[ THEME MUSIC ] >> Welcome to this week's edition of "New York Now."

I'm Shantel Destra.

It was a historic primary election day on Tuesday.

The biggest wins of the night came from democratic insurgent candidates for Congress who were backed by New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani.

THE THREE CANDIDATE, Darializa Avila Chevalier, BRAD LANDER AND CLAIRE VALDEZ, EITHER BEAT INCUMBENT REPRESENTATIVES IN THEIR RACES OR BEAT CANDIDATES ENDORSED BY THE DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT.

THE OUTCOMES OF THESE RACES SHOWCASE THE POLITICAL INFLUENCE OF THE NEWLY ELECTED MAYOR AND HAS POLITICAL INSIDERS CURIOUS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

TO UNDERSTAND THE WINS OF THIS YEAR'S PRIMARY ELECTIONS, WE ARE JOINED IN THE STUDIO BY JON CAMPBALL OF WNYC, GOTHAMIST AND THE NYPNN AS WELL AS JASON BEEFERMAN OF POLITICO.

HERE'S THAT CONVERSATION.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> Thank you both so much for joining me on the show today >> Thanks for having us.

>> Thank you.

>> of course, it was an eventful primary night in New York.

So before we get into the specific races, I wanted to get your perspective on the big revelations of the night and whether or not Zohran Mamdani is a king maker, as he's been dubbed.

>> It's kind of hard to say anything otherwise.

I mean, he went 3 for 3 on his congressional endorsement.

He had a handful of state legislative endorsements and won all those as well.

I mean, it really, really goes to show the power of his endorsement at this moment.

He is a leading figure on the left flank of the party.

He's a leading figure among the democratic socialists of America whose power is clearly growing within New York City and you're starting to see it outside of New York City as well.

You saw Adam Bojak in the Buffalo area when a state legislative primary, and MO brown in Syracuse is neck in neck with bill Magnarelli in the Syracuse area and he's a little bit ahead.

It's looking very good for him.

This was a really big night for the left flank of the party and the question is, how does that translate across the state?

How does that translate across the nation?

I mean, there's a lot of establishment democrats that are, I think, worried on now three, four days after primary day.

>> Yeah.

Absolutely.

Jason, what about you?

>> I think Mamdani is someone that the establishment is watching him and they're scared, and he's not just someone that endorses.

He showed up to these three congressional races.

He pounded the pavement.

He did rallies with Bernie Sanders, so it's not just kind of like endorsement in name only, and I think that's frightening.

There's a real get out the vote machine that the DSA has, and when you have Zohran ma'am Danny's name next to yours or his face next to yours on campaign literature, people are going to show up to the polls.

Particularly a young energized base, and it's hard for the quote, unquote, establishment when their base is older and just less fired up to compete with that.

>> Yeah.

Absolutely.

And I'm glad you mentioned Zohran ma'am Danny hitting the floor and campaigning for these candidates.

We saw that certainly in NY13 where we saw a DSA insurgent candidate oust longtime representative Adriano Espaillat.

So how do we get to this point where this race was so competitive?

I don't even think this was something this a lot of political insiders had been watching.

>> Yeah.

This is Adriano Espaillat is the chair of the congressional Hispanic caucus.

He is an entrenched incumbent who, you know, had a long history in that district.

He was defeated by Darializa Avila Chevalier and she is a community organizer from the very left flank of the party, and you saw Zohran ma'am Danny get involved in that race in the closing weeks of the campaign.

So obviously, they saw something that was promising and it played out in the election night results.

I mean, that is going to be one of the-- she's going to be one of the very left most members of Congress representing a district that includes upper Manhattan, part of the west Bronx.

That is-- that was probably the biggest upset of the night.

Not probably.

That was the biggest upset of night and that's one that really sent some shock waves.

>> Yeah.

And I saw a lot of people caring that race, you know, to AOC and Joe Crowely a few years back.

Did you share that same sentiment?

>> You know, there's some similarities but the big difference is AOC, the night of, that was a shock, right?

Darializa, you know, we saw Zohran ma'am Danny get involved and that really perked up our radar, right.

That was something that made us realize, okay this is going to be a tighter race than perhaps we thought, and you know, we were aware of the possibility that could happen.

AOC defeating Joe Crowely, I mean there's famous footage of her on New York 1 reacting.

she was just as shocked as the rest of us.

This was a little different in that way.

