Phil Boyle's News items

$20 MILLION IN GRANTS TO SANDY-IMPACTED FISHING INDUSTRYGovernor Andrew M. Cuomo today urged coastal fishing businesses harmed by Storm Sandy to apply for available funding through the State’s recently approved Coastal Fishing Industry Grant Program. Under the program, eligible businesses will be able to apply for grants of up to $50,000 to cover uncompensated losses. “The regions most devastated by Superstorm Sandy are also vital parts of our state’s fishing industry, supporting thousands of local jobs and generating billions in economic activity,” Governor Cuomo said. “With peak fishing season arriving, I am directing new federal funds to support this critical industry on Long Island and Staten Island as it works to reach full recovery.”

The New York State Senate today passed legislation to crack down on auto insurance fraud which has led to injuries - even death - for innocent victims and costs hundreds of millions of dollars a year in higher premiums when New Yorkers already pay some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country.The three bills approved today would significantly cut down on auto insurance scams by increasing penalties for those who commit or assist in the fraud and by giving more flexibility to insurance companies to prevent criminals from getting policies and continuing to commit auto fraud.  

The New York State Senate today gave final passage to a bill that provides additional resources for breast cancer research and also passed a measure to increase access to important information about changes to women’s health coverage. The bills support breast cancer mapping initiatives and facilitate public education about newly-covered preventive services and health screening for women.

Legislation Would Allow Machine Voting for NYC Elections;  Also in Villages, School Districts and Special DistrictsThe New York State Senate today passed two bills that would allow for the use of  lever-style voting machines in non-federal elections in New York City, and in elections held by villages, school districts and special districts.Legislation (S4088B) would allow New York City to use lever voting machines for all non-federal elections, including the upcoming primary, run-off and general elections this fall.  In addition, the bill would to move the date for a potential run-off election in New York City from September 24th to October 1st  to avoid a conflict with the Jewish holiday Sukkot.

In an effort to keep serial drunk drivers off the road, the New York State Senate today passed “Vince’s Law”, which would establish a stronger penalty for multiple DWI convictions.

The bill (S.4267) creates a new Class C felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, if a driver is convicted of three or more DWIs in a 25-year period.  Currently, the law for multiple DWIs only includes offenses committed over a 10-year period.

The bill is named for Vincent Russo, an elderly Onondaga County man who was killed in 2011 by a drunk driver who was intoxicated behind the wheel, despite the driver having five DWI-related convictions, including four in the previous 17 years before the accident that killed Mr. Russo.

Measure Cuts Costs and Red Tape For Those Caring for Out-of-State Relatives

The New York State Senate today gave final passage to a bill that would help make it easier and less expensive for legal guardians caring for the elderly or other relatives living out-of-state to carry out their responsibilities.

The measure (S2534) assists New Yorkers caring for adults in other states, as well as out-of-state individuals caring for elderly New Yorkers when they seek approval to fulfill health care, financial, and other legal responsibilities across state lines. It would create a registration form that would be used uniformly by participating states and replace a costly legal process that often required guardians to hire lawyers.

    The New York State Senate today passed legislation known as Teresita’s Law, which makes it a felony if an unlicensed driver causes death to another person. The bill (S.1888) recognizes that the unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, that ends in death, should be treated as a serious crime.

    Teresita’s Law was introduced following the death of Teresita 'Grace' Solano, who was killed in Middletown, New York, last year when she was hit by a negligent driver who was operating a vehicle with a suspended license.  The man who hit Ms. Solano served the highest sentence that he could be charged with - a misdemeanor with a maximum of 30 days in jail and a fine.

    The New York State Senate yesterday passed two bills that would prevent prescription drug fraud, theft and abuse. The measures address the illegal distribution of controlled substances by helping to reduce the availability of black market prescription forms and prosecuting “pill mills” that issue prescriptions and knowingly dispense controlled substances for profit.

West Islip, NY - Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center was recently the recipient of a $250,000 grant secured with the assistance of New York State Senator Owen Johnson. The Senator has been a long-time supporter of Good Samaritan Hospital services and programs. The grant funding went towards a Central Monitoring System for the hospital’s Pediatric Unit.

“Having a state-of-the-art monitoring system for children in Good Samaritan’s Pediatric Unit offers a significant advantage in caring for patients,” said Good Samaritan Hospital’s Chair of Pediatric Services Catherine Caronia, MD.

New York State Senator Phil Boyle, members of the Hospital Foundation Board and physicians shared in the celebration on the Good Samaritan pediatric roof top garden, a beautiful and soothing outdoor space, available for patients and their families to help speed the recovery and minimize the stress associated with a hospital stay.