Gaveled in 11:35 AM · Albany, New York · 2025–26 session
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
May 6, 2025
11:35 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION
SENATOR SHELLEY B. MAYER, Acting President
ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
P R O C E E D I N G SACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: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 MAYER:Rabbi Dr. Moshe P. Weisblum, of Congregation Beth Tikrah, in Wantagh, New York, will deliver today's invocation.
Rabbi.
RABBI WEISBLUM:It's a pleasure to be here.
Members of the Senate, I wrote a special poem. I call it "A Call to Serve."
"When the Holy One calls out your name,
May courage burn like steadfast flame.
When harsh words fly and tempers sear,
Let wisdom guide, both firm and clear.
"May all your words bring calm and peace,
And from your silence, strength increase.
Let kindness walk in all you do,
And broken hearts find hope through you.
"You hold the tales none else can hear --
Their silent dreams, their hidden fear.
Be steadfast when the strong have fled,
A light where weary souls are led.
"You do not bear this weight alone,
The One who called you claims His own.
So walk with love and serve with grace,
Let mercy fill this sacred place.
"Hold this trust with heart and soul,
To heal the hurt, to make lives whole.
Let every breath be laced with prayer,
To overcome each barrier.
"May wisdom guide your hearts and minds,
And strength to lead in troubled times.
With every choice, may courage rise,
To seek the truth, to act with eyes
That see beyond the fleeting gain,
And build a future free from strain.
"In service, may your hearts remain,
A light of hope to end the pain."
And let us say amen. Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you very much, Rabbi.
Reading of the Journal.
THE SECRETARY:In Senate, Monday, May 5, 2025, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Friday, May 2, 2025, was read and approved. On motion, the Senate adjourned.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Without objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
Presentation of petitions.
Messages from the Assembly.
Messages from the Governor.
Reports of standing committees.
Reports of select committees.
Communications and reports from state officers.
Motions and resolutions.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Good morning, Madam President.
On behalf of Senator Comrie, on page 12 I offer the following amendments to Calendar Number 350, Senate Print 3799A, and ask that said bill retain its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The amendments are received, and the bill will retain its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:On behalf of Senator Serrano, I wish to call up Senate Print 1380, recalled from the Assembly, which is now at the desk.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 662, Senate Print 1380, by Senator Serrano, an act to amend the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Move to reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Secretary will call the roll on reconsideration.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is restored to its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
SENATOR GIANARIS:I offer the following amendments.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The amendments are received.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Madam President, at this time there will be an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:There will be an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332.
SENATOR GIANARIS:The Senate will stand at ease.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senate stands at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 11:39 a.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 11:45 a.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senate will return to order.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Madam President, there's a report of the Rules Committee at the desk. Please take it up.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Stewart-Cousins, from the Committee on Rules, reports the following bill:
Senate Print 935, by Senator Krueger, an act making appropriations for the support of government.
The bill reports direct to third reading.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Move to accept the report of the Rules Committee.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:All those in favor of accepting the report of the Rules Committee please signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The report of the Rules Committee is accepted.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Please take up the supplemental calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 935, Senate Print 7766, by Senator Krueger, an act making appropriations for the support of government.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Is there a message of necessity and appropriation at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:There is a message of necessity and appropriation at the desk.
SENATOR GIANARIS:I move to accept the message.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:All those in favor of accepting the message please signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The message is accepted, and the bill is before the house.
SENATOR LANZA:Lay it aside.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is laid aside.
Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of the supplemental calendar.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Let's take up the controversial calendar, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Secretary will ring the bell.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 935, Senate Print 7766, by Senator Krueger, an act making appropriations for the support of government.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator O'Mara, why do you rise?
SENATOR O'MARA:I -- Senator -- Madam President, if Senator Krueger would yield for some questions.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Krueger, do you yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:I do indeed.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:Senator, last week we had a little humor on April 27th with Monty Python. And I think unbeknownst to either you or I, it was the actual 50th anniversary date of The Holy Grail's release. Which is --
(Laughter.)
SENATOR O'MARA:I don't know what's going on that throws Monty Python in our minds on that day.
But here we are doing an 11th extender. Can you tell us what status we're at? Now we're hearing some bills are done. When we walked in here, there was -- before we walked in here, I didn't see any bills actually listed as updated on the LRS. When will those become publicly available?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Madam President. No one expects the Spanish Inquisition.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR KRUEGER:I'm sorry, we're on a roll. I just had to.
So I think we're going to see budget bills very soon. I believe that the Speaker of the Assembly said that we will have budget bills by Wednesday. I'm not officially sure that that's true. But when you've got one of the two houses saying it, probably that is true.
I feel pretty good about this being our last extender for this unbelievably long cycle, I forget what day of March it is now. March 48th? I don't know what it is. March 48th? I don't know.
But I feel like it could be the -- should be the last extender. It's a straight extender. And budget bills should be coming, rolling off the press soon.
I actually think the Governor said yesterday they'll be dropping any second. I don't think they drop, actually. They actually go through a process, go through the LRS.
But I know staff have been working incredibly hard, and I don't even want to ask them when they got a good night's sleep. So that's my answer.
But I like the Spanish Inquisition line also. Thank you.
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Madam President, if the Senator will yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Absolutely.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator.
SENATOR O'MARA:Yeah, I'm sorry, I have no comeback for that one today.
But do you have a total number on what this budget is going to come in at?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Shockingly, we don't, Madam President.
The Governor had used a number last week when she announced the budget was done, and I pointed out I think the word "done" is a linguistically interpreted word. And so the number that was given last week is not necessarily the number that will be the final budget.
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Madam President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:You said this may be the last extender. This only goes through tomorrow, is my read of it. I don't see any logistical way that we could have the budget completed by then. So how do we not have to do another extender tomorrow?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Madam President. This is correct, so I am incorrect. I think two weeks ago we had the storyline where we did one extender but then we needed another one the next day to cover certain things that were not covered in the first day's extender. So I think there will be a supplemental extender tomorrow.
So Senator O'Mara is correct. Even though I think we will also have budget bills, we will need to do some kind of extender tomorrow.
SENATOR O'MARA:Thank you, Madam President. That's all I have.
Thank you, Senator.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard?
Seeing and hearing none, debate is closed. The Secretary will ring the bell.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 12. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 935, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Lanza, Ortt and Weik.
Ayes, 56. Nays, 4.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of the controversial calendar.
SENATOR GIANARIS:At this time let's return to resolutions and move to adopt the Resolution Calendar, with the exception of Resolution 930.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:All those in favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar, with the exception of Resolution 930, please signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Resolution Calendar is adopted.
SENATOR GIANARIS:And let's take up previously adopted Resolution 738, by Senator Stavisky, read that resolution's title and recognize Senator Stavisky.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 738, by Senator Stavisky, memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 6, 2025, as Queens Day in the State of New York.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Stavisky on the resolution.
SENATOR STAVISKY:Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you, Senator Gianaris, from the great State of Astoria in Queens.
And welcome to our friends from the Queens Chamber of Commerce and their guests. On behalf of the 2.3 million Queens residents, I welcome everybody to the chamber in the Senate and hope that this is a productive visit.
Let me very briefly go over a couple of things that are truly unique to Queens County. We are a county, a borough, of neighborhoods. If I were to ask Senator Comrie, who is sitting next to me, Where are you from, he's not going to say Queens, he's going to say --
SENATOR COMRIE:St. Albans.
SENATOR STAVISKY:-- St. Albans.
The areas in Queens that I represent include Astoria, and College Point and Whitestone and Bayside and Littleneck and Douglaston and Queens Village and Jamaica, et cetera.
We are a borough of neighborhoods with neighborhood needs and neighborhood issues and neighborhood businesses. We have neighborhood economic groups, the merchants associations. We are a county of restaurants. Because I know everybody is looking forward to this evening where many of them will join us in the Hart Lounge between 5 and 7 to show off the great Epicurean delights that we have in Queens. You'll never go hungry if you come to Queens.
