TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021 2:28 P.M.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE HOUSE WILL COME

TO ORDER.

IN THE ABSENCE OF CLERGY, LET US PAUSE FOR A MOMENT OF

SILENCE.

(WHEREUPON, A MOMENT OF SILENCE WAS OBSERVED.)

VISITORS ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE MEMBERS IN THE PLEDGE

OF ALLEGIANCE.

(WHEREUPON, ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY LED VISITORS AND

MEMBERS IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.)

A QUORUM BEING PRESENT, THE CLERK WILL READ THE

JOURNAL OF MONDAY, MARCH 1ST.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO

FURTHER DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE JOURNAL OF MARCH THE 1ST AND

ASK THAT THE SAME STAND APPROVED.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO

ORDERED.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, I WANT TO

WELCOME MY COLLEAGUES HERE BOTH IN THE CHAMBERS AND THOSE WHO ARE

WITH US REMOTELY. AS ALWAYS, I DO WANT TO START OUT WITH A QUOTE. I

MIGHT REMIND MY COLLEAGUES THAT TODAY IS THE BEGINNING OF WOMEN'S

HISTORY MONTH AND SO WE WANT TO START WITH AUDRE LORDES, WHO IS AN

AMERICAN WRITER, A FEMINIST, A WOMANIST, A LIBRARIAN, AND A CIVIL

RIGHTS ACTIVIST. MS. LORDES IS SHARING WITH US TODAY, IN OUR WORK AND

IN OUR LIVING, WE MUST RECOGNIZE THE DIFFERENCE -- THAT DIFFERENCE IS A

REASON FOR CELEBRATION AND GROWTH, RATHER THAN A REASON FOR

DESTRUCTION. AGAIN, MR. SPEAKER, THAT IS AUDRE LORDES.

MEMBERS HAVE ON THEIR DESK THE MAIN CALENDAR AS

WELL AS AN A-CALENDAR AND A B-CALENDAR. MR. SPEAKER, I WOULD NOW

MOVE TO ADVANCE THE A- AND B-CALENDARS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON MRS.

PEOPLES-STOKES' MOTION, THE A- AND B-CALENDAR ARE ADVANCED.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR.

SPEAKER. WE HAVE 20 NEW BILLS ON THE MAIN CALENDAR TO CONSENT

BEGINNING ON PAGE 3 WITH CALENDAR NO. 117 THROUGH 136. WE HAVE 11

NEW BILLS ON THE A-CALENDAR, AS WELL AS THE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION FOR

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

THE PURPOSES OF ELECTING FOUR REGENTS ON OUR B-CALENDAR. WE WILL

BEGIN TODAY WITH CALENDAR NO. 107 BY MS. HUNTER, AND WE WILL ALSO BE

TAKING UP THE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE REGENTS TODAY. I WILL

ANNOUNCE FURTHER LEGISLATION THAT MADE PROGRESS TODAY AS WE MOVE

FORWARD, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, MRS.

MAJORITY LEADER. THERE IS AN AMENDMENT AT THE DESK - THE CLERK WILL

READ - ON THE HUNTER BILL.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY BILL NO. A02680, CALENDAR

NO. 107, HUNTER, VANEL. AN ACT TO AMEND THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC

LAW, IN RELATION TO THE SUSPENSION OF A LICENSE TO DRIVE A MOTOR VEHICLE

OR MOTORCYCLE; AND TO AMEND CHAPTER 382 OF THE LAWS OF 2020

AMENDING THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW RELATING TO THE SUSPENSION OF A

LICENSE TO DRIVE A MOTOR VEHICLE OR MOTORCYCLE, IN RELATION TO THE

SUSPENSION OF A LICENSE TO DRIVE A MOTOR VEHICLE OR MOTORCYCLE AND THE

EFFECTIVENESS THEREOF.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THERE IS AN

AMENDMENT AT THE DESK. MR. GOODELL --

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: -- TO BRIEFLY EXPLAIN

THE AMENDMENT WHILE THE CHAIR EXAMINES IT.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR.

SPEAKER. I DO OFFER THE AMENDMENT THAT YOU'RE REVIEWING, WAIVE ITS

READING, MOVE FOR ITS IMMEDIATE ADOPTION AND I APPRECIATE THE

OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. WITH YOUR PERMISSION, I'LL

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT AND WHY WE WISH TO PROCEED.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: PLEASE PROCEED.

MR. GOODELL: THE BILL-IN-CHIEF IS A CHAPTER

AMENDMENT THAT RESTORES THE ABILITY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR

VEHICLES TO SUSPEND SOMEBODY'S DRIVER'S LICENSE IF THEY IGNORE

REPEATED REQUESTS TO APPEAR IN COURT, OR OTHERWISE ADDRESS A TRAFFIC

INFRACTION, OR FAIL TO PAY A FINE. THE AMENDMENT CURBS THE EXECUTIVE'S

POWER. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE LEGISLATURE GAVE THE EXECUTIVE

EXTRAORDINARY POWER NOT JUST TO WAIVE LAWS, BUT ACTUALLY TO BASICALLY

REWRITE LAWS OR ISSUE EXECUTIVE ORDERS WITH THE FORCE AND EFFECT OF A

LAW. AND HE USED THAT EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY WHICH, BY STATUTE, WAS

SUPPOSED TO BE LIMITED TO THE CRISIS, A VERY NARROW AUTHORIZATION. HE

IGNORED ALL THE STATUTORY RESTRICTIONS THAT WERE CONTAINED IN THE

EXECUTIVE LAW WHEN HE EXERCISED HIS EMERGENCY AUTHORITY.

AND SO, FOR EXAMPLE, THE EXECUTIVE LAW SAID THAT HIS

ORDERS SHOULD BE TEMPORARY IN NATURE. HERE WE ARE A YEAR LATER AND

WE'RE STILL DEALING WITH SOME OF THE SAME EXECUTIVE ORDERS. THE

EXECUTIVE LAW SAID IT WOULD INVOLVE THE MINIMUM DEVIATION. BUT

THOSE EXECUTIVE ORDERS WEREN'T LIMITED TO HEALTH ISSUES OR RESPONDING

TO THE HEALTH ISSUE, IT INCLUDED EVERYTHING INCLUDING MULTIPLE

EXECUTIVE ORDERS DEALING WITH MOTOR VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC INFRACTIONS

AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT, WHICH I'LL MENTION IN A MOMENT. THE -- THE

EXECUTIVE LAW REQUIRED THE GOVERNOR TO UTILIZE EXPERTS TO MINIMIZE

ANY UNINTENDED ADVERSE IMPACT, AND WE KNOW FROM THE NURSING HOME

FIASCO AND MANY OTHER SITUATIONS THAT SIMPLY DID NOT OCCUR.

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

NOW, THE REASON WE'VE AUTHORIZED -- OFFERED THIS

AMENDMENT AS IT RELATES TO V AND T IS BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN THE

GOVERNOR USING EXTRAORDINARY POWER DEALING WITH ALMOST EVERY ASPECT

OF OUR V AND T LAW. WE SAW THE GOVERNOR SAY, YOU CAN DRIVE AFTER

YOUR LICENSE HAS EXPIRED. REALLY? HE SAID, YOU CAN DRIVE A CAR EVEN

AFTER THE REGISTRATION EXPIRES. HE SHUT DOWN ALL THE MOTOR VEHICLE

OFFICES FOR AN EXTENDED TIME PERIOD, EVEN THOUGH OUR MOTOR VEHICLE

OFFICES COULD OPERATE BY MAIL. HE SHUT THEM ALL DOWN FOR A LONG TIME.

HE CANCELLED ALL THE DRIVING TESTS. SO IF YOU WANTED A CDL, YOU WERE

JUST OUT OF LUCK. HE EXTENDED THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON MULTIPLE

THINGS. HE SHUT DOWN THE COURT SYSTEM FOR AWHILE.

SO HERE WE HAVE THE BILL-IN-CHIEF THAT DEALS WITH HOW

WE DEAL WITH TRAFFIC TICKETS, TICKETS SUCH AS DRIVING WITH AN EXPIRED

LICENSE, DRIVING AN UNREGISTERED VEHICLE, DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT DOESN'T

HAVE A PROPER INSPECTION, OR LICENSE PLATES. AND THIS BILL IS ABSOLUTELY

MEANINGLESS AS LONG AS THE GOVERNOR WITH UNCHECKED, UNFETTERED

POWER, WITH A STROKE OF A PEN OFTEN ANNOUNCING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE

BROAD CHANGES, CAN SIMPLY SAY, YOU CAN DRIVE WITHOUT A LICENSE, YOU

CAN DRIVE WITHOUT A REGISTRATION, YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A NEW EYE

EXAM TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN SEE BECAUSE WE'RE WAIVING YOUR OBLIGATION

TO RENEW YOUR LICENSE. DON'T WORRY ABOUT SHOWING UP IN TRAFFIC COURT

BECAUSE WE'RE SHUTTING DOWN THE COURTS. DON'T BOTHER CONTACTING THE

DMV.

AND SO WHILE I APPRECIATE THE AMENDMENT AND I FULLY

SUPPORT THE SPONSOR'S DESIRE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SPONSOR'S

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

AMENDMENT ACTUALLY MEANS SOMETHING. AND SO, UNDERSTANDING THAT I

HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR MY COLLEAGUE WHO IS OFFERING THIS CHAPTER

AMENDMENT TO THE BILL-IN-CHIEF, UNDERSTANDING THAT MY COMMENTS ARE

IN SUPPORT OF HER, BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN THIS

LEGISLATURE ACTS, WE DO NOT HAVE A GOVERNOR EXERCISING UNILATERAL,

UNFETTERED POWER TO SIMPLY REWRITE THE LAW AND RENDER THE BILL-IN-CHIEF

IRRELEVANT. THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, SIR.

THE CHAIR HAS EXAMINED YOUR AMENDMENT AND FOUND

IT NOT GERMANE TO THE BILL BEFORE THE HOUSE.

MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. WE RESPECTFULLY

DISAGREE AND ASK THE HOUSE FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHALLENGE YOUR

RULING.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: YOU --

MR. GOODELL: WE ARE APPEALING YOUR DECISION.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: YOU MAY APPEAL THE

RULING OF THE CHAIR AND SPEAK ON THE ISSUE OF GERMANENESS.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, ON THE

ISSUE OF GERMANENESS. THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT BEFORE THIS

LEGISLATURE THAN FOR THIS LEGISLATURE TO ASSERT ITS CONSTITUTIONAL ROLE AS

THE ONLY ENTITY WITH OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE TO HAVE THE AUTHORITY

TO ADOPT BILLS AND LAWS. UNDER OUR CONSTITUTION, IT'S NOT THE GOVERNOR

WHO CAN ENACT LAWS, IT'S THE STATE LEGISLATURE. WE NEED TO RESTORE

CHECKS AND BALANCES, AND AS LONG AS THE GOVERNOR BELIEVES THAT HE HAS

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

THE ABILITY BY EXECUTIVE FIAT TO SIMPLY OVERRIDE ANY LAW THAT WE ADOPT

BY CLAIMING WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE THAT IT IS SOMEHOW RELATED TO

COVID, OUR ROLE IS MINIMIZED AND THE BILL-IN-CHIEF CAN BE SIMPLY

IGNORED BY THE GOVERNOR SAYING, I DON'T CARE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY

THE FINE UNTIL COVID IN SOME WAY IS DISSIPATED, YOU DON'T HAVE TO

SHOW UP IN COURT. YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO PAY ANY ATTENTION TO THOSE

TRAFFIC TICKETS. IF WE WANT THE BILL-IN-CHIEF TO BE VALID AND BE ASSURED

OF ITS VALIDITY, WE NEED TO CURB THE EXECUTIVE'S POWER. THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. GOODELL APPEALS

THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR. THE QUESTION BEFORE THE HOUSE IS, SHALL THE

DECISION OF THE CHAIR STAND AS THE JUDGMENT OF THE HOUSE. THOSE

VOTING YES VOTE TO SUSTAIN THE RULING OF THE CHAIR. THOSE VOTING NO

VOTE TO OVERRIDE THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES. NO?

MR. WALCZYK.

MR. WALCZYK: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. ON THE

ISSUE OF GERMANENESS. AS MY COLLEAGUE POINTED OUT, THERE IS NOTHING

MORE GERMANE TO THIS BODY THAN CHECKS AND BALANCES AT THIS MOMENT.

AND THIS BILL, WHILE IT MAY SEEM ODD TO BE TALKING ABOUT RESTORING

LEGISLATIVE CHECKS AND BALANCES IN OUR GOVERNMENT ON A VEHICLE AND

TRAFFIC AMENDMENT, IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE. BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT, TO MY

COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE, IT IS YOUR NAME, BECAUSE OF THE LETTER AFTER

YOUR NAME THAT SITS ON ALL OF THESE BILLS THAT COME BACK WITH CHAPTER

AMENDMENTS THAT THE EXECUTIVE FEEDS YOU CONSISTENTLY. THAT'S A LITTLE

JAB AT THE LEGISLATURE. BUT YOU'VE HAD MORE THAN A LITTLE JAB THIS PAST

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

YEAR AND THAT'S WHY THIS IS SO GERMANE AND SO IMPORTANT.

THIS GOVERNOR HAS CONSISTENTLY BLOCKED INFORMATION

FROM THIS LEGISLATURE WHEN THEY'VE REQUESTED IT. NOT JUST MY OFFICE,

STONEWALLING, NOT ANSWERING ANY CORRESPONDENCE, IGNORING OUR

QUESTIONS OR TELLING US THEY'RE GOING TO CIRCLE BACK ON THEIR CONTROL

ROOM CALLS. BUT EVEN INTERNALLY WITHIN YOUR CONFERENCE, QUESTIONS,

REASONABLE QUESTIONS, REASONABLE CHECKS AND BALANCES ON THE

GOVERNOR, HE STONEWALLED YOU AS WELL. HE'S FAILED TO COMMUNICATE

WITH THE NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC AT LARGE, WITH THIS BODY. HE'S NAMED

EXECUTIVE ORDERS LAWLESS. THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRIGGER NUMBER ONE

TO EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. --

MR. WALCZYK: -- GOVERNOR WHO'S RUNNING OUT OF

CONTROL --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. LAWLER [SIC],

PLEASE STAY ON THE BILL-IN-CHIEF, PLEASE, AND THE GERMANENESS OF THIS --

THIS AMENDMENT.

MR. WALCZYK: NO PROBLEM, MR. SPEAKER --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: I'M SORRY. MR.

WALCZYK. SO ALIKE.

(LAUGHTER)

MR. WALCZYK: WITH CHAPTER AMENDMENTS LIKE

THIS SPECIFIC BILL, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CHAPTER 382 OF THE LAWS OF 2020,

WHICH WE VOTED ON AND WE DEBATED IN THIS CHAMBER, THE GOVERNOR HAS

SAID, MAYBE BOTH HOUSES PASSED THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION, BUT I'LL SIGN

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

IT AS LONG AS YOU DO IT MY WAY. AND THAT IS PERFECTLY CONSISTENT. THAT'S

WHY THIS IS SO GERMANE. WE NEED TO RESTORE CHECKS AND BALANCES. AND

IF WE'RE GOING TO RIGHT THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS GOVERNOR, IT'S GOING TO

TAKE AN AMENDMENT LIKE THE ONE THAT WE'VE PROPOSED ON THIS BILL. THE

GOVERNOR'S IGNORED SCIENCE. HE ISSUED A MANIFESTO IN THE MIDDLE OF

THIS CRISIS AND IS STILL PRETENDING THAT WE ARE IN A STATE OF AN EMERGENCY.

HE'S MADE CHANGES THAT HAVE SHUT DOWN BUSINESSES, INCREASED SUICIDE

RATES IN NEW YORK STATE, AND IF PEOPLE HAVEN'T LEFT THE STATE OR DIED,

THEY'RE HERE LOOKING AT US TODAY TO TAKE UP AN AMENDMENT LIKE THIS,

PASS THIS AND RESTORE LEGISLATIVE CHECKS AND BALANCES TO OUR

GOVERNMENT.

MR. SPEAKER, I VOTE YES ON THIS AMENDMENT AND I URGE

ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES, DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN, ANYONE WHO LIKES CHECKS

AND BALANCES TO DO THE SAME. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, SIR.

WITH MUCH ANTICIPATION, MR. LAWLER.

MR. LAWLER: ALL RIGHT. MR. SPEAKER, I APPRECIATE

IT. I WILL DO MY LEVELED BEST TO STAY ON THE TOPIC OF GERMANENESS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: I'LL BE RIGHT THERE

WITH YOU.

