Response to Executive Budget, Honoring MLK, Upcoming Events

January 19, 2024

Dear Friends,

With the 2024 legislative session well underway, I am pleased to be working with my colleagues in Albany to serve the people of District 37 and New York State. Among my priorities are ensuring that our schools receive adequate funding and rejecting the proposed cuts in education spending, mitigating the effects of climate change on our communities, and keeping our state a leader in reproductive healthcare. I look forward to meeting with workers, veterans, parents, students, and everyone who has a stake in New York’s success.

Earlier this week, residents throughout District 37 honored the birthday and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by recalling his words and deeds and by being of service to the community. Members of my Youth Advisory Council volunteered at 914 Cares sorting clothes and books for those in need, and I worked with members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Congregation KTI & UJA in Westchester to prepare bags of food for local families.

This week also marked a tragic milestone: It has now been more than 100 days since the events of October 7, 2023. As of now, Hamas is still holding 131 hostages. I continue to pray for the release of these innocent women, men and children and for a speedy end to the conflict that has also taken the lives of so many civilians, both Israeli and Palestinian.

Finally, Governor Kathy Hochul announced her Executive Budget Proposal this week. As Chair of the Senate Education Committee, I have expressed my strong opposition to the Governor’s proposal for school aid, which falls short of what our students, teachers and school communities need, given the challenges they face in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. I will fight to ensure that our schools receive the funding they deserve. You can read more about this below.

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.

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