New York State SmartTranscripts:

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: Do I go? I'm very sorry. Will

[Assemblymember Jen Lunsford]: you please call the house back to order?

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: The house will come to order.

[Assemblymember Jen Lunsford]: Members have on their desk an a calendar. Miss speaker, I now move to advance the a calendar.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: On a motion by miss Lunsford, the a calendar is advanced. Page three rules report one zero four. Clerk will read.

[Assembly Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 11165, rules report one zero four, mister Pretlow. An act making appropriations for the support of government.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: On a motion by mister Pretlow, the senate bill is before the house. The senate bill is advanced. Governor's message is at the desk. Clerk will read.

[Assembly Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: I hereby certify to an immediate vote Kathy Hochul, governor.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: An explanation has been requested. Mister Pretlow.

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: Absolutely, madam speaker. This is another extender, the eighth in a series. This extender would ensure funding for state operations and other programs through May 4. The bill includes additional funding for emergency payroll, children's health insurance programs, unemployment insurance, OPWDD services, veterans programs, and general state charges.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: Mr. Palmisano.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I do have questions this time. Will the chairman yield for some questions?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: Yes, I will.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: Ponsor yields.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: Thank you, mister. You did answer my first question. I see it up there. This goes till Monday, May 4. As we asked in committee, with the total amount now with this being our eighth extender, what is the total appropriation today?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: Total amount is $16,400,000,000

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: Okay. And, this increased above the previous extender is how much?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: $1,500,000,000 Okay.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: I think it was just yesterday, if not yesterday, this week, our colleague down the hall made a comment said that we're at the end of the middle. I'm not really sure what that means, but I'm really more concerned of what you think, where you think we are. I'm not going ask you what inning it is. I'm not going ask you what the weather is, but I'm really kind of concerned. I just really where you think we are in this budget process right now. I know you said we've had some progress. As

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: I said earlier, my focus is on the fiscal aspects of the budget and the person down the hall that you're referring to is referring to the overall budget which includes many of the policy items that are holding things up right now. So in the context of the conversations between the two houses and the 2nd Floor, we are making serious progress with regards to the policy issues. How I am looking at it is, I'll use our baseball analogy, we are still heading to the first inning because we haven't started talking finances yet. That will come together quickly once these policy issues are taken care of. But right now, as far as the fiscal aspects of the budget go, we haven't proceeded very far.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: Okay, fair enough. I know you want to focus on the fiscal, but I just wanted to ask you some questions if I could. I know last time we spoke about this on Monday, you said we're making progress. If there's anything you might be able to add or elaborate on what might be happening, anything you could add or elaborate what's happening with tax policy in this budget? Before,

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: you asked for language. There is progress. There is progress in all the four major areas, but there is no language together because one thing leads to another. So it all has to happen at the same time. So using my magnet example yesterday, when the magnet drops and everything comes together and we have a full package.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: All right. So that would hold true for auto insurance seeker immigration tier six, correct?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: Yes.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: And then same on climate? Yes. And on climate, I'd like to delve a little bit into that if I may, if you don't mind. This week we had a proposal that was introduced that would provide utility relief for state workers who are impacted by the delayed budget. Before we go any further, are there any state workers that are not getting paid with these extenders? Aren't we taking care of those state workers or is it really just

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: The only state workers I'm aware of that are not getting paid are members of the New York State Legislature.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: Alright. So that that piece of legislation would only benefit us then if that were to move correct.

