Monday, March 30, 1998

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ALBANY, NEW YORK 10 March 30, 1998 11 3:19 p.m. 12 13 14 REGULAR SESSION 15 16 17 18 SENATOR RAYMOND A. MEIER, Acting President 19 STEVEN M. BOGGESS, Secretary 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 P R O C E E D I N G S 2 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 3 Senate will come to order. I'd ask everyone 4 present to please rise and repeat with me the 5 Pledge of Allegiance. 6 (The assemblage repeated the 7 Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.) 8 The invocation will be given by 9 Father Bernard Granger, who is the Chaplain of 10 the Firemen's Association of the state of New 11 York. 12 Chaplain? 13 FATHER BERNARD GRANGER: Will 14 you join with me in prayer. 15 O Lord our God, our celestial 16 governor and our universal fire chief, You 17 have redeemed us, set upon us the 18 responsibility of using all of Your gifts and 19 blessings for good, all the ways we can. Let 20 us always remember that it is only in and 21 through You that we can live and move and have 22 our being, that our ultimate goal is to 23 glorify and praise You and serve You. To this 24 end, we ask that You protect us, provide 25 everything self-serving. We ask that You will 1 inspire and guide us citizens of this state 2 and legislators of this state. We ask that 3 Your will may inspire every word and thing. 4 Guide and direct us in integrity and truth, 5 guide and lead these legislators as they 6 provide for the common good, as they seek to 7 love and serve You in all that they say or do 8 or think, this day and all the days of their 9 lives. All this we ask in Your Holy Name. 10 Amen. 11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 12 Reading of the Journal. 13 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, 14 Sunday, March 29th. The Senate met pursuant 15 to adjournment. The Journal of Saturday, 16 March 27th, was read and approved. On motion 17 Senate adjourned. 18 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 19 Without objection, the Journal stands approved 20 as read. 21 Presentation of petitions. 22 Messages from the Assembly. 23 Messages from the Governor. 24 Reports of standing 25 committees. 1 Secretary will read. 2 THE SECRETARY: Senator Trunzo, 3 from the Committee on Civil Service and 4 Pensions, reports the following bills: 5 Senate Print 3960, by Senator 6 Trunzo, an act to amend the Retirement and 7 Social Security Law; 8 4725-A, by Senator Trunzo, an 9 act to amend the Retirement and Social 10 Security Law; 11 6206, by Senator Kuhl, an act 12 to authorize the village of Horseheads, county 13 of Chemung; and 14 6412, with amendments, by 15 Senator Spano, an act to amend the Retirement 16 and Social Security Law. 17 Senator Velella, from the 18 Committee on Insurance, reports: 19 Senate Print 4092, by Senator 20 Velella, an act to amend the Insurance Law; 21 6172, by Senator Larkin, an act 22 to amend the Insurance Law; 23 6255, by Senator Velella, an 24 act to amend the Insurance Law; 25 6334, by Senator Velella, an 1 act to amend the Insurance Law; and 2 6343, by Senator Velella, an 3 act to amend the Insurance Law. 4 All bills ordered direct for 5 third reading. 6 SENATOR GOLD: Mr. President. 7 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 8 Without objection - 9 SENATOR GOLD: No, Mr. 10 President. 11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 12 Senator Gold. 13 SENATOR GOLD: Yeah, I think, 14 Mr. Chairman -- Mr. President, I'm looking at 15 today's calendar, has some 125 bills I guess 16 on third reading already. I'm also looking at 17 the inside cover, where there is a note by 18 Senator Bruno explaining the legislative 19 procedure, for the gallery I guess, about 20 bills coming from committee and going to First 21 Report, and Second Report and then Third 22 Reading. 23 It's my understanding, Mr. 24 President, that not once this year have we had 25 a committee report a bill to First Report or 1 Second Report, and I was wondering, Mr. 2 President, why are we reporting these directly 3 to Third. I mean we have a calendar full of 4 Third Reading. We have a Majority Leader who 5 is very, very keen on procedure telling the 6 world that we have a First Report and a Second 7 Report, and I don't understand why there is a 8 necessity for these bills to be reported 9 directly to Third. Could I understand? 10 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 11 Senator Skelos. 12 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 13 if I could just point out, these bills were 14 reported out of committee with consent of the 15 committee members. 16 SENATOR GOLD: As I was saying, 17 Mr. President, if somebody could explain to me 18 why there's a necessity for the bills to go 19 direct to Third, since we have a procedure 20 which was voted upon by the Majority which 21 says the bills go to First Report and Second 22 Report. I just thought I would like to under 23 stand the process and why we have changed it. 24 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Are 25 you stating an objection, Senator Gold? 1 SENATOR GOLD: Well, I haven't 2 made my mind up. I'd like to know if somebody 3 would yield to that question explaining to me 4 why we should not object and why the bills 5 should go to Third instead of to First or 6 Second. 7 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 8 Senator Skelos. 9 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 10 if I could help Senator Gold, I mentioned 11 before certainly he has the right to object. 12 Certainly any committee member that reviewed 13 these bills, all of whom I understand 14 consented that they go to Third Reading at 15 this time, could have objected. 16 If Senator Gold objects to 17 these bills being reported to Third Reading, 18 he can object. But the -- what Senator Bruno 19 and the Majority has been trying to do here, 20 with the cooperation of the Minority which has 21 been well received up to this point, is 22 continue to move the process along so that we 23 can do the work of the people. 24 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 25 Senator Gold. 1 SENATOR GOLD: Yeah. Mr. 2 President, I appreciate the comments of 3 Senator Skelos. I personally don't think you 4 move the process along by reporting day after 5 day bills that are old hat and nothing new, so 6 that, I don't think, accomplishes anything. 7 I also would point out to 8 Senator Skelos that we could move the process 9 along by handling the hundred or so bills 10 which are already on Third Reading. They 11 don't need any more to it. I appreciate his 12 comments that no one in the committee has 13 objected but, as everybody knows our committee 14 system, these bills are put out and there's 15 not too much choice, but I've raised the issue 16 and I will discuss it with the leadership on 17 my side. I don't believe in taking over the 18 priorities of a very distinguished Minority 19 Leader that we have here, so I will not object 20 at this point but we will consider it in the 21 future. 22 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 23 Without objection, all bills to the Third 24 Reading Calendar. 25 Reports of select committees. 1 Communications and reports from 2 state officers. 