Regular Session - March 30, 1998
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9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 March 30, 1998
11 3:19 p.m.
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14 REGULAR SESSION
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18 SENATOR RAYMOND A. MEIER, Acting President
19 STEVEN M. BOGGESS, Secretary
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2215
1 P R O C E E D I N G S
2 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
3 Senate will come to order. I'd ask everyone
4 present to please rise and repeat with me the
5 Pledge of Allegiance.
6 (The assemblage repeated the
7 Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
8 The invocation will be given by
9 Father Bernard Granger, who is the Chaplain of
10 the Firemen's Association of the state of New
11 York.
12 Chaplain?
13 FATHER BERNARD GRANGER: Will
14 you join with me in prayer.
15 O Lord our God, our celestial
16 governor and our universal fire chief, You
17 have redeemed us, set upon us the
18 responsibility of using all of Your gifts and
19 blessings for good, all the ways we can. Let
20 us always remember that it is only in and
21 through You that we can live and move and have
22 our being, that our ultimate goal is to
23 glorify and praise You and serve You. To this
24 end, we ask that You protect us, provide
25 everything self-serving. We ask that You will
2216
1 inspire and guide us citizens of this state
2 and legislators of this state. We ask that
3 Your will may inspire every word and thing.
4 Guide and direct us in integrity and truth,
5 guide and lead these legislators as they
6 provide for the common good, as they seek to
7 love and serve You in all that they say or do
8 or think, this day and all the days of their
9 lives. All this we ask in Your Holy Name.
10 Amen.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
12 Reading of the Journal.
13 THE SECRETARY: In Senate,
14 Sunday, March 29th. The Senate met pursuant
15 to adjournment. The Journal of Saturday,
16 March 27th, was read and approved. On motion
17 Senate adjourned.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
19 Without objection, the Journal stands approved
20 as read.
21 Presentation of petitions.
22 Messages from the Assembly.
23 Messages from the Governor.
24 Reports of standing
25 committees.
2217
1 Secretary will read.
2 THE SECRETARY: Senator Trunzo,
3 from the Committee on Civil Service and
4 Pensions, reports the following bills:
5 Senate Print 3960, by Senator
6 Trunzo, an act to amend the Retirement and
7 Social Security Law;
8 4725-A, by Senator Trunzo, an
9 act to amend the Retirement and Social
10 Security Law;
11 6206, by Senator Kuhl, an act
12 to authorize the village of Horseheads, county
13 of Chemung; and
14 6412, with amendments, by
15 Senator Spano, an act to amend the Retirement
16 and Social Security Law.
17 Senator Velella, from the
18 Committee on Insurance, reports:
19 Senate Print 4092, by Senator
20 Velella, an act to amend the Insurance Law;
21 6172, by Senator Larkin, an act
22 to amend the Insurance Law;
23 6255, by Senator Velella, an
24 act to amend the Insurance Law;
25 6334, by Senator Velella, an
2218
1 act to amend the Insurance Law; and
2 6343, by Senator Velella, an
3 act to amend the Insurance Law.
4 All bills ordered direct for
5 third reading.
6 SENATOR GOLD: Mr. President.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
8 Without objection -
9 SENATOR GOLD: No, Mr.
10 President.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
12 Senator Gold.
13 SENATOR GOLD: Yeah, I think,
14 Mr. Chairman -- Mr. President, I'm looking at
15 today's calendar, has some 125 bills I guess
16 on third reading already. I'm also looking at
17 the inside cover, where there is a note by
18 Senator Bruno explaining the legislative
19 procedure, for the gallery I guess, about
20 bills coming from committee and going to First
21 Report, and Second Report and then Third
22 Reading.
23 It's my understanding, Mr.
24 President, that not once this year have we had
25 a committee report a bill to First Report or
2219
1 Second Report, and I was wondering, Mr.
2 President, why are we reporting these directly
3 to Third. I mean we have a calendar full of
4 Third Reading. We have a Majority Leader who
5 is very, very keen on procedure telling the
6 world that we have a First Report and a Second
7 Report, and I don't understand why there is a
8 necessity for these bills to be reported
9 directly to Third. Could I understand?
10 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
11 Senator Skelos.
12 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President,
13 if I could just point out, these bills were
14 reported out of committee with consent of the
15 committee members.
16 SENATOR GOLD: As I was saying,
17 Mr. President, if somebody could explain to me
18 why there's a necessity for the bills to go
19 direct to Third, since we have a procedure
20 which was voted upon by the Majority which
21 says the bills go to First Report and Second
22 Report. I just thought I would like to under
23 stand the process and why we have changed it.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Are
25 you stating an objection, Senator Gold?
2220
1 SENATOR GOLD: Well, I haven't
2 made my mind up. I'd like to know if somebody
3 would yield to that question explaining to me
4 why we should not object and why the bills
5 should go to Third instead of to First or
6 Second.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
8 Senator Skelos.
9 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President,
10 if I could help Senator Gold, I mentioned
11 before certainly he has the right to object.
12 Certainly any committee member that reviewed
13 these bills, all of whom I understand
14 consented that they go to Third Reading at
15 this time, could have objected.
16 If Senator Gold objects to
17 these bills being reported to Third Reading,
18 he can object. But the -- what Senator Bruno
19 and the Majority has been trying to do here,
20 with the cooperation of the Minority which has
21 been well received up to this point, is
22 continue to move the process along so that we
23 can do the work of the people.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
25 Senator Gold.
2221
1 SENATOR GOLD: Yeah. Mr.
2 President, I appreciate the comments of
3 Senator Skelos. I personally don't think you
4 move the process along by reporting day after
5 day bills that are old hat and nothing new, so
6 that, I don't think, accomplishes anything.
