New York State SmartTranscripts:

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: Madam speaker, can you please call the house back to order? The

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: house will come to order. Mister Novakoff, for the purpose of an introduction.

[Assemblymember (name unclear; transcribed as 'Mister Novakoff')]: Thank you, madam speaker. Today, I rise to recognize and warmly welcome April Cardena, government affairs manager for Sail Forth two hundred fifty, who joins us as part of New York's commemoration of America's two hundred and fiftieth anniversary. Through her work with Sail Forth two fifty, Ms. Cardena is helping foster partnership with elected officials, cultural institutions, schools, nonprofit organizations, and community groups to ensure that this historic celebration reflects the diversity, inclusivity, and shared values that define New York and our nation. This July, sail fourth, '2 hundred fifty will welcome an international fleet of tall ships and military vessels to New York Harbor, creating opportunities for education, tourism, cultural exchange, and unity as we celebrate two hundred fifty years of American history. We're grateful for your service and pleased to welcome you to the New York State Assembly today. Madam speaker, please welcome miss Cardena to the floor of the assembly. Thank you.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: Thank you. On behalf of mister Novakoff, the speaker, and all members, welcome April to the Assembly Chamber of People's House, extending to you the privileges of the floor. Thank you for the work you are doing with SAIL four two fifty and all the work you're doing towards celebrating our America's history. We hope you enjoy our proceedings today. Thank you so very much for joining us. Mister Fall?

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: Madam speaker, members have on their desk the a calendar. I now move to advance the a calendar.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: On a motion by mister Fall, the a calendar is advanced. Page three, rules report one zero eight. Clerk will read.

[Assembly Clerk]: Assembly number 11285, rules report one zero eight, committee on rules, mister Pretlow, an act making appropriations for the support of government.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: Governor's message is at the desk. Clerk will read.

[Assembly Clerk]: I hereby certify to an immediate vote, Kathy Hochul, governor. An

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: explanation has been requested. Mister Pretlow.

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: Absolutely, madam madam speaker. Before us, we have our tenth extender. This extender would ensure funding for state operations and other programs through May 11. This bill includes additional funding for WIC, unemployment insurance, transportation assistance, OPWDD services, veterans programs, local government assistance, and general state charges.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: Mr. Paul Massano.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the chairman yield for some questions? Absolutely.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: The chair will yield.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Good Morning Mr. Prelov. Good

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: morning sir.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: I've enjoyed our conversations. I know they're going to continue to develop hopefully over the next couple weeks. So you answered my first question, see it up there. This goes to May 11. The second question is, this being our tenth extender, what is the total amount we've appropriated to date after

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: the tenth? The overall total amount of all 10 extenders is $20,300,000,000.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: And, increase above the previous extenders?

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: $481,900,000

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Okay, great. Thank you. Now I've got some other questions if I may. Obviously, think we all saw the governor made this big announcement at 9AM, was teased in the news before, basically saying there's an agreement.

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: Yes, I saw

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: I noticed the speaker wasn't there, I noticed the majority leader wasn't, or the senate wasn't there. I guess my question, is there an agreement?

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: No. There's a conceptual agreement. Let me put it this way. I had this similar conversation last year with your predecessor, now your minority leader, about invitations and weddings and all of that. But this year, we have been talking in terms of baseball, as most of us in this room are used to baseball. Last we spoke, I mentioned that or I said that we were in batting practice. I'm happy to report to you that batting practice is over. The players are on the field, The national anthem has been sung, but there's an ominous cloud floating over the stadium and we're not sure if the game will actually start.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: I appreciate that Mr. Praful because you went right into the question I was gonna ask you. So, we're on the field but

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: The game is uncertain. Storm There's cloud over

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: There's storm cloud room. Well, with that, I'd actually like to go back to the analogy you used and maybe just kind of I remember, and I like that you said it's kind of like the budget's like that game with the metal and it drops down to the magnet. Yes. Has the metal dropped or are they just all over the place or

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: No, the magnet has definitely not dropped.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: So, we're waiting for the We're

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: know what current earth physics, the earth the magnetic north keeps moving on us that we really can't find that sweet spot to put the magnet down to bring everything together.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: And, I know like I know, you're supposed to use props just getting it back to the governor. Mean, she put out a five page memo of everything. So, she a little optimistic, getting ahead of the process, or a little combination of both?

