New Leadership Confirmed for Key New York State Government Roles
Jessica García Named Cannabis Control Board Chair; Joshua Norkin Appointed Director of Authorities Budget Office.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that the New York State Senate has officially confirmed two high-level appointments in state government, solidifying leadership in critical areas of fiscal oversight and cannabis regulation.

Jessica García, a longtime labor advocate and policy leader, has been confirmed as Chair of the Cannabis Control Board—a pivotal role in the oversight and evolution of New York’s adult-use cannabis market. García has served on the board since its inception in 2021 and brings deep institutional knowledge, public service experience, and a firm grounding in social justice to the position. Her confirmation signals a steady and community-minded vision for the state’s expanding cannabis sector.

Joshua Norkin was confirmed to serve as Director of the Authorities Budget Office

He will oversee fiscal accountability and transparency for hundreds of public authorities across New York State. With a legal background spanning both nonprofit and private sectors, and recent experience as Senior Advisor and Deputy Counsel to the Governor, Norkin brings a wealth of executive expertise to the financial stewardship of state entities.

“New Yorkers deserve the best and the brightest individuals serving them, working to make New York safer, more affordable, and more livable — these two individuals will do just that,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “My administration remains laser-focused on ensuring experienced individuals are serving at every level of government, delivering for families statewide.”

A Proven Advocate Steps Up: Jessica García

García has spent decades fighting for labor rights and public health. In her current role as Assistant to the President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), she advocates for workers across the food supply chain, non-food retail, and healthcare sectors. She previously served as RWDSU’s Deputy Political Director, spearheading legislative and political initiatives on behalf of thousands of members.

Beyond labor, García serves as President of the Board of Directors of the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health and sits on the Board of the Safe Passage Project, which provides legal services to immigrant youth. In 2021, she was appointed to the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) by the U.S. Secretary of Labor—a testament to her credibility in advancing workplace safety on a national scale.

García holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Harvard University and a Master’s in Social Work from Hunter College.

Joshua Norkin: From Counsel to Fiscal Watchdog

With more than 15 years of legal and governmental experience, Joshua Norkin brings a sharp legal mind and a deep understanding of state operations to his new role. He earned his JD from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and began practicing in 2008, working across nonprofit and private sectors before joining the Governor’s Office.

As Deputy Counsel and later Senior Advisor to the Governor, Norkin was instrumental in managing the legislative process for the Executive Chamber—drafting, negotiating, and finalizing legislation on a sweeping array of policy issues.

His confirmation as Director of the Authorities Budget Office places him at the helm of a watchdog agency charged with ensuring transparency, efficiency, and compliance across more than 500 public authorities and local development corporations statewide.

With these two confirmations, Governor Hochul continues to fill key leadership posts with individuals committed to effective governance, public accountability, and equity-driven policy.

Both García and Norkin officially begin their new roles immediately.