Wednesday, January 4, 1995

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ALBANY, NEW YORK 10 January 4, 1995 11 12:02 p.m. 12 13 14 REGULAR SESSION 15 16 17 18 LT. GOVERNOR BETSY McCAUGHEY, President 19 STEPHEN F. SLOAN, Secretary 20 21 22 23 1 P R O C E E D I N G S. 2 THE PRESIDENT: The Senate will 3 come to order. All members please take their 4 seats. 5 I'd like to ask everyone present 6 to rise and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance with 7 me. 8 (The assemblage repeated the 9 Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. ) 10 Please be seated. 11 The invocation today will be 12 given by the Reverend Howard J. Hubbard, Bishop 13 of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. Father 14 Hubbard. 15 REVEREND HOWARD J. HUBBARD: Let 16 us pray. 17 O faithful and eternal God, the 18 coming of a new year startles and challenges us 19 and calls us to renew our hopes for and our 20 efforts toward a more just and peaceful world, 21 both nearby and elsewhere. In that spirit of 22 renewed hope, we pray Your blessing, O God, upon 23 all who are gathered here for the opening of the 1 1995 session of the New York State Senate. 2 In this new year of our state 3 government, there are a number of changes, 4 including those in leadership. What is 5 unchanged, however, is that the men and women 6 who represent us in New York State government 7 are setting out together on a common mission, 8 the service of the dignity, the needs and the 9 aspirations of the people of our Empire State. 10 O caring God, You have endowed 11 our leaders with varying gifts such as wisdom, 12 compassion, imagination, foresight and a saving 13 sense of humor. Bless, we pray, O God, the 14 gifts that our new Governor, Lieutenant Governor 15 and each legislator bring to the public service 16 of our people. Bless our leaders and enable 17 them to pool their very gifts and to channel 18 their efforts and energies to address 19 courageously the issues and the serious concerns 20 of so many people including those who are 21 unemployed or who suffer the severe plight of 22 homelessness, hunger, drug and substance abuse, 23 violence and affliction in so many forms. May 1 the efforts of the Senate this year help to 2 bring about an improved business and economic 3 climate, greater educational opportunities, more 4 accessible and affordable health care, lower 5 rates of crime and violence and compassionate 6 concern for the poor and needy, especially the 7 vulnerable young and elderly. For all this, we 8 pray, O caring God of all people in the praise 9 of Your sacred name. You Who live and reign 10 both now and forever and ever. Amen. 11 THE PRESIDENT: Amen. 12 Thank you, Bishop Hubbard. 13 The Chair now hands down a 14 message from the state Board of Elections, being 15 the official certification of the duly elected 16 members of the Senate and direct that the same 17 be filed. So ordered. 18 I'd like to ask if there are any 19 Senators present who have not taken their oaths 20 of office. 21 Would you please come forward? 22 This gives me great pleasure because this is one 23 of my college classmates. 1 Would you please introduce 2 yourself, introduce yourself, Catherine? 3 SENATOR ABATE: Yes. My name is 4 Catherine Abate, duly elected from the 27th 5 Senatorial District. 6 THE PRESIDENT: Vassar class of 7 '69. 8 Please raise your right hand and 9 repeat after me. 10 (Catherine M. Abate was sworn as 11 a duly elected Senator of the state of New 12 York. ) 13 Congratulations, Catherine. 14 (Applause) 15 Senator Daly, it gives me great 16 pleasure to administer the oath of office to you 17 now. Please raise your right hand. 18 (Senator John B. Daly was sworn 19 as a duly elected Senator of the state of New 20 York. ) 21 Congratulations. 22 (Applause) 23 The Secretary will call the roll 1 to constitute a quorum. 2 Oh, excuse me. Latecomers. 3 Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, welcome. Would you 4 please raise your right hand and repeat after 5 me. 6 (Senator Suzi Oppenheimer was 7 sworn as a duly elected Senator of the state of 8 New York. ) 9 Congratulations. 10 (Applause) 11 SENATOR OPPENHEIMER: Thank you. 12 THE PRESIDENT: And Senator Olga 13 Mendez, would you please raise your right hand. 14 Repeat after me. 15 (Senator Olga Mendez was sworn as 16 a duly elected Senator of the state of New 17 York. ) 18 Congratulations. 19 Have we completed this business? 20 The Secretary will call the roll to constitute a 21 quorum. 22 THE SECRETARY: Senator Abate. 23 SENATOR ABATE: Here. 1 THE SECRETARY: Senator Babbush. 2 SENATOR BABBUSH: Here. 3 THE SECRETARY: Senator Bruno. 4 SENATOR BRUNO: Here. 5 THE SECRETARY: Senator Connor. 6 SENATOR CONNOR: Here. 7 THE SECRETARY: Senator Cook. 8 SENATOR COOK: Here. 9 THE SECRETARY: Senator Daly. 10 SENATOR DALY: Here. 11 THE SECRETARY: Senator 12 DeFrancisco. 13 SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Here. 14 THE SECRETARY: Senator DiCarlo. 15 SENATOR DiCARLO: Here. 16 THE SECRETARY: Senator 17 Dollinger. 18 SENATOR DOLLINGER: Here. 19 THE SECRETARY: Senator Espada. 20 SENATOR ESPADA: Here. 21 THE SECRETARY: Senator Farley. 22 Senator Galiber. 