New York State SmartTranscripts:

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Senate will come to order. I ask everyone to please rise from beside the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. In the absence of clergy, let us bow our heads in a moment of silent reflection or prayer.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Reading of the journal. In senate, Friday, 03/13/2026, the senate met pursuant to adjournment. The journal Thursday, 03/12/2026 was read and approved. I'll motion to senate adjourn.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Without objection, the journal stands approved as read. Presentation of petitions, messages from the assembly. Secretary will read.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Senator Scufus moved to discharge from the committee on ethics. Assembly bill number twenty three thirty. Substituted for the identical senate bill fifty eight forty three. Third reading count of four fifty two.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: So ordered. Messages from the governor, reports of standing committees, reports of select committees, communications of reports from state officers, motions and resolutions, senator Gionnaires.

[Senator Michael Gianaris — Deputy Majority Leader]: Good afternoon, mister president.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Good afternoon.

[Senator Michael Gianaris — Deputy Majority Leader]: Have several amendments here. Amendments are offered to the following third reading calendar bills by senator Clear, calendar two twenty nine, senator Persaud, calendar three fifty seven, and senator May, calendar four fifty four.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: The amendments are received and the bill will retain its place on the third reading calendar. Senator Gionnaires.

[Senator Michael Gianaris — Deputy Majority Leader]: Please call on senator Hartman for introduction.

[Senator Pete Harckham]: Senator Hartman. Thank you very much, mister president. You know, from time to time on this floor, we welcome, dignitaries from far and wide, from New York, from around the world. Today, we have some friends visiting us from Connecticut. With us today are representatives from the Korean United Methodist Church of New Haven, as well as the Korean American Association of Connecticut. And while decorum prohibits me from mentioning names explicitly, there's also the person here who puts up with the incorrigible senator from the 40th Senate District on a daily basis. So if you please, mister president, please welcome our guests and offer them all the privileges and courtesies of the chamber.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you, senator. To our guests, I welcome you on behalf of the senate. We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of the house. Please rise and be recognized.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Senator Gineris.

[Senator Michael Gianaris — Deputy Majority Leader]: Mister president, senator Harkham didn't wanna mention his wife's name, but I can. So welcome to, Ginny Stevens, is part of the, the delegation that was just introduced. We have a privilege resolution at the desk. Let's take that up right now. Resolution seventeen fifty three and recognize senator Kavanaugh after reading that resolution's title.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Secretary will read resolution seventeen fifty three by senator Kavanaugh, honoring Saint Patrick and all persons of Irish descent upon the occasion of the celebration of Saint Patrick's Day on Tuesday, 03/17/2026, memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2026 as Irish American Heritage Month in the month in the state of New York.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Senator Kavanaugh.

