Regular Session - May 21, 2019
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1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
2
3
4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
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6
7
8
9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 May 21, 2019
11 3:46 p.m.
12
13
14 REGULAR SESSION
15
16
17
18 SENATOR BRIAN A. BENJAMIN, Acting President
19 ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
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25
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1 P R O C E E D I N G S
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
3 Senate will come to order.
4 I ask everyone present to please
5 rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
6 (Whereupon, the assemblage recited
7 the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: In the
9 absence of clergy, let us bow our heads in a
10 moment of silent reflection or prayer.
11 (Whereupon, the assemblage respected
12 a moment of silence.)
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
14 reading of the Journal.
15 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Monday,
16 May 20, 2019, the Senate met pursuant to
17 adjournment. The Journal of Sunday, May 19,
18 2019, was read and approved. On motion, Senate
19 adjourned.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Without
21 objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
22 Presentation of petitions.
23 Messages from the Assembly.
24 The Secretary will read.
25 THE SECRETARY: On page 20,
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1 Senator Sanders moves to discharge, from the
2 Committee on Banks, Assembly Bill Number 1940 and
3 substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 2245,
4 Third Reading Calendar 414.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
6 substitution is so ordered.
7 THE SECRETARY: On page 32,
8 Senator Rivera moves to discharge, from the
9 Committee on Health, Assembly Bill Number 1084
10 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill
11 874, Third Reading Calendar 618.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
13 Substitution so ordered.
14 THE SECRETARY: On page 34,
15 Senator Sepúlveda moves to discharge, from the
16 Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and
17 Corrections, Assembly Bill Number 6849 and
18 substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 4566,
19 Third Reading Calendar 633.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
21 Substitution so ordered.
22 THE SECRETARY: On page 40,
23 Senator Mayer moves to discharge, from the
24 Committee on Education, Assembly Bill Number
25 6671A and substitute it for the identical Senate
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1 Bill 5323, Third Reading Calendar 709.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
3 Substitution so ordered.
4 THE SECRETARY: On page 42,
5 Senator May moves to discharge, from the
6 Committee on Finance, Assembly Bill Number 7206
7 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill
8 4575, Third Reading Calendar 731.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
10 Substitution so ordered.
11 THE SECRETARY: On page 43,
12 Senator Gounardes moves to discharge, from the
13 Committee on Aging, Assembly Bill Number 5626 and
14 substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 4407,
15 Third Reading Calendar 741.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
17 substitution is so ordered.
18 Messages from the Governor.
19 Reports of standing committees.
20 Reports of select committees.
21 Communications and reports from
22 state officers.
23 Motions and resolutions.
24 Senator Gianaris.
25 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
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1 on behalf of Senator Gaughran, I wish to call up
2 Senate Print 2979, recalled from the Assembly,
3 which is now at the desk.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
5 Secretary will read.
6 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
7 207, Senate Print 2979, by Senator Gaughran, an
8 act to incorporate the Volunteer Exempt
9 Firefighter's Benevolent Association of
10 Huntington Manor and providing for its powers and
11 duties.
12 SENATOR GIANARIS: I move to
13 reconsider the vote by which this bill was
14 passed.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
16 Secretary will call the roll on reconsideration.
17 (The Secretary called the roll.)
18 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 53.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
20 bill is restored to its place on the
21 Third Reading Calendar.
22 SENATOR GIANARIS: I offer the
23 following amendments.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
25 amendments are received.
3976
1 SENATOR GIANARIS: On behalf of
2 Senator Savino, on page 42 I offer the following
3 amendments to Calendar 728, Senate Print 4080A,
4 and ask that said bill retain its place on Third
5 Reading Calendar.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
7 amendments are received, and the bill shall
8 retain its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
9 SENATOR GIANARIS: On behalf of
10 Senator Kennedy, I move that the following bills
11 be discharged from their respective committees
12 and be recommitted with instructions to strike
13 the enacting clause: Senate 3023 and 5405.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: It is
15 so ordered.
16 SENATOR GIANARIS: Please recognize
17 Senator Griffo.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
19 Griffo.
20 SENATOR GRIFFO: Thank you,
21 Mr. President.
22 I would like to move, on behalf of
23 Senator O'Mara, that Senate Bill 1884 be
24 discharged from its respective committee and be
25 recommitted with instructions to strike the
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1 enacting clause.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: It is
3 so ordered.
4 Senator Gianaris.
5 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President, I
6 move to adopt the Resolution Calendar, with the
7 exception of Resolutions 1462, 1463, 1520, 1521,
8 1544, 1546, and 1566.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
10 Gianaris.
11 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
12 let me revise that list, please.
13 So I move to adopt the Resolution
14 Calendar, with the exception of Resolutions 1521,
15 1544, 1546, and 1566 only.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
17 Gianaris.
18 SENATOR GIANARIS: And 1564.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: All in
20 favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar, with
21 the exception of Resolutions 1521, 1544, 1546,
22 1564 and 1566, please signify by saying aye.
23 (Response of "Aye.")
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
25 Opposed, nay.
3978
1 (No response.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
3 Resolution Calendar is adopted.
4 Senator Gianaris.
5 SENATOR GIANARIS: Can we now take
6 up Resolution 1564, by Leader Stewart-Cousins,
7 read that resolution in title only, and recognize
8 Senator Brooks on the resolution.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
10 Secretary will read.
11 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
12 1564, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, honoring the
13 distinguished veterans from the State of New York
14 upon the occasion of their induction into the
15 New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame, to
16 be celebrated on May 14, 2019.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
18 Brooks on the resolution.
19 SENATOR BROOKS: Thank you,
20 Mr. President.
21 Today the Senate honors our
22 veterans. Each of us had the opportunity to
23 nominate an individual to be enrolled in our Hall
24 of Fame. My nominee is here in the chambers, Pat
25 Yngstrom. Pat is a Vietnam vet, he's an
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1 Airborne. He served with distinction in Vietnam.
2 He's also ran the Nassau County Veterans
3 Association, and currently serves on my veterans
4 advisory committee.
5 Pat, like so many veterans, when
6 they return back to this country, continue to
7 work to help and provide assistance to those who
8 served with them.
9 We had the opportunity to recognize
10 four of our veterans today, men and women who
11 served this country and continue to serve this
12 country. We welcome all of them to this chamber.
13 We thank them for the service they gave to this
14 country while in uniform and the service they
15 continue to give this country today.
16 So Mr. President, it is my honor to
17 recognize all of our veterans here in the
18 chamber. And we say to them thank you for the
19 service you've given, we wish you Godspeed, and
20 God bless America and all of you for the service
21 you've provided to this nation.
22 Thank you, Mr. President.
23 (Standing ovation.)
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
25 question is on the resolution. All in favor
3980
1 signify by saying aye.
2 (Response of "Aye.")
3 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
4 Opposed, nay.
5 (No response.)
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
7 resolution is adopted.
8 Senator Gianaris.
9 SENATOR GIANARIS: Can we now take
10 up Resolution 1544, by Senator Martinez, read its
11 title only, and recognize Senator Martinez.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
13 Secretary will read.
14 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
15 1544, by Senator Martinez, commending Grace
16 African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church of
17 Patchogue, New York, upon the occasion of
18 celebrating its 100th Anniversary on May 18,
19 2019.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
21 Martinez on the resolution.
22 SENATOR MARTINEZ: Good afternoon,
23 Mr. President.
24 I am proud to stand here today to
25 draw special attention to a church in my district
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1 known as Grace A.M.E. Zion Church and celebrating
2 100 years of establishment.
3 Grace A.M.E. Zion Church was founded
4 in 1918 by a community of neighbors seeking a
5 safe and welcoming space for their congregants.
6 The church was founded on the strong belief that
7 God is God all the time and for everybody. The
8 mission of the church is to minister to the
9 emotional, intellectual, spiritual, environmental
10 and physical needs of all the people by spreading
11 the Gospel of Jesus Christ through both word and
12 deed.
13 The church serves as a model for
14 groups who support and uplift through outreach
15 and faith. And I would extend my congratulations
16 and best wishes on behalf of my fellow colleagues
17 to Grace A.M.E. Zion Church located in Patchogue,
18 New York, on this great honor.
19 Thank you.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
21 question is on the resolution. All in favor
22 signify by saying aye.
23 (Response of "Aye.")
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
25 Opposed?
3982
1 (No response.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
3 resolution is adopted.
4 Senator Gianaris.
5 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
6 can we now move to Resolution 1521, by
7 Senator May, read its title only, and recognize
8 Senator May.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
10 Secretary will read.
11 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
12 1521, by Senator May, memorializing Governor
13 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 21, 2019, as
14 Older New Yorkers Day in the State of New York.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
16 May on the resolution.
17 SENATOR MAY: Thank you,
18 Mr. President.
19 As chair of the Senate Committee on
20 Aging, I am pleased to highlight the importance
21 of older New Yorkers to our communities, our
22 state, and society as whole.
23 One in six New Yorkers is 65 or
24 older, which is why we work so hard on
25 legislation to ensure that we have the resources
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1 and supports in place to meet the evolving needs
2 of older New Yorkers.