23 Senator Gold. 1 SENATOR GOLD: Here. 2 THE SECRETARY: Senator 3 Gonzalez. 4 SENATOR GONZALEZ: Here. 5 THE SECRETARY: Senator Goodman. 6 SENATOR GOODMAN: Here. 7 THE SECRETARY: Senator Hannon. 8 SENATOR HANNON: Here. 9 THE SECRETARY: Senator Hoblock. 10 SENATOR HOBLOCK: Here. 11 THE SECRETARY: Senator 12 Hoffmann. 13 SENATOR HOFFMANN: Present. 14 THE SECRETARY: Senator Holland. 15 SENATOR HOLLAND: Here. 16 THE SECRETARY: Senator Johnson. 17 SENATOR JOHNSON: Here. 18 THE SECRETARY: Senator Jones. 19 SENATOR JONES: Here. 20 THE SECRETARY: Senator Kruger. 21 SENATOR KRUGER: Here. 22 THE SECRETARY: Senator Kuhl. 23 SENATOR KUHL: Here. 1 THE SECRETARY: Senator Lack. 2 SENATOR LACK: Present. 3 THE SECRETARY: Senator Larkin. 4 SENATOR LARKIN: Here. 5 THE SECRETARY: Senator LaValle. 6 SENATOR LAVALLE: Here. 7 THE SECRETARY: Senator Leibell. 8 SENATOR LEIBELL: Here. 9 THE SECRETARY: Senator 10 Leichter. 11 SENATOR LEICHTER: Here. 12 THE SECRETARY: Senator Levy. 13 SENATOR LEVY: Here. 14 THE SECRETARY: Senator Libous. 15 SENATOR LIBOUS: Present. 16 THE SECRETARY: Senator Maltese. 17 SENATOR MALTESE: Here. 18 THE SECRETARY: Senator Marchi. 19 SENATOR MARCHI: Here. 20 THE SECRETARY: Senator Marino. 21 Senator Markowitz. 22 SENATOR MARKOWITZ: Here. 23 THE SECRETARY: Senator Mendez. 1 SENATOR MENDEZ: Here. 2 THE PRESIDENT: A quorum is 3 present. 4 The opening day of a session is 5 always a new beginning. It offers the promise 6 of a fresh start, new hopes and goals, this year 7 even more so. This is the dawn of a new era. 8 The people of New York State have sent a clear 9 message that they wanted a government that 10 listens and works, and I know that all of you 11 join me in the commitment to make this one of 12 the most productive sessions ever. 13 This year, for the first time 14 since Governor Myron Clark in 1855, our new 15 Governor, George Pataki, is a former member of 16 the Legislature. Every member of this house can 17 take pride in this, and in a few moments we're 18 going to have a new Majority Leader, Senator 19 Joseph Bruno, someone of experience and skill, 20 someone who understands where the people of New 21 York want their state to go. Senator Bruno can 22 help move us in that direction. He will be a 23 great Majority Leader, and he's a great friend. 1 I would also like to welcome and 2 congratulate Senator Martin Connor as the new 3 Minority Leader. Senator Connor, I look forward 4 to working with you. The year to come is going 5 to be an exciting one with many challenges 6 ahead. I'm confident that we will all join 7 together to meet those challenges on behalf of 8 the people of the state of New York. 9 The Chair now hands down a 10 communication from the Governor. The Secretary 11 will read it, please. 12 THE SECRETARY: Dear Madam 13 President: I would appreciate the privilege of 14 appearing before your honorable bodies in joint 15 session on Wednesday, January 4th, 1995 at 1:00 16 p.m. or as soon thereafter as may be convenient, 17 to deliver personally my annual message to the 18 Legislature. 19 THE PRESIDENT: This should be 20 filed in the Journal. 21 SENATOR STAFFORD: Madam 22 President. 23 THE PRESIDENT: Senator 1 Stafford. 2 SENATOR STAFFORD: Thank you, 3 Madam President. 4 I hand up Senate Resolution 5 Number 1 and ask that it be read. 6 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary 7 will read it, please. 8 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution 9 Number 1, by Senator Stafford: RESOLVED that 10 Senator Joseph L. Bruno be and he hereby is 11 elected Temporary President of the Senate for 12 the years 1995-1996. 13 THE PRESIDENT: The Chair 14 recognizes Senator Olga Mendez. 15 SENATOR MENDEZ: Madam President, 16 I rise today to nominate my colleague, Senate 17 Minority Leader Martin Connor, for the post of 18 Temporary President of the Senate. 19 I have known and worked with 20 Senator Connor for many years and he is uniquely 21 qualified to lead this body into a new era of 22 openness and accountability. 23 As the leader of our Conference 1 Marty Connor represents change as a new 2 generation of leaders emerges in our state at a 3 time when the public has clearly voiced 4 dissatisfaction with the way New York State 5 operates, demanding a leaner, more responsive 6 government. Marty Connor is a perfect candidate 7 to lead the charge in the Senate. He believes 8 people should know how their tax dollars are 9 spent and whether they're getting their money's 10 worth. He believes important government 11 decisions should be made in the open, in 12 daylight with full public participation. He 13 believes it's time for a real change in the way 14 we do business in the Senate, one who will 15 uphold and honor the principle of government of, 16 by and for the people. 17 We anticipate that many of the 18 changes will come to fruition in this session. 