Regular Session - April 29, 2025
2169
1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
2
3
4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
5
6
7
8
9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 April 29, 2025
11 11:33 a.m.
12
13
14 REGULAR SESSION
15
16
17
18 SENATOR JEREMY COONEY, 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 COONEY: The
3 Senate will come to order.
4 I ask everyone to please rise and
5 recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
6 (Whereupon, the assemblage recited
7 the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: 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 COONEY: Reading
14 of the Journal.
15 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Monday,
16 April 28, 2025, the Senate met pursuant to
17 adjournment. The Journal of Friday, April 25,
18 2025, was read and approved. On motion, the
19 Senate adjourned.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Without
21 objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
22 Presentation of petitions.
23 Messages from the Assembly.
24 Messages from the Governor.
25 Reports of standing committees.
2171
1 Reports of select committees.
2 Communications and reports from
3 state officers.
4 Motions and resolutions.
5 Senator Gianaris.
6 SENATOR GIANARIS: We're going to
7 start with an immediate meeting of the
8 Rules Committee in Room 332, Mr. President.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: There
10 will be an immediate meeting of the
11 Rules Committee in Room 332.
12 SENATOR GIANARIS: The Senate
13 stands at ease.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
15 Senate stands at ease.
16 (Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease
17 at 11:34 a.m.)
18 (Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at
19 11:39 a.m.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
21 Senate will return to order.
22 Senator Gianaris.
23 SENATOR GIANARIS: There's a report
24 of the Rules Committee at the desk,
25 Mr. President. Please take that up.
2172
1 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
2 Secretary will read.
3 THE SECRETARY: Senator
4 Stewart-Cousins, from the Committee on Rules,
5 reports the following bills:
6 Senate Print 7672, by
7 Senator Martinez, an act to amend the
8 General Municipal Law;
9 Senate Print 7673, by
10 Senator Krueger, an act making appropriations for
11 the support of government.
12 Both bills reported direct to third
13 reading.
14 SENATOR GIANARIS: Move to accept
15 the report of the Rules Committee.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: All those
17 in favor of accepting the report of the
18 Rules Committee please signify by saying aye.
19 (Response of "Aye.")
20 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Opposed,
21 nay.
22 (No response.)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
24 report of the Rules Committee is accepted.
25 Senator Gianaris.
2173
1 SENATOR GIANARIS: Please take up
2 the supplemental calendar.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
4 Secretary will read.
5 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
6 713, Senate Print 7673, by Senator Krueger, an
7 act making appropriations for the support of
8 government.
9 SENATOR GIANARIS: Is there a
10 message of necessity and appropriation at the
11 desk?
12 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: There is
13 a message of necessity and appropriation at the
14 desk.
15 SENATOR GIANARIS: Move to accept
16 the message.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: All those
18 in favor of accepting the message please signify
19 by saying aye.
20 (Response of "Aye.")
21 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Opposed,
22 nay.
23 (Response of "Nay.")
24 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
25 message is accepted. The bill is before the
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1 house.
2 SENATOR LANZA: Lay it aside.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
4 will be laid aside.
5 SENATOR GIANARIS: Let's go to the
6 controversial calendar.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
8 Secretary will ring the bell.
9 The Secretary will read.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 713, Senate Print 7673, by Senator Krueger, an
12 act making appropriations for the support of
13 government.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Senator
15 O'Mara, why do you rise?
16 SENATOR O'MARA: Yes,
17 Mr. President. If Senator Krueger would yield
18 for some questions on this extender.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Will the
20 sponsor yield?
21 SENATOR KRUEGER: Indeed I will.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
23 sponsor yields.
24 SENATOR O'MARA: Good morning,
25 Senator.
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1 Yesterday evening, clearly with
2 great fanfare, the Governor announced a budget
3 agreement with a budget at $254 billion,
4 $10 billion above the current year or last year's
5 budget. Last year an agreement was announced,
6 and then we heard from Senator Andrea
7 Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie that they
8 didn't know what she was talking about.
9 Is there an agreement at this point
10 on this budget? And where are we?
11 SENATOR KRUEGER: There's a
12 conceptual agreement. So I think there's a
13 little more information than at this moment in
14 history last year when, again, the Governor also
15 announced that it was done when some of us were
16 like, well, not quite yet.
17 So not quite yet, but closer. We
18 are still having three-way discussions on many
19 different details within a financial plan that
20 will add up to the amount that the Governor
21 announced yesterday.
