Gaveled in 3:24 PM · Albany, New York · 2003–04 session
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE
STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
December 6, 2004
3:24 p.m.
REGULAR SESSION
LT. GOVERNOR MARY O. DONOHUE, President
STEVEN M. BOGGESS, Secretary
P R O C E E D I N G SACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Senate will come to order.
I ask everyone present to please rise and repeat with me the Pledge of Allegiance.
(Whereupon, the assemblage recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The invocation today will be given by the Reverend Peter G. Young.
Father Young.
REVEREND YOUNG:As the snow falls today, we can remember instances when we needed a little mercy. Maybe we needed an extension on a project; maybe we needed a loan or, as is often the case, we needed forgiveness from someone who we had hurt. Remember the sigh of relief when mercy was granted and the grief and disappointment when mercy was denied.
O, merciful God, You give the New York State Senators what we need and constantly guide them in their mission. Grant them and grant us that we will be generous in our mercy toward all of the New York State citizens. May we be known as senators of mercy and forgiveness during this holiday season.
May we communicate with all of our constituents plainly and clearly, realizing that they want to understand the legislative process. Guide our efforts to be honest and noble with all of our citizens of the state, with patience and persistence in our attempts to understand one another.
We ask You this through God. Amen.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Reading of the Journal.
THE SECRETARY:In Senate, Sunday, December 5, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Saturday, December 4, 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.
Reports of select committees.
Communications and reports from state officers.
Motions and resolutions.
Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, at this time I'd like to move to adopt the Resolution Calendar in its entirety.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:All those in favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar in its entirety signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Those opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Resolution Calendar is adopted.
Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:I think there's a privileged resolution at the desk by Senator Skelos. I ask that the title be read and move for its immediate adoption.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read the privileged resolution.
THE SECRETARY:By Senator Skelos, Legislative Resolution commending Father Joakim D. Valasiadis upon the occasion of his retirement after many years of distinguished service to the Cathedral of St. Paul.
THE PRESIDENT:All in favor of the resolution please signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT:Those opposed, nay.
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT:The resolution is adopted.
Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:Madam President, at this time if we could have Resolution 6221, by Senator Hoffmann, that was previously adopted, read in its entirety.
THE PRESIDENT:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:By Senator Hoffmann, Legislative Resolution honoring Beezie Madden, in recognition of capturing a silver medal in the Team Jumping competition at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympic Games.
"WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to extend its full recognition in grateful tribute to the athletes of New York State who have dedicated their purpose to athletic achievement and proudly represented their great state and nation in Olympic competition; and
"WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Beezie Madden in recognition of capturing a silver medal in the Team Jumping competition at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympic Games; and
"WHEREAS, A resident of Cazenovia, New York, Beezie Madden rode Authentic to a flawless finish in the Team Jumping competition, earning the American team the honor of the silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games. In addition, as the top rider in the Team Jumping competition, she earned a prestigious spot in the individual jumping finals; and
"WHEREAS, With her throughout has been her husband, John, who feels privileged to be a part of her life and rejoices in her achievements; and
"WHEREAS, Many will only dream of competing in the Summer Olympic Games, Beezie Madden, through her hard work and tenacious spirit, has made that vision a reality and has proudly represented her country in competition among the world's finest athletes; and
"WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to honor Beezie Madden, a woman of great skill, personal courage, and unparalleled dedication, whose character and athletic achievements are world renowned and personify the highest ideals of the American spirit and Olympic competition; now, therefore, be it
"RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Beezie Madden in recognition of capturing a silver medal in the Team Jumping competition at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympic games, extending its heartfelt congratulations on her achievements in the Equestrian events, and wishing her continued success in all of her future endeavors; and be it further
"RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Beezie Madden."
THE PRESIDENT:Senator Hoffmann.
SENATOR HOFFMANN:Thank you, Madam President.
It is a thrill and a great personal privilege for me to be able to join my colleagues in honoring Beezie Madden and her husband, John Madden, today in the Senate chamber. This is, for me, certainly one of the great triumphs of my previous legislative resolutions, to be able to honor a true Olympian, especially at a time when the medal that we are talking about may not be silver but it may in fact be gold.