7 I also would point out to
8 Senator Skelos that we could move the process
9 along by handling the hundred or so bills
10 which are already on Third Reading. They
11 don't need any more to it. I appreciate his
12 comments that no one in the committee has
13 objected but, as everybody knows our committee
14 system, these bills are put out and there's
15 not too much choice, but I've raised the issue
16 and I will discuss it with the leadership on
17 my side. I don't believe in taking over the
18 priorities of a very distinguished Minority
19 Leader that we have here, so I will not object
20 at this point but we will consider it in the
21 future.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
23 Without objection, all bills to the Third
24 Reading Calendar.
25 Reports of select committees.
2222
1 Communications and reports from
2 state officers.
3 Motions and resolutions.
4 Senator Marcellino.
5 SENATOR MARCELLINO: Thank you,
6 Mr. President.
7 Mr. President, on behalf of
8 Senator Alesi, I move the following bills be
9 discharged from their respective -- from its
10 respective committee and be recommitted with
11 instructions to strike the enacting clause:
12 Specifically referring to Bill Number 6497.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: So
14 ordered.
15 SENATOR MARCELLINO: Also, Mr.
16 President, on behalf of Senator Holland -
17 thank you, by the way, for the prior order.
18 On behalf of Senator Holland,
19 on page number 22, I offer the following
20 amendments to Calendar Number 473, Senate
21 Print Number 2548, and ask that said bill
22 retain its place on the Third Reading
23 Calendar.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
25 Amendments received, and so ordered.
2223
1 SENATOR MARCELLINO: Thank you,
2 sir.
3 Senator Maziarz.
4 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Thank you,
5 Mr. President.
6 I wish to call up my bill,
7 Print Number 6584-A, recalled from the
8 Assembly, which is now at the desk.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
10 Secretary will read.
11 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
12 483, by Senator Maziarz, Senate Print 6584-A,
13 an act to amend the Social Services Law.
14 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Mr.
15 President, I now move to reconsider the vote
16 by which this bill was passed.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
18 the roll on reconsideration.
19 (The Secretary called the roll
20 on reconsideration. )
21 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 50.
22 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Mr.
23 President, I now offer the following
24 amendments.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
2224
1 Amendments received.
2 Senator Skelos.
3 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President,
4 on behalf of Senator Bruno, I'd like to hand
5 up the following committee changes for
6 filing.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
8 Committee changes will be received at the desk
9 and filed.
10 Senator Skelos.
11 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President,
12 I believe there's a privileged Resolution
13 Number 3004, by Senator Wright, concerning
14 Small Business Day. I ask that it be read up
15 -- read in its entirety and offer up
16 co-sponsorship as recommended by Senator
17 Wright.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
19 Secretary will read.
20 THE SECRETARY: By Senator
21 Wright, Legislative Resolution 3004,
22 memorializing Governor George E. Pataki to
23 recognize Monday, March 30th, 1998, as Small
24 Business Day in the state of New York.
25 WHEREAS, small businesses are
2225
1 vital to our nation's economy and our way of
2 life, constituting the single most important
3 segment of our free enterprise system; and
4 WHEREAS, small businesses
5 generate virtually all new jobs arising in New
6 York State.
7 The contributions made by small
8 business owners are too often taken for
9 granted even though they often risk their
10 financial security to create jobs, pay taxes
11 and produce goods and services for the people
12 of New York State.
13 Small businesses are the source
14 of many innovations in products and
15 merchandising and have made significant
16 contributions to our state and our society.
17 Small businesses in New York
18 State exert a strong positive influence on the
19 political, economic and social development of
20 the state, and the future welfare of the state
21 depends on the continued development of small
22 business; and
23 WHEREAS, the members of the New
24 York State Assembly and Senate wish to
25 proclaim their recognition of small business
2226
1 as a crucial element in the economy of New
2 York State.
3 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
4 that this legislative body pause in its delib
5 erations to congratulate all small business
6 owners and operators in New York State on
7 their achievements, and to memorialize
8 Governor George E. Pataki to proclaim Monday,
9 March 30, 1998, as "Small Business Day" in the
10 state of New York, and
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a
12 copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed,
13 be transmitted to Governor George E. Pataki.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
15 Senator Wright.
16 SENATOR WRIGHT: Thank you, Mr.
17 President.
18 If I may, very briefly, on the
19 resolution. Today all of us have
20 representatives from throughout the state here
21 visiting the Capitol on behalf of chambers of
22 commerce, the National Federation of
23 Independent Business Individuals, and The
24 Business Council talking about the issues that
25 concern their businesses and the economy of
2227
1 this state, and I'm very pleased to see that
2 our house and the other house will be stopping
3 in their deliberations to recognize that
4 commitment of small business.
5 We have individuals who are
6 here in the gallery and will be joining us
7 throughout the day. I would encourage my
8 opening the resolution to sponsorship from all
9 members.
10 Thank you.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
12 Question is on the resolution. All in favor
13 signify by saying aye.
14 (Response of "Aye.")
15 Opposed nay.
16 (There was no response. )
17 The resolution is adopted.
18 Senator Skelos.
19 SENATOR SKELOS: Yes. On that
20 resolution, if anybody wishes not to sponsor
21 it, they should notify the desk.
22 I believe there's a privileged
23 Resolution 3005, by Senator Breslin. I ask
24 that the title be read and move for its
25 adoption.
2228
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
2 Secretary will read.
3 THE SECRETARY: By Senator
4 Breslin, Legislative Resolution 3005,
5 commending Elias "Babe" Amash on his 18 years
6 of ceaseless dedicated service as Business
7 Agent of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local
8 1321, to be celebrated April 4, 1998.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
10 Question is on the resolution. All in favor
11 signify by saying aye.
12 (Response of "Aye.")
13 Opposed nay.
14 (There was no response. )
15 The resolution is adopted.
16 Senator Skelos.
17 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President,
18 if we could take up the non-controversial
19 calendar.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
21 Secretary will read.
22 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
23 168, by Senator Hannon, Senate Print 4974-A,
24 an act to enact the "Health Care Embassy Match
25 Act" of 1998.
2229
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read
2 the last section.
