Gaveled in 12:28 PM · Albany, New York · 2025–26 session
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
January 28, 2025
12:28 p.m.
REGULAR SESSION
SENATOR JAMAAL T. BAILEY, Acting President
ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
P R O C E E D I N G SACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Senate will come to order.
I ask everyone present to please rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
(Whereupon, the assemblage recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:In the absence of clergy, let us bow our heads in a moment of silent reflection or prayer.
(Whereupon, the assemblage respected a moment of silence.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Reading of the Journal.
THE SECRETARY:In Senate, Monday, January 27, 2025, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Friday, January 24, 2025, was read and approved. On motion, the Senate adjourned.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Without objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
Presentation of petitions.
Messages from the Assembly.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Cleare moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 1020 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 736, Third Reading Calendar 11.
Senator Bailey moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 519 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 749, Third Reading Calendar 24.
Senator Scarcella-Spanton moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 693 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 770, Third Reading Calendar 44.
Senator Fernandez moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 843 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 777, Third Reading Calendar 51.
Senator Skoufis moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 428 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 778, Third Reading Calendar 52.
Senator Gounardes moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 434 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 797, Third Reading Calendar 71.
Senator S. Ryan moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 432 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 798, Third Reading Calendar 72.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Substitutions so ordered.
Messages from the Governor.
Reports of standing committees.
Reports of select committees.
Communications and reports from state officers.
Motions and resolutions.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Good afternoon, Mr. President.
Let's begin by taking up previously adopted Resolution 33, by Senator Tedisco, read that resolution's title only, and recognize Senator Tedisco.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 33, by Senator Tedisco, congratulating the Schuylerville High School Varsity Football Team and Head Coach John Bowen upon the occasion of capturing the 2024 New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class C Football Championship on December 7, 2024.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Tedisco on the resolution.
SENATOR TEDISCO:Thank you, Mr. President.
This is a night and a day for outstanding student athletes and football teams. I'm pleased to welcome the New York State Class C football champions to the chamber today. They are the Black Horses of Schuylerville High School right up there in the balcony.
The Schuylerville Black Horses defeated Salamanca High School in a hard-fought 26-20 victory to win their first state football championship in program history on Friday, December 7, 2024, at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York.
The team garnered an undefeated record, 5 and 0, in Class C East Division and finished with an outstanding overall record of 13 and 1. Tremendous.
This team is also a shining example of perseverance -- maybe we should bottle this up and bring it to the west of New York State; we could help a team over there, but --
(Laughter.)
SENATOR TEDISCO:They overcame significant challenges throughout the championship game, including a 20-7 deficit in the third quarter and the loss of their kicker due to injury.
Although this is their first state title, the Black Horses appeared in the state championship game in 2015, 2019, and 2021. They've been knocking on the door in recent years, and this past season they smashed that door down.
I'm proud to introduce the team members of the Schuylerville Football Team from up in the balcony. More than 30 players are here.
It is said that the success of any team starts with leadership, and these coaches worked tirelessly to make this group collectively greater than the sum of its parts.
Please welcome with their team today outstanding Head Coach and Athletic Director John Bowen, who is with us; Assistant Coaches Patrick Toomey, Wally Dow, Alex Zuis, Morgan Cornell.
And also with us, outstanding administrators: Please welcome Schuylerville School Superintendent Dr. Ryan Sherman and Schuylerville High School Principal Dr. James Ducharme.
Mr. -- Madam President, excuse me -- they moved on me here -- please extend a warm welcome to these outstanding student athletes and coaches and give them all the cordialities from this august chamber and body.
We're proud of you. Congratulations.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:To our guests, I welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of this house. Please rise and be recognized.
(Standing ovation.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The resolution was adopted on January 14th.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Next up is previously adopted Resolution 25, by Senator Myrie. Please read that resolution's title and recognize Senator Myrie.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 25, by Senator Myrie, congratulating the Brooklyn Technical High School Football Team upon the occasion of capturing the 2024-'25 New York City Public School Athletic League 3A Championship on November 29, 2024.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Myrie on the resolution.
SENATOR MYRIE:Thank you, Madam President.
