Dean G. Skelos

The New York State Senate today gave final legislative passage to a bill that protects New Yorkers from intrusive or unwanted telemarketing practices. The bill (S7567A), sponsored by Senator Lee Zeldin (R-C-I, Shirley), regulates all telemarketers who do business in New York, wherever they may be located, and adds new consumer protections from unwelcome prerecorded calls, known as robocalls, from telemarketers.

The New York State Senate today passed a bill (S.7110), sponsored by Senator Mark Grisanti (R, North Buffalo) that would allow a brew-pub owner to also open a restaurant. 

“I applaud today’s passage of this legislation to allow an individual to own a license for both manufacturing of alcohol and an alcohol retail license, which will create the opportunity for one owner to operate a restaurant and a brew-pub facility,” said Senator Grisanti. “With brew-pubs springing up across the state, it is counterproductive and anti-business to limit entrepreneurs.”

Bill Represents Three-Way Agreement

The New York State Senate today passed legislation that will protect victims of domestic violence and establish stronger criminal penalties to punish individuals who commit acts of domestic violence.

The bill (S7638), sponsored by Senator Steve Saland (R-I-C, Poughkeepsie), Chairman of the Senate Codes Committee, represents a three-way agreement among the Senate, Governor Cuomo and the Assembly.  It includes several important provisions included in bills that have already passed the Senate this year, such as bail reforms and increased penalties for domestic violence crimes.

In response to the escalating problem of prescription drug abuse, the state Senate today passed legislation that would make significant changes to the way prescription drugs are distributed and monitored in New York State.  

The bill (S7637), sponsored by Senator Andrew Lanza (R-I, Staten Island) and Senator Kemp Hannon (R, Nassau), Chairman of the Senate Health Committee, includes “real time” prescription tracking to provide more information to doctors and pharmacists, in an effort to prevent deaths from abuse and overdoses of prescription drugs, particularly painkillers.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today announced a landmark agreement on a comprehensive prescription drug reform package that will make New York State a national leader in curbing prescription drug abuse.

The New York State Senate today passed legislation (S6079A), sponsored by Senator Jack Martins (R-C-I, Mineola), that would exempt libraries from the paying the MTA payroll tax. Repealing the tax would save libraries in the downstate MTA region $1.3 million annually.

“When the MTA payroll tax is applied to the payrolls of entities such as school districts and libraries, it is being paid by our taxpayers. In this economic climate, we need to ease the burden on our taxpayers,” Senator Martins said.  “This measure will eliminate a cost that was unfairly placed on our libraries, which serve as centers for our communities.”

The New York State Senate today passed the 2012 NEW JOBS-NY Job Creation Plan.  The Senate’s comprehensive plan will help create thousands of new private sector jobs by delivering tax relief to small businesses and manufacturers, reducing energy costs, and enacting major fiscal reforms to make New York State more economically competitive.  

Aerial Technical Sergeant Frank S. Naro of Rockville Centre has an exemplary military record and has demonstrated a true and unwavering commitment to his country.

Measure Prompted by Murder of Utica Woman by Career Rapist on Parole

The New York State Senate today passed legislation to require certain violent felons to serve their maximum prison term if there is evidence that their release would pose an imminent threat to society. The bill (S.6020A), sponsored by Senator Joseph Griffo (R-C, Rome), would help protect the public by keeping repeat offenders off the streets and limit “good behavior” and other rewards from reducing the time spent in prison.