We are a neighborhood of sports. We have all kinds of sports activities. I'm going to not mention them; I'm sure others will.
We are a neighborhood of people who come from all over the world. More than half the residents of Queens were born outside the United States. And it's this diversity, this sense of equality, this sense of inclusiveness that makes Queens such a unique place not only to live but also to work and do business.
So on behalf of our friends, we welcome you from the Chamber of Commerce to Albany. And I thank you, Madam President, and will hopefully see everybody this evening.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you.
Senator Addabbo on the resolution.
SENATOR ADDABBO:Thank you, Madam President.
I want to thank Senator Stavisky for this resolution.
As a proud lifetime, longtime resident of Queens, I want to congratulate the Queens Chamber and welcome them.
And of course as proud member of Queens, we're proud of our diversity and all that it has to offer, being the greatest welcome mat to the world, as we have two of the major airports, JFK and La Guardia, in Queens.
And again, one of the most successful gaming sites in the country, Resorts World, and other amenities that create great jobs.
But I'm going to quote someone who is from Queens -- actually, she's from my hometown of Ozone Park. And it's Cyndi Lauper, who's being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. And Cyndi Lauper says, "I do speak the Queen's English, it's just the wrong Queens, that's all."
(Laughter.)
SENATOR ADDABBO:And if Cyndi Lauper was to speak the language of Queens, she'd speak over 140 different languages, if not more.
That's the power of Queens, its diversity. It's diversity that has led to resilience, whether it be through a pandemic, through Hurricane Sandy, through recessions. Our businesses have struggled but yet survived; our people have struggled and yet survived. And I think it's that diversity that makes Queens survive.
So again, to the Queens Chamber, I want to say thank you to all our residents of Queens. I want to say God bless you all and thank you for allowing me to be a part of that borough, that great borough of Queens.
Thank you so much, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Addabbo.
Senator Comrie on the resolution.
SENATOR COMRIE:Thank you, Madam President.
I rise today to second my voice and third my voice on this resolution. This is one of our best days of the year in Albany for me, because I get to talk about the borough that raised me, that shaped me, and that's created the opportunities for me and the honor of representing part of the borough as a State Senator.
It's Queens Day in Albany. We have people from Queens that are here working to let folks know that, you know, we have a great borough. We have the best food, the best music, the best constituents, and -- other than a couple of rows in Manhattan -- the best culture.
There's no other county that's able to capture the beauty and diversity of the world's borough -- of the world. Queens is the world's borough. And it's that diversity that lets Queens shape the world in return, through politics, music, theater, literature and industry.
There are a lot of sights and sounds in Queens. In fact, as Senator Addabbo said, there's over 140 languages. You're walking through different corners of the borough, you see that there's so much going on. You can walk down the street and see five different cultures, five different restaurants that you can experience.
You can see everything from mosques to shuls to Hindu temples to historic churches. You know, Queens is just so much that you can do to just visit and see so many different sights, sounds and wonders.
But one thing you can be sure of is that no matter what language you speak, the people will be there with you through good and bad. If you fall down, your neighbor will pick you up. If you start a business, the family down the street is going to shop there. If you ask for help, a civic group or community board will be there for you. And if you throw a block party, there will be plenty of resources and unity.
Queens' emphasis and sustenance on the arts is the reason that it's the home and origins of such icons as LL Cool J, Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Roxanne Shante, Kelly Price, Run-D.M.C., Broadway legends Idina Menzel, Leslie Odom, Richard Rodgers. Jazz legend Louis Armstrong, who had a home there; Count Basie also had a home in Queens. Tony Bennett.
I'm a Seinfeld fan. I just was thinking about the Seinfeld episode the other day because I had a fire in my district office last week, in the bathroom. And I asked my staff, who was the George Costanza?
(Laughter.)
SENATOR COMRIE:If anybody watches Seinfeld, you should know that episode. I'm going to ask people who is the George Costanza in the office, and who stood up and dealt -- fortunately, it was a minor fire. My staff was there. Everybody's okay, other than the fire department coming and destroying the back part of my office. But everybody's fine.
But getting back to Queens. In Queens you can also find a level of intergenerational care that you're unlikely to come across elsewhere. We have an incredible culture of respect and appreciation for those who raised us and paved the way, especially in government. And for so many Queens residents, those who gave them the opportunity to grow up, study, eventually work here in the U.S. And with that comes an insistence on quality support and care for our older community.
Queens' motto, under Borough President Donovan Richards, is "Queens get the money." And we do, because the economic -- we are the economic epicenter of the city. Queens is home to Aqueduct and Belmont, the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Citi Field ballpark, both major airports, LaGuardia and JFK, Kaufman Astoria Studios, Silvercup Studios, Museum of the Moving Image, Roy Wilkins Park. We have the Unisphere -- those of you that watched all of the Will Smith movies know the Unisphere -- and many flourishing businesses. Sports, music, tourism, cuisine and culture: Queens has it all.
Organizations, like we have to thank the Queens Chamber of Commerce, who's hosting the annual Queens Night tonight. And the Queens Economic Development Corporation, steadfast in their ability to develop and educate entrepreneurs, which benefits the local community.
Who do we have to thank for Queens' greatness? It's a decade of brilliant and committed public servants who have fought every day to build us up, whether that's on the community, borough, state or federal level.
Last week I honored a young woman that spent 44 years in the community serving as district manager. It's that type of long-term commitment that we have from hundreds of Queens residents that spend time in their community, often in voluntary capacities, trying to make sure that Queens stays the family borough, the borough that people want to go to. One of the only boroughs in the last 10 years that population has increased because people want to live in Queens.
So I'm glad to be here today with our representatives. I can't overstate how proud I am to have spent my life in Queens serving the people.
I look forward every year to sharing this love and culture with my colleagues here, all of you in Albany. You've got to come to Queens and spend some time. Any of you that come to Queens, please let me know. We will treat you to the best evening of your life.
So with that, I want to vote aye on the resolution. I want to thank Senator Stavisky and Leader Stewart-Cousins for allowing us every year to bring it to the floor. And please come to the Hart Lounge later today.
Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Comrie.
Senator Ramos on the resolution.
SENATOR RAMOS:Thank you, Madam President.
It is with enormous pride and lots of swagger that I raise my voice today in celebration of the boldest, the most brilliant, most beautiful county in New York State: Queens. We're the world's borough, the people's borough, the future's borough.
I was born in Queens. I was raised in Queens. I'm raising my family in Queens. I rep Queens, I bleed Queens. And when it's all said and done, I'll still be Queens.
Now, I know every member in this chamber has love for their district, but let's be real. If New York is a mosaic, Queens is the part where all of the colors collide and something extraordinary happens. Queens is where the entire world doesn't just live together, we thrive together.
We're the most linguistically diverse place on the planet, with over 200 languages spoken. That means we don't just speak your language, we probably speak your grandmother's too. We're where immigrants don't just survive, they start a new chapter for their families and our neighborhoods.
In Queens, being different isn't a challenge. It's a superpower. Our borough gave the world the likes of Fran Drescher and Donald Trump. So clearly Queens can make you laugh or Queens can make you nervous, depending on your politics.
We're home to jazz legends like many of the ones that Senator Comrie mentioned, but including Dizzy Gillespie and Ella Fitzgerald, and punk icons like the Ramones. We were the set of the King of Queens, and so many incredible TV shows.
We have lots of hip-hop royalty. In addition to the ones that Leroy mentioned, Nicki Minaj, Mobb Deep, Noreaga, and the Beatnuts were all from Queens.
And yes, we root for the home team, the one and only Mets, which will rise again this year.
Queens is a sanctuary for the LGBTQ community, a safe harbor for transgender New Yorkers, a laboratory for small businesses innovation, and a haven for street vendors with Michelin-star flavor.
We're the transit pulse of the state, connecting JFK, La Guardia, Amtrak, the LIRR, and the MTA, like a living, breathing artery of our city and state.
