WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2024 1:52 P.M.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: The House will come

to order.

In the absence of clergy, as we pause for a moment of

silence, let us keep in our thoughts the Albany Police Officer involved

in this morning's shooting. We hope for a speedy recovery and hold in

our thoughts his family, friends and colleagues.

(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 Tuesday, April 16th.

Mrs. Peoples-Stokes.

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: Mr. Speaker, I move to

dispense with the further reading of the Journal of Tuesday, April the

16th and ask that the same stand approved.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Without objection, so

ordered.

Mrs. Peoples-Stokes.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker

and colleagues and guests that are in the Chambers. I'd like to share a

quote with you today. This one is from Dianne Feinstein; winning

may not be everything, but losing has little to recommend it. Again,

these words from Dianne Feinstein, a former United States Senator

from the great State of California.

Members have on their desk a main Calendar and a

debate list. After introductions and housekeeping, we're going to be

calling for the Insurance Committee off the floor in the Speaker's

Conference Room. Our work on the floor will begin by taking up

resolutions on page 3 and then we're going to take up the following

bills on debate: Calendar No. 129 by Mr. Dinowitz and Calendar No.

398 by Mr. Braunstein. Members should -- Majority members in

particular should be aware that there will be a Conference

immediately following our floor work today. As always, Mr. Speaker,

we will consult with our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to

determine what their needs may be. That's a general outline. Oh,

there's one other thing members should be aware of. At the

conclusion of our floor work today, the Minority will be offering a

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

motion for discharge.

So that's a general outline, Mr. Speaker, of where

we're going. Now would be a great time to do your introductions

and/or housekeeping, sir.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: No housekeeping but

we do have introductions.

Mr. Raga for the purpose of a introduction.

MR. RAGA: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's my

distinguished honor to help introduce two COMMIT organizations

from my district. First, is OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates,

it's a national non-profit but the State chapter has been a fierce

advocate for our AAPI communities across our -- our State on issues

like representation, civil rights, and education.

Today represented by my constituent, Brianna Cea

who has been instrumental in -- in the work. Also, I would like to

introduce Thai Community U.S.A. founded in 2017. Thai Community

U.S.A. has been a force in organizing the Thai community across New

York including a street corner renaming of Little Thailand Way in

Elmhurst, in my district in Queens. Today we're also joined by the

founder and my constituent Juttana Rimreartwate.

So please, Mr. Speaker, if you could help -- help give

a warm welcome to our community leaders, our spiritual leaders here

in the Chamber today.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Certainly. On behalf

of Mr. Raga, the Speaker and all the members, we welcome you here

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

to the New York State Assembly. We extend to you the privileges of

the floor. We thank you for coming and sharing this day with us. We

hope that your communities will stay healthy and apart of this

wonderful State. Continue the great work that you're doing in both

representing your communities and enhancing ours. Thank you so

very much.

(Applause)

Mr. Manktelow for the purposes of a introduction.

MR. MANKTELOW: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's

with great honor and a privilege to introduce many different veterans

who have actually been on the Honor Flight here in New York State.

There are about ten different honor flight hubs across the State and

these men and women that are here, back here in the gallery are those

individuals who have been on there, and I'd like to talk about the ten

different hubs. There's one in Hudson Valley, Patriot, Rochester,

Twin Tiers, Leatherstocking, Long Island, North Country, Syracuse,

Big Apple and also Buffalo, Niagara. These ten hubs have

collectively taken over 10,000 veterans on honor flights over the last

15 years; World War II, Korean, Vietnam, and also terminally-ill

veterans from all over the State. Honor Flight Day in the State of New

York will be honored through a resolution at the end of Session this

afternoon, and I want to thank Assemblyman Brian Maher for putting

this together. He will be doing the resolution at the end of Session.

We again, talk about these individuals who have done everything they

can for our country. The ten honor flight hubs in New York State are

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

just part of the many chapters across the National Honor Flight

Network which includes over 100 chapters across the United States

from almost every state in this country since 2005. The National

Honor Flight Network has also taken nearly 300,000 veterans to our

nation's capital in Washington, D.C. So if it's okay with you, Mr.

Speaker, I'd like to acknowledge these veterans and where they're

from and the Assembly member's district as well. First up is Klaus

Berg, who is a U.S. Air Force veteran and lives in Assemblymember

Brabenec's district. Next up is Eugene Loparco, who is also a U.S.

Air Force veteran and lives in Assemblymember Steck's district. Next

up is Morrey Goldman, who is also a U.S. Air Force veteran and lives

in Assemblymember Clark's district. Thomas Tait, who is a U.S. Air

Force veteran as well who lives in Assemblymember Lupardo's

district. George Weiner, who is a U.S. Army veteran, lives in

Assemblymember Brabenec's district. Next up is Ken Bailey, who is

also a U.S. Army veteran and lives in Assemblymember Fahy's

district. Arnold Strauch, who is a -- is also a U.S. Army veteran who

lives in Assemblymember Norris' district. Gene Leavy, who is also an

Army veteran who lives in Assemblyman Brown's district. Dominick

Critelli, who is also a U.S. Army veteran who lives in

Assemblymember Solages' district. Also, we have Dan Barber, Mary

Barber, and Henry -- excuse me, Harry Treadway, who are all U.S.