MR. LAWLER: THANK YOU, SIR. AS MY COLLEAGUES

HAVE STATED, IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE RETURN THIS BODY TO A

COEQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT. FOR A YEAR NOW, THIS BODY HAS

SUFFERED UNDER THE RULE OF ONE MAN, AND IT MUST END AND IT MUST END

TODAY. WE ARE ALL DULY-ELECTED. WE ARE HERE AS LEGISLATORS TO CREATE

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

LAW. THAT IS WHY WE'RE HERE. WE'RE NOT HERE TO LISTEN TO AND -- AND

READ EXECUTIVES EDICTS, FIATS. WE ARE NOT HERE TO SERVE UNDER A

DICTATORSHIP.

THIS BODY GAVE UNILATERAL CONTROL OF THE PANDEMIC

RESPONSE WITH VERY LITTLE OVERSIGHT OR CONTROL. CAN ANYONE IN THIS

CHAMBER IMAGINE A SCENARIO IN WHICH THE SPEAKER OR THE MAJORITY

LEADER WOULD GIVE UP THEIR AUTHORITY TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED

STATES? NO, OF COURSE NOT. SO WHY DID WE DO THAT IN THIS BODY? IN

MY OPINION, IT'S AN ABDICATION OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY AND IT HAS RESULTED

IN NEW YORK STATE RESIDENTS LIVING UNDER A DICTATORSHIP SUBJECT TO THE

WHIMS OF A MAN WITH VERY LITTLE INTEGRITY.

I BELIEVE, ON THE ISSUE OF GERMANENESS, WE HAVE TO GET

BACK TO REGULAR ORDER. WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT NEW YORKERS HAVE A

FUNCTIONING GOVERNMENT WHERE WE HAVE A COEQUAL BRANCH OF

GOVERNMENT WHERE THE LEGISLATURE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING THE LAWS.

WE'VE SEEN WHAT HAS HAPPENED. EVERY ONE OF US HAS RECEIVED CALLS

FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS, WHETHER IT HAS TO DO WITH DECISIONS MADE WITH

RESPECT TO NURSING HOMES, OR DECISIONS MADE WITH RESPECT TO SMALL

BUSINESSES, HOUSES OF WORSHIP, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. AND YOU DON'T

HAVE TO TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, WE CAN TAKE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S WORD

FOR IT ABOUT THE DEVASTATING IMPACT THESE DECISIONS HAVE HAD ON OUR

CONSTITUENTS.

SO TODAY I ASK MY COLLEAGUES, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY

TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND JUSTICE FOR ALL NEW YORKERS

BY REVOKING THE EXECUTIVE EMERGENCY POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR TODAY

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

WITHOUT DELAY, WITHOUT HIDING BEHIND PROCEDURE. LET'S DO THE RIGHT

THING AND VOTE TO REVOKE THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE EMERGENCY POWERS

NOW. I IMPLORE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO JOIN

ME IN THIS VOTE BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER. I RISE IN SUPPORT OF YOUR RULING, THE ONE IN WHICH YOU SAY THAT

THIS AMENDMENT IS NOT GERMANE TO ASSEMBLY BILL 2680, WHICH IS A

CHAPTER AMENDMENT. THE AMENDMENT THAT IS BEING PROPOSED BY OUR

COLLEAGUES, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, AS YOU SAY IS NOT GERMANE. NOT ONLY

IS IT NOT GERMANE, MR. SPEAKER, BUT IN A LOT OF WAYS IT'S A LITTLE BIT

OFFENSIVE BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN AROUND THIS ISSUE OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC

SINCE LAST YEAR, MARCH 2020. THIS IS NOW 2021. AND, IN FACT, MR.

SPEAKER IF THE THEN-PRESIDENT HAD NOT ABDICATED HIS AUTHORITY AND HIS

RESPONSIBILITY TO AMERICANS, WE PROBABLY WOULD NOT BE HERE AND STILL

IN A GLOBAL PANDEMIC. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE GREATEST COUNTRY

IN THE WORLD, WOULD HAVE DEALT WITH THIS EARLY. WE WOULD HAVE BEEN

FINISHED BY AUGUST. BUT WE WERE NOT BECAUSE WE HAD, UNFORTUNATELY,

THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY WE HAD WAS TO MANAGE THIS THING STATE BY STATE BY

STATE, WHEN THERE ARE 50 STATES IN THIS COUNTRY. LAST YEAR THIS TIME, WE

WERE STILL TALKING ABOUT THIS AS IF IT'S A HOAX. ALMOST 40,000 NEW

YORKERS DIED, MR. SPEAKER, AS WE GOT THROUGH THIS.

THE AMENDMENT PROPOSED TO REVOCATE THE GOVERNOR'S

EMERGENCY POWERS CLEARLY IS NOT RELATED TO OUR COLLEAGUES' CHAPTER

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

AMENDMENT. WE HAVE A COMMITTEE PROCESS, AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE

ALL MEMBERS TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION AND ADVANCE IT THROUGH THE

COMMITTEE PROCESS, NOT SIMPLY TO ATTACH IT TO A BILL THAT OUR COLLEAGUE

HAS BEEN SPONSORING FOR AWHILE AND HAS NEGOTIATED A CHAPTER

AMENDMENT. THIS IS NOT JUST THROW SOMETHING UP ON THE WALL AND

HOPE IT STICKS, MR. SPEAKER, THIS IS REAL GOVERNMENT AND WE'RE TALKING

ABOUT REAL PEOPLE. I WOULD ASK THAT MY COLLEAGUES WILL JOIN ME IN

SUPPORTING YOUR RULING THAT THIS AMENDMENT IS NOT GERMANE.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: JUST A REMINDER,

THOSE VOTING YES VOTE TO SUSTAIN THE RULING OF THE CHAIR. THOSE VOTING

NO VOTE TO OVERRIDE THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR.

MR. REILLY.

MR. REILLY: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, FOR GIVING

ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THE AMENDMENT. THE -- IT'S IRONIC THAT

HERE WE ARE A YEAR TO THE DAY THAT I BROUGHT UP A RESOLUTION ON THE

ORIGINAL BILL ABOUT EXECUTIVE POWERS. AND IN THAT RES -- IN THAT

AMENDMENT, IT WAS ABOUT GIVING CHECKS AND BALANCES. I SAID IT WAS

EERILY FAMILIAR OF LATE MARCH AS A BUDGET BILL BECAUSE WE WERE

ACTUALLY DISCUSSING THIS LATE INTO THE EVENING OF MARCH 2ND. WE'RE

DOING THE SAME THING NOW, WHERE WE ARE TRYING TO PRESERVE CHECKS AND

BALANCES, AS IT IS OUR DUTY AS LEGISLATORS.

AT THAT TIME, MARCH 2ND, 2020 WE WERE ASKING THE

GOVERNOR TO GIVE THE LEGISLATURE A REPORT EVERY 30 DAYS ON HOW HE

SPENT $40 MILLION THAT WE ALLOCATED. AND BY ALL MEANS, WE ALL KNOW

WE WANTED TO DO EVERYTHING WE COULD FOR OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAVE

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

THAT OPPORTUNITY AGAIN HERE NOW TO ENSURE THAT WE HOLD THE GOVERNOR'S

OFFICE ACCOUNTABLE, AND THE GOVERNOR HIMSELF. IF WE FAIL TO ACCEPT THIS

AMENDMENT, WE ARE ONCE AGAIN NEGLIGENT IN OUR DUTIES. AND THAT IS

SOMETHING THAT I SPOKE ABOUT PASSIONATELY A YEAR AGO TODAY. IT WAS THE

TOUGHEST VOTE I EVER HAD TO TAKE. HAVE THE COURAGE AND SUPPORT THIS

AMENDMENT. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, SIR.

MR. DIPIETRO.

MR. DIPIETRO: CAN YOU HEAR ME?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: YES, WE CAN.

MR. DIPIETRO: OKAY. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I

WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE GERMANENESS, BUT ALSO, I'M A LITTLE UPSET THAT MY

BILL WHICH I PUT IN LAST YEAR, MAY 2ND, WAS THE LAST DAY BY STATE

CONSTITUTION THAT THIS GOVERNOR COULD HOLD EXECUTIVE POWER. SO, I

FIND IT A LITTLE OFFENSIVE TO ME TO BLAME A PRESIDENT. ALSO, WERE WE THE

ONLY COUNTRY THAT GOT COVID? IT SOUNDED LIKE AS IF WE HAD A DIFFERENT

PRESIDENT, WE WOULD BE COVID-FREE VERSUS THE REST OF THE WORLD. SO

WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS BILL, THIS BILL, THIS GERMANENESS HAS

EVERYTHING TO DO WITH WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS GOVERNOR. AND I JUST

FIND IT ABOUT TIME THAT WE TAKE BACK THE POWER THAT WE ARE ELECTED TO

DO.

AND I ALSO FIND IT OFFENSIVE THAT IN THE MINORITY WHERE

WE CAN'T EVEN GET A BILL TO THE FLOOR THAT I WOULD HAVE TO LISTEN TO

PEOPLE TALK ABOUT ABUSING THEIR OWN POWER IN THE MAJORITY. PLEASE,

THIS IS A -- THIS -- WHILE WE SIT IN THE MINORITY AND HAVE VERY LITTLE

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

RIGHTS, I DON'T NEED IT SHOVED DOWN MY THROAT, ALSO. SO I FIND THIS VERY

GERMANE TO THE FACT THAT IT'S THE MAJORITY WHO IS HOLDING THIS PROCESS

UP WITH THEIR REFUSAL TO TAKE ON THIS GOVERNOR AND THEIR REFUSAL TO FACE

WHAT'S GOING IN THIS STATE AND ALLOWING WHAT'S HAPPENED. WE'RE THE

WORST STATE OR THE SECOND WORST STATE IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. AND I'M

NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND ALLOW THAT TO BE BLAMED ON US WHEN WE ARE --

OUR GOVERNOR IS A DICTATOR AND HAS PUT ALL THIS IN POWER, AND WE HAVE A

MAJORITY THAT REFUSES TO TAKE IT BACK. I'LL BE VOTING FOR THIS AND I HOPE

ALL MY COLLEAGUES DO, ALSO. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. HYNDMAN.

MS. WALSH.

MS. WALSH: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WOULD JUST

LIKE TO REMIND MY COLLEAGUES ON THE ISSUE OF GERMANENESS THAT 76

VOTES FROM THIS BODY MEANS THAT THIS IS GERMANE. IT -- IT'S IN YOUR

HANDS. IT'S IN THE HANDS OF MY COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE

HERE TO COME UP WITH 76 VOTES TO REVOKE THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY

POWERS. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. WE CAN MAKE AN ATTENUATED ARGUMENT AS

FAR AS GERMANENESS, OR WE CAN MAKE A GREAT ONE, BUT IN THE END YOU

DECIDE WHETHER THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE POWERS GO AWAY OR NOT.

AND MY PREVIOUS COLLEAGUE JUST MADE THE POINT THAT I

WISH TO MAKE AS WELL, THAT IT IS RATHER DISINGENUOUS IN MY OPINION TO

SUGGEST THAT WE, IN THE MINORITY, CAN JUST SIMPLY CRAFT LEGISLATION AND

SEND IT THROUGH THE COMMITTEE SYSTEM AND IT WOULD SOMEHOW

MAGICALLY COME TO THE FLOOR FOR AN UP OR DOWN VOTE. WOULD IT --

WOULD IT WERE ONLY THAT WAY, WOULD IT WERE ONLY THAT -- THAT PROCESS.

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

WE -- WE KNOW BETTER. WE KNOW BETTER HOW THE PROCESS WORKS HERE.

MR. DIPIETRO, MY COLLEAGUE, INTRODUCED A BILL LAST YEAR. OVER IN THE

SENATE THERE IS A BILL THAT -- WHOSE LANGUAGE LOOKS VERY MUCH LIKE THE

AMENDMENT THAT WE ARE PROPOSING HERE. THAT'S NOT THE PROCESS WE

HAVE. SOMETIMES WE NEED TO TAKE IMAGINATIVE STEPS TO DO THE RIGHT

THING, AND I'M ASKING MY COLLEAGUES TO PLEASE, FIND THIS GERMANE. LET'S

PUT AN END TO THESE EXTRAORDINARY EMERGENCY POWERS ONE YEAR AFTER THE

FACT. IT'S TIME -- IT'S BEYOND TIME. PLEASE.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK --

MS. HYNDMAN.

MS. HYNDMAN: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AS MY

COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID, WE WILL DECIDE AS A BODY WHEN TO REVOKE THE

GOVERNOR'S POWER. WE WILL DECIDE AS A BODY BASED ON THIS

AMENDMENT WHETHER OR NOT IT SHOULD COME, AND THE CHAIR HAS MADE A

DECISION THAT THIS IS NOT GERMANE TO MY COLLEAGUE'S BILL. AS A BODY, WE

STAND HERE BEFORE THE ENTIRE STATE OF NEW YORK AND WORK COLLECTIVELY

TO MAKE SURE THERE'S A PROCESS THAT WE ALL PARTAKE IN WHEN WE GET

SWORN IN, WHEN WE'RE SWORN -- AS AN OATH TO BE MEMBERS, WE DECIDE

WHAT THAT PROCESS IS. AND THIS HOUSE ON THIS DAY, WE ARE GOING TO

MAKE SURE WE STAND WITH THE CHAIR AND SAY THAT THIS IS NOT GERMANE TO

THIS BILL ON THIS DAY. WE'VE ALL BEEN HERE TO VOTE, WE'RE ALL BEEN HERE TO

DECIDE HOW THINGS WILL GO IN THIS CHAMBER, AND WE STAND TOGETHER AND

ON THIS SIDE OF THE AISLE TO MAKE SURE TO SAY THAT THIS -- THIS AMENDMENT

IS NOT GERMANE TO OUR COLLEAGUES'S BILL AND WE STAND AFFIRMATIVE IN THAT

DECISION.

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. TAGUE.

MR. TAGUE: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I JUST

WANTED TO SAY THAT I DO FIND THIS BILL TO BE GERMANE. A MOMENT AGO,

ONE OF OUR FELLOW MEMBERS CALLED THIS AMENDMENT OFFENSIVE. I ASK

WHAT COULD BE MORE OFFENSIVE THAN THIS ADMINISTRATION ADMITTING TO

CRIMINAL OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE AS A RESULT OF THE EXTRAORDINARY POWERS

GRANTED TO THEM. THIS BILL IS GERMANE. I ASK THAT ALL MY FELLOW

COLLEAGUES DO THEIR JOBS, LEAVE POLITICS OUT, AND VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS

BILL BEING GERMANE. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE. THIS IS A PARTY VOTE. ANY MEMBER WHO WISHES TO BE

RECORDED AS AN EXCEPTION TO THE CONFERENCE POSITION IS REMINDED TO

CONTACT THE MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY

PROVIDED.

MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. AS I UNDERSTAND

THE QUESTION, IT'S WHETHER THE SPEAKER'S DECISION THAT THIS IS NOT

GERMANE SHOULD BE SUSTAINED; IS THAT CORRECT?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: YES.

MR. GOODELL: AND SO A NO VOTE MEANS THAT THE

BILL IS GERMANE AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. AND THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS

WILL GENERALLY BE VOTING NO, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO YOU, SIR. EVEN THE

BEST OF US ONCE IN A WHILE MIGHT MAKE A MISTAKE. AND I HOPE THAT A

MAJORITY OF MY COLLEAGUES, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO YOU, SIR, BELIEVE THAT

IT WAS A MISTAKE NOT TO CONSIDER THIS -- THE BILL; HOWEVER, IF THERE ARE

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

REPUBLICANS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SUSTAIN YOUR RULING, SIR, I WOULD

ENCOURAGE THEM TO CALL THE MINORITY LEADER'S OFFICE. THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO

REMIND OUR COLLEAGUES THAT THIS IS A PARTY VOTE, AS YOU SO APTLY STATED.

THE MAJORITY MEMBERS WILL BE RECORDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. SHOULD

THEY DECIDE TO BE AN EXCEPTION, THEY'RE PERFECTLY WILLING TO DO THAT. I

WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM NOT TO DO THAT, BUT THAT IS YOUR RIGHT. I ASK THAT

MAJORITY MEMBERS WHO WANT TO BE THAT EXCEPTION, JUST CONTACT THE

MAJORITY LEADER'S OFFICE AND LET US KNOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR.

SPEAKER. AGAIN, ACCORDINGLY, WE WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE AN AFFIRMATIVE

VOTE BY ALL MAJORITY MEMBERS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. THE CLERK

WILL RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE RULING OF THE CHAIR IS SUSTAINED.

