Regular Session - January 3, 2024
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1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
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3
4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
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9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 January 3, 2024
11 12:46 p.m.
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13
14 REGULAR SESSION
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18 LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ANTONIO DELGADO, President
19 ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
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1 P R O C E E D I N G S
2 THE PRESIDENT: The Senate will
3 come to order.
4 I ask everyone to please rise and
5 recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
6 (Whereupon, the assemblage recited
7 the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
8 THE PRESIDENT: Reverend DeForest
9 L. Raphael, of the AME Zion Church on the Hill,
10 New York, will deliver today's invocation.
11 PASTOR RAPHAEL: In the name of the
12 Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, amen.
13 Eternal God, on this third day of
14 January of the year 2024, we gather in this
15 august body -- but we cannot gather unless You
16 gather with us.
17 In a season when all of our
18 institutions are under attack and when more and
19 more of the citizens of this great land feel as
20 though those who represent them do not in fact
21 represent them, we ask that You would help us to
22 understand that this is not a job, but it is a
23 privilege to serve.
24 We ask You to wrap your loving arms
25 of protection and safety around all of those,
3
1 regardless of whether they are believers or not.
2 Help them help us to understand that the work
3 that we do we do not just for ourselves, but we
4 do for one another.
5 Help us to see, O Lord, that the lie
6 of the zero-sum game has no place here; that we
7 all thrive when any one of us thrives, and when
8 any one of us is brought low, we are all brought
9 low.
10 So help us, O Lord, to govern,
11 govern first ourselves and our own anxieties, but
12 to govern that which the people who have elected
13 us to govern. Be with them, strengthen them,
14 help them to do what it is that they need to do,
15 knowing that they are not their brothers -- they
16 are not just their brothers' and their sisters'
17 keepers, they in fact are their brothers and they
18 are their sisters.
19 This we ask in Your name and for
20 Your sake and glory.
21 And then the whole house said amen.
22 (Response of "Amen.")
23 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary will
24 now call the roll to ascertain a quorum.
25 THE SECRETARY: Senator Addabbo.
4
1 SENATOR ADDABBO: Here.
2 THE SECRETARY: Senator Ashby.
3 SENATOR ASHBY: Here.
4 THE SECRETARY: Senator Bailey.
5 SENATOR BAILEY: Here.
6 THE SECRETARY: Senator Borrello.
7 SENATOR BORRELLO: Here.
8 THE SECRETARY: Senator Breslin.
9 SENATOR BRESLIN: Here.
10 THE SECRETARY: Senator Brisport.
11 SENATOR BRISPORT: Here.
12 THE SECRETARY: Senator Brouk.
13 (Senator Brouk present.)
14 THE SECRETARY: Senator
15 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.
16 SENATOR CANZONERI-FITZPATRICK:
17 Here.
18 THE SECRETARY: Senator Chu.
19 SENATOR CHU: Here.
20 THE SECRETARY: Senator Cleare.
21 SENATOR CLEARE: Here.
22 THE SECRETARY: Senator Comrie.
23 SENATOR COMRIE: Here.
24 THE SECRETARY: Senator Cooney.
25 SENATOR COONEY: Here.
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1 THE SECRETARY: Senator Felder.
2 (No response.)
3 THE SECRETARY: Senator Fernandez.
4 SENATOR FERNANDEZ: Here.
5 THE SECRETARY: Senator Gallivan.
6 SENATOR GALLIVAN: Here.
7 THE SECRETARY: Senator Gianaris.
8 SENATOR GIANARIS: Here.
9 THE SECRETARY: Senator Gonzalez.
10 SENATOR GONZALEZ: Here.
11 THE SECRETARY: Senator Gounardes.
12 SENATOR GOUNARDES: Here.
13 THE SECRETARY: Senator Griffo.
14 SENATOR GRIFFO: Here.
15 THE SECRETARY: Senator Harckham.
16 SENATOR HARCKHAM: Here.
17 THE SECRETARY: Senator Helming.
18 SENATOR HELMING: Here.
19 THE SECRETARY: Senator Hinchey.
20 SENATOR HINCHEY: Here.
21 THE SECRETARY: Senator
22 Hoylman-Sigal.
23 SENATOR HOYLMAN-SIGAL: Here.
24 THE SECRETARY: Senator Jackson.
25 SENATOR JACKSON: Present.
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1 THE SECRETARY: Senator Kavanagh.
