Gaveled in 10:58 AM · Albany, New York · 2015–16 session
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
June 16, 2016
10:58 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION
SENATOR JOSEPH GRIFFO, Acting President
FRANCIS W. PATIENCE, Secretary
P R O C E E D I N G SACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Senate will come to order.
I ask all present to please rise and join me as we recite the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag.
(Whereupon, the assemblage recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Today's invocation will be offered by the Reverend Emmanuel Asse, Bethesda Church of God in Brooklyn.
REVEREND ASSE:Thank you. Thank you.
Heavenly Father, we give thanks for our state government. We are praying today for Governor Andrew Cuomo, Majority Leader John Flanagan, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and all the Senators in the house.
Give those in authority wisdom in every decision, and help them to think clearly. Grant them discernment and common sense so they will be strong and effective leaders. Help them to lead and govern with integrity, and may their integrity guide them and keep them on track.
Be merciful to give us leaders who are spirit-filled and follow Your principles. Direct their steps according to Your word -- for their decisions have a great impact on our lives.
I pray for all men and women having authority over us in any way. Pour out Your spirit upon them, and make Your word known to them. Cause them to be men and women of integrity and obedient concerning us, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life, in all godliness and honesty.
Let wisdom enter their hearts, and let knowledge be pleasant to them. Let discretion preserve them and understanding keep them, to deliver them from the way of evil and from evil men. Make their hearts and ears attentive to godly counsel, doing what is right in Your sight. Let the upright dwell in our government.
Cause there to be a shaking in all areas. Cause the rains of Your spirit to flood this state and revive Your work in the midst of us. Arise up, intercessors for this state, to pull down strongholds over this state, and let the glory of the Lord be revealed.
Amen.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Thank you, Reverend.
The reading of the Journal.
THE SECRETARY:In Senate, Wednesday, June 15th, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Tuesday, June 14th, was read and approved. On motion, Senate adjourned.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Without objection, the Journal will stand approved as read.
Presentation of petitions.
Messages from the Assembly.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:On page 5, Senator Croci moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 9304A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6361A, Third Reading Calendar 120.
On page 6, Senator Gallivan moves to discharge, from the Committee on Transportation, Assembly Bill Number 8548A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6058, Third Reading Calendar 211.
On page 6, Senator Marcellino moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8621B and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6723A, Third Reading Calendar 269.
On page 7, Senator Nozzolio moves to discharge, from the Committee on Transportation, Assembly Bill Number 8595A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6267A, Third Reading Calendar 280.
On page 7, Senator Hannon moves to discharge, from the Committee on Health, Assembly Bill Number 9335B and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6779B, Third Reading Calendar 286.
On page 7, Senator Boyle moves to discharge, from the Committee on Labor, Assembly Bill Number 4910A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 613A, Third Reading Calendar 319.
On page 8, Senator LaValle moves to discharge, from the Committee on Local Government, Assembly Bill Number 5244A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 3689A, Third Reading Calendar 327.
On page 8, Senator Boyle moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 9135B and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6739B, Third Reading Calendar 333.
On page 8, Senator Avella moves to discharge, from the Committee on Children and Families, Assembly Bill Number 9759 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6859, Third Reading Calendar 342.
On page 9, Senator Serino moves to discharge, from the Committee on Local Government, Assembly Bill Number 2370B and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 4338A, Third Reading Calendar 395.
On page 11, Senator Golden moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 9440 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6936, Third Reading Calendar 553.
On page 13, Senator Larkin moves to discharge, from the Committee on Codes, Assembly Bill Number 8699 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7087, Third Reading Calendar 627.
On page 14, Senator Golden moves to discharge, from the Committee on Cities, Assembly Bill Number 1719C and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6303B, Third Reading Calendar 698.
On page 15, Senator Marchione moves to discharge, from the Committee on Elections, Assembly Bill Number 3330 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 1384, Third Reading Calendar 725.
On page 23, Senator Avella moves to discharge, from the Committee on Consumer Protection, Assembly Bill Number 1047 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7815, Third Reading Calendar 1077.
On page 23, Senator Golden moves to discharge, from the Committee on Aging, Assembly Bill Number 8228A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6214A, Third Reading Calendar 1093.
On page 26, Senator Hannon moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10547 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6799, Third Reading Calendar 1178.
On page 30, Senator Martins moves to discharge, from the Committee on Local Government, Assembly Bill 10022 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7869, Third Reading Calendar 1310.
On page 32, Senator Ranzenhofer moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10365B and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7913B, Third Reading Calendar 1331.
On page 33, Senator O'Mara moves to discharge, from the Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development, Assembly Bill Number 9614A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7669, Third Reading Calendar 1356.
On page 34, Senator O'Mara moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill 10214D and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7847C, Third Reading Calendar 1361.
On page 36, Senator DeFrancisco moves to discharge, from the Committee on Transportation, Assembly Bill Number 4106 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6034A, Third Reading Calendar 1556.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The substitutions are so ordered as so read.
Messages from the Governor.
Reports of standing committees.
Reports of select committees.
Communications and reports of state officers.
Motions and resolutions.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I move to adopt the Resolution Calendar, with the exception of Resolutions 6474 and 6229.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:All in favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar, with the exception of Resolutions 6474 and 6229, signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Resolution Calendar is adopted.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Could you now take up Resolution 6474 and call on me, reading the title only.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Legislative Resolution Number 6474, by Senator DeFrancisco, celebrating the life and legacy of Dwayne Alonzo "Pearl" Washington.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Could I have some order in the house, please. If staff can take conversations outside the chamber, please.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Yes, in April we had a terrible tragedy to all Syracuse University fans and all Central New Yorkers -- and quite frankly all New Yorkers -- in the death of Dwayne "Pearl" Washington.
Pearl Washington played basketball in Brooklyn -- I believe he was from the Brownsville area of Brooklyn -- and became an absolute legend. So that I think it was 1983, he was the number-one ranked player in the country. So he obviously could have played anywhere he wanted to play. And fortunately, he decided to play at Syracuse, which really started the modern era at Syracuse University, which has been a powerhouse nationally ever since.
He was an amazing player. And I'm not going to get into all his exploits, but he was just the most exciting player you'd ever want to see.
He actually made -- he played three years before he went pro. The three years he played, he was First Team Big East all three years. His final year, he was an All-American. And he was the Rookie of the Year his first year. He had every honor you could imagine. But that doesn't describe the excitement he brought. Nobody could handle a ball like he could. Nobody could get a crowd going like he could.
And Joe Messina, who's up at the desk up there, reminded me of a game -- which actually is in the resolution -- when they played Boston College. And I was at that game. The clock was running down, and Pearl took a half-court shot for the winning shot. There was pandemonium in the massive Carrier Dome. And that was just one example of what he was able to accomplish.
But the most important thing, after playing basketball for Syracuse for the three years and going pro, he came back to Syracuse. And he was involved in every charity that you could possibly imagine. He was so quiet and humble, you would think he never accomplished anything in his life. He would talk to everyone that came up to him, who adored him for all his exploits at Syracuse University. He never would shun anybody. He would go to parties, private parties that I was at, where he'd just sit there at a table talking to people and giving autographs -- unlike many of the professional players today that there's a cost for everything.
Amazing person. Horrible loss. He had brain cancer which was operated on many years ago, but it came back. And he fought everything off; he couldn't fight this off.
So I just wanted to recognize Dwayne "Pearl" Washington in this chamber because of what a profound effect he had on residents of the State of New York and, quite frankly, everyone. We're all going to miss Pearl.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Thank you, Senator DeFrancisco.
Senator Hamilton.
SENATOR HAMILTON:Yes, Mr. President, I rise to also pay my respects to Dwayne "Pearl" Washington. I want to thank Senator DeFrancisco for acknowledging him.
I actually watched him play at Syracuse; I pledged Omega Psi Phi fraternity at Syracuse.
He was a dynamic young man, also born in the district that I represent right now, which is Brownsville, where we have a lot of young kids with potential in basketball. And he was a beacon of hope. He was a leader in the Brownsville community, which produced many basketball players. And many of the kids who played at Syracuse were poor kids from the inner city who for the first time went away to school at college.
So I just want to say thank you, Senator DeFrancisco, for bringing this resolution forward.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Thank you, Senator Hamilton.
The question is on the resolution. All in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The resolution is adopted.
Senator DeFrancisco, I believe you're offering that for cosponsorship?
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I definitely am. You took the words out of my mouth.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:So should you choose not to be a cosponsor, please notify the desk.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Next can we take up Resolution 6229, by Senator Golden, and read the title only.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Legislative Resolution Number 6229, by Senator Golden, honoring John C. Googas, Jr., for his distinguished legislative service after 43 sessions in the New York State Senate.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Golden.
SENATOR GOLDEN:Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise to speak of a great man that's done an awful lot for our great city and our state and has been around this institution for many, many years. For the past 43 sessions, John Googas has worked in the New York State Senate -- when Senator Larkin was serving as a staff member at that time.
Whether you're a member or a staffer, a lot of us have grown up with John Googas. He was always there to offer his insight, his advice, and he has achieved real results for the people of this great state and for the great people of the City of New York. And he is a true part of the Senate family.
Starting as an intern working for Senator Frank Padavan at that time, and then somehow he got stuck with Golden, God bless him. He's done an outstanding job for me and for Frank Padavan. And his study was political science, a student at Siena College, when he was hired in 1974 as a staffer here in this great Capitol.
As time went on, he was promoted to chief of staff to Frank Padavan. In his capacity, he worked with many elected officials, administrative staff members, and union representatives throughout New York State and New York City, and implementing many of the policies and laws that we have here today affecting our great city and our great state.
He's been part of it, he breathes it, he eats it, he sleeps it, and he's been great for this conference and for this great state.
After 38 years of dedicated service, this poor guy retired from his position of chief of staff to his friend and mentor Senator Padavan. And in 2010, I was blessed to be able to have him for the last five years -- part-time, but as an advisor on policy issues affecting New York State and New York City.
And he's been a wealth of knowledge for me and for this body. John has been invaluable to me in bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and understanding of New York City and the issues, as well as a great institutional knowledge of this house.
John has also been married to a great woman for 36 years. She is a saint, Mary Pat. He has two daughters, Melissa and Andrea, and now two very enticing reasons not to want to work anymore, and they are called his two great grandchildren, Ronan and Ava. Who if it wasn't for them, I might be able to hang onto him and get to 45 years, but I don't think I'm going to be able to do that.
I feel sorry for his poor wife because he's going to be home now. But I believe he has done a great job in bringing up a great family and at the same time balancing his career here at this wonderful, wonderful legislative body. While he may not be spending time on the Senate floor with us as he once did, he will always be part of the great Senate family.
You will truly be missed, John. But after 43 years, 43 sessions, well deserved. And I thank you for your insight, for your guidance, for your friendship, and for all that you've been able to accomplish under many different administrations that you've worked through, with the city's mayors and the different governors. And it's really been a great, great ride.
Thank you for your service. God bless you and your family. Onward and upward. More grandchildren, keep yourself busy.
Ladies and gentlemen, please rise and give this good man a round of applause as he departs us.
(Standing ovation.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator LaValle.
SENATOR GOLDEN:Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator LaValle.
Could I have some order in the house, please.
SENATOR LaVALLE: Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise to echo the comments of Senator Golden.
John Googas is one staff member -- and we have many in our presence that work very, very diligently to make the Senate the place that it is. The staff members and John, very professional, very obliging, always there to help, always there to make sure that the Senate as an institution progresses in a very positive direction.
So I want to thank you for your years of service and the years that we have spent together toiling on many, many pieces of legislation and, most importantly, your dedication to this house and to the members that you served.
Good luck to you.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Larkin.
SENATOR LARKIN:John, I don't want to delay your retirement. All I want to say was that 41 years ago, you and I were staff members. And the staff were listened to then, the staff are listened to today.
And you're a model for every staff member here, because you always put the needs of the Senate and the needs of the people of the State of New York before your own personal needs.
Thank you, and God bless you in your retirement.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:John, anybody that can survive 43 years of legislative session is an amazing man. And you still look good.
So the question is on the resolution. All in favor say aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The resolution is adopted.
Congratulations. Our best, wishes John.
(Applause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Can we please open that up for cosponsorship.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The reso is open for cosponsorship. Should you choose not to, please notify the desk.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Could you now take up previously adopted Resolution 6231, by Senator Squadron, read the title only, and call on the Senator to speak.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read.
And again, I'm going to need some order in the chamber. It's difficult for the stenographer to be able to hear the conversation. So please cooperate with us.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Legislative Resolution Number 6231, by Senator Squadron, commemorating the 130th Anniversary of the dedication of the Statue of Liberty.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Squadron.
SENATOR SQUADRON:Thank you, Mr. President.
You know, in my district I represent about 319,000 people. The most famous one has never voted for me or against me, lives alone on an island in the middle of New York Harbor. Of course it's the Statue of Liberty, which this year is turning 130 years old. Also my oldest constituent.
The Statue of Liberty was first envisioned in the end of the 19th century as a symbol of liberty, of course, emanating outwards from these shores, from this nation that was still quite young, to the rest of the world. The first conception of the Statue of Liberty was the idea that the example that our country sets and that our country is ever-renewing and improving on, of opportunity and liberty, is a critical example and hopefully a shining laid aside temporarily for the world.
Over the next 25 or 30 years, this symbol transformed. The idea of liberty and of the importance of our country's example continued, and it merged with another one, which was the idea that we are a home and a refuge for those around the world who need more opportunity and a better life.
That was driven by the poem of Emma Lazarus, "The New Colossus," that is now etched on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. She was inspired in writing that poem by the plight of Jewish refugees suffering the danger and indignities of pogroms in Russia and throughout Eastern Europe.
Standing in the harbor, it was inevitable the statue would become a symbol of immigration because so many immigrants, so many of our forebears traveled past it in their first entrance into this nation on their way to Ellis Island or Wards Island.
And that was true of my grandparents at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, coming here as young children on ships. And their first vision of this country after they went through the narrows was the statue standing in the harbor, a symbol that they spoke about through their lives and an inspiration throughout their lives.
At the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty in 1986, I was fortunate enough to be down in Lower Manhattan and to watch the extraordinary centennial fireworks celebration with my family, my father and my grandparents and my siblings. And that symbol, even for a 6-year-old, of a really meaningful, timeless welcoming in this country, was as powerful then as it had been when my grandparents came through the harbor.
It continues to be today. And it's a reminder of the fact that two different ideas -- the idea of our country as a beacon of liberty and opportunity, an example for others to improve their own plights, to improve their own nations, is a critical part of who we are and a big part of what we have provided as a nation for the world. And the idea that we are a welcoming harbor for those who are most motivated or most in need of a new life.
Those are not actually separate ideas. It's the same idea. It's the idea of the American dream, the idea of the American idealism. And if we turn away from either, we are turning away from the Statue of Liberty and the legacy it has given us in New York Harbor.
You know, wherever in New York State you're from, wherever in the nation you're from, a huge percentage of us can trace one or more ancestors back to one of those boats coming through the harbor, viewing the Statue of Liberty, or a similar immigrant experience -- landing at JFK Airport or LAX, coming from the east or the west, and it's one that holds today.
I will not read the whole of "The New Colossus," but I think it's important to remind ourselves what was so powerful about it at the end of the 19th century through the 20th century, and continuing to be today. With our refugees in need, there are those who want to change their lives and better their lives not so much for themselves, but for their children and grandchildren. This is the place they want to come, and we are the folks who should want them to come here.
"'Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!'" Emma Lazarus wrote, "cries she with silent lips. 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!'"
Happy birthday to the Statue of Liberty on 130 years, and to the American idealism envisioned of liberty and welcoming shores for those who need it.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MARTINS:Thank you, Senator Squadron.
Senator Hamilton.
SENATOR HAMILTON:Yes, Mr. President, I rise to congratulate the 130th anniversary for the Statue of Liberty.
But let's be mindful of the fact of the fact that the original Statue of Liberty had features of an African-American woman. And this country could not tolerate the features of a Statue of Liberty having an African-American woman.
To this day, the chains at the feet of the Statue of Liberty show slavery in this country, where people of color were slaves in New York and throughout the country.
So when we think about the Statue of Liberty, it was a statue against slavery, it was a statue against tyranny. And the original Statue of Liberty with the African features is now in St. Maarten.
So as we celebrate the 130th anniversary for the Statue of Liberty, let's not negate and leave out the facts that the original Statue of Liberty did have African features. The original Statue of Liberty, unto this day, has chains on her feet to talk about the history that we tried to forget and leave out, which is slavery in this country, where many African-Americans died coming from Africa, through the slave trade, to this country. And the remnants of slavery are still affecting us today.
So when we talk about the Statue of Liberty, let's not leave out slavery, because that was a part of the discussion at that time with slavery in this country. The people of color that have suffered more than anybody else in America are African-American blacks under slavery. So as we talk about the story of the Statue of Liberty, we must not forget the hardships that many people of color have suffered in this country from dying across the Atlantic Ocean and to this day still feeling the effects of slavery.
So I wish one day we will acknowledge the original Statue of Liberty that had African features, and also not forget that slavery was a part of this country.
Thank you very much.
ACTING PRESIDENT MARTINS:Senator Savino.
SENATOR SAVINO:Thank you, Mr. President.
I want to thank my colleague Senator Squadron for bringing this resolution.
Like most New Yorkers, we tend to take the Statue of Liberty for granted. If you live close enough to it, you see it every day. In fact, I can see it from the window of my office. People in Lower Manhattan can see it, people in New Jersey can see it, if you're in Brooklyn. You can see it from everywhere. And she is in fact that welcoming symbol of, you know, immigration.
In fact she didn't start out that way, as Senator Squadron talked about. She was a symbol of liberty. She was a gift from France. And as most young students in New York, you get to take that trip to the Statue of Liberty when you're in grade school, and you do the tour and you kind of check it off on your bucket list, and you've been there. And then you forget about it.
In the last six months, I've had the opportunity to visit the statue twice. I had relatives visiting, once from Italy and once from Scotland, and I took them to the Statue of Liberty and to Ellis Island.
And to those of you who haven't had that trip back since you were in grammar school, I encourage you to go back. It is amazing what has happened there in the past 30 years since the centennial, the efforts that have gone into the new museum at the Statue of Liberty. It is an incredible learning experience.
And most importantly, the experience at Ellis Island. At this moment in our history, to see where we were in our immigration patterns, it is so profound, because we are in fact reliving many of those things. In good times, we open our doors; in bad times, we tend to shut them hard. We welcome people, we reject them. That is the pattern of this great nation. But we are a -- we will always be that welcoming nation, in spite of what goes on here.
