Gaveled in 10:40 AM · Albany, New York · 1999–00 session
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE
STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
July 13, 1999
10:40 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION
SENATOR RAYMOND MEIER, Acting President
STEVEN M. BOGGESS, Secretary
P R O C E E D I N G SACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Senate will come to order.
Will you please join me in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
(Whereupon, the assemblage recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The invocation will be given by the Reverend Peter G. Young.
REVEREND YOUNG:Let us pray.
Dear God, we ask Your presence and Your blessings on our time together today. We have come to express our concerns about the welfare of our community and our state, to learn from each other, to grow in spirit and character, to find Your will for our lives and our neighbors.
We thank You for the opportunity in this country to assemble ourselves at any time and at any place to discuss our concerns as citizens. And we are mindful that many in our world do not enjoy such freedom, as exampled in Iran today.
As we gather in this summer season, we take the time to remember our departed Senate colleague, Senator Leonard Stavisky, for his gift and intelligent expertise in education, and for his dedication. But mostly, again, for his acceptance of his physical limitation during the past two years, while possessing his most powerful and capable knowledge of over 30 years as both an Assemblyman and as a Senator. We pray for him especially today that he will be with God and enjoy the reward of a good life.
We ask You this now and forever. Amen.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Reading of the Journal.
THE SECRETARY:In Senate, Monday, July 12th, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Saturday, July 10th, was read and approved. On motion, Senate adjourned.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Without objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
Presentation of petitions.
Messages from the Assembly.
Messages from the Governor.
Reports of standing committees.
Communications and reports from state officers.
Motions and resolutions.
Senator Marcellino.
SENATOR MARCELLINO:Thank you, Mr. President -
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Just a second, Senator Marcellino.
Senator Marcellino.
SENATOR MARCELLINO:Thank you, Mr. President.
I wish to call up Senator Meier's bill, Print Number 2825A, recalled from the Assembly, which is now at the desk.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:By Senator Meier, Senate Print 2825A, an act to authorize the Potsdam School District to finance deficits.
SENATOR MARCELLINO:Mr. Presid ent, I now move to reconsider the vote by which this bill was passed.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Call the roll on reconsideration.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 43.
SENATOR MARCELLINO:Mr. President, I now move to recommit this bill to the Committee on Rules.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The bill is -- the bill is restored to its place on the Third Reading Calendar, and it's restored to the Committee on Rules. So ordered.
Senator Marcellino.
SENATOR MARCELLINO:Mr. Pre sident, I wish to call up Senator Stafford's bill, Print Number 4927A, recalled from the Assembly, which is now at the desk.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:By Senator Stafford, Senate Print 4927A, an act to amend the State Finance Law.
SENATOR MARCELLINO:Mr. President, I now move to reconsider the vote by which this bill was passed.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Call the roll on reconsideration.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 43.
SENATOR MARCELLINO:Mr. President, I now move to recommit the bill to the Committee on Rules.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The bill is restored to its place on the Third Reading Calendar and is recommitted to the Committee on Rules.
Senator Marcellino.
SENATOR MARCELLINO:Mr. President, I wish to call up Senator Larkin's bill, Print Number 5734, recalled from the Assembly, which is now at the desk.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:By Senator Larkin, Senate Print 5734, an act to amend the Insurance Law.
SENATOR MARCELLINO:Mr. President, I now move to reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Call the roll on reconsideration.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 43.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The bill is restored to its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
Senator Marcellino.
SENATOR MARCELLINO:Mr. President, I now move to recommit the bill to the Committee on Rules.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:So ordered.
Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, there will be an immediate meeting of the Finance Committee in the Majority Conference Room.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Immediate meeting of the Finance Committee in the Majority Conference Room.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:I hand up the following privileged resolution by Senator Bruno and ask that the title be read and move for its immediate adoption.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:By Senator Bruno, Senate Resolution Number 2142, authorizing the Temporary President of the Senate to file an election to make certain officers or employees of the Senate eligible for the retirement incentive offered by Chapter 41 of the Laws of 1997, as extended by Chapter 70 of the Laws of 1999, as amended.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The question is on the resolution. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The resolution is adopted.
Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, may we please have the title read on Senator Bruno's Privileged Resolution 2104 and move for its immediate adoption.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:By Senator Bruno, concurrent resolution of the Senate and Assembly, Number 2104, authorizing the Temporary President of the Senate and the Speaker of the Assembly to file an election to make certain officers and employees of joint legislative employers eligible for the retirement incentive offered by Chapter 41 of the Laws of 1997, extended by Chapter 70 of the Laws of 1999, as amended.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The question is on the resolution. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The resolution is adopted.
Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, at this time if we could adopt the Resolution Calendar in its entirety.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:All in favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Resolution Calendar is adopted.
Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:If we could stand at ease pending the report of the Finance Committee.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Senate will stand at ease pending the report of the Finance Committee.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 10:46 a.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 10:56 a.m.)
