DOCSLIB.ORG

12-12-19 Joint Senate Hearing Housing Discrimination

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
12-12-19 Joint Senate Hearing Housing Discrimination 1 BEFORE THE NEW YORK STATE SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION 2 AND STANDING COMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATIONS AND 3 GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND 4 STANDING COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 5 ----------------------------------------------------- 6 JOINT PUBLIC HEARING: 7 PUBLIC HEARING ON LONG ISLAND REGARDING REAL ESTATE AGENTS’ DISCRIMINATION OF HOME BUYERS 8 ----------------------------------------------------- 9 Student Center Theater 10 Mack Student Center Hofstra University 11 Hempstead, New York 12 Date: December 12, 2019 Time: 10:00 a.m. 13 14 PRESIDING: 15 Senator Kevin Thomas, Chairman NYS Senate Standing Committee on 16 Consumer Protection 17 Senator James Skoufis, Chairman NYS Senate Standing Committee on 18 Investigations and Government Operations 19 Senator Brian Kavanagh, Chairman NYS Senate Standing Committee on 20 Housing, Construction, and Community Development 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 ALSO PRESENT FROM THE STATE SENATE: 3 Senator Phil Boyle 4 Senator John E. Brooks 5 Senator James Gaughran 6 Senator Todd Kaminsky 7 Senator Anna Kaplan 8 Senator John Liu 9 Senator Monica Martinez 10 11 ALSO PRESENT FROM THE STATE ASSEMBLY: 12 Assemblymember Charles Lavine 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 3 1 SPEAKERS: PAGE QUESTIONS 2 Arthur Brown 15 3 "Long Island Divided" Project Director 4 "Newsday" 5 Laura Curran 26 37 County Executive 6 Nassau County 7 Steve Bellone 26 37 County Executive 8 Suffolk County 9 Fred Freiberg 40 61 Co-Founder 10 Fair Housing Justice Center 11 Elaine Gross 40 61 President and CEO 12 Erase Racism 13 M. Ryan Gorman 120 128 President & CEO 14 NRT, LLC (Realogy Holdings Corporation, 15 parent company) 16 Richard Helling 209 209 Tester 17 Johnnie Mae Alston Tester 18 "Newsday" 19 Kimberly A. Kinirons 240 264 Assistant Attorney General, 20 Suffolk Regional Office NYS Attorney General's Office 21 Theresa Sanders 240 264 22 President Urban League of Long Island 23 Lorraine Y. Collins 240 264 24 Director of Policy and External Affairs 25 Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. 4 1 SPEAKERS (continued): PAGE QUESTIONS 2 Moses Seuram 277 283 3 President Duncan MacKenzie 4 CEO NYS Association of Realtors 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 5 1 SENATOR THOMAS: Hi, good morning, everyone. 2 Can everyone take their seat? 3 Thank you. 4 Today is December 12, 2019. 5 I want to welcome everyone to the hearing on 6 housing discrimination here on Long Island. 7 I am state Senator Kevin Thomas, a resident 8 of Levittown, and I will talk about that a little 9 shortly. 10 I also represent this district that you are 11 all in right now. 12 I also happen to chair the Consumer 13 Protection Committee. 14 And this hearing is also co-chaired by my 15 colleagues here: 16 We have Senator Skoufis of Investigations 17 Committee, and Senator Kavanagh from the Housing 18 Committee. 19 Along with members of the Long Island 20 delegation, I have Senator Kaminsky and 21 Senator Brooks with me as well. 22 And we'll have more joining. 23 I am a resident of Levittown, and I'm saying 24 that because many of you here know the history of 25 Levittown, and how institutional discrimination 6 1 plagued that community. 2 And after the passage of the Civil Rights Act 3 and the Fair Housing Act, we would think this kind 4 of segregation and discrimination would end. 5 That's hardly the case, and it's evidenced by 6 "Newsday's" investigation, where they found unequal 7 treatment of individuals wanting the American Dream, 8 which is to purchase a house. 9 That's why we are having this hearing. 10 We have a number of panels coming up shortly, 11 so that we can get the facts, get recommendations, 12 and an opportunity for us elected officials that 13 represent you to act. 14 You know, while I sit here, I think of what 15 Martin Luther King said. 16 "An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice 17 everywhere." 18 With that, I'm going to turn this over to my 19 partner here, Senator Skoufis, from the 20 Investigations Committee. 21 Thank you. 22 SENATOR SKOUFIS: Thank you very much, 23 Senator Thomas. 