2 SENATOR KAVANAGH: Here.
3 THE SECRETARY: Senator Kennedy.
4 SENATOR KENNEDY: Here.
5 THE SECRETARY: Senator Krueger.
6 SENATOR KRUEGER: Here.
7 THE SECRETARY: Senator Lanza.
8 SENATOR LANZA: Here.
9 THE SECRETARY: Senator Liu.
10 SENATOR LIU: Here.
11 THE SECRETARY: Senator Mannion.
12 SENATOR MANNION: Here.
13 THE SECRETARY: Senator Martinez.
14 SENATOR MARTINEZ: Here.
15 THE SECRETARY: Senator Mattera.
16 SENATOR MATTERA: Here.
17 THE PRESIDENT: A quorum is
18 present, and the Senate may proceed.
19 Let me start by acknowledging
20 Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins,
21 Deputy Leader Gianaris, Deputy Minority
22 Leader Lanza.
23 As president of the Senate, it is my
24 distinct honor to welcome all of you to the 2024
25 legislative session.
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1 With every new year comes a new set
2 of challenges, and with those challenges a new
3 set of opportunities. And with this in mind, my
4 hope is that we collectively seek out the
5 opportunity to serve the good people of New York
6 with a renewed sense of genuine service.
7 What I mean by this is a form of
8 service that is grounded in commitments that go
9 well beyond personal interest or party
10 affiliation. Rather, we orient ourselves towards
11 a higher purpose, with our eyes set on achieving
12 the greater good for the benefit of all New
13 Yorkers.
14 In my estimation, this requires
15 focusing on what the great Dr. King, Jr., once
16 called, quote, unenforceable obligations.
17 Dr. King explained these obligations are "beyond
18 the reach of laws of society. They concern inner
19 attitudes, genuine person-to-person relations,
20 and expressions of compassion that law books
21 cannot regulate and jails cannot rectify."
22 Dr. King continues, quote: Such
23 obligations are met by one's commitment to an
24 inner law written on the heart. Manmade laws
25 assure justice, but a higher law provides --
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1 produces, I should say -- love.
2 These are powerful words that
3 resonate, particularly so given the divisive
4 violence and hate-filled times we are living
5 through. And as leaders, as leaders, as leaders,
6 it is incumbent upon all of us to set the example
7 and to lead with the light of love and the spirit
8 of unity.
9 I don't believe any of us here were
10 inspired to serve by the opportunity to stoke
11 fear and anger in people. We serve because we
12 are inspired, in one way or the other, by love:
13 Love of God, love of humanity, love of country,
14 love of state, love of community, love of family,
15 love of freedom, love of equality, love of truth,
16 love of justice, and love of democracy.
17 So as we commence the 2024
18 legislative session and take on the awesome
19 responsibility of making enforceable laws in this
20 body, let us do so while committing ourselves to
21 that inner unenforceable law written on each of
22 our hearts, and in so doing assure that our work
23 here is anchored in our capacity to love.
24 This, my friends, is how I plan to
25 step into 2024, along with Governor Hochul, ready
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1 to collaborate, cooperate, and build with each
2 and every one of you in the spirit of genuine
3 service. So let's get to work.
4 Senator Gianaris.
5 SENATOR GIANARIS: Thank you,
6 Mr. President.
7 Before we proceed to regular
8 business, I just want to recognize that as we all
9 know, this is Senator Kennedy's final session
10 with us. And Senator Kennedy is always thinking
11 about the future, so he's brought with him a
12 potential replacement in the future --
13 (Laughter.)
14 SENATOR GIANARIS: -- his son,
15 Connor Kennedy, is with us.
16 So if we could all welcome Connor
17 here to the proceedings.
18 (Applause.)