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: I would say combination

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: of That's fair.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: So, based on that, then I would ask you, and obviously your experience, expertise being our chairman, what is your prognosis, when do you feel, I mean if you say we have a conceptual deal, when do you think we will actually start voting on budget bills? Do you think we will start voting next week, and if so, what day?

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: I really do not have a handle on that. I would hope that we could start next week. I would hope we could start this afternoon. Unfortunately, that's not the case. I think like you, I'd like to see this process come to fruition.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: I agree. One thing that the governor did mention in her announcement, she said it's a $268,000,000,000 budget agreement. Would you say that's accurate or close or optimistic?

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: I would say that's close. I'm really not sure if that's what the final number will be. Her original I believe was $266,000,000,000 so it's $2,000,000,000 over the original and maybe more Alright, than

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: now and you mentioned you think we are at a conceptual deal, but we're just trying to iron out those specifics. Is that accurate?

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: Kind of. Yeah, kind of.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: All right, on that point, I just kind of want to ask, to get an idea just for the chamber, you know, we know those policy issues that were holding up the budget. Yes. Would you say, is there any, I know there's no language, we know there's no language, but is there agreement on the immigration changes that were talked about? We just put in the language.

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: There is conceptual agreement in all of the areas, but nothing has been finalized.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Okay. Is there anything on, for example, on immigration reform,

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: There is a conceptual elaborate on saying agreement on immigration as there is on insurance, COCPA and is

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: the other issue? Secur.

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: Secur, yes.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: So, I know there is but do you have any specifics of those agreements that you

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: could share I have no specifics.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: No specifics you can or are able to share with us? Also, it was mentioned about the obviously the I hope I pronounced that right, tax. You know, for New York City, she didn't mention there was a lot of discussion over the past week from one of our upstate colleagues who was looking to extend that to upstate homes. Do you know or could you say definitively yes or no that specific tax will only apply to New York City or is it going to also apply to upstate second homes?

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: That has not been finalized. There is no specific agreement on that. And for the addition of the upstate entities, that is under discussion, but there's no agreement on that either.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Okay. Then when do you think we should see a spending plan? And will this do you believe be released in a timely manner for the members and the public to review?

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: I would hope we see a spending plan as soon as possible. As of yet, we have not seen any definitive spending plan put together.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: And when? Has the governor shared any numbers with you that you could share with us on the spending plan?

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: Only what we've seen so far in the preliminary introduction of the budget that the governor gave us back in March.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Okay. Now when it comes to the budget bills, we know at times we have messages of necessity. Constitutionally, we should have the three day aging process. Will these bills be introduced and age for three days so our staffs can go through it, the public can review it and then go through that process, which we are constitutionally required to do?

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: That's difficult to answer due to the lateness of the budget now. We're already a month late. And to abide by the three day process and everything else that has to be done, that puts budget passage at least another two weeks behind schedule. My time is reduced to writing and then we go through all the different preliminaries that we have to go through and then the debate on each of the nine budget bills. We're actually running out of calendar. The session is scheduled to end the first week in June. And if we do everything according to how the plan would work out now with the three days for each bill coming out, we probably wouldn't be voting on bills until the June, which actually eliminates the rest of this session.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Okay. So you said basically, probably before we actually vote on actual budget bills, till we complete it, probably we're looking at least two weeks from today before we actually have completed budget votes or you think it could be done next week?

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: Well, that's just my guess. I can't answer that. Could all come together this evening and put a print.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: I totally, I'm not pushing. I definitely want your opinion. We would like your opinion. Know in this chamber, in this body, everything is subject to change. Just try to give us a perspective. And I know when we talked about the message of necessity, the reason I asked that because we know all the policy issues that were added late, and the reason I asked about the three days because all that was added. I mean obviously we had the budget framework at the beginning, that was kind of we had a general parameter, but all the policy issues then getting tossed into it. We believe firmly, and we certainly obviously ask on your side of the house to, you know, when you're communicating with the governor and your colleagues down hall, that given the complexities of this budget with the policy, all the policy issues have been added, that we really should adhere to that three day timeline. I understand about the timeliness, but given the seriousness of the budget. So we would just ask you to, you know, we would like to see that three day. It would help staff timing. It would help members prepare so we could prepare for, which will be I'm sure a very vibrant debate.