ON THE BILL.

ON A MOTION BY MS. HUNTER, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE

THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS ADVANCED.

MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR.

ON THE BILL.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON THE BILL.

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

MR. GOODELL: LAST YEAR, WE PASSED A BILL THAT DID

A COUPLE OF THINGS. IT WAS AIMED AT HELPING DRIVERS WHO DIDN'T HAVE A

LOT OF MONEY, AND IT DID TWO THINGS: IT OFFERED AN INSTALLMENT PAYMENT

PLAN AND IT ACTUALLY WAIVED ANY SUSPENSION OF DRIVING PRIVILEGES FOR

FAILURE TO PAY. THERE WERE A LOT OF CONCERNS THAT IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANY

SANCTION PROCESS AND THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE YOUR LICENSE ULTIMATELY AT

RISK, THAT PEOPLE WOULD SIMPLY IGNORE THE TRAFFIC TICKETS. AND I WANT TO

EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO THE SPONSOR FOR THIS CHAPTER AMENDMENT.

I THINK THE CHAPTER AMENDMENT IS A GREAT CHAPTER AMENDMENT AND I

-- I CERTAINLY SUPPORT IT AND URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO DO THE SAME.

THE CHAPTER AMENDMENT RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE

OF WORKING WITH PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE TRAFFIC TICKETS AND FINES BASED

ON THEIR INCOME, SO IT CONTINUES AN INSTALLMENT PAYMENT METHOD SO THAT

THE -- THE COURTS CAN WORK WITH AN INDIGENT DRIVER WHO MAY HAVE

VIOLATED THE LAW. AND -- BUT REINSTATES THE ULTIMATE SUSPENSION OF THE

LICENSE IF YOU DON'T WORK WITH THE COURT, DON'T ANSWER THE FINE, OR DON'T

MAKE ANY PAYMENTS. AND SO, I THINK IT'S A GOOD BALANCE. I THINK THE

CHAPTER AMENDMENT IS A POSITIVE STEP AND, AGAIN, I -- I COMMEND MY

COLLEAGUE FOR MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS CHAPTER AMENDMENT.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. HUNTER.

ON THE BILL, MA'AM.

MS. HUNTER: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. IN JULY,

WE PASSED THE DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENSION REFORM ACT. THIS BILL ENDS

THE UNJUST AND COUNTERPRODUCTIVE PRACTICE OF SUSPENDING DRIVERS'S

LICENSES FOR TRAFFIC DEBT AND ALLOWS PEOPLE WITH TRAFFIC DEBT TO PAY IT

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

OVER TIME. AFTER MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR, WE CAME

TO AN AGREEMENT TO END DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENSIONS FOR UNPAID TRAFFIC

FINES AND TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF TRAFFIC FINES AND FEE FINES BY

INSTALLMENT PLAN. WE ALSO AGREED THAT PEOPLE WHO DID NOT ANSWER THEIR

TRAFFIC TICKETS, OFTEN BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT AFFORD IT, WOULD HAVE THEIR

LICENSE REINSTATED WITHOUT NEEDING TO PAY THEIR TRAFFIC FINES. TOGETHER,

THESE CHANGES MEAN THAT NEW YORK WILL NO LONGER PUNISH DRIVERS JUST

BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY. COURTS AND AGENCIES WILL STOP

SUSPENDING DRIVER'S LICENSES FOR UNPAID TRAFFIC FINES 30 DAYS AFTER THE

GOVERNOR SIGNS THIS AMENDMENT, AND PAYMENT PLANS WILL BE MADE

AVAILABLE JUNE 29TH OF THIS YEAR. ON THAT SAME DAY, DRIVER'S LICENSES

THAT ARE CURRENTLY SUSPENDED FOR UNPAID TRAFFIC FINES WILL BE REINSTATED.

I'M SPEAKING ON THE FLOOR TODAY, MR. SPEAKER, BECAUSE

I WANT TO BE CLEAR ON WHAT THESE AMENDMENTS MEAN FOR DRIVERS ACROSS

THE STATE. A SUSPENSION FOR FAILURE TO RESPOND TO A SUMMONS IS

DETERMINED BY ANSWERING A SUMMONS AT ANY TIME BEFORE THE TRAFFIC

VIOLATIONS BUREAU. THIS IS TRUE WHETHER THEY ANSWER BEFORE OR AFTER

DEFAULT JUDGMENT HAS BEEN ISSUED, AND WHETHER THEY CHOOSE TO ANSWER

BY ENTERING INTO A PAYMENT PLAN. NO PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS REQUIRED

TO ANSWER OR CLEAR A SUSPENSION FOR FAILURE TO RESPOND TO A SUMMONS,

SIMPLY ANSWERING IS ENOUGH. AND SECOND, UNDER SECTION 4, SUSPENSION

FOR FAILURE TO ANSWER AN APPEARANCE TICKET IS DETERMINATED [SIC] BY

APPEARING AT ANY TIME AND IN ANY MANNER BEFORE THE TRAFFIC COURT OR

AGENCY. THIS IS TRUE WHETHER THEY APPEAR IN PERSON OR BY PHONE AS

PERMITTED BY THE SPECIFIC COURT OR AGENCY, WHETHER THEY APPEAR BEFORE

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

OR AFTER DEFAULT JUDGMENT HAS BEEN ISSUED, AND WHETHER THEY CHOOSE TO

APPEAR BY ENTERING INTO PAYMENT PLAN. NO PAYMENT OF ANY KIND, AGAIN,

IS REQUIRED TO CLEAR A FAILURE TO APPEAR SUSPENSION; AGAIN, SIMPLY

APPEARING IS ENOUGH.

I BELIEVE THESE CLARIFICATIONS ARE NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT

DMV AND COURT SYSTEM IMPLEMENT THIS LAW THE WAY THE LEGISLATURE

INTENDED IT. NEW YORKERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR OF LOSING A JOB,

MISSING A RENT PAYMENT, OR FORFEITING AN EDUCATION BECAUSE THEY

RECEIVED A SPEEDING TICKET AND, TODAY, WE BEGIN THE IMPORTANT WORK OF

IMPLEMENTING THIS LAW AND STOP CRIMINALIZING POVERTY IN OUR STATE.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, MS.

HUNTER.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE -- THE VOTE ON SENATE PRINT S-2558. THIS IS A FAST ROLL CALL.

ANY MEMBER WHO WISHES TO BE RECORDED IN THE NEGATIVE IS REMINDED TO

CONTACT THE MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE NUMBER PREVIOUSLY

PROVIDED.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER. I -- I RISE TO COMMEND MY COLLEAGUE ON SPONSORING THIS

LEGISLATION. AS WE ALL KNOW, NEW YORK IS A VERY DIVERSE STATE AND A

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

LOT OF US LIVE IN COMMUNITIES WHERE IF YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO BE ABLE

TO USE YOUR CAR, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET TO AND FROM

WORK. SO, PAYING ATTENTION TO THESE SORT OF DETAILS COULD LITERALLY MEAN

WHETHER OR NOT A FAMILY IS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO PAY THEIR UTILITY BILLS

AND/OR THE COST OF RAISING A FAMILY. AND SO, THIS LEGISLATION IS MORE

CRITICAL THAN WE KNOW. THERE WILL BE ONE DAY, MR. SPEAKER, WHEN WE

GET TO THE POINT WHERE PEOPLE CAN TRAVEL THROUGHOUT OUR STATE WITHOUT

NECESSARILY NEEDING TO OWN A CAR. BUT RIGHT NOW, THAT IS THE CASE AND

SO, AGAIN, I COMMEND MY COLLEAGUE AND I'M GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE

OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES

IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

MS. WALLACE.

MS. WALLACE: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, FOR

GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE. I WANT TO THANK THE

SPONSOR FOR BRINGING THIS BILL FORWARD. IT IS REALLY AN IMPORTANT PIECE

OF LEGISLATION. BEFORE COMING TO THE ASSEMBLY, I WORKED WITH THE

FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM TO HELP INDIVIDUALS WHO -- WHO WERE NEWLY

RELEASED, TRYING TO GET THEIR LIFE BACK ON TRACK. AND ONE OF THE FAILURES

THAT WE SAW OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN WAS THE FACT THAT THEY HAD

CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS THAT HAD CONTINUED TO ACCRUE WHILE THEY WERE

IN PRISON. UNDER OUR EXISTING LAW, THERE WAS NOTHING YOU COULD DO

ABOUT THAT, AND THEN THEY WOULD GET OUT WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF

DOLLARS IN DEBT AND THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENDED

BECAUSE OF THAT, AND THEY WERE UNDER AN ORDER TO GET A NEW JOB, TO TRY

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

TO GET THEIR LIFE BACK ON TRACK AND THEY WERE SORT OF IN THIS CATCH-22

BECAUSE THEY NEEDED A CAR TO GET TO THE JOB, THEY COULDN'T GET TO THE JOB

BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T --

THEY DIDN'T HAVE -- THEY COULDN'T GET THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE BECAUSE THEY

DIDN'T HAVE ANY MONEY. AND SO -- AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE A JOB. SO IT

WAS SORT OF THIS CATCH-22.

SO, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR, AMONG OTHER THINGS,

HELPING INDIVIDUALS IN THAT SITUATION MOVE FORWARD. AND SO, I WANT TO

THANK THE SPONSOR FOR THIS REALLY IMPORTANT LEGISLATION AND

WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT IT. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. WALLACE IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. PLEASE RECORD THE

FOLLOWING REPUBLICANS IN THE NEGATIVE: MR. DIPIETRO, MR. SALKA, AND

MR. SCHMITT. THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU. SO

NOTED.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, IF YOU

COULD PLEASE RECORD OUR COLLEAGUES MR. BARNWELL AND MR.

SANTABARBARA IN THE NEGATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: SO NOTED. THANK

YOU, MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

(PAUSE)

MS. -- ON THE B-CALENDAR, NO. 72 BY MR. BENEDETTO,

THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 72,

BENEDETTO. CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY

PROVIDING FOR THE ELECTION OF FOUR REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE

STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. RA, WHY DO YOU

RISE?

MR. RA: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. TO MY

COLLEAGUES, I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF -- OF THIS

RESOLUTION AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS APPOINTMENT PROCESS. HAVING HAD

THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS THE RANKING MEMBER ON THE EDUCATION

COMMITTEE FOR SEVERAL YEARS, I SAT THROUGH HOURS AND HOURS OF

INTERVIEWS, PUSHED FOR MORE QUALIFIED CANDIDATES AND, FOR MANY YEARS

ON THIS DAY WHEN WE HAD EITHER A JOINT SESSION OR TALKED ABOUT THIS

RESOLUTION, I WOULD TALK ABOUT THE NEED TO REFORM THAT PROCESS. AND

THOSE ARE CONVERSATIONS THAT STILL NEED TO TAKE PLACE, BUT THAT'S A TOPIC

FOR ANOTHER DAY.

AS WE DO OUR WORK TODAY, THERE'S AN ELEPHANT IN THE

ROOM, AND IT'S A RATHER LARGE ONE. WE CAN'T SIMPLY PRETEND IT'S NOT THERE

OR CONTINUE TO AVOID IT. WE HAVE AN EXECUTIVE THAT CONTINUES TO YIELD

ALMOST ABSOLUTE POWER IN OUR STATE, WITH THE STROKE OF A PEN CAN TAKE --

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

MAKE DIRECTIVES THAT HAVE THE FORCE OF LAW AND, AS MY COLLEAGUE SAID

EARLIER, WHETHER IT'S A BILL WE JUST PASSED OR -- OR A BILL WE PASSED LAST

YEAR OR ANY LAW ON THE BOOKS CAN BE CHANGED UNILATERALLY RIGHT NOW.

SO THAT EXECUTIVE WIELDING THAT POWER IS EMBROILED IN

SCANDAL RIGHT NOW. THE LAST FEW WEEKS WE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE

CONTINUED COVERUP OF THE INFORMATION ON THE NURSING HOMES. AND,

MORE RECENTLY, WE'VE HAD SEVERAL FORMER STAFF MEMBERS COME FORWARD

AND ACCUSE THE GOVERNOR OF SEXUAL IMPROPRIETIES WITH THEM. THIS HAS

LED MANY TO QUESTION HIS ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO LEAD OUR STATE. AND I

DON'T BELIEVE WE'D BE DOING OUR JOB AS A LEGISLATURE IF WE DON'T TAKE

ACTION AND TAKE ACTION NOW. SO AS A RESULT, PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY RULE

II, SECTION 5, SUBDIVISION A, I MOVE TO POSTPONE CONSIDERATION OF THIS

RESOLUTION UNTIL NEXT TUESDAY, MARCH 9TH, 2021 AT 2:00 P.M., OR AT SUCH

TIME AFTER THE CONSIDERATION ON THE FLOOR OF THIS HOUSE OF LEGISLATION TO

RESTORE OUR LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY, THE CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY OF OUR

BOARD OF REGENTS, BY REPEALING THE EXPANDED EMERGENCY POWERS THAT

WERE GRANTED TO THE GOVERNOR ONE YEAR AGO TODAY PURSUANT TO CHAPTER

23 OF THE LAWS OF 2010.

THE TRUST OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE CREDIBILITY

OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS BEEN SEVERELY COMPROMISED AND IT'S VITAL

FOR US TO RESTORE THE LEGISLATURE AS A COEQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT

BEFORE WE ACT ON ANY OTHER MATTERS. WE NEED TO END THE UNILATERAL

AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNOR AND RETURN NEW YORK STATE TO THE

REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY IT'S ALWAYS BEEN INTENDED TO BE. THANK

YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, MR. RA.

THIS MOTION, HOWEVER, IS OUT OF ORDER FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CERTAIN DATE,

AS PROVIDED FOR IN RULE II, SECTION 5, OR TO STATE THAT SUCH

POSTPONEMENT BE INDEFINITE. OUR PARLIAMENTARIAN RULED THAT IT MUST BE

ONE OR THE OTHER AND IT CANNOT BE BOTH. YOU SAID "OR UNTIL."

MR. RA: I SAID A SPECIFIC DATE.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: OR UNTIL. I BELIEVE

THE STATEMENT THAT YOU MADE, "OR UNTIL THOSE POWERS ARE REVOKED."

MR. RA: I SAID THE DATE MARCH 9TH, 2021.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: YOU MAY -- MAY

APPEAL THE RULING OF THE CHAIR, SIR.

MR. RA: MR. SPEAKER, I -- I APPEAL THE RULING OF THE

CHAIR. I -- I BELIEVE THE MOTION IS IN ORDER AND, AGAIN, I DO NOT BELIEVE

WE SHOULD BE ACTING ON ANYTHING ELSE BEFORE WE TAKE ACTION WITH

REGARD TO THIS ISSUE OF THE EXECUTIVE POWER. SO, I -- I MOVE TO APPEAL

THE RULING OF THE CHAIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, ONCE

AGAIN, I DO APPRECIATE YOUR ANALYSIS OF WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS AN

APPROPRIATE AMENDMENT TO BE HAVING AT THIS TIME. I WILL SAY THAT

ELECTING REGENTS IS A CRITICAL ISSUE THAT A FEW OF OUR COLLEAGUES ON BOTH

SIDES OF THE AISLE HAVE GONE THROUGH A LOT OF VERY DELIBERATIVE WORK TO

PUT TOGETHER. AND TO SUGGEST THAT THAT ONE SHOULD WAIT UNTIL IT'S

CONVENIENT FOR SOME OTHER OF OUR COLLEAGUES TO HAVE IT MOVE ON THE

FLOOR OF OUR HOUSE, I DON'T THINK IS FAIR TO THE EFFORTS THAT HAVE GONE IN

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

SO FAR. I THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT THING FOR US TO MOVE THIS FORWARD AND IT

ACTUALLY IS A DECISION THAT IS SET UP BY EDUCATION LAW, THAT WE SHOULD

BE DOING ON THIS DAY AT THIS TIME. I ACTUALLY WANT TO TAKE THIS

OPPORTUNITY TO COMMEND THE CHAIRS OF OUR RESPECTIVE COMMITTEES, THE

EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND THE HIGHER ED COMMITTEE, AND THEIR

RANKING COLLEAGUES FOR THE PROCESS THAT THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH TO

MAKE THESE RECOMMENDATIONS TODAY BOTH FOR TWO NEW REGENTS AS WELL

AS TWO RETURNING REGENTS.