For those of you who have not been following the news on recent Olympic activities, let me just bring you up-to-date, because there is a very important new development. Germany, the team which finished first, has had its primary horse in the competition tested positive for a banned substance. And the Olympic Committee is now in the process of determining whether the gold that was previously awarded to the German team should come to the United States team, which was anchored by our own Beezie Madden.
The first hurdle, if you will, of that process has been reached; they've already withdrawn the gold from Germany and now they are deliberating on what we expect very shortly to be the determination to award the highest award, the gold Olympic medal, to Beezie Madden and the U.S. team.
Beezie's role in the sport horse jumping event was the most significant of all of the other riders. She was the anchor of the team. For any of you who remember the second-grade potato races, when you had to be the person who would make up the time for everybody else, understand the kind of pressure that was on Beezie to do the very best to bring the United States to the top of the pile.
The other thing that I would just like to share with you, having seen the activity of sport horse jumping, you should be aware of the fact that the horses are leaping over obstacles called faults. They go through water faults, they go through other barriers. And they are leaping in the air at a distance that is slightly higher than I am standing, in some cases: a 6-foot bar.
Imagine yourself on top of a horse riding and leaping into the air some distance above the height that I or perhaps Senator Maltese would be standing. It takes, as we like to say about all Olympians, a lot of guts, a lot of incredible talent, and a very remarkable horse.
And in the state of New York, where the equestrian sports are growing by leaps and bounds, we're privileged to have John and Beezie living right in the heart of the state, in Madison County.
And they are not only outstanding examples of the equestrian success in individual and team sport horse jumping, but they also train other people. And they inspire others by breeding horses and by training them and by welcoming other people to this wonderful, wonderful activity.
So we are thrilled today to have John and Beezie with us. I know that they will be happy to meet everybody in the Senate. And I thank them for their perseverance in all that they have done to train and to reach this great triumph, and congratulate them on the silver and I am confident soon to be a gold Olympic medal.
Bravo. Well done, Beezie.
(Applause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The resolution was previously adopted on November 18th.
Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, there will be an immediate meeting of the Finance Committee in the Majority -- the room is not ready yet.
There won't be an immediate meeting of the Finance Committee, but shortly there will be a meeting of the Finance Committee in the Majority Conference Room, if we can just stand at ease.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:I won't even try to repeat that.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 3:38 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Morahan.
SENATOR MORAHAN:Thank you, Mr. President.
There will be an immediate meeting of the Finance Committee in the Majority Conference Room, Room 332.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Immediate meeting of the Finance Committee in the Majority Conference Room.
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 3:57 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS:Mr. President, if we can 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:Reports of standing committees.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Johnson, from the Committee on Finance, reports the following nominations:
As a member of the Adirondack Park Agency, Leilani Crafts Ulrich, of Old Forge.
As a member of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Parker D. Mathusa, of Delmar.
As members of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, Carmen A. Granto, of Niagara Falls; William N. Hudson, Jr., of Williamsville; and Luiz F. Kahl, of Williamsville.
As a member of the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, John G. Doyle, Jr., of Rochester.
As members of the Small Business Advisory Board, Frank P. Naudus, of Lido Beach, and Steven J. Sunshine, of Williamsville.
As public members of the State Banking Board, Wesley Chen, of Briarcliff Manor, and David A. Javdan, Esquire, of Goshen.
As a member of the State Board of Historic Preservation, John G. Waite, of Troy.
As a member of the Long Island State Park, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commission, Desmond M. Ryan, of St. James.
As a member of the Republic Airport Commission, Frank A. Nocerino, of North Massapequa.
As a member of the Seward Airport Commission, Thomas R. Rowe, of Tilson.
As members of the Medical Advisory Committee, Tamton Mustapha, of Valatie, and Dennis P. Norfleet, M.D., of Oswego.
As a member of the Board of Directors of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, Alberteen Anderson, of New York City, and Michael Shinozaki, of Roosevelt Island.
As a member of the Advisory Council on Agriculture, Suzanne G. West, of Varysburg.
As a member of the Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Karl J. Kabza, of Saranac Lake.