22 So we do have a general outline of
23 the amount of money coming in and being spent.
24 We are still having discussion about any number
25 of individual policy discussions within the
2176
1 budget. This extender goes through Thursday. I
2 believe we will be back here Thursday morning to
3 pass hopefully one final extender.
4 And then I do not have a crystal
5 ball, but I would guess we will probably be ready
6 to do the budget bills when we come back on
7 Monday.
8 SENATOR O'MARA: Thank you,
9 Senator.
10 Mr. President, if the Senator will
11 continue to yield.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Will the
13 sponsor yield?
14 SENATOR KRUEGER: Yes.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
16 sponsor yields.
17 SENATOR O'MARA: So have any of the
18 eight remaining budget bills been finalized in
19 print yet?
20 SENATOR KRUEGER: No.
21 SENATOR O'MARA: Through you,
22 Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to
23 yield.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Will the
25 sponsor yield?
2177
1 SENATOR KRUEGER: Yes.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
3 sponsor yields.
4 SENATOR O'MARA: Of the really -- I
5 guess the four big policy issues that have held
6 up this budget of discovery -- involuntary
7 commitment, cellphones and masks -- do you have
8 any specificity of language on what the actual
9 agreement is on any of those?
10 SENATOR KRUEGER: Through you,
11 Mr. President. I wish I had actually written
12 language to offer on all of those.
13 All I think I can say is that there
14 does -- there seems to be three-way agreement on
15 the language of all of those even if people are
16 maybe still working on the exact sentence
17 structure.
18 SENATOR O'MARA: Through you,
19 Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to
20 yield.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Will the
22 sponsor yield?
23 SENATOR KRUEGER: Yes.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
25 sponsor yields.
2178
1 SENATOR O'MARA: So -- and I guess
2 until those actual details get written down on
3 paper in bill text to share, those -- the details
4 can change, because there's a lot in the
5 semantics of these languages -- the language of
6 these proposals that can really change the whole
7 thrust of these policy issues.
8 SENATOR KRUEGER: I agree, which is
9 why I would prefer that we didn't operate in a
10 scenario where there's a press conference saying
11 there's a deal when there is only the conceptual
12 framework of a deal.
13 I personally also always prefer to
14 see things in writing. I always am telling
15 people when they make propositions to me, when
16 they suggest things to me, I'm like, Could you
17 put it in writing and let me review? I'm just a
18 legislator. I know how to read legislation. I
19 don't necessarily know how to interpret what
20 you're saying as being exactly what I'm hearing.
21 So yes, I would prefer that
22 everything was in writing. I try to work that
23 way in my personal life. But right now we do not
24 have final language for budget bills, which is
25 why we are not bringing budget bills to the floor
2179
1 or even into the legislative computer system.
2 SENATOR O'MARA: Thank you.
3 Mr. President, if the Senator will
4 continue to yield.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Will the
6 sponsor yield?
7 SENATOR KRUEGER: Yes.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
9 sponsor yields.
10 SENATOR O'MARA: Senator, one of
11 our, you know, overriding concerns with the
12 lateness of this budget has been school budgets
13 and the need to have those finalized and passed.
14 And I think we're past that point of return.
15 But at this point, with this
16 conceptual agreement, is there an agreement on
17 overall education spending for our school
18 districts? And are there school runs available?
19 SENATOR KRUEGER: Through you,
20 Mr. President. There are not school runs
21 available. Based on our conversations and
22 discussions, we in the Legislature have been
23 successful in increasing the amount of education
24 aid compared to what the Governor proposed in her
25 Executive Budget.
2180
1 SENATOR O'MARA: Through you,
2 Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to
3 yield.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Will the
5 sponsor yield?
6 SENATOR KRUEGER: Yes.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
8 sponsor yields.
9 SENATOR O'MARA: I'm sorry, I
10 didn't quite hear you. Did you say that you've
11 been successful in increasing what the
12 Governor -- because what I saw the Governor
13 present yesterday I thought -- I was told,
14 anyways -- I mean, I saw what she presented.
15 Then I was told it was the same thing that was in
16 her Executive Budget, the overall amount for
17 that.
18 SENATOR KRUEGER: So I don't know
19 that I saw what she presented yesterday. I
20 couldn't watch her press event; we were in
21 conference discussing the budget.
22 So did she put a number out?
23 SENATOR O'MARA: Yeah, it was the
24 same number that was in her Executive Budget, is
25 my understanding.