3 But we shouldn't view older
4 New Yorkers as a problem to be solved. They are
5 a deep reservoir of talent, experience, energy
6 and expertise, from which we can draw as we
7 strive to build stronger communities and advance
8 a higher quality of life for all.
9 Older New Yorkers are the lifeblood
10 of our communities. They contribute nearly
11 120 million volunteer hours in service to others.
12 These services have an estimated value of many
13 billions of dollars, and an immeasurable impact
14 on people's lives and on society as a whole.
15 Older New Yorkers live in every
16 corner of our state, and they are models of a
17 strong tradition of volunteerism and engaged
18 citizenship. They both challenge and inspire us
19 to follow their example.
20 In 1963, President Kennedy declared
21 the month of May to be Older Americans Month, so
22 that each year communities around the nation
23 might celebrate and reflect on the unique role
24 older Americans play in our communities, our
25 state, our nation and the world.
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1 In the spirit of that proclamation,
2 I ask that we too pause in our deliberations to
3 recognize and thank older New Yorkers for all
4 they have done and continue to do for our
5 neighborhoods, our communities, our state and the
6 world, and to memorialize Governor Cuomo to
7 proclaim this day, May 21, 2019, as Older
8 New Yorkers Day in the State of New York.
9 I'm going to continue, because
10 several Senators have resolutions in recognition
11 of particular older New Yorkers, and I am going
12 to read mine about the Senate's honoree for
13 outstanding contribution by an older New Yorker.
14 It's my distinct honor today to
15 recognize Ruth Johnson Colvin as the New York
16 State Senate honoree for outstanding contribution
17 by an older New Yorker. Last week at a luncheon
18 in her honor, Ruth told us this: "Age is just a
19 number," she said. "I just happen to have a big
20 number, 102." Then she went on to describe how
21 she plays three rounds of golf a week, works out
22 twice weekly at the gym, while also still writing
23 and volunteering in the community.
24 But Ruth is not just wonderful for
25 her longevity. An educator, a humanitarian, and
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1 a world citizen at heart, she has done amazing
2 things with her 102 years. Born in Chicago, Ruth
3 Colvin earned a degree in business from Syracuse
4 University in 1959. Two years later, she
5 discovered that more than 11,000 people in
6 Syracuse were functionally illiterate, and she
7 set out to rectify the problem. She assembled a
8 community network of literacy tutors and worked
9 with professional reading specialists to develop
10 tutor training and instructional resources for
11 the volunteer network. She called the initiative
12 Literacy Volunteers.
13 That grassroots network would grow
14 in to Literacy Volunteers of America. It is now
15 known as ProLiteracy Worldwide, with a thousand
16 member organizations across the United States and
17 more than 100,000 volunteers and students engaged
18 in its work.
19 Ruth's success in starting a global
20 literacy movement has earned her the Presidential
21 Medal of Freedom, induction into the National
22 Women's Hall of Fame, and nine honorary degrees.
23 Today, at age 102, she continues to be deeply
24 engaged in the local community as a literacy
25 tutor, as a life member of the ProLiteracy and
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1 LiteracyCNY boards of directors, and she's at
2 work on her 13th book about her remarkable life
3 journey.
4 Ruth's motto is if you believe in
5 your idea, you go from there. If you do it with
6 love, it will work out. We are fortunate that
7 Ruth Colvin believed in her idea and pursued it
8 with love.
9 She exemplifies the power of one
10 person to make a positive difference in the
11 world, and she challenges and inspires us all to
12 do the same.
13 I would ask that this legislative
14 body recognize Ruth Johnson Colvin as its 2019
15 honoree for outstanding contribution by an older
16 New Yorker, and offer her the privileges of the
17 house. Thank you.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
19 Serino on the resolution.
20 SENATOR SERINO: Thank you,
21 Mr. President.
22 And I would just like to say I
23 second all the wonderful things that Senator May
24 said, and congratulations to Ruth today.
25 I rise as the Aging Committee
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1 ranking member to congratulate all the seniors
2 who are honored here today and to thank them for
3 their tremendous contributions to our communities
4 and our state. Our seniors have spent their
5 lives building and shaping the communities that
6 we know and love, and today's annual event is an
7 important reminder of their continued commitment
8 to service and volunteerism.
9 Each year, reading through the
10 biographies of the seniors who are honored, I am
11 always blown away by the incredible list of
12 accomplishments. Through their work, they are
13 sending a clear message: There is no age limit
14 on service.
15 And you know, it's so nice to see
16 all the young people here today and that you're
17 listening to this, because this is a lesson that
18 I think that we can all learn from.
19 It's so easy to get caught up in our
20 lives, in the day-to-day. But throughout their
21 lives these individuals have always found time to
22 give back by making it a priority.
23 Today I also wanted to remind this
24 body that our efforts to honor New York's over
25 3 million seniors should not be contained only to
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1 resolutions like this one. I urge my colleagues
2 to truly listen to the needs of seniors and their
3 communities who are urging leaders to make
4 New York a better place to age.
5 Today we recognize just how much our
6 seniors are contributing to our communities. And
7 it's an important opportunity for all of us just
8 to say thank you. But we have a true duty to
9 ensure that they have the resources they need to
10 age in place, at home and in the communities that
11 they love, with dignity.
12 Our seniors deserve to see real
13 action on the part of the state, and that means
14 passing measures that actually reduce their cost
15 of living, considering how new taxes, no matter
16 how small we might think they are, will impact
17 them before they're passed into law. Whether
18 it's a five-cent tax on a plastic bag or a new
19 tax on their energy bills, it all adds up. It
20 means more effectively combating elder and
21 financial abuse --
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
23 Serino, please stay germane to the resolution.
24 You're going into laws.
25 SENATOR SERINO: Okay, yup.
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1 And it means funding the services
2 that improve quality of life by bettering
3 transportation options, empowering caregivers,
4 and providing for the community resources they
5 need to stay in their homes as long as possible.
6 I thank Senator May once again for
7 bringing this resolution to the floor to honor
8 today's New York seniors. But moreover, I hope
9 all of us here today take this message to heart
10 and give voice to our seniors here in Albany.
11 Thank you, Mr. President.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
13 Montgomery on the resolution.
14 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Thank you,
15 Mr. President.
16 I want to thank Majority Leader
17 Stewart-Cousins and to Senator May and to
18 Senator Serino.
19 I have a senior from my own district
20 who is being honored, and I would like to call
21 her out, because I'm very proud that there is
22 someone from the Bedford-Stuyvesant community in
23 the 25th Senate District. And she is Susan
24 Ponds, who is being honored here today as an
25 outstanding senior in the State of New York. She
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1 is a resident of the Sandy F. Ray Senior Citizen
2 Houses in Bedford-Stuyvesant. And as a resident,
3 she is an active participant at the Tompkins Park
4 Neighborhood Senior Center, assisting seniors in
5 her building. Because she is an official IRS
6 expert, she helps seniors in her residence fill
7 out their income tax. So even the seniors are
8 busy paying taxes. Thank you, senior citizens.
9 Ms. Ponds is originally from South
10 Carolina, so she has brought to New York City a
11 level of activism and of being a determined and
12 active citizen in her community, has added to her
13 community in many different ways, is a volunteer
14 at the Kings County Hospital and volunteers in
15 her church community, and continues to be an
16 active person in her community in my district.
17 And I rise to thank her for all of
18 the many, many years that she has provided such
19 leadership in the Borough of Brooklyn.
20 Thank you, Mr. President. And I
21 thank and honor Susan Ponds today. Thank you.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
23 question is on the resolution. All in favor
24 signify by saying aye.
25 (Response of "Aye.")
3991
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
2 Opposed?
3 (No response.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
5 resolution is adopted.
6 To our seniors who are here today, I
7 welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend
8 to you all the privileges and courtesies of this
9 house. Please rise and be recognized.
10 (Standing ovation.)
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
12 Gianaris.
13 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
14 it was mentioned that in addition to our
15 distinguished older New Yorkers, there are
16 several young New Yorkers here today. And in
17 part that's because the League of Women Voters
18 has its Legislative Shadow program ongoing today.
19 So I just wanted to recognize all of
20 those who are here as part of that program. And
21 if you wouldn't mind welcoming them to the
22 chamber today, Mr. President.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
24 Absolutely. To our guests, I welcome you on
25 behalf of the Senate. We extend to you all the
3992
1 privileges and courtesies of this house. Please
2 rise and be recognized.
3 (Standing ovation.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
5 Gianaris.
6 SENATOR GIANARIS: Can we now take
7 up Resolution 1566, by Senator Ramos, read that
8 resolution in its entirety, and recognize
9 Senator Ramos.
10 And before we do that,
11 Mr. President, let me also, while we're engaging
12 in these resolutions, call an immediate meeting
13 of the Rules Committee in Room 332. And we'll
14 continue our business, proceeding with the
15 resolutions, while that committee meets.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: There
17 will be an immediate meeting of the Rules
18 Committee in Room 332.
19 The Secretary will read the
20 resolution.