>> And looking at NY10, we saw former New York City comptroller Brad lander best representative Dan Goldman and what was interesting for me about this race certainly was Brad lander had just finished his New York City mayoral campaign last year and we saw ma'am Danny and Brad lander on the streets endorsing one another and campaigning together and certainly this is a political ally of the mayor.

From your purview, you know, how much of Mamdani's endorsement was him simply endorsing a political friend or strategy?

>> Yeah.

This is a little different than the other two congressional races in that Brad lander is not a democratic socialist.

He's in the a member of the democratic socialist of America, but he is, you know, a progressive.

He is left leaning very certainly.

It's a little different, too, in that Brad lander is very well known throughout that district.

He used to represent the Park slope area in Brooklyn and the city council.

That's a big part of this district.

And he was the city comptroller.

He had just as much name recognition, if not more, than Dan goldman, and it was, you know, really almost ends up being two incumbents going at it even though brad lander is technically not an independent, so this was were the polling leading up to show it showed that Brad lander had a large lead and that played out in the results that came in that night.

>> Yeah.

What were some of the big themes that came to the forefront in that particular area?

>> One of the big themes was Israel, and it's the war on Gaza and that was really a common theme among the three races where the mayor did endorse.

Brad lander had come out against aid both offensive and defensive aid for Israel.

Dan goldman had voted for aid in Israel in the past.

You know, but it goes to show the kind of nationalization of some of these races.

I mean, that is an issue that is, you know, certainly a national, international issue that came to the forefront in this race.

It was a big deal in that race.

There's no doubt about it.

>> Absolutely.

And looking at NY7, that was an interesting race because we saw a match-up between Brooklyn boroughs president Antonio reynoso and assembly member Claire Valdez.

So what did you make of this race, Jason?

>> I think, you know, Jon mentioned that the biggest shock, the biggest upset of the nice was Darializa winning against Espaillat.

I think for me arguably, you know, the same level of surprise, and not more, was just the margin that Claire Valdez won against Antonio REYNOSO.

She won by over 20 points.

This is a race where everyone thought this was going to be a tossup.

You know, Claire Valdez, she's a democratic socialist.

Sheep not very well known, like not even in the state legislature.

She's a junior lawmaker, like first or second term.

And then Antonio REYNOSO, he's the brook Lynn boroughs president he's in the city council.

He has a real-- in the political world, like a real name i.d.

So people were calling reporters the day of and the days before saying, you know, I think Antonio is going to win this.

This is super close.

You know, he has the ground game and all of a sudden, you watch the results come in on election night.

She beat him almost as much as Brad lander beat Dan goldman it was just an absolute trouncing from Claire, and it's so surprising because these candidates are so similar.

They both call what's happening in Gaza a genocide.

They both, you know, are super progressive on all sorts of issues.

But Claire has the Mamdani endorsement and Claire is a democratic socialist, and I think we're really seeing a rejection of anyone that has that tint of establishment.

>> Yes.

>> It was just remarkable how much she won by.

>> And what was interesting for me, in particular, was REYNOSO had the endorse many of the retiring Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez .

What did you think of Mamdani's decision to go against the wishes of the siting Congress member?

>> You know, he was really taking a gamble.

He was testing the sensibilities of the establishment and whether or not they-- you know, if he lost in that race and also Espaillat with Darializa, he promised him he would support his re-election and not try to oust him.

Then all of a sudden, you have him trying to go against the wishes of the incumbent in Antonio's district and he's also trying to oust an incumbent.

He really was playing with fire, but it paid off and I think it's a warning sign to all the other representatives in Brooklyn.

Even speaker-- former speaker Hakeem Jeffries.

You know, you better watch your back because I'm not afraid-- I don't care how long you've been in Congress, I'm not afraid to send my Army to oust you.

>> You know, that being said, though, the mayor was very calculated in the districts that he did pick to endorse.

I mean, obviously, he picked districts where he thought he had a candidate who could win and that played out.

But to the point of Hakeem Jeffries, I mean, there was a point where Chi Ossé is run against him, was planning to run against him and mayor Mamdani got involved and encouraged him to drop that race, did not offer his endorsement.

This alternate universe to think about right now where if Chi Ossé had continued his race and that is a very liberal district in Brooklyn that Hakeem Jeffries represents, you know, Hakeem Jeffries at this point is in line to be the first black speaker of the house should-- should democrats take control of the house in the fall.

