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Dear Friends,
It has been another challenging and emotional week in our community. Please know that I am deeply upset by the widespread public expression of anti-semitism and islamophobia - as well as racism and other hateful speech and conduct that seems so prevalent right now. Our state and nation must aim for a far more civil and respectful diversity of opinions. Violence and hatefulness has no place in our discourse.
In other news, I was proud to attend Veterans Day commemorations throughout the district to honor the tremendous sacrifice of the men and women who answered the call to defend and protect our nation. I am always emotional when we stand together as proud Americans and honor those who have served, and those who serve today.
My food drive with the Youth Advisory Council is continuing until November 20. Please consider donating if you are able. Your non-perishable and shelf-stable donations will be given to Feeding Westchester.
TODAY - We will be set up at Trotta’s West St. Health Mart Pharmacy in Harrison today to collect food donations. Many thanks to my friend, pharmacy owner Anthony Ciarletta, who graciously made this happen. More information is below.
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,
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Shelley B. Mayer
State Senator
37th District
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Kicking off StateWide Education Tour
I had a terrific time kicking off my statewide education tour this week with visits to the Canajoharie Central School District and Capital Region BOCES. Throughout November and December, members of the Senate Education Committee will be joining me as we visit schools around New York State to learn about the exceptional work educators and administrators are doing to help students move forward from the disruptions of the pandemic and prepare them for a range of paths after high school. I look forward to our upcoming visits and the opportunity to see more of the innovative ways our schools are facing these challenges.
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Funding Secured for Cerebral Palsy of Westchester
I was proud to secure $150,000 in state funding to help construct the BRIDGE Training Center for Cerebral Palsy of Westchester! CPW does tremendous work, and this center will provide invaluable support to CPW’s high school and adult clients. I thank CPW Executive Director Linda Kuck and her team for their commitment to ensuring teens and young adults with disabilities have the opportunities and resources they need to thrive. Thank you to Assemblyman Otis, Supervisor Zuckerman, Legislator Barr and Rye Brook Mayor Klein for joining us.
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Funds Available for Distribution to Religious and Independent Schools in New York State to Address Alarming Rise in
Antisemitism and Anti-Muslim Threats
I was pleased to announce recently that after strong advocacy from Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and me, NYS released $45 million in non-competitive funding for security expenses for Non-Public Schools. We pushed for immediate distribution to address the urgent need for school safety funding, especially for Jewish and Islamic schools in New York. Jewish and Islamic schools have incurred additional and substantial costs over this past month as they seek to provide safety and peace of mind to students, staff, and families. With antisemitic and Islamophobic threats at a devastating level in New York State, we must do everything in our power to protect these schools, their students and staff.
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Blue Ribbon Commission Appointed by the NYS Board of Regents Releases Report that Re-Envisions Graduation Requirements
The Blue Ribbon Commission, appointed by the NYS Board of Regents, released a thoughtful report providing its recommendations and approach to re-envisioning graduation requirements in New York State. In a time of great turmoil and change, our children deserve our renewed attention to every facet of their educational experience. I’m particularly excited to see an increased emphasis on civics education, financial literacy, arts and music, STEM, and writing skills for graduation credits. I look forward to reviewing the report in detail, and working with the Board of the Regents as it considers the path forward.
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Veterans Day in Westchester
I was humbled to attend Veterans’ Day commemorations throughout Westchester to honor those who have proudly served in our Armed Forces. I joined ceremonies in White Plains, Harrison, and at The Osborne in Rye. I was also fortunate to hear Takeshi (Tak) Furumoto, a Vietnam War Veteran and Bronze Star recipient who was born in a Japanese Internment Camp in the United States, speak about patriotism and his life story of persistence and grit at the Jay Heritage Center.
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Nominated Chester “Chet” Edwards to the Veterans Hall of Fame
I was proud to nominate Chester “Chet” Edwards for the New York State Senate’s Veterans Hall of Fame for 2023. Chet is a decorated Vietnam veteran who served in the United States Navy and New York State Guard, where he attained the rank of colonel. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Hudson Valley Honor Flight, which flies our veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials at no cost to them. Chet is also Co-Chair of my Veterans Advisory Committee. To learn more about Chet, click here and skip to 13:58.
