Regular Session - March 1, 2005

                                                            736



         1                 NEW YORK STATE SENATE

         2

         3

         4                THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD

         5

         6

         7

         8

         9                   ALBANY, NEW YORK

        10                     March 1, 2005

        11                       3:15 p.m.

        12

        13

        14                    REGULAR SESSION

        15

        16

        17

        18  LT. GOVERNOR MARY O. DONOHUE, President

        19  STEVEN M. BOGGESS, Secretary

        20

        21

        22

        23

        24

        25



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        737



         1                 P R O C E E D I N G S

         2                  THE PRESIDENT:    The Senate will

         3       please come to order.

         4                  I ask everyone present to please

         5       rise and repeat with me the Pledge of

         6       Allegiance.

         7                  (Whereupon, the assemblage recited

         8       the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)

         9                  THE PRESIDENT:    In the absence of

        10       clergy, may we bow our heads in a moment of

        11       silence, please.

        12                  (Whereupon, the assemblage

        13       respected a moment of silence.)

        14                  THE PRESIDENT:    Reading of the

        15       Journal.

        16                  THE SECRETARY:    In Senate,

        17       Monday, February 28, the Senate met pursuant

        18       to adjournment.  The Journal of Sunday,

        19       February 27, was read and approved.  On

        20       motion, Senate adjourned.

        21                  THE PRESIDENT:    Without

        22       objection, the Journal stands approved as

        23       read.

        24                  Presentation of petitions.

        25                  Messages from the Assembly.



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        738



         1                  Messages from the Governor.

         2                  Reports of standing committees.

         3                  Reports of select committees.

         4                  Communications and reports from

         5       state officers.

         6                  Motions and resolutions.

         7                  Senator Bruno.

         8                  SENATOR BRUNO:    Madam President,

         9       I believe I have a privileged resolution at

        10       the desk.  I would ask that it be read in its

        11       entirety and move for its immediate adoption.

        12                  THE PRESIDENT:    The Secretary

        13       will read.

        14                  THE SECRETARY:    By Senator Bruno,

        15       Legislative Resolution Number 510, honoring

        16       Elizabeth Day upon the occasion of her

        17       selection as New York State Teacher of the

        18       Year for 2005.

        19                  "WHEREAS, It is the sense of this

        20       Legislative Body to commend the efforts of

        21       those individuals in the teaching profession

        22       who distinguish themselves in their dedication

        23       and commitment to their students; and

        24                  "WHEREAS, Attendant to such

        25       concern, and in full accord with its



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        739



         1       long-standing traditions, this Legislative

         2       Body is justly proud to honor Elizabeth Day

         3       upon the occasion of her selection as New York

         4       State Teacher of the Year for 2005 by the New

         5       York State Education Department.  Chosen to

         6       represent New York State's educators, her

         7       yearlong reign began September 1, 2004; and

         8                  "WHEREAS, A native of

         9       Mechanicville, and herself a product of its

        10       outstanding school system, Elizabeth Day has

        11       taught in the Mechanicville City School

        12       District for the past 27 years.  This

        13       exceptional mentor takes great pride in

        14       teaching sixth grade in the state's smallest

        15       city, located in Saratoga County; and

        16                  "WHEREAS, After graduating from

        17       Siena College in 1976, Elizabeth Day pursued

        18       her graduate degree and earned her Master's in

        19       Special Education and Elementary Education

        20       from the College of St. Rose.  In the fall of

        21       1978, she began her illustrious teaching

        22       career in the Mechanicville school system; and

        23                  "WHEREAS, Elizabeth Day recently

        24       traveled to Dallas, Texas, where she was

        25       presented with a Teaching Excellence Award by



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        740



         1       the SMARTer Kids Foundation.  Moreover,

         2       arrangements have been made to meet with

         3       President George W. Bush in the White House

         4       Rose Garden later in the year; and

         5                  "WHEREAS, The future success of our

         6       state and nation is dependent upon individuals

         7       such as Elizabeth Day, who dedicate their

         8       lives as educators, nurturing our most

         9       precious resource, our youth; and

        10                  "WHEREAS, Throughout her career

        11       thus far, Elizabeth Day has brought an

        12       uncompromising standard of excellence to her

        13       work and a warm sense of caring and concern to

        14       every young person she educates; now,

        15       therefore, be it

        16                  "RESOLVED, That this Legislative

        17       Body pause in its deliberations to honor

        18       Elizabeth Day upon the occasion of her

        19       selection as New York State Teacher of the

        20       Year for 2005; and be it further

        21                  "RESOLVED, That a copy of this

        22       resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted

        23       to Elizabeth Day."

