New York State SmartTranscripts:

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Good afternoon. It is Monday, June 9. I'm Senator Liz Krueger, chair of the Finance Committee, joined by Tom O'Mara, renker of the Finance Committee. And this committee agenda is exclusively nominees submitted to us by the Governor. There are only four nominees who are going to be appearing for questions and answers. They are all nominees to the Workers' Compensation Board. And after them, there's an extraordinarily long list of names you will see going three pages. These are all non paid positions. Some of them are re ups, so they've already had the position. Some of them are new. So it is the tradition of the Senate not to have these people appear, but everyone received the paperwork on each of them. And when we get to that section of the meeting, if anyone wants to raise specific questions or concerns, they are more than welcome to. So we're going to start with the four nominees who are being nominated to

[Senator Joseph A. Griffo]: the Workers' Compensation Board, which

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: are paid positions. And Jessica Ramos has joined us, the Labor Committee Chair, and she has allowed them to simply move to finance rather than having 2¢.

[Brianna (Committee Clerk)]: They are allowed.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: They are allowed. Thank you very much. So first I'm going to call in Gina Salazar. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. All right. Okay. And as is our tradition, we will ask you to make a brief statement about yourself. Sure. And why you need to move the call across to the next meeting member of

[Gina L. Sillitti (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: the district. Get started anytime?

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Yes, ma'am.

[Gina L. Sillitti (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Good afternoon. Oh, 05:00. Good evening. Thank you, Chair Krueger, Chair Ramos, the members of the Finance and Labor Committee for taking the time to meet with me and my fellow nominees today. Also, I wanted to thank Governor Hochul for giving me this opportunity to serve the people of New York once again. Many of you may know me. I was a member of the assembly, but I have served in government for over twenty years. I began in the Nassau County Legislature where I first got started and I was able to develop relationships with advocacy groups, business leaders, labor leaders, and many of those friends hips continuing to this day. I also served in town government where I had various leadership roles, continuing those important relationships with business and labor and also engaging with new constituency groups, most notably at the time North Hempstead's then emerging Asian American population. I

[Senator Toby Ann Stavisky]: worked

[Gina L. Sillitti (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: as a human resources director in the National County Board of Elections and I provided countless support for employees with every issue imaginable, including a corporate scout claim. But I'm proud of that work with them and to more efficiently assist those employees. So I loved being a member of the assembly and I loved working with all of you over the years. It was an honor of a lifetime to serve and you know the workers compensation board you know ensures these timely benefits for workers injured on the job. It's a vital service that New York provides for so many New Yorkers. And it is would be my honor to continue to serve them as I have these past two decades. And so thank you very much again for this opportunity and I welcome your questions.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Thank you. Hello, this is Jeremy Cooney, ask questions to your right.

[Senator Jeremy Cooney]: Thank you, Chair. I just wanted to say thank you for your incredible service to Sonny Woman. I'm just so delighted that the governor put your name forward. I know your heart is here. I know your work ethic. You are missed in these halls, but I'm glad that you will continue to do your service to New York and you've got the full support.

[Gina L. Sillitti (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Thank you so much. For those who I've worked with, I take everything very seriously. I'm a very hard worker And I've done that with every role that I've had over these last almost twenty one years of government service. And I'm really excited about this position. I'm excited to get to work. I've I love my son. I've been a stay at home mom for these last six months. So I'm eager to get back to working. I'm eager to learn, you know, every facet of the board and I hope I will make you all proud and that you'll be happy that you Thank you so much for saying that.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: I appreciate it. Thank you. Senator Griffo.

[Senator Joseph A. Griffo]: Jean, good to see you again. The only thing that worried me is you forgot that Dave's going to die very quickly here.

[Gina L. Sillitti (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: I know.

[Senator Joseph A. Griffo]: It's it's great to see you again and I do believe this is a a great appointment by the governor. I worked with Jean both as a member of the assembly and also as an officer in the Italian American Legislative Conference and she always worked very hard and she's very conscientious. I know you care about people, I assume it was a good nomination before by the governor and look forward to working with you again too.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Thank you. Senator Borrello.

[Senator George M. Borrello]: Just quickly, while I was in my two years as president of the Italian American State legislators conference, Gina was the VP. I gave her all the hard work

[Robert (Bob) Bergen (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: and she did it well.

