Dear friends,
Happy Halloween! I hope you enjoy the weekend spending time with family, friends and plenty of treats.
If you have not yet voted, I encourage you to make a plan. Early voting will be open through Sunday, and Election Day is on Tuesday. Information about hours and locations in Westchester can be found here. When you vote, remember to turn over your ballot for the five New York State Constitutional amendments. A link to my discussion on the proposals at the Jay Heritage Center is available below.
This week, I was pleased to announce with Attorney General Letitia James that the Doral Arrowwood workers, who were terminated on Christmas Eve nearly two years ago, are receiving $2.7 million owed to them for violations of the WARN Act. I thank New York State Attorney General Letitia James, New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon and Jane Lauer Barker Esq., who worked tirelessly on behalf of the employees.
In the coming weeks, I will be hosting a number of events including a virtual roundtable on the Landlord Rental Assistance Program, a virtual forum on preparing for retirement, a Thanksgiving Food Drive with Senator Pete Harckham in Mount Kisco and a Narcan training with Central Park Recovery. More information about these events is available below.
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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$2.7 Million Delivered to Doral Arrowwood Workers |
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This week, I was pleased to announce with Attorney General Letitia James that the Doral Arrowwood workers, who were terminated on Christmas Eve nearly two years ago, are receiving $2.7 million owed to them for violations of the WARN Act.
Upon hearing that they were let go, I immediately reached out to ensure their rights would be protected under the WARN Act. We continued to advocate for the workers with the New York State Department of Labor and the Attorney General’s Office. For the past year and a half, my community outreach specialist, Perla Arellano, did an excellent job of keeping in contact with the workers. We ensured they were informed and their voices were heard throughout the case, and even attended court appearances with them. Thank you to New York State Attorney General Letitia James, New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon and Jane Lauer Barker Esq., who worked tirelessly on behalf of the employees.
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Legislative Update: Shared Work Bills Signed |
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I’m thrilled to share that two of my bills related to the New York State Department of Labor’s Shared Work programs have been signed into law. These programs provide businesses and employees the flexibility to weather economic downturns by preventing layoffs, reducing the cost of training new employees, and allowing employees to receive partial unemployment benefits while working on a part-time basis.
S18A creates a requirement for the Department of Labor to annually provide information to employers about the shared work program. The Department of Labor must make this information available on its website, and conduct outreach to employers to provide information about the benefits of shared work programs.
S17A authorizes employees to petition an employer, without fear of retaliation, to apply to participate in a shared work program in order to avoid reducing the workforce or in order to rehire.
Both will increase awareness of shared work programs and help New Yorkers to build back stronger from the pandemic.
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I had the pleasure of joining Briarcliff Manor School District Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations John Brucato and Valley Stream Union Free School District 24 Assistant Superintendent for Business Jack Mitchell on their podcast, SBO Perspectives. Take a listen!
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Discussing NYS Constitutional Amendments
At The Jay Heritage Center
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Ahead of early voting I discussed the five New York State Constitutional Amendments that are on the ballot this year at The Jay Heritage Center, former home of the author of the New York State Constitution – John Jay. The five ballot proposals address redistricting reform, provide a constitutional right to clean air and water and a healthful environment, allow for same-day voter registration, allow for no excuse absentee voting, and allow New York City Civil Court to hear and decide civil claims for up to $50,000. If you would like to know more about the proposals before you vote, I think you will find this discussion informative.
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On Monday, Senator Andrew Gounardes, Chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions, visited Westchester on his Civil Service Tour to hear from public employees at their worksites. While visiting with the Town of Bedford's DPW, represented by Teamsters Local 456, we had a wide-ranging discussion covering concerns about pensions, benefits and recruitment, among other issues. We then traveled to Yonkers where we joined Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for a conversation with the Commissioner of the Yonkers Fire Department, leadership of the YFD Local 628 and UFOA and other organizations representing firefighters, and members working at Firehouse Number 1 in the center of downtown Yonkers. We discussed issues including mutual aid, capital investments, and recruitment. Their insights as essential providers in the state's third largest city were extremely valuable and will help provide us guidance as we move into next year's legislative session. I know Senator Gounardes appreciated being in Westchester and hearing from firefighters and DPW workers in the district.
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Visiting Mr. Boyle's Civics Research Class |
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I recently had the pleasure of visiting Mr. Boyle’s Civics Research class at Eastchester High School to discuss the role of state government. The students asked many insightful questions!
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Montefiore and United Healthcare Reach Agreement |
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Good news for Montefiore patients –Montefiore and UnitedHealthcare have reached an agreement, effective Dec. 1, to restore in-network access to Montefiore’s doctors and hospitals. For more information you can call Montefiore’s patient information line at (855) 226-3071 or visit https://www.keepmontefiore.org.
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Grants Available to Secure
Communities Against Hate Crimes
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$25 million in grants are available to strengthen safety and security at facilities of nonprofit organizations at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs, or missions. The funding is being administered through the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Program at the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and allows for the purchase of additional security needs.
Through the latest round of funding, awards of up to $50,000 will be granted to support two-year contracts that are expected to begin in June of 2022. Funds can cover exterior or interior security improvements, including lighting locks, alarms, panic buttons, fencing, barriers, access control, shatter-resistant glass, blast-resistant film and public address systems. Funds can also cover costs associated with security training.
Eligible organizations may submit up to three applications for a maximum of $150,000. Each facility will require a separate application. Facilities that have previously received Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Program funding are not eligible; however, organizations may apply for more than one facility.
Applications must be submitted to DCJS by Friday, January 7, 2022. Visit the Grants/Funding page of the DCJS website for eligibility requirements, instructions, guidelines and additional information.
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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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