New York State Insider: New York State Senator Pete Harckham: Learn how to Save a Life, Free Narcan Training in Ossining.

 

Please join me, New York State Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg and the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps for a free community Narcan training on Wednesday, May 31 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 pm. Participants will learn how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose and how to administer nasal naloxone (Narcan).The training will be held at the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 8 Clinton Avenue, Ossining, NY, 10562.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kTaaOl5hvm4xAbWn8IR2_oOPzf3cjb7wOewShxZudFU/viewform?edit_requested=true

New York State Insider: NYS Conservative Party introduces "Patriots Podium" Podcast.

 

Introducing "Patriots Podium" - A New Voice in Conservative Thought.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of a brand new thought-provoking conservative podcast, "Patriots Podium," produced by the New York State Conservative Party! This captivating podcast is dedicated to providing a platform for discussions on conservative values, policies, and the future of our great nation. 

In an era marked by constant change and diverse opinions, "Patriots Podium" aims to provide a reliable source of conservative thought and analysis. Hosted by Chairman Jerry Kassar of the New York State Conservative Party, "Patriots Podium" offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from influential conservative voices. Our host, who brings decades of experience and a deep commitment to conservative principles, will explore a wide range of topics that matter to conservatives across the country. 

To join the conversation, we encourage you to subscribe and listen to "Patriots Podium" on: Youtube, Buzzsprout, Spotify, and Apple Music. Episodes can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, and our website CPNYS; Follow us for daily news, events, and much more!

The first episode of "Patriots Podium" featuring Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo can be found here: 

For our next episode, scheduled to release Friday June 2nd, we will be featuring Alison Esposito, former candidate for Lieutenant Governor. You won't want to miss this!

New York State Insider: STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 25, 2023

 

CONSERVATIVE PARTY BLASTS BILL TO CREATE SPECIAl TAX BENEFITS FOR ABORTION, SEX-CHANGE OPERATIONS FOR NEW STATE RESIDENTS.

“Move to New York and get paid to have an abortion or sex-change operation at the expense of your new neighbors; that’s this bill in a nutshell.”

Brooklyn-NY…The New York State Conservative Party adamantly opposes legislation (S6637) just submitted by Senator Michele Hinchey (D-Hudson Valley) that would provide a personal income tax credit to new New Yorkers who have an abortion or sex change operation within the state. The bill would effectively subsidize the procedures with money provided by existing New York State taxpayers. 

“Move to New York and get paid to have an abortion or sex-change operation at the expense of your new neighbors; that’s this bill in a nutshell,” said New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar. “New York is losing population faster than any state in America. God help us if this is our new recruitment plan. 

“Bills like Senator Hinchey’s demonstrate just how frighteningly left-wing Democrat-led New York has become,” Mr. Kassar continued. “New Yorkers, who pay some of the highest taxes in America, expect their tax dollars to go to true public services like education, public safety, and infrastructure repair — not to people moving to the state to have an abortion or to change genders. It’s remarkable that this even needs to be said. The Conservative Party opposes this legislation in the strongest possible terms.” 

New York State Insider: STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 23, 2023

 

Statement on Machete-Wielding Hunter College Professor by Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar. 

Brooklyn-NY…“Hunter Professor Shellyne Rodriguez has no business teaching young minds, and CUNY is right to dismiss her. New York City and State must ensure that Ms. Rodriguez is not rehired by any other public college or university in the state. 

“In verbally attacking a pro-life student group — and holding a machete to the neck of a New York Post reporter — Ms. Rodriguez is demonstrating just how deranged and ideological strident some on the academic left have become. The right to life is a legitimate public policy debate, and students have every right to express their opinions on the matter. But in academia today, any dissension of progressive orthodoxy comes at a price. Sadly, many moderate to conservative students now hold their tongues rather than risk the wrath of professors and administrators. 

“Ms. Rodriguez’s actions are an embarrassment to a CUNY system that seems to move farther and farther to the political left each year. Demanding that students agree with progressive positions is not education, it’s indoctrination. How far CUNY has fallen.” 