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:If we could return to reports of standing committees, I believe there's a report of the Finance Committee at the desk. I ask that it be read.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Stafford, from the Committee on Finance, offers up the following bills:
Senate Print 6061, by the Committee on Rules, an act to amend Chapter 15 of the Laws of 1999;
6062, by the Committee on Rules, an act making appropriations for the support of government and to amend Chapters 17 and 26 of the Laws of 1999;
6064, by the Committee on Rules, an act making appropriations to the Department of Health;
And 6065, by the Committee on Rules, an act making appropriation for the thermal systems project.
All bills directly for third reading.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:All bills directly to third reading.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, may we please take up Calendar 1633, Senate 6061.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1633, by the Assembly Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill 8973. In relation to Calendar Number 1633, Senator Stafford moves to discharge, from the Committee on Finance, Assembly Bill 8973 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill, 6061.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Substitution ordered.
The Secretary will read.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, is there a message of necessity and appropriation at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Yes, there is.
SENATOR SKELOS:Move to accept, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1633, by the Assembly Committee on Rules, Assembly Print 8973, an act to amend Chapter 15 of the Laws of 1999.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The motion is to accept the message of necessity. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The message of necessity and appropriation is accepted.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 49.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The bill is passed.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, could we please take up Calendar Number 1634, Senate 6062.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar Number 1634, Senator Stafford moves to discharge, from the Committee on Finance, Assembly Bill 8974 and substitute it for the identical Senate third reading, 1634.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Substitution ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1634, by the Assembly Committee on Rules, Assembly Print 8974, an act making appropriations for the support of government.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, is there a message of necessity and appropriation at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:There is.
SENATOR SKELOS:Move to accept.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The question is on the motion to accept the message of necessity and appropriation. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The message is accepted.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 49.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The bill is passed.
Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, could you please call up Calendar Number 1635, Senate 6064.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar Number 1635, Senator Stafford moves to discharge, from the Committee on Finance, Assembly Bill 8976 and substitute it for the identical third reading, 1635.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Substitution ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1635, by the Assembly Committee on Rules, Assembly Print 8976, an act making appropriations to the Department of Health.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, is there a message of necessity and appropriation at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:There is.
SENATOR SKELOS:Move to accept.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The question is on the motion to accept the message of necessity and appropriation. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The message is accepted.
SENATOR SKELOS:Read the last section, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 49.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The bill is passed.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, would you please call up Calendar Number 1636, Senate 6065.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar Number 1636, Senator Stafford moves to discharge, from the Committee on Finance, Assembly Bill 8977 and substitute it for the identical third reading, 1636.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Substitution ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1636, by the Assembly Committee on Rules, Assembly Print 8977, an act making appropriation for the thermal systems project.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:Is there a message of necessity and appropriation at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Yes, there is.
SENATOR SKELOS:Move to accept.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The question is on the motion to accept the message of necessity and appropriation. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The message is accepted.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 49.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The bill is passed.
Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, we're going to stand at ease pending the further report of the Finance Committee. And shortly I'll be calling a meeting of the Judiciary Committee.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Senate will stand at ease pending the further report of the Finance Committee, and members are advised that there will shortly be a meeting of the Judiciary Committee.
The Senate will stand at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 11:00 a.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 11:30 a.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, would you please recognize Senator Lack.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Lack.
SENATOR LACK:Thank you, Mr. President.
There will be an immediate meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee in Room 332. An immediate meeting in about two minutes, as soon as Finance clears out of there.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:There will be an immediate meeting of the Judiciary Committee in Room 332.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:If we could return to reports of standing committees, I believe there's a report of the Finance Committee at the desk. I ask that it be read.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Stafford, from the Committee on Finance, offers up the following nominations.
As chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, E. Virgil Conway, of Bronxville.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:If we could take up the two other nominations first.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:As a member of the Long Island State Park, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commission, Barbara S. Bancroft, of East Norwich.
SENATOR SKELOS:Move nomination.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The question is on the confirmation of Barbara S. Bancroft as a member of the Long Island State Park, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commission. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The nominee is confirmed.
Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, would you please take up the nomination of John J. Torpey.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:As a member of the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council, John J. Torpey, of Orangeburg.
SENATOR SKELOS:Move nomination.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The question is on the confirmation of John J. Torpey as a member of the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The nominee is confirmed.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, if we could just stand at ease for a moment.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Senate will stand at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 11:32 a.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 11:35 a.m.)
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, if we could return to the report of the Finance Committee and the nomination of E. Virgil Conway.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Stafford, from the Committee on Finance, offers up the following nomination.
As chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, E. Virgil Conway, of Bronxville.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, if you would recognize Senator Spano for the purposes of moving the nomination.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Spano.
SENATOR SPANO:Thank you very much, Mr. President.
