Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! I wish health and happiness to you and your loved ones. This past Wednesday was the very first day of the Legislative Session, and I am humbled to be sent back to Albany to work on your behalf. 

I am honored that Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins has reappointed me to Chair the Senate Committee on Education. I will also be a standing member of the Senate Committees on Cities 2; Corporations, Authorities, & Commissions; Elections; Judiciary; Labor; and Rules.



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,

This week I stepped onto the New York State Senate Floor to once again take my oath to serve the people of New York’s 37th Senate District. I will continue to work to address the needs of the residents of the 37th Senate District, listen to your concerns and find areas of constructive collaboration with those who disagree with me. I was honored to have the Honorable Judge Kathie E. Davidson swear me into office.

My team and I have been working hard to hit the ground running this Legislative Session, and we will continue working hard for constituents across the district and New York State. I plan to introduce and reintroduce essential legislation to address issues in our community, including:

S8432A - This bill would define emergency medical services as essential services, expand the benefits available to emergency medical services personnel and set standards for emergency medical services. 

S7581 - This bill would create a new office to coordinate, facilitate, and enhance flood prevention and mitigation efforts throughout the state.

S4845A - This bill would strengthen the economic rebuilding necessary to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic by expanding worker protections and require severance for all workers subject to mass layoffs.

S9432 - This bill would help preserve community green space and provide for more thoughtful vegetation management by requiring the MTA to establish a new policy which includes guidelines and processes for vegetation management and community engagement.

S6828A - This bill would require the Department of Labor to notify claimants applying for unemployment benefits within 30 days whether the claim has been approved or denied.

S5557A - This bill would permit former New York City Department of Environmental Protection police officers to transfer service credit to the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System after joining such retirement system.

In late December, Governor Kathy Hochul announced her nomination of Presiding Justice Hector LaSalle to the New York State Court of Appeals. The New York State Court of Appeals is the highest in the State and is responsible for both the substantive and -- through the Chief Administrative Judge -- the operation of the New York Court System. We must ensure the Court of Appeals reflects the needs of all litigants and stakeholders, including those who appear in Family Court, as well as our City, Town, and Village courts both in and out of New York City.  

I believe this moment provides the needed opportunity to change the balance of the NY Court of Appeals with new leadership. At this moment in time, when we are faced with a highly politicized and dangerous US Supreme Court, whose decisions have upended established rights under our Federal Constitution, it is even more pressing that the New York Court of Appeals provides New Yorkers with the legal protections they deserve. 

As a New York State Senator, I have a duty to act with the greatest scrutiny and consideration before casting my vote to confirm a nominee for the highest court of New York State. After my review of the decisions of Presiding Justice Hector LaSalle, and a respectful and frank personal meeting with PJ LaSalle, I announced that I will be voting “no” on any vote to confirm PJ LaSalle to the position of Chief Judge. I also will be joining the Judiciary Committee, as I had requested before the nomination of Judge LaSalle,  based on my longstanding concerns with access to justice and the operation of the courts. 

I am honored that Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins reappointed me as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Education.  In recent years, we have made incredible strides in increasing equity and financial support to schools across the state. In 2022, we continued our commitment to phasing in full funding of our schools. We built on 2021’s historic investment in Foundation Aid, by appropriating $1.5 billion in additional funding to public schools across New York State. By the end of 2023, every school district will receive 100% of the amount owed by the Foundation Aid formula. I am eager to begin working with my colleagues to continue to bring resources and equity to education across the state. 

Photo Courtesy of NY Senate Media Services

Along with 27 of my State Senate colleagues, I sent a letter to the New York Public Service Commission today regarding Consolidated Edison, Inc.’s (ConEd) refusal to suspend the collection of late fees or late payment charges (LPCs) this winter season. This urgent letter comes in response to ConEd’s projections that its average residential natural gas heating customer will pay 32 percent more than last year's average winter bill, and its electrical customers in New York City and Westchester are forecasted to pay 22 percent and 27 percent more, respectively. 

I am deeply disappointed in ConEd’s decision not to suspend the collection of late fees this winter season. In an economic climate where many New Yorkers struggle to keep the lights on, stay warm, and keep food on their table, it is troubling that ConEd is unwilling to take this nominal step to ensure basic necessities for their customers.

New Yorkers are resilient. But for those who have fallen behind on utility bills, late charge fees make it even more difficult to catch up and get back on track. ConEd should reconnect with its own mission statement to ‘improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.’ This is not a matter of profits, it is a matter of principle. 

Troop 2 Bronxville's Eagle Scout Court of Honor



It was my pleasure to attend Troop 2 Bronxville's Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony, where six young men achieved the rank of Eagle Scout after  planning and completing projects that will improve their community. Congratulations to Andrew Baker, Lorcan Cummins, Michal Khrapunov, Andrew Reichelt, Gerard Ryan, and David Share. Your hard work and dedication has made our home, Westchester County, a better place. 

Addressing the Problem of Theft of Catalytic Converters; Thanking DA Mimi Rocah and our Law Enforcement Partners

We know the stealing of catalytic converters has been a serious issue here in Westchester. I am grateful that Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced the indictment of five men in connection with a stealing spree of 56 catalytic converters with a market value of more than $50,000. The indictments followed a year-long investigation conducted by 13 local law enforcement agencies.

The catalytic converters were stolen from Ford Econoline vans, Royal Coach Lines buses and school buses in Briarcliff, Greenburgh, Peekskill, Pelham and Yonkers between November, 2021 and March, 2022. These large vehicles are often targeted because their catalytic converters are especially costly, and because the height of these vehicles from the ground allows for easy access.

Last October, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation (S.9428/A.1940-E) that I supported,  amending the Vehicle and Traffic Law to add catalytic converters as a major component vehicle part, requiring vehicle dismantlers to report every 60 days the number of catalytic converters they receive during that period. Failure to maintain or produce those records could lead to heavy fines. Additionally, new motor vehicle dealers and other qualified dealers will be required to stock catalytic converter etching kits to put a unique serial number on the components so they can be tracked if stolen. The kits will be provided at no more than the cost of the kit itself.

I am grateful to all of our law enforcement partners for their hard work addressing this issue.

Are You on the Federal Broadband Map?

Kudos to the White Plains Youth Court and Frank Williams, Executive Director of the City of White Plains Youth Bureau, for the terrific story by Ronald Claiborne, describing their innovative effort to address criminal conduct of young people in the community ages 12 to 17.  To be eligible to participate, the accused must have already admitted guilt, and a sentence of community service and counseling will be determined by their peers. Each case reviewed is a low-level criminal offense and  referred to the Youth Court by schools, police, probation officials, and prosecutors. The effectiveness of this creative approach has led to reduced recidivism and greater self-awareness by those appearing before the court. I applaud this effort. 

Volunteer training (credit: Connie Jones-Hairston)

Albany Behind-the-Scenes: How the NY Legislative Session Works Panel, Hosted by Save the Sound

Join me, Assemblyman Steve Otis, and other environmental advocates for a panel discussion. We will be there to answer your questions on the legislative process, how you can get involved, and what you can expect from the 2023 session.

• Date: Friday January 13 
• Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
• Location: Webinar, Register Here

We are seeking interns for our district office to provide assistance to me and my staff. Our district office is located in Port Chester. Interns can work remotely or in-person.

Work Includes: research, attending meetings, drafting correspondence, data entry, 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.