What happened if Chi Ossé would have kept going and mayor Mamdani got behind him and the DSA got behind him?

I mean, we could be talking about an alternate history right now.

>> Yeah.

And what did you make of the race in which Mamdani chose not to make any endorsements in NY12?

>> Well, you know, that's a district that is very different than the other three districts that we've been talking about.

It is, you know, it is progressive but in a different way, right?

I mean, there aren't as many younger voters as there are in some of those other districts.

Certainly in Brooklyn and queens.

And that is-- you had a very crowded race.

You had eight candidates running in that race.

I mean, there were three or four that were more of the top tier, top two tiers and Micah Lasher came out on top.

He's a state assembly member who worked for all sorts of establishment democrats.

He had support from governor Hochul who he worked for.

He had support and a $10 million superpac from mayor Bloomberg who he also worked for.

He came out on top.

He defeated Alex Bores, who is the subject of a lot of spending from the AI industry, either trying to tear them down or bring them up because he passed a regulatory bill in Albany last year and that's one where the establishment came out on top.

We should also mention Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of John F. Kennedy.

He was in that race.

He finished a distant third.

>> I think, you know, there was a lot of enthusiasm behind Alex Boris.

I think you could argue he was the populous candidate kind of, and it shows you that even if the quote, unquote populous candidates went elsewhere in this city, it's not complete.

Lasher's real establishment, and we're going to see what he does in Washington.

>> Well, unfortunately that is all the time we have for today but we thank you so much for your incredible reporting.

>> Thank you.

>> Thanks.

>> And we were speaking with Jason beeferman of politico and Jon Campball of WNYC, Gothamist, and the New York public news network.

[ THEME MUSIC ] ?

and for more information on the primary elections in New York, you can visit our website.

That's at NYnow.org.

Now turning to another important topic.

State lawmakers have been pushing a slew of bills to offer support for pet owners in New York.

Those bills, if passed, would offer owners a tax credit for pet expenses, help simplify pet insurance and help legalize Bodega cats across the state.

Our Elise Kline has more in this next story.

[ THEME MUSIC ] A VARIETY OF BILLS PUSHED BY NEW YORK STATE LAWMAKERS COULD IMPROVE THE LIVES OF NEW YORKERS' FURRY FRIENDS AND THEIR OWNERS BY ADDRESSING ANIMAL CARE IN BODEGAS AND PET AFFORDABILITY.

DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, LAWMAKERS INTRODUCED BILLS AIMING TO LEGALIZE BODEGA CATS, ESTABLISH A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR PET INSURANCE, AND PROVIDE TAX CREDITS AND EXEMPTIONS FOR CERTAIN PET EXPENSES.

THE POLICY TO LEGALIZE BODEGA CATS WOULD REQUIRE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES, INCLUDING SPAYING AND NEUTERING, VACCINATIONS, AND A SAFE, QUIET PLACE FOR THE CAT TO SLEEP, DRINK FRESH WATER, AND EAT HEALTHY PET FOOD.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER LINDA ROSENTHAL, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF MANHATTAN AND A LEAD SPONSOR OF THE BILL, SAYS, BODEGA CATS ARE OFTEN TREATED LIKE WORKERS, BUT THEY ARE NOT UNIONIZED AND NEED REPRESENTATION FOR A HEALTHY AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

>> I think it would definitely keep the cats healthier and also to know someone is looking out for them, aside from the business.

>> BODEGA CATS HAVE A LONG HISTORY IN NEW YORK CITY, ESPECIALLY.

DAN RIMADA, FOUNDER OF BODEGA CATS OF NEW YORK-A BODEGA CAT ARCHIVE, ESTIMATES LIKELY 30 TO 40 PERCENT OF THE CITY'S BODEGAS HAVE CATS.

RIMADA SAYS THIS BILL WOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR BODEGA CATS AND THEIR OWNERS BECAUSE IT WOULD ESTABLISH FORMAL STANDARDS TO ENSURE PROTECTIONS FOR CATS AND HELP OWNERS AVOID EXPENSIVE PENALTY FEES FOR HOUSING BODEGA CATS.

>> So, it sets up for the first time ever, actual care standards.

So, it says to a bodega owner, if you want to have a cat, these are the standards, these are the standards of conduct you have to abide by.