And the food -- listen, you haven't lived until you've had a Tibetan momo in Jackson Heights, a Guyanese roti in Richmond Hill, a Greek souvlaki in Astoria, and a Dominican chimi from a Corona food truck. All in the same afternoon. That's not dinner, that's diplomacy.
What I'm trying to say is Queens is New York. Queens is the future of America. And honestly, Queens might just be the universe's best-kept secret, though we're not very good at keeping quiet about it.
So on this Queens Day I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating not just a borough, but a beacon of hope, of hustle, and of humanity.
I want to thank all the members of the Queens Chamber of Commerce who are here, especially the owner of Friend's Tavern, which is the oldest LGBTQ-owned establishment in Queens County, and many others who make us so proud to always rep the best borough -- Queens.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Ramos.
Senator Sanders on the resolution.
SENATOR SANDERS:I merely ask one thing: In the future, please let me not go after Senator Ramos. Senator Ramos has said it so well. There are so many things to say about Queens, and yet she has.
I will only say this. I represent -- I am a southerner from the southernmost part of Southeast Queens, and the way we look at the world is everything for us is up. Everything for us is up.
And we are happy to work with the Queens Chamber of Commerce to do many different things. I want to just point out that they work a lot on the issue of incubators, business incubators, ways of bringing all of these communities together.
We all speak about the glory of America, and we understand that the business of America is business. And we understand that Queens understands that and the Chamber understands that by making sure that Queens stays as the site of business incubation in America.
I want to thank the Chamber. I want to thank all the guests from Queens. And I look forward to seeing you all at Queens Day, where you can taste some of the great cuisine of Queens.
Thank you kindly.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator.
Senator Gonzalez on the resolution.
SENATOR GONZALEZ:Thank you.
I rise today to enthusiastically vote aye on this resolution.
As many of you know, I was born and raised in Queens, in Elmhurst and Jackson Heights. It's still where my family is. And I have the immense privilege of representing two incredible neighborhoods in Queens: Astoria and Long Island City.
And so many of my colleagues today have been able to point out the incredible history the borough has, how our diversity is our strength, the role small businesses play, the role that our celebrities that were born and raised in Queens play in our borough's culture.
But I really wanted to take a moment to call out in just two small neighborhoods how every neighborhood in Queens like mine punches way above its weight.
In Astoria we have a vibrant Greek community, as you heard, some of the best Greek food in the city. We also have a large Middle Eastern and South Asian community, a large Latino community. We have the largest public housing complex in the entire country between Queensbridge with the addition of Ravenswood and Astoria Houses.
And this diversity, both of the people who are there and also the institutions that we have -- calling out the Noguchi Museum, the Museum of the Moving Image, and certainly MOMA PS 1 down in Long Island City -- it represents a standard. It represents that when we have neighborhoods of working-class people from everywhere in the world, that our communities can thrive and that we certainly can show what it means to be the best city in the world, some of the best places in the world, and contribute to the broader economy as well.
So I really -- I do want to call out just all of the incredible work that my district has done too in Astoria, Long Island City, and then call out that as someone born and raised there, I certainly would not be who I am today without my Queens culture.
So with that, I want to say thank you again for bringing this resolution to the floor and vote affirmatively.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Gonzalez.
Senator Liu on the resolution.
SENATOR LIU:Madam President, go Queens!
(Laughter.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Liu.
(Laughter.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Gianaris to close.
SENATOR GIANARIS:I don't know how to follow Senator Liu's eloquent remarks.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR GIANARIS:But when you think of Queens, you heard my colleagues say it: Diversity is the word that most comes to mind -- diversity of culture, diversity of language, diversity of food. And of course that all comes from the diversity of its people.
And when you walk from one neighborhood to the next in Queens, it's like you're entering a different country. And perhaps that's why we identify ourselves by our neighborhoods in Queens, as opposed to the county.
You know, when I was growing up, we used to say in my neighborhood we had both types, Greeks and Italians.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR GIANARIS:And now of course it has changed so much because Queens lives and breathes more than any other place in the world. You have one tide of immigrants replacing the previous one, which then is replaced by another. And that is why we are so rich from each other's experiences.
That is why if you do enjoy food, please go to the Queens Chamber's event in the Hart Lounge today. But if you like that, come back and go to the Queens Night Market right by the Hall of Science, which is a culinary experience unlike any you will ever have. Literally food from all over the world from one stall to the next. And not just food to sample, but food to enjoy. It is among the great attractions of our borough.
It also happens to be right next to Citi Field, home of the best team in baseball, the New York Mets. And of course the Mets every so often eclipse the Yankees in terms of interest and attention. And now the Yankees were kind enough to cede Juan Soto to the Mets, we are once again in that situation in our great city.
I do want to recognize the leaders of the Queens Chamber who are here. Senator Stavisky was kind enough to let me have this honor of introducing Tom Grech, the president, and Carl Mattone, the chairman of the board, who are well known to all of us. We appreciate their attendance today, and we'll get to socialize with them a little bit more later this afternoon.
But mostly I just want to talk about what a great, great experience living and being raised and being born in this county is, where this Greek boy was able to meet a Peruvian immigrant and now you all saw, a couple of weeks ago, the family that we've built together. It is a story that can only be told in Queens, and I'm so happy to be a part of it.
Madam President, thank you very much. And I appreciate my colleagues for indulging us.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Gianaris.
To our guests from the Queens Chamber, we welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of the house.
Please rise and be recognized.
(Standing ovation.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The resolution was previously adopted on April 8th.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Madam President, let us move on now to previously adopted Resolution 455, which I mistakenly thought should have been brought up yesterday when I thought it was about Margaritaville.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR GIANARIS:But it is in fact a resolution by Senator Oberacker honoring the Village of Margariteville {sic}. Read its title and recognize Senator Oberacker, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 455, by Senator Oberacker, commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Village of Marguerite {sic}, New York.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Oberacker on the resolution.
SENATOR OBERACKER:Thank you, Madam President.
And just as a point of order, it is pronounced Margaretville.
Madam President, you have to bear with me. I've kind of come down with a little bit of a cold -- which feels oddly appropriate for my first time rising to speak on my own resolution. Perhaps there's no better way to show how meaningful this moment is than standing here a little bit under the weather.
Today I rise with great pride to recognize the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Village of Margaretville, located in the Town of Middletown in Delaware County, tucked along the East Branch of the Delaware River in the heart of the beautiful -- and I do mean beautiful -- Catskill Mountains.
And we are honored to be here today to be joined with some of the individuals who help keep the village running. We have here in the chamber Mayor John Hubbell, Town Supervisor Glen Faulkner, Trustee and Town Clerk Sarah Hubbell, Trustee Iris Mead, and Town Historian Diane Galusha.
You know, as a former town supervisor, Madam President, and board member myself, I know all too well the challenges and commitment required in these roles. Your work may not always make the headlines, but your impact is undeniable.
Thank you for your service not only to Margaretville, but to Delaware County and to my 51st Senate District.
Margaretville's story began shortly after the American Revolution, when settlers first arrived and called the area Pakataghkan. I'll have you know, Madam President, I spent most of the night learning how to pronounce that correctly. The name would later be changed to Margaretville, in honor of Margaret Lewis, the granddaughter of Robert Livingston, on whose land the original village was established.
And like many villages, many villages in towns and hamlets throughout my district, Margaretville was shaped by the arrival of the railroad, which brought prosperity through commerce and tourism. And like so many places in upstate New York, its spirit has been defined not just by industry but by the resilience of its people -- those who built it, those who stayed and who continue to care for it.
Anniversaries like this are the moments to reflect but also to look forward. The Village of Margaretville has endured for 150 years, and I have no doubt, Madam President, no doubt it will endure for another 150.
And when the future Senator stands here -- hopefully in better health -- to mark the village's 300th anniversary, I hope they'll see what I see today: A community that honors its past, a community that serves its people, and a community which continues to contribute mightily to the great State of New York.
Thank you, Madam President. I kindly ask that we extend the courtesies to our honored guests in the chamber today.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Oberacker.
To our guests here representing the 150th anniversary of the Village of Margaretville, I welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of the house.