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1 SENATOR KRUEGER: Okay. So my
2 understanding is that there is an increase over
3 what she put out in her Executive Budget.
4 But again, we don't have anything in
5 writing right now.
6 SENATOR O'MARA: Again through you,
7 Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to
8 yield.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Will the
10 sponsor yield?
11 SENATOR KRUEGER: Yes.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
13 sponsor yields.
14 SENATOR O'MARA: What is your
15 understanding of how much the Legislature added
16 to her executive proposal for school funding?
17 SENATOR KRUEGER: I don't think I'm
18 in a position to be able to answer that question
19 right now. Because now you're leading me to
20 believe that perhaps what she is putting out is
21 different than my understanding of what I was
22 told, so I want to make sure.
23 Okay. I'm told that we were advised
24 there's an additional 140 million for
25 Foundation Aid and related spending on top of
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1 what the Governor originally proposed.
2 SENATOR O'MARA: Okay, thank you.
3 Mr. President, if the Senator will
4 continue to yield.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Will the
6 sponsor yield?
7 SENATOR KRUEGER: Yes.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
9 sponsor yields.
10 SENATOR O'MARA: Thank you for
11 that.
12 But until we see it in writing --
13 and any of these bills, frankly -- you know, at
14 this point we're on, what, our eighth or ninth
15 extender here now? Will we be waiting the
16 constitutionally required three-day waiting
17 period to read these bills once they're actually
18 put in print?
19 So I guess would you expect to have
20 bills in print by Friday or Saturday so that we
21 could then have that waiting period to review
22 them and take them up next week?
23 SENATOR KRUEGER: That is very much
24 my hope.
25 SENATOR O'MARA: Thank you.
2183
1 Mr. President, if the Senator will
2 continue to yield.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Will the
4 sponsor yield?
5 SENATOR KRUEGER: Yes.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
7 sponsor yields.
8 SENATOR O'MARA: Well, that's good
9 news, I think. I hope your hope is correct,
10 because it would be nice to have the time to
11 actually go through these bills in a serious and
12 comprehensive manner and, just as importantly, to
13 allow the public and a variety of interest groups
14 to review them and have input back to us on those
15 as well.
16 So do you have any sense, Senator,
17 when we'll see the first budget bills of the
18 remaining eight put into print?
19 SENATOR KRUEGER: I wish I could
20 tell you. I mean, I do know that there's a
21 continuing pattern throughout every year of the
22 Legislature, which is you are able to get the
23 least controversial ones done earliest and get
24 them out and ready.
25 And then the continuing
2184
1 negotiations -- because, clearly, negotiations
2 are not done -- on the most controversial end up
3 going into the last budget bills, which you'll
4 attack me for later when we bring them to the
5 floor. Trust me, I know this game. And you'll
6 go, Why is that issue in a revenue bill? And
7 I'll go, Because we always do the revenue bill
8 last. And you'll go, Why? Because that's the
9 way we do it. Even though I agree we shouldn't,
10 and the last topics that finally get resolved go
11 into the last two big bills.
12 So it is quite possible we could
13 have some bills done fairly quickly, but they
14 won't be the controversial ones with all the
15 things we want to know about, because those will
16 be the later ones.
17 SENATOR O'MARA: Thank you,
18 Senator.
19 Mr. President, if the Senator will
20 continue to yield.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Will the
22 sponsor yield?
23 SENATOR KRUEGER: Absolutely.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
25 sponsor yields.
2185
1 SENATOR O'MARA: Have there been
2 table targets issued yet for the general joint
3 conference committees to get together on?
4 SENATOR KRUEGER: Yes, we have
5 table targets that add up to $375 million.
6 I am not aware that there is a
7 schedule yet of discussions. But I can read
8 you -- I hope I can read this gentleman's
9 handwriting:
10 Fifteen million for economic
11 development. An additional 80 million for lower
12 education, pre-K through 12, separate from that
13 140 I already told you about. Fifteen million
14 for -- (off the record) -- 15 million for
15 environment, agriculture, housing. Twenty
16 million for general government/local government.
17 Forty-five million for health. Thirty million
18 for higher ed. One hundred 10 million for human
19 services/labor. Ten million for mental hygiene.
20 Forty-five million for public protection. Five
21 million for transportation.
22 Totaling 375 million for table
23 targets.
24 SENATOR O'MARA: Thank you.
25 Mr. President, if the Senator will
2186
1 continue to yield.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Will the
3 sponsor yield?