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District Office Open House
We had a terrific time at our Open House at our new offices in White Plains! Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello and who made a donation to our Food Drive. It was great to see so many friends and neighbors and to enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres created by Bronxville’s Ladle of Love. If there is anything I or my staff can assist you with, you can always call or stop by our district office at 235 Mamaroneck Avenue Suite 400, in White Plains.
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Speaking at the Yonkers PTA/PTSA
I had a great time speaking with my friends at the Yonkers Council of PTA/PTSAs at my own elementary school, Casimir Pulaski School (previously known as PS26!). Thank you for having me and for everything you do to support our schools.
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Visit to Midland Elementary School
It was a treat to visit Midland Elementary School and learn about Rye City School District’s wonderful Comprehensive Literacy Program, and to see children and teachers so engaged in the joy of learning to read. Thank you to Superintendent Dr. Eric Byrne for the invitation.
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Senator Mayer’s Food Drive to Benefit Feeding Westchester
NYS Senator Shelley Mayer and the Youth Advisory Council are hosting a Food Drive from November 6 – 20 at five locations: Mamaroneck Town Center, Pound Ridge Town House, Will Library in Yonkers, Trotta’s West St. Health Mart Pharmacy in Harrison, and Senator Mayer's office in White Plains. Your non-perishable and shelf-stable donations will be given to Feeding Westchester. Thank you to Anthony Ciarletta for his assistance in this effort!
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Cerebral Palsy of Westchester receives grant for new Bridge Training Center | |
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$45 Million for non-public schools to keep students safe
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After two decades, voters come through for small city school districts | |
The 2023 Power of Diversity: Women 100 | |
New York could expand graduation requirements for high schoolers | |
'Living' shorelines help guard Long Island coast against ravages of storms | |
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Update from New York State
Attorney General Letitia James
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The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps eligible New Yorkers heat and cool their homes. The 2023-24 Regular HEAP benefit is now open. To find out if you qualify, visit otda.ny.gov/programs/heap or call 914-955-3333.
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Fire Safety in High-Rise Buildings
A fire in a high-rise building need not be any more dangerous than a fire in a single-storey home, provided residents know what actions to take to keep themselves and their families safe. The Yonkers Fire Department and its members in the Yonkers Uniformed Fire Officers Association and Yonkers Firefighters Local 628 have compiled this comprehensive set of instructions for high-rise residents, with specific advice for what to do if:
- There is a fire in your apartment
- There is a fire somewhere else in the building
- You are in the hallway
- Smoke enters your apartment
Keep this flier handy in case of emergencies. Above all, make sure you know the locations of all available exit stairs in your building, and don’t forget to call 911!
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News from the NYS Department of Labor:
Valuable Tax Credits Available
Businesses in District 37 can take advantage of a number of tax credits that help cut costs and make hiring easier:
- The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) offers employers up to $2,400 in federal tax savings for hiring individuals with barriers to employment.
- The Workers (with Disabilities) Employment Tax Credit (WETC) offers $2,100 in state tax credits for businesses that employ people with disabilities who currently receive vocational rehabilitation services.
- The Federal Bonding Program provides six months of no-cost fidelity bonding coverage to businesses that hire eligible job seekers.
You can find a complete list of tax credits and funding opportunities on the Department of Labor website.
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November Is American Diabetes Month
Nearly 1 in 2 Americans has diabetes or prediabetes. With so many people affected by Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is committed to a focus on advocacy, education, and research.
If you are living with diabetes, or if you are a parent, caregiver, provider, or an individual worried about your risk, the ADA has a wealth of resources to support you, available in English and Spanish. Since many people are not aware they have prediabetes or even type 2 diabetes, please consider taking the ADA’s free 60-second risk test. You can also call 1-800-DIABETES or visit www.diabetes.org to learn about symptoms, treatment, living well, and preventing Type 2 diabetes.
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