$UNY CHIEF’S PAY RAISE: State University of New York Chancellor John King received a pay raise and expansion of his housing allowance, POLITICO Pro reports. King’s total compensation package is now more than $1 million after top officials at the sprawling public college and university system granted him a $125,000 pay hike. His salary is now $875,000. The SUNY Board of Trustees also approved an increase in King’s monthly housing stipend from $12,500 to $15,000. SUNY officials said King’s salary was in line with the leaders of other large public higher education systems in Maryland and California. “The SUNY Chancellor oversees the nation’s largest statewide comprehensive system of public higher education, and his compensation reflects his outstanding performance driving SUNY’s accomplishments and progress over the last two years,” spokesperson Holly Liapis said. “Following the Trustees’ vote in November, the current compensation level for the SUNY Chancellor remains more than $100,000 lower than the compensation for similar public university leaders in California, Maryland and Texas.” The previously unreported pay raise comes as top education leaders’ salaries are under scrutiny. The Times Union reported last week that State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa received a $155,000 increase in her pay over the last six months. — Nick Reisman CLIMATE INJUSTICE: Environmental justice advocates are looking for leadership. They aren’t seeing it from Hochul. The frustration of some climate constituencies with Hochul has approached a boiling point after the governor’s abrupt and indefinite delay of her own landmark climate funding policy — “cap and invest” — last month. Three key leaders of the climate justice movement, who played a major role in advocating for New York’s landmark climate law, resigned from a state panel and have slammed the governor. Climate-conscious donors are looking for other options, too. Others continue to “push” the governor — and one pointed to the leverage of the upcoming primary as a pivotal opportunity. “I think she’s going to have a tough time getting reelected and, certainly with this kind of record on climate and environment, I don’t see a lot of strong support for her in a reelection campaign if this continues,” said Peggy Shepard, executive director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice. “I would expect that support for her would be lukewarm at best, especially if we have other candidates running who are strong on these issues,” Shepard added. “I think that’s a real vulnerability.” It’s not clear that other Democratic candidates would embrace the “cap and invest” model. A spokesperson for likely gubernatorial hopeful Rep. Ritchie Torres declined to respond to questions about his position on the program. Hochul campaign spokesperson Jen Goodman said the governor has “accelerated New York’s transition to a zero-emission economy” and pointed to her sign-off on the Climate Superfund, which will charge fossil fuel companies for historic oil and gas sales. “The Governor’s budget includes the largest climate investment in state history, proving that New York can lead on clean energy without putting the burden on working families,” Goodman said. The $1 billion proposal for a one-time investment has been welcomed by some environmental advocates, but they say it won’t be enough to replace the benefits of a “cap and invest” program. Such a system would charge fossil fuel distributors and polluters for emissions, with costs likely passed down at the pump and on utility bills. A portion would be returned to households, leaving most New Yorkers better off, according to state and outside analyses. The rest would be invested in clean energy programs. — Marie J. French FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: An Uber-backed coalition, Citizens for Affordable Rates, is releasing its first TV ad in a campaign to lower car insurance rates. The rideshare giant is spending $1 million to run it on cable TV, streaming services and local news websites across the state. The vague ad doesn’t mention Uber or any specific legislation, but it may be seen as a warning to the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, which is on the other side of pricey battles over tort reform. — Jeff Coltin VOTER BLUES: Voter turnout in New York during the presidential election was below most other states, according to an analysis from New York Public Interest Research Group. The watchdog organization found Monday that the state’s voter turnout ranked 43rd in the country out of the 50 states. New Yorkers’ participation in presidential elections has been declining for decades: The state ranked 36th in 2004 and has dropped each year since. Overall, just under 58 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in the presidential race. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has aggressively pushed for legislation that would give Hochul more time to call special elections for unoccupied legislative seats. (New York Times) — Hochul signed a law meant to shield New York abortion providers. (POLITICO Pro) — State lawmakers want to encourage biofuels and other heating oil alternatives. (Newsday)
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