Regular Session - March 4, 2020
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1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
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4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
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9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 March 4, 2020
11 11:24 a.m.
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14 REGULAR SESSION
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18 SENATOR BRIAN A. BENJAMIN, Acting President
19 ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
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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: Rabbi
9 Brian Leiken, of Temple Beth Shalom in New City,
10 will deliver today's invocation.
11 RABBI LEIKEN: Sovereign of the
12 universe, Who created all in love, teach us to
13 love all that is good and beautiful in this
14 world. Teach us to honor the dignity of
15 difference, recognizing that one who is not in
16 our image is nonetheless in Your image; never
17 forgetting that the people not like us are still
18 people -- like us.
19 At this fateful moment in the human
20 story, bless us so that we may be a blessing to
21 others. Guide the nations of the world to honor
22 You by honoring one another, so that by reaching
23 out in love we may turn enemies into friends and
24 become Your family on earth as You are our parent
25 in heaven.
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1 Beloved God, bless the members of
2 this New York State Senate. Guide their
3 deliberations, that they may govern this great
4 state with wisdom and justice, grace and
5 compassion, bringing honor to Your name and Your
6 blessing to all of humankind.
7 Amen.
8 (Response of "Amen.")
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Reading
10 of the Journal.
11 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Tuesday,
12 March 3, 2020, the Senate met pursuant to
13 adjournment. The Journal of Monday, March 2,
14 2020, was read and approved.
15 On motion, Senate adjourned.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Without
17 objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
18 Presentation of petitions.
19 Messages from the Assembly.
20 The Secretary will read.
21 THE SECRETARY: On page 33,
22 Senator Benjamin moves to discharge, from the
23 Committee on Health, Assembly Bill Number 6987A
24 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill
25 Number 6662, Third Reading Calendar 478.
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
2 substitution is so ordered.
3 THE SECRETARY: On page 33,
4 Senator Benjamin moves to discharge, from the
5 Committee on Women's Issues, Assembly Bill Number
6 6986A and substitute it for the identical Senate
7 Bill Number 6707, Third Reading Calendar 479.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
9 substitution is so ordered.
10 Messages from the Governor.
11 Reports of standing committees.
12 Reports of select committees.
13 Communications and reports from
14 state officers.
15 Motions and resolutions.
16 Senator Gianaris.
17 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
18 please recognize Senator Martinez for an
19 introduction.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
21 Senator Martinez for an introduction.
22 SENATOR MARTINEZ: Good morning,
23 Mr. President, and thank you.
24 First of all, I would like to take a
25 moment to thank Senator Brooks for bringing light
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1 to dyslexia through the Awareness Day today here
2 in Albany. This is a disorder that many
3 experience and a disorder that many don't realize
4 exists -- or maybe they don't want to admit that
5 it exists.
6 I am proud to have today in our
7 chambers a young girl who has dyslexia, and she
8 has made it her superpower. Not only is she a
9 constituent of mine, but she has volunteered in
10 my office, which has made her an honorary member
11 of my team.
12 Her name is Olivia. She is a
13 firecracker who lights up the room. She walks
14 into a room and inspires everyone; she lights up
15 the room as well. Every single person she comes
16 in contact with, she puts a smile on their face.
17 She is always eager to help the community by
18 giving back, and she's always helping out those
19 animals that need some help as well.
20 Nothing will stop this young little
21 girl from changing the world, especially the
22 world with dyslexia. And I for one cannot wait
23 to see what the future holds for her.
24 And if you could all indulge me, but
25 she has written a little bio about herself that I
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1 would like to read to the chamber today. And it
2 is titled "How to be Me."
3 "Hi, my name is Olivia Nicole
4 Ekizian. I was born and raised on Long Island.
5 I love my mommy, daddy, dog Joey and cats Fiona
6 and Chloe. I am an athlete: I am a dancer, an
7 equestrian, and I am on the swim team.
8 "I have dyslexia, which means I
9 learn differently, I think differently, and it
10 makes me special. It can help me in math.
11 Instead of using graph paper, I can do it in my
12 head. I am very good with my hands and
13 electronics, like I like LEGOs. And I like
14 bracelet-making and doing my hair and others'
15 hair as well.
16 "I am in fourth grade at Sycamore
17 Elementary School. Spelling and social studies
18 are what comes hard to me the most. When I grow
19 up, I want to be a judge, a horseback riding
20 trainer, a hair designer, or a dance teacher. Or
21 maybe all.
