New York State Insider: New York State Senator Shelley Mayer: DEADLINE EXTENDED: Blooming in the 'Burbs.

 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffvEdh8GAgS8AYBYHRFGYPARDFPFG1pTaWAWp-qagNGuPDaA/viewform

New York State Insider: Election Desk 2022 News: New York State Senator Pete Harckham: Sept. 17th: Birthday Celebration!

 

New York State Insider: STATEMENT BY CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR ON CONGESTION PRICING DEBACLE.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 29, 2022.

 

 

STATEMENT BY CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR ON CONGESTION PRICING DEBACLE.

 

Brooklyn, NY - “The Proposed Congestion Pricing Tax is a slap in the face to outer borough and suburban commuters struggling to make ends meet. The tax has nothing to do with reducing congestion and everything to do with bailing out a profligate MTA that has never been able to manage money.

 

“We now know that Congestion Pricing will have an adverse environmental impact on New York residential communities, while doing virtually nothing to remediate traffic in Manhattan’s core business districts. This is simply an MTA cash grab disguised as an environmental measure. 

 

“Congestion Pricing was a bad idea when it was passed in 2019, and it’s an even worse idea now. The situation has changed dramatically in the past three years, and it would be foolish not to recognize that. Covid and crime have dramatically altered commuting habits, and New York now finds itself struggling to get workers back into Manhattan offices which have historically provided billions in tax revenue to the City and State. Why on earth would we want to add a paywall to enter the exact area of the city we’re trying to revitalize?

 

“If government and MTA leaders want fewer cars on the road and more mass transit commuters, they should start by making subways and buses safe and clean. How’s that for a novel idea?”

 

New York State Insider: New York State Attorney General: Attorney General James Announces 296 Guns Turned in at Utica Gun Buyback.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  August 28, 2022.

Attorney General James Announces 296 Guns
Turned in at Utica Gun Buyback.

AG James Has Taken More Than 3,300 Firearms Out of Communities Since 2019.

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that 296 firearms, including 177 ghost guns, were turned in to law enforcement at a gun buyback event hosted by her office and the Utica Police Department. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) accepts — with no questions asked — working and non-working, unloaded firearms in exchange for compensation on site. Yesterday’s event is a part of Attorney General James’ ongoing efforts to combat gun violence and protect New Yorkers throughout the state. To date, Attorney General James has taken more than 3,300 firearms out of communities through gun buyback events and other initiatives since taking office in 2019.

“Gun violence is a scourge that devastates neighborhoods and endangers New York families,” said Attorney General James. “Gun buybacks, such as the one we hosted yesterday, are one of the many ways I am working to combat this crisis, reduce crime, and protect New Yorkers from harm. Every gun that was turned in is a potential tragedy prevented and a potential life saved, and I thank the Utica Police Department for their invaluable support and collaboration.”

Yesterday’s community gun buyback resulted in the collection of 296 guns, including 177 ghost guns, 42 long guns, 41 handguns, 33 non-working guns, and 3 assault rifles. Since 2013, OAG has hosted gun buyback events throughout New York state and has successfully collected more than 5,300 firearms. To date, Attorney General James has helped remove more than 3,300 guns out of communities since 2019.

In exchange for the firearms, OAG offered monetary compensation, in the form of prepaid gift cards, when an unloaded gun was received and secured by an officer on site.

“Reducing gun violence is a top priority of my administration,” said Utica Mayor Rob Palmieri. “The city was proactive in utilizing federal resources to hire more police officers to specifically reduce gun violence. These actions, coupled with efforts such as the gun buyback initiative, have substantive impact in addressing gun violence. I commend Attorney General James for her continued leadership on this important issue.”

“I want to thank Attorney General Letitia James and the Utica Police Department for hosting a very important gun buyback event,” said Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon. “These events are to get guns off our streets! Both agencies work to make these event accessible for all that have a gun or guns that need to be turned over to the authorities.”

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Pete Harckham: The Senate Majority Matters.

 

Before 2019, the New York State Senate was where all progressive reforms went to die.