New York State Insider: STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 22, 2023

 

CONSERVATIVE PARTY: SUICIDE BILL.

‘SLIPPERY SLOPE THAT MUST NOT BE BREACHED’.

Brooklyn-NY…“The so-called Medical Aid in Dying Act (S.2445) would let New York doctors prescribe fatal chemicals to terminally ill patients for self-administration, providing that the patients are mentally competent.

“This legislation represents the slipperiest of slopes, and it must not be made law. Who can truly determine one’s mental competence at such a time? How would patients be protected from subtle coercion from health providers, insurance companies, and distraught family members? Who can assess whether a patent is making a decision based on clear thinking and not situational depression?

“Canada allowed eligible Canadian adults to request medical assistance in dying starting in 2016. In just seven years, Canada’s MAiD law degenerated into euthanasia for the sick and poor. Indeed, every state and nation that has adopted pro-suicide legislation has loosened its original requirements.

“Some may think this bill makes perfect sense. We ask that they think more deeply. This is not the path for a society that values life.” -

New York State Insider: New York State Assemblywoman Mary Jane Shimsky 92nd District: New York State's Final 2023-24 Budget.

 

Dear Friends,

After an additional month of negotiations and debate, New York State enacted a budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year. It is often said that a budget is not just a list of numbers, but a statement of values. While not everything the Legislature asked of the Governor made it into the final budget, the final spending and investment plan should improve the lives of all New Yorkers.

These are some highlights from the Fiscal Year 2023-34 Budget:

EDUCATION

Every public school district in New York will be fully funded for the first time since the State adopted the Foundation Aid formula in 2007. This year’s $2.6 billion increase brings total Foundation Aid up to $24 billion, and it couldn’t have come at a more critical time, as the 2% cap on year-to-year increases has left our districts struggling to keep up with the rate of inflation. There is more work to be done to make sure the formula is equitable, which we hope to address for the 2024-25 fiscal year, but this year's increase represents a significant stride for our schools and our children.

The increases in Foundation Aid funding makes a big difference in the overall funding increases to almost all of our school districts. The 2023-24 school aid increases for each of our school districts are as follows:

$4 million increase for Ardsley Union Free School District

$1.8 million increase for Dobbs Ferry Union Free School District

$2 million increase for Elmsford Union Free School District

$1.6 million increase for Hastings-on-Hudson Union Free School District

$233,497 increase for Greenburgh Central 7*

$2.2 million increase for Irvington Union Free School District

$2.7 million increase for Mount Pleasant Central School District

$2 million increase for Pleasantville Union Free School District

$149,306 decrease for Pocantico Hills Central School District**

$4 million increase for Public Schools of the Tarrytowns

$1.3 million increase for Valhalla Union Free School District

$14 million increase for Yonkers Public Schools

The education budget also provides $135 million to expand free school meal programs by up to 300,000 more students, $115 million for Schools for the Blind and Deaf (4201 Schools), and an increase of $150 million for Universal Prekindergarten (UPK). The Child Tax Credit will be extended to families with children under 4 years old

There will be no tuition increase this year for New York’s SUNY and CUNY students, with the budget’s increase of $281 million in operating aid. The budget provides an additional $3 billion in much-needed capital funding for the two systems. As a CUNY graduate myself, I was determined to see that our public universities — which make the difference in so many lives and in our communities — continue to provide affordable, quality educational opportunities to our residents.

HEALTH

The State is making a significant new commitment to health programs, facilities, and care providers. These are led by increases of nearly $395 million for Medicaid hospital reimbursements, $890 million to create 3,500 new mental health residential units, $216 million for nursing home and assisted living programs, and $324 million for a 4% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for human services providers.

The health budget also establishes the Daniel’s Law Task Force, to identify ways the State can better care for individuals in mental health and substance-use crises, and provides $34 million for youth mental health programs, including $10 million to fund suicide prevention programs for high-risk youth.