And I hope that all of us during this summer take a shot, go down there, get on the boat, go to the Statue of Liberty, see her again for the first time with new eyes, see the new museum, go to Ellis Island, find where your family came from, whether they came here willingly or not, kind of reflect on who we really are as a nation. Take that opportunity.
So I want to thank Senator Squadron for reminding us about that great lady in the harbor and what she really means to all of us.
ACTING PRESIDENT MARTINS:Thank you, Senator Savino.
This resolution was previously adopted on June 15th.
Thank you to Senator Squadron for bringing it before us. Certainly appropriate.
The resolution is open for cosponsorship. If you do not wish to be a cosponsor, please notify the desk.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Can we open it for cosponsorship, please. Or have you already done that?
ACTING PRESIDENT MARTINS:Just did it.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Next, if we could take up the noncontroversial reading of today's calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT MARTINS:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 102, by Senator LaValle, Senate Print 218A, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the first of August.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 102, those recorded in the negative are Senators Espaillat, Gianaris, Hamilton, Hassell-Thompson, Hoylman, Krueger, Peralta, Perkins, Persaud, Rivera, Sanders, Serrano, Squadron, Stavisky and Stewart-Cousins. Also Senator Breslin.
Ayes, 39. Nays, 16.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 120, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Garbarino, Assembly Print 9304A, an act granting.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 53. Nays, 2. Senators Bonacic and O'Mara recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 169, by Senator LaValle, Senate Print 2926B, an act authorizing.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There is a home-rule message present at the desk.
The Secretary will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 55.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 170, by Senator LaValle, Senate Print 2928A, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There is a home-rule message present at the desk.
The Secretary will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 55.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 205, by Senator Nozzolio, Senate Print 1584A, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Can I have some order, please.
Senator Nozzolio will explain his vote.
SENATOR NOZZOLIO:Thank you, Mr. President.
Mr. President, my colleagues, it's with deep appreciation that I rise to thank you for your support of a measure that will honor our nation's veterans. We can never do enough to honor those who sacrifice much to ensure that our nation remain free.
In a broader sense, I wish to thank my colleagues for your work on behalf of the people that you represent in this great chamber. Our work together collectively is extremely challenging, and I have been honored for the last 24 years by my constituents to come to this chamber to represent their interests in front of you. And I've enjoyed that honor tremendously.
We all work hard to ensure, regardless of what side of the aisle you're on, to ensure that the citizens you represent have advocacy to enhance their lives. Whether it be legislation in this chamber, whether it be working on their behalf in your districts, it's a very noble endeavor, and I am honored to have been with you in working on behalf of the people we serve.
I couldn't help but admire the words of Senator Squadron earlier today. He and I have been frequent adversaries in a principled, almost happy way. That as the ranking member of the Senate Codes Committee, the meetings are long because his debates are long. I think he comes under the Senator Krueger school of questioning.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR NOZZOLIO:And his advocacy on behalf of what he believes in and his constituents believe in, I believe helped us forge a better product that the Codes Committee produced on behalf of the citizens of this state.
But his eloquence in speaking of the Statue of Liberty, the 130th anniversary of the most iconic symbol we have -- not only in our state, but all our nation -- is something that moved me greatly.
Because that Statue of Liberty, the symbol of liberty and freedom that is a New York national symbol, is the first thing my father saw, my dad saw, as Senator Squadron's grandparents saw, when my father came to this nation from his home country, from Sparanise, Italy, on board ship to come to America as a young boy. His dad had come a few years earlier, and he hadn't seen his father for those years. And his father was waiting for them in New York City when he got off the ship.
But the thing that Dad told me, my father, Alberto Nozzolio, told me, that the first thing he remembers was seeing that Statue of Liberty. Little did he ever realize, I believe, that his son would become a New York State legislator -- a New York State Assemblyman, a New York State Senator -- for 34 years.
And I thank Senator Squadron for recognizing that symbol. Lady Liberty adorns us each and every day in our state seal. One hundred years before the Statue of Liberty came to our harbor, the founding principles of our state show Lady Liberty as a symbol for our state seal, 100 years before the Statue of Liberty came to our harbor.
Thank you for your indulgences in letting me make these remarks. And thank you again for your service.
I wish to conclude, Mr. President, with my favorite quotation from the United States Supreme Court, one I often share with students -- and maybe the not-so-young -- about the beauties of our nation and how I respect the office that we serve in. Justice Brandeis said that in these United States, the highest public office is that of private citizen.
And that has been my watchword, Mr. President, in representing the citizens I serve, that my office, as an Assemblyman and as a Senator, was not the highest office of this land. The highest office of this land is private citizen. And in a few months I'll be joining and moving to that highest office.
But before I do, I wish to tell you how much I am honored by knowing my colleagues and working with them. It is indeed the highest honor that we can enjoy in this state, is serving in the New York State Senate.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Thank you, Senator Nozzolio. You'll be recorded in the affirmative.
And we thank you again for your service.
(Standing ovation.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 211, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Kearns, Assembly Print 8548A, an act to amend the Highway Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 269, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Lavine, Assembly Print 8621B, an act authorizing.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 56. Nays, 2. Senators Bonacic and O'Mara recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 273, by Senator Nozzolio, Senate Print 1954A, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 280, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Woerner, Assembly Print 8595A, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 286, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Gottfried, Assembly Print 9335B, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 294, by Senator Bonacic, Senate Print 1597A, an act to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 319, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Perry, Assembly Print 4910A, an act to amend the Labor Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 327, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Thiele, Assembly Print 5244A, an act to amend the Town Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 57. Nays, 1. Senator Espaillat recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 333, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Ramos, Assembly Print 9135B, an act to authorize.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 57. Nays, 1. Senator Bonacic recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 333: Ayes, 56. Nays, 2. Senators Bonacic and O'Mara recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 340, by Senator Ortt, Senate Print 3660, an act to amend the Social Services Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Krueger to explain her vote.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Good morning, Mr. President. Thank you.
You know, I completely agree with the sponsor's intention with the legislation to secure and protect the parental rights for people with developmental disabilities. But after having read an extremely long and detailed legal document about how the law got to where it was and how the existing law actually protects the rights the sponsor wants to protect, I realize that the unintended consequence of this legislation would actually be to take away protections that exist in law already.
So I'm not opposed to the intention of this bill, but the unintended consequences would do the reverse. Which is why I'm voting no, Mr. President.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Krueger to be recorded in the negative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 340, those recorded in the negative are Senators Carlucci, Hassell-Thompson, Hoylman, Klein, Krueger, Perkins, Rivera, Savino and Squadron.
Ayes, 49. Nays, 9.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 342, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Buchwald, Assembly Print 9759, an act to amend the Family Court Act.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 6. This act shall take effect on the 90th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 395, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Barrett, Assembly Print 2370B, an act to amend the General Municipal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There is a home-rule message present at the desk.
The Secretary will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 490, by Senator Young, Senate Print 3671A, an act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 120th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 490, those recorded in the negative are Senators Dilan, Hamilton, Hassell-Thompson, Krueger, Perkins, Rivera and Squadron.
Ayes, 51. Nays, 7.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 502, by Senator Marchione, Senate Print 5792B, an act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 553, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Abbate, Assembly Print 9440, an act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 57. Nays, 1. Senator Little recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 558, by Senator Lanza, Senate Print 2824, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 573, by Senator Little, Senate Print 1078, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 573, those recorded in the negative are Senators Addabbo, Avella, Carlucci, Dilan, Espaillat, Gianaris, Hamilton, Hassell-Thompson, Hoylman --
(Pause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Would you withdraw the roll call and lay it aside temporarily, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The roll will be withdrawn, and the bill will be laid aside temporarily.
The Secretary will continue.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 627, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Hunter, Assembly Print 8699, an act to amend Chapter 266 of the Laws of 1981.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Hoylman to explain his vote.
SENATOR HOYLMAN:Thank you so much, Mr. President.
I wanted to thank the sponsor for this bill that would allow our Vietnam vets a two-year look-back window to file civil lawsuits because they've been exposed to Agent Orange and a whole host of maladies in the process, including multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Parkinson's disease and other illnesses.
Extending the statute of limitations and having a look-back window is controversial, though, in this chamber. I just wanted to read a couple of quotes briefly from our friends across the aisle.
"What I know, unfortunately, about people, especially when it comes to bringing lawsuits, is people lie about anything when money is involved."
"The purpose of the statute of limitations is to make sure that the proceeding is fair. There has to be some kind of statute of limitations. I do not think you should eliminate the statute of limitations going forward for every single case or allow people to sue someone forever."
I wish that our friends across the aisle would feel the same about the statute of limitations for victims of child sexual abuse. Those comments were not about this bill but about the Child Victims Act, which would allow one year for survivors of child sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits, have their day in court -- just like we're allowing our proud Vietnam veterans to have their day in court.
Just as Vietnam veterans were exposed to Agent Orange through no fault of their own, we have kids who are exposed to predators through no fault of their own. So I hope this chamber takes up the Child Victims Act before it's too late, and I'll be voting in the affirmative.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Hoylman to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 656, by Senator Gallivan, Senate Print 6669A, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 180th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 680, by Senator Little, Senate Print 1211, an act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:This is Calendar Number 680.
Will those in the negative please raise your hand again, please.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 680, those recorded in the negative are Senators Addabbo, Avella, Breslin, Carlucci, Comrie, Dilan, Espaillat, Gianaris, Hamilton, Hassell-Thompson, Hoylman, Kaminsky, Kennedy, Klein, Krueger, Latimer, Montgomery, Panepinto, Peralta, Perkins, Persaud, Rivera, Sanders, Savino, Serrano, Squadron, Stavisky and Stewart-Cousins.
Ayes, 33. Nays, 28.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 692, by Senator Croci, Senate Print 6048, an act to amend the Iran Divestment Act of 2012.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:May I have some order in the chamber, please.
The Secretary will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 8. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Croci to explain his vote.
SENATOR CROCI:Thank you, Mr. President.
The fundamental -- anybody who's been a negotiator or gone to law school knows that the fundamental component to a good successful negotiation is that both parties are bargaining in good faith.
Since 1979, the regime in Iran has not been bargaining with the United States of America in good faith. The nuclear agreement that was reached in 2015 will eventually, I believe, be viewed as a mistake in our history. I think recent indications suggest that the regime in Iran is not negotiating in good faith, and New York State should not be sending tax dollars to that regime or supporting the activities, particularly when Hezbollah, Hamas, and other terrorist organizations are running around the world killing Americans and Westerners.
I compliment the Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli. Without this legislation, he has already said that our pension funds will not be invested in companies that do business with Iran. So even without this law, the Comptroller took the initiative, and I want to compliment him on that.
And I will be voting aye on this important legislation protecting not only Americans but our allies overseas.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Croci to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 60. Nays, 1. Senator Perkins recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 698, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Lentol, Assembly Print 1719C, an act to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 60. Nays, 1. Senator DeFrancisco recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 698: Ayes, 59. Nays, 2. Senators DeFrancisco and Krueger recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Together again.
(Laughter.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill passes.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 725, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Fahy, Assembly Print 3330, an act to repeal.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 743, by Senator Young, Senate Print 7023, an act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 758, by Senator Ritchie, Senate Print 6805, an act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 60. Nays, 1. Senator Espaillat recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 808, by Senator Lanza, Senate Print 3471, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 60. Nays, 1. Senator Perkins recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 810, by Senator DeFrancisco, Senate Print 6315A, an act to amend the State Finance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 810, those recorded in the negative are Senators Krueger, Perkins and Seward.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 3.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 860, by Senator Little, Senate Print 1853A, an act to amend the Labor Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Little to explain her vote.
SENATOR LITTLE:Thank you, Mr. President.
I'd also like to thank all of those who are supporting this piece of legislation.
This legislation helps our farmers in New York State, those fruit and vegetable farmers who bring in H-2A workers to their farm for a period sometimes to two to five to six to eight weeks.
This legislation will fix a significant loophole with New York's Labor Law. New York State requires that these farmers with the H-2A workers collect unemployment insurance on these workers, even though the federal government says no. So they have to collect unemployment insurance on workers who, according to H-2A, are temporary workers, they must return to their country as soon as their job is over, and they will never in their lifetime be eligible for unemployment.
And yet this is an extra expense that goes on for our farmers in New York State, making their business a little more difficult for them to be competitive with other states.
The farmworkers do return, there's a lot that goes on, they pay adverse-impact wages to them. And they do a great job, and they provide workers when a farmer cannot find another worker.
It is true, though, that when they bring in the H-2A workers, if a local person shows up and wants to do that job, they must be hired. So they're not replacing them. It's not costing the worker any additional funds at all. But it is helping our farmers.
And I thank all of those who support this bill. It will help our farmers.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Little to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Espaillat to explain his vote.
SENATOR ESPAILLAT:Thank you, Mr. President. On the bill, to explain my vote.
I will be voting in the negative. This is, again, one of those handsome benefits that we give the farm industry. And they continue to perpetrate what I consider to be the last residue of Jim Crow laws right here in upstate.
And so although the farm industry got some very good benefits when we extended the minimum wage to farmworkers -- at a different level in some regions, as we apply the law -- they got some very handsome benefits to do that. And in addition to that, they want, of course, now not to be able to pay unemployment benefits for people that pick the products that we put on our table to eat every night, that we eat right there in the members' lounge, that the Governor eats in his mansion, and that we all eat as families across the State of New York.
This is a travesty. We should vote no on this.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Espaillat to be recorded in the negative.
Senator Savino to explain her vote.
SENATOR SAVINO:Thank you, Mr. President.
First, I want to commend Senator Little for putting forward a bill that does make some sense. She's technically right.
Unfortunately, I'm going to vote no on this bill -- not because I don't understand what she's trying to accomplish, because she is technically correct.
But this bill and the issue that Senator Espaillat raises has been kicking around this Legislature for I can't tell you how many years. There's been any number of members of this Senate that have carried a bill to address this Jim Crow-era mistake, this injustice that affects farmworkers in this state since its inception.
Senator Flanagan's carried a bill on Farmworkers Bill of Rights, Senator Marcellino. Senator Bruno passed a bill on this floor when Senator Mendez was here. I've carried a version, Senator Espaillat, Senator Peralta, Senator Onorato when he was here. Any number of us have attempted to negotiate this.
Four years ago, Senator Espaillat and myself sat down with the Farm Bureau and offered them a modified version of a Farmworkers Bill of Rights that took away the things that they were most concerned about, eliminated the issue of collective bargaining rights that they claim to be most afraid of. We offered them a 60-hour work week before overtime. We offered them the opportunity to eliminate payment for overtime because these workers don't qualify for it. We offered them all of the things we thought would make sense; they rejected it.
So let them come to the table and negotiate again. They shouldn't get a benefit without the willingness to negotiate on behalf of working people.
So unfortunately, Senator Little -- I understand what you're trying to do. I agree with you in theory. But I think it's time for them to finally come in and sit down and do the right thing and work with people who are willing to recognize the difficulty of running a farm, really running a farm -- not looking to do harm to them, but to create a profound improvement in the lives of farmworkers and not create an unnecessary, unwieldy process that we all recognize doesn't work for the farming industry.
Unfortunately, I have to vote in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Savino to be recorded in the negative.
Senator Panepinto to explain his vote.
SENATOR PANEPINTO:Yes, in 1936 the United States passed the National Labor Relations Act, which, you know, allowed workers across the country to organize. We exempted from that legislation domestic people and farmworkers. And so here we are 80 years later, and in New York State farmworkers don't have the right to organize and collectively bargain.
I appreciate the work that the farmers in this state do. It's a $6 billion industry. I'm the ranking Democrat on the Agriculture Committee, and I was dismayed by their opposition this year to raising the minimum wage because it was disingenuous. We raised the minimum wage upstate, but they're already paying $12.36 an hour.
And so I understand the technical change Senator Little wants to make. I support that change. But it should be part of a comprehensive bargaining. And we've waited too long in this state to allow farmworkers to organize. And as a former union organizer and somebody that's fought for working people my entire life, we in New York State need to address the Farmworkers Bill of Rights. I'll be voting no on this legislation.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Panepinto to be recorded in the negative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 860, those recorded in the negative are Senators Addabbo, Avella, Breslin, Carlucci, Comrie, Dilan, Espaillat, Gianaris, Hamilton, Hassell-Thompson, Hoylman, Kaminsky, Kennedy, Klein, Krueger, Latimer, Montgomery, Panepinto, Peralta, Perkins, Persaud, Rivera, Sanders, Savino, Serrano, Squadron, Stavisky and Stewart-Cousins.
Ayes, 33. Nays, 28.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 875, by Senator Savino, Senate Print 5359A, an act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59. Nays, 2. Senators DeFrancisco and Ortt recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 918, by Senator Golden, Senate Print 6908, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 60. Nays, 1. Senator DeFrancisco recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 925, by Senator LaValle, Senate Print 4969B, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 986, by Senator O'Mara, Senate Print 4242, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 986, those recorded in the negative are Senators Addabbo, Avella, Breslin, Carlucci, Comrie, Dilan, Espaillat, Gianaris, Hamilton, Hassell-Thompson, Hoylman, Kaminsky, Kennedy, Klein, Krueger, Latimer, Montgomery, Panepinto, Peralta, Perkins, Persaud, Rivera, Sanders, Savino, Serrano, Squadron, Stavisky, Stewart-Cousins and Valesky.
Ayes, 32. Nays, 29.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1051, by Senator LaValle, Senate Print 1595A, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1051, those recorded in the negative are Senators Akshar, DeFrancisco, Gallivan, Hoylman, Marchione, Ranzenhofer and Seward. Also Senator Squadron. Also Senator Avella.
Ayes, 52. Nays, 9.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1077, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Rosenthal, Assembly Print 1047, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 90th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1093, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Cymbrowitz, Assembly Print 8228A, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1111, by Senator Ritchie, Senate Print 7180A, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 60. Nays, 1. Senator Espaillat recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1137, by Senator Lanza, Senate Print 2545D, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect April 1, 2017.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1170, by Senator Golden, Senate Print 3459, an act to amend the Social Services Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1170, those recorded in the negative are Senators Gianaris, Hoylman, Klein, Savino and Squadron. Also Senator DeFrancisco. Also Senator Perkins.
Ayes, 54. Nays, 7.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1178, substituted earlier by the Assembly Committee on Rules, Assembly Print 10547, an act to amend the Local Finance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There is a home-rule message present at the desk.