It is my pleasure to stand and to offer the nomination of Virgil Conway as chairman of the MTA. It's been four and a half years since Chairman Conway has presented himself before the members of this Senate. He talked at that point about increasing efficiencies in ridership, in improving the delivery of service to the commuters of the MTA and the Transit Authority, the Long Island Rail Road and the Metro-North. He has done just that in the last four and a half years.
And we just completed the Senate Finance Committee hearing where we heard a number of the members talk in great detail about the accomplishments of Virgil Conway. Of course, with a system the size that he is in charge of, constantly -- and it's constantly changing, constantly needs improvement -- but there's no better person who can be at the helm of such an agency than Virgil Conway.
And I'm very glad to have him as a constituent in Westchester County, to share that constituency with my colleague from Long Island, Senator LaValle, and, more importantly, to have Virgil Conway as a friend. He is someone that I've known for a long, long time.
He has got the type of determination and has got the commitment to public service to serve the people of this state, not taking his salary, but putting the time and effort of the most hard-working public employee that we would ever see into improving the mass transportation system in this state.
So to the Governor, once again, another very good, outstanding appointment. And I recommend wholeheartedly the nomination of E. Virgil Conway to continue as the chairman of the MTA.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator LaValle.
SENATOR LAVALLE:Thank you, Mr. President.
As Senator Spano indicated, we share Virgil Conway. Mr. Conway grew up in East Hampton, graduated from East Hampton High School, and spent summers and weekends in East Hampton.
I think for those members that were part of the Finance Committee, I think they heard from a number of Senators the job that the chairman has done in managing a massive capital program that has brought for the Long Island Rail Road, I think, the railroad into the modern era.
As I had indicated in the Finance Committee, I think one of the things that has happened in the MTA and its components is that the chairman has no doubt indicated that people have to be user-friendly in dealing with the public, in dealing with members of the Legislature who bring to them the myriad of problems that our constituency indicate need to be solved.
And certainly during the chairman's tenure I have found a vast improvement in how we problem-solve, how we interact with the MTA and its components: that you are dealt with in a courteous manner, the problem is taken seriously, and a resolution is sought in a restricted time period so that things do not languish. And that is due, undoubtedly, to the efforts of Chairman Virgil Conway.
Virgil, you certainly are to be congratulated in moving the MTA forward in the way you have, in a professional, businesslike manner. And I'm sure that you will continue and make sure that the staff and the components under the MTA continue on that same user-friendly track.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Padavan.
SENATOR PADAVAN:Thank you, Mr. President.
For almost two decades, there was a major effort underway in the city of New York for many of the outlying communities to eliminate the two-fare zone, a hardship for many, many people, particularly in districts like mine, taking a bus and subway to get to work, spending a good part of their salary to accommodate that cost.
It was during Mr. Conway's tenure that the two-fare zone was finally eliminated. And with the advent of the MetroCard and all of its efficiencies, we have a system in that regard that is truly in the 21st century. And so he should be applauded for not only having managed the system to bring that to fruition, but having made it a reality for so many millions of people.
One of the things that I pointed out in the Finance Committee is that as good as a system may be, there are always problems and there always will be problems. But it's important when we're able to reach out to someone like Mr. Conway, present the problem to him, and have a response that is both prompt and, wherever humanly possible, an affirmative one, meaning the problem is resolved. And that's rare, unfortunately, or perhaps not as common as we would like it to be.
He is a manager, as others have said, of great experience and great accomplishment. He is volunteering all of his years of experience -- and if you look at his resume, it's overwhelming -- for the benefit of the people of the state of New York and specifically those in the metropolitan area.
In addition to having bus and subway systems in my district, I also have both lines of the Long Island Rail Road. And the improvements in that system - refurbishing, rebuilding of stations, all kinds of things to make life easier and more palatable for those commuters to go back and forth to the center city of New York and Manhattan and elsewhere to earn their livelihood.
And so we're very grateful, on behalf of my constituents and all the people of the state, that Mr. Conway has volunteered -- and in his case, it is volunteering -- to once again continue to lead the MTA. Not only does he generate personally the kind of response, positive response, but somehow or other, like a good manager, he's made that attitude become the guidepost for all those who are beneath him in various other areas of responsibility.
And so, Mr. President, I congratulate the Governor for giving us this outstanding public servant to serve us again.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, I too rise to support this nomination -- number one, as a State Senator who has many constituents, thousands of constituents that ride the Long Island Rail Road every day, but also as Senator Bruno's appointment to the MTA Capital Review Board.
Virgil Conway's responsibilities are enormous when you think that not only is he the chair of a 17-member board, but the MTA is the umbrella over eight different affiliates and subsidiary corporations. The most recent five-year capital spending plan had a budget of $12.3 billion. Six thousand subway cars, more than 1,000 railcars, more than 5,000 buses, more than 1,600 miles of track, seven bridges, two tunnels. And it employs more than 53,000 people and moves approximately 6.3 million riders in and out of the city every day.