3 Motions and resolutions. 4 Senator Marcellino. 5 SENATOR MARCELLINO: Thank you, 6 Mr. President. 7 Mr. President, on behalf of 8 Senator Alesi, I move the following bills be 9 discharged from their respective -- from its 10 respective committee and be recommitted with 11 instructions to strike the enacting clause: 12 Specifically referring to Bill Number 6497. 13 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: So 14 ordered. 15 SENATOR MARCELLINO: Also, Mr. 16 President, on behalf of Senator Holland - 17 thank you, by the way, for the prior order. 18 On behalf of Senator Holland, 19 on page number 22, I offer the following 20 amendments to Calendar Number 473, Senate 21 Print Number 2548, and ask that said bill 22 retain its place on the Third Reading 23 Calendar. 24 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 25 Amendments received, and so ordered. 1 SENATOR MARCELLINO: Thank you, 2 sir. 3 Senator Maziarz. 4 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Thank you, 5 Mr. President. 6 I wish to call up my bill, 7 Print Number 6584-A, recalled from the 8 Assembly, which is now at the desk. 9 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 10 Secretary will read. 11 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 12 483, by Senator Maziarz, Senate Print 6584-A, 13 an act to amend the Social Services Law. 14 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Mr. 15 President, I now move to reconsider the vote 16 by which this bill was passed. 17 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 18 the roll on reconsideration. 19 (The Secretary called the roll 20 on reconsideration. ) 21 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 50. 22 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Mr. 23 President, I now offer the following 24 amendments. 25 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 1 Amendments received. 2 Senator Skelos. 3 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 4 on behalf of Senator Bruno, I'd like to hand 5 up the following committee changes for 6 filing. 7 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 8 Committee changes will be received at the desk 9 and filed. 10 Senator Skelos. 11 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 12 I believe there's a privileged Resolution 13 Number 3004, by Senator Wright, concerning 14 Small Business Day. I ask that it be read up 15 -- read in its entirety and offer up 16 co-sponsorship as recommended by Senator 17 Wright. 18 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 19 Secretary will read. 20 THE SECRETARY: By Senator 21 Wright, Legislative Resolution 3004, 22 memorializing Governor George E. Pataki to 23 recognize Monday, March 30th, 1998, as Small 24 Business Day in the state of New York. 25 WHEREAS, small businesses are 1 vital to our nation's economy and our way of 2 life, constituting the single most important 3 segment of our free enterprise system; and 4 WHEREAS, small businesses 5 generate virtually all new jobs arising in New 6 York State. 7 The contributions made by small 8 business owners are too often taken for 9 granted even though they often risk their 10 financial security to create jobs, pay taxes 11 and produce goods and services for the people 12 of New York State. 13 Small businesses are the source 14 of many innovations in products and 15 merchandising and have made significant 16 contributions to our state and our society. 17 Small businesses in New York 18 State exert a strong positive influence on the 19 political, economic and social development of 20 the state, and the future welfare of the state 21 depends on the continued development of small 22 business; and 23 WHEREAS, the members of the New 24 York State Assembly and Senate wish to 25 proclaim their recognition of small business 1 as a crucial element in the economy of New 2 York State. 3 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED 4 that this legislative body pause in its delib 5 erations to congratulate all small business 6 owners and operators in New York State on 7 their achievements, and to memorialize 8 Governor George E. Pataki to proclaim Monday, 9 March 30, 1998, as "Small Business Day" in the 10 state of New York, and 11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a 12 copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, 13 be transmitted to Governor George E. Pataki. 14 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 15 Senator Wright. 16 SENATOR WRIGHT: Thank you, Mr. 17 President. 18 If I may, very briefly, on the 19 resolution. Today all of us have 20 representatives from throughout the state here 21 visiting the Capitol on behalf of chambers of 22 commerce, the National Federation of 23 Independent Business Individuals, and The 24 Business Council talking about the issues that 25 concern their businesses and the economy of 1 this state, and I'm very pleased to see that 2 our house and the other house will be stopping 3 in their deliberations to recognize that 4 commitment of small business. 5 We have individuals who are 6 here in the gallery and will be joining us 7 throughout the day. I would encourage my 8 opening the resolution to sponsorship from all 9 members. 10 Thank you. 11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 12 Question is on the resolution. All in favor 13 signify by saying aye. 14 (Response of "Aye.") 15 Opposed nay. 16 (There was no response. ) 17 The resolution is adopted. 18 Senator Skelos. 19 SENATOR SKELOS: Yes. On that 20 resolution, if anybody wishes not to sponsor 21 it, they should notify the desk. 22 I believe there's a privileged 23 Resolution 3005, by Senator Breslin. I ask 24 that the title be read and move for its 25 adoption. 1 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 2 Secretary will read. 3 THE SECRETARY: By Senator 4 Breslin, Legislative Resolution 3005, 5 commending Elias "Babe" Amash on his 18 years 6 of ceaseless dedicated service as Business 7 Agent of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 8 1321, to be celebrated April 4, 1998. 9 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 10 Question is on the resolution. All in favor 11 signify by saying aye. 12 (Response of "Aye.") 13 Opposed nay. 14 (There was no response. ) 15 The resolution is adopted. 16 Senator Skelos. 17 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 18 if we could take up the non-controversial 19 calendar. 20 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 21 Secretary will read. 22 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 23 168, by Senator Hannon, Senate Print 4974-A, 24 an act to enact the "Health Care Embassy Match 25 Act" of 1998. 1 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read 2 the last section. 3 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. 4 This act shall take effect immediately. 5 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 6 the roll. 7 (The Secretary called the 8 roll. ) 9 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 53. 10 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 11 bill is passed. 12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 13 317, by Senator Skelos, Senate Print 310-A, an 14 act to amend the Executive Law, in relation to 15 the search of criminal history records. 