Good morning. With the holiday season winding down, here’s a good reminder of why being present – and connected with the world – is so important: a story of a boy and his mom, and their hiking trip in the Adirondacks. (TU)

Here’s your roundup:

Gov. Andrew Cuomo essentially laid out his plan for the current legislative session in his 2019 “Justice Agenda,” but did not mention the state-run single payer insurance program as part of his healthcare platform. (TU)

Cuomo’s lack of commitment for single payer insurance will draw ire from fellow Democrats, some of whom have already accused him of being dishonest, stingy and even unfaithful to the party. (NYT)

Democratic control of the state Senate could change the fate of amending the state’s double jeopardy laws. (TU)

The state Division of Criminal Justice Services is the target of another federal discrimination lawsuit, which again alleges that top officials ignored sexual harassment complaints against a former department director. (TU)

Once known as the new kid in town, Rep. Elise Stefanik seems to be wanting to take the step as a voice for a new generation of Republicans. (TU)

William Thompson, Brooklyn’s first black senator and former state Supreme Court justice, passed away on Christmas Eve. (DN)

The government is shut down, but New York will spend $65,000 a day to keep the Statute of Liberty and Ellis Island open for tourists. (TU

The ACLU wants more information about surveillance of phones and financial records before the 2015 law expires. (AP)

New York is committing millions of dollars in repairs to aging bridges spanning the Erie Canal in western New York. (TU)

“Lulus,” or stipends paid to legislators with leadership positions, are on the verge of death after the pay raise approval. (Politico)

Tuition has become an overwhelming burden to students and their parents, but a pre-paid plan could allow families to lock in tuition for their kids by paying in advance. (TU)

President Trump addressed his decision to pull the military out of Syria during his surprise trip to Iraq, telling servicemen and women that “we’re no longer the suckers, folks.” (AP)

CapCon’s A.M. Roundup is compiled by Ben Mehic, Ben.Mehic@timesunion.com

Have a state-related news tip for the Times Union’s Capitol Bureau? Please contact Brendan J. Lyons, State Editor, at 518-454-5547 or Blyons@timesunion.com.

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