HOUSING

The Governor's Housing Compact and Transit-Oriented Development proposals were removed from the budget. The Housing Compact as proposed would have created more housing stock without addressing the need for affordable housing; Transit-Oriented Development would have overridden local zoning laws to fast-track high-density luxury development. Instead, housing policy will be negotiated as part of the regular legislative process, outside of the budget.

To help keep New Yorkers housed and to promote home ownership, $1.1 billion has been allocated to rental assistance programs, including $391 million for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and $25 million for a new First-Time-Homeowner program to help qualifying families cover down payments and closing costs. The budget also provides $50 million for eviction prevention legal services, and $60 million in RESTORE-NY funding to help municipalities revitalize both commercial and residential properties.

CLIMATE PROTECTION

One of our biggest environmental accomplishments this year is the phasing out of gas service in all new buildings constructed after 2028. (New buildings under seven stories will be fully electric after 2025.) This will not require anyone who currently owns a gas appliance to retrofit their home with an electric appliance. However, the State has set aside $400 million for those who opt to retrofit their homes with electric appliances to reduce their carbon footprint.

The budget provides $500 million for clean-water infrastructure, $400 million for the Environmental Protection Fund, $200 million to expand the Energy Affordability Program, and $200 million to support NYSERDA's EmPower Plus program for energy-efficiency upgrades. It also authorizes the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to build renewable energy projects to fill the gaps in meeting State climate goals.

TRANSPORTATION

This year, we will see an increase of $100 million for local roads and bridges. $60 million will go to the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) and $40 million to State Route NY, which reimburses municipalities for capital projects on state touring routes. It is funding for which I had most strongly advocated, and which Assembly Speaker Heastie included in the Assembly’s One-House Budget Bill, and it brings the State’s total allocation for local roads and bridges to $1.3 billion.

With regard to public transportation, a reallocation of casino licensing fees will provide $1.15 billion in new funding to the troubled MTA — preventing an increase in the payroll mobility tax on our suburbs. The MTA will also receive $165 million in new revenues from New York City paratransit, $70 million for frequency and security enhancements, and $65 million to minimize a proposed fare hike, as well as a one-time subsidy of $300 million. An additional $15 million has been allocated to a zero-fare bus pilot program for one free bus line in each borough.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

The most contested issue between the Legislature and Governor was bail reform, with the outcome being the removal of “least restrictive means” language from the law; this will allow judges more discretion in deciding how to ensure defendants return to court for their trial. An increase to $170 million in total discovery funding will help ensure more accurate outcomes in legal cases, as should $40 million for New York State Aid to Defense and $20 million for immigrant legal and other services. More than $110 million has been allocated to anti-gun violence initiatives, $30 million to combat bias crime and harassment, and $6.5 million to rape crisis centers.

MINIMUM WAGE

To offset inflation, the State will increase the minimum wage to $17/hour in New York City and Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties by 2026, and to $16/hour in the rest of the state. Future increases will be indexed to the rate of inflation, with any pause lasting no more than two consecutive years. As mentioned above, human services providers will receive a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) of 4% out of consideration the higher levels of demand their jobs entail. While these rate increases are less than the Legislature had sought, they will bring some financial relief to our essential workers.

LOCAL NONPROFITS

The Westchester delegation worked together to restore funding in the budget to Choice Matters, El Centro Hispano, Latino U College Access (LUCA), and other local not-for-profit organizations and programs.

These allocations include:

$525,000 to Afya Foundation

$30,000 to Choice Matters

$150,000 to El Centro Hispano

$350,000 to LUCA

$180,000 to Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

* Greenburgh Central 7 received a smaller amount than neighboring school districts, however it met their expectation for a 3% increase in 2023-24.

** The decrease for Pocantico Hills Schools is a correction that brings its funding in line with the Foundation Aid formula.

 

 

Should you want to review the budget in greater detail, please go to FY 2024 Enacted Budget Overview on the New York State website. 

If you have any questions about the budget, or any other concerns, feel free to contact my Albany office at 518-455-5753 or Tarrytown district office at 914-631-1605, or email me at shimskym@nyassembly.gov.