As a member of the Public Health Council, Jose A. Goris, M.D., of New York City.
As a member of the State Council on the Arts, Donald A. Capoccia, of New York City.
As a member of the Board of Visitors of the Metro New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office, Adam D. Burgoon, of New York City.
As a member of the Board of Visitors of the New York State Home for Veterans and Their Dependents at Montrose, Daniel Griffin, of White Plains.
As a member of the Board of Visitors of the Rockland Psychiatric Center, Ruth A. Vezzetti, of Tappan.
As a member of the Board of Visitors of the Sagamore Children's Psychiatric Center, Grace E. Clench, of Brentwood.
As a member of the Board of Visitors of the Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Services Office, Polly Panzella, of Staten Island.
And as a member of the Board of Visitors of the Sunmount Developmental Disabilities Services Office, Wayne P. Rogers, of Malone.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Johnson.
SENATOR JOHNSON:Move the nominations.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The question is on the confirmation of the nominees. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Those opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The nominees are confirmed.
The Secretary will continue to read.
THE SECRETARY:As a member of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York, Christopher Parker Conners, of Niskayuna.
SENATOR SKELOS:Lay that aside temporarily.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Lay the nomination aside temporarily.
The Secretary will continue to read.
THE SECRETARY:As a member of the Medical Advisory Committee, Augustus G. Mantia, M.D., of Smithtown.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Flanagan.
SENATOR FLANAGAN:Thank you, Mr. President. Briefly on the nomination.
I know it's unusual -- we have a lot of nonappearances today, but we do have an appearance from Dr. Mantia, who's seated in the balcony with my good friend and colleague from Suffolk County, Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick.
Dr. Mantia, Gus Mantia is a very well recognized physician in the Smithtown community, extremely well respected. And as I just mentioned to Mr. Casey, he's probably best known for being the doctor of Assemblyman Bob Wertz, another good friend of ours.
Very, very active in the community in Suffolk County, and now a new member of the Medical Advisory Committee. And frankly I was asking him some of the detailed work in that committee -- I know, Mr. President, it's a subject that's very important to you. They deal with Medicaid issues as one of their fundamental issues.
So he's going to be a great member of that committee, 20 members on that committee. I look forward to working with him to get his guidance as someone who's a practitioner. And I'm proud to stand before you as his state senator and join Assemblyman Fitzpatrick in congratulating him on his appointment.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The question then is on the confirmation of Augustus Mantia, M.D., as a member of the Medical Advisory Committee. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Those opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The nominee is confirmed.
Dr. Mantia is with us today in the gallery.
And we congratulate you, sir, and wish you well with your important duties.
(Applause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO:Mr. President, can we at this time continue with the report of the Finance Committee.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will continue to read the report of the Finance Committee.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Johnson, from the Committee on Finance, offers up the following nomination.
As a member of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York, Christopher Parker Conners, of Niskayuna.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Johnson.
SENATOR JOHNSON:Move the nomination, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO:Yes, Mr. President. We have before us the nomination for one of the trustees of the New York State University system, Chris Conners. And Chris has been a good friend to all the people here in the Capital Region -- he's here with his wife, Kendall -- and has been in business for most of his adult years, with British American Realty, where they do nothing but great things. But he is very involved in the community in so many beneficial, productive and constructive ways.
And there isn't anything that is more important that we all appreciate and recognize than providing the proper higher education through one of the greatest university systems in all of the United States.
So we're appreciative that Chris would take the time, the energy and spend his talents being helpful to all of the students, all of the beneficiaries of this huge and great educational, higher educational system that we have here.
And I'm proud to be here moving this nomination so that Chris, with the assistance of his family and all of his colleagues, can help us continue the growth and the prosperity that we link to this university system, with consequences to all of the people here in New York State.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Farley.
SENATOR FARLEY:Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise to support this nomination. Not only is Chris Conners my constituent, but he's my neighbor, lives just a short distance from me. And let me just say what a remarkable family he comes from and the success that British American has been in this community. He comes -- his father was a renowned author and businessman, a remarkable person, Bernie Conners.