21 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
22 1566, by Senator Ramos, honoring the Lexington
23 School for the Deaf upon the occasion of hosting
24 the 23rd Annual Esther Lustig Memorial Basketball
25 Classic vs. Assembly/Senate All-Stars on Tuesday,
3993
1 May 21, 2019.
2 "WHEREAS, It is the sense of this
3 Legislative Body to recognize and commend those
4 institutions of true purpose and high achievement
5 whose exemplary programs and accomplishments
6 clearly demonstrate an enduring pursuit of
7 excellence in the education of deaf youth in the
8 Empire State; and
9 "WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern,
10 and in full accord with its long-standing
11 traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud
12 to honor the Lexington School for the Deaf upon
13 the occasion of hosting the 23rd Annual Esther
14 Lustig Memorial Basketball Classic, to be held at
15 the Kipp Tech Valley Charter School Gymnasium on
16 Tuesday, May 21, 2019; and
17 "WHEREAS, This annual contest will
18 feature the Lexington School for the Deaf versus
19 the Assembly/Senate All-Stars; this special event
20 is named the Esther Lustig Memorial Basketball
21 Classic in loving memory of dear friend and
22 colleague Esther Lustig; and
23 "WHEREAS, The Lexington School for
24 the Deaf was founded in 1864 when the first class
25 of six children and an instructor convened at the
3994
1 home of Isaac and Hannah Rosenfeld; and
2 "WHEREAS, Due to constantly
3 increasing enrollment, the school moved several
4 times until it settled in 1882 at 904 Lexington
5 Avenue, with 161 students; in 1934, it officially
6 became the Lexington School for the Deaf; and
7 "WHEREAS, The Lexington School for
8 the Deaf continued to grow and in 1968, its new
9 home was inaugurated on a seven-acre site at
10 30th Avenue and 75th Street in Jackson Heights,
11 Queens; and
12 "WHEREAS, Today, the Lexington
13 School for the Deaf, with a student body over
14 350, is the largest school for the deaf in
15 New York State, and its student body resides
16 throughout the five boroughs of New York City;
17 and
18 "WHEREAS, A charter member of the
19 4201 Association, New York State-supported
20 private schools for disabled children, the
21 Lexington School for the Deaf houses the only
22 high school in New York City under the auspices
23 of the 4201 charter; and
24 "WHEREAS, The Lexington School for
25 the Deaf has been recognized at the local,
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1 national and international levels for its
2 pioneering programs, including the first nursery
3 program for deaf children on the East Coast in
4 1937, a research department to promote the
5 investigation of educational, developmental and
6 vocational issues affecting deaf children and
7 adults in 1960, and a special education unit for
8 deaf children of all ages with serious emotional
9 problems in 1979; and
10 "WHEREAS, In the 1980s, the
11 Lexington School for the Deaf became known as the
12 Lexington School for the Deaf/Center for the Deaf
13 after establishing several affiliate agencies to
14 support the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing
15 children and adults, including the Lexington
16 Center for Mental Health Services, the Lexington
17 Hearing and Speech Center, and the Lexington
18 Vocational Services, a New York State Education
19 Department/Vocational and Educational Services
20 for Individuals with Disabilities-funded program;
21 and
22 "WHEREAS, The Lexington School for
23 the Deaf developed a new approach to teaching in
24 the mid-1990s; it became the first Mediated
25 Learning educational model in a school for the
3996
1 deaf, which earned it the federal designation of
2 a Most Effective Practices school; and
3 "WHEREAS, In addition to its strong
4 academic program, the Lexington School for the
5 Deaf offers a broad range of physical and
6 cultural education programs, including a highly
7 regarded basketball team; and
8 "WHEREAS, In 1995, Joseph Crowley, a
9 former member of the New York State Assembly
10 representing the Lexington School for the Deaf,
11 established the Lexington School versus the
12 New York State Legislature Basketball Game; and
13 "WHEREAS, For more than 15 years,
14 New York State Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry,
15 Speaker Pro Tempore, has enthusiastically
16 supported the Annual Lexington School for the
17 Deaf versus the New York State Assembly/Senate
18 All-Stars, and for the continued partnership with
19 Assemblyman Michael G. DenDekker, representative
20 of Assembly District 34, the district in which
21 the Lexington School for the Deaf is located;
22 this event will be played on Tuesday, May 21,
23 2019, at the Kipp Tech Valley Charter School
24 gymnasium; and
25 "WHEREAS, It is the practice of this
3997
1 Legislative Body to extend its highest
2 commendation to all of the individuals who have
3 been involved with the Lexington School for the
4 Deaf, past and present, noting the importance of
5 their work and their enduring commitment to deaf
6 children; now, therefore, be it
7 "RESOLVED, That this Legislative
8 Body pause in its deliberations to honor the
9 Lexington School for the Deaf upon the occasion
10 of hosting the 23rd Annual Esther Lustig Memorial
11 Basketball Classic; and be it further
12 "RESOLVED, That copies of this
13 resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to
14 Donald A. Galloway, CEO/Superintendent;
15 Cindy Casson, Assistant to CEO/Superintendent;
16 Carl Sorrentino, Athletic Director; Adam Pagan,
17 Boys Basketball Coach; Sheldon Clarke, Boys
18 Basketball Assistant Coach; Gerard Sorrentino,
19 Girls Basketball Coach; and Amanda Geffen,
20 Girls Assistant Basketball Coach."
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
22 Ramos on the resolution.
23 SENATOR RAMOS: Thank you,
24 Mr. President.
25 Yes, I rise today in honor of a
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1 local gem in my district, which is the Lexington
2 School for the Deaf. We've been joined by many
3 of their faculty, teachers, students on the
4 occasion of its 23rd Esther Lustig Basketball
5 Classic.
6 Now, I am not an Assembly or Senate
7 Basketball All-Star, so I won't be playing
8 tonight. But nevertheless, go Blue Jays!
9 Thank you for everything that you
10 do. We know that the Lexington School for the
11 Deaf not only has demonstrated a broad range of
12 programming to really ensure that our youth that
13 are deaf can take part in our world in every
14 single way that they deserve, but you've actually
15 opened your doors up to the community at large.
16 I know for my parents, who have been
17 involved in transnational politics for a long
18 time, the Lexington School for the Deaf has been
19 a poll site for Colombian elections, for many
20 other countries. And of course, as we all know,
21 because of the diversity of my district, ensuring
22 that these institutions really do open up their
23 doors to our communities is really, really
24 important.
25 But more than that, to conclude, as
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1 the daughter of a mother who is deaf in one
2 ear -- and she is the person who taught me to
3 read and write and everything I know, I know for
4 certain that the Lexington School for the Deaf
5 really has changed the lives of so many students
6 and so many families in our community and beyond
7 in the five boroughs.
8 Thank you for all you do.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
10 Stavisky on the resolution.
11 SENATOR STAVISKY: I just wanted to
12 thank Senator Ramos for her comments and to
13 mention the fact that the tournament I believe is
14 dedicated to the memory of Esther Lustig, who was
15 a good friend of mine and served both in
16 government and in public service for many years.
17 And I'm delighted that you are
18 recognizing Esther's legacy today. Thank you.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
20 question is on the resolution. All in favor
21 signify by saying aye.
22 (Response of "Aye.")
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
24 Opposed?
25 (No response.)
4000
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
2 resolution is adopted.
3 To our guests from the Lexington
4 School for the Deaf, I welcome you on behalf of
5 the Senate. We extend to you all of the
6 privileges and courtesies of this house. Please
7 rise and be recognized.
8 (Standing ovation.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
10 Serrano.
11 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
12 Mr. President.
13 Please take up Resolution 1087, by
14 Senator Kaminsky, read the title only, and call
15 on Senator Kaminsky, please.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
17 Secretary will read.
18 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
19 1087, by Senator Kaminsky, mourning the death of
20 Eugene J. Murray, the longest-serving mayor in
21 the history of the Village of Rockville Centre,
22 distinguished citizen and devoted member of his
23 community.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
25 Kaminsky on the resolution.
4001
1 SENATOR KAMINSKY: Thank you,
2 Mr. President.
3 I rise today to speak in honor of a
4 great man, a man who represented the Greatest
5 Generation and whose service on behalf of the
6 public was exemplary and second to none. I'm
7 talking about Mayor Eugene J. Murray, the
8 longest-serving mayor in the history of
9 Rockville Centre.
10 He served 20 years as mayor, beloved
11 by basically everyone. And stories are replete
12 of people who woke up the next day after a storm
13 and found the mayor knocking on their door to see
14 how they were doing, or who made a complaint to
15 the water department and found the mayor at their
16 door the next day to check on what was going on.
17 Someone who served the fire
18 department of Rockville Centre for 72 years.
19 Someone who fought for our country in World
20 War II and saw action in Europe.
21 What Gene Murray meant to Rockville
22 Centre cannot really be put in words. He really
23 stood for the essence of what it meant to be a
24 community, of what it meant to be fighting for
25 all of your residents and to be there day in, day
4002
1 out. We're talking about an Irish Catholic man
2 who was honored by more Jewish organizations than
3 you could imagine, someone who was an important
4 member of his church, his fire department, and of
5 course decided to step up in the most difficult
6 way and run for office. And after that, it was
7 just simply his town to run. And run it well he
8 did, with public support all the way.
