Community Update from Senator Shelley Mayer

Dear Friends:

This past week, the Senate Education Committee and the Committee on Budget & Revenues launched regional roundtable discussions to hear from stakeholders regarding the components of the Foundation Aid Formula. On Wednesday, October 16th, we were in Yonkers for the Hudson Valley Roundtable, and on Friday, October 18th, we were in Buffalo for the Western New York Roundtable. Thank you to my colleagues who participated and the many education leaders, advocates, teachers, and administrators for sharing their thoughts and analysis on how the state can achieve greater equity in school financing by reexamining how we measure student, district, and community needs. There are three upcoming roundtables and one public hearing. Find out more about the upcoming sessions below.

On Tuesday, October 15th, I was glad to gather with members of the Star Legacy Foundation and Assemblyman David Buchwald to commemorate Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day & Month. Parents who have experienced stillbirth have gone through unspeakable pain. Assemblyman Buchwald and I have introduced a new bill to provide affected parents with financial relief for associated expenses. Read more about this bill in the section below.

Another bill that I am sponsoring protects consumers from undue increases to long term care insurance premiums. S.6674 empowers the Superintendent of Financial Services to approve, modify, or reject an insurer's application to adjust premiums. Read more about this bill in the section below.

Starting on October 26th, New Yorkers will be able to vote early. All registered voters are eligible to vote early from Saturday, October 26th to Sunday, November 3rd. Check details below for dates, times, and polling sites for Early Voting. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th.

Sunday, October 27th marks the one year anniversary of the horrific Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, PA that took the lives of 11 congregants. On this anniversary, I am joining the AJC in asking community members to #ShowUpForShabbat as a show of solidarity with the American Jewish community. Please visit AJC.org/ShowUpforShabbat to find a local service in your community during the weekend of October 25-26th.

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if there is an issue my office can help with or a community event you would like me to know about. You can call 914-934-5250 or smayer@nysenate.gov.

Kind regards,

Shelley B. Mayer 

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