3 THE SECRETARY: Section 3.
4 This act shall take effect immediately.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
6 the roll.
7 (The Secretary called the
8 roll. )
9 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 53.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
11 bill is passed.
12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
13 317, by Senator Skelos, Senate Print 310-A, an
14 act to amend the Executive Law, in relation to
15 the search of criminal history records.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read
17 the last section.
18 THE SECRETARY: Section 2.
19 This act shall take effect on the first day of
20 November.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
22 the -
23 SENATOR GOLD: Lay it aside,
24 please.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Lay
2230
1 the bill aside.
2 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
3 373, by Senator Spano, Senate Print 6328-A, an
4 act to amend the Labor Law and the Civil
5 Service Law, in relation to prohibiting state
6 funding to discourage union organization.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read
8 the last section.
9 THE SECRETARY: Section 3.
10 This act shall take effect immediately.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
12 the roll.
13 (The Secretary called the
14 roll. )
15 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 53.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
17 bill is passed.
18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
19 375, by Senator Present, Senate Print 528-A,
20 an act to amend the General Municipal Law, in
21 relation to municipal contingency.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read
23 the last section.
24 THE SECRETARY: Section 2.
25 This act shall take effect immediately.
2231
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
2 the roll.
3 (The Secretary called the
4 roll. )
5 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 53.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
7 bill is passed.
8 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
9 384, by Senator Leibell, Senate Print 6203, an
10 act to amend the Real Property Tax Law, in
11 relation to rehabilitation of certain multiple
12 dwellings.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read
14 the last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 3.
16 This act shall take effect immediately.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
18 the roll.
19 (The Secretary called the
20 roll. )
21 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 53.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
23 bill is passed.
24 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
25 385, by Senator Volker, Senate Print 6207-B,
2232
1 an act in relation to authorizing the town of
2 Hamburg, county of Erie, to convey certain
3 park lands.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read
5 the last section.
6 THE SECRETARY: Section 5.
7 This act shall take effect immediately.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: There
9 is a home rule message at the desk. Call the
10 roll.
11 (The Secretary called the
12 roll. )
13 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 53.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
15 bill is passed.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
17 412, by Senator Johnson, Senate Print 2584-B,
18 an act to amend the Family Court Act and the
19 Vehicle and Traffic Law, in relation to
20 suspension of eligibility for a license.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read
22 the last section.
23 THE SECRETARY: Section -
24 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Lay
25 the bill aside.
2233
1 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
2 429, by Senator Cook, Senate Print 2827-B, an
3 act to create a program for the humanities
4 within the Office of Cultural Education of the
5 state Education Department.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read
7 the last section.
8 THE SECRETARY: Section 5.
9 This act shall take effect on the first day of
10 April.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
12 the roll.
13 (The Secretary called the
14 roll. )
15 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 54.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
17 bill is passed.
18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
19 485, by Senator Rath, Senate Print 5809-B, an
20 act to amend the Tax Law, in relation to the
21 definition of the term "affiliated person".
22 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read
23 the last section.
24 THE SECRETARY: Section 4.
25 This act shall take effect immediately.
2234
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
2 the roll.
3 (The Secretary called the
4 roll. )
5 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 54.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
7 bill is passed.
8 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
9 487, by Senator Wright, Senate Print 6479, an
10 act to amend the Tax Law, in relation to
11 disclosure of overpayment of taxes to
12 taxpayers.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read
14 the last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 2.
16 This act shall take effect immediately.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
18 the roll.
19 (The Secretary called the
20 roll. )
21 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 54.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
23 bill is passed.
24 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
25 488, by Senator Wright, Senate Print 6481, an
2235
1 act to amend the Tax Law, in relation to
2 applications for refunds of sales tax.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read
4 the last section.
5 THE SECRETARY: Section 2.
6 This act shall take effect immediately.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
8 the roll.
9 (The Secretary called the
10 roll. )
11 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 54.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
13 bill is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
15 489, by Senator Nozzolio, Senate Print 6504,
16 an act to amend Chapter 55 of the Laws of
17 1992, amending the Tax Law and other laws
18 related to taxes.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read
20 the last section.
21 THE SECRETARY: Section 2.
22 This act shall take effect immediately.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
24 the roll.
25 (The Secretary called the
2236
1 roll. )
2 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 54.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
4 bill is passed.
5 Senator Skelos, that completes
6 the reading of the non-controversial
7 calendar.
8 SENATOR SKELOS: Yes. We have
9 another resolution, if we could return to
10 motions and resolutions, by Senator Alesi. I
11 ask that the title be read and move for its
12 immediate adoption.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
14 Secretary will read.
15 THE SECRETARY: By Senator
16 Alesi, Legislative Resolution 3007, honoring
17 Jeremy Lindauer, in recognition of his heroic
18 action in saving the lives of six people from
19 a burning building in Rochester.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
21 Question is on the resolution. All those in
22 favor signify by saying aye.
23 (Response of "Aye.")
24 Opposed nay.
25 (There was no response.)
2237
1 The resolution is passed.
2 Senator Skelos.
3 SENATOR SKELOS: If we could go
4 to the controversial calendar.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
6 Secretary will read the controversial
7 calendar.
8 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
9 317, by Senator Skelos, Senate Print Number
10 310-A, an act to amend the Executive Law, in
11 relation to the search of criminal history
12 records.
13 SENATOR GOLD: Mr. President.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
15 Senator Gold.
16 SENATOR GOLD: Would the
17 sponsor yield to just one question?
18 SENATOR SKELOS: Yes. I think
19 it would be appropriate to lay it aside for
20 the day, so it could be reviewed.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Lay
22 the bill aside for the day.
23 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
24 412, by Senator Johnson, Senate Print 2584-B,
25 an act to amend the Family Court Act and the
2238
1 Vehicle and Traffic Law, in relation to
2 suspension of eligibility for a license.
