Dear Friends, 

My thoughts are with everyone who was affected by last week’s devastating storm. We are becoming all too familiar with record-breaking rainfall and dangerous flash flooding that results in lost property and even lost lives. These dangerous storms are the direct result of climate change, and while New York has been a leader in combating climate change, there is still work to be done. 

Last fall, Governor Hochul signed into law my bill to update the uniform building code to mitigate flood risk and improve resiliency in flood hazard areas. This week I also held a press conference with Assemblyman Steve Otis to announce newly-signed  legislation we proposed to require the Department of Environmental Conservation to encourage nature-based solutions for shoreline management. More information on that legislation can be found below. 

My colleague Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz and I have introduced legislation to create an executive office – the Office of Flooding Prevention and Mitigation – which would coordinate existing state work on flooding, support municipalities in their efforts to prevent and mitigate flooding, and research flooding impacts and mitigation. See our Op-Ed in this week’s Daily News noted below.

Climate change is here, but we can take steps to lessen its impact and make our communities safer and stronger. Be assured that this remains among my highest priorities for everyone in Westchester and in New York State.

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,

Shelley B. Mayer

State Senator

37th District

Governor Signs Bill to Protect Shorelines and Build Resilience

After Hurricane Ida, many constituents reached out to me for assistance with flood damage. I was happy my office could help individuals but the systemic impact of climate change requires much more. As the community rebuilds once again following the devastating storm this past week, we need to be proactive about increasing resilience and protecting against future flooding. 

This week, Assemblyman Steve Otis and I held a press conference to announce our “living shorelines” legislation has been signed into law by Governor Hochul. As storms become more frequent, intense, and dangerous due to climate change, our communities become more vulnerable to these threats. This legislation will empower the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to encourage the use of nature-based solutions, strengthening our shorelines and communities. Living Shorelines will reduce flooding and erosion and strengthen resilience. I thank Save the Sound, Riverkeeper, and the Nature Conservancy for their work; Assemblyman Steve Otis for his partnership; and Governor Kathy Hochul for signing it into law. I also thank County Legislator Catherine Parker, Nancy Seligson the Co-Chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee of the National Estuary Program for Long Island Sound, Mamaroneck Town Supervisor Jaine Elkind Eney, Village of Mamaroneck Deputy Mayor Lou Young, and Village of Larchmont Mayor Sarah Bauer for joining us.

 You can watch the full press conference here.

Celebrating 40 Years of the LOFT LGBTQ Community Center 

I was happy to join our friends at The LOFT LGBT Community Center for their 40th Anniversary Celebration and to present Executive Director Judy Troilio and The LOFT Team with a New York State resolution commemorating this tremendous occasion, alongside Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. The LOFT does indispensable work and has been an important resource and source of support for so many in Westchester. Celebrating with us were Assemblyman Steve Otis, Assemblymember Chris Burdick, Assemblymember Amy Paulin, and Assemblymember Dana Levenberg.

County Legislators Honor Distinguished Italian-Americans 

I was honored to join Westchester County Legislators Vedat Gashi, Catherine Parker, Nancy Barr, Margaret Cunzio as they honored two distinguished Italian-Americans from my district, Joe Liberti and Michael Schiliro. Each has made lasting contributions to our communities.

Larchmont Mamaroneck

Lions Club Anniversary

I had a wonderful time with the Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club as they celebrated their 100th Anniversary!

Annual Armenian Picnic at

St. Gregory’s the Enlightener

I was pleased to be able to stop by at St. Gregory’s Annual Armenian Church Picnic with Rev. Fr. Mesrob Hovsepyan. The traditional Armenian food was wonderful as always and thank you for the warm hospitality.

Celebrating 110 Years of Shiloh Baptist Church 

It was a delight to celebrate 110 years of the Shiloh Baptist Church with Reverend Michael Gerald and the wonderful young men who volunteered during the beautiful anniversary luncheon at the Church. Congratulations on 110 years!

Roosevelt High School Wall of Fame

It was truly a thrill to watch and listen as Ron Rothstein of the Roosevelt High School Class of 1960 was enrolled in the Wall of Fame and to hear his remarkable journey from Yonkers to coaching in the NBA! I was honored to join Yonkers Board of Education President Rev. Steve Lopez, Principal Ed Dechent, and the basketball players of Roosevelt High School!

Coffee and Conversation

in Scarsdale

Please join me on Thursday, Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for Coffee and Conversation at the Scarsdale Public Library. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. Click here to RSVP and submit a question:

Free COVID Tests and Masks for Pick Up

My office has received a shipment of free COVID Tests and Masks for pick up! If you need COVID Tests or masks, you can pick up a limited number at these times: 

Hike with Senator Mayer and Senator Harkcham 

Please join me and Senator Pete Harkcham for a free and fun hike at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation on Saturday, October 14 from 10a.m. to 12p.m. The hike is 1.2 miles and will take approximately 1.5 hours. Registration is required. (I promise it will be great!)

Westchester County & Westchester County Association Regional Career Fair

On October 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Westchester County, the Westchester County Office of Economic Development, and the Westchester County Association will be sponsoring a Career fair where there will be more than 3,000 local jobs being promoted. 

Demystifying Medicare

The Westchester Library System is hosting a number of “Demystifying Medicare” workshops throughout the county, from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. These workshops are free and are for anyone who needs help understanding how Medicare works.

N.Y. can fight back against flooding

Community, Coffee And Conversations Series Kicks Off In Harrison

WVHS Student Senate gives students voice, real life experience

New law in New York requiring notice of unemployment benefits

National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month

October is National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month.  According to preventmedabuse.org, 20 percent of teens have taken a prescription drug that was not prescribed to them and five percent have used over-the-counter cough medicines. For more information and for resources for your family and your community, visit https://stopmedicineabuse.org/tools-to-take-action/.

The Sharing Shelf: Clothing Drive

As we welcome new arrivals to our community, our neighbors at The Sharing Shelf are requesting clothing donations. The greatest need is for new underwear, new socks, and fall/winter clothing for infants and children, as well as winter coats and shoes.

Diapers and period products (pads preferred) are also needed.

All clothing should be in clean, wearable condition ready for immediate distribution. Schedule a day and time to drop off your donation on The Sharing Shelf’s website.

SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES!

Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death from home fires in half. That’s why Sound the Alarm is installing FREE smoke alarms in your community. Learn more at SoundTheAlarm.org/MNYN, call 845-673-1198 or scan the QR code.

Office of State Senator Shelley B. Mayer

235 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 400

White Plains, NY 10605

Phone: (914) 934-5250

Email: SMayer@nysenate.gov