Regular Session - March 3, 2020
1097
1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
2
3
4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
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6
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8
9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 March 3, 2020
11 3:39 p.m.
12
13
14 REGULAR SESSION
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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 for 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 March 2, 2020, the Senate met pursuant to
17 adjournment. The Journal of Sunday, March 1,
18 2020, 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 19, Senator
1099
1 Carlucci moves to discharge, from the Committee
2 on Transportation, Assembly Bill Number 6163 and
3 substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 4336,
4 Third Reading Calendar 352.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
6 Substitution so ordered.
7 Messages from the Governor.
8 Reports of standing committees.
9 Reports of select committees.
10 Communications and reports from
11 state officers.
12 Motions and resolutions.
13 Senator Gianaris.
14 SENATOR GIANARIS: Move to adopt
15 the Resolution Calendar, with the exception of
16 Resolution 2934.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: All in
18 favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar, with
19 the exception of Resolution 2934, please signify
20 by saying aye.
21 (Response of "Aye.")
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
23 Opposed, nay.
24 (No response.)
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
1100
1 Resolution Calendar is adopted.
2 Senator Gianaris.
3 SENATOR GIANARIS: At this time can
4 we recognize Senator Kennedy for an introduction.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
6 Kennedy for an introduction.
7 SENATOR KENNEDY: Thank you very
8 much, Mr. President.
9 It's a great honor and privilege of
10 mine here today to rise and recognize many
11 different students from Western New York,
12 occupational therapy students that are here from
13 D'Youville College, from the University at
14 Buffalo, and from Erie Community College, SUNY
15 ECC.
16 They are part of about 400 students
17 that came down here today as part of the New York
18 Occupational Therapy Association Lobby Day. It
19 is truly a pleasure to see so many of them here.
20 I want to recognize the leadership
21 of these wonderful institutions. From the
22 University at Buffalo, we have Dr. Jan Tona, who
23 is actually a previous professor of mine.
24 Dr. Kim Persons is here as well, from the
25 University at Buffalo. And Michaella Hayden, the
1101
1 head of the Occupational Therapy Assistant School
2 at SUNY ECC.
3 We also have with us, from my own
4 alma mater, D'Youville College, in the class of
5 occupational therapy, Dr. Lynn McGyver and
6 Dr. Theresa Vallone, who also was a professor of
7 mine. For those of you that don't know, I'm an
8 occupational therapist by profession.
9 And these students are here, many of
10 them for the first time, to see the beautiful
11 institution of Albany, the work that we do here,
12 lending their voices to the conversation and
13 helping to effectuate positive change in a
14 profession they're all studying and learning to
15 make better.
16 And so with that, Mr. President, I
17 just wanted to take this opportunity to recognize
18 these wonderful student advocates, to give them
19 the honor of the house, and please welcome them
20 with all of the privileges that come with that.
21 Thank you for making your way all
22 the way to the great State Capitol. Welcome, and
23 we'll see you soon.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: To all
25 of our students and teachers from --
1102
1 (Scattered applause.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Whoa,
3 whoa, whoa, whoa.
4 (Laughter.)
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: To all
6 of our students and teachers from Western
7 New York, I welcome you on behalf of the Senate.
8 We extend to you all of the privileges and
9 courtesies of the house.
10 Please rise and be recognized.
11 (Standing ovation.)
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
13 Gianaris.
14 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
15 at this time can we take up Resolution 2934, by
16 Leader Stewart-Cousins, read that resolution in
17 its entirety, and recognize Senator Salazar to
18 speak on the resolution.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
20 Secretary will read.
21 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
22 2934, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, memorializing
23 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2020
24 as Women's History Month in the State of
25 New York.
1103
1 "WHEREAS, March is Women's History
2 Month; and
3 "WHEREAS, March 8th is International
4 Women's Day; and.
5 "WHEREAS, Each year New York State
6 officially sets aside time to recognize the
7 unique contributions that New York women have
8 made to New York State and beyond; and
9 "WHEREAS, New York State has a
10 distinguished history of monumental achievements
11 in the area of women's rights; and
12 "WHEREAS, In 1826, New York State
13 opened one of the first public high schools for
14 girls, resulting in a future for women in which
15 they were no longer confined to the home, a
16 future in which they were educated and able to
17 use this education to better their social and
18 economic status; and
19 "WHEREAS, In 1848 in New York, the
20 first women's rights convention was held at
21 Seneca Falls, to secure for all women the right
22 to vote; and
23 "WHEREAS, In 1903, the Women's Trade
24 Union League of New York was formed to represent
25 working women, later becoming the nucleus for the
1104
1 International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union; and
2 "WHEREAS, In 1917, New York
3 guaranteed women the right to vote in all
4 elections and in the following year the first two
5 women, Ida Sammis and Mary Lilly, were elected to
6 the New York State Legislature and became the
7 first women to then serve in 1919; and
8 "WHEREAS, In 1955, Bessie Buchanan
9 was the first African-American woman to serve in
10 the New York State Legislature; and
11 "WHEREAS, In 1967, Muriel Siebert
12 became the first woman to own a seat on the
13 New York Stock Exchange, opening the door for
14 women to gain positions of greater economic
15 power; and
16 "WHEREAS, In 1968, New York State
17 Assemblywoman Shirley Chisholm became the first
18 black woman elected to Congress, and in 1972 she
19 ran for President of the United States, another
20 first for black women; and
21 "WHEREAS, In 1970, New York City was
22 the site of the first Women's Strike for
23 Equality, in which 50,000 people marched for
24 equal rights; and
25 "WHEREAS, In 1978, Olga Mendez
1105
1 became the first Latina woman to serve in the
2 New York State Legislature; and
3 "WHEREAS, In 1983, New York State
4 women legislators established the Legislative
5 Women's Caucus to improve the participation of
6 women in all areas of government, support issues
7 that benefit women and provide a network of
8 support for women in the State Legislature; and
9 "WHEREAS, In 2007, Ellen Young was
10 the first Asian-American woman to serve in the
11 New York State Legislature; and
12 "WHEREAS, In 2009, New Yorker Sonia
13 Sotomayor became the first Hispanic Justice
14 appointed to the United States Supreme Court; and
15 "WHEREAS, In 2015, New Yorker
16 Loretta Elizabeth Lynch was appointed as
17 Attorney General of the United States, becoming
18 the first African-American woman to serve in this
19 esteemed position; and
20 "WHEREAS, New York has been the home
21 of many extraordinary women who have led society
22 to a better future: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and
23 Susan B. Anthony led the campaign for women's
24 suffrage; Sojourner Truth spoke out for the
25 abolition of slavery and for suffrage for all
1106
1 women; and
2 "WHEREAS, Carrie Chapman Catt became
3 the first president of the League of Women
4 Voters; Emma Willard opened the first endowed
5 institution for the education of women; Civil War
6 surgeon Dr. Mary E. Walker was the only woman
7 ever awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor;
8 Harriet Tubman was an abolitionist who led slaves
9 to freedom by way of the Underground Railroad in
10 the 19th century; and
11 "WHEREAS, Elizabeth Blackwell and
12 Belva Lockwood were the first women in the fields
13 of medicine and law; pioneer birth control
14 educator and advocate Margaret Sanger established
15 a research center in New York City; and
16 "WHEREAS, Emma Goldman founded the
17 Free Speech League which led to the American
18 Civil Liberties Union; humanitarian Eleanor
19 Roosevelt served as United States Delegate to the
20 United Nations; and
21 "WHEREAS, New Yorker Edith Windsor
22 fought to expand marriage equality in the
23 United States prior to the Marriage Equality Act
24 of New York, which became law in 2011; and
25 "WHEREAS, Civil rights lawyer and
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1 New York State Senator Constance Baker Motley
2 became the first black woman to sit on the U.S.