[Senator Brian Kavanagh]: Thank you, mister president, and happy Saint Patrick's month to everybody. We are, as a proud Irish American, whose father immigrated, to The United States from County Donegal and whose maternal grandparents, also made that journey, somewhat earlier. It's an honor to introduce this resolution proclaiming March 2026, as Irish Heritage Month, in the state of New York and celebrating Saint Patrick's Day, a day that acknowledges the resilience, heritage, and enduring spirit of the Irish people and our great contributions to the state of New York. Today, of course, we honor Saint Patrick, who's the patron saint not only of Ireland but also of the archdiocese of New York. And we also celebrate the generations of Irish immigrants, many of whom turned hardship into hope and really have enriched New York and our entire nation. In the mid nineteenth century, millions of Irish began flowing into The United States through the what's known as the golden door often of Ellis Island, seeking refuge from famine, from political oppression, and from injustice. Among them was Annie Moore of Cork, Ireland, who was the very first immigrant from anywhere in the world, to arrive at Ellis Island in pursuit of a new life in America. Many many of them arrived with very little and yet contributed so much, to New York, building, the Erie Canal, many many thousands of Irish were involved in that, as well as lots of our infrastructure. And in a continuing tradition of, being very important in our trades, our workers who construct, and maintain all kinds of infrastructure around the state. The spirit of public service of the Irish, runs very deep. For a quarter of the Continental Army was Irish born, including the fighting sixty ninth that served on the battlefields of the civil war and through many of our conflicts up to this day and is headquartered in the sixty ninth regiment armory in Manhattan. The very one of the very first medal of honor recipients post nine eleven was seal was navy seal lieutenant Michael p Murphy of Smithtown. And, of course, I was I had the honor yesterday of joining an Irish delegation at the at 09:11 at the 911 Memorial And Museum, and many, many of my Irish brethren and sisters gave their lives on that day answering the call of service as police officers and firefighters. That proud tradition really has sort of been consistent throughout our history as a country. Again, I mentioned the Continental Army and also nine signers of the original declaration of independence and 23 United States presidents and a few governors I'll get to in a moment. This is also, Irish history month, so it is important, to recognize, also the many Irish American women who've been visionaries and trail trailblazers. Annie Sullivan, who opened up the world as the to Helen Keller as her teacher. Nelly Bly, who changed the face of journalism, colonel Eileen Collins, was the first woman, to command a space shuttle and is a New Yorker. And their legacy reminds us that the Irish spirit of courage has never been confined to one arena, one area of life, but across many, you know, many sectors and and activities in our society. Their legality also lives on through, again, public service right here in New York. Of course, a leader like Al Smith, New York's first happy warrior, who really defined much of the great changes in our country, starting with services and programs in New York that made sure that we lifted up the neediest, made sure we took care of everyone in our society, and became the New Deal programs of the forties and into the fifties, and still are some of our basic safety net programs to this day. The labor movement, of course, has been led by many, many Irish Americans and continues to be do so today. And, of course, we're very proud as Irish Americans to have a governor who is of Irish descent and also very much embraces that experience as a formative experience of her own and something that really defines her work and her commitment to making sure we're caring for all New Yorkers. Saint Patrick's Day is more, of course, than a tribute to the past. It's a living celebration of values that unite Irish people all over the world and us also as New Yorkers. Resiliency in the face of struggle, solidarity in times of division, and the belief that every person deserves dignity. The Irish, island, of course, has been divided at times. There had been, discrimination and oppression based on religion and, other divisions in our society. We are very proud now that, we are hopefully moving past those in a permanent way, but we know that also Irish Americans and the Irish have learned from those experiences, and again, we try to apply them to our work here. As president as president of the American Irish legislative lative Society, I'm happy to work with, leaders in this chamber, and across and, you know, across the other side of the building, including our vice president, senator Patrick Gallivan, and our treasurer, Pat Fahey, as well as Mary Beth Walsh and, Mike Fitzpatrick, our assembly colleagues. So as we honor Saint Patrick who stood against intolerance and discrimination suffered by the Irish people, we are mindful of the continuing need to stand for justice, inclusion, and mutual understanding here in New York and Ireland and around the world. This includes, again, our steadfast commitment to the Good Fight Friday agreements and the peace and reconciliation is brought, to the North Of Ireland since 1998. And we know we are very much as Americans proud of the fact that American leaders, of Irish descent and others were very instrumental in bringing that peace process to to fruition in 1998 and continue to support that process. So again, tomorrow is our Saint the biggest Saint Patrick's Day parade, not just in New York State, but anywhere in the world. We're expecting, as we usually do, about 2,000,000 spectators, about a 150,000 marchers. And it's not just a day for the Irish. It's a day when countless New Yorkers and many people from Ireland and other parts of the world join us in the spirit of Ireland and in the spirit of celebration. And so for anyone who might be considering joining us who's within earshot of this speech, I say, Mielefalcha, which means, of course, 100,000 welcomes. I'm sure that's on the tip of all of your time. And again, we Saint Patrick's Day has very much become not just a day, but really a month of celebration across our communities. I know many of my colleagues have participated in parades and other events. So again, thank you for the opportunity to speak with you. And just to end, there's an old Irish blessing that says, we all live in each other's shelter, and I hope we can continue in that spirit. Happy Saint Patrick's Day, and I vote aye on the resolution.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you, senator. Senator Fey.