SO I WOULD ASK, MR. SPEAKER, THAT ALL OF OUR

COLLEAGUES IN THE BUILDING WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR DECISION AND RULE

MR. RA'S MOTION OUT OF ORDER. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. I WOULD POINT OUT

THAT RULE II, SECTION 5, SUBPARAGRAPH A, SUBSECTION 8 EXPRESSLY ALLOWS

FOR A MOTION TO, QUOTE, "POSTPONE INDEFINITELY." THAT'S THE ACTUAL

WORDING OF OUR RULE. IT SAYS YOU CAN MAKE A MOTION TO, QUOTE,

"POSTPONE INDEFINITELY." AND SO I -- I THINK, SIR, THAT A MOTION THAT

POSTPONES INDEFINITELY OR IS CONDITIONED UPON SOME OTHER OPTION IS IN

ORDER. THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. -- MR. WALCZYK.

MR. WALCZYK: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

FOLLOWING THE RULES IN A BODY LIKE THIS IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. WE SET

THE TONE AND THE EXAMPLE FOR THE PUBLIC WHO IS LOOKING TO US RIGHT NOW

TO RESTORE CHECKS AND BALANCES IN GOVERNMENT. IT MAKES IT REALLY

DIFFICULT FOR ME TO TURN BACK TO MY CONSTITUENTS, MR. SPEAKER, AND

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

MAKE A JUSTIFICATION FOR WHY THIS BODY IS SO IMPORTANT, WHY

REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY IS IMPORTANT IF WE CAN'T CONDUCT OURSELVES

UNDER OUR OWN RULES. MY COLLEAGUE CLEARLY SAID MARCH 9TH, 2021 AT

2:00 P.M. I HEARD IT, AS DID EVERYONE ON THE ZOOM CALL, AND I'M SURE

SOMEONE'S WRITTEN IT DOWN UP FRONT. THAT'S WHY I WILL SUPPORT

OVERRULING THE RULING OF THE CHAIR RESPECTFULLY, MR. SPEAKER. BUT HE

HAS CLEARLY OUTLINED A TIME AND DATE AND I -- I -- I'D APPRECIATE IF YOU'D

REVIEW YOUR NOTES AND POSSIBLY CHANGE YOUR MIND. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. RA HAS APPEALED

THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR. THE QUESTION BEFORE THE HOUSE IS SHALL THE

DECISION OF THE CHAIR STAND AS THE JUDGMENT OF THE HOUSE. THOSE

VOTING YES VOTE TO SUSTAIN THE RULING OF THE CHAIR. THOSE VOTING NO

VOTE TO OVERRIDE THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR. THE CLERK WILL RECORD THE

VOTE.

MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. THE REPUBLICAN

CONFERENCE WILL GENERALLY BE VOTING IN THE NEGATIVE. IF THERE ARE THOSE

WHO WOULD LIKE TO VOTE TO UPHOLD THE RULING OF THE CHAIR AND VOTE YES,

PLEASE CONTACT THE MINORITY OFFICE IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, SIR.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER. THIS IS A PARTY VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. YOUR RULING IS CORRECT

AND WE SHOULD BE SUPPORTING YOU IN THAT CALL. THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER.

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, MRS.

PEOPLES-STOKES.

AGAIN, THE CLERK WILL RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE RULING OF THE CHAIR IS SUSTAINED.

ON THE RESOLUTION, MR. BENEDETTO.

MR. BENEDETTO: YES, MR. CHAIRMAN, ON THE

RESOLUTION. WE COME HERE TODAY TO CONTINUE A TRADITION, AN OBLIGATION

THAT HAS BEEN IN EFFECT SINCE 1784 WHEN THE STATE OF NEW YORK CREATED

THE NEW YORK STATE BOARD OF REGENTS BY STATUTE. OVER 235 YEARS WE

HAVE GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY TO THE NEW YORK STATE BOARD OF REGENTS

FOR GENERAL SUPERVISION OF ALL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE: THE

UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE PROFESSIONAL

LICENSING. SEVENTEEN MEMBERS SERVING FIVE-YEAR TERMS, REPRESENTING

13 JUDICIAL DISTRICTS, FOUR AT-LARGE, INTO AN UNSALARIED POSITION WHICH

WE ENTRUST TO THIS VERY IMPORTANT JOB. THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE WELL

SOUGHT, WELL INTERVIEWED, AND JUSTLY DECIDED ON.

WE HAVE CONDUCTED SUCH INTERVIEWS OVER THE PAST

SEVERAL WEEKS AND COME UP WITH FOUR THAT WE HAVE PUT INTO THIS

RESOLUTION THAT WILL BE -- WILL MAKE THEM REGENTS TODAY. THEY WILL

STAND ON THE FLOOR OF PEOPLE WHO SERVED ON THE NEW YORK BOARD OF

REGENTS, LIKE JOHN JAY, WHO SERVED AS THE SECOND CHANCELLOR OF THE

BOARD, AND ALEXANDER HAMILTON, AS WELL AS MARTIN VAN BUREN, LATER TO

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. THESE PEOPLE TODAY ARE WELL

SOUGHT, WELL INTERVIEWED AND WELL DETERMINED, AND WE PUT OUR TRUST IN

THEM. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY.

MR. RA.

MR. RA: THANK -- THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. IT

APPEARS YOU HAVE MORE FRIENDS HERE THAN I DO, SO IN -- IN LIGHT OF THAT, I

AM GOING TO MAKE A MOTION PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY RULE II, SECTION 5,

SUBDIVISION A, TO POSTPONE CONSIDERATION OF THIS RESOLUTION UNTIL

TUESDAY, MARCH 9TH, 2021 AT 2:00 P.M. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, THE

RESOLUTION BEFORE US, AGAIN, WILL ELECT REGENTS WHO ARE

CONSTITUTIONALLY CHARGED TO OVERSEE OUR PRIMARY, SECONDARY, AND

HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEMS. THIS RESOLUTION IS OF SUCH IMPORTANCE,

PARTICULARLY NOW, BECAUSE WE ARE IN -- STILL IN THE MIDST OF A GLOBAL

PANDEMIC. IT ALLOWS US TO ON A -- WITH A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, MOVE

THESE REGENTS FORWARD. ACCORDING TO EDUCATION LAW SECTION 202,

EVEN IF -- IF WE DON'T GET THIS DONE BY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, WE WILL

HAVE TO HAVE A JOINT SESSION. AND AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SOME

EMERGENCY REQUIREMENTS IN PLACE IN OUR CHAMBERS TO MAINTAIN A

CERTAIN NUMBER OF PEOPLE HERE SO THAT WE MIGHT ALL REMAIN IN A HEALTHY

STATE. TO PUT THIS OFF UNTIL NEXT WEEK AND FORCE A JOINT SESSION, MR.

SPEAKER, IS NOT ONLY UNFAIR, AS I SAID EARLIER, TO OUR COLLEAGUES ON BOTH

SIDES OF THE AISLE WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH TREMENDOUS EFFORTS TO

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

INTERVIEW AND DIALOGUE WITH PROSPECTIVE REGENTS, IT IS UNFAIR TO THEM,

IT IS UNFAIR TO THE REGENTS WHO SOUGHT TO SERVE AND, IN MANY CASES, MR.

SPEAKER, IT IS UNFAIR TO THE PROCESS THAT WE SHOULD NEED TO BE MOVING

FORWARD.

SO I WOULD URGE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE AGAINST

THIS MOTION AND ALLOW US TO CONTINUE DOING OUR WORK. THIS IS PROBABLY

ABOUT THE SECOND, MAYBE THERE'LL BE MORE TODAY, OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE

MINORITY TO DELAY, FRUSTRATE, AND OBSTRUCT THE IMPORTANT WORK OF THIS

HOUSE. THIS RESOLUTION FOR THESE REGENTS IS IMPORTANT WORK FOR THIS

HOUSE. LET'S GET THIS ONE DONE TODAY, MR. SPEAKER. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, MRS.

PEOPLES-STOKES.

MS. WALSH ON THE MOTION.

MS. WALSH: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WISH TO

SECOND MY COLLEAGUE'S MOTION TO POSTPONE ACTION ON THE BOARD OF

REGENTS RESOLUTION FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: AT THIS POINT, THE

SINGLE-MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT THIS BODY MUST DO NOW IS REVOKE THE

EXTRAORDINARY EMERGENCY POWERS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS HAD FOR ONE

YEAR. THESE POWERS HAVE ALLOWED THE GOVERNOR, ACTING ALONE BY

EXECUTIVE FIAT, TO ISSUE NEARLY 100 DIRECTIVES THAT HAVE DICTATED ALMOST

EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES AS NEW YORKERS; SCHOOL, WORK, WORSHIP,

ASSEMBLY, OUR COURT SYSTEM, TRAVELING, NURSING HOMES, VACCINE ROLLOUT,

I COULD GO ON.

NOW THE GOVERNOR IS EMBROILED IN SEVERAL VERY

TROUBLING SCANDALS, AT LEAST ONE FEDERAL INVESTIGATION, SEXUAL

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS, ALL OF WHICH ARE A DISTRACTION FOR THE GOVERNOR.

IT IS NO LONGER REASONABLE TO INVEST THE GOVERNOR WITH THIS DEGREE OF

UNCHECKED AUTHORITY. WE, THIS BODY, IS THE CHECK AND BALANCE. WE

MUST REASSERT OUR LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY. WE CALL THIS CHAMBER THE

PEOPLE'S HOUSE, BUT IN ACTUALITY OVER THE LAST YEAR, WE HAVE NOT BEEN

GIVING THE PEOPLE MUCH OF A VOICE. WE NEED TO REVOKE THE GOVERNOR'S

EMERGENCY POWERS AND THEN, WORKING TOGETHER, MOVE FORWARD.

AND I WOULD JUST SAY IN RESPONSE TO THE PREVIOUS

SPEAKER, BY DOING THIS MOTION WE WILL STILL HAVE THE REGENTS

APPOINTED. AND AS THE FORMER RANKER ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, I

RECOGNIZE, AS HAVING SAT THROUGH NUMEROUS, NUMEROUS HOURS OF

INTERVIEWS OF THE REGENTS, THE IMPORTANT AND SIGNIFICANT WORK THAT THEY

DO, AND I THANK THEM FOR IT. WE DO NOT NEED THIS TO BE ANY KIND OF

DISTRACTION OR IMPEDIMENT TO THE APPOINTMENT OF THE REGENTS. WE WILL

JUST HAVE TO DO IT ON THE DATE STATED BY THE (UNINTELLIGIBLE). IT WILL HAVE

TO BE DONE AT A JOINT SESSION. I SEE NO REASON WHY THE ZOOM RULES

WOULD NOT APPLY. THOSE ARE THE RULES THAT THE HOUSE HAS BEEN

FOLLOWING SINCE THE PANDEMIC, AND WE RECENTLY REAFFIRMED THOSE RULES.

SO, I DON'T SEE ANY SAFETY REASON, I SECOND THE MOTION, I ASK FOR MY

COLLEAGUES TO CONSIDER IT CLOSELY. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MR. GOODELL ON THE MOTION.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, ON THE

MOTION. A FEW SHORT WEEKS AGO, THE MEMBERS OF THIS ASSEMBLY SIGNED

AN OATH OF OFFICE TO UPHOLD THE STATE CONSTITUTION. AND THE NEW YORK

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

STATE CONSTITUTION IS UNIQUE BECAUSE IN NEW YORK WE DON'T JUST HAVE A

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AND A JUDICIAL BRANCH AND AN EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

SINCE 1784, OUR STATE CONSTITUTION HAS GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE

EDUCATION POLICY TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS. IT IS A

CONSTITUTIONALLY-FORMED BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT IN NEW YORK STATE.

THE BOARD OF REGENTS MEMBERS ARE APPOINTED JOINTLY BY THE SENATE

AND THE ASSEMBLY, NOT BY THE GOVERNOR. THEIR APPOINTMENT IS NOT

SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE GOVERNOR OR VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR. THE

GOVERNOR IS NOT INVOLVED IN THE INTERVIEW PROCESS. AND ONCE

APPOINTED, THOSE REGENTS SERVE FOR DESIGNATED TIME PERIODS.

WHEN WE GRANTED THE GOVERNOR EXTRAORDINARY

EMERGENCY POWER, IT WASN'T UNLIMITED, NOTWITHSTANDING WHAT HE'S

DONE. THE VERY FIRST SUBSECTION OF SECTION 29-A OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW

STATED THAT EVERY EXECUTIVE ORDER HAD TO BE, QUOTE, "SUBJECT TO THE

STATE CONSTITUTION." NOW, THE STATE CONSTITUTION, AS I MENTIONED,

GIVES SOLE EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY TO EDUCATION POLICY AND THE OPERATION OF

OUR SCHOOLS TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS, NOT THE GOVERNOR. ARTICLE V,

SECTION 4 SAYS, THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL BE THE

REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WHO SHALL APPOINT

AND AT PLEASURE REMOVE A COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION TO BE THE CHIEF

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT, AND THAT SAME MESSAGE IS

CONTINUED IN ARTICLE XI, SECTION 2. FOR ALL MY COLLEAGUES WHO WANT TO

LOOK IT UP, IT IS ON YOUR ASSEMBLY DESK COMPUTER OR ON YOUR ASSEMBLY

WEB PAGE.

SO EVEN THOUGH THE STATE CONSTITUTION GIVES EXCLUSIVE

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

RESPONSIBILITY FOR EDUCATION POLICY TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS, WHAT'S

HAPPENED OVER THE LAST YEAR? WELL, ON MARCH 16TH, GOVERNOR CUOMO

SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER DIRECTING ALL SCHOOLS TO CLOSE IN NEW YORK

IN TWO DAYS NOTICE. NOT THE BOARD OF REGENTS, THE GOVERNOR. AND

WHEN HE CLOSED THE SCHOOLS ALL ACROSS NEW YORK STATE, I WILL SHARE

WITH YOU HE CLOSED HUNDREDS OF SCHOOLS IN COUNTIES LIKE MINE THAT DID

NOT YET HAVE A SINGLE CONFIRMED CASE. AND THEN ON MAY 1ST, HE

ANNOUNCED THAT THE SCHOOLS WOULD REMAIN CLOSED THROUGH THE END OF

THE ACADEMIC YEAR. NOW, SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT THE

EXECUTIVE LAW SAID HIS ORDERS WERE LIMITED TO 30 DAYS; YET, HE VIOLATED

THAT AS WELL AS THE CONSTITUTIONAL SEPARATION OF POWERS ON MAY 1ST.

AND WHEN WE REOPENED THE SCHOOLS, IN MY COUNTY AND IN DOZENS OF

OTHER COUNTIES, WHEN WE REOPENED THE SCHOOLS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S

BLESSING AND PERMISSION, WE HAD, AT THAT TIME, THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF

RECORDED COVID CASES. AND YOU SAW THE GOVERNOR OVERRULING MAYOR

DE BLASIO AND THE CITY COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION IN DECIDING WHICH

SCHOOLS SHOULD BE OPEN OR CLOSED.

THIS RESOLUTION [SIC] SAYS THAT WE NEED TO DELAY THE

APPOINTMENT OF THE REGENTS UNTIL WE MAKE IT CLEAR THE GOVERNOR'S

EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY DOES NOT OVERRIDE THE STATE CONSTITUTION OR THE

ROLE OF THE REGENTS. THIS MOTION RESPECTS THE BOARD OF REGENTS AND

RESPECTS THE CONSTITUTIONAL CHECKS AND BALANCES THAT WE SHOULD HONOR

HERE IN THIS LEGISLATURE. THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MR. LAWLER.

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

MR. LAWLER: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I SUPPORT

MY COLLEAGUE'S RESOLUTION [SIC] BECAUSE AS HAS BEEN STATED, THERE IS NO

MORE IMPORTANT BUSINESS BEFORE THIS BODY THAN TO TAKE BACK ITS RIGHTFUL

PLACE AS A COEQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT. SEVERAL OF MY COLLEAGUES

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE HAVE STATED PUBLICLY WITHIN THE LAST 24 TO

48 HOURS THAT THE GOVERNOR MUST RESIGN. IF YOU BELIEVE SO SINCERELY

THAT THE GOVERNOR MUST RESIGN, HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY BELIEVE THAT HE

SHOULD MAINTAIN HIS EXECUTIVE EMERGENCY POWERS? HE HAS BEEN

ACCUSED OF PREDATORY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR BY FEMALE STAFFERS. HE CANNOT BE

ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN OFFICE. HE CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO HAVE THESE

EXECUTIVE EMERGENCY POWERS.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, MR.

SPEAKER, I --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MRS. --

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: -- I BELIEVE THE

GENTLEMAN IS REMOVED FROM THE TOPIC OF THE RESOLUTION [SIC] BEFORE US.