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: That legislation will not see the light of day.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: Can't tell you how happy I am. We're happy to hear that. And on that front though, we know that our rate payers or people back at home, there is we're hearing 50 to 60% higher than the national average. Like there was a report out, read this morning, saying 70% higher than the national average. As much as and I appreciate what you just said about that bill not going anywhere. Is there a discussion about real relief that will be provided to lower energy costs for families, for seniors, for veterans? Are there proposals that you can share with us that would actually reduce cost in energy bills that are being discussed as part

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: of There this are several proposals on the table. Most were included in our one house. Those are all under discussion still.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: All right. Any talk about possibly the $2,400,000,000 that NYSERDA is sitting on?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: It's still being discussed.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: Okay, that's fair enough. Mr. Prevost, as always, I appreciate your time very, very much. Thank you very much. And Madam Speaker, on the bill.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: On the bill.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: Well, Madam Speaker, my colleagues, the score is now eight budget extenders, one budget bill. Probably meant to ask them how many more budget bills or extenders we expect to have. I probably forgot to ask you, but I'm sure there's at least we know another one is going come Monday. After eight extenders, there is no defined endpoint. And at this pace, there's almost no doubt this budget is going to be later than last year. And like I said earlier, our colleague down the hall said we're approaching the end of the middle. I guess the main question asked from that is what does that actually mean? There is no visible transition from the middle to the end that I see. There is no public framework. There's no outlined agreement. It's an indication of issues that remain and what have been resolved. At some point, phrases like Frank Bliss, stop, signaling progress, and start highlighting the absence of progress. Our New Yorkers that we're representing across the state are not following inside terminology or negotiating phrases. They're really looking for result and action. And right now, what they see is a process that is without clear direction or timeline. And what I'm seeing and what many of us are seeing is a disconnect. And I will talk about, you know, with the policy that's being talked about, one area that I think it's important to talk about on the climate side of things that I asked the question, I know there's climate change climate policies being addressed, but what about direct rate payer relief? Will this budget provide direct and immediate rate payer relief? I certainly hope it does better because our residents need direct rate payer relief right now. And that disconnect I' seen the past week, couple weeks with some policies. The one we talked about that my colleagues has basically said is not going see the later day, but to see a proposal like that, that would say that would just benefit us while our residents are on the brink, that is just kind of a detachment and a disconnect from what's going on. And then there's another policy we debated in this floor that would provide rebates paid for and subsidized by ratepayers with higher utility bills to subsidize the purchase of electric lawn mowers or electric weed whackers for businesses, for schools, for hospitals. This would all be determined by NYSERDA. The same NYSERDA that came out with an estimate saying if we don't make changes to the policies, residential home heating costs will increase to over $4,000 annually. The same nice sort of this says if we don't make changes, the price of a gallon of gas will increase $2.23 a gallon above and beyond what it is now. The same NYSERDA that said the price of diesel will increase $2.41 a gallon above and beyond what it is right now. The same NYSERDA that said utility cost for small and commercialized businesses will increase 46% depending on utility and facility size. The same NYSERDA that said transportation operations trucking operations will increase more than 60% and we know the impact that will have. And like I said the report that just came out this morning I saw now our residential electricity rate is nearly 70% higher than the national average. They're on the brink. But it's the same NYSERDA that's sitting on over $2,400,000,000 in rate payer funds that have already been collected sitting there so they can spend money on green programs and policies that we've advocated in the past. We trust NYSERDA to handle this money. We want NYSERDA to spend more of our residents' rate payer money. We think that's a good idea. I would ask any one of you to go back to your constituents who said, hey, will you pay higher utility bills to help subsidize some a business or a school or a hospital to get an electric lawnmower or weed whacker or do you want direct rate payer relief right now? You and I already know the answer to that question. They're gonna say they want direct rate payer relief right now. We need to do that and we need