Please rise and be recognized.
(Standing ovation.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The resolution was previously adopted on March 11th.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Thank you, Madam President.
I apologize for the mispronunciation introducing that resolution.
Let's move on to previously adopted Resolution 818, by Senator Baskin, read that resolution's title and recognize Senator Baskin.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 818, by Senator Baskin, celebrating the life of John A. Feroleto.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Baskin on the resolution.
SENATOR BASKIN:Thank you, Madam Chair.
I rise to acknowledge and pay tribute to a leader in our great state who suddenly passed away last month. John Feroleto was a dedicated and highly respected trial attorney known for his unwavering commitment to justice, and a steadfast advocate for the rights of individuals.
A native of Buffalo's West Side, John was proud of his Italian heritage. He started his own business painting homes at the age of 16 and continued through law school, financing his education.
He graduated from the University at Buffalo School of Law, where he met his wife, Paula. She currently serves as a New York State Supreme Court judge.
In addition to Judge Feroleto, John is survived by their children and grandchildren as well as extended family, friends and colleagues, including the many attorneys that he mentored who were fortunate to experience his warmth, his humor, and his generosity.
I am so grateful for my friend John Feroleto's support over my years as an elected official, and the impact that his family has had on our community.
May John Feroleto rest in peace, and may his family find comfort in his legacy.
Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Baskin.
Senator Gallivan on the resolution.
SENATOR GALLIVAN:Thank you, Madam President.
I too rise to honor and remember John Feroleto, who was an incredible upstanding member of the Western New York community. Of course, born and raised and lived in Buffalo his whole life. Set an example for so many.
You've heard from Senator Baskin, who I thank for bringing this resolution forward, about his accomplishments as an attorney, about his family, a family of servants -- some public, some citizens.
And John Feroleto was a citizen servant who did so many things beyond practicing law -- helping so many individuals in need, and being an individual who a community is very, very proud of, and one that we can all aspire to be.
So I again thank Senator Baskin for bringing this forward. I'm grateful to have known John Feroleto, grateful that he was part of the Western New York community. And my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Thank you very much.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you.
The resolution was previously adopted on April 29th.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Next up is Resolution 930, by Senator Ramos. Let's take up that resolution, read its title, and recognize Senator Ramos.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 930, by Senator Ramos, memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 1, 2025, as May Day in the State of New York.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Ramos on the resolution.
SENATOR RAMOS:Thank you, Madam President.
And Happy May Day to all Senators, who are workers for our districts, representing our neighbors and our communities.
I personally, as the daughter of working-class immigrants, am very proud to chair the Labor Committee in this great chamber, and it's my honor to carry this resolution every year.
On May 1st we honor the labor movement with one urgent, simple demand: Safety for workers. That demand has seeded, over time, the child labor ban, has launched the Workers' Compensation Board. It's set modern safety standards, it's strengthened unions and built the protections we still rely on today and must continue to improve for all New Yorkers.
From the Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Act, the Nail Salon Minimum Standards Council Act, the Wage Theft Deterrence package, to temporary disability reform, TEMP, and even workers' comp reform, these bills laid the foundation for the next chapter of protections for working-class New Yorkers.
This is legislation that mandates every workplace is safe and our long-term health is protected so that every worker in our state returns home safely at the end of their shift. The worker safety agenda is what will sustain the longevity and the health of the economy of New York State.
This resolution, as always, is dedicated to every working New Yorker. May they clock out and return home safe, healthy and whole. This is the promise May Day carries, and one that we now enshrine in history every year and must continue to keep.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you.
The question is on the resolution. All in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The resolution is adopted.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Now let's move on to previously adopted Resolution 257. Please read that resolution's title and recognize Senator Jackson on his resolution.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 257, by Senator Jackson, memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025 as Muslim History Month in the State of New York.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Jackson on the resolution.
SENATOR JACKSON:Thank you, Madam President.
My colleagues, I rise today and I greet you with peace and blessings. Asalamu Alaikum. I rise not only as a legislator, but as a proud Muslim American and the first Muslim ever elected to this distinguished body.
This moment is profoundly personal and historically significant. Today we take an important step -- a step towards recognition, towards truth telling, towards honoring a history too often silenced and too often distorted. We memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025 as Muslim History Month in our great State of New York.
And what a history it is. A history older than the borders that we draw, richer than the narratives we've been handed. A history of mathematicians who gave us algebra, of science who mapped the stars and unlocked the mysterious vision of healers whose medical wisdom crossed continents and centuries. A history of artists, architects, philosophers, poets. A history of mothers and fathers, immigrants, neighbors and friends who have also helped shape the foundation of our state.
And yet too often our stories are erased, our contributions overlooked, our faith misunderstood. And too often we are treated as strangers in a state we also help lead.
But make no mistakes. We are not new here. We are not visitors. We are not footnotes. We are part of New York's story. And this resolution, proclamation, reminds every student and every classroom, every New Yorker on every street, that Muslim history is not something apart. It is something among. It belongs to all of us.
I want every Muslim child in New York to look at this month and know your faith is not a barrier. It's a bridge. Your history is not a burden. It is a blessing. Your presence is not a threat. It's a gift.
By proclaiming Muslim History Month, we are not asking for special treatment, we are asking for honest treatment. We are asking for our rightful place in the narrative of this state.
And we are saying to every Muslim New Yorker: We see you, we honor you, we walk beside you.
As someone who has marched for fairness, fought for equity, and now stands here a Muslim serving in the New York State Senate, I carry this moment with both reverence and responsibility. From humble beginnings in Northern Manhattan, to this chamber, I know what it means to be seen. I know the power of representation.
And this proclamation will remind every young Muslim across New York that they too belong in every room, every table, every seat where decisions are made.
Let's move forward with this resolution honoring the past and embracing a future of inclusivity and respect. Asalamu Alaikum -- peace be upon you. Alhamdulillah -- hope and thank God.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Jackson.
Senator Ramos on the resolution.
SENATOR RAMOS:Asalamu Alaikum, Madam President.
I rise in solidarity with so many of my Muslim neighbors back home in Jackson Heights, Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, and the few blocks of Forest Hills and Rego Park that I proudly represent.
I believe that we have an obligation to ensure that Muslim American history is taught. Islam came to New York and the United States when people from Africa were kidnapped from their home and brought here against their will to do backbreaking work.
And we have an obligation to recognize the many contributions that have been made. In fact, former President Thomas Jefferson is known to have kept a Koran at the presidential home to make sure that all Americans continue to educate themselves.
And we in this chamber have an obligation to carry on that intention so that we can celebrate our diversity, fight Islamophobia and ignorance, and ensure that we are building bridges across our communities. So that when we do hear the words Allahu Akbar or Alhamdulillah, we know that it is not offensive but actually a deep praise to the God that we share, that we believe in, and to whom we are thankful for giving us the opportunity to serve each other.
So thank you, Madam President. And thank you to the members of the Muslim American community who are here in the chamber today.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Ramos.
Senator Krueger on the resolution.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you, Madam President. I proudly stand in support of this resolution.
I'm a Jewish American. And we have so much in common: Our two religions, our two histories, and our two stories as immigrants to America.
And this country is great because we are a country built by immigrants from all over the world, from all countries and from all religions. And frankly, we're at a moment in history where there's too much stress targeted at both the Muslim American community and the Jewish American community.
And we have Jewish American History Month established by Congress, so it seems only appropriate that in the great State of New York we have a Muslim American History Month.
So I'm proud to stand in favor of this resolution. Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Krueger.
Senator Harckham on the resolution.
SENATOR HARCKHAM:Thank you very much, Madam President.
I want to thank Senator Jackson for this resolution. I want to thank the Majority Leader for bringing this to the floor. I want to thank colleagues for their comments.
You know, as has been expressed, what makes New York such a wonderful place to live is our great diversity. And the Lower Hudson Valley that you and I represent, Madam President, is no exception. The Hudson Valley Islamic Center, the Northern Westchester Islamic Center, the Peekskill Islamic Center -- just wonderful communities.
