February, 2018


Dear Friend: 

The New York State Budget is due to pass by March 31, 2018, and as legislators negotiate the differing proposals with the Governor's office, we rely on feedback from constituents on those issues most pressing in your lives. To that end, the Yonkers state legislative delegation held multiple Community Budget Forums in February to empower residents to make their voices heard. Read more about the Community Budget Forums below.

This month, the Yonkers Public Library (YPL) held its 125th Anniversary Celebration. With three branches and over 875,000 visitors in 2017 alone, the YPL is an indispensable part of the community. As a former member of the YPL Board of Trustees, I remain a staunch library supporter. Read more about the library's year long celebration and new initiatives.

As always, please do not hesitate to let me know if my office can be of assistance to you.

Warm regards,
 
Shelley B. Mayer
New York State Assemblymember
90th District

In This Issue
Contact Me

My New York State Assembly Page

District Office
35 East Grassy Sprain Rd.
4th Floor
Yonkers, NY 10710
914-779-8805
mayers@nyassembly.gov
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PROTECTING VOTERS FROM FAKE NEWS


On February 12th, I was happy to stand with my legislative colleagues to announce the introduction of a new bill that will bring transparency and accountability to digital political advertisements. 

A-8816/S-6896A expands the legal definition of political communications to include digital political advertisements. Political social media advertisements have become increasingly prevalent in news feeds and with this bill, they will face the same disclosure requirements as television and radio ads. 

This is a necessary and critical step to protect the integrity of our democratic process. In 2016 alone, 126 million Americans are estimated to have seen foreign-bought political ads on Facebook, without realizing the source of the funding for the ads. With more than 69% of Americans using some type of social media platform, it is critical that we modernize the regulations and apply the same scrutiny to social media political advertisements as we do to traditional media. 


RESIDENTS MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD


Passage of the New York State Budget is due on March 31, 2018, and my legislative colleagues and I recognize the importance of receiving feedback from our constituents as we negotiate the details in Albany. 

Community members, advocates, and other interested parties had the opportunity to testify at multiple budget forums on Wednesday, February 7th, and Tuesday, February 13th at the Grinton I. Will Library and Yonkers Riverfront Library, respectively. 

Many residents spoke about education funding, and specifically special education, more resources for adults with disabilities and making public spaces more accessible, arts funding, increased resources for public transportation, and investing in public libraries. As the state deals with a likely $4 billion budget gap, the impact of the Trump tax bill on SALT deductions, and effects of potential federal budget cuts, we are working to get ahead of these concerns as well as invest in the areas that are important to us as New Yorkers. 

I will continue to press for additional state funding for our public schools, increased public transportation funding, and the resources to properly implement early voting in New York State. 

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE ALONE" IN
FIGHTING ADDICTION


On February 21st, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul visited the YMCA in Yonkers to announce Governor Andrew Cuomo's "You Don't Have to be Alone" ad campaign. The statewide ad campaign hopes to alleviate the stigma around addiction, as well as serve as a reminder of the available resources the state provides to help New Yorkers face addiction and engage in recovery.

This campaign is part of a larger effort to combat the opioid epidemic facing our nation, and it will be made visible through transit hubs, radio, TV, and social media. To find out more about the ad campaign, click here

ASSEMBLYMEMBER SHELLEY MAYER
IN THE NEWS

  • Gun control rallies grow across Hudson Valley [News 12]
    • "We have legislation that has to be passed in Washington, everyone needs to come together on this, this is basic to our democracy, safe schools and so we're here to make the message loud and clear," said Assemblymember Shelley Mayer.
  • Bill would require naming the buyers of online political ads [Newsday]
    • Governors have extraordinary leverage over the legislature to get policies passed as part of the spending plan. "We need to get it done through the budget; that is the way to get it done," Mayer said.
  • Want To Talk About The State's Money? Budget Plenty Of Time [Associated Press]
    • Assemblymember Shelley Mayer, a Yonkers Democrat, says teleconferencing could be one way to make hearings less burdensome, especially for speakers who have to travel long distances. She's open to exploring other ways technology could be used to improve the process.

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