[Unidentified Senator (Irish Heritage remarks)]: Thank you, president. I join my colleague in noting, Irish Heritage Day every March. We do hear the bagpipes echo down the streets, and a lot of green appears, around the capital and certainly in New York City tomorrow. But today, here is a day to remind ourselves it's more than parades or even pints. It really is about, heritage, the shared sacrifices, resilience, and then that enduring promise of America. It's a it's a month that I, puts me down memory lane. My story is a very personal one, and I certainly share, the pride. And I have to say, the older I get, the more I believe that my roots have become a compass for my life. I was born in Chicago to depression air immigrant parents who left small farms. Didn't really want to leave those farms, but they arrived here after immigration reopened in world war after World War two. They were the very last of a generation to come off the boat right here in the New York City Harbor or right south of us, I should say. Mine is a very universal story. My parents came for the same reasons we see, again, universally, and that is that they have a chance at a job that they didn't have in their own country and the chance that their children would ultimately have an education. Both of my parents only had a primary school education. My father had a year of technical school, but, again, education was out of the reach financially for their families. So like many Irish, they helped build this country. My father started in the Chicago stockyards. My mother is a domestic servant. And as we've seen so many communities build brick by brick, many ultimately found their way into public service. And I, as their daughter, ultimately did against my father's best wishes, I have to say, or against his recommendation. But it was this unshakable belief in fairness and that opportunity we're reminded opportunity should never be because of where you were born, because of who your parents were, because of an accent or color of of those who arrived on this shore on their shore on these shores. The parallels to today's immigration battles are absolutely uncanny. My parents, through a lot of hard work, were afforded one version of an American dream as many generations were, but that has really turned into more of a fairy tale for way too many. And we have seen ladies Lady Liberty's torch dim in recent years, Dim with the lack of opportunity and, and that that unshakable belief in fairness that that, we experienced and grew up hearing about. We must not forget so it's a reminder to me not to forget the roots, not to forget our our shared roots, the repression that held Ireland back for centuries, and the suffering for centuries because of an autocratic rule, and I think it has led me to become so outspoken as I reflect on those. But it's also that spirit of community, perseverance, and standing up for the underdog that the Irish have done so much on. So as we celebrate, the culture, the traditions, and the values of generosity, courage, and more, it is a reminder of the shoulders we stand on, the shared sacrifices, and, one of the many beautiful sayings, from Ireland is, may your troubles be less, your blessings be more, and may nothing but happiness come through your door. And with that, mister president, I wish all smiling eyes, shine down upon all of us here and throughout this state. Thank you.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. The question is on the resolution. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. Resolution is adopted. Senator

[Senator Michael Gianaris — Deputy Majority Leader]: Mister president, senator Kavanaugh would like to open that resolution for cosponsorship.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Resolution is open for cosponsorship. Should you choose not to be a cosponsor, please notify the desk, senator Gioners.