to do that quickly. So you say, how can we provide direct rate payer relief right now? I know my colleagues said there's proposals. I know in the one house bill there was a rebate which we support too, but that can't be in and of itself. It can't just be a rate freeze because that doesn't do anything to reduce rates. But what we should do is direct that that $2,400,000,000 sitting in NYSERDA's coffers should get immediately rebated back to the residents of this state to show them that we understand that they're suffering and we're going to do the right thing. We're going to provide them back that money that surplus money and provide them direct rate pay relief now versus subsidizing electric heat pumps, electric vehicles, electric lawn mowers. That's what people want. They want direct repair relief. We could also look at this the taxes, fees, assessments, and surcharges that are on our utility bills. In some instances, you all know that can account to more than 20% of our individual's utility bill. We can cut that off right there. That would provide a relief of up to 20% immediately. These things together could do good things. We should also be looking to do do what a nice service talking about or the nice those talking about to ensure that we have a reliable and abundant supports of generation yes we need to look at repowering natural gas power plants we need to look at putting new natural gas power plants online there hasn' been one in many many years when we do that we increase supply We can increase deal with the pipeline constraints. There's things we can do. All these things will provide relief and we could do that right now with this budget with some of the things that we talked about and we've advocated for. And of course, we know our school districts are suffering with their budget votes to mean they have the budget votes that they're waiting on they didn't get their aid yet and when it comes to the school districts they have the mother of all unfunded mandates the electric school bus mandate that's going to cost them significant amounts of money. We know tens of billions of dollars just in replacement cost, infrastructure improvements, and charging infrastructure. And I know others when they talk about this, we're giving money to the school districts. We got money in the bond act. I don't know if you might recall at a budget hearing a couple years ago when we asked NYSERDA president and co chair of the climate action council, if you take all the money from the state and the federal government they put in, how many school buses would that purchase? She said about 3,000. We have a fleet of nearly 50,000 school buses. So who's going to make up the difference? My local property taxpayers, your local property taxpayers. We need to not just pump the brakes on this thing, we need to slam the brakes. We should not just let them get waivers, we should be extending this thing. And as I said earlier, I'm having a hard time understanding why no one can answer this question. I'm having an understand hard time understanding why the media doesn't ask the governor this question. Why are we asking our school districts to convert their entire school fleets by 2035 when the state of New York does not have to convert their heavy and medium to medium fleets until 2040. Oh and yeah, but the state of New York, like I said earlier, they have an out for feasibility, for cost, for lack. They can stop for whatever reasons, but our school districts don't have that same privilege. Why are we why not make the state of New York do it first? Why are we asking our school districts and local property taxpayers to be the guinea pig for this social experiment? Let's provide relief to them now. Let's delay this thing because they need to they need to delay. They want to delay. They can't implement it. And those that are buying electric buses are having problems. Listen. We need long lasting solutions to bring down energy costs, not just proposals that shift away from addressing the problem. And as we continue to talk about phases and process, the the real consequences are growing. Late budgets create uncertainty. School districts have sent out their military ballots for school budget votes last week. And a property tax report cards were due on Monday. Municipalities or municipalities are planning their budgets right now. They have road construction projects they wanna do, but they have no certainty about how much state aid they're gonna how much chip save we're gonna give them, which we should be giving them a lot more chip save. Absolutely. And even just yesterday, the largest municipality in the state of New York, New York City, said they're delaying their budget till May 12 because of state funding and revenue is still being negotiated. The longer this drags on, my colleagues, the more prose proposals get thrown in the mix, creating more uncertainty and less transparency. At some point at some point, we must move past the middle, define an actual endpoint, and deliver a complete budget that reflects the responsibility of this institution because right now, we are not even close to that. Of course, I will be voting for this extender to ensure our state operations continue and our employees get paid. That responsibility is not optional. I would be voting in the favor, madam speaker, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Thank you.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: Thank you. Mister Smith.