19 SENATOR GIANARIS: And now let's
20 proceed with regular business, Mr. President.
21 THE PRESIDENT: Presentation of
22 petitions.
23 Messages from the Assembly.
24 Messages from the Governor.
25 The Secretary will read.
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1 THE SECRETARY: "Dear Majority
2 Leader Stewart-Cousins:
3 "I would appreciate the privilege of
4 appearing before your Honorable Bodies in
5 Joint Session on January 9, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.,
6 or as soon thereafter as may be convenient, to
7 personally deliver my Annual Message on the State
8 of the State to the Legislature.
9 "Very truly yours, Governor Kathy
10 Hochul."
11 THE PRESIDENT: The message shall
12 be filed in the Journal.
13 Reports of standing committees.
14 Reports of select committees.
15 Communications and reports from
16 state officers.
17 Motions and resolutions.
18 Senator Gianaris.
19 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
20 we may notice that the Minority Leader,
21 Senator Ortt, is not with us -- he's a little bit
22 under the weather today -- so please recognize
23 Senator Lanza for opening remarks.
24 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Lanza.
25 SENATOR LANZA: Thank you,
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1 Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Gianaris.
2 Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins,
3 Minority -- Majority Floor Leader Senator
4 Gianaris, to all my colleagues, Connor, all
5 those --
6 (Laughter.)
7 SENATOR LANZA: -- all those
8 present in this body today, Mr. President,
9 Lieutenant Governor, Happy New Year. Happy
10 New Year.
11 It is always exciting to be back.
12 It's exciting to be in this chamber. It's
13 exciting, and I think we are all grateful to have
14 the opportunity to do the people's work, and
15 that's what we are here to do.
16 You may notice that myself and my
17 colleagues -- I notice a lot of people in the
18 body -- are wearing blue today. I don't want
19 Senator Gianaris to get too excited. We are not
20 converting to the Democratic Party.
21 (Laughter.)
22 SENATOR LANZA: The Majority Leader
23 was getting excited about a super-duper majority.
24 (Laughter.)
25 SENATOR LANZA: We wear blue in
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1 solidarity with Israel and with our -- and for
2 our Jewish and Israeli neighbors here in New York
3 and in America, as they withstand the evil that
4 was unleashed upon them on October 7th. The same
5 evil that crept into the Garden of Eden thousands
6 of years ago, which has gone by many names --
7 fascism, racism, and today names like Hezbollah
8 and Hamas. Whatever form it takes and whatever
9 name it goes by, we stand united in opposition
10 and we stand in solidarity with our friends in
11 Israel.
12 That is why in this conference --
13 and I know in your conference, Majority Leader --
14 we have traveled the state and met with groups,
15 and we have an antisemitism task force. We need
16 and we must make a priority in the new year
17 legislation and policy that will once and for all
18 end the blight of hate and antisemitism in this
19 state.
20 So it's a new year. As Senator
21 Borrello would say, it's a new hope. Senator
22 Gianaris, it's a new hope. And a new beginning.
23 Some might call it a clean slate.
24 (Laughter.)
25 SENATOR LANZA: The difficulty with
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1 new beginnings and clean slates is that while you
2 can erase the words from the blackboard, you must
3 still deal with the consequences of the policies
4 and the words that were written there before.
5 And unfortunately, Mr. President,
6 here in New York New Yorkers are doing just that.
7 We see crime at historic levels. And remember,
8 with every crime there is a victim. We see the
9 price of everything out of control. Hundreds of
10 dollars do not come close to filling the cart at
11 the grocery store anymore. We see the fentanyl
12 crisis not getting better but getting worse as we
13 watch thousands of New Yorkers every year losing
14 their life to this terrible blight.
15 People can't afford to make ends
16 meet in New York. There are a lot of reasons,
17 but they are being gouged most by the government
18 itself, the government which is here allegedly to
19 help.
20 Taxes are off the chart in this
21 state. If you are a working family in New York,
22 you pay more taxes than anywhere else in America.
23 And people, people do not believe -- talk to
24 people across New York, they don't believe
25 they're getting anywhere close to value for the
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1 taxes they pay.
