRUGGLING WITH THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> WHAT THEY’RE EXPERIENCING NOW ARE THESE EARLY SPRING WARMING EVENTS, STRIPED BASS ARE LOOKING FOR LIKE 64 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, LIKE THE OPTIMAL TEMPERATURE TO SPAWN IN.

THERE’S A LITTLE BIT OF RANGE AROUND THAT, BUT THEN THAT RANGE IS NOW OCCURRING EARLIER IN THE SPRING AND THEN AS THE SUMMER WARMS CONTINUOUSLY AFTER THAT EARLY SPRING WARMING, THOSE TEMPERATURES ARE JUST NOT AVAILABLE TO STRIPED BASS TO SPAWN.

AND WE’RE SEEING THAT RESULT IN POOR REPRODUCTION OF STRIPED BASS FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW IN THE HUDSON RIVER.

>> OTHER CLIMATE CHANGE EXPERTS STRESS FISHERIES SUSTAINABILITY WITH CLIMATE CHANGE DEPENDS ON WHETHER OR NOT SPECIES AND FISHERIES ARE ABLE TO ADAPT.

KRABBENHOFT SAYS LIKE TROUT AND WALLEYE ARE GOOD EXAMPLES OF THIS, ADDING THAT THEY ALSO NEED SUITABLE TEMPERATURES TO REPRODUCE AND THEY CAN GO TO DEEPER WATERS TO ADJUST TO HEAT, BUT IT REMAINS UNCLEAR HOW SUITABLE THAT IS.

>> WHETHER OR NOT THERE’S SUITABLE OXYGEN AT THE DEPTHS THEY NEED TO GO TO, IT REMAINS A SIGNIFICANT QUESTION, AND SO WE ARE SEEING CONTRACTION OF THOSE HABITATS, WHICH INEVITABLY WILL IMPACT THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THOSE FISHERIES LONG TERM.

IN TERMS OF THEIR HABITAT, WHETHER OR NOT THEY’RE ABLE TO REPRODUCE IN THOSE SYSTEMS AND WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN CONTINUE TO FISH THEM IN THE WAY THAT WE HAVE IN THE PAST, IS A SIGNIFICANT QUESTION AND CHALLENGE FOR MANAGEMENT ENTITIES FOR THOSE KINDS OF FISHERY STOCKS.

>> HURST SAYS FISH HATCHERIES PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN DEC’S FISHERIES MANAGEMENT.

>> IT’S A TOOL WE USE FOR FISHERIES MANAGEMENT.

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IS A COMBINATION OF SUPPLYING RECREATIONAL FISHERIES AND ALSO RESTORING NATIVE POPULATIONS FOR BIO-DIVERSITY IN THE STATE.

HATCHERIES PLAY BOTH ROLES THERE.

>> PISCITELLO SAYS IT CAN BE VERY COSTLY TO KEEP A FISH HATCHERY RUNNING.

>> THERE’S A LOT THAT GOES INTO RUNNING A FACILITY, NOT JUST LABOR-WISE, BUT ELECTRICITY.

FOOD COSTS FOR FISH ARE VERY EXPENSIVE, AND SO THERE’S A LOT THAT GOES INTO IT THAT YOU NEED MONEY FOR AND JUST THE UPKEEP OF THE FACILITY AS WELL.

WE HAVE SOME PONDS HERE THAT ARE OLD.

I BELIEVE FROM THE ’70S, AND SO THE UPKEEP ON THOSE CAN BE COSTLY AS WELL.

>> PISCITELLO ADDS, WHILE THEY TYPICALLY RELY ON CREEK WATER SOURCES, THERE ARE YEARS, LIKE LAST YEAR, WHEN THEY FACED A DROUGHT AND HAD TO RELY MORE HEAVILY ON WATER WELLS, WHICH INCREASES THE ELECTRIC COSTS.