16 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read 17 the last section. 18 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. 19 This act shall take effect on the first day of 20 November. 21 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 22 the - 23 SENATOR GOLD: Lay it aside, 24 please. 25 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Lay 1 the bill aside. 2 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 3 373, by Senator Spano, Senate Print 6328-A, an 4 act to amend the Labor Law and the Civil 5 Service Law, in relation to prohibiting state 6 funding to discourage union organization. 7 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read 8 the last section. 9 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. 10 This act shall take effect immediately. 11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 12 the roll. 13 (The Secretary called the 14 roll. ) 15 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 53. 16 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 17 bill is passed. 18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 19 375, by Senator Present, Senate Print 528-A, 20 an act to amend the General Municipal Law, in 21 relation to municipal contingency. 22 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read 23 the last section. 24 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. 25 This act shall take effect immediately. 1 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 2 the roll. 3 (The Secretary called the 4 roll. ) 5 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 53. 6 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 7 bill is passed. 8 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 9 384, by Senator Leibell, Senate Print 6203, an 10 act to amend the Real Property Tax Law, in 11 relation to rehabilitation of certain multiple 12 dwellings. 13 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read 14 the last section. 15 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. 16 This act shall take effect immediately. 17 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 18 the roll. 19 (The Secretary called the 20 roll. ) 21 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 53. 22 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 23 bill is passed. 24 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 25 385, by Senator Volker, Senate Print 6207-B, 1 an act in relation to authorizing the town of 2 Hamburg, county of Erie, to convey certain 3 park lands. 4 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read 5 the last section. 6 THE SECRETARY: Section 5. 7 This act shall take effect immediately. 8 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: There 9 is a home rule message at the desk. Call the 10 roll. 11 (The Secretary called the 12 roll. ) 13 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 53. 14 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 15 bill is passed. 16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 17 412, by Senator Johnson, Senate Print 2584-B, 18 an act to amend the Family Court Act and the 19 Vehicle and Traffic Law, in relation to 20 suspension of eligibility for a license. 21 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read 22 the last section. 23 THE SECRETARY: Section - 24 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Lay 25 the bill aside. 1 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 2 429, by Senator Cook, Senate Print 2827-B, an 3 act to create a program for the humanities 4 within the Office of Cultural Education of the 5 state Education Department. 6 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read 7 the last section. 8 THE SECRETARY: Section 5. 9 This act shall take effect on the first day of 10 April. 11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 12 the roll. 13 (The Secretary called the 14 roll. ) 15 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 54. 16 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 17 bill is passed. 18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 19 485, by Senator Rath, Senate Print 5809-B, an 20 act to amend the Tax Law, in relation to the 21 definition of the term "affiliated person". 22 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read 23 the last section. 24 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. 25 This act shall take effect immediately. 1 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 2 the roll. 3 (The Secretary called the 4 roll. ) 5 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 54. 6 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 7 bill is passed. 8 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 9 487, by Senator Wright, Senate Print 6479, an 10 act to amend the Tax Law, in relation to 11 disclosure of overpayment of taxes to 12 taxpayers. 13 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read 14 the last section. 15 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. 16 This act shall take effect immediately. 17 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 18 the roll. 19 (The Secretary called the 20 roll. ) 21 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 54. 22 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 23 bill is passed. 24 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 25 488, by Senator Wright, Senate Print 6481, an 1 act to amend the Tax Law, in relation to 2 applications for refunds of sales tax. 3 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read 4 the last section. 5 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. 6 This act shall take effect immediately. 7 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 8 the roll. 9 (The Secretary called the 10 roll. ) 11 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 54. 12 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 13 bill is passed. 14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 15 489, by Senator Nozzolio, Senate Print 6504, 16 an act to amend Chapter 55 of the Laws of 17 1992, amending the Tax Law and other laws 18 related to taxes. 19 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read 20 the last section. 21 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. 22 This act shall take effect immediately. 23 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 24 the roll. 25 (The Secretary called the 1 roll. ) 2 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 54. 3 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 4 bill is passed. 5 Senator Skelos, that completes 6 the reading of the non-controversial 7 calendar. 8 SENATOR SKELOS: Yes. We have 9 another resolution, if we could return to 10 motions and resolutions, by Senator Alesi. I 11 ask that the title be read and move for its 12 immediate adoption. 13 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 14 Secretary will read. 15 THE SECRETARY: By Senator 16 Alesi, Legislative Resolution 3007, honoring 17 Jeremy Lindauer, in recognition of his heroic 18 action in saving the lives of six people from 19 a burning building in Rochester. 20 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 21 Question is on the resolution. All those in 22 favor signify by saying aye. 23 (Response of "Aye.") 24 Opposed nay. 25 (There was no response.) 