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: I understand your position, Mr. Palmisano, but I'm 100% sure that you will be given ample time to conference in addition to that. Even if we don't have the three days, you will have as much time as you need to go over it with your members and to analyze exactly what's in it and actually disseminate it to your constituents if you so desire.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: And I appreciate that. I have one last question. Given what we said, how we are here in May and how you mentioned we could be a couple of weeks in getting near the end of session, do you anticipate given how long the budget has gone that there will be I know the end date for the session I believe is Friday, June 5, right around there.

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: Yes.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Do you anticipate that we will complete the legislative session on that day or that day after or will we be extended into the next week to deal with other issues?

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: I seriously doubt that we will extend it into the next week because I don't know if we can talk political things in this. But primaries are two weeks after that and there are many members on both sides of the aisle that have things to do. I agree. On the last Tuesday of the month of June and would rather not be debating a budget.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: I agree. Mr. Chairman, as always, it's a pleasure talking with you. I look forward to talking next week. Hope you have a great weekend. Good luck with further negotiations. Madam Speaker, on the bill. Thank

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: you. On the bill.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Madam Speaker, my colleagues, here we are with our tenth budget extender. We've only passed one budget bill. We still have nine bills left to pass. Nine budget bills left to pass. And I appreciate my conversation with the chairman. I'm glad we've got out of batting practice. And I remember we got past the rain delay and the snowstorm. But now we're on the field, but you know that cloud is omnibus, and omnibus as he said. And he said there's no you know as he said, there's really no deal. There's a framework. I'm happy to see that things are moving in the right direction, but are we getting close? When will we get close? When will we finalize it? We don't know. And with the policy and the budget, delays that process, I know that concerns have been raised on both sides, but if we are getting there, I mean that's welcome news for the people of New York who really waited for more than a month for some certainty and stability in this process from this house, the house down the hall and the governor. Now if we're getting there, if those pieces of magnets are about ready to drop, the focus must turn to transparency and review. With the potential agreement now being announced, it's my hope is that the members of the legislature and the public will also receive an updated spending plan that reflects that agreement. That's imperative. Because it's critically important that members understand not just the policy headlines, not just the press releases, but the actual fiscal framework of this budget before final bills are brought to this floor for a vote. What are the final numbers, spending numbers going to be? How much is the state increasing spending? What assumptions are being made about revenues, reserves, out year debt gap projections? We need that information. Those are not minor details. They are central to understanding the long term impact of this nearly over a quarter of $1,000,000,000,000 budget. Quarter of $1,000,000,000,000, I just wanted to say that. Everyone says $2.68. Quarter of $1,000,000,000,000, that is a lot of money. And I hope we remember in those discussions as we're wrapping this up that it is not our money, it's the people's money. And part of that is and dealing with that is an updated financial plan is essential for transparency, accountability, and informed decision making. Again, this is needed. We need that information. The members of this chamber should not be asked to vote on thousands of pages of budget bills without first seeing the overall spending picture those bills create. And the same is true as I mentioned with the chairman for the three day aging process. That's the constitutional requirement. And I know we're late. We know we're late and I know there's a rush, but given the serious financial impacts of nearly a quarter trillion dollar budget, I think an extra three days, mean the governor says we can wait for a good budget, all these people say we can wait for a good budget, We need to wait for a transparent budget that allows for the constitutional requirements of a thorough transparent analysis and review. That is what the people of this state deserve. That is what the people of this state want. The aging process exists for a reason. It does give our staffs and members and the public time to properly review this legislation before it becomes law. And especially after this delayed budget process and policy that was added in the governor's thirty day amendments, it's important in the final stages that we are open and deliberate in this process, not just rush to say we finished. We know we're late. An extra three days is not gonna be problematic. It's about transparency and accountability. And if there's confidence in the agreement, then there should also be confidence in allowing adequate excuse me, there should also be time to allow for adequate review of that budget and the policies and the fiscal implications of it. At the end of the day, my colleagues, New Yorkers are not just looking for a budget to be finished. They are looking for a budget they can trust. So as we move forward, I hope we keep that in mind. Again, I will say just for the record, I will be voting for this extender because it's imperative that we keep our government open. It's imperative that we continue to pay our state employees who do such a great and dedicated job for the people of this state. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: Thank you. Ms. Walsh.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the sponsor yield just for a couple of quick

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: Will the sponsor yield?