Army veterans and they live in Assemblymember Simpson's district.

Next up would be Gary Squires, who is also a U.S. Army veteran and

lives in my partner here Scott Bendett's assembly district. Also John

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

Hayes, who is also a U.S. Army veteran and lives again in

Assemblymember Simpson's district. Wendell Williams, who is also a

U.S. Army veteran who lives in Assemblymember Walsh's district.

Bob Hyder, who is also a U.S. Army veteran who lives in

Assemblymember Bronson's district. Timothy Benson, who is also a

U.S. Army veteran, lives in Leader Barclay's district. Crystal

Councilman and Thomas Burns are both U.S. Army veterans who live

in Jodi Giglio's district. Just a few more, Mr. Speaker. Matthew

Anderson and Norman Stitzel, who are both U.S. Marines, who live in

Anna Kelles' or Assemblywoman Kelles' district. Dave Seymour, who

is also a Navy veteran, lives in Assemblymember Simpson's district.

Arthur Dutcher, who is a U.S. Navy veteran, lives again in

Assemblywoman Walsh's district. John Paddock, who is also a U.S.

Navy veteran, lives in Assemblymember John Lemondes' district.

Robert Gardner, who is also a U.S. Navy veteran who lives in

Assemblyman Gallahan's district. Greg Lee, who is also a U.S.

Marine who lives in Assemblymember Jones' district, and to finish up

our veterans here, Glynn English, who is also a U.S. Army and U.S.

Marine veteran who lives in Assemblymember Lemondes' district.

We have three other veterans here with them that are part of the

organizational group. That would be Roger Kilfoil (phonetic) who

lives in Assemblywoman Simon's district. Also we have Chester

Edwards, who's a veteran and lives in Assemblymember Otis' district

and lastly Greg Furlong (phonetic) who is also a veteran who lives in

Assemblyman Tague's district. And we have many of their supporters

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

and organizers that are with them today. So to the men and women

here, I ask you to give them the cordialities of the House and thank

them for everything they do for our State, for our country, and keeping

us safe and honoring them for their past dedication to all of us. Thank

you, Mr. Speaker.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Certainly. On behalf

of Mr. Manktelow, the Speaker, and all the members, those who

represent you and those who don't, we welcome you here to the New

York State Assembly, extend to you the privileges of the floor. Our

thanks and gratefulness for you, for serving this country and this State.

Please know that you will always be welcome here in Albany, New

York. Thank you so very much for being here.

(Applause)

Ms. Solages for the purposes of a introduction.

MS. SOLAGES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And as

we know that freedom is not free and it's so important for us to

highlight and uplift those while they are still here on this Earth. So we

have two centenarian with us who are among that group. Kenneth

Bailey and Dominic Critelli from Albany and from Floral Park who

have served this nation valiantly during World War II which is

amazing. Kenneth Bailey was drafted in 1942 into the U.S. Navy --

Army. And during World War II, he was a 4th calvatry [sic] Cavalry,

1st Army VII Corp [sic], and served in the European Theater of

Operations. He has a very long extensive bio because of all the

sacrifice and work that he's made for our country, but I do want to

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

highlight that on December 8th, 2014, he received the French Legion

of Army [sic], the highest award granted by the French government to

World War II veterans who helped liberate France from Germany's

control. And on July 3rd, 2015, Ken also received the title of Sir Ken

Bailey by the French government. Dominic served in the 95th

Infantry and was a member of the 377th Infantry Regiment in the

artillery/aviation unit. He again has served the government valiantly

-- the Army, excuse me, valiantly and he spent 151 days in combat

and earned European-African-Middle East [sic] campaign medals

with three bronze and campaign stars and the American Campaign

Medal and the World War II Victory Medal and is a -- a Good

Conduct Medal. He participates in so many educational programs to

remind us that we live in one of the greatest countries in the world and

that we must make sacrifices for that, and he also is a great saxophone

player. He serenaded us before the proceedings and we appreciate

him for that.

So with that, Mr. Speaker, if you could extend the

cordialities of the House on behalf of these two members, we'd

appreciate it.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Certainly. On behalf

Ms. Solages, the Speaker and all the members, we welcome these two

extraordinary human beings here to the New York State Assembly,

extend to you the privileges of the floor and it's similarly our thanks

and congratulations on the way you live your life and serve your

country and I'm happy to go one-on-one with you any time of the day.

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

Thank you so very much.

(Applause)

Ms. Reyes for the purposes of a introduction.

MS. REYES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Joining us

here today representing Citizen app is Prince Mapp who serves as

their head of Community and Culture as well as their R1 Engineer.

Citizen app is the leading safety app in America, offering a digital

platform that delivers safety alerts based on police radio traffic data

and user-generated content empowering users to make informed

decisions by responsibly sharing information. Previously only

available to governments and first responders, Citizen app emphasizes

the importance of putting the public back in public safety.