3 District Court in New York, and there have been
4 so many more known and unknown women who
5 championed rights and opportunity for all; and
6 "WHEREAS, New York State has hosted
7 many conventions, campaigns and events of the
8 Women's Rights Movement, from the 1848 convention
9 at Seneca Falls to the 1999 Berkshire Conference
10 of Women Historians, which was held to improve
11 the status of women in history and in the
12 historical professions; and
13 "WHEREAS, 50 percent of statewide
14 elected officials are women, and, for the first
15 time, a woman has been elected Attorney General
16 in the State of New York; and
17 "WHEREAS, 2020 marks the 100th
18 anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which
19 guaranteed women the right to vote in the
20 United States; and
21 "WHEREAS, Today, 67 women serve in
22 the New York State Legislature, making up
23 32 percent of the seats, holding leadership
24 positions in both houses and bringing the diverse
25 experiences of women into law and public policy;
1108
1 now, therefore, be it
2 "RESOLVED, That this Legislative
3 Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize
4 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2020
5 as Women's History Month in the State of
6 New York; and be it further
7 "RESOLVED, That copies of this
8 resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to
9 the Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the
10 State of New York, and the Legislative Women's
11 Caucus of New York State."
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
13 Salazar on the resolution.
14 SENATOR SALAZAR: Thank you,
15 Mr. President.
16 Today we are celebrating that in
17 2020 women are far more than merely supportive
18 characters in the success stories of other
19 people's lives. We are recognizing that women
20 are determining our own future and autonomy in
21 our lives, that women are increasingly leading in
22 our communities and in our workplaces, that we're
23 finally occupying roles that have historically
24 excluded us.
25 The history of the struggle for
1109
1 gender equity and women's rights reminds us how
2 truly remarkable it is for us to now serve under
3 the exceptional leadership of not only the first
4 woman, but the first black woman to become our
5 Senate Majority Leader.
6 We celebrate that our gender no
7 longer forbids us from entering the halls of
8 power. And yet we cannot ignore that these halls
9 are often still hostile toward women in other
10 ways. Only 31 percent, less than one-third, of
11 the members of this legislative body are women.
12 And of course that's impressively high compared
13 to the even lower representation of women within
14 most state legislatures across the country.
15 This year marks the 100-year
16 anniversary of the ratification of the
17 19th Amendment granting women the constitutional
18 right to vote. But we know that the struggle for
19 women's voting rights remained incomplete as long
20 as African-American women and indigenous women in
21 many states were still subjected to racially
22 biased barriers that prevented them, even then,
23 from freely exercising the right to vote until
24 the 1960s.
25 And even while Women's History Month
1110
1 is an opportunity to celebrate the progress that
2 we've made together, it also provokes us to
3 assess the historical and intersectional moment
4 that we live in. Gender discrimination and
5 threats to reproductive health and women's rights
6 across the country only underscore the urgency of
7 our fight here in New York.
8 In New York we can be proud that our
9 state's gender pay ratio is the second highest of
10 all 50 states, a mark of progress toward economic
11 justice for women that has not come effortlessly,
12 but rather is only because of strong equal pay
13 laws and a mass movement of women -- along with
14 those who stand in solidarity with women --
15 demanding the compensation and the roles that we
16 deserve.
17 In the victories of our long history
18 of struggling against gender discrimination, our
19 first task was to demand recognition of our
20 humanity. Our next task was to demand that we
21 could fully participate in society. And our
22 present task continues to be that we empower
23 women to lead.
24 Thank you, Mr. President.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
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1 Senator Montgomery on the resolution.
2 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Thank you,
3 Mr. President.
4 I want to just thank our leader, who
5 happens to be -- I guess to be the number-one
6 woman in the State of New York who's made history
7 for us most recently, our Majority Leader,
8 Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, for once again
9 introducing this resolution to memorialize our
10 Governor to establish this month as the Women's
11 History Month in the State of New York.
12 I invite all of my colleagues to
13 stop downstairs just before you enter the LOB and
14 take a look at all of the women who are members
15 of this Legislature this year. And I would say
16 to you we're all making history in one way or
17 another. And we were asked as women to identify
18 the woman who to us represented something in our
19 lives. And you will note that the woman that I
20 recognized as my own personal person who has made
21 history, who has inspired me, who has meant so
22 much to so many people in America, is Harriet
23 Tubman.
24 And the one word that I came up with
25 to describe Harriet Tubman and how I feel about
1112
1 her, is that she was a warrior. And you should
2 know that now when I say that women, especially
3 when we're engaged in something where we have
4 to -- we have to make a stronger statement than
5 our lipstick would indicate, is that we are
6 Harrieting.
7 I have changed Harriet from a name
8 to a verb, because I believe she represents the
9 height of what women have contributed to America,
10 and that is she has led people in a way and she
11 has given her life and she has risked her life on
12 behalf of others. That's what we do. That's
13 what women represent to America, especially to
14 New York.
15 And so today I want to thank --
16 again, I say to our leader Senator Harriet --
17 (Laughter.)
18 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Senator
19 Stewart-Cousins, who is Harrieting a lot because
20 it takes a Harriet, a Harriet woman, to manage
21 all of us in terms of being our leader. And she
22 does that very well, admirably.
23 So I thank her for introducing this
24 resolution, for making us aware of the
25 importance -- our importance. We matter as
1113
1 women. We matter as elected officials. And
2 certainly we matter as citizens in our state.
3 And I thank her for making sure that all of us
4 take a moment and that the Governor establishes
5 that this is the month that we will continue to
6 honor ourselves as women in New York.
7 Thank you.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
9 Little on the resolution.
10 SENATOR LITTLE: Thank you,
11 Mr. President.
12 I would like to take a moment to
13 talk about two North Country women that I think
14 are important in the women's movement.
15 One you've all seen a picture of
16 before. Her name is Inez Mulholland, and she is
17 on the white horse, all dressed in white, that
18 rode the marches and led the marches into New
19 York City and into Washington.
20 She is a New York City woman whose
21 family had a summer home in Lewis, Essex County,
22 and that is where she's buried. She died at the
23 age of 30, still advocating for women's right to
24 vote -- never did see the actual vote take place.