3 SENATOR GOLD: Mr. President.
4 Oh.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
6 Senator Johnson, an explanation has been
7 requested of Calendar Number 412 by Senator
8 Montgomery.
9 SENATOR JOHNSON: Mr.
10 President, this bill adds a person 14 years of
11 age but less than 16 who commits a violation
12 of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle to
13 the definition of a juvenile delinquent to
14 allow such person to go through the Family
15 Court process ending in a dispositional
16 hearing where the order shall be sent to DMV.
17 What this does is provides a
18 penalty, and the penalty would be no license
19 for -- no license shall be issued prior to the
20 age of 18 or possibly age 21 for someone who
21 committed this violation. This is a negative,
22 a youngster would like to drive legally at
23 some point, but they know if they drive
24 illegally between 14 and 16 that they will not
25 get a license for three years.
2239
1 It's supported by the AAA and
2 other right thinking people.
3 SENATOR GOLD: Mr. President.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
5 Senator Montgomery requested the explanation.
6 Senator Montgomery.
7 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: I will
8 yield to Senator Gold.
9 SENATOR GOLD: Thank you,
10 Senator.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
12 Senator Gold.
13 SENATOR GOLD: I just have one
14 question. Will the Senator yield to one
15 question?
16 SENATOR JOHNSON: Yes.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
18 Senator yields, Senator Gold.
19 SENATOR GOLD: Yes. My notes
20 indicate you had this bill last year and I
21 voted in favor of it and probably will today
22 but maybe you can help me with a question that
23 I was going to ask Senator Skelos. It's part
24 of the same issue.
25 Your bill, Calendar Number 412,
2240
1 came on our calendar direct to Third on March
2 17th. The bill before it was March 10th,
3 March 10th, March 10th. Senator Skelos' bill
4 was March 3rd, when it hit the calendar, and
5 Senator Hannon's bill was January 27th.
6 Senator Johnson, do you know
7 any reason why your will had to be reported
8 directly to Third back on March 17th, which
9 was instead of ordering it to First Report,
10 Second and Third rather than going directly to
11 the calendar on this?
12 (Microphones inoperative).
13 SENATOR JOHNSON: This was
14 something on the agenda.
15 SENATOR GOLD: And what?
16 SENATOR JOHNSON: We had to get
17 some bills that we could put on the calendar
18 and we had titles of two bills to put on the
19 calendar.
20 SENATOR GOLD: Well, Senator
21 Johnson, I appreciate your candor. One of the
22 problems with this, when they get it on the -
23 maybe I can get an answer but, Senator, we now
24 have a calendar that's pages and pages of
25 bills on third report, and I think -- thank
2241
1 you for your help.
2 I think Senator Montgomery
3 wants to discuss the bill.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Yes.
5 Senator Montgomery, why do you rise?
6 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Yes.
7 Thank you, Mr. President.
8 I would like to ask a question
9 of Senator -- of Senator Johnson, if he would
10 yield.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
12 Senator Johnson, do you yield to a question?
13 SENATOR JOHNSON: Yes, Mr.
14 President.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
16 Senator yields, Senator Montgomery.
17 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Mr.
18 President, I have this memo, and I want to be
19 sure it's not outdated which seems to often
20 happen that we have an outdated memo, and I
21 read here in this particular memo where we're
22 talking about you use the example of on Long
23 Island, on an average of three times a week
24 Nassau and Suffolk police stop a vehicle with
25 an under-age unlicensed driver and between '87
2242
1 and '91 at least one driver aged 15 or younger
2 was involved in a fatal crash on Long Island.
3 Is that more prevalent in other
4 parts of the state than in Long Island or is
5 this -- is this an example that gives us an
6 average view of this problem?
7 SENATOR JOHNSON: I really
8 can't say, although in that -- in that release
9 which you are referring to, there was
10 reference to an under-age driver in upstate
11 New York running into a school bus. I'm sure
12 these things happen all around the state. All
13 we're saying is, we're going to let you know
14 that you give up your license, your right to
15 have a license legally until age 18 or 21 at
16 the discretion of the judge if you do drive
17 unlicensed, or perhaps these youngsters would
18 restrain themselves for a year or two until
19 they can get a legal license and that's really
20 what they'd like to do, I think.
21 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: All
22 right. And does -- if you would yield to just
23 one more question, Mr. President.
24 SENATOR JOHNSON: Yes.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
2243
1 Senator Johnson, do you yield to one more
2 question?
3 SENATOR JOHNSON: Yes.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
5 Senator yields.
6 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Yes, Mr.
7 President. This -- Senator, this would cover
8 specifically young people who are caught
9 driving without a license under age?
10 SENATOR JOHNSON: That's
11 correct. The law presently covers 16 and
12 over. We're moving the age to 14, including a
13 14 to 16 cohort including the over 16 which is
14 presently covered under this law.
15 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Yes, all
16 right. Thank you.
17 Mr. President, just briefly on
18 the bill.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
20 Senator Montgomery, on the bill.
21 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: I believe
22 I voted against this bill in the past, and I
23 will vote against it today only because I am
24 concerned that we are limiting the possibility
25 of a young person who can get a job in a
2244
1 shopping center or in a Burger King or
2 wherever, that is a distance from their home
3 especially if they live in certain parts of
4 the state and they need to drive to get there
5 because there is not transportation and at 17
6 they can't get a little job because they're
7 ineligible to get a license or to have, you
8 know -- to have access to a driver's license.
9 So I think that this is sort of
10 over-reaching in that, as Senator Johnson has
11 not -- has not indicated that this is an
12 overwhelming problem that we have to punish
13 all of our young people in the state for a few
14 young people who do get behind the wheel
15 without a license and under age, and let me
16 just say that in my district there is now a
17 Youth Court which is going be part of a
18 community court which is an alternative
19 community-based court system, and part of
20 that, the reason that we have a Youth Court is
21 that young people can be dealt with for these
22 kinds of minor -- relatively minor infractions
23 before it reaches a stage of actual
24 criminality, but nonetheless they can pay some
25 kind of restitution which becomes meaningful
2245
1 to them, and in addition they can participate
2 in the court so that they begin to understand
3 the meaning of their behavior and its
4 relationship to the criminal justice system.
