Newsroom

The New York State Senate today approved the “Public Assistance Integrity Act,” sponsored by Senator Tom Libous (R-C-I, Binghamton),  that would help cut down on the flagrant abuse of EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards by prohibiting welfare recipients from using cash assistance to purchase tobacco, alcoholic beverages, lottery tickets or to gamble.

 "Public assistance is designed to help needy families provide for their children until they can transition back to the workforce and become self-sufficient,”  Senator Libous said.  “This common-sense legislation would protect hardworking taxpayers from abuse while ensuring that families receiving welfare benefits continue to get the temporary assistance they need and deserve.”

The New York State Senate today gave final legislative passage to legislation, sponsored by Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick), to ensure individuals with autism are able to receive insurance coverage for applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy as intended under New York State’s autism insurance reform law. The legislation is in response to regulations implemented by the New York State Department of Financial Services which have dramatically limited the number of ABA practitioners where individuals with autism can receive therapy which is covered by insurance.

The New York State Senate passed a package of legislation today to help New York’s military veterans achieve success in business, employment and education.   The Senate passed a bill (S2803A), sponsored by Senator Greg Ball (R-C, Pawling), that would establish a program to provide state contract preferences for small businesses owned by service disabled veterans.  The bill would mirror a highly successful program for federal contracting. Information released by the New York State Department of Labor and the U.S. Census stated that nearly 20 percent of recent veterans under the age of 30 are unemployed. It was also reported that a staggering 28 percent of Gulf War-II era veterans reported having a service-connected disability.

The New York State Senate today gave final legislative passage to a bill that would require all birthing facilities to screen newborn babies for congenital heart defects (CHDs) through a process called pulse oximetry screening.

The New York State Senate passed legislation today, sponsored by Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick), to prevent drunk and drugged drivers from evading prosecution.

The New York State Senate today passed a bill that would allow consumers more protections when purchasing a pet.

The New York State Senate today passed a measure to deter terrorist recruitment and punish those who seek to employ others for their criminal plans. The bill (S1520), sponsored by Senator Carl L.

Senate Republican Conference Leader Dean Skelos and Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein today announced that the Senate Majority Coalition will begin an unprecedented initiative to identify and eliminate thousands of costly and unnecessary government regulations that strangle business and job growth and drive up municipal and school property taxes. “The state’s byzantine rule-making process can tie up businesses in expensive red tape that discourages job creation almost as much as high taxes,” Senator Skelos said. “The impact on local property taxes is just as bad. The Senate Majority Coalition wants to get rid of needless rules, make the regulatory process more accountable, and lessen the burden on taxpayers.”

The New York State Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Senators Carl L. Marcellino (R, Syosset) and Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R, Merrick) to increase the safety of roads and drivers by strengthening penalties for teens and other new drivers who text or talk on a cell phone while driving.