IF YOU COULD ASK HIM TO REFRAIN FROM THAT, PLEASE.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: SO, FIRST OF ALL, OF

COURSE IT IS A MOTION, NOT A RESOLUTION, AND WE WILL TRY AND STAY ON

TOPIC, PLEASE.

MR. LAWLER: YES, MR. SPEAKER, THANK YOU. IT IS

CRITICAL. IT IS CRITICAL TODAY RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW THAT WE RETURN TO

REGULAR ORDER SO THAT WE CAN DO THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS, THAT WE CAN PASS

RESOLUTIONS, THAT WE CAN PASS LAWS, THAT WE CAN APPOINT PEOPLE TO THE

BOARD OF REGENTS, BUT WE CAN'T DO THAT IF WE HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

CONTINUES TO ACT AS A DICTATOR. WE CAN'T DO THAT IF WE DON'T ACT AS A

COEQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

SO IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE ACTUALLY DO WHAT WE ARE ALL

HERE TO DO. IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE DO WHAT SO MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES ON

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE HAVE PUBLICALLY SAID THEY WANT TO DO, WHICH

IS REVOKE HIS EMERGENCY POWERS. WHY WAIT? WHAT ARE WE WAITING

FOR?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. -- MR. -- I DO

APPRECIATE THAT THIS A FISH YOU GUYS WANTED TO FRY, BUT THIS IS A MOTION

THAT DELAYS THE APPOINTMENT OF REGENTS --

MR. LAWLER: YES.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: -- UNTIL SOME DATE

INDEFINITELY.

MR. LAWLER: AND THE BASIS OF THE MOTION WAS SO

THAT WE CAN REVOKE --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: INDEFINITELY --

MR. LAWLER: -- THE EXECUTIVE POWERS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: WELL, I BELIEVE IN THE

MOTION THAT THAT WAS WHAT WAS SAID, AND THE MOTION MERELY IDENTIFIED

DELAY OF THE VOTE INDEFINITELY.

MR. LAWLER: OKAY. I BELIEVE WE SHOULD DELAY THE

VOTE SO THAT WE CAN DO THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB WHICH IS TO REVOKE THE

GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY POWERS AND DO IT TODAY. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. ABINANTI.

MR. ABINANTI: I RISE TO URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

VOTE NO ON THIS MOTION TO DELAY A VERY IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THIS

LEGISLATURE. THE ARGUMENT IS THAT WE HAVE OTHER BUSINESS THAT IS MORE

PRESSING AND, THEREFORE, WE SHOULD DELAY THIS CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION

OF THE LEGISLATURE. THERE HAS BEEN SOME DISCUSSION THAT AMONG THE

OTHER PRESSING ISSUES IS THAT WE NEED TO DEAL WITH POWERS OF THE

GOVERNOR. LET ME SAY, MR. SPEAKER, THAT AS ONE OF THE FEW MEMBERS

OF THIS LEGISLATURE WHO VOTED AGAINST GIVING THE GOVERNOR THE POWER

THAT THEY COMPLAIN ABOUT, I HAVE EXHIBITED VERY CLEARLY THAT I AM

CONCERNED ABOUT THAT ISSUE. BUT, MR. SPEAKER, THIS LEGISLATURE CAN DO

MORE THAN ONE THING AT THE SAME TIME. WE HAVE OTHER OBLIGATIONS AND

WE SHOULD FULFILL THOSE OBLIGATIONS. WE SHOULD NOT BE POSTPONING

THOSE OTHER OBLIGATIONS TO DEAL WITH ONE PARTICULAR ISSUE THAT MANY OF

US THINK IS IMPORTANT, BUT DOES -- BUT WE STILL NEED TO DEAL WITH WHAT'S

BEFORE US TODAY, WHICH IS APPOINTING FOUR REGENTS.

NOW, WHY SHOULD WE DEAL WITH THE REGENTS? FIRST OF

ALL, WE HAVE AN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, ONE OF THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY, AND

THAT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE THE REGENTS WHO ARE SEPARATE

AND APART FROM THE GOVERNOR, FROM THE LEGISLATURE, WHO RUN THIS

SYSTEM. AND WE NEED THESE REGENTS IN PLACE SO THAT WE HAVE A FULL

BOARD OF REGENTS IN A TIME OF CRISIS. AND I FIND IT - AS A SECOND POINT,

MR. SPEAKER - I FIND IT IRONIC THAT THOSE WHO WANT TO DELAY THIS, TO DEAL

WITH A -- THE POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR, WANT TO DELAY ONE OF THE VERY

FEW POWERS THAT THIS LEGISLATURE HAS SEPARATE AND APART FROM THE

EXECUTIVE BRANCH. THIS IS A POWER THAT IS GIVEN ONLY TO THE

LEGISLATURE. IT IS A POWER THAT WE EXERCISE BY OURSELVES AND I SEE NO

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

REASON WHY WE SHOULD FOREGO THE POWERS THAT WE HAVE --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. --

MR. ABINANTI: -- SEPARATE OF THE EXECUTIVE --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. GOODELL, WHY DO

YOU RISE?

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AND I

APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUE'S COMMENTS, SO WOULD -- WOULD MY COLLEAGUE

YIELD FOR A QUESTION?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. ABINANTI, DO YOU

YIELD?

MR. ABINANTI: YES, I WOULD YIELD.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. ABINANTI YIELDS.

MR. ABINANTI: IF IT FITS WITHIN THE PROCEDURES OF

THE LEGISLATURE TO YIELD ON A OPPOSITION TO A MOTION.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: YES, IT IS.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, MR. ABINANTI, AND I

APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU OPPOSED THE GOVERNOR'S INITIAL EXCESSIVE

POWER LEGISLATION, AND I COMMEND YOU FOR THAT. AND I APPRECIATE YOUR

POINT, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT, THAT WE NEED THE BOARD OF REGENTS.

WOULD YOU AGREE WITH ME, THOUGH, THAT AS IMPORTANT IT IS TO APPOINT A

BOARD OF REGENTS, IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO LET THE BOARD OF REGENTS

DECIDE WHETHER SCHOOLS ARE OPEN OR CLOSED, OR LET THE BOARD OF REGENTS

DECIDE WHETHER IT'S IN-PERSON OR NOT IN-PERSON, OR LET THE BOARD OF

REGENTS DECIDE EDUCATIONAL POLICY AS SET FORTH IN THE CONSTITUTION?

AREN'T THOSE IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT OUGHT TO BE ADDRESSED AND SOONER

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

RATHER THAN LATER, BECAUSE IT'S GREAT WE APPOINT REGENTS, BUT IT'S REALLY

KIND OF NONSENSICAL WHEN THE GOVERNOR DOES WHATEVER HE WANTS ON

EDUCATION POLICY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. --

MR. ABINANTI: MR. GOODELL, I WOULD BE GLAD TO --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ONE MINUTE, ONE

MINUTE. MR. GOODELL, YOU ARE ASKING HIM HIS POSITION ON THE MOTION?

MR. GOODELL: YES, SO DON'T YOU THINK IT MAKES --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: SO IT'S NOT A DEBATE

ABOUT THE POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR. IT'S A DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT

WE ARE GOING TO TIMELY APPOINT THE REGENTS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

MR. ABINANTI: IN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTIONS --

MR. GOODELL: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

MR. ABINANTI: MR. SPEAKER -- MR. GOODELL, IF I

MAY ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. IF IT WERE NOT A PANDEMIC I WOULD SUGGEST

THAT WE GO OUT FOR A DRINK AND HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THOSE

PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUES.

MR. GOODELL: WE CAN STILL HAVE IT.

MR. ABINANTI: THE ISSUE BEFORE US TODAY IS

WHETHER WE SHOULD APPOINT THE REGENTS --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: GENTLEMEN,

GENTLEMEN. WAIT, HOLD UP. HOLD UP. WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE A

FREEWHEELING DEBATE ON ANYBODY'S PART. YOU WILL SPEAK TO THE -- TO THE

MOTION THAT HAS BEEN MADE. YOU WILL NOT SPEAK ABOUT ANY OTHER

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

(UNINTELLIGIBLE) ISSUES. ALL RIGHT?

MR. ABINANTI: I THINK THAT'S WHAT I JUST SAID.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: BECAUSE IF WE OPEN

THAT UP, THEN EVERYBODY CAN DO THAT.

MR. GOODELL: MR. SPEAKER, IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL IF

I MAKE IT CLEAR HOW MY MOTION -- MY QUESTION RELATES TO THE MOTION.

MY QUESTION, MR. ABINANTI, IS THAT --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: YOU'VE ALREADY

EXPENDED MOST OF MR. ABINANTI'S TIME FOR THE FIRST PART. SO --

MR. GOODELL: IF I MAY, MR. ABINANTI.

MR. ABINANTI: WELL, LET ME -- LET ME JUST RESPOND

TO YOU AND CONTINUE SPEAKING, IF I MAY. OKAY? I THINK WHAT WE HAVE

BEFORE US IS NOT THESE OTHER ISSUES, BUT WHETHER WE SHOULD APPOINT THE

REGENTS TODAY OR SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE. AND I BELIEVE THAT WE

SHOULD APPOINT THE REGENTS TODAY. THIS IS THE MOST PRESSING MATTER

BEFORE US AT THE MOMENT. WE CAN DEAL WITH THE OTHER ISSUES AT ANOTHER

TIME, WHICH I HOPE WILL BE SOON, BUT IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE TO ENTER A

DISCUSSION ABOUT EDUCATION POLICY --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. ABINANTI, YOU

HAVE EXPENDED YOUR TIME.

MR. ABINANTI: THANK YOU.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, MR. ABINANTI.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. WALCZYK.

MR. WALCZYK: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AS HE

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

NORMALLY DOES, MY COLLEAGUE FROM WESTERN NEW YORK PUT IT BEST

WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION HERE, WHERE THE BOARD OF REGENTS

FITS IN WITH OUR GOVERNMENT. AS THE RANKING MEMBER ON HIGHER

EDUCATION I ACTUALLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVIEW ALL OF THESE

REGENTS, AND I -- I, YOU KNOW, IN THE FUTURE WANT TALK ABOUT THE

REGENTS ON THIS RESOLUTION [SIC]. BUT WHETHER WE POSTPONE RIGHT NOW

IN THIS MOMENT WHICH IS CRITICAL UNTIL WE REMOVE THE GOVERNOR'S

EXECUTIVE -- EXTRAORDINARY EXECUTIVE POWERS OR WE DO THAT TOMORROW

AND PASS THIS RESOLUTION RIGHT NOW, IT'S REALLY IRRELEVANT IF THAT'S NOT

DONE. YOU CAN HAVE THE BEST REGENTS IN NEW YORK. OUT OF 19 MILLION

NEW YORKERS WE CAN APPOINT THE BEST ONES. WE WENT THROUGH THE

INTERVIEW PROCESS AND THERE'S SOME GREAT ONES HERE. AND WE SHOULD

TALK ABOUT THEM AND WE SHOULD TAKE UP THIS RESOLUTION. BUT IF WE DON'T

TAKE BACK THE EXTRAORDINARY EXECUTIVE POWERS IT'S IRRELEVANT WHO THE

BOARD OF REGENTS ARE. THE GOVERNOR'S ALREADY PROVEN THAT. IF WE

DON'T BACK THE REGENTS UP WITH OUR CONSTITUTIONAL PURPOSE TO BE A

CHECK ON THE EXECUTIVE, IF WE DON'T BACK THEM UP, WHAT'S THE POINT?

WE CAN CLAP FOR THEM AFTER WE PASS THE RESOLUTION. THEIR FAMILIES CAN

BE PROUD AND SAY, HEY, CONGRATULATIONS. YOU GOT REAPPOINTED TO THE

REGENTS OR YOU'RE NOW A NEW REGENT IN NEW YORK STATE. THAT JOB

DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING IF WE DON'T BACK THEM UP AS THE LEGISLATURE.

WE HAVE TO RESTORE CHECKS AND BALANCES. OUR ARGUMENT, MR. SPEAKER -

AND THIS IS WHY THERE'S A MOTION TO POSTPONE - IS WE HAVE TO DO THAT

FIRST. THESE REGENTS JOBS WILL BE IRRELEVANT UNTIL WE DO THAT. SO WE

CAN DO THAT TOMORROW, AND MAYBE, MR. SPEAKER, OR THE LEADERSHIP

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

COULD PROVIDE US SOME INSIGHT AS TO WHEN WE'RE GOING TO RESTORE THOSE

CHECKS AND BALANCES. IT CERTAINLY WOULD MAKE ME FEEL A LOT MORE

COMFORTABLE, AND THESE GREAT REGENTS THAT ARE PUT FORWARD IN THIS

RESOLUTION, I'M SURE THEY WOULD LOVE TO HEAR A TIMELINE FOR WHEN THAT

JOB IS ACTUALLY GOING TO MEAN SOMETHING.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON MR. RA'S MOTION,

THE CLERK WILL RECORD THE VOTE. THIS IS A PARTY VOTE. ANY MEMBER WHO

WISHES TO BE RECORDED AS AN EXCEPTION TO THEIR CONFERENCE POSITION IS

REMINDED TO CONTACT THE MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE NUMBERS

PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED.

MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. THE REPUBLICAN

CONFERENCE WILL BE SUPPORTING MR. RA'S MOTION. IF THERE ARE ANY

REPUBLICAN MEMBERS WHO WOULD RATHER NOT DELAY THIS REGENTS VOTE

PENDING SOME CLARIFICATION THEY SHOULD CONTACT THE LEADER'S OFFICE

IMMEDIATELY.

THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER. THIS IS A PARTY VOTE IN THE NEGATIVE. WE WILL REJECT MR. RA'S

MOTION AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO COLLEAGUES SUPPORTING US

(UNINTELLIGIBLE). IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME

TO CONTACT THE MAJORITY LEADER'S OFFICE AND LET US KNOW.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE MOTION IS LOST.

BACK TO THE RESOLUTION NOW.

MS. GLICK.

MS. GLICK: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I AM VERY

PLEASED TO BE SPEAKING ON THE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUIRED BY

EDUCATION LAW 202 TO OCCUR EITHER TODAY IN ORDER TO ELECT THE NEW AND

RETURNING REGENTS, OR WE WOULD BE DOING THIS IN JOINT SESSION AT NOON

NEXT WEEK, REQUIRED BY STATE LAW. WE, AS MY COLLEAGUE SAID, ARE VERY

FORTUNATE TO HAVE A BODY OF PEOPLE CHARGED WITH NOT JUST EDUCATION K

THROUGH 16 AND BEYOND, BUT ALSO OUR LIBRARIES, OUR HISTORICAL SOCIETIES.

THESE ARE VITAL COMMUNITY SERVICES. OUR LIBRARIES ACT AS COMMUNITY

CENTERS FOR FAMILY LITERACY, FOR JOB SEARCH. AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS

IS A VERY DISTINGUISHED GROUP. I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES WHO

JOINED US AT THESE INTERVIEWS. AND WHILE THEY WERE CONDUCTED

REMOTELY, AS WE HAVE BEEN DOING THROUGHOUT THIS PAST YEAR, THESE

INDIVIDUALS ARE JOINING A GROUP OF FOLKS WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED

THOUGHTFULNESS, DEDICATION WITH A WIDE RANGE OF EXPERIENCES. SOME

ARE EDUCATORS, SOME ARE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. SOME ARE -- COME OUT OF

NURSING OR SOCIAL WORK. AND IT PROVIDES A BOARD OF REGENTS WITH A

VERY RICH AND EXPANSIVE SET OF EXPERIENCE FOR THEM TO BRING TO THEIR

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

DELIBERATIONS, A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE AND INFORMATION. THEY ALSO

WORK VERY HARD IN THEIR OWN DISTRICTS TO MEET WITH PEOPLE TO GET TO

KNOW SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS, PRINCIPALS, AND I'M VERY PROUD THAT THESE

FOLKS ARE WILLING TO COME FORWARD FOR NO COMPENSATION TO TAKE ON THE

DELIBERATIONS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. WE WILL BE TAKING UP THE

REAPPOINTMENT OF ELIZABETH HAKANSON FROM THE COUNTY OF ONONDAGA,

WHO IS FROM THE 5TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT FOR A RENEWED FIVE-YEAR TERM.