Sincerely,

MaryJane Shimsky

Assemblymember 92nd District

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Pete Harckham: Promises Kept: Record School Aid in FY2024 State Budget.

 

This year we did it! We fully funded school Foundation Aid, leveling the playing field for underfunded districts and benefiting a number of communities here in Senate District 40. That’s right. I recently held a press conference, along with Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg, Ossining Schools Superintendent Dr. Raymond Sanchez and Peekskill Schools Superintendent Dr. David Mauricio, to share details of the historic FY2024 state budget investments in public education.

In the 40th Senate District, the 18 school districts received $541 million of school aid in the FY2024 State Budget—an increase of $86.1 million in funding. These districts, on average, saw an 18.92% increase in funding. Foundation Aid for these districts: $358.1 million in Foundation Aid, an increase of $75.9 million or 27%. All this is about ensuring our schools are funded properly and getting students back on track after three years of pandemic schooling. It means giving educators and administrators the resources to meet the challenges ahead. When I was elected to the State Senate, my promise to residents of the 40th Senate District was to make strong and equitable funding for our schools a top priority. Thank you! Sincerely, Pete

New York State Insider: STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 15, 2023

 

STATEMENT ON OCASIO-CORTEZ STAFFER BECOMING NEW YORK STATE COMMUNIST PARTY LEADER BY STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR.

Brooklyn-NY…“An aide to radical New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has graduated from her indoctrination training to become co-chairman of The New York Communist League. What’s perhaps most shocking is that this isn’t shocking at all. Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, who calls herself a Democratic Socialist, has long flirted with Marxist ideology, ignoring the horrors of totalitarianism and the tens of millions of deaths that Communists have caused around the world in the perverted name of equality.  

“Did Ms. Ocasio-Cortez and her minions not study history in high school? Are they really not aware of what happened in the Soviet Union, China, North Korea, Kampuchea, Ethiopia, Cuba, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Nicaragua, etc?  

“It’s a serious question.” 

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Pete Harckham: SATURDAY: Join me for a Coffee and Conversation.

Please join me for my next Coffee & Conversation, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, May 13 at the Brewster Public Library, 79 Main St., Brewster, NY. I will be discussing the recently adopted New York State budget, as well answering your questions. Coffee is on me!

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Pete Harckham: Join me for a Coffee and Conversation, May 13.

 

Please join me for my next Coffee & Conversation, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, May 13 at the Brewster Public Library, 79 Main St., Brewster, NY. I will be discussing the recently adopted New York State budget, as well answering your questions. Coffee is on me!

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Pete Harckham: Save a life, donate blood May 11th in Ossining.

 

I will be hosting my fifth blood drive in partnership with the New York Blood Center (NYBC), from 1 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, at the Ossining Public Library, 53 Croton Avenue. Donating blood can saves lives. My last drive collected enough blood to save 235 lives. To register to donate https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/304997?fbclid=IwAR14YjRUKjae82K3oAtGqrakPdrfs-Tmo2Ui8JQmgM0jyTKMv2mDRoUYmUs&emci=62ba4b93-b1ed-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&emdi=32c5e125-caed-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&ceid=5849510

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Pete Harckham: 2023-24 State Budget – Progress and Prosper.

Fiscal plan fully funds education, improves healthcare access, boosts economic opportunities

I am pleased to announce that the State Legislature has passed the FY2024 State Budget that includes funding to support education, improve healthcare access and create more economic opportunities while also focusing on issues like affordability, public safety and climate change.   Many New Yorkers, especially middle-class workers, students and seniors, are still struggling to get back on their feet and recover economically and emotionally from the Covid-19 pandemic, and this new State Budget addresses their needs. The best way to strengthen our communities statewide is to support our workforce and small businesses, help children succeed in school and make important and equitable investments in areas that truly make a difference in people’s lives - housing, mental health and our environment. Those are some of the priorities addressed in this budget, and I thank Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for her leadership during this budget process.   Some highlights:

$43.5 billion support for local schools with $530 million state aid in the 40th Senate District, fulfilling our commitment to quality education for all NY’s children with additional funding for every school in our district and funds for Universal Pre-K & School Meals; $1 billion for mental healthcare, the largest investment in a generation, to increase inpatient psychiatric treatment capacity, dramatically expanding outpatient services, and boosting insurance coverage; $347 million to fund evidence-based gun violence reduction programs; $118 million to support a capital fund for volunteer firefighters; $3 Million for study of Routes 35 and 202 and Bear Mountain Parkway; $2.4 million for 2-1-1 community service information hosted by United Way of Westchester and Putnam

Many of the initiatives in the new budget will have a strong and positive impact on the 40th Senate District, particularly in areas such as rising utility costs, public safety, youth programs, volunteer firefighters and veterans. https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/pete-harckham/harckham-welcomes-fy2024-state-budget-helping-new-yorkers?emci=d2007892-52eb-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&emdi=cda0564f-16ec-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&ceid=5849510

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New York State Insider: State Senator Shelley Mayer: Community Update: Budget Passes and what it Include.

 

Dear Friends,  I am pleased to share that the Senate and Assembly passed, and the Governor signed the FY 2023-2024 New York State Budget. Like every budget, this budget is a result of compromise, with wins and losses. But I am proud of many of the successes, especially the historic investments we are making in our public schools and in other areas that will address the challenges we face.  Below is a summary of some of the significant accomplishments in the budget.  Historic Investment in Education  As Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, I am proud of the historic investments New York State is making in this budget for our public schools. We know that one of the most important investments the state can make is an investment in the future.  Foundation Aid: After a prolonged fight, we are finally in the third and final year of fully paying the Foundation Aid Formula, which was designed in 2007 to ensure that every child receives a “sound basic education,” and that districts are funded based on need, not politics. This transformative investment in our K-12 public schools is the largest annual school aid funding in New York State’s history. This moment is a testament to the leadership of our Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and the persistence of my colleague, Senator Robert Jackson and so many advocates who have fought tirelessly alongside me to achieve what our students are owed, need, and deserve.  Full Day Pre-K for 4-Year-Olds: New York State is investing $150 million in pre-K funding, including funds to increase reimbursement rates for early adopting districts that are only reimbursed for a half day. This investment reflects our conference’s commitment to expanding pre-K to all districts outside New York City. This funding will allow children to get a head start on learning that may not otherwise be available, while also providing support for parents working full time.  School Meals for Students: I am thrilled that this budget includes another historic investment of $135 million to expand access to school breakfast and lunch for nearly 300,000 new students across New York State. Every teacher and student knows how difficult it is for children to learn when they are hungry. This relief will bring improved academic performance, social and emotional development, and a more unified school environment for over 80% of New York State’s students, while easing expenses for families.  The budget also takes important steps to put our schools for students with disabilities, the 853s, 4410s, and Special Acts, on sustainable ground by directing SED to develop a new tuition rate - setting formula to replace our outdated current plan.  In addition, this budget:  Rejects proposed tuition hikes for CUNY and SUNY in-state students Provides $103 million in operating aid for SUNY schools and $53 million for CUNY Allocates $20 million for public libraries  Despite these huge victories for our students and schools, I am deeply disappointed that this budget authorizes the reissuance of 14 “zombie charters” in New York City. Charter schools place an enormous financial burden on New York City, other host districts around the state, and traditional public schools. I believe that expanding the number of charter schools in New York City — at a time of greatly reduced demand - will be detrimental to our traditional public school students.  Raise the Wage and Fair Pay for Homecare:  This budget also makes a substantial commitment to ensuring that workers receive a much-deserved liveable wage. While I would have preferred a higher minimum wage, beginning in 2026, the minimum wage in our region will rise to $17 per hour. We have also made tremendous progress in tying automatic minimum wage increases to inflation. In addition, the Legislature held off efforts to erode the progress we have made in increasing homecare workers’ wages, retaining much of the increase above the minimum wage in the out years for homecare workers. Whether paying rent and utilities, putting food on the table, paying for child care, and so much more, we must pay workers enough to live in our communities, and must acknowledge that without higher wages, we cannot sustain the demand for homecare services for many of our older and disabled neighbors. Without that, too many will not be able to live comfortably in their homes.  