Regular Session - July 21, 2004
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NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
July 21, 2004
12:50 p.m.
REGULAR SESSION
LT. GOVERNOR MARY O. DONOHUE, President
STEVEN M. BOGGESS, Secretary
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P R O C E E D I N G S
THE PRESIDENT: The Senate will
please come to order.
I ask everyone present to please
rise and repeat with me the Pledge of
Allegiance.
(Whereupon, the assemblage recited
the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
THE PRESIDENT: In the absence of
clergy, may we bow our heads in a moment of
silence, please.
(Whereupon, the assemblage
respected a moment of silence.)
THE PRESIDENT: Reading of the
Journal.
THE SECRETARY: In Senate,
Tuesday, July 20, the Senate met pursuant to
adjournment. The Journal of Monday, July 19,
was read and approved. On motion, Senate
adjourned.
THE PRESIDENT: Without
objection, the Journal stands approved as
read.
Presentation of petitions.
Messages from the Assembly.
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Messages from the Governor.
Reports of standing committees.
Reports of select committees.
Communications and reports from
state officers.
Motions and resolutions.
Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS: Madam President,
there will be an immediate meeting of the
Rules Committee in the Majority Conference
Room.
THE PRESIDENT: There will be an
immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in
the Majority Conference Room.
SENATOR SKELOS: And if we could
stand at ease pending the return of the report
of the Rules Committee.
THE PRESIDENT: The Senate stands
at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at
ease at 12:53 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened
at 1:06 p.m.)
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS: Madam President,
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if we could return to reports of standing
committees, I believe there's a report of the
Rules Committee at the desk. I ask that it be
read at this time.
THE PRESIDENT: Reports of
standing committees.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY: Senator Bruno,
from the Committee on Rules, reports the
following bills:
Assembly Print 4274B, by Member of
the Assembly Gottfried, an act to amend the
Public Health Law;
4421B, by Member of the Assembly
Gottfried, an act to amend the Public
Buildings Law;
11054, by the Assembly Committee on
Rules, an act to amend the Labor Law;
Senate Print 2228A, by Senator
Trunzo, an act to amend the Retirement and
Social Security Law;
6000, by Senator Seward, an act to
amend the Insurance Law;
6407A, by Senator Oppenheimer, an
act authorizing the City of New Rochelle;
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7572, by Senator Parker, an act to
authorize the Congregation;
7675, by Senator Padavan, an act to
amend a chapter of the Laws of 2004;
7676, by Senator Skelos, an act to
amend the Public Health Law;
7682A, by Senator Mendez, an act to
amend the Labor Law;
7685, by Senator Balboni, an act to
amend the Criminal Procedure Law;
And Senate Print 7686, by Senator
Nozzolio, an act to amend the Executive Law.
All bills ordered direct to third
reading.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS: Move to accept
the report of the Rules Committee.
THE PRESIDENT: All in favor of
accepting the report of the Rules Committee
please signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT: The report is
accepted.
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Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS: If we could take
up the Rules report, noncontroversial.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
123, by Member of the Assembly Gottfried,
Assembly Print Number 4421B, an act to amend
the Public Buildings Law.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
act shall take effect April 1, 2005.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 56. Nays,
2. Senators Meier and Saland recorded in the
negative.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
1096, by the Assembly Committee on Rules,
Assembly Print Number 11054, an act to amend
the Labor Law.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
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section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
act shall take effect on the 120th day.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
1193, by Member of the Assembly Gottfried,
Assembly Print Number 4274B, an act to amend
the Public Health Law.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 8. This
act shall take effect on the 60th day.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: In relation to
Calendar Number 1799, Senator Parker moves to
discharge, from the Committee on Rules,
Assembly Bill Number 11554 and substitute it
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for the identical Senate Bill Number 7572,
Third Reading Calendar 1799.
THE PRESIDENT: Substitution
ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
1799, by the Assembly Committee on Rules,
Assembly Print Number 11554, an act to
authorize the Congregation Beis Meir, Inc.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 57. Nays,
1. Senator Bonacic recorded in the negative.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: In relation to
Calendar Number 1890, Senator Trunzo moves to
discharge, from the Committee on Rules,
Assembly Bill Number 4487A and substitute it
for the identical Senate Bill Number 2228,
Third Reading Calendar 1890.
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THE PRESIDENT: Substitution
ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
1890, by Member of the Assembly Abbate,
Assembly Print Number 4487A, an act to amend
the Retirement and Social Security Law.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: In relation to
Calendar Number 1891, Senator Seward moves to
discharge, from the Committee on Insurance,
Assembly Bill Number 9411 and substitute it
for the identical Senate Bill Number 6000,
Third Reading Calendar 1891.
