Dear Friends:

I recognize and appreciate the frustration with the lack of available appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine for those who are eligible. I urge you to continue to be patient as the state awaits increased supply of the vaccine from the federal government. Our distribution system and local providers are working to get shots in arms as quickly as possible once supply is available to them.

A list of non-state-run vaccine providers in Westchester County is available here. Please be aware that supply is limited, a number of these sites are already booked, and they each have their own protocols for signing up to get an appointment. As of now, COVID-19 vaccine appointments at pharmacies are available to those 65 years old and over. Those with comorbidities are eligible to make an appointment at state-run distribution sites, found here. Please check back regularly as new openings may become available from day to day.

Sunday, February 14th, marked the 3rd anniversary of the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Last week, I was pleased to join my colleagues in adopting bills to further regulate "ghost guns." Read more about these bills in the section below.

On Tuesday, February 16th, the Westchester Senate Delegation hosted its second of two Budget Forums to hear from community stakeholders about the proposed 2021-2022 Executive Budget. Both sessions were recorded and links to watch them are available in a section below. 

This week, I met with local child care providers at a meeting hosted by the Child Care Council of Westchester (CCCW) to discuss the extreme challenges they have faced during the pandemic. Our economic reopening is dependent upon a robust network of child care providers, and I am committed to ensuring necessary funds are disbursed swiftly to them. CCCW Executive Director Kathy Halas and I co-authored an OpEd in January on this topic.

As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please don't hesitate to email me at [email protected] or call (914) 934-5250.

Warm regards,

As of this week, more than one million New Yorkers have received their first and second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. To track the state's vaccine distribution, click here.

On Wednesday, February 17th, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced plans for an additional mass vaccination site in Westchester at the National Guard Armory in downtown Yonkers. The site will open during the first week of March, and it will have capacity to administer 1,000 doses per day. In its initial weeks, only residents from Yonkers and Mt. Vernon will be eligible at this location. Information on scheduling appointments at this site will be included in a future e-newsletter when it becomes available. 

Click here for a list of non-state-run vaccine providers in Westchester County. Supply is limited and each site has its own protocols for signing up or registering for a waitlist. I understand that not being able to secure an appointment for yourself or vulnerable loved ones is extremely frustrating. Please continue to be patient and check back as often as possible for any new openings. I will continue to keep you apprised of any new information as it is released.

New Yorkers can use the Am I Eligible to determine if they are eligible and make an appointment at a New York State-run vaccination site. Please check back daily for new appointments. The hotline number to call is 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829). If you have made an appointment for the vaccine, please fill out the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Form, available here, and bring it with you to your appointment.

On Wednesday, February 10th, I was pleased to join the Senate Majority Conference in approving two bills to strengthen regulations of unfinished receivers and guns without serial numbers, also known as "ghost guns." Ghost guns are firearms without serial numbers, which are often sold as pieces that can be made operational with standard power tools available online. I am glad to work with the Senate Majority Conference to pass common sense gun safety legislation that protects New Yorkers.

The bills advanced last week include the:

My colleagues and I are committed to continuing New York State's leadership in smart gun laws.

The Westchester State Senate Delegation hosted two Budget Forums to receive input from community stakeholders about the 2021-2022 Executive Budget proposal. The events were hosted on Zoom and streamed live to Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousin's Facebook page. Both sessions are available on my Senate website: click here to watch the February 11th Budget Forum; click here to watch the February 16th Budget Forum. The Delegation heard from over 90 community members & advocates and received over 70 written statements through email. Thank you to the community stakeholders who did an extraordinary job capturing the challenges our communities face and making their voices heard. We will not give up on the state’s obligation to ensure a quality education for every child and invest in the programs that lift up struggling New Yorkers. If you did not have an opportunity to testify, you can email written testimony to [email protected]. 

ArtsWestchester is hosting several free virtual events for kids. Registration is required and space is limited. To register and receive the Zoom information, email Jessica Cioffoletti at [email protected]. Click here to learn more about programs hosted by ArtsWestchester. 

Cartooning workshop for youth, ages 7-12 years old. Nima will teach you how to tap into your imagination and create one of a kind cartoon characters. Supplies needed: paper, pencils, erasers, colored pencils and a black sharpie.

Freestyle Drawing for youth ages 12-17 years old. Lance will teach you the tricks and techniques behind this unique art form. Supplies needed: paper, markers and pencils.

SUNY is now accepting enrollment for dozens of free online programs to help build your skills all without getting into debt. Programs include training for medical coding & billing, emergency medical technician, electronic health records, customer service, office management & administration, teaching assistant, advanced manufacturing, and more. All of these courses are offered for free to New York residents. Find out more at suny.edu/sunyforall/.

Help Westchester County improve transportation and mobility for residents, workers, and visitors by participating in the Mobility & Bus Redesign Study. Be a part of shaping the future of mobility in Westchester. Click here to learn more about the plan. The survey is available in English and Spanish here.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is working to provide COVID-19 vaccines to Veterans as quickly and safely as they can, based on CDC guidelines and available supply. Veterans are encouraged to sign up to stay informed about when they can get a COVID-19 vaccine at VA. Click here to learn more.

New Yorkers with income of $72,000 or less in 2020 can complete and submit their federal and New York State income tax returns online for free. Nearly 255,000 New Yorkers used the Free File software last year. To ensure you're not charged a fee, you must go to the Tax Department’s website to complete your return. For more information, click here. The Tax Department also offers virtual assistance with filing returns.

Bronx Legal Services’ Low Income Taxpayer Clinic also serves Westchester County residents. The Clinic is helping low-to-moderate-income workers and families get a tax break by disseminating information about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Flyers in English and Spanish are available about the EITC. If you have a dispute with the IRS regarding claiming the EITC or another issue, Bronx Legal Services may be able to assist you. The Clinic is available at (917) 661-4500 Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Bronx Legal Services does not prepare tax returns.