        24                  THE PRESIDENT:    Senator Bruno.

        25                  SENATOR BRUNO:    Thank you, Madam



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        741



         1       President and colleagues.

         2                  You have just heard a resolution

         3       recognizing teacher Elizabeth Day.  And I'm

         4       proud to stand, because Elizabeth is one of my

         5       constituents.  And I'm as proud as I can be.

         6                  Elizabeth, I know your mom is there

         7       with you, Claire, and she's proud; and your

         8       Aunt Teresa and your husband, John.  Your

         9       family, your friends, the entire community,

        10       the Senate recognizes your achievements.

        11                  Now, you think about becoming the

        12       Teacher of the Year among all of the teachers

        13       in New York State.  Twenty-seven years,

        14       Elizabeth, in Mechanicville, one of the

        15       smallest cities in New York State.  Grew up

        16       there, went to school, where she now teaches

        17       sixth grade and is teaching with some of her

        18       teachers and her students, neighbors, friends.

        19                  That is quite an achievement in

        20       your early life.  And you have a lot more

        21       years to be of service.  You're really a role

        22       model for teachers and for students and for

        23       anyone in life where it's so important to

        24       excel.

        25                  "Never accept less than your best."



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        742



         1       That's what Elizabeth puts on her board every

         2       day that she teaches.  Never accept less than

         3       your best.  Think of that life lesson for a

         4       young person.  Think about a life lesson for

         5       ourselves, never accepting less than your

         6       best.

         7                  I want to say thank you.  Thank you

         8       for your service, thank you for what you do

         9       for young people, where you touch their lives,

        10       not just presently but in the future, and you

        11       enrich their lives.

        12                  So we say we're proud here in this

        13       chamber.  And the resolution that you've heard

        14       read will become part of the records of

        15       New York State by number, so that children,

        16       grandchildren, friends 20, 30, 50 years from

        17       now can call that resolution up and read the

        18       chronicle of what you have achieved in your

        19       life.

        20                  So congratulations to you, and God

        21       bless you and your family.

        22                  Thank you, Madam President.

        23                  THE PRESIDENT:    The question is

        24       on the resolution.  All in favor please

        25       signify by saying aye.



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        743



         1                  (Response of "Aye.")

         2                  THE PRESIDENT:    Opposed, nay.

         3                  (No response.)

         4                  THE PRESIDENT:    The resolution is

         5       adopted.

         6                  (Applause.)

         7                  THE PRESIDENT:    Also, I would

         8       like to offer my congratulations.  I was a

         9       teacher for a decade, my first career out of

        10       college, and I know how challenging especially

        11       the middle-school level can be.

        12                  But no career could be more

        13       important or more worthwhile than what you're

        14       doing.  I'm pleased to see you getting the

        15       recognition you deserve.  Best wishes for

        16       continued success.

        17                  Senator Bruno.

        18                  SENATOR BRUNO:    Madam President,

        19       we are graced by the presence of the Speaker

        20       of the New York City Council, Gifford Miller,

        21       who I believe is the youngest --

        22                  (Applause.)

        23                  SENATOR BRUNO:    And, Madam

        24       President, I believe that there is a

        25       resolution at the desk by Senator Little.  I



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        744



         1       would ask that the title be read and move for

         2       its immediate adoption.

         3                  THE PRESIDENT:    The Secretary

         4       will read.

         5                  SENATOR BRUNO:    Madam President,

         6       can we temporarily lay that resolution aside.

         7       And we'll take up the noncontroversial reading

         8       of the calendar.