And I take great, great honor in bringing this resolution to the floor because we have with us a high school that is a national treasure, a national institution. A high school that I had the honor of attending that has graduated titans of industry, whether that is in science, whether it's in the arts, entertainment, health, public service, politics -- and yes, in sports as well.
The Brooklyn Tech Engineers: PSAL Football Champions for the first time in decades. So we had to make sure that we brought them up to Albany to recognize this accomplishment.
And I also want to take this point of privilege to say how much this school changed my life. I would not be standing in this chamber today if not for Brooklyn Tech and the opportunity that it has provided for kids that look like me -- or for kids all over New York City: A world-class education in our public schools.
I am so proud to be an alum of this institution. We are so proud of all of your accomplishments. I know that there are parents that have joined us today, family that has joined us today.
And I want to briefly read the team's names into the record so that we can officially recognize the greatness.
We're joined today by Krishney Auguste, Nathan Chen, Mikus Duerr, Jordan Hargrove, Lionel Hetnarine, Jack Hillman, Ranvir Hoti, Avish Jain, Trent Johnson, Ezra Josse, Ali Jumabaev, Nikolas Kravets, Damilola Owolabi, Sam Rodman, Nathaniel Schulman, Milo Schwartz, Jasper Smith, Tristan Suarez, Jigsal Tshering, Jesse Wang-Correll, James White IV, Bora Yilmaz, Matan Abir, Aiden Cheng, Ford Deng, Joaquin Garcia Klossner, Elijah Hendrich, Michael Jung, Samuel Lewin, Asani Lowe, Dylan Madden, Rupam Muhin, Papa Ndiaye, Daniel Nizri, Hassan Osman, Tahir Osman, Lorenzo Riley Bueso, David Taras, Alijah Wheeler, Matthew Wong, Wilson Yip, Ty Albano, Teo Boston-Freed, Noah Brent, Vincent Cumbo, Kavi Gandhi, Wyatt Mulvena, Keiran Sankbeil, Cole Scanlon, and of course the Head Coach, Brian Pugh, and Assistant Coaches Kyle Council, Hal Safran, Dean Emma, Sam Adewumi and Keenan Spen {ph}.
We congratulate you. We are grateful for you. And we are very proud of you.
Congratulations.
(Applause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Bailey on the resolution.
SENATOR BAILEY:Thank you, Madam President.
I thank Senator Myrie for bringing this incredible school to the chamber. And I do so -- which maybe is a surprise to you -- on behalf of the Bronx High School of Science caucus.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR BAILEY:And those who are laughing know that there's a historical rivalry between the original three specialized schools -- quote, unquote, specialized. We're all special. But Brooklyn Tech, Bronx Science, and we don't even need to mention the other one, right?
(Laughter.)
SENATOR BAILEY:Stuyvesant High School, for the record. Also an excellent academic institution.
But one of the things, Madam President, that happens sometimes when you attend these institutions is that while they overestimate you in some ways, they underestimate you in other ways. And this kind of smashes the myth that just because you are doing well in school and that you have a Nobel, Intel, Westinghouse or whatever they call it now -- Regeneron scholarships now -- that you can't play sports.
And I think that it's incredibly important for you to realize that this is just the first of many barriers you will break in your life. People will think certain things about you based upon who you are, where you're from, what you look like, X, Y and Z, A, B and C.
But this is the beginning of a pathway towards breaking those barriers. Sixty years was a -- quite a long time ago in terms of, you know, athletic, you know, performances. But I just want to congratulate you. And on behalf of Bronx Science, who does not have a football team, I want to say that this one is for us too, because I don't claim Stuyvesant ever. I'll claim --
(Laughter.)
SENATOR BAILEY:I just don't.
But in all seriousness, I just want this to realize whatever the position is that you played on the team that brought you to this path to victory, realize that you play these positions in life. And you all play different positions in life. And at certain times in life you'll all be quarterbacks, you'll all be field generals. Other times in life you'll be offensive linemen, you'll be protecting those who are around you.
So realize that football, while it is the ultimate team game, you are the ultimate players and you will continue to succeed and continue to be great.
