Dear Friends,

These past several weeks have been eventful in New York State as a result of two significant Supreme Court cases. On June 30, the Senate and Assembly returned to Albany for an Extraordinary Session called by Governor Kathy Hochul to address the Supreme Court decisions in NYS Rifle & Pistol Assn., Inc. v. Bruen and Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. I regard both as terribly disappointing decisions, with very serious impact for all Americans, including New Yorkers. I remain committed to addressing both the impact of gun violence on our state, and the need to protect the right to abortion. 

The Bruen decision struck down New York’s 100+ years old concealed carry law, which restricted carrying a gun outside of a residence only to those with “proper cause.” In the wake of the terrible murders in Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas, I believe we must continue to do everything in our power to limit access to the most dangerous guns. On July 1, we passed a bill, now signed by the Governor, which addressed the Bruen decision. The new law 1) enhances licensing requirements for concealed carry permit applicants; 2) enumerates a list of sensitive locations where even people with licenses cannot carry a firearm, including public areas such as trains, buses and subways; 3) protects private property rights by requiring owners to “opt in” to allowing weapons on their property; 4) applies safe storage requirements if a minor under the age of 18 lives in the home; and 5) makes technical changes to the Body Armor Law. It also establishes New York as a “point of contact” state, which requires gun dealers to contact the State Police to conduct the background check that must be done before an individual can purchase a gun. We are confident these provisions are in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling and provide New Yorkers the greatest protection possible given the circumstances. We anticipate that the law will be challenged, but believe it will withstand constitutional scrutiny.

The Legislature passed a series of strong measures after the leaked opinion in the Dobbs case. However, once the decision was issued striking down Roe v. Wade, it was clear we had to do even more to protect abortion and reproductive rights in New York State. To ensure these rights are protected not only in New York law, but in the New York State Constitution, we passed the Equal Rights Amendment during the Extraordinary Session. I was proud to co-sponsor the Amendment, which would modify the New York State Constitution to expressly prohibit discrimination based on “race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed, religion or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy.” (The State Constitution already bans discrimination based on religion.) This new amendment will need to be adopted again in the next legislative session before it is considered by voters.

Notwithstanding this intense legislative activity, I continue to be active here at home throughout the district and am here to serve you. If there is anything my office can assist you with, please email me at smayer@nysenate.gov or call (914) 934-5250.

Warm regards,

Wednesday, July 20 

Noon - 3 p.m. 

Grinton I. Will Library

1500 Central Park Avenue,

Yonkers, NY 10710

My constituent services staff will be located at the front entrance under the overhang – ready to answer questions in both answer questions in English and Spanish. All are welcome to stop by. 

For more information, call (914) 934-5250 or email smayer@nysenate.gov.

Always a pleasure to join the Family Service Society of Yonkers for Summer Reading Buddies. Marlene was a fantastic partner!

Honored to spend the afternoon with Holocaust survivors at Young Israel of White Plains. We must remember their stories and ensure the next generation remembers them as well. Thank you to WJCS, UJA-Federation of New York, and Claims Conference (Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany) for organizing this special event.

I had a terrific time at the White Plains’ Slater Center’s Community Day Festival! I was impressed by Music with a Message’s work and positive energy! And honored to stand with the Westchester-Rockland Guardian’s Association.

As a Commissioner of the Education Commission of the States, I attended the National Forum on Educational Policy in Washington, DC. I learned some of the best practices of other states as students recover from the pandemic with in-person learning.

Great to meet with the small business women of Port Chester last weekend who gathered at St. Paul’s Church to sell clothes, accessories, sweets, handmade honey, and more. They’ll be there again Sunday, July 17 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Visited Mt. Misery in North Castle with area leaders, including Assemblymember Chris Burdick, Tom Rice and Nora Manuele, representatives of the North Castle Historical Society, and Constance Kehoe of RW250th, to see a historical site that needs to be in the public’s hands!

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

Starting Saturday, July 16, 988 is the new, three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). Anyone experiencing mental health distress including thoughts of suicide, substance use crisis and emotional distress can contact this free service via phone, text or chat 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Individuals will be connected with trained counselors who are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. These counselors will listen and provide support, and can connect callers to additional resources if necessary.

The current number, 1-800-273-8255, will remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, even after 988 is launched nationally.

On July 7, Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York State is making $255 million in grants available for water infrastructure projects that will protect public health and the environment, including $225 million for municipalities to protect drinking water supplies and vital resources, and $30 million for targeted counties to incentivize replacement of old septic and cesspool systems.

The State's goal is to provide grants to all communities that need help in their efforts to tackle emerging contaminants and toxins in their drinking water. These funds will help make water infrastructure investments more affordable for local governments, and create jobs in related industry sectors. 

Municipalities may submit applications and required supporting documentation through the  Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) website by 5 p.m. on September 9.

COVID-19

The Westchester County Department of Health is offering free pediatric Moderna COVID-19 vaccines this summer. The vaccine clinics will be held on Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon, by appointment only, for children ages six months to five years. The vaccine clinics will be held at the Health Department, 134 Court Street, White Plains. 

The County will also be offering all other COVID-19 vaccines for the other age groups from 1 to 3 p.m. on Fridays.

Monkeypox

Monkeypox Vaccine Clinics will be held Mondays and Wednesdays at the Health Department, 134 Court Street, White Plains. Appointments are required. People at higher risk for monkeypox infection may consider vaccination. In accordance with CDC guidance, this includes those who: 

• Had contact with someone who had a rash that looks like monkeypox or with someone who was diagnosed with confirmed or probable monkeypox
• Had skin-to-skin contact with someone in a social network experiencing monkeypox activity; this includes men who have sex with men who meet partners through an online website, digital application (“app”), or social event such as at a bar or party  
• Traveled outside the United States to a country with confirmed cases of monkeypox or where monkeypox activity has been ongoing

For more information on COVID-19, Moneypox or to make an appointment, visit the Westchester County Department of Health’s website.