Criminal Justice Reform & Bail:  I strongly supported the criminal justice reforms we adopted several years ago, as we sought to make sure our justice system was not determined by the wealth of an accused person before the trial. At the same time, I have heard from, and listened to, my constituents and law enforcement personnel who suggested we needed specific improvements to the laws to deal with legitimate concerns about public safety.   The adopted budget allows judges to make more holistic decisions surrounding cases involving repeat felony offenders, an issue about which I have heard from many local residents. It eliminates the requirement that judges use the “least restrictive means” standard when determining pre-trial release. Under the new standard, judges will have to “consider the kind and degree of control necessary to ensure return to court” for select non-violent misdemeanors and felonies. The new standard will also include a robust list of factors for courts to consider, to provide safeguards, and ensure that judges are truly making careful evaluations. The new standard retains the principle that the purpose of bail or any other form of pre-trial release is to make sure that the defendant returns to court for trial. This approach, while not perfect, tries to strike a balance between ensuring that the rights of defendants are protected while providing judges with additional tools in cases involving repeat offenders and serious crimes.  The budget also includes significant investments in funding for public safety including:  $160 million to support the implementation of discovery reform  $92 million for aid for prosecution and defense funding throughout New York  $347 million in funding to evidence based gun violence reduction programs  $39 million to combat hate crimes and Anti-AAPI Violence. Child Care:  The final adopted budget also makes critical investments in childcare — including $500 million in workforce stabilization grants, a new tax credit for businesses that create or expand child care slots for their employees, and expanded eligibility for New York State’s child care assistance program. These investments are extremely important for our families, for childcare workers, and for our economy.   Empire State Child Tax Credit: This budget also includes a great achievement in expanding the Empire State Child Credit to children 0 - 4 years. By expanding eligibility, more families will receive the credit, helping to lift children out of poverty. This credit will help:  584,000 more households 993,500 adults 993,700 children Local Budget Items:  I am proud that my colleague Assemblyman Steve Otis and I were able to secure $17.5 million for the Mamaroneck Sheldrake US Army Corps of Engineers flood project. This project is vitally important to protect our community from the deleterious effects of climate change in the future.  In this budget, there were many more important wins for programs and municipalities around my district. I will be announcing many of them in the days ahead. Housing:  Throughout the budget process and negotiations, I have been outspoken on the need for affordable housing but the weaknesses of the Governor’s proposed Housing Compact. I am pleased to say that this plan was not included in the adopted budget. The Senate successfully pushed for the inclusion of a number of funding allocations to help tenants and homeowners.  $391 million in funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program $40 million for the Homeowners Protection Program  $25 million for a First Time Homeowners Program I remain committed to working with my colleagues, local municipalities, and residents to expand access to affordable housing and remain committed to ensuring that tenants who pay their rent and abide by their leases are not subject to unreasonable rent increases and are allowed to stay in their homes.  Environment:  The adopted budget builds on prior work and makes significant progress in protecting our climate. This includes the passage of the All-Electric Building Act which requires all NEW construction of buildings seven stories or less be all-electric by December 31, 2025 and requires new buildings regardless of size to be all-electric by December 31, 2028. This legislation will only impact new homes and buildings. If you have a gas stove already installed in your home, you will be able to keep or replace your gas stove. In addition, this budget includes measures to ensure that any proceeds from emission reduction programs established by the state are returned to consumers in the form of rebates and to make the state more resilient against climate risk.  The budget also includes:  $400 million to the Environmental Protection Fund for projects that protect the environment and enhance communities $500 million for the Clean Water and Infrastructure Act Reproductive Rights I am proud to say that the final adopted budget includes the means to ensure that abortion care is more accessible to all New Yorkers. We secured funding for reproductive healthcare providers , accessibility of medication abortion on SUNY and CUNY campuses, data protection of reproductive health patients, increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for abortion services, and the adopted budget ensures that medication abortion mifepristone remains available to New Yorkers.  I will be having a virtual forum on the State budget in the near future to answer any questions you may have. Keep an eye out for more information on that. I am honored to serve you and will keep fighting for every New Yorker, even during difficult times. As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please email me at smayer@nysenate.gov or call (914) 934-5250. Warm Regards,

Warm regards, Shelley B. Mayer State Senator 37th District

New York State Insider: Coffee & Conversation in Scarsdale, Saturday, May 6.