1 The resolution is passed. 2 Senator Skelos. 3 SENATOR SKELOS: If we could go 4 to the controversial calendar. 5 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 6 Secretary will read the controversial 7 calendar. 8 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 9 317, by Senator Skelos, Senate Print Number 10 310-A, an act to amend the Executive Law, in 11 relation to the search of criminal history 12 records. 13 SENATOR GOLD: Mr. President. 14 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 15 Senator Gold. 16 SENATOR GOLD: Would the 17 sponsor yield to just one question? 18 SENATOR SKELOS: Yes. I think 19 it would be appropriate to lay it aside for 20 the day, so it could be reviewed. 21 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Lay 22 the bill aside for the day. 23 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 24 412, by Senator Johnson, Senate Print 2584-B, 25 an act to amend the Family Court Act and the 1 Vehicle and Traffic Law, in relation to 2 suspension of eligibility for a license. 3 SENATOR GOLD: Mr. President. 4 Oh. 5 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 6 Senator Johnson, an explanation has been 7 requested of Calendar Number 412 by Senator 8 Montgomery. 9 SENATOR JOHNSON: Mr. 10 President, this bill adds a person 14 years of 11 age but less than 16 who commits a violation 12 of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle to 13 the definition of a juvenile delinquent to 14 allow such person to go through the Family 15 Court process ending in a dispositional 16 hearing where the order shall be sent to DMV. 17 What this does is provides a 18 penalty, and the penalty would be no license 19 for -- no license shall be issued prior to the 20 age of 18 or possibly age 21 for someone who 21 committed this violation. This is a negative, 22 a youngster would like to drive legally at 23 some point, but they know if they drive 24 illegally between 14 and 16 that they will not 25 get a license for three years. 1 It's supported by the AAA and 2 other right thinking people. 3 SENATOR GOLD: Mr. President. 4 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 5 Senator Montgomery requested the explanation. 6 Senator Montgomery. 7 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: I will 8 yield to Senator Gold. 9 SENATOR GOLD: Thank you, 10 Senator. 11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 12 Senator Gold. 13 SENATOR GOLD: I just have one 14 question. Will the Senator yield to one 15 question? 16 SENATOR JOHNSON: Yes. 17 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 18 Senator yields, Senator Gold. 19 SENATOR GOLD: Yes. My notes 20 indicate you had this bill last year and I 21 voted in favor of it and probably will today 22 but maybe you can help me with a question that 23 I was going to ask Senator Skelos. It's part 24 of the same issue. 25 Your bill, Calendar Number 412, 1 came on our calendar direct to Third on March 2 17th. The bill before it was March 10th, 3 March 10th, March 10th. Senator Skelos' bill 4 was March 3rd, when it hit the calendar, and 5 Senator Hannon's bill was January 27th. 6 Senator Johnson, do you know 7 any reason why your will had to be reported 8 directly to Third back on March 17th, which 9 was instead of ordering it to First Report, 10 Second and Third rather than going directly to 11 the calendar on this? 12 (Microphones inoperative). 13 SENATOR JOHNSON: This was 14 something on the agenda. 15 SENATOR GOLD: And what? 16 SENATOR JOHNSON: We had to get 17 some bills that we could put on the calendar 18 and we had titles of two bills to put on the 19 calendar. 20 SENATOR GOLD: Well, Senator 21 Johnson, I appreciate your candor. One of the 22 problems with this, when they get it on the - 23 maybe I can get an answer but, Senator, we now 24 have a calendar that's pages and pages of 25 bills on third report, and I think -- thank 1 you for your help. 2 I think Senator Montgomery 3 wants to discuss the bill. 4 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Yes. 5 Senator Montgomery, why do you rise? 6 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Yes. 7 Thank you, Mr. President. 8 I would like to ask a question 9 of Senator -- of Senator Johnson, if he would 10 yield. 11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 12 Senator Johnson, do you yield to a question? 13 SENATOR JOHNSON: Yes, Mr. 14 President. 15 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 16 Senator yields, Senator Montgomery. 17 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Mr. 18 President, I have this memo, and I want to be 19 sure it's not outdated which seems to often 20 happen that we have an outdated memo, and I 21 read here in this particular memo where we're 22 talking about you use the example of on Long 23 Island, on an average of three times a week 24 Nassau and Suffolk police stop a vehicle with 25 an under-age unlicensed driver and between '87 1 and '91 at least one driver aged 15 or younger 2 was involved in a fatal crash on Long Island. 3 Is that more prevalent in other 4 parts of the state than in Long Island or is 5 this -- is this an example that gives us an 6 average view of this problem? 7 SENATOR JOHNSON: I really 8 can't say, although in that -- in that release 9 which you are referring to, there was 10 reference to an under-age driver in upstate 11 New York running into a school bus. I'm sure 12 these things happen all around the state. All 13 we're saying is, we're going to let you know 14 that you give up your license, your right to 15 have a license legally until age 18 or 21 at 16 the discretion of the judge if you do drive 17 unlicensed, or perhaps these youngsters would 18 restrain themselves for a year or two until 19 they can get a legal license and that's really 20 what they'd like to do, I think. 21 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: All 22 right. And does -- if you would yield to just 23 one more question, Mr. President. 24 SENATOR JOHNSON: Yes. 25 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 1 Senator Johnson, do you yield to one more 2 question? 3 SENATOR JOHNSON: Yes. 4 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 5 Senator yields. 6 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Yes, Mr. 7 President. This -- Senator, this would cover 8 specifically young people who are caught 9 driving without a license under age? 10 SENATOR JOHNSON: That's 11 correct. The law presently covers 16 and 12 over. We're moving the age to 14, including a 13 14 to 16 cohort including the over 16 which is 14 presently covered under this law. 15 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Yes, all 16 right. Thank you. 17 Mr. President, just briefly on 18 the bill. 19 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 20 Senator Montgomery, on the bill. 21 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: I believe 22 I voted against this bill in the past, and I 23 will vote against it today only because I am 24 concerned that we are limiting the possibility 25 of a young person who can get a job in a 1 shopping center or in a Burger King or 2 wherever, that is a distance from their home 3 especially if they live in certain parts of 4 the state and they need to drive to get there 5 because there is not transportation and at 17 6 they can't get a little job because they're 7 ineligible to get a license or to have, you 8 know -- to have access to a driver's license. 