Community Update: One-House Budget Resolution, Women's History Month, Easing of COVID Restrictions, and more
March 21, 2021
Dear Friends:
We are less than two weeks away from when the state budget is due, and my colleagues and I are working hard toward an on-time and balanced state budget. On Monday, March 15th, the State Senate adopted its One-House Budget Resolution. The One-House Resolution is the Senate's budget proposal in response to the Governor's proposal released in January. The Senate, Assembly, and the Governor's office have until April 1st to come to an agreement on the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Sadly, the past year has seen a nearly 150% increase in hate crimes against Asian-Americans according to the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism. Hate crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and bigotry will not be tolerated in our communities. I urge you to stand with our Asian-American community members and speak up if you're a witness or a victim of harassment or a hate crime. Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah has launched a new hotline for residents to report hate crimes. More details about this effort are included below.
On Tuesday, March 23rd, I will host my 5th Annual Women's History Month Celebration with Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. This year, we are honoring outstanding women who have helped our communities overcome the challenges of the pandemic. The Zoom link to join us on Tuesday at 7:00 PM is available here. Find out more about this event in a section below.
Additional details are being released about the American Rescue Plan, signed by President Joe Biden last week, and it's all great news for New York State, Westchester County and our schools. Click here to see the breakdown of funding for Westchester County and cities & towns included in the American Rescue Plan. This additional funding can be used by municipalities for costs associated with responding to the pandemic, cover revenue losses caused by COVID-19, and support essential workers, among other uses. Thank you, again, to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for his hard work delivering for New Yorkers and New York schools.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) extended Tax Day for individuals from April 15th to May 17th. The New York State Department of Tax & Finance also extended the income tax deadline to May 17th to align with the federal deadline.
As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please don't hesitate to email me at smayer@nysenate.gov or call (914) 934-5250.
Warm regards,
Shelley B. Mayer
State Senator
37th District