The Indian Panorama

Tag: Governor Kathy Hochul

  • Governor Hochul announces new law to clarify disclosure of credit card surcharges goes into effect Sunday, February 11

    Governor Hochul announces new law to clarify disclosure of credit card surcharges goes into effect Sunday, February 11

     

    ALBANY, NY (TIP): Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new consumer protection law that will go into effect on February 11, 2024. This new law will amend and clarify New York’s existing credit card surcharge law. The NYS Division of Consumer Protection assists aggrieved consumers in the marketplace and the New York State Attorney General and local governments have the authority to enforce the credit card surcharge law. The New York State Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection recommends that interested localities review DCP’s Credit Card Surcharge Legal Update Letter for more information.

    “New Yorkers should never have to deal with hidden credit card costs, and this law will ensure individuals can trust that their purchases will not result in surprise surcharges,” Governor Hochul said. “Transparency is crucial in building trust between businesses and communities and now patrons will be empowered to budget accordingly.”

    The law, signed by Governor Hochul on December 13, 2023, provides greater transparency and protections for consumers by:

    Limiting credit card surcharges to the amount charged to the business by the credit card company; and

    Requiring businesses to post before checkout:

    the total price of an item or service inclusive of the credit card surcharge; or

    a two-tiered pricing option, which requires the credit card price to be posted alongside the cash price.

    New York Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “New Yorkers using credit cards have a right to know the total cost of the purchase, inclusive of any surcharge, before they reach the register. This new law signed by Governor Hochul will offer clarity and provide transparency to both the consumer and business owners about the surcharges when using a credit card.”

    State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “Transparency in pricing is critical so people can make informed decisions when spending their hard-earned money. Requiring businesses to disclose credit card surcharges helps consumers better understand the total cost. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for signing this bill into law to protect consumers.”

    Assemblymember Amy Paulin said, “This new law protects New Yorkers from hidden surcharges by requiring sellers to clearly post the price of a credit card surcharge. Credit card surcharges now have to be disclosed clearly so that customers are fully aware of them upfront and not just when they go to pay. This is about transparency, fairness and preventing consumers from being misled when making purchases using credits cards. I thank Governor Hochul for helping protect New Yorkers.”

    The following practices and examples comply with the law’s credit card surcharge notice requirements. See the Department’s Credit Card Surcharge Guidance Document and educational video for additional examples:

    DO:

    The business lists the higher credit card price next to a lower cash price.

    The business lists the credit card price for items and services, then lets customers know they will receive a discount for using cash. The business changes all prices to the credit card price.

    DON’T:

    The business posts a sign on the door and at the register stating an additional 3.9 percent surcharge will apply for credit card purchases.

    “This business has a 4 percent cash discount incentive built into all pricing. Any purchases made with a credit or debit card will not receive the cash discount and an adjustment in cost will be displayed on your receipt.”

    A convenience fee, service fee, administration fee, non-cash adjustment, technology fee, processing fee, etc., is charged to credit card users and added as a separate line item on a customer receipt.

    The price tag of an item shows “$10.00, + 4 percent if paying with a credit card.”

    NOTE: This law does not apply to debit cards.

    The Division of Consumer Protection provides educational assistance to consumers in how to protect themselves from unfair practices while also offering resources to the business community to help them comply with the law and prevent fraudulent and deceptive practices. After February 11, 2024, the law will permit local governments to join in the enforcement of this law, providing consumers with additional resources for compliance and providing local governments with broader opportunities to promote consumer protections for their citizens. If there are any issues related to credit card pricing at the register, DCP encourages consumers to:

    File a complaint with DCP to receive a refund of any excess fees paid to a merchant in New York State, or

    File a complaint with the Attorney General or participating local governments for enforcement of a merchant you believe violated the law.

    About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

    The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.

    For other consumer protection tips and consumer alerts, consumers can visit the DCP website or follow DCP on social media via Twitter at @NYSConsumer or Facebook at www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.