2 We have a migrant craze in New York.
3 Not only my characterization, but my good friend
4 Mayor Adams calls it just that. The Governor
5 rolls out the welcome mat, says come to this
6 state from anywhere in the world, we're going to
7 give you free stuff. And then acts surprised
8 when people take her up on the offer.
9 In my neighborhood on Staten Island,
10 the Governor and her party evicted -- so much for
11 good cause eviction -- evicted seniors and
12 veterans from a home and then opened that home up
13 to migrants. And neighbors there need to watch
14 Amazon trucks roll up all day long, delivering
15 goods and services which the citizens in that
16 neighborhood -- whose only crime is that they're
17 American citizens -- cannot even afford to pay
18 for themselves.
19 So we have a new beginning, but the
20 only thing good about a new beginning is that we
21 use it to solve problems.
22 So all is not lost. The spirit of
23 New York is still alive. It's weary, it's beaten
24 down, but I truly believe that it is yearning to
25 rise again. It is deprived of the oxygen it
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1 needs, but just as we believe it is policies of
2 this state which has deprived it of that oxygen,
3 we believe that new policies can reverse that
4 course and make things better.
5 And yes, Mr. President, I don't want
6 you to think I'm a Negative Nelly. There are
7 many things that we on this side of the aisle
8 agree with our colleagues on that side of the
9 aisle. It's just that it's more fun to talk
10 about the disagreements.
11 (Laughter.)
12 SENATOR LANZA: More importantly,
13 it's important to talk about them because that's
14 where the action is. That's where we are going
15 to hammer out and decide the future of this
16 state.
17 We look forward to working with our
18 colleagues. We will embrace every opportunity
19 where there is agreement. We will roll up our
20 sleeves. We vow to you that we will act in a
21 bipartisan fashion.
22 But we also, Mr. President, have a
23 solemn vow to express our disagreement, to debate
24 the issues, and to advance the policies that we
25 believe are better for the State of New York when
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1 that happens. I hope we can do it civilly. I
2 hope we can do it in friendship. But under
3 Senator Ortt's leadership, we on this side of the
4 aisle will do just that.
5 Again, thank you, Majority Leader.
6 Thank you.
7 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you,
8 Deputy Minority Leader. It's good to know that
9 love has the last word.
10 And Senator Gianaris.
11 SENATOR GIANARIS: Thank you,
12 Mr. President.
13 Let me thank our own personal
14 Phantom Menace, Senator Lanza.
15 (Laughter.)
16 SENATOR GIANARIS: Please recognize
17 Supermajority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for
18 her opening remarks.
19 (Laughter.)
20 SENATOR STEWART-COUSINS: Happy
21 New Year.
22 (Response of "Happy New Year.")
23 SENATOR STEWART-COUSINS: Again, to
24 the Lieutenant Governor, it's really good to have
25 you in the chamber. Thank you for your
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1 insightful words and for your message. You're
2 always welcome here -- happily, not to break any
3 ties, but just to preside and remind us again of
4 the love that we must bring to this chamber.
5 And I want to thank my good friend
6 Reverend DeForest Raphael, who's accompanied by
7 his lovely wife Veronica. Thank you for giving
8 us a message that we can certainly take with us
9 not only today but throughout.
10 And then, of course, to the
11 Deputy Minority Leader, I did think that this was
12 a mass conversion.
13 (Laughter.)
14 SENATOR STEWART-COUSINS: I said,
15 Look at all this blue -- they must be ready to
16 join and go forward together.
17 It's good to see all of you, no
18 matter what color you're wearing.
19 And, you know, when you were talking
20 about the terrible, terrible situation in Israel
21 and this war with Hamas, I know each and every
22 one of us are praying, as we continue to do, for
23 peace and for an opportunity really to create an
24 environment that allows for each of us to not
25 deal with the hatreds and the isms.
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1 Part of why we don't deal with
2 international things in this conference is
3 because we could spend a lot of time talking
4 about the ills of the international community.
5 Personally, and I think collectively, we are
6 better off spending our time presenting an
7 example right here in this great state, in this
8 chamber, that hopefully will be a model for not
9 only the people we represent and our state, for
10 the country and the world.