The Secretary will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1213, by Senator Bonacic, Senate Print 1604, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 120th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1213, those recorded in the negative are Senators Addabbo, Breslin, Comrie, Croci, Dilan, Espaillat, Gianaris, Hamilton, Hassell-Thompson, Hoylman, Kaminsky, Kennedy, Krueger, Latimer, Montgomery, Panepinto, Peralta, Perkins, Persaud, Ranzenhofer, Rivera, Sanders, Serrano, Squadron, Stavisky, Stewart-Cousins and Young.
Ayes, 34. Nays, 27.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1289, by Senator Martins, Senate Print 1257, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1310, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Otis, Assembly Print 10022, an act to amend Chapter 618 of the Laws of 1998.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1317 --
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Lay it aside temporarily, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Calendar 1317 will be laid aside temporarily.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1321, by Senator Avella, Senate Print 6535, an act authorizing.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 60. Nays, 1. Senator DeFrancisco recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1331, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Brennan, Assembly Print 10365B, an act to amend the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 21. This act shall take effect on the 180th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1345, by Senator O'Mara, Senate Print 7789, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1356, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Lupardo, Assembly Print 9614A, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 90th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 60. Nays, 1. Senator Bonacic recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1361, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Palmesano, Assembly Print 10214D, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 60. Nays, 1. Senator Hamilton recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1387, by Senator Croci, Senate Print 3140A, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1390, by Senator Ortt, Senate Print 3624B, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the first of January.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1390, those recorded in the negative are Senators Comrie, Dilan, Espaillat, Hassell-Thompson, Hoylman, Krueger, Panepinto, Perkins, Rivera, Serrano and Squadron. Also Senator Hamilton.
Ayes, 49. Nays, 12.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1392, by Senator Venditto, Senate Print 3823B, an act to authorize.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There is a home-rule message at the desk.
The Secretary will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 6. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1398, by Senator Nozzolio, Senate Print 6660, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect on the 180th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Krueger to explain her vote.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you, Mr. President.
Like a previous bill we saw on this floor, I have to argue against this bill and urge my colleagues to vote no.
Yet again, the organizations that provide domestic violence assistance in this state and in fact throughout the nation have taken the position that these registries have dangerous, unintended consequences that thwart their ability to achieve the desired and intended outcome of increasing victim safety and offender accountability.
There is so much more we can and should be doing to prevent domestic violence. And I know that Senator Nozzolio, the sponsor, feels passionately about this issue. And perhaps in the future, as a private citizen, we can work together to come to -- as he is a private citizen, excuse me. I might be too, who knows -- we can work together on this issue.
Thank you. I am voting no, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Krueger to be recorded in the negative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1398, those recorded in the negative are Senators DeFrancisco, Hassell-Thompson, Hoylman, Krueger, Montgomery, Panepinto, Peralta, Perkins, Rivera, and Squadron. Also Senator Hamilton.
Ayes, 50. Nays, 11.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1413, by Senator LaValle, Senate Print 17B, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1413, those recorded in the negative are Senators Breslin, Comrie, Dilan, Espaillat, Gianaris, Hamilton, Hassell-Thompson, Hoylman, Kaminsky, Krueger, Latimer, Montgomery, Panepinto, Peralta, Perkins, Persaud, Rivera, Sanders, Serrano, Squadron, Stavisky and Stewart-Cousins.
Ayes, 39. Nays, 22.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1521, by Senator LaValle, Senate Print 228, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 120th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1529, by Senator Bonacic, Senate Print 1633, an act to amend the County Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1556, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly DenDekker, Assembly Print 4106, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59. Nays, 2. Senators Perkins and Serino recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1592, by Senator Farley, Senate Print 7973A, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There is a home-rule message at the desk.
The Secretary will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1651, by the Senate Committee on Rules, Senate Print 7592, an act to authorize.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Squadron to explain his vote.
SENATOR SQUADRON:Senator Rules gets another bill here on the last day of session, another lack of ability for the public or colleagues or the media to know who's sponsoring this bill and why this bill in particular has a number of specific questions related to it.
I'm going to be voting no. I would apologize to Senator Rules, but of course Senator Rules is not present today.
I'm a no, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Squadron to be recorded in the negative.
Hands up again, please.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1651, those recorded in the negative are Senators Avella, Bonacic, Breslin, Carlucci, Comrie, Dilan, Espaillat, Gianaris, Hamilton, Hassell-Thompson, Hoylman, Kennedy, Klein, Krueger, Latimer, Montgomery, O'Mara, Panepinto, Peralta, Perkins, Persaud, Ranzenhofer, Rivera, Sanders, Savino, Serrano, Squadron, Stavisky and Stewart-Cousins.
Ayes, 32. Nays, 29.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1658, by Senator Ortt, Senate Print 7751, Concurrent Resolution of the Senate and Assembly.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll on the resolution.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Lay it aside.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Lay it aside.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1750, by Senator Avella, Senate Print 8095, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1751, by Senator Klein, Senate Print 8102, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 11. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Akshar to explain his vote.
SENATOR AKSHAR:Thank you, Mr. President.
I think the bill is well-intended. However, I think it's much too broad. Upstate employers, chambers of commerce, they rely on cross-border economy, especially upstate in the area that I represent. And employers upstate are certainly using placement agencies to find talented and good employees.
And I think that this bill is addressing a problem that's probably very real in New York City. I'm sure there's bad actors there. And I think that this bill, again, is just too broad, it's overreaching, and it's going to have an adverse effect on the upstate economy.
It's for that reason that I vote no.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Akshar to be recorded in the negative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1751, those recorded in the negative are Senators Akshar, Amedore, Croci, DeFrancisco, Funke, Gallivan, Griffo, Little, O'Mara, Ortt, Ranzenhofer, Robach, Serino and Young. Also Senator Marchione. Also Senator Seward. Also Senator Farley. Also Senator LaValle.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 18.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1764, by Senator Felder, Senate Print 4430D, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 30th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Krueger to explain her vote.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you. I rise to thank Senator Felder for this bill.
I think it's an important protection for people's rights, even if they have passed and there is no one to claim their body. You should be able to ensure that your body is not violated after death if there's no one there to speak for you.
Thank you, Senator Felder.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Krueger, is that an affirmative?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Krueger to be recorded in the affirmative.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61. Nays, 1. Senator Ranzenhofer recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1780, by Senator O'Mara, Senate Print 7103C, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect on the 60th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1796, by Senator Croci, Senate Print 7927, an act to amend Chapter 719 of the Laws of 1982.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61. Nays, 1. Senator Boyle recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1806, by Senator Croci, Senate Print 8103, an act authorizing.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There is a home-rule message at the desk.
The Secretary will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 7. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1823, by Senator Griffo, Senate Print 7325B, an act to establish.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1843, by Senator Felder, Senate Print 8018, an act to amend the Private --
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Lay the bill aside for the day, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Lay it aside for the day.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1856, by Senator Savino, Senate Print 8097, an act to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Can I have some order in the house, first.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Savino to explain her vote.
SENATOR SAVINO:Thank you, Mr. President.
This bill would allow New York theaters, movie theaters, for the first time to be able to serve beer, wine and liquor in New York State.
This is another example of some of the antiquated Blue Laws that have been in place since Prohibition. Many other states already permit the service of beer, wine and liquor in movie theaters. New York permits limited --
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Can I have some order in the house, please, so we can hear Senator Savino explain her vote.
SENATOR SAVINO:Thank you.
New York permits limited alcohol sales, but only in conjunction with full food service in movie theaters, which includes tables and wait staff.
This bill would bring New York in line with several other states and allow the limited sale of alcohol at movie theaters.
Our movie theater industry in New York has seen significant challenges and changes in recent years. They have to fight against piracy and compete with new streaming services. Also, the availability of large-screen, high-definition home entertainment systems makes going to the movie theaters less compelling.
Movie theaters are therefore looking for ways to make going to the movies more of an appealing and special experience. Providing the service of alcohol at the movies is one of those ways.
This bill could also provide significant economic benefits in the form of tax dollars and investment in New York State. It's estimated that roughly $2 million in taxes and fees could be collected for the state with this. Also, renovations, remodels and construction will result as many theaters will build out their facilities to accommodate alcohol service.
This bill has many safeguards and limitations for those who are concerned. Movie theaters would, of course, have to apply to the state for a liquor license. Purchasers would be required to provide written proof of age. Only one alcoholic beverage could be bought per transaction. Alcohol sales would be limited to one hour prior to the first movie until the end of the final movie. Only theaters open at least five days a week or on a regular seasonal basis of no less than six contiguous weeks, with permanent seating, could apply.
And a municipality has to be notified of any application within its borders and may express an opinion to the state whether good cause exists to deny the application. And as, of course, with liquor licenses, an application may always be denied.
So I urge all of my colleagues to eradicate another vestige of the Blue Laws and bring New York into the modern age and join the other states around us and allow us to have a drink when we go to the movies.
I vote in the affirmative. Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Savino to be recorded in the affirmative.
I thought maybe we can could convert the chamber to a movie theater.
(Laughter.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Savino is to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Kaminsky to explain his vote.
SENATOR KAMINSKY:Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise to express my trouble with this bill. I believe that we are constantly shrinking the safe spaces we have for our young people to be able to make decisions without having substances and alcohol always put in their face.
You know, we have an addiction, we have a substance abuse problem in this country, and I believe the decisions that -- the messages that we send out as a society matter. The decisions that we tell our young people that they have to make all the time are troubling: You can't have a good time without alcohol, you can't sit through a movie without alcohol, every place you go, someone has to have alcohol.
These things matter. Advertising matters. Having alcohol around matters. And we constantly are shrinking the spaces where our young people are able to have a good time without having this thrust in front of their face.
Now the Starbucks in my community is going to be selling alcohol. The places where you can even study with friends and there's no alcohol seem to be diminishing.
The statistics bear this out. If a child begins drinking by age 15, they're 40 percent more likely to develop a problem with alcohol and/or other drugs than someone who waits till later in life. And research from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health tells us that the more places to purchase alcohol in a community, the more underage drinking there is. And there's a direct connection between the amount of advertising you see and the amount of drinking you do.
And of course we know that addiction is a brain disease that can begin in adolescence. And 5,000 children under 21 die each year of alcohol-related illnesses. We need to be thinking of ways to be protecting our children. Sitting in a movie theater, even if you're an adult, and there's a kid down the row watching you drink alcohol, sends a bad message. And of course if we think our kids won't be able to get their hands on this alcohol, you forget what high school was like.
So I think -- look, I've seen a lot of movies lately where I wish I could drink.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR KAMINSKY:But I absolutely think that this is the wrong message that we need to send. We need to be able to know that we can send our children into a movie theater and know they're not going to be subject to the decisions and peer pressure and poor messages that we have everywhere else in our society.
So while I understand the intention of this bill, I'm going to vote against it. And, Mr. President, I vote in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Kaminsky to be recorded in the negative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1856, those recorded in the negative are --
(Pause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Okay, results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1856, those recorded in the negative are Senators Akshar, Avella, Griffo, Hannon, Hassell-Thompson, Hoylman, Kaminsky, Krueger, Lanza, LaValle, Marcellino, Marchione, Martins, Murphy, Ortt, Perkins, Ranzenhofer, Robach, Sanders, Stewart-Cousins and Venditto. Also Senator Serrano.
Ayes, 40. Nays, 22.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
Senator DeFrancisco, that completes today's noncontroversial reading of the active list.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Can we go to motions and resolutions, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We'll return to motions and resolutions.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I wish to call up Senator Gallivan's bill, Number 532, having passed both houses and not delivered to the Governor.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 951, by Senator Gallivan, Senate Print 532, an act to amend the Civil Service Law.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I now move to reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed and ask that the bill be restored to the order of third reading.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will call the roll on reconsideration.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is restored to third reading.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I now offer the following amendments.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The amendments are received.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I would like to go to the controversial reading and go to Calendar Number 1658, by Senator Ortt.
However, with consent of counsel of each of the conferences, we're going to call also an immediate meeting of the Higher Education Committee in Room 332.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There will be an immediate meeting of the Senate Higher Education Committee in Room 332.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: And can we now go to the controversial reading, and specifically Calendar 1658.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Calendar 1658, the Secretary will ring the bell.
And Senator Krueger is recognized.
Call the bill up first.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1658, by Senator Ortt, Senate Print 7751, Concurrent Resolution of the Senate and Assembly.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is before the house.
Senator Krueger has some questions.
Again, I'm going to need some order in the house because people are moving to meetings. The Higher Education Committee is meeting in 332.
The other members in the chamber, please, if we can take conversations outside, and I would ask staff to do so likewise.
Senator Ortt, are you prepared and do you yield?
SENATOR ORTT:Prepared, and I yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Ortt yields.
Senator Krueger, you may continue.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you.
Is Senator Ortt aware that if this constitutional amendment were to pass, it would actually restrict our powers vested in the Senate and the Assembly, in Article 3, Section 1 of the Constitution, giving us the power and authority to determine these laws in New York State?
SENATOR ORTT:Through you, Mr. President, the whole point of this legislation, by putting language in our Constitution, not only would we join 22 other states that have language that guarantees the right to either fish and/or hunt and trap, but it would be much more difficult to restrict a lot of these areas where 1.7 million New Yorkers enjoy.
So that's kind of the idea, is to make it more difficult to encroach and restrict the rights of 1.7 million New Yorkers and countless potential other New Yorkers who engage in these pastimes and have for the entire duration of the existence of our great state.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President, if the sponsor would continue to yield.
SENATOR ORTT:I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Is the sponsor aware that this constitutional amendment, if it would pass, would violate Article 14, Section 3 of our Constitution regarding legislative power of wildlife conservation?
SENATOR ORTT:I wasn't aware of that. And nor do I necessarily subscribe to that. I don't know if we have any constitutional lawyers here, but I'll take my learned colleague from Manhattan's word for it, apparently.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President, if the sponsor would continue to yield.
SENATOR ORTT:I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you.
Is the sponsor aware that this constitutional amendment, if adopted, would also constitute a restriction on the general powers vested in local governments, Article 9, Sections 1 and 2 of the Constitution?
SENATOR ORTT:I am.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President, if the sponsor would continue to yield.
SENATOR ORTT:I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you.
So on the last question, that if it passed it would constitute a restriction on the general powers vested in local governments. So I live in the City of New York. We have many public parks. We don't currently have any hunting, although Staten Island's really been pushing for deer hunting, and I understand their dilemma. But most of New York City has no hunting, but parks. We have fairly restrictive gun laws that don't allow you to travel the city streets with your guns except in very limited circumstances.
If this constitutional amendment were to become law, would we be overriding the City of New York and other localities around the state's right to say no hunting in our public parks, no carrying of guns in our neighborhoods under local gun laws?
SENATOR ORTT:Through you, Mr. President, I do not believe that's the case.
First of all, to clarify a couple of points -- one is by amending the Constitution, you can't be violating the Constitution, by almost definition. It is therefore an amendment to the existing Constitution.
Two, all this does is again protect the right of New Yorkers, in constitutional language, to engage in the activities of hunting, fishing and trapping.
So it does nothing, from my perspective, to make it, whether you're in Central Park or whether you're anywhere else in the city. However, it would protect New Yorkers' rights to do that in areas where they are currently allowed to do that.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President, on the bill.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Krueger on the bill.
SENATOR KRUEGER:While I actually would like to expand the debate, I'm also supposed to be interviewing people in the Higher Ed Committee.
So I'm going to just close with the Attorney General of New York State has issued a determination on this proposed constitutional amendment where he points out that this constitutional amendment would in fact constitute a restriction on the general legislative powers vested in the Senate and Assembly, as well as specific legislative powers regarding wildlife conservation, as well as constituting a restriction on the general powers vested in local governments.
I don't think we want to do those things in our Constitution. We have reasons for those sections of our Constitution. They protect many of the rights we live under today. And so I have to respectfully disagree with the sponsor, that undoing our existing amendments to the Constitution, taking away local powers and rights, legislative powers and rights, and wildlife conservation protections would be a mistake for the State of New York.
So I'm urging a no vote by everyone on this constitutional amendment. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you to the sponsor.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Thank you, Senator Krueger.
Senator Ortt, do you want to speak on the bill?
SENATOR ORTT:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Ortt on the bill.
SENATOR ORTT:Thank you, Mr. President.
Well, first I would just like to say, you know, there are 22 other states across our country again that have language in their constitutions that protect hunting and/or fishing and/or trapping. This would go a long way to solidifying the rights of New Yorkers, 1.7 million, to engage in these activities. It brings in about $2.5 billion in economic impact.
But I think it's very curious always when we hear about protecting the rights of local governments, because certainly this body has never engaged in any sort of legislation that would take those rights away. I think we're very selective at times. This does nothing, in my view, to take those rights away. What it really does is protect the rights of all New Yorkers to engage in these activities in areas where they are currently allowed.
And I think it's also important that this language also goes to conserving and protecting wildlife, whether it be fish, birds, or other forms of wildlife.
So I think it's a good balance, and I think it would be a huge symbol to most of New York that we regard these rights to engage in these activities as sacrosanct, and it would be much more difficult to encroach and infringe upon them.
So, Mr. President, I vote aye and I encourage my colleagues who care about these issues to vote aye as well.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Okay, seeing and hearing no other Senator that wishes to be heard, debate will be closed and the Secretary will ring the bell.
(Pause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Since members are in a Higher Ed Committee meeting, can we lay the bill aside temporarily, now that debate is closed, and then we'll remain at ease.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill has been laid aside temporarily, and debate has been closed. And we will call the roll upon request of Senator DeFrancisco.
There are committee meetings ongoing, so at the request of the leader, the Senate will stand at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 12:56 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 1:14 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT LANZA:The Senate will come to order.
Senator Flanagan.
SENATOR FLANAGAN:Mr. President, very briefly, there will be a Republican conference at 1:30, during which time the Senate will stand at ease.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT LANZA:There will be a Republican conference at 1:30 in Room 332 of the Capitol.
The Senate shall stand at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 1:14 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 2:19 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Senate will come to order.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Yes, Mr. President. Can we go back to motions and resolutions.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We will return to motions and resolutions.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: And could we take up Senate Resolution 6340, by Senator Croci, read it in its entirety, and then call on Senator Croci.
If we can take our seats, because we'd like the honorees to be able to see and hear what's happening in the chamber.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Thank you, Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We'll ask all members to please take their seats. There will be availability for photos following the resolution. And the Secretary will be reading Resolution Number 6340, which was previously adopted.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Legislative Resolution Number 6340, by Senator Croci, commending the Tuskegee Airmen upon their 75th Anniversary and dedication to the United States Army in times of peace and war.
"WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
"WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the Tuskegee Airmen upon their 75th Anniversary and dedication to the United States Army in times of peace and war; and
"WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to welcome four members of the Tuskegee Airmen to the New York State Legislature; these brave soldiers include: Audley Coulthurst, of Harlem, New York; William Johnson, of Glen Cove, New York; Herbert C. Thorpe of Brooklyn, New York; and Wilfred R. DeFour of Harlem, New York; and
"WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen were the first group of African-American military pilots to serve with distinction in war as the 332nd Fighter Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps; and
"WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen, also known as the Red Tails, were established during World War II; America was going through a period of civil rights justice movements during the time, and with a push from the NAACP, the Air Force instituted a training program for African-American pilots; and
"WHEREAS, These men were extremely qualified for the positions; despite the belief that African-Americans were not intelligent or skillful, expectations and requirements of these men were the same as for the previous men who passed through the Tuskegee Academy; and
"WHEREAS, The Red Tails were a group of determined, dedicated men who came from all over the country to prove their worthiness of being a part of the United States Air Force; those who were qualified mentally and physically were accepted to be trained as aviation cadets for single- and twin-engine planes as well as navigators and bomb-raiders; they were also trained in other areas that allowed for them to fully function in the Army Air Corps flying squadron and ground support crew; and
"WHEREAS, The first group of African-American cadets to complete training formed the 99th Pursuit Squadron, a fighter squad, in March of 1941; this squadron was extremely well-known for not allowing any of their bomber planes to be shot down by enemy fighter planes; even more impressively, the Red Tails flew at least 200 missions over Europe and Africa; during these missions, not only were the Red Tails able to defend the Army bombers, they were also responsible for shooting down and damaging other enemy planes; and
"WHEREAS, Greatly recognized for their accomplishments, the Tuskegee Airmen were awarded 14 Bronze Stars, 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 744 Air Medals, as well as several Silver Stars; the Tuskegee Airmen also received the Distinguished Unit Citation for a mission flown in Germany responsible for bombing the Daimler-Benz factory in Berlin; among these distinctions, the Tuskegee Airmen were also responsible for destroying numerous trucks, trains and fuel dumps, flying over 1,500 missions by the end of World War II; and
"WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen were also powerful in making strides to fight racism in America; the military was not fully integrated until 1948; World War II was over, and there was enough foundation laid by the Red Tails to fully integrate the Armed Forces; the fight was not over after the war, though, and the Tuskegee Airmen gave African-Americans the inspiration to change their lives at home; those who had enlisted in the Army returned home looking for jobs that were more in line with the work they completed while in the service, instead of going back to farm work; African-Americans still had trouble finding new work, but the Airmen's accomplishments were the start America needed; now, therefore, be it
"RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the Tuskegee Airmen upon their 75th Anniversary and dedication to the United States Army in times of peace and war; and be it further
"RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the aforementioned Tuskegee Airmen."
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Flanagan.
SENATOR FLANAGAN:Thank you, Mr. President.
What an absolutely awesome day. I am just -- I'm inspired by being here today. Not because it's the last day of our legislative session, which is inspiring in and of itself, but to our honored guests, it is such a privilege to have you join us. The fact that you all live in New York just adds like icing on top of a beautiful cake.
And to your family and your colleagues joining you and sharing this day with you, thank you, and welcome to all of you.
Now, to our honorees, I'll come back to you in a second. I have quickly learned that we have guests up in the balcony. So they are from the Harrison Avenue School, from Westchester County. And I want to speak very quickly to the young boys and girls who are here, and to their chaperones.
You are witnessing an auspicious day and a great day here in the State of New York. Not only are you in probably the finest legislative chamber in any state in the country, but you are seeing history made because we have an opportunity to honor these gentlemen who served our country with distinction.
Now, to you gentlemen, I can't do it as well as Colonel Larkin or Senator Croci, but I'm going to give it a New York try.
We want to say thank you. We want to honor you. We want to bestow upon you the privileges of this great chamber and of the New York State Senate and the people of the State of New York.
Now, one of our honorees, I was able to get a picture. And everyone can take a look at this. This is a picture, there are 23 Tuskegee Airmen in this photo. One of them is the brother of Mr. Thorpe. The gentleman in this picture is Richard Thorpe.
So, Mr. Thorpe, to you personally, and to your brother, thank you so much. This is a fantastic photo. I'm going to definitely frame this, hang it in one of our Senate chamber rooms with great pride and privilege.
And I just want to again offer you the welcome of the New York State Senate. And to our students who are up here, you're going to remember this day for a long time, because these are some of the finest people that have served our country with distinction.
On that point, Mr. President, I would just say thank you, and I would appreciate it if you would recognize Senator Croci.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Croci.
(Applause.)
SENATOR CROCI:Thank you, Mr. President.
There's a lot of history been made in this chamber. This is an old chamber, and there's been a lot of famous people who have come and gone in this chamber. But this is a pretty special day.
We're all here because of the sacrifice of the men and women of the Greatest Generation, the World War II generation, people like Colonel Bill Larkin and the Tuskegee Airmen.
It's not lost on me that the then-Senator who once graced the halls of this chamber, Senator Franklin Roosevelt, was responsible for creating the Tuskegee Airmen. And President Roosevelt was a Senator in this chamber. And I'm wondering what he would be thinking right now, looking down over this chamber, seeing the Tuskegee Airmen sitting here with us. And it warms my heart and gives me a great deal of pride in my country.
I'd also like to tell you that on March 24, 1945, the Tuskegee Airmen, the fighter squadron, was the first combat aircraft to go up against a jet fighter, the Germans' Me 262, with P-51 Mustangs. Anyone who knows anything about military history or aviation knows that that is an impressive feat. It was done by these gentlemen right here.
But most especially, what I want to thank these gentlemen for is building a modern military where all of us are first brothers and sisters before we are New Yorkers or we are Southerners or we are black or white or we are from any other descent, we are first brothers and sisters in the modern military. And that is something that was built on the shoulders of these giants.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am very proud to introduce Audley Coulthurst, from Jamaica, New York; William Johnson, from Glen Cove, New York; Herbert Thorpe, from Rome, New York; and Wilfred DeFour, from New York City, New York -- represented by Senator Sanders, Senator Marcellino, Senator Griffo, and Senator Perkins.
Gentlemen, thank you for your service to our nation, and God bless you.
(Extended standing ovation.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Stewart-Cousins.
SENATOR STEWART-COUSINS:Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise to also join my colleagues in thanking the Tuskegee Airmen for all they have done and continue to do. Obviously you could be many places, but you chose to grace us here on this hour, our last day of the session.
I stand as a daughter of a World War II veteran -- who was not a Tuskegee Airman but who understood the struggles that you, as African-American men, went through to prove that you were capable, willing, and ready to serve for the cause of freedom here and abroad. We applaud you.
We know that yes, President Roosevelt was the one who made it happen, but I want to talk about Eleanor Roosevelt as well, the First Lady. Because you know, you're shaking your head, it was Eleanor Roosevelt who said that she would fly with the Tuskegee Airmen -- because they were like, Oh, no, no, they can't fly. Nobody wanted to dare get in the plane with an African-American. And Eleanor said she would do it. And after she did, with this incredible journey in the air, then the Tuskegee Airmen were able to take flight.
And you've soared high and you soared wide, and you've taken us all with you. Because as you know, and my father experienced it too, and the resolution said -- even after all that, when you came back, there were no opportunities. And so the fight continued at home.
But we had, as our marker for greatness, men who despite the odds, despite the defiance, despite the fact that people tried to believe that you were unqualified and unable, looked at them in the eye and said: I will do it anyway. Because the mission is too important, and failure is not an option.
God bless you, thank you, and thank you for being here today. You're an inspiration always.
(Applause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Comrie.
SENATOR COMRIE:Thank you, Mr. President.
I stand also to salute the Tuskegee Airmen, and thank you for taking time to come up to Albany today so that we could properly present you this proclamation and our expression of thanks for your service -- not only during your time in the service, in the theater in World War II, where you definitely fought to be respected and fought to be given the opportunity to fly missions, where you fought, with the help of the President and Eleanor Roosevelt, to even be created, but even after you came back home, you fought to become integrated in many neighborhoods.
You came and you were civic leaders and activists in many areas. You were not just activists during the war, but you stayed activists afterwards. You stayed involved in politics and government and civic life. You were leaders in many areas.
We have many Tuskegee Airmen that are in Queens, where we have in York College a testament to the Tuskegee Airmen, where we have an exhibition that is dedicated to the Tuskegee Airmen that I hope that we can improve and finally get it off the ground, where we can have all of the history of the Tuskegee Airmen in Queens.
And to Mr. Coulthurst, who I've known and I've seen over time, and Denise Pease, who is here also -- stand up, Denise -- who is the daughter of a Tuskegee Airman, who is a powerful woman in her own right, that is a major person that is working in many different agencies and has a great history and experience as well.
I want to salute you, I want to thank you for your service. And I hope that your story can always be told to inspire other people.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Hamilton.
SENATOR HAMILTON:Yes, Mr. President. I rise also to pay tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, also known as the Red Tails. I want to thank Senator Croci for having them here today.
And this story is a personal story for me. My uncle, Clayton Lawrence, was a bombardier. And Clayton Lawrence was one of the most brilliant men I ever met in my life. He got my first job out of college as a city assessor. And he told me the story that when he applied to the Air Force, he was denied. They said he wasn't qualified. He had to go back to school for six months for engineering courses and advanced calculus, to go back and take those courses to put his life on the line, even though he's being discriminated against.
These are men who went beyond the call of duty. These are men who are true Americans. Even facing discrimination from their own country, they still went out there and put their lives on the line for us.
And at times when they fought for us gallantly, protecting U.S. bombers, they were still less fairly treated than German prisoners of war. Here are men who were putting their lives on the line and our country would treat German prisoners of war, who were committing atrocities against Jewish people, who were committing atrocities all throughout Europe, but they were still considered better than the African-Americans who were fighting for their own country.
So our history is a history sometimes people don't want to talk about, but it's still American history. So today I rise for you, because you, to me, went beyond the call of duty. Even though many didn't believe in what you could do, who thought you were inferior, you've proven all of them wrong.
And also to Clayton Lawrence and his daughters -- Virginia Lawrence, doctorate, Harvard University; Tina Lawrence, advanced degree, Princeton University -- education has always been key to my family. It's always been key to me. And because of you men of the Tuskegee Airmen, you were my role model. You were the epitome of what a black man should be.
You know, "When you're up against a trouble, meet it squarely face to face. Lift your chin and set your shoulders, plant your feet and take a brace. When it's vain to try to dodge it, do the best that you can do. You may fail, but you may conquer, see it through!
"Black may be the clouds about you, and your future may seem grim, but remember you are facing just where other men have been. You may fall, but fall still fighting. Don't give up, whatever you do. Eyes front, head high to the finish, see it through!"
God bless you all. Thank you so much.
(Applause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Espaillat.
SENATOR ESPAILLAT:Well, I don't know if I can follow my colleague there. But I do want to stand up and congratulate these men who are part of an immortal generation that stood up to the forces of hate and bigotry that attempted to take over the world.
And so to them, my hat comes off to you. I know Dr. Roscoe Brown, who's a Tuskegee Airman, and who's a very prominent member of the community, and an educator. I also found recently that the Dominican Studies Institute in CUNY discovered that Stephen Hotesse, who was also a Tuskegee Airman, was from my home country. And so we share a lot in common.
But you are a special breed of men. You are immortal, because you fought perhaps the most dangerous wave of bigotry and hatred ever faced by this planet, and you did it with honor, you did it with strength. And we're happy to welcome you here to this chamber and say to you that you are the best.
Now, we have a swimming team in Harlem, Senator Perkins, and they're called the Red Tails. And they swim very fast and very swift, and they compete across the state and win many competitions. And I believe that they're called the Red Tails because they wanted to borrow your name. Young people, from Harlem and northern Manhattan and East Harlem and Washington Heights, they wanted to be called the Red Tails. And so this legacy will continue on for generations. And I am happy to be here today to see it with my very own eyes.
Thank you, Mr. President. We salute you, Tuskegee Airmen.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Sanders.
SENATOR SANDERS:Thank you, Mr. President.
Double V, victory at home and victory abroad.
You have to remember the context that these gentlemen fought under, that there was a feeling that blacks could not be fighters, that in war they would run. There was all kinds of myths that were out there. The President at the time was very bold in helping to create the Tuskegee Airmen.
But they needed a spectacular type of individual, an individual who could ignore some of the horrors that they were faced with at homes to concentrate on the main evil, the Nazis and Japanese fascism at the time, where we had to understand that if we could not defeat the "Master Race," we would have problems the world over.
These folk came about and they quickly dispelled the myth that blacks wouldn't fight. They quickly dispelled the myth that they were cowards and would turn tail at the first sign. And they did it with such class and elegance.
Now, years after that, I went into the Marine Corps. And man, I tell you, that was quite an experience. And part of what got me through that was the understanding that there were people who went before me, who took more than I would ever imagine taking and did it with such grace. And I understood that I could not let them down, I could not let you down. Why? Because you did not let us down.
So you did your double V, you did your victory abroad and then you helped bring victory at home. You were not simply content just to fight in the air -- the rest of your lives, you went out there and showed what exemplary human beings could be, what great citizens you could be. And you starred in every role that you took.
So having said that, my friends, I salute you (saluting).
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Kennedy.
SENATOR KENNEDY:Thank you, Mr. President.
I am absolutely so honored and awestruck by your presence here this morning -- this afternoon -- the Tuskegee Airmen that have played such an extraordinary role in our nation's history, fighting in the bloodiest time in our world's history, and leading by example.
If it wasn't hard enough to fight the struggles on the ground, you were taking a fight up into the sky. It could have been very, very easy to say no, recognizing the difficulties and the struggles that were happening here in the nation at the time.
But you did the hard thing. You did the right thing. And you answered the call to duty of this great country. And because you answered that call, because you got into those planes, because you fought the fight, went up into the sky, you made this world a better place. That's why we're all here, to make the world a little bit better than it was when we came into it.
Well, it's very, very easy to see that the world today is much better off than it was before the Tuskegee Airmen took to the skies. And so our nation and our world truly owes you a debt of gratitude, a debt of gratitude that we must fight every single day to try to repay. And we must recommit ourselves to ensuring that we do our part both here in this great chamber of the New York State Senate in the State Capitol, but also across this nation and across the world, to recognize the struggles that you have overcome in order to make our world a better place.
Thank you, Red Tails. Thank you, Tuskegee Airmen, for the commitment that you've made to making this world a better place and the commitment that you've made and accomplished in making this nation the greatest nation in the history of the world.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The resolution was previously adopted on June 15th.
All members are listed as cosponsors unless otherwise indicated at the desk.
It is a high honor, a distinct privilege to host, to recognize, to honor and extended the courtesies of the house to the Tuskegee Airmen -- and a point of personal pride to welcome my friend and neighbor Herb Thorpe, who is a Senate Veterans Ceremony Awardee.
So I would ask all of us to rise in recognition and tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen.
(Standing ovation.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Thank you, Mr. President.
We will have an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There will be an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332, an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in 332.
Would you like everybody to take their tablets with them?
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Yes, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Senate will stand at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 2:46 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 3:09 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Senate will come to order.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: It's my understanding that there's some messages from the Assembly.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There are messages from the Assembly. With your permission, though, we can read the Rules report and then make the substitutions.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: That's what I was going to suggest, but Lisa suggested the other way.
(Laughter.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We will follow your suggestion, Senator DeFrancisco.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Flanagan, from the Committee on Rules, reports the following bills:
Senate Print 321D, by Senator LaValle, an act authorizing;
Senate 1738, by Senator Carlucci, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law;
Senate 2034A, by Senator Hassell-Thompson, an act to amend the Executive Law;
Senate 3322, by Senator Lanza, an act to amend the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation Act;
Senate 5322C, by Senator Marcellino, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;
Senate 6692B, by Senator Lanza, an act to amend the Executive Law;
Senate 6959A, by Senator Parker, an act to amend the Economic Development Law;
Senate 7078A, by Senator Felder, an act to amend the Education Law;
Senate 7174B, by Senator Golden, an act to amend Chapter 504 of the Laws of 2009;
Senate 7363, by Senator Akshar, an act in relation to granting;
Senate 7450, by Senator Rivera, an act to amend the Social Services Law;
Senate 7459A, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, an act establishing;
Senate 7485B, by Senator Golden, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate 7602, by Senator Latimer, an act to amend the General Municipal Law;
Senate 7658, by Senator Gallivan, an act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law;
Senate 7799A, by Senator Klein, an act to amend the Public Health Law;
Senate 7806, by Senator Ritchie, an act to authorize;
Senate 7851, by Senator Golden, an act to amend the Elder Law;
Senate 7925A, by Senator LaValle, an act to amend the Economic Development Law;
Senate 8037, by Senator Martins, an act to repeal;
Senate 8043, by Senator Addabbo, an act to amend Chapter 288 of the Laws of 2014;
Senate 8045, by Senator O'Mara, an act to amend the Transportation Law;
Senate 8055, by Senator Young, an act to amend the Public Service Law;
Senate 8065, by Senator Nozzolio, an act to amend the Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Law;
Senate 8066, by Senator Robach, an act to amend the State Finance Law;
Senate 8093, by Senator Flanagan, an act to amend the Insurance Law;
Senate 8098, by Senator Persaud, an act to amend the Elder Law;
Senate 8107, by Senator Hannon, an act to amend the Civil Service Law;
Senate 8108, by Senator Hannon, an act to amend the Public Health Law;
Senate 8109, by Senator Young, an act to establish;
Senate 8114, by Senator DeFrancisco, an act to amend the County Law;
Senate 8116, by Senator Young, an act to amend the Education Law;
Senate 8117, by Senator Hannon, an act to amend the Executive Law;
Senate 8129, by Senator Hannon, an act to amend the Public Health Law;
Senate 8131, by Senator Carlucci, an act relating to;
Senate 8137, by Senator Ortt, an act to amend the Insurance Law;
Senate 8138, by Senator Amedore, an act to amend the Education Law;
Senate 8139, by Senator Murphy, an act to amend the Public Health Law;
Senate 8142, by Senator Ortt, an act to amend the Social Services Law;
And Senate 8156, by Senator Carlucci, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
All bills reported direct to third reading.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I move to accept the report of the Rules Committee.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:All in favor of accepting the Committee on Rules report say aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Committee on Rules report is accepted.
We will now move to substitutions, Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Yes, could we please go to messages and please read.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read the substitutions.
THE SECRETARY:Senator LaValle moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 99D and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 321D, Third Reading Calendar 1853.
Senator Hassell-Thompson moves to discharge, from the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction, Assembly Bill Number 1097A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 2034A, Third Reading Calendar 1861.