Senator Padavan, Senator Spano, Senator LaValle have mentioned many of his successes with the MetroCard and E-ZPass, and we could go on and on. But really what I'd like to comment on is Virgil Conway is a man with tremendous responsibilities, yet is approachable, accessible, and a refined human being. By virtue of his position, he is a lightning rod for criticism, yet he handles it in a gentlemanly manner. Also, because of his many accomplishments, he is handed many accolades, yet he humbly avoids the spotlight. He would be the first to tell everyone that he is simply advancing Governor Pataki's plan for New York's downstate transit.
But he has been dynamic and efficient in accomplishing these many wonderful goals for the MTA during his tenure, and the truth is demonstrated by the unprecedented ridership levels which the MTA has experienced in recent years.
So, Mr. President, I'm delighted to join with my colleagues in moving the nomination of Virgil Conway.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Paterson.
Senator Larkin.
SENATOR LARKIN:Mr. President, I rise to support the nomination of Virgil Conway for reappointment as chairman of the MTA.
During his tenure, I've had numerous occasions to talk to him about the MTA and its subsidiary, Metro-North. And at every time that we've ever asked him for any assistance -- we had a major problem between both sides of the river and the Pascack Valley Line. In order to resolve the issue, Mr. Conway himself said "Why don't I come up to your area," and sat down with all the partners in it and sat down with his own staff, so that the redesign, the configuration and everything that had to take place, instead of writing letters back and forth, were resolved in about an hour and a half of conference.
And there has been no time that we've had to get a realistic approach to some of the problems we're having on the lines, whether it was winter, summer, staging hours, increasing times, increasing train rides. He's always been there for us. And his answers weren't "I'll look at it," his answer was "Why can't we do it?"
And we've been very successful, and I want to thank you very much for your positive efforts on behalf of the people who ride our trains. Thank you, Virgil.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Lachman.
SENATOR LACHMAN:I also rise to commend the reappointment, Mr. President, of Mr. Virgil Conway as chairman of the MTA.
As the ranking Democrat on the Senate Transportation Committee, I also have come in contact with him over the last couple of years, and I applaud his accessibility to others besides those in the field of transportation.
He has had many accomplishments, and perhaps the most prominent to the average laypeople of New York is the elimination of the two-fare zone and the free transfer to trains and buses, which helps not only the individuals in one borough but in all boroughs, and especially those senior citizens in the five boroughs who it makes much more convenient to ride on the trains and buses of New York.
I also appreciate his commitment to continue this process of reform, to continue this process of improvement. I continually ride the subways of New York. And when I have a choice between a car or a subway, I take the subway, because I believe subways are for reading. And you could see the improvement over the last few years in the New York City public transportation system.
But as Mr. Conway mentioned at the Finance Committee meeting, there is a need to continue and expand upon service improvement. And I would like to work with him on that, not only in my district but throughout the city of New York, to continue on the outstanding base he's established, to continue to expand the services and to improve the services of the entire system throughout the City of New York.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Kuhl.
SENATOR KUHL:Yes, Mr. President. Could we call an immediate Rules Committee meeting in the Majority Conference Room, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:There will be an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in the Majority Conference Room.
Senator Marchi. Senator Marchi on the nomination.
SENATOR MARCHI:Yes. I've known the nominee probably longer anybody in this chamber. And uniformly, every responsibility that is entrusted to him, he's discharged with enormous success and with a grace and dignity that certainly endeared people who were affected, because it represented really honest determinations on how to handle even sometimes very intractable problems.
And I know that Senator Montgomery made one plea for the allowance of art into the stations in the subway, and that they did not raise difficult and imponderable problems of funding, but that they might help to grace these facilities and make them even more attractive. I thought it was a good idea. I really do. And I could see the response that the nominee evidenced was one of sympathetic concern about recognizing the value of what she had said. And this is the -- his willingness to listen.
I remember the day when the whole system of transportation and the movement of people was highly balkanized. You had the vice president in charge of bridges, the vice president in charge of almost every little element that moves people. And the broad, regional, total demand and the integration of that system, that it produced an effective method of moving people around in a civilized and efficient manner to meet the problems of a growing and thriving metropolis. And the tristate zone, in our case, became very important.
And in this field, his accomplishments were really fantastic. So I made the remark, and it may have been repeated, that one good term deserves another. And another, one turn deserves another and one good term deserves many more, in our case.
And we -- this is a great -- one of the great public servants who has known the growth and genesis of the field of transportation and its importance. The urban area that New York represents, there is no duplicate of it throughout the entire United States. People either use motor vehicles or they have something else. This is the system that actually moves more than 60 percent of all the people that live within the area that it serves. So that it is a major, major responsibility.
