New York: Cannabis among legislators' priorities for 2020

New York lawmakers are expected to return to Albany this week for the start of the new legislative session and a second year of near-total Democratic control of state government.

During last year's session, Democrats, who wrested control of the state Senate from Republicans in the 2018 midterm elections, passed a tsunami of bills longed for by liberals. This year, they must tackle complicated topics that have yet to be voted on, including GPA, euthanasia, health insurance and the legalization of recreational cannabis.

Dispute over tax revenues

Attempts to legalize recreational cannabis failed in New York last year. But Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared legalization a top priority again this year.

The major sticking point was ‘allocating state revenues from cannabis production and sales. And there is still hesitation among a number of Democrats in the Senate.

«I think people are starting to agree, but there are still issues to be addressed,» said Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senate Majority Leader.

The governor has pushed for the revenues to go into the state's general fund, while Democrats want the money to go to more specific purposes.

«There's certainly a desire to make sure that the revenues that come from this are used not only for the state but also for communities of color» that have endured the enforcement of cannabis laws, Stewart-Cousins said.

Cuomo wants New York, Connecticut and other neighboring states to work together on recreational cannabis policies. Several Democratic governors in the Northeast who support legalization have seen their proposals blocked by more hesitant legislators.

«A very difficult budget year»

A looming $6 billion deficit fueled by soaring Medicaid costs and potential political fallout over the end of cash bail for New Yorkers charged with non-violent crimes are also expected to capture lawmakers' attention this year. Labor groups are also hoping that lawmakers will pass legislation to provide protections for workers in the collaborative economy.

Governor Andrew Cuomo kicked off his year with his annual State of the State address last Wednesday.

«We're going into January at full speed,» said Senator Gustavo Rivera, the Democrat who heads the Senate Health Committee. «We'll be doing it in a very, very difficult budget year.»

Republicans, facing a tough election year, intend to criticize the rollout of new bail-in reforms and oppose tax hikes.

Cuomo has announced elements of his 2020 program in recent weeks.

Initiatives announced so far include proposed restrictions on vaping ads and a ban on single-use plastic to-go containers. The three-term governor, whose administration is developing a budget proposal, cautioned advocacy groups, legislators and state agencies not to expect big spending initiatives.

The legislative session will end on June 2, before the national primary elections on June 25.