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: Most certainly.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: The sponsor yields.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: Thank you very much, Mr. Pretlow. So, I mean, I'm just I'm going to be direct in a way that maybe there seems to be a lot of just uncertainty about like kind of where we're at. So I just want to just directly ask you like what's going on? Like what is the holdup? What is the, how is it that the governor is coming out unilaterally like one hand clapping and saying that we have an agreement when it's clear that we don't? What is going on?

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: You would definitely have to ask the governor why she did that. I'm not prepared to answer for the governor.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: But this is the second year running that I'm keeping track of. She did it last year as well.

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: Absolutely. And the outcome will be the same. The negotiations will go on and we will eventually have a budget.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: Yeah, well here's hoping. I mean, referenced, I thought that metaphor was great about the dark cloud that's kind of hanging over. What's in that cloud? I mean, what is left by your estimation? Is it

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: I would think just the final agreement. Everything is conceptually agreed to, but it's not positively agreed to. And there are small things. You're an attorney. You know the intricacies of the law and how sometimes a comma makes a difference. If you remember, you're probably not old enough. In my day, they were negotiating the end of the Vietnam War, it was what shape the table was. And little things that to the common person do not seem important when you're involved in these things, the shape of the table, the calmer, it all means something and that's where we are right now.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: Well that I think that's really interesting because when I first walked into the chamber at this what was to be the start of session today, I witnessed the speaker coming out his office and walking towards what turned out to be a gaggle with the press out in the LCA quarter and there was a standing ovation and clapping from members on your side of the aisle obviously showing great support for the speaker. It just seems to me that there's a lot more dissension and support for the speaker supporting your members than there is just like a comma missing or the shape of a table missing. It seems like it's more significant than that, but that's why I'm asking. I mean, is it or is it really just creating that, the final little intricacies of final language, is

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: kind of

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: what you just said?