Senator Parker moves to discharge, from the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, Assembly Bill Number 9591A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6959A, Third Reading Calendar 1865.
Senator Felder moves to discharge, from the Committee on Higher Education, Assembly Bill Number 9528A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7078A, Third Reading Calendar 1866.
Senator Golden moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10369A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7174B, Third Reading Calendar 1867.
Senator Akshar moves to discharge, from the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions, Assembly Bill Number 3160A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7363, Third Reading Calendar 1868.
Senator Stewart-Cousins moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 9932A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7459A, Third Reading Calendar 1870.
Senator Latimer moves to discharge, from the Committee on Local Government, Assembly Bill Number 10100 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7602, Third Reading Calendar 1872.
Senator Golden moves to discharge, from the Committee on Aging, Assembly Bill Number 10201 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7851, Third Reading Calendar 1876.
Senator LaValle moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10259A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7925A, Third Reading Calendar 1877.
Senator Martins moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10421 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8037, Third Reading Calendar 1878.
Senator O'Mara moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8202A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8045, Third Reading Calendar 1880.
And Senator Persaud moves to discharge, from the Committee on Aging, Assembly Bill Number 9712A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8098, Third Reading Calendar 1885.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The substitutions are so ordered and directed.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: We must stand at ease until the jackets are prepared and the supplemental calendar is prepared. We estimate, from the hand signals from the desk, that it will be approximately 10 minutes. And we will start promptly as soon as they get here.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Senate will stand temporarily at ease.
I remind all the members to remain close to the chamber. We should begin in about 10 minutes.
The Senate will be at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 3:16 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 3:29 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Senate will come to order.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: With you momentarily. (Pause.)
Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I believe you have a supplemental Senate calendar, Number 55A, and that's been delivered to each of the desks; correct?
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senate Supplemental Calendar 55A is on the desks.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: And that Senate calendar consists of the last Rules Committee bills.
Would you please do the noncontroversial reading.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will begin the noncontroversial reading of Senate Supplemental Calendar 55A.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1853, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Thiele, Assembly Print 99D, an act authorizing.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There is a home-rule message present at the desk.
The Secretary will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1854, by Senator Carlucci, Senate Print 1738, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the 90th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1861, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Ortiz, Assembly Print 1097A, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1862, by Senator Lanza, Senate Print 3322, an act to amend the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation Act.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61. Nays, 1. Senator Perkins recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1863, by Senator Marcellino, Senate Print 5322C, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1864, by Senator Lanza, Senate Print 6692B, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1865, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Richardson, Assembly Print 9591A, an act to amend the Economic Development Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1866, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Simanowitz, Assembly Print 9528A, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1867, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Abbate, Assembly Print 10369A, an act to amend Chapter 504 of the Laws of 2009.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1868, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Crouch, Assembly Print 3160A, an act in relation to granting.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1869, by Senator Rivera, Senate Print 7450, an act to amend the Social Services Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the first of July.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1870, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Mayer, Assembly Print 9932A, an act establishing.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1871, by Senator Golden, Senate Print --
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Lay it aside temporarily.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Lay it aside temporarily.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1872, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Otis, Assembly Print 10100, an act to amend the General Municipal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There is a home-rule message at the desk.
The Secretary will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1873, by Senator Gallivan, Senate Print 7658, an act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61. Nays, 1. Senator Hassell-Thompson recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1874, by Senator Klein, Senate Print 7799A, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1875, by Senator Ritchie, Senate Print 7806, an act to authorize.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1876, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Harris, Assembly Print 10201, an act to amend the Elder Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as Chapter 59 of the Laws of 2016.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1877, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Thiele, Assembly Print 10259A, an act to amend the Economic Development Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 90th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1878, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Brennan, Assembly Print 10421, an act to repeal.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1879, by Senator Addabbo, Senate Print 8043, an act to amend Chapter 288 of the Laws of 2014.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1880, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Brindisi, Assembly Print 8202A, an act to amend the Transportation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1881, by Senator Young, Senate Print 8055, an act to amend the Public Service Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1882, by Senator Nozzolio, Senate Print 8065, an act to amend the Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Kaminsky to explain his vote.
SENATOR KAMINSKY:Mr. President, I rise to vote in support of this bill.
Senator Nozzolio, I know the fire services are going to miss your leadership on this and many other issues. I don't think we can say it here enough, how much we rely, depend on, and need to thank our volunteer firefighters.
Every day we go to sleep at night knowing that they'll be there for us in the worst of times, and they make life and death decisions that benefit us every single day.
The science is clear about their exposure to cancer-causing chemicals. For what they do for us, the least we can do for them is recognize the dangers they face and treat them accordingly in this bill. This bill that expands presumptive cancer coverage is an excellent bill. I would urge the Assembly to take it up and commend the sponsor for not only this bill, but all of his work on behalf of our great volunteer firefighters.
I vote in the affirmative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Kaminsky to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61. Nays, 1. Senator Krueger recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1883, by Senator Robach, Senate Print 8066, an act to amend the --
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Lay it aside for the day, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Lay the bill aside for the day.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1884, by Senator Flanagan, Senate Print 8093, an act to amend the Insurance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 12. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1885, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Richardson, Assembly Print 9712A, an act to amend the Elder Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1886, by Senator Hannon, Senate Print 8107, an act to amend the Civil Service Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1887, by Senator Hannon, Senate Print 8108, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1887, those recorded in the negative are Senators Hoylman, Perkins and Squadron.
Ayes, 59. Nays, 3.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1888, by Senator Young, Senate Print 8109, an act to establish.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1889, by Senator DeFrancisco, Senate Print 8114, an act to amend the County Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect April 1, 2017.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator DeFrancisco to explain his vote.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Yes. This is a very important bill, and I appreciate the unanimous support of it.
As everyone here probably knows, there was a lawsuit brought by five counties and the ACLU, and in that lawsuit they were claiming that the State of New York's Constitution requires the state to provide indigent legal defense counsel.
The state has been providing it, but the counties have been paying for it, and there's been no uniform system throughout the state.
That lawsuit -- one of the counties was one of my counties, Onondaga. That lawsuit resulted in a settlement that the Governor settled with the various parties to provide for the state takeover of the cost of indigent legal defense counsel.
It works for several reasons. Number one, it's a constitutional requirement. Number two, it's an incredibly important removal of an unfunded mandate on the counties.
Unfortunately, that lawsuit only provided for the five counties that were parties to the lawsuit. I have another county, Cayuga, that I represent, and all of you have other counties, other than the five, who weren't bound by that lawsuit.
So this bill simply does this. It takes up the settlement that only applied to five counties and requires it to be applied to the rest of the counties. Due to the fiscal impact, there is a phase-in of the cost that the state picks up over the period of this bill, and then all individuals will be provided indigent legal defense during the arraignment portion of the proceedings and the counties will no longer have to pay for those expenses.
So it's a great bill. I'm happy that all of you recognized it. There's a same-as in the Assembly that will probably pass momentarily.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator DeFrancisco to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Hassell-Thompson to explain her vote.
SENATOR HASSELL-THOMPSON:Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise to congratulate Senator DeFrancisco on this bill and to let him know that certainly, as the person who began the legislation that helped to create the indigent defense fund, and who walked through the Hurrell case that he just cited, I am very pleased that there are other counties that are going to be involved in their ability to provide indigent defense.
Because it has always been my belief, as I stood on this floor -- as I stood on this floor and talked about Gideon and how important that I felt it was that everyone who comes before the court should in fact be properly represented by attorneys.
And so, Senator -- I'm complimenting you, Senator DeFrancisco.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Can I have some order in the house, please.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I'm sorry, the sponsor in the Assembly was here --
SENATOR HASSELL-THOMPSON:I know, I saw her.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: -- very, very happy.
SENATOR HASSELL-THOMPSON:Yes.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I'm sorry.
SENATOR HASSELL-THOMPSON:That's okay.
No, what I was saying was that it's a continuation of the work that we have been attempting to do to ensure that all of the people of the State of New York have proper representation and that the cost of such representation is not borne by the counties themselves but by the state.
And so I congratulate you, and I support this bill. Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Hassell-Thompson to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Panepinto to explain his vote.
SENATOR PANEPINTO:Yes, I'd also like to thank Senator DeFrancisco.
This is an important bill. Indigent defense is, you know, a big issue across the state. It's not a New York City issue, it's not an Onondaga County issue, it's not an Erie County issue, it's a state issue. And how we treat some of the most vulnerable in our society -- you know, people who are accused of crimes who cannot afford a defense -- is a great measurement.
And I want to thank the Senator. As somebody who started off his career doing indigent defense, it is very important that people across the state get good and fair representation, and this bill will do that. And it will take the burden off of the counties and place it where it belongs.
So I applaud you, Senator DeFrancisco.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Panepinto to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Breslin to explain his vote.
SENATOR BRESLIN:Thank you, Mr. President.
I stand, I'll echo the remarks of Senator Panepinto and Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson in congratulating John DeFrancisco for doing a great job, and my fellow -- the Assemblyperson from Albany, Pat Fahy, and the County of Albany for leading the charge to make sure that we treated defendants equally across the state, it wasn't dependent upon how much money a county had or philosophically should we give more money for representation or not.
Now there will be an equality of representation, a consistency in representation. And it's placed where it should be, with the State of New York. And as Senator DeFrancisco said, not an unfunded mandate but a mandate that's paid by the state and gives consistent, fair representation for all defendants.
I applaud the sponsor. It's a great day for the citizens of New York.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Breslin to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1890, by Senator Young, Senate Print 8116, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1891, by Senator Hannon, Senate Print 8117, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 90th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1892, by Senator Hannon, Senate Print 8129, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 8. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1893, by Senator Carlucci, Senate Print 8131, an act relating to.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 8. This act shall take effect July 1, 2016.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 56. Nays, 6. Senators Akshar, Bonacic, Boyle, Griffo, Lanza and Larkin recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1894, by Senator Ortt, Senate Print 8137, an act to amend the Insurance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1895, by Senator Amedore, Senate Print 8138, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Amedore to explain his vote.
Can I have some order in the house, please.
SENATOR AMEDORE:Thank you, Mr. President. I rise to explain my vote.
These series of bills that we're voting on of the heroin crisis that we have and we've been facing in the State of New York will go a long way, and this really puts New York at a much more solid footing and ground to lead and push forward in this crisis to finally help eradicate and to bring much relief to our residents in the State of New York.
This series of bills will increase and expand the insurance coverage for those suffering with addiction. They'll make treatment options more easily accessible in all areas of the state. And we'll also be increasing more education and prevention services and efforts from the classroom at a young age all the way to the physician who is prescribing an opiate drug. There's no question that we're making a strong investment in the wraparound services to help people stay in recovery.
So, Mr. President, I support this. I hope that we all support this package of bills to really bring the relief of those who are struggling with addiction in the State of New York.
I vote aye, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Amedore to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1896, by Senator Murphy, Senate Print 8139, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Okay, Senator Murphy to explain his vote.
But again {gaveling}.
SENATOR MURPHY:Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise today to voice my support of this incredibly important legislation. After nearly two years traveling around this great State of New York as the cochair of the New York State Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Abuse, we have seen firsthand the devastation that it has caused. Ladies and gentlemen, I think everybody in this chamber knows darn well that we have an epidemic on our hands.
Along with my colleagues, I'd like to thank George Amedore, Rob Ortt, and Senator Akshar for traveling around the great state and listening, firsthand, to horror story after horror story about the devastation that the heroin epidemic has been ravaging New York State and none the less the United States. It doesn't matter if you're a man, if you're a woman, if you're black, if you're white, what religion you have. It has shaken down very, very, very good families.
It doesn't matter if you live in Brooklyn, in Queens, Rochester, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, anywhere. We all know what's going on. And we did it. We've been around here, this legislation right here -- I would like every single one of my colleagues to pick this up and read it, because this is what we're voting on today, some great stuff that we've learned, what we could do for the people of New York State, how we can help them.
We know it's a four-pronged approach: Prevention, treatment, recovery and yes, yes, the magic word, a little enforcement.
The prevention piece, allowing medical doctors to have the education on pain control, on pain medication. Allowing these people that are getting caught and used with Narcan not once, but sometimes twice and three times in the same day, to have a 72-hour hold to protect themselves, nonetheless the other people.
The treatment. There's no preauthorization anymore. Fourteen days you're allowed in. We've dealt with the insurance companies. They're on board with us.
Recovery, the wraparound services, this is where people, when we allow them to walk out the door, that we're there to hold their hands and make sure that they have a chance to recover.
And the enforcement. If we've heard it once, we've heard it twice. We're not arresting ourselves out of this issue, we understand that. It's the major drug traffickers that we are going after, that we would like to go after, that use it as a business. Those are the ones that should have the stiffer penalties.
Folks, it has been an honor and a privilege to be able to do something like this for the people of the State of New York. I, Mr. President, will be voting aye, and I encourage all my colleagues to pick up a packet of our report. You'd be darn proud of what we all did and how we are going to help New York State.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Murphy to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Savino to explain her vote.
SENATOR SAVINO:Thank you, Mr. President.
I want to thank Senator Murphy for his advocacy and his passion and his knowledge on this; Senator Amedore; Senator Hannon; the Governor; and everyone who's been involved in this issue. Many of us have watched the effects of this in our own community.
I want to make particular mention of my colleague across the aisle on the other side of Staten Island, Senator Lanza. He joined with Assemblyman Cusick several years ago to begin to try and address the issue of overprescribing of opioids.
We are in a very interesting place right now. We're trying to figure out how to deal with the end result of opioid abuse and its concomitant connection to the heroin crisis, and we're making great progress. But let's not kid ourselves. This started out with people in pain. It did not start out with people looking to use drugs for recreational purposes.
There are people who wind up hurt, injured, or develop chronic debilitating conditions. And unfortunately, our managed care system is driving people towards opioids far more than it drives people towards the treatment that will help them.
So our work is not done here. We're taking tremendous steps, and I want to commend everyone for their efforts. But we need to examine the policies that say if your doctor says you need physical therapy to deal with postsurgery, that those physical therapy copays are affordable so that you're not required to remain on drugs instead of going to physical therapy. Most of them are $50 -- who can afford that?
We need to work with our managed care plans to really create wellness plans, not just maintenance plans. Because at the end of the day we can solve the opioid problem, we can develop all the addiction treatment programs we want; these people are still going to be in pain. You cannot manage addiction.
And in spite of all of this, there is no mention whatsoever of a program that we created here in New York State, medical marijuana. In states where medical marijuana has been in place, we have seen a corresponding reduction in opioid usage for chronic pain. The opioid abuse has been reduced, and heroin abuse has been reduced as well.
So we have done tremendous work here. Senator Murphy, you are to be commended; Senator Amedore, Senator Hannon, the Governor. But our work is not done. People will still be in pain. They're going to need relief after they recover from addiction. And we have an obligation to see to it that we provide them all of the avenues necessary to deal with sometimes a lifelong pain.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Savino to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Bonacic to explain his vote.
SENATOR BONACIC:Thank you, Mr. President.
First of all, let me congratulate Senator Murphy, Senator Amedore, Senator Hannon. This task force started in 2015. They went all over the state. And they continued to do it in 2016.
This is not a matter of getting credit. This is a matter of addressing a heroin crisis in the United States as well as New York.
And what I have found in my district, when someone is addicted to heroin, besides maybe destroying their life, they destroy a family, a family that heroin addict lives with.
And the other thing that hit me on this is that -- and I think Senator Savino touched on it -- when you see a doctor, you break a leg, they follow you. You go to get therapy, you come back to the doctor. They trace your progress. But when an addict goes to see a doctor, and they let them -- you know, they give them some medication and they're done with them. They're done with them.
And what we need is continuing help for that addict not to fall back on that addiction. So how do you solve that problem?
There are drug counselors, and in our area we have -- like in Mid-Hudson, if in Orange County -- and by the way, it's number one in heroin addiction in the State of New York. To get to go see a counselor, they've got to drive to Yonkers in Westchester County. And none of them go. And most of the peer-to-peer counseling is someone that was addicted, and now they know how to get them back or try to get them back.
So I know we have to do more. But I think the next step is we've got to set up -- and it could be a retail store -- these drug counseling services in every county to get that addict -- where the medical profession doesn't take care of them once they let them go -- to try to get them strong so that they can stand on their two legs and lead a productive life.
We are all in this together, and this is the number-one crisis in America. And we have to do it together.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Bonacic to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Montgomery to explain her vote.
SENATOR MONTGOMERY:Yes, Mr. President, thank you. To explain my vote.
I want to compliment Senator Amedore and Senator Murphy, and I compliment you today on doing the right thing. Because, what, 30, 40 years ago, we did the absolute opposite to what you're doing today. And so what happened was we filled the prisons with people who were suffering from various aspects of drug addiction.
So today we are changing what we did wrong, and correcting it, and your legislation helps us do that.
And I understand that Senator Savino says this is just the beginning, but it's a good beginning. So I'm very happy. And I'm especially happy that you have emphasized that the last thing on your list of treatment modalities, if you will, was criminalizing people who have what you now refer to, what we now refer to as a health-related problem, as opposed to having an addiction.
You're talking about treatment. You're talking about education. You're talking about prevention. You're talking about making sure that the health insurance companies respect the need for treatment for people. You're talking about elimination of the barriers to treatment. These are the things that we needed to be talking about 30, 40 years ago, but we went to the prison system for the answer. You're going in the right direction.
So Senator Murphy, I compliment you. Senator Amedore, I compliment you. I compliment Senator Hannon, he's been working on this. And let's -- for this particular era of our drug addiction problem, let's go down the right road so people can look for recovery as opposed to looking for a prison sentence which doesn't help recovery or society and doesn't take us to where we want to be.
So, Mr. President, I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Montgomery to be recorded in the affirmative.
The chair has exercised some latitude and flexibility, but I remind members that we are on explanation of votes.
I will now recognize Senator Hannon.
SENATOR HANNON:Thank you very much, Mr. President.
I think it was 11 years ago that I first passed a piece of legislation that allowed for Naloxone. And so as we've expanded the access to that, made it available at pharmacies without a prescription, we've just seen a tidal wave of the increase of this epidemic, the opioid-heroin epidemic.
And I want to congratulate the three heads of the task force this year -- Senator Ortt, Senator Amedore, Senator Murphy -- because they brought fresh eyes to the problem, fresh outrage to the problem, have caused greater change in the three bills that we have today, and also have marked the fact that, just as Senator Savino said, we have not finished this battle. We're going to be here again.
But we're talking about it in a positive way. We're talking about it in a constructive way. Not only the three bills today, but we also did some major things in the budget, in partnership with Governor Cuomo. We have increased the peer programs, the adolescent clubhouses, the recovery centers. There's new treatment beds, there's new slots for rehab.
