Community Update: Bill Signed to Protect Shorelines, COVID Test Distributions, Upcoming Events

Dear Friends, 

My thoughts are with everyone who was affected by last week’s devastating storm. We are becoming all too familiar with record-breaking rainfall and dangerous flash flooding that results in lost property and even lost lives. These dangerous storms are the direct result of climate change, and while New York has been a leader in combating climate change, there is still work to be done. 

Last fall, Governor Hochul signed into law my bill to update the uniform building code to mitigate flood risk and improve resiliency in flood hazard areas. This week I also held a press conference with Assemblyman Steve Otis to announce newly-signed  legislation we proposed to require the Department of Environmental Conservation to encourage nature-based solutions for shoreline management. More information on that legislation can be found below. 

My colleague Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz and I have introduced legislation to create an executive office – the Office of Flooding Prevention and Mitigation – which would coordinate existing state work on flooding, support municipalities in their efforts to prevent and mitigate flooding, and research flooding impacts and mitigation. See our Op-Ed in this week’s Daily News noted below.

Climate change is here, but we can take steps to lessen its impact and make our communities safer and stronger. Be assured that this remains among my highest priorities for everyone in Westchester and in New York State.

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,
Shelley B. Mayer
State Senator
37th District

Read the full Community Update here.