>> FOR HAMMOOD SULIMAN, MANAGER OF MINIMART & MORE IN BROOKLYN, THIS BILL WOULDN'T CHANGE HIS ROUTINE WITH HIS BODEGA CAT CLEOPATRA, AS SHE IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF.

BUT HE STRESSES WHAT THE BILL WOULD MEAN IS A HIGHER STANDARD OF CARE FOR BODEGA CATS, MANY OF WHOM DO NOT HAVE GOOD OWNERS LIKE SULIMAN.

>> Honestly, I more so think about the kitties.

Holding the store owners responsible to be able to provide for their cats the best way.

>> SULIMAN ADDS CLEO, WHO JUST CELEBRATED HER FIRST BIRTHDAY LAST WEEK, IS A GREAT CAT WHO HELPS DRIVE BUSINESS.

SHE ENJOYS HELPING WITH THE CHECKOUT PROCESS, MAKING FRIENDS WITH LOCAL PUPS AND CUSTOMERS, AND OF COURSE ROOTING FOR THE NEW YORK KNICKS.

>> She's definitely the best companion for the place.

She would greet us at the door, she would greet a lot of customers at the door, or stand by the door, or right outside.

You know, warming up to people as they pass by.

That's why it's Cleopatra, she's very seductive, she gets the people in, holds them for like 30 minutes.

>> WHILE NEW YORK CITY IS THE LARGEST AREA OF THE STATE WHERE THIS BILL, IF PASSED, WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT, IT IS A STATEWIDE POLICY, AND SOME BODEGA CAT OWNERS OUTSIDE OF THE CITY WOULD ALSO BE IMPACTED.

SAJID MEMON, OWNER OF NATURAL FOODS FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS ON LARK STREET IN ALBANY, SAYS HIS NEARLY four-year-old CAT MUEZZA ALSO HELPS DRIVE BUSINESS.

>> A lot of the customers they just come to see her.

They love her and her presence, and when they cannot see or find her, they get really upset.

So, they really love it.

>> MEMON SAYS HE HOPES TO SEE THIS LEGISLATION PASS.

>> They should pass this law so that it can be completely legal, and I don't see no disadvantage of it, it's only benefits I see.

>> WHILE MANY OWNERS LIKE MEMON AND SULIMAN TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEIR CATS, THERE ARE MANY CATS, ESPECIALLY IN NEW YORK CITY, WHO ARE NOT CARED FOR PROPERLY.

BECKY WISDOM, FOUNDER OF GREENPOINT CATS-A COMMUNITY NONPROFIT RESCUE ORGANIZATION IN BROOKLYN, SAYS A LARGE MAJORITY OF BODEGA CATS IN THE NEW YORK CITY BOROUGHS ARE NOT PROPERLY CARED FOR.

SHE SAYS THEY HAVE AT THIS POINT DEALT WITH HUNDREDS OF CASES OF BODEGA CATS WHO WERE UNHEALTHY OR SICK AS A RESULT OF POOR CARE.

>> Unfortunately, the bodega cat issue consumes a large percentage of our time.

Whether that's directly, when we're directly dealing with bodegas where we know there's a cat that is not spayed and is in heat, is going out on the street and getting pregnant.

Or if it's a cat that's just been actively abandoned, or a cat that's being actively mistreated.

>> WISDOM SAYS WHILE THE STATEWIDE POLICY COULD BE HELPFUL, IT DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH.

WISDOM ADDS THE BILL NEEDS FUNDING, EDUCATION, AND RESOURCES ATTACHED TO IT IN ORDER TO BE EFFECTIVE IN ITS IMPLEMENTATION.

>> Otherwise, you're just saying here are the rules you have to follow, but I'm not going to actually provide you with any resources or tools or funding or anything, you know, structure for you to actually follow those rules, which is like a recipe for failure.

You're just setting people up to fail.

>> SOME STATE LAWMAKERS SAY THEY SUPPORT THIS BILL TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF BODEGA CATS.

>> A statewide effort is important; it's essential to make sure that we are doing this for every bodega, every city.

When I was a city council member, I was trying to use every power I had as a city official to help move this conversation forward.

And I'm glad that we've recognized the bodega cats here in the city, honor them, and also try to make them in compliance.

>> WHILE SOME OTHER STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE QUESTIONS, SUCH AS WHAT THE FISCAL IMPACT WILL LOOK LIKE.

>> Are taxpayers footing the bill for this?