Since 2017 Citizen app has been serving the residents

of New York City with over 3.7 million registered users in New York

State relying on the app for safety alerts often in critical situations

involving potential threats to life and well-being. These alerts have

been instrumental in saving lives during emergencies such as fires,

missing children incidents and possible acts of violence. My

constituents and many of my colleagues' constituents are grateful for

the work and service U.S. Citizen app provide to the public.

Mr. Speaker, if you would please join me in

welcoming Prince Mapp to the Chamber and extend to him the

cordialities of the floor.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Certainly. On behalf

of Ms. Reyes, the Speaker and all the members, we welcome you here,

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

Prince, to the New York State Assembly, extend to you the privileges

of the floor. Thank you for the public service that you provide

through this new and marvelous technology that we have. Continue

that great work. Know that you are always welcome and appreciated

here in Albany. Thank you.

(Applause)

Mr. Gallahan for the purposes of a introduction.

MR. GALLAHAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is

my privilege and also the privilege of my colleague and good friend

Assemblyman Steve Otis, a Hobart alumni and former hockey player

and team member to allow us to introduce Hobart's men's hockey

team. I'm proud to congratulate the Hobart's men's ice hockey team

winning the NCAA Division III National Championship with a

thrilling 2-0 victory against Trinity College at the March 23rd, 2024

title game played at Trinity's home rink. This exceptional

accomplishment marked Hobart's second consecutive NCAA ice

hockey championship, becoming only the 12th college in collegiate

history to win back to back NCAA crowns capping a 28-2-1 season

where the Statesmen were ranked number one throughout the whole

season, a year in which Hobart went undefeated in their last 25 games

having last lost on November 11th and sharing the record for the tenth

longest undefeated streak in Division III history. This team is led by

the guiding vision of Head Coach Mark Taylor, repeatedly recognized

with Coach of the Year honors by the AHCA and the USCHO as well

as being honored for the 2024 New England Hockey Conference

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

Coach of the Year Award. Coach Taylor's outstanding guidance

coupled with unmatched goal tending resulted in only 30 goals given

up in 31 games, the second best in Division III history. Hobart killed

92 of their opponents, 95 power plays breaking the NCAA season

record and recording 13 shutouts matching the NCAA Division III

record. Congratulations also go to Hobart's home rink fans supporting

this year's home ice victories; 17 wins, 0 losses and 0 ties. Recorded

at the City of Geneva storied Cooler arena with enthusiasm and

appreciation where the home ice advantage over the last two seasons

is an amazing 36-0. With every shift, every period, every game, those

fans know the championship caliber of each of the players that we are

here to honor today. Defenseman, Conor Lally; Kevin Lassman -

Gary, I hope I pronounce this correctly - Malakyan, Bauer Morrissey,

Austin Mourar, Matthew Perryman, Cooper Swift, Jared Patterson and

Matthieu Wuth. Forwards; Jonathan [sic] Alexander [sic], Luke

Aquaro, Ignat Belov, Artem Buzoverya, Wil Crane, Tanner Daniels,

Chris Duclair, Christian Duvall, Tristan Fasig, Kahlil Fontana, Logan

Gotinsky, Tanner Hartman, Matthew Iasenza, Mason Mazara [sic],

Ethan Mulhearn, Shane Shell and Brandon Sacchetti. Goaltenders;

Damon Beaver, Graham Burke and Mavrick Goyer.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and all the residents

of the mighty 131st Assembly District and my colleague Steve Otis,

would you please welcome the 2024 Hobart Men's Division III

national hockey team to the People's House and offer them all the

congenialities of the floor.

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Certainly. On behalf

of Mr. Gallahan, Mr. Otis, the Speaker and all the members,

gentlemen, we welcome you here to the New York State Assembly.

We extend to you the privileges of the floor. Certainly an impressive

record that you have attained over these last two years and a

championship this year. Knowing that championships build character

for the future, I'm sure your futures will be very bright. We will

always welcome you here and we wish you well on your journey in

life. Thank you so very much.

(Applause)

Ms. Jackson for the purposes of a introduction.

MS. JACKSON: So, they may be late for Black

History Month but they are right on time for Financial Literacy

Month. We have Black excellence in the Chambers, Mr. Speaker.

Troy Millings and Rashad Bilal stepped on the podcast seen in 2019

discussing financial literacy and teaching people how to create

generational wealth. One point five million people are subscribed to

the Earn Your Leisure YouTube Channel and 1.4 million people

follow them on Instagram as they discuss industries ranging from the

hair industry, trucking, fast food franchising, stocks and bonds, real

estate, social media influencing, clothing lines and everything in

between. They've interviewed some of the biggest leaders in their

field of business like entertainers Steve Harvey, sports team owner

Mark Cuban, billionaire Robert Smith. What started out as a podcast

is now a worldwide network where business, finance and

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

entrepreneurship meets the culture. Troy, a former Bronx PE teacher

and Rashad, a financial advisor, teamed up when they realized our

schools are not adequately teaching financial literacy. In the early

2000 [sic], Troy invited Rashad into his classroom to teach financial

literacy. It started from the bottom, now we here was a person, it

would be those two gentlemen over there. That one vision has

morphed into Earn Your Leisure Podcast and network, merch-like

clothing line, assets -- their clothing line assets or their liabilities, and

most notable in my opinion their business conference, Invest Fest.