And as Senator Jackson said in his wonderfully eloquent remarks, not apart from. We are a part of, and together. And just -- it's so important, as Senator Ramos mentioned, that we speak out against Islamophobia and misinformation and that the beautiful tapestry of New York is all of us together. And that's why this resolution is so important.
Again, thank you to Senator Jackson.
I proudly vote aye. Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Gianaris to close.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Madam President, I was just going to ask you to please recognize Senator Jackson again so he can introduce the guests who are with us for this resolution.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Jackson.
SENATOR JACKSON:So thank you, Madam President. My apologies to two of the leaders that are here, part of MUNA Alliance for Peace and Justice. Sawha Abdullah -- would you please stand -- and also Abdulla Mohammad.
These are two leaders of MUNA Alliance for Peace and Justice. They have about a hundred members up there today that are lobbying about the issues and concerns that impact them -- food, education, all of the things that basically people want in their society as far as doing what's right and doing what's good for the people that they represent.
So thank you for coming here today to Albany.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Jackson.
To our guests who are here on behalf of the resolution, supporting the Muslim acknowledgment of this Muslim resolution here on the floor, thank you for being here. We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of the Senate.
Congratulations.
(Standing ovation.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The resolution was previously adopted on January 28.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Madam President, now the moment you've been waiting for --
(Laughter.)
SENATOR GIANARIS:-- previously adopted Resolution 835, recognizing New York State Constitution Day, by Senator Gounardes. Please read its title and recognize Senator Gounardes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 835, by Senator Gounardes, memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to recognize April 20, 2025, in honor of the 248th Anniversary of the adoption of the first New York State Constitution.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Gounardes on the resolution.
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Thank you, Madam President.
Good afternoon, colleagues. I know you have been waiting for this resolution as eagerly as I have, because this past April 20th we celebrated New York's 248th birthday. That's right, April 20, 1777, the State of New York ratified our very first constitution after we declared independence in July of 1776.
And as I have for several years now, I look forward to this day to talk about a chapter in our state's constitutional history that is both relevant to the work we do in this chamber and to the issues of our time.
Today is no different. Today we're going to be talking about New York's Bill of rights and, more specifically, the free speech and free press protections guaranteed by the New York State Constitution.
So let's go back to the early days of our state to January 13, 1787, when our Legislature adopted an act concerning the rights of the citizens of this state. This statutory enactment contained 13 provisions, each outlining specific rights derived from historic English common law rights and embodied in various documents such as the Magna Carta, the Petition of Right, the 1689 Bill of Rights, and the U.S. Constitution.
Among these rights were the following: All authority is derived from the people. No citizen can be imprisoned or deprived of property without due process. You cannot be imprisoned without an indictment. You cannot be put on trial without a chance to defend yourself. You cannot be executed without due process. You cannot pay any amount of money to sway the justice system.
Fines and fees cannot be charged without good cause, and they must be reasonable. Excessive bail or fines are prohibited, as is cruel and unusual punishment.
There must be free elections. The right to petition government is guaranteed, as is the right of the legislature to have freedom of speech and debate.
There can be no taxation or military service without legislative approval. And lastly, you cannot force private citizens to quarter soldiers.
Now, this is two years before the ratification of our own federal Bill of Rights. But did you notice what was not included on that list? That's right, no mention of freedom of speech. No mention of freedom of press.
In fact, it was not until 1821, some 30-plus years after the adoption of our Bill of Rights, that New York even contemplated adopting a constitutional Bill of Rights.
During a constitutional convention called that year, delegates debated reforms to New York's judiciary, the process of revising vetoing legislation, and even creating a mechanism to amend the Constitution itself, which the original constitution of 1777 did not include.
But delegates also debated adopting a formal constitutional Bill of Rights. Which some did not think were necessary because they believed that the American experiment of federalism was so successful there was no need to enshrine additional constitutional liberties.
As Peter Livingston, a State Senator and convention delegate from Dutchess County explained: "A Bill of Rights is the mere repetition of the fundamental rights of this people, which have never been violated and which, after 40 years of practice under our Constitution, we need not fear to see violated."
Another delegate, a former State Senator, former Attorney General, and then U.S. Senator and future President Martin Van Buren said: "I would express my doubt whether by adopting any Bill of Rights at all we are materially benefiting the Constitution of this state."
Nevertheless, in the Constitution that was adopted by the convention in 1821, a formal constitutional Bill of Rights was included which incorporated a combination of the statutory rights first enacted in 1787 as well as protections from the U.S. Bill of Rights which were ratified in 1789.
And included in Section 8 of the Bill of Rights was the following. "Every citizen may freely speak, write and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right, and no law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press.
"In all prosecutions or indictments for libels, the truth may be given in evidence to the jury, and if it shall appear to the jury that the matter charged as libelous is true and was published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the party shall be acquitted and the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the fact."
Now, immediately three things should jump out at us about this provision. First, contrary to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution -- which, as we all know, says Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech or of the press -- the New York Constitution states that the right to free speech is an affirmative grant of free expression for all citizens.
This is significant because it suggests that our right to free speech under our own Constitution was not intended merely to be a protection from encroachment by an overbearing government. Under our State Constitution, we enjoy a fundamental right to speak, write and publish freely.
This mirrored similar protections that were adopted by several other states in their constitutions, including Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Connecticut and Maine.
Second, the right to free speech is not absolute. A citizen's right to speak, write and publish freely is limited by civic obligation to not abuse that right.
Now, this idea might seem quaint by the standards of today's understanding of the First Amendment. But at that time freedom of speech was not simply an end in itself, but it was deemed fundamental to the notion of self-government. In other words, Madam President, freedom of speech was necessary to exercise good citizenship.
And lastly, the Constitution's freedom of speech provision includes a fairly lengthy discussion about truth and good intentions being defenses in cases for criminal libel. In fact, nearly the entire debate about Section 8 at the constitutional convention was all about criminal libel, a further reflection that the common understanding of free speech at that time was not about the right to say whatever you wanted whenever you wanted to, but to allow citizens to participate in the public discourse of the day without saying something that was deemed injurious or offensive to someone else.
Now, to understand this last point we have to take one more step back in time to 1804, to a courtroom in Claverack, which is I believe in Senator Hinchey's district, to witness the criminal prosecution of a gentleman named Harry Croswell for criminal libel.
I'm going to read the first sentence of the indictment issued against Harry Croswell. "It is represented that Harry Croswell, late of the City of Hudson in the County of Columbia, being a malicious and seditious man of a depraved mind and wicked and diabolical disposition, and also deceitfully, wickedly and maliciously devising, contriving and intending to detract from, scandalize, traduce" -- what a great word, traduce -- "vilify and to represent Thomas Jefferson, Esquire, President of the United States, as unworthy of the confidence, respect and attachment of the people of the said United States, and to alienate and withdraw from the said Thomas Jefferson the obedience, fidelity and allegiance of the citizens of the State of New York."
Now, if you listened carefully, you might have picked up on the two words in that sentence that explain the entire background of this case: "Seditious" and "alienate."
You see, Harry Croswell was a Federalist newspaper printer. And as we remember from our American history, the early days of our country were marked by deep partisan divisions between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans, which often played out in the founding generation's version of Twitter: Partisan newspapers.
Croswell was being prosecuted for libel for printing a story that was previously published by another federalist newspaper that accused Thomas Jefferson of paying someone in Virginia to not just publish a tax against his nemesis John Adams, but also to label George Washington as a traitor, robber and perjurer, and to grossly slander the private characters of men who he well knew were virtuous.
Now, Jefferson, as president, while publicly opposed to the Alien and Sedition Acts signed into law by John Adams, privately encouraged his allies to use the law to arrest and silence his own critics.
Croswell was charged under this law, and at trial the only issue was whether or not he actually reprinted the allegations against Thomas Jefferson in his newspaper. And that was because, under the common law at that time, as was the precedent from English common law, truth was not a defense to a charge of libel.