24 And a very good morning to everyone who's 25 here. 7 1 We gather today in an attempt to begin 2 addressing an issue that strikes at the very core of 3 who we are as a state and as a people. 4 Ever since the Dutch and English co-existed 5 in the 1600s, New York State has long possessed a 6 reputation of unmatched embrace and diversity. 7 In the 1690s, accused witches in Salem, 8 Massachusetts, fled their colony for ours, knowing 9 they would find safe, inclusive refuge. 10 In the late nineteenth and early twentieth 11 centuries, New York's harbor would welcome 12 12 million individuals of varied races, ethnicities, 13 and religions, all seeking a shot at the 14 American Dream. 15 And over the last few years, people across 16 our country have looked to New York State for 17 inspiration amidst rampant xenophobia, a dramatic 18 surge in racism, and an unnerving resurgence of hate 19 crimes. 20 That is why, ladies and gentlemen, the issues 21 raised by "Newsday's" recent exposé must begin to be 22 addressed by this body. 23 These alarming allegations run contrary to 24 our proud 400-year history. 25 This is not who we are, or at a minimum, this 8 1 is not who we ought to be. 2 Make no mistake, discrimination has, and 3 likely will, always continue to linger throughout 4 society. 5 But to witness it in such stark, systematic 6 terms, here on Long Island, here in New York State, 7 is offensive, repugnant, and unacceptable. 8 Which brings us to today. 9 Our Senate committees will begin the process 10 of understanding what happened, how it happened, why 11 it happened, and more importantly, what safeguards 12 can be put in place to prevent it from happening 13 again. 14 As a final note, I would like to publicly 15 commend "Newsday" for their enormous undertaking and 16 public service. 17 At a time when some people in our country 18 odiously refer to the press as enemies of the 19 people, "Newsday's" exposé is the latest 20 demonstration of the exact opposite: they're the 21 conscious of our nation. 22 With that, I look forward to today's 23 testimony, and turn it over to my fellow co-chair, 24 Senator Brian Kavanagh. 25 SENATOR KAVANAGH: Thank you, Senator Skoufis 9 1 and Senator Thomas. 2 I will be brief. 3 This is the seventh hearing of the 4 Housing Committee. 5 We have been proud to do one of those 6 hearings previously, jointly, with the 7 Investigations and Government Operations Committee. 8 And I want to also begin by thanking 9 "Newsday" for the extraordinary work over the course 10 of many years. 11 And the -- I also would like to add my thanks 12 to the staff of our committees, and all the 13 committee members, who worked very quickly to pull 14 together this hearing together. 15 It's just a few weeks ago that we were, you 16 know, educated, and some of us enraged, by some of 17 the things we read in "Newsday". 18 And we thought it was very important that we 19 promptly engage in this very public forum, to 20 educate ourselves about what has been uncovered by 21 this investigation, what the various perspectives of 22 the folks involved in the industry, folks 23 responsible for overseeing the industry, are, and 24 hopefully, to look for steps we can take proactively 25 in the coming legislative session. 1 0 1 You know, the Housing Committee has been 2 engaged over the course of the last 11 months in 3 reviewing every aspect of our housing markets 4 throughout the state, with an understanding that 5 most people view housing in New York as an aspect of 6 our society that is in crisis. 7 We have people throughout New York State who 8 are unable to find homes that are adequate, where 9 the quality and safety standards are high, and where 10 they can afford to live and work in our communities 11 and raise their families there. 12 We took tremendous steps to alter the nature 13 of the rental market, not only fundamentally 14 changing the rent-stabilization system in New York, 15 to ensure that we closed loopholes that have, for a 16 very long time, diminished the effectiveness of that 17 system, but also through the Housing Stability and 18 Tenant Protection Act, addressing many inequities 19 between landlords and tenants in every aspect of the 20 manner in which they interact. 