         9                  THE PRESIDENT:    The resolution is

        10       temporarily laid aside.

        11                  The Secretary will read.

        12                  THE SECRETARY:    Calendar Number

        13       27, by Senator Balboni, Senate Print 179A, an

        14       act to amend the Executive Law, in relation to

        15       local disaster preparedness plans.

        16                  THE PRESIDENT:    Read the last

        17       section.

        18                  THE SECRETARY:    Section 4.  This

        19       act shall take effect on the first of June.

        20                  THE PRESIDENT:    Call the roll.

        21                  (The Secretary called the roll.)

        22                  THE SECRETARY:    Ayes, 53.

        23                  THE PRESIDENT:    The bill is

        24       passed.

        25                  THE SECRETARY:    Calendar Number



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        745



         1       48, by Senator Little, Senate Print 738A, an

         2       act to amend the General Business Law, in

         3       relation to reducing the period.

         4                  THE PRESIDENT:    Read the last

         5       section.

         6                  THE SECRETARY:    Section 3.  This

         7       act shall take effect on the same date and in

         8       the same manner as Chapter 635 of the Laws of

         9       2004.

        10                  THE PRESIDENT:    Call the roll.

        11                  (The Secretary called the roll.)

        12                  THE SECRETARY:    Ayes, 53.

        13                  THE PRESIDENT:    The bill is

        14       passed.

        15                  THE SECRETARY:    Calendar Number

        16       61, by Senator Marcellino, Senate Print 632,

        17       an act to amend the Environmental Conservation

        18       Law, in relation to management of wildlife

        19       resources.

        20                  THE PRESIDENT:    Read the last

        21       section.

        22                  THE SECRETARY:    Section 6.  This

        23       act shall take effect on the first of January.

        24                  THE PRESIDENT:    Call the roll.

        25                  (The Secretary called the roll.)



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        746



         1                  THE SECRETARY:    Ayes, 54.

         2                  THE PRESIDENT:    The bill is

         3       passed.

         4                  THE SECRETARY:    Calendar Number

         5       74, by Senator LaValle, Senate Print 557, an

         6       act to amend the Education Law --

         7                  SENATOR SCHNEIDERMAN:    Lay it

         8       aside.

         9                  THE PRESIDENT:    The bill is laid

        10       aside.

        11                  THE SECRETARY:    Calendar Number

        12       76, by Senator DeFrancisco, Senate Print 41,

        13       an act to amend the Surrogate's Court

        14       Procedure Act, in relation to computation.

        15                  THE PRESIDENT:    Read the last

        16       section.

        17                  THE SECRETARY:    Section 2.  This

        18       act shall take effect on the first of January.

        19                  THE PRESIDENT:    Call the roll.

        20                  (The Secretary called the roll.)

        21                  THE SECRETARY:    Ayes, 53.  Nays,

        22       1.  Senator Padavan recorded in the negative.

        23                  THE PRESIDENT:    The bill is

        24       passed.

        25                  THE SECRETARY:    Calendar Number



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        747



         1       81, by Senator Marchi, Senate Print 1417, an

         2       act to amend the Judiciary Law and the

         3       Education Law, in relation to creating.

         4                  THE PRESIDENT:    Read the last

         5       section.

         6                  THE SECRETARY:    Section 7.  This

         7       act shall take effect immediately.

         8                  THE PRESIDENT:    Call the roll.

         9                  (The Secretary called the roll.)

        10                  THE SECRETARY:    Ayes, 55.

        11                  THE PRESIDENT:    The bill is

        12       passed.

        13                  THE SECRETARY:    Calendar Number

        14       93, by Senator Larkin, Senate Print 78, an act

        15       to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules, in

        16       relation to authorizing.

        17                  THE PRESIDENT:    Read the last

        18       section.

        19                  THE SECRETARY:    Section 2.  This

        20       act shall take effect immediately.

        21                  THE PRESIDENT:    Call the roll.

        22                  (The Secretary called the roll.)

        23                  THE SECRETARY:    Ayes, 55.

        24                  THE PRESIDENT:    The bill is

        25       passed.