[Gina L. Sillitti (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Here's the figurine.

[Senator George M. Borrello]: Yes, that's right.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: It sounds

[Senator Jeremy Cooney]: like it.

[Senator George M. Borrello]: No surprise. So, yes,

[Robert (Bob) Bergen (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: you do a great job. Thank you. Thank

[Gina L. Sillitti (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: you so much, Senator.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Thank you. Does anyone else have their hand up for any questions? I'm sorry, Senator Schubert. Just real quick one, second, third, fourth, at the peer council of law for police looks like it's gonna get done So this thank you for being

[Robert (Bob) Bergen (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: a great partner of all of us.

[Gina L. Sillitti (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Thank you so much, Senator. And I saw that it passed last week and it was an emotional day, right? I was immensely proud. Think that's how I felt that day, immensely proud.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Anyone else? Yeah, You Ruby S.

[Senator Toby Ann Stavisky]: Can see here today how open and honest you have been both as an assembly member working with everybody together. Yes, And I think this is a great appointment for the state and we're very fortunate that you're willing to accept this decision. But you can see the enthusiasm which I think is good. Thank you. Good.

[Gina L. Sillitti (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: I share that enthusiasm. I'm very excited to get the work.

[Senator Toby Ann Stavisky]: It comes across that way. If there are no other questions, we're

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: actually going to thank you.

[Senator Joseph A. Griffo]: Oh, good. And excuse you. Okay.

[Gina L. Sillitti (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Alright. The easiest interview

[Peter De Jesus Jr. (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Oh my gosh. Of

[Brianna (Committee Clerk)]: all have. I

[Gina L. Sillitti (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: and I just want to say very quickly because I know you have a thing. Thank you for this opportunity to be here before you. Thank you again to the governor for allowing me to continue to serve and I really from the bottom of my heart thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you so much. Alright. Alright. Alright. And

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: next we're gonna call in Maria Matos. And we'll just take the vote on all four of

[Senator Joseph A. Griffo]: them after we go do the bar for it.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Good afternoon. So we always ask every nominee to tell us a little bit about themselves and why they think they're appropriate for the position of

[Maria Matos (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: efforts nominated. Well, first of all I wanted to thank you Chair Krueger, Chair Ramos and distinguished members of the Senate for giving me the opportunity to come before you today. I'm very grateful to Governor Hochul for her nomination and I am very grateful to all of you and I humbly come before you to ask for, I'm sorry I have to wear my glasses, I'm so sorry, that's okay. I'm very grateful to Governor Hochul for her nomination and I'm humbled to come before you as nominee to the very important role of board member of the New York State Workers Compensation Board. I'm committed to making a positive contribution and believe that I can make a difference. I grew up with a strong sense of community and giving back. My background and experience have prepared me to be fair and impartial and I have a long term commitment to public service. In my thirty year legal career, I had the honor of serving in leadership roles. First as an assistant attorney general for the New York State Attorney General's Office. Then as legislative Counsel to the New York City Council and for the bulk of my career, I worked within the New York State judiciary where I rose through the ranks. In managing the court's extensive calendar, conferencing cases, facilitating and encouraging negotiations and settlements, presiding over hearings, drafting Miranda opinions at both the trial and appellate levels, I learned the importance of fairly weighing the evidence and applying the law tempered with compassion and understanding the impact that my decision had on litigants. Litigants. These experiences will serve me well in the role of board member of the Workers Compensation Board. As I understand the importance of considering and weighing the evidence to ensure that the law is applied fairly. I understand the great responsibility and purpose of the board in ensuring that the labor force is properly compensated and receives the necessary medical resources when injured at work. I also recognize how imperative it is to run an efficient system that mitigates risks and maintains reasonable cost for business owners. I have a deep understanding of managing a high volume of applications and minimizing and eliminating backlogs. As chief counsel to the committee on character and fitness for the Impella division, I instituted policies and practices in the office to address backlogs in the processing of applications, calendared hearings expeditiously and ensured that there