21 But we know, we knew even before, you know, 22 "Newsday's" publication on November 17th, that our 23 work is far from done, and that's because we know 24 that: 25 There are affordability issues; 1 1 1 There are people facing foreclosure, and 2 other issues; 3 There are housing-quality issues that we 4 uncovered in a related investigation on code 5 enforcement, and the deficiencies of that system, 6 which is something we'll also be taking up in the 7 next year. 8 But, of course, we know that the -- all the 9 work we do -- all the work we do in government, all 10 the work we do in our communities -- is diminished 11 if New Yorkers cannot count on fair and equal access 12 to housing, regardless of their -- the personal 13 characteristics of themselves and their families.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • THE STATE of EARLY LEARNING in NEW YORK TOO MANY YOUNG LEARNERS STILL LEFT out Access to Full-Day Pre-K and Child Care by Legislative District
    BRIEFING GUIDE THE STATE OF EARLY LEARNING IN NEW YORK TOO MANY YOUNG LEARNERS STILL LEFT OUT Access to Full-Day Pre-K and Child Care By Legislative District What New York Leaders Need to Do Now Recommendations for 2019-20 Enacted Budget Acknowledgments Preparation of this report was truly a team effort by the Ready for Kindergarten, Ready for College Campaign including Betty Holcomb, Center for Children’s Initiatives, Marina Marcou O’Malley, the Alliance for Quality Education, Dorothy (Dede) Hill, the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, and Pete Nabozny, The Children’s Agenda for valuable data analysis and editing. Special thanks to Jennifer March, executive director, Citizens’ Committee for Children and to the Committee’s data and research team, including Marija Drobnjak, and Sophia Halkitis, for the providing data on subsidized child care in New York City. In addition, we want to thank the National Alliance for Early Success, the New York Community Trust, Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and The Partnership for America’s Children for their support. THE STATE OF EARLY LEARNING IN NEW YORK TOO MANY YOUNG LEARNERS STILL LEFT OUT | 2 OPPORTUNITIES DENIED Working Families And The State’s Youngest Learners Left Out HIGHLIGHTS • The Governor’s proposal to add just $15 million for pre-K for 3- and 4- year olds, is unlikely to add even the 3,000 new seats he promises, and falls dismally short of rising need and unmet demand. More than 100 districts gave formal notice of interest in adding pre-K last October. • 80,000 four-year-olds across the state – mostly outside New York City – still have no full-day pre-K.
    [Show full text]
  • New York State Legislature
    NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE March 4,2019 Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo Acting Commissioner Executive Chamber NYS Department of Transportation State Capitol, Second Floor 50 Wolf Road Albany, NY 12224 Albany, NY 12232 Hon. Andrea Stewart-Cousins Hon. Carl E. Heastie Temporary President and Majority Leader Speaker of the Assembly Room 907 LOB Room 932 LOB Albany, NY 12247 Albany, NY 12248 Hon. John J. Flanagan Hon. Brian M. Koib Senate Minority Conference Leader Assembly Minority Conference Leader Room 315 Capitol Room 933 LOB Albany, NY 12247 Albany, NY 12248 Hon. Timothy M. Kennedy Hon. William B. Magnarelli Chair, Senate Transportation Committee Chair, Assembly Transportation Committee Room 708 LOB Room 830 LOB Albany, NY 12247 Albany, NY 12248 Dear Governor Cuomo and Legislative Leaders: For the seventh consecutive session, on behalf of local transportation leaders, municipalities, and taxpayers from throughout our respective legislative districts and across New York State, we appreciate this opportunity to address the urgent need for greater state investment in local roads, bridges, and culverts. First, we will take this opportunity to reiterate our strong support for the PAVE-NY and BRIDGE-NY programs enacted as part of the 2016-17 state budget. These initiatives have provided invaluable funding for additional road paving, and bridge and culvert work for both the state and local systems, and we will look forward to their continuation this year and in future years. Nevertheless, as we continue to address the sustainable future of New York’s locally maintained transportation infrastructure, we must once again highlight the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), which as you know makes the key difference for so many local communities, economies, governments, motorists, and taxpayers throughout the state.