RUTH TURNER FROM THE COUNTY OF MONROE BEING ELECTED AS A REGENT

FROM THE 7TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT FOR A TERM OF ONE YEAR COMMENCING

IMMEDIATELY TO FILL OUT THE TERM OF A RETIRING REGENT. DR. ARAMINA

VEGA FERRER FROM THE COUNTY OF THE BRONX BEING ELECTED REGENT FROM

THE 12TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT FOR A TERM OF TWO YEARS COMMENCING

IMMEDIATELY. AND DR. LUIS REYES FROM NEW YORK COUNTY BEING

REELECTED FOR A FIVE-YEAR TERM AS A REGENT AT-LARGE. THESE ARE

EXTREMELY WELL-QUALIFIED PEOPLE, AND I AM VERY PROUD TO PARTNER WITH

OUR EDUCATION CHAIR, MR. BENEDETTO, IN BRINGING FORWARD THIS GROUP OF

PEOPLE. AND AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK ALL THE MEMBERS FROM THE VARIOUS

COUNTIES WHO PARTICIPATED FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE IN THE

DELIBERATIONS AND THE INTERVIEWS THAT TOOK PLACE OVER A PERIOD OF THE

LAST FEW WEEKS.

WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I HOPE THAT WE WILL TAKE UP

THIS RESOLUTION WITHOUT MUCH ADDITIONAL DELAY.

ACTING SPEAKER J.D. RIVERA: THANK YOU, MS.

GLICK.

MR. DINOWITZ.

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

MR. DINOWITZ: THANK YOU. IT WAS ABOUT 13 YEARS

AGO I STOOD IN THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER TO NOMINATE FOR THE FIRST TIME

DR. BETTY ROSA TO FILL OUT A TERM AND THEN I NOMINATED HER OR

RENOMINATED HER EACH AND EVERY TIME THAT HER TERM WAS UP. AND SHE

SERVED WITH DISTINCTION FOR MANY YEARS NOW. AND NOW SHE'S OUR

COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, I'M VERY PROUD TO SAY, A CONSTITUENT AND

SHE HAS SERVED WITH DISTINCTION. BUT I'M ALSO PROUD TO NOMINATE

ANOTHER CONSTITUENT TODAY, AND THAT'S DR. ARAMINA VEGA FERRER. DR.

FERRER IS EXTRAORDINARILY WELL- QUALIFIED. SHE RECEIVED HER BA IN

SPANISH AT HERBERT H. LEHMAN COLLEGE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, MY

ALMA MATER. A MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN BILINGUAL EDUCATION AT CITY

COLLEGE OF CUNY. HER PHD IN LANGUAGE, LITERACY AND LEARNING FROM

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY. AND HER EDUCATION CREDENTIALS IN TERMS OF HER

WORK ARE ALSO REALLY SUPERB. SHE SERVED AS A JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

TEACHER OF SPANISH AND ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE. A CURRICULUM

SPECIALIST, AS A DISTRICT SUPERVISOR OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION, PRINCIPAL OF

PS 46 IN THE NORTHWEST BRONX FOR OVER 20 YEARS, AND SHE'S BEEN AT

MERCY COLLEGE NOW FOR TEN YEARS. SHE'S AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR,

DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION PARENT CENTER, DIRECTOR OF NEW

YORK STATE INTENSIVE TEACHER INSTITUTE PROGRAM, AND THE CHAIR OF THE

DEPARTMENT OF LITERACY AND MULTILINGUAL STUDIES. SO, SHE HAS IT ALL.

SHE'S EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT TO SEE IN OUR REPRESENTATIVE ON THE BOARD

OF REGENTS FOR THE BRONX. SO I AM VERY PROUD THAT SHE'S BEING PUT

FORTH TODAY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HER SERVING IN THE POSITION AS REGENT

MEMBER FOR THE COUNTY OF THE BRONX.

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER J.D. RIVERA: THANK YOU, MR.

DINOWITZ.

MR. WALCZYK, WITH MY APOLOGIES.

MR. WALCZYK: OH, NOT NECESSARY, MR. SPEAKER. I

APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THIS RESOLUTION. AS THE

RANKING MEMBER ON THE HIGHER EDUCATION, WHICH IS -- COMMITTEE,

WHICH IS A NEW POST TO ME, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY -- AND I WOULD NAME

THE TWO CHAIRS BY NAME IF IT WERE APPROPRIATE IN THIS CHAMBER BECAUSE

I -- I THINK IT'S WORTH THAT THEY DID A PHENOMENAL JOB THROUGHOUT THE

INTERVIEW PROCESS. WE HAD, I WAS SO ENCOURAGED BY SO MANY GREAT

EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS WHO WANTED TO DO THIS VOLUNTEER JOB THAT

HAS BEEN A TRADITION FOR 237 YEARS IN NEW YORK STATE. AND THEY REALLY

-- YOU KNOW, WE CAN HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT WHICH BRANCH

OF GOVERNMENT ARE THEY, ARE THEY AN EXTRA BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT. I

ACTUALLY ASKED ONE OF THE INTERVIEWEES WHO HAD AN INTERESTING RESUME,

I SAID, WHAT BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT DO YOU THINK THAT YOU'RE JOINING

HERE? AND IT'S -- YOU KNOW, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET

AS AN INTERVIEW QUESTION -- SHE HANDLED IT REALLY WELL AND SHE RIGHTLY

SAID TO THE GROUP OF LEGISLATORS THAT WAS CONSIDERING HER NOMINATION,

WELL, I THINK I'M JOINING THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT. AND

THEN IN SOME SENSE BECAUSE IT IS OUR APPOINTMENT, OUR APPROVAL, THEY'RE

THE ULTIMATE CHECK ON MAKING SURE THAT BUREAUCRACY IN THE STATE

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS WORKING FOR THE CHILDREN OF NEW YORK STATE.

THEY HAVE A HIGHER RESPONSIBILITY THAN WE DO IN THIS CHAMBER AND THEY

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. IN THIS CHAMBER WE TEND TO THINK IN BUDGET CYCLES,

SOMETIMES ABOUT THE NEXT DAY OF SESSION. IF WE'RE THINKING REALLY

LONG-TERM, UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S TO THE NEXT ELECTION DAY. BUT THE BOARD

OF REGENTS IS IN CHARGE OF MAKING SURE THAT OUR NEXT GENERATION,

WHETHER IT BE IN HIGHER EDUCATION THROUGH SUNY OR THROUGH OUR GREAT

PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN NEW YORK STATE, ARE GETTING AN EDUCATION AND THEY

ARE THE FUTURE THAT'S GOING TO LEAD US. SO WE'VE GOT SOME GREAT -- DR.

REYES, DR. VEGA FERRER, MRS. TURNER AND REGENT HAKANSON WILL DO A

PHENOMENAL JOB. I ENCOURAGE THEM, AND THEY SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF

THIS POST. I ENCOURAGE THEM TO KEEP THAT IT IS YOUR JOB TO BE A CHECK ON

EXECUTIVE POWER. IT IS YOUR JOB TO MAKE THE POLICY FOR STATE ED. YOU

DON'T TAKE YOUR CUES FROM THIS POLITICAL BODY. YOU DON'T TAKE YOUR

CUES FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. IT'S YOUR JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT THE

NEXT GENERATION IS -- IS SET UP FOR SUCCESS. IT'S GREAT WORK. THANK YOU

FOR VOLUNTEERING, AND CONGRATULATIONS.

ACTING SPEAKER J.D. RIVERA: MR. PICHARDO.

MR. PICHARDO: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I -- I

JUST WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONGRATULATE THE REELECTED AND

ALSO THE NEWLY-ELECTED REGENTS. PARTICULARLY, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE DR.

ARAMINA VEGA FERRER. AND I KNOW THAT MY COLLEAGUE FROM THE BRONX

AND THE NORTHWEST BRONX MENTIONED HER ACCREDITATIONS, HER CREDENTIALS

AND THE FACT THAT SHE IS A LIFELONG EDUCATOR. WHAT I JUST WANTED TO SAY

SPECIFICALLY ABOUT DR. FERRER IS THAT SHE IS A WONDERFUL AND CARING

HUMAN BEING. AND THE REASON WHY I KNOW THAT, MR. SPEAKER, IS

BECAUSE WHEN I WAS -- MANY, MANY YEARS AGO WHEN I WORKED AT MERCY

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

COLLEGE AS AN ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS AND

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AT THE COLLEGE, ONE OF THE FIRST EVENTS THAT

WE PUT TOGETHER INVOLVED A SPEECH AND A CONVERSATION WITH DR. VEGA

FERRER, AND SHE WAS NOTHING BUT GRACIOUS AND KIND TO ME. SHE WAS

NOTHING BUT GRACIOUS AND KIND TO THE REST OF THE STAFF BECAUSE SHE KNEW

THAT THE COLLEGE WAS WORKING REALLY HARD TO PUT TOGETHER NOT ONLY A

SERIES OF SPEAKING EVENTS FOR THE NEW INCOMING CLASS, BUT ALSO THAT IT

WAS IN A POSITION WHERE IT WAS TRYING TO GROW AND EXPAND AND DR.

FERRER WAS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THAT. AND I -- I GAVE HER MY -- MY

GRATITUDE AND HOW SHE GAVE ME SUCH ENCOURAGING WORDS AS SUCH A

YOUNG PERSON AT THAT TIME AND GROWING IN MY CAREER, AND I JUST SIMPLY

WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU. AND I CONGRATULATE HER ON THIS

ACCOMPLISHMENT AND I THANK HER FOR THIS SERVICE NOT ONLY HERE FOR THE

CITY OF NEW YORK, BUT FOR THE ENTIRE STATE OF NEW YORK. (SPEAKING

FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

ACTING SPEAKER J.D. RIVERA: THANK YOU.

MS. SEPTIMO.

MS. SEPTIMO: THANK YOU. FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO

CONGRATULATE ALL OF THE REGENTS, THE NEW AND REAPPOINTED MEMBERS, TO

THANK THEM FOR THEIR WORK. BUT I DO WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ALSO

TALK ABOUT DR. ARAMINA VEGA FERRER, AN EXTRAORDINARY EDUCATIONAL

LEADER WITH MORE THAN FOUR DECADES OF EXPERIENCE WHO'S BEING PUT

FORTH AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE BRONX. LIKE SO MANY BEFORE ME HAVE

SAID, DR. VEGA FERRER HAS BUILT A CAREER ON IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF

EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

AND LINGUISTIC BACKGROUNDS. AND SHE'S ALSO BEEN A PIONEER IN

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT CONNECT FAMILIES, EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS IN

ORDER TO GROW STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN PRE-K THROUGH 12 SCHOOLING AND

ENSURE COLLEGE READINESS. WHILE THESE ACHIEVEMENTS AND THE MANY

MORE THAN CAN BE CREDITED TO DR. VEGA FERRER ARE IMPRESSIVE, I AM

MOST EXCITED TO SUPPORT HER SERVING ON THE BOARD OF REGENTS BECAUSE

OF WHAT HER ELECTION WILL MEAN FOR STUDENTS ACROSS NEW YORK. IT IS

CRITICAL THAT LEADERS IN EDUCATION HAVE A LIFE EXPERIENCE THAT ALLOWS

THEM TO UNDERSTAND AND CONNECT WITH THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS THAT

THEY SERVE. FROM REGENT TO CHANCELLOR TO TEACHERS, I BELIEVE THAT WE

NEED LEADERS IN EDUCATION WHO CAN UNDERSTAND CULTURE, DEMOGRAPHICS

AND LEARNING STYLES, AND TAKE IN ALL OF THIS INFORMATION TO ENSURE THAT

WE ARE CRAFTING STRONG EDUCATION POLICIES THAT WILL MEET THE NEEDS OF

ALL THE STUDENTS ACROSS NEW YORK.

SO FROM ONE BRONX LADY TO ANOTHER, I CONGRATULATE DR.

VEGA FERRER ON TAKING THIS IMPORTANT STEP IN HER CAREER, AND ULTIMATELY

WOULD LIKE TO THANK HER FOR TAKING THIS IMPORTANT STEP FOR OUR BRONX

COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER J.D. RIVERA: THANK YOU.

MR. BRONSON.

MR. BRONSON: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. FIRST, I

WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF THE REGENTS, THOSE RETURNING AND THE NEW

REGENTS, AND THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING TO SERVE AND DEDICATING

YOURSELF TO EDUCATION AND ALL THE OTHER ISSUES THAT THE BOARD OF REGENTS

WILL HAVE TO ADDRESS. I ALSO WANT TO THANK CHAIRS BENEDETTO AND GLICK

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

FOR THEIR HOURS OF WORK IN SELECTING THE REGENTS THIS YEAR. YOU KNOW,

TODAY MARKS A GOOD DAY FOR OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR EDUCATION. I AM

HONORED TO JOIN MY COLLEAGUES IN WELCOMING RUTH TURNER AS A MEMBER

OF THE NEW YORK STATE BOARD OF REGENTS FOR THE 7TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT.

MR. SPEAKER, LET ME START BY SAYING THAT RUTH TURNER IS ONE OF MANY,

MANY HIGHLY-QUALIFIED APPLICANTS FROM THE 7TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT. EVERY

SINGLE ONE OF THEM BROUGHT FORTH IMMENSE PASSION, A WIDE RANGE OF

EXPERIENCE AND A CLEAR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION. WE HAD

MANY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES AND THE DECISION WAS NOT EASY. BUT AMONG

THIS POOL, RUTH TURNER TRULY STOOD OUT. A GRADUATE OF THE ROCHESTER

CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE FIRST IN HER FAMILY TO ATTEND COLLEGE. A

TRAINED SOCIAL WORKER. AN INSTRUCTOR, EDUCATION ADVOCATE AND SOMEONE

WITH DEEP, DEEP TIES TO OUR COMMUNITY. MS. TURNER'S BACKGROUND AS

AN EDUCATOR AND SOCIAL WORKER BRINGS INTO FOCUS THAT SCHOOLS ARE NOT

ONLY ABOUT EDUCATION, BUT THEY ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EMOTIONAL

AND MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR STUDENTS. MS. TURNER UNDERSTANDS THE ROLE

TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, SCHOOL COUNSELORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, NURSES AND

PSYCHOLOGISTS ALL PLAY IN ASSISTING OUR STUDENTS' SUCCESS. AS I

UNDERSTAND IT, CURRENTLY THERE IS NO MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

WITH A BACKGROUND IN SOCIAL WORK. THIS PERSPECTIVE WILL BE

IMMENSELY VALUABLE TO ADDRESS THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF

OUR STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW AS WE CONSIDER THE FULL IMPACT OF

COVID-19 ON THE EDUCATION AND THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR YOUNG

PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE. RUTH TURNER KNOWS THAT THE INTERSECTIONALITY

OF EDUCATION AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANT BENEFIT

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

TO STUDENTS, THEIR FAMILIES AND THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

RUTH, I WELCOME YOU ONTO THE BOARD OF REGENTS AND

LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE FAMILIES

IN ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY AND THROUGHOUT THE 7TH JUDICIAL

DISTRICT. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER J.D. RIVERA: THANK YOU.

MS. CLARK.

MS. CLARK: THANK YOU TO THE CHAIRS, THE SPEAKER

AND ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS PROCESS. I AM OVERWHELMED WITH ALL

WHO ADVOCATE FOR OUR CHILDREN EVERY DAY. TODAY IT IS MORE IMPORTANT

THAN EVER THAT OUR EDUCATION LEADERS ARE FORWARD-THINKING, INNOVATIVE

AND DEDICATED TO THE SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SYSTEMIC CHANGE. THAT THEY ARE

READY FOR THE CHALLENGES WE FACE AND HAVE SOLUTIONS TO MOVE US IN THE

RIGHT DIRECTION. I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE TO KNOW RUTH TURNER FOR YEARS. I

HAVE SEEN HER IN ACTION WITH STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS, ALWAYS

WITH A HAND READY TO LIFT YOU UP, BUILDING TEAMS AND FOSTERING TRUST

AMONG DIVERSE STAKEHOLDERS. RUTH HAS MORE THAN 16 YEARS OF

EXPERIENCE WORKING IN LARGE URBAN SCHOOL SYSTEMS. SHE KNOWS SCHOOLS

INSIDE AND OUT AND IS NEVER AFRAID TO CHAMPION NEEDED REFORM. THIS

APPOINTMENT TO REPRESENT THE 7TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT WILL GIVE HER THE

OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE HER WORK ADVOCATING FOR QUALITY AND

TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATION. WE NEED MORE LEADERS LIKE RUTH WHO HAVE

THE TRUST OF MARGINALIZED FAMILIES AND EDUCATORS ALIKE. SHE

UNDERSTANDS THE STRUCTURAL INEQUALITIES SO MANY OF OUR FAMILIES AND

STUDENTS FACE, AND THE TRAUMA COMPOUNDED BY RACIAL AND

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

SOCIOECONOMIC BIASES. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT NOW BECAUSE THE LONG

EXISTING INEQUITIES IN EDUCATION HAVE ONLY WORSENED SINCE THE START OF

THE PANDEMIC. AND ACROSS ALL NEW YORK, SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE FACING

NEW AND UNIQUE CHALLENGES THAT WE ARE ONLY BEGINNING TO ACCOUNT FOR.