9 So I think that this is sort of 10 over-reaching in that, as Senator Johnson has 11 not -- has not indicated that this is an 12 overwhelming problem that we have to punish 13 all of our young people in the state for a few 14 young people who do get behind the wheel 15 without a license and under age, and let me 16 just say that in my district there is now a 17 Youth Court which is going be part of a 18 community court which is an alternative 19 community-based court system, and part of 20 that, the reason that we have a Youth Court is 21 that young people can be dealt with for these 22 kinds of minor -- relatively minor infractions 23 before it reaches a stage of actual 24 criminality, but nonetheless they can pay some 25 kind of restitution which becomes meaningful 1 to them, and in addition they can participate 2 in the court so that they begin to understand 3 the meaning of their behavior and its 4 relationship to the criminal justice system. 5 So I would much rather us direct young people 6 to that kind of process than to just cut off 7 the availability of work for them. 8 So I'm going to vote against it 9 again, Mr. President. 10 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read 11 the last section. 12 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. 13 This act shall take effect in 120 days. 14 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 15 the roll. 16 (The Secretary called the 17 roll. ) 18 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 52, nays 19 2, Senators Montgomery and Smith recorded in 20 the negative. 21 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 22 bill is passed. 23 Senator Skelos, that completes 24 the reading of the controversial calendar. 25 SENATOR SKELOS: If we could 1 return to motions and resolutions. I believe 2 there's a Resolution Number 2421, by Senator 3 Nozzolio. I ask that it be read in its 4 entirety. This resolution was previously 5 passed. 6 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 7 Secretary will read. 8 THE SECRETARY: By Senator 9 Nozzolio, Legislative Resolution 2421, 10 honoring Kenneth "Ken" Burns and welcoming him 11 to the New York State Capitol. 12 WHEREAS, individuals who 13 distinguish themselves in their chosen fields 14 of endeavor, dedicating themselves to its 15 enhancement and leading it in new directions, 16 are an asset beyond remuneration and cannot be 17 sufficiently extolled; and 18 WHEREAS, with great admiration 19 and respect, this legislative body is proud to 20 honor Kenneth "Ken" Burns for his commitment 21 to celebrating America's history and bringing 22 it to life for millions of Americans, and 23 warmly welcomes him to the New York State 24 Capitol. 25 A world-renowned 1 cinematographer, director, producer and 2 writer, Ken Burns is the most accomplished 3 documentary filmmaker of his generation; and 4 WHEREAS, born in Brooklyn, New 5 York in 1953, Ken Burns graduated from 6 Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts in 7 1975 and went on to become one of the 8 co-founders of Florentine Films. 9 Ken Burns has been making 10 documentary films for more than 20 years. In 11 1981, he produced and directed the Academy 12 Award nominated Brooklyn Bridge. He has gone 13 on to make several other award-winning films, 14 including The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts 15 to God, The Statue of Liberty, also nominated 16 for an Oscar; Huey Long, the story of the 17 turbulent southern dictator, which enjoyed a 18 rare theatrical release; The Congress: The 19 History and Promise of Representative 20 Government, Lindbergh, Thomas Hart Benton, a 21 portrait of the regionalist artist; and Empire 22 of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio; and 23 WHEREAS, he has also produced 24 and directed two films, William Segal and 25 Vezelay, which explore the question of search 1 and individual identity through the work and 2 teachings of philosopher and painter William 3 Segal; and 4 Ken Burns' credits include, in 5 addition, the critically acclaimed landmark 6 television series, The Civil War. This film 7 was the highest rated series in the history of 8 American Public Television, and attracted an 9 audience of 40 million during its premiere in 10 September 1990. This 11-hour 9-part series has 11 been honored with more than 40 major film and 12 television awards, including two Emmys, two 13 Grammy Awards, Producer of the Year Award from 14 The Producers' Guild, People's Choice Award, 15 Peabody Award, duPont-Columbia Award, D.W. 16 Griffiths Award, and the $50,000 Lincoln 17 Prize, among dozens of others; and 18 WHEREAS, four and a half years 19 in the making and eighteen and one-half hours 20 in length, Ken Burns' film Baseball covered 21 the history of baseball from the 1840s to the 22 present. Through the extensive use of 23 archival photographs and newsreel footage, 24 baseball as a mirror of our larger society was 25 brought to the screen over nine nights during 1 its premiere in September 1994. It became the 2 most watched series in PBS history and earned 3 numerous additional awards for its excellence 4 and achievements; and 5 WHEREAS, in the fall of 1996, 6 his film The West, an eight-part, twelve and 7 one-half hour film series on the American west 8 was released; The West is the story of one of 9 the great crossroads in human history, a place 10 where, tragically and heroically, the best of 11 us met the worst of us and nothing was left 12 unchanged. Ken Burns was executive producer 13 and creative consultant for this film which 14 won the 1997 Erik Barnouw Prize; and 15 WHEREAS, in February of 1997, 16 Ken Burns released first in a series of filmed 17 biographies on noteworthy Americans, Thomas 18 Jefferson, a three-hour portrait of our third 19 president, explores the contradictions of the 20 man who was revered as the author of the most 21 sacred document in American history and 22 condemned as a lifelong owner of slaves. 23 Thomas Jefferson was followed 24 in the fall of 1997 by the broadcast of Lewis 25 and Clark: The Journey of the Corps of 1 Discovery and films on the lives of Frank 2 Lloyd Wright and Mark Twain; and. 3 WHEREAS, this legislative body 4 wishes to congratulate Ken Burns on his latest 5 project, a documentary on the lives and 6 accomplishments of Susan B. Anthony and 7 Elizabeth Cady Stanton in leading the efforts 8 for women's rights in America and gaining the 9 right to vote for women. 10 This project is especially 11 noteworthy in this year, 1998, the 150th 12 Anniversary of the Women's Rights Convention 13 held in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848. New 14 York State and the village of Seneca Falls are 15 justifiably proud to be recognized as the 16 birthplace of the women's rights movement. 17 This legislative body 18 appreciates that Ken Burns has turned his 19 creative talents to making our nation aware of 20 the tremendous accomplishments that these two 21 New York women, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and 22 Susan B. Anthony, made to the women's rights 23 movement which is such an important part of 24 New York State's history. 