Issues: Government Operations

Senator Gianaris thanks the seniors for honoring him with an outstanding achievement award

Senator Gianaris was honored to be given an outstanding acheivement award for helping to save the senior center from closure.

May 18, 2012
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NEW YORK SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION TO ASSIST SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES IN SECURING GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

State Senator John A. DeFrancisco announced that the New York Senate passed legislation today, May 15, 2012, which would give state agencies the authority to determine whether a letter of credit is needed for a state contract, and would limit the amount of the letter of credit to 3 percent of the total contract award.

“A three percent cap on a letter of credit would help small and medium-sized businesses, because a letter of credit requirement adversely impacts a company’s ability to secure a loan, and it ties up resources that a company needs for operating expenses and growth,” said Senator DeFrancisco.

May 17, 2012
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State begins new competitive grant program to encourage local government efficiency and cost cutting, ease property tax burden

Albany, N.Y., May 17—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Elmira) alerted local leaders across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions today that a new state competitive grant program is underway that will award state grants to assist local government initiatives to reduce government costs and ease the burden on local property taxpayers.

O’Mara said that the new program was created as part of last year’s state budget.

May 17, 2012
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Committee Meeting: Investigations and Government Operations Meeting

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Senate Standing Committee on Investigations and Government Operations Senator Carl L. Marcellino, Chair 9:30 AM, Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Room 810 LOB

May 22, 9:30 AM - 10:02 AM
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Sen. Gianaris on Democrats’ Fight to Regain the Chamber

YNN's Capital Tonight posted the video of Senator Gianaris' interview with Liz Benjamin.

Senate Democrats are hoping to win back the majority this fall. And they got some good news on that front recently. Last week, Republican Senator Jim Alesi announced he will not seek re-election, leaving his seat up for grabs. And Monday, a new Siena poll found that more than half of voters would like to see the Democrats control the Senate. Senator Mike Gianaris explains how the party hopes to build on this momentum.

Watch the video here. 

May 17, 2012
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The Capitol Pressroom for May 15, 2012

WCNY posted the audio of Senator Gianaris' interview with Susan Arbetter on the Capital Pressroom.

Senate Democrats smell victory in the air. Senator Michael Gianaris joins me to discuss the Dems strategy for November, the latest Siena Poll, and their priority list for the rest of the session.

Listen to the full audio here.

May 17, 2012
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Randi Bregman Honored as NY Senate Woman of Distinction

Senator Valesky with Women of Distinction Honoree, Randi Bregman

State Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) named Randi Bregman, Executive Director at Vera House, as the 49th Senate District’s “Woman of Distinction” as part of the New York State Senate’s 15th Annual Women of Distinction celebration.

May 17, 2012
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Statement from Senator José M. Serrano Re: Activation of Secure Communities

"I am extremely troubled with the federal government's decision to move forward with the flawed Secure Communities program- a program in which the State of New York clearly stated it did not wish to participate."

"Nearly a year ago, I led a sign-on letter to which fifty of my colleagues in the legislature signed on, urging Governor Cuomo to terminate the S-Comm memorandum of agreement with ICE. In June, the Governor took a critical step to protect our state by choosing to withdraw New York's participation in a program that will lead to racial profiling and the under reporting of crimes, and which places an additional burden on our already stretched local police departments.

May 14, 2012
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SQUADRON CALLS FOR SENATE HEARING ON ALEC

Squadron: ALEC Claims to Have Introduced 39 Bills in 2010; Three Current Bills in Senate Closely Based on ALEC Model Legislation

Senator Says ALEC's Activities Appear to Constitute Lobbying Under NY Law and JCOPE Guidance

ALBANY -- Today, State Senator Daniel Squadron, the ranking member of the Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee, urged the Senate to hold a committee hearing on the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and its activities that may constitute lobbying and raise questions about its role in the state.

May 10, 2012
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Senate Gives Final Passage to Iran Divestment Act Expansion

The New York State Senate today gave final legislative passage to an expansion of the Iran Divestment Act.  The bill (S.6462), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, includes state and local public authorities, the State University of New York, and the City University of New York among the governmental entities prohibited from entering into new or renewed contracts with companies that provide goods, services or credit worth $20 million or more to Iran's energy. The Assembly has already approved the legislation (A.9224), which is sponsored by Speaker Sheldon Silver.

May 9, 2012
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Senator Gianaris discusses what is being done to alleviate Newtown Creek's pollution problem

Senator Gianaris on a New York City water taxi traveling up Newtown Creek while getting briefed by the Newtown Creek Alliance on what's being done to alleviate the creek's pollution problem.

May 4, 2012
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Public Hearing: The use of Automated Sales Suppression Devices to Evade New York State Sales Tax

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Senate Standing Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
Chair: Senator Carl L. Marcellino
Public Hearing: To examine the use of automated sales suppression devices in evading New York State Sales Tax collection, including the so called tax-zapper software that lets businesses, especially those that deal mostly in cash, to underreport taxable sales and pocket money that should be given to the government.
Place: Legislative Office Building, Hearing Room A, 181 State Street, Albany, NY 12247
Time: 11:00 A.M.
Contact: Debbie Peck Kelleher  (518) 455-2390   
ORAL TESTIMONY BY INVITATION ONLY

June 4, 11:00 AM - 1:15 PM
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Senator Gianaris celebrates "One Thing That's Green" Day

Senator Gianaris participating in "One Thing That's Green" Day with New York Restoration Project and Jet Blue at Queensbridge Park. 

April 24, 2012
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Cox, Gianaris to offer rebuttals at 2012 LCA Show

Times Union reports that Senator Gianaris has been invited to present at the 2012 Legislative Correspondents Association Show.

The Legislative Correspondents Association Show has secured two talented rebuttal presenters for this year’s musical-comedy revue: State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox and state Sen. Michael Gianaris, D-Queens.

Read the full article here.

 

April 23, 2012
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