THE PRESIDENT: Substitution
ordered.
The Secretary will read.
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THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
1891, by Member of the Assembly Silver,
Assembly Print Number 9411, an act to amend
the Insurance Law.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
act shall take effect on the 60th day.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: In relation to
Calendar Number 1892, Senator Oppenheimer
moves to discharge, from the Committee on
Rules, Assembly Bill Number 9879 and
substitute it for the identical Senate Bill
Number 6407A, Third Reading Calendar 1892.
THE PRESIDENT: Substitution
ordered.
The Secretary will read.
SENATOR SKELOS: Calendar Number
1892, by Member of the Assembly Tocci,
Assembly Print Number 9879, an act authorizing
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the City of New Rochelle to accept an
application.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 57. Nays,
1. Senator Bonacic recorded in the negative.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
1893, by Senator Padavan, Senate Print 7675,
an act to amend a chapter of the Laws of 2004
amending the Public Health Law.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
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THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
1894, by Senator Skelos, Senate Print 7676, an
act to amend the Public Health Law, in
relation to authorizing the Commissioner of
Health.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
SENATOR SKELOS: Section 2. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
Senator Skelos, that completes the
noncontroversial reading of the calendar.
SENATOR SKELOS: Madam President,
we'll stand at ease temporarily. We're
waiting for messages from the Governor.
THE PRESIDENT: The Senate stands
at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at
ease at 1:14 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened
at 1:40 p.m.)
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THE PRESIDENT: Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS: Madam President,
if we could return to the Rules calendar and
take up Calendar Number 1896, by Senator
Nozzolio.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
1896, by Senator Nozzolio, Senate Print 7686,
an act to amend the Executive Law, in relation
to the state DNA identification index.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS: Madam President,
is there a message of necessity at the desk?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, there is,
Senator.
SENATOR SKELOS: Move to accept.
THE PRESIDENT: All in favor of
accepting the message of necessity please
signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT: The message of
necessity is accepted.
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Read the last section.
SENATOR SKELOS: Section 3. This
act shall take effect on the same date and in
the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of
2004.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS: Madam President,
there is a bill before us, shortly, by Senator
Balboni. And if you could call up Calendar
Number 1889 at this time.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
1889, by Senator Balboni, Senate Print 7685,
an act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law, in
relation to lifelong prosecution for
terrorism.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS: Madam President,
is there a message of necessity at the desk?
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THE PRESIDENT: Yes, there is,
Senator.
SENATOR SKELOS: Move to accept.
THE PRESIDENT: All in favor of
accepting the message of necessity please
signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay.
(Response of "Nay.")
THE PRESIDENT: The message of
necessity is accepted.
Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS: Madam President,
I think a number of us would like to have an
explanation of the bill.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Balboni.
SENATOR SCHNEIDERMAN: Brief.
Brief.
SENATOR BALBONI: Madam
President, in a year in Albany when we have
found it difficult to agree on many things,
this bill before us is the culmination of
several years of negotiations. And there are
many things, many aspects in this bill that
are the first of its kind in the country and
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reflects the input of so many members, not
only in this chamber, but also in the State
Assembly.
But as much as it is a good thing
to have come together, particularly in light
of the coming convention, it is also kind of
startling to consider that it is a beautiful
July day and here we are once again having to
consider probably the most horrible things
that we as a society or a civilization could
contemplate.
This bill does ten things. It
creates a statute of limitations for the crime
of terrorism of eight years, unless someone
killed during the act, in which case there is
no statute of limitations. We will hunt down
whoever did the act forever.
A second piece is that it creates,
for the first time in state law, the crimes of
possession and use of a weapon of mass
destruction -- specifically, chemical,
biological, and radiological.
It authorizes the Commissioner of
the Department of Health to create a list of
select agents of both biological and chemical
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weapons and defines, for the first time in
state law, a weapon of mass destruction, in
that not only is it a select agent, but it
must be with the ability to disperse it and
disseminate it.
The bill creates the crime of money
laundering for terrorism, which more and more,
if you take a look through the literature,
through the newspaper accounts, is becoming a
huge problem; that is, how to fund terrorism.
With the overthrow of the Taliban
regime in Afghanistan, much of the financial
support has been taken away from groups such
as Al Qaeda. But they still continue to
receive funds. The threshold for the
first-degree crime of money laundering for
terrorism is $75,000.