9 Although it is true we are mourning
10 his life today, today should really be a
11 reflection and a celebration of a life
12 well-lived, of someone who gave all he had to his
13 family, his children and his grandchildren. And
14 his son Fran Murray and his wife Barbara are here
15 today. Fran is now the mayor of Rockville
16 Centre, carrying on that proud tradition and
17 walking in his father's footsteps. And I know
18 how proud his father was of the work that he did.
19 And we're so happy to have you here in Albany
20 today.
21 So let me close by saying that today
22 we honor and we celebrate the life of Gene
23 Murray, a man the likes of whom we probably may
24 never see again, but whose example we must follow
25 each and every day. I was so proud to get to
4003
1 know him. I was so proud to see him at every
2 fire event and city event. There was no more
3 revered person in just a really great village.
4 And he stood and looked at that village and could
5 know that every day he contributed to making it
6 the great place it was. I hope we can all turn
7 around at the end of our lives and say the same
8 thing about our public service.
9 To Fran and Barbara, our
10 thoughts are with you. And we know that his
11 memory will be with all of us.
12 Mr. President, if you could extend
13 them the cordialities of the Senate, it would be
14 greatly appreciated.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: To the
16 family of Mayor Gene Murray, I welcome you on
17 behalf of the Senate. We extend to you all the
18 privileges and courtesies of this house. Please
19 rise and be recognized at this time.
20 (Standing ovation.)
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
22 resolution was previously adopted on April 30th.
23 Senator Serrano.
24 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
25 Mr. President.
4004
1 Can you please call on Senator
2 Martinez for an introduction.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
4 Martinez for an introduction.
5 SENATOR MARTINEZ: Thank you, and
6 good afternoon once again.
7 Along the lines of our Senior Day
8 today, I would like to welcome and recognize a
9 special guest from my district. Her name is
10 Laura Lorenzo. She is our 2018 Ms. New York
11 Senior America 1st runner-up. She's an
12 outstanding vocalist and continues to perform
13 throughout Long Island. At 61 years young,
14 Ms. Lorenzo was crowned Ms. New York Senior
15 America 1st runner-up, representing women over
16 age 60 across the State of New York with
17 elegance, grace and distinction.
18 I want to extend my sincere and
19 heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on
20 behalf of my colleagues to Laura Lorenzo and her
21 entire family. Thank you for being with us here
22 today. Congratulations.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: To
24 Laura Lorenzo, I welcome you on behalf of the
25 Senate. We extend to you all the privileges and
4005
1 courtesies of this house. Please also rise and
2 be recognized.
3 (Standing ovation.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
5 Serrano.
6 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you very
7 much, Mr. President.
8 Please take up Resolution 1546, by
9 Senator Martinez, read the title only of the
10 resolution, and then please call on
11 Senator Martinez.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
13 Secretary will read.
14 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
15 1546, by Senator Martinez, commemorating the
16 30th Anniversary of Keep Islip Clean to be
17 celebrated on May 16, 2019.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
19 Martinez on the resolution.
20 SENATOR MARTINEZ: Thank you. It's
21 a busy time in the district, but I would like to
22 take the privilege of recognizing Keep Islip
23 Clean, also known as KIC, for their commitment
24 and dedication to beautifying the Town of Islip
25 in all of the 18 hamlets it represents.
4006
1 The KIC program encourages
2 participation at the grassroots level, providing
3 residents with the opportunity to be active and
4 finding solutions to improving our communities by
5 picking up litter, covering graffiti, and so
6 forth. It has been their mission for 30 years,
7 and I look forward to our continued work with
8 them.
9 I would like to take this
10 opportunity to congratulate Keep Islip Clean and
11 all the work that they do, and wish them the best
12 moving forward.
13 Thank you.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
15 question is on the resolution. All in favor
16 signify by saying aye.
17 (Response of "Aye.")
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
19 Opposed?
20 (No response.)
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
22 resolution is adopted.
23 Senator Gianaris.
24 SENATOR GIANARIS: Thank you,
25 Mr. President.
4007
1 Can we now take up previously
2 adopted Resolution 137, by Senator Jordan, read
3 its title only, and recognize Senator Jordan.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
5 Secretary will read.
6 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
7 137, by Senator Jordan, congratulating the
8 Stillwater High School Girls Varsity Soccer Team
9 upon the occasion of capturing the 2018 New York
10 State Public High School Athletic Association
11 Class C Soccer Championship on November 11, 2018.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
13 Jordan on the resolution.
14 SENATOR JORDAN: Thank you,
15 Mr. President and my colleagues.
16 I'm proud to congratulate the
17 Stillwater High School Girls Varsity Soccer Team
18 on capturing the 2018 New York State Public High
19 School Athletic Association Class C Soccer
20 Championship on Sunday, November 11, 2018, at
21 Cortland High School.
22 The Warriors defeated Little Falls
23 high school in a decisive, powerful 5-0 victory
24 to win their very first championship. The
25 community strongly supported the Warriors
4008
1 throughout their journey as they ended their
2 successful season with an impressive 22-0-1
3 overall record.
4 Soccer is a fast-moving,
5 athletically demanding and popular sport
6 requiring skill, dexterity and speed. If a team
7 is going to take it to the championship level,
8 there has to be a true commitment to the sport.
9 This team obviously has that commitment.
10 There also has to be team
11 coordination and camaraderie to make many players
12 play as one trained unit. Lady Warriors, this
13 camaraderie on and off the field is something
14 you'll always remember. It's a bond you will
15 forever have with your teammates and your
16 coaches. Keep it close to your heart.
17 Head Coach Christine Ihnatolya and
18 Assistant Coaches Katie Carlin and Cassidy
19 Chapko, you've done a fantastic job building and
20 shaping this terrific team. I'd also like to
21 recognize Stillwater's Athletic Director Michael
22 Kinney and Athletic Trainer Jay Peacock.
23 I'm honored to recognize and
24 congratulate the members of the Stillwater High
25 School Girls Varsity Soccer Team joining us today
4009
1 up in our visitors gallery. Great job to you all
2 in capturing the 2018 New York State Public High
3 School Athletic Association Class C Soccer
4 Championship and being a true credit to your
5 school and community. Recognize that your hard
6 work delivered top results, and know that you can
7 carry that work ethic through your life to
8 achieve whatever it is that you'd like.
9 Cherish the experience, your
10 victories, and each other. Congratulations.
11 Thank you, Mr. President and
12 colleagues.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: To our
14 guests from Stillwater High School, I welcome you
15 on behalf of the Senate. We extend to you all of
16 the privileges and courtesies of this house.
17 Please rise and be recognized.
18 (Standing ovation.)
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
20 resolution was previously adopted on
21 January 15th.
22 Senator Gianaris.
23 SENATOR GIANARIS: Can we now take
24 up previously adopted Resolution 1132, by Senator
25 Metzger, read that resolution in its entirety,
4010
1 and recognize Senator Metzger.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
3 Secretary will read.
4 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
5 1132, by Senator Metzger, memorializing Governor
6 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 19-21, 2019, as
7 the 84th Annual 4-H Capital Days in the State of
8 New York.
9 "WHEREAS, In the course of the
10 evolving development of this Empire State, if the
11 ingredients of shared concern and responsive
12 endeavor combine in the symmetry of a commitment
13 to governance, there have emerged among the
14 facilities of the State of New York certain dates
15 which warrant commemoration; and
16 "WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern,
17 and in full accord with its long-standing
18 traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative
19 Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
20 proclaim May 19-21, 2019, as the 84th Annual 4-H
21 Capital Days in the State of New York; and
22 "WHEREAS, The event, which is
23 coordinated by the New York State Association of
24 Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth
25 Development Educators, will involve approximately
4011
1 100 participants representing every county in
2 New York State; and
3 "WHEREAS, The objectives of 4-H
4 Capital Days are to achieve a better
5 understanding of the public policy process from a
6 state government perspective; to gain a better
7 understanding of state-local government
8 relations; to provide an opportunity for
9 delegates to meet and interact with their
10 legislators; to create an awareness of career
11 opportunities in New York State government; and
12 to meet and exchange experiences with delegates
13 from other counties; and
14 "WHEREAS, The rich history of 4-H
15 Capital Days is recorded in the Cooperative
16 Extension's Archives, with photographs of 4-H
17 members with past Governors; in the 1940s, a meal
18 at the Governor's Mansion was part of this event
19 and a treasured memory for all those who
20 attended; and
21 "WHEREAS, The 4-H Capital Days
22 program is specifically designed to allow for
23 greater participation in the machinery of
24 governance; this program focuses upon the
25 legislative process, with an explanation of
4012
1 procedures and methods; and
2 "WHEREAS, Through their sustained
3 interest in the method and process of governance,
4 the 2019 participants in the 84th Annual 4-H
5 Capital Days program will so advance that spirit
6 of united purpose and shared concern which is the
7 unalterable manifestation of our American
8 experience; now, therefore, be it
9 "RESOLVED, That this Legislative
10 Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize
11 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 19-21,
12 2019, as the 84th Annual 4-H Capital Days in the
13 State of New York, fully confident that this
14 program is so clearly in accord with our shared
15 commitment to preserve and to enhance the legacy
16 which is our American heritage; and be it further
17 "RESOLVED, That a copy of this
18 resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to
19 the Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the
20 State of New York."
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
22 Metzger on the resolution.
23 SENATOR METZGER: Thank you very
24 much, Mr. President.