And the best way to describe Invest Fest is as -- is as the Coachella of

the business world.

In 2021 Invest Fest started out with 6,000 attendees;

2022 the audience grew to 12,000. In 2023, 20,000 people traveled to

Georgia World Congress Center to network, excel in business and

entrepreneurship and learn how to create generational wealth. This

year will be no different as they prepare for 30,000 attendees. I wish

New York was on the schedule for them but it's not. Twelve high

schools, though, in the Bronx will be a part of their Financial Literacy

Curriculum pilot program. So while our students will be learning the

ABC's, they will also be learning the RBC's; real estate, business,

credit and stocks.

And so with all of that said, I would like you, Mr.

Speaker, to offer Troy and Rashad the cordialities of the floor.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Certainly. On behalf

of Ms. Jackson, gentlemen, we welcome you here to the New York

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

State Assembly. We extend to you the privileges of the floor, the

People's House. We praise you for the work that you've done in

passing on this valuable information to communities and to

individuals around the State, the country, and the world because that's

how broad this medium lasts and goes. We hope that you will

continue that great work and that your success will bring more

successes and we're certainly interested in making sure that everyone

has a chance to participate in a worldwide economy. Thank you so

very much.

(Applause)

Mrs. Peoples-Stokes for the purposes of a

announcement.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: Mr. Speaker, would you

please call the Insurance Committee to the Speaker's Conference

Room?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Certainly. Insurance

Committee, Peoples -- Speaker's Conference Room.

We'll go to resolutions on page 3, Assembly No.

2044, Clerk will read.

THE CLERK: Assembly No. 2044, Ms. McMahon.

Legislative Resolution memorializing Governor

Kathy Hochul to proclaim Apirl 2024, as Esophageal Cancer

Awareness Month in the State of New York.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: On the resolution, all

those in favor signify by saying aye; opposed, no. The resolution is

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

adopted.

THE CLERK: Assembly No. 2045, Ms. Hunter.

Legislative Resolution memorializing Governor

Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2024, as Financial Literacy Month in

the State of New York.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Ms. Hunter on the

resolution.

MS. HUNTER: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. This

resolution is to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to declare April

2024, Financial Literacy Month in the State of New York. Currently,

credit card debt is the third-largest source of household indebtedness.

Mortgage and student loan debt markets are larger. Over 60 percent

of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck and around 13 percent

are underbanked. Today's financial system is increasingly complex

with the rise of financial technology - Fintech, e-commerce and crypto

currency, teaching financial literacy is even more important to ensure

that individuals are prepared to tackle this new economy and the

challenges it brings. Financial literacy helps people make safer,

smarter decisions with their money and are able to properly manage

their debt and credit. I encourage my colleagues to promote financial

literacy during the month of April. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Thank you.

Ms. Jackson on the resolution.

MS. JACKSON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for

allowing me to speak on this resolution. Financial literacy is so

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

important to me in my district because my district makes less than

$38,000 a year, and I remember growing up in a household where

money was not widespread and we constantly had to have

conversations about what we can actually afford. We hear about

situations where parents are putting bills in their children's names and

when they go to buy their first home or apartment or car they can't do

it because of the situation of -- of their past. And so financial literacy

is extremely important. I know I personally did not learn from my

parents sitting me down and teaching me financial literacy, but I

learned through their actions and I also picked up some of this -- some

of this knowledge within our school system. I remember being in

middle school and they taught us how to balance a check -- a

checkbook and that's not something that my daughter had to learn

because we don't use checkbooks as much, but the -- the education

and knowledge is absolutely necessary yesterday, today and

tomorrow. And so I'm so glad that we have people like Troy and

Rashad and Earn Your Leisure that's willing to teach a new generation

of people how to -- how to take care of their finances. And not just

take care of it but to grow it. And so I want to say thank you to the

sponsor of this -- this resolution and happy Financial Literacy Month.

Let's make sure we make a difference and make responsible decisions

with our money. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Thank you.

Mrs. Peoples-Stokes on the resolution.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: Thank you, Mr.

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

Speaker, for the opportunity to speak on this resolution. I want to

commend the sponsor for introducing it and putting it on the floor.

And secondly, I want to honor Ms. Jackson for bringing in the -- the

young brothers from her district who focus on this daily speaking to

young people about the idea and -- of how if you understand financial

literacy, you can be successful in life no matter where you start at. If

you manage your money properly it could help it grow. I do recall

years ago when I was in elementary school there was something called

a savings account. My parents would send us weekly on Fridays with

a quarter to school, and banks would take it. And by the time I got out

of eighth grade, there was a sizable chunk of cash in the bank. It was

not enough to go and spend but it was, you know, money that had

been earned and you could see how things could build. And by the

time I got to high school there was something called Junior

Achievement where these skills were actually taught, how to write a

check and all those sorts of things, and even though folks don't write

checks anymore necessarily, then more of all these other things that

folks use - Cash App, but the fact of the matter is if you're not

financially literate, when you get access to cash, you won't know how

to manage it. And it's important that we have this, it's important that

we push this message.