11 So I appreciate everything that's
12 been said. I feel like it's more of a prayer
13 that we've begun with.
14 So as you were saying, Deputy Leader
15 Lanza, I guess it's more fun to talk about how we
16 disagree, but it's more productive, I think, for
17 the people of New York to talk about how we
18 agree.
19 So I will begin with doing the
20 things that we normally do, which is to welcome
21 everyone back, and to certainly welcome our staff
22 back. I hope you are well rested, because, you
23 know, you know it's going to be a --
24 (Laughter.)
25 SENATOR STEWART-COUSINS: -- it's
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1 going to be a very, very fun and productive year.
2 I also want to give a special
3 welcome -- we've talked about this before, but we
4 have one of our newest fathers here in the
5 chamber. Deputy Leader Mike Gianaris and his
6 wife welcomed a baby girl.
7 (Applause.)
8 SENATOR STEWART-COUSINS: So when
9 we talk about being well rested, we know
10 somebody's not well rested.
11 (Laughter.)
12 SENATOR STEWART-COUSINS: So
13 Senator Lanza, in your capacity, please be kind
14 to him, because he's going to need -- he's going
15 to need a little extra until we get past those
16 all-nighters.
17 This session marks an opportunity
18 for us to reaffirm our commitment to the
19 principles that have defined the Democratic
20 Majority and our mission. And again, I often say
21 we've only been in charge for five years. The
22 Republicans in blue had the better part of a
23 hundred years. I'm just looking for parity.
24 So our Majority and our mission,
25 we've always fought for the middle and working
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1 class, and our conference proudly represents the
2 diversity within our ranks, a diversity that
3 mirrors the tapestry of New York.
4 As we embark on this legislative
5 journey, we must remember why we're here. And
6 it's been said over and over again: We're here
7 to serve the people of New York, to address their
8 needs, to make their lives better. We're here to
9 build an economy that helps all New Yorkers and
10 works for everyone. It's our responsibility to
11 prioritize the issues that matter most to working
12 people across this state.
13 Over the past few years we've made
14 significant strides in tackling the most pressing
15 concerns facing our constituents and have fought
16 to make our state a more equitable place where
17 everyone can prosper. We always knew that the
18 key to New York's success lay in the advancement
19 of our working- and middle-class families.
20 From the very beginning, we
21 recognized the importance of paid family leave,
22 ensuring that New Yorkers can take care of their
23 loved ones without jeopardizing financial
24 stability.
25 We made a steadfast commitment to
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1 fully fund our schools, understanding that
2 education is the cornerstone of opportunity and
3 social mobility. And we expanded access to
4 childcare, helping parents better juggle the
5 demands of work and family.
6 Our investment in universal
7 prekindergarten brought us one step closer to
8 leveling the playing field for every child in
9 this state. And our historic funding of free
10 school meals helps ensure that more children
11 today, their most basic needs are met during the
12 school day.
13 We also increased the earned income
14 tax credit to provide a much-needed boost to
15 low-income families. We raised the minimum wage
16 so that our workers can now make a living wage
17 across the state.
18 We've also made it clear that public
19 safety and justice are not mutually exclusive,
20 and we will continue to make that very important
21 point.
22 Our conference has always looked to
23 ease daily burdens and strengthen our fundamental
24 support systems. However, despite these
25 accomplishments, we must acknowledge that many
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1 New Yorkers are still struggling and they feel
2 the pinch in their wallets. The most significant
3 cost burden facing our constituents today is
4 housing. The soaring cost of living in New York
5 threatens the very essence of our state's
6 identity. It's time for us to develop a
7 comprehensive plan that not only protects
8 tenants, including the principles of good
9 cause -- (to Senator Lanza) and I'm glad you
10 talked about this eviction situation I know
11 you'll be supporting.
12 (Laughter.)
13 SENATOR STEWART-COUSINS: -- but
14 also paves the way for construction of new
15 affordable housing.