Is it the local shop owner, who owns a bodega, who is going to get some sort of credit or some kind of subsidy for housing this cat, who happens to reside in or near their store?

Who's paying for this?

How does this work?

>> THE BILL IS CURRENTLY STALLED IN THE ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE.

THE BILL DOES NOT HAVE A SENATE VERSION YET.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER ROSENTHAL SAYS THIS YEAR MANY LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES, SUCH AS THIS ONE, WERE LAYED ASIDE DUE TO THIS YEAR'S VERY LATE STATE BUDGET.

SHE ADDS, HER EFFORTS ARE ONGOING TO GET THIS BILL SET UP FOR SUCCESS NEXT SESSION.

>> I have worked with the staff of the agriculture committee.

I've spoken to advocates.

So I will continue to do that to make sure that we have the best bill possible and then forge ahead next session,.

>> STATE LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO CONSIDERING TWO BILLS THAT WOULD EXEMPT PET FOOD FROM SALES TAXES AND PROVIDE A TAX CREDIT FOR REGULAR AND MEDICAL PET EXPENSES, GOING UP TO $450 FOR ONE PET AND UP TO $900 FOR TWO PETS ANNUALLY.

THE TWO BILLS ARE ALSO STALLED IN COMMITTEES.

STATE LEGISLATIVE SPONSORS SAY THESE BILLS WOULD'VE HAD TO GO THROUGH THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS BECAUSE THEY ARE RELATED TO TAXATION.

HOWEVER, TOO MANY COMPETING PRIORITIES THIS YEAR WON OUT OVER THESE BILLS.

LEGISLATIVE SPONSORS OF THE BILL TO ELIMINATE PET FOOD FROM SALES TAXES SAY IF PASSED NEXT SESSION, IT WOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON PET OWNERS' ABILITY TO AFFORD THEIR FURRY COMPANIONS.

>> The cost of everything has been skyrocketing, including the cost of pet food and pet accessories.

And our animals, our dogs, our cats, are part of our family, they're really important to keep they bring us all together.

They're really an extended part of our family.

>> STATE SENATOR NATHALIA FERNANDEZ, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF THE BRONX AND A LEAD SPONSOR, SAYS HER BILL TO PROVIDE A TAX CREDIT FOR CERTAIN PET EXPENSES WILL ALSO HELP IMPROVE PET AFFORDABILITY FOR NEW YORKERS.

>> Pets are our furry friends, our family friends, and as much as we take care of one another, we give that same effort to our pets.

We know we're spending money on food, on maintenance, rooming, and everything.

On veterinary care, on emergency care, whatever accident may happen, and these bills really do add up.

And sometimes, because we know they're so expensive, it might prevent a pet owner from getting good care for their pet if they need.

>> MANY PET OWNERS SAY IT CAN BE VERY COSTLY TO KEEP UP WITH PET EXPENSES.

>> FOR MIKKI DELUCA, A WATERVELIET RESIDENT WITH TWO CATS, MONGOOSE AND ZURI, JUST FEEDING HER GIRLS IS EXPENSIVE.

>> They're not cheap; they require a very specific kind of food because they're picky about their kibble.

But probably around, for just food, $150 a month, and that's like no treats, which they get lots of.

>> DELANEY DUVALL LINEHAN, A TROY RESIDENT WITH A CAT AND A DOG-ZELDA AND VIOLET-SAYS SHE PAYS AROUND $100 A WEEK ON PET FOOD AND ANY ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE, COULD BE VERY HELPFUL.

>> I would say more when there's unexpected expenses.

Right after we adopted her, she had to have both of her lower canines removed, so you can see she doesn't have them.

And that was like $800.

>> MEGHAN DINGMAN, A TROY RESIDENT WITH TWO PUPS-MOLLY AND BLUEY-SAYS SHE DRIVES OVER AN HOUR AWAY NEAR HER CHILDHOOD HOME IN CANAJOHARIE TO AVOID EXPENSIVE PET VET FEES.

I go over an hour to my hometown because it's a very small community.

And in that area, one time she had a UTI, and it was about $60 to $90 for the test, and the pill, medication, for her to be fine, and the follow-up visits are free for that, and around here it would've been over $300.

>> SOME PET OWNERS LIKE VALENTINA CAPONE, AN ALBANY RESIDENT, HAVE PET INSURANCE TO HELP WITH VETINARY EXPENSES.