WITH BOTH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE AND A LICENSED CLINICAL

SOCIAL WORKER, RUTH BRINGS A UNIQUE SKILL SET TO THE TABLE. SHE'S AN

EXPERT ON RESTORATIVE PRACTICES AND CULTIVATES ENVIRONMENTS THAT

NURTURE POSITIVE, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL OUTCOMES FOR ALL. I HAVE

WATCHED HER TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS YOUNG PEOPLE,

EMPOWERING THEIR VOICE AND THEIR TALENT. I KNOW RUTH IS READY. SHE

MEETS STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE. SHE UNDERSTANDS HOW ACADEMIC

SUCCESS IS SO OFTEN AFFECTED BY SOCIAL STRESSORS, TRAUMA, MENTAL HEALTH

AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS. SHE KNOWS HOW TO BUILD THOSE CRUCIAL BRIDGES

BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL LIFE. SHE WILL BE AN ASSET TO OUR

ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS ACROSS THE STATE AS NEW POLICIES AND

PROCEDURES ARE NEEDED. WE KNOW THE TERM "GOING BACK TO SCHOOL" WILL

NOT HOLD THE SAME MEANING FOR YEARS TO COME. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY,

RUTH EMBODIES EVERYTHING WE WANT AND NEED FROM OUR PUBLIC

EDUCATION SYSTEM. SHE IS A FIRST-GENERATION IMMIGRANT FROM ERITREA,

MADE HER WAY TO ROCHESTER BY WAY OF QUEENS, A GRADUATE FROM THE

SAME HIGH SCHOOL AS ME. SHE IS THE FIRST IN HER FAMILY TO ATTAIN A

COLLEGE DEGREE. MOM TO THREE CHILDREN AND MARRIED FOR 23 YEARS TO HER

LOVING HUSBAND, DR. WILLIAM TURNER. I BELIEVE SHE IS THE RIGHT PERSON

AT THE RIGHT TIME TO JOIN THE BOARD OF REGENTS. I AM BEYOND PROUD TO

KNOW HER AND HONORED TO CAST MY VOTE.

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

CONGRATULATIONS.

ACTING SPEAKER J.D. RIVERA: THANK YOU.

MR. MEEKS.

(PAUSE)

WE'LL MOVE ON TO MS. LUNSFORD.

(PAUSE)

MR. MEEKS: CAN YOU HEAR ME?

ACTING SPEAKER J.D. RIVERA: THANK YOU, YES.

MR. MEEKS: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I

AM THRILLED TO WELCOME RUTH B. TURNER AS OUR NEXT APPOINTEE TO THE

NEW YORK STATE BOARD OF REGENTS. RUTH B. TURNER IS THE RIGHT WOMAN

FOR THESE TIMES. ADDRESSING THE RACIAL INEQUITY IMBEDDED IN OUR PUBLIC

EDUCATION SYSTEM, WE MUST PLACE INDIVIDUALS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCES IN

POSITIONS OF INFLUENCE. WE MUST BE INTENTIONAL IN APPOINTING MEMBERS

REFLECTIVE AND REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEMOGRAPHICS MOST IMPACTED BY

THEIR DECISIONS AND LEADERSHIP. MS. TURNER IS A STRONG EDUCATOR THAT IS

ACUTELY AWARE OF THE NEEDS OF HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED AREAS IN OUR

COMMUNITY. AS A BLACK WOMAN, IN THIS SEAT SHE WILL BRING A

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE TO HOW WE APPROACH DISPARITY IN

ROCHESTER SCHOOLS. INDIVIDUAL, INSTITUTIONAL AND STRUCTURAL RACISM HAVE

HISTORICALLY IMPACTED EDUCATION, AND THE INJUSTICES ARE STILL FELT TODAY.

THE CITY OF ROCHESTER HAS ONE OF THE MOST ECONOMICALLY-SEGREGATED

SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE COUNTRY. OUR STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ENDURING

A SYSTEMIC CRISIS THAT WE MUST BEGIN TO REMEDY TO RESTORE THE PRACTICES.

MS. TURNER WILL HAVE THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY AS A CLINICAL SOCIAL

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

WORKER, THERAPIST AND EDUCATOR TO HELP COMBAT A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES.

PERHAPS THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE IS THAT OVER 50 PERCENT OF CHILDREN IN

ROCHESTER LIVE IN POVERTY, AS SYSTEMS HAVE BUILT THIS INEQUALITY. AND

WITH LEADERS SUCH AS MS. TURNER, WE HAVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR

POSITIVE CHANGE. OUR STUDENTS DESERVE BETTER, AND THE APPOINTMENT OF

MS. RUTH B. TURNER PROVIDES HOPE FOR A BETTER FUTURE.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER J.D. RIVERA: THANK YOU.

MS. LUNSFORD.

MS. LUNSFORD: THANK YOU. I AM PROUD TO STAND

WITH MY COLLEAGUES TODAY TO SUPPORT THIS HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND DIVERSE

GROUP OF PROFESSIONALS. BUT I TAKE SPECIAL PRIDE IN SUPPORTING

ROCHESTER'S OWN RUTH B. TURNER. RUTH BRINGS WITH HER A HOST OF

PROFESSIONAL AND LIFE EXPERIENCES THAT MAKE HER AN IDEAL LEADER FOR OUR

REGION. AS A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER, RUTH HAS A DEEP

UNDERSTANDING OF THE STRUGGLES OUR STUDENTS ARE FACING. HER WORK IN

UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND URBAN EDUCATION SETTINGS HAS GIVEN THE

COMMUNITY FAITH IN HER ABILITIES AND TRUST IN HER VALUES. I WISH EVERY

REGENT WAS LIKE RUTH. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HER TO

BUILD AN EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT TREATS EVERY STUDENT WITH DIGNITY, EQUITY

AND LOVE.

CONGRATULATIONS, AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE REGENTS

FOR VOLUNTEERING THEIR TIME AND GIVING OF THEMSELVES. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER J.D. RIVERA: THANK YOU.

MR. MAGNARELLI.

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

MR. MAGNARELLI: THANK YOU. FIRST I, TOO, WANT

TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF THE REGENTS APPOINTED TODAY. ALSO, THANK YOU TO

OUR CHAIRS GLICK AND BENEDETTO FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK. BUT IT'S A GREAT

HONOR TO SUPPORT THE REAPPOINTMENT OF ELIZABETH HAKANSON AS REGENT

FOR THE 5TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT. ELIZABETH S. HAKANSON IS A SYRACUSE AREA

RESIDENT AND AN EDUCATOR WITH MORE THAN 32 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN

PROGRAMS RANGING FROM EARLY HEAD START TO ADULT EDUCATION TO TEACHING

SOCIAL STUDIES AT BOTH HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVELS IN THE

SYRACUSE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. MS. HAKANSON EARNED BOTH A

BACHELOR'S DEGREE AND A MASTER'S DEGREE FROM MY ALMA MATER, SYRACUSE

UNIVERSITY, AND A CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED STUDY FROM SUNY OSWEGO.

SHE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED TWICE AS A FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR, ONCE AS A

WOODROW WILSON FELLOW. MS. HAKANSON HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR

HAVING EXCELLENT MEDIATION AND RELATIONSHIP SKILLS, AND HAS A PROVEN

RECORD OF DESIGNING, IMPLEMENTING AND ENHANCING EDUCATION THAT IS

MULTICULTURAL USING STRATEGIC MODELS AND DIVERSE CURRICULUM. SHE

MOTIVATES THOSE SHE WORKS WITH AND INSPIRES EDUCATORS TO ADVANCE

THEIR EDUCATIONAL MODELS. A QUALITY EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN HAS

ALWAYS BEEN HER FIRST PRIORITY.

CONGRATULATIONS, LIZ.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MS. BUTTENSCHON.

MS. BUTTENSCHON: MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TO SPEAK

ON THIS RESOLUTION. THE COVID-19 CRISIS HAS POSED MANY CHALLENGES

FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. OUR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, STAFF AND

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

PARENTS HAD TO QUICKLY ADJUST TO THE CHANGES THAT VIRTUAL AND HYBRID

LEARNING PRESENTED. IN ADDITION, OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS STRUGGLED TO

MANAGE UNPREDICTABLE BUDGETS AND INCREASED FINANCIAL STRAINS. WE ARE

ALL AWARE THAT THESE ISSUES ARE NOT GOING TO GO AWAY ANY TIME SOON. SO

IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT THE BOARD OF REGENTS FACES THESE CONCERNS TO

ENSURE THE MODIFICATION OF EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS AND ISSUES

THAT WILL COME FORWARD TO OUR STUDENTS, EDUCATORS AND MANY MORE. AS

A FORMER EDUCATOR AND ACADEMIC DEAN AT MOHAWK VALLEY COMMUNITY

COLLEGE, I KNOW THAT A STABLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT BEGINS WITH

ADVOCACY AND INPUT FROM ALL STAKEHOLDERS. THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS

ELECTION OF THE FOUR NEW YORK STATE BOARD OF REGENTS MEMBERS TODAY

THAT INCLUDES CANDIDATES WITH EXPERIENCE OF SERVING ON THE BOARD AND

NEW MEMBERS THAT WILL BRING THEIR EXPERTISE TO SHARE FOR ALL. MY

COLLEAGUES HAVE PROVIDED THE EXCEPTIONAL BACKGROUND OF ALL THOSE

BEING ELECTED TODAY, AND I WANT TO WELCOME THE NEW MEMBERS, MS.

TURNER AND DR. VEGA FERRER. AND I ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE DR.

REYES AND MS. HAKANSON ON THEIR REELECTION. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO

PARTICIPATE IN THE INTERVIEWS, AND I WANT TO THANK ALL THE CANDIDATES FOR

THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SCREEN FOR THESE IMPORTANT POSITIONS. I LOOK

FORWARD TO WITNESSING ALL MEMBERS' READINESS TO ASSIST ALL EDUCATIONAL

PARTNERS, OUR STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS, AND TO PROVIDE EVERYONE WITH THE

BEST LEARNING SETTINGS. OUR STUDENTS DESERVE A SAFE AND HEALTHY

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT BROADENS THEIR PERSPECTIVES AND PROVIDES

THEM WITH EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO EXCEL AND SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY,

EMOTIONALLY, MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY. I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK HARD TO

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

MAKE THIS A REALITY, BECAUSE NOTHING SHOULD STAND IN THE WAY OF THE

HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION.

AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE TODAY. THANK

YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MR. BARRON.

MR. BARRON: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SPEAKER.

I RISE TODAY TO SHARE SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT WITH MY COLLEAGUES.

I'M CERTAIN ALL FOUR OF THESE REGENT MEMBERS, OR SOON-TO-BE MEMBERS

HAVE IMPRESSIVE RESUMES. I'VE READ SOME OF THEM AND WERE IMPRESSIVE

IN INTERVIEWS. BUT I WANT TO ENCOURAGE US TODAY THAT WE NEED REGENT

MEMBERS THAT ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO STAND UP TO THIS GOVERNOR WHEN HE

CUTS THE BUDGET. STRONG ENOUGH TO STAND UP FOR THE CHILDREN OF THIS

STATE. WE NEED REGENTS THAT ARE RADICAL, REVOLUTIONARY, PROGRESSIVE.

AND I SAY THIS BECAUSE I, TOO, AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HIM -- THE

GOVERNOR BEING STRIPPED AND EVEN IMPEACHED. BUT IN THE MEANTIME,

ON THIS ISSUE, THE REGENT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT EDUCATION JOB IN THIS

STATE, AND I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THESE FOUR REGENTS AND OTHERS TO FOLLOW

THE MODEL OF DR. ADELAIDE SANFORD. DR. ADELAIDE SANFORD WAS A

REGENT FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND EVEN ROSE TO VICE-CHANCELLOR. DR.

ADELAIDE SANFORD HAD A GREAT COMMITMENT TO OUR CHILDREN, PARTICULARLY

AFRICAN CHILDREN. AND SHE WAS UNCOMPROMISING IN HER POSITIONS AND

SHE WAS UNAFRAID, UNBOSSED, UNBOUGHT AND BOLD. THIS IS WHY THE OTHER

REGENT MEMBERS DIDN'T VOTE HER IN AS CHANCELLOR, WHICH SHE SHOULD

HAVE BEEN. AND THE NEW CHANCELLOR, DR. LESTER YOUNG, COULD VALIDATE

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

THIS WITH ME BECAUSE HE WAS A GUIDANCE COUNSELOR AT PS 21 WHERE DR

ADELAIDE SANFORD WAS A PRINCIPAL. AND SHE TOOK THAT SCHOOL FROM THE

BOTTOM TO THE TOP, TO ONE OF THE BEST IN THE STATE. AND SHE STARTED THE

DEPARTMENT -- OR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF PEOPLE OF AFRICAN

DESCENT, FOCUSING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN CHILDREN.

SO AS WE VOTE ON THESE, PLEASE REMEMBER DR.

ADELAIDE SANFORD. IMPECCABLE CREDENTIALS, BRILLIANT, UNAFRAID, BOLD.

EVEN TOOK ON THE QUESTION OF EBONICS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT BEING

USED AS A TOOL TO TEACH THE MASTERY OF STANDARD ENGLISH AND ALSO TO

BUILD HIGH SELF-ESTEEM IN AFRICAN CHILDREN. WE ARE LIVING IN VERY, VERY

CRITICAL TIMES, AND THESE TIMES CALL FOR RADICAL SOLUTIONS. AND NOT JUST

GO ALONG, GET ALONG SOLUTIONS. NOT JUST HIGHFALUTIN WORDS THAT ARE USED

IN THE EDUCATION AND NOT COMING FORTH WITH REAL GUSTO OF PROGRAMS FOR

OUR CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY DURING THESE CRITICAL TIMES AND THIS PANDEMIC.

SO I APPLAUD THOSE WHO ARE GOING FORTH THIS TIME. I

DON'T KNOW YOU VERY WELL. I SEE YOUR RESUME IS IMPRESSIVE. I'LL BE

WATCHING TO SEE HOW YOUR PRACTICE IS, AND I JUST HOPE THAT YOU CAN LOOK

UP AND STUDY AND EVEN TALK TO DR. ADELAIDE SANFORD. SHE WAS THE

MODEL REVOLUTIONARY REGENT OF OUR TIME AND SHOULD BE HONORED.

THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON THE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION, THE CLERK WILL RECORD THE VOTE ON RESOLUTION NO. 438.

THIS IS A FAST ROLL CALL. ANY MEMBER WHO WISHES TO BE RECORDED IN THE

NEGATIVE IS REMINDED TO CONTACT THE MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE

NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED.

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. PLEASE RECORD THE

FOLLOWING REPUBLICAN MEMBERS IN THE NEGATIVE: MR. GANDOLFO, MR.

PALMESANO, MR. RA AND MR. SCHMITT.

THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: SO NOTED.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: IF WE COULD GO ON PAGE 6

ON THE MAIN CALENDAR AND TAKE UP CALENDAR NO. 136, WHICH IS

ASSEMBLY BILL 5471 BY MR. OTIS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A05471, CALENDAR NO.

136, OTIS. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TOWN LAW, IN RELATION TO TOWN JUSTICES

OF THE TOWN OF RYE FOLLOWING THE DISSOLUTION OF THE PORT CHESTER

VILLAGE COURT.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THERE'S AN

AMENDMENT AT THE DESK.

MAJORITY LEADER.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, IT IS MY

UNDERSTANDING THAT THE -- THE MINORITY HAS AN INTENTION TO ADD AN

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

AMENDMENT TO EACH AND EVERY SINGLE SOLITARY ON OUR CALENDAR. I THINK

THAT IN CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PARLIAMENTARIAN THAT THIS IS NOT A GOOD

CALL. THEY SHOULD NOT BE ENGAGING IN THIS. THIS AMENDMENT IS NOT

GERMANE TO MR. OTIS' BILL. AND I BELIEVE WE'RE AT -- THIS ACTION WOULD

ACTUALLY CAUSE THE MINORITY TO BE DILATORY TO THE BUSINESS OF THIS HOUSE

AND IT WILL BE OUT OF ORDER. I MIGHT ALSO ADD, MR. SPEAKER, THAT OUR

COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN FOR THE ENTIRE DAY WORKING UNDER THE ASSUMPTION

THAT SOMEHOW ANY EFFORTS TO REIGN IN THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS OF THE

GOVERNOR SHOULD BE BASED ON HOW THEY THINK IT SHOULD LOOK. THIS IS

AN ENTIRE BODY HERE. WE -- NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.