There is now a requirement that
every convicted terrorist's DNA be placed into
the DNA database.
The bill does something that I have
called for for the last several years. It
takes the Governor's executive order, which
created the Office of Public Security, and
places it into statute, and changes the name.
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No longer will it be known as the Office of
Public Security; it will now be known as the
Office of Homeland Security.
I spoke at the Office of Public
Security retreat last night in Saratoga, and I
will tell you that fifty dedicated
professionals really wanted this because they
were just tired of having to explain, yes,
we're the state arm of the Homeland Security.
But it does much more than that.
For the first time in state law, this bill
sets up a briefing requirement for sensitive
information to the Legislature, adopting
sensitive protocols for the transmission and
discussion of confidential information. We've
never done this before.
It expands the ability to train
firefighters and first-responders on how to
deal with a weapon of mass destruction. The
first time we've done this in law. And the
state fire administrator will be the one
responsible for that. This recommendation
came out of a hearing that the Assembly held
on this bill.
It also does something that I was
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talking with Director McMahon last night
about: it creates for the first time an
ability to review, inspect and then secure
chemical plants.
In this state, in this Legislature
we have created a bill for water security,
water plant security, electrical or energy
transmission and generation facility security.
And now the last leg of that stool for
security is chemical plants.
And we've learned many things from
the bill that Senator Padavan passed and
Senator Wright put together on the electrical
facilities. This is a critical component for
this state.
The bill also creates, for the
first time, puts into law Senator Mary Lou
Rath's effort to make the placement of a
substance that is not anthrax but is purported
to be anthrax a crime.
It also creates a statewide
wireless network advisory board. This has
come out of the concern that was generated
when M/A-COM received the bid for the
development of the statewide wireless network.
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This will now integrate the Legislature with
that entire process.
One little fact, I attended a
meeting on it yesterday, and 60 percent of the
state is currently covered by cellular
service. Only 60 percent. After the lessons
learned in 9/11, that's just unacceptable.
And then, lastly, it does something
that Jim Kallstrom spoke about the first time
I ever met him, in the days following
September 11th when he came and he briefed the
Legislature. He spoke about the possibility
of terrorists using a small plane as a
delivery vehicle into a major metropolitan
hub. And as you know, small planes can travel
150 miles. And yet when he did a review of
all the different rural airports, he found
absolutely no security whatsoever.
And in fact, this scenario was the
basis of a television program, one of the most
frightening I've seen, on the show "CSI." Or
I think it was "24."
That's what's in the bill.
What's not in the bill? The issue
of roving wiretaps, which was very
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controversial. The issue of the .50-caliber
sniper weapons, that's not in here. The
requirement that money laundering be at a
$500,000 level, that's been taken out.
Ladies and gentlemen, I think this
is a very, very positive step. And in a time
when we are continually hearing about threats
overseas directed towards this country,
particularly in the upcoming political season,
I think this is a very crucial step, a
three-way agreement that will in fact make
New Yorkers safer.
Thank you, Madam President.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Volker.
SENATOR VOLKER: Madam President,
very quickly.
I just want to congratulate Senator
Balboni on this bill and say that I've been
here a few years, probably more years than I
should. And by the way, there's another bill
on this agenda that -- Senator Nozzolio's
bill, that amends the DNA bill that was passed
here earlier.
These bills, by the way, are all
agreed on. And in fact, this is an unusual
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bill, Senator Balboni's bill. If you look at
it, it has a Republican governor and a
Democratic attorney general as the people
requesting this bill. Plus both houses have
agreed on it.
And the reason I say this is, you
know, there's a lot of talk about that we
can't come to any agreement on anything. I
must tell you, in my humble opinion, the bill
that we passed here, what was it, three weeks
ago, the DNA bill, and this bill right here
are the most important criminal justice bills
passed this decade.
And, you know, there may be others
in the future. But as of right now, these are
the two most important criminal justice bills,
if you look at how much they enhance and how
much they deal with. It shows you what our
state can do when we're faced with very, very
serious problems.
The DNA bill, I have to be
perfectly honest with you, I thought that
would take two or three more years. Not in
this house; I was talking about the other
house.
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And this bill, this bill makes
common sense. But sometimes it's difficult,
in our age, because common-sense reporting
sometimes is hard to do. In fact, people are
paying little attention to this bill here.
Really. I mean, the outside media. But this
bill is huge. And it represents not only for
this state, for the country -- because we are
the linchpin in criminal justice for the
entire country.
