Dear Friends:

The start of the New Year began with previously unthinkable events in Washington, D.C. when participants at a rally protesting the results of the presidential election overran police barricades and stormed into the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday, January 6th. The U.S. Capitol building was vandalized, five people have died, including a police officer, and many others were hurt. It is clear that the events were inflamed and incited by the President, members of his administration, and a number of elected officials who appear to have spread false information for their own political ends. The events that took place on January 6th—the violent attacks on our institutions and democratically elected officials—are beyond the pale and require all loyal Americans to speak up vociferously. On Thursday, January 7th, I signed on to a letter authored by my colleague Senator Liz Krueger, and co-signed by 37 other Senate colleagues, urging that all involved, including the President of the United States who incited the events, must be brought to justice for the violence against our government. We must uphold the rule of law in order to defend the integrity of our democracy. Click here to read the full letter.

We have had to overcome many challenges in the past year: many of us had to deal with the sudden loss of loved ones, lost jobs or income, and had to endure loneliness like never before. Our hopes lie in a better year ahead as the vaccine distribution plans get underway and we rebuild a stronger economy. Thank you to all who reached out with questions about the phases of the vaccine distribution. I am in contact with Governor Andrew Cuomo's Office and the NYS Department of Health, and I will share more details as they are released.

This week also marked the beginning of the 2021 Legislative Session. On Wednesday, January 6th, my colleagues and I unanimously re-elected Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins as the Majority Leader of the State Senate. She is an exceptional leader who has done an outstanding job building consensus among a diverse and growing conference, making each member feel heard, and leading on policies to help New Yorkers endure this challenging time. I am proud to work alongside her as a friend and colleague.

It is my great honor to continue to serve as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Education and to keep fighting for students, schools, teachers, and parents. In addition to Chairing the Committee on Education, I will also serve as a member of the following committees: Corporations, Authorities & Commissions; Elections; Labor; Racing, Gaming, Wagering; Rules; Cities Outside of NYC.

We have many challenges ahead of us during this Legislative Session as we will work toward a balanced budget that meets the heightened needs our communities face during the pandemic. I pledge to work with my colleagues toward solutions that share the burden fairly and lift up all New Yorkers.

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

Kind regards,

On Monday, December 28th, the legislature convened for a special session to vote on the Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020 (S.9114 / A.11181). I was glad to vote for the bill which will protect thousands of New York tenants, homeowners, and small landlords from eviction and foreclosure proceedings until May 1, 2021. During the pandemic, I believe we must do all we can to minimize the impact of eviction and foreclosure on our neighbors. In addition to helping tenants, the law also protects small landlords and property owners against foreclosure and tax lien sales if they own ten or fewer dwelling units, including their own primary residence. My colleagues and I know we have more work to do to address renters, homeowners, and small landlords’ mounting costs, but this legislation provides security that people will not lose their homes during this incredibly challenging time.

For renters to be protected from eviction, they must sign the the form below, under penalty of perjury, and submit it to their landlord:

For small landlords and homeowners to be protected from foreclosure and tax liens, they must also sign the form below, under penalty of perjury, and deliver it to their mortgage lender.

Click here to read more about the protection secured in the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020.

Tune in for the discussion live on my Facebook: Facebook.com/ShelleyMayerSD37 (A Facebook account is not required to watch). Attendees can also join the Zoom Webinar to watch the event in English or for the live simultaneous translation in Spanish, bit.ly/NYSTenantsRights.

To let friends & neighbors know about the event, there are flyers available in English & Spanish. If you would like to submit a question in advance, please email me at smayer@nysenate.gov or call (914) 934-5250.

Empire State Development launched the Raising the NYS Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund to support small restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants can begin to apply for reimbursable grants of up to $5,000 beginning on January 11, 2021. Click here to learn more about the program and how to apply.

My office continues to deliver hand sanitizer to religious institutions, senior buildings, public housing and community groups throughout the 37th district who have requested it. Please fill out the form here to request a 1 gallon bottle of hand sanitizer for your community nonprofit, senior building, or other community group.

Assemblyman David Buchwald served in the NY State Assembly for 8 years where he championed integrity in government and fought tirelessly on behalf of his constituents. Please join State Senator Pete Harckham and me, as well as local elected officials and constituents, for a tribute to Assemblyman David Buchwald.

The event will be livestreamed on my Facebook page: Facebook.com/ShelleyMayerSD37

(A Facebook account is not required to watch).

Westchester and Rockland County residents are eligible for the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge Residency (MCR) Plan that will keep the bridge toll rate flat at $4.75 per trip through 2022. The program is offered to passenger vehicles with a NY E-ZPass. Qualified residents who have a vehicle registered in one of these two counties will be automatically enrolled. To review your account please visit E-ZPass New York at e-zpassny.com. To learn more about the scheduled toll changes for the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge click here.

During the 2020 Legislative Session, I was pleased to support the state's first Paid Sick Leave program with minimal impact on small businesses. Paid Sick Leave benefits are now available for New Yorkers beginning on January 1, 2021. New Yorkers can use Paid Sick Leave while recovering from illness, taking care of a family member, or addressing safety needs for themselves or a family member dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking.

Approximately 1.3 million New Yorkers did not have access to Paid Sick Leave prior to the state's Paid Sick Leave law. Click here to learn more about the program.