And if you ever want to have fun, if you want to Google "basketball nerds" and "Bronx Science," you'll see my name in it in 2000 because we were good in high school in basketball. We beat you all in basketball. But this is about you today.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR BAILEY:But in all seriousness, winning a championship, Coach and the Assistant Coaches is not anything easy. It takes dedication, hard work. And I thank you for preparing these young men as student-athletes -- specifically, students first and athletes after that -- and making sure that their path is as bright as the night sky.
Congratulations to Brooklyn Tech. Hopefully you can do it back to back. I will be rooting for you. Onward and upward, Excelsior!
Congratulations.
Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Stavisky on the resolution.
SENATOR STAVISKY:Thank you.
And thank you, Senator Myrie, for not only your personal experience -- but this is what we love to hear, I must tell you. As a very loyal member of the Bronx Science caucus, I -- but I taught at Brooklyn Tech many years ago, so I too want to congratulate the basketball team.
When I went to Science, we did not have any women's sports because we didn't have Title IX. So I look forward to women's sports being emphasized as well.
But this is great. And we love to see this kind of display of diversity. Listening to those names being read -- that is New York City and, in fact, New York State. And that's why we are so proud of you.
Thank you for coming.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Gounardes on the resolution.
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Thank you, Madam President.
This is a little tough for me, I'm going to be honest. I'm not only -- I'm proud to represent Brooklyn Tech in my district, in the 26th Senate District. I love Brooklyn Tech. But I went to Fort Hamilton High School.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I'm a Tiger through and through, guys. So this one is really, really tough on me personally.
You know, 36 -- 37-36, a nail-biter of a game, back and forth. You know, that's the beauty of sports, is that you can compete on a field and give it your all. And there's going to be a winner and there's going to be a loser, but at the end of the day everyone's a champion in their own way.
So I'm actually really proud of you all. I'm proud of Brooklyn Tech. I'm proud of the work you did to get to this point to be named City Champions. That's a title that no one can take away from you. And I know that this is only the beginning of great things to come.
And, you know, I'll echo Senator Bailey, who wishes you, you know, a two-peat. But not if you're going to play against Fort Hamilton next year in the finals, okay?
(Laughter.)
SENATOR GOUNARDES:No, seriously, it's great that we have you guys up here. This is where so many decisions about your future, believe it or not, are made. And you might not even realize it yet, but the fact that you can come up to the State Capitol, be in this room where we get to discuss important things that have an impact on you and your future lives, is incredibly special.
We welcome you to our Senate chamber. We welcome you to Albany. And we all can't wait to see the incredible things you're going to do today, tomorrow and the rest of your lives.
So congratulations, you Engineers.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Thank you.
Senator Chan on the resolution.
SENATOR CHAN:Thank you, Madam President.
So I'm Senator Chan. I also went to Fort Hamilton High School --
(Laughter.)
SENATOR CHAN:-- 40 years ago.
But welcome to Albany. I'm very, very proud of you. My daughter does not go to Brooklyn Tech -- the other tech, Staten Island Tech. And you guys are rivals over there, right? Okay.
So thank you. I'm very, very proud of you. I represent South Brooklyn, just next to Senator Gounardes over there. Where is Senator Bailey? He left. I just wanted to make -- so we have a rivalry going on.
I'm very proud of you. You are definitely the foremost representation of Brooklyn. Welcome to Albany. Thank you very much.
Congratulations.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Thank you, Senator Chan.
Senator Cleare on the resolution.
SENATOR CLEARE:Thank you.
You know, I want to thank Senator Myrie for bringing forth this resolution today.
I too am a Tech alum, and I am so proud of the Engineers, really proud of you. And for Brooklyn Tech to be citywide champions in football -- I just wish you all the best.
Thank you to your coaches and instructors and your parents for supporting you, and all the best.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Thank you, Senator Cleare.
To our City Championship guests, I welcome you on behalf of the Senate, and Bronx Science. We extend to you all the privileges and courtesies of this house.
Please rise and be recognized.
(Standing ovation.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The resolution was adopted on January 14th.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Mr. President, let's move on to previously adopted Resolution 247, by Senator Salazar, read that resolution's title and recognize Senator Salazar.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 247, by Senator Salazar, memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 2025 as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Salazar on the resolution.
SENATOR SALAZAR:Thank you, Mr. President.
This resolution recognizes Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in New York. It is the fourth most common cancer globally among women. It is also the fourth most frequent cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide.