4 SENATOR KRUEGER: Yes, I will.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
6 sponsor yields.
7 SENATOR O'MARA: So I guess if --
8 one of those that's certainly always a target of
9 mine is our local roads, CHIPS funding and other
10 programs. But you just mentioned an additional
11 5 million towards that. That $5 million, just
12 for everybody at home watching, is still a lot of
13 money, but in a $254 billion budget it seems to
14 be a little -- a very low priority.
15 SENATOR KRUEGER: With respect, I
16 should have said this earlier. The table target
17 monies are operating funds. CHIPS would be a
18 capital program.
19 So none of these items would include
20 CHIPS or other capital expenses. Capital is
21 being negotiated separately, still not complete.
22 And I think both sides of this room have
23 supported increases in CHIPS capital money.
24 SENATOR O'MARA: Good to hear.
25 Thank you, Mr. President. That's
2187
1 all I have.
2 Thank you, Senator.
3 SENATOR KRUEGER: Thank you. Thank
4 you.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Are there
6 any other Senators wishing to be heard?
7 Hearing and seeing none, debate is
8 now closed. The Secretary will ring the bell.
9 Read the last section.
10 THE SECRETARY: Section 13. This
11 act shall take effect immediately.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
13 roll.
14 (The Secretary called the roll.)
15 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
16 the results.
17 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
18 Calendar 713, voting in the negative are
19 Senators Borrello, Lanza, Ortt and Weik.
20 Ayes, 57. Nays, 4.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
22 is passed.
23 Senator Gianaris, that completes the
24 reading of the controversial calendar.
25 SENATOR GIANARIS: Thank you,
2188
1 Mr. President.
2 Let me take a moment to recognize a
3 former colleague who is in the chamber with us.
4 From the Flower City of Rochester, Senator Rick
5 Dollinger is with us today.
6 Let's welcome him.
7 (Applause.)
8 SENATOR GIANARIS: I believe that's
9 your district that he's --
10 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Many good
11 things come out of the 56th Senate District.
12 (Laughter.)
13 SENATOR GIANARIS: Now recognize
14 Senator Weber for an introduction, please.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Senator
16 Weber for an introduction.
17 SENATOR WEBER: Thank you,
18 Mr. President.
19 Today is a very great day in Albany.
20 We have the Rockland Business Association, or the
21 RBA. They're a nonprofit organization that has
22 been serving the business community of Rockland
23 County in New York since 1967.
24 With a mission to educate, inform
25 and provide beneficial services to members and
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1 actively represent, promote and support the
2 business community of Rockland County, the RBA
3 has played a pivotal role in the growth and
4 success of countless businesses in the region.
5 The RBA started with a group of
6 40 local business leaders in 1967, and today they
7 are 500 businesses strong, ranging from small
8 businesses to large corporations. The RBA offers
9 resources and support ranging from financing to
10 business development training to helping local
11 new businesses grow.
12 The RBA also works with local, state
13 and federal officials to help navigate policies
14 and regulations that can be cumbersome,
15 obviously, to new businesses.
16 The RBA is not solely committed to
17 local businesses. They're heavily involved with
18 local charities and organizations, including
19 animal shelters, YMCAs, the Salvation Army
20 stores, and many more. In the month of May
21 alone, the RBA has 11 scheduled events over five
22 different towns and cities.
23 Again, I would not be talking about
24 the RBA today if it were not for Al Samuels. I
25 know Al Samuels is someone who is known statewide
2190
1 for his advocacy for businesses and small
2 businesses. For over 40 years he sat as the
3 president and CEO of the RBA.
4 So, Mr. President, please welcome
5 our guests to the Senate here today, and please
6 extend them all the courtesies.
7 Thank you.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Thank
9 you, Senator.
10 To our guests, I welcome you on
11 behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the
12 privileges and courtesies of this house.
13 Please rise and be recognized.
14 (Standing ovation.)
15 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Senator
16 Gianaris.
17 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President, I
18 move to adopt the Resolution Calendar, with the
19 exception of Resolutions 827 and 835.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: All those
21 in favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar,
22 with the exception of Resolutions 827 and 835,
23 please signify by saying aye.
24 (Response of "Aye.")
25 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Opposed,
2191
1 nay.
2 (No response.)