This is a major problem we have. I congratulate everybody in this chamber because you have dealt with your constituents' problems, you know how difficult it is, and you know how hard the road will be in the future. But at least we have made a major contribution to this problem today with these bills.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Hannon to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Panepinto to explain his vote.
SENATOR PANEPINTO:Thank you, Mr. President.
I'm also going to be supporting this bill, and I want to thank Senators Murphy and Amedore. And I've had conversations with Senator Murphy about this.
We have a healthcare crisis in this country, as Senator Savino said. We've pushed people towards these opiates. We've denied them physical therapy, we've denied them chiropractic care, we've denied them non-narcotic pain creams. And we've allowed, you know, insurance carriers -- and our own Workers' Compensation Board in this state guides people towards, you know, these heavy narcotics because they won't approve palliative care for people who have long-term injuries.
So we've only begun to deal with this problem, and we've got to work with our own state agencies to make sure that we're helping people get the pain relief they need and pushing them away from opiates. But that means doing sensible things. And we've got to take up those in our next session.
But I want to compliment Senator Murphy and Senator Amedore and Senator Ortt. This is a step in the right direction, and I'll be voting aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Panepinto in the affirmative.
Senator Ranzenhofer to explain his vote.
SENATOR RANZENHOFER:Thank you, Mr. President. I also rise to explain my vote and to vote in the affirmative.
And I'd also like to congratulate the three cochairs of the task force this year: Senator Ortt, Senator Amedore, and Senator Murphy. And I'm particularly grateful for Senator Ortt, who attended a hearing that we had in my district, in Amherst, New York, not too long ago.
You know, when you sit there and you listen to the stories of the families and what they have gone through and how it really transcends --
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Can I have some order in the house, please. We have members trying to explain votes.
Again, I see a number of conversations taking place in the chamber that I would ask please take outside the chamber, and let us give the respect and courtesy to the member that is speaking.
Senator Ranzenhofer.
SENATOR RANZENHOFER:Thank you.
As I was saying, it transcends entire communities, from north to south. And again, you know, no matter what type of family you have, you know, when you see mothers and fathers that come to the hearings with photographs of their children -- who are great kids and all of a sudden, you know, were prescribed some sort of prescription medication, they become addicted, and it tears them and their families apart -- it's very, very sad.
I'd also be remiss if I didn't acknowledge Senator Hannon, who's been a leader in this area for many, many years as the chair of Health, but also Senator Boyle. Some of us may forget that the first task force that we had several years ago was chaired by Senator Boyle.
And at that time it was a one-man show, or a one-Senator show, and he traveled throughout the state to really jump-start it. And the three chairs that we have now really built on the successes that he had. And I recall a hearing that I had three years ago in Batavia where we heard from, you know, many of the same types of individuals -- a different community, but the problems were the same.
Now, one of the things that I just wanted to comment on is when we have these task force hearings and we have people there from prevention, and we have medical providers, we also have law enforcement, one of the things that the folks from law enforcement say is that you can't arrest your way out of this problem, that you have to deal with the prevention and the rehabilitation and the education of both the people that are addicted and the families.
But one thing that -- and the only negative part of this, which I'm a little disappointed of, is there are still bad actors out there that are poisoning our community. And the people that are in this for the business aspect, to make money and to harm people, I still think that we need to address this.
And again, I think this is step one. In the budget we appropriated well over $100 million to deal with this program, more than we had done previously and more than the Governor had recommended. So I think that everybody in this chamber gets it. We acknowledge that we have a problem, it's cutting across all of our communities. And I'm very happy to support these pieces of legislation and the great effort that was led this year by Senators Ortt, Amedore and Murphy. So gentlemen, thank you.
And I'll be voting yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Ranzenhofer to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Latimer to explain his vote.
SENATOR LATIMER:Mr. President, when I go home -- hopefully we all get home today -- I get to pull into a driveway next to a hedge next to our next-door neighbors, the McWilliams. The McWilliam family that lives next door to me, Jim McWilliam is a doctor, an orthopedic surgeon of great ability. Cassie McWilliam is a tremendous woman; among many things, she is an Iron Man triathlete. They have two lovely children, a boy and a girl.
The boy, Hank, moved in at 10 years old. I remember seeing Hank shoot hoops in his driveway, and I saw him in full hockey gear when he played high school hockey for my hometown high school team. I also got to see Hank McWilliam in a brown coffin at Graham Funeral Home three months ago when he died of an opioid overdose.
When I go back home and I see Jim McWilliam, we talk about the Yankees and the Mets, we talk about the weather, because there's something that we just can't talk about between us because it's just too hard to talk about.
When I go back and see Jim the next time, probably tomorrow or the day after, I will remember Senator Murphy and Senator Amedore and my colleagues in this room. Today we have done as much as government can do. We can do more. But we've gone as far as a bridge across a river that government can do. There are other things that need to be done that's beyond legislation, that's beyond our reach, even maybe our reach as human beings.
But we can't bring Hank McWilliam back. We can just do everything we can think of to try to make sure that somebody else's neighbor's son doesn't have this happen to them. And that is what today is about. Senator Murphy, Senator Amedore, and my friends, today we've done what we can do to try to make sure that what happened to Hank doesn't happen again.
With that, I sit down and have my vote recorded in the affirmative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Latimer to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Robach to explain his vote.
SENATOR ROBACH:Yes, Mr. President, I will, let me just say expeditiously, thank all my colleagues that were involved in this: Senators Boyle, Ortt, Amedore, Hannon, all those -- Murphy -- that did this.
And this is what I'll just say, just very quickly. I think we can say we got this right in two ways. One in content of what we addressed, and maybe even more importantly, before I get to the content, we got it right in response to people who are dealing with this addiction, their families. And as Senator Ranzenhofer said, we've dealt with a lot of mothers that felt there was nowhere for them to go.
And you know what? Heroin's always been bad, drug addiction's bad. But the game changed a couple of years ago when the heroin on the street -- in my early days at Monroe County in the early '80s, if you found heroin on the street that was 12 or 14 percent, it was high. The heroin on the street now that's killing these people is 50 percent, usually cut with 50 percent fentanyl, so you're doing 100 percent heroin. And people are dying.
In the first phase, led by Senator Boyle, we did the Narcan, which literally, this body, what we implemented has saved thousands of lives in New York State. Without that, there would be more dead people, just like Senator Latimer said.
Phase two, plus the budget money, we've done a lot of things to increase insurance coverage, access to longer coverage. Things are really going to be good. And that is what parents were calling for. Trying to limit prescriptions to opioids that lead things into heroin is all really, really good stuff.
So I think this is one that we can say, in response to the community, in response to parents and families, we did the right thing. I do think we have to keep going a little bit more even on the insurance side.
And I would agree -- I know Senator Montgomery doesn't want any jail sentences, but I think we ought to take the next last step. And for the people that are choosing to make money and sell drugs that they know, not over the course of time, but almost instantly are deadly and know exactly what they're doing to young people, to old people, to white people, to black people all across the state -- I think the sentences need to get ratcheted up, and then we can say we've done everything in our power to put out this scourge and this terrible disease.
But this bill is a great, great step and I vote in the affirmative.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Robach to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator LaValle to explain his vote.
SENATOR LaVALLE: Thank you, Mr. President.
I want to start off by acknowledging the Senators who have worked on this, toured the entire state -- Senators Murphy, Ortt, Amedore -- and our early pioneers, Senator Boyle and Senator Hannon.
You know, too many times in our legislative life we can't get the attention we need until we see the entire building on fire, and then everyone gets engaged and begins to work together to put out that fire.
I believe that we are at a time where people are engaged. They realize that this is an epidemic. They realize that the building is on fire. In my district, as I am sure in each member's district, I am hearing from funeral directors that they are looking down at a casket and seeing far too many young people in that casket.
My own doctor has said when he goes to the emergency room, every time he goes in, there is at least two people who have a reaction to heroin and are acting out in the emergency room.
So we have a generation, at least, the millennial generation, who is really being affected by this, and even those younger than the millennial generation.
In a few of the schools in my district, they have in place early detection where a student is having problems, problems that we can indicate are of a mental health variety. And so it's important that we also, besides the package that we have, make sure that our districts and our colleges and universities have the resources to deal with the mental health issues that students are having at this time. It is those issues that begin -- those students both young and at the collegiate level, to go down a trail of drinking too much, too much dependency on drugs.
So I think this session, in terms of this issue, has been really great. And once again, thank you to the Senators who put in time above their normal hours that they put in in their own districts.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator LaValle to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Kaminsky to explain his vote.
SENATOR KAMINSKY:Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise today optimistic and in support of this package of bills. And I really thank those who took the lead in this for doing so.
Look, we have been losing a war for quite some time. A young principal of Oceanside Middle School, that I represent, went to three funerals just last summer of former students. It's gotten way out of control. And today we are taking the right steps in addressing that, with prevention, with treatment.
But there is one thing that needs to be talked about more which is also a part of this puzzle that we're trying to solve, which is mental health. There are far too few providers. It is far too hard to get insurance companies to cover proper mental health coverage. And I've talked to way too many parents who have had children suffering from illnesses that they were not able to properly treat through the proper medical course.
What makes this scary -- and I've talked to my colleagues across the aisle about this, and I'm certainly glad that this is a bipartisan effort -- is that, you know, there isn't one type of person that's affected by this. This is all of our children. But there is a particular aspect about mental health here that we need to address better going forward.
But these efforts are monumental, and I do hope this turns the tide. And I'll be there to help push in any way I can. And I thank the sponsors for yeoman's work in getting this done.
I vote in the affirmative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Kaminsky to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Seward to explain his vote.
SENATOR SEWARD:Thank you, Mr. President.
I too want to stand and commend the leaders of our Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction. Back in 2014, Senator Boyle chaired our task force. And of course more recently Senators Amedore, Ortt and Murphy.
I was very pleased that on two occasions they came into my district to have a forum on this very issue. Because it became very apparent quickly that this was not a big city problem, it was not a rural or a small town problem, this is a problem throughout the State of New York, regardless of size of community. It cuts across all segments of our population, economic standing, everyone. It impacts everyone across the State of New York.
This heroin and opioid addiction problem destroys individuals and their lives, it destroys families, and it destroys whole communities. And that's why it's very, very important that we take major steps to combat this very, very serious problem.
We did some things back in 2014. We started down the path of fighting this epidemic. Very important that we take major additional steps, and that's what this package that we're enacting here this afternoon does. A multipronged strategy to combat this terrible scourge: Prevention, treatment, and recovery. And all three very, very important, and they are addressed in this package of bills.
I would agree with others who have said there's a fourth strategy that we need to get even more serious on, and that is on law enforcement, to give our law enforcement officials more tools to come down tougher on those who profit and prey on those who are addicted. That can come later. But today is a day to focus on prevention, treatment, and recovery. That's what this package does.
I'm very pleased to support these bills. Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Seward to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Breslin to explain his vote.
SENATOR BRESLIN:Thank you very much, Mr. President.
I think this is a great day for the New York State Senate, and I commend Senator Murphy, Senator Ortt, Senator Amedore, Senator Hannon for all his work over the years, Senator Boyle, and many members on this side of the aisle as well. And there's a non-Senator I'd like to point out, and that would be our former sergeant-at-arms, Ms. Farrell, who in 2013 came to me and several others and talked about Laree, her daughter, her 18-year-old daughter who died of an overdose.
And she has taken the cudgel. She came to your hearings, testified, came to Assembly hearings and testified. And in 2013 she came to the first forum that we held in the New York State Senate, and I don't think I've ever seen a more compelling witness, a more compelling witness who highlighted opioid abuse and our inability, as Senator Seward said, to do prevention and treatment.
There wasn't much prevention then. There wasn't much treatment then. In fact, the mode of treatment frequently was the same as we did for those people with alcohol addictions: Try a little outpatient, see if it works. And as you guys know, that frequently is way too late.
This is a day that everyone in this Senate can be proud of. It's a day that will change the lives of thousands and thousands of people. And it will make New York State the leader, the leader in prevention and the leader in treatment, and hopefully the end result is the total leader in recovery. So everyone can hold their heads high.
Accordingly, I vote in the affirmative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Breslin to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Akshar will conclude explanation of votes.
SENATOR AKSHAR:Thank you, Mr. President. I rise just for a couple of thoughts.
I want to echo what Senator Breslin just said. I think we should hold our heads high today in the New York State Senate. This is exactly the way that government is supposed to work. On this particular issue, we set our political differences aside, we took a bottom-up approach, not a top-down. We listened. That's exactly what the people we represent want us to do. They want us to listen to them. We did that.
I applaud the cochairs of the Heroin Task Force. You traveled the state and you listened. You know, you took the bottom-up approach. And I've often said, not only at home but often also in Albany, that this is a community issue that requires a community response. And we're doing that.
So I would respectfully offer to everyone here that we shouldn't give up the fight, we should continue to do everything we possibly can, and we should all do our part in continuing to ensure that we reduce the stigma that surrounds this terrible addiction and this terrible scourge that we know as the heroin epidemic.
Mr. President, I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Akshar to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
Calendar Number 1897, by Senator Ortt, is high and ineligible for consideration at this time.
That brings us to Calendar Number 1898, where we will have a substitution.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1898, Senator Carlucci moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10689 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8156, Third Reading Calendar 1898.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The substitution is so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1898, by the Assembly Committee on Rules, Assembly Print 10689, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Yes, I understand that we have one last bill that was laid aside temporarily, 1871, by Senator Golden. Could we please take that up now.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read on the substitution.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1871, Senator Golden moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill 10083B and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7485B, Third Reading Calendar 1871.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:It's getting a little loud again. Please try to work with us here.
The substitution is so ordered, and the Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1871, by Member of the Assembly Lentol, Assembly Print 10083B, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 14. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Golden to explain his vote.
SENATOR GOLDEN:Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise to talk and thank my colleagues for this great incentive that has been placed here in the State of New York to make a difference here for different industries that will bring plenty of jobs to our good state.
The passage of this bill is a long-overdue statement of support for the creative class in New York, those who put in tireless hours of practice, performance, and programming, often at income levels way below the poverty level -- despite advanced degrees and total dedication to their vocations -- and generate the greatest entertainment products in the world.
From the classical violinist looking to get his or her first string quartet recording, to the game designer working at his or her first commercial virtual world, to the hip-hop act trying to get their message to the world, New York has often been the most difficult place for them to succeed.
We are a microscopic blip of the location of industries three times the size of the film industry that we have so successfully encouraged here in New York. This bill would help these struggling performers, acts, and designers have a chance to record and create in New York and would give them the possibilities that they could not possibly reach to and achieve here in this great state, and receive universal support from the music and gaming industries at the same time.
This is truly an important incentive. It will generate real employment while not subsidizing those stars and directors that do not need our taxpayer support.
We will grow these industries in all parts of this great state and help us take our rightful place in the nation and the globe's leaders in those over $125 billion a year industries. Seventeen billion in music here in this great nation; we have 1 percent of that. Twenty-five billion in digital, we have 4 percent of that.
We can only do better. We can create more creativity here in this great, great city and state. We can create more jobs and energy. We can do the right thing with this bill.
I would also sincerely thank my colleagues in the Assembly in working for passage of these bills. I urge this great Governor to join us and help us by signing this great bill and creating the creative capital that we should be in this great world.
I thank my colleagues. I hope you all vote aye. This is a great bill. This is for jobs. This is for the future of these two great industries here in the greatest state in the greatest nation in the world.
Thank you, Mr. President. I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Golden to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 60. Nays, 2. Senators Akshar and Krueger recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
Senator DeFrancisco, could you please recognize Senator Stewart-Cousins, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Stewart-Cousins.
SENATOR STEWART-COUSINS:Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise just briefly to thank this body for the passage of a bill that will help Yonkers rebuild its schools. For so many of you who know what it takes to have an education system that actually works and looks like it works, you know how important this bill was.
It is the beginning of what will be a long journey. Yonkers has about 39 schools; their average age is 75 years old. And the beginning of the renaissance of the school buildings has begun with the vote today.
So I just wanted to thank my colleagues. What you did is you helped to put together a joint construction board so they could begin trying to chart how to rehabilitate, renovate and even add three new schools.
Yonkers, as you know, is part of the Big Five. It at this point educates about 27,000 children, with the projection of needing 4,000 more seats, because right now they are exceeding capacity. Kids are in places that they shouldn't be in, expected to put in a day of learning that is all the more difficult because the environment is not conducive.
So again, I want to thank you. I want to congratulate the Assembly as well. I think four of us represent Yonkers -- Assemblywoman Mayer and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow and of course Senator George Latimer and myself. And you know, with the partnership with the government there and certainly across the aisle and the Governor, we are beginning what will take a while. But as we know, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.
So again, thank you so very much. Of course I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Thank you Senator Stewart-Cousins for your explanation of vote on Calendar Number 1870.
Senator DeFrancisco, that completes the noncontroversial reading of Senate Supplemental Calendar 55A.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: We're moving so quickly that we're wearing staff out. So we're going to have to go stand at ease for an indeterminate amount of time.
And as soon as I know when that time is, I will be back in and making another announcement.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Senate will stand at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 4:30 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 6:55 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT FARLEY:Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Yes, Mr. President. I'd like to call an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332.
ACTING PRESIDENT FARLEY:Immediate Rules Committee meeting in Room 332.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: And we'll stand at ease until we get the report.
ACTING PRESIDENT FARLEY:The Senate will stand at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 6:55 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 7:15 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Senate will come to order.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: The Rules meeting just was completed. I mistakenly indicated we'd be back here to take up the Rules report, but that's not the case.
An audible was called, and we're having an immediate meeting of the Republican Conference in 332.
(Pause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There will be an immediate meeting of the Republican Conference in Room 332. There will be an immediate meeting of the Republican Conference in Room 332.
The Senate will stand at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 7:16 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 10:27 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Senate will come to order.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Yes, just so everybody knows the plan, we've got a couple of housekeeping things and then we're going to call a meeting of the Higher Education Committee so we can start moving some of the nominations.
We will then do the new calendar from the last Rules meeting. We'll accept the Rules report first, and do the calendar. And then we've got a few more active bills and, if time permits, another Rules Committee meeting.
And the reason we're doing this is because I think most people would rather not be here till this time tomorrow night. And the more we get done tonight and get down to the final agreed-upon bills that we're all waiting for, we have a better chance of getting out of here tomorrow at a reasonable hour.