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: was

[Maria Matos (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: accountability by the members. I am committed to upholding the rule of law. As ethics officer for the New York State Tax Department, I am often called upon for advice on potential conflicts of interest matters. By way of background, I was born and raised in the Washington Heights section of New York City. My parents migrated here from Puerto Rico in the late 1950s and began their journey by working here in garment factories. My mother later became a small business owner in the beauty salon business along with my aunt. I understand that the workers compensation board was created in the early twentieth century to address the tragic and devastating fire that killed a 146 workers in a garment factory in New York City. Out of those ashes came labor reforms and the birth of the Workers Compensation board. I bring with me the core values that were passed on by fam, my family of laborers and small business owners and I am grateful for the opportunity to appear before you today as nominee and would be honored to serve as a member of the workers Compensation Board should I be approved by the Senate. Thank you and I welcome your questions. Thank you.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Anyone with any questions? See, we're all overwhelmed by the number of assignments.

[Senator Jessica Ramos]: Chair, don't have questions, but I'll say that it's great to see you, Maria, and I know that you'll do us proud as we've been working very hard to reform the workers' compensation board to make sure that we are working through a big backlog of workers who deserve a fair hearing many of whom deserve rightful compensation to be able to get back off their feet. So, I'm confident that you're going to be able to uphold the values and the expectations that we have for the workers compensation board.

[Maria Matos (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Thank I really have to support your nominees. Thank you, senator.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: And so, I see from your resume that you've actually served in a number of positions where you took on responsibility for both English and Spanish language. That's correct. So will that be also be relevant to your work? Curious, can it be handled in Spanish?

[Maria Matos (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Yes, I've been a small claims arbitrator where I conducted it in Spanish. Currently in the tax department I assist the office of counsel in settling matters with Latino, Spanish speaking taxpayers and that is something I'm So I'm very proud of my roots. My first language at home was Spanish and of course I would be very happy to continue doing so.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: And do you have any sense of how big

[Maria Matos (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: a caseload you have if you're a workers comp job? Honestly, Senator, I have had, I've worked in family court, I've worked in Supreme Court, I've worked in the Appellate Division. That is something that I'm accustomed to managing. And then in the Office of Character and Fitness, we had our fair share of applications coming through the office and a huge backlog when I first started there. And that, I changed when I went in.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Which without even asking any questions and I'm sure Senator Ramos knows better than me, I'm sure there's a backlog. There's backlog. Senator, there's a backlog. That we would like help with, yes.

[Senator Jessica Ramos]: Absolutely. And I think one of the other skills that, you know, will useful in going through that backlog is the ability to write decisions which we want to see much more of in order to establish some workers' comp case law moving forward in order to go through that backlog.

[Maria Matos (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Well, I'm happy to apply the experience that I have garnered in assisting the board to accomplish that goal.

[Gina L. Sillitti (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: We begin to Senator. Senator Alwyn had her hand up.

[Brianna (Committee Clerk)]: Thank you Senator Krueger. Ray, thank you for

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Well, thank you for the

[Maria Matos (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: question, Senator. My understanding is that the role of a member of the board is to review appeals on cases, on workers compensation cases so that would not necessarily be something that I would be handling but you can be rest assured that I will follow the law and apply it to the facts of the case that come before me.

[Brianna (Committee Clerk)]: So do state employees who have cases come before the board as If

[Maria Matos (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: there is an appeal before the Workers Compensation Board then again that would be something that I would again apply the law to the facts of each case. So whether it be whoever comes before, it's usually an employer that pays for workers compensation that has this kind of situation.

[Gina L. Sillitti (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Thank you. Private employee. So that,

[Brianna (Committee Clerk)]: I guess that raises another point that I'm glad to hear that because we often get calls in my office from employers who have concerns about

[Maria Matos (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Well, it would be the, based on my review, it would be the employee who's injured at work who would bring a claim.

[Senator Toby Ann Stavisky]: Anyone else with questions?

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: So

[Senator Joseph A. Griffo]: as we do with each nominee,

[Senator Toby Ann Stavisky]: we ask you to give us

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: a little background about yourself and why you think you're a qualified candidate for the position the Governor's nominee. Okay, fantastic.

[Peter De Jesus Jr. (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: It's on me?

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Yes, sir.