25 This legislature body and the 1 people of the state and nation look forward to 2 his next major series, a history of jazz and a 3 sequel to Baseball and The Civil War to be 4 broadcast in the year 2000; and 5 WHEREAS, it is the sense of 6 this legislative body to honor and pay tribute 7 to those individuals whose commitment and 8 creative talents have contributed so 9 significantly to the education, entertainment, 10 and cultural enrichment of the citizens of the 11 state of New York. 12 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, 13 that this legislative body pause in its 14 deliberations to welcome Ken Burns to the New 15 York State Capitol and to extend to him its 16 highest commendation and deepest respect for a 17 celebration of America's history, bringing it 18 to life for people of all ages, cultures and 19 educational background; and 20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a 21 copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, 22 be transmitted to Ken Burns. 23 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 24 Senator Nozzolio. 25 SENATOR NOZZOLIO: Mr. 1 President, on the resolution. 2 Mr. President, we are honored 3 today in this chamber by the presence of the 4 subject of this resolution. It is with great 5 honor and distinction that I welcome and 6 introduce to my colleagues, Ken Burns, the 7 premier story teller of our time, that I for 8 one am extremely thrilled that Mr. Burns has 9 taken upon himself a new project that focuses 10 on two native New Yorkers, Elizabeth Cady 11 Stanton and Susan B. Anthony; that, through 12 Mr. Burns' work, future generations have a 13 much greater appreciation of the depth, scope 14 and breadth of our rich American history. 15 It is with that that I welcome 16 Ken Burns to Albany and to the state Senate, 17 congratulate him for his wonderful record of 18 accomplishment, terrific contribution to our 19 society, and we wish you good luck with all 20 future projects. 21 Welcome, Mr. Burns. 22 (Applause) 23 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 24 Senator Skelos. 25 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 1 there will be an immediate meeting of the 2 Rules Committee in the Majority Conference 3 Room, and the Senate will stand at ease 4 temporarily. 5 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: There 6 will be an immediate meeting of the Rules 7 Committee in the Majority Conference Room. 8 The Senate will stand at ease. 9 (The Senate stood at ease from 10 3:56 p.m. to 4:01 p.m.) 11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 12 Senate will come to order. 13 Senator Skelos. 14 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 15 if we could return to reports of standing 16 committees. I believe there's a report of the 17 Rules Committee at the desk. I ask that it be 18 read. 19 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 20 Secretary will read. 21 THE SECRETARY: Senator Bruno, 22 from the Committee on Rules, reports the 23 following bill direct to third reading: 24 Senate Print 6682, by Senator 25 Saland, an act to amend Chapter 705 of the 1 Laws of 1993, amending the Economic 2 Development Law. 3 SENATOR GOLD: Without 4 objection. 5 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 6 Without objection, to third reading. 7 Senator Skelos. 8 SENATOR SKELOS: Please read 9 the last section. 10 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read 11 the last section. 12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 13 524, by Senator Saland, Senate Print 6682, an 14 act to amend Chapter 705 of the Laws of 1993. 15 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 16 the roll. Read the last section. 17 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. 18 This act shall take effect immediately. 19 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 20 the roll. 21 (The Secretary called the 22 roll. ) 23 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 55. 24 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 25 bill is passed. 1 Senator Skelos. 2 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 3 if we could stand at ease once again. 4 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 5 Senate will stand at ease. 6 (The Senate stood at ease from 7 4:03 p.m. To 4:15 p.m.) 8 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Senate 9 will come to order. 10 Senator Larkin. 11 SENATOR LARKIN: Mr. President, 12 let's return to the calendar, and we'll take 13 up Calendar Number 483, by Senator Maziarz. 14 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 15 Secretary will read. 16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 17 483, by Senator Maziarz, Senate Print 6584-B, 18 an act to amend the Social Services Law. 19 SENATOR STACHOWSKI: 20 Explanation. 21 SENATOR LARKIN: Is there a 22 message at the desk? 23 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Yes, 24 Senator, there is a message of necessity at 25 the desk. 1 SENATOR LARKIN: Move we accept 2 the message. 3 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: All in 4 favor of accepting the message of necessity 5 signify by saying aye. 6 (Response of "Aye.") 7 Opposed nay. 8 (There was no response. ) 9 The message is accepted. 10 Read the last section. 11 SENATOR STACHOWSKI: 12 Explanation. 13 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: O.K. 14 Senator Maziarz, an explanation has been 15 requested by Senator Stachowski. 16 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Thank you 17 very much, Mr. President. 18 Mr. President, this legislation 19 was just passed last week to authorize payment 20 through the state's Medicaid program for 21 Medicaid -- Medicare Part B premiums for 22 Medicare beneficiaries whose income falls 23 between 120 percent and 135 percent of the 24 federal poverty level, and to pay a portion of 25 the premium for beneficiaries whose incomes 1 fall between 135 percent and 175 percent of 2 the federal poverty level. 3 This bill has been amended to 4 make a technical change in the reference to 5 federal law and to direct the Commissioner of 6 Health to develop a simplified application 7 form as well as to work in cooperation with 8 the state Office of the Aging to publicize the 9 availability of these payments. 10 Thank you, Mr. President. 11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read 12 the last section. 13 Senator Paterson. 14 SENATOR PATERSON: Just prior 15 to reading the last section, I'd just like to 16 know if the Senator will yield to a question. 17 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Certainly, 18 Mr. President. 19 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 20 Senator yields. 21 SENATOR PATERSON: Senator, I 22 was just curious. We have passed the "A" 23 print of this bill last week. I guess it has 24 some federal compliance, and it has some other 25 issues that we have changed. Could you just 1 familiarize us with what the changes were from 2 last week, how the bill is improved by -- I'd 3 just like to know - 4 SENATOR MAZIARZ: When Senator 5 Gold is done, I'll answer your question. 