[Assemblymember Doug Smith]: Thank you, madam speaker. On the bell?

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: On the bell.

[Assemblymember Doug Smith]: Thank you. I just wanna take a moment, to express concern on behalf of school districts across the state of New York. My colleague just iterated the fact that our school districts are obligated. Our volunteer school board members are obligated to present a budget to the voters to fund their their schools. The budgets must be finalized by May 5. It's now April 29. We're getting increasingly close to the date where they have to finalize a budget, and they don't know the state aid they're gonna be receiving. The governor proposed a minimum 1% increase. School districts across the state are looking at costs that are rising tremendously. The cost of health insurance, the cost of a lot of things that we talk about in this chamber every single day. The final budget may include impacts that they will need to deal with. My colleague just mentioned the electric bus mandate, if that whether it's dealt with or not in this budget. We're talking about changes to the pension system. That could increase cost to our school districts. So the fact is that we have abdicated our responsibility to deliver a budget that's timely. Our districts are not able to present that to the voters. May 5 is when they need to finalize that budget so it can be put up for a public hearing and then voted on May 19. And I think we need to really join together and and urge that this be completed because, again, it's not fair to our districts. It's not fair to our property taxpayers. I can speak as a Long Island representative. The number one issue I hear is my property taxes are too high, and and and it's something that they're dealing with. They want to provide an excellent education for our children. We need to make sure that we finalize this budget to get those numbers out there. In a few minutes, we're gonna be considering another bill that you can look. School districts are starting to unravel because of issues that are not dealt with in the budget. So I'll be voting yes on this to continue to pay our state workforce, but I am you know, on behalf of the people I represent, the people that all of us represent as a ranking member of the education committee, as a former teacher, as a parent, a PTA member, I'm outraged the fact that we don't have those final education numbers, and I think we can do better. Thank you.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: Thank you. Read the last section.

[Assembly Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: The clerk will record the vote. Ms. Walsh to explain her vote.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: Thank you, madam speaker. So I just want to pick up on something that was raised by our ways and means ranker behind me here about the media covering what's going on here. I mean the media is right down the hall. They cover what they can. But this whole process is so mired in secrecy that it's very difficult for them to write thoughtful investigative pieces based on tweets from the governor or an oft comment made during her statewide tour at different appearances around the state. That's that's not going to lead to an intelligent, thoughtful conversation. I mean, bottom line is when this budget finally does come together, you know, we're going to get briefed with with briefing memos that are still warm and then we're going to have to come in and with reduced debate time due to the rule changes that were passed a couple years ago. We're going to have to try to intelligently inform the voters and ourselves about what this budget contains. So again, I'll continue to support the extender because I want to see government continue to operate. I'm not going to try to jam things up. But you know, that's the reason why we can't really have good government here because it is completely secret. And those of us who are in this room are left out of that conversation essentially. So I'm not happy. I will continue to vote yes on the extender. Thank you.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: Thank you. Ms. Walsh from the affirmative. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Assembly Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty four. Nays, zero.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: The bill is passed. Page three, rules report one zero five. Clerk will read.

[Assembly Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 11166, rules report one zero five, mister Brettlow. An act authorizing the South Country Country Central School District.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: On a motion by Mr. Brettlow, the senate bill is before the house. The senate bill is advanced. Governor's message is at the desk. Clerk will read. An explanation has

[Assembly Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: been I hereby certify to an immediate vote Kathy Hochul, governor.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: Thank you. An explanation has been requested. Mr. Brettlow.

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: Mr. Madam Speaker, what we have before us now is an Article seven bill. It actually can be considered a companion bill to the bill that we had just passed for the extender, the one week extender. If the members would look at the breakdown of that one week extender, there's a $7,000,000 incremental, not incremental, but $7,000,000 increase in school aid. That $7,000,000 is being totally allocated to the South Country Central School District and this bill also includes deficit spending, giving them bond authority and the Orange County Industrial Development Agency Monitor, authorizing an extension of the monitor for Orange County ID. Palmisano.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: Yes, Madam Speaker, will the sponsor yield for just a little bit?

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: Yes, the sponsor yield.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: Mr. Prelo, obviously we have an article seven bill here. Are we hoping to have more article seven bills to follow here in the near future as well? I'm sorry. Obviously this is an Article seven bill. This is our second Article seven bill. Obviously it's our hope to take up more Article seven bills in the near future, is that correct?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: Well if we're still doing extenders and extender requires a language interpretation, then yes.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: Okay. And understanding obviously with the school district and the appropriation, can you just explain a little bit more about the Part B, a little bit more about this independent monitor for Orange County IDA and why that's necessary to do this in this Article VII bill at this time?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: Well, there has been a request by individuals to extend the lifespan of the Orange County IDA. Right now it is about to expire. This gives it an additional one year of life.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: With that, we have obviously the support of the county to implement this, asking for this. This is being asked for by the county?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: We haven't really sought since we've been designing. Okay.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: We're doing it without knowing what the county Yes. Mr. Prelude, thank you very much for your time. I have no further questions.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: Thank you. Mister Slater.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: Thank you, madam speaker. Will the sponsor yield for a few questions?