[Senator Michael Gianaris — Deputy Majority Leader]: Let's take up the calendar, please.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Secretary will read. Calendar number 102, Senate Print thirty eight fifty two b by Senator Hinchy. Not too many environmental conservation law. Read the last section. Section three, this action will take effect on the one hundred and eightieth day, and shall become a law. Call the roll. Adabo, GNRS Kruger, Ort, Zuylkad, and Zelner. Announce the results. Ayes, 60.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Bills passed.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Calendar number 01/22, senate print thirty seven thirty six by senator Comrie, enactment of public authorities law.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Section three, this action will take effect immediately. We call the roll. Adabo, G and R's Krueger, Ort, Swilcutt, and Zelman. Announce the results. I 60.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Bill is passed.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Calendar number January, senate print one nineteen by senator Clare, an act to to amend the Emergency Tenant Protection Act.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Yes, The bill will be laid aside for the day.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Calendar number three thirty six, senate print five sixty six by senator Scufus, an act to amend the executive law. Read the last section. Section six is action to correct immediately. Call the roll. Adabo, Gionars Kruger, Ort, Sukun, Zelner. Announce the results.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Announce the results.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: In relation to calendar March, vote in a negative are senators Ort, Rhoads, and Walzig, ayes 57, nays three.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Bills pass.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Calendar number March, Senate Print 06/30 by Senator Staviski, an act of criminal procedure law. Read the last section. Section two is action to correct immediately. Call to roll. Adabo, GNRS, Kruger, Ort, Sukad, and Zelner. Announce the results. I 60. Bills passed. Calendar number 431, Senate print 3699 by senator Sanders. Enact to pardon me. Enact to enact the facial recognition technology study act.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Section four, this act should affect immediately. Call to roll. Adabo, Junaud, Kruger, Ort, Sukad, and Zelner. Announce the results. Ablation count of four thirty one, voting in negative are senators Rose and Walzigs. Ayes, 58 and h two.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Bills passed.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Calendar number 446, senate print ten fifty two by senator May. An act to direct the Department of Economic Development to move the Central New York Welcome Center to the Equal Rights Heritage Center in the city of Auburn.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Lay it aside.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Calendar number April, semi number twenty three thirty by a semi member Mcdonald. And that, to amend the legislative law. Read the last section. Section two, this action took effect on the thirtieth day of Jabba Kamala Law. Call to roll. Adabo, GNR Schuker or Sukha Nzona.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Announce results.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: In relation to calendar four '52, voted in a negative are senators Chan and Rhodes. Ayes, 58. Nays, two.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Bills passed.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Calendar number 456, senate print two fifty seven by senator Martinez enact in relation to authorizing a study on lithium ion battery fires and prevention.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Section three, this action should be conducted immediately. Call to roll. Adabo, GNR's Kruger, or Zoukat and Zelman. Barrella.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Barrella. Explain his vote.

[Senator George Borrello]: Thank you, mister president. I I I certainly support this bill. I think it's important, but I I find it rather ironic or or dangerous that we are proceeding forward with this electric school bus mandate without actually having a study on something like, are these things gonna start on fire? We're already watching kids freezing because they're turning off the heat in order to complete their routes in the rural areas that I represent and, really to pump the brakes on this, no pun intended. This is one of many things that we should be studying before we're gonna put our children on a bus that could be potentially deadly. I'm supporting this, but I really would like some more common sense when it comes to the overall, electric, battery mandates. Thank you.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Senator Barrella will be recorded in the affirmative. Senator White.

[Senator Alexis Weik]: Thank you, mister president. I rise to explain my vote today, although I also agree with today's bill. Today's bill is a study on lithium ion battery fires, which pose a huge safety and environmental concern. I have a bill, of course, that prohibits, the mandate that requires school districts to purchase, operate, and maintain electric buses since we don't even know how to stabilize, prevent, or extinguish these fires. The fact that we're passing this bill today certainly shows that everyone who votes yes on today's bill is also concerned with the safety of electric buses and the children that we're mandating to ride on them. Thank you.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Senator, record be recorded. And the affirmative? Announcement results.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: I 60. Bills passed. Calendar number April, senate print 5779 by senator Fernandez, and that to amend the education law. Read the last section. Section four of this action taken effect on the July 1.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Obrak. Senator Obrak, explain your vote.

[Senator Peter Oberacker]: Thank you, mister president. This is a great bill, plain and simple. And, I'm, grateful for senator Fernandez for bringing this forward. And, again, it kinda shows that when we sit down, discuss, talk, be able to work things out, great things can be accomplished. And the fact that this bill will take, potentially much needed opioid antagonists and put them in an area where if there is a health issue, most people know where these AEDs are anyway. I think it's just well thought out, great bill. And again, senator Fernandez, thank you for bringing it forward. Every once in a while, say in Albany, we get it right. Today, got it right. Thank you, mister president.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Senator O'Brien recorded in the affirmative. Senator Fernandez to explain her vote.