5 So I would much rather us direct young people
6 to that kind of process than to just cut off
7 the availability of work for them.
8 So I'm going to vote against it
9 again, Mr. President.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read
11 the last section.
12 THE SECRETARY: Section 4.
13 This act shall take effect in 120 days.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
15 the roll.
16 (The Secretary called the
17 roll. )
18 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 52, nays
19 2, Senators Montgomery and Smith recorded in
20 the negative.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
22 bill is passed.
23 Senator Skelos, that completes
24 the reading of the controversial calendar.
25 SENATOR SKELOS: If we could
2246
1 return to motions and resolutions. I believe
2 there's a Resolution Number 2421, by Senator
3 Nozzolio. I ask that it be read in its
4 entirety. This resolution was previously
5 passed.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
7 Secretary will read.
8 THE SECRETARY: By Senator
9 Nozzolio, Legislative Resolution 2421,
10 honoring Kenneth "Ken" Burns and welcoming him
11 to the New York State Capitol.
12 WHEREAS, individuals who
13 distinguish themselves in their chosen fields
14 of endeavor, dedicating themselves to its
15 enhancement and leading it in new directions,
16 are an asset beyond remuneration and cannot be
17 sufficiently extolled; and
18 WHEREAS, with great admiration
19 and respect, this legislative body is proud to
20 honor Kenneth "Ken" Burns for his commitment
21 to celebrating America's history and bringing
22 it to life for millions of Americans, and
23 warmly welcomes him to the New York State
24 Capitol.
25 A world-renowned
2247
1 cinematographer, director, producer and
2 writer, Ken Burns is the most accomplished
3 documentary filmmaker of his generation; and
4 WHEREAS, born in Brooklyn, New
5 York in 1953, Ken Burns graduated from
6 Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts in
7 1975 and went on to become one of the
8 co-founders of Florentine Films.
9 Ken Burns has been making
10 documentary films for more than 20 years. In
11 1981, he produced and directed the Academy
12 Award nominated Brooklyn Bridge. He has gone
13 on to make several other award-winning films,
14 including The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts
15 to God, The Statue of Liberty, also nominated
16 for an Oscar; Huey Long, the story of the
17 turbulent southern dictator, which enjoyed a
18 rare theatrical release; The Congress: The
19 History and Promise of Representative
20 Government, Lindbergh, Thomas Hart Benton, a
21 portrait of the regionalist artist; and Empire
22 of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio; and
23 WHEREAS, he has also produced
24 and directed two films, William Segal and
25 Vezelay, which explore the question of search
2248
1 and individual identity through the work and
2 teachings of philosopher and painter William
3 Segal; and
4 Ken Burns' credits include, in
5 addition, the critically acclaimed landmark
6 television series, The Civil War. This film
7 was the highest rated series in the history of
8 American Public Television, and attracted an
9 audience of 40 million during its premiere in
10 September 1990. This 11-hour 9-part series has
11 been honored with more than 40 major film and
12 television awards, including two Emmys, two
13 Grammy Awards, Producer of the Year Award from
14 The Producers' Guild, People's Choice Award,
15 Peabody Award, duPont-Columbia Award, D.W.
16 Griffiths Award, and the $50,000 Lincoln
17 Prize, among dozens of others; and
18 WHEREAS, four and a half years
19 in the making and eighteen and one-half hours
20 in length, Ken Burns' film Baseball covered
21 the history of baseball from the 1840s to the
22 present. Through the extensive use of
23 archival photographs and newsreel footage,
24 baseball as a mirror of our larger society was
25 brought to the screen over nine nights during
2249
1 its premiere in September 1994. It became the
2 most watched series in PBS history and earned
3 numerous additional awards for its excellence
4 and achievements; and
5 WHEREAS, in the fall of 1996,
6 his film The West, an eight-part, twelve and
7 one-half hour film series on the American west
8 was released; The West is the story of one of
9 the great crossroads in human history, a place
10 where, tragically and heroically, the best of
11 us met the worst of us and nothing was left
12 unchanged. Ken Burns was executive producer
13 and creative consultant for this film which
14 won the 1997 Erik Barnouw Prize; and
15 WHEREAS, in February of 1997,
16 Ken Burns released first in a series of filmed
17 biographies on noteworthy Americans, Thomas
18 Jefferson, a three-hour portrait of our third
19 president, explores the contradictions of the
20 man who was revered as the author of the most
21 sacred document in American history and
22 condemned as a lifelong owner of slaves.
23 Thomas Jefferson was followed
24 in the fall of 1997 by the broadcast of Lewis
25 and Clark: The Journey of the Corps of
2250
1 Discovery and films on the lives of Frank
2 Lloyd Wright and Mark Twain; and.
3 WHEREAS, this legislative body
4 wishes to congratulate Ken Burns on his latest
5 project, a documentary on the lives and
6 accomplishments of Susan B. Anthony and
7 Elizabeth Cady Stanton in leading the efforts
8 for women's rights in America and gaining the
9 right to vote for women.
10 This project is especially
11 noteworthy in this year, 1998, the 150th
12 Anniversary of the Women's Rights Convention
13 held in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848. New
14 York State and the village of Seneca Falls are
15 justifiably proud to be recognized as the
16 birthplace of the women's rights movement.