 

Join me, Assemblymember Amy Paulin and County Executive George Latimer for Coffee & Conversation: Saturday, May 6 from 10-11:30am at the Scarsdale Public Library, 54 Olmsted Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583. Refreshments will be served. RSVP requested but not required: bit.ly/CoffeeConvoScarsdale.

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Pete Harckham: Save a life, donate blood May 11th in Ossining.

 

I will be hosting my fifth blood drive in partnership with the New York Blood Center (NYBC), from 1 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, at the Ossining Public Library, 53 Croton Avenue. Donating blood can saves lives. My last drive collected enough blood to save 235 lives. To register to donate click https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/304997?fbclid=IwAR14YjRUKjae82K3oAtGqrakPdrfs-Tmo2Ui8JQmgM0jyTKMv2mDRoUYmUs&emci=ad8bb480-f0e9-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&emdi=dc767280-a5ea-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&ceid=5849510

New York State Insider: Press Release: Senate Standing Committees on Education and New York City Education Hold Hearing on School Discipline and Solutions not Suspensions.

 

Senate Standing Committees on Education and New York City Education  Hold Hearing on School Discipline and Solutions not Suspensions (S.1040).

(ALBANY, NY) - The Senate Standing Committees on Education and New York City Education will hold the first of two hearings on school discipline and the Judith Kaye Solutions not Suspensions Act (S1040/ Jackson) on Wednesday, May 3, beginning at 1:00 PM in Hearing Room A.  There has been growing attention to school discipline and suspension policies around our state, which can have life changing consequences for students subject to discipline, have a disparate impact on at-risk students, affect the safety of our students and school staff, and impact the ability of teachers and administrators to effectively serve students. As a recent report by NYSED’s Safe Schools Task Force makes clear, there are troubling disparities in the application of existing school discipline policies. Black students, Native American students, students with disabilities, and LGBTQ students are all subject to disproportionate disciplinary measures. These hearings will provide a wide range of stakeholders including students, teachers, administrators, and parents the opportunity to share their experiences and feedback on Senator Jackson’s proposed legislation.  Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “It is clear that we need to review our approach to school discipline to improve equity and ensure students who are most in need of interventions receive the tools they need to learn from their mistakes and take positive steps forward. I look forward to hearing from students, parents, teachers, school administrators, and others about their experiences with school discipline –– both good and bad. I am optimistic these hearings will help us identify steps we can take in the legislature to reduce the use of exclusionary discipline and promote student growth, while ensuring safety for all.”  Senator John Liu said, “Isolating students from their school can be extremely detrimental to their future academic performance, and lead to even greater problems later in life. These hearings will give legislators an opportunity to thoroughly reexamine exclusionary discipline from the perspective of those it affects most: students, parents, teachers, and school staff, and provide for new ways to improve student outcomes across the board while keeping our schools safe and secure for all.” Senator Robert Jackson said, “It's time to end the use of suspensions as a primary disciplinary tool and to create an educational environment where all students are respected and supported. We must push forward on this issue to ensure schools use alternative approaches to foster a positive school atmosphere and that no student is discriminated against based on race, disability, sexuality, or gender identity. I am honored to be the lead sponsor of this important legislation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to make this dream possible – let's make it happen!" The Judith Kaye Solutions not Suspensions Act would require school districts to revise their codes of conduct to incorporate restorative approaches to school discipline, limit the use of suspension in Pre-K through 3rd grade, shorten the length of maximum suspension to 20 days, except as required by federal law, ensure students who are suspended continued to receive instruction and have the opportunity to participate in assessments, and apply state law on school discipline to charter schools.