 

With your help, once Democrats won control of the State Senate four years ago, we were able to pass groundbreaking laws and budgets to safeguard our residents and strengthen our communities.

 

Laws protecting women’s health. Common sense gun safety laws. The nation’s most ambitious climate change laws. Middle-class tax cuts. And record investments in education.

 

But our progress is threatened now—by Donald Trump’s reactionary right-wing Supreme Court.

 

We maintain our Democratic majority in the State Senate, and we will protect the reforms we made.

 

Sincerely,

Pete

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Shelley Mayer: Senator Mayer Presents Jirandy Martinez With Women of Distinction Award.

 

Senator Mayer Presents Jirandy Martinez

With Women of Distinction Award.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFqbekz4TIo (Mamaroneck, NY) – On Women’s Equality Day, New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer presented Community Resource Center Executive Director Jirandy Martinez, a lifelong advocate for social justice and immigrant rights, with the 2022 New York State Senate Women of Distinction Award.   Senator Shelley B. Mayer said: “I am thrilled to present Jirandy with the 2022 Women of Distinction Award. Jirandy has been an indispensable force for structural social, political, and economic change in the lives of immigrants in Westchester and across New York. Most recently, in the wake of Hurricane Ida last September, which devastated Mamaroneck and destroyed the Community Resource Center’s building, Jirandy and her team assisted over 300 community members whose lives were upended by the storm. She is a tremendous force for good in our community and is extremely deserving of this award.” Community Resource Center Executive Director Jirandy Martinez said: “I am honored. This award is not mine alone – it belongs to my team and to the people. I hope that other young women who identify as first generation, immigrant, daughters of working families, feel as proud and inspired as I do to receive this Women of Distinction Award. ¡Si se puede!” A Mamaroneck native and daughter of hard-working Colombian immigrants, Martinez started her work with CRC in 2008 as an ESL teacher. Since becoming executive director in 2016, she and her team have dedicated themselves to empowering immigrant and low-income families by providing the resources and advocacy to help them become self-reliant and thriving members of the community. Currently, CRC serves over 3,800 individuals in Westchester County through grassroots direct-service and partnerships with dozens of community organizations.  The New York State Senate Women of Distinction Award is given annually to one woman in each Senate District for her outstanding contributions to the community. A virtual ceremony recognizing all the 2022 honorees is available on the New York State Senate website. Senator Mayer has previously honored Elizabeth Baird Saenger, Rhiannon Navin and Nicole Scheindlin with this award.

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Shelley Mayer: Senator Mayer Delivers $245K for Tuckahoe Community Projects.

 

Senator Mayer Delivers $245K for Tuckahoe Community Projects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz_w76Ui5fk