25 But certainly a very brave and bold young women.
1114
1 The second one is very important to
2 all of us, whether you know it or not, and she
3 also is a North Country woman, Rhoda Fox Graves.
4 She was born in the Town of Fowler, which is in
5 St. Lawrence County, which Senator Ritchie and
6 Senator Griffo and I represent; I have a small
7 part of it.
8 But when she was born, her mother
9 died in childbirth. And what was very common
10 then is she was taken to a neighbor's home, and
11 that family started to raise her. And at the age
12 of two, they adopted her, and she became Rhoda
13 Fox. Her married name is Graves.
14 But this woman became very active as
15 a Republican woman, acting in committees in the
16 temperance movement and things in the
17 North Country.
18 And when we had the right to vote in
19 New York State in 1917, we had 12 women then ran
20 for the Assembly. Two were elected. They only
21 served one-year terms and were not reelected.
22 Two more got elected, they did not serve more
23 than the one-year term either.
24 Rhoda Fox Graves was elected in
25 1924, and she was elected to the Assembly. And
1115
1 she was the first woman -- as we all know how
2 important this is -- to be reelected. So that
3 was her claim there. But she served for eight
4 years in the Assembly. In 1932 she ran for the
5 Senate. She did not win. But in 1934, she ran
6 again and she won. And she was the first woman
7 in this body, in the New York State Senate.
8 She was the first to chair a
9 committee, as she chaired the Agriculture
10 Committee. She served for 14 years in the
11 New York State Senate. And one of her big pieces
12 of legislation that she sponsored -- and you
13 might not think it was very important, but at the
14 time it was -- said that women should be on a
15 jury. Because women were automatically not
16 thought of to be on a jury because they had so
17 many responsibilities {air quotes} at home.
18 So this allowed women to serve on a
19 jury. And if you were on a trial as a female,
20 I'm sure you wanted to look over at the jury box
21 and see some peers there too. So that was one of
22 her biggest accomplishments.
23 She served for 14 years. And we
24 always hear about father-son inheriting or being
25 elected to the same seat. This was a mother
1116
1 Senator whose son, Paul, became the next Senator
2 and succeeded her.
3 So a North Country woman that we're
4 very proud of, and I just wanted to make sure
5 everybody knew she was the first woman Senator
6 here.
7 Thank you.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
9 Senator Sanders on the resolution.
10 SENATOR SANDERS: Thank you,
11 Mr. President.
12 I want to thank the sponsors of the
13 resolution and our leader for giving us the
14 opportunity to speak and say something of the
15 greatness of women.
16 And every man born of a woman needs
17 to be able to take a moment and say, This is a
18 great thing. Not simply because women are great,
19 but they've come a great distance to get there.
20 They have come an amazing distance. Society has
21 held them back, but they have pushed their way
22 forward regardless.
23 It's like a tide, and you cannot --
24 you can't stop the tide. You can stand in front
25 of it, you can get wet, you can do all kinds of
1117
1 stuff, but you're not going to stop the tide.
2 Your better bet is to go with the tide, is to
3 understand that the tide usually leads to a good
4 place, that it is a fantastic thing. And if we
5 could all just get in line with it, we'd get to a
6 good place.
7 It is true that women are making
8 considerably less than men in just about every
9 category. It's also true that this does not aid
10 men. Any man who seems to feel that there's
11 something positive from that, you've missed the
12 boat. Tide, boat. You've missed it.
13 And under those conditions, my
14 friends, it doesn't aid the family, it doesn't
15 aid anyone. We need to just stand up -- men need
16 to stand up and say this foolishness of women not
17 being paid the same amount needs to be stopped.
18 Women can do just about everything that men can
19 do, if not better.
20 And under those conditions, men have
21 a role in the liberation of women, and that role
22 is side by side. That role is to join in and
23 make sure that every roadblock that exists is
24 knocked down.
25 I want to say that -- and to just
1118
1 state and thank all women -- women hold up half
2 the sky. If the sky hasn't fallen down on our
3 society, it's because, I would argue, women have
4 held up a little bit more than their fair share.
5 Thank you, Mr. President.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
7 Senator Bailey on the resolution.
8 SENATOR BAILEY: Thank you,
9 Mr. President.
10 You know, I was at a rally earlier
11 today and I had -- I mentioned a Tupac lyric, but
12 I'm going to mention another one. You know,
13 since we all came from a woman, got our name from
14 a woman and our game from a woman -- you know,
15 the rest of it is kind of explicit. But I just
16 wonder why we continue to take and not appreciate
17 our women and our society as for what they are,
18 and that's incredible.
19 You know, my biggest pride in this
20 world is being a Girl Dad. Right? That's a
21 common hashtag. But, you know, before the
22 hashtag came out, I'm a Girl Dad, right? And I
23 want my daughters to be able to understand that
24 there is no limit, there is no ceiling on the
25 amazing great things that they can do, and that's
1119
1 in no other -- like, that cannot be embodied any
2 better than our leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
3 And I thank her for this resolution.
4 And Senator Salazar, thank you for
5 leading off this resolution with your words.
6 They were incredible.
7 But there are few things that we can
8 talk about -- Senator Sanders touched on the
9 equal pay for equal work. But I want to talk
10 about -- Senator Montgomery mentioned Harrieting.
11 Well, I'm going to use a new name, a noun to a
12 verb, Velmanetting.
13 (Laughter.)
14 SENATOR BAILEY: Velmanetting.
15 What is Velmanetting? That means to be the
16 longest-serving woman in the chamber. That means
17 to lead fiercely in the face of adversity. That
18 means to mentor and to care and to teach. That's
19 what Velmanetting is.
20 So, Senator Montgomery, rarely -- I
21 am loath, I am loath really to ever disagree with
22 you about anything, because I know better. I was
23 taught by my mama very well. But I will disagree
24 with you in saying that that's not the only word
25 that we should be creating as part of our Senate
1120
1 lexicon.
2 And Stenographer, let's just make
3 sure we get Velmanetting into the permanent
4 history and the records of the State Senate, and
5 that we define it as, as W.E.B. Du Bois said, you
6 know, there is no force equaled to a woman
7 determined to rise.
8 And Senator Velmanette Montgomery,
9 you have embodied that for so many years, and we
10 have sessions worth of tributes to give to you.
11 And Tupac also said, There's no way
12 I can pay you back, but the plan is to show you
13 that I understand and you are appreciated.
14 I think that regardless of party,
15 regardless of political ideology, affiliation,
16 votes, there is not a person in this chamber now
17 that has ever served in this chamber that could
18 say a negative word about you and what you care
19 about the people of the State of New York.
20 So we're going to start to
21 Velmanette this, all right?
22 (Laughter.)
23 SENATOR BAILEY: You know, we're
24 going to -- you've got to start Velmanetting.