3 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
4 Resolution Calendar is adopted.
5 Senator Gianaris.
6 SENATOR GIANARIS: Now let's take
7 up previously adopted Resolution 28, by
8 Senator Sepúlveda, read its title, and recognize
9 Senator Sepúlveda.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
11 Secretary will read.
12 THE SECRETARY: Resolution 28, by
13 Senator Sepúlveda, memorializing Governor
14 Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025 as
15 Workplace Violence Prevention Month in the
16 State of New York.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Senator
18 Sepúlveda on the resolution.
19 SENATOR SEPÚLVEDA: Thank you,
20 Mr. President, for allowing me to speak on this
21 resolution.
22 Today I would like to recognize
23 Dr. Kurien Mathews from the New York American
24 College of Emergency Physicians, as well as
25 Marilyn Dollinger, Louis Calderon, and
2192
1 Diana Rodriguez from the American Nurses
2 Association of New York, who are here today to
3 highlight the importance of proclaiming April as
4 Workplace Violence Prevention Month in the State
5 of New York.
6 Every day we see news reports
7 highlighting the growing instances of violence in
8 our emergency departments. This is not just a
9 series of isolated events. It is a harsh reality
10 that these departments face regularly.
11 It is troubling that the dedicated
12 staff are subjected to being slapped, kicked,
13 pummeled, punched, or had their lives threatened.
14 This should not be the norm.
15 According to surveys by the American
16 College of Emergency Physicians and the Emergency
17 Nurses Association, almost half of the emergency
18 physicians report being physically assaulted at
19 work, and about 70 percent of emergency room
20 nurses report being hit and kicked while on the
21 job.
22 These instances of violence are
23 unacceptable and continue to contribute to the
24 ongoing crisis in New York hospitals. The issue
25 not only hardens those who work in our emergency
2193
1 departments; it threatens every patient who walks
2 in the door. It threatens our doctors, our
3 nurses, and our support staff, each one of whom
4 deserves better. Everyone is entitled to a safe
5 workplace environment.
6 Proclaiming April as Workplace
7 Violence Prevention Month in the State of
8 New York is only the first step to recognizing
9 this issue and working to make the emergency room
10 departments safer for our patients and staff,
11 those who care for them on a daily basis.
12 Let's create a future where our
13 healthcare heroes work in peace and safety and
14 every patient receives care in a secure
15 environment.
16 Thank you.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Thank
18 you, Senator Sepúlveda.
19 Senator Sepúlveda, do you have
20 guests here with us today?
21 SENATOR SEPÚLVEDA: I'd like to
22 recognize as our guests Dr. Kurien Mathews,
23 Marilyn Dollinger, Louis Calderon, and
24 Diana Rodriguez.
25 Thank you, Mr. President.
2194
1 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Thank
2 you, Senator.
3 To our guests, I welcome you on
4 behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the
5 privileges and courtesies of this house.
6 Please rise and be recognized.
7 (Standing ovation.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
9 resolution was adopted on January 14th.
10 Senator Gianaris.
11 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
12 please take up Resolution 827, by Senator Comrie,
13 read that resolution's title, and recognize
14 Senator Comrie.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
16 Secretary will read.
17 THE SECRETARY: Resolution 827, by
18 Senator Comrie, congratulating Yvonne Reddick
19 upon the occasion of her retirement as District
20 Manager after more than 40 years of distinguished
21 service to Community Board 12.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Senator
23 Comrie on the resolution.
24 SENATOR COMRIE: Thank you,
25 Mr. President, for allowing me to present this
2195
1 resolution today.
2 Ms. Reddick could not be here today,
3 but I wanted to read it into the record because
4 she has been serving as district manager --
5 working in Community Board 12 since 1981, and
6 district manager since 1989.
7 She's the first female to hold the
8 position. Queens Community Board 12 is the
9 largest community board -- second-largest
10 community board in New York City.
11 Ms. Reddick has had a vital role in
12 the development of Jamaica and indeed the
13 communities of Jamaica. As a role model and as a
14 person that was continually fighting to maintain
15 her community's confidence through so much
16 change, it reflects her commitment to protecting
17 and uplifting her constituents and her capacity
18 to see straight to the heart of people's issues.
19 Ms. Reddick was a fierce advocate to
20 fight to make sure that South Jamaica and
21 Downtown Jamaica especially was able to get
22 change. She fought for everything from the
23 removal of the J line -- those of you that may
24 know, the J line used to be an overhead train in
25 Downtown Jamaica -- fought for the installation
2196
1 of the new Parsons Boulevard and Archer Avenue
2 stations, worked to make sure that the
3 Long Island Rail Road created the AirTrain, and
4 worked also to make sure that York College had
5 the opportunity to develop as well.
