Feb. 17: Community Update from Senator Shelley Mayer

Dear Friends:

The legislative session is in full swing, and my top priority is to press for full funding for education that is owed to districts throughout the state, investment in infrastructure, protection against healthcare cuts and other important issues for residents of the 37th District and all New Yorkers. Governor Andrew Cuomo has released his proposed budget, available here, and the Senate Majority is working on preparing its own “One House” response to begin negotiations with the Executive.

In the interim, the Westchester Senate Delegation planned two Budget Forums to hear feedback from constituents on your priorities. The first was held on Thursday, February 6th in Yonkers. Over 100 people attended and spoke about their needs. The second Budget Forum will be in White Plains on Tuesday, February 18th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, at the Westchester County Center. Please RSVP to testify so we can accommodate as many people as possible in a limited time. Click here to RSVP.

Over the past few weeks, the Senate Education Committee, which I chair, advanced several important legislative initiatives, including S.6648. Sponsored by Senator Todd Kaminsky and co-sponsored by me, S.6648 requires instruction regarding symbols of hate, including the swastika and the noose, to be incorporated into the curricula for grades six through twelve. We've experienced a regional and national increase in the number of hate crimes and display of hate symbols. This bill would ensure that students learn about the significance of these symbols and the painful history that reverberates through the present day when they are displayed. Read more about this bill in the section below.

Recently, the Joint Task Force on Opioids, Addiction, & Overdose Prevention released a report to inform the Senate Majority's work on combating the opioid crisis. On February 4th, we passed several important bills to provide additional support to those fighting and recovering from addiction and expand health care and government services. Read more below about the legislation approved by the Senate Majority to combat the opioid crisis.

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 email smayer@nysenate.gov.

Shelley B. Mayer