25 But I'll leave you with this. Thank
1121
1 you for being an inspiration. And I thank all of
2 my colleagues in this chamber for being
3 incredible advocates for their communities,
4 incredible warriors, incredible mothers,
5 incredible friends, showing that, you know, that
6 if not for you, there would be no us.
7 And I think there's no better way to
8 leave that, Mr. President. I proudly vote aye on
9 this resolution. I think it's an incredible job.
10 And I thank all of the women in this august body.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
12 Myrie on the resolution.
13 SENATOR MYRIE: Thank you,
14 Mr. President.
15 I want to thank my colleagues who
16 have already spoken so eloquently on this
17 resolution.
18 I want to join Senator Bailey in
19 honoring an icon in women's history that we have
20 in our very midst right now, and we'd be remiss
21 if we didn't adequately recognize the trailblazer
22 that is Senator Velmanette Montgomery. She was
23 elected in 1985. And in 1985 I was zero years
24 old.
25 (Laughter.)
1122
1 SENATOR MYRIE: And so to be able
2 to serve with her in this chamber, to be able to
3 be under her stewardship, her leadership, her
4 mentorship, has really been the honor of my life.
5 So when we talk about women's
6 history, we have to talk about women's present,
7 and that is what Velmanette Montgomery is. She
8 is the pinnacle of what a public servant is
9 supposed to be. And so I just don't think of her
10 as a State Senator that is a woman, I think I and
11 everyone in this chamber will aspire to be a
12 fraction of the State Senator that she has been
13 for the State of New York over these past
14 35 years.
15 And so I am just so grateful to you,
16 Senator Montgomery. I am grateful to what you
17 represent, to the history that you've made and
18 that you continue to make, and I proudly vote aye
19 on this resolution as we honor Senator Velmanette
20 Montgomery.
21 Thank you.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
23 Ramos on the resolution.
24 SENATOR RAMOS: Thank you,
25 Mr. President.
1123
1 Every time that we walk past our
2 chamber, we walk past that painting from the
3 1800s that hangs just outside this room, which is
4 of the State Senate I think around the 1800s.
5 And this room looks very different today. Not
6 just because there are so many more women
7 legislators, but so many more people of color
8 too.
9 And while I'm very appreciative of
10 this resolution and us recognizing Women's
11 History Month and everything that we have had to
12 accomplish over the past hundreds of years, the
13 truth is that we're just getting started.
14 And I think that here in New York,
15 because we take great pride in leading our
16 country and in thinking through critical issues,
17 I want to say that more than recognizing those
18 historical figures who have gone above and
19 beyond, we should recognize the women who toil in
20 the workplace every day, behind a sewing machine,
21 taking care of our babies, cleaning our houses,
22 answering phones.
23 We talk about equal pay in terms of
24 women's pay only being 77 cents to the man's
25 dollar, but we know that that's not true for
1124
1 black women, we know that that's not true for
2 Latinas, for women who look like me who barely
3 get to rub two quarters together.
4 And so to me, when we are able to
5 address issues as granting rights to farmworkers,
6 farmworker women, who are often sexually harassed
7 on the field, when we talk about transgender
8 women who are profiled by the police, it is our
9 duty here now, when we're recognizing Women's
10 History Month, that we accept our responsibility
11 in continuing to create history and fighting for
12 every single woman, no matter who they are or
13 what they look like.
14 Thank you.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
16 Senator Krueger on the resolution.
17 SENATOR KRUEGER: Thank you,
18 Mr. President.
19 So this is my 18th year in the
20 Senate, so I guess it's my 18th Women's History
21 Month. And I just rise to smile and to say yes,
22 we have much further to go, but how far we've
23 come in 18 years.
24 I remember one year standing up and
25 saying, I don't accept that this is the day we
1125
1 treat women with respect in the Senate, because
2 it implies we aren't worthy of it the other 364
3 days a year.
4 And I remember the day someone stood
5 up and talked about how much it helped the Senate
6 when a woman joined and she put flowers on her
7 desk every day, and what a difference that made.
8 And I suspect there's no one in this chamber
9 today who would think that's the difference
10 between having men or women or diversity in the
11 Senate.
12 And I have watched as younger women
13 have moved into the Senate, as women of color
14 have moved into the Senate, as our own great
15 leader, who perhaps is the epitome of exactly who
16 we want to see as a leader in the New York State
17 Senate, regardless of party -- and realize that
18 we're all part of women's history. And some of
19 us are more or less comfortable with the changes
20 we are living through in our lives, and there is
21 far more to do and far further to go.
22 But I am thrilled to hear my
23 colleagues standing and talking about the role of
24 women in our history and in our future, and their
25 colleagues, in a context that actually makes
1126
1 sense in the world that we live in.
2 So I just wanted to stand and thank
3 my leader for carrying this resolution again this
4 year and for all my colleagues who have spoken on
5 it today.
6 Thank you, Mr. President.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
8 Senator Akshar on the resolution.
9 SENATOR AKSHAR: Mr. President,
10 thank you.
11 I listened to Senator Bailey, I was
12 incredibly attentive when he was talking. I too,
13 probably not to the same degree as you, but have
14 been Velmanetted a time or two in my short tenure
15 here while being in the lounge.
16 But I can't help think, for all of
17 us here today, that we really are incredibly
18 lucky, whether we're in our first session, our
19 16th session -- you've been Velmanetted many
20 times, I've been Bettied many times.
21 (Laughter.)
22 SENATOR AKSHAR: We are incredibly
23 lucky to have two women like Senator Montgomery
24 and Senator Little that have been leaders and
25 trailblazers -- not only for the women in our
1127
1 respective conferences in this particular house,
2 and other elected officials, but for all of us.
3 All of us.
4 So it's a great resolution, but I
5 just wanted to -- on your heels, talking about
6 being Velmanetted -- let the house know that I of
7 course have been Bettied a time or two in my
8 tenure, and we are all incredibly lucky.
9 Mr. President, I vote aye on the
10 resolution.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
12 question is on the resolution. All in favor
13 signify by saying aye.
14 (Response of "Aye.")
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
16 Opposed?
17 (No response.)
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
19 resolution is adopted.
20 Senator Gianaris.
21 SENATOR GIANARIS: At the request
22 of Leader Stewart-Cousins, that resolution is
23 open for cosponsorship.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
25 resolution is open for cosponsorship. Should you
1128
1 choose not to be a cosponsor of the resolution,
2 please notify the desk.
3 Senator Gianaris.
4 SENATOR GIANARIS: At this time let
5 us take up the reading of the calendar,
6 Mr. President.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
8 Secretary will read.
9 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 52,
10 Senate Print 1146A, by Senator Carlucci, an act
11 to amend the Town Law.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
13 the last section.
14 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
15 act shall take effect on the 90th 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: In relation to
23 Calendar Number 52, those Senators voting in the
24 negative are Senators Akshar, Amedore, Borrello,
25 Griffo, Helming, Jacobs, Jordan, Ortt, O'Mara,
1129
1 Ranzenhofer, Ritchie, Robach, Seward and Tedisco.
2 Also Senator Lanza. Also Senator Serino.
3 Ayes, 46. Nays, 16.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
5 bill is passed.