6 There's not been one part of
7 Southeast Queens that hasn't been impacted by the
8 advocacy, by the knowledge and resources provided
9 by Yvonne Reddick.
10 I'm honored today we are able to
11 give her a proper personal proclamation today,
12 which we'll deliver to her at her home at another
13 time. But I just wanted to share with you that
14 she has been given so many opportunities to pass
15 on her knowledge.
16 The main thing with Yvonne Reddick
17 is that she liked to share. She liked to role
18 model. She liked to give people an understanding
19 of the intricacies of government. She would be
20 there at every major meeting in the community,
21 fighting with the administration to ensure that
22 the things that Community Board 12 needed, the
23 resources, were given equally and adequately.
24 She never failed to reach out to all
25 of the elected officials to let them know her
2197
1 commitment, her desire to see resources given to
2 Downtown Jamaica and Jamaica and the area in a
3 major way.
4 Back when we were suffering with
5 major flooding, she was one of the leaders
6 pushing my predecessor in the City Council to
7 make sure that there was major funding done to do
8 flooding relief in the area, and also to help
9 those homeowners that got flooded from
10 groundwater that wound up in the basement in
11 their homes.
12 Yvonne Reddick has never failed to
13 take on issues to fight to improve her community,
14 to fight to share the resources with other
15 community board managers and other people, to
16 ensure that people could understand the
17 intricacies of government, the policies, how
18 New York City was able to move their budget. She
19 is truly a role model and someone that I've been
20 able to count on as a mentor, as a confidant, and
21 as a friend. But, most importantly, as a patron
22 and a person that this city has depended on for
23 over 40 years, working on behalf of our
24 community.
25 So I just wanted to take this
2198
1 opportunity. Thank you, Mr. President, for
2 allowing me to talk a little bit about someone
3 that has been truly dedicated to the life of
4 New York State, improving it for all of its
5 residents.
6 And I want to thank Yvonne Reddick
7 for her service.
8 Thank you, Mr. President.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Thank
10 you, Senator Comrie.
11 The question is on the resolution.
12 All in favor signify by saying aye.
13 (Response of "Aye.")
14 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Opposed,
15 nay.
16 (No response.)
17 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
18 resolution is adopted.
19 Senator Gianaris.
20 SENATOR GIANARIS: At the request
21 of the sponsors, today's resolutions are open for
22 cosponsorship.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
24 resolutions are open for cosponsorship. Should
25 you choose not to be a cosponsor, please notify
2199
1 the desk.
2 Senator Gianaris.
3 SENATOR GIANARIS: Let's take up
4 the calendar, Mr. President.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
6 Secretary will read.
7 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
8 287, Senate Print 1540, by Senator Jackson, an
9 act to amend the Civil Service Law.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
11 last section.
12 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
13 act shall take effect immediately.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
15 roll.
16 (The Secretary called the roll.)
17 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
18 the results.
19 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
21 is passed.
22 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
23 344, Senate Print 952B, by Senator Kavanagh, an
24 act to amend the General Obligations Law.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
2200
1 last section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
3 act shall take effect on the 30th day after it
4 shall have become a law.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
6 roll.
7 (The Secretary called the roll.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
9 the results.
10 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
11 Calendar 344, those Senators voting in the
12 negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello,
13 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming,
14 Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt,
15 Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Skoufis, Stec, Tedisco,
16 Walczyk, Weber and Weik. Also Senators Murray
17 and Chan.
18 Ayes, 38. Nays, 23.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
20 is passed.
21 There is a substitution at the desk.
22 The Secretary will read.
23 THE SECRETARY: Senator Fernandez
24 moves to discharge, from the Committee on Crime
25 Victims, Crime and Correction, Assembly Bill
2201
1 Number 4159A and substitute it for the identical
2 Senate Bill 1806A, Third Reading Calendar 380.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
4 substitution is so ordered.
5 The Secretary will read.
6 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
7 380, Assembly Bill 4159A, by Assemblymember
8 Jackson, an act to amend the Correction Law.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
10 last section.
11 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
12 act shall take effect on the 60th day after it
13 shall have become a law.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
15 roll.
16 (The Secretary called the roll.)
17 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Senator
18 Fernandez to explain her vote.
19 SENATOR FERNANDEZ: Thank you so
20 much.
