Owen H. Johnson's News items

The New York State Senate 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.“This legislation finally gives consumers the protections needed from unwanted telemarketers,” said Senator Zeldin, Chairman of the Senate Consumer Protection Committee. “By allowing individuals the ability to opt-out and by strengthening the state's registry for telemarketers, we will be reducing the flood of calls to protect New Yorkers."

SENATE PASSES BILL TO REDUCE MERCURY IN LIGHT BULBSMeasure Cuts Down the Hazardous Chemical’s Potential Environmental Effects    The New York State Senate today passed legislation that prohibits the sale of light bulbs that contain high levels of mercury – a known hazardous chemical. The bill (S7004), sponsored by Senator Mark Grisanti (R, North Buffalo), would protect the environment and public health by reducing the amount of mercury that ends up in homes and the waste stream. “This is a positive step towards reducing the potentially harmful exposure to mercury in our communities,” Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos said. “I commend Senator Grisanti for leading the charge to protect the health of our families and environment.”

Uniondale, NY - With June 1st marking the official beginning of the hurricane season, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) wants to remind all customers who rely on electricity to power life-supporting equipment in their homes to register with LIPA’s Critical Care Program.

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

     The New York State Senate today passed a bill (S.7277A), sponsored by Senator Mark Grisanti, that would require certain retail chain stores to disclose their unit pricing in an effort to make shopping less confusing for customers looking for the best values. The changes would only affect stores with more than $2.5 million in annual sales.     Consumers are faced with an array of packages for items such as soap, coffee, cosmetics, detergents, and paper products, as well as some foods, including pet foods. Unit pricing is the only true means a customer has to find the best value between brands and packaging sizes.

SENATE PASSES COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY PLANMaking College Affordable for Middle Class Families Through:Increased Tuition Tax Breaks; Lower Student Loan Interest Rates; Tuition Pre-Payment; Truth-in-Lending for Student Loans    The New York State Senate today passed legislation to help middle-class families and students afford the rapidly increasing cost of a college education.  The Senate’s 2012 College Affordability Plan (S7449A), sponsored by Senator Kenneth P. LaValle (R-C-I, Port Jefferson), would help parents save for higher education for their children and give students and families access to low-interest student loans, as well as clear information about the size of the loan debt they are taking on.   

    The New York State Senate today gave final legislative passage to legislation (S6972), sponsored by Senator Kemp Hannon (R-C-I, Garden City), Chairman of the Senate Health Committee, that would make it easier for New Yorkers to register online to become an organ donor.    "I continually stress the importance of becoming a donor because donating an organ is saving a life," Senator Hannon said. "This bill would make the process of registering for organ donation online more convenient by allowing donors to receive electronic confirmation of their registration and amend or revoke their registration online.”

Measure Prevents Criminals From Profiting From Their Crimes    The New York State Senate today passed legislation that closes a loophole in the “Son of Sam” law to further restrict a criminal’s ability to profit from their crimes. The bill (S.4393A), sponsored by Senator John Flanagan (R-C-I, East Northport), corrects a longstanding flaw in the state’s existing “Son of Sam” law by preventing all criminals, regardless of their final plea or conviction, from commercially exploiting their crime.   

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today announced an agreement to pass legislation that will better protect New Yorkers from intrusive telemarketing tactics.The legislation would prohibit all telemarketers doing business in New York from delivering prerecorded messages by telephone call to customers without express consent from the recipient.