Chris Conners is -- the thing I'd like to say most about him is everything he's done, he's done well. He's been a success in business. And as somebody that has spent my entire working life working, or most of it, at the State University as a law professor, I have a great interest in this.
And I think it's -- I want to applaud the Governor for sending forth Chris Conners' name to have somebody of this caliber who is willing to serve our state on the State University Board of Trustees, particularly at the high salary that they get, which is none. And to be able to promote education in this state, we're very, very fortunate to have him.
Chris, I'm very proud of you. And again, it's nice to see an Irishman making good.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The question is on the confirmation of Christopher Parker Conners as a member of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Those opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The nominee is confirmed.
Mr. Conners is with us today in the gallery. And we congratulate him and wish him well with his important duties.
(Applause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO:Mr. President, can we at this time return to messages from the Assembly.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Messages from the Assembly.
SENATOR BRUNO:Mr. President, is there a message from the Assembly regarding A11760A, previously passed by both houses, vetoed, and overridden by the Assembly?
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Yes, there is.
The chair hands down a message from the Assembly. The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Assembly Bill Number 1176OA, Veto Number 10, an act to amend the Labor Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO:Mr. President, I move to override the Governor's veto of A11760A.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will read the title of the bill.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1886, by the Assembly Committee on Rules, Assembly Print Number 11760A, an act to amend the Labor Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The bill is before the house.
Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO:Mr. President and colleagues, we all know the bill that's before us here that we're acting on raises the minimum wage here in New York State. I believe the last time that it had been raised was in '97. And it's at $5.15.
We were hoping that the federal government would take action so that it would uniformly apply to all the states, so that we'd keep a competitive balance. But the federal government has not seen fit to act.
And this bill enacts, January 1, '05, an increase from $5.15 to $6.00. And then for the following year it goes up to $6.75. And then in the third year it goes up to $7.15.
Now, we're hopeful that during the next year, while it's still at $6.00, that the federal government will see fit to create uniformity throughout the United States. We think this is appropriate, we think it's fair, we think it's equitable. We think that the families that are going to be beneficiaries of this deserve to have an increase in their wages.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Spano.
SENATOR SPANO:Mr. President, with the season we just went through, we were faced with a lot of doomsayers and critics and even some editorial writers who seem to sometimes think they know it all. Every time that they looked at what we did here -- and what we did was build on making sure that we treat working men and women in this state with dignity.
We started this under the leadership of our leader, Joe Bruno, when we passed a bill that became law in this state to put sanitary facilities on farms, when we made sure that migrant farmworkers were included under the minimum wage.
And we continued that commitment not to political parties and we continued that commitment not to labor leaders, but to working men and women in this state when we sent the strong message that we're going to treat men and women in this state who are minimum-wage workers with dignity.
We're not going to wait for the federal government to act. This is not about overriding a veto of a governor that many of us in this chamber have great admiration and respect for. This is for maintaining a commitment to people who need that commitment most, to the families of New York who need the increase in the minimum wage.
So we'll overcome the sarcasm and the misrepresentation that is sent so often to our side when people want to question our motives. Our motives are to protect those working men and women.
And I'm proud, as a person who's chaired the Labor Committee and who continues to serve in this chamber, to say that we appreciate every worker in this state, and in particular the minimum-wage workers, and am glad to vote to override the Governor's veto to make this the law in this state.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Mendez.
SENATOR MENDEZ:Mr. President, after several years, 26 years too late, this is the best time for me to put aside my political career. Because every member dealing with the veto, taking care of these families and workers, is proof that here in this chamber all the Senators do care about social justice.
So it's not the property of any one single party, it is the property of all American citizens who feel that social justice is a necessary American element of our system of government.
So I want to congratulate my dear leader, Joe Bruno, for his patience and his support on making this a reality for all those productive workers and families that will have more money to put more food on the table.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Paterson.
SENATOR PATERSON:Mr. President, I'd like to congratulate everyone who is involved in this fight to define the culture in which workers in this state live, who live in the northeastern part of the United States where the cost of living is higher and where it has to be objectionable whenever it is stated that we have to wait for Washington to act.
What we're showing today is that we can act right here in New York for workers around the state -- migrant workers, workers who unfortunately spend great amounts of their dollar just trying to survive. We think that people who work as hard as they do in this state can have the quality of life that workers in other states have.