So the mere fact that Harry Croswell published a story that stated someone else published a story about Thomas Jefferson, he was charged with libel and convicted.
Now, Croswell appealed and, on appeal, he had a new lawyer join his defense team, someone we all know: Federalist luminary Alexander Hamilton.
In what would be one of the final cases he ever argued in court in his career, Hamilton spent six hours arguing that English common law was wrong to reject truth as a defense to libel, because before English law there was Roman law. And under Roman law, truth was a defense against a charge of libel.
He argued that the liberty of the press consists in the right to publish with impunity the truth, with good motives for justifiable ends, although reflecting on government, magistracy, or individuals. The right of giving the truth in evidence in cases of libel is all important to the liberties of the people. And the allowance of this right is essential to the preservation of a free government. And the disallowance of it is fatal.
Now, the New York Supreme Court deadlocked on the case that day. But the following year the Legislature, our body, passed a law adopting Hamilton's position that truth is a defense to a charge of libel. And it was this law that was then further enshrined as a constitutional principle when the Constitution of 1821 was later adopted.
Now, as a quick aside, while Hamilton was representing Croswell on his appeal, he was staying here in Albany at the home of a friend. Over dinner one evening he happened to make some harsh comments to a dinner guest about his rival, Aaron Burr, which were later published in a newspaper. It was the publication of these comments which broke the proverbial camel's back in the ongoing feud between Burr and Hamilton, which led to the infamous duel between them not six months later.
So, my colleagues, New York's free speech protections now date back more than 200 years. But for at first 100-plus years after Section 8 was adopted, freedom of speech did not enjoy the same embrace by the judiciary as did the freedom of the press.
In fact, if you look at the court cases going back throughout the 1800s, emphasis was more about the abuse of the right to speech rather than a protection of that right. But after the Supreme Court's decision in Gitlow v. New York in 1925, which applied the First Amendment to state governments, that began to shift. Today our judiciary has reaffirmed time and time again that our right to speak freely, write freely, and publish freely is broader than the protections afforded by the U.S. First Amendment. It is designed to protect the expression of controversial and unpopular views and provides for the absolute protection of opinion.
And at this moment it feels like these principles are threatened and that the importance of free speech to the exercise of self-government is in jeopardy.
So as we contemplate what is happening all around us, we would be wise to remember what Alexander Hamilton said in his appeal on behalf of Harry Croswell: That the road to tyranny will be opened by the stifling of the press and by silencing leaders and patriots. Prescient words indeed, Madam President.
And so with that, I want to end by saying happy belated birthday to New York, and to all of my colleagues here, a very, very happy New York Constitution Day.
Thank you.
(Applause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Gounardes.
Senator Martins on the resolution.
SENATOR MARTINS:Thank you, Madam President.
And I want to thank the sponsor for once again highlighting not only the state's anniversary, but the Constitution and how important it is that we not only have free speech, but transparency.
You know, I happen to believe the Constitution not only of the United States but here in the State of New York is an important formative document, and it's something that we should follow, always, and understand the spirit under which those provisions were enacted, adopted.
And I want to draw everyone's attention, including the Governor, to Article 3, Section 14 of the Constitution that speaks specifically to the aging of bills on the floor of this chamber.
You know, it's not just a tradition, it's a constitutional provision that requires the aging of bills on the floor to allow for the public to review them, for members of this chamber to properly review those documents, those bills that come before us, so that we can responsibly have the opportunity to debate those bills on the substance here on the floor.
Now, it's true, it does provide for messages of necessity when there are emergencies that require it. Certainly we would not want to put the state in danger or not allow state government to respond in an emergency. But when it comes to budget bills -- and certainly I would suggest when it comes to budget bills that are now five weeks late, Madam President, I would hope that in the spirit of Constitution Day and the Constitution of the State of New York, and in the spirit of the tradition of this chamber and the need for transparency when it comes to important bills that come before this chamber, that we highlight the necessity for our budget bills to be properly aged on everyone's desk and give it the necessary three days so that we can all properly review them and the public can properly review them before they're forced to a vote here on the Senate floor.
So in the spirit of Constitution Day and celebrating the State Constitution, and understanding full well where we are in the budget process this year, I would thank again the sponsor for this resolution. I will support the resolution and remind everybody messages of necessity are a requirement only when there's an emergency. There is no emergency. The Constitution requires three days aging of bills on our desks. And let's honor the Constitution in that way as well.
Madam President, I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you.
Senator Walczyk on the resolution.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Thank you, Madam President.
I rise on the Constitution Day resolution and thank my colleague for bringing it forward.
In 1777, as he pointed out, we were endeavoring on a very interesting project here in New York State and in the United States of America: How do you take consolidated power on autocratic kings and make sure that that's put on to the citizens? How do we make sure that people are represented?
And so we created checks and balances within the United States Constitution and New York State's Constitution. Actually, each one of us in this chamber swore an oath to uphold that Constitution making sure that the power, through our republic, is ultimately on the people of the State of New York.
So we can have a Constitution Day resolution, or we can honor the principles of that Constitution which were laid down by our founders. We could allow citizens to see New York State's budget before we vote on it. We could reject messages of necessity on non-emergency legislation.
And if we've continued the budget process by extender after extender after extender, obviously there's no emergency that would necessity a message of necessity at this point. We can check those autocratic monarch principles. We can check the Executive and we can reject those.
So we can not just talk about it, we could also take the principles that Alexis de Tocqueville and John Stuart Mill brought our founders. Tyranny of the majority. We could make sure that every single legislator in both the Senate and Assembly is heard from on this, has the opportunity to review the budget for at least the constitutional three days that are provided, just by rejecting that message of necessity.
So let's not subject New Yorkers to the tyranny of the majority that they warned us about, or to make sure that those checks and balances that our founders cared so much about -- that are actually not just in a resolution where we celebrate Constitution Day -- but in practice in everything that we do here in the New York State Legislature, and carry those principles of our Constitution into the work that we do every single day.
So I vote aye on this resolution. I think it's critically important to talk about our Constitution and to educate our citizenry on it. But I think it's even more importantly for the members of this house, the house across the hall, and for our Executive to have that power checked.
Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you.
Senator Tedisco on the resolution.
SENATOR TEDISCO:Thank you very much, Madam President.
I thank the sponsor for this resolution. I think it's an extremely important one. And I think all of us in this room, both sides of the aisle, agree that we revere the Constitution of this state and the Constitution of the United States of America.
I think it was Winston Churchill who said representative democracy, the United States, it's the worst form of government -- except for all the rest.
Is it perfect? I think our Constitution is as close to perfect as we could have ever made without being the individual who brought us into this world with all those inalienable rights that are in the Constitution.
One thing we have to understand: Our Founding Fathers were tremendous individuals. They fought a king. They dispatched themselves for it. They created the greatest nation in the world. I think they created the second greatest document in the world. For me, the Holy Bible is first, but the Constitution of the United States -- and our State Constitution is pretty good also -- are tremendous documents.
But no man or no woman gave us the rights and freedoms that are embedded in these constitutions. And no man or no woman can take these rights away from us.
Inalienable rights? That was fantastic. The reason we get to live these rights in freedom are no different than the reasons why every other citizen from every other part of the world get to live those, if they could, in the same way. They have the same exact rights we have. We get to live them because of a group of individuals who we honored -- they were part of it, the Korean War heroes. We get to live them because of the best, the brightest, the most courageous and compassionate fighting force for good: The men and women of the United States fighting forces.
They're the ones who give us the ability every day to stand up to come here. And to show you the reverence I have, I carry this document of the Constitution of the United States and the state with me every time I walk into this building. Every time I walk into this building, it's in my pocket. Because I'm mindful of the fact that everything we do here has to be in respect for that. So important for us.
Now, a part of the Constitution for this state and for the United States of America, is to be able to change the Constitution or add to the Constitution. The Bill of Rights, the amendments we've made over the years -- we can make it in the state, we can be part of making it nationally.