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: Will the sponsor yield?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: Yes, I will.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: Sponsor yields.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: Thank you very much chairman. I appreciate it. Just a few clarifying questions as as it pertains to the Orange County IDA provision. Can you tell us how much the monitor is costing taxpayers in Orange County?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: It's not costing anything.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: Really?

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: There's no bills associated with the monitor for the Orange County IDA?

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: The

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: IDA is paying for it. It's not paid for by taxpayers.

[Assemblymember Phil Palmesano]: And do

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: we know how much that IDA is costing the IDA at this point in time?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: No, I do not know.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: And do we know what entity oversees? My guess is that the monetary is providing bills because it's my understanding that they've spent more than a half $1,000,000 or approximately half $1,000,000 during this time frame.

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: ICA That's has about right.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: And so, is there an entity or an individual that oversees the bills that are issued by the monitor to the IDA to be paid?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: The state inspector general.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: Very good. And does the does the monitor does the monitor only apply to Orange County specifically?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: This one does. Yes.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: Is there any concern considering the geographical location of Orange County as it relates to it being a border county, bordering New Jersey, bordering Pennsylvania? Is there any concern about the impact that this is having on economic development? No. I'm sorry. I couldn't hear you. No. No. And does the language expand in any way the powers of the monitor?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: It's the no.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: It's a straight extent.

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: It's the same as the the it's just continuing the authority that the monitor had previously.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: I appreciate that. And over the last two years since the monitor has been in place, has the monitor reviewed any of the IDA's records as part of its job?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: As part of their job, I'd imagine they did.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: And have they issued any reports related to those reviews?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: I personally haven't seen any.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: No. None that were that this my understanding was there was a report issued in 2024 based on

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: I don't believe that was the public report that was it?

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: I believe it was. Okay. That the monitor had reviewed the past records. Anyway, that's fine. Were there I guess this goes to my next question though. If we aren't aware of any review, even though I believe there was one that was conducted, Do we know what the findings or has or any reporting that the monitor has referred the IDA for?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: There were problems that were identified by the monitor.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: And my understanding is that the problems that were identified, that it's agreed to that there were issues, but all the members of that IDA either resigned or are no longer part of the Orange County IDA.

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: That would indicate serious problems to me.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: I agree, but is that an understanding that we both have that all the members have been changed on the Orange County IDA?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: I believe that's the case.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: Okay. So, we are applying the monitor to basically an entirely new entity because of the makeup of the IDA.

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: Well, is the same IDA and I don't know what vestiges of the issues that were left by the former IDA members. So, the new monitor or the same monitor of the existing monitor that's being continued for an additional year will have the ability and the authority to oversee what's going on with the new board.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: But he's had this those same powers and authority over the when you say new board, it's the existing board, by the way. So if there were any issues, the monitors had the last two years plus to refer any concerns or issues, my guess is to next level of authority. Is that a fair assumption?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: I think so.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: And that has yet to happen.

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: There's still the concerns that people have there's still issues that are around, yes.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: There's still issues that are around.

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: Still issues.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: Can you tell me and I didn't see any language in the bill, but is there an off ramp here at some point that the Orange County IDA is able to accomplish so that they know when the monitor will no longer be needed?

[Assemblymember Gary Pretlow]: Well, this extender is for one year and then we'll reevaluate it. Based on what criteria? Based on what I find if anything.

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: I understand. Well, thank you very much chairman. I appreciate you answering my questions today. Madam speaker, if I can just on the bill.