So again, I want to honor my colleagues both Ms.

Hunter and Ms. Jackson for bringing the brothers here today on this

particular day while we push this resolution through. Thank you, sir.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Thank you.

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying

aye; opposed, no. The resolution is adopted.

THE CLERK: Assembly No. 2046, Ms. Walsh.

Legislative Resolution memorializing Governor

Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 14th-20th, 2024, as Public Safety

Telecommunicators Week in the State of New York.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Ms. Walsh on the

resolution.

MS. WALSH: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So when

you call 9-1-1, these are the people who answer the call, okay? These

people work in a very high pressure environment, seven days a week,

24 hours a day, and their job is to make sure that in a time of your

emergency, they remain calm. They can gather the important

information that's needed and they can refer you and your input and

what's going on in your life to the appropriate people whether it's an

ambulance or whether it's the police or whoever -- whoever you need

in order to solve your emergency.

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is

held annually during April to honor public safety telecommunicators

for their commitment, service and their sacrifice. This year's

celebration started April 14th, it lasts until April 20th. These

personnel often don't get recognized for the important work that they

do to keep our communities safe. And I wanted to bring this

resolution forward so that they do, so people understand what they do

and so they can get the recognition that they really deserve. So thank

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

you very much, Mr. Speaker.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Thank you.

On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying

aye; opposed, no. The resolution is adopted.

THE CLERK: Assembly No. 2047, Ms. Solages.

Legislative Resolution memorializing Governor

Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 28-May 4th, 2024, as Small Business

Week in the State of New York.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: On the resolution, all

those in favor signify by saying aye; opposed, no. The resolution is

adopted.

THE CLERK: Assembly No. 2048, Ms. Solages.

Legislative Resolution memorializing Governor

Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 29th-May 5th, 2024, as Maternal

Health Awareness Week in the State of New York.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: On the resolution, all

those in favor signify by saying aye; opposed, no. The resolution is

adopted.

THE CLERK: Assembly No. 2049, Mr. Sayegh.

Legislative Resolution memorializing Governor

Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 1st, 2024, as School Principal's Day in

the State of New York.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Mr. Sayegh on the

resolution.

MR. SAYEGH: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

I rise today to really join and commend this legislative Body for

recognizing May 1st as Principal Day in New York State. And as a

former principal for some 30 years, and I've had the pleasure of

serving in education as a teacher, as a principal, as a board president,

as a college professor and one of the most important roles that I feel

had the greatest impact was school administrators, namely principals,

assistant principals, directors. Why is that crucial? Because the

management of the learning atmosphere in educational institutions is

really led by the leader of that institution. That impacts test scores,

that impacts the learning curriculum, that impacts how our students

learn to respect each other, respect diversity, respect multiculturalism,

and global affairs. And it is those qualities coupled with support

services that make better citizens and prepare our children for work

and Higher Education. So today is really special to say to our unsung

heros, school administrators, principals, thank you very much for all

you do. Thank you.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Thank you, sir.

On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying

aye; opposed, no. The resolution is adopted.

THE CLERK: Assembly No. 2050, Mr. McDonald.

Legislative Resolution memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul

to proclaim May 2024, as Neurofibromatosis Week -- Month in the

State of New York.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: On the resolution, all

those in favor signify by saying aye; opposed, no. The resolution is

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

adopted.

Page 17, Calendar No. 129, the Clerk will read.

THE CLERK: Assembly No. A04667-B, Calendar

No. 129, Dinowitz, Zinerman, Otis, Seawright, Gallagher, Steck,

Dickens, Jean-Pierre, Raga, Hyndman, L. Rosenthal. An act to amend

the General Business Law, in relation to the cancellation of a health

club contract.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Read the last section.

THE CLERK: This act shall take effect on the 90th

day.

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 bill is passed.

Page 31, Calendar No. 398, the Clerk will read.

THE CLERK: Assembly No. 9671, Calendar No.

398, Braunstein. An act to amend the Local Finance Law, in relation

to the sale of bonds and notes of the City of New York, the issuance of

bonds or notes with variable rates of interest, interest rate exchange

agreements of the City of New York, the selling of bonds at private

sale, the funding of bonds, and the down payment for projects

financed by bonds; to amend the New York State Financial

Emergency Act for the City of New York, in relation to a pledge and

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

agreement of the State; and to amend Chapter 142 of the Laws of

2004, amending the Local Finance Law relating to interest rate

exchange agreements of the City of New York and refunding bonds of

such city, in relation to the effectiveness thereof.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: A explanation has

been requested, sir.

MR. BRAUNSTEIN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and

thank you, Mr. Goodell. Mr. Goodell, as I'm sure you know from time

to time there's municipalities in this State who find themselves in

financial distress and seek assistance from the State to stabilize their

finances. That happened in the late 70's in the City of New York. The

State interceded to help bail the city out. It subjected the City to the

Financial Emergency Act, and some of the provisions that were

authorized by virtue of that were the provisions in this bill which

extends several financing authorization provisions to the City of New

York, including the authority to issue bonds and notes at private sale.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Mr. Goodell.