6 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
7 145, Senate Print 4504A, by Senator Parker, an
8 act to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
10 the last section.
11 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
12 act shall take effect immediately.
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 145, those Senators voting in the
20 negative are Senators Borrello, Funke, Gallivan,
21 Griffo, Helming, Jacobs, Jordan, LaValle, O'Mara,
22 Ortt, Ranzenhofer, Serino and Tedisco.
23 Ayes, 49. Nays, 13.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
25 bill is passed.
1130
1 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
2 350, Senate Print 1632A, by Senator Skoufis, an
3 act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
5 the last section.
6 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
7 act shall take effect on the 180th 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, 62.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
16 bill is passed.
17 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
18 352, Assembly Print Number 6163, substituted
19 earlier by Assemblymember Mosley, an act to amend
20 the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
22 the last section.
23 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
24 act shall take effect on the first of November.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
1131
1 the roll.
2 (The Secretary called the roll.)
3 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
4 Carlucci to explain his vote.
5 SENATOR CARLUCCI: Thank you,
6 Mr. President.
7 I want to thank my colleagues for
8 supporting this legislation.
9 Unfortunately, each year, around
10 40,000 Americans are killed in an automobile
11 accident, half of which are not wearing seat
12 belts. We know now that if you're not wearing a
13 seat belt in a vehicle and you experience a
14 crash, you're eight times more likely to be
15 killed or injured.
16 Back in 1984, New York State was the
17 first state in the nation to require people to
18 wear a seat belt in the front seat. Since that
19 time, over 30 states have now adopted back-seat
20 seat belt laws. Let's not be the last state.
21 Let's require everyone, no matter where you're
22 sitting in the vehicle, to wear your seat belt.
23 In doing that, we'll be congruent
24 with our laws and our actions and what we say.
25 And we've seen other states that have these laws
1132
1 on the books; they have more people wearing their
2 seat belts.
3 The simple fact is you're not any
4 safer in the back seat. So we have to make that
5 message loud and clear by passing this
6 legislation, which has already passed in the
7 Assembly, getting it on the Governor's desk and
8 signed into law -- we're going to send that
9 message loud and clear that you have to wear your
10 seat belt wherever you are. It's 2020. We
11 thought we were done with this debate, but we
12 have to change the paradigm.
13 And with the increase in
14 ridesharing, we have more and more people riding
15 in the back seat of vehicles. And the simple
16 fact is that not only are you a jeopardy to
17 yourself if you're not wearing a seat belt, but
18 you become a major problem to the occupant in
19 front of you. In fact, you're two times more
20 likely to kill the occupant in front of you even
21 if they're wearing a seat belt.
22 So let's pass this legislation,
23 let's do the right thing. And in doing so, we
24 will save lives.
25 Thank you, Mr. President.
1133
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
2 Carlucci to be recorded in the affirmative.
3 Senator Kennedy to explain his vote.
4 SENATOR KENNEDY: Thank you,
5 Mr. President.
6 I just want to take this opportunity
7 to thank the bill's sponsor, Senator Carlucci,
8 for bringing this important bill to the floor. I
9 also want to thank our leadership, Senator Andrea
10 Stewart-Cousins, for bringing this as well.
11 This is an important bill that will
12 save lives here in the State of New York and
13 continue the precedent of protecting the public
14 and ensuring that all individuals in a vehicle
15 are protected, are safe.
16 We are prioritizing safety today.
17 This bill will go a long way to not only
18 protecting the occupants in a -- from serious
19 injury but also from death. And as the bill's
20 sponsor has already mentioned, there have been
21 thousands of deaths and serious injuries that
22 have been preventable across this state and
23 across this country, but the laws have not kept
24 up with society, at least not here in the State
25 of New York.
1134
1 So today they are. Today we are
2 passing this bill that will ensure that all
3 occupants will not only be protected in the event
4 of a crash or an accident, but also keep those
5 around them in the vehicle from being hurt, as
6 when that crash happens, that individual becomes
7 a projectile in the vehicle.
8 So I again thank the bill's sponsor
9 and leadership. And with that, Mr. President, I
10 vote aye.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
12 Kennedy to be recorded in the affirmative.
13 Senator Metzger to explain her vote.
14 SENATOR METZGER: Thank you,
15 Mr. President.
16 So a constituent of mine who teaches
17 drivers' safety brought this fact to my attention
18 last year, that back-seat passengers didn't have
19 to wear a seat belt if they were 16 or over.
20 Which -- you know, it was deeply ingrained by my
21 father that you wear a seat belt in the car, and
22 that's it. And it's shocking, it's actually
23 really shocking to me that to this day, this has
24 been the case.
25 So I really want to thank the
1135
1 sponsor, Senator Carlucci, for introducing this
2 bill. It is going to save thousands and
3 thousands of lives. And I vote aye.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
5 Senator Metzger to be recorded in the
6 affirmative.
7 Announce the results.
8 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
9 Calendar Number 352, those Senators voting in the
10 negative are Senators Akshar, Funke, Gallivan,
11 Griffo, Jacobs, Little, Ortt and Ritchie.
12 Ayes, 54. Nays, 8.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
14 bill is passed.
15 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
16 357, Senate Print 6229, by Senator May, an act to
17 amend the Transportation Law.
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: Senator
1136
1 May to explain her vote.
2 SENATOR MAY: Thank you,
3 Mr. President.
4 And I want to thank the chair of the
5 Transportation Committee, Senator Kennedy, and
6 the leadership for bringing this bill to the
7 floor.
8 So transportation -- public
9 transportation is supposed to connect people from
10 where they are to where they want to go. But in
11 upstate New York, in rural New York, a lot of
12 public transportation is organized by county or
13 even smaller jurisdictions. And so if you need
14 to get to a doctor's appointment or a grocery
15 store that's across county lines, you can forget
16 about using public transportation.
17 So this will coordinate among the
18 different systems and make it more possible for
19 people to actually use public transportation.
20 But even more importantly, one thing
21 we've found is that the Medicaid system has
22 started paying people to use -- or enabling
23 people to use taxis to get where they go, and
24 that has sapped away clientele from public
25 transportation and made it even harder to
1137
1 maintain public transportation systems in our
2 rural areas.
3 So this bill is aimed to both
4 coordinate and enable better usage of our public
5 transportation systems.
6 So thank you for helping me bring
7 this bill forward, and I vote aye.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
9 May to be recorded in the affirmative.
10 Announce the results.
11 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 62.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
13 bill is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
15 440, Senate Print 2936, by Senator Kaminsky, an
16 act to amend the Town 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.
1138
1 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 62.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
3 bill is passed.
4 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
5 444, Senate Print 5895, by Senator Gaughran, an
6 act to amend the General Municipal Law.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
8 the last section.