[Senator Joseph A. Griffo]: All

[Peter De Jesus Jr. (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: right. Well, good afternoon, everyone. Chairwoman Krueger, Chairwoman Ramos, thank you for the opportunity to speak with you all today. Thank you senators. I first wanna say thank

[Senator Joseph A. Griffo]: you to the governor for the honor and privilege of

[Peter De Jesus Jr. (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: being nominated to continue to serve the great state of New York. My name is Peter De Jesus Junior and I appear before you not only as a nominee for the workers compensation board, but as a proud son of Western New York. A devoted father to six beautiful children, and a grateful husband to my wife and that fourteen years who is a cancer survivor. My personal journey has been shaped by my family, resilience, my community, and has profoundly influenced my commitment to public service. Growing up in Western New York, I was raised with the values rooted in hard work, fairness, and looking out for one's neighbors. I carried those values with me throughout my career and they guide how I approach every challenge with humility, integrity, and a belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, especially in their most vulnerable moments. Throughout my career, I've built my work on one form principle, the power of relationships. Whether it's with workers, employers, colleagues, or community partners, I've always believed that trust, communication, and mutual respect are the foundation for getting things done. These relationships aren't just part of the job, they are the job. They've allowed me to find common ground, solve challenging problems, and help create outcomes that are both fair and lasting. So if confirmed, will bring these values into my role every day as a public servant, committed to ensuring that the workers' compensation system remains fair, efficient, and respectful to all New Yorkers. Thank you.

[Senator Toby Ann Stavisky]: Thank you. Senator Gallivan,

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: I believe you have your hand up.

[Senator Patrick M. Gallivan]: I do. Thank you, madam chair.

[Robert (Bob) Bergen (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: You're welcome. Welcome, Peter.

[Peter De Jesus Jr. (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Nice to see you again, Senator.

[Senator Patrick M. Gallivan]: First, I'd like to say that I worked with Peter for a number of years out in Western New York on a number of different matters including workers' compensation where he was involved in helping to put together a pretty diverse committee to try to tackle the issues related to it. So I think that background makes you well suited for this. I welcome senior as a nominee. Peter O'Mara had big big shoes to fill in labor out in Western New York with with the area labor federation after the chair was there for many many years and I think you've done it very ably. I've enjoyed working with you. Question I have though is you've got many duties out there already. Are you getting anything up as far as your duties go for this? Yes.

[Peter De Jesus Jr. (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Thank you for the questions. Yeah. I'd be giving it up all. My position with eleven ninety nine as the local coordinator as well as my position as president of the federation.

[Senator Patrick M. Gallivan]: Well, miss you there. But nonetheless, I appreciate the fact that we've been able to work together over the years and I'm very happy to support your knowledge.

[Peter De Jesus Jr. (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Thank you, sir. Okay.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: So I'm gonna Ramos. I'll just

[Senator Jessica Ramos]: say that I love Peter. I've known Peter for many years. He also comes out of the Service Employees International Union like I do and it's gonna be such a pleasure to have

[Gina L. Sillitti (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: you on the Workers' Compensation Board. Very proud. Thank you, Jim. Appreciate it.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Hello, Senator. You're welcome.

[Senator George M. Borrello]: Thank you. Again, fellow Western New Yorker and someone who very early in my career in the Senate was right there to help. You know, one the first things I had to deal with was the closure of Lakeshore Hospital. It was literally my first month as a state senator. Peter reached out and said, how can we help? So you really have, it didn't matter, you know, which side of the aisle, didn't matter what the issue was, you were there to be helpful and I think you'll do a great job. Thank you. Senator Cooney.

[Senator Jeremy Cooney]: A little bit more east than our Western New York friend. Still 585. Still

[Gina L. Sillitti (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: zone. In

[Senator Jeremy Cooney]: Another slam dunk by governor Hobo here with your selection and nomination. Thank you for your years of service and labor movement. Congressman Kennedy is already texting me right now. How's it going? How's it going? You know, you've got so many friends, and that's really based on your reputation for getting things done in Western New York.

[Senator Joseph A. Griffo]: We're excited for you

[Senator Jeremy Cooney]: in this new role. Thank you.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Peter, you will know the answer because I don't. Obviously, your background with labor can be incredibly invaluable in working with workers' comp. But is there also some statutory category of we need to make sure we have labor representatives on the workers'

[Senator Joseph A. Griffo]: comp board?