MR. GOODELL: Thank you, sir. Would the sponsor

yield?

MR. BRAUNSTEIN: Yes.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Mr. Braunstein

yields.

MR. GOODELL: Thank you, Mr. Braunstein and

thank you for that background. As you correctly noted, in 1978 we

had the financial disaster in New York City. We gave them special

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

authorization to sell bonds at private sale, but there was a report issued

about six weeks ago by the City Comptroller, and that report indicated

that New York City's bond rating is currently one of the highest in the

nation, isn't that correct?

MR. BRAUNSTEIN: Well, that's good news and

we're happy to hear that. However, the City of New York is still

subject to the Financial Emergency Act, and I believe it will be until

2037.

MR. GOODELL: So in 1978 they made the

conclusion that the City of New York would be suffering an

emergency for half a century?

MR. BRAUNSTEIN: It's still subject to the Financial

Emergency Act, I don't know how we reauthorized it from time to

time. We've reauthorized that Act. It wasn't only in 19 -- in the late

70's. We've done that periodically.

MR. GOODELL: So why is it that the City

Comptroller is saying that the City's debt credit rating is one of the

highest in the nation? Why is it still in a financial emergency?

MR. BRAUNSTEIN: You know, perhaps one of the

reasons why the City's bond rating is so high is because we give them

the flexibility with these financing options.

MR. GOODELL: Now it's my understanding, and

again this is based on the report from the City Comptroller, that there's

about 110 billion outstanding between the City debt and the New

York State Transitional Financing Authority. Is that --

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

MR. BRAUNSTEIN: We don't have those numbers

in front of us right now.

MR. GOODELL: I see. Do you know how much

New York City pays its brokers to sell that 100+ billion in debt?

MR. BRAUNSTEIN: It's -- it's individual contracts

on every bonds so we don't have a specific number.

MR. GOODELL: Do you know who the brokers are,

their identity?

(Pause)

MR. BRAUNSTEIN: I don't have that information in

front of me, but this information should be available to the public as it

is for every municipality.

MR. GOODELL: It should be. And it perhaps is, I

just couldn't find it myself. And since -- do you know if anyone has

looked at whether or not those brokers who are getting these contracts

to sell 100 billion in bonds are making political contributions, and if

so how much and to whom?

(Pause)

MR. BRAUNSTEIN: You know, this is overseen by

the City, the City Comptroller, and I don't have the specifics but I do

know within the City Campaign Finance Board laws there are

disclosures about people who have business before the City of New

York.

MR. GOODELL: And are these brokers prohibited

from making political campaign contributions to the City Comptroller

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

or the City mayor or City council members?

MR. BRAUNSTEIN: This bill has nothing to do

with that, but we could get back to you about the rules and regulations

around what contribution limits there are for the City of New York's

Campaign Finance rules.

MR. GOODELL: Now the City Comptroller did list

the City debt in relationship to a number of select cities, and he

indicated that the City of New York's debt is over $12,000 per person,

which seems kind of high, per person. And he only indicated one

other major city that had a higher debt load per capita. Do we have

any idea of what the interest rate on New York City bonds is

compared to any of the other cities that were analyzed by the

Comptroller?

MR. BRAUNSTEIN: No, I don't have that

information. And I will point out that despite what you're arguing is a

-- a high debt burden, you also reference the fact that the City of New

York's credit rating is -- is high.

MR. GOODELL: Yes, absolutely. Both facts are

true. But do we have any idea what kind of interest rate we're getting

on the New York City debt issuance compared to other cities?

MR. BRAUNSTEIN: It varies. I don't have a

specific answer on that.

MR. GOODELL: I see. Thank you very much.

Again, I appreciate it as always. Thank you very much for your

comments.

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

MR. BRAUNSTEIN: Thank you, Mr. Goodell.

MR. GOODELL: Sir, on the bill.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: On the bill.

MR. GOODELL: As my colleague correctly pointed

out in 1978 when facing a fiscal crisis, this Legislature amended the

law to allow New York City to sell its debt bonds, its bonds, at a

private sale. And the reason we did that is because it's very difficult,

if not impossible, for the City to sell them at a public sale like

everyone else in the State of New York does with a few minor

exceptions where other municipalities have faced that same fiscal

crisis, but that fiscal crisis was almost 50 years ago. And now the City

of New York has one of the highest bond ratings of any major city. So

the fiscal crisis that prompted this Legislature to allow the private sale

of bonds has long since passed.