25 As chair of the Senate Agriculture
4013
1 Committee, and as the mother of a child who spent
2 many wonderful years as a member of our local 4-H
3 club, Feathered Friends, it is my pleasure to
4 introduce a resolution in honor of the 4-H clubs'
5 84th annual Capital Days.
6 4-H is America's largest youth
7 development organization. In 4-H, kids complete
8 hands-on projects in areas like health, science,
9 agriculture and civic engagement in a positive
10 environment where they receive guidance from
11 adult mentors and are encouraged to take
12 proactive leadership roles. Kids experience 4-H
13 in New York in in-school and after-school
14 programs, school and community clubs, and 4-H
15 camps in both rural and urban areas.
16 Students participate in positive
17 youth developmental programs that have three
18 major components: Positive and sustained
19 relationships between youth and adults,
20 activities that build important life skills, and
21 creating opportunities for youth to apply what
22 they are learning to improve their communities.
23 And this is both as participants and as leaders.
24 Through participating in 4-H, young
25 people learn competence, confidence, connection,
4014
1 character, caring, and contribution. Research
2 from Tufts University shows that youth involved
3 in 4-H lead healthier, more productive lives, are
4 less likely to suffer from depression and are
5 less likely to participate in risky behaviors
6 like drinking and smoking.
7 4-H Capital Days is an opportunity
8 for participants to achieve a better
9 understanding of state government and the policy
10 process, to gain a better understanding of
11 state-local government relations, to provide an
12 opportunity for delegates to meet and interact
13 with their legislators, to create an awareness of
14 career opportunities in New York State
15 government, and to meet and exchange experiences
16 with delegates from other counties.
17 New York State's 4-H program is
18 managed by Cornell Cooperative Extension, and
19 they have records dating back to the 1940s of 4-H
20 Capital Days.
21 In New York, 4-H focuses on
22 cultivating young producers of dairy, beef,
23 sheep, goats, swine, poultry and horses. 4-H
24 even sponsors agricultural field days for
25 students to learn about and build connections to
4015
1 New York State agriculture.
2 The 4-H Pledge provides rules we
3 should all live by: I pledge my head to clear
4 thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands
5 to larger service, and my health to better living
6 for my club, my community, my country and my
7 world.
8 With us in the chamber today are
9 over one hundred -- well, many members, let's
10 say. There have been a hundred members today of
11 the 4-H clubs, and I want to welcome the members
12 from the 42nd District here today. It is such an
13 honor to introduce this resolution, and I ask the
14 president to please extend to our guests the
15 courtesies of the house.
16 Thank you very much.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: To our
18 guests from 4-H, I welcome you on behalf of the
19 Senate. We extend to you all the privileges and
20 courtesies of this house. Please rise and be
21 recognized.
22 (Standing ovation.)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
24 resolution was previously adopted on April 30th.
25 Senator Gianaris.
4016
1 SENATOR GIANARIS: Previously
2 adopted Resolution 426, by Senator Gallivan --
3 please read its title only and recognize Senator
4 Tedisco to speak.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
6 Secretary will read.
7 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
8 426, by Senator Gallivan, memorializing Governor
9 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 19 to 25, 2019,
10 as Emergency Medical Services Week in the State
11 of New York, in conjunction with the observance
12 of National EMS Week.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
14 Tedisco on the resolution.
15 SENATOR TEDISCO: Thank you,
16 Mr. President.
17 And I want to give my personal
18 special thanks to Senator Gallivan, who
19 diligently every year offers this resolution,
20 brings it forth, makes sure we pass it, and makes
21 sure it's brought up so we can give consideration
22 and respect and make sure the week is put forth
23 as EMS Personnel Week in New York State, in
24 conjunction with the national United States EMS
25 Personnel Week, to thank them and show our
4017
1 appreciation for their protection and for the
2 fact that when an emergency takes place, they are
3 always there for us.
4 Senator Gallivan and I wanted you to
5 know there are more than 50,000 men and women
6 across New York State who serve on what many
7 consider the front line of healthcare. They make
8 up our emergency medical service system. These
9 include doctors, nurses, emergency medical
10 technicians, paramedics, firefighters, law
11 enforcement officers, dispatchers, medical
12 volunteers, and many others.
13 Many of these highly trained
14 professionals make this lifesaving work a career;
15 others volunteer their time and service to our
16 communities.
17 To that end, joining us in the
18 chamber today are outstanding members of the
19 Clifton Park and Halfmoon Emergency Corps. This
20 unit proudly serves the towns of Clifton Park,
21 Halfmoon, and the City of Mechanicville in
22 Saratoga County. The Clifton Park and Halfmoon
23 Emergency Corps was called to order in August of
24 1950 and consists of nearly 100 paramedics, EMTs
25 and staff members, and responds to over 6500
4018
1 calls per year.
2 In terms of community outreach, the
3 Clifton Park and Halfmoon Corps services extend
4 far beyond just the back of an ambulance. They
5 are dedicated to building community partnerships
6 and promoting health, safety and education, with
7 initiatives such as Community CPR and First Aid,
8 Safe Sitter babysitting, blood pressure clinics,
9 educational presentations, and car seat
10 installations.
11 This week and every week we thank
12 all of our EMS personnel and first responders for
13 their bravery and commitment to keep our
14 communities safe.
15 Mr. President, I would like to
16 introduce to you now those from our communities,
17 myself and Senator Jordan, who will be speaking
18 after me: Executive Director Alan Bell; Deputy
19 Director of Operations Patrick Bornt; Paramedic
20 and Community Outreach Coordinator Gina
21 Wierzbowski; Paramedic Patrick Lurenz;
22 Paramedic Caitlin Overholt; and Emergency Medical
23 Technician Tyrone Mitchell.
24 After Senator Jordan is speaking,
25 I'm sure you will welcome them and offer them all
4019
1 the cordialities of the house and show our
2 appreciation for what they mean for our safety
3 and the families across the State of New York.
4 Thank you, Mr. President.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
6 Jordan on the resolution.
7 SENATOR JORDAN: Mr. President and
8 my colleagues, I rise to speak on Senator
9 Gallivan's resolution, Emergency Medical Services
10 Week in New York State.
11 Thank you, Senator, for your work on
12 this and for highlighting our ever-important EMS
13 professionals.
14 This designation also coincides with
15 the observance of the National EMS Week.
16 National Emergency Medical Services Week honors
17 and recognizes our public safety professionals
18 serving on the front lines, individuals whose
19 skills, training and dedication help save lives.
20 Emergency medical services teams are
21 always prepared to provide lifesaving services,
22 24/7, 365 days a year. Physicians, nurses,
23 emergency medical technicians, paramedics,
24 firefighters, law enforcement officers,
25 dispatchers and medical volunteers all make up
4020
1 our emergency medical services system.
2 Emergency medical services team
3 members go through thousands of hours of
4 specialized training and continuing education to
5 keep their skills razor-sharp. Approximately
6 2.8 million calls are handled by New York's
7 emergency medical services providers annually.
8 In my lifetime, I've had to call EMS six times.
9 Two of those calls were a matter of life and
10 death. What a relief it was to have trained
11 professionals arrive in minutes to take over. I
12 am forever grateful. They often do make the
13 difference between life and death.
14 I'm thrilled that the Clifton Park
15 Halfmoon EMS are joining us in today's session.
16 They are the EMS that serves my neighborhood and
17 have an annual call volume of 6,733. Thank you
18 for all you do.
19 And thanks for all of our emergency
20 medical service providers across New York State
21 for all of your hard work skill and dedication to
22 ensure public safety for all New Yorkers. You
23 serve and protect our families and communities,
24 and all New Yorkers appreciate your service and
25 excellence.
4021
1 Thank you, Mr. President.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: To our
3 guests, I welcome you on behalf of the Senate.
4 We extend to you all the privileges and
5 courtesies of this house. Please rise and be
6 recognized.
7 (Standing ovation.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
9 Gianaris.
10 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
11 can we open for cosponsorship all of the various
12 resolutions we dealt with today.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
14 resolutions are all open for cosponsorship.
15 Should you choose not to be a cosponsor of the
16 resolutions, please notify the desk.
17 Senator Gianaris.
18 SENATOR GIANARIS: Can you now
19 recognize Senator Biaggi for purposes of an
20 introduction.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
22 Biaggi for an introduction.
23 SENATOR BIAGGI: Thank you,
24 Mr. President.
25 Mr. President, it is my distinct
4022
1 honor to welcome to the New York State Senate
2 chamber members of the New Leaders Council,
3 Capital District Region. In no particular order:
4 Lauren Ford, Linden Horvath, Tabetha Wilson,
5 Meghan Keeghan, Zakhar Berkovich, Desiree Farley,
6 Jason Chura, Brett Jordan, Tydie Abreu, Katherine
7 Stephens, Michaelle Mugisha, and Angelica
8 Martinez.
9 Nationally, NLC has trained nearly
10 8,000 leaders from all sectors across 50 chapters
11 in the United States in the much-needed skills to
12 run for office, start a non-for-profit, or to
13 launch a business.
