Dear Friends,

Spring is finally here, and it brings increasingly busy days in Albany, with continuing negotiations for the final state budget and the approaching April 1 deadline, as well as so many exciting and important activities in the district. 

Throughout last week, tens of thousands of New Yorkers and advocates came to Albany to advocate for issues of importance to them and to make sure their voices were heard.  I listen to all advocates, on all sides of the issues and stand alongside many of them at their rallies, helping to champion their efforts. You can read more about these advocates, their organizations and issues below. 

From March 25 to April 25, I will be holding a Toiletry Drive for My Sister’s Place, a local organization that provides shelter, advocacy and other services to women who have experienced domestic violence and human trafficking. You can donate in three ways: Drop off your donation at one of three locations, mail a gift card to My Sister’s Place, or donate through their Amazon wish list. Further information is below.

As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please email me at [email protected] or call (914) 934-5250.

Warm regards,

Serving on Budget Conference Committees  

I was honored to be named to serve as Co-Chair of the Senate-Assembly Conference Committee on Education as we held our initial meeting this week. I am also serving as an alternate on the Public Protection Committee. While the final budget is not yet resolved, I am continuing to fight for my legislative and policy priorities, and I remain hopeful that the final budget will reflect the needs of all New Yorkers and those in District 37.

Meeting of the Senate Committee on Education

Last week I chaired the fourth meeting of the legislative session of the Senate Committee on Education, during which five bills were advanced. 

• S.75 (Gallivan), would amend the Education law to explicitly allow schools to use automated vision screening devices to screen students’ vision. 
• S.2699 (Harckham), extends the time period from eighteen years to twenty-five for recovery of energy performance contract costs incurred by school districts.
• S.3129 (Mannion) allows for unlicensed personnel to administer seizure rescue medication in schools.
• S.3366 (Harckham), provides that a student enrolled in an individualized education program during certain school years may continue to receive educational services for a certain period.
• S.4505A (Liu), prohibits discrimination of students on school property or at a school function based on religious attire, clothing or facial hair.

Supporting Arts in Education



I was honored to join the NYS Alliance for Arts Education and other groups to rally in support of arts funding and the expansion of access to the arts in our schools. Arts education is essential for all students to express themselves, explore their creativity, and build empathy. Exposure to and participation in the arts are essential for all children irrespective of their zip code. I’ll continue to press for inclusion of arts education- at all ages - in our schools.

Standing with Nurses 

I was proud to stand with my colleagues and the incredible nurses of the New York State Nurses Association. Over the past three years, we came to depend on nurses more than ever, and they made great sacrifices to care for us. Special shout out to the terrific nurses of Montefiore/New Rochelle, who joined in the rally! I will keep fighting to ensure that they are supported in the state budget.

Family Empowerment Day 

I was pleased to speak at the Family Empowerment Day in Albany to advocate for resources, treatment, and support for children and families to promote health and well being. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, I know that the support children have at home and the strength of the family are primary factors in students’ success in school. To do this, we must invest in our workforce - to ensure all families have access to the care they deserve. Thank you to everyone who came to learn and to advocate.

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding — as well as the founding of New York State. My bill, S.4410C/ A.4742B, signed in 2021 by Governor Hochul, established the New York State Two Hundred Fiftieth Commission and established a fund to strategic plan for the semiquincentennial commemoration to take place in 2026.  At present the commission has not been seated. Notwithstanding this delay, serious planning efforts underway are at the local level, predominantly within Westchester, Orange, Dutchess and Saratoga Counties. Despite the disruption of COVID-19, many communities have resumed their planning efforts, but without the organizational structure needed to get this underway. 

New York is home to one-third of the battle sites of the American Revolutionary War and 81 historical societies and museums dedicated to the Founding Era. 19 of the most important sites are operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. New York has played a pivotal role in the story of America — from Seneca Falls to Stonewall.

With so many sites and museums ready to welcome visitors, our state stands to generate millions of dollars from a successful 250th Anniversary commemorative cycle and provide wonderful educational opportunities for children and adults or else take a tremendous loss from a missed opportunity. It is not too late to move forward with planning efforts. I joined my colleague Senator James Skoufis in sending a letter to Governor Hochul urging her to seat the commission, open budget lines, and set this plan in motion.

Valhalla Students in the Senate Chambers 

I had a great time with students of Valhalla Middle School as they toured the Senate Chambers and the Capitol. It was wonderful seeing the excitement in each student and getting to answer their questions. Thank you to my friend Yonkers Police Detective Captain Ralph Carozza for making this happen!