Now the reason why we require these bonds for

almost everyone else in the State is because we realize that a

competitive sale, open competitive, transparent sale where we

promote competition results in lower prices to the consumer, lower

prices to the taxpayers, lower interest rates to the municipality. And

in addition to saving taxpayers' money, an open, transparent

above-board competitive sale avoids the possibility that the brokers or

the buyers are making political contributions and are therefore

hand-selected. The third reason -- first reason was it's been proven

over centuries of experience that an open competitive bid results in

better price. We know that an open competitive above-board sale

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

reduces the risk of corruption and political kickbacks and favoritism,

and the third reason is when you have an open competitive bid

everyone is treated fairly. Everyone has an opportunity to submit a

bid. You don't have to be a buddy of the Mayor, you don't have to be

a political supporter of the Comptroller, you don't have to have friends

in City Hall, everyone regardless of your race, color, creed, religion,

everyone has a fair and equal chance. This bill has outlived its

justification. And for all the reasons we support open transparent

competitive bidding in every other area, we should support open

competitive bidding in this area. And when you have over 100 billion

in outstanding debt, think about that, 100 billion in outstanding debt,

New York City has more debt, about 40 percent more debt than the

State of New York. A very, very small change in interest results in a

lot of money for someone. Just think about that. A 0.1 percent

difference in interest rate is worth $100 million.

For all those reasons, I recommend that we advise the

City of New York it is now time for them to open up the sale of their

bonds to an open transparent, competitive process to give everyone

the fair chance so that they can get the best price on their bond, save

taxpayer money, avoid the potential for corruption and move forward

in a transparent manner rather than how we've been doing it for the

last few years. Thank you, sir.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Thank you.

Read the last section.

THE CLERK: This act shall take effect immediately.

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: A party vote has

been requested.

Mr. Goodell.

MR. GOODELL: Thank you, sir. The Republican

Conference is generally opposed to this. Those who support this bill

should vote yes on the floor. Thank you, sir.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Thank you.

Mrs. Peoples-Stokes.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. The Majority Conference is going to be in favor of this piece

of legislation.

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 bill is passed.

Mrs. Peoples-Stokes.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: Mr. Speaker, if you

would please call on Member Smullen for the purposes of a motion to

discharge.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Mr. Smullen.

MR. SMULLEN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move

to discharge the Committee on Ways and Means for further

consideration of Assembly Bill A8134, sponsored by myself, for the

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

purpose of bringing the same before the House for its immediate

consideration and request permission to explain it.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: The motion is in --

the motion is in order.

On the motion, Mr. Smullen.

MR. SMULLEN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Assembly Bill 8134 should be discharged from the Committee on

Ways and Means. This bill would create the Rural Mobile

Communications Fund to increase cellular service in low-to

no-coverage areas. For many years, the Assembly Republican

Conference has highlighted the stark differences in resources provided

to our urban areas when compared to the rural areas throughout

Upstate New York. One of the policy areas where we saw this

discrepancy have a tragic end is regarding cellular phone coverage.

When looking at the FCC coverage map for mobile services, there are

clear pockets of low-to no-coverage areas throughout the Adirondack

Park and in various rural regions all over Upstate New York. When

looking at specifically existing coverage when driving in a car, you

can see there are large areas where the coverage is zero to less than

5 percent. This lack of coverage was the direct cause of the recent

unfortunate loss of life of a 20-year-old woman who was shot with her

friend thinking they were at the right address, turned down the wrong

driveway due to a lack of cellular coverage.

It is up to all of us in the Legislature to make

expanding this coverage a top priority to ensure not only the safety of

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

rural New Yorkers, but also access to the coverage so many of us who

live in our cities take for granted. That is why I and my Republican

colleagues, believe we must now reprioritize how we spend a portion

of the revenues created by the $1.20 Public Safety Communication

surcharge to provide this vital service to the citizens we all represent.

Specifically, this bill would direct existing State revenues that are

deposited into the General Fund into a newly created Rural Mobile

Communications Fund designed to provide grants to increase cellular

coverage. Priority for grants will be given to rural areas that can

identify public safety concerns due to a lack of cellular service. It is

up to us here in the State Legislature to make sure the citizens in every

region of the State are provided the same access to services to ensure

their safety and well-being. For these region -- these reasons, I urge

my colleagues to vote yes on this legislation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Thank you, sir.

Mrs. Peoples-Stokes.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. I'd just like to remind my colleagues that the proper

procedure for dispensing of bills is through the committee process.

Today we've been asked to bypass that. And so a vote on this motion

to discharge is a procedural vote, not on the merits of the bill itself.

So I will ask my colleagues to join me in voting against this motion to

discharge.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: A party vote has

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

been requested. Mr. --

(Pause)

On the motion, Mr. Goodell.

MR. GOODELL: Thank you, sir. As my colleague

has pointed out, this is a procedural vote that is recognized in our

Rules of Procedure. We all know that bills go to the committee for

review and evaluation, and if it's a Republican bill with Statewide

significant [sic] it often goes to a committee to die. And we all have

experienced that situation where the -- the proposed bill is held for

consideration, which is a very nice and polite way of saying it isn't

going anywhere.

A few years ago we amended our Rules. We used to

be able to require a committee vote on all of our bills, and then the

Majority here restricted that to just four bills. So now we only can ask

the committee to kill four bills each year, rather than kill all of our

bills each year. So our Rules of Procedure provide a safety ballot,

because sometimes there are bills that are really great bills that have a

lot of popular support within this Body that for whatever reason are

killed in committees.