     

  • Governor Hochul announces $6.5 million to support Insurance innovation for climate technology solutions

    Governor Hochul announces $6.5 million to support Insurance innovation for climate technology solutions

    NEW YORK (TIP): Governor Kathy Hochul, on September 1,  announced $6.5 million to support Insurance Innovation for Climate-Technology Solutions, a new program focused on the research and development of new insurance policies and products that will promote the adoption of clean technologies across New York State. The program will provide funding for products that manage the financial risk associated with climate change, supporting the State’s nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal of reducing carbon emissions 85 percent by 2050. “New York State is leaving no stone unturned in our fight against climate change, and that includes investing in industries that will develop and advance clean, green technologies,” Governor Hochul said. “By promoting innovative policies that will create more sustainable climate technology, we are taking bold action to meet the challenges of climate change. My administration remains laser focused on supporting key initiatives that will benefit both businesses and consumers while contributing to our State’s nation-leading climate efforts.”

    The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will select a program administrator to develop this new initiative, manage operations, leverage industry expertise, and boost research and development to establish new risk models. The program administrator will also select innovative insurance ideas, products, and services, such as insurance for residential and commercial renewable energy projects, that will develop new business models to enable future climate technology solutions. The program administrator will be awarded up to $1.5 million to work with Managing General Underwriters (MGUs) and Managing General Agents (MGAs) that can research, develop, and test new insurance products, and it will award up to $5 million in competitive grants which are anticipated to be announced in 2023. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Addressing the financial risks from climate change through the research, development and advancement of insurance innovation for clean, efficient technologies is a win-win for New York businesses and consumers alike. The availability of this important R&D funding will ultimately support new business models that seek to overcome barriers for bringing new products to market and build on Governor Hochul’s all-encompassing approach to achieving a carbon-neutral economy by mid-century.”

    NYSERDA will accept applications from qualified organizations through October 12, 2022 and competitively select a program administrator. Applicants should demonstrate economic benefits and implementation in the State of New York. A scoring committee will evaluate all proposals based on the published criteria. Each applicant must show how they can promote the research and development needed to bring new insurance products and services to market to meet the State’s climate and clean energy goals. This includes soliciting new insurance ideas, managing the development and growth of the program, and reducing risk for climate technology solutions and services.

    State Senator Kevin Parker said, “Though many may fail to realize the price tag on climate change, the occurrence of floods, droughts, wildfires and hurricanes, which are amplified because of it, cost our country trillions of dollars. When Hurricane Sandy slammed New York, roughly 8 billion dollars of damage resulted due to human-caused sea level rise. The cost of climate change is further exacerbated by the lack of adequate preparedness for extreme weather patterns which have now become more common than rare. Investments such as this- NYSERDA’s $6.5 Million into the management of financial risks associated with Climate-are necessities. I commend NYSERDA for taking action and helping develop insurance policies AND the technology to insure against climate change risk.”

    State Senator Neil Breslin said, “The Innovation for Climate-Technology Solutions Program being administered by NYSERDA will help New York State address future potential financial risks resulting from climate change.  It is critical for our economic stability that we find innovative solutions to enable businesses to better manage risk, and prepare for the negative impacts climate change may have on them.”

    Assemblymember Michael Cusick said, “As our State works toward achieving the energy efficiency and climate goals set forth by the CLCPA, we must continue to find inventive means to mitigate liability along the way. Funding support for insurance innovation will help stakeholders better manage risk, and this program will go a long way in taking on products and policies that will lead our State to clean and effective technologies.”

    Assemblymember Kevin Cahill said, “The effects of climate change including increased instances of severe weather events, flooding and heat require significant reevaluation of the risk models used by insurers to determine the cost of coverage.  NYSERDA’s significant contribution to this process will remove a considerable cost burden and establish a new benchmark for providers to utilize. This should lower premiums on many property and casualty policies and assist New York State in reaching its emission goals set forth in our ground-breaking Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.  I thank Department of Financial Services Superintendent Adrianne Harris, the NYSERDA board and Governor Kathy Hochul for joining the Legislature in assuring that important climate issues are fully recognized by the insurance industry.”