9 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
10 act shall take effect immediately.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
12 the roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
15 Announce the results.
16 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 62.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
18 bill is passed.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
20 467, Senate Print 3652, by Senator Biaggi, an act
21 to amend the Domestic Relations Law and the
22 Executive Law.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
24 the last section.
25 THE SECRETARY: Section 6. This
1139
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: In
7 relation to Calendar Number 467, those Senators
8 voting in the negative are Senators Akshar,
9 Borrello, Flanagan, Funke, Griffo, Helming,
10 Jacobs, Jordan, O'Mara, Ortt, Ranzenhofer,
11 Tedisco. Also Senator Robach.
12 Ayes, 49. Nays, 13.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
14 bill is passed.
15 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
16 491, Senate Print 1549A, by Senator Kennedy, an
17 act to amend the Highway Law.
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:
1140
1 Announce the results.
2 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
3 Calendar Number 491, those Senators voting in the
4 negative are Senators Akshar, Amedore, Borrello,
5 Boyle, Flanagan, Funke, Gallivan, Griffo,
6 Helming, Jacobs, Jordan, Lanza, Little, O'Mara,
7 Ortt, Ranzenhofer, Ritchie, Robach, Serino,
8 Seward and Tedisco.
9 Ayes, 41. Nays, 21.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
11 bill is passed.
12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
13 492, Senate Print 1643, by Senator Brooks, an act
14 to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
16 the last section.
17 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. 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, 62.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
1141
1 bill is passed.
2 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
3 494, Senate Print 2773, by Senator Comrie, an act
4 to amend the Public Authorities Law.
5 SENATOR GIANARIS: Lay it aside for
6 the day.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
8 bill will be laid aside for the day.
9 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
10 495, Senate Print 3450B, by Senator Stavisky, an
11 act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
13 the last section.
14 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
15 act shall take effect on the first of April.
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 Number 495, voting in the negative:
23 Senator Akshar.
24 Ayes, 61. Nays, 1.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
1142
1 bill is passed.
2 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
3 496, Senate Print 3557, by Senator Kennedy, an
4 act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
6 the last section.
7 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
8 act shall take effect on the 30th 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: In relation to
16 Calendar Number 496, voting in the negative:
17 Senator Akshar.
18 Ayes, 61. Nays, 1.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
20 bill is passed.
21 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
22 500, Senate Print 6094A, by Senator Kennedy, an
23 act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law and the
24 Transportation Law.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
1143
1 the last section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 7. This
3 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
4 shall have become a law.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
6 the roll.
7 (The Secretary called the roll.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
9 Kennedy to explain his vote.
10 SENATOR KENNEDY: Thank you,
11 Mr. President.
12 First of all, I want to thank the
13 Transportation Committee for helping to move this
14 bill through, as well as Leader Stewart-Cousins
15 for bringing this bill to the floor.
16 This bill before us seeks to address
17 an important object: To ensure the safety of
18 highway workers here in the State of New York.
19 Every day the lives of highway workers are put in
20 danger, whether that be because of reckless
21 drivers, those who fail to obey traffic control
22 in a work area, those who fail to slow down in
23 speed zones -- the list goes on and on and on,
24 unfortunately.
25 These workers dedicate their lives
1144
1 to making our roads safer, and in doing so often
2 they're putting their own lives at risk. That is
3 not right, and enough is enough. By creating a
4 new fine structure for those who violate the law,
5 New York is sending a clear message: Slow down
6 or pay up, pay the consequences.
7 These fines, which can range from
8 $500 to $5,000, depending on the offense, are
9 designed to ensure that those who endanger the
10 lives of highway workers are held accountable.
11 Furthermore, the bill mandates that
12 60 percent of the fees collected from these fines
13 be paid to the new Work Zone Safety Fund, which
14 will be used to provide work zone safety
15 enforcement, zone markings and radar speed
16 devices, and police monitoring of these work
17 zones.
18 The state will also be responsible
19 for conducting public outreach campaigns about
20 work zone safety to ensure that drivers are
21 properly slowing down and yielding to highway
22 workers, and that they understand the
23 consequences if they fail to follow the law.
24 Let us be very clear. No
25 appointment or obligation is so pressing that it
1145
1 justifies jeopardizing the lives of others.
2 Ultimately this legislation is centering around
3 creating stronger safety standards and protecting
4 those who are simply out there doing their job to
5 the betterment of the State of New York.
6 I firmly believe that this
7 legislation is going to help prevent future
8 tragedies, which is why I am asking all of our
9 colleagues to join in voting aye.
10 With that, Mr. President, I do so
11 myself. Thank you so much.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
13 Kennedy to be recorded in the affirmative.
14 Announce the results.
15 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 62.
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 there is a privileged resolution at the desk.
22 Please take up that resolution, read its title,
23 and recognize Senator Mayer to speak on the
24 resolution.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: There
1146
1 is a privileged resolution at the desk.
2 There is a substitution at the desk.
3 The Secretary will read.
4 THE SECRETARY: Senators Mayer and
5 Stavisky move to substitute Assembly Concurrent
6 Resolution Number 818, by Assemblymembers
7 Benedetto and Glick, and substitute it for the
8 identical Senate Concurrent Resolution Number
9 2943.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
11 substitution is so ordered.
12 The Secretary will read.
13 THE SECRETARY: Assembly Resolution
14 818, Concurrent Resolution of the Senate and
15 Assembly providing for the election of six
16 Regents of the University of the State of
17 New York.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
19 Mayer on the resolution.
20 SENATOR MAYER: Thank you,
21 Mr. President.
22 It's my honor, as the chair of the
23 Senate Education Committee, to speak in support
24 of this resolution that renames a number of
25 current members of the Board of Regents for
1147
1 another five-year term, and names a new Regent,
2 Dr. Frances Wills, to the Board of Regents.
3 I do think it's important that we
4 actually read the names of these individuals.
5 They're going to serve in one of the most
6 important roles in our state as members of the
7 Board of Regents, which has the extraordinary
8 responsibility of setting education policy from
9 early childhood to post-college for students
10 throughout the state.
11 This is a volunteer position, and
12 yet it is a very demanding one and one that is
13 important to students, parents, taxpayers and in
14 fact all the citizens of the state.
15 So after a process of interviewing
16 and considering reappointments, we are today
17 resolving that Dr. Kathleen Cashin, of the County
18 of Kings, be reelected Regent; that Beverly
19 Ouderkirk, of the County of St. Lawrence, be
20 reelected Regent; that Dr. Catherine Fisher
21 Collins, of the County of Erie, be reelected;
22 that Roger Tilles, of the County of Nassau, be
23 reelected; and that Lester W. Young, Jr., of the
24 County of Queens, be reelected, each for a
25 five-year term.
1148
1 We also are electing Dr. Frances
2 Wills, who's joining us here in the chamber
3 today, from the County of Westchester, to be
4 elected Regent of the University of the State of
5 New York from the 9th Judicial District, for a
6 term of five years.