[Assembly Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: On the

[Assemblymember Matthew Slater]: bill. And I really do appreciate the chairman's answering my questions. I know, you know, this is unfortunately a local issue. I don't even represent the the county that is impacted but it does beg the question of standards. Because right now we're hearing that there has been a monitor in place, but there's been really no findings of the functionality of the Orange County IDA with its present members in the way that the board is currently made up. And when we wanted to understand what needs to be accomplished for the IDA to move forward without the monitor, it's based on the notion that there are still issues that are existing. But those issues have never been brought to light or referred to either the authorities or any other entity within the state government. And so, it really begs the question why we're doing this and really begs the question if it's even needed. When you have a brand new IDA, new members who are not associated with the past sins of the previous members, it begs the question to what point and to what extent does the monitor need to continue to exist in the fashion that it is. I think it's concerning that there's no off ramp that's built here, that we're gonna continue to reassess, it sounds like, in perpetuity every year. And I do think that, and there has been, by the way, concerns raised in Orange County by union contractors over the impact that this has had on economic development, on generating good paying jobs, and making sure that the the economy of Orange County continues to churn. So I do wanna just raise those issues for the record. I do appreciate the chairman answering my questions. And, madam speaker, I appreciate the time. Thank you.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: Thank you. Mister Ikas.

[Assemblymember Chris Eachus]: Thank you, madam speaker. On the bill?

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: On the bill.

[Assemblymember Chris Eachus]: Let me answer some of those begging questions that were just given. The largest part of my district is geographically as well as population wise in Orange County. There are five other IDAs in Orange County, and we are not monitoring any of them. Why? Because they do everything by the books as it may be. In 2021, criminal charges were filed against three of the leading officials in the ID IDA, including the, former county exec who all pleaded guilty, but there were no charges put up against him other than replacing the money that was determined to be taken at that point. This led to us placing a monitor on the Orange County IDA in 2024. And just to give a little vision on old board members and new board members, just at the end of this last year, 2025, new board members, okay, they the IDA violated state law and illegally barred the monitor from an executive committee meeting. In that meeting, they voted to approve a $100,000 for hiring a lobbying group or some concerned group that would help them get rid of the monitor. And that, of course, it was without the monitor there. The monitor is a person who advises the IDA and helps them to make the correct decisions. We are simply protecting the taxpayers' money when we put this monitor in there because the board itself is not doing that. And I would hope that everybody votes for this and the IDA monitor for Orange County. Thank you.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: Read the last section.

[Assembly Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: The clerk will record the vote. Mister DeStefano to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Joe DeStefano]: Thank you, madam speaker, for the opportunity to explain my vote. First of I'd like I'd like to thank the governor, the speaker, and my colleagues for who made the South Country part of this extender. This school district has been pushed to its limits, positions eliminated, spending slashed, programs, teachers, literacy coordinators, math interventionists, sports and AP programs cut. This community has sacrificed enormously. They're in distress and they needed help. This is not a bailout. This is a loan to pay back the non, I'm going to say, the people don't understand a lot of what's been going on. We were brought to this fact last year, and we've been working on it ever since. You have my word that I will make sure that the people that are responsible for this are held accountable for what happened in this school district. My only concern and my focus has only been about the kids. Why do these kids have to suffer for the actions of a few? We want them to be held accountable. I promise you in this body that I will make sure that they get the the education that they rightfully deserve. Thank you and I vote in the affirmative.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: Mister De Stefano, the affirmative. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Assembly Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one eighteen. Nays, 16.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: The bill is passed. Miss Lunsford.

[Assemblymember Jen Lunsford]: Madam speaker, do we have any further housekeeping or resolutions?

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: We do have a number of resolutions before the house. Without objections, these resolutions will be taken up together on the resolutions. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, no. The resolutions are adopted. Miss Lunsford.

[Assemblymember Jen Lunsford]: I now move that the assembly stand adjourned until Thursday, April 30, tomorrow being a legislative day, and that we reconvene on Monday, May 4 at the call of the speaker.

[Presiding Officer (Madam Speaker, unidentified)]: On Ms. Lunsford's motion, the house stands adjourned.