6 SENATOR PATERSON: He's helping 7 you out. 8 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Basically, 9 Senator Paterson, through the efforts of the 10 AARP, the Governor's office and the Department 11 of Health and state Office of the Aging, there 12 have been some ongoing negotiations regarding 13 the application process. If you can believe 14 it or not, the federal application process to 15 ascertain these funds by a senior was 14 pages 16 long. Through the efforts of Governor 17 Pataki's office, the AARP, the Department of 18 Health, state Office of the Aging, my staff 19 and the Assembly staff, we have been able to 20 reduce that application to, right now I think 21 we're at less than four pages. 22 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 23 Senator Paterson. 24 SENATOR PATERSON: Is there a 25 reason for that? 1 SENATOR MAZIARZ: There is a 2 reason for the change, Senator Paterson, 3 despite the fact Senator Gold wanted that 14 4 page application, we deemed a 4-page 5 application to be much more simplified. 6 SENATOR PATERSON: One wonders 7 what Senator Gold will do with the extra 8 time. 9 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Well, Senator 10 Gold is not running for reelection, we 11 understand. 12 SENATOR GOLD: Point of order. 13 Point of order, Mr. President. 14 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Point 15 of order. 16 SENATOR GOLD: Yeah, there's 60 17 other guys to pick on. 18 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 19 Senator Paterson. 20 SENATOR OPPENHEIMER: I'm not a 21 guy. 22 SENATOR STACHOWSKI: Isn't Gold 23 old enough to collect? 24 SENATOR PATERSON: Senator, the 25 deadline is fast approaching on the bill, Mr. 1 President. I just hope we'll have an 2 agreement with the Assembly. I don't know 3 whether or not this is an agreed-upon bill. 4 You might want to share that with us, but in 5 light of the deadline I just hope we'll have 6 something very shortly. 7 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Just on the 8 bill. 9 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 10 Senator Maziarz. 11 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Senator 12 Paterson, there is three-way agreement on this 13 bill. 14 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Read 15 the last section. 16 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. 17 This act shall take effect immediately. 18 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 19 the roll. 20 (The Secretary called the 21 roll. ) 22 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 55. 23 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 24 bill is passed. 25 Senator Larkin. 1 SENATOR LARKIN: Mr. President, 2 we'll now stand at ease until 5:30 p.m., 3 tonight. 4 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 5 Senate will stand at ease until 5:30 p.m. Why 6 do you rise? 7 SENATOR PATERSON: Until 5:30. 8 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 5:30. 9 SENATOR PATERSON: That's 5:30, 10 Mr. President. It has to do with the state of 11 Utah, Mr. President. 12 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 13 Senate will stand at ease. 14 (Whereupon at 4:20 p.m., the 15 Senate was at ease.) 16 (At 5:53 p.m., the Senate 17 reconvened.) 18 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 19 Senator Skelos. 20 SENATOR SKELOS: Would you 21 return to motions and resolutions. Would you 22 please recognize Senator Farley. 23 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 24 Senator Farley. 25 SENATOR FARLEY: It's nice to 1 be recognized. Thank you, Senator Skelos. 2 Mr. President, on behalf of 3 Senator Stafford, I wish to call up his bill, 4 Print Number 6101-B, which was recalled from 5 the Assembly which is now at the desk. 6 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 7 Secretary will read. 8 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 9 434, Budget Bill, Senate Print 6101-B, an act 10 making appropriations for legal requirements 11 of the state debt service. 12 SENATOR FARLEY: Mr. President, 13 I now move to reconsider the vote by which 14 this bill was passed. 15 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 16 the roll on reconsideration. 17 (The Secretary called the roll 18 on reconsideration.) 19 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 55. 20 SENATOR FARLEY: Mr. President, 21 I now move to amend Senate Bill Number 6101-B 22 by striking out the amendments made on March 23 20th and restoring it to its previous print, 24 6101-A. 25 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 1 amendments are made. The bill is restored to 2 third reading. 3 SENATOR FARLEY: On the same 4 bill, Mr. President, I now offer the following 5 amendments to Calendar Number 434, Senate 6 Print 6101-A, and I ask that that bill retain 7 its place on the Third Reading Calendar. 8 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 9 amendments are received, and so ordered. 10 Senator Skelos. 11 SENATOR SKELOS: Is there any 12 other housekeeping at the desk? 13 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: No, 14 there is not. 15 SENATOR SKELOS: There will be 16 an immediate meeting of the Finance Committee 17 in the Majority Conference Room and the Senate 18 will stand at ease pending the receipt of the 19 Finance Committee report. 20 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 21 Immediate meeting of the Finance Committee. 22 The Senate will stand at ease pending the 23 report of the Finance Committee. 24 (The Senate stood at ease from 25 5:55 p.m. until 6:09 p.m.) 1 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 2 Senator Skelos. 3 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 4 if we could return to reports of standing 5 committees, I believe there's a report of the 6 Finance Committee at the desk. I ask that it 7 be read. 8 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 9 Reports of standing committees. The Secretary 10 will read. 11 THE SECRETARY: Senator 12 Stafford, from the Committee on Finance, 13 reports the following bills direct to third 14 reading: 15 Senate Print 6700, by the 16 Senate Committee on Rules, an act making 17 appropriations for the support of government; 18 and 19 6701, by the Senate Committee 20 on Rules, an act making appropriations for the 21 support of government. 22 SENATOR SKELOS: Move to accept 23 the report. 24 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 25 Without objection, directly to third reading. 1 Senator Skelos. 2 SENATOR SKELOS: At this time 3 if we could take up Calendar Number 525, 4 Senate 6700. 5 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 6 Secretary will read. 7 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 8 525, by the Senate Committee on Rules, Senate 9 Print 6700, an act making appropriations for 10 the support of government. 11 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 12 Senator Skelos. 13 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 14 is there a message of necessity at the desk? 15 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Yes, 16 Senator Skelos, there is. 17 SENATOR SKELOS: Move to 18 accept. 19 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: All in 20 favor of accepting the message of necessity 21 signify by saying aye. 22 (Response of "Aye".) 23 Opposed, nay. 24 (There was no response.) 25 The message is accepted. 1 Read the last section. 