16 And while every New Yorker deserves
17 a safe, affordable place to live, we also believe
18 that the location of your home should not dictate
19 the quality of your child's education. Our
20 conference has fought tirelessly to invest in
21 public education and ensure every school,
22 regardless of zip code, receives adequate
23 funding.
24 We cannot ignore the crucial role
25 that education plays in creating pathways to the
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1 middle class. Our commitment to childcare and to
2 after-school programs is essential for working
3 parents who need support to provide for their
4 families.
5 We must continue to fully fund our
6 schools while also keeping higher education
7 within reach for people of all socioeconomic
8 backgrounds. It's imperative that we continue
9 investing in our public colleges and universities
10 because an advanced degree shouldn't have to be a
11 financial burden, but rather a steppingstone
12 towards a brighter future for all.
13 Central to our state's future is our
14 commitment to fighting climate change and
15 promoting energy affordability so that our
16 necessary green transition will not be at the
17 expense of working-class households and small
18 businesses.
19 For too long, too many of the big
20 utility companies have wasted ratepayer dollars
21 through unjust billing practices and exploitative
22 rate increases. It's time to keep that money
23 where it belongs, in people's pockets, by holding
24 these corporations accountable.
25 As a conference we've made great
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1 strides towards helping all New Yorkers get
2 access to low-cost renewable energy with the
3 expansion of tax credits for solar and
4 geothermal, and with our landmark legislation
5 last year to allow New York to build its own
6 publicly owned renewables.
7 We also know that our clean energy
8 future comes in partnership with our brothers and
9 sisters in labor, who have been and will continue
10 to be a key part of these solutions. Their
11 tireless efforts have been the bedrock of our
12 state's progress and prosperity.
13 We'll remain staunch advocates for
14 fair wages, safe working conditions, and workers'
15 rights. Through this ongoing partnership,
16 New York will meet its climate goals while
17 generating the economic growth and prosperity
18 that our working-class families deserve.
19 We must continue to build a strong
20 economy and support small businesses. Under our
21 leadership, New York will also continue to lead
22 the nation in supporting new and expanding
23 industries, like we did with the groundbreaking
24 Green Chips legislation, that will lead to up to
25 $100 billion in investment by Micron in Central
25
1 New York. This will be transformative for the
2 economy of upstate New York.
3 In this session we will again push
4 forward strong economic policies that attract
5 growing industries.
6 We've also provided increased
7 funding for transportation systems across
8 New York, including our roads and transit
9 systems. We understand for our economy to
10 continue to grow, we need real investments in
11 infrastructure, and we'll continue that
12 commitment this year.
13 As we gather here today to mark the
14 start of the year, we also cannot turn a blind
15 eye to the difficult years that we face. The
16 events of the past years have tested our
17 democracy, challenged our fundamental rights, but
18 we've emerged stronger than ever.
19 We face -- and again, it was spoken
20 about -- a refugee crisis that is not of our
21 making, but one we certainly will have to
22 continue to confront. We have provided over
23 $2 billion in state aid to deal with our asylum
24 seekers. But we cannot do this alone. New York
25 has always been a place where we welcome our
26
1 neighbors and help them to find jobs and
2 prosperity. However, we need help from our
3 federal partners to ensure the American dream
4 remains alive.
5 We stand resolute in protecting the
6 reproductive rights of our constituents. It's
7 our duty to ensure that New York remains a safe
8 haven for individuals to make their own choices
9 about reproductive health. We will continue to
10 champion policies that safeguard a person's right
11 to choose, and we will resist any attempts to
12 roll back the progress we've made.
13 Every person in New York should have
14 access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare
15 without fear or interference, and we will
16 fiercely defend these rights from national
17 attacks that seek to undermine the autonomy and
18 dignity of our residents.
19 And as always, we believe the core
20 of all personal freedoms lies in robust
21 democratic institutions. We have all seen
22 threats to our very democracy and freedom gain
23 unsettling traction over the past few years,
24 jeopardizing the precious progress we've made.
25 Therefore, as the Senate Majority
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1 has done every year, we will prioritize ensuring
2 the right to vote is protected across New York.