21 When someone is working to rebuild
22 their life, hope can be the difference between a
23 second chance and a lost opportunity. Peer
24 advocates bring that hope. They offer trust,
25 lived experience, and a hand to hold for those
2202
1 still behind bars.
2 But too often they are turned away
3 because of their past. Whether you have hired
4 anyone or even applied to a job, I think we can
5 all agree that a candidate's past experience
6 should weigh heavily on their ability to do the
7 job. That is true for virtually every job out
8 there -- except this one.
9 In fact, peer advocates are rejected
10 for the very experience required for their role.
11 I believe that when legislators have the rare
12 opportunity to fix glaring holes in the system,
13 they must take swift action. If we do not act,
14 people will suffer. That is what this bill does,
15 and that is what we are here to fight for.
16 The bill corrects this injustice.
17 It ensures that certified or licensed peer
18 advocates cannot be barred from providing support
19 in correctional facilities simply because they
20 were incarcerated themselves. We know that peer
21 support strengthens recovery, it reduces
22 recidivism, and prepares people to reenter our
23 communities with dignity and purpose.
24 Their service reminds us that no one
25 is defined by the worst chapter of their life.
2203
1 By passing this bill we stand for redemption, for
2 recovery, and for the belief that change is
3 always possible.
4 I urge my colleagues to please
5 support this legislation. Thank you.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Senator
7 Fernandez to be recorded in the affirmative.
8 Announce the results.
9 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
10 Calendar 380, those Senators voting in the
11 negative are Senators Chan, Helming, Ortt, Stec,
12 Walczyk and Weik.
13 Ayes, 55. Nays, 6.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
15 is passed.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
17 502, Senate Print 2295, by Senator Bailey, an act
18 to amend the Executive Law.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
20 last section.
21 THE SECRETARY: Section 5. This
22 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
23 shall have become a law.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
25 roll.
2204
1 (The Secretary called the roll.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
3 the results.
4 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
6 is passed.
7 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
8 568, Senate Print 2484, by Senator Parker, an act
9 in relation to directing the State Energy
10 Planning Board to conduct a study on the time
11 frames for replacing or upgrading battery energy
12 storage systems.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
14 last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
16 act shall take effect immediately.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
18 roll.
19 (The Secretary called the roll.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
21 the results.
22 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
23 Calendar 568, voting in the negative are
24 Senators Griffo, Martins, Ortt and Walczyk.
25 Ayes, 57. Nays, 4.
2205
1 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
2 is passed.
3 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4 597, Senate Print 6244, by Senator Skoufis, an
5 act to amend the Executive Law.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
7 last section.
8 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
9 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
10 shall have become a law.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
12 roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Senator
15 Skoufis to explain his vote.
16 SENATOR SKOUFIS: Thank you very
17 much, Mr. President, for allowing me to explain
18 my vote.
19 I want to express my gratitude to
20 colleagues for supporting this bill for I believe
21 the third session in a row now. This is the
22 "Lieutenant Joseph Banish Mental Health Act."
23 And as we all know, our police
24 officers throughout the state have at times
25 incredibly dangerous jobs and missions that they
2206
1 report to every day. And some days there is
2 trauma associated with those tasks that they
3 undertake.
4 And as most first responders could
5 attest, there is a brotherhood and a sisterhood
6 that develops in this profession whereby one is
7 comfortable after these traumatic events -- one
8 is more comfortable speaking with their peer in
9 the profession than going out and seeking
10 professional mental health support for some
11 individuals.
12 And so what this bill does is it
13 establishes a peer-to-peer support program within
14 the profession and, importantly, provides for the
15 same confidentiality of those conversations
16 that's offered if and when that individual would
17 otherwise go and seek a professional psychiatrist
18 or psychologist or other mental health
19 professional.
20 And so the hope is, the desire here
21 is that we can save lives, save individuals from
22 taking their own life and inflicting harm on
23 themselves and certainly make sure that they get
24 the mental health support that they need by
25 ensuring that the conversations that they can
2207
1 have with these certified peer-to-peer support
2 specialists remain confidential and offers them
3 that space to have those discussions.
4 Thank you very much, Mr. President.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Senator
6 Skoufis to be recorded in the affirmative.
7 Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick to
8 explain her vote.
9 SENATOR CANZONERI-FITZPATRICK:
10 Thank you, Mr. President.
11 I want to thank the sponsor for
12 bringing this legislation to the floor. As of
13 earlier this month, six police officers in
14 New York State have committed suicide, three of
15 whom were from Long Island. According to
16 Blue Health, New York State leads the nation in
17 suicides by first responders. That's not a
18 statistic I want us to have.