17 This legislative body
18 appreciates that Ken Burns has turned his
19 creative talents to making our nation aware of
20 the tremendous accomplishments that these two
21 New York women, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and
22 Susan B. Anthony, made to the women's rights
23 movement which is such an important part of
24 New York State's history.
25 This legislature body and the
2251
1 people of the state and nation look forward to
2 his next major series, a history of jazz and a
3 sequel to Baseball and The Civil War to be
4 broadcast in the year 2000; and
5 WHEREAS, it is the sense of
6 this legislative body to honor and pay tribute
7 to those individuals whose commitment and
8 creative talents have contributed so
9 significantly to the education, entertainment,
10 and cultural enrichment of the citizens of the
11 state of New York.
12 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
13 that this legislative body pause in its
14 deliberations to welcome Ken Burns to the New
15 York State Capitol and to extend to him its
16 highest commendation and deepest respect for a
17 celebration of America's history, bringing it
18 to life for people of all ages, cultures and
19 educational background; and
20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a
21 copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed,
22 be transmitted to Ken Burns.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
24 Senator Nozzolio.
25 SENATOR NOZZOLIO: Mr.
2252
1 President, on the resolution.
2 Mr. President, we are honored
3 today in this chamber by the presence of the
4 subject of this resolution. It is with great
5 honor and distinction that I welcome and
6 introduce to my colleagues, Ken Burns, the
7 premier story teller of our time, that I for
8 one am extremely thrilled that Mr. Burns has
9 taken upon himself a new project that focuses
10 on two native New Yorkers, Elizabeth Cady
11 Stanton and Susan B. Anthony; that, through
12 Mr. Burns' work, future generations have a
13 much greater appreciation of the depth, scope
14 and breadth of our rich American history.
15 It is with that that I welcome
16 Ken Burns to Albany and to the state Senate,
17 congratulate him for his wonderful record of
18 accomplishment, terrific contribution to our
19 society, and we wish you good luck with all
20 future projects.
21 Welcome, Mr. Burns.
22 (Applause)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
24 Senator Skelos.
25 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President,
2253
1 there will be an immediate meeting of the
2 Rules Committee in the Majority Conference
3 Room, and the Senate will stand at ease
4 temporarily.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: There
6 will be an immediate meeting of the Rules
7 Committee in the Majority Conference Room.
8 The Senate will stand at ease.
9 (The Senate stood at ease from
10 3:56 p.m. to 4:01 p.m.)
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
12 Senate will come to order.
13 Senator Skelos.
14 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President,
15 if we could return to reports of standing
16 committees. I believe there's a report of the
17 Rules Committee at the desk. I ask that it be
18 read.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
20 Secretary will read.
21 THE SECRETARY: Senator Bruno,
22 from the Committee on Rules, reports the
23 following bill direct to third reading:
24 Senate Print 6682, by Senator
25 Saland, an act to amend Chapter 705 of the
2254
1 Laws of 1993, amending the Economic
2 Development Law.
3 SENATOR GOLD: Without
4 objection.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
6 Without objection, to third reading.
7 Senator Skelos.
8 SENATOR SKELOS: Please read
9 the last section.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read
11 the last section.
12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
13 524, by Senator Saland, Senate Print 6682, an
14 act to amend Chapter 705 of the Laws of 1993.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
16 the roll. Read the last section.
17 THE SECRETARY: Section 2.
18 This act shall take effect immediately.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
20 the roll.
21 (The Secretary called the
22 roll. )
23 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 55.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
25 bill is passed.
2255
1 Senator Skelos.
2 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President,
3 if we could stand at ease once again.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
5 Senate will stand at ease.
6 (The Senate stood at ease from
7 4:03 p.m. To 4:15 p.m.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Senate
9 will come to order.
10 Senator Larkin.
11 SENATOR LARKIN: Mr. President,
12 let's return to the calendar, and we'll take
13 up Calendar Number 483, by Senator Maziarz.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
15 Secretary will read.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
17 483, by Senator Maziarz, Senate Print 6584-B,
18 an act to amend the Social Services Law.
19 SENATOR STACHOWSKI:
20 Explanation.
21 SENATOR LARKIN: Is there a
22 message at the desk?
23 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Yes,
24 Senator, there is a message of necessity at
25 the desk.
2256
1 SENATOR LARKIN: Move we accept
2 the message.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: All in
4 favor of accepting the message of necessity
5 signify by saying aye.
6 (Response of "Aye.")
7 Opposed nay.
8 (There was no response. )
9 The message is accepted.
10 Read the last section.
11 SENATOR STACHOWSKI:
12 Explanation.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: O.K.
14 Senator Maziarz, an explanation has been
15 requested by Senator Stachowski.
16 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Thank you
17 very much, Mr. President.
18 Mr. President, this legislation
19 was just passed last week to authorize payment
20 through the state's Medicaid program for
21 Medicaid -- Medicare Part B premiums for
22 Medicare beneficiaries whose income falls
23 between 120 percent and 135 percent of the
24 federal poverty level, and to pay a portion of
25 the premium for beneficiaries whose incomes
2257
1 fall between 135 percent and 175 percent of
2 the federal poverty level.
3 This bill has been amended to
4 make a technical change in the reference to
5 federal law and to direct the Commissioner of
6 Health to develop a simplified application
7 form as well as to work in cooperation with
8 the state Office of the Aging to publicize the
9 availability of these payments.
10 Thank you, Mr. President.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read
12 the last section.
13 Senator Paterson.
14 SENATOR PATERSON: Just prior
15 to reading the last section, I'd just like to
16 know if the Senator will yield to a question.
17 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Certainly,
18 Mr. President.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
20 Senator yields.
21 SENATOR PATERSON: Senator, I
22 was just curious. We have passed the "A"
23 print of this bill last week. I guess it has
24 some federal compliance, and it has some other
25 issues that we have changed. Could you just
2258
1 familiarize us with what the changes were from
2 last week, how the bill is improved by -- I'd
3 just like to know -
4 SENATOR MAZIARZ: When Senator
5 Gold is done, I'll answer your question.
6 SENATOR PATERSON: He's helping
7 you out.