Unfortunately, sometimes politically we don't have that weight. And it's not a question of Democrats or Republicans. We just don't seem to realize the importance of the movement of great numbers of people expeditiously, quickly, safely. And certainly that demand in this area is going to continue to grow.
So we're very fortunate, as we complete our labors and confirm this nomination, to know that it's in good, competent hands when we confirm the nominee.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Montgomery.
SENATOR MONTGOMERY:Yes, thank you, Mr. President. I also rise to second the nomination of Mr. Virgil Conway.
I want to first of all say I absolutely agree with my colleague, Senator Marchi, that we want to see -- now that we've moved this wonderful system to the point where it is, we would like to bring some artwork into it and allow our artists to help us make this even further a statement of the city's interest and support and concern and belief in the value of the artists that we serve and their work.
But I also want to thank Mr. Conway for having wrestled this enormous system of transportation, perhaps one of the oldest in the nation, one with many, many needs, into a state where it's not relegated just to -- only to the people who could absolutely not afford to travel any other way. That system today, because of his work in bringing it back to life and really rebuilding it, essentially, everybody can use it. All of us use the system.
I feel safer. It is cleaner. The trains run pretty much on time. It's -- the buses run better. We now have some clean-air buses running in parts of my district.
So I can only say that we thank Mr. Conway for his work. Because, as Senator Marchi has said, the transportation system in New York City is our artery system. Without it, we might die. So this is very important, and I'm glad to be part of it.
I want to also say to Mr. Conway that we want to continue to work with you, as members of the Legislature as well as part of your ridership, as you try to advance that system even further, make it more accessible and more comfortable and safer for all of us. We are here to work with you and wish you all the best in your attempts to do so.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Morahan.
I'm sorry, Senator Paterson, why do you rise?
SENATOR PATERSON:I'll wait until Senator Morahan speaks, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:All right. Very good.
Senator Morahan.
SENATOR MORAHAN:I too rise, Mr. President, to support the nomination - the reappointment of Mr. Conway as chairman of the MTA.
I first met Mr. Conway -- he probably will never remember me -- back in 1978, when I worked with John Mulhern, the late president of New York Telephone, in trying to establish an "I Love a Clean New York" committee. And Mr. Conway, as a captain of industry at that time, came forward to help us, both with his financial help and his personal dedication to the cause. So I know firsthand of his commitment to the community that rises above self-interest.
I have not had the opportunity to work with him in his current role. As a new Senator, however, representing many thousands of commuters into the city of New York, I'm sure we will have dealings in the future. And I wanted to make sure I rose today so he would know who I am when I call.
Congratulations, Mr. Conway.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Paterson.
SENATOR PATERSON:Thank you, Mr. President.
I apologize -- earlier I was trying to get Senator Mendez's attention, I was waving to her, and I got the attention of the Chair. So I now know how to get prompt action from the Chair is to wave at Senator Mendez from now on.
But I wanted to -
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:You always have my attention, Senator.
SENATOR PATERSON:Thank you, Mr. President.
I wanted to rise in support of this nomination. There is an underground stream that runs through a portion of my district in Harlem from approximately 110th Street to 116th Street. This track had been built in 1904 and had worn away, and it really was the underlying foundation of the independent rapid transit line at that area, and had to be removed. In fact, the 116th Street train station itself had to be closed down for a number of months.
This created problems through all of the subway lines in Manhattan and incurred a great deal of difficulty to the riders and forced all of our transit systems to cooperatively work together to establish buses and different alternative plans for routing the commuters back and forth to their destinations.
It was done in the exact amount of time -- actually, ahead of the time -- and it was done with convenience and also with notification to the community. Many of us were very skeptical at the time of this $80 million project that it would be able to be done in a way that wouldn't cause harm. It did cause inconvenience, but we were very happy. It was different than some of our previous experiences with the transit system, particularly the subways.
In that respect, I'd like to rise in support of the nomination of Mr. Conway. He has brought a lot of innovations to the system that have been pointed out by previous speakers. Also just the -- even the beautification of the stations themselves certainly are a good addendum to the issues of E-ZPass and some of the -- the MetroCard and some of the other innovative procedures.
And so we look forward in his next term to an even greater improvement in the system, as the ridership is up considerably in the past few months.
And to know that Mr. Conway is not compensated for his effort is particularly a relief to me, who's not compensated for any of my efforts the past few months.
And so in that spirit, we certainly wish Mr. Conway well and proudly rise in support of the nomination.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Gentile.
SENATOR GENTILE:Thank you, Mr. President.
Well, Mr. Conway's achievements have been well documented, and I too congratulate him on his leadership at the MTA. I must also mention the fact that there are pockets of our city in which commuters have been somewhat overlooked in the advancement and the improvements in transportation. Particularly, I refer to the areas that I represent, in southwest Brooklyn and parts of Staten Island, and I urge Chairman Conway to focus on the commuters there.