    This program is supported through NYSERDA’s Novel Business Model and Offering initiative, which promotes new business models, commercial service or product offerings, and tools that enable scaling of climate solutions through customer acquisition or increased capital flows. This program works together with NYSERDA’s innovation and entrepreneurial support programs to advance innovative technologies to market. Since 2009, the State has invested more than $28 million through NYSERDA’s entrepreneurial support programs, supporting nearly 374 companies and generating more than 1,700 jobs. More than $1.8 billion in private investments and $200 million in project finance capital have been created while helping bring more than 589 new and improved clean energy products to market, including LED lighting systems, home appliances, longer-lasting batteries, and more efficient heating-and-cooling systems. Funding for this initiative is provided through the State’s 10-year, $5.3 billion Clean Energy Fund. More information about this funding is available on NYSERDA’s website.

    New York State’s Nation-Leading Climate Plan

    New York State’s nation-leading climate agenda is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues fostering a green economy as New York State recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Enshrined into law through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York is on a path to achieve its mandated goal of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and to reach economy wide carbon neutrality. It builds on New York’s unprecedented investments to ramp-up clean energy including over $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce buildings emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.6 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. Combined, these investments are supporting nearly 158,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector in 2020, a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011 and a commitment to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035. Under the Climate Act, New York will build on this progress and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050, while ensuring that at least 35 percent with a goal of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities, and advance progress towards the state’s 2025 energy efficiency target of reducing on-site energy consumption by 185 trillion BTUs of end-use energy savings.

    (Based on a press release)

  • Governor Hochul celebrates 75th anniversary of India’s Independence with Indian American community  

    Governor Hochul celebrates 75th anniversary of India’s Independence with Indian American community  

    Commits to continue to officially proclaim  August  15th as India Independence Day

    FLUSHING, NY (TIP): New York Governor Kathy Hochul celebrated with the Indian American community and elected officials  the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence  at the Queens Museum, Flushing  Meadows on August 16. Addressing a large gathering of Indian Americans and elected officials, Governor Hochul was all praise for the Indian American community’s tremendous contribution in America. “On behalf of myself and the people of New York, I’m here to declare that New York’s strength is the diversity of our people. Much of this is rooted in India and we have a long tradition. Therefore, I will continue to officially proclaim August 15th, 2022 as India Independence Day”,  Hochul said. Here is the full text of Governor Hochul’s remarks. “In the United States, we stand firm with that same shared understanding of what it’s like to reject colonial rule, to embrace democracy and to foster our shared democratic values of inclusion, pluralism equality, freedom of speech, and of course, freedom of religion. So, these are the values that bind us together. India, United States of America, it is shared, and we learned from each other.” “We’re here to celebrate Indian Independence Day. I know you know that, but I also know that this is a chance for us to acknowledge the incredible diversity of our city overall. And our state, and the many, many contributions of the Indian American community here. And we’re so lucky here in New York to have so many Indian Americans representing our levels of government. There are many firsts, and to the community that was long underrepresented in our society, that those barriers have been broken. And so, they’re making incredible contributions to our civic life.

    “So, I want to thank again, as I mentioned, the trailblazing Indian Americans in this room. We are proud that nearly 400,000 Indian Americans call New York home. More than half of them are in New York City. New York State, they’re spread all over from my hometown upstate to this borough of Queens. But most of them are right here in New York City. And these are the leaders, the doctors, the scientists, the engineers, the business people, the attorneys, the artists, the writers, the restaurateurs, the shop owners. They really do create this beautiful fabric and so many contributions. It really makes New York fabulous and so vibrant.