And this is why we feel that phasing in a minimum-wage bill at this time and making it a law can bring to those who work for a living -- we're not giving any type of handout, we're just trying to find what is a commensurate salary for the value of the work that is performed.
And by phasing it in over a 18-month period, statistics have shown that this will actually help business to prosper and will not in any way eradicate the interests of the economic development of this state.
And so to those labor leaders and those political leaders and those who are workers themselves who led the fight to increase this minimum wage, I congratulate all of you for your efforts. It is unfortunate that we waited a little longer than I thought would have been seasonable to have passed this kind of legislation. It seemed to me that this was really quite understandable that there would need to be a change in the minimum salary that individuals make for a week's work earlier than we did.
However, it is still a great day for workers and a great day for all of the legislators, including Senator Mendez, who just mentioned the issues of social justice that bring us here every day.
And to the Majority Leader, Senator Bruno, who put this bill on the floor once and now has put this bill on the floor twice, he has my heartiest congratulations.
We have to remember that this is a great day but also a first day, a first day in a movement that is part of a statewide desire to bring the economic and social justice to workers all around the state -- not just by providing for minimum wage, but by providing for apt working conditions, by providing for compensation for those who were injured on the job commensurate with what the cost of living is today, and hopefully an opportunity for workers to receive overtime and not be part of the flex time or any of the national schemes that are causing workers to get less when they give more.
So it is in that spirit that I'm proud and will be proud to cast my vote for the increase in the minimum wage and to perhaps eventually persuade our Governor that this is the right way to go. It is in that spirit that I thank all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support. And for those of you who came back to Albany time and time and time again, and even after we heard that it was going to pass, to make sure that the minimum wage be raised in this state and that the new figures become law.
(Applause from gallery.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:I put the motion of Senator Bruno to override the veto before you. Senators, ought the same become law notwithstanding the veto of the Governor.
The Secretary will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The Secretary will call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Bruno, to explain his vote.
SENATOR BRUNO:Mr. President and colleagues, I want to thank you for the support that's here.
And I really want to rise and recognize the leadership of Senator Spano and all that has brought this bill to the floor. And as Senator Hoffmann, Senator Mendez, who chairs our Labor Committee, Senator Robach and Senator Paterson and all of your colleagues for their support and your part in being in the leadership and in getting us to where we are in something that is as important as we all recognize.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: You know, when this bill was being discussed and has continued to be discussed to this very day, there's been a lot of philosophical discussion as to whether or not it's going to cost more for business, whether or not it's going to raise the other levels of wages and whether or not it's going to hurt the economy of the state of New York.
And I think all of that is fine philosophical and theoretical discussion. But in reality, there's no one that can afford to live on the minimum wage as it exists today, especially with the costs, whether it's fuel or heating oil or whatever, that's been happening over the recent months.
So there's a main reason to do this today. It has nothing to do with anybody trying to send a message to the Governor or overriding a veto in the procedural sense. It has to do with one thing, doing the right thing. And that's what we're doing today.
Secondly, and I think just as importantly, there's been a criticism that we should wait for the federal government. I think what this body has done today, and hopefully it will continue in the next session and beyond, is that we've shown leadership. And hopefully we'll see the rest of the states of the union follow our leadership so we're affecting not only the workers of this state but the workers of other states in this country.
I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator DeFrancisco will be recorded in the affirmative.
The Secretary will announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Those recorded in the negative on Calendar Number 1886 are Senators Kuhl, Maltese, McGee, Meier, Nozzolio, Rath, Saland, and Seward. Ayes, 50. Nays, 8.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:The motion to override the Governor's veto is carried.
(Applause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO:Mr. President, is there any housekeeping left at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:No, Senator, there is none.
SENATOR BRUNO:There being no business to come before the Senate here this evening, I would move that we stand adjourned until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, with the expectation that we will have a Majority Conference at 10:00 in the Majority Conference Room.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MEIER:On motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, December 7th, at 11:00 a.m.
(Whereupon, at 4:30 p.m., the Senate adjourned.)
Highest impact first.