Dear Friends:

As we enter the winter months and the next wave of COVID emerges, I am rededicated to doing all we can to contain the spread and reduce the number of positive cases in my district. Each day, my governmental colleagues and I communicate to monitor the number of COVID-19 cases and discuss strategies for helping slow the spread of the virus. Sadly, New York's contact tracing data shows that 70% of new coronavirus cases occur at small gatherings at private residences, or what's being called the "living room spread."

I know how difficult it is to not see friends and family in person - I miss my family greatly! After many months of being cautious, wearing masks, and observing social distancing, all we want is to see our loved ones for the holidays. But I urge you to do what's right, keep your family and friends safe, and do what you can to limit your gatherings with those outside of your home.

The pandemic is tough on every one of us on an emotional level, and I hope you're finding ways to take care of yourself. Whether it is a daily walk or a morning stretch, I encourage you to take at least a few minutes each day to step away from our challenges. The NYS Office of Mental Health has posted on its website COVID-19 Resources to help New Yorkers manage during this difficult time. What are some of your favorite ways to manage anxiety and deal with the loneliness of the pandemic? I’ve renewed my efforts to exercise and read more, but please email me your ideas, and I'll share them in the next e-newsletter.

Over the past two weeks, I announced legislation to provide free broadband to every student and school in the state; attended a memorial Mass for my dear friend Pat Quinn, co-founder of the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness & funds for A.L.S.; honored a Bee-Line bus driver and TWU member for saving an infant; recognized Mamaronecks' Hampshire Country Club with the NYS Senate Empire Award; and attended the North Castle Tree Lighting Ceremony. Read more about these happenings below.

On Tuesday, November 24th, I was joined by colleagues and education leaders & advocates to announce new legislation that I am sponsoring, the E-LEARN Act. The E-Let's Expand Access to Remote Learning Now Act provides free broadband service to every student and school in the state during the COVID-19 emergency. The bill will be introduced shortly with over 23 Senate sponsors.

Today, broadband is as essential for learning as books and paper used to be. Whether fully remote, hybrid, or in school learning, students need broadband to study and do their homework, yet hundreds of thousands of students throughout the state lack broadband access or computers.

Transitioning to remote learning due to COVID-19 threatens the state's ability to fulfill its constitutional obligation “for the maintenance and support of a system of free common schools, wherein all the children of the state may be educated”. The challenges of the pandemic require a shared sacrifice by broadband providers. The E-LEARN program is funded through an assessment on the annual gross revenue of Telecommunications Service Providers (TSPs) within New York State, not by taxpayers.

All students in public, private, charter, independent, approved private special education schools and who are homeschooled are eligible to receive free broadband access through the E-LEARN program. For students that already have broadband at their residences, the Public Service Commission (PSC) will direct TSPs to reduce the broadband cost for that household by the per student eligibility.

Click here to read more about the E-LEARN Act.

On Sunday, November 22nd, the City of Yonkers and all of New York State lost a hero, Pat Quinn, co-founder of the A.L.S. Ice Bucket Challenge. He was 37 years old and had been fighting A.L.S. for 7 years. Pat had deep courage, drive, and determination. He was a champion in the fight to ensure federal and state legislators provided funding for A.L.S. research and services. He built an extraordinary community of friends and supporters, and I was privileged to be among them. I will miss him greatly. May his memory be a blessing. Click here to read the NY Times Obituary on Pat Quinn.

On Friday, November 20th, I presented Bee-Line bus driver and TWU Local 100 member Anthony McPhail with a proclamation in recognition of his heroism saving an infant. About a year ago on his coffee break during his regular route, Mr. McPhail heard a woman shouting, “my baby can’t breathe, my baby can’t breathe.” He immediately ran to help. Mr. McPhail performed CPR dislodging phlegm from the infant’s throat, and then the infant went into a seizure. Mr. McPhail knew what to do from his training as a bodyguard, and he massaged the infant’s body since the limbs tighten up during a seizure. A few minutes later, the infant stopped seizing and an EMT arrived. Mr. McPhail went back to work after the incident and finished his shift.

At the ceremony, Mr. McPhail kept repeating that he is "not a hero," but he exhibits his heroism every day as an essential worker for the Bee-Line Bus System getting other essential workers to their jobs every day. We are forever grateful for his heroism saving this baby boy’s life, and for his everyday service to our community as an essential worker.

The Hampshire Country Club was nominated for the NYS Senate Empire Award by the Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce for its service to the community during this time of great need. The country club donated food to first responders including police officers, the EMS and essentials to the Community Resource Center of Mamaroneck. Assistant General Manager Dorothy Mourouzis spearheaded the food program and engaged members of the Club, the community and the Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce to patronize local restaurants and stores to help support small businesses while showing appreciation for essential workers. On Thursday, November 19th, I presented the Hampshire Country Club with the Empire Award in recognition of all of its work serving the community and showing appreciation for first responders during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

If there is an institution that you think has gone above and beyond to help its community meet the challenges of the pandemic, please nominate it for the NYS Senate Empire Award by clicking here.

On Sunday, November 29th, I was pleased to join local community leaders for the North Castle Tree Lighting Ceremony. So glad to see community events like this still taking place and implementing the necessary safety precaution to keep everyone safe.

Deadlines are approaching for the Community Build-Back Program to assist Westchester residents who may have fallen behind on their rent or mortgage payments. Additional information about each of the programs and applications are available in English & Spanish at www.westchestergov.com/housinghelp.

Applications and Fact Sheets for each of these programs is available on the County’s website at www.westchestergov.com/housinghelp.

On Monday, November 30th, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the state's plan for combating the upsurge of COVID-19 cases during the winter months. We are already seeing upticks throughout the county and the state with additional Yellow and Orange Zone designations due to the increased positivity rate in those areas. I am working with the Governor's office, County Executive George Latimer, local elected officials and community leaders to do all we can to address and contain the increasing number of cases.

Click here to read more about the winter plan and read more details about each strategy.

Kind regards,