2 THE SECRETARY: Section 6. 3 This act shall take effect April 1. 4 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 5 Senator Nanula. 6 SENATOR NANULA: One question 7 for either Senator Skelos or our fine Majority 8 Chairman, I should say, of the Senate Finance 9 Committee. 10 Senator -- through you, Mr. 11 President. Senator, is this the bill that 12 provides pay for legislative members? 13 SENATOR STAFFORD: Yes. 14 SENATOR NANULA: It is. Thank 15 you very much. 16 On the bill. 17 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 18 Senator Nanula, on the bill. 19 SENATOR NANULA: With great 20 brevity. 21 Since being elected in 1994 and 22 having had late budgets every year since 1994, 23 I have historically voted against these 24 extenders for the simple reason that I have 25 been a great believer and supporter of the 1 concept of docking, or of suspending at least 2 pay for members until we get our business, and 3 that's the business of the budget, completed. 4 This year I am voting in favor 5 of this bill and I am for one simple reason, 6 and that is that we are breaking new ground. 7 We are setting a new precedent at least that 8 hasn't been seen in this legislative body and 9 that is the concept and process of Conference 10 Committees, which I hope will become a new 11 precedent that will render us timely budgets 12 and also a process that will involve the 13 legislative bodies, not only including our 14 leaders but our rank and file members of both 15 Majority and Minority sides of the aisle and 16 for those reasons, I am now voting certainly, 17 or I should say at least for this one-week 18 extender based upon those reasons, Mr. 19 President. 20 Thank you. 21 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 22 the roll. 23 (The Secretary called the 24 roll.) 25 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 55, nays 1 1, Senator Hoffmann recorded in the negative. 2 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 3 bill is passed. 4 Senator Skelos. 5 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 6 would you call up Calendar Number 526, Senate 7 6701. 8 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 9 Secretary will read. 10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 11 526, by the Senate Committee on Rules, Senate 12 Print 6701, an act making appropriations for 13 the support of government. 14 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 15 Senator Skelos. 16 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 17 is there a message of necessity at the desk? 18 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: There 19 is a message at the desk. 20 SENATOR SKELOS: Move to 21 accept. 22 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 23 motion is to accept the message of necessity. 24 All those in favor signify by saying aye. 25 (Response of "Aye".) 1 Opposed, nay. 2 (There was no response.) 3 The message is accepted. 4 Read the last section. 5 THE SECRETARY: Section 15. 6 This act shall take effect immediately. 7 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 8 the roll. 9 (The Secretary called the 10 roll.) 11 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 56. 12 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 13 bill is passed. 14 Senator Skelos. 15 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 16 would you call up Calendar Number 534, Senate 17 6101-C. 18 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 19 Secretary will read. 20 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 21 434, Budget Bill, Senate Print 6101-C, an act 22 making appropriations for the legal 23 requirements of the state debt service. 24 SENATOR SKELOS: Is there a 25 message at the desk? 1 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: There 2 is a message. 3 SENATOR SKELOS: Move to 4 accept. 5 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 6 motion is to accept the message of necessity. 7 All those in favor signify by saying aye. 8 (Response of "Aye".) 9 Opposed, nay. 10 (There was no response.) 11 The message is accepted. 12 Read the last section. 13 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. 14 This act shall take effect April 1. 15 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: Call 16 the roll. 17 (The Secretary called the 18 roll.) 19 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 56. 20 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 21 bill is passed. 22 Senator? 23 SENATOR SKELOS: Is there any 24 housekeeping at the desk? 25 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 1 There's no housekeeping at the desk. 2 SENATOR GOLD: Mr. President. 3 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 4 Senator Gold. 5 SENATOR GOLD: If you would be 6 kind enough to recognize the distinguished 7 representative from the distinguished county 8 of Westchester, Senator Oppenheimer. 9 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 10 Senator Oppenheimer. 11 SENATOR OPPENHEIMER: Oh, who 12 is that? Just if I may get unanimous consent 13 to be recorded in the negative on, I think 14 it's Calendar 525. 15 SENATOR SKELOS: No objection. 16 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 17 Without objection, Senator Oppenheimer will be 18 recorded in the negative on Calendar 525. 19 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 20 if we could just -- if we could stand at ease, 21 please. 22 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: The 23 Senate will stand at ease. 24 (The Senate stood at ease from 25 6:14 p.m. until 6:15 p.m.) 1 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: 2 Senator Skelos. 3 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 4 on behalf of Senator Bruno, I want to announce 5 the meetings of the subcommittees of the Joint 6 Conference Committee commencing tomorrow, 7 Tuesday, March 31st. 8 At 9:30 a.m., the Cycle 1 9 Subcommittees will meet, Economic Development/ 10 Taxes in Hearing Room C; General Government/ 11 Local Assistance in Room 342 of the Capitol; 12 Mental Hygiene in Room 124 of the Capitol and 13 Education in Room 711-A of the Legislative 14 Office Building. 15 Cycle 2 Subcommittees will meet 16 at 11:30, Transportation in Hearing Room C; 17 Health, Room 711-A, Legislative Office 18 Building; Higher Education, 124 of the 19 Capitol; Human Services, Room 342 of the 20 Capitol and Public Protection, Room 120 of the 21 Legislative Office Building. 22 We would ask that all members 23 of the respective subcommittees be on time and 24 wish them Godspeed tomorrow. Is there any 25 other -- we'll hand this up for filing. 1 Is there any other housekeeping 2 at the desk, Mr. President? 3 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: There 4 is no other housekeeping. 5 SENATOR SKELOS: There being no 6 further business, I move we adjourn subject to 7 the call of the Majority Leader. 8 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: On 9 motion -- Senator Stachowski. 10 SENATOR STACHOWSKI: No, no. I 11 just want to ask him some questions. 12 ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER: On 13 motion, the Senate stands adjourned upon the 14 call of the Majority Leader. 15 (Whereupon, at 6:23 p.m., the 16 Senate adjourned.) 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25