I think the way you do that, for two-thirds to call a convention, is two-thirds of the states -- I think it's in the Fourth Amendment, maybe -- two-thirds of the states call for a convention, they can call one. You can make an amendment by three-fourths of the votes of the states at that convention. Or both bodies at the federal level can do it and make an adjustment.
I'm so proud of the fact that in this state I was to able to help do something that made a serious amendment to the State Constitution we have. A while back, when I was in the New York State Assembly, I stood up at my desk and I had the budget bills right in front of me, one after the other. And I spoke through those budget bills on a bill that was an amendment that eventually was passed from both houses, got on the ballot, and it was pretty simple. We had a part of the Constitution of the State of New York which we still have. I don't know if you remember that. The bills have to be, as has been said here by my colleague, three days on our desks. Well, our Founding Fathers were smart. They never realized we'd have computers and tablets like this on the desk. I call these Jimmies, because I think I had a part in making this happen here.
Do you know every year, starting from back when this happened -- and it's much more that we're saving right now -- we saved $13 million a year without putting those budget documents on our desks, having to print them, having to print all the other bills, and it made us more effective.
I open this up on occasion and I look through, and I don't have to try to -- a stack this big was on my desk. How could I go through there and see every section and talk about every section, or go to it in a debate. I can open this up right now, and go to it. I can get every bill that's going to come before us. Because our Founding Fathers were smart. Three days you have to have on that bill on our desks.
And as Senator Martins was talking about, they were right. But they never knew we'd have the technology we have now. So that's an important part of the amendments we can make as a state. Important part of the amendments we can possibly make nationally. Thirteen million dollars a day then. I don't know how many years ago that amendment got onto the ballot. And all the constituents in this representative democracy, I think it was close to 70 percent, said, Yeah, I want to save $13 million a year and I don't want to put ink-filled paper in landfills by the tons and I don't want you chopping down our forestlands and everything to create that paper.
It was a win for the environment. It was a win for making us more effective. It was a win for saving us millions of dollars. But you know what it wasn't a win for? We didn't make that adjustment for a message of necessity, which Senator Martins was talking about.
I have a bill that will allow you to do that. And I would love to see that bill come to the floor for a constitutional amendment to actually clarify what a message of necessity means, what the good Senator next to me kind of clarified for you. If we get attacked by a foreign power or something, or we have a COVID virus, or we have a weather condition, those are emergencies. Hustle us in here, put a document on my desk, I'll be ready to vote for it.
But not to hustle up to bring us in in the middle of the night where somebody once said, In darkness democracy dies. And democracy dies sometimes in this body, unfortunately, because there's a rush to judgment. Now, I'd love to see the fourth estate be able to see a bill three days in advance. I'd love to join them in seeing those three days in advance. I don't want to be like Chicken Little and say, The sky is falling, the sky is falling, and look up and say, No, it's not falling.
Kind of the Governor was the Chicken Little about a week ago. We have a budget! We have a budget! This is it, this is -- I'm looking around, I don't see any budget. It's not in my desk here. It's not underneath here. It's not in my tablet here. Okay?
So we don't need messages of necessity. We need sunlight. It's the disinfectant. We need sunlight. You need to give us those bills, you need to have those bills -- it's not only us that need to be informed. You, as the body that controls all levers of power in government here, do you realize it's the first time in over 40 years that that takes place? Republicans used to blame Democrats for late bills. Democrats, when Joe Bruno was here, he had the majority, they used to blame Republicans.
We kind of know who can't do budgets now, because for the last seven years you've controlled all levers of power here. There's nobody to blame for a late budget this year, I'm sorry to say. You control the Senate, you control the Assembly, you control the Governor.
We'd like to have the bills a little bit earlier, like the three days our Founding Fathers said they should be here, unless there was a serious emergency. And I bet, if you tell the truth, you'd like to have the bills three days earlier too. So you could understand it.
And I bet the media would like to have the bills three days earlier so they can inform the public so we could be what we really should be, above elected officials and above public servants. Above all that, guess what we are? Representatives. And a representative has to get back to their constituents and say, You see this, you see that -- what do you think I should do on this? Three days is the least that we should have to do that.
So I appreciate Constitution Day. There's a piece of it which allows us as governing bodies to go before the voters and let them decide if we can make it a better constitution and make us a better government.
And I bet you if you put it on the ballot, would you really like to define what a message of necessity should be, should be an emergency, I bet you it would pass close to that one we passed when I was able to help support you and all the others who voted for it -- or some of you who were here back then. Which may not be too many of you, because I've been here for a little while. I bet you it would pass with great numbers.
So I'm happy to support our Constitution. I think it's a great document in the state. I think it's a great document nationally. We're the greatest nation in the world, but there's always room for improvement.
And I appreciate what Winston Churchill had to say. We're still the greatest form of government in the world, but we can make it better.
Thank you very much, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Tedisco. Thank you very much.
Senator Krueger on the resolution.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you, Madam President.
You know, I think Senator Gounardes sometimes thinks we're making fun of him when we tell him how much we look forward to his speech on his resolution every year. But I very sincerely look forward to it. Because probably the most important thing for us all to remember as our job description is to uphold the Constitution. And it matters every day in every way to us and to 19.5 million New Yorkers.
And even today's story about Hamilton and Burr and the court case -- I just have to say, for the record, so because we all know the musical, we all are in the room where it happened. And that is so important. So important to us and our future.
Now, in response to some of my colleagues' comments I want to go rogue, as usual for Liz Krueger. I completely agree, budget bills should not be done with messages of necessity when there are no emergencies. And when you're on Day March 48th or 49th, let's be honest, there's no emergency.
And for the record, it's not a partisan fight. As a new Senator, Democrat, 23 years ago, one of the first things I did was sue Joe Bruno, the Governor, and Shelly Silver for the uses of messages of necessity inappropriately. And I sued on a number of constitutional grounds. And people weren't very excited about me, on both sides, frankly, because I believe that the constitutional protections of our rights as all 19.5 million New Yorkers, are critical.
I lost at the Court of Appeals, who said these are political decisions not to be dealt with in a court situation. I disagreed then, but lost. And here we are, 23 years later, different parties in different positions, same issue. I will lose this fight, I believe, as you will lose this fight this week. But I agree that we should make clear: Budget bills are, as Jim Tedisco described -- I remember, so thank you for your amendment that said we didn't have to kill so many trees every year and try to pretend we were reading a stack this tall of bills that we got with 10 minutes' notice, because I was in the Minority.
So these are important issues, and we need to address them. But I don't think any of us here who share that view -- and I think many of my colleagues on both sides share that view -- we will lose that fight. And so I believe we will have budget bills with messages of necessity. And it's a shame. And since I've tried the constitutional route in court, maybe the constitutional amendment route is the only way to ever get this done.
So, Madam President, mostly I stood up to thank my colleague Senator Gounardes profusely for always making sure to remind us at least one day of the year how truly important these sometimes thought of as esoteric documents such all the Bill of Rights in the New York State Constitution are to all of us.
And to remind everybody really it would be very nice if the federal government noticed this issue as well at the federal level.
Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Krueger.
Senator Gounardes -- oh, Senator Gounardes? Senator Gianaris. I got the G's mixed.
To close, Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Happens all the time, Madam President.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR GIANARIS:Partisanship. Partisanship leads to some moments that are very rich in hypocrisy.
And so I could not listen to this discussion and not get up and point out that so many of my colleagues who were speaking on the other side of the aisle served in the Majority here -- some briefly, some for longer periods of time. And it's interesting, but I never heard one peep from them about messages of necessity when they were approving them time and time and time again.
Senator Martins spoke out. He served in the Majority a long time. I was here, sitting on that side at the time. I watched it happen. Never heard from him about messages of necessity.
Senator Tedisco only had a year or two in the Majority, if I'm not mistaken. But in fact in those years, Senator Tedisco, many, many messages of necessity were approved by the then-Majority that you were part of.
Senator Walczyk was only here in the Minority, but he did work here for a Majority member for five years, and I don't remember him imposing upon or giving advice to his Senator at the time to not approve these messages of necessity. It's an affront to our democracy, he should have said.