19 Since Marty has spoken out for these changes for 20 so long, we Democrats believe he should be the 21 best choice to lead the Senate in implementing 22 them. 23 Marty Connor understands the real 1 concerns of the people we all represent, and 2 Marty Connor has worked the night shift on a 3 factory production line and has known life on a 4 loading dock as well as in the fancier places on 5 Wall Street. His background testifies to the 6 commitment to the working men and women in our 7 diverse state. He knows the value of a job. He 8 knows how painful it is when those jobs aren't 9 available, and the difference that compassionate 10 -- compassionate, intelligent and effective 11 government policy can make to people who need a 12 hand up on the road to success. 13 Marty Connor knows that we must 14 find a delicate balance between providing the 15 tax relief that New Yorkers so desperately need 16 and providing the services that so many of our 17 elderly, our children and other vulnerable 18 members of our society must have to survive. 19 For all of these reasons and many 20 more, I urge my Senate colleagues to join with 21 me in supporting Senate Democratic leader Marty 22 Connor for Temporary President. In doing so, 23 you will be voting for a real change in the 1 Senate. 2 Madam President, I move the 3 substitute resolution. Thank you. 4 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary 5 will read the resolution. Please. 6 THE SECRETARY: Senate 7 Resolution, by Senator Mendez, providing for the 8 election of Martin Connor as Temporary President 9 of the Senate for the years 1995-1996. 10 THE PRESIDENT: On the substitute 11 resolution offered by Senator Mendez, all those 12 in favor aye. 13 (Response of "Aye.") 14 Those opposed nay. 15 (Response of "Nay.") 16 The nays have it. The resolution 17 is defeated. 18 (Applause) 19 On the resolution, Senator 20 Stafford, proceed, please. Senator Stafford is 21 recognized. 22 SENATOR STAFFORD: Thank you, 23 Madam President. 1 Your Excellency, Bishop Hubbard, 2 members and friends of Senator Bruno all: It is 3 indeed a privilege and a pleasure for me today 4 to rise and support Resolution Number 1 electing 5 Joe Bruno Temporary President of the New York 6 State Senate for years 1995-96. 7 Madam President, I'm sure that 8 you will be welcomed -- welcomed much more 9 eloquently by our new Majority Leader but, in 10 recognizing me, I would be remiss if I did not 11 say that we welcome you and we're pleased to 12 have you with us. 13 Madam President, we often use 14 humor when we're dealing with each other in 15 conducting business here in the Senate. 16 Sometimes I do to a fault, but today I ask you 17 to be serious with me for a few moments while I 18 speak on Resolution Number 1 that has been 19 handed up. 20 The voters spoke last fall and 21 there was a message and a mandate, and I suggest 22 there's no better Senator to carry out this 23 mandate as our leader here in the Senate than 1 Joseph L. Bruno. Majority Leader Bruno and 2 Governor Pataki will be working together as 3 partners leading us in responding to the message 4 and to this mandate delivered on November 8th. 5 Madam President, Senator Bruno 6 knows what it's like to work. He was raised in 7 a working family. Joe's father, Vitaliano, 8 earned his living by the sweat of his brow and 9 he was proud to do so right here in New York 10 State. 11 At an early age, Joe Bruno 12 developed what de Tocqueville called "the habit" 13 -- "the habit of taking responsibility for 14 one's actions. If the people of a democracy lack 15 this habit," de Tocqueville said, "self 16 government is impossible, for without it they 17 will look to others and not to themselves for 18 the solution to the problems besetting us." 19 This is why Joe Bruno will be 20 such a valuable partner to our Governor and will 21 be helping again, as I've mentioned, the 22 Governor in expanding opportunities throughout 23 our state so that others can do what Joe Bruno 1 and George Pataki have done. Indeed, electing 2 Senator Bruno is the best way we can support the 3 Governor in implementing the changes that will 4 restore our New York State to its former 5 greatness. 6 By now, most New Yorkers are 7 familiar with the Joe Bruno story. Tragically, 8 his mother, Catherine Rachel, affectionately 9 known as "Kate", died at an early age of 44 and 10 left eight children. Older Bruno siblings 11 helped and guided Joe as he helped his younger 12 brothers and sisters as they were growing up. 13 Joe learned at an early age what it means to 14 work, whether it was selling newspapers or 15 working on an ice truck. He knew what it was 16 like or what it is like at a young age to work, 17 to take money home to help support his family. 18 Senator Bruno has always been 19 most active in his church, his community, his 20 government and civic organizations. Among his 21 many accomplishments was the founding of a 22 company that he took public and was most 23 successful. As in everything he does, he was a 1 tireless worker, indefatigable. 2 On a lighter note, I would say no 3 one can keep up to Joe Bruno and if you don't, 4 he'll remind you that you're not. But I also 5 know what an excellent chief executive officer 6 he was, because I served on his board of 7 directors. 8 After serving as chief of staff 9 to the Speaker of the Assembly and Republican - 10 and Rensselaer County Republican chairman, 11 Senator Bruno ran for Senate -- for the Senate 12 and he was elected in 1976. 