Dear Friends:

I hope you and your family stayed safe & warm through the major snowstorm this week.

A report from NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released this week detailed a 10% drop, or $1.8 billion, in sales tax revenue statewide in the year 2020 compared to the previous year. This lost revenue is devastating to local governments in particular, and we need federal government assistance for state & local governments to fill the budget gaps created by the fiscal impact of the pandemic. 

If you would like to testify about the proposed 2021-2022 Executive Budget, the Westchester Senate Delegation is hosting two opportunities to make your voice heard. Click here to register to testify on Thursday, February 11th or Tuesday, February 16th. Additional information about the Budget Forums is included below.

This week, the Senate Majority Conference adopted a series of bills to address long standing structural inequities that perpetuate racial disparities in our state. One package of bills ensures underrepresented candidates have the resources they need to enter the teaching profession and the support & networking opportunities to succeed afterwards. We know that education is most effective when it acknowledges and reflects the diversity of our students & communities. Read more about this package of legislation in the section below.

On Tuesday, February 2nd, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that he is granting counties the flexibility to add restaurant workers, taxi drivers, and developmentally disabled facilities to the Phase 1B vaccine prioritization group. To check if you are eligible for the vaccine and find an appointment at a state-run facility, visit the Am I Eligible website here or call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829). Those who are 65 years or older can also call local pharmacies to check on appointment availability. To look through the list of who is currently eligible to receive the vaccine under Phase 1A and Phase 1B, click here.

As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please don't hesitate to email me at [email protected] or call (914) 934-5250.

Warm regards,

On Wednesday, February 3rd, I was pleased to support a range of bills that moved through the Education Committee and then to the Senate floor which support expanding diversity in education. These include bills to enhance resources for underrepresented candidates in the teaching profession; begin to address the need for strong school curricula regarding slavery and racism in America; and allow SUNY & CUNY students to observe religious holidays without being penalized. Education works best when it acknowledges & reflects the diversity of our students and our communities, and I am glad to support a package of legislation that reflects our commitment to educating all New Yorkers from Pre-K through college.

This package of legislation underscores the Senate Majority Conference's commitment to address long standing inequities and underrepresentation that perpetuate racial disparities in New York State.

I am glad to participate in World Read Aloud Day, commemorated on Wednesday, February 3rd, by reading ‘Grace Goes to Washington,’ a beloved children’s book about the three branches of government and a student council’s struggle to decide how to spend money from a school fund-raiser. ‘Grace Goes to Washington’ was written by Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by LeUyen Pham, the award winning team of the New York Times bestseller ‘Grace for President.’ Children have had their lives turned upside down during the pandemic. Books provide a safe space to turn to, build imagination, and also strengthen academic skills. ‘Grace Goes to Washington’ is one of my favorite stories, and I am glad to share the book with others.

On Saturday, January 30th, my Youth Advisory Council (YAC) organized a Coat & Toiletries Drive in commemoration of the MLK Day of Service. Thank you to the dozens of community members who donated so generously. It's heartwarming to see the community rally to help others who are struggling during this time of great need. I am so impressed by the YAC members who braved frigid temperatures to help with the collection at the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester: Allegra Acevedo (Hunter College), Brian Hernandez (Port Chester High School), Erik Hernandez Torres (Norwalk Community College), Fredy Iasenza (Harrison High School), Alex Sabelja (Eastchester High School), Sophia Sabelja (Eastchester High School), Viana Soto (Port Chester Middle School), and Isabel Tiburcio (Rye Country Day School). The hundreds of coats & toiletries collected will benefit people in need working with the Westchester Labor Alliance.

Special thank you to my dear friend Maria Imperial for allowing us to host the collection at the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester and for her generous contributions! The YAC is composed of high school and college-aged young adults interested in civic engagement and serving the community. Those interested in joining the YAC should email my staff member Perla Arellano at [email protected] or call (914) 934-5250. 

Many of you reached out to my office concerned about the failed negotiations between UnitedHealthcare and Montefiore Health Systems that led to all Montefiore hospitals and physicians being out-of-network for employer-sponsored and individual health insurance plans through UnitedHealthcare beginning on Jan. 1, 2021.

On Friday, January 29th, I issued a statement urging UnitedHealthcare and Montefiore to prioritize the healthcare needs of New Yorkers and go back to the negotiating table. The statement read:

On Wednesday, February 3rd, the two parties announced that they will resume negotiations. I will continue to monitor the situation and urge UnitedHealthcare and Montefiore to continue negotiating in good faith.

On Friday, January 29th, I was pleased to stand with Congressman Mondaire Jones (NY-17) and colleagues from Westchester & Rockland to announce the federal SALT Deductibility Act (Sponsored by Rep. Tom Souzzi and Sen. Chuck Schumer) which would repeal the $10,000 cap on the State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction. Since the SALT Deduction was capped in 2017, families and homeowners in my district have been suffering under an added financial burden of double taxation, penalizing them for crucial state and local investments in essential services and public schools. I am glad to see New York representatives leading the effort to reverse this wrongdoing to all New York State residents but especially to our highly taxed homeowners of Westchester. Click here to read more about the effort to repeal the SALT Deduction cap.

The Senior Law Day Collaborative is hosting a free program to review state and federal nursing home residents' rights during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will also review how to navigate interactions/communications with nursing homes, guidelines on visitations, and what can be done if the family feels that the nursing home is not being responsive.

The event is free for seniors & their families.

If you prefer to join the event by phone, please call and leave a message with your request to Paul at (914) 231-3227.

Thank you to the community member who joined us at the Coat & Toiletries Drive to donate items and let us know about the Lasagna Love initiative. Lasagna Love connects people who want to help their communities with those who are struggling during the pandemic. Visit LasagnaLove.org to sign up to volunteer to make a lasagna for someone in need in your community or to request a lasagna for your family.

Please join the Westchester State Senate Delegation for virtual Budget Forums regarding the 2021-2022 NYS Executive Budget proposal.

The events will be streamed live on Facebook:

(A Facebook account is not required to watch.)

We welcome anyone's opinion as written or oral testimony. Each speaker will have up to two (2) minutes to speak. If you or someone you know would like to submit testimony ahead of or after the event, it can be submitted to [email protected]. Click here for a flyer to share with interested friends and neighbors.