So the first order of business, could I just return to motions and resolutions, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We will return to motions and resolutions.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I wish to call up my bill, Print Number 6315A, recalled from the Assembly, which is now at the desk.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Okay, there's a lot of noise in the chamber right now, and we've still got a lot to do here. So I'd ask everybody if you're having conversations, please take them outside of the chamber.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 810, by Senator DeFrancisco, Senate Print 6315A, an act to amend the State Finance Law.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I now move to reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll on reconsideration.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: And is the bill restored to its place on the Third Reading Calendar?
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is so restored.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Would you please call on Senator Valesky.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Valesky.
SENATOR VALESKY:Thank you, Mr. President.
On behalf of Senator Klein, I wish to call up his bill, 5485A, recalled from the Assembly, which is now at the desk.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1442, by Senator Klein, Senate Print 5485A, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
SENATOR VALESKY:I now move to reconsider the vote by which this bill was passed.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll on reconsideration.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
SENATOR VALESKY:I now offer the following amendments.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The amendments are received.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Mr. President, I'd like to now call an immediate meeting of the Higher Education Committee.
We're going to do what we've done in the past; we'll leave the roll call open for anyone who's in that committee meeting to vote yea or nay on the bills that we deal with from the last Rules report.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There's an immediate meeting of the Higher Education Committee in Room 332, an immediate meeting of the Higher Education Committee in Room 332.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Now, do you have a report from the Rules Committee at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There is a report of the Rules Committee at the desk.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Would you please have it read.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Flanagan, from the Committee on Rules, reports the following bills:
Senate Print 24B, by Senator DeFrancisco, an act to amend the Judiciary Law;
Senate 1860, by Senator Dilan, an act to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law;
Senate 3272A, by Senator Sanders, an act to direct;
Senate 5762, by Senator Robach, an act to amend the State Finance Law;
Senate 5825B, by Senator Lanza, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law;
Senate 6755, by Senator Ritchie, an act to amend the Social Services Law;
Senate 6824A, by Senator Marchione, an act to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules;
Senate 7113, by Senator Martins, an act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law;
Senate 7170A, by Senator Ritchie, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate 7209A, by Senator Bonacic, an act to amend the Judiciary Law;
Senate 7431A, by Senator Martins, an act to amend the Workers' Compensation Law;
Senate 7791B, by Senator LaValle, an act to amend the Education Law;
Senate 7805, by Senator Murphy, an act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law;
Senate 7987A, by Senator Savino, an act to amend the Executive Law --
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Okay, I'm going to ask for silence in the house right now, because they're having difficulty hearing the bills being read at the stenographer's desk. Thank you.
Chris, you may continue.
THE SECRETARY:Senate 8031, by Senator Bonacic, an act to amend the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law;
Senate 8038, by Senator Lanza, an act to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York;
Senate 8051, by Senator Venditto, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law;
Senate 8054, by Senator Ranzenhofer, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law;
Senate 8063, by Senator Golden, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law;
Senate 8064, by Senator Golden, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate 8091, by Senator Golden, an act to direct;
Senate 8096, by Senator Little, an act to amend the Public Housing Law;
Senate 8104A, by Senator Parker, an act to amend the Penal Law;
Senate 8110, by Senator LaValle, an act to amend the Education Law;
Senate 8118, by Senator Hannon, an act to authorize;
Senate 8119, by Senator Robach, an act to amend the Railroad Law;
Senate 8124, by Senator Lanza, an act to amend the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law;
Senate 8134, by Senator Klein, an act to amend the Social Services Law;
Senate 8140, by Senator Lanza, an act to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law;
Senate 8141, by Senator Savino, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law;
Senate 8146, by Senator Lanza, an act to amend Chapter 154 of the Laws of 1921;
And Senate 8147, by Senator Felder, an act to authorize.
All bills reported direct to third reading.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:I'll entertain a motion.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Yes, I move to accept the Rules Committee report.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:All in favor of accepting the Committee on Rules report say aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Committee on Rules report is accepted and before the house.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Are there any messages from the Assembly, please?
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There are messages.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Robach moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 7784 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 5762, Third Reading Calendar 1902.
Senator Lanza moves to discharge, from the Committee on Transportation, Assembly Bill 5627B and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 5825B, Third Reading Calendar 1903.
Senator Marchione moves to discharge, from the Committee on Judiciary, Assembly Bill Number 9568A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6824A, Third Reading Calendar 1905.
Senator Martins moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 2462A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7431A, Third Reading Calendar 1909.
Senator Savino moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10278A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7987A, Third Reading Calendar 1913.
Senator Lanza moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10266 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8038, Third Reading Calendar 1915.
Senator Ranzenhofer moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10633 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8054, Third Reading Calendar 1917.
Senator Little moves to discharge, from the Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development, Assembly Bill Number 4102 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8096, Third Reading Calendar 1921.
And Senator LaValle moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10707 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8110, Third Reading Calendar 1923.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The substitutions are so ordered.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Can we now take up the noncontroversial reading of the Supplemental Calendar 55B.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We will begin the noncontroversial reading of today's Senate Supplemental Calendar 55B, which is at the desks.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1899, by Senator DeFrancisco, Senate Print 24B --
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: At the directive of the Majority Leader, this bill is laid aside for the day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is laid aside for the day.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1900, by Senator Dilan, Senate Print 1860, an act to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1901, by Senator Sanders, Senate Print 3272A, an act to direct.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1902, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Skoufis, Assembly Print 7784, an act to amend the State Finance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1903, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Perry, Assembly Print 5627B, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 30th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1904, by Senator Ritchie, Senate Print 6755, an act to amend the Social Services Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 30th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1905, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly McDonald, Assembly Print 9568A, an act to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1906, by Senator Martins, Senate Print 7113, an act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1906, those recorded in the negative are Senators Dilan, Krueger, Montgomery, Perkins and Rivera. Also Senator Squadron.
Ayes, 56. Nays, 6.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1907, by Senator Ritchie, Senate Print 7170A, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61. Nays, 1. Senator Hamilton recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1908, by Senator Bonacic, Senate Print 7209A, an act to amend the Judiciary Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 8. This act shall take effect on the 90th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61. Nays, 1. Senator Hamilton recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1909, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Bronson, Assembly Print 2462A, an act to amend the Workers' Compensation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1910, by Senator LaValle, Senate Print 7791B, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the 180th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61. Nays, 1. Senator Hamilton recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1911, by Senator Murphy, Senate Print 7805, an act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect two years after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1913, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Otis, Assembly Print 10278A, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 60th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1914, by Senator Bonacic, Senate Print 8031, an act to amend the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1914, those recorded in the negative are Senators Avella, Carlucci, Espaillat, Gianaris, Hoylman, Krueger, Perkins, Ranzenhofer, Squadron and Valesky.
Ayes, 52. Nays, 10.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1915, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Farrell, Assembly Print 10266, an act to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1916, by Senator Venditto, Senate Print 8051, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the 30th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1917, substituted earlier by the Assembly Committee on Rules, Assembly Print 10633, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61. Nays, 1. Senator Hamilton recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1918, by Senator Golden, Senate Print 8063, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1919, by Senator Golden, Senate Print 8064, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2017.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 60. Nays, 2. Senators Kennedy and Perkins recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1920, by Senator Golden, Senate Print 8091, an act to direct.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 120th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1921, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Wright, Assembly Print 4102, an act to amend the Public Housing Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 90th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1922, by Senator Parker, Senate Print 8104A, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the first of November.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1923, substituted earlier by the Assembly Committee on Rules, Assembly Print 10707, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1924, by Senator Hannon, Senate Print 8118, an act to authorize.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 60. Nays, 2. Senators Bonacic and O'Mara recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1925, by Senator Robach, Senate Print 8119, an act to amend the Railroad Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 8. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61. Nays, 1. Senator Seward recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1926, by Senator Lanza, Senate Print --
SENATOR LANZA:Lay it aside for the day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Lay the bill aside for the day.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1927, by Senator Klein, Senate Print 8134, an act to amend the Social Services Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 11. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1928, by Senator Lanza, Senate Print 8140, an act to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 18. This act shall take effect on the 60th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1929, by Senator Savino, Senate Print 8141, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
Calendar Numbers 1930 and 1931 are both high; they were amended, and as a result are ineligible for consideration.
And accordingly, Senator DeFrancisco, that completes the noncontroversial reading of Senate Supplemental Calendar 55B.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Could we now go back to Senate Supplemental Calendar 54B {sic}. On that calendar we had withdrawn a vote, we laid another bill aside, and we also have to come up with a vote on a bill that's already been debated.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:So Calendar 54B --
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: If you'd take up Calendar Number 573, Senator Little's bill on Supplemental 54B, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will re-call.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 573, by Senator Little, Senate Print 1078, an act to amend the --
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Lay the bill aside for the day, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Lay the bill aside for the day.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Now if you'd take up Calendar Number 1317, by Senator Ritchie.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We're going to take up Calendar Number 1317 on the previous Senate supplemental calendar.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1317, by Senator Ritchie, Senate Print 7937, an act to authorize.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Lay it aside.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I'm sorry, lay the bill aside for the day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Lay the bill aside for the day.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: On that same calendar, if we could take up --
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We're on the active list, today's active list. Go ahead, Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I'm sorry for the confusion.
On today's active list, Calendar 1658, that bill was debated. If you'd call it up for a vote.
And anyone who's not here because of the committee meeting, we've agreed that they can vote accordingly.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Okay, we're on Calendar Number 1658 of the active list from earlier today.
The Secretary will call it up.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1658, by Senator Ortt, Senate Print 7751, Concurrent Resolution of the Senate and Assembly.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:And again, debate was closed on this. I will call the roll on the resolution.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: This was the resolution pertaining to the hunting and fishing -- the constitutional change. That's what the bill was.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary has rung the bell.
The Secretary will call the roll. I've instructed the Secretary to call the roll on the resolution.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: For clarification on this vote, we're going to do it on a noncontroversial vote. And anyone who's been marked present today can vote, even though they're physically absent at the moment in view of the committee meeting.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:So again, the vote is open on Calendar Number 1658, Senate Bill 7751, by Senator Ortt. We are taking a roll call vote right now. If you're in the negative, please raise your hand.
The vote will remain open due to various members who are attending committee meetings in the Capitol.
(Pause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We're going to announce the results. And again, the desk will keep the voting tally open. Please have members who are not in the chamber, attending various committee meetings, report their vote to the desk.
The Secretary will read.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:In relation to Calendar 1658, those recorded in the negative are Senators Comrie, Espaillat, Hamilton, Hoylman, Krueger, Perkins, Rivera, Sanders, Serrano, Squadron, and Stewart-Cousins. Also Senator Peralta.
Ayes, 50. Nays, 12.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The resolution is adopted.
And the vote will remain open for members to report to the desk.
Senator DeFrancisco, that concludes the reading of the calendars that you advanced.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: We're now awaiting the completion of the Higher Education Committee meeting, where there was two nominees. As soon as that's done, I'm going to call a meeting of the Finance Committee in Room 332.
If we could stand at ease until we have members from the Higher Ed Committee report back that the meeting is done.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We are awaiting the return of committee members from the Higher Education Committee. Upon their return, there will be a meeting of the Senate Finance Committee in Room 332.
The Senate stands temporarily at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 10:52 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 11:12 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:The Senate will come to order.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: There will be an immediate meeting of the Finance Committee in Room 332.
ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:There will be an immediate meeting of the Finance Committee in Room 332. That's a Finance Committee meeting in 332.
The Senate stands at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 11:12 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 11:45 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Senate will come to order.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: The Finance Committee meeting is completed. There will be an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in 332.
However, while that is going on, the nominations will be taken up on the floor by Senator Young for confirmation.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There's an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332, immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in 332.
We will have a Committee on Finance report which will be submitted, read and considered.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 11:45 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 11:55 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Senate will return to order.
Senator Lanza.
SENATOR LANZA:Mr. President, is there a report from the Finance Committee at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There is a report of the Finance Committee before the desk.
SENATOR LANZA:Mr. President, would you please recognize Senator Young.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator, we will read the first one, then recognize Senator Young.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Young, from the Committee on Finance, reports the following nomination.
As a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Veronica Vanterpool, of Scarsdale.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Young.
SENATOR YOUNG:Thank you, Mr. President.
I'm very pleased to rise to put forward the name of Veronica Vanterpool as a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Ms. Vanterpool is a professional with 12 years of nonprofit experience in environmental and advocacy organizations. She is highly skilled in communications and media relations. She has management experience, and she was evaluated by the Finance Committee, who recommended that her name should be put forward in nomination and confirmed.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Thank you, Senator Young.
Senator Rivera.
SENATOR RIVERA:Thank you, Mr. President.
First things first. As a couple of different nominees that we've already approved over the last couple of days, this lady is from the Bronx. So I have to point that out first of all.
But I also will point out that in the last six years that I've been in the Senate, as I stated in the Finance Committee, one of the areas of policy that I've always felt that I'm not that knowledgeable in is transportation. And that becomes ever clearer when I speak to Ms. Vanterpool, who for the last six years has certainly been somebody, when I have a question about transportation, she is the person that I call.
She is somebody who is incredibly knowledgeable about transportation infrastructure, about mass transit, and as somebody who grew up in the Bronx, understands mass transit and its importance to the city. She is somebody who also, as a Latina woman, it is incredibly important to have somebody like that on as many boards, including one, the MTA, that has so much to do with transportation of so many people in the City of New York.
For all those reasons, and for her intelligence, her professionalism, I know she will make us very proud. And I wanted to stand up, Mr. President, and say how awesome a lady she is and how awesome a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority she will make.
And I obviously will vote in the affirmative. Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The question is on the nomination of Veronica Vanterpool as a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. All in favor say aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Veronica Vanterpool is confirmed as a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Congratulations and best wishes, Veronica.
(Applause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:As a trustee of the City University of New York Board of Trustees, Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez, of the Bronx.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Young.
SENATOR YOUNG:Thank you, Mr. President.
I'm very proud to put forward the name of Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez as a trustee of the City University of New York Board of Trustees.
Ms. Cortes-Vazquez has a very distinguished background, both in public and the private sector. She is currently serving as senior vice president, corporate relations and government affairs, for Emblem Health. But she, as a said, has had a variety of service and she is well-known to this chamber as the former Secretary of State. She was New York's 65th Secretary of State, and the first Hispanic to serve in that role.
I believe that she is highly qualified for this position, and therefore the Finance Committee is putting forward her name.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Klein.
SENATOR KLEIN:Thank you, Mr. President. It is truly an honor to rise in support of this nominee, Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez.
This has been certainly a great couple of days for CUNY appointments, especially from the Bronx. And I have the privilege of knowing Lorraine for many, many years. Besides being a dedicated public servant, whatever Lorraine does, she does it with excellence, whether she was the head of the Hispanic Federation, whether she worked at Cablevision, where she works now as executive vice president for AARP -- that was her past job; now she's with Emblem Health. Everyone knows she was the first Latino to be Secretary of State of the State of New York.
She's someone who is truly a public woman, but someone who always remembers who she is and where she came from. She is one of my constituents -- one of my neighbors, actually. And she's not only a very qualified nominee, but a very, very dear friend.
It is my privilege to support the nomination of Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez to the MTA.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Espaillat.
SENATOR ESPAILLAT:Thank you, Mr. President. I also rise to commend the nomination of Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez.
She is a proven administrator, was a Secretary of State and a Regent, a New York State Regent, worked for AARP as an executive, for Cablevision. And she has both private sector and public sector experience.
But most importantly, she is a Latina woman and she will bring much-needed diversity to a board that needs different points of view that reflect the opinions of the constituencies that they serve, the students of the City of New York and the students of CUNY.
So I welcome her, and I will be voting in support of her nomination. She is, again, a well-proven and well-respected woman across the State of New York, and I commend her for coming forward and am looking to work very closely with her as a CUNY trustee.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The question is on the nomination of Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez as trustee of the City University of New York. All in favor say aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez is hereby confirmed as a trustee of the City University of New York.
Congratulations and best wishes.
(Applause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Lanza.
SENATOR LANZA:Mr. President, I move that we continue the legislative business of this house beyond midnight.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Without objection, so ordered.
The Secretary will continue.
THE SECRETARY:As trustees of the State University of New York Board of Trustees, Edward Spiro, of New York, and Courtney Burke, of Albany.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Young.
SENATOR YOUNG:Thank you, Mr. President.
I'm very pleased to put forward the names to nominate Edward M. Spiro, as trustee of the State University of New York Board of Trustees, and also Courtney E. Burke as trustee of the State University of New York Board of Trustees. Both of these individuals are highly qualified. I just wanted to mention a couple of things.
Mr. Spiro is a civil litigator with many years of experience handling complex commercial legislation at the trial and appellate level and state and federal courts and in arbitrations for individual and corporate clients. These clients that he represents have a wide variety of tax, real estate partnership and employment litigation. But I thought the chamber would be interested to know that the rock group Guns n' Roses was represented by him in a copyright and unfair competition action.
Ms. Burke also is very well known to this chamber. Lots of professional experience. Currently she serves as senior vice president and chief strategy officer for Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York. But she also served with distinction as deputy secretary for health in the New York State Executive Chamber, working for the Governor, working for the people of New York, and also as commissioner of the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
So, Mr. President, I would say that both of these people, in our estimation, would do an outstanding job on the Board of Trustees. So we are recommending that they be nominated and confirmed.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The question is on the nominations of Edward Spiro and Courtney Burke as trustees of the State University of New York. All in favor say aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Espaillat would like to speak.
SENATOR ESPAILLAT:Thank you, Mr. President.
Again, unlike the CUNY board, which saw an increase in diversity, as has been mentioned by my colleagues, the SUNY board continues not to exhibit that. And I am frankly disappointed -- although these two candidates nominated are highly qualified -- I'm highly disappointed that the second floor continues not to consider a broad list of nominees for different positions across state commissions and boards.
So unfortunately, because of that reason, Mr. President, I will be voting in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Sanders.
SENATOR SANDERS:Thank you, Mr. President.
Continuing the same theme, I want to recommend to all of my colleagues a report that was put out by the New York State Assembly Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force on the lack of diversity of the boards.
This is not to take away from these great people who are being brought in today. This is to say, however, that the Governor has to find the beauty of New York State and the diversity in it.
Having said that, I wish them well, but I will join my colleague in not voting for them.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The question has been called.
Senator LaValle.
SENATOR LaVALLE: Thank you, Mr. President.
I know the hour is late, and I wasn't going to speak. But I would say these are two very, very talented, two very highly qualified individuals, and they come before us on the basis of their qualifications, how they answer the questions before the committees. And I think the Governor actually picked two qualified individuals.
I know that the points of view that were expressed by Senators Sanders and Espaillat certainly should not fall on deaf ears. However, this has nothing to do with people who have been placed before us. The forum for that discussion belongs someplace else.