HURST SAYS THE $100 MILLION IN FUNDING WILL BE IMPLEMENTED OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO BUILD A NEW HATCHERY IN RANDOLPH AND MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO HATCHERY OPERATIONS IN OTHER AREAS OF THE STATE.

>> WE’RE INCREASING THE WATER FLOW AND FIXING OUR WELLS UP.

CALEDONIA HATCHERY, WE’RE DOING NEW PIPING.

WE’RE GOING TO COVER THE PONDS.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, WE LOSE A LOT OF FISH TO BIRDS.

>> HURST ADDS THE FUNDING WILL ALSO HELP MAKE FISH HATCHERIES MORE SUSTAINABLE AND ENERGY EFFICIENT.

SOME STATE LAWMAKERS SAY THE FUNDING WILL BE SIGNIFICANT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION.

>> THOSE HATCHERIES FEED OVER 1,200 WATER BODIES AROUND THE STATE AND THE FACT THAT WE’RE GOING TO HAVE THIS MODERNIZATION EFFORT IS VERY IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF KEEPING PACE WITH CLIMATE CHANGE, KEEPING PACE WITH OTHER KINDS OF THREATS TO FISH SPECIES AROUND THE STATE.

>> FISH HATCHERIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AGAIN, GO TO KEEPING THE FISHING INDUSTRY STRONG, KEEPING AGRITOURISM STRONG.

TROUT FISHING IS SO HUGE IN NEW YORK.

WE DO A LOT OF SEEDING.

EVEN IN MY DISTRICT, THERE’S TROUT SEEDING IN THE STREAMS.

SO IT’S IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE ECOSYSTEMS HEALTHY.

IT’S IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE ECONOMY HEALTHY THAT RELIES ON AGRITOURISM FOR ITS LIVELIHOOD.

>> THE FUNDING IS GOING TO A HANDFUL OF THE STATE’S FISH HATCHERIES FOR THIS FIRST PHASE OF THEIR MODERNIZATION PLAN THROUGH THE BOND ACT.

THE SECOND AND THIRD PHASES WILL DEPEND ON SECURING MORE STATE DOLLARS.

>> WE DID A STUDY BASICALLY TO SEE WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR HATCHERIES CAN OPERATE FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS FOR THAT NEXT GENERATION OF ANGLERS AND OUR CONSERVATION SOCIETY THAT NEEDS THESE FISH AND BIO-DIVERSITY, AND THAT PRICE TAG’S ABOUT $350 MILLION.

>> MANY STATE LAWMAKERS SAY IT’S TOO EARLY TO KNOW WHAT WILL END UP IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR BUDGET.

HOWEVER, SOME LAWMAKERS SAY THIS IS AN ISSUE THEY INTEND TO ADVOCATE FOR.

>> I WILL SAY THERE’S A BIG FISH HATCHERY IN MY DISTRICT.

I KNOW THOSE OF US WHO LIVE WHERE THIS HAPPENS.

WE HAVE TO BE THE ONES SPEAKING UP FOR THEM, AND SO I WILL CERTAINLY BE DOING THAT.

>> SO FAR, TWO OF THE BILLS TO EXTEND DEC MANAGEMENT FOR SUMMER FLOUNDER AND WELK HAVE BEEN SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

THE BILL TO DO THE SAME FOR JONAH CRABS STILL AWAITS REVIEW.

NEXT SESSION, IN ADDITION TO FUNDING, SOME STATE LAWMAKERS ALSO SAY THEY INTEND TO FOCUS ON THE ISSUE OF HOW DATA CENTERS ARE IMPACTING THE ENVIRONMENT, NOT JUST THROUGH WATER USE BUT BY WARMING THE WATERS, WHICH ARE ALREADY DEALING WITH THE CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS.

ELISE KLINE, “NEW YORK NOW.”

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> AND FOR MORE ON THE TOPICS WE IMPACT THIS WEEK, YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

THAT’S AT NYNOW.ORG.

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

THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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