Utility Customers in Yonkers and across New York State have coped with inaction from the Public Service Commission for far too long. Like many of you, I'm frustrated by a Public Service Commission that is slow to protect and advocate on behalf of consumers but eager to raise rates and do the bidding of utility companies. That is why I introduced legislation to require utilities to improve their communications during outages, specifically to make sure every police and fire station and every ambulance corp is considered a priority for restoring service. So long as the Public Service Commission continues to drag their feet, I will continue to advocate for consumers in the Assembly by advancing legislation and calling on the Commission to freeze any rate hikes.

We cannot expect these first responders to handle emergencies with their usual professionalism if the lights, internet and phone are out of service for days. My legislation sets a bench mark of 24 hours to restore service.

Additionally, my concern for Seniors and others who rely on in-home life support equipment must also be a priority, not an afterthought that falls through the cracks.

I am pleased to report the two bills I moved through the legislation, engaging with members of the Minority Party and the Governor's Legal staff is complete and the Governor is expected to sign these bills in the next ten days.

Nader J. Sayegh

NYS Assemblyman

90th District-Yonkers

Meeting with Moms Demand Action

for Gun Sense in America

At the State Capitol Assemblyman Sayegh and Albany Intern Kaitlin Sommer met with some of the 100 members of Moms Demand Action during their Advocacy Day. New York is a national leader in the fight to end gun violence and the Assembly has voted for first-of-its-kind legislation to hold bad actors in the gun industry accountable and to keep guns out of places they should not belong like playgrounds, bars, and voting places - following the Supreme Court’s Carry Permit Bruen decision.

Alexis Gevanter, a volunteer with the New York chapter of Moms Demand Action said, “We know our work is not done and look forward to partnering with lawmakers this upcoming session to continue strengthening New York’s gun safety laws and protecting our communities from gun violence.”

Westchester County Executive George Latimer at State Capitol

Westchester County Executive and former New York State Legislator George Latimer was at the Assembly Chamber this week to meet with the County's Assembly Members and we gathered for a rare group photo before Session got underway. Also meeting with members was Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins. The County Executive is a fierce advocate for the residents of Westchester and works closely with the delegation during Budget Season and on Legislation of importance to local residents.

Meeting With Southern Westchester BOCES Students and Leadership to Advocate for Nontraditional Schools for Legislation

Assemblyman Sayegh serves on the Assembly Standing Committee on Education and Chairs the Sub-Committee on Students with Special Needs and always welcomes to the Capitol groups advocating for Education. He met this week with representatives and students from Southern Westchester BOCES. BOCES statewide serve thousands of non-traditional students and provide ready on-the-job training.

Meeting with Health Policy Leaders

From VNS Health, formerly the Vising Nurses Service, Assemblyman Sayegh discussed home based and community based health care with Dan Lowenstein and Jacob Shabshaikhes. VNS is a leading provider of intgegrated home and community-based health care.

Health was a major topic for the Assembly this week as it joined with the Senate for a Joint Hearing on the Governor's Budget proposal. Assemblyman Sayegh met with representatives of the New York Health Plan Association, which represents the interests of the state's health plan providers.

Meeting with Business Leaders

Assemblyman Sayegh continues his support for the National Hookah Community Association in its opposition to a proposed ban on flavored tobacco. The ban would put out of business Hookah Lounges, a cultural tradition for many of Middle Eastern, Eastern European and South Asian descent. Sayegh says licensing marijuana stores and then closing down Hookah Lounges discriminates against an entire class of New Yorkers. Assemblyman Sayegh spoke at the Joint Health Committee Budget Hearing, and met with a representative of the National Hookah Community Association, Chris Hudgins.

Meeting with Education Policy Leadership on How We Can Maintain and Rebuild our State's Schools

The New York State School Facilities Association, Inc. (SFA) serves as a voice for more than 600 Directors of School Facilities, Facilities Managers, Head Custodians, Health and Safety Coordinators, and other key school facilities personnel. The organizations Westchester and Hudson Valley representatives met with Assemblyman Sayegh to discuss the proposed 2023 Education Budget, and other legislative priorities.

Happy Birthday Damian

Today, my office celebrated our Legislative Director Damian Garcia's birthday. Damian is an integral part of our legislative team who oversees the introduction of legislation and its passage both in the Assembly and in the State Senate. Damian is also a Democratic District Leader in the Yonkers Democratic Committee and is a recent alum of Georgetown University. We're proud to have this rising star on our team and wish him nothing but the best on his special day!

Rochester Institute of Technology Leadership Visits Our Intern Kaitlin

Not every student at the Rochester Institute of Technology has College President David C. Munson personally checking on their school work, but our State Capitol Legislative Intern Kaitlin Sommer did! Visiting R.I.T Students in the Capitol Internship Program was President Munson and R.I.T. Vice President for Governmental Affairs, Vanessa Herman. Go Tigers!

Celebrating Dominican Independence Day

Happy 179th Independence Day to the Dominican Republic and to all Dominican-Americans. Dominican-Americans have made innumerable contributions to New York State via their work in fields such as education, medicine, government, and business. Que viva la Republican Dominicana! Que viva Quisqueya! My office was proud to provide recognitions to the honorees at the Dominican Cultural Association of Yonkers at their event commemorating this occasion.

Celebrating Women's History Month

Each March, we celebrate Women’s History Month to honor the remarkable women who fought for a brighter future for all women and left an indelible mark on our state and nation.

Happy Purim and best wishes for a festive day that for many of our Jewish friends will include giving gifts to the poor, reading the Purim story, celebrating with a festive meal, and perhaps making hamantashen, tasty triangle shaped cookies.The Holiday starts Monday at Sundown and continues Through Tuesday at sundown.

Save the Date: Westchester Residential Opportunities Inc. 2023 Fair & Affordable Housing Expo

Assemblyman Sayegh meeting with My Brothers Keeper Students from Lincoln High School.

Founded in 1968, Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc. is a nonprofit organization located in White Plains, NY. Their mission is to promote equal, affordable and accessible housing opportunities for all residents in Westchester County. Programs include promoting equal access to housing (eliminating housing discrimination and helping enforce fair housing and fair lending laws); eviction, mortgage default and utility shut-off prevention counseling by HUD-certified housing counselors; first-time home buying counseling; and an independent living program.

For the first time, Westchester Residential Opportunities will host their Annual Expo in the City of Yonkers at the Riverfront Library. At this event, interested attendees can attend workshops for on the topics of first-time home buying, eviction prevention and fair & affordable housing. I encourage all residents to consider attending this event to learn more about the state of housing in our communities.

If you have any questions, please visit WRO's website by clicking the picture above or the link HERE

Questions or Concerns? Contact Us!

https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Nader-J-Sayegh/contact/

Community Events

Online Citizenship Classes

The Citizenship Project is a program that uses the New-York Historical Society’s art collection to Teach American History. It has helped over 6,000 legal permanent residents from all over the country, preparing for citizenship and learning American History. Here is the link for more information: https://www.nyhistory.org/education/citizenship-project