Dear Friends,
On Monday, we will reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. During these tumultuous times, let us find strength in his words – “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
My heart goes out to all those affected by the devastating fire in the Bronx last week that claimed the lives of 17 people. This week, I collected donations from many of you to organizations assisting the victims. The generosity of our community continues to be overwhelming! If you would like to donate, please consider contributing to the Bronx Fire Relief Fund or The Bronx Community Foundation.
The legislative session is officially underway. On Monday, we held the first Senate Education Committee meeting of 2022. The Senate, as is traditional, passed important election reforms on the first day of session, which are described below. Next week, Governor Kathy Hochul will present her proposed State budget to the legislature. I look forward to seeing the details and discussing the proposals with you, my constituents, and with my colleagues.
On Saturday, January 29, my Youth Advisory Council will hold its 2nd Annual Coat & Diaper Drive at Port Chester Village Hall. This event will benefit The Sharing Shelf. Needed items include new or gently used coats, diapers, baby wipes, and face masks. I hope you will consider stopping by!
As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please email me at smayer@nysenate.gov or call (914) 934-5250.
Warm regards,
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Shelley B. Mayer
State Senator
37th District
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Distributing Masks & Rapid Tests |
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Sharing rapid tests with Ray Forbs for the essential workers
of RWDSU-Local 338.
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Delivering masks to the fantastic Martha Bell to distribute to her church, St. Frances A.M.E. Zion Church.
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I appreciate Governor Hochul and Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins making masks and rapid tests available to residents in my district.
Make an appointment for COVID-19 Testing:
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Senate Education Committee
Holds First Meeting of 2022
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On Monday, the New York State Senate Education Committee, which I chair, held its first meeting of 2022 and advanced 6 bills.
One of my bills that was passed by the Committee was S.546. It would authorize student governments in all high schools that do not have them, ensuring high school students have the opportunity to participate in an important form of civic participation and leadership preparation.
The Committee advanced, and the Senate itself passed, S.7619, which would expand access to absentee voting in school board elections and budget votes for the coming year. The bill extends current law and is especially timely to ensure that qualified voters can participate in the 2022 elections without fear of exposure to COVID.
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Senate Majority Builds on Election Reforms |
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Each year, the Senate Majority passes a series of election reforms on the first day of session, reflecting our commitment to encouraging all eligible voters to participate and vote in national, state and local elections. They each must pass the Assembly in order to move to the Governor for ultimate signature.
The bills that we in the Senate passed last week include:
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COVID Absentee Voting For School District Elections: This bill, S.7619, which I sponsored, allows voters who are concerned about voting in-person due to an epidemic or disease outbreak to request an absentee ballot for school district and school budget elections in 2022.
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COVID Absentee Voting for General Elections: This bill, S.7565B, sponsored by Senator Alessandra Biaggi, extends legislation allowing COVID as an excuse for absentee voting for elections.
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Voter Registration at Second Residence: This bill, S.6214, sponsored by Senator Zellnor Myrie, codifies the right of voters to register at a second residence.
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Democracy Preservation Act: This bill, S.1126A, sponsored by Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, prohibits corporate contributions from companies owned by foreign entities or owners.
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Polling Places On College Campuses: This bill, S.4658, sponsored by Senator Kevin Parker, designates polling places for voting on college campuses under certain circumstances.
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Candidate Order on Ballots: This bill, S.1283, sponsored by Senator Todd Kaminsky, adjusts the way candidates are listed on the ballot to encourage voters to vote for every open position.
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Portable Polling Locations for Early Voting: This bill, S.557, sponsored by Senator Rachel May, amends the election law to allow counties the option to establish two or more locations for portable polling places for early voting.
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Absentee Ballot Drop-off Box Locations: This bill, S.492, sponsored by Senator Brad Hoylman, allows local Board of Elections to establish absentee ballot drop-off locations to provide voters with a convenient alternative option to submit their absentee ballots.
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Validation of Ballots: This bill, S.253, sponsored by Senator Zellnor Myrie, requires the canvassing of paper ballots when the express intentions of the voter are unambiguous.
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Counting of Affidavit Ballots: This bill, S.284A, sponsored by Senator Zellnor Myrie, requires counting affidavit ballots of eligible voters if a voter appears at a polling place in the correct county but in the incorrect election district.
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Reduction of Time for Mailing and Receipty of Registration to Constitutional Minimum: This bill, S.2951, sponsored by Senator Brian Kavanagh, reduces the time to register to vote to the Constitutional minimum, ten days before an election for primary and general elections.
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Home Energy Assistance Program |
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As we continue to experience cold and freezing temperatures, remember to take precautions when heating your home. Have your chimney inspected, change the batteries in your smoke detector, keep flammable objects at least 3 feet away from heaters and fireplaces, and never use your oven to heat your home.
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Attorney General Letitia James is warning New Yorkers to beware of individuals or entities seeking to take advantage of potential applicants through scams and other deceptive practices related to the Homeowner Assistance Fund.
Here are tips to avoid mortgage rescue and HAF-related scams:
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Be cautious of any online ads, telephone solicitations, or people coming to your door that promise you HAF funds or a mortgage modification, especially if they are not from a trusted government agency: Only HCR can approve you for HAF and only your bank or mortgage servicer can approve a loan modification.
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Be careful of solicitations from people or companies with out-of-state phone numbers or addresses, especially for attorneys: Only lawyers admitted to practice in New York can represent you in court.
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Do not give your personal financial information to an unrecognized caller, someone knocking on your door, or in response to an unexpected piece of mail: This includes your bank account number, Social Security number, or the name of your loan servicer. Your bank already has all of this information and will not ask you for it.
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Never pay an upfront fee for mortgage-related services: It is a violation of New York law to charge upfront fees for such services and violations should be reported to the Office of the Attorney General.
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Youth Advisory Council
January Meeting
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Youth Advisory Council
2nd Annual Coat & Diaper Drive
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NYS Senate Youth Leadership Recognition Award |
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My office internship program provides opportunities for young people to learn about government and to work with me and my staff. Interns can work remotely or in-person at our district office in Port Chester. Work Includes: research, attending meetings, drafting correspondence, data entry, creating graphics, and more.
While internships are unpaid, we will work with your school to provide school credit. If you are interested or have questions, please send your resume
and cover letter to Rachel Estroff at estroff@nysenate.gov or call 914-934-5250 ext. 7.
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222 Grace Church Street, Suite 300
Port Chester, NY 10573
Phone: (914) 934-5250
Email: SMayer@nysenate.gov
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