14 As a progressive millennial-led
15 organization, NLC recognizes the importance of
16 training young leaders and the significance that
17 millennials will play in the United States as the
18 soon-to-be largest voting bloc in American
19 history.
20 NLC has played a central role in my
21 ability to even be here today. I hold an
22 incredibly special place in my heart for the NLC
23 community, as it is the place where I was a
24 fellow in 2015 and also where I met my fiance
25 Nathaniel.
4023
1 Mr. President, please extend all of
2 the courtesies and privileges of the house to our
3 guests today.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Sure.
5 To our guests from NLC, I welcome
6 you on behalf of the Senate. We extend to you
7 all the privileges and courtesies of this house.
8 Please -- oh, you already rose. All right,
9 please be recognized at this time.
10 (Laughter; standing ovation.)
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
12 Gianaris.
13 SENATOR GIANARIS: Can we now take
14 up the reading of the calendar.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: the
16 Secretary will read.
17 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
18 156, Senate Print 2187A, by Senator Bailey, an
19 act to amend the Elder Law.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
21 the last section.
22 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
23 act shall take effect on April 1, 2020.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
25 the roll.
4024
1 (The Secretary called the roll.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
3 Bailey to explain his vote.
4 SENATOR BAILEY: Thank you,
5 Mr. President.
6 I thank my colleagues for supporting
7 this very important piece of legislation, because
8 quite frankly, as our chair of our Aging
9 Committee, Senator May, has indicated, seniors
10 matter. And being able to do anything that we
11 can to be able to allow our seniors to be able to
12 afford the medication that they may need to keep
13 themselves alive after they've done so much for
14 us and our communities is something that is
15 incumbent upon us as a legislature.
16 So just because you may get a slight
17 bump in Social Security benefits or a slight bump
18 in pension benefits, that should not push you out
19 of the EPIC program, which is a program that's in
20 New York State that really helps a lot of seniors
21 being able to manage their medication issues.
22 So I thank all my colleagues for
23 voting for this important piece of legislation.
24 I vote in the affirmative, Mr. President.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
4025
1 Bailey to be recorded in the affirmative.
2 Announce the results.
3 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
5 bill is passed.
6 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
7 170, Senate Print 2352B, by Senator Parker, an
8 act to amend the Energy Law.
9 SENATOR GIANARIS: Lay it aside for
10 the day.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
12 bill will be laid aside for the day.
13 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
14 171, Senate Print 2068, by Senator Jordan, an act
15 to amend the Public Officers Law.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
17 the last section.
18 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
19 act shall take effect immediately.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
21 the roll.
22 (The Secretary called the roll.)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
24 Announce the results.
25 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
4026
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
2 bill is passed.
3 Senator Gianaris.
4 SENATOR GIANARIS: Please recognize
5 Senator Griffo.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
7 Griffo.
8 SENATOR GRIFFO: Mr. President,
9 thank you.
10 I'd like to congratulate Senator
11 Jordan. That was her first bill passed as a
12 member of the New York State Senate.
13 Congratulations, Senator Jordan.
14 (Standing ovation.)
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
16 Secretary will continue.
17 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
18 403, Senate Print 3064A, by Senator Ortt, an act
19 to amend the Executive Law.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
21 the last section.
22 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
23 act shall take effect on the 60th day after it
24 shall have become a law.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
4027
1 the roll.
2 (The Secretary called the roll.)
3 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
4 Announce the results.
5 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
7 bill is passed.
8 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
9 414, Assembly Print Number 1940, substituted
10 earlier by Assemblymember Zebrowski, an act to
11 amend the Banking Law.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
13 the last section.
14 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
15 act shall take effect on the 60th day after it
16 shall have become a law.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
18 the roll.
19 (The Secretary called the roll.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
21 Announce the results.
22 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
24 bill is passed.
25 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4028
1 436, Senate Print 1283, by Senator Gianaris, an
2 act to amend the Public Service Law.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
4 the last section.
5 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
6 act shall take effect on the 120th day after it
7 shall have become a law.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
9 the roll.
10 (The Secretary called the roll.)
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
12 Announce the results.
13 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
14 Calendar Number 436, those Senators voting in the
15 negative are Senators Akshar, Antonacci, Boyle,
16 Griffo, Helming, Jacobs, Jordan, O'Mara, Ortt,
17 Ranzenhofer, Ritchie, Serino, Seward and Tedisco.
18 Ayes, 47. Nays, 14.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
20 bill is passed.
21 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
22 470, Senate Print 2469, by Senator Sanders, an
23 act requiring the State University of New York
24 and the City University of New York to examine
25 and conduct a study on the availability of campus
4029
1 services.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
3 the last section.
4 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
5 act shall take effect immediately.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
7 the roll.
8 (The Secretary called the roll.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
10 Announce the results.
11 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
13 bill is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
15 512, Senate Print 4925A, by Senator Parker, an
16 act to amend the Mental Hygiene Law and
17 Chapter 568 of the Laws of 2005.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
19 the last section.
20 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
21 act shall take effect immediately.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
23 the roll.
24 (The Secretary called the roll.)
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
4030
1 Announce the results.
2 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
4 bill is passed.
5 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
6 530, Senate Print 5122A, by Senator Gaughran, an
7 act to amend the Public Authorities Law.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
9 the last section.
10 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
11 act shall take effect on the 30th day after it
12 shall have become a law.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
14 the roll.
15 (The Secretary called the roll.)
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
17 Flanagan to explain his vote.
18 SENATOR FLANAGAN: Thank you,
19 Mr. President. I will be brief but sincere.
20 I support this bill, happy to be a
21 cosponsor with Senator Gaughran. This is a
22 dramatically important issue to the people that I
23 represent and that we both represent. And this
24 is not an isolated instance. This type of thing
25 has occurred in other communities throughout the
4031
1 State of New York. And we are extraordinarily
2 focused on how to protect ratepayers but equally,
3 if not more important, on how to protect
4 taxpayers.
5 This is an important step in the
6 right direction. There are other things that are
7 going to have to be done. I'm happy to work with
8 Senator Gaughran on an issue that is exceedingly
9 important to the people of Huntington, Suffolk
10 County, Long Island. And it's the type of thing
11 that has ramifications across the State of
12 New York.
13 I'm going to be voting aye. Thank
14 you.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
16 Flanagan to be recorded in the affirmative.
17 Senator Gaughran to explain his
18 vote.
19 SENATOR GAUGHRAN: Yes. First I
20 would like to thank the leader for allowing this
21 vote to take place today.
22 And I would also like to thank my
23 colleague Senator Flanagan, our Minority Leader,
24 for his support and leadership with me on this
25 issue. And I agree with Senator Flanagan, we're
4032
1 going to be facing this across the state and
2 across Long Island. Long Island Power Authority
3 is now being prepared to go into almost every
4 single community and bring one of these tax
5 certioraris. And all it does is shift the burden
6 onto our schools, which hurts our taxpayers and
7 which hurts our students.
8 So thank you very much,
9 Mr. President, and I vote in the affirmative.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
11 Gaughran to be recorded in the affirmative.
12 Senator Boyle to explain his vote.
13 SENATOR BOYLE: Thank you,
14 Mr. President, to explain my vote.
15 I want to thank the majority for
16 bringing this to the floor. I particularly want
17 to thank Senator Flanagan for his leadership on
18 this issue. I proudly vote yes.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
20 Boyle to be recorded in the affirmative.
21 Announce the results.
22 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
24 bill is passed.
25 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4033
1 618, Assembly Print Number 1084, substituted
2 earlier by Assemblymember Gottfried, an act to
3 amend the Social Services Law.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
5 the last section.
6 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
7 act shall take effect on the 30th day after it
8 shall have become a law.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
10 the roll.
11 (The Secretary called the roll.)
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
13 Announce the results.
14 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
16 bill is passed.
17 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
18 624, Senate Print 5113, by Senator Rivera, an act
19 to amend the Public Health Law.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
21 the last section.
22 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
23 act shall take effect immediately.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
25 the roll.
4034
1 (The Secretary called the roll.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
3 Rivera to explain his vote.
4 SENATOR RIVERA: Thank you,
5 Mr. President.
6 This bill simply would make it so
7 that the New York State Advisory Council on Lead,
8 which currently exists, we would change some of
9 the rules that exist about its quorum.
10 I'm only speaking about it on the
11 floor of the Senate because I would suggest that
12 we actually do this for all councils or
13 committees that currently exist.
14 As we know, there are many of these
15 councils and committees that exist, but
16 unfortunately many of them, like the New York
17 State Advisory Council on Lead, even though it
18 has 15 members in the committee, has only eight
19 members that are currently appointed --
20 therefore, with seven slots that are vacant, and
21 the Governor has not named anyone. What that
22 means is that the Advisory Council on Lead can't
23 even meet because they can't reach a quorum.