7 I'd like to speak briefly about one
8 of the ones we are naming for another term,
9 Dr. Lester Young. We were very saddened and in
10 fact distressed by the death of the Regent that
11 represented our district, Judith Johnson, earlier
12 in 2019. She was a powerful figure. She
13 represented an extraordinary commitment to equity
14 and to ensuring that every child, every child in
15 the state had the opportunity to succeed through
16 public schools.
17 She had her passion and her heart.
18 She also had intelligence, drive, a tremendous
19 amount of resilience, and the ability to be a
20 productive leader in fighting for every child.
21 When she passed away, our remarkable Chancellor,
22 Betty Rosa, asked Dr. Lester Young to sort of
23 step into her footsteps until we named a new
24 Regent.
25 And I can say that last week,
1149
1 Dr. Young spoke at a Black History Month
2 celebration for the Yonkers Public Schools in a
3 most passionate and meaningful way, and he showed
4 us what a Regent can do by exerting leadership,
5 by talking about principles, by relating to the
6 people in our community, and by pushing our state
7 in a positive direction to assure justice and
8 equity for every student.
9 It was a very powerful speech, and
10 he's been a powerful figure. And I do want to
11 acknowledge his leadership.
12 With that, let me mention that we
13 are today voting on and electing Dr. Frances
14 Wills to be elected Regent for the 9th Judicial
15 District.
16 Again, Senator Stavisky and I and
17 our colleagues participated in a rigorous
18 interview process, and we're proud to select
19 Dr. Wills to be our Regent for our district.
20 Dr. Wills has a distinguished
21 history. She served as Superintendent of Schools
22 in Putnam Valley and retired in 2019;
23 Superintendent of Schools of the Briarcliff Manor
24 Schools in Westchester; Superintendent of Schools
25 of Maine School Administrative District No. 34.
1150
1 She has a long history of being a
2 very successful superintendent who was able to
3 bring teachers, parents and all other
4 stakeholders together on behalf of the greater
5 school community.
6 She created a positive and
7 productive environment for teaching and learning.
8 And in fact, she brought the head of the
9 teachers' union to her interview in support of
10 her application.
11 She increased student opportunities
12 through an inclusive and successful science
13 research program. And she increased student
14 achievement in every school, including a rural
15 school in Maine that faced challenges of poor
16 students who needed their school to be the path
17 forward.
18 Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and I
19 had a very productive meeting with Dr. Wills this
20 week in which we had a frank conversation about
21 the fact that our Senate Majority and Minority
22 wants to be sure that our Regent will be
23 responsive to each of our districts and
24 understanding of our commitment to equity for
25 every student, regardless of where they live.
1151
1 In return, she wrote us a lovely
2 letter, and I want to read a sentence: "I am
3 eager to join the Board of Regents in support of
4 the educational enterprise in New York State.
5 More than ever, our voices are needed to advocate
6 on behalf of those who are less able to access
7 the avenues of success, and to empower all
8 students in their life path."
9 I'm very pleased to be part of the
10 process of electing her to the Board of Regents.
11 I'm confident she will serve with distinction,
12 with responsiveness, with commitment to the
13 principles that Judith Johnson began for us, and
14 will be part of a robust Board of Regents under
15 the leadership of Betty Rosa.
16 So it's with those comments,
17 Mr. President, that I speak on behalf of this
18 resolution. And after we are finished, I hope we
19 will recognize Dr. Wills for her presence here
20 today.
21 Thank you, Mr. President.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
23 Stavisky on the resolution.
24 SENATOR STAVISKY: Thank you,
25 Mr. President.
1152
1 And I'm delighted to cosponsor the
2 resolution, as chair of the Higher Education
3 Committee, with Senator Mayer.
4 I've said it many times, but the
5 Regents have a long tradition of history in the
6 State of New York. In fact, it's the
7 longest-serving body directing education policy
8 in the country.
9 And in fact, we talk about the laws
10 that we have passed; the Regents were created
11 according to Chapter 51 of the Laws of 1784, and
12 we have continued that tradition for many years
13 since.
14 And interestingly, in 1786, two
15 years after the Regents were created, there was a
16 bill introduced in the Assembly sponsored by an
17 Assemblyman who was a Regent, changing the
18 makeup. And that Assemblymember was Alexander
19 Hamilton.
20 So you have a long history to work
21 with, but I know that the Regents are going to
22 continue the work that was started in 1784.
23 And I do want to congratulate the
24 Regents, the people who are being reappointed.
25 Senator Mayer mentioned Dr. Young. He is a
1153
1 resident of my county, the county which I
2 represent. And I must say I was so impressed
3 with him five years ago when he first filled a
4 vacancy from Adelaide Sanford, if my memory is
5 correct.
6 But he set the bar very high for the
7 interviews that first session that we
8 interviewed. And I am so happy that he has
9 agreed to continue his service as a Regent,
10 because he exemplifies, I think, education in
11 New York State. Because he started as a teacher
12 and then he rose through the ranks as a
13 supervisor, a superintendent. He was I believe a
14 deputy commissioner of education at one time.
15 And this is true of the other people
16 who are being reappointed as well; they all have
17 extraordinary backgrounds. And I thank them for
18 their service, and I congratulate the new Regent,
19 Dr. Wills. And I'm sure that you will continue
20 the tradition that was started by Alexander
21 Hamilton.
22 So I thank you all very much, and
23 wish all of the Regents well.
24 Thank you.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Leader
1154
1 Andrea Stewart-Cousins on the resolution.
2 SENATOR STEWART-COUSINS: Thank
3 you, Mr. President.
4 I rise also to commend all of our
5 Regents who are being reappointed. I also echo
6 the comments of Senator Mayer and Senator
7 Stavisky as it relates to Dr. Young, who has been
8 exemplary in his example.
9 I also want to mention Dr. Cashin
10 and Dr. Catherine Fisher Collins, who I know
11 personally, all of whom have really worked with
12 all of the other Regents to create the body that
13 we envision it to be here in New York. And so
14 I'm really, really happy to add to that
15 auspicious group, which also includes Beverly
16 Ouderkirk and Roger Tilles.
17 I want to welcome our own
18 Dr. Frances Wills. She and I have known each
19 other for quite some time, having had an
20 opportunity to represent Briarcliff for a short
21 time and being involved in a lot of the different
22 programs that happen in Westchester County.
23 Dr. Wills has really impressed us as
24 being someone who will be able to step in with a
25 perspective that really engenders what education
1155
1 is all about -- not only excellence, not only
2 knowledge, but a real understanding of how to
3 bring people in, to meet them where they are, and
4 to accentuate the positive that people need in
5 order to succeed in life.
6 She's talked about every aspect,
7 whether it was rural or suburban. Certainly the
8 focus that Judith Johnson had on equity is
9 something that is very important to Dr. Wills,
10 and we talked about it and some of the ways that
11 she's found to bring people along and to
12 cultivate an atmosphere of inclusivity.