    “And as I mentioned, we think about the pandemic, so many Indian American healthcare professionals from doctors down to those frontline nurses. They showed up, they displayed courage, they were there and we needed them and they literally saved lives. So, let’s recognize those as well. And of course, you keep us well fed with amazing food. I have to admit – I’m happy to admit,  I have a husband who lives far away. He lives on the other side of the state. I see him on weekends and whenever I come home, he gets Indian food takeout because he knows it makes me happy. We have wonderful food, and we just break bread together and we’re always thinking of how significant this culture is. “Also, this gives us a chance to reflect on history, a chance to talk about and celebrate the celebrations of life, but also the struggle. The journey to America had many struggles and many came back as far as the 1800s, Indian Americans discovering this world, but it really wasn’t until a century later when America got rid of those national origin quotas, and we could really open up the doors. You know, the quotas in place to the sixties. So, the real opportunities came in the seventies, eighties and nineties. And that’s why we’re so excited to see so many new, new Americans coming here from India. And also, we are just not celebrating the American dream, people then turned to the American dream. Many came here, like my grandparents, who left great poverty in a small island called Ireland. And they had to leave. Their parents told them there’s no life for you here, we cannot afford to literally feed you and they had to come to this country. So, like so many came here in search of, yes, the American dream, but it’s what I call the New York dream. It’s even sweeter. It’s more beautiful. It’s more diverse.

    “And this community, the Indian community, has become such an important part of that fabric. And as your Governor, I wear that diversity with great pride. I’ve been to many, many Diwali celebrations and India Republic Day celebrations, but I’m very proud to be the first Governor of the State of New York to officially celebrate Indian Independence. Very first. And so, this mark 75 years since India freed itself from the colonial yolk and people were able to start on that path toward true democracy. And as I mentioned from the very beginning, it was difficult. And I don’t think the history books correctly tell the story of the over a million deaths and the forced displacement of over 12 million people. It was the largest mass migration in modern history at the time. And we don’t talk about that. We don’t talk about the pain and the loss that was endured to create the world’s largest democracy. So, I know for some, the wounds are still fresh. You know, the realization that what their parents and grandparents had to endure to have that elusive concept known as freedom and democracy, but they never stop persevering and fighting. “And in the United States, we stand firm with that same shared understanding of what it’s like to reject colonial rule, to embrace democracy and to foster our shared democratic values of inclusion, pluralism equality, freedom of speech, and of course, freedom of religion. So, these are the values that bind us together. India, United States of America, it is shared, and we learned from each other. We also learned from celebrating the many languages and the religions, countless, almost too many to count how many religions spoken by the 1.2 billion people. But it’s also just a statement of a community rising up, a world rising.

    “And leaders who inspired others like Gandhi and Nehru. I mean, those are names we do learn about in our schools about what struggle means and about the peaceful embrace of democracy, what that’s all about. Non-violence and those are words that are still spoken about today. Dr. King was frequently quoting these great Indian leaders who inspired him to learn what non-violence was all about.

    “So, this is what we value here today. We celebrate this, our people, our values, our democracies, and whether the journey began back in 1776 like the United States America, or in 1947, the road to building a democracy always has been long and hard, and we strive toward a more perfect union. And we know what lies ahead. The great opportunity to say that this is a place, this is a place where people have gathered and they bring their beautiful languages, their religion, the culture, the music, the celebrations. And because of that, I cannot imagine what New York State, New York City would be like without it. This is a cornerstone. “What I embrace and cherish about being Governor of this incredibly diverse state, and the Indian Americans who found their way here and have made us even better than we would’ve been. I celebrate that today. So, I continue to celebrate this. We have an opportunity to break bread together, to talk about our shared commitment to building back the state. Even in the aftermath of a pandemic, it hit us hard, but I know that pulling as one people now, as one people united and a love of democracy, we will continue to do great things. And so, I thank you for being here. I say, Glory to India, Jai Hind. “And also, let’s celebrate by bringing up our Consul General. And I want to give him a proclamation. Consul General Jaiswal, on behalf of myself and the people of New York, I’m here to declare that New York’s strength is the diversity of our people. Much of this is rooted in India and we have a long tradition. Therefore, I will continue to officially proclaim August 15th, 2022 as India Independence Day.” Consul General of India Randhir Jaiswal who was present  along with Consulate officials, also gave remarks on the occasion .