(Tuckahoe, NY) – New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer and Tuckahoe Mayor Omayra Andino today announced the completion of construction on the bathroom facilities at the Tuckahoe Community Center and Public Library, located on Columbus Avenue, and the replacement of the tennis court at Main Street Park. Three state grants totaling $245,000, secured by Senator Mayer through the State and Municipal Facilities Program (SAM), were used to fund these projects.  Senator Shelley B. Mayer said: “The Tuckahoe Community Center, Tuckahoe Public Library and Main Street Park tennis court all contribute to the vibrancy of our community. I am thrilled to deliver $245,000 in funding to ensure these community hubs continue to thrive for many years to come. Thank you to Mayor Omayra Andino and the village for your vision and dedication to these projects.” Tuckahoe Mayor Omayra Andino said: “I want the residents of Tuckahoe to know what a fantastic supporter we have in our State Senator Shelley Mayer. She’s not only come through for these projects, but she’s come through before, and she always keeps Tuckahoe in the forefront of her mind. These are not just bathrooms and tennis courts. These are quality of life projects.”   Of the total funding, a $125,000 grant was used to remodel two bathrooms at the Tuckahoe Community Center, and a $65,000 grant was used to remodel two bathrooms at the Tuckahoe Public Library. Each bathroom features eco-friendly low-flow toilets and sinks, LED Lighting and baby changing stations. Additionally, new filtered water bottle filling stations and fountains were installed outside the bathrooms at both facilities.   A third grant of $55,000 was used to replace the tennis court at Main Street Park. This project also included upgrading the fencing surrounding the court.  Senator Mayer and Mayor Andino were joined by Village Trustees Cara Kronen, Darryl Taylor and Nicole Englebert, Village Administrator David Burke, Tuckahoe Community Center Director John Galluzzi, and Tuckahoe Public Library Director Swadesh Pachnanda amongst other supporters and friends of the village at the Tuckahoe Community Center for the announcement.  Trustee Cara Kronen said: “Thank you to State Senator Shelley Mayer and the entire New York State Senate for the generosity and the help and support that they offer us. These public spaces, and all of our public spaces, are really the heartbeat of our village. They’re gathering points, they’re shelters in a storm, they’re so meaningful and we are so grateful for the work of Senator Mayer’s team and the village administration.”  Trustee Darryl Taylor said: “I would like to thank Senator Mayer for her continued support for the village of Tuckahoe. She has been a staunch supporter in the past and we look forward to continuing to work with her to help make Tuckahoe a better village and enhance the village overall.”    Trustee Nicole Engelbert said: “It takes a village to have an amazing village, like Tuckahoe. But it sure doesn’t hurt to have the amazing support from our State Senator Shelley Mayer as well as the entirety of the New York Senate. I encourage everyone to come on down and check out our beautiful community center, our vibrant library, and the amazing park on Main Street.”

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Shelley Mayer: Media Advisory: Senator Mayer Presents Jirandy Martinez With Women of Distinction Award.

 

Senator Mayer Presents Jirandy Martinez With Women of Distinction Award.

Friday, August 26 4 p.m.  Community Resource Center 134 Center Avenue Mamaroneck, NY 10543 State Senator Shelley B. Mayer to present New York State Senate Women of Distinction Award to Community Resource Center Executive Director Jirandy Martinez on Women’s Equality Day. This Award is given annual to one woman in each Senate District for her outstanding contributions to the local community.

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Shelley Mayer: Media Advisory: Senator Mayer Delivers $245K for Tuckahoe Community Projects.

 

Senator Mayer Delivers $245K for Tuckahoe Community Projects.

Thursday, August 25 11 a.m. Tuckahoe Community Center  71 Columbus Ave, Tuckahoe, NY 10707 New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer and Tuckahoe Mayor Omayra Andino to announce completion of state-funded upgrades to the bathroom facilities at the Tuckahoe Community Center and the Tuckahoe Public Library, and the replacement of the tennis court at Main Street Park.

New York State Insider: STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR CONGRATULATES REPUBLICAN-CONSERVATIVE PRIMARY WINNERS.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 24, 2022.

STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR CONGRATULATES REPUBLICAN-CONSERVATIVE PRIMARY WINNERS.

 

 

Brooklyn, NY - “The New York State Conservative Party is proud to have backed six congressional primary winners in last night’s elections — Nick LaLota (NY-1); Andrew Barbarino (NY-2); Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11); Brandon Williams (NY-22); Nick Langworthy (NY-23), and Claudia Tenney (NY-24). The Conservative Party also congratulates Assemblyman Mike Lawler (NY-17), whom we endorsed, for his Republican and Conservative primary victories Tuesday night. And though he fell short in a razor-thin-margin race yesterday, we have every confidence that Conservative Party-backed candidate Marc Molinaro (NY-19) will prevail in November’s general election. 

“These eight congressional candidates, along with other Conservative-backed candidates for Congress, State Senate, and State Assembly, represent the coming vanguard of common-sense change in America. They offer New York families relief from President Biden’s, Nancy Pelosi’s and Charles Schumer’s inflationary spending agenda, lower taxes, stronger crime fighting measures, and greater parental involvement in schools. 

“The Conservative Party will work day and night for the next 10 weeks to elect each of these candidates — and all Conservative backed candidates — to public office. Progressivism has left New York less safe, more expensive, and deeply disillusioned. We can’t remember a time when change was more needed.”

 

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Shelley Mayer: Submit Your Summer Reading Log.