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in White Plains and Mamaroneck

I had a terrific time at the White Plains Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Congratulations to this year’s Grand Marshal, Sister Laura Donovan, RDC, the Grand Marshal's aides; the 2023 St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, led by Chairman John Martin; and City of White Plains, Mayor Thomas M. Roach on such a successful event.

I also had a great time at the Sound Shore St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Congratulations to the Grand Marshal, Anthony O’Callaghan and to the committee on another terrific event.

“Women Who Tell Our Stories” Panel

I had a remarkable time during the “Women Who Tell Our Stories” panel, that I co-hosted alongside Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. We heard from three Westchester County Authors: Linda Tarrant-Reid, Phylisha Villanueva, and B.K. Fischer - who told their stories of how they began writing, what inspires them, and they each provided a reading of their own work. 

You can watch the panel here.

Advocating for Community Colleges

I was happy to join SUNY Westchester Community College, NYSUT, and many of my colleagues to advocate for greater funding in the state budget. It was wonderful to hear from current WCC students and alumni, including my Community Outreach Specialist Perla Arellano, on the tremendous impact WCC has had on their lives. We increased funding to our SUNY community colleges last year, but we must do more - as the Senate One House Budget Resolution proposes. When we invest in public higher education, we are investing in the future of New York State.

It was wonderful to be with current and former members of my staff, Perla Arellano, my Community Outreach Specialist, and Emiljana Ulaj, my former Communications Director who is now Regional Political Organizer New York State United Teachers (NYSUT).

Touring the Scarsdale Volunteer Emergency Services

I had a great time touring the Scarsdale Ambulance Corps, speaking with President David Raizen and his team, and learning about the tremendous impact they have on the community - particularly through their use of community paramedicine. Scarsdale Ambulance Corps works with White Plains Hospital to provide home visits, which has decreased re-admittance to the Emergency Department, through reassurance and treatment at home. They also regularly partner with Scarsdale High School to CPR certify students and train Seniors to be EMT Certified.

Join the YAC! 

We had a productive meeting of my Youth Advisory Council - the YAC. It is great getting to hear the perspectives of young people in our community and to see so many outspoken and advocating for what means the most to them. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the YAC, please contact my Community Outreach Specialist, Perla Arellano at [email protected].

Toiletry Drive for My Sister’s Place

From March 25 to April 25, I am partnering with My Sister’s Place to host a toiletry drive for women who have suffered domestic violence or human trafficking. Please consider donating - you can do so by dropping an item at one of the three locations, donating through the Amazon wishlist, or by mailing a gift card to My Sister’s Place.

Moms Demand Action: Be SMART -

Campaign for Safe Storage of Guns

Firearms have become the leading cause of death among children in the United States, outstripping car accidents and illnesses. Every year, nearly 700 children under the age of 17 die by suicide with a gun. Millions of American children live in households with loaded, unlocked guns. Therefore it is crucial that parents and caregivers know how to secure firearms safely. 

In 2019, the New York State Senate passed legislation to outline regulations for safe storage of firearms to prevent injury to death through unintentional access and discharge of the weapon. I was a proud co-sponsor of this legislation, and it was signed into law in July of 2019. You can read more about the storage regulations and safety rules here.  Westchester County also requires gun owners to keep firearms locked and stored securely, and out of the hands of children. 

Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement fighting to pass stronger gun laws and close the loopholes that put our families at risk. At the community level, the organization works to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership. The Be SMART program is a vital part of this work, helping parents and other adults to speak openly about gun safety and take actions to prevent child gun deaths and injuries:

Secure all guns in your home and vehicles

Model responsible behavior around guns

Ask about the presence of unsecured guns in other homes

Recognize the role of guns in suicide

Tell your peers to be SMART

Moms Demand Action volunteers partner with the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund to provide education and awareness about child gun deaths and responsible gun storage through the Be SMART program. For more information, visit BeSMARTforkids.org.

Bee-Line Route Update

The spring schedule, with schedule changes,  for Bee-Line buses went into effect on March 20. To get a schedule for your route, or for more information, visit westchestergov.com/beelinebus or call the Bee-Line Information Center at 914-813-7777.

Ways We Can Make Every Day Earth Day

Every day should be Earth Day! The NY State Senate invites K-12 students to help increase awareness of recycling and waste reduction by creating a poster, writing an essay, or a poem. For more information or to submit your work, visit mayer.nysenate.gov. Submissions are due by April 14, 2023

New York State Legislative Fellowship

The New York State Senate is accepting applications for the Fall 2023 Legislative Fellowship! As a fellow, you will be placed with a Senator, and will have hands-on experience in the legislative process. Click here to learn more and apply.