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        748



         1                  THE SECRETARY:    Calendar Number

         2       97, by Senator Trunzo, Senate Print 851, an

         3       act to amend the Penal Law, in relation to

         4       prohibiting stalking by technological means.

         5                  THE PRESIDENT:    Read the last

         6       section.

         7                  THE SECRETARY:    Section 5.  This

         8       act shall take effect on the first of

         9       November.

        10                  THE PRESIDENT:    Call the roll.

        11                  (The Secretary called the roll.)

        12                  THE SECRETARY:    Ayes, 55.

        13                  THE PRESIDENT:    The bill is

        14       passed.

        15                  THE SECRETARY:    Calendar Number

        16       99, by Senator Volker, Senate Print 880, an

        17       act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law, in

        18       relation to receiving.

        19                  THE PRESIDENT:    Read the last

        20       section.

        21                  THE SECRETARY:    Section 2.  This

        22       act shall take effect on the first of

        23       November.

        24                  THE PRESIDENT:    Call the roll.

        25                  (The Secretary called the roll.)



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        749



         1                  THE SECRETARY:    Ayes, 55.

         2                  THE PRESIDENT:    The bill is

         3       passed.

         4                  THE SECRETARY:    Calendar Number

         5       123, by Senator Robach, Senate Print 2165, an

         6       act to amend the Retirement and Social

         7       Security Law, in relation to the extension of

         8       temporary benefits.

         9                  THE PRESIDENT:    Read the last

        10       section.

        11                  THE SECRETARY:    Section 5.  This

        12       act shall take effect immediately.

        13                  THE PRESIDENT:    Call the roll.

        14                  (The Secretary called the roll.)

        15                  THE SECRETARY:    Ayes, 55.

        16                  THE PRESIDENT:    The bill is

        17       passed.

        18                  THE SECRETARY:    Calendar Number

        19       124, by Senator Robach, Senate Print 2182, an

        20       act to amend the Retirement and Social

        21       Security Law, in relation to membership.

        22                  THE PRESIDENT:    Read the last

        23       section.

        24                  THE SECRETARY:    Section 2.  This

        25       act shall take effect immediately.



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        750



         1                  THE PRESIDENT:    Call the roll.

         2                  (The Secretary called the roll.)

         3                  THE SECRETARY:    Ayes, 56.

         4                  THE PRESIDENT:    The bill is

         5       passed.

         6                  Senator Skelos, that completes the

         7       noncontroversial reading of the calendar.

         8                  SENATOR SKELOS:    Thank you, Madam

         9       President.  If we could go to the

        10       controversial reading of the calendar.

        11                  THE PRESIDENT:    The Secretary

        12       will read.

        13                  THE SECRETARY:    Calendar Number

        14       74, by Senator LaValle, Senate Print 557, an

        15       act to amend the Education Law.

        16                  SENATOR SCHNEIDERMAN:

        17       Explanation.

        18                  THE PRESIDENT:    Senator LaValle,

        19       an explanation has been requested.

        20                  SENATOR LaVALLE:    Madam

        21       President, this is legislation that this house

        22       passed last year.  It's sponsored by

        23       Assemblyman Schimminger in the Assembly.

        24                  And it really requires new public

        25       policy for our Board of Regents, the State



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        751



         1       University Board of Trustees, and the City

         2       University Board of Trustees to attach, where

         3       appropriate, where there are fiscal

         4       implications, a fiscal note, so that we and

         5       the general public will understand that when

         6       they make policy decisions and there are

         7       fiscal implications, we will know what those

         8       fiscal implications are.

         9                  It is consistent with what we do in

        10       the Legislature to attach fiscal notes to

        11       legislation.

        12                  THE PRESIDENT:    Does any member

        13       wish to be heard?

        14                  Then the debate is closed.

        15                  The Secretary will ring the bell.

        16                  Senator Skelos.

        17                  SENATOR SKELOS:    Announce the

        18       results, please.

        19                  THE PRESIDENT:    We have to read

        20       the last section.

        21                  THE SECRETARY:    Section 4.  This

        22       act shall take effect immediately.