    [Show full text]
  • State Senate District Town/City/Counties NYSNA
    NYSNA-Endorsed State Senate District Town/City/Counties Candidates There are no NYSNA-endorsed 1 Brookhaven candidates in this district There are no NYSNA-endorsed 2 East Northport candidates in this district There are no NYSNA-endorsed 3 Suffolk candidates in this district 4 Suffolk Phil Boyle (Rep) 5 Nassau, Suffolk Jim Gaughran (Dem) 6 Nassau County Kevin Thomas (Dem) 7 Nassau County Anna Kaplan (Dem) 8 Seaford John Brooks (Dem) 9 Long Beach, Hempstead Todd Kaminsky (Dem) 10 Queens James Sanders, Jr. (Dem) 11 Queens John Liu (Dem) 12 Queens Michael Gianaris (Dem) 13 Queens Jessica Ramos (Dem) 14 Queens Leroy Comrie (Dem) 15 Queens Joe Addabbo (Dem) 16 Queens Toby Ann Stavisky (Dem) There are no NYSNA-endorsed 17 Kings candidates in this district 18 NYC Julia Salazar (Dem) 19 Kings Roxanne Persaud (Dem) 20 Kings Zellnor Myrie (Dem) 21 Kings Kevin Parker (Dem) 22 Kings Andrew Gounardes (Dem) 23 Kings Diane Savino (Dem) 24 Kings Andrew Lanza (Rep) 25 Kings Velmanette Montgomery (Dem) 26 Kings Brian Kavanagh (Dem) 27 NYC Brad Hoylman (Dem) 28 NYC Liz Krueger (Dem) 29 NYC José M. Serrano (Dem) 30 NYC Brian Benjamin (Dem) 31 Bronx Robert Jackson (Dem) 32 Bronx Luis Sepúlveda (Dem) 33 Bronx Gustavo Rivera (Dem) 34 Bronx Alessandra Biaggi (Dem) Yonkers, Greenburgh, Andrea Stewart-Cousins (Dem) WhIte PlaIns, SCarsdale & 35 New RoChelle 36 Bronx/Mt. Vernon Jamaal Bailey (Dem) 37 Rye City Shelley Mayer (Dem) 38 WestCheter David Carlucci (Dem) 39 Orange/RoCkland/Ulster James Skoufis (Dem) 40 WestCheter Terrence Murphy (Rep) 41 Hyde Park Sue Serino (Rep) 42 Middletown Jen Metzger (Dem) 43 Halfmoon Aaron Gladd (Dem) 44 Albany, Rensselaer Neil Breslin (Dem) ClInton, Essex, FranklIn, There are no NYSNA-endorsed St.
    [Show full text]
  • New York State Legislature Public Hearing Calendar
    Dean G. Skelos Sheldon Silver Majority Coalition Leader Speaker Jeffrey D. Klein New York State Assembly Majority Coalition Leader New York State Senate NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE PUBLIC HEARING CALENDAR For Immediate Release: October 11, 2013 Oct. 16 Senate Standing Committee on Education Chair: Senator John J. Flanagan Public Hearing: The Regents Reform Agenda: “Assessing” Our Progress Place: Buffalo City Hall, Common Council Chambers, 13th Floor, 65 Niagara Square, Buffalo, New York Time: 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. Contact: Robin Mueller (518) 455-2071 Media Contact: Robert Caroppoli (631) 361-2154 ORAL TESTIMONY BY INVITATION ONLY Oct. 22 Joint – Assembly Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation Chair: Assembly Member Robert K. Sweeney and Assembly Subcommittee on Oversight of the Department of Environmental Conservation Chair: Assembly Member Sean M. Ryan Public Hearing: The Need for a New Environmental Bond Act and the Impacts of the 2013-14 State Budget on the Department of Environmental Conservation Place: Madonna Hall, D’Youville College, 320 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, New York Time: 9:30 A.M. Contact: Andrew Matott (518) 455-4363 Media Contact: Assembly Press Office (518) 455-3888 Oct. 22 Joint – Assembly Standing Committee on Health Chair: Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried Assembly Standing Committee on Insurance Chair: Assembly Member Kevin A. Cahill and Assembly Standing Committee on Oversight, Analysis and Investigation Chair: Assembly Member Andrew D. Hevesi Public Hearing: Early Intervention Fiscal Agent Implementation Place: Roosevelt Hearing Room C, Legislative Office Building, 2nd Floor, Albany, New York Time: 10:30 A.M. Contact: Michelle Newman (518) 455-4371 Media Contact: Assembly Press Office (518) 455-3888 ORAL TESTIMONY BY INVITATION ONLY Oct.