[Senator Nathalia Fernandez]: Thank you, mister president. And through you, I really wanna thank the comments by my, colleague here because this is a very common sense approach. First aid kit well, EDUs, are the the the the tools that we run to when there is someone in distress, when they are unconscious. And many times, maybe they don't need that or maybe they do need Narcan, but this does provide more tools in a secure location to help somebody in their most desperate time of need for whatever, may be the cause. So I thank everyone for voting for this bill and for making New Yorkers safe by safer by having the tools altogether. Thank you.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. Announce the results. In relation

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: to calendar April, born in a negative, Senator Walzik, I 16 ace one. Bills passed. Calendar number April, Senate Pen four ten by Senator Granada, enactment of civil practice law and rules.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Section four, this action will be effect immediately. Call to roll. Dabo, Giannis Kruger, Ort, Sukadan Zelnick. That's the results. In relation to the count of four seventy four voted in the negative are Senators Ashby, Guerrero, Kensari Fitzpatrick Chan, Gallivan, Grifo Helming, Lanza Martins, Vaterra, Murray, Oberac, O'Mara Orpolumbo, Rolls, Rolls, and Steck, Todisco, Walls of Webb and White, eyes 39, age 22. Bills passed. Calendar number April, center print 2627 a by center Kavanaugh, enactment of real property law. Read the last section. Section two, this action will defect immediately. Call to roll. Adabo, Gnaris, Kruger, Ort, Zuka, and Zelner.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Announce the results.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: In relation to calendar April, voting in a negative center walls at I 60 nays one.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Bills passed.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Calendar number 43, center print June by senator Gnaris, enact too many insurance law.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: section. Section two, this act to take effect on the January 1. Call to roll. Adabo, Gionaris, Cooper, Ort, Sukad, and Zelman. Announce the results. I, 61.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Bills passed.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Calendar number five seventeen, senate print fifty one sixteen a by senator Clear, enact to to amend the education law.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Section two of this action taken effect on the ninetieth day if it shall become a law. Call to roll. Adopted. Gnars Kruger or Suicun Zoner. Announce the results. Ayes, 61. Bills passed.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Senator G. Nerve. That completes the reading of today's calendar.

[Senator Michael Gianaris — Deputy Majority Leader]: Mister president, not since Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in 1858 have a series of debates taking on such great importance as those between Mark Walsick and Rachel May. Let's take up the controversial calendar to hear the next installment, please.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: The secretary will ring the bell. The secretary will read. Calendar number April, senate print October by senator May. And that to direct the department of economic development to move the Central New York welcome center to the equal rights heritage center in the city of Auburn.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Senator Walter, why do you rise?

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: From the party of Lincoln, mister president. I rise in hopes that the sponsor will yield for some questions.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Does the sponsor yield?

[Senator Rachel May]: Mister president, I am happy to debate this bill once again.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: The sponsor yields.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: In, in 2018, the state spent $10,000,000 to build the Equal Rights Heritage Center, which opened in 2018. Is that correct?

[Senator Rachel May]: Three, mister president. I don't know the price tag on the building.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: And three, mister president, would the sponsor continue to yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Does the sponsor yield? I do. Sponsor yield.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: So at the at the time that the state spent $10,000,000 to build the heritage center in the city of Auburn, it was under agreement that the city of Auburn was going to run the operations, be responsible for running the operations of the the Equal Rights Heritage Center. Is that correct?

[Senator Rachel May]: Mister president, there was an understanding that the, Central New York Welcome Center would be placed in the Equal Rights Heritage Center and the normal funding for a Welcome Center would contribute to the operating expenses of the center.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: Mister president, would the sponsor continue to yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Does the sponsor yield? I will. Sponsor yields.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: But the CNY Welcome Center was actually placed in, Destiny USA, not in Auburn. Is that correct?

[Senator Rachel May]: Through you, mister president, that is correct. As far as we can tell, there was some side deal made between, governor Cuomo and the mall developers to shift the plan and put the welcome center at Destiny instead.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: Through you, mister president, would the sponsor continue to yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Does the sponsor yield? I do. The sponsor yields.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: And in the Heritage Center's first year of operations, they received $50,000 from the state of New York to help the city of Auburn with operating. Is that correct?

[Senator Rachel May]: Through you, mister president, I don't don't know. I wasn't in office at that time, and I didn't represent Auburn at that time either.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: And three, mister president, would the sponsor continue to yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Does the sponsor yield?