24 So what this bill would do, it
25 simply would say however many people are actually
4035
1 appointed -- in this case, eight -- it would
2 require a quorum of that number to be able to
3 actually operate. And I think it's a pretty
4 sane, commonsensible thing.
5 Unfortunately, there's many of these
6 councils that although they might do many good
7 things around the state, unfortunately they can't
8 do their work because they do not have enough
9 members that are currently appointed.
10 So this bill would just simply
11 change it for this commission. There's a couple
12 of other ones that we passed out of my Committee
13 on Health. And I would suggest to my colleagues
14 that we should do this for every council and
15 commission that we currently have operational.
16 Thank you so much, Mr. President. I
17 vote in the affirmative.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
19 Rivera to be recorded in the affirmative.
20 Senator Little -- Senator Flanagan
21 to explain his vote.
22 Senator Little to explain her vote.
23 SENATOR LITTLE: Thank you,
24 Mr. President.
25 I'm going to vote yes on this,
4036
1 because I understand the need to make a quorum.
2 But I think that there's no
3 incentive here to -- once you have a quorum with
4 so few members, to actually get the other members
5 appointed. And I think that, for instance, if
6 you had a 10-member council and only three were
7 actually appointed, three people could be running
8 the whole thing.
9 So I'd like to see an emphasis on
10 getting more of these appointments made. There
11 are many commissions, many in my district as
12 well, that need appointments.
13 Thank you. I vote aye.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
15 Little to be recorded in the affirmative.
16 Senator Flanagan to explain his
17 vote.
18 SENATOR FLANAGAN: Thank you,
19 Mr. President. I'm sorry for confusing the
20 order. I appreciate the opportunity to explain
21 my vote.
22 I have every belief that this bill
23 is well-intentioned. I know that the sponsor and
24 a lot of our colleagues feel it is important to
25 make sure that the business of these councils,
4037
1 paid, unpaid or otherwise, that it gets done on
2 behalf of the people that we represent.
3 My concern is not with this council.
4 My concern is not with another council. My
5 concern is with the failure in the process. It's
6 not directed at Senator Rivera, it's not directed
7 at somebody else.
8 We have an appointments process.
9 These boards are not up to snuff in the sense
10 that we don't even have enough members. That's a
11 failure that can be rectified without having to
12 take an approach like this. I share the concern
13 raised by Senator Little that if we have a board
14 that's supposed to have 10 or 15 members and all
15 of a sudden three or four are constituting a
16 quorum and able to conduct business, we're really
17 not having representative democracy. And in
18 essence, we're not only flouting the law, we're
19 flouting the legislative intent in terms of what
20 should be done.
21 I agree with the goals of the
22 sponsor, but the Governor controls these
23 appointments. That process is followed through
24 in this house. And I'm sure if Senator Rivera or
25 Senator Serrano or any of our members had the
4038
1 opportunity to move those appointments instead of
2 them languishing, they would do so. And in
3 reality, we all try very hard, when we have the
4 opportunity to make an appointment -- I'll look
5 at Senator Serino. If we had an appointment on a
6 task force on the aging and she gave me a name
7 that I could submit, she doesn't want it to take
8 six months or nine months.
9 So again, I don't mean to belabor
10 the point. I think it's a systemic problem. And
11 unfortunately, in my personal opinion, I don't
12 think this is the appropriate way to address it.
13 I'll be voting no.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
15 Flanagan to be recorded in the negative.
16 Announce the results.
17 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
18 Calendar 624, those Senators voting in the
19 negative are Senators Amedore, Boyle, Flanagan,
20 Griffo, Jacobs, O'Mara, Ortt, Ranzenhofer, Robach
21 and Seward.
22 Ayes, 51. Nays, 10.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
24 bill is passed.
25 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4039
1 633, Assembly Print 6849, substituted earlier by
2 Assemblymember Weprin, an act to amend the
3 Correction Law.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
5 the last section.
6 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
7 act shall take effect immediately.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
9 the roll.
10 (The Secretary called the roll.)
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
12 Sepúlveda to explain his vote.
13 SENATOR SEPÚLVEDA: Thank you,
14 Mr. President, for allowing me to explain this
15 vote.
16 Corrections Law Section 146 gives
17 legislators permission to enter prisons and jails
18 throughout the state at any time. Any time any
19 member wants to go, there's nothing that prevents
20 you from going there and visiting every single
21 facility.
22 I take staff with me to all the
23 correction facilities that I visit, and I've made
24 a commitment to visit every single one of them in
25 the next two years. And generally speaking, we
4040
1 don't have a problem bringing staff in.
2 But recently at a jail, an
3 Assemblymember, Assemblymember Weprin, went to
4 visit a jail and the staff there told him that
5 only he can enter, but that his staff could not
6 enter. And we all know that our staff is an
7 integral part of what we do every day, and their
8 assistance is always needed, especially when
9 you're visiting the facilities, so they can take
10 notes and have conversations and give you ideas
11 of what maybe you had missed.
12 So I've never had that problem, but
13 Assemblyman Weprin had that problem, and I want
14 to make sure that no other legislator here or in
15 the Assembly ever has to deal with this problem
16 again.
17 So what this is doing is codifying
18 allowing our staff members to enter any facility
19 as long as they're with us, not on their own.
20 But if you go into a facility, you can bring any
21 staff member with you.
22 And I also want to take this
23 opportunity to encourage all of you to visit a
24 prison facility. Or, if you'd like, I go on a
25 monthly basis, I see about two facilities a
4041
1 month -- if any of you would like to come and
2 join us, join our staff, you're welcome to
3 attend.
4 I vote affirmatively.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
6 Sepúlveda to be recorded in the affirmative.
7 Announce the results.
8 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
9 Calendar Number 633, those Senators voting in the
10 negative are Senators Jacobs and Ranzenhofer.
11 Ayes, 59. Nays, 2.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
13 bill is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
15 709, Assembly Print 6671A, substituted earlier by
16 Assemblymember Paulin, an act to amend
17 Chapter 374 of the Laws of 2014.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
19 the last section.
20 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
21 act shall take effect immediately.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
23 the roll.
24 (The Secretary called the roll.)
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
4042
1 Announce the results.
2 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
4 bill is passed.
5 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
6 717, Senate Print 297, by Senator Gianaris, an
7 act to amend the Banking Law.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
9 the last section.
10 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
11 act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
12 shall have become a law.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
14 the roll.
15 (The Secretary called the roll.)
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
17 Announce the results.
18 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
19 Calendar Number 717, those Senators voting in the
20 negative are Senators Amedore, Antonacci, Boyle,
21 Flanagan, Gallivan, Helming, Jacobs, Jordan,
22 LaValle, O'Mara, Ortt, Robach, Seward and
23 Tedisco.
24 Ayes, 47. Nays, 14.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
4043
1 bill is passed.
2 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
3 725, Senate Print 3548, by Senator Stavisky, an
4 act to amend the State Finance Law.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
6 the last section.
7 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
8 act shall take effect immediately.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
10 the roll.
11 (The Secretary called the roll.)
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
13 Announce the results.
14 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
16 bill is passed.
17 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
18 729, Senate Print 4347, by Senator Krueger, an
19 act to amend the Tax Law.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
21 the last section.
22 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
23 act shall take effect immediately.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
25 the roll.
4044
1 (The Secretary called the roll.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
3 Krueger to explain her vote.
4 SENATOR KRUEGER: Thank you,
5 Mr. President.
6 I appreciate any of my colleagues
7 who are voting with me today.
8 This is a pretty simple bill. It
9 keeps in place standards we have lived with in
10 this country for as long as we've had
11 not-for-profits, which is to establish that
12 not-for-profit organizations, 501(c)(3)
13 organizations doing charitable work, should not
14 get involved in spending on political campaigns.
15 Now, you'd think, well, who wanted
16 that in the first place? Perhaps no one. But
17 the federal government seems to be moving towards
18 striking down the standard we've had for so long
19 and allowing not-for-profits to get involved in
20 political campaign spending and work.
21 We're moving this bill today to make
22 clear that in New York State it's not broken, we
23 don't want the federal government fixing it.
24 There are tens of thousands of not-for-profit
25 organizations, religious organizations around the
4045
1 country who are urging their states to take
2 exactly this action. They don't want to be
3 involved in political work or political campaign
4 work, they don't believe their money, as
5 charitable organizations, should go for that
6 purpose.
7 So that's all that this bill does
8 today, makes sure that we don't break a system
9 that's been working.
10 Thank you, Mr. President.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
12 Krueger to be recorded in the affirmative.
13 Announce the results.
14 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
15 Calendar Number 729, those Senators voting in the
16 negative are Senators Amedore, Antonacci, Boyle,
17 Flanagan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Jacobs,
18 Jordan, LaValle, Little, O'Mara, Ortt, Ritchie,
19 Robach, Serino, Seward and Tedisco.
20 Ayes, 43. Nays, 18.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
22 bill is passed.
23 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
24 731, Assembly Print 7206, substituted earlier by
25 Assemblymember Stirpe, an act to amend the
4046
1 Economic Development Law.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
3 the last section.