Indeed, southwest Brooklyn used to be a mecca for young urban professionals to set up home and family life, because the areas of Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and parts of Sunset Park were easy commutes to Manhattan and their daily work chores in Manhattan. That, however, is no longer the truth. And it's no longer the truth because of the difficulty which commuters now have to deal with on a daily basis in getting into Manhattan via the subways.
The Straphangers Annual Report, just out last week, indicates that the BMT lines -- particularly the B, the M, the R, and the N lines -- are at the bottom of the list as to service and on-time performance in the entire system. Those are the lines that service southwest Brooklyn. Those are the lines that my constituents use as commuters on the MTA trains.
Particularly we've been told, over and over and over again, that the N express service will go over the Manhattan Bridge once the Manhattan Bridge repairs are made. That has been a promise since 1986. I urge, I urge Chairman Conway to make that a reality, to return the N service over the Manhattan Bridge to relieve the congestion at the Montague Street Tunnel.
My constituents, frustrated by the BMT service in my part of my district, turn to other services, and they look at express bus service. And when you look at express bus service, we find that the express bus service is too far and few between in terms of frequency. We need additional, additional service, both in Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst.
We look over the bridge to my part of Staten Island. Express service on Staten Island is inadequate. Express bus service on Staten Island needs to be improved. Express bus service on Staten Island needs to be addressed immediately.
We look then to the roadways that cover my district, and we look at the toll on the Verrazano Bridge. And the toll on the Verrazano Bridge for Brooklynites is an outrageous $7 toll each and every time Brooklynites cross that bridge into Staten Island. It's $3.20 for Staten Islanders who cross the bridge the other way into Brooklyn.
That is a toll -- especially with the surplus that the MTA is running, that is a toll that is unnecessary, outrageous at those levels. I urge Chairman Conway to look at congestion value pricing at the toll booths at the Verrazano Bridge, or whether it be using E-ZPass technology, to give those commuters who use that bridge on a daily basis some type of relief on those $7 tolls.
With our surplus, we should not be using the Verrazano Bridge as a cash cow to subsidize the operations of Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad. And that's exactly -- if you look at the figures, that's exactly what is happening. The revenue on the Verrazano Bridge is at the top of the revenue of all bridges in the city of New York. It is used as a cash cow to subsidize the operations of Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad. That has to stop. That is a burden on my constituents and the commuters that need to use that bridge on a daily basis.
These are the types of traveling and commuting problems that my constituents meet every day in Staten Island and in the parts of Brooklyn that I represent. So I ask, in supporting Chairman Conway, that in the new capital plan that is being put together for the MTA that these issues be addressed for those commuters who have largely been overlooked in the improvements to the rest of the system.
So with that, Mr. President, I will support this nomination and congratulate the chairman, but at the same time look forward to working with him and focusing on the issues that I have raised.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The question is on the confirmation of E. Virgil Conway as chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The nominee is confirmed.
Mr. Conway is with us in the chamber here today.
Mr. Conway, would you rise, sir, and receive the recognition of the body.
(Applause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Kuhl.
SENATOR KUHL:Yes, Mr. President, can we return to the order of reports of standing committees. I believe there's a report of the Judiciary Committee at the desk. Can we have that read.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Lack, from the Committee on Judiciary, offers up the following nominations.
As a justice of the Supreme Court for the Twelfth Judicial District, Louis C. Benza, of Glenmont.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Lack.
SENATOR LACK:Thank you, Mr. President.
It's my privilege this afternoon to move the nomination of Louis C. Benza, of Glenmont, as a justice of the Supreme Court for the Twelfth Judicial District.
We received the nomination from the Governor. We have examined and verified the record of Judge Benza as a judge of the Court of Claims. His credentials were found to be in good order. He appeared before the committee a few minutes ago, was unanimously approved to the floor.
And it is with great pleasure that I yield for purposes of a seconding to Senator Velella.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Velella.
SENATOR VELELLA:Thank you, Mr. President.
Lou Benza is known to almost every legislator who represents Bronx County, and I would say well known to many in the Capital District, as he took up residence here after his appointment to the Court of Claims.
He has a long history of community service and service to the people of this state, over 31 years, which began as a director of community planning boards in the Bronx. He was elected to our local school boards. He served as executive assistant to two borough presidents. He served as the deputy borough president of the Bronx. He has served as administrative assistant to three United States Congressmen and as an assistant administrator to the Clerk of the House of Representatives.
He served our country as a United States Marine. And he has also distinguished himself, not only in his community service and political service in representative government, but also as a jurist, since his appointment to the Court of Claims by Governor Cuomo in 1984 and again his reappointment in 1993.
Judge Benza shows that we need to address something that came up within the confines of the committee and the hearing we had this morning on his nomination, and that is an inequity in the law which requires that judges serving at 70 years old in the Court of Claims cannot serve beyond that 70th year, but in the Supreme Court will be allowed to serve beyond that, to the age of 76.