[Peter De Jesus Jr. (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Not to the best of my knowledge.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Okay, so I was misinformed of that. Okay. Just wanted to double check. And the other question I asked, I wanted to ask was already answered that you are not going to be doing both labor union representation and workers' comp representation. But I'm sure that you have helped many workers with these issues in

[Peter De Jesus Jr. (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: the past. I tried to help with all the issues that they bring to my

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: attention. Other questions for Peter from anyone? Well then, we're gonna make it short and sweet. Thank you very much for being with us today. Thank you. Appreciate your wonderful service.

[Peter De Jesus Jr. (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Thank you very much.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Thank you.

[Peter De Jesus Jr. (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Thank you, senator.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Then our last appearance is Robert Bergen. So like all our other nominees, we're gonna ask you to present a little bit about yourself. Sure. And why you think you're qualified for this position. The governor is nominating you to.

[Robert (Bob) Bergen (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Well, thank you very much. My name is Bob Bourbon. I'm from Rochester. I went to law school here in Albany, moved back to Rochester where I've lived a long time. I'm married. I have two adult daughters, neither one of which lives in Rochester unfortunately. I'm here because I think I could be a competent member of the Workers' Compensation Board. And let me give you a little bit about me. I'm a lawyer. I've engaged in private practice and I served for many years as the counsel to the Senate minority Democrats. Unfortunately,

[Gina L. Sillitti (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: never had a

[Robert (Bob) Bergen (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: chance to do that as the majority council. I have preferred that if I left too soon, yeah. After I left there, I worked as an attorney and manager for Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation and subsequently for NYSEG after it was acquired by after RG and E was acquired by Energy East. I left the utility business. Actually, enjoyed the work. I left at the request of Mayor Richards of Rochester who asked me to come to work for him as Corporation Counsel. So I spent time as Corporation Counsel. After I left there, I was counsel to Assembly Majority Leader Morelli. And I now do work for Monroe County in inter government relations. This work experience has actually been, I think, helpful for someone on the workers' compensation board. I worked for small businesses with a few employees and low risk jobs and for utility companies and municipalities with thousands of employees doing high risk jobs, essential work that gives you a different perspective on the other scope of work experience. You know, the pandemic accelerated the challenges we have in the workforce. And for instance, from Monroe County, we have a large nursing home and finding healthcare staff has been a challenge. I think that the array of health workforce benefits that we provide are really essential to maintaining a healthy workforce. So it's important that we have a workers' compensation law and family leave laws and disability laws that our employees can rely on. I think my experience can be helpful in that regard and I want to thank you all for hearing me. Want to thank the Governor for making this nomination and I'd be to answer any questions that you might have. Thank you, sir.

[Senator Toby Ann Stavisky]: Toby Stavisky. Thank you and thank you, Bob Bergen, for accepting this position. We've known each other a long time and served with an exemplary reputation for integrity and understanding and that I think these are all qualities that he will bring to the Workers' Compensation Board and I'm delighted to see you again and congratulations. Issues, the reasons to do things, etcetera. And these qualities I know will be very effective with the workers' compensation board. Thank you.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Thank you. Senator Cooney.

[Senator Jeremy Cooney]: Well, I certainly agree with my colleagues, Senator Stavisky and Senator Mayer. I would disagree with you though, Bobby. You said that you you think you're competent. You are far above competent. First of all, went to Albany Law School, that's already a point in my book. But we've had the chance to work together for several years on a variety of issues. I have found you not just to be a thoughtful and diligent attorney and counsel, but we really do care about solving the problem and and that's what we need on our workers' comp board. I I I thank the governor again for your selection and nomination because we need people who are gonna help people get through this difficult process. People who are going before the workers' comp or some of those vulnerable times of their life, and we need people who are gonna listen to them with compassion, reason, and logic, and I know that you are a highly qualified qualified nominee for that role. You've got my full support. Thank you so much.

[Senator Toby Ann Stavisky]: Any other questions? I have one.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Sure. So, you're proudly not a kid. That's right. That's right. And a lot of us are watching as we're all getting older and have many career paths in our lives. I'm just curious, why do you want a new job?

