End of the 2012 Legislative Session

News From New York State
Senator Shirley L. Huntley
For Immediate Release: June 29, 2012
Contact: Bryant G. Gaspard | gaspard@nysenate.gov | (518) 455-3531

**PRESS RELEASE**

Senator Huntley Commemorates the End of the 2012 Legislative Session
While Urging More Progressive Growth for the Future

As the 2012 Legislative Session came to a close last week, Senator Huntley (D-Jamaica) and the Democratic Conference highlighted some great accomplishments made this year while also emphasizing the essential work that still has left to be done.

This Legislative Session the Senate has accomplished great things; an on-time budget was passed, legislation to combat cyber-bullying was achieved and a new teacher evaluation law which will bring accountability to our school systems was finally realized. However, the fight is far from over.

Many key issues were held up this Session by the Republican Majority.
• The Senate Majority failed to help over 1 million hard working New Yorkers by not raising the minimum wage in New York State.
• The Senate Majority failed to address the ongoing nationwide right-wing war against women in the military and the concerns of intimate partner violence.
• The Senate Majority failed to bring forth legislation establishing the Sickle Cell Treatment Act of 2012.
• The Senate Majority failed to bring forth legislation establishing mandatory minimum medicaid coverage for hospital confinement for childbirth.
• Even though New York was founded by immigrants, the Senate Majority refused to allow equal access to educational opportunities for all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status (The Dream Act).
• The Senate Majority ignored crucial public safety issues which would help end gun violence in New York by not passing Microstamping legislation.
• The Senate Majority failed to bring forth legislation to prevent suicide among youths.

“This session may be over but our work still remains,” Senator Huntley concluded. “We must ensure that we work together to protect the working people of New York. I still believe we can change Albany, and above all else I still believe in the power of working together. I would like to congratulate the Governor and my colleagues on both sides of the isle for all the hard work they have done this year.  But let us not forget that hard work still remains.”