Governor Pataki has recognized the value of Judge Benza and has chosen to send his name to us, to enable him to stay on the bench for another six years as a Supreme Court judge and not lose the benefit of his service at the end of this year.
His career, as I said, is outstanding within the judiciary. He chairs the committee on judicial ethics in the Third Department, and serves on the antibias committee of the Court of Claims. He is experienced within the county of the Bronx, where he will now be sitting as a judge again, and in private practice, and he knows both sides of the bar. His involvement in government and his involvement in 15 years of judicial experience qualify him highly to serve in this capacity.
He is joined today up in the gallery by his wife, Elizabeth; his two sons, Louis and Peter, both attorneys; and his brother, Al Benza, who himself is a distinguished member of the Bronx community.
I urge that you welcome him today, and urge his confirmation by the Senate and move that nomination.
And, Lou, welcome home to the Bronx again.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Seabrook.
SENATOR SEABROOK:Yes, Mr. President, I rise in support of this nomination of Louis Benza to the Supreme Court.
And it is certainly a pleasure to be here in this chamber to actually have the opportunity to talk about a good friend and one who has been on both sides when we have had petition battles as well. So Lou has certainly exemplified a sense of character, distinction, and style, and he has the judicial temperament certainly to do very well in the Bronx.
And I would say that it is good for him to come back to the Bronx, and that we've always said in the Bronx -- and Senator Velella would actually agree -- that if given a chance in the Bronx, you can succeed. And Lou Benza has certainly exemplified a tremendous amount of judicial success. And it is our hope to see him on the bench very shortly and that he will excel to higher heights in the greatest county in New York State, and that's the Bronx.
SENATOR VELELLA:Move the nomination.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The question is on the nomination of Louis C. Benza as a justice of the Supreme Court for the Twelfth Judicial District. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Louis C. Benza is confirmed as a Justice of the Supreme Court.
Judge Benza is with us today. He is accompanied by his wife, Elizabeth; his sons, Louis and Peter; and his brother, Al.
Judge Benza, on behalf of the body, we wish you congratulations and Godspeed with your important duties.
(Applause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:As a judge of the Jefferson County Court, James T. King, of Dexter.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Lack.
SENATOR LACK:Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise again to move the nomination of James T. King, of Dexter, as a judge of the Jefferson County Court.
Mr. King's credentials have been examined by the staff of the Committee on Judiciary and been found to be in good order. He appeared earlier this morning before the Judiciary Committee, was unanimously moved to the floor for approval at this time.
And I am very privileged to yield, for purposes of a seconding, to Senator Wright.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Wright.
SENATOR WRIGHT:Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise to move the nomination of Jim King and to join the Governor and the Judiciary Committee in making that recommendation to the Senate.
If you look at Jim's background, you'll find that he's given a great deal of service to the people of Jefferson County, having served in the district attorney's office for the last 16 years -- starting out as a part-time district attorney in local courts, becoming a full-time staff attorney working at all levels of criminal court, and now completing his second term as the elected district attorney of Jefferson County.
Throughout that tenure, he has earned a reputation that deservedly reflects the character and temperament necessary for an appointment to the judiciary. But equally important, during that public service he has also demonstrated his commitment to the community. And throughout that tenure he has given of himself to his church, to his school district, to numerous community activities.
Jefferson County has been well served by Jim King, and we're looking forward to having him assuming the seat on the bench and very pleased that he has been nominated for confirmation.
Joining Jim this morning is his wife, Nancy, who is in the gallery, and also his four daughters -- Jolene, Joanna, Joni, and Jamie -- and his grandson, Christian, along with Stan Conway, and his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. King.
There's a long tradition of service in the King family to the state of New York and the judiciary, and we're very glad to see Jim following in his father's footsteps. And we're very glad to have Nancy and all the young ladies join us this morning.
So I'm looking forward to voting to confirm Jim King. Thank you.
Mr. Chairman, I would also like to recognize my Assembly colleague, H. Robert Nortz, who has joined us this morning, who is also very pleased that we're endorsing and confirming Jim King.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Any other Senator wish to be heard?
The question is on the confirmation of James T. King as a judge of the Jefferson County Court. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The nominee is confirmed.
Judge King has joined with us in the gallery today. He's accompanied by his wife, Nancy; his daughters, Jolene, Joanna, Joni, and Jamie; his son-in-law, Stan Conway; his new grandson, Christian; and his parents, J.T. and Bessie King.
Judge King, on behalf of the Senate, we congratulate you and we wish you well with your important new duties.
(Applause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Kuhl.
SENATOR KUHL:Would you recognize Senator Dollinger.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Dollinger.
SENATOR DOLLINGER:Thank you, Mr. President. With unanimous consent, I would like to be recorded in the negative on Senate Print Number 6061 and Senate Print Number 6062, which I believe are the two budget extender bills that were done in the house earlier.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Without objection, Senator Dollinger will be recorded in the negative on Senate Print 6061 and Senate Print 6062.