[Robert (Bob) Bergen (Nominee, Workers' Compensation Board)]: Well, you see, that's the thing is I always figure I have another career in me. And that's, and it's been, it's worked well. Each time I've moved on, I've learned something new and I've been able to apply that in useful ways and I did, after I left City Hall, I took a few months off and I realized that was not for me. I need, I enjoy, I enjoy the interchange, I like to learn new things and apply things, so I'm very interested in continuing.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: All right, I don't want to cut anyone off. Any other questions? All right, so you're known quantity. So thank you very much for being with us today. Thanks. So much. Nice to see Thank you. So I'm going to suggest we take all four together or would you like to take it separately?

[Senator Joseph A. Griffo]: I have no objection to taking it.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: No objection, okay. So, we're gonna have Brianna read the four names of the people we just interviewed and then we'll take a vote together. But again, paper ballots, you've submitted or you can submit. You can be yes, no, and individuals also if you wish. Or make any statements I should. First say, is there any motion to discharge these candidates? Senator Hinchey. Sorry. Senator Borrello. All those in favor. Alright. All those in favor. Aye. Any opposed? Any without wreck? Okay. So, we have the votes to move all four of these people to the floor, not today, but over the course of the next few days. And now we have not appearing an extremely long list of names, but we feel like we need to read them into the record. So this is why we make Brianna practice pronunciation in advance of meetings and she's gonna do her best.

[Senator Jeremy Cooney]: What was it?

[Brianna (Committee Clerk)]: Yes. First four.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Just keep going. No, already started. Elizabeth

[Brianna (Committee Clerk)]: Delez, Dormitory Authority of the State of New York. Jessica Laffin, New York Convention Center Operating Corporation. Corporation. Melanie Leroy Comrie, New York Convention Center Operating Corporation. Peter Rivera, New York Convention Center Operating Corporation. Julie Coker, New York Convention Center Operating Corporation. Jessica Walker, New York Convention Center Operating Corporation. Gigi Loizo, Olympic Regional Development Authority. Honorable Billy Jones, Olympic Regional Development Authority. Mark Block, Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation. Melissa Wade, Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation. Christie Peel, State of New York Mortgage Agency, Jamie Kowalshuk, Central New York State Park, Alexander Thirst, Cities of New York State Park, Regina Meyer, City of New York State Park, Steven Levin, City Of New York State Park. Kelly Macosh, Finger Lakes State Park Commission. Enrico Nardone, Long Island State Park. Kevin Gershewitz, Long Island State Park. Richard Remmer, Long Island State Park. Erica Fee, New York State Council on Arts. Jose Calvar, New York State Council on the Arts. Malia DuMaan, New York State Council on the Arts. Sydney Waller, New York State Council on the Arts. Nick Perry, State Athletic Commission. Carol Clark, State Board for Historic Preservation. Linda Karen Reed, Taconic State Park Recreation and Historic Preservation Commission. Maureen Wagner, Board of Visitors of the Central New York Developmental Disabilities Service Office. Ann Scher, Justice Center Advisory Council. Kristen Orlando, Justice Center Advisory Council. Kim Harriman, New York State Energy, NYSERDA. Benita Lucinda LaDiao, Adirondack Park Agency. Daniel Will, Adirondack Park Agency. Jose Almanzar, Adirondack Park Agency Kenneth Lynch, Adirondack Park Agency Mark Hall, Adirondack Park Agency Rush Holt Jr, Adirondack Park Agency Zoe A. A. Safety Advisory Council. Kevin Kung, Camp Safety Advisory Council. Randolph DeFrank, Camp Safety Advisory Council. Alexandra Budhai, Council on Human Blood and Transfusion Services. Philip McCarthy, Council on Human Blood and Transfusion Services. Rosado, Trustee, City University of New York. James Katz, State University of New York. Carlos Nadon, Higher Education Services Corporation. Marvin Krislov, Higher Education Services Corporation, Douglas Rupnick, Industrial Board of Appeals, Joshua David Ribel, Industrial Board of Appeals, Kenneth Theobalds, State Insurance Fund. Joseph State Insurance Fund. Lola Robo, State Insurance Fund, Robert Bick, State Board of Real Property Tax Services, Albert Avanti, Behavioral Health Service Advisory Council, James Button, Behavioral Health Science Services Advisory Council, Jeanie Yamazaki, Behavioral Health Services Advisory Council, Sue Gagne, Behavioral Health Services Advisory Council Robert Magna, Thruway Authority Gerald Diskin, Board of Visitors for the Home of Veterans and their Dependents at Batavia Joe Co, Board of Visitors for the Home of Veterans and their Dependents at Oxford. John Fuller, Board of Visitors for the Home for Veterans and their Dependents at Oxford. Luisa Mary Platt, Board of Visitors for the Home for Veterans and their Dependents at Oxford.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: So a number of these people also were discharged from other committees such as higher education. So I just want to double check, yes, if anybody wants to speak on anyone individually or raise any questions.