13 Madam President, all I'm trying 14 to say here today is summed up in the point I'm 15 about to make, and in my mind is the most 16 important of what I say here today. When 17 Senator Bruno came here to the Senate, he was a 18 bit older. He was mature. He had been 19 successful in business, government, and in the 20 proverbial political fray. He had established 21 his values. He had defined his own parameters. 22 He knew what he believed in, what government 23 should do and more importantly what government 1 should not do. 2 He had a presence about where he 3 -- about where he was in life. He stood for 4 something and he never waivered. Many times he 5 has taken less than the easy road. He stood up 6 when he felt he had to. 7 We will see changes right here in 8 our procedure. You'll be interested to know 9 that Senator Bruno earned his college degree in 10 night school. He does not like night sessions. 11 (Laughter) 12 And, Madam President, I would 13 like to share with you another quality which 14 makes Joe the fine leader that he is. He will 15 listen; he will discuss. There'll be no limit 16 on the time whether in a meeting or on the 17 floor. He will talk the issues out and, Madam 18 President, he will make a decision and, as you 19 know, when it is necessary, he never hesitates 20 to speak his mind. 21 As the great poet Dante wrote 22 about those who maintain neutrality in great 23 struggles: Quote, "Those who were loathe when 1 living to be either blamed or praised," close 2 quote, suggesting they deserve worse than the 3 lowest depths. 4 Madam President, Senator Joe 5 Bruno has never been neutral in a struggle. 6 Madam President, I move the 7 resolution. 8 THE PRESIDENT: On the resolution 9 nominating Senator Bruno as the Temporary 10 President of the Senate, all those in favor say 11 aye. 12 (Response of "Aye.") 13 Opposed nay. 14 (There was no response. ) 15 The ayes have it. Senator Joseph 16 L. Bruno is the duly elected Temporary President 17 of the Senate for the years 1995 to 1996. 18 (Applause) 19 Senator Bruno, please stand and 20 be sworn in as the Temporary President of the 21 Senate. Raise your right hand. 22 (Senator Joseph L. Bruno was 23 sworn as the duly elected Temporary President of 1 the New York State Senate. ) 2 Congratulations. 3 Senator Bruno. 4 SENATOR BRUNO: To Senator 5 Stafford, I'd like to say a very heartfelt thank 6 you. Ron and I, for many of you who don't know, 7 go back almost an adult lifetime. I think I 8 supported him when he was my Senator when I 9 lived in Warren County, and the first time I 10 ever entered this chamber, it was as, I believe, 11 president of the New York State Young 12 Republicans, and I stood there to greet Ron and 13 he and I visited, and I remember looking around 14 this room and thinking what an elegant dignified 15 chamber this was, and I was awed by the things 16 that Ron was doing and that the people in this 17 room did, and I never, ever forgot that thought 18 and I don't think I've ever shared this with 19 you. That was the first time I'd ever stepped 20 into this chamber and Ron was as hospitable as 21 he was gracious with your remarks here, and I 22 thank you, Ron, for your friendship for all of 23 that. 1 And to our Lieutenant Governor, I 2 bid you a very, very warm welcome and thank you 3 for your kind words and let me tell you that I 4 was as pleased as I could be with your very 5 first motion in banging that gavel with great 6 authority, and I also am so pleased that your 7 hearing is so astute in terms of the elections 8 that take place in this chamber. You are going 9 to do great, and you are going to be the great 10 Lieutenant Governor that all of us, when we 11 voted for you, thought you would be. So we look 12 forward to working together with you in this 13 chamber. 14 And Bishop Hubbard, thank you for 15 being here and for the prayers that we all so 16 desperately need. 17 And Marty, Marty -- I can only 18 tell you that, Olga, I've never heard you as 19 eloquent, let me tell you, but I wanted to say, 20 Marty, that I look forward to working with you 21 and your colleagues and our colleagues on this 22 side of the aisle because we have one objective 23 this year and that is to serve the people of 1 this great state of ours and that objective, we 2 share together on both sides of the aisle. 3 When you think in terms of what 4 goes on in your life, and I've thought about 5 this for some hours and days and a lot of things 6 go through your mind and what comes to my mind 7 really over and over again is thank you and, by 8 the way, I want to wish everyone in this room a 9 belated Happy Thanksgiving. 10 (Applause) 11 Thanksgiving at my house was just 12 a little bit different this year than it has 13 been in the past, but I want to thank my family 14 and they're here, wife and children, Kenny and 15 Sue, and Kate sitting up there on the stairs and 16 my granddaughter Rachel. Hi, Rachel! My wife 17 Bobbie, who had a day of disruption and about 20 18 minutes of nice turkey dinner. 19 My brothers, all five, and my two 20 sisters are here, and I very much appreciate 21 that because they come from Virginia and New 22 Jersey and other parts of this state. I really 23 appreciate their being here. My sisters Rose 1 and Florence and my brother Pete, my big brother 2 Pete up here in the front, and Anthony and Bob 3 and Arthur and Vito. And who did I forget? 