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: I think you'll find the same sentiment that you're seeing here in the assembly over in the other house in the Senate. If you noticed, if you watched the press conference, neither of the leaders were there. You may just mention one hand clapping, that might be what it is. You know, we're trying to get things in the budget that because of Pataki v. Silver says that we cannot do without actually the governor's agreement. And if the governor is steadfast opposed to doing something that we do, we negotiate back and forth. There were comments made about this budget process a couple of extenders ago about the on time budgets that we had under the previous governor. Those budgets were actually given to us under due risk. And there were things that we voted for, at least on this side, that we did not agree to, but the threat was a fifty two week extender with all of the bad things in that extender which we would be forced under the guise of Pataki v. Silva to vote for or against. We are not going to vote against the budget. We are not going to shut down the state. Every governor knows that we do not want to shut down the state. So sometimes they play hardball. Sometimes they say, I am not going to agree to this. I said last week that I appreciate the fact that at least the Governor is sitting down and talking. Whether those conversations are as meaningful as I would like to have been, that remains to be seen. But the conversation is still happening. She can, if she wanted to, put all of her policy things in the next extender on Monday and force us to vote yes or no on it and it will be over. I am hoping she doesn't do that and I am hoping she is not listening to this conversation and getting the idea to do that because anything could happen. But we are still in negotiations. We are close. Things are moving along. It is not a secret that the speaker is unhappy that an announcement was made when there really wasn't an agreement. I know for a fact that the majority leader is not happy that an agreement was announced when she was not informed. Mean when you wake up and you find out that you agreed to something you knew nothing about, I am pretty sure you would be upset I certainly would And that's what the situation that we're at now. I'm afraid that this may even set things back a little because instead of going over negotiations now, there may be a cooling off period, which is going to take a few more days. We are going into the weekend. We are not going to be here Sunday for Mother's Day. This whole process may start again Monday morning. But we are actually being thrown behind a couple of days.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: Well, I appreciate your candor and answering my questions, Mr. Pretlow. Thank you. And Madam Speaker, just briefly on the bill.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: On the bill.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: So I just find it fascinating that we've got we're appreciative that the governor is coming to the table, but she's obviously getting up from the table, walking over to the press corps and announcing an agreement when she appears to be one person out of three people agreeing that there's a deal. I mean for all of the lack of transparency in this process, I mean the 150 of us are not in that room. The members of the Senate are not in that room. Three people that are in that room, we boiled it all the way down to a very non transparent three people in the room and even those three people can't agree as to whether there's a deal or not. So I did use the analogy of one hand clapping. I mean it's, it is, there's collaboration and that's necessary in order to come to a budget agreement. And I know it's complex. I mean you can't, you can't spend over a quarter of $1,000,000,000,000 without it being very complicated. But it seems to me like there's a lot more going on here than the placement of a comma. It sounds to me like there's something more. I can't report back to my district and let them know anything more than that because we don't know. We don't know where it stands. I do agree with our Ways and Means Chair that I think that the budget process could be could really be set back in negotiations by a few days because it does seem as though tensions are pretty high right now. And I do hope that you know sounder, sounder minds prevail and that we can all calm down and come to an agreement. But you know in the meantime, as I said before, tenth extender, know school budget votes coming up I think next week or maybe the week after, but coming up very soon. And things like e bus you know mandate portion of the CLCPA still out there. I mean I'm sure that's going be part of some of these school budgets. I mean it would be really nice to know when people go in to vote on their school budgets whether they really needed to approve the purchase of additional buses which are three times as expensive and have a much lesser range, especially in the North Country areas and colder areas and all the incumbent changes that are going to have to happen if that goes through. But things like that, we just don't know. So what an unfortunate process that this is. It's too bad. And it's really, it's none of our faults that are here right now. Our job right today is to keep government going for another few days until those three people in the room can get on the same page. And hopefully the next time that there's a press gaggle, the three of them will be standing there to announce that there is a budget agreement. And I just want to pick up on something that our ranker on ways and means just recently pointed out. I want to assure the people that I represent and really that you all represent that our side of the aisle is definitely, certainly not going to be taking any votes on any of these remaining nine budget bills until we are completely briefed and aware and able to ask questions and that our staff, our very able staff has been able to get through and figure out all of the piles of information and be able to answer our questions. We will not be voting on those budget bills until we are ready to do so. So with that, Madam Speaker, I will be supporting the budget extender as I have every one of the ones preceding because I think it is important to keep government working in the midst of all of the dysfunction, which seems to be even by Albany's standards pretty bad this year. So thank you very much. I'll be a yes on this.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: Thank you. On a motion by Mr. Pruettlow, the Senate bill is before the House. The Senate bill is advanced. Read the last section.

[Assembly Clerk]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Assembly Clerk]: Ayes, 93. Mays, 40.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: The bill is passed. Mister Fall, for the purpose of an introduction.

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: Thank you madam speaker. On behalf of member Jacobson of the 104th Assembly District and member Ecas of the 99th Assembly District, it's an honor to introduce and welcome members of the Newberg Free Academy Black History Club who are in Albany getting the Albany experience. You have here the officers which include the president, Ianna Gordon, the vice president Cameron Ford, Secretary Jackie Green, and the Treasurer Nyla Mathews. Would you be so kind to extend the cordialities of the floor and welcome these incredible individuals to the People's House?

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: On behalf of mister Jacobson, mister Ikis, the speaker, and all members, welcome Newberg Free Academy Black History Club to our assembly chamber, extending to you the privileges of the floor. Hoping you enjoy our proceedings. You have the unique opportunity today to sit here and listen to conversation relative to the New York State budget. Moneys that obviously go to your to school to help improve your studies. So, Black History Club, you have checked something off on the box that many students will never be able to see in person. So glad you were here today to be able to enjoy our proceedings and be able to take this back with you to your school. Best wishes to you for your continued academic success. Thank you so very much for joining us here today. On the main calendar resolutions, page three, clerk will read.