    [Show full text]
  • June 8, 2021 Howard Zucker, M.D., J.D. Commissioner, New York State Department of Health Corning Tower Empire State Plaza Albany, NY 12237
    June 8, 2021 Howard Zucker, M.D., J.D. Commissioner, New York State Department of Health Corning Tower Empire State Plaza Albany, NY 12237 Dear Commissioner Zucker: We are respectfully writing in support of essential funding for the 553 New York State adult care facility and assisted living residences (ACFs/ALRs) to offset a fraction of their pandemic related losses. Statewide, ACFs/ALRs care for approximately 52,000 New Yorkers, many of whom are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19 - the average resident 85 years of age, requiring assistance with at least three activities of daily living, and having multiple co-morbidities. To protect residents and staff from the pandemic, New York’s senior living providers have incurred hundreds of millions of dollars in COVID-19 related expenses. These expenses go beyond PPE and infection control supplies, to include well-deserved hero pay, monies for additional staff, and the provision of the weekly COVID testing mandated by the Department. In addition, the temporary discontinuation of admissions and limitations on visitation have resulted in substantial revenue losses for these facilities. In total, the estimated losses exceed $1 billion for the industry. Since May of 2020, New York has required ACFs and ALRs to test all staff for COVID-19 on a weekly basis. While this has been an important protocol to ensure the safety of both residents and staff, the costs associated with this mandate were substantial and completely unanticipated. The current industry cost estimate of this mandate is now over $100 million, and increasing weekly. We are very concerned that, unlike other provider types, ACFs/ALRs have not received State funding to offset even a portion of these expenses.
    [Show full text]
  • NYSUT 2014 Endorsements for NYC Metro Area. for Statewide Office For
    August 2014 NYSUT 2014 Endorsements for NYC metro area. For Statewide Office Name Incumbent Party NYSUT WFP NYS AFL-CIO Governor Andrew Cuomo Y D,WF Yes Zephyr Teachout N D Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul N D,WF Yes Tim Wu N D Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli Y D,WF Yes Yes Yes Attorney General Eric Schneiderman Y D,WF Yes Yes Yes For NYS Senate Name Incumbent Party NYSUT WFP NYS AFL-CIO SD 01 Kenneth LaValle Y R,C,I Yes Yes SD 03 Adrienne Esposito N D Yes Yes Yes SD 04 Phil Boyle Y R,C,I Yes SD 05 Carl Marcellino Y R,C,I Yes Yes SD 05 Bruce Kennedy N D,WF Yes SD 06 Kemp Hannon Y R,C,I Yes SD 06 Ethan Irwin N D,WF Yes SD 07 Adam Haber N D,WF Yes SD 08 Dave Denenberg N D,WF Yes Yes Yes SD 09 Dean Skelos Y R,C,I Yes SD 09 Patrick Gillespie N D,WF Yes SD 10 James Sanders, Jr. Y D,WF Yes Yes Yes SD 11 John Liu N D Yes SD 12 Michael Gianaris Y D,WF Yes Yes Yes SD 13 Jose Peralta Y D,WF Yes Yes Yes SD 14 Leroy Comrie N D,WF Yes Yes Yes SD 15 Joseph Addabbo, Jr. Y D Yes Yes Yes SD 16 Toby Ann Stavisky Y D,WF Yes Yes Yes SD 18 Martin Malave Dilan Y D Yes Yes SD 18 Debbie Medina N D,WF Yes SD 19 Del Smitherman N D,WF Yes Yes SD 20 Jesse Hamilton N D Yes Yes SD 20 Rubain Dorancy N D Yes SD 21 Kevin Parker Y D,WF Yes Yes Yes SD 22 James Kemerer N D,WF Yes SD 23 Diane Savino Y D Yes Yes SD 24 Andrew Lanza Y R,C,I Yes Yes SD 24 Gary Carsel N D,WF Yes SD 25 Velmanette Montgomery Y D,WF Yes Yes Yes SD 26 Daniel Squadron Y D,WF Yes Yes Yes SD 27 Brad Hoylman Y D,WF Yes Yes Yes SD 28 Liz Krueger Y D,WF Yes Yes Yes SD 29 Jose Serrano Y D,WF Yes Yes Yes SD 30 Bill Perkins Y D,WF Yes Yes Yes SD 31 Adriano Espaillat Y D,WF Yes Yes Yes SD 33 Gustavo Rivera Y D,WF Yes Yes Yes SD 34 Jeffrey Klein Y D, I Yes Yes 1 August 2014 NYSUT 2014 Endorsements for NYC metro area.