THE SPEAKER IS VERY DELIBERATE IN HIS EFFORTS TO PULL TOGETHER THE

DECISIONS THAT HAPPENED AROUND THIS, AND I FOR SURE KNOW THAT HE

ACTUALLY IS GOING TO DO EXACTLY THAT.

SO WITH THAT MR. SPEAKER, I WANT TO ASK THIS QUESTION

ONE MORE TIME. WOULD NOT THIS ACTION BY THE MINORITY REALLY BE

DILATORY TO THE BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND OUT OF ORDER?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MAJORITY LEADER, YES

TO YOUR INQUIRY. THE POINT IS WELL-TAKEN, AND AS SUCH I'LL RULE THAT THIS

AMENDMENT IS OUT OF ORDER AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AGAIN.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: MR. SPEAKER, IT'S A LITTLE UNUSUAL FOR

THE SPEAKER TO RULE AN AMENDMENT OUT OF ORDER WITHOUT IT BEING READ OR

EVEN MOVED FOR ADOPTION. BUT HAVING MADE THAT RULING I WOULD APPEAL

THE RULING AND ASK FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN WHY THIS BILL IS

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

GERMANE AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED TODAY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: PROCEED.

MR. GOODELL: THE -- THE BILL-IN-CHIEF WOULD

PROVIDE THAT UPON THE DISSOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE OF PORT CHESTER'S

VILLAGE COURT, THE TOWN COURT OF RYE WOULD BE EXPANDED TO FOUR

JUSTICE -- JUSTICES, AND IN THIS BILL-IN-CHIEF WOULD PROVIDE A METHOD OF

SELECTING THE ADDITIONAL TWO JUSTICES. THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WOULD

PROVIDE -- OR PROVIDES THAT WE PROCEED WITH THE LEGISLATION THAT WAS

INTRODUCED LAST YEAR BY MR. DIPIETRO AND REINTRODUCED THIS YEAR BY MR.

DIPIETRO, AND A COMPANION BILL OR VERY SIMILAR BILL IS BEING INTRODUCED

BY A DEMOCRATIC SENATOR IN THE SENATE THAT WOULD TAKE AWAY THE

GOVERNOR'S EXTRAORDINARY EXECUTIVE POWERS. AND OF COURSE WE HAVE

HEARD SOME OF THE HORRIFIC ABUSES THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE GOVERNOR'S

OFFICE IN THE LAST FEW DAYS, AND IT'S BEEN FRONT-PAGE NEWS NATIONALLY

ABOUT HOW DEADLY HIS ORDER WAS THAT COVID-ACTIVE PATIENTS MUST BE

ADMITTED INTO A NURSING HOME EVEN THOUGH THE FEDERAL GUIDELINES

OUTLINED WHAT A HORRIFIC DANGER THAT WAS. AND WE'VE HEARD THE HORRIFIC

SCANDAL OF MULTIPLE WOMEN NOW COMING FORWARD ALLEGING SEXUAL

HARASSMENT. AND -- AND THE ALLEGATIONS OF VERBAL ABUSE ARE JUST

SHOCKING. WHERE THE GOVERNOR WILL CALL A MEMBER OF OUR OWN BODY

AND SCREAM AT HIM AND SAY HE'S GOING TO DESTROY HIS LIFE. SO, WHILE

THOSE ARE AGAIN IN THE HEADLINES --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES,

WHY DO YOU RISE?

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, WITH ALL

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

DUE RESPECT, OUR COLLEAGUE'S BILL, CALENDAR NO. 136, ASSEMBLY BILL

5471, IS NOT -- IS THE BILL IN QUESTION HERE. WOULD YOU PLEASE ASK OUR

COLLEAGUE TO STAY ON THE TOPIC OF THE BILL THAT WE WILL NEED TO BE TALKING

ABOUT TO MOVE US FORWARD? I -- I GET IT THAT WE ALL -- YOU KNOW, THERE IS

THIS EFFORT TO RUN POLITICAL THEATER THROUGH OUR CHAMBERS HERE TODAY. I

GET IT THAT THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE OR THINK THAT

THERE SHOULD BE CHANGES IN THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS. IN FACT, THERE ARE

PROBABLY ABOUT 150 MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY WHO FEEL THAT WAY. BUT

TO HOLD UP A BILL THAT'S A LOCAL BILL --

MR. GOODELL: MR. SPEAKER --

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: -- THAT'S IMPORTANT TO THE

SPONSOR ON --

MR. GOODELL: MR. SPEAKER, POINT OF ORDER. IT IS

NOT THE ROLE OF THE MAJORITY LEADER TO DEBATE ON MY TIME MY

EXPLANATION OF ITS GERMANENESS. AND SO I'D ASK THAT YOU RESTORE A

MINUTE-AND-A-HALF OF MY TIME AND ALLOW ME TO FINISH TALKING ABOUT

GERMANENESS. AND IF SHE OPPOSES THE BILL --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: SO, MR. GOODELL --

MR. GOODELL: -- WHICH SHE'S ALREADY SPOKEN ON --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: SO, MR. GOODELL --

MR. GOODELL: SHE HAS ALREADY SPOKEN --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. GOODELL, SO

NOTED.

MR. GOODELL: MAY I PROCEED? AND PLEASE ADD

ANOTHER MINUTE-AND-A-HALF TO MY TIME.

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

WE ARE AWARE OF THESE HORRIFIC ABUSES THAT HAVE BEEN

ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE PAPER. BUT WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE IS

THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY AUTHORITY HAS BEEN ABUSED IN SO MANY OTHER

AREAS, INCLUDING SPECIFICALLY THE OPERATION OF OUR VILLAGE COURTS. AND

THE BILL-IN-CHIEF DEALS WITH OUR VILLAGES COURTS. AND SO THE GOVERNOR

UNILATERALLY EXTENDED THE TIME TO ANSWER ANY SUMMONS OR COMPLAINT.

UNILATERALLY. AS THOUGH FOR SOME REASON ANSWERING A SUMMONS OR

COMPLAINT IN VILLAGE COURT POSED A HEALTH THREAT. AND THE GOVERNOR

UNILATERALLY EXTENDED THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS AS THOUGH HAVING AN

EXTENDED TIME PERIOD TO FILE A LAWSUIT IN ANY WAY WAS RELATED TO

COVID. AND THE GOVERNOR HAS BASICALLY PULLED THE RUG OUT FROM

UNDER ALL OF OUR COURTS, INCLUDING VILLAGE COURTS, INCLUDING THE VILLAGE

COURT IN THE TOWN OF RYE. AND SO RIGHT NOW IF YOU ARE A PLAINTIFF AND

YOU WANT TO FILE A SMALL CLAIMS COURT ACTION BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN

DAMAGED AND YOU WANT TO APPLY THAT IN THE VILLAGE COURT IN THE VILLAGE

OF CHESTER OR THE TOWN OF RYE, BECAUSE OF THE EXECUTIVE'S ACTION YOU

HAVE NO ACCESS. NONE. AND SO IT IS GREAT THAT WE TALKED ABOUT PAINTING

THE SIDE OF A BUILDING THAT'S ON FIRE IN THE INSIDE -- WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE

DOING HERE, OR PUTTING, AS WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY IN THE COUNTRY, "LIPSTICK

ON A PIG." THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS WE DON'T NEED FOUR JUDGES IN THE

TOWN OF RYE WHEN THE TOWN OF RYE CAN'T HEAR CASES. WE DON'T NEED

FOUR JUDGES IN THE TOWN OF RYE WHEN YOU CANNOT BRING AN EVICTION

ACTION AGAINST SOMEBODY WHO'S MAKING MORE MONEY THAN THEY'VE EVER

MADE IN THEIR LIFE. SO THIS AMENDMENT SAYS LET US RESTORE CHECKS AND

BALANCES WITH THE JUDICIARY AND REMOVE THE POWER OF THE GOVERNOR

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

OVER EVERYTHING. REMOVE THE POWER OF THE GOVERNOR TO SAY, YOU CAN'T

BRING A SMALL CLAIMS ACTION TO GET REDRESS. REMOVE THE POWER OF THE

GOVERNOR TO SAY, YOU CAN'T GO TO COURT TO GET BACK YOUR OWN PERSONAL

PROPERTY OR YOUR OWN REAL PROPERTY. LET'S FOCUS ON THE REAL ISSUE HERE

AND STOP TRYING TO PAPER OVER THE FACT THAT THIS LEGISLATION, LIKE SO MUCH

WE'RE DOING NOW, IS MEANINGLESS UNTIL WE ADDRESS THE FACT THAT THE

GOVERNOR, BY EXECUTIVE DICTATE, CAN DECIDE WHO CAN GO TO THE TOWN OF

RYE VILLAGE COURT TO GET JUSTICE. THAT'S WHY THIS IS RELEVANT. IT IS A

STATEMENT OF RESPECT TO THE TOWN OF RYE. IT IS A STATEMENT OF RESPECT TO

THE VILLAGE OF PORT CHESTER'S COURT. IT IS A STATEMENT OF RESPECT TO MY

DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUE WHO WANTS TO SEE THIS COURT SYSTEM RUN

SMOOTHLY WHEN WE SAY, AS THE LEGISLATURE, WE UNDERSTAND YOU WANT

THE TOWN OF RYE COURT TO OPERATE EFFICIENTLY AND SO DO WE. AND THAT'S

WHY THE GOVERNOR, USING AN EXCUSE OF COVID, CANNOT BAR PEOPLE

FROM BRINGING AN ACTION OR GETTING JUSTICE OR PURSUING A DEFAULT

JUDGMENT, AS THE CASE MAY BE. BUT THE JUDGE CAN'T LOCK THE FRONT DOORS

OF THE TOWN COURT OF RYE OR ANYWHERE ELSE IN THIS STATE.

THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. GOODELL APPEALS

THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR. THE QUESTION BEFORE THE HOUSE IS SHALL THE

DECISION OF THE CHAIR STAND AS THE JUDGMENT OF THE HOUSE. THOSE

VOTING YES VOTE TO SUSTAIN THE RULING OF THE CHAIR. THOSE VOTING NO

VOTE TO OVERRIDE THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR.

THE CLERK --

MR. GOODELL: MR. SPEAKER, A POINT OF ORDER BY

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

MR. RA.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. RA, POINT OF

ORDER.

MR. RA: MR. SPEAKER, THE ASSEMBLY RULES ARE QUITE

CLEAR THAT WHEN A QUESTION IS BEFORE THE HOUSE, A MOTION TO AMEND

TAKES PRECEDENCE AND THERE ARE SEVERAL MOTIONS THAT ARE LISTED IN THE

ASSEMBLY RULES IN ORDER. SO I WOULD ARGUE THAT IT IS EXTREMELY CLEAR

IN OUR RULES THAT THIS MOTION TO AMEND IS PROPERLY BEFORE THE HOUSE.

SO I JOIN MR. GOODELL IN ARGUING THAT THIS MOTION IS PROPERLY BEFORE THE

HOUSE AND APPEALING THE RULING OF THE CHAIR.

THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THOSE VOTING YES

VOTE TO SUSTAIN THE RULING OF THE CHAIR. THOSE VOTING NO VOTE TO

OVERRIDE THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR.

THE CLERK WILL RECORD THE VOTE.

THIS IS A PARTY VOTE. ANY MEMBER WHO WISHES TO BE

RECORDED AS AN EXCEPTION TO THEIR CONFERENCE POSITION IS REMINDED TO

CONTACT THE MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY

PROVIDED. AGAIN, A PARTY VOTE. ANY MEMBER WHO WISHES TO BE

RECORDED AS AN EXCEPTION TO THEIR CONFERENCE POSITION IS REMINDED TO

CONTACT THE MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE NUMBERS PROVIDED.

MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. THE REPUBLICAN

CAUCUS WILL GENERALLY BE VOTING AGAINST THE RULING OF THE CHAIR, A

NEGATIVE VOTE. THOSE WOULD WHO LIKE TO VOTE IN FAVOR SHOULD CONTACT

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

THE MINORITY LEADER'S OFFICE.

THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER. THE MAJORITY CONFERENCE WILL BE PARTY VOTING IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE. THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO BE AN EXCEPTION SHOULD FEEL FREE TO

CONTACT THE MAJORITY LEADER'S OFFICE AND WE WILL SO RECORD YOUR DESIRE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ARE THERE ANY OTHER

VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR IS SUSTAINED.

READ THE LAST SECTION ON CALENDAR [SIC] NO. A.5471.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THIS IS A FAST ROLL CALL.

ANY MEMBER WHO WISHES TO BE RECORDED IN THE NEGATIVE IS REMINDED TO

CONTACT THE MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY

PROVIDED.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MR. OTIS TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. OTIS: THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES, AND THANK YOU

ALL. THIS IS A PRETTY ROUTINE LOCAL BILL. THIS IS A BILL WHERE THE TOWN OF

RYE HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PICKING UP THE COURT RESPONSIBILITIES FOR

THE VILLAGE OF PORT CHESTER BECAUSE THE VILLAGE OF PORT CHESTER HAS

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

ALREADY VOTED TO DISSOLVE THEIR COURT. AND THE TIMELINESS OF THIS

LEGISLATION TODAY IS SO THAT FOR THE NEW JUDICIAL POSITIONS THAT ARE

CREATED THAT WE CAN GET PETITIONS CARRIED FOR -- FOR THOSE SLOTS. THE NEW

POSITIONS ARE GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE ON AN APPOINTMENT BASIS THIS YEAR

BUT RUN AGAIN IN NOVEMBER. THIS IS JUST TO KEEP THE PROCESS GOING IN

TERMS OF COURT COVERAGE IN THE TOWN OF RYE THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR AND

ON TO THE FUTURE.

SO I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS RATHER

ROUTINE LOCAL REQUEST.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. OTIS IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. I WANTED TO

COMMEND MY COLLEAGUE, MR. OTIS. I THINK THIS IS A GREAT MOVE TO TRY TO

CONSOLIDATE COURT OPERATIONS INTO ONE TOWN COURT. IT'LL PROVIDE MORE

DEPTH WITH THE COURT BY HAVING FOUR JUDGES RATHER THAN TWO COURTS WITH

TWO JUDGES. IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR SCHEDULING AND FOR THE PROCESSING.

AND WHILE I HAVE NEVER HAD A TICKET IN THE TOWN OF RYE, NOR DO I

INTEND TO, OR I'M NOT SUING ANYONE WHO RESIDES IN THE TOWN OF RYE NOR

DO I INTEND TO, I DO WANT TO COMMEND MR. OTIS. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO

THE DAY WHEN THE TOWN COURT IN THE TOWN OF RYE IS REOPENED IN FULL FOR

IN-PERSON PROCEEDINGS SO THAT IT CAN SERVE ALL OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE

TOWN OF RYE EXPEDITIOUSLY AND WITH GREAT DISCRETION AND JUDICIAL

JUSTICE.

SO WITH THAT, I WILL BE CASTING MY VOTE IN THE

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

AFFIRMATIVE, COMMEND MY COLLEAGUE AND URGE MY OTHER COLLEAGUES TO

SUPPORT THIS BILL AS WELL. THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. GOODELL IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, DO YOU

HAVE ANY FURTHER HOUSEKEEPING OR RESOLUTIONS?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: WE HAVE NO

HOUSEKEEPING AND NO RESOLUTIONS.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL

ON MS. HUNTER FOR THE PURPOSES OF AN ANNOUNCEMENT?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. HUNTER FOR THE

PURPOSES OF AN ANNOUNCEMENT.

MS. HUNTER: YES, THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THERE

WILL BE AN IMMEDIATE NEED FOR A MAJORITY CONFERENCE AT THE CONCLUSION

OF SESSION.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: IMMEDIATE MAJORITY

CONFERENCE AT THE CONCLUSION OF SESSION.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE

THAT THE ASSEMBLY STAND ADJOURNED UNTIL 10:30 A.M., WEDNESDAY,

MARCH THE 3RD, TOMORROW BEING A SESSION DAY.

NYS ASSEMBLY MARCH 2, 2021

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE ASSEMBLY STANDS

ADJOURNED.

(WHEREUPON, AT 4:48 P.M. THE HOUSE STOOD ADJOURNED

UNTIL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3RD AT 10:30 A.M., THAT BEING A SESSION DAY.)