State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) reported he and his colleagues in the New York Senate this week passed legislation to dramatically reform the selection process for the state Board of Regents to better reflect the population of the entire state. The bill (S2031A) establishes a more equitable and balanced appointment process for the selection of the Board of Regents, who are charged with setting education policy in New York.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) announced that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate this last week passed legislation that would increase criminal penalties for carjacking when a child under the age of 16 is present in the vehicle. The bill (S1905), would make it a class B felony, punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

Last year, a woman and her 10-year-old daughter were abducted in a carjacking in the Syracuse suburb of Clay, Onondaga County. The mother was fatally stabbed, and the child escaped the vehicle, after being raped. In July, David J. Renz pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and predatory sexual assault against a child.

The bill was sent to the Assembly.

The Joint Budget Subcommittee Schedule has been slated for Monday, March 17th, starting at 12:30 p.m. in Hearing Room B. It is the following:

Cycle A – 1:30 PM

Public Protection/Criminal Justice/Judiciary – Hearing Room A

Mental Hygiene – Hearing Room B

Higher Education – Hearing Room C

Cycle B – 2:00 PM

Environment/Agriculture/Housing – Hearing Room A

Transportation – Hearing Room B

Human Services/Labor – Hearing Room C

Cycle C – 2:30 PM

Economic Development – Hearing Room A

Health – Hearing Room B

(Albany, NY)- Senator Serrano met with 7th and 8th grade students from the Manhattan Country School, who traveled to Albany to discuss current education policies. The students spoke with the Senator about the School to Prison Pipeline, a term used to refer to the current trend of the criminalization of students in schools, which often leads to them ending up in the juvenile justice system. The students discussed ways to put an end to this disturbing pattern that disproportionally affects minority students.

Statement from Senator Serrano Regarding Today's Building Explosion 

At the first-of-its kind fundraising dinner at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Liverpool, on April 26th, at 6:00pm, State Senator John A.