    [Show full text]
  • New York State Senate Districts and Asian Communities (2019)
    New York State Senate Districts and Asian Communities (2019) Introduction With the fastest percentage growth rates in the Asian the New York metro area, in District 58, covering population of New York State happening in upstate Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tompkins, and Yates areas, this profile on the Asian communities for each Counties, Asians accounted for 52% of all immigrants.- of the State Senate Districts in New York State expands upon the previous brief issued in 2012, Finally, Table 1 summarizes Asian Citizen Voting Age which only covered New York City. - Population (CVAP) data from 2017. Overall, Asians- comprise of 6% of the total CVAP in New York State. This profile is based on the data from the 2017 5 year SD 16 has the highest percent of Asian voting age American Community Survey from the U.S. Census citizens,- accounting for 45% of the total CVAP in SD Bureau, unless otherwise noted. For each district, this 16. SD 11 has the second largest percent of Asian brief provides a snapshot of the Asian populations voting age citizens, accounting- for 32% of the total including disaggregated data -by Asian ethnicities, the CVAP while SD 22 follows with the third largest share of immigrants that make up the Asian percent of Asian voting age citizens, accounting for population, the citizen voting age populations for 23% of the total CVAP. In the New York metro area, Asians, and the Asian languages most commonly 13 SDs had Asians making up more- than 10% of the spoken. CVAP. Outside the New York metro area, SD 44 has Overall Asian Population the highest percent of Asian voting age citizens, accounting for 4% of the total CVAP.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 State Environmental
    NEW YORK LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS 2019 STATE ENVIRONMENTAL Scorecard For thirty years, the New York League of Conservation Voters In June, the legislature passed a bill to give local fish, which are a cornerstone of the marine eco- has worked to lobby state and local elected governments the authority to legalize and regu- system. The clock ran out on passing legislation officials on environmental issues, provide late e-bikes and e-scooters, which are important to protect Class C streams, but there’s plenty of objective information about environmental low-emission options that will help us reduce the support to get it done when the legislature returns policies to the public, and hold elected officials transportation sector’s role in climate change. in January. accountable. Several years ago NYLCV began Both houses also took action to require the De- issuing a State Legislative Scorecard after the partment of Transportation to issue 5-year capital On the renewable energy front, both houses state legislative session in order to further our plans that consider alternative modes of trans- passed legislation to shore up support for legacy goal of holding elected officials accountable. portation. And while it unfortunately did not renewable energy projects, ensuring that we’ll I’m privileged to announce that in my first year pass either house, we made progress this year on continue to benefit from older hydropower and COVER IMAGE ©ZACK FRANK / STOCK.ADOBE.COM / FRANK ©ZACK IMAGE COVER as President, the State Legislature had the best considering a low-carbon fuel standard that would wind facilities for years to come.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 Annual Report NEW YORK STATE SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE on JUDICIARY
    2019 Annual Report NEW YORK STATE SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY Senator Brad Hoylman Chair The Honorable Andrea Stewart-Cousins February 3, 2020 Temporary President and Majority Leader New York State Senate Albany, NY 12247 Dear Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins: As Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary, I am pleased to transmit the Annual Report for the 2019 Legislative Session. During the 2019 session, the Committee met eleven times, reporting 61 bills and approving 14 nominees to the Court of Claims and interim Supreme Court appointments. The Committee held a hearing on compensated gestational surrogacy agreements in May, and two joint hearings to consider a proposal by Chief Judge Janet DiFiore to consolidate New York’s court system in November. I am particularly proud of the work the Judiciary Committee did to advance the Child Victims Act (S.2440), which passed the Senate unanimously after years of being denied a vote. I am immensely grateful for your leadership this year and for the tireless efforts of the Majority Conference staff to ensure the smooth operations of the Committee. I also thank all of my fellow committee members for their diligence and hard work. Though we accomplished so much in 2019, much more work remains to be done to ensure fairness, justice, due process, and equal protection under the law for all New Yorkers, and I will continue to direct this Committee’s efforts toward that ultimate goal. Sincerely, Brad Hoylman State Senator 27th District 2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION REPORT NEW YORK STATE SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY Senator Brad Hoylman, Chair Senator Thomas F.