HOWEVER, SHE SAYS IT'S NOT AN EASY PROCESS.

>> We pay whatever it is that we need to pay, and then we submit our expenses.

And it's kind of really a guessing game of what they do and don't cover because it's kind of really hard to understand all of the language and all of the terms, and what is considered covered and not covered, what's an accident-I don't even know.

So you kind of submit a receipt and hope for the best, and then you still have a deductible anyway, so you're still paying out of pocket for the whole thing.

>> STATE LAWMAKERS PASSED A BILL IN BOTH HOUSES TO ESTABLISH A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AROUND THE ISSUANCE OF PET INSURANCE.

>> LEGISLATIVE SPONSORS OF THE BILL SAY THE POLICY WILL HELP CLARIFY FOR CONSUMERS WHAT PET INSURANCE COMPANIES COVER AND WHAT THEY DON'T.

>> People need to know exactly what they're getting relative to pet insurance, similar to health care.

What is covered by what's not in covered by what's not in covered, the language needs to be very clear.

>> SOME PET OWNERS SAY PET INSURANCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A BIG QUESTION MARK.

>> I have definitely looked into it, but I have heard that for a lot of insurances, you need to cover the cost upfront, which would be unfortunate.

I think it'd be a lot more accessible to people to work like regular insurance."

>> WMHT REACHED OUT TO MULTIPLE PET INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR THIS STORY.

ONE COMPANY, INDEPENDENT PET HOLDINGS, A CORPORATE MANAGER OF VARIOUS PET INSURANCE COMPANIES, RESPONDED, STATING THEY ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THE INTENT OF THE POLICY MEASURE.

FOR MANY OWNERS, THEIR PET IS THEIR FAMILY, AND BEING ABLE TO AFFORD CARE FOR THEM WHEN THEY NEED IT IS IMPORTANT.

FOR U.S.

NAVY VET ADAM SHEKERJIAN, HIS TEN-YEAR-OLD DOG, CHARLES, HELPS GUIDE HIM THROUGH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER INCIDENTS.

>> and you know, as my service continued, I started to develop symptoms of PTSD.

And I'm also turns out autistic.

And so he's just, you know, he's very in tune, especially because I had him at such a young age.

And so he's just very good at adapting.

>> THE BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IN BOTH HOUSES THIS YEAR, AND NOW IT AWAITS THE GOVERNOR'S REVIEW.

THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME, HOWEVER, THIS BILL WILL BE HEADING TO GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL'S DESK.

THE 2024 BILL VERSION WAS VETOED, THE GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE STATING THE BILL IS DUPLICATIVE BECAUSE PET INSURANCE IS ALREADY AUTHORIZED AND THE NEW REGULATIONS COULD CAUSE CONFUSION.

HUNTER ARGUES LAWMAKERS LOOKED INTO THE GOVERNOR'S CONCERNS AND FOUND THAT THE STATE'S CURRENT PET INSURANCE STATUTE ONLY COVER LIVESTOCK OR FARM ANIMALS.

LEGISLATIVE SPONSORS SAY THEY FEEL THEY HAVE ADDRESSED THE EXECUTIVE CHAMBER'S CONCERNS AND ARE HOPEFUL THIS TIME THE BILL WILL BE SIGNED INTO LAW.

>> We modified the current language within the current statute so that it covers pet insurance, but is still exactly as they describe.

So people understand what pet insurance is, what is covered, is it for wellness is it preventive.

In hopes that with the modifications we made from last year's veto, we have listened.

We put this language into existing law, modified it, and made clarifications."

>> THIS BILL HAS NOT YET BEEN SENT TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

ONCE IT IS, GOVERNOR HOCHUL WILL HAVE 30 DAYS TO EITHER SIGN OR VETO THE BILL.

THE OTHER BILLS BEING CONSIDERED BY LAWMAKERS NEED TO BE TAKEN UP AND REINTRODUCED IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IDEALLY FOR SOME DURING THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS.

SOME STATE LAWMAKERS SAY THEY INTEND TO KEEP THE FIGHT GOING, AND STATE LAWMAKERS FURRY FRIENDS I AM TOLD ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THEIR WORK ON THIS ISSUE.

WE'LL BE KEEPING AN EYE ON ALL OF THESE BILL ACTIONS AS THEY UNFOLD.

ELISE KLINE, NEW YORK NOW.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."

THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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