[Senator Joseph A. Griffo]: Just generally, Madam

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Chair. Yes, please.

[Senator Joseph A. Griffo]: We've always talked about how the end of session and this process probably needs to be revisited reformed because we're really confronted with a lot of names in a very short period to try to truly evaluate and examine what they present. But one of the things that I've seen in this legislation that we've considered too, that we've questioned and expressed some opinions on and frustrations is the practice of putting existing department heads or employees of the executive on various boards and authorities. Do you have any indication or reason was given by the executive as to why this should continue, particularly that there's a couple of these type of situations that have arisen. They were in the past and it appears that it continues today despite I think the legislature expressing some concern.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: So I believe there are two people on this list that that would apply to. One to be on the SUNY board and one to be on the CUNY board. I'm just gonna live in to Senator Stavisky. A name we all may know very well is Robert M. But he's now not an employee of the 2nd Floor. He actually is the president of a college, which I don't think we've had conflicts with. So were there any others that you

[Senator Joseph A. Griffo]: We were seeing have her commissioner of the executive branch, Rosanna Plato. Okay, so, oh, that's right. So she CUNY. Yeah, she's right. Senator Stavisky has communicated with us. I know we should be down. I'm just wondering if we were, if anybody indicated to us why there was a need for this practice despite what the legislature has expressed as a concern, we had any type of communication or interaction for the the meeting.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: So that's why I wanted to pass it to Senator Stavisky. Yes. Please. Yeah.

[Senator Toby Ann Stavisky]: My concern over an executive, whether it be the governor or the mayor, appointing somebody for who works directly for them goes back probably fifteen years. I've always felt the question of accountability whether, the person's a when the person's a policymaker, such as a commissioner, in the state administration, whether, that person should be serving on SUNY or Cooney because the question really is to whom are they accountable. And I voted in committee without recommendation on the commissioner and I voted no in finance and it is in no way a reflection on their ability and their service, but on the idea that the governor should not be appointing a commissioner or somebody who works directly for them.

[Senator Joseph A. Griffo]: And I appreciate that and I concur with the chairwoman. I just was wondering if they had shared with us why they felt it was necessary. Why they felt that specific and particular appointment was needed relative to the nomination.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: So I know upon questioning that Mr. Katz, who's been nominated to the State University of New York, is actually leaving the governor's office. So they were hoping they could move him on to the SUNY board prior to our finishing the year so that he could be on there when he would not actually be continuing in the governor's office. So, I think that that at least address that and on miss Rosado, I don't think she's planning on leaving the governor's employee. Toby, do you know? Yeah.

[Senator Toby Ann Stavisky]: The problem obviously is we don't wanna leave the spot vacant. And that I think is also an issue because unfortunately we do get the nominations very late. I've spoken to all four higher education nominees both for the Hess Board and for the SUNY and CUNY and made my position very clear. And they understand. But I still will vote no on another commissioner of ECJS.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: So we haven't ever changed it legislatively. Although Senator Stavisky has a bill to do this,

[Senator Toby Ann Stavisky]: I believe. That bill passed the Senate awaiting action on the assembly. So let's lobby the assembly.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: So I know I support her bill. Other questions or issues?

[Senator Toby Ann Stavisky]: I move the nominees.

[Senator Liz Krueger (Chair, Finance Committee)]: Okay. Senator Gounardes moves the nominees. Senator Hinchey seconds the nominees. All those so, I'm sorry, just to clarify. We're gonna take it as all those in favor, but of course you can vote no or without rec on each one individually on your pieces of paper, that's okay. Okay? All those in favor? Aye. Aye. All those opposed? A few maybe?