3 We must safeguard our democracy at all costs by
4 guaranteeing that every citizen's voice is heard
5 and that their vote counts.
6 My friends and colleagues, we have
7 an incredible responsibility before us. The
8 people of New York have placed their trust in us
9 to address their concerns, to improve their
10 lives, and to shape the future of our great
11 state.
12 Together we will continue to build a
13 New York where everyone can afford a decent home,
14 where energy is affordable and sustainable, where
15 education is a gateway to opportunity. We will
16 uphold the principles of democracy and ensure the
17 voices of all New Yorkers are heard. We will
18 continue our commitment to building a stronger
19 economy that uplifts us all. Let us work
20 together across party lines to forge a New York
21 that reflects and respects the greatness of our
22 people.
23 As we begin this legislative
24 session, let us remember what we've heard from
25 the very beginning of today, that we are here to
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1 serve the people. And together, I'm sure we will
2 continue to make a positive difference in the
3 life of all New Yorkers.
4 Thank you very, very much.
5 (Standing ovation.)
6 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you,
7 Majority Leader.
8 Senator Gianaris.
9 SENATOR GIANARIS: Thank you,
10 Mr. President.
11 It seems that the families of our
12 colleagues who think Washington is better than
13 Albany are here to soak up the last few months in
14 this beautiful chamber. So please recognize
15 Senator Mannion's wife, Jennifer, is also with us
16 today.
17 (Applause.)
18 SENATOR GIANARIS: Can we recognize
19 our guests from the Assembly, please.
20 THE PRESIDENT: Members are
21 recognized.
22 (Assemblymembers Glick and Ra
23 entered the chamber, greeted Senate leaders, and
24 conveyed that the Assembly is organized and ready
25 to proceed with business.)
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1 (Applause.)
2 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Gianaris.
3 SENATOR GIANARIS: It's our turn to
4 appoint our committees, so please take up the
5 legislation to appoint a committee of two to
6 inform the Governor.
7 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary will
8 read.
9 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
10 1458, directing the Temporary President to
11 appoint a committee of two to inform the Governor
12 that the Senate is organized and ready to proceed
13 with business.
14 THE PRESIDENT: The question is on
15 the resolution. All those in favor signify by
16 saying aye.
17 (Response of "Aye.")
18 THE PRESIDENT: Opposed?
19 (Response of "Nay.")
20 THE PRESIDENT: The resolution is
21 adopted.
22 Senators Kennedy and
23 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick are appointed to inform the
24 Governor that the Senate is assembled and ready
25 to proceed with business.
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1 Senator Gianaris.
2 SENATOR GIANARIS: Can we now take
3 up the resolution appointing the committee of two
4 to inform the Assembly.
5 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary will
6 read.
7 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
8 1459, directing the Temporary President to
9 appoint a committee of two to wait upon the
10 Assembly and inform that body that the Senate is
11 assembled and ready to proceed with business.
12 THE PRESIDENT: The question is on
13 the resolution. All those in favor signify by
14 saying aye.
15 (Response of "Aye.")
16 THE PRESIDENT: Opposed?
17 (No response.)
18 THE PRESIDENT: The resolution is
19 adopted.
20 Senators Chu and Ashby are appointed
21 to inform the Assembly that the Senate is
22 assembled and ready to proceed with business.
23 Senator Gianaris.
24 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
25 the last introduction for today, I promise.
31
1 Please recognize someone who has two
2 very important jobs right now; one is as the
3 deputy county executive of Westchester. Ken
4 Jenkins is with us.
5 (Applause.)
6 SENATOR GIANARIS: Is there any
7 further business at the desk?
8 THE PRESIDENT: There is no further
9 business at the desk.
10 SENATOR GIANARIS: I move to
11 adjourn until Monday, January 8th, at 3:00 p.m.,
12 with the intervening days being legislative days.
13 THE PRESIDENT: On motion, the
14 Senate stands adjourned until Monday,
15 January 8th, at 3:00 p.m., with the intervening
16 days being legislative days.
17 (Whereupon, the Senate adjourned at
18 1:21 p.m.)
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