But lo and behold, now our friends across the aisle are in the minority, deep in the Minority, and don't have as much to say about ends up in the budget, and so their world view has shifted. Now they rail against things that they have nothing to say about.
But the fact is the Governor decides when a message is appropriate. The Majority in this body decides whether to accept it. This is the essence of a democratic process.
If you are not -- don't have the numbers to affect the outcome, that's on you, my friends. The people of this state have chosen to put you in the Minority. The people of this state have chosen to give us the power to decide whether a message of necessity is appropriate or not. And we have availed ourselves of that power. We will continue to do so.
I appreciate Senator Gounardes and his history lesson year after year. I can't wait till next year's comes about. And we're also going to educate people about the history of this chamber when we get a chance to do so.
Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Gianaris.
The resolution was previously adopted on April 29th.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Madam President, at this time let's take up the reading of the calendar, please.
SENATOR TEDISCO:(Mic off) -- explain my vote?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Not on a resolution, Senator -- no, not on the resolution.
SENATOR TEDISCO:(Inaudible.)
SENATOR GIANARIS:Madam President, let's take up the calendar.
SENATOR TEDISCO:Point of order.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Tedisco, on the resolution you do not explain your vote, you vote yes or no.
SENATOR TEDISCO:(Inaudible.) I have a point of order.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:What is your point of order?
SENATOR TEDISCO:My point of order is this. I have never voted for an extender in the history of my elected officials. I vote no on every extender. I voted no when I was in the Minority. I voted no every two years in the Majority. You don't record those, but every time you say "Do you support it," I vote no on the message of necessity that is not truly an emergency.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Your point of order has been made.
SENATOR TEDISCO:Point of order.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Tedisco, your point of order has been made. Thank you.
SENATOR TEDISCO:I got another one for you.
(Laughter.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:No, you can't just -- you can't just make up points of order.
(Laughter.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:You had a point of order, I allowed you to speak. Please sit down, and we will move -- the resolution has been adopted.
SENATOR TEDISCO:-- haven't heard my second point of order.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Lanza, why do you rise?
SENATOR LANZA:Madam President, we don't know whether it's made up until we hear it. So let it be heard.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR TEDISCO:My second point of order is that I appreciate the Senator giving his opinion. And this is a part of the Constitution. He has the right to be wrong, and that's what's called the First Amendment. So I do appreciate that.
But I want to go on record saying he was wrong about me voting for messages of necessity.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you for your point of order.
SENATOR TEDISCO:Thank you for those two points of order.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you.
Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of the Resolution Calendar.
We now move to the calendar.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 420, Senate Print 4960, by Senator Bailey, an act to amend the Insurance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 60.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 564, Senate Print 4780, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the General Municipal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 60th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 564, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Martins, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 41. Nays, 19.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 644, Senate Print 6848, by Senator Webb, an act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Webb to explain her vote.
SENATOR WEBB:Thank you, Madam President. I rise to explain my vote, although it is not on the Constitution, but most certainly on another important subject matter, and that is our farming and agricultural community.
I want to thank our Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and our Agriculture chair, Senator Hinchey, for their leadership in bringing this important package of legislation to the floor today that is lifting up support for farming and agriculture.
Our farmers play a critical role in our regional economies in ensuring that our communities have access to locally grown food that is also healthy. The purpose of this bill is to improve access to healthy food and promote healthier lifestyles by providing some assistance to help establish or expand existing regional farmers markets in those areas of the state that have poor consumer access to high quality and reasonably priced fresh food and farm products.
The regional farmers markets to be created would facilitate the marketing and sale of these foods on a large scale and at the wholesale and bulk level.
In addition, these regional farmers markets will increase the access to fresh foods to local supermarkets and restaurants that sell or prepare these foods, especially in food deserts.
By providing our farmers and producers with new local markets, this legislation also helps to make sure that more of the food that we produce right here in our great State of New York is eaten by New York families and beyond.
I proudly vote aye on this legislation and encourage my colleagues to do the same.
Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Webb to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 720, Senate Print 3665, by Senator Hinchey, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 747, Senate Print 592, by Senator Hinchey, an act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 749, Senate Print 1529, by Senator Parker, an act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 9. This act shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 756, Senate Print 3204, by Senator Krueger, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect on the first of November.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Krueger to explain her vote.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you, Madam President.
I appreciate my colleagues' support for this bill.
I just want to highlight, since we're in budget time, we are losing up to $1.7 billion a year in sales tax revenue that is collected from the citizens of New York but never given to us, the State of New York, because we continue to allow these systems that we used to call zappers, but have gotten so much more sophisticated to be used by certain companies prepared to violate the law by collecting the sales tax and then using technology to hide the fact that there was the sale with the sales tax collected.
So not only are we losing an enormous amount of revenue that we desperately need, we are sending the message continually that you can be a bad player, not follow our Tax Law, commit tax fraud to your advantage, to the disadvantage of all the businesses who are following the law and contributing the sales tax once they collect it.
So we've passed this bill before, thank you, pretty much with unanimous support. I really hope this year is the year we can get it done and signed by the Governor, because I guarantee you we need all this revenue.
Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Krueger to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 760, Senate Print 4755, by Senator Bailey, an act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Excuse me.
Actually, in relation to Calendar 760, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 60. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 783, Senate Print 4804, by Senator C. Ryan, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 13. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Chris Ryan to explain his vote.
SENATOR CHRIS RYAN:Thank you, Madam President.
Today I rise in support of Senate Bill 4804, which addresses a critical issue faced by many of our first responders, including but not limited to our police officers, our firefighters, and our ambulance companies across this great state.
In particular, many of our communities rely on volunteer emergency responders. These individuals are not always stationed at the firehouse or the EMS station 24/7. Instead, they respond to emergencies from their homes, their jobs, or wherever they may be when emergency strikes.
Time often is of the essence in these moments, and every second counts. Yet too often the location of our stations present risks or obstacles for many of our volunteers. Many of those facilities lack traffic control systems like stoplights or warning lights that would give safe passage to emergency vehicles leaving their stations. In other cases, parking lots for volunteers are located across the street from the station itself. That means responders must cross roadways, often busy ones, in a rush, and put themselves at risk.
So let me be clear, we have situations in this state where first responders are literally dodging traffic to answer their 911 calls. Often motorists do not yield the right of way. We've had injuries, we've had delays, and every delay puts further lives at risk. Not just those that are rushing to help, but those that are in need of services.
So this bill is pretty straightforward. It gives our local governments and fire districts the authority to install signage, markings, and traffic control devices near emergency station, alerting drivers to the presence of the first responders and emergency vehicles.
It also, more importantly, poses higher fines or violations and requires a one-year mandatory license suspension after three failure-to-yield convictions.
So in simple, it's a very low cost solution that could save many lives. So let's not wait for another injury or worse to take action. Let's give the first responders the necessary safety protections that they have.
I vote in the affirmative, and I hope we can sign this bill into law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you.
Senator Ryan to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 785, Senate Print 7120, by Senator S. Ryan, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 9. This act shall take effect one Year after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of the calendar.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Thank you, Madam President.
Just to set expectations for my colleagues for the next couple of days. At the conclusion of this session, the Majority will be convening a conference back in the Majority Conference Room.
Tomorrow we expect to be a very lengthy day where we will take up the bulk of the budget bills, if not all of them, in addition to it being Fort Drum Day. So we're going to get an early start tomorrow.
And with that, is there any further business at the desk today?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:There is no further business at the desk.
SENATOR GIANARIS:I move to adjourn until tomorrow, Wednesday, May 7th, at 10:00 a.m.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:On motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Wednesday, May 7th, at 10:00 a.m.
(Whereupon, at 1:19 p.m., the Senate adjourned.)
Highest impact first.
Extend Emergency State Funding
Give Farmers Carbon Tax Credit
Allow Repairs on Neighbor Property
Create First Responder Safety Zones
Make Mobile Homes Real Property
Clean Playgrounds After Pesticides
Expand Regional Farmers' Markets
Expand Farm Building Tax Breaks