        23                  THE PRESIDENT:    Call the roll.

        24                  (The Secretary called the roll.)

        25                  THE PRESIDENT:    The Secretary



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        752



         1       will announce the results.

         2                  THE SECRETARY:    Those recorded in

         3       the negative on Calendar Number 74 are

         4       Senators Andrews, Hassell-Thompson, and

         5       Montgomery.

         6                  Absent from voting on Calendar

         7       Number 74, Senator Hannon.

         8                  Ayes, 54.  Nays, 3.

         9                  THE PRESIDENT:    The bill is

        10       passed.

        11                  Senator Skelos.

        12                  SENATOR SKELOS:    Madam President,

        13       if we could turn to motions and resolutions, I

        14       believe there's a resolution at the desk by

        15       Senator Little.  If we could have the title

        16       read and move for its immediate adoption.

        17                  THE PRESIDENT:    The Secretary

        18       will read.

        19                  THE SECRETARY:    By Senator

        20       Little, Legislative Resolution Number 588,

        21       paying tribute to the life and accomplishments

        22       of Lucy Beaman Hobbs Taylor, the first woman

        23       to graduate from a recognized dental college.

        24                  THE PRESIDENT:    Senator Little.

        25                  SENATOR LITTLE:    Thank you, Madam



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        753



         1       President.

         2                  This is a resolution in honor of

         3       Lucy Beaman Hobbs Taylor, who was born in the

         4       small town of Ellenburg, in Clinton County,

         5       New York, in my district, in 1833.

         6                  This is a woman who paved the way

         7       for women to attend dental school.  After

         8       being a teacher and trying to get into medical

         9       school, Lucy Hobbs decided to become a

        10       dentist --

        11                  THE PRESIDENT:    I ask, please,

        12       for order.

        13                  Thank you.

        14                  Senator Little, please proceed.

        15                  SENATOR LITTLE:    However, being

        16       that there were no female dentists at the time

        17       and they were not allowed to go to dental

        18       school, she continued to try to get into

        19       dental school and worked for a dentist in

        20       Iowa.

        21                  It's interesting that the American

        22       Dental Convention decided and said that they

        23       would boycott any dental school that did not

        24       admit her.  So she was finally admitted to

        25       dental school.



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        754



         1                  And as a result of her paving the

         2       way, over half the people today in dental

         3       school are women.

         4                  The reason that we would like to

         5       honor her is because we'd like to bring her

         6       story to the forefront in the hopes that she

         7       will be admitted to the Women's Hall of Fame

         8       in Seneca Falls this year.

         9                  Lucy Beaman Hobbs Taylor will be

        10       honored this year as one of our Historic Women

        11       of Distinction.  And I'm very proud to speak

        12       on her behalf since she was born in my

        13       district in, as I said, Ellenburg, New York,

        14       Clinton County.

        15                  Thank you.  And we would open it

        16       up.

        17                  THE PRESIDENT:    Any member who

        18       does not want to sponsor this resolution,

        19       please notify the desk.

        20                  All in favor of the resolution

        21       please signify by saying aye.

        22                  (Response of "Aye.")

        23                  THE PRESIDENT:    Opposed, nay.

        24                  (No response.)

        25                  THE PRESIDENT:    The resolution is



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910

                                                        755



         1       adopted.

         2                  Senator Skelos.

         3                  SENATOR SKELOS:    Is there any

         4       further business to come before the Senate?

         5                  THE PRESIDENT:    No, there isn't,

         6       Senator.

         7                  SENATOR SKELOS:    There being no

         8       further business to come before the Senate, I

         9       move we stand adjourned until Wednesday,

        10       March 2nd, at 11:00 a.m.

        11                  THE PRESIDENT:    On motion, the

        12       Senate stands adjourned until Wednesday,

        13       March 2nd, 11:00 a.m.

        14                  (Whereupon, at 3:38 p.m., the

        15       Senate adjourned.)

        16

        17

        18

        19

        20

        21

        22

        23

        24

        25



                      Candyco Transcription Service, Inc.
                                (518) 371-8910