Dear Friends,
As we continue to hear the horrific news of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, I pray for the safety of the friends and family of our neighbors in the Ukrainian-American community. Last weekend, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and I met with members of the Westchester Ukrainian-American community and attended mass at St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yonkers.
We committed to doing all we could within our authority to assist the Ukrainian people. To that end, I have signed onto Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick’s bill, the “Stop Russian Aggression Act,” to block the awarding of New York State contracts to any company conducting business in Russia. In addition, this legislation instructs the New York State Comptroller to begin the process of divesting the state retirement system pension fund from any investment in companies that do business in Russia. More about this below.
Also below, please find updates related to the recent spike in energy bills, new rules on masks in schools, an update on the New York State budget which is due by March 31, and legislative action to provide relief to those affected by Hurricane Ida and flooding.
As always, if there is anything my office can do to assist you, 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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Attending mass at St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yonkers on Sunday, Feb. 27 in support of the Ukrainian-American Community. |
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My Outreach Director, Mary Kate O’Sullivan, picking up “WE SUPPORT UKRAINE” signs from SUMA Federal Credit Union in Yonkers.
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I encourage you to help in the Ukrainian humanitarian effort in any of the following ways:
My office will be distributing “WE SUPPORT UKRAINE” lawn signs in partnership with SUMA Federal Credit Union. If you would like one, please fill out this form. We will contact you about pick-up.
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Information Session:
Understanding Your Energy Bill
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Last month, many of you reached out to me about outrageous Con Edison bills that were far in excess of what they were in the previous billing cycle and frankly were unacceptably high. In response, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and I called on Con Ed and the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) to respond promptly and forego any previously-approved rate increase. We expressed to them what many of you expressed to us – that the situation was unacceptable and that swift action was necessary. Some of the increase may have been due to sharp increases in energy prices and cold temperatures that are out of the control of Con Ed and the PSC, but that does not mean they are powerless to do anything to mitigate the impact. We requested that the PSC and Con Ed investigate whether Con Ed was effectively utilizing hedging strategies to protect customers against price fluctuations; and reach out to customers to explain the situation, provide information about options for relief, and lay out steps they will take to limit further dramatic price increases.
This week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the PSC had contacted all major gas and electric utilities regarding these issues, that the state is expanding utility assistance for customers, and that there will be additional communication and awareness campaigns, among other initiatives.
On Wednesday, March 16 at 2 p.m., I am holding a public event with the Public Utility Law Project and Sustainable Westchester to explain what goes into an energy bill, the variety of actions that can be taken when faced with high energy prices and how we can advocate to limit price increases for energy. To register for the zoom, visit bit.ly/EnergyBillsInfo.
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As you probably already know, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the end of the New York State mask mandate in schools on Sunday, Feb. 27, effective Wednesday, March 2. Once the CDC revised its guidance on Feb. 25, I urged Governor Hochul to remove the mandate in accordance with the CDC’s new recommendations.
As we move forward, we will inevitably have additional areas of advocacy and disagreement related to COVID, and I am hopeful that we can voice our opinions on these issues civilly and respectfully. The choice to wear a mask is not something that should be mocked or chastised, especially in our schools.
I continue to encourage parents and guardians of children 5 and up to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible, including getting booster shots when medically appropriate.
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NYS Budget: Westchester Forums & ADUs |
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The New York State Budget process is well underway. In addition to Joint Legislative Hearings on major issues that affect our state, the Westchester Senate Delegation, which includes Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senator Pete Harckham, Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, Senator Jamaal Bailey and Senator Alessandra Biaggi and myself, held budget forums on Feb. 10 and Feb. 15 to hear directly from constituents and organizations that serve our community. Knowing what matters most to our community is extremely important as we continue to work to adopt a responsible New York State budget that addresses the needs of our communities.
One particular issue my office heard opposition to from residents and municipal leaders was a proposal for Accessory Dwelling Units as a matter of state policy. I am pleased that Governor Hochul has pulled Accessory Dwelling Units from her budget proposal.
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Legislative Update: Flood Prevention & Mitigation |
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Touring Ida-related damage
on Mamaroneck Avenue.
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The losses incurred by my constituents as a result of Hurricane Ida must trigger a new, more strategic approach to flood mitigation, storm recovery and new building requirements. I am proud to sponsor legislation that aims to enhance flood prevention and mitigation strategic planning, and provide new resources to municipalities and homeowners to address the enormous financial challenges caused by flooding. |
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Bills Introduced:
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S.8135/A.9249 (Otis) to create the “Hurricane Ida Relief Fund,” which would create a fund of up to $50 million to provide financial assistance to individuals, households, and business owners who suffered damages that were not compensated or reimbursed.
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S7582/A.9216 (Otis) to add the director of the Office of Emergency Management and a technical expert in flood mitigation to the Building Codes Council, and amend the State’s building code to address the increased likelihood of flooding and other coastal hazards.
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S.7581/A.9190 (Cruz) to create the New York State Office of Flooding Prevention and Mitigation to comprehensively tackle flooding on a state-wide level, work with municipalities to develop strategies to combat flooding, and serve as a clearing house of information regarding flooding.
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S.7530/A.4245 (Englebright) to expand opportunities for residents to have their flood-destroyed homes purchased or bought out by the Environmental Protection Fund.
In an effort to advance these initiatives on storm recovery and flooding resiliency, we have created a survey regarding storm damage, losses, reimbursement, and out-of-pocket expenditures related to Hurricane Ida. Please take a few moments to fill out the form before May 15.
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Investing in Infrastructure &
Standing with Labor Unions
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On Monday, Feb. 28, I was proud to stand with the Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley, Rebuild New York Now, Teamsters Local Union 456, Heavy Construction Laborers Local Union 60, Operating Engineers Local Union 137, and Building Laborers Local Unions 235 and 825 to call on Governor Kathy Hochul to make investment in our roads, bridges and highways a priority in the State budget. This critical infrastructure is vital to the health of New York’s economy. |
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Do you know someone living in the 37th Senate District who is celebrating their 100th birthday this year? We want to celebrate them with a New York State Senate Resolution!
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Do you know a child who is passionate about the environment? The New York State Senate wants to hear their ideas about recycling, waste reduction and protecting our planet!
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Joining the Climate & Resilience Education
Task Force's Youth Steering Committee
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As Chair of the Education Committee, I was honored to join the Climate and Resilience Education Task Force’s Youth Steering Committee at their climate education listening session. There were several hundred young people anxious to push forward on climate education in NYS by pushing for mandatory education in our schools on climate change and related issues. I was pleased to be able to discuss this extremely important issue with them. |
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Celebrating Dominican Independence Day in Yonkers |
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What a joyous celebration at Yonkers City Hall to celebrate Dominican Independence Day! Pleased to join Mayor Mike Spano and City Councilmember Corazon Pineda-Issac at a celebration of independence from Haiti in February of 1844.
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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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