8 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Basically,
9 Senator Paterson, through the efforts of the
10 AARP, the Governor's office and the Department
11 of Health and state Office of the Aging, there
12 have been some ongoing negotiations regarding
13 the application process. If you can believe
14 it or not, the federal application process to
15 ascertain these funds by a senior was 14 pages
16 long. Through the efforts of Governor
17 Pataki's office, the AARP, the Department of
18 Health, state Office of the Aging, my staff
19 and the Assembly staff, we have been able to
20 reduce that application to, right now I think
21 we're at less than four pages.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
23 Senator Paterson.
24 SENATOR PATERSON: Is there a
25 reason for that?
2259
1 SENATOR MAZIARZ: There is a
2 reason for the change, Senator Paterson,
3 despite the fact Senator Gold wanted that 14
4 page application, we deemed a 4-page
5 application to be much more simplified.
6 SENATOR PATERSON: One wonders
7 what Senator Gold will do with the extra
8 time.
9 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Well, Senator
10 Gold is not running for reelection, we
11 understand.
12 SENATOR GOLD: Point of order.
13 Point of order, Mr. President.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Point
15 of order.
16 SENATOR GOLD: Yeah, there's 60
17 other guys to pick on.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
19 Senator Paterson.
20 SENATOR OPPENHEIMER: I'm not a
21 guy.
22 SENATOR STACHOWSKI: Isn't Gold
23 old enough to collect?
24 SENATOR PATERSON: Senator, the
25 deadline is fast approaching on the bill, Mr.
2260
1 President. I just hope we'll have an
2 agreement with the Assembly. I don't know
3 whether or not this is an agreed-upon bill.
4 You might want to share that with us, but in
5 light of the deadline I just hope we'll have
6 something very shortly.
7 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Just on the
8 bill.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
10 Senator Maziarz.
11 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Senator
12 Paterson, there is three-way agreement on this
13 bill.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read
15 the last section.
16 THE SECRETARY: Section 2.
17 This act shall take effect immediately.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
19 the roll.
20 (The Secretary called the
21 roll. )
22 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 55.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
24 bill is passed.
25 Senator Larkin.
2261
1 SENATOR LARKIN: Mr. President,
2 we'll now stand at ease until 5:30 p.m.,
3 tonight.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
5 Senate will stand at ease until 5:30 p.m. Why
6 do you rise?
7 SENATOR PATERSON: Until 5:30.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 5:30.
9 SENATOR PATERSON: That's 5:30,
10 Mr. President. It has to do with the state of
11 Utah, Mr. President.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
13 Senate will stand at ease.
14 (Whereupon at 4:20 p.m., the
15 Senate was at ease.)
16 (At 5:53 p.m., the Senate
17 reconvened.)
18 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
19 Senator Skelos.
20 SENATOR SKELOS: Would you
21 return to motions and resolutions. Would you
22 please recognize Senator Farley.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
24 Senator Farley.
25 SENATOR FARLEY: It's nice to
2262
1 be recognized. Thank you, Senator Skelos.
2 Mr. President, on behalf of
3 Senator Stafford, I wish to call up his bill,
4 Print Number 6101-B, which was recalled from
5 the Assembly which is now at the desk.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
7 Secretary will read.
8 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
9 434, Budget Bill, Senate Print 6101-B, an act
10 making appropriations for legal requirements
11 of the state debt service.
12 SENATOR FARLEY: Mr. President,
13 I now move to reconsider the vote by which
14 this bill was passed.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
16 the roll on reconsideration.
17 (The Secretary called the roll
18 on reconsideration.)
19 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 55.
20 SENATOR FARLEY: Mr. President,
21 I now move to amend Senate Bill Number 6101-B
22 by striking out the amendments made on March
23 20th and restoring it to its previous print,
24 6101-A.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
2263
1 amendments are made. The bill is restored to
2 third reading.
3 SENATOR FARLEY: On the same
4 bill, Mr. President, I now offer the following
5 amendments to Calendar Number 434, Senate
6 Print 6101-A, and I ask that that bill retain
7 its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
9 amendments are received, and so ordered.
10 Senator Skelos.
11 SENATOR SKELOS: Is there any
12 other housekeeping at the desk?
13 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: No,
14 there is not.
15 SENATOR SKELOS: There will be
16 an immediate meeting of the Finance Committee
17 in the Majority Conference Room and the Senate
18 will stand at ease pending the receipt of the
19 Finance Committee report.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
21 Immediate meeting of the Finance Committee.
22 The Senate will stand at ease pending the
23 report of the Finance Committee.
24 (The Senate stood at ease from
25 5:55 p.m. until 6:09 p.m.)
2264
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
2 Senator Skelos.
3 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President,
4 if we could return to reports of standing
5 committees, I believe there's a report of the
6 Finance Committee at the desk. I ask that it
7 be read.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
9 Reports of standing committees. The Secretary
10 will read.
11 THE SECRETARY: Senator
12 Stafford, from the Committee on Finance,
13 reports the following bills direct to third
14 reading:
15 Senate Print 6700, by the
16 Senate Committee on Rules, an act making
17 appropriations for the support of government;
18 and
19 6701, by the Senate Committee
20 on Rules, an act making appropriations for the
21 support of government.
22 SENATOR SKELOS: Move to accept
23 the report.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
25 Without objection, directly to third reading.
2265
1 Senator Skelos.
2 SENATOR SKELOS: At this time
3 if we could take up Calendar Number 525,
4 Senate 6700.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
6 Secretary will read.
7 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
8 525, by the Senate Committee on Rules, Senate
9 Print 6700, an act making appropriations for
10 the support of government.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
12 Senator Skelos.
13 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President,
14 is there a message of necessity at the desk?
15 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Yes,
16 Senator Skelos, there is.
17 SENATOR SKELOS: Move to
18 accept.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: All in
20 favor of accepting the message of necessity
21 signify by saying aye.
22 (Response of "Aye".)
23 Opposed, nay.
24 (There was no response.)
