How Hochul is thinking about the Grieving Families Act after two vetoes

And the new Ways & Means chair for next year has been selected. Read who it is.

Good afternoon — it’s Friday and National Horse Day.

In today’s CapCon:

• Hochul gave an update Friday on where her thinking is on the Grieving Families Act, which is now on her desk for a third year after two vetoes.

• The new chair of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee has been selected.

• The company awarded a state contract to manage a $9 billion Medicaid program has slapped its subcontractors with a “gag order.”

• Republicans claim a rule change around public campaign finance funds approved this week was pushed through by Democrats to misuse the program.

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(New York Governor’s Office)

🖋️ Where Hochul’s head is at on the Grieving Families Act

I published a story this morning in the Times Union about how the Grieving Families Act landed on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk Thursday for the third year in a row. (Free link for paid subscribers below.)

Hochul has vetoed the bill for two years now, saying it would drive up costs for local governments, the health care industry and the business sector.

“Legitimate concerns have been raised that the bill would likely lead to increased insurance premiums for the vast majority of consumers, as well as risk the financial well-being of our health care facilities,” she wrote last year.

The bill would allow families who file wrongful death lawsuits to seek damages from responsible parties based on the grief or anguish they experienced after the death.

Supporters of the bill hope the third time’s the charm. It’s been rewritten to address some of the governor’s concerns but it’s unclear if those changes will move the needle with Hochul, who shared an update while she was in Cheektowaga Friday.