4 Thank you very, very much for 5 being here. My family has been very, very 6 supportive in my life, and I really have to say 7 thank you because there are times when all of us 8 know this, our work, they do without us and they 9 help us just by the support they give us by 10 allowing us to do what we do for the people that 11 we represent. So thank you. 12 Lot of friends in this room, 13 really great friends who have helped me in my 14 life, and it's very difficult to talk about 15 individuals, and it really is difficult but 16 there are people here, you know who you are and 17 I know who you are and others know who you are 18 who just have helped me throughout my life 19 politically and personally, and I really thank 20 you for that. 21 There's one gentleman here that 22 was my town chairman when I moved into 23 Rensselaer County and he encouraged me to get 1 into politics in an elected way when I had moved 2 into Rensselaer to really concentrate on my 3 business, and he would not take no for an 4 answer, and he personifies the support that I've 5 had from colleagues and from friends, and he is 6 here with me today, and he really personifies 7 all of the support and friends that I've had and 8 I just wanted to acknowledge him by name. He is 9 93 years young, A. Frank Bentley. 10 (Applause) 11 I want to officially say a word 12 of welcome to my good friend, Senator Hoblock, 13 and Vinnie Leibell and Senator Abate, and we 14 welcome you to this chamber and we look forward 15 to working with you on behalf of your 16 constituency and our constituency. Thank you 17 for being here with us. 18 I can continue to say thank you 19 because in my life I have a lot to be thankful 20 for, and I really could go on and on, and I 21 can't go much further without just saying I also 22 have to thank the good Lord for the blessings 23 that he has given me in my life, and many of you 1 have an awful lot goin' for you. I can tell you 2 that I've had very little going for me, so I 3 needed special support, and I got that special 4 support from my mom and dad, and if my pop and 5 mom could be here they'd be proud because with 6 eight children, and Ron said it right, my dad 7 was a laborer, never learned to read or write. 8 We never had a car. Never learned to drive, 9 worked as many as three jobs to feed the 10 family. 11 But you know what my father 12 taught me? To be proud to earn a living and to 13 work for what you get. Wouldn't take anything 14 from anyone, supported eight children with a 15 wife and a mother that was sick from the time 16 she was 33 years old. She had thirty -- seven 17 major operations in those years with eight 18 children, and I remember my dad going and coming 19 from work, but I never, ever saw him under the 20 influence of alcohol, and there was enough going 21 on in his life that it took a pretty, pretty 22 strong man to handle himself the way he did. 23 And my mother passed away when 1 she was 44 with eight children. My dad kept us 2 together, and we all worked. Ron talked about 3 my work. Every one of my brothers and sisters 4 worked, not because they wanted to but because 5 we knew we had to and the money we earned, we 6 helped support each other, and I learned from 7 that and I appreciate that. 8 My dad always worked hard and I 9 respect him for that and I thank him for all of 10 the good things that he did in my life. My mom 11 really was a very special lady. (Pause) There 12 isn't much more that I have to say, I think, 13 than that. 14 We have a job to do in this 15 chamber. Our Governor-elect on Sunday set the 16 tone for this state which is up and up and up. 17 There's been pain in this state and there's been 18 suffering, but the message now is one of 19 optimism, and it's of hope, and it's of a new 20 direction and it truly is the dawn of a new era, 21 an era that will hold us all in good stead, and 22 with his leadership, we are going to move this 23 state forward. 1 We're going to get the pain and 2 the suffering behind us because we know what we 3 have to do. We all know what we have to do and 4 it's going to be difficult, but we are going to 5 do it, and we're going to do it together, this 6 side of the aisle and this side of the aisle, 7 this house and the Assembly and the Governor, 8 and together we will govern. 9 And while we're praying, we all 10 want to pray that each of us individually 11 recognizes our responsibility to ourselves, to 12 our constituency and to the constituency of this 13 state, and that we put our individual wishes and 14 desires aside at times when it's appropriate and 15 act collectively on behalf of the people of this 16 state because they desperately need our help. 17 That message on November 8th was loud and 18 clear. The people of this state want our help 19 and that's why we're here. 20 We will change the direction of 21 government in this state. It is no accident 22 that over the last four years we in this state 23 have led the country in job loss. 40 percent of 1 all jobs lost in this country come from New York 2 in the last four years. It's no accident that 3 we are lagging in the recovery in jobs the rest 4 of the country. If we were just staying with 5 the average state in recovery, there'd be a 6 million more jobs in this state today. 