22 "I really like to help people and
23 animals, especially those in need. I like to
24 help animals and people in need; helping them is
25 the right thing to do. I like helping any animal
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1 and all the people around the world that need
2 support."
3 Mr. President, Olivia's superpower
4 is embracing who she is, which is why today I ask
5 you to please recognize and acknowledge Olivia
6 Ekizian to the chamber.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: To
8 Olivia and her family, I welcome you on behalf of
9 the Senate. We extend to you all of the
10 privileges and courtesies of this house.
11 Please rise and be recognized.
12 (Standing ovation.)
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Senator
14 Gianaris.
15 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
16 let's take up the reading of the calendar,
17 please.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
19 Secretary will read.
20 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
21 243, Senate Print 1951, by Senator Bailey, an act
22 to amend the New York City Civil Court Act.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
24 the last section.
25 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
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1 act shall take effect on the 180th 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: In relation to
9 Calendar Number 243, voting in the negative:
10 Senator Akshar.
11 Ayes, 59. Nays, 1.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
13 bill is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
15 262, Senate Print 1795, by Senator Rivera, an act
16 to amend the Public Health 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.
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1 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
3 bill is passed.
4 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
5 293, Senate Print 5093, by Senator Stavisky, an
6 act to amend the Education 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, 61.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
18 bill is passed.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
20 396, Senate Print 7300B, by Senator Skoufis, an
21 act to amend the Executive Law.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
23 the last section.
24 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
25 act shall take effect immediately.
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
2 the roll.
3 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
5 Announce the results.
6 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
8 bill is passed.
9 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
10 429, Senate Print 2296A, by Senator Sanders, an
11 act to amend the Urban Development Corporation
12 Act.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
14 the last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
16 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
17 shall have become a law.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
19 the roll.
20 (The Secretary called the roll.)
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
22 Announce the results.
23 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
25 bill is passed.
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1 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
2 438, Senate Print 7364, by Senator Thomas, an act
3 to amend Chapter 557 of the Laws of 2001.
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:
12 Announce the results.
13 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
15 bill is passed.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
17 466, Senate Print 2176, by Senator Bailey, an act
18 to amend the New York State Urban Development
19 Corporation Act.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
21 the last section.
22 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
23 act shall take effect immediately.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
25 the roll.
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1 (The Secretary called the roll.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
3 Announce the results.
4 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
5 Calendar Number 466, voting in the negative:
6 Senator Skoufis.
7 Ayes, 60. Nays, 1.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
9 bill is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 478, substituted earlier by Assemblymember
12 Solages, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
14 the last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
16 act shall take effect on the 30th day after it
17 shall have become a law.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
19 the roll.
20 (The Secretary called the roll.)
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
22 Announce the results.
23 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
25 bill is passed.
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1 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
2 479, Assembly Print Number 6986A, substituted
3 earlier by Assemblymember Solages, an act to
4 amend the Public Health 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: Ayes, 61.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
17 bill is passed.
18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
19 482, Senate Print 7647, by Senator Persaud, an
20 act to amend the Education Law.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Read
22 the last section.
23 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
24 act shall take effect immediately.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: Call
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1 the roll.
2 (The Secretary called the roll.)
3 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN:
4 Announce the results.
5 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
6 Calendar Number 482, those Senators voting in the
7 negative are Senators Akshar and Ortt.
8 Ayes, 59. Nays, 2.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: The
10 bill is passed.
11 Senator Gianaris, that completes the
12 reading of today's calendar.
13 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
14 let me announce some housekeeping.
15 At the conclusion of session today,
16 there will be simultaneously a meeting of the
17 Aging Committee in Room 123, a meeting of the
18 Consumers Committee in Room 124, and a meeting of
19 the Majority Conference in the Majority
20 Conference Room.
21 And with that, is there any further
22 business at the desk?
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: There
24 will be an immediate meeting of the Committee on
25 Aging in Room 123; Consumers, Room 124; and the
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1 Majority Conference in the Conference Room.
2 There is no further business at the
3 desk.
4 SENATOR GIANARIS: I move to
5 adjourn until Tuesday, March 10th, at 3:00 p.m.,
6 intervening days being legislative days.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BENJAMIN: On
8 motion, the Senate stands adjourned until
9 Tuesday, March 10th, at 3:00 p.m., intervening
10 days being legislative days.
11 (Whereupon, at 11:35 a.m., the
12 Senate adjourned.)
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