4 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
5 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
6 shall have become a law.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
8 the roll.
9 (The Secretary called the roll.)
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
11 May to explain her vote.
12 SENATOR MAY: Thank you,
13 Mr. President.
14 We call this bill "Encore
15 Entrepreneurship," and I am grateful to my
16 colleagues for supporting it and the leader for
17 bringing to the floor.
18 A lot of older New Yorkers, starting
19 in midlife, decide to change careers. And many
20 of them decide they want to be entrepreneurs, but
21 they don't necessarily know how to go about it or
22 they may face some age discrimination in getting
23 loans and that sort of thing.
24 So this bill will address some of
25 those issues and just help older New Yorkers
4047
1 start that new career that they are excited
2 about.
3 So I am grateful to you for
4 supporting it and look forward to the businesses
5 that will be formed as a result of this.
6 Thank you.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
8 May to be recorded in the affirmative.
9 Announce the results.
10 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
12 bill is passed.
13 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
14 741, Assembly Print Number 5626, substituted
15 earlier by Assemblymember Weinstein, an act to
16 amend the Real Property Law.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
18 the last section.
19 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
20 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
21 shall have become a law.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
23 the roll.
24 (The Secretary called the roll.)
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
4048
1 Announce the results.
2 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
3 Calendar Number 741, voting in the negative:
4 Senator Flanagan.
5 Ayes, 60. Nays, 1.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
7 bill is passed.
8 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
9 742, Senate Print 4408, by Senator Gounardes, an
10 act to amend the Real Property Law.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
12 the last section.
13 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
14 act shall take effect on the 120th day after it
15 shall have become a law.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
17 the roll.
18 (The Secretary called the roll.)
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
20 Announce the results.
21 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
22 Calendar 742, those Senators voting in the
23 negative are Senators Flanagan, Gallivan and
24 Jordan.
25 Ayes, 58. Nays, 3.
4049
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
2 bill is passed.
3 There is a substitution at the desk.
4 The Secretary will read.
5 THE SECRETARY: On page 44, Senator
6 May moves to discharge, from the Committee on
7 Aging, Assembly Bill Number 4948 and substitute
8 it for the identical Senate Bill 5489, Third
9 Reading Calendar 744.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
11 substitution is so ordered.
12 The Secretary will read.
13 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
14 744, Assembly Print Number 4948, by
15 Assemblymember Bronson, an act to amend the
16 Elder Law.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
18 the last section.
19 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
20 act shall take effect immediately.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
22 the roll.
23 (The Secretary called the roll.)
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
25 Announce the results.
4050
1 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
3 bill is passed.
4 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
5 745, Senate Print 5557, by Senator
6 Stewart-Cousins, an act to amend the Real
7 Property Tax Law.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
9 the last section.
10 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
11 act shall take effect immediately.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
13 the roll.
14 (The Secretary called the roll.)
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
16 Announce the results.
17 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
19 bill is passed.
20 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
21 752, Senate Print 5291, by Senator Gounardes, an
22 act to amend the Civil Service Law.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
24 the last section.
25 THE SECRETARY: Section 11. This
4051
1 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
2 shall have become a law.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
4 the roll.
5 (The Secretary called the roll.)
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
7 Announce the results.
8 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
10 bill is passed.
11 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
12 767, Senate Print 2740A, by Senator Addabbo, an
13 act to amend the Tax Law and the State Finance
14 Law.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
16 the last section.
17 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
18 act shall take effect immediately.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
20 the roll.
21 (The Secretary called the roll.)
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
23 Announce the results.
24 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
4052
1 bill is passed.
2 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
3 770, Senate Print 4477A, by Senator Kaplan, an
4 act to amend the Executive Law.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
6 the last section.
7 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
8 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
9 shall have become a law.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
11 the roll.
12 (The Secretary called the roll.)
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
14 Announce the results.
15 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
17 bill is passed.
18 Senator Gianaris, that completes the
19 reading of today's calendar.
20 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
21 can we return to reports of standing committees.
22 I believe there's a Rules Committee
23 report at the desk.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: We will
25 return to reports of standing committees.
4053
1 There is a report of the
2 Rules Committee at the desk.
3 The Secretary will read.
4 THE SECRETARY: Senator
5 Stewart-Cousins, from the Committee on Rules,
6 reports the following bills:
7 Senate Print 218B, by Senator
8 Benjamin, an act to amend the Public Health Law;
9 Senate Print 753A, by Senator
10 Montgomery, an act to direct the Office of
11 Children and Family Services to examine, evaluate
12 and make recommendations on the availability of
13 childcare and childcare assistance;
14 Senate Print 3421A, by Senator
15 Savino, an act to amend the Social Services Law;
16 Senate Print 3563A, by Senator
17 Serrano, an act to amend the Social Services Law;
18 Senate Print 3788A, by Senator
19 Carlucci, an act to amend the General Business
20 Law;
21 Senate Print 3904, by Senator
22 Martinez, an act in relation to entitling Robert
23 V. Vassallo, Sr. to reapply for a disability
24 retirement from New York State Police;
25 Senate Print 4165, by Senator
4054
1 Addabbo, an act to amend Chapter 288 of the Laws
2 of 2014 amending the Environmental Conservation
3 Law;
4 Senate Print 4181, by Senator
5 Salazar, an act to amend the Public Health Law;
6 Senate Print 4807, by Senator
7 Carlucci, an act to amend the General Business
8 Law;
9 Senate Print 4916, by
10 Senator Harckham, an act in relation to granting
11 James G. Lynch retirement from the New York State
12 and Local Employees' Retirement System on June
13 10, 2016;
14 Senate Print 5409, by Senator
15 Martinez, an act to amend Chapter 618 of the Laws
16 of 1998, amending the General Municipal Law and
17 the Education Law;
18 Senate Print 5538, by Senator
19 Brooks, an act directing the commissioner of the
20 Office for People With Developmental Disabilities
21 to conduct a study on the feasibility of allowing
22 the use of debit cards for residents' cash
23 accounts; and
24 Senate Print 6146, by Senator
25 Hoylman, an act to amend the Tax Law and the
4055
1 Administrative Code of the City of New York.
2 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
3 move to accept the report of the Rules Committee.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: All in
5 favor of accepting the report of the Rules
6 Committee signify by saying aye.
7 (Response of "Aye.")
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
9 Opposed, nay.
10 (Response of "Nay.")
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
12 Rules Committee report is accepted.
13 SENATOR GIANARIS: Can we now take
14 up the reading of the supplemental calendar.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: There
16 is a substitution at the desk.
17 The Secretary will read.
18 THE SECRETARY: On page 1, Senator
19 Carlucci moves to discharge, from the Committee
20 on Consumer Protection, Assembly Bill Number 6292
21 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill
22 4807, Third Reading Calendar 821.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
24 substitution is so ordered.
25 The Secretary will read.
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1 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
2 821, Assembly Print Number 6292, by
3 Assemblymember Mosley, an act to amend the
4 General Business Law.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
6 the last section.
7 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
8 act shall take effect on the 120th day after it
9 shall have become a law.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
11 the roll.
12 (The Secretary called the roll.)
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
14 Carlucci to explain his vote.
15 SENATOR CARLUCCI: Thank you,
16 Mr. President.
17 I want to thank Leader
18 Stewart-Cousins and all of my colleagues for
19 supporting our veterans and honoring and paying
20 tribute to our veterans like we did, but also the
21 commitment that we've made to protect and improve
22 the quality of life of our veterans throughout
23 New York State.
24 And this legislation goes to stomp
25 out a problem that we've seen on the rise. And
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1 I'm sure many of you have seen it in your
2 district offices, where you're talking to someone
3 that unfortunately has been scammed, has been
4 scammed out of a little bit of money, sometimes a
5 lot of money. Sometimes it's everything they
6 have.
7 And so this Pension Poaching
8 Prevention Act will put in place protections to
9 hold lawyers, financial advisors, insurance
10 agents accountable and require them to disclose
11 that the services that they're trying to offer
12 can be provided for free from the Department of
13 Veteran Affairs.
14 We've seen case after case where
15 unscrupulous con artists, I'll call them, have
16 swindled money away from our veterans, many
17 elderly and disabled veterans out of everything
18 they've had, and we can't do anything about it.
19 That stops here. We need to pass this law to
20 protect our veterans, improve their quality of
21 life, and make sure they have the dignity and
22 respect in retirement that they deserve.
23 So I support this legislation. I
24 want to thank my colleagues for doing the same.
25 Thank you, Mr. President.
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
2 Carlucci to be recorded in the affirmative.
3 Announce the results.
4 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
6 bill is passed.
7 Senator Gianaris, that completes the
8 reading of the supplemental calendar.
9 SENATOR GIANARIS: Is there any
10 further business at the desk?
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: There
12 is no further business at the desk.
13 SENATOR GIANARIS: I move to
14 adjourn until tomorrow, Wednesday, May 22nd, at
15 11:00 a.m.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: On
17 motion, the Senate stands adjourned until
18 Wednesday, May 22nd, at 11:00 a.m.
19 (Whereupon, at 5:07 p.m., the Senate
20 adjourned.)
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