SENATOR DOLLINGER:Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Kuhl.
SENATOR KUHL:Mr. President, I understand there's a report of the Rules Committee at the desk. Can we have that read at this time.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Bruno, from the Committee on Rules, offers up the following billings directly for third reading:
Senate Prints 6066, by the Committee on Rules, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law and Chapter 738 of the Laws of 1988;
And 6067, by the Committee on Rules, an act to amend the Mental Hygiene Law and Chapter 560 of the Laws of 1994.
Both bills directly for third reading.
SENATOR KUHL:Move we accept the report of the Rules Committee.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The motion is to accept the report of the Rules Committee. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The report is accepted.
Senator Kuhl.
SENATOR KUHL:Could we now have Calendar Number 1638 read.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar Number 1638, Senator Bruno moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill 8970 and substitute it for the identical third reading, 1638.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Substitution ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1638, by the Assembly Committee on Rules, Assembly Print 8970, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law and Chapter 738 of the Laws of 1988.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Dollinger, why do you rise?
SENATOR DOLLINGER:Mr. President, I just want to make sure I have the right bill. This is the school construction authority and the Wicks piece?
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Those recorded in the negative on Calendar Number 1638 are Senators Dollinger, Duane, Paterson, Seabrook, Smith, and Stachowski. Ayes, 47; nays, 6.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The bill is passed.
Senator Kuhl.
SENATOR KUHL:Yes, Mr. President, could we now take up Calendar Number 1639.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar Number 1639, Senator Bruno moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill 8972 and substitute it for the identical third reading, 1639.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Substitution ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1639, by the Assembly Committee on Rules, Assembly Print 8972, an act to amend the Mental Hygiene Law and Chapter 560 of the Laws of 1994.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Dollinger, to explain his vote.
SENATOR DOLLINGER:Thank you, Mr. President.
I'm going to vote in favor of this bill, which as I understand it is an extension of the Bellevue experiment program with respect to involuntary commitment in certain cases -- court-ordered involuntary commitment.
I continue to be concerned about this issue. I know that there are proposals from Senator Libous and others that try to resolve this issue on a statewide basis. I believe that the Bellevue project at this point is worth continuing, but I think that we need to do a rigorous analysis of the pros and cons of that program and we need to evaluate consequences in other states before we look to expand this on a statewide basis.
So I will be looking forward to an opportunity to discuss this issue, debate this issue, and be better informed about the broad state impact. I think the Bellevue project, based on what I know of it, is worth continuing at this stage. I will vote for the extender. But I think that the broader debate about what this means to the people of the state of New York is one we ought to have in this house as quickly as possible.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Dollinger will be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Padavan, to explain his vote.
SENATOR PADAVAN:To clarify or respond, actually, to Senator Dollinger's comment.
At the end of the test period, a report was developed. The Bellevue project, the pilot project, was part of a law that I sponsored and part of the requirement of that program. And that report is available, and I would urge you to read it.
And what it does tell us, quite clearly, and this confirms your judgment, is that it proves to be effective and should be broadened statewide. Whether it's the Kendra Laws that were proposed by the various entities within the state government or something like it, there's no doubt that involuntary outpatient commitment for those who are mentally disabled has proven to be an effective means of not only benefiting them but benefiting society in general.
I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Padavan will be recorded in the affirmative.
The Secretary will announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 51. Nays, 2. Senators Duane and Smith recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The bill is passed.
Senator Kuhl.
SENATOR KUHL:Yes, Mr. President. Earlier today on the Resolution Calendar Senator Leibell had offered up a resolution for adoption. It was 2141, which is ALS Awareness Day. And he has indicated to the Chair that in fact he would offer that to cosponsorship by any of the members of the house.
So could we have all the members of the house, if there are many that would like to be on that -- and I assume they would - added as cosponsors. And anybody who does not wish to be a cosponsor, so indicate to the desk.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Any member that wishes -- we will add all the members as cosponsors of Resolution 2141. Any member not wishing to be a cosponsor inform the desk. So ordered.
Senator Kuhl.
SENATOR KUHL:Is there any housekeeping at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:We're all set, Senator Kuhl. The desk is clean.
SENATOR KUHL:Then there will be an announcement that there will be an immediate meeting of the Majority Conference in the Majority Conference Room, Room 332.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Immedia te meeting of the Majority Conference in the Majority Conference Room.
SENATOR KUHL:And there being no further business, I move the Senate stand adjourned, subject to the call of the Majority Leader, intervening days to be legislative days.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:There being no further business, on motion, the Senate stands adjourned at the call of the Majority Leader, intervening days to be legislative days.
(Whereupon, at 12:24 p.m., the Senate adjourned.)
Highest impact first.
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