13 We are paying such close attention
14 to the Regents. I think many years ago it was
15 something that people didn't quite understand in
16 terms of what the Regents meant to the quality of
17 education that was actually offered our kids.
18 And it was right around -- we talked about right
19 around Common Core where everyone started
20 focusing on who's in charge, who's making these
21 policies, and what are these Regents doing.
22 And now those of us who are so
23 committed to public education are very, very
24 clear about the caliber of person we want and
25 need to direct our policies here in New York
1156
1 State.
2 And I'm happy that we all agree that
3 Dr. Wills is certainly someone who will continue
4 to bring us to be the absolute best. And, you
5 know, as she works towards that, this body will
6 be supporting you and all of your colleagues as
7 you do what we know is so important to all of us
8 here in New York.
9 So I want to congratulate Dr. Wills.
10 Thank you, Senator Mayer and Senator Stavisky,
11 for your leadership in this. And we look forward
12 to continue working with you.
13 Thank you, Mr. President.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
15 Senator Serino on the resolution.
16 SENATOR SERINO: Thank you,
17 Mr. President.
18 I rise to today to speak about
19 Dr. Fran Wills. I've known Dr. Fran Wills and
20 worked with her for a few years now, and I'm so
21 happy to be here for her election as Regent to
22 the 9th District.
23 When Dr. Wills' name came up, our
24 office received numerous phone calls from people
25 who wanted to see her in this role -- people who
1157
1 complimented her ability to listen and to lead,
2 something that I saw firsthand when we worked on
3 a major project in my district, the Pudding
4 Street Overpass, which we're all familiar with,
5 coming up the Taconic Parkway, a project that
6 will directly improve safety for our children.
7 And this is just a small line in
8 Dr. Wills' resume that sums up her work.
9 "Dr. Wills created networks to increase student
10 voice, parent partnerships, faculty investments
11 in growth, and the belief that all students can
12 learn."
13 I wish her all the best as she works
14 to build on this legacy as she takes on this new
15 role, working to empower students across the
16 state.
17 Thank you, Dr. Wills, and
18 congratulations.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
20 Senator Sanders on the resolution.
21 SENATOR SANDERS: Thank you,
22 Mr. President.
23 I want to applaud all of the Regents
24 who are being appointed and reappointed. I'm
25 sure all are fantastic people.
1158
1 I want to pay special attention to
2 two who I have had the pleasure of working with;
3 of course, Lester Young and Kathy Cashin. Both
4 are outstanding.
5 Lester has been -- Mr. Young has
6 been around and has -- as was stated earlier, has
7 come up through the ranks.
8 Kathy Cashin I have actually had the
9 pleasure -- when I was a school board president,
10 she was my superintendent, so I worked hand in
11 hand with her to see how we can raise the grades
12 of the different people. And I can attest that
13 she is one of the hardest workers that I know and
14 extremely passionate on this issue of education.
15 This is not just a job, this is not even a
16 career, this is -- for her, this is life.
17 So I again applaud all of the
18 Regents and bring special recognition to those
19 two.
20 Thank you, Mr. President.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
22 Senator LaValle on the resolution.
23 SENATOR LaVALLE: Mr. President, I
24 rise to speak on the resolution and in particular
25 about Roger Tilles, Regent Roger Tilles, who
1159
1 represents the 10th Judicial District.
2 In my mind, he should be a model for
3 all our Regents. He is a full-time Regent, he is
4 able to do that. And he interacts with school
5 districts, visits school districts, and he knows
6 what's going on in the 10th Judicial District.
7 So he is a reelection, I guess this
8 is his third election to the -- being a member of
9 the Board of Regents. And I don't think we
10 realize -- some of us do -- the depth and the
11 range that the Regents have within our education
12 system and professions and beyond. So I heartily
13 endorse the reelection of Regent Roger Tilles.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
15 Senator Montgomery on the resolution.
16 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Thank you,
17 Mr. President.
18 I rise to just say very briefly that
19 I am especially proud to be able to vote once
20 again for the reelection, I suppose, of
21 Dr. Lester Young in particular. I served with
22 him when he was superintendent of Community
23 School District 13 in the Borough of Brooklyn,
24 County of Kings.
25 And I know that some of my
1160
1 colleagues claim him as a Queens person, but I
2 must say that he has done a major contribution to
3 not just Queens, but certainly to Kings, to
4 Brooklyn, to the young people in particular in
5 the Borough of Brooklyn, especially in the
6 district that I represent.
7 He was an innovator when he was
8 superintendent of Community School District 13.
9 And he was a mentor to the other professionals
10 that he was supervisor of. He worked with
11 parents and was able to help parents understand
12 and become part and participants in their
13 children's education. He's worked with elected
14 officials in helping us to understand those
15 things that we can do that would make a
16 difference for children in our districts and in
17 our state.
18 He was responsible for developing
19 the My Brother's Keeper program, which is
20 statewide and has been very successful in helping
21 young people to improve their possibilities as
22 students. And so I am really indebted to him for
23 what he represents for children in this state.
24 And I want to also thank and
25 represent a special recognition of Dr. Kathy
1161
1 Cashin, who has also been there. I am so
2 impressed that we now have a Regents, a Board of
3 Regents that are involved, that work with us,
4 that make us know who they are and who want to
5 reach out to make sure that we're working with
6 them, and they with us, in making it a better
7 place, a better educational system, more
8 successful for our young people.
9 So I thank them. And I
10 especially want to just say to Dr. Young and
11 Dr. Cashin, we appreciate you and you are
12 Brooklyn.
13 Thank you.
14 (Laughter.)
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
16 question is on the resolution. The Secretary
17 will call the roll.
18 (The Secretary called the roll.)
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
20 Announce the results.
21 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
22 Assembly Concurrent Resolution 818, those
23 Senators recorded in the negative are
24 Senators Akshar, Amedore, Borrello, Boyle,
25 Flanagan, Funke, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming,
1162
1 Jacobs, Jordan, Lanza, O'Mara, Ortt, Ranzenhofer,
2 Robach, Seward and Tedisco.
3 Ayes, 44. Nays, 18.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
5 resolution is adopted.
6 Dr. Frances G. Wills, congrats on
7 your election to the Board of Regents. Please
8 rise and be recognized.
9 (Standing ovation.)
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
11 Gianaris.
12 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
13 let me remind my colleagues that at the
14 conclusion of session there will be a Majority
15 conference in the Majority Conference Room. And
16 with that, is there any further business at the
17 desk?
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: There
19 will be a Majority conference in the Majority
20 Conference Room.
21 There is no further business at the
22 desk.
23 SENATOR GIANARIS: I move to
24 adjourn until tomorrow, Wednesday, March 4th, at
25 11:00 a.m.
1163
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: On
2 motion, the Senate stands adjourned until
3 Wednesday, March 4th, at 11:00 a.m.
4 (Whereupon, at 4:50 p.m., the Senate
5 adjourned.)
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