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Senate Passes Public Assistance Integrity Act

The New York State Senate today approved the “Public Assistance Integrity Act,” 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.

EBT cards work like a debit card for welfare recipients. This card contains both Food Stamps and Cash Assistance. Food Stamps have strict regulations on what can be purchased, Cash Assistance does not. Cash Assistance is intended for items that can’t be purchased using food stamps, like soap, toothpaste, school supplies and toiletries.

Bills Offer Relief to Businesses, Homeowners, Local Governments, and School Districts; Increase Disaster Preparedness; and Remove Obstacles to Recovery    The New York State Senate today passed a comprehensive legislative package that provides relief to people and communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy, aids rebuilding efforts, and increases disaster preparedness. The 22 bills will be integral to providing needed financial assistance to homeowners, businesses, local governments, school districts, and others still recovering from the storm, and give those responsible for disaster response the tools they need to be more effective and efficient.

Bills Provide Veterans With Business, Employment & Education AssistanceThe 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 New York State Senate passed legislation today to prevent drunk and drugged drivers from evading prosecution. The legislation would allow law enforcement to seek court orders to compel whenever suspected drunk or drugged drivers refuse to submit to a chemical intoxication test.Chemical tests, such as breath, blood and urine tests, determine a suspected drunk or drugged driver’s level of intoxication. Chemical tests are a critical piece of evidence used in a trial to prosecute a drunk or drugged driver for their crimes.   

The New York State Senate today passed a bill that would allow consumers more protections when purchasing a pet. The bill (S.3723B) would provide consumers with more information about the origins of their pet, and more protections should their pet become ill, under what is known as the “pet lemon law.”The pet lemon law gives rights to consumers on their newly purchased pets. If a pet is diagnosed with a congenital malformation, is ill, or has a contagious infection or disease, the law covers consumers within fourteen business days.  However, many times these congenital defects or illnesses do not show up in very young animals. This legislation would protect consumers for up to six months if the animal is diagnosed with a congenital defect or illness.