[Senator Rachel May]: I do.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Sponsor yield.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: You may have been in office in 2025 when the city received $200,000, from the state. Is that figure correct? $200,000 for the operations to help the city of Aub Auburn, run the heritage center?

[Senator Rachel May]: Mister president, that is correct because I have advocated each of the last few years to get some operating funding into the state budget to replace what was lost by losing the c m y welcome center designation.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: And through you, mister president, will the sponsor continue to yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Does the sponsor yield? Yes. Sponsor yields?

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: Yeah. So I I noticed you once again provided $200,000 for the city of Auburn for the operations of the, Heritage Center in your one house budget. The city says that it costs about $234,000 annually to run. Is that correct?

[Senator Rachel May]: Through you, mister president, that sounds right to me.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: And through you, president, would the sponsor continue to yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Does the sponsor yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Yes. The sponsor yield?

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: Destiny USA is actually so it's a mall in Syracuse. It is the top 20 most in the top 20 most visited shopping centers in the nation with over 20,000,000 visitors per year. The Equal Rights Center gets about 8,000 visitors a year. Is that correct?

[Senator Rachel May]: Through you, mister president. I don't know that number, but that sounds very low to me. There are always people there when I go.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: And through you, mister president, would the sponsor continue to yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Does sponsor yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Yes. Sponsor yield.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: Yeah. In their annual 2024 report, I can read you the specific number. A total of 8,206 walk ins. That was an increase of 3,000 visitors over 2023. So headed in the right direction, but falling pretty short of 20,000,000 where the visitor center is currently. My question is, is Onondaga County in support of moving the visitor center from their county into the county of Cayuga in the city of Auburn?

[Senator Rachel May]: Three of us, president. This isn't a decision for Onondaga County. This is a decision for the state of New York. And I would also say the visitor center actually is a gathering place. There are events that take place outside of it all the time, and so I don't know if they're clocking every single person who comes in there, but, Destiny Mall also some of those numbers of visitors are, very old, to be honest, and it is, I would say there's been a significant drop off, especially now that Canadian visitors aren't coming to Syracuse anymore.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: Through you, mister president, will the sponsor continue to yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Does the sponsor yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: By what? Sponsor yield.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: In in fact, at least in their 2024 report, they do clock, combined events and and tours total adding another 6,400 of combined events and, and tours. I assume that's things outside of the Heritage Center that rally there, to include the No Kings rally that was held on October 18 at the Heritage Center or on January 22, a Democrat running for county court judge having their announcement in the Heritage Center. My question, are there any Republican events or conservative events ever held at the Heritage Center?

[Senator Rachel May]: Through you, mister president, I don't have a list of events that are held there, but I do know there are a lot of community events that occur outside the center and and I'm sure some of them are, at the very least, nonpartisan, if not republican organized. I just I don't know.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: And through you, mister president, will the sponsor continue to yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Does the sponsor yield?

[Senator Rachel May]: I do.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: Sponsor yields. City Of Auburn is often called Prison City, for very good reason. There were a number of events, in Auburn this time last year as corrections officers were fighting for safety on their job. Were any of the corrections officers' rallies held at the, at the Heritage Center?

[Senator Rachel May]: Through you, mister president, I don't know the answer.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: And through you, mister president, would the sponsor continue to yield? Does the sponsor yield?

[Senator Rachel May]: Yes.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Sponsor yields. Do you happen

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: to know the party registration of the executive director, the chair of the board, the treasurer, and almost the entire board of directors?

[Senator Rachel May]: Mister president, I do not see how that is relevant to this question, and the answer is no.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: Thank you, mister president. On the bill.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Senator Welchuk, on the bill.

