The 2007 legislative session officially began with our new governor, Eliot Spitzer, delivering his first State of the State address on January 3rd. The theme of the speech was “One New York”. The Governor outlined his proposals for the upcoming year. Details on how he plans to put his proposals into effect will be forthcoming when his budget is released on January 31st. The proposals will need the approval of the state Senate and Assembly.

Some key players in the new administration:

STAFF:

• Richard Baum , Secretary to the Governor
• Paul Francis, Budget Director
• Laura Anglin, First Deputy Budget Director
• Marty Mack, Deputy Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs
• Peter Pope, Policy Director
• Dennis Droop, Communications Director
• Christine Anderson, Press Secretary
• Francine James, Appointments Secretary
• Michael Balboni, Deputy Secretary for Public Safety
• Michael Schell, Senior Advisor for Intergovernmental Affairs
• Richard Rifkin, Special Counsel
• Terryl Brown Clemons, First Assistant Counsel

AGENCY & AUTHORITY HEADS

• Eric Dinallo, Insurance Superintendent
• Pat Foye, Downstate Chairman , State Urban Development Corporation
• Elliot Sander, Executive Director & CEO of MTA
• Anthony Ernest Shorts, Executive Director of the Port Authority
• Patricia Smith, Commissioner, Department of Labor
• Priscilla Almodovar, President & CEO of Housing Finance Authority
• Carol Ash, Commissioner, Department of parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
• Gladys Carrion, Commissioner, Office of Children & Family Services
• Avi Schick, Downstate President of Empire Development Corporation
• Brian Fischer, Commissioner, Department of Correctional Services
• Kumiki Gobson, Commissioner, Division of Human Rights
• David Hansell, Commissioner, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
• David Swarts, Commissioner, Department of Motor Vehicles
• Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez, Secretary of State
• Dennis Whalen, Deputy Secretary, Department of Health
• Joe Baker, Assistant Deputy Secretary for Health & Human Services
• Debra Bachrach, Deputy Commissioner of Office of Health Insurance and state’s Medicaid Director

REMINDER

Each client should have received the form (and instructions ) for filing the NYS Semi-Annual Lobbying Report. This form must be filed, either in paper or electronically no later than January 15th. There is a $25 fee for each day it is late.

Also for those clients who we represent in NYC, in addition to your NYS filing, you are also required to file with NYC Lobby Division, Your NYC annual report form and instructions have been sent to you. The NYC filings are also due on January 15th and a late fee of $25/day will be assessed for each day it is late.

If you have any questions, or for some reason have not received your form(s), please call Lynn Warheit or Sandy Tabor at 518 462-4620 and we will be happy to help you.

* Please mark your calendar - the Annual NYS Association of Black & Puerto Rican Legislators conference for 2007 will be held February 16th—18th in Albany. The Somos El Futuro weekend is April 27—29 in Albany. Details will be forthcoming.