25 The message is accepted.
2266
1 Read the last section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 6.
3 This act shall take effect April 1.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
5 Senator Nanula.
6 SENATOR NANULA: One question
7 for either Senator Skelos or our fine Majority
8 Chairman, I should say, of the Senate Finance
9 Committee.
10 Senator -- through you, Mr.
11 President. Senator, is this the bill that
12 provides pay for legislative members?
13 SENATOR STAFFORD: Yes.
14 SENATOR NANULA: It is. Thank
15 you very much.
16 On the bill.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
18 Senator Nanula, on the bill.
19 SENATOR NANULA: With great
20 brevity.
21 Since being elected in 1994 and
22 having had late budgets every year since 1994,
23 I have historically voted against these
24 extenders for the simple reason that I have
25 been a great believer and supporter of the
2267
1 concept of docking, or of suspending at least
2 pay for members until we get our business, and
3 that's the business of the budget, completed.
4 This year I am voting in favor
5 of this bill and I am for one simple reason,
6 and that is that we are breaking new ground.
7 We are setting a new precedent at least that
8 hasn't been seen in this legislative body and
9 that is the concept and process of Conference
10 Committees, which I hope will become a new
11 precedent that will render us timely budgets
12 and also a process that will involve the
13 legislative bodies, not only including our
14 leaders but our rank and file members of both
15 Majority and Minority sides of the aisle and
16 for those reasons, I am now voting certainly,
17 or I should say at least for this one-week
18 extender based upon those reasons, Mr.
19 President.
20 Thank you.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
22 the roll.
23 (The Secretary called the
24 roll.)
25 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 55, nays
2268
1 1, Senator Hoffmann recorded in the negative.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
3 bill is passed.
4 Senator Skelos.
5 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President,
6 would you call up Calendar Number 526, Senate
7 6701.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
9 Secretary will read.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 526, by the Senate Committee on Rules, Senate
12 Print 6701, an act making appropriations for
13 the support of government.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
15 Senator Skelos.
16 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President,
17 is there a message of necessity at the desk?
18 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: There
19 is a message at the desk.
20 SENATOR SKELOS: Move to
21 accept.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
23 motion is to accept the message of necessity.
24 All those in favor signify by saying aye.
25 (Response of "Aye".)
2269
1 Opposed, nay.
2 (There was no response.)
3 The message is accepted.
4 Read the last section.
5 THE SECRETARY: Section 15.
6 This act shall take effect immediately.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
8 the roll.
9 (The Secretary called the
10 roll.)
11 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 56.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
13 bill is passed.
14 Senator Skelos.
15 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President,
16 would you call up Calendar Number 534, Senate
17 6101-C.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
19 Secretary will read.
20 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
21 434, Budget Bill, Senate Print 6101-C, an act
22 making appropriations for the legal
23 requirements of the state debt service.
24 SENATOR SKELOS: Is there a
25 message at the desk?
2270
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: There
2 is a message.
3 SENATOR SKELOS: Move to
4 accept.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
6 motion is to accept the message of necessity.
7 All those in favor signify by saying aye.
8 (Response of "Aye".)
9 Opposed, nay.
10 (There was no response.)
11 The message is accepted.
12 Read the last section.
13 THE SECRETARY: Section 2.
14 This act shall take effect April 1.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call
16 the roll.
17 (The Secretary called the
18 roll.)
19 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 56.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
21 bill is passed.
22 Senator?
23 SENATOR SKELOS: Is there any
24 housekeeping at the desk?
25 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
2271
1 There's no housekeeping at the desk.
2 SENATOR GOLD: Mr. President.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
4 Senator Gold.
5 SENATOR GOLD: If you would be
6 kind enough to recognize the distinguished
7 representative from the distinguished county
8 of Westchester, Senator Oppenheimer.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
10 Senator Oppenheimer.
11 SENATOR OPPENHEIMER: Oh, who
12 is that? Just if I may get unanimous consent
13 to be recorded in the negative on, I think
14 it's Calendar 525.
15 SENATOR SKELOS: No objection.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
17 Without objection, Senator Oppenheimer will be
18 recorded in the negative on Calendar 525.
19 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President,
20 if we could just -- if we could stand at ease,
21 please.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The
23 Senate will stand at ease.
24 (The Senate stood at ease from
25 6:14 p.m. until 6:15 p.m.)
2272
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:
2 Senator Skelos.
3 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President,
4 on behalf of Senator Bruno, I want to announce
5 the meetings of the subcommittees of the Joint
6 Conference Committee commencing tomorrow,
7 Tuesday, March 31st.
8 At 9:30 a.m., the Cycle 1
9 Subcommittees will meet, Economic Development/
10 Taxes in Hearing Room C; General Government/
11 Local Assistance in Room 342 of the Capitol;
12 Mental Hygiene in Room 124 of the Capitol and
13 Education in Room 711-A of the Legislative
14 Office Building.
15 Cycle 2 Subcommittees will meet
16 at 11:30, Transportation in Hearing Room C;
17 Health, Room 711-A, Legislative Office
18 Building; Higher Education, 124 of the
19 Capitol; Human Services, Room 342 of the
20 Capitol and Public Protection, Room 120 of the
21 Legislative Office Building.
22 We would ask that all members
23 of the respective subcommittees be on time and
24 wish them Godspeed tomorrow. Is there any
25 other -- we'll hand this up for filing.
2273
1 Is there any other housekeeping
2 at the desk, Mr. President?
3 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: There
4 is no other housekeeping.
5 SENATOR SKELOS: There being no
6 further business, I move we adjourn subject to
7 the call of the Majority Leader.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: On
9 motion -- Senator Stachowski.
10 SENATOR STACHOWSKI: No, no. I
11 just want to ask him some questions.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: On
13 motion, the Senate stands adjourned upon the
14 call of the Majority Leader.
15 (Whereupon, at 6:23 p.m., the
16 Senate adjourned.)
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25