Nearly 14,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in the United States. And it is worth noting that Hispanic women, Latinas, have the highest rate of cervical cancer, and Black women face the highest risk of death from cervical cancer of any demographic group.
It is essential to raise awareness about this because cervical cancer is treatable and preventable through routine screening as well as vaccination for the human papilloma virus, known as HPV.
The American Cancer Society recommends that women begin getting screened for cervical cancer at the age of 25, but HPV vaccination is routinely recommended at age 11 or 12 and can be offered to patients at the age of 9 or older to avoid this very common virus, which is a known cause of cervical cancers.
The rate of cervical cancer is greatly reduced among women who get regular screenings, and HPV vaccination has been linked to a substantial reduction in cervical cancer deaths.
Increasing education among patients and healthcare providers alike regarding HPV and other risk factors for cervical cancer is crucial for prevention and treatment of this disease.
Today we recognize the survivors of cervical cancer as well as those we have lost to this preventable disease, with the hope of saving lives by continuing to inform the public about cervical cancer.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Thank you, Senator Salazar.
The resolution was previously adopted on January 22nd.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Mr. President, today's resolutions are open for cosponsorship.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Should you choose not to be a cosponsor on the resolutions, please notify the desk.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:At this time I move to adopt the Resolution Calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:All those in favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar please signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Resolution Calendar is adopted.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Let's take up the calendar, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 22, Senate Print 747, by Senator Scarcella-Spanton, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Oh, excuse me, actually. I'm sorry.
Calendar Number 11 -- pardon me -- Assembly Bill 1020, by Assemblymember Taylor, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2024.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 22, Senate Print 747, by Senator Scarcella-Spanton, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 24, Assembly Bill 519, by Assemblymember Zaccaro, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 25, Senate Print 750, by Senator Felder, an act to amend the Social Services Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 25, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 60. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 28, Senate Print 753, by Senator Rivera, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2024.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 28, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Griffo, Ortt, Stec and Weber.
Ayes, 54. Nays, 7.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 40, Senate Print 766, by Senator Parker, an act to amend the Social Services Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2024.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 44, Assembly Bill 693, by Assemblymember Stern, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws 2024.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 51, Assembly Bill 843, by Assemblymember Bores, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2024.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 52, Assembly Print 428, by Assemblymember Vanel, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2024.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 55, Senate Print 781, by Senator Palumbo, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2024.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar Number 55, voting in the negative: Senator Skoufis.
Ayes, 60. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 71, Assembly Print 434, by Assemblymember Rosenthal, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 72, Assembly Bill 432, by Assemblymember Woerner, an act to amend the Economic Development Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2024.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 78, Senate Print 804, by Senator Comrie, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2024.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 84, Senate Print 810, by Senator Myrie, an act to amend the Election Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2024.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 85, Senate Print 811, by Senator Gianaris, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Gianaris to explain his vote.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Thank you, Mr. President.
On a day when fear is striking so many immigrant communities throughout our state, and particularly communities of color, it is important that we are sending a message that New York State continues to appreciate and stand with those communities.
This bill will finally recognize the Middle Eastern and North African communities in New York for who they are. Up until the time when this bill will take effect, those communities are classified as white in New York. And I don't think many people would argue that they are in fact white. Least of all the members of these communities themselves do not consider themselves as such.
Now, for the first time, New York State data will properly reflect the option for Middle Eastern and North African New Yorkers to be identified as such. It will give us better data about these communities, help us to better serve them, and follows in the example of what we had previously done for Asian communities, to great success.
So I'm proud to vote for this and thank my colleagues who are supportive of it.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Gianaris to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of today's calendar.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Thank you, Mr. President.
On behalf of Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, in consultation with Senator Ortt, I hand up the following committee and conference assignments of the Minority Conference and ask that it be filed in the Journal.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The handup is received and shall be filed in the Journal.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Is there any further business at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:There is no further business at the desk.
SENATOR GIANARIS:I move to adjourn until Monday, February 3rd, at 3:00 p.m., intervening days being legislative days.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:On motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Monday, February 3rd, at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days being legislative.
(Whereupon, at 12:55 p.m., the Senate adjourned.)
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