7 We can't continue because we have 8 lost our way here in this state. The Governor 9 elect said it right. He talked about the 10 Revolutionaries. He talked about the immigrants 11 who came here with hope and prayers in their 12 hearts and looked for opportunity. But 13 somewhere along the way we in New York State 14 took a little different direction and we thought 15 that government was the answer to everything, 16 and it isn't. 17 Government should be there to be 18 supportive of the people, to do for the people 19 what they can not individually or collectively 20 do for themselves, and government should serve 21 no other realistic purpose. We want to create 22 opportunity for people and we want people as 23 they get that opportunity to know that 1 government is here to support them, to be their 2 partners and that we will work together because 3 it is business that drives the economic engine 4 of this state. It is not government, and when 5 business prospers, business pays taxes and 6 employs people and people pay taxes and it's 7 that revenue that allows all of us to do the 8 things that we have to do for the needy, for 9 Medicaid, for education, for roads and bridges. 10 It's the revenue that comes in from people and 11 businesses that are employed and prosperous. 12 So we're going to change that and 13 we're going to do it together, sincerely and 14 effectively and we start here. We are going to 15 lead here in the Senate by action. We're going 16 to lead by example. We're going to do things 17 that may be obvious but haven't been done. 18 We're going to start sessions on time, with your 19 help. 20 (Applause) 21 It's been a joke around the 22 Capitol that it's Senate time and real time. 23 Senate time was an hour to two hours behind real 1 time. Senate time and real time have just 2 become the same time, so we're going to start on 3 time. And there will be no all night sessions 4 and that I can promise you, and we're going to 5 have regular conferences two o'clock on Mondays 6 we will conference. We'll do things in an 7 orderly way. Why? Because it's more efficient. 8 It's more effective. 9 We have reforms that we're going 10 to propose for this house, and we're going to 11 have a press conference on Monday and we're 12 going to share those reforms that we have been 13 working on with my colleagues and this side of 14 the aisle as well for weeks. It's going to 15 change the way this house operates. It's going 16 to open it up, be more responsive, more 17 effective, more efficient for all of us. Why? 18 So we can serve the people of this state and 19 that's our mission and that's our goal and 20 that's our objective and we will do all of that 21 together. 22 So thank you. To my colleagues, 23 I've just got to say thank you. You have been 1 -- you've been just absolutely great. You 2 stood up and were there and I appreciate that 3 and I thank you. You know, it's funny, and I'm 4 going to sit down, because we have to move to 5 the Assembly and I sure don't want to be late 6 for our Governor Pataki, but I was thinking on 7 Thanksgiving week on that Monday morning, of 8 what I was about to do, and I hadn't talked to a 9 lot of people about it, but I said a little 10 prayer and asked, you know, for help in terms of 11 what I was going to be doing, because I was kind 12 of trying to scale a cliff and need a lot of 13 support and a lot of help and, you know, it's 14 funny when you're in that mode, I was listening 15 and I was thinking, you know, maybe I'll get a 16 message on what I should be doing. So I said, 17 you know, "Lord, how about making a few phone 18 calls for me?" And I listened, and guess what? 19 I heard an answer loud and clear, "Make 'em 20 yourself." (Laughter). 21 And you know what? But I wanted 22 to -- I only mention this because the Lord's 23 always right, because I recognize that my 1 colleagues wouldn't even listen to the Lord at 2 that time. But I say thank you for having 3 listened and having allowed me the privilege of 4 serving you as your leader here in this house 5 and let me tell you, dreams do come true and 6 we're going to help make dreams come true now 7 for all of the people that you represent and I 8 represent and that we represent together. 9 Thank you very, very much and God 10 bless each and every one of you. 11 THE PRESIDENT: The Chair 12 recognizes that a delegation from the Assembly 13 is present. Assemblymen Farrell and Straniere. 14 ASSEMBLYMAN FARRELL: Madam 15 President, the Assembly is organized; Sheldon 16 Silver has been elected Speaker, and we wait 17 upon the Governor and the Senate. 18 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. The 19 Chair will acknowledge that we have also 20 received a communication from the Senate 21 Democratic Conference that Senator Martin Connor 22 was elected on November 21st, 1994 as the 23 Minority Leader of the state Senate. 1 Senator Connor. 