And my congratulations to the
Governor, obviously; the Attorney General; and
to Senator Balboni, who I can tell you has
done just yeoman work in the area of homeland
security and deserves an immense amount of
accolades for the time and the effort he's put
into it.
(Scattered applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Does any other
member wish to be heard on this bill?
The Secretary will read the
substitution.
THE SECRETARY: In relation to
Calendar Number 1889, Senator Balboni moves to
discharge, from the Committee on Rules,
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Assembly Bill Number 11723A and substitute it
for the identical Senate Bill Number 7685,
Third Reading Calendar 1889.
THE PRESIDENT: Substitution
ordered.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 19. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 57. Nays,
1. Senator Duane recorded in the negative.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS: Madam President,
if we could stand at ease temporarily.
THE PRESIDENT: The Senate stands
at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at
ease at 1:53 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened
at 1:59 p.m.)
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO: Madam President,
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can we at this time call up Calendar Number
1886.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read.
THE SECRETARY: In relation to
Calendar Number 1886, Senator Mendez moves to
discharge, from the Committee on Rules,
Assembly Bill Number 11760A and substitute it
for the identical Senate Bill Number 7682A,
Third Reading Calendar 1886.
THE PRESIDENT: Substitution
ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
1886, by the Assembly Committee on Rules,
Assembly Print Number 11760A, an act to amend
the Labor Law.
SENATOR BRUNO: Is there a
message of necessity from the Governor?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, there is,
Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO: Then I would move
that we accept the message.
THE PRESIDENT: All in favor of
accepting the message of necessity please
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signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT: The message of
necessity is accepted.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Bruno, to
explain your vote.
SENATOR BRUNO: Thank you, Madam
President, and to explain my vote. And I
won't be long.
It's been four years since we voted
to raise the minimum wage here in this state.
And I think that it is appropriate that we be
supportive of this legislation. And as we all
know, in the bill it moves the minimum wage
from $5.15 to $6.00 January of '05, to $6.75
in January of '06, to $7.15 in January of '07.
We hope that the federal government
will act. And they really have about --
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almost a year and a half to act. So we're
petitioning the federal government in every
way, and our representatives, that they do
something to address what should be addressed
across the entire United States, and not state
by state, putting some states at a competitive
disadvantage and others at an advantage.
So we're hoping by doing this we
help the federal government and all the people
that are elected to represent us focus on
getting this done.
The rest of the bill moves the
wages from tips up, in the same percentage
exactly as the minimum wage.
People out there who earn the
minimum wage deserve a raise. You can't
support a family, they can't support
themselves. All of us have always supported
this. We've just been waiting for the federal
government. It's apparent now that they're
not acting. We hope they will; they still
have time. But if they don't, we're going to
move the minimum wage and get it done on
behalf of the people who truly need it here in
this state.
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Thank you, Madam President.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Diaz, to
explain your vote.
SENATOR DIAZ: Thank you, Madam
President.
Since 1960, the minimum wage in the
State of New York has not remained at the rate
of inflation. On the other hand, we all know
that residents of New York City, especially
the residents of the 32nd Senatorial District,
which I represent, has been facing increases
in taxes, increases in real property taxes,
increases in public transportation -- fare
increases, subway, buses, even taxis. They
have been faced with increases in gasoline
prices, increases in parking tickets.
Some of the increases, milk prices.
Parents cannot make effort to buy -- they have
to make efforts to buy milk for their
children. Senior daily food contribution has
been increased to one dollar. Rent has been
increased. Telephone bills, cable TV, even
chewing gum has been increased to the
residents of the people of New York.
For this reason, many families are
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obligated to live check to check and work long
hours to support themselves and afford an
increase in prices. A full-time worker
earning minimum wage in the state of New York
earns $10,712 a year, well below the federal
poverty line. That individual has to support
another person.
In the state of New York,
70 percent of employees that earn the minimum
wage are adults. Twelve states in the U.S.
pay a higher minimum wage than New York. The
minimum salary is now $5.15 an hour. And with
this increase, it will be, in a few years, to
$7.10. This increase will benefit
approximately 700 [sic] people.
I praise this effort, and I thank
you, Senator Mendez, for introducing this
bill. And I am supporting this bill, and I'm
proud to vote yes. And I hope that the
residents of my district will appreciate the
effort that we are making here. And again,
Senator Mendez, thank you for introducing this
bill.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Bruno and
Senator Diaz will both be recorded as voting
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in the affirmative on this bill.
Senator Leibell.
SENATOR LEIBELL: Thank you,
Madam President.