 

It’s important to keep reading skills up, even when school is out. Let me know what your kids read this summer to earn their Summer Reading Program Certificate of Achievement!

https://www.nysenate.gov/nyread

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Shelley Mayer: Summer in Senate District 37.

 

Wonderful to join Jeni Long-Wallace at the Matthew Wallace Foundation Annual Softball Tournament to keep Matthew’s memory alive with the

spirit of giving. I was honored to throw the first pitch! 

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Shelley Mayer: Advocating for Workers.

 

In the early days of the pandemic, the New York State Department of Labor received an unprecedented number of applications for unemployment assistance. Many who submitted applications did not hear back for weeks, and in some cases months. To this day, I continue to receive calls from constituents who receive no response from the Department of Labor after they submit their application.

It is an extremely real and frustrating issue, which is why I sponsored legislation with Assemblyman Chris Burdick to require the Department of Labor to notify unemployment assistant claimants of their approval status within 30 days. It passed both houses during the legislative session and now awaits the Governor’s signature. Let’s celebrate Labor Day and the workers of New York early by advocating for this bill to be signed into law! Contact the Governor Kathy Hochul’s office to express your support for this bill.

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Shelley Mayer:Legislative Update: Keeping Seniors in Their Homes & Supporting First-Time Homebuyers.

 

On August 8, I was pleased to join Governor Kathy Hochul in Yonkers for a bill signing at Dayspring Community Center. The newly signed legislation aims to help keep seniors in their homes and to support first time homebuyers. 

The legislative package included: 

• S.3085A/A.3956A, sponsored in the Senate by Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, allows municipalities to increase the maximum income eligible for New York's real property tax exemption to $50,000 for people age 65 and over and people with disabilities. Previously, the maximum income eligible was $29,000 per year outside of New York City for seniors and people with disabilities.  

• S.8890/A.9135, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Brian Kavanagh, extends the option for local municipalities to provide a property tax exemption for first-time homebuyers purchasing newly constructed homes through 2028. Previously, the option was set to expire at the end of this year.  

• S.9193/A.10271, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Michelle Hinchey, provides greater benefits on a more flexible timeline for senior homeowners in need of emergency repairs by increasing the deadlines for RESTORE projects to 60 days and the maximum cost allowed per project to $20,000.  

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Shelley Mayer: Legislative Update: Holocaust Education Bill Signed Into Law.

 

New York has taken an important step forward in addressing increasing hatred and acts of antisemitism by strengthening the existing requirement in the NYS Education Law that the Holocaust be taught in NYS schools.

On August 10, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to ensure schools are properly educating students about the Holocaust; to require museums publicly acknowledge the origins of art pieces that were stolen from Europeans during the Nazi era, primarily from Jewish families; and to require the New York State Department of Financial Services to maintain and update a list of financial institutions that waive wire fees associated with Holocaust reparations payments. 

We must never forget the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, and we must ensure the next generation is fully educated about its horrors. I am especially grateful to my colleagues Senator Anna Kaplan and Assemblymember Nily Rozic for their leadership on this issue.

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Shelley Mayer: $325K Secured for Crawford Park.

 

Rye Town Administrator Debbie Reisner, Director of Grounds and Facilities Vic Federico, Assemblyman Steve Otis, Rye Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman, Rye Town Administrator’s Office Staff Jeni Wallace, Senator Shelley Mayer, Rye Brook Youth Soccer Club President Tony Paterno.

I was thrilled to announce $325,000 in state funding awarded to the Town of Rye for Crawford Park with Assemblyman Steve Otis on August 2.  The $200,000 I secured through the State and Municipal Facilities Program (SAM) will be used to improve the ball fields, which are used for football, baseball, softball, volleyball and softball. The project includes adding ADA compliant bleachers, sport benches, a chain link backstop and water bottle filling station, and will increase youth access to healthy outdoor recreation. The $125,000 secured by Assemblyman Otis will be used to reconstruct the one-mile trail that circumnavigates the park – increasing accessibility and addressing safety concerns of visitors.  Thank you to Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman and the Town of Rye for your continued commitment to making Crawford Park a hub for all residents and surrounding community members to enjoy.