2 (Applause) 3 SENATOR CONNOR: Thank you, Madam 4 President, and let me pledge on behalf of my 5 colleagues, our cooperation with you in your 6 role as presiding officer even though, once 7 again, we've been disappointed. We've seen a 8 long succession of Lt. Governors, many of whom 9 were Democrats whose hearing on voice votes was 10 just as bad as your own, but we'll suffer 11 through that, Madam President. 12 My congratulations to Senator 13 Bruno on his victory, and I don't feel like I 14 lost to him. I've never been so happy to lose 15 an election in my political life as, of course, 16 that makes me the Minority Leader, and the 17 representative of my colleagues. 18 And, of course, my thanks to 19 Senator Mendez for -- for her wonderful words in 20 moving the substitute resolution and to all my 21 colleagues on this side of the aisle whose 22 support in the past and upon whose support, of 23 course, I count in the future, I do thank you 1 very deeply for the trust you've given me. 2 If I may, as Senator Bruno noted, 3 we all don't just arrive here. We all come from 4 somewhere, and I am very, very privileged to 5 have here with me today, with us today two 6 people who, I guess, had more influence -- I 7 know had more influence over me than any two 8 other persons or any other persons possibly 9 could, and they taught me, besides raising me in 10 an atmosphere of love and caring, they taught me 11 values like hard work from a very early age. 12 They taught me that you had to work to get what 13 you wanted. As Senator Mendez alluded, they 14 helped me as I bounded home from college or 15 vacation, for Christmas vacation, to be told 16 you're on the night shift tonight in a factory. 17 They understood those values, and 18 out of necessity to pay for my education they 19 contributed and I was expected to and did 20 contribute by working when I -- when I could. 21 My -- my mother, any of you and I know some of 22 my colleagues here have shared in it, my mother 23 also taught me how to cook and bake, those of 1 you who've seemed to think I'm pretty good at 2 it, because that was another aspect of family 3 responsibility that my parents taught me. 4 They also taught me the 5 importance of my religion, the importance of the 6 values that that embraced, the importance of 7 respect for other people. And so I do -- would 8 like to acknowledge Harry and Sally Connor who 9 are here from New Jersey today with me. Thank 10 you. 11 (Applause). 12 And I do want to mention 13 naturally I was blessed with four wonderful 14 grandparents. As many of you know, my maternal 15 grandmother passed away last May. She was a 16 Democratic committeewoman most of her life. She 17 taught me a few things about politics, and I 18 think I learned those lessons pretty well. My 19 other -- my paternal grandparents are deceased, 20 but one person who was not able to be here but 21 who did visit with us 10 or 12 years ago is my 22 grandfather, Martin O'Brien, who is 104 and is 23 in pretty good health today but not in good 1 enough health to travel three and a half hours, 2 but I know he's with us in spirit. 3 When I was first elected to the 4 Senate in 1978, I was given some small sum for a 5 staff allocation as things were then, and I blew 6 a large portion of it to hire somebody away from 7 Wall Street. I think she was making 10,000 a 8 year and I offered her eleven-five to come to 9 work and be not only my first staff member but 10 in those days my only staff member in a district 11 that embraced two boroughs in the district 12 office. She set up that district office. She 13 worked it as we all know working a district. 14 She covered the meetings. She also was going to 15 college at night and she got her Bachelor's 16 degree summa cum laude and went on to law school 17 nights for four years, wasn't -- certainly 18 wasn't above cutting class to go to community 19 meetings -- I guess we can say that the statute 20 of limitations on the academic degrees having 21 expired, and was just a superb staff member. So 22 good that I fired her, absolutely. Came up one 23 day in early 1984 and I said, "You're fired" and 1 I said, "You want to have dinner tomorrow 2 night," and months after she was fired she 3 became my wife, and that's Christine, my 4 partner. 5 (Applause) 6 And my two wonderful sons are 7 here, Marty and Brian, sitting patiently through 8 this. Yesterday when I was driving up with 9 them, Brian said, "What are you going to do in 10 Albany?" I said, "I have some meetings." He 11 said, "Meetings! All you do is talk" -- he's 12 five -- "talk, talk, talk. I don't like these 13 meetings." I said, "You have a point there," 14 but they are here. 15 My other friends and relatives, 16 my long-time staff members, Hedy Weinberger, 17 Carol Larrivee, Amy Solomon who has been with me 18 off and on for many, many years, someone who was 19 just very important to me politically who passed 20 away last year, my dear friend Billy, many of 21 you know of whom I speak. I think he's here 22 with us in spirit today, but my other friends 23 and staff who are here, I thank all of you 1 because I don't arrive here without a lot of 2 people being behind me. 3 As we look forward to the coming 4 session, Senator Bruno, we will cooperate. We 5 will undoubtedly disagree. Well disagree within 6 that traditional framework of debate and 7 discussion. That is a legislative body. And I 8 know we will see changes here. We will credit 9 you, of course, and your colleagues with doing 10 some of them. We will, on this side of the 11 aisle, I think you will suffer us saying we had 12 the idea a while ago. We were -- tried to 13 persuade. 