    [Show full text]
  • MTA Letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell
    June 11, 2011 The Honorable Mitch McConnell Majority Leader Unites States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Leader McConnell, As proud New York Republicans, we are writing to make the case for significant additional federal funding for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The nearly $4 billion directed to the MTA in the CARES Act approved by Congress and signed by President Trump has been crucial in allowing the agency to continue running service. But it is ultimately not enough to meet the full need. We are asking Congress to act again and provide an additional $3.9 billion to support the MTA’s operations through 2020. A failing MTA will be a huge blow not just to New York, but the country as a whole as it seeks to rebound economically from the COVID-19 global pandemic. New York has been the epicenter of this crisis in the United States. The essential workers on the frontlines who have rightly received so much praise and appreciation depend on mass transit to get to their critical jobs. Healthcare providers, pharmacists, first responders and grocery store workers cannot be left stranded at the time when they’re needed most. As this pandemic subsides, the need for a robust transportation network will only be greater. The MTA has always been the economic lifeblood of the New York metropolitan region. The system connects more than 15 million residents across New York City, Long Island, Westchester and Connecticut with employment and educational opportunities that help drive the downstate economy, which accounts for nearly 10 percent of the national GDP.
    [Show full text]
  • Social Work Investment Initiative Advocacy Toolkit
    Table of Contents Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Social Work Investment Initiative: What Is It? ............................................................................................ 4 Background Information .................................................................................................................. 5 Why this matters .............................................................................................................................. 6 What is the Social Work Investment Initiative? ............................................................................... 7 Sample Call-In Script .................................................................................................................................... 9 Sample Facebook Posts .............................................................................................................................. 13 Sample Twitter Posts ................................................................................................................................. 15 Logo and Graphics ...................................................................................................................................... 17 Sample Letter to the Editor (LTE) ............................................................................................................... 18 Sample Letter to Your Legislator (End the Exemption) ............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Directory of Public Officials a Guide to Elected Federal, State, County, Town and Local Officials for Suffolk County Voters
    2021 Directory of Public Officials A guide to elected federal, state, county, town and local officials for Suffolk County voters Produced as a community service by Suffolk County Local Leagues with support from individual donors, businesses and organizations. Tax deductible donations for LWV voter education and service are made through the LWV Education Foundation. See back cover to contribute. Important Information for Voters PRIMARY ELECTIONS: TUESDAY June 22, 2021 Early Voting: June 12 - June 20 Deadlines for voting in primary elections: Voter Registration: May 28, 2021 Application for Absentee Ballot: June 21, 2021 Postmark for Absentee Ballot: June 22, 2021 Remember that New York State has a closed primary. Although only enrolled members of a party can vote in that party’s primary elections, registered voters may vote for any party’s candidate on Election Day. GENERAL ELECTION: TUESDAY November 2, 2021 Early Voting: October 23 - October 31 Deadlines for voting in the general election: Voter Registration: October 8, 2021 Application for Absentee Ballot: October 26, 2021 (November 1 in person) Postmark for Absentee Ballot: November 2, 2021 REMEMBER: You must be registered in order to vote. You may register if you will be 18 years of age by Election Day, a resident of the county for at least 30 days prior to the election, and a citizen of the United States. 16 and 17 year-olds can now pre-register to vote, but will not be able to vote until they are 18. If you have moved in the state since the last time you voted, you will be able to vote on affidavit ballot in your new election district.
    [Show full text]