New York State Insider: Statement from New York State Senator Shelley Mayer.

 

Dear Friends, I hope that with diminished COVID numbers, and some warm weather, you are enjoying your summer and spending time with family and loved ones! I am happy that I was finally able to see my siblings, nephews, cousins and of course, all my grandchildren together!  I continue to be a strong advocate for abortion and women’s health rights here in New York in the face of the Dobbs Supreme Court decision. On August 9, I authored a letter, together with 31 of my New York State Senate Democratic colleagues, urging the FDA to remove burdensome regulations and improve access to the abortion pill mifepristone. Existing restrictions are not justified given the safety and efficacy of this medication.  As Chair of the Senate Education Committee, I continue to be focused on recovery from COVID, as well as supporting our students on their continuum of learning towards good-paying and rewarding jobs. The need for effective pathways from elementary and high school to college and onto well-paying careers has been one of the greatest educational challenges of our time. P-TECH, or Pathways in Technology Early College High School Program, is an excellent option for some students here in New York State. I encourage you to read my post featured on the Albert Shanker Institute blog about P-TECH.  In other news, I am pleased to share that after much work, the Legislature passed and Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to ensure our students are properly educated about the Holocaust. I worked hard with my colleagues Senator Anna Kaplan and Assemblymember Nily Rozic to get this bill to the finish line. More on this and other topics is available below.  As summer comes to a close, home gardens across our district are blooming! Submit yours to my home garden showcase, Blooming in the ’Burbs, by Monday, August 29. And don’t forget to submit your child’s summer reading log! Each child who submits a form by September 1 will receive a Certificate of Achievement. More information available below. Warm regards,

Shelley B. Mayer State Senator 37th District

New York State Insider: STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 23, 2022.

 

STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR. 

 

 

Brooklyn, NY - “Governor Kathy Hochul owes millions of New Yorkers an apology they’ll never get. Mrs. Hochul, like Governor Andrew Cuomo before her, genuinely believes that people who object to her extreme views on abortion, cashless bail, and the environment have no business living in New York State. Her statement was as arrogant as it was embarrassing. 

 

“Mrs. Hochul’s fear of opposing opinions telegraphs just how concerned she is about Lee Zeldin and Marc Molinaro in November. It’s no wonder she wants to ship them out of state.” 

 

New York State Insider: New York State Attorney General's Office: Attorney General James Announces Indictment of New York City Correction Officer on Murder and Manslaughter Charges.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 22, 2022.

Attorney General James Announces Indictment of New York City
Correction Officer on Murder and Manslaughter Charges.

Dion Middleton Was Off-Duty When He Allegedly Fatally
Shot 18-Year-Old Raymond Chaluisant in the Bronx.

 

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the indictment of Dion Middleton, 45, of the Bronx, on charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Manslaughter in the First and Second Degrees. The indictment alleges Middleton, an off-duty Correction Officer, shot and killed 18-year-old Raymond Chaluisant in the Bronx in the early morning hours of Thursday, July 21, 2022. 

 

Middleton was arraigned today before State Supreme Court Justice Dennis Boyle. Bail remained at $1 million bond or partially secured bond, with $500,000 cash or credit card alternatives, with the added condition of an ankle monitor in the event Middleton makes bail. Middleton is due back in court on November 16, 2022. Murder in the Second Degree carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. 

  

On Thursday, July 21, shortly after 1 a.m. during an encounter in the vicinity of the Cross Bronx Expressway and Morris Avenue in the Bronx, Middleton is alleged to have shot at a car in which Raymond Chaluisant was a passenger, killing Chaluisant. Middleton then left the scene and reported to work later that morning, where he was apprehended by the New York City Police Department (NYPD). 

 

Pursuant to New York Executive Law Section 70-b, the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Office of Special Investigation (OSI) assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person, by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident. 

 

The OAG would like to thank NYPD and the Bronx District Attorney’s office for their partnership. 

 

Criminal charges are accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty at trial or by plea.