14 I think, though, the people will 15 be well served and again, we have -- we share 16 many of the same goals, my colleagues on this 17 side of the aisle about taxes, about jobs, about 18 protecting our people against crime. We may 19 differ about ways to get there, that's why we 20 have a Legislature and that's why we will un 21 doubtedly have many debates, many discussions 22 all before midnight. 23 So again, Madam President, thank 1 you very much. 2 (Applause) 3 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Bruno. 4 SENATOR BRUNO: Madam President, 5 I believe there are several resolutions at the 6 desk. 7 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary 8 will read these, please. 9 THE SECRETARY: Concurrent 10 Resolution Number 3, by Senator Bruno: RESOLVED 11 that the Senate and Assembly shall meet in joint 12 assembly in the Assembly Chamber at 1:00 p.m. 13 today for the purpose of receiving a message 14 from the Governor. 15 THE PRESIDENT: On the 16 resolution, all in favor say aye. 17 (Response of "Aye.") 18 Opposed nay. 19 (There was no response. ) 20 The ayes have it. The resolution 21 is adopted. The Secretary will read it, please. 22 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution 23 Number 4, by Senator Bruno: RESOLVED that the 1 President appoint a committee of two to inform 2 the Governor of the election of Joseph L. Bruno 3 as Temporary President of the Senate for the 4 years 1995-1996, that the Senate is organized 5 and ready to proceed with business and will meet 6 with the Assembly in the Assembly Chamber at 7 1:00 p.m. today to receive the Governor's 8 message. 9 THE PRESIDENT: All in favor of 10 the resolution say aye. 11 (Response of "Aye.") 12 Opposed nay. 13 (There was no response. ) 14 The ayes have it. The resolution 15 is adopted. 16 The Chair appoints Senator Kuhl 17 and Senator Abate to wait upon the Governor. 18 The Secretary will read, please. 19 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution 20 Number 5, by Senator Bruno: RESOLVED that the 21 President appoint a committee of two to wait 22 upon the Assembly and inform that body of the 23 election of Joseph L. Bruno as Temporary 1 President of the Senate for the years 1995-1996, 2 that the Senate is organized and ready to 3 proceed with business and will meet jointly with 4 the Assembly in the Assembly Chamber at 1:00 5 p.m. today to receive the Governor's message. 6 THE PRESIDENT: On the 7 resolution, all those in favor say aye. 8 (Response of "Aye.") 9 Opposed nay. 10 (There was no response. ) 11 The ayes have it. The resolution 12 is adopted. 13 The Chair appoints Senator Skelos 14 and Senator Kruger to wait upon the Assembly. 15 Senator Bruno. 16 SENATOR BRUNO: I'd like to hand 17 up the following resolution and ask for its 18 adoption. 19 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary 20 will read it, please. 21 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution 22 Number 6, by Senator Bruno: RESOLVED that the 23 rules of the Senate for the years 1993-1994 as 1 last amended be adopted as the rules of the 2 Senate for the years 1995-1996. 3 SENATOR CONNOR: Madam President, 4 with the understanding, I think, from both sides 5 that the issue of amending the rules and 6 changing the rules will remain open to a future 7 date. 8 THE PRESIDENT: That's right. 9 On the resolution, all those in 10 favor say aye. 11 (Response of "Aye.") 12 Opposed nay. 13 (There was no response.) 14 The ayes have it. The resolution 15 is adopted. 16 Senator Bruno. 17 SENATOR BRUNO: Madam President, 18 can we have the next resolution, please. 19 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary 20 will read it. 21 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution 22 Number 7, by Senator Bruno: RESOLVED that, 23 unless otherwise ordered, the hours of meeting 1 of the Senate shall be as follows: Mondays and 2 Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m., Wednesdays and all other 3 days at 11:00 a.m., provided that no session 4 shall be held between the hours of 12:00 a.m. 5 and 8:00 a.m., except to complete action on a 6 measure or measures upon which debate was begun 7 prior to 12:00 a.m., or to act on a measure or 8 measures for which a message of necessity has 9 been received from the Governor. 10 THE PRESIDENT: On the 11 resolution, all in favor say aye. 12 (Response of "Aye.") 13 Opposed nay. 14 (There was no response. ) 15 The ayes have it. The resolution 16 is adopted. 17 Senator Bruno. 18 SENATOR BRUNO: Madam President, 19 there being no further business to come before 20 the Senate, I move that we adjourn until Monday 21 at 3:00 p.m., and intervening days being 22 legislative days. 23 Thank you. 1 THE PRESIDENT: The Senate stands 2 adjourned. 3 (Whereupon at 12:57 p.m., the 4 Senate adjourned. ) 5 6 7 8 9 10