So I vote aye on both candidates.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Martins.
SENATOR MARTINS:Thank you, Mr. President.
I also rise to compliment the Governor on his selection of these two great candidates and great additions to the SUNY board.
As the father of a daughter who is attending Binghamton, I want to just thank you and wish you Godspeed, because you're embarking on what is a very important mission for all of us.
SUNY, as we all know, is the largest university system in the country. We're very fortunate to have it, the highest caliber of professors and education anywhere. And for us to have that here in our home state and have the ability to send our kids to the school and have the advantages of doing so as New York State residents is a wonderful charge.
You've been charged with safekeeping our children. I wish you all the best, Godspeed, and again, congratulations to the Governor on selecting two wonderful members of the SUNY board. Looking forward to supporting you in your endeavors.
Mr. President, I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The question has already been called. And Edward Spiro and Courtney Burke are hereby confirmed as trustees of the State University of New York.
Congratulations and best of luck.
(Applause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:As commissioner of the Tax Appeals Tribunal, Dierdre Scozzafava, of Gouverneur.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Young.
Can I have some order in the house.
SENATOR YOUNG:Thank you, Mr. President. I'm very happy tonight to be able to nominate Dierdre K. Scozzafava as commissioner of the Tax Appeals Tribunal. She's known to most people as Dede.
And she and I were first elected together in 1998 to the New York State Assembly, took office in 1999. It was a great class, by the way. And she actually served in the other house for 12 years, achieving the leadership role of minority leader pro tem.
So that certainly was an accomplishment. But she's gone on beyond that. And by the way, I want to mention that not only does she have an extensive record in public service but also one in the private sector. So she has that management ability and background that I think makes her highly qualified for the position at hand.
She currently is the New York State Department of State's Deputy Secretary for Local Government, and there she works to streamline municipal government across the state and she supervises the Local Government Division's technical assistance training and grant programs. And that includes a lot of duties.
She actually did represent the 122nd Assembly District, which includes most of St. Lawrence and Lewis Counties and a small portion of Oswego County, previously.
And she launched her career in public service by serving four years as trustee in her hometown village of Gouverneur, and then as mayor, from 1993 through 1998.
So as you can see, she has a deep concern and knowledge for economic development and local economic issues. I think that background will not only serve her well in her new position but also serve the people of New York State, and I congratulate her very sincerely.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The question is on the nomination of Dierdre Scozzafava as commissioner of the Tax Appeals Tribunal. All in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Dierdre Scozzafava is hereby confirmed as commissioner of the Tax Appeals Tribunal.
Dede, congratulations and best of luck.
(Applause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:As director of the Urban Development Corporation, Cesar A. Perales, of Brooklyn.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Young.
SENATOR YOUNG:Thank you very much, Mr. President.
I nominate Cesar A. Perales as director of the Urban Development Corporation. He also is highly qualified for this position, I think the Governor has made an excellent choice, and therefore I would recommend that we approve him.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The question is on the nomination of Cesar Perales as director of the Urban Development Corporation. All in favor say aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Cesar A. Perales has been confirmed as director of the Urban Development Corporation.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:As member and chair of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, Sister Denise Roche, of Buffalo.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Young.
SENATOR YOUNG:Thank you very much, Mr. President.
As you can see, Sister Denise Roche has also been put forward by the Governor as chair and member of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. That authority is critically important to the people of Western New York.
She too has a background that will make her the perfect choice for this position. The Governor has done a great job in putting many people forward tonight and over the last couple of days that will serve the people of New York very well.
So again, I'm very proud to put forward her name and would recommend that we approve her confirmation.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Kennedy.
SENATOR KENNEDY:Thank you, Mr. President.
I stand here to support Sister Denise Roche as member and chair of the NFTA. The NFTA is an extremely important component to our community, to our economy, and to the people of Western New York.
Sister Denise Roche could not be a more exemplary appointment to this position. She is replacing another extraordinary individual, Howard Zemsky, who we all know is now the president and CEO of Empire State Development across this great state.
Sister Denise Roche has been the president of my alma mater, D'Youville College, in Buffalo, New York, for 37 years. She just recently retired. She is a sister, a Grey Nun. And before being the president of D'Youville College, she was a teacher. She has many different degrees. And her work on behalf of our community is second to none.
She also brings with her, other than an amazing heartfelt compassion and desire to help people, on a very human level she brings a strong business sense that she's utilized as president of D'Youville College to expand it far beyond what anybody ever thought D'Youville could possibly accomplish. And with her direction, D'Youville College has grown exponentially over the course of the last several decades.
With her at the helm of the NFTA, we will be able to tackle many of the difficult issues that we're dealing with from a public transportation position. We have to make sure that the NFTA is funded to the appropriate level. We have to make sure that the buses and trains continue to run on time. We have to ensure that the routes are protected and expanded into the areas, especially in the areas of my district, where folks depend on this model of transportation to get to and from work, to and from school.
The City of Buffalo and our community is expanding more than we've seen in the history of Buffalo. And with that, the NFTA needs to be appropriately expanded with it. We know that with Sister Denise Roche at the helm, that will happen. And I'm very honored to stand here in support of her as member and chair of the NFTA.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The question is on the nomination of Sister Denise Roche as a member and chair of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. All in favor say aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Sister Denise Roche is hereby confirmed as member and chair of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority.
The Secretary will continue.
THE SECRETARY:As commissioner of the State Liquor Authority, Greeley T. Ford, of Camden.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Young.
SENATOR YOUNG:Yes, Mr. President, I nominate Greeley T.Ford as commissioner of the State Liquor Authority.
And again, it's a great pick by the Governor. This is a very important agency that we have in New York State, as we know. It's responsible for not only helping small businesses grow, granting licenses, but also making sure that the regulations and laws of New York State are upheld. Recently it's been focused on new opportunities such as getting craft breweries off the ground. So they do a lot of important work.
And I think that Greeley T. Ford will do an excellent job in his role.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The question is on the nomination of Greeley T. Ford as commissioner of the State Liquor Authority.
All in favor say aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Greeley T. Ford is hereby confirmed as commissioner of the New York State Liquor Authority.
That completes the nominations before the desk.
Senator Lanza.
SENATOR LANZA:Mr. President, can we return to motions and resolutions.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We'll return to motions and resolutions.
SENATOR LANZA:Mr. President, I wish to call up Bill Number 6315A, by Senator DeFrancisco, recalled from the Assembly, which is now at the desk.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:A vote on reconsideration has already been taken on that particular piece of legislation, Senator Lanza.
SENATOR LANZA:Mr. President, can you recognize Senator Valesky.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Valesky.
SENATOR VALESKY:Thank you, Mr. President.
On behalf of Senator Carlucci, I wish to call up his bill, 7952A, recalled from the Assembly, which is now at the desk.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1519, by Senator Carlucci, Senate Print 7952A, an act to authorize.
SENATOR VALESKY:I now move to reconsider the vote by which this bill was passed.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll on reconsideration.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
SENATOR VALESKY:I now offer the following amendments.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The amendments are received.
Senator DeFrancisco, with your permission, we will return to nominations.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Can you inform me of what we're nominating?
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We will return to nominations for a member of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, Joan Aul.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Okay, return to nominations, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:As a member of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, Joan Aul, of Lockport.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Young.
SENATOR YOUNG:Thank you, Mr. President.
It is a privilege to recommend and nominate Joan Aul as a member of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. I think Senator Kennedy said it very well as to how important this authority is to the people of Western New York. This person has credentials that make her well-qualified for the position, and therefore we would like to see this individual, Joan Aul, confirmed.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Ortt.
SENATOR ORTT:Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise to briefly commend Ms. Aul on her appointment to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. She brings with her years of experience in banking, as a member of M&T Bank, as well as someone who has served on the Chamber of Commerce for the City of Niagara Falls and promoting Niagara Falls and tourism in Niagara Falls.
I think it's important there are only two sitting members on the NFTA who are from Niagara County. And as is clearly stated in the name, it's the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, not the Erie County Transportation Authority or the Buffalo Transportation Authority.
I think it's very important we have strong advocates from Niagara County, and I think Ms. Aul will be that for this board. And so I commend the Governor on her nomination, and I thank you for allowing me time to speak.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The question is on the nomination of Joan Aul as a member of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. All in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Joan Aul is confirmed as a member of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority.
Senator DeFrancisco, that completes the nominations before the desk.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: We'll now take up the supplemental active list, which is going to start with Calendar 404. Could we go to the noncontroversial reading, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Turning to the supplemental active list for today, the Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:On page 9, Senator Marchione moves to discharge, from the Committee on Local Government, Assembly Bill Number 9405 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7014, Third Reading Calendar 404.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The substitution is so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 404, by Member of the Assembly Buchwald, Assembly Print 9405, an act to amend the Town Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:On page 15, Senator Gallivan moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8156B and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7171, Third Reading Calendar 723.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The substitution is so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 723, by Member of the Assembly Peoples-Stokes, Assembly Print 8156B, an act to amend the Not-For-Profit Corporation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Excuse me, would you interrupt that reading and call on Senator LaValle, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator LaValle.
SENATOR LaVALLE: Never mind, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Thank you, Senator LaValle.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: All right, would you continue, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will continue.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 723: Ayes, 61. Nays, 1. Senator Hamilton recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:On page 15, Senator Valesky moves to discharge, from the Committee on Elections, Assembly Bill 10105 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7090, Third Reading Calendar 735.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The substitution is so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 735, by Member of the Assembly Steck, Assembly Print 10105, an act to amend the Election Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:It's getting a little loud in the chamber.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:On page 21, Senator Ranzenhofer moves to discharge, from the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, Assembly Bill Number 10257 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7285, Third Reading Calendar 1026.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The substitution is so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1026, by Member of the Assembly Schimminger, Assembly Print 10257, an act to amend the Urban Development Corporation Act.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:On page 24, Senator Bonacic moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Print 10071 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 1606B, Third Reading Calendar 1127.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The substitution is so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 11027, by Member of the Assembly Weinstein, Assembly Print 10071, an act to amend the Judiciary Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1283, by Senator Seward, Senate Print 4108D, an act to amend the Insurance Law.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Lay the bill aside for the day, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Lay the bill aside for the day.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1304, by Senator Farley, Senate Print 7761, an act authorizing.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There is a home-rule message present at the desk.
The Secretary will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:On page 32, Senator Martins moves to discharge, from the Committee on Environmental Conservation, Assembly Bill Number 10110 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7261, Third Reading Calendar 1338.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The substitution is so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1338, by Member of the Assembly Lupardo, Assembly Print 10110, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61. Nays, 1. Senator LaValle recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:On page 32, Senator Martins moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10204 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7263, Third Reading Calendar 1340.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The substitution is so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1340, by Member of the Assembly Hyndman, Assembly Print 10204, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61. Nays, 1. Senator LaValle recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:On page 32, Senator Martins moves to discharge, from the Committee on Environmental Conservation, Assembly Bill 10112 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7266, Third Reading Calendar 1341.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The substitution is so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1341, by Member of the Assembly Zebrowski, Assembly Print 10112, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61. Nays, 1. Senator LaValle recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:On page 34, Senator Carlucci moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10206 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7882, Third Reading Calendar 1374.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The substitution is so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1374, by Member of the Assembly Gunther, Assembly Print 10206, an act to amend the Mental Hygiene Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1403, by Senator Hoylman, Senate Print 108, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
Senator DeFrancisco, that completes the noncontroversial reading of today's supplemental active list.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Is there a report of the Rules Committee at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There is Rules Committee report at the desk.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Would you please read the report of the Rules Committee.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Flanagan, from the Committee on Rules, reports the following bills:
Senate Print 1792A, by Senator Ritchie, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law;
Senate 3005A, by Senator Addabbo, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate 3690, by Senator LaValle, an act to amend the Local Finance Law;
Senate 4121A, by Senator Ritchie, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate 4499C, by Senator Funke, an act to amend the Education Law;
Senate 5732, by Senator Serino, an act to amend the Elder Law;
Senate 6791, by Senator Ritchie, an act to amend the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law;
Senate 6876, by Senator Griffo, an act to amend the General Municipal Law;
Senate 7440A, by Senator Funke, an act to amend the Education Law;
Senate 7505, by Senator Hannon, an act to amend the Public Health Law;
Senate 7537A, by Senator Martins, an act to amend the Public Health Law;
Senate 7589B, by Senator Valesky, an act to amend the Not-For-Profit Corporation Law;
Senate 7625, by Senator Marcellino, an act to amend the Education Law;
Senate 7756, by Senator Bonacic, an act to amend the General Municipal Law;
Senate 7833, by Senator Funke, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate 7871, by Senator Latimer, an act to amend Chapter 80 of the Laws of 2014;
Senate 7981A, by Senator Martins, an act to authorize;
Senate 7993, by Senator Martins, an act to amend the State Finance Law;
Senate 8067, by Senator Martins, an act in relation to permitting;
Senate 8071, by Senator Murphy, an act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law;
Senate 8088, by Senator Golden, an act to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York;
Senate 8144, by Senator Felder, an act to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York;
And Senate 7359A, by Senator Breslin, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law.
All bills reported direct to third reading.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: We have to be at ease for about five minutes. After that, we're going to take up the noncontroversial reading of Supplemental Calendar Number 55C.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator DeFrancisco, I'll entertain a motion to accept the Committee on Rules report.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Well, I'll get to that.
Before we go at ease, I move to accept the report of the Rules Committee.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:All in favor of accepting the Committee on Rules report signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Rules Committee report is accepted.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Can we stand at ease for a few minutes, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator LaValle.
SENATOR LaVALLE: Mr. President, I believe we have a rule, time has passed midnight.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator LaValle, that rule has been exercised. A motion was made by Senator Lanza, there was no objection, and we began to continue to move forward during the nomination process.
SENATOR LaVALLE: I was not in the chamber. I object.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Is his objection noted?
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:His objection is noted but not well-taken because the vote had been taken previously.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Okay, thank you.
Now can we take up the noncontroversial reading of Senate Supplemental Calendar 55C.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read the messages from the Assembly.
THE SECRETARY:Senator LaValle moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 5245 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 3690, Third Reading Calendar 1933.
Senator Serino moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 7588 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 5732, Third Reading Calendar 1936.
Senator Griffo moves to discharge, from the Committee on Local Government, Assembly Bill Number 9412 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6876, Third Reading Calendar 1938.
Senator Hannon moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 9834 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7505, Third Reading Calendar 1940.
Senator Martins moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10448 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7537A, Third Reading Calendar 1941.
Senator Valesky moves to discharge, from the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, Assembly Bill Number 7529B and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7589B, Third Reading Calendar 1942.
Senator Bonacic moves to discharge, from the Committee on Local Government, Assembly Bill Number 10196 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7756, Third Reading Calendar 1944.
Senator Funke moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10584 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7833, Third Reading Calendar 1945.
Senator Latimer moves to discharge, from the Committee on Transportation, Assembly Bill Number 9723 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7871, Third Reading Calendar 1946.
Senator Martins moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10553 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7993, Third Reading Calendar 1948.
Senator Martins moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10623 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8067, Third Reading Calendar 1949.
Senator Murphy moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10614 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8071, Third Reading Calendar 1950.
Senator Golden moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 10512A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8088, Third Reading Calendar 1951.
And Senator Breslin moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 9878A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill Number 7359A, Third Reading Calendar 1953.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The substitutions are so ordered.
The Secretary will begin the reading of Supplemental Calendar 55C, with Calendar Number 1912.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1912, by Senator Ritchie --
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Lay it aside for the day, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Lay it aside for the day.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1932, by Senator Addabbo, Senate Print 3005A, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1933, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Thiele, Assembly Print 5245, an act to amend the Local Finance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There is a home-rule message present at the desk.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61. Nays, 1. Senator Hamilton recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1934, by Senator Ritchie, Senate Print 4121A, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1935, by Senator Funke, Senate Print 4499C, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 9. This act shall take effect on the first of January.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61. Nays, 1. Senator Krueger recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1936, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Cymbrowitz, Assembly Print 7588, an act to amend the Elder Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1937, by Senator Ritchie --
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Lay it aside for the day, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Lay it aside for the day.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1938, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Brindisi, Assembly Print 9412, an act to amend the General Municipal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1939, by Senator Funke, Senate Print 7440A, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 14. This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 60. Nays, 2. Senators Kennedy and Ranzenhofer recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1940, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Gottfried, Assembly Print 9834, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 120th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1941, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Schimel, Assembly Print 10448, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 90th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1942, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Magnarelli, Assembly Print 7529B, an act to amend the Not-For-Profit Corporation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1943, by Senator Marcellino, Senate Print 7625, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1944, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Skoufis, Assembly Print 10196, an act to amend the General Municipal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1945, substituted earlier by the Assembly Committee on Rules, Assembly Print 10584, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect January 1, 2017.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1946, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Paulin, Assembly Print 9723, an act to amend Chapter 80 of the Laws of 2014.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There is a home-rule message present at the desk.
The Secretary will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1947, by Senator Martins, Senate Print 7981A, an act to authorize.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1948, substituted earlier by the Assembly Committee on Rules, Assembly Print 10553, an act to amend the State Finance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 365th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1949, substituted earlier by Assembly Committee on Rules, Assembly Print 10623, an act in relation to permitting.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 60. Nays, 2. Senators Bonacic and Hamilton recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1950, substituted earlier by the Assembly Committee on Rules, Assembly Print 10614, an act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1951, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Farrell, Assembly Print 10512A, an act to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
Calendar Number 1952 has been amended and is high and therefore ineligible for consideration, so we'll go to Calendar Number 1953.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1953, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly McDonald, Assembly Print 9878A, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 62.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
Senator DeFrancisco, that completes the noncontroversial reading of today's Senate Supplemental Calendar 55C.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Is there any further business at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There is no further business at the desk.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: In that case, I move to adjourn until Friday, June 17th, at 10:00 a.m.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Senate stands adjourned until Friday, June 17th, at 10:00 a.m.
The Senate will stand adjourned.
(Whereupon, at 12:43 a.m., the Senate adjourned.)
Highest impact first.
Not yet analyzed. Open the bill for its official title.
Not yet analyzed. Open the bill for its official title.
Not yet analyzed. Open the bill for its official title.
Not yet analyzed. Open the bill for its official title.
Not yet analyzed. Open the bill for its official title.
Not yet analyzed. Open the bill for its official title.
Not yet analyzed. Open the bill for its official title.
Not yet analyzed. Open the bill for its official title.
Not yet analyzed. Open the bill for its official title.