And so our Rules of Procedure authorize a motion to

discharge. There are only a few motions to discharge that can be

made, and there's terms and conditions on which they can be made,

and this is one of them. It qualifies, as the Speaker's acknowledged,

for a motion to discharge. So if we approve the motion to discharge,

then we'll have a second vote on whether or not we like the bill. This

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

is a procedural vote to say we're willing, as a Legislature, to consider

the merits of this bill, and I hope all of us are willing to consider the

merits of the bill. Thank you, sir.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Thank you.

A party vote has been requested.

Mr. Goodell again.

MR. GOODELL: Thank you, sir. The Republican

Party generally supports the opportunity for all of us to vote on the

merits of this bill, but if there are members of the Republican

Conference who do not wish to have this considered, they should vote

no on the floor of the Legislature. Thank you, sir.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Thank you.

Mrs. Peoples-Stokes.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. I again urge my colleagues to join me in voting against this

motion to discharge.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: On Mr. Smullen's

motion, the Clerk will record the vote.

(The Clerk recorded the vote.)

Announce the results.

(The Clerk announced the results.)

The motion is lost.

Mrs. Peoples-Stokes.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: Mr. Speaker, do you

have further housekeeping or resolutions?

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: No housekeeping,

but a few fine resolutions, we'll take them up with one vote.

On the resolutions, all those in favor --

(Pause)

Mrs. Peoples-Stokes, we do have a privileged

resolution, 2051. The Clerk will read.

THE CLERK: Assembly Resolution No. 2051, Mr.

Maher.

Legislative Resolution congratulating Honor Flight

Network upon the occasion of serving over 20,000 veterans in 2023.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Mr. Maher on the

resolution.

MR. MAHER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As many of

you may know, today we had a group of veterans from all over the

State of New York; 28 veterans and another 20 organizers and family

members representing the ten Honor Flight hubs throughout the State

of New York. Honor Flight has been in existence since 2005. It's

been a national organization. The first flight was taken with about

five World War II veterans by Earl Morse and some other founders,

and since then more than 100 chapters have been formed throughout

the United States of America. And here in New York, we have ten of

those hubs. And out of those ten hubs, we've taken more 10,000

veterans over the last 15 years.

And the importance of this resolution and having

these veterans here today and honoring today as Honor Flight Day in

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

the State of New York, is to just expose what this mission means, not

just to our veterans, but to all of us in society. It was established when

the first World War I veteran passed away. It was realized that for

World War II veterans, in the early 2000s, the World War II Memorial

was erected in Washington, D.C. for a war that was fought 70 years

earlier. Due to the fact that so many of these veterans were seniors

and due to their inability to get around and travel, these organizers and

volunteers made it their mission to create Honor Flight hubs to take

these World War II veterans, some in their 80s and 90s and over 100,

to the memorial that was erected in their honor before they passed

away. We've done that in the Hudson Valley for over 2,000 veterans

in this area, over 4,000 veterans and even this weekend, some of our

members will be traveling on Honor Flights to honor more Vietnam,

Korea, and World War II veterans.

We hope to continue to grow this exposure to the

Honor Flight organization, and we are certainly proud of all of our

hubs, all of the members that support our hubs, and most importantly,

the veterans who gave so much to our country and their families, who

deserve this day of honor and here in the Assembly Chamber, this

resolution to honor all of their service and sacrifice and especially

those volunteers and organizers who made it their mission to have that

patriotism given back to the community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Thank you, sir.

On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying

aye; opposed, no. The resolution is adopted.

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

And now, Mrs. Peoples-Stokes, we do have a few

other fine resolutions, we will pass with one vote.

On these resolutions, all in favor signify by saying

aye; opposed, no. The resolutions are adopted.

(Whereupon, Assembly Resolution Nos. 2051-2055

were unanimously approved.)

Ms. -- Mr. Goodell.

MR. GOODELL: Thank you, sir. Would you

recognize Mr. Norris for an important announcement?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Mr. Norris for the

purposes of a announcement.

MR. NORRIS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would

like to just encourage the Republican Conference to remain around;

it's very important at this point in time. I would encourage them to

please check their e-mails and their text messaging for further

instructions as they find out more information. Thank you very much.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Republicans are

reminded to stay around --

(Laughter)

-- and check your e-mails.

Mrs. Peoples-Stokes.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: Mr. Speaker, would you

call on Mr. Jacobson for the purpose of a more specific

announcement?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Mr. Jacobson.

NYS ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2024

Spreader of joy.

(Laughter)

MR. JACOBSON: Well, I can tell that my

colleagues in the Majority are so happy to know that the anticipated

Conference will take place immediately after Session in Hearing

Room C.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: Assembly Majority --

MR. JACOBSON: And we thank you for your

support.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: -- immediate

conference.

Mrs. Peoples-Stokes.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: Mr. Speaker, I now

move that the Assembly stand adjourned until the call of the Speaker.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: The Assembly stands

adjourned until the call of the Speaker.

(Whereupon, at 3:17 p.m., the Assembly stood

adjourned until the call of the Speaker.)