[Senator Mark Walczyk]: So this bill would move the Central New York Welcome Center from one of the largest malls, most frequently visited in America. It is in the top 20 largest malls, has over 20,000,000 people visit it each day. I know it well because I grew up in the Central New York region. I also represent the North Country and have many Canadian friends who talk about doing their Christmas shopping there. That's why it's situated well to be a welcome center. The area where you've got 20,000,000 people in Central New York showing up to shop is a great way to welcome them to the state of New York, show them some of the products that we make in the state of New York, and show them some information that they may spread out to communities even like communities of Auburn. It's a great place to advertise for Prison City. It's at the confluence of Route 81 And 90, making it very easy for many visitors even with traffic changes. Still very easy for many visitors across the state of New York. But on top of the strategy of this, what bothers me the most about this bill is that the city of Syracuse and the county of Onondaga, where the CNY Welcome Center is situated today, haven't asked for this, haven't approved of this, and would agree that in Central New York, Syracuse is the beating heart. That makes sense for CNY to have the Welcome Center there and well placed in the area where people most frequently visit visit. So it doesn't make strategic sense for us in this body to move CNY's welcome center out to the city of Auburn, and no offense to Prison City. I'm sure they love the visitors. But when you look at everything from actually, if if you should know, and you should know, parking was taken away from the city of Auburn. Many residents at the YMCA weren't happy having to park out on the street. Actually, at the Syracuse Mall at Destiny USA, parking is free and people, 20,000,000 of them, are already showing up to shop there. So moving this into the city of of, Auburn, could even cause more consternation. And the real reason that this is brought forward is to support the democrat hangout in the city of Auburn. This is the place where all the events are. This is the place where all of the organization are. This is where people coalesce and have rallies for one side of an issue, not for the other. And that's what makes it difficult in this body with the state of New York and taxpayer dollars that we're investing here to say no. So I hope that you will join me in voting no on this bill. Thank you.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Are there any other senators wishing to be heard? Seeing and hearing none, debate is closed. The secretary will ring the bell. I'm sorry. Sergeant Gionnaires.

[Senator Michael Gianaris — Deputy Majority Leader]: Mister president, we've agreed to restore this to the non controversial calendar.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: Section. Section Read the two, this action will take effect immediately. Call to roll. Adabo, Gnars Kruger, or Sukadan Zama.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Senator made an explainer vote.

[Senator Rachel May]: Thank you, mister president. When the state builds a building, I think it is reasonable to expect that that building will that the state will have a plan for how that building will be operated over time. The state built a very nice building right in the middle of Auburn, right across from City Hall, right next to the Seward House, which is a very important tourist destination, and right around the corner from downtown. And then the state pulled the funding that was supposed to be what enabled the building to continue its operation. And personally, I think this is irresponsible on the part of the state and an insult to the city of Auburn, and it has left the city in a position where either they had to come up with a significant amount of money to run this building or watch it fall down essentially right in the middle of town. So I am proud to advocate for a sustainable system of of funding the operation of this building, but I also need to say clearly, this isn't about partisanship. This isn't about some kind of, lefty plot. This is about infrastructure and how we support the institutions in our Upstate cities. And the reality is even if I think it's pretty inflated to say 20,000,000 people are visiting Destiny Mall now in a year. The reality is that that welcome center at Destiny Mall is located in a distant corner that very few people ever see. So the numbers who actually visit that welcome center, I've been by several times to check, and there's almost never anyone there. So I would bet if they were collecting information that there are actually at least as many people visiting the Welcome Center or visiting the the Equal Rights Heritage Center in Auburn as there are visiting the Welcome Center at Destiny Mall. So I think this is smart economics for us to put state money into operating this building, and I think Auburn is deserving of it, and I vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: Senator may be recorded in the affirmative. I'll announce the results.

[J. Christopher O'Brien — Secretary of the New York State Senate]: In relation to count of four forty six, voting in the negative are senators Ashby, Morello, Kansai and Fitzpatrick, Lanza, Martins, Matera, O'Mara or Palumbo, Rhodes, Steck, Tedisco, Walzwick, Weberton, White. Eyes 47, and age 15.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: The bill is passed. Senator Generis, that completes the reading of the controversial calendar.

[Senator Michael Gianaris — Deputy Majority Leader]: Is there any further business at the desk?

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: There is no further business at the desk.

[Senator Michael Gianaris — Deputy Majority Leader]: I move to adjourn until tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17, Saint Patrick's Day at 3PM.

[Acting President of the Senate (Presiding Officer)]: I motion the senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 17 at 3PM.