[Assembly Clerk]: Assembly number twelve ninety two rules at the request of miss Clark. Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 05/08/2026 as provider appreciation day in the state of New York.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: Miss Clark, on the resolution.

[Assemblymember Sarah Clark]: Thank you, madam speaker. So it's that time of year where, hopefully, the weather is getting warmer and the trees and flowers are blooming and we are all getting ready to celebrate the moms and the mom figures in our life. It is a great time of year but before we celebrate that on Sunday, on Friday we have a very important day and it is the critical piece of the puzzle that makes having children and family so possible in our lives. And it is the childcare providers, the village that it takes to ensure that those of us who need to go to work and do those things that we need to do, higher education, whatever it might be, we rely so heavily on our child care providers. And at a moment where we were talking about the fact that too many providers make less than what you would make in a fast food restaurant, When we are talking about providers who are tired, exhausted and can't take a day off because they feel the responsibility and weight of what it takes to watch children while others go to work, we really need to take a moment to say thank you. We need to take a moment to show our gratitude for what they do every day, how they show up for us every day, how they teach our children to nap, which is what they taught my children. It is our moment to really, really, really say thank you to them. I am so proud of this resolution and that we are having the governor memorialize this day to appreciate the providers in our life. So I say from all the moms and everyone else here in the assembly, a big thank you to all of them.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: Thank you. On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed? No. The resolution is adopted.

[Assembly Clerk]: Assembly number twelve ninety three rules at the request of mister Durso. Legisl legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 05/07/2026 as skilled trades day in the state of New York.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? No. The resolution is adopted.

[Assembly Clerk]: Assembly number twelve ninety four rules at the request of miss Barrett. Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2026 as compost awareness week in the state of New York.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed, no. The resolution is adopted.

[Assembly Clerk]: Assembly number twelve ninety five rules at the request of mister DeStefano. Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 07/31/2026 as lifeguard appreciation day in the state of New York.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed, no. The resolution is adopted.

[Assembly Clerk]: Assembly number twelve ninety six rules at the request of mister Levine, legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2026 as Polish American Heritage Month in the state of New York.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed? No. The resolution is adopted.

[Assembly Clerk]: Assembly number twelve ninety seven rules at the request of miss Lunsford. Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 11/08/2026 as Steam Day in the state of New York.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed, no. The resolution is adopted.

[Assembly Clerk]: Assembly number twelve ninety eight rules at the request of mister Eckis, legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 12/03/2026 as International Day of Persons with Disabilities in the State of New York.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed, no. The resolution is adopted.

[Assembly Clerk]: Assembly number twelve ninety nine rules at the request of mister Syedg, legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 12/21/2026 as meditation day in the state of New York.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: Mister Sayaj on the resolution.

[Assemblymember Nader J. Sayegh]: Thank you very much, madam speaker. Gives me pleasure to rise, to join in supporting resolution recognizing Meditation Day in the state of New York, 12/21/2026. Meditation is an ancient

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: Mister Fall.

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: Madam speaker, can you call on miss Clark for the purposes of an announcement?

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: Miss Clark for the purpose of an announcement. Thank

[Assemblymember Sarah Clark]: you. Here to announce that there will be conference after session today, majority conference in the Speaker's conference room after session. Thank

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: you. We will have majority conference after the conclusion of session. Mister Fall?

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: Do we have further housekeeping or resolutions?

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: We have no housekeeping. Have a number of resolutions before the house. Without objection, these resolutions will be taken up together on the resolutions. All those in favor signify by saying aye.

[Assemblymember Gary J. Pretlow (Ways and Means Chair)]: Aye.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: Opposed, no. The resolutions are adopted. Mister Fall.

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: I now move that the assembly stand adjourned until Friday, May 8, tomorrow being a legislative day, and that we will reconvene on Monday, May 11 at the call of the speaker.

[Presiding Officer (Acting Speaker)]: On mister Fall's motion, the house stands adjourned.