19 I pray that the number does not
20 continue to grow during this year. We've seen
21 tremendous success with peer support groups for
22 our veterans through the Dwyer Peer Support Group
23 because, as was stated, your peers know better
24 than anybody what you're going through.
25 It's my hope that we'll see this
2208
1 legislation quickly signed into action, because
2 we don't need to lose any more first responders.
3 Thank you, Mr. President. I proudly
4 vote aye.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Senator
6 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick in the affirmative.
7 Announce the results.
8 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
10 is passed.
11 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
12 636, Senate Print 5278, by Senator Sepúlveda, an
13 act to amend the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
15 last section.
16 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
17 act shall take effect on the 30th day after it
18 shall have become a law.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
20 roll.
21 (The Secretary called the roll.)
22 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
23 the results.
24 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
25 Calendar 636, those Senators voting in the
2209
1 negative are Senators Borrello, Chan, Gallivan,
2 Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martinez, Oberacker,
3 O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk,
4 Weber and Weik. Also Senator Martins.
5 Ayes, 44. Nays, 17.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
7 is passed.
8 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
9 664, Senate Print 4722, by Senator Fahy, an act
10 to amend the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
12 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 COONEY: Call the
17 roll.
18 (The Secretary called the roll.)
19 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
20 the results.
21 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
22 Calendar 664, those Senators voting in the
23 negative are Senators Borrello,
24 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo,
25 Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Murray,
2210
1 Oberacker, O'Mara, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and
2 Weik.
3 Ayes, 45. Nays, 16.
4 Oh, excuse me. Also Senator Rhoads.
5 Ayes, 44. Nays, 17.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
7 is passed.
8 There is a substitution at the desk,
9 and the Secretary will read.
10 THE SECRETARY: Senator Hinchey
11 moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules,
12 Assembly Bill Number 355C and substitute it for
13 the identical Senate Bill 1718C, Third Reading
14 Calendar 682.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:
16 Substitution so ordered.
17 The Secretary will read.
18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
19 682, Assembly Bill Number 355C, by
20 Assemblymember Barrett, an act to amend the
21 Real Property Tax Law.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
23 last section.
24 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
25 act shall take effect immediately.
2211
1 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
2 roll.
3 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
5 the results.
6 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
7 Calendar 682, voting in the negative are
8 Senators Ashby, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Lanza,
9 Martins, Mattera, Murray, O'Mara, Ortt, Skoufis,
10 Walczyk and Weik. Also Senator Stec.
11 Ayes, 49. Nays, 12.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
13 is passed.
14 There is a substitution at the desk.
15 The Secretary will read.
16 THE SECRETARY: Senator S. Ryan
17 moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules,
18 Assembly Bill Number 6770 and substitute it for
19 the identical Senate Bill 7285, Third Reading
20 Calendar 683.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:
22 Substitution so ordered.
23 The Secretary will read.
24 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
25 683, Assembly Bill Number 6770, by
2212
1 Assemblymember Griffin, an act to amend the
2 Real Property Tax Law.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
4 last section.
5 THE SECRETARY: Section 7. This
6 act shall take effect on the 30th day after it
7 shall have become a law.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
9 roll.
10 (The Secretary called the roll.)
11 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
12 the results.
13 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
14 Calendar 683, voting in the negative are
15 Senators Walczyk and Weik.
16 Ayes, 59. Nays, 2.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
18 is passed.
19 Senator Gianaris, that completes the
20 reading of today's calendar.
21 SENATOR GIANARIS: Before we
22 adjourn, Mr. President, let me remind my
23 colleagues there will be an immediate meeting of
24 the Cities 1 Committee in Room 124, and also a
25 Majority conference in the Majority Conference
2213
1 Room.
2 With that, is there any further
3 business at the desk?
4 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: So there
5 will be an immediate meeting of the Cities 1
6 Committee in Room 124.
7 And there is no further business at
8 the desk.
9 SENATOR GIANARIS: In that case, I
10 move to adjourn until tomorrow, Wednesday,
11 April 30th, at 11:00 a.m.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: On
13 motion, the Senate stands adjourned until
14 Wednesday, April 30th, at 11:00 a.m.
15 (Whereupon, at 12:18 p.m., the
16 Senate adjourned.)
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