First, I'd like to compliment
Senator Bruno and Senator Mendez for the work
they have done on this. And I know there have
been discussions over quite a period of time
now, some months, over this issue on minimum
wage. I think this will be one of the more
important pieces of legislation that we will
enact this year.
And as the Majority Leader noted,
as we wait for the federal government to catch
up with us, it's important that we acknowledge
that there are those people in our society for
whom this will be a tremendous benefit.
So I'm very pleased to be a
supporter of this legislation. I think it
will go a long way towards helping those who
need the most help. Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Morahan.
SENATOR MORAHAN: Thank you,
Madam President.
I too rise in support of this bill.
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And I want to congratulate Senator Bruno and
the conference for acting on this matter at
this time.
We have heard all the dire
predictions before, every time this minimum
wage has been raised. It really has had
minimal, if any, impact on business in
New York.
This bill is carefully crafted to
take the minimum wage up over a period of
years, and I think the final impact will be
around the end of 2006. So it seems to me
that this is a bill that's long overdue.
And I recognize Senator Bruno's
concern about the federal government moving
the bill -- or moving the wages if the federal
people acted. Taking that concept really
implies that the cost of living and the cost
of getting along is the same from New York to
California, and we know that's not all true.
So I have no problem, considering
that other neighboring states here in the
Northeast region have already raised their
minimums, that we do this today. And I
proudly support the bill.
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Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Morahan
and Senator Leibell, you will both be recorded
as voting in the affirmative on this bill.
Senator Mendez, to explain your
vote.
SENATOR MENDEZ: Madam President,
first I want to thank Senator Bruno and the
majority of the members of the Republican
conference for their extraordinary cooperation
in trying to resolve this issue.
I am positively convinced that each
one of us here in this room today understands
very clearly that this is an issue of social
justice. We, the Empire State of the country,
all our surrounding states, they have had a
higher minimum wage to benefit the workers.
And I think that today, in taking
this action, all of us in this Senate and all
the legislators in the Assembly as well, we
are redeeming ourselves for not having been
able to accomplish more during this session.
So I am very happy also for all
those workers that they work very, very hard
every day. They will be working with a better
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pay, nothing -- they will not become
millionaires, but their lives will be eased
economically. They will have more food on the
table for their children. And that will
make -- having more money to spend will
improve economic activity in the neighborhood.
So as far as I'm concerned, thank
you. And I think that this is a glorious,
glorious day in New York State.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Mendez,
you will be recorded as voting in the
affirmative on this bill.
Senator Spano.
SENATOR SPANO: Thank you, Madam
President. To explain my vote.
Several months ago I had an
opportunity to meet with several hundred
people in Westchester County who lobbied very
effectively for an increase in the minimum
wage. There is a coalition of people across
the state, particularly in the metropolitan
area, who did a very effective job in reaching
out to members of this Legislature, pointing
out that we need to treat every working man
and woman in this state with dignity. And
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that's what this bill does.
The federal government should act.
We should not wait for the federal government
to act. They should take a page out of our
books and show that we have the leadership
here that we have shown in recent years,
whether it be treating migrant farmworkers
with dignity or increasing the minimum wage.
And the fact that Senator Bruno has
put this bill out on the floor today sends a
very strong message to every working man and
woman in this state that we respect the job
that you continue to do. And to those very
effective groups that did such a great job in
lobbying, I say thank you.
I vote in the affirmative.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Spano,
you will be so recorded as voting in the
affirmative.
The Secretary will announce the
results.
THE SECRETARY: Those recorded in
the negative on Calendar Number 1886 are
Senators Little, Maltese, McGee, Meier,
Nozzolio, Saland, and Seward. Ayes, 51.
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Nays, 7.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
(Applause from gallery.)
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO: Madam President,
is there any housekeeping left at the desk?
THE PRESIDENT: No, there isn't,
Senator.
SENATOR BRUNO: Could we then at
this time recognize Senator Ada Smith for an
announcement.
No? Madam President, let's not
recognize Senator Smith at this moment,
okay --
(Laughter.)
SENATOR BRUNO: -- other than to
recognize her accomplishments here in the
Senate generally.
(Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: So ordered.
SENATOR BRUNO: Madam President,
there being no further business to come before
the Senate, I would move that we stand
adjourned until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., and
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recognize the fact that tomorrow we will also
be convening an extraordinary session as
called by the Governor.
THE PRESIDENT: On motion, the
Senate now stands adjourned until tomorrow at
10:00 